Household Refrigerator Pivoting Closure for Controlled Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household refrigeration appliances lack efficient ventilation mechanisms, which can lead to reduced shelf life of stored food and suboptimal use of storage space.

Innovation Solution

A household refrigeration appliance with a storage unit that pivots its closure unit relative to the storage unit about a pivot axis, allowing for targeted ventilation by using a gear unit and cam mechanism to create a lifting force for partial opening, enabling controlled air exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the closure unit is completely closed to seal the storage space, then storage space utilization is maximized, but ventilation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidventilation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure unit is designed to be dynamically adjustable between completely closed and partially open positions. The ventilation unit enables the closure unit to pivot about a pivot axis, transitioning from a static closed state to a dynamic partially open state that allows controlled ventilation while maintaining space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fully opening the closure unit for ventilation (which would reduce storage space utilization), the invention applies partial action by opening the closure unit only to the extent necessary for effective ventilation. The closure unit remains partially closed, maintaining optimal storage space utilization while achieving sufficient air exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If the closure unit is completely open for ventilation, then ventilation efficiency is maximized, but storage space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidstorage space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation unit enables partial opening of the closure unit, providing sufficient ventilation efficiency without the need for complete opening. This partial action achieves the necessary air exchange while preserving storage space utilization, as the closure unit remains partially closed during ventilation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If a horizontal translational movement is used to open the closure unit, then device complexity is reduced, but ventilation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidventilation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a pivoting motion about a pivot axis rather than simple horizontal translation. This dynamic rotational movement allows the closure unit to achieve an optimized opening angle that maximizes ventilation efficiency while the ventilation unit controls the degree of opening to maintain storage space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of moving object

If the closure unit is held firmly closed to maintain sealing, then storage space utilization is maximized, but ease of operation for ventilation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidease of ventilation operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the closure unit. It provides controlled assistance to overcome the sealing force, enabling easy operation for ventilation while maintaining firm closure during storage. The ventilation unit mediates the transition from closed to partially open state without requiring excessive manual force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3239630B1Household refrigeration device
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3239630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3239630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3239630B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention is based on a household refrigerating appliance device (10) with a storage unit (12) which defines at least one storage space (14) which is open towards an upper side of the storage unit (12) for storing food, with a closure unit (16) which in in at least a first storage state, the storage unit (12) at least essentially closes towards the top, and with a ventilation unit (18), which in at least a second storage state for ventilation of the storage space (14) closes the closure unit (16) relative to the storage unit ( 12) moved. In order to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of efficient ventilation of a storage room, it is proposed that the ventilation unit (18) for ventilating the storage room (14) rotates the closure unit (16) relative to the storage unit (12) about at least one pivot axis (20 ) pivoted.