Refrigerator Hinge-Linked Door Opening Device to Reduce Opening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recent refrigerators require a large force to open the door due to increased adhesion and magnetic forces, making it difficult for users to access the storage compartment efficiently, and the existing door opening devices limit the opening angle to about 25 degrees, causing inconvenience and potential unsanitary issues.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a hinge assembly with multiple links and a door opening device with a pushing member that can change the opening direction without altering the door opening device's structure, reducing the force required to open the door and preventing shaking and noise during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesion force of the gasket is increased to prevent leakage of cool air, then sealing performance is improved, but a large force is required to open the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening device performs preliminary action by automatically opening the door before the user needs to access the storage compartment. The pushing member is positioned to contact the door and apply opening force in advance, overcoming the strong adhesion force of the gasket without requiring the user to pull the door with excessive force.
2Ease of operation
If the rack withdrawal distance is increased to open the door to a larger angle, then user accessibility is improved, but the length of the rack is limited by the thickness of the door
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing member changes the opening direction from a linear pull by the user to a pushing motion perpendicular to the door surface. By positioning the pushing member to contact the door at a specific point and applying force in a different dimension (pushing rather than pulling), the door can be opened to a larger angle without requiring a longer rack structure.
3Ease of operation
If the door opening device structure is modified to increase opening angle, then user accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing member is designed with multi-functionality to achieve both automatic door opening and increased opening angle without requiring separate mechanisms. The same pushing member that contacts the door to initiate opening also determines the opening angle through its positioning and movement range, eliminating the need for additional structural modifications.
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 easier door opening with reduced force requirement and increased opening angle, minimizing user inconvenience and preventing unsanitary conditions while maintaining the door opening device's compactness and reducing noise.
Implementation Method 1
the gasket is closely adhered between the door and the cabinet to prevent leakage of cool air from the storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
the gasket may be formed of, for example, a rubber magnet or a magnet may be provided in the gasket
Implementation Method 3
an auto closing function refers to a function for automatically closing the door of the refrigerator using adhesion force and magnetic force of the gasket and elastic force of a spring
Implementation Method 4
the power delivery device may include a plurality of gears and rotation power of the motor may be delivered to the rack by rotating the plurality of gears
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment, a refrigerator door configured to open and close the storage compartment, a hinge assembly configured to couple the refrigerator door to the cabinet. The hinge assembly includes a first link rotatably coupled to the cabinet and a second link rotatably coupled to the refrigerator door. The refrigerator further includes a door opening device provided at the cabinet, and the door opening device includes a pushing member configured to push one of the first link or the second link to thereby open the refrigerator door.