Refrigerator Pivot Bar Locking to Prevent Door Collision and Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator doors with pivot bars can collide and cause damage and noise when strongly pulled open, leading to issues with cold air leaks and reduced appliance quality.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a pivot bar that is pivotally installed and locked to the door using a locking device with a first and second locking member, including a projection and locking hole, to prevent the pivot bar from colliding with other doors when opened, ensuring proper alignment and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivot bar is mounted on the door to prevent cold air leaks, then sealing performance is improved, but the pivot bar may collide with the other door when strongly pulled open causing damage and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot bar is designed to be movable between a first position (when door is closed) and a second position (when door is open). The locking device dynamically changes the fixed state of the pivot bar based on door position, allowing it to be secured in the closed position for sealing while being releasable in the open position to prevent collision damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is configured to automatically lock the pivot bar in the first position before the door is fully closed, ensuring the pivot bar is pre-positioned to prevent cold air leaks. When the door is opened, the locking device releases the pivot bar in advance to prevent collision with the other door.
2Reliability
If the pivot bar is locked to the door to prevent collision, then reliability is improved, but the locking mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to automatically lock and unlock the pivot bar based on door position without requiring external control systems. The mechanism uses the door's own movement to trigger the locking and unlocking actions, eliminating the need for motors, sensors, or complex control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pivot bar and the door. It includes a locking member that engages with a locking hole in the pivot bar, providing a simple mechanical connection that secures the pivot bar to the door without requiring complex fastening systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator with an enhanced door includes a main body including a storeroom, first and second doors pivotally coupled to the main body to open or close the storeroom and a pivot bar pivotally installed at the first door. The pivot bar is movable between a first position between the first and second doors and a second position pivoted toward the first door to prevent cold air leaks from the storeroom. A locking device separably locks the pivot bar to the first door when the pivot bar is in the second position.