Refrigerator and elevation device for refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator designs with drawer-type doors face issues such as exposed lifting mechanisms causing safety and aesthetic concerns, reduced storage capacity, noise, and instability due to eccentric loads when elevating heavy bins, which complicates smooth operation and stability.

Innovation Solution

An electric device for elevation is integrated within the door, and a mechanical device for elevating the drawer is positioned outside, using a lifting assembly with rotating rods to elevate the drawer part, ensuring stability and minimizing storage capacity loss, while keeping the mechanism hidden from view to improve appearance and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then safety and appearance are improved, but storage capacity is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism is relocated from the horizontal dimension (inside the refrigerator storage space) to the vertical dimension (above the refrigerator), utilizing unused vertical space to resolve the contradiction between safety and storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting mechanism is extracted from the refrigerator body and repositioned externally above it, separating the lifting function from the storage space to maintain both safety and storage capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Shape

If the lifting mechanism is disposed inside the refrigerator, then appearance is improved, but noise is transmitted to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveappearanceVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driving part that generates noise is extracted from the refrigerator body and relocated to the door, isolating the noise source from the main refrigerator structure while maintaining the clean external appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Force

If the driving part increases in size to provide sufficient force, then elevation capability is improved, but internal volume loss and noise become larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevation forceVSAvoidinternal volume loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A screw mechanism is introduced to convert rotational motion into linear motion with mechanical advantage, providing sufficient elevation force without requiring a large motor, thus avoiding internal volume loss while maintaining the ability to lift heavy bins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The screw thread geometry converts rotational force into linear lifting force through its helical curvature, providing mechanical advantage that enables a compact driving part to generate sufficient elevation force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Device complexity

If the lifting mechanism supports one side of the bin, then structure simplicity is improved, but eccentric load causes instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidelevation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism uses an asymmetric scissors linkage design where two arms of unequal length or configuration work together to distribute the load symmetrically, preventing eccentric loading while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The scissors linkage mechanism creates a balanced counteracting force system where the two arms of the linkage provide equal and opposite forces to counterbalance the bin weight, eliminating eccentric loads and ensuring stable elevation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 maintains the refrigerator's appearance and safety, enhances serviceability, and prevents deflection, ensuring smooth operation even with heavy loads without compromising storage capacity.

Implementation Method 1

a lifting assembly with rotating rods to elevate the drawer part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS10921052B2Refrigerator and elevation device for refrigerator

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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.