Refrigerator Drawer Linkage for Door-Clearance Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large refrigerators, the rear-mounted components on the door interfere with shelves or drawers in the storage compartment, making it difficult to access and view items stored in the rear, especially as the size of the refrigerator increases.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a withdrawal mechanism connected to the door via a rigid link that moves the drawer forward when the door is opened, optimizing the force transmission and reducing horizontal movement components to prevent interference and enhance accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the drawer is positioned at a distance from the front of the refrigerator to avoid interference with door-mounted components, then interference is prevented, but accessibility to the drawer becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic withdrawal mechanism that automatically moves the drawer forward when the door is opened. The mechanism includes a link connected to the door that converts the door's opening motion into linear displacement of the drawer, allowing the drawer position to change dynamically based on door state rather than remaining fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The withdrawal mechanism performs preliminary action by automatically moving the drawer forward before the user needs to access it. When the door opening angle reaches a predetermined angle, the mechanism proactively displaces the drawer to an accessible position, so the drawer is ready for use before the user reaches for it
2Length of moving object
If an articulated link is used to increase the forward moving component of force, then the receiving frame displacement is increased, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link is segmented into multiple sections with different orientations. The link includes a first link section extending in a first direction and a second link section extending in a second direction, allowing each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the link have different structural qualities optimized for their local functions. The first link section is designed to provide a larger forward moving component of force, while the second link section is designed to reduce the horizontal component of force, allowing each part to have the specific properties needed at that location
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator comprises: a cabinet including a storage chamber which has an opening formed on the front side thereof; a door pivotally connected to the cabinet so as to open and close the opening; a drawer disposed inside the storage chamber so as to receive stored goods; a drawer guide for supporting the drawer, and guiding the drawer such that the drawer can be moved forward and backward; a base part disposed below the drawer; a withdrawal mechanism including a rear frame which extends rearward of the drawer from the base part so as to push the drawer forward when the base part is moved forward; a link having a front end connected to the door at a point, which is positioned at a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the door with respect to the cabinet, so as to form a first rotary joint, and having a rear end connected to the base part so as to form a second rotary joint; and a pair of withdrawal mechanism guides disposed.