refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators with auxiliary storage regions face issues of increased power consumption, complex structures, deflection, and interference due to the need for additional sealing and rotary mechanisms, which compromise thermal insulation and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design featuring a single door with a connection member that secures the auxiliary storage region's hinge within the door, using a thermal insulator to distribute loads and maintain alignment, preventing deflection and improving sealing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an auxiliary storage region is added to the refrigerator, then user convenience is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary storage region is nested within the door structure of the refrigerator, allowing it to be integrated into the existing door without requiring separate mounting space. This nesting approach enables the auxiliary storage region to rotate independently while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between added functionality and structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The door structure is segmented into multiple independent rotational components: the main door rotating on the cabinet, and the auxiliary storage region rotating independently on the door. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, improving user convenience while managing structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a gasket is used to seal the auxiliary storage region, then sealing is improved, but power consumption increases due to increased heat loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket is extracted from the traditional sealing position between the door and cabinet, and instead positioned only between the auxiliary storage region and the door. This extraction eliminates the need for additional gaskets at other sealing points, maintaining sealing effectiveness while reducing the total sealing surface area and associated heat loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If a hinge mechanism is installed outside the cabinet for the auxiliary storage region, then rotation is enabled, but cold air leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidcold air leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is nested within the door structure rather than being mounted externally on the cabinet. This nesting allows the auxiliary storage region to rotate independently on the door while remaining within the sealed environment, enabling rotation capability without creating external leakage paths for cold air.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the auxiliary storage region rotates independently of the door, then user convenience is improved, but the hinge structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent rotationVSAvoidhinge structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge structure for the auxiliary storage region is merged with the door structure, sharing common mounting points and structural elements. This merging allows independent rotation of the auxiliary storage region while utilizing the existing door framework, reducing the need for separate, complex hinge mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces power consumption, simplifies the structure, prevents deflection, and enhances thermal insulation while allowing independent rotation of the auxiliary storage region, improving user convenience and maintaining effective sealing.

Implementation Method 1

using a thermal insulator to distribute loads and maintain alignment, preventing deflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3985336A1refrigerator

Publication Date: 2022.04.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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Figure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a refrigerator including a cabinet (10) defining a first storage region (2) for storing food, a door (20) opening and closing the first storage region (2) and filled with a thermal insulator therein, a gasket (26) provided on an inner surface of the door (20) and sealing the first storage region (2) from outdoor air by forming a sealing boundary when the door (20) closes the first storage region (2), a first hinge member (40) rotatably connecting the door (2) to the cabinet (10), a container (100) defining a second storage region for storing food and received in the first storage region (2), a second hinge member (200) rotatably connecting the door (20) to the container (100), and a connection member (260) structurally coupled to the second hinge member (200) within the door (20), in order to prevent distortions of a direction and a position of a rotary shaft (206) of the second hinge member (200) relative to a rotary shaft (42) of the first hinge member (40).