Refrigerator Movable Inner Frame for Door-Mounted Structure Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators face challenges in providing convenient access and storage due to obstructions like ice makers and shelves within the refrigerating and freezing chambers, which hinder the easy movement of storage structures.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design incorporating a drawing out device with a link mechanism connected to the door and inner frame, allowing shelves and drawers to move forward and backward, along with a motor-driven mechanism for easy opening and closing, and a protector to prevent the refrigerator from falling, enabling independent operation of multiple doors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If storage structures are mounted deeply in the refrigerating or freezing chamber to avoid interference with door-mounted structures, then interference with ice makers and shelves is avoided, but access and storage convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with door-mounted structuresVSAvoidaccess and storage convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage structures are designed to be movable rather than fixed. The drawing out device enables the storage structures to dynamically adjust their position between retracted and extended states, allowing them to avoid door-mounted structures when retracted and provide easy access when extended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A drawing out device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the storage structures and the chamber wall. This device mediates the movement of storage structures, enabling them to be drawn out for access and pushed in to avoid interference with door-mounted structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a drawing out device with link mechanism is added to enable storage structures to move forward and backward, then storage convenience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage convenienceVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drawing out device combines multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism. The link mechanism merges the functions of moving storage structures forward and backward, connecting to both the door and inner frame, thereby improving storage convenience while minimizing the addition of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple doors are equipped with independent drawing out mechanisms, then independent operation of doors is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent door operationVSAvoidnumber of mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drawing out device is designed as a universal mechanism that can be applied to multiple doors. Each door has its own drawing out device, but they all follow the same design pattern, allowing independent operation while using standardized components and mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2438373B1refrigerator
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2438373B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2438373B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2438373B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a cold air generator configured to generate cold air. The refrigerator also includes a storage chamber (10, 20) configured to receive the cold air generated by the cold air generator, and store at least one food and ice stuffs. Further, the refrigerator includes a storage chamber door configured to open and close an access point to the storage chamber. In addition, the refrigerator includes an inner frame coupled (60) to the storage chamber (10, 20) and configured to move at least a part of the storage chamber (10, 20) in forward and backward directions.