refrigerator
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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 when elevating heavy loads, due to the external exposure of the lifting mechanism and internal placement of the driving part.
Innovation Solution
A design where a guide bar made of metal, with a lubrication portion and a motor assembly covered by a cover portion, is used to elevate the drawer part, with screw units symmetrically disposed to minimize external exposure and maximize internal space, utilizing a helical gear structure for efficient power transmission and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lifting mechanism is disposed outside the bin, then the structure is simple and accessible, but safety problems occur and the appearance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is nested inside the bin structure, with the driving part housed within the bin wall. This nesting approach maintains structural simplicity while eliminating safety hazards associated with exposed external mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the lifting mechanism is disposed outside the bin, then the structure is simple, but the appearance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is concealed within the bin structure, hiding mechanical components from view while maintaining functional simplicity. This nesting preserves aesthetic appearance by eliminating exposed external mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then safety and appearance are improved, but storage capacity is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The driving part is positioned in the wall thickness dimension rather than occupying internal storage volume. By utilizing the vertical wall space and thickness dimension, the mechanism is hidden without encroaching on the horizontal storage capacity of the bin.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism is nested within the bin wall structure, utilizing the wall's internal space rather than occupying the bin's storage volume. This nesting preserves maximum storage capacity while maintaining safety.
4Reliability
If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then safety is improved, but serviceability deteriorates requiring door separation
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is divided into separable sections, with the lifting mechanism integrated into a removable module. This segmentation allows the mechanism to be accessed for service by detaching the specific module containing the driving part, without requiring full door disassembly.
5Force
If a large motor is used to lift heavy objects, then sufficient lifting force is provided, but internal volume loss and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
A mechanical advantage system using gears and a screw mechanism replaces a large direct-drive motor. This mechanical transmission system amplifies the force output of a smaller motor, providing sufficient lifting force while minimizing motor size and associated volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor parameters are optimized by using a gear reduction system that allows a smaller, lower-power motor to achieve the required lifting force. This parameter change in the drive system reduces both motor size and noise while maintaining adequate lifting capability.
6Device complexity
If the driving part pushes one end of the support assembly, then the structure is simple, but deflected load is generated causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly uses an asymmetric scissor mechanism where the linkage geometry is specifically designed to distribute loads evenly throughout the structure. This asymmetric configuration prevents deflected loads while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The scissor mechanism is designed with counterbalancing linkages that distribute the lifting load symmetrically across multiple contact points. This counterbalancing effect eliminates deflected loads and prevents eccentric loading, enhancing stability during elevation.
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 enhances user safety, maintains storage capacity, reduces noise, and improves serviceability by keeping the driving mechanism internal and the elevation device compact, allowing for stable and efficient operation of the drawer door.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a helical gear structure for efficient power transmission and noise reduction
Implementation Method 2
a guide bar made of metal, with a lubrication portion and a motor assembly covered by a cover portion, is used to elevate the drawer part, with screw units symmetrically disposed
Implementation Method 3
a guide bar made of metal, with a lubrication portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator comprising a cabinet (10) configured to define a storage chamber; a door (30) comprising a door part (31) configured to open and close the storage chamber and a drawer part (32) configured to provide a storage chamber; and a rail configured to connect the door (30) to the cabinet (10), the rail being configured to insert and withdraw the door (30), wherein the refrigerator further comprises a driving device (40) disposed on the door part (31) to provide power; and an elevation device (80) disposed on the drawer part (32), the elevation device (80) being connected to the driving device (40) to vertically elevate a portion of the drawer part (32), wherein the driving device (40) comprises: a motor assembly (60); a screw unit (50, 50a) disposed on each of both sides with respect to the motor assembly (60), the screw unit (50, 50a) being connected to the motor assembly (60) to operate at the same time; and a lever (42) configured to rotate by the screw unit (50, 50a), the lever (42) being connected to the elevation device (80) to provide power for elevating the elevation device (80), wherein the screw unit (50, 50a) comprises: a housing (51); a screw (52, 52a) disposed in the housing (51), the screw (52, 52a) being gear-coupled to a gear of the motor assembly (60) to rotate; a screw holder (56, 56a) penetrated by the screw (52, 52a), the screw (52, 52a) having a screw thread corresponding to the screw (52, 52a) to move along the screw (52, 52a); and a guide bar disposed parallel to the screw (52, 52a) inside the housing (51), the guide bar passing through the screw holder (56, 56a) to guide the movement of the screw (52, 52a).