Refrigerator Door Handle Reinforcement for Accurate Panel Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing handle fixing unit in refrigerators is difficult to assemble correctly due to low protrusion height of the reinforcing structure, leading to potential misalignment and infiltration of heat insulating material between the front side panel and the reinforcing unit, resulting in product defects.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a handle fixing unit with a reinforcing unit formed from plastic material, including a coupling hole with an infiltration preventing layer and a guide part with a locking hole, which guides the reinforcing unit's position and prevents heat insulating material infiltration through a trap structure of concave-convex parts, allowing for accurate assembly without additional fixing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a press-processing iron plate structure is used for the reinforcing unit, then the structure can be manufactured, but the guide protrusion height is low making assembly difficult and position adjustment hard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from iron plate to plastic material for the reinforcing unit. This material substitution enables the formation of a higher guide protrusion that can be easily adjusted to match the guide hole, directly resolving the assembly difficulty caused by the low protrusion height of press-processing iron plate structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses plastic material for the reinforcing unit, which combines structural strength with ease of forming complex geometries including the guide protrusion. This composite material approach allows the reinforcing unit to maintain structural integrity while enabling precise position adjustment through the elevated guide protrusion
2Manufacturing precision
If the guide protrusion height is low, then the iron plate structure can be pressed, but the guide cannot be easily adjusted to the guide hole causing position deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the guide protrusion height by changing from press-processing iron plate to plastic material. This parameter change in both height and material enables the guide to be easily adjusted to the guide hole, achieving precise positioning without the limitations of press-processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the press-processing mechanical system with a plastic forming system. This substitution allows for the creation of higher guide protrusions that can be precisely adjusted to match the guide hole, eliminating the positioning errors inherent in press-processing iron plate structures
3Ease of operation
If no additional fixing process is used, then assembly is simpler, but heat insulating material infiltrates between the front side panel and reinforcing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an infiltration preventing layer within the reinforcing unit structure itself, positioned in advance to block heat insulating material. This preliminary protective structure eliminates the need for additional fixing processes like double-sided tape or rivets, as the infiltration prevention is built into the reinforcing unit's design
Solution Approach 2:
The infiltration preventing layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the heat insulating material and the coupling hole. This intermediate structure prevents direct infiltration while maintaining the simplicity of the assembly process, as the layer is integrated into the reinforcing unit and requires no separate installation
4Reliability
If additional fixing devices like double-sided tape or rivets are used, then heat insulating material infiltration is prevented, but assembly cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the infiltration prevention function with the reinforcing unit structure itself by incorporating an infiltration preventing layer. This integration eliminates the need for separate fixing devices like double-sided tape or rivets, reducing both the number of components and the complexity of the assembly process while maintaining reliable prevention of heat insulating material infiltration
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a structural reinforcement and as an infiltration barrier through the integrated infiltration preventing layer. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single component, eliminating the need for additional fixing devices and reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a door rotatably coupled to the body to open and close the body. The refrigerator includes a front side panel comprising a through-hole, a handle coupled to the front side panel to open and close the door, a handle fixing unit coupled to the front side panel while passing through the through-hole, to fix the handle to the door. The refrigerator also includes a reinforcing unit including a coupling hole to which the handle fixing unit is coupled The reinforcing unit is fixed to a rear surface of the front side panel to reinforce the handle fixing unit. The refrigerator also includes a guide part protruding from the rear surface of the front side panel to guide a position of the reinforcing unit such that the coupling hole matches the through-hole. The reinforcing unit is provided with a guide groove into which the guide part is inserted.