Refrigerator Drawer Interlock Control to Prevent Tipping and Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with lower drawers that can be raised for easier access often face issues such as damage from impacts with upper drawers and a risk of the refrigerator tipping forward when multiple drawers are opened concurrently, posing safety concerns due to the shift in center of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a lifting mechanism for the lower drawer, coupled with an upper drawer restraint system, which prevents the upper drawer from opening when the lower drawer is raised, and a control method to manage the simultaneous opening of drawers to maintain stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lower drawer is raised for easier access, then ease of operation is improved, but damage may occur due to impact between the rising lower drawer and an upper drawer
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device prevents the upper drawer from opening in advance before the lower drawer completes its opening and lifting sequence. By detecting that the lower drawer is being opened, the system proactively restrains the upper drawer to avoid potential collision, thereby eliminating the harmful impact effect before it can occur.
2Productivity
If multiple drawers are opened concurrently, then productivity is improved, but the refrigerator body may tip over and fall forward due to center of gravity shift
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device activates in advance when the lower drawer opening is detected, preventing the upper drawer from opening simultaneously. This proactive control sequence ensures that drawers are opened sequentially rather than concurrently, maintaining refrigerator stability while still allowing rapid access to stored items.
3Reliability
If the upper drawer is restrained when the lower drawer is opened, then reliability is improved by preventing harmful effects, but device complexity increases due to the restraint mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint device utilizes the existing door structure and integrates with the control system that already manages drawer opening operations. By leveraging the existing control infrastructure and door mechanical components, the system achieves reliable safety control without adding substantial structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator and a control method therefor are provided. When a user input is received, an upper drawer of the refrigerator is opened by operating an opening/closing motor of the upper drawer, and it is determined whether opening of a lower drawer is detected by an open/close detecting part of the lower drawer when the upper drawer is opened. The lower drawer is closed by operating the opening/closing motor of the lower drawer when the opening of the lower drawer is detected.