Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator drawer-type doors face challenges in user convenience and safety due to exposed electrical devices and unstable elevation mechanisms, which can lead to safety issues and deformation, especially when handling heavy loads or eccentric loads.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring an elevation assembly with electrical devices housed within the front panel door part and a mechanism part in the drawer part, allowing for safe and stable elevation of the support member without tilting, while minimizing exposure and maintaining a neat appearance, and ensuring maximum draw-out distance without interfering with elevation structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the drawer-type door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator can accommodate more storage space, but the user has to turn its back to take out items which causes inconvenience and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer-type door is made dynamically elevatable rather than fixed, allowing it to rise to a convenient height for user access. The elevation assembly includes a support member that can be raised vertically, and an elevation device that provides the lifting force, transforming the static door into a dynamic structure that adapts to user needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical devices and structures for elevation are exposed on the door, then the elevation function can be implemented, but safety problems occur due to exposed components
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical devices and elevation structures are nested within the door structure itself rather than being externally mounted. The elevation device is disposed within the drawer-type door, and the support member is integrated into the door's internal structure, concealing all potentially hazardous components within the enclosed space of the door.
3Device complexity
If force for elevation is substantially applied to a front end of the storage container, then the elevation mechanism is simplified, but stable elevation is difficult due to eccentric load causing deformation and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation force is applied asymmetrically through multiple support members positioned at different locations on the door. Rather than a single centralized lifting point, the system uses distributed support members that engage at various points along the drawer-type door, creating a balanced load distribution that prevents eccentric loading and structural deformation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic cylinders are provided on each side of the fixed frame 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 mechanical elevation device that operates through pure mechanical means. The elevation device includes a drive shaft with gears and a rack mechanism that converts rotational motion into vertical lifting motion, eliminating the need for pneumatic control systems and their associated safety risks.
5Ease of operation
If the entire basket is elevated, then user access is improved, but the load becomes eccentric according to food arrangement causing unbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation system is segmented into multiple independent support members rather than a single unified lifting mechanism. Each support member can independently engage and support different portions of the drawer-type door, allowing the system to handle eccentric loads by distributing weight across multiple contact points rather than requiring perfect load centering.
6Ease of operation
If the draw-out distance of the entire door including basket is increased, then user access is improved, but insertion and withdrawal become unstable requiring reinforcement structures
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer-type door is made dynamically elevatable rather than fixed, allowing it to rise to a convenient height for user access. The elevation assembly includes a support member that can be raised vertically, and an elevation device that provides the lifting force, transforming the static door into a dynamic structure that adapts to user needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a lower storage space, a front panel door part, a drawer part connected to the front panel door part, a support member located at the drawer part and configured to seat one or more objects stored in the drawer part, at least one draw-out rail that is configured to connect the drawer part to an inner wall surface of the lower storage space, and that is configured to extend and retract in multiple stages to assist insertion and withdrawal of the drawer part based on movement of the front panel door part, and at least one elevation device that is located at each of both side surfaces of the drawer part, that is connected to each of both sides of the support member, and that is configured to elevate the support member relative to the drawer part.