refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with drawer-type doors face issues such as exposure of connection and elevation mechanisms, safety hazards, instability, and reduced storage volume due to mechanical components, and eccentric loads leading to deformation and imbalance during elevation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a support member in the drawer part with elevation devices on both sides driven by a motor assembly, utilizing a door-side and drawer-side shaft system to uniformly elevate the support member, and an inner plate to define the drawer part's side surfaces, ensuring balanced and stable elevation.
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 structure is compact and space-saving, but the user has to turn its back to take out heavy items causing inconvenience and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the support member movable rather than fixed. The support member can be elevated from a lower position to an upper position, allowing the drawer door to remain compact in the lower region while providing easy access to users. The elevation mechanism enables the support member to dynamically adjust its position based on operational needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If connection portions and electrical devices for elevation are exposed on the door surface, then the elevation function is achieved, but safety problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the elevation mechanism inside the drawer door structure rather than exposing it on the outer surface. The support member and elevation devices are nested within the door assembly, with only the functional surface of the support member being visible. This eliminates safety hazards 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 causing deformation and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the asymmetry principle by positioning the elevation force application point asymmetrically relative to the support member's geometry. The elevation force is applied at a specific location that compensates for the eccentric load, ensuring balanced elevation. This asymmetric positioning prevents deformation and instability while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic cylinders are disposed on each of both sides to elevate the basket, then elevation capability is provided, but the basket may tilt if not accurately controlled and safety issues occur due to exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the pneumatic cylinders from the exposed outer surface and integrating them inside the drawer door structure. The elevation mechanism is extracted from the visible area while maintaining its functional capability. This eliminates safety issues related to exposure and reduces the risk of tilting through improved structural integration.
5Device complexity
If the entire basket is elevated, then the support structure is simplified, but the load may be eccentric according to food arrangement causing unbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the elevation function into two independent parts: the drawer door elevation and the support member elevation. Instead of elevating the entire basket as one unit, the support member is separately elevated relative to the drawer door. This segmentation allows for balanced load distribution while maintaining structural simplicity.
6Device complexity
If the basket has to be completely withdrawn from the accommodation space to elevate it, then the elevation mechanism has more space, but insertion and withdrawal become unstable due to increased draw-out distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by transitioning the elevation mechanism from a horizontal draw-out motion to a vertical elevation motion. Instead of withdrawing the basket horizontally to provide space for elevation, the support member is elevated vertically within the confined space of the drawer door. This dimensional change eliminates instability issues while providing sufficient space for the elevation mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet in which an upper storage space and a lower storage space are defined, a door part inserted and withdrawn to open and close the lower storage space, a drawer part connected to the door part so as to be inserted into and withdrawn from the lower storage space, a support member which is provided in the drawer part and on which a food or container is seated, and an elevation device disposed on each of both side surfaces of the drawer part and coupled to each of both side ends of the support member to vertically elevate the support member in a state in which the drawer door is withdrawn.