Refrigerator and control method therefor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with drawer-type doors pose safety and convenience issues, such as the need for users to bend forward to access lower drawers, potential injuries from heavy loads, and risks of door damage or user safety impairment due to uncontrolled drawer operations.
Innovation Solution
A control method and structure for refrigerators that include an upper drawer restraint part to prevent the upper drawer from opening when the lower drawer is raised, and a mechanism to immediately close and restrain the lower drawer when the upper drawer is opened, thereby preventing simultaneous operation of multiple drawers and maintaining safety and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lower drawer is disposed in the lower area of the refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is simplified, but the user must bend forward to access the drawer causing inconvenience and potential injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the drawer access problem by providing a lifting mechanism that raises the lower drawer upward. This dimensional change allows users to access the lower drawer without bending forward excessively, transforming a horizontal access problem into a vertical solution that maintains structural simplicity while improving ergonomics
2Ease of operation
If the drawer is raised to improve user accessibility, then user convenience is improved, but the connection structures and electrical devices become exposed creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism and its connection structures are nested within the drawer assembly itself rather than being externally exposed. The electrical devices and mechanical components are integrated into the drawer's internal structure, allowing the drawer to be raised for user convenience while keeping all critical components enclosed and safe from exposure
3Ease of operation
If the upper drawer is opened when the lower drawer is raised, then the user can access both drawers, but impact damage occurs to the door structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a control mechanism that detects when the lower drawer is in the raised position and preemptively prevents the upper drawer from being opened. This preliminary anti-action avoids the harmful impact that would occur if both drawers were open simultaneously, protecting the door structure while still allowing sequential access to both drawers
4Ease of operation
If multiple drawers are opened at the same time, then the user can access more storage space, but the center of gravity shifts forward causing the refrigerator to fall
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism detects when one drawer is opened and preemptively prevents other drawers from being opened simultaneously. This preliminary restriction maintains the refrigerator's center of gravity stability and prevents the appliance from toppling forward, while still allowing users to access storage spaces through sequential drawer operations
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a refrigerator and a control method therefor. In the embodiment of the present invention, when a user's manipulation input is input, an upper drawer is opened by operating an opening/closing motor of the upper drawer, it is determined whether opening of a lower drawer is detected by an open/close detecting part of the lower drawer in a state where the upper drawer is opened. The lower drawer is closed by operating the opening/closing motor of the lower drawer when it is determined that the opening of the lower drawer is detected.