Refrigerator Drawer Withdrawal Mechanism for Easy Rear Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large refrigerators, the rear-mounted components on the door interfere with shelves or drawers in the storage compartment, requiring deep hand access and making it difficult to retrieve items, and existing solutions complicate the structure with increased weight and reduced capacity due to the need for a load-bearing receiving frame.
Innovation Solution
A withdrawal mechanism that automatically moves the drawer forward when the door opens, supported by drawer guides, allowing the mechanism to be non-load bearing and preventing deformation, with an arm and arm guide system to stabilize the movement and ensure smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a receiving frame is used to support the drawer and shelf loads, then the drawer can be automatically withdrawn when the door opens, but the structure becomes complicated, volume increases, and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the support function into two separate systems: the drawer guide supports the load of the drawer, while the withdrawal mechanism only provides withdrawal force. This segmentation allows the withdrawal mechanism to be simpler and lighter, as it doesn't need to bear the drawer's weight, only provide the force to move it forward when the door opens.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the load-bearing function from the withdrawal mechanism and assigns it to the drawer guide. The withdrawal mechanism is taken out as a separate component that only provides withdrawal force, reducing its structural complexity and weight while maintaining the automatic withdrawal function.
2Ease of operation
If a receiving frame is used to support the drawer and shelf loads, then the drawer can be automatically withdrawn when the door opens, but the storage compartment capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support function into the drawer guide (load-bearing) and withdrawal mechanism (force-providing only), the invention eliminates the need for a bulky receiving frame that would occupy storage space. The separate drawer guide structure is more space-efficient, preserving storage compartment capacity while achieving automatic withdrawal.
3Ease of operation
If the withdrawal mechanism supports the drawer load, then the drawer can be withdrawn, but the mechanism may become deformed due to reaction force and inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the functional requirements: the drawer guide handles load support, while the withdrawal mechanism handles only the withdrawal motion. This separation means the withdrawal mechanism doesn't need to withstand the full reaction force and inertia of the drawer load, reducing deformation risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer guide acts as an intermediary that bears the load between the drawer and the withdrawal mechanism. This mediator protects the withdrawal mechanism from direct exposure to high reaction forces and inertia, preventing deformation while maintaining withdrawal functionality.
4Ease of manufacture
If the drawer is positioned to avoid interference with door components, then door and drawer components can coexist, but the user must reach deeply into the storage compartment to access food
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by automatically withdrawing the drawer forward when the door opens, positioning the drawer in an accessible position before the user even opens the door fully. This pre-positioning eliminates the need for deep hand access while maintaining proper component layout to avoid interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator of the present invention comprises: a cabinet that includes a storage compartment having an opening formed on the front side thereof; a door rotatably connected to the cabinet to open and close the opening; a drawer disposed within the storage compartment to accommodate stored goods therein; a drawer guide that supports the drawer and guides the drawer in order to enable the drawer to move forward and rearward; an extraction mechanism that includes a base part that is disposed below the drawer and moves forward while the door is opened and rearward while the door is closed, a rear frame that extends from the base part toward the rear side of the drawer and pushes the drawer forward when the base part moves forward, and an arm that extends forward from the rear frame and is disposed between the drawer and a side of the storage compartment; and an arm guide disposed between the side of the storage compartment and the drawer to guide the arm in order to enable the arm to move forward and rearward.