Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator drawer systems face challenges in providing a safe, stable, and convenient elevation mechanism for drawer-type doors, often resulting in exposure of electrical components, instability during elevation, and potential safety hazards due to eccentric loads and deformation of the door and storage container.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring an elevation assembly with a motor-driven mechanism that elevates a support member on both sides of the drawer door, with the electrical device housed in the front panel door part and connected to a mechanism in the drawer part, allowing for stable elevation without tilting and minimizing exposure, while maintaining a neat appearance and ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drawer-type door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is compact, but the user has to turn its back to take out basket or foods which causes inconvenience and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer-type door is designed to be movable between a lowered position (when closed) and an elevated position (when opened), transforming from a static structure to a dynamic one. This allows the door to adapt its position based on operational needs, improving user convenience while maintaining compact structure when closed.
2Ease of operation
If the storage container is elevated on the rear surface of the withdrawable door, then user convenience is improved, but connection portions and electrical devices are exposed causing safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation mechanism, including the motor device and support structures, is nested within the drawer-type door itself rather than being mounted on the rear surface. The motor device is disposed within the door body, and the support member is integrated into the door structure, preventing exposure of electrical components and connection portions while maintaining the elevation function.
3Ease of operation
If force for elevation is applied to the front end of the storage container, then elevation is achieved, but eccentric load causes unstable elevation and deformation of door and storage container
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with an L-shaped cross-section having different dimensions in different directions, allowing it to engage with the drawer-type door at multiple points. This asymmetric design distributes the elevation force along the longitudinal direction while providing lateral support, preventing tilting and deformation during elevation.
4Ease of operation
If pneumatic cylinders are disposed on both sides to elevate the basket, then elevation capability is improved, but the basket may tilt if not accurately controlled and safety issues arise from exposed cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic cylinder system is replaced with a motor-driven elevation mechanism. The motor device is disposed within the drawer-type door and drives the support member through a mechanical transmission system, eliminating the need for exposed pneumatic cylinders. This provides more precise control and eliminates safety hazards associated with exposed pneumatic components.
5Ease of operation
If the entire basket is elevated, then user access is improved, but the basket must be completely withdrawn which requires reinforcement structures like rails
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation function is segmented from the entire door system and applied only to the storage container portion. The support member selectively supports and elevates only the basket, allowing the basket to be elevated independently without requiring complete withdrawal of the door or additional reinforcement structures for the entire door assembly.
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
The solution provides a safe, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing method for elevating the drawer support member, enhancing user convenience and reducing the risk of injury or damage, while maintaining efficient use of storage space and improving assembly and serviceability.
Implementation Method 1
an elevation assembly with a motor-driven mechanism that elevates a support member
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; a front panel door part; a drawer part configured to be connected to the front panel door part and to insert into and withdraw from the cabinet based on movement of the front panel door part relative to the cabinet; a support member located in the drawer part and configured to seat an object stored in the drawer part; and an elevation device that is located at each of a first side surface of the drawer part and a second side surface of the drawer part, that is configured to be coupled to each of a first side of the support member and a second side of the support member, and that is configured to elevate the support member relative to the drawer part in a state in which the drawer part is withdrawn from a lower storage space defined in the cabinet.