refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators, the internal door is often inadvertently opened by inertial force when the external door is opened, and vice versa, leading to loss of cold air and reduced airtightness.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring an internal door opening prevention device that includes a stopper, a locking part, a spring, and a cover, which allows the internal door to open only when the external door is closed and prevents it from opening when the external door is opened, using a locking mechanism and spring configuration to control the rotation of the locking part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the external door is opened, then the opening part is accessible for storing and taking out food, but the internal door may be opened together by inertial force causing cold air loss
Solution Approach 1:
A locking part is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the external door and internal door. The locking part includes a locking protrusion that engages with a locking groove on the internal door when the external door is opened, preventing the internal door from being accidentally opened by inertial force while allowing controlled access when needed
2Ease of operation
If the internal door is opened, then the storage chamber is accessible, but the external door may be undesirably opened by inertial force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part serves as a mediator that couples the external door and internal door movements. When the internal door is opened, the locking protrusion disengages from the locking groove, allowing the external door to remain securely closed and preventing undesired opening by inertial force
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent inertial opening, then airtightness is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to operate automatically without user intervention. The locking protrusion and groove engage or disengage based on the relative movement between the external and internal doors, using the doors' own inertial forces to control the locking state rather than requiring separate actuators or controls
Solution Approach 2:
A elastic member is used to provide flexibility to the locking part, allowing it to deform and engage with the locking groove smoothly. This elastic element simplifies the mechanism by using material properties rather than complex mechanical components to achieve the locking function
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
Prevents the internal door from being opened by inertial force when the external door is opened, and vice versa, maintaining airtightness and reducing cold air leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a spring configured to elastically support the locking part
Implementation Method 2
a locking part rotatably coupled to a lower portion of the internal door and rotated according to whether the external door is opened or closed so as to be locked and unlocked with the stopper
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator may prevent an internal door from being opened together by an inertial force when an external door is opened, and may also prevent the external door from being opened together by an inertial force when the internal door is opened. The refrigerator includes a main body, a storage chamber provided in the main body so that a front surface thereof is opened, an internal door rotatably provided at a front surface of the main body so as to open and close the storage chamber and having an opening part in which a plurality of door guards are provided, an external door rotatably provided at a front surface of the internal door so as to open and close the opening part, and an internal door opening prevention device allowing or preventing opening of the internal door according to whether the external door is opened or closed.