Refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerators with drawer-type doors pose safety and convenience issues due to exposed electrical components and lack of mechanisms to restrict the upper door's operation when the lower door is elevated, leading to potential damage and user safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design featuring a door restriction device that selectively restricts the opening of the upper door based on the state of the lower door, using a mechanical mechanism without electronic devices, ensuring safe operation and preventing damage by elevating stored objects within the drawer door.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the drawer door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is simplified, but the user has to turn its back to take out items which causes inconvenience and potential injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerator structureVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer door is configured to move not only horizontally (drawer-type motion) but also vertically (elevation motion). This adds a vertical dimension to the door's movement, allowing the door to rise to a convenient height for the user while maintaining the simplified lower-region placement structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the drawer door is elevated to improve user convenience, then user accessibility is improved, but exposed connection portions and electrical devices cause safety problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidsafety hazards from exposed components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elevation mechanism and its components are nested within the drawer door structure itself. The support member that enables elevation is integrated into the door's internal structure, and the elevation mechanism is housed within the door body, preventing exposure of hazardous components during the elevation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A support member acts as an intermediary between the drawer door and the elevation mechanism. This support member is configured to be received within the drawer door structure, mediating the elevation motion while keeping the actual elevation mechanism hidden and safe within the door's internal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the upper door is allowed to open freely while the lower door is elevated, then door operation flexibility is improved, but impact damage may occur to the elevated door or objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor operation flexibilityVSAvoiddoor damage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automatic feedback-based control where the elevation state of the lower door is detected, and this information is used to automatically control the upper door's operation. When the lower door is elevated, the system automatically restricts the upper door from opening, preventing potential impact damage while maintaining operational flexibility when safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The door control system performs self-service by automatically detecting the elevation state and controlling the upper door accordingly without requiring user intervention. The system monitors its own state and takes appropriate protective action, eliminating the need for separate safety mechanisms or user awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a mechanical restriction mechanism is added to prevent upper door opening during lower door elevation, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact damage preventionVSAvoiddoor restriction mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door restriction function is merged with the existing elevation mechanism. The support member that enables elevation also serves as the restriction mechanism for the upper door. When the support member is in the elevated position, it automatically prevents the upper door from opening, combining two functions into a single integrated structure without adding separate complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11073331B2Refrigerator

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; an upper door; a lower door that is a drawer type door; a draw-out rail that connects the lower door to a storage space in the cabinet and that guides insertion and withdrawal of the lower door in a front-rear direction; an elevation assembly that is located in the lower door, that elevates an object stored in the lower door in a state in which the lower door is withdrawn, and that elevates the object relative to the lower door; and a door restriction device configured to selectively restrict an opening movement of the upper door based on whether the lower door is opened or closed. The door restriction device is configured to restrict the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being opened, and to allow the opening movement of the upper door based on the lower door being closed.