Refrigerator Latch Device for Bidirectional Independent Door Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators lack an easy-to-install and user-friendly latch device for doors, making it difficult to open and close the secondary door without opening the primary door, which limits convenience and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A latch device is designed with a fixing member on the primary door and a locking member on the secondary door, featuring a rotatable input member that separates the locking member from the fixing member in both left and right directions, allowing easy opening and closing of the secondary door without requiring the primary door to be opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a latch device is installed on the door to enable independent opening of the second door, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch device is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking member with locking protrusion for engagement, a rotating member with pressing portion for actuation, and an elastic member for providing restoring force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while enabling the second door to be opened independently from the first door.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically pushes the locking member to engage with the fixing member on the first door without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the elastic force to maintain the locked state and the rotational movement to disengage, reducing the need for complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a latch device with multiple components is used to secure the second door, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch device is divided into separately manufacturable components (locking member, rotating member, elastic member, fixing member) that can be produced independently using standard manufacturing processes, then assembled together. This segmentation improves reliability through specialized component design while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular production.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking protrusion and locking groove act as intermediary elements that mediate between the locking and unlocking states. These simple geometric features provide reliable engagement without requiring complex manufacturing, serving as the critical interface that ensures door security while being easy to manufacture.
3Reliability
If the locking member engages firmly with the fixing member to prevent door opening, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic unlocked position through rotational movement of the rotating member. The elastic member provides dynamic restoring force that maintains reliable engagement during normal conditions while allowing controlled disengagement when the rotating member is actuated, balancing security with ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking protrusion can be extracted or removed from the locking groove through the rotational action of the rotating member. This extraction mechanism allows the door to be opened easily by simply rotating the member, which pushes the locking protrusion out of engagement, while maintaining firm securing when locked.
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
The latch device facilitates easy operation of the secondary door, enhancing user convenience by allowing it to be opened and closed independently, benefiting both right- and left-handed users and enabling door access without needing to grip the door handle, even when holding objects.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured such that one end thereof is fixed to the latch case and the other end opposite to the one end is fixed to the locking member to press the locking member in a direction of being coupled to the fixing member
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator including a latch device configured to couple or separate the second door to or from the first door, wherein the latch device includes a fixing member disposed on the first door, a locking member provided on the second door to be coupled or separated from the fixing member, and an input member provided on the second door to be rotatable in the left and right directions, and wherein the locking member rotates in a direction of being separated from the fixing member when the input member rotates in the left direction, and the locking member rotates in the direction of being separated from the fixing member when the input member rotates in the right direction.