Refrigerator Drawer Auto-Extension to Reduce Door Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in user convenience when accessing drawers, particularly in the lower region, due to interference with rear-mounted door components, requiring additional force to open and potentially damaging the door and drawer mechanisms, and occupying valuable storage space.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with an electric driving unit that automatically moves a drawer to a ready position when the door is opened, allowing for easy access without additional user force, and returns it to the initial position using an elastic restoring force, minimizing interference and maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rear of the door is inserted further into the storage compartment to provide additional functional space, then the door can accommodate home bar, ice maker, and shelf functions, but the fronts of the shelves or receiving boxes interfere with the rear of the door
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving box is designed with movable fronts that can automatically extend when the door is opened and retract when the door is closed. This dynamic adjustment allows the receiving box to clear the door's path when needed while maintaining a compact profile during normal operation, resolving the interference issue between the door and storage components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fronts of the receiving boxes are positioned further inward in the storage compartment to reduce interference with the door, then door interference is reduced, but it becomes difficult for the user to withdraw the receiving boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically extending the receiving box fronts when the door is opened, positioning them in an accessible location before the user needs to withdraw the drawer. This eliminates the need for users to reach deep into the storage compartment, improving ease of operation while maintaining compact positioning during closed-door operation
3Ease of operation
If additional force is applied to open the door to withdraw the receiving boxes, then the receiving boxes can be withdrawn, but the door and drawer mechanisms may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving box fronts are designed to automatically extend and retract based on door position, eliminating the need for users to apply excessive force. The system serves itself by using the door's movement to trigger the extension mechanism, thereby protecting the door and drawer mechanisms from damage while maintaining ease of operation
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
Enhances user convenience by reducing the effort required to access drawers, minimizing the risk of damage to the door and drawer mechanisms, and optimizing storage space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
returns it to the initial position using an elastic restoring force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention provides a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet (10) having a storage compartment; a door (20) hingedly connected to the cabinet for opening and closing the storage compartment; a drawer (30) provided in the storage compartment; a sensor (40) configured to sense whether the door is open; and an electric driving unit (150) configured to drive the drawer such that the drawer is withdrawn forward when it is sensed that the door is open, and wherein the sensor is configured to sense that the door is open when an opening angle of the door reaches a predetermined opening angle.