Refrigerator Drawer Elevation Device with External Drive for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs with drawer-type doors face issues such as exposed lifting mechanisms leading to safety concerns, reduced storage capacity, noise, and instability due to eccentric loads when elevating heavy bins, which compromise user convenience and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electric elevation device is integrated within the door, with a mechanical lifting assembly housed outside the door, utilizing a pair of rods connected to a driving device to elevate the drawer part, ensuring stability and minimizing storage loss, while maintaining a clean and safe exterior appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then the elevation function is achieved, but the storage capacity is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driving part of the lifting mechanism is extracted from the interior of the refrigerator and disposed in the door. This separates the elevation function from the storage space, allowing the mechanism to operate without occupying valuable storage capacity inside the refrigerator compartment.
2Reliability
If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then the elevation function is achieved, but the serviceability deteriorates requiring door separation
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is segmented into two parts: the driving part is disposed in the door while the lifting mechanism itself remains inside the refrigerator. This segmentation allows the driving part to be accessed and serviced independently by removing only the door, without requiring separation of the entire lifting mechanism from the refrigerator body.
3Force
If the driving part increases in size to provide sufficient force for heavy objects, then the elevation capability is improved, but the internal volume loss and noise become larger
Solution Approach 1:
A screw assembly is introduced as a mechanical advantage device between the motor and the lifting mechanism. The screw thread converts rotational motion into linear motion with force multiplication, allowing a smaller motor to generate sufficient elevation force for heavy objects without increasing internal volume or noise.
4Device complexity
If the lifting mechanism supports one side of the bin bottom, then the structure is simplified, but the eccentric load causes instability
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is designed with asymmetric support points that are strategically positioned to counterbalance the eccentric load caused by the bin's weight distribution. The support assembly includes multiple contact points with different leverage arms, creating a balanced force system that maintains stability during elevation despite the asymmetric bin structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable and efficient elevation mechanism that enhances user convenience, maintains storage capacity, and improves the appearance and safety of the refrigerator by separating the elevation device from the driving mechanism, reducing noise and exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a motor assembly (60) disposed at the front panel door part
Implementation Method 2
a screw assembly (50) connected to the motor assembly and configured to elevate the drawer part
Implementation Method 3
a lever (42) connected to the screw assembly and configured to elevate the drawer part
Data Source
AI summary
An elevation device for a refrigerator drawer includes a lower frame, an upper frame, and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly includes: a pair of first rods having a first end rotatably coupled to the lower frame and a second end that translates along the upper frame; and a pair of second rods having a first end rotatably coupled to the upper frame and a second end that translates along the lower frame. The second rod is rotatably coupled to and crosses the first rod. The first or second rod is connected to a driving device via the first end of the first or second rod, with the driving device disposed outside the upper frame and the lower frame. The first and second rods are configured to, based on power from the driving device, rotate about their respective first ends to elevate the upper frame relative to the lower frame.