Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs with automatic drawer doors face issues such as increased weight due to motor placement within the drawer, potential inclining of the refrigerator, limited withdrawal distance, and poor exterior appearance when the drawer is fully extended, as well as inefficient use of storage space.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a rack gear assembly with an extendable and retractable mechanism, where a motor assembly is located outside the drawer, allowing the drawer door to be automatically withdrawn further while maintaining a compact appearance, and the rack gear assembly adjusts length based on the drawer's position to optimize storage space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the driving motor is provided in the drawer, then the drawer can be automatically withdrawn, but the drawer weight increases and the refrigerator may incline
Solution Approach 1:
The driving motor is extracted from the drawer and relocated to the cabinet body. The motor assembly is now provided in the cabinet body and includes a motor and a pinion gear that is rotated by the motor, eliminating the weight burden from the drawer while maintaining automatic withdrawal capability through the rack gear assembly.
2Length of moving object
If the rack length is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the drawer withdrawal distance is restricted and storage space cannot be sufficiently exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The rack gear assembly is made dynamically adjustable in length. The rack gear assembly includes a movable rack portion that can extend or retract along the fixed rack, allowing the effective rack length to change based on the drawer's withdrawal position. This enables greater withdrawal distance when needed while maintaining a compact structure when the drawer is inserted.
3Extent of automation
If the driving motor is provided in the drawer, then automatic withdrawal can be achieved, but the motor becomes exposed to the outside when the drawer is withdrawn, resulting in poor appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is extracted from the drawer and permanently installed in the cabinet body. The pinion gear is rotated by the motor and meshes with the rack gear assembly, allowing the motor to remain hidden in the cabinet while still providing automatic withdrawal functionality through the gear mechanism.
4Length of moving object
If the rack gear assembly length is increased to allow greater withdrawal, then drawer exposure is improved, but the storage space utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rack gear assembly's movable rack portion extends or retracts based on the drawer's withdrawal position, dynamically adjusting the effective rack length. This allows maximum withdrawal distance when the drawer is pulled out while maintaining compact dimensions when inserted, optimizing both accessibility and storage space utilization.
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
Enhances user convenience by increasing the automatic withdrawal distance of the drawer door, improving storage space exposure, and maintaining a sleek exterior appearance by keeping the motor assembly out of sight, while ensuring efficient use of storage space.
Implementation Method 1
a motor assembly provided at the storage chamber and including a motor and a pinion gear that is rotated by the motor
Implementation Method 2
a rack gear assembly provided at the drawer door and having an extendable rack that is configured to be coupled to the pinion gear
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door, a motor assembly provided at the storage chamber and configured to provide a driving force that moves the drawer door relative to the storage chamber, and a rack gear assembly provided at the drawer door and having an extendable rack gear. The rack gear includes a fixed rack fixed to the drawer door and a moving rack slidably coupled to the fixed rack. The drawer door includes a drawer part that defines an upwardly open storage space, and a door part that is configured to, based on the drawer door being inserted into the storage chamber, close the storage chamber.