refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator drawer-type doors face challenges in safe and stable elevation of support members due to exposed electrical devices, eccentric loads, and interference with storage capacity, leading to safety concerns and inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring an elevation assembly with electrical devices housed within the door part and a mechanism part in the drawer part, connected to elevate the support member without tilting, while minimizing exposure and maintaining a neat appearance, using a draw-out rail and elevation device mounted on both sides to secure stable elevation without compromising storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
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 heavy items causing inconvenience and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer-type door is designed to be movable in the vertical direction through an elevation assembly, allowing it to transition from a fixed lower position to an elevated position. This dynamic adjustment enables users to access items easily without bending or turning their backs, while maintaining compact structure when closed
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical devices and structures for elevation are exposed on the door, then the elevation function is achieved, but safety problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation assembly is nested within the drawer-type door structure, with the motor assembly housed in a motor housing and the elevation assembly housed in an elevation housing. This nested arrangement conceals electrical devices and moving parts, eliminating safety hazards from exposure while preserving the elevation capability
3Device complexity
If force for elevation is substantially applied to a front end of the storage container, then the elevation mechanism is simple, but stable elevation is difficult due to eccentric load
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation assembly is positioned asymmetrically at the rear end of the drawer-type door rather than at the front center, matching the eccentric load distribution of stored items. This asymmetric placement ensures the elevation force is applied at the optimal point to maintain stability during lifting
4Device complexity
If the entire basket is elevated, then the support and elevation structure can be simplified, but the draw-out distance increases requiring reinforcement structures
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of elevating the entire drawer-type door and basket assembly, only the basket (storage container) is extracted and elevated separately by the elevation assembly. This selective elevation simplifies the support structure requirements while maintaining adequate draw-out distance for the door itself
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator (1) includes a cabinet (10) in which an upper storage space and a lower storage space are defined, a door part (31) opening and closing the lower storage space through insertion/withdrawal thereof, a drawer part (32) connected to the door part so as to be inserted into and withdrawn from the lower storage space and providing an accommodation space, a support member (35) which is provided in the drawer part and on which a food or a container is seated, a draw-out rail (33) connecting the drawer part to an inner wall surface of the storage space and extending in a multistage to insert and withdraw the door part and the drawer part, and an elevation device (51) provided on each of both side surfaces of the drawer part and connected to both side ends of the support member to elevate the support member. A drawer flange (380) having a predetermined width is disposed on an upper end of each of both the side surfaces of the drawer part, and the draw-out rail and the elevation device are disposed inside a space defined below the drawer flange.