Refrigerator Drawer Elevation Mechanism with Nested Motor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator drawer lifting mechanisms are inefficient, causing safety concerns, noise issues, and reduced storage capacity due to exposed components and complex structures, making them difficult to service and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with an electric device for elevation integrated into the door unit and a mechanical device in the drawer unit, where the driving device is housed within the door to prevent exposure and noise, allowing for stable and convenient elevation of the drawer without compromising storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then safety is improved and external appearance is enhanced, but the storage capacity is remarkably decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The driving unit is nested within the drawer unit, which itself is nested within the door assembly. This multi-level nesting allows the lifting mechanism to be concealed inside the refrigerator structure, improving safety and appearance while minimizing the impact on storage capacity through efficient space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving unit utilizes the vertical dimension within the drawer unit structure rather than occupying horizontal storage space. By positioning the motor and scissor support assembly in the vertical arrangement, the mechanism achieves lifting functionality without significantly reducing the usable storage volume of the refrigerator.
2Force
If the driving unit motor is increased in size to provide sufficient lifting force, then lifting capability is improved, but the loss of volume and noise are further increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a single large motor with a mechanical advantage system using a scissor support assembly. The scissor mechanism multiplies the force generated by a smaller motor, allowing sufficient lifting capability to be achieved with a compact driving unit that occupies minimal space within the drawer unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The scissor support assembly uses articulated linkages that transform rotational motion from the motor into linear lifting motion. This mechanical transformation allows a small motor to generate large lifting forces through the geometric arrangement of the scissor mechanism, avoiding the need for a large-volume motor.
3Ease of operation
If the lifting mechanism is fully provided in the refrigerator, then elevation function is achieved, but it becomes difficult to service the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into separable components, with the drawer unit containing the driving unit being detachable from the main door assembly. This segmentation allows the driving unit to be easily removed for servicing or replacement without requiring disassembly of the entire refrigerator or door structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is designed with dynamic, reconfigurable connections that allow the drawer unit to be easily detached and reattached. This dynamic design enables flexible servicing of the driving unit while maintaining the complete elevation function when assembled, resolving the contradiction between integrated functionality and serviceability.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space; a door including a door unit to open or close the storage space and a drawer unit to provide a receiving space; rails to connect the door and the cabinet to through which the door is drawn in or out of the cabinet; a driving device disposed at the door unit to provide power; and an elevation device disposed at the drawer unit and connected with the driving device to move up or down at the drawer unit. The driving device includes: a motor assembly; a screw unit including a screw to be rotated by the motor assembly and a screw holder to move up or down along the screw; and a lever to connect the screw holder and the elevation device and rotate when the screw holder moves up or down. The motor assembly includes: a driving motor; and a power transmission unit to transmit power from the motor to the screw unit, and the screw is disposed to be inclined with respect to a vertical line passing in a top-bottom direction of the refrigerator.