Refrigerator Drawer Door Elevation Assembly for Ergonomic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator drawer doors require users to turn their back to access contents, which can be inconvenient and potentially hazardous when dealing with heavy items, and existing elevation mechanisms compromise stability and durability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a drawer door with an elevatable support member and an elevation assembly integrated into the front panel door part, allowing vertical movement of the support member within the drawer part, with all electrical components housed in the front panel for improved safety and serviceability, and a guide device that covers the elevation path to enhance appearance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drawer door is disposed in the lower region of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is compact, but the user has to turn their back to take out items which causes inconvenience and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer door is transformed from a static lower-positioned structure to a dynamic system that can be elevated to a higher position during operation. The elevation assembly enables the drawer door to change its vertical position, allowing users to access items at a more convenient height while maintaining the compact lower storage configuration when closed.
2Ease of operation
If the entire basket is elevated to improve user access, then user convenience is improved, but stability is deteriorated and the elevation operation may not be performed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation mechanism is segmented into multiple independent elevation members (first elevation member and second elevation member) that can be controlled separately. This allows selective elevation of different portions of the drawer door, improving stability by distributing the elevation action across multiple points rather than moving the entire basket as one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the drawer door are given different functions: the first elevation member handles elevation of the front panel door part, while the second elevation member handles the drawer part. This local differentiation of elevation functions allows for stable, controlled movement of specific sections rather than the entire structure.
3Ease of operation
If the entire basket is withdrawn to the outside of the refrigerator for elevation, then elevation can be performed, but the rail structure connecting the door and refrigerator body becomes unstable and durability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation assembly and its driving devices are extracted from the drawer door structure and relocated to the refrigerator body. This separation allows the drawer door to remain connected to the refrigerator body through the rail structure during elevation operations, eliminating the instability and durability problems caused by having heavy elevation components mounted on the moving drawer door.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the elevation assembly is exposed on the rear surface of the door and lower side of the basket, then the elevation function is visible, but user safety is compromised when the door is inserted and withdrawn or elevated
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is introduced as an intermediary element between the user and the elevation assembly. This cover member can be selectively opened or closed, allowing the elevation function to remain visible when needed while providing protection when the door is being inserted, withdrawn, or elevated, thus resolving the safety concern without completely hiding the functional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a lower storage space, a front panel door part configured to open and close the lower storage space, a drawer part connected to the front panel door part, a support member located at the drawer part, and an elevation assembly located at the front panel door part and configured to elevate the support member relative to the drawer part. The elevation assembly includes at least one elevation member that extends from the front panel door part to the drawer part and that passes through the drawer part, and a driving device that is located in the front panel door part, that is configured to provide power to the at least one elevation member, and that is configured to cause a vertical movement of the at least one elevation member relative to the drawer part.