Refrigerator Internal Door Dispenser with Nested Storage Tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration appliances with external dispensers for ice and water reduce the usable volume of the storage chamber and are complex to install, as they require a water line that must follow the door's movement without leaking, and they restrict access when the dispenser is in use.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration appliance design featuring a door tray on the external door that engages into the dispenser recess when closed, allowing refrigerated goods storage and moving out of the way when the dispenser is accessed, with an internal dispenser recess and a control system to prevent overflow and ensure automatic filling when the external door is closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an external dispenser with downward-opening output recess is used, then ice and water can be dispensed externally, but the usable volume of the storage chamber is reduced and installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The door tray is nested within the output recess of the dispenser, allowing the tray to be stored inside the recess when not in use. This nesting arrangement enables the tray to provide additional storage space without permanently occupying external space, thus maintaining the dispenser's external appearance while improving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The door tray is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be inserted into and removed from the output recess as needed. This dynamic configuration enables the tray to adapt between providing storage space and allowing full dispenser access, resolving the contradiction between storage needs and dispenser accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a door tray is added to the external door for storage, then refrigerated goods can be stored without obstructing dispenser access, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door tray serves multiple functions: it provides storage for refrigerated goods, acts as a barrier to maintain cold air when the door is closed, and can be easily inserted or removed when dispenser access is needed. This multi-functionality justifies the added component by providing several benefits from a single addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly is segmented into separate functional components: the external door, the internal door, and the movable door tray. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the tray being removable to facilitate dispenser access while remaining in place to provide storage and insulation when needed.
3Quantity of substance
If the output recess is used for storing refrigerated goods when door is closed, then storage capacity increases, but dispenser access is obstructed when door is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The door tray is designed as a dynamic component that changes position based on usage needs. When the door is closed, the tray is inserted into the output recess to maximize storage capacity. When dispenser access is needed, the tray is easily removed, allowing unobstructed access to the dispenser. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between storage and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The door tray is designed to be easily removable by the user without requiring tools or complex mechanisms. The tray's weight and simple insertion/removal design enable users to quickly reconfigure the storage space when dispenser access is needed, making the system self-adapting to different usage scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration appliance includes a body, an external door that can pivot relative to the body, and an internal door which can pivot relative to the body and the external door and which is immobilized between the body and the external door in the closed position of the external door. A dispensing or output recess of a dispenser is provided in the internal door.