refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators, the home bar door and foldable shelf are connected, causing the shelf to move when the home bar door opens, leading to beverages or food containers falling.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design where the second door, used for accessing a storage space, is independent of the shelf, allowing it to open and close separately, with a connection module that interlocks the operation of the shelf and door, enabling simultaneous unfolding and folding of the shelf with the door's operation, preventing the shelf from moving when the second door opens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the home bar door and foldable shelf are connected, then the shelf can be automatically deployed when the door opens, but the shelf moves when the door opens causing beverages or food containers to fall
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is divided into two independent parts: the first door for accessing the refrigerator compartment and the second door (home bar door) for accessing the storage space. The shelf is also segmented to be independently controllable. This segmentation allows the second door to open independently without necessarily moving the shelf, preventing items from falling while maintaining automatic deployment capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the second door and the shelf is made dynamic rather than fixed. The shelf can be configured to move with the door or remain stationary based on operational needs. This dynamic connection allows flexibility in operation mode, enabling automatic shelf deployment when the second door opens while also allowing the shelf to remain stable when the first door opens, thus preventing items from falling.
2Productivity
If the shelf is connected to the second door, then the shelf can be accessed simultaneously with the door, but the shelf moves when the second door opens
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into a first door and a second door, with the second door being further segmented into a door body and a pressing protrusion. The shelf is segmented with a connection module that can independently engage or disengage. This segmentation enables the shelf to be accessed simultaneously with the second door while maintaining stability through independent control of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection module acts as an intermediary between the second door and the shelf. This intermediary component can selectively engage the shelf with the door, allowing simultaneous access when engaged and stability when disengaged. The pressing protrusion on the door body interacts with the connection module to control shelf movement, providing mediated control over the shelf's state.
3Extent of automation
If the shelf and second door are interlocked, then automatic unfolding and closing occurs, but the shelf cannot remain stationary when the door opens
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking mechanism between the second door and the shelf is made dynamic, allowing it to switch between engaged and disengaged states. When engaged, the shelf automatically unfolds with the door and automatically closes when the door closes. When disengaged, the shelf remains stationary even when the door opens. This dynamic interlocking provides both automatic operation and stability as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection state between the door and shelf is changed as a controllable parameter. The system can transition between different connection states (engaged/disengaged) based on operational requirements. When the connection parameter is set to engaged, automatic unfolding and closing occur. When set to disengaged, the shelf maintains stability. This parameter change enables flexible control over the automation-stability trade-off.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator includes: a cabinet (20) configured to form a storage space; a first door (311) rotatably coupled to a front surface of the cabinet (20) to open or close the storage space, and having an open portion formed therein; a second door (312) rotatably connected to the first door (311) at a front surface of the first door (311);a shelf (40) rotatably mounted in the open portion; and a connection module (50) provided in the first door (311) and connected to a rotary shaft (41) of the shelf (40) to enable the shelf (40) to be unfolded forward when the second door (312) is opened and to stand to be folded when the second door (312) is closed, wherein the connection module (50) comprises: a connection part (52) connected to an end of the rotary shaft (41) of the shelf (40) to integrally rotate with the rotary shaft (41) of the shelf (40) and extending from the rotary shaft (41) in a direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft (41).