Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with pantry assemblies face challenges in balancing the force required to pull out the receiving member and the elastic force needed for automatic return, leading to either excessive force requirements or incomplete return due to insufficient elastic force, along with issues of collision noise and reduced food freshness from stagnant cold air.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pantry assembly with a receiving member, supporter assembly, and cover member, utilizing a transmission unit with an elastic member and a connection member that automatically pulls in the basket, reduces force requirements, and maintains a gap for air circulation, ensuring stable and horizontal movement of the basket, and preventing cover member damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic force of the elastic member is increased, then the receiving member is easily returned to the original position, but the force required to pull the receiving member increases and collision noise occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is divided into a first elastic member and a second elastic member that operate in different stages. The first elastic member provides high elastic force when the receiving member is in the pulled-out state to enable easy return, while the second elastic member provides lower elastic force when the receiving member is in the pulled-in state to reduce pulling force requirements and prevent collision noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic force parameter of the elastic member is changed based on the position of the receiving member. By using two different elastic members with different elastic force characteristics, the system dynamically adjusts the elastic force applied to the receiving member according to its position, optimizing both automatic return capability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the elastic force of the elastic member is increased, then the receiving member is easily returned to the original position, but collision noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is divided into a first elastic member and a second elastic member that operate in different stages. The first elastic member provides high elastic force when the receiving member is in the pulled-out state to enable easy return, while the second elastic member provides lower elastic force when the receiving member is in the pulled-in state to reduce collision noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic force parameter is dynamically adjusted based on the position of the receiving member by switching between two different elastic members, ensuring high return capability while minimizing collision noise during the pulling-in process.
3Ease of operation
If the elastic force of the elastic member is decreased, then the force to pull the receiving member is reduced, but the receiving member cannot be completely returned to the original position
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is segmented into two functional parts: the first elastic member ensures complete return capability with high elastic force, while the second elastic member reduces the pulling force requirement with lower elastic force. This segmentation allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied in different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the elastic force parameter according to the position of the receiving member through the use of two different elastic members, the system achieves both easy operation and complete return capability.
4Device complexity
If the cover member is directly connected to the receiving member, then the structure is simplified, but the cover member may be damaged due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The second gear assembly acts as an intermediary between the receiving member and the cover member. It transmits the pulling force from the receiving member to move the cover member, but limits the maximum force transmitted to prevent damage to the cover member, thus protecting the cover while maintaining structural connection.
5Ease of operation
If the receiving member is pulled out completely, then the user can access the stored items, but cold air circulation is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is designed to cover only a portion of the upper surface of the receiving member when it is in the pulled-in state, allowing cold air circulation in the uncovered areas. When the receiving member is pulled out, the cover member moves to allow access while the local coverage structure maintains air circulation pathways.
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 solution reduces the force needed to pull out the basket, ensures complete automatic return, minimizes collision noise, and maintains food freshness by allowing air circulation, enhancing user convenience and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, one end of which is connected to the receiving member and the other end of which is connected to the support member, to store and release elastic energy
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having an inner case and a drawer assembly installed on both side walls of the inner case. The pantry assembly includes a basket capable of being inserted and withdrawn from the storage chamber; a supporter assembly connected to the basket and guiding insertion and withdrawal of the basket; and a cover connected to the supporter assembly that moves in a direction opposite to the basket when the basket is inserted or withdrawn. The basket includes a first roller rotatably installed on both side walls thereof, and the supporter assembly includes a supporter having a guide rail that receives the first roller and a transmission unit for transmitting the moving force of the basket to the cover.