Refrigerator Drawer Lifting Pulley Layout for Full Storage Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator lifting devices face challenges such as reduced drawer capacity due to arm placement and susceptibility to breakdown under heavy loads, as well as issues with wire deviation and tension loss during operation.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a pulley system that transfers power via a wire, allowing for installation in narrow spaces without reducing drawer capacity, and includes a movable pulley to reduce load on the driving device, a power transfer direction retention-support device to prevent motor damage, and a control system to detect transitions and stop the driving device when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pair of arms is positioned below the support to lift items, then the lifting function is achieved, but the drawer capacity is reduced due to space requirements for installing the arms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arm-based lifting mechanism to a three-dimensional wire-pulley system. The wire extends vertically through the drawer depth, and pulleys are positioned at the top and bottom, utilizing the depth dimension to resolve the space conflict. This allows the lifting mechanism to operate without occupying lateral drawer space, thereby maintaining drawer capacity while achieving reliable lifting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pulleys as intermediary elements that transfer the lifting force from the driving device to the support. Instead of direct arm contact, the wire acts as an intermediary medium, routed through pulleys to provide mechanical advantage and eliminate the need for large arm structures within the drawer space.
2Power
If the driving device is positioned to directly lift the support, then lifting capability is achieved, but the driving device is susceptible to breakdown under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pulley system that creates a mechanical advantage, effectively distributing the load. The wire and pulley arrangement acts as a counterbalancing mechanism, reducing the peak load on the driving device by utilizing the tension distribution across the wire and the mechanical leverage provided by the pulley geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire and pulley system serve as intermediaries between the driving device and the support. This intermediary mechanism allows the driving device to operate at lower stress levels while still achieving the required lifting capability, as the pulley system multiplies the force and distributes the load more evenly.
3Device complexity
If conventional arm-based lifting is used, then simple structure is achieved, but wire deviation and tension loss occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pulley system where the pulleys can rotate freely to accommodate wire movement. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the wire to maintain proper alignment and tension throughout the lifting operation, preventing deviation and tension loss that would occur in rigid arm-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the wire-tension system by using pulleys with optimized diameters and rotation characteristics. This allows the wire to wrap and unwrap smoothly around the pulleys, maintaining consistent tension and preventing the deviation issues that plague conventional direct-connection lifting mechanisms.
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 enables efficient lifting operations without reducing drawer capacity, reduces the risk of motor damage, and maintains wire tension, ensuring reliable and safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pulley which guides the wire
Implementation Method 2
the pulley may include a movable pulley installed at the support, and the support may be suspended by the wire held at the movable pulley to move up or move down. In this case, a load generated when the driving device lifts the support may be reduced by the movable pulley
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a body and a drawer. The body includes a storage compartment. The drawer is insertable or withdrawable into or from the storage compartment. The refrigerator also includes a support configured to supports an item accommodated in the drawer. The refrigerator further includes a lifting device configured to lift the support with respect to the drawer. The lifting device includes a driving part that provides a driving force to the support, a wire that transfers the driving force of the driving part to the support, and at least one pulley which guides the wire.