Refrigerator Hinge Cover Assembly for Hidden Wire Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with integrated electronic components, such as displays and USB units, face challenges in hiding wires externally, leading to user inconvenience and aesthetic issues due to poor cover unit designs that are difficult to assemble and disassemble, and often have gaps between parts.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a cover unit with a base frame and hinge cover that includes a wire guiding part to manage wires internally, a frame hook system for secure sliding and positioning of the cover frame, and a hinge cover with elasticity to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly, while improving the outer appearance by minimizing gaps and allowing for easy center of rotation adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If typical cover units are used to cover the space for accommodating electronic components, then the wires can be hidden, but the cover units are difficult to assemble and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The cover unit is divided into multiple independent modules: a cover frame, a base frame with first hinge accommodating portion and second hinge accommodating portion, and interchangeable hinge covers. Each module can be assembled and disassembled independently through sliding and hooking actions, eliminating the need for complex fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover frame is designed to slide along the base frame during assembly and disassembly, transitioning from a movable state to a locked state. The hinge covers are made elastic to facilitate easy hooking and unhooking, providing dynamic ease of operation without requiring complex tools or procedures.
2Shape
If typical cover units are used to cover the space for accommodating electronic components, then the wires can be hidden, but the appearance is poor and gaps exist between parts
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the cover unit are designed with specific local characteristics: the cover frame has a front end portion that protrudes to cover gaps, the base frame includes positioning structures with precise dimensions, and the hinge covers are elastic to ensure tight fitting. These localized quality enhancements eliminate gaps and improve overall appearance without requiring high precision throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover frame is designed with asymmetric features including a protruding front end portion and uneven distribution of hinge accommodating portions. This asymmetric design allows the cover frame to overlap and cover potential gaps between components, improving appearance while simplifying the manufacturing precision requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge cover is made elastic to facilitate easy assembly, then assembly becomes easier, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge cover material's elasticity parameter is utilized to enable easy assembly and disassembly. By selecting materials with appropriate elastic properties, the hinge cover can be easily hooked onto the base frame and cover frame, then locked in place, providing ease of operation with minimal structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy assembly and disassembly of cover units, enhances the refrigerator's appearance by hiding wires, and allows for flexible door rotation center adjustment without additional parts, thereby addressing user convenience and aesthetic concerns.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge cover may include a hinge cover hook having elasticity and configured to be hooked to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body (10) on which a hinge (141) for rotatably supporting the door is mounted, a base frame (110) mounted on the main body and having a first hinge accommodating portion (111) formed at one end portion and a second hinge accommodating portion (112) formed at the other end portion that is opposite to the one end portion, a hinge cover (120) mounted on one of the first hinge accommodating portion (111) and the second hinge accommodating portion (112), and configured to cover the hinge (141), and a cover frame (130) configured to be coupled with the base frame (110) by sliding in a first direction or by sliding in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.