Refrigerator Drawer Elevation Mechanism with Nested Door-Mounted Drive
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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, poor appearance, noise transmission, reduced storage capacity, and instability due to eccentric loads when elevating heavy bins, which complicates operation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electric driving device within the door part and a mechanical elevation device in the drawer part, connected by a connecting assembly that can be selectively separated, ensures the elevation mechanism is concealed, reducing noise and maintaining stability while allowing for easy assembly and serviceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then safety and appearance are improved, but storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is nested within the door assembly structure, where the driving part is positioned in the door and the support assembly is integrated with the drawer-type door. This nesting approach allows the mechanism to be concealed inside the refrigerator without significantly reducing storage capacity, as the components utilize existing structural spaces.
2Shape
If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then appearance is improved, but serviceability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is segmented into separate functional modules: the driving part is positioned in the door assembly while the support assembly is integrated with the drawer-type door. This segmentation allows the support assembly to be accessed and serviced by simply removing the drawer-type door, maintaining ease of repair while keeping the mechanism concealed.
3Force
If the driving part increases in size to provide sufficient force, then elevation capability is improved, but internal volume loss and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a purely mechanical lifting system with an electromechanical system using a motor as the driving part. This substitution provides sufficient elevation force for heavy bins without requiring a large mechanical structure, thereby minimizing internal volume loss and reducing operational noise compared to traditional mechanical systems.
4Ease of operation
If the bin is completely withdrawn for elevation, then elevation operation is enabled, but cold air loss and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is designed to elevate the bin partially rather than requiring complete withdrawal. The support assembly elevates the front portion of the bin while the rear remains connected to the drawer-type door, enabling elevation operation without complete separation. This partial action reduces cold air loss and maintains stability while still providing the elevation function.
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
This configuration enhances user convenience, maintains storage capacity, and improves the refrigerator's appearance and operational stability by hiding the elevation mechanism, minimizing noise, and facilitating easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a motor assembly (60) configured to provide a driving force
Implementation Method 2
a screw assembly (50) configured to elevate, based on the driving force from the motor assembly, the holder body (58) in a vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes: a cabinet that defines an upper storage space and a lower storage space; a front panel door that opens and closes the lower storage space; a drawer that inserts into and withdraws from the lower storage space, the drawer including an accommodation portion; a driving device located in the front panel door and configured to generate power; and an elevation device located in the drawer and configured to elevate, relative to the drawer, at least part of the accommodation portion of the drawer. The driving device is configured to couple to the elevation device through a rear surface of the front panel door and through a front surface of the drawer that faces the rear surface of the front panel door. The driving device is further configured to, in a state of being coupled to the elevation device, provide the power for operation of the elevation device.