Refrigerator Door Roll Closure for Cold Air Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Side-by-side refrigerators with enlarged storage compartments face issues of power wastage due to cold air leakage when the subsidiary storage compartment door is opened, as existing opening/closing devices are not designed to function smoothly without rotating the entire refrigerator compartment door.

Innovation Solution

A roll-type opening/closing device with a supporting member and a blocking member featuring slits is integrated into the subsidiary storage compartment door, allowing it to open and close independently, preventing cold air leakage and improving user accessibility without requiring the entire door to be rotated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a traditional opening/closing device is used that requires rotating the entire refrigerator door, then the device structure is simple, but cold air leakage occurs and power is wasted when the subsidiary storage compartment needs to be accessed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold air leakageVSAvoidopening/closing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening/closing device is segmented into a supporting member (rotating with the door) and a blocking member (independently movable). This allows the blocking member to move independently to cover or expose the subsidiary storage compartment opening, preventing cold air leakage without requiring the entire door to rotate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member acts as an intermediary element between the door and the subsidiary storage compartment opening. It can be positioned to block the opening when the door is closed, preventing cold air leakage, while allowing access when needed, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of sealing and accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the entire refrigerator door is rotated to access the subsidiary storage compartment, then the opening/closing device can function properly, but cold air supplied to the storage compartment leaks outside causing power waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to subsidiary storage compartmentVSAvoidcold air leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the door rotation function from the opening coverage function. The supporting member rotates with the door while the blocking member independently covers/exposes the subsidiary storage compartment opening, allowing access without full door rotation and preventing cold air leakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If the blocking member is made solid without slits, then cold air leakage is prevented, but the storage compartment cannot communicate with the subsidiary storage compartment when the door is closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold air leakage preventionVSAvoidcommunication between compartments

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is designed with movable slits that can dynamically adjust their position and size. When the door is closed, the slits can be positioned to allow cold air communication between compartments. When the door opens, the blocking member can move to cover the subsidiary storage compartment opening, preventing cold air leakage while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances user convenience by allowing the subsidiary storage compartment to be accessed without opening the main door, reducing power wastage by minimizing cold air leakage and improving the efficiency of the refrigeration system.

Implementation Method 1

a blocking member wound around the supporting member in a roll type to open and close the open rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRoll type winding mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

at least one slit is provided in the blocking member to make the storage compartment in communication with the subsidiary storage compartment, so that when the door is closed, cold air supplied to the storage compartment is drawn into the subsidiary storage compartment via the at least one slit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow through slits:

Data Source

PatentEP2410269B1Refrigerator

Publication Date: 2019.03.27 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet comprising a storage compartment; a door rotatably provided in the cabinet, the door opening/closing the storage compartment; an subsidiary storage compartment provided in the door, with an open rear surface; and an opening/closing device provided in a rear surface of the door to open and close the rear surface of the subsidiary storage compartment. The opening/closing device includes a supporting member coupled to the subsidiary storage compartment; and a blocking member wound around the supporting member in a roll type.