Refrigerator Foot Assembly With Door Sensor Wire Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances with integrated electronic components face challenges in adequately supporting and connecting these components, particularly in door hinges and foot assemblies, where wiring needs to be securely managed and easily connectable/disconnectable for assembly and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A door hinge and foot assembly with an electrical connector support system that includes a frame base portion connected to the foot assembly, a door sensor support, and a wire guide to manage electrical wires between the appliance body and door, utilizing an anti-tip foot and wheel for stability and mobility, and a cover to enclose components for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are housed within or attached to the door of the appliance, then user interaction capabilities are improved, but wiring management and component support become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
An electrical connector support structure is introduced as an intermediary component housed within the foot assembly. This mediator provides a dedicated mounting location and wiring management system for electronic components (door sensor, cameras, lighting systems, display screens) that are attached to the door, thereby organizing complex wiring without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector support is nested within the existing foot assembly structure. By housing the electronic component support system inside the foot assembly, the patent utilizes existing structural space to accommodate additional functionality without requiring separate external housings or increasing the appliance's external dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If wiring for electronic components extends from the body to the door through the door hinge, then component connectivity is achieved, but adequate support and secure wiring management become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector support acts as an intermediary structure between the door hinge and the electronic components. It provides a stable mounting platform and wiring organization system that ensures reliable support for components connected through the hinge, preventing wiring issues associated with direct hinge-mounted components
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are integrated into the door assembly, then functionality is improved, but ease of assembly and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector support is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently accessed and serviced. This segmentation allows electronic components to be mounted on a detachable support structure rather than being permanently integrated into the door or appliance body, facilitating easier assembly, disassembly, and maintenance while maintaining functional integration
Data Source
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AI summary
A household appliance, such as a refrigerator, has a body with a cooled compartment, a door that restricts and grants access to said cooled compartment, a foot assembly connected to the body, and an electrical connector support for supporting electronic components of the household appliance. The foot assembly includes at least one of an anti-tip foot to support the appliance and/or a wheel to facilitate moving the appliance. The electrical connector support includes a frame base portion connected to the foot assembly, a door sensor support attached to the frame base portion, and a door sensor configured to sense if the door is at an open or a closed position relative to the body. At least one component of the door sensor is attached to the door sensor support.