refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face manufacturing and usage challenges due to front-and-rear step differences between doors, leading to appearance defects and reduced manufacturability, as existing solutions require multiple parts and are difficult to adjust immediately.
Innovation Solution
A step difference adjustment member is provided on the rear surface of the door, featuring a stopper and mounting portion that allows adjustable protrusion length to align doors with the cabinet, mitigating shock and noise, and ensuring thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a step difference adjustment member with multiple parts is used, then the front-and-rear step difference can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated adjustment member that includes both the adjustment mechanism and the shock-mitigating element. This single component performs both step difference adjustment and shock absorption, eliminating the need for separate parts and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it adjusts the front-and-rear step difference between doors and also serves as a shock-mitigating element that absorbs impact when the door closes. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the system
2Manufacturing precision
If a complex adjustment mechanism is used, then step difference can be corrected, but ease of operation decreases and user adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member is designed to be easily adjustable by the user without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures. The structure allows direct manual adjustment of the stopper position to change the protruding length, enabling users to perform the adjustment themselves during installation or maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment member is pre-configured with a stopper that can be positioned at different locations along the adjustment member body. This preliminary design allows the user to simply select and set the appropriate position rather than performing complex adjustment operations, making the process straightforward and user-friendly
3Device complexity
If the adjustment member is not integrated with shock mitigation, then adjustment is simpler, but shock and noise increase when door closes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the shock-mitigating element directly into the adjustment member structure. The stopper or cushioning element is incorporated as part of the same component that performs step difference adjustment, creating a unified element that handles both adjustment and shock absorption functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment member includes a built-in shock-mitigating element such as a stopper or cushion that is positioned to absorb impact before the door fully closes. This preliminary cushioning action reduces the shock and noise generated during door closure by providing a gradual deceleration rather than abrupt impact
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator comprising a cabinet (11) provided with a storage space; a door (12) configured to open and close the storage space; and a step difference adjustment member (20) on the door (12), wherein the step difference adjustment member (20) comprises a stopper (300) arranged to be in contact with the cabinet (11) when the door (12) is closed, and a mounting portion (200) with an accommodation space, in which the stopper (300) is inserted, and wherein a length of the stopper (300) protruding from the door (12) is adjustable based on a position (221, 223, 225) at which the stopper (300) is inserted in mounting portion (200).