Refrigerator Rotatable Pillar Design to Prevent Door Seal Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face interference issues between pillars and vegetable boxes or door baskets when doors are opened, limiting usability and storage capacity due to the fixed position of pillars.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator incorporates a rotatable pillar system with a guide recess and elastic member, allowing the pillar to fold when doors are opened and unfold when closed, preventing interference and enhancing storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pillar is fixed in position to ensure sealing between doors, then sealing reliability is improved, but interference with vegetable boxes and door baskets occurs when doors are opened
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one through the rotator mechanism. The pillar can rotate between a first position (when door is open) and a second position (when door is closed), allowing it to adapt its position dynamically based on door state to avoid interference while maintaining sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar assembly is divided into separate functional components: the pillar itself, the rotator mechanism, the guide recess, and the elastic member. This segmentation allows the pillar to be independently positioned and controlled, enabling it to move between sealing and non-interference positions.
2Reliability
If the pillar is fixed in position to maintain sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but storage capacity is reduced due to interference with storage components
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar's position is made dynamic through the rotator mechanism, allowing it to occupy different spatial positions. When the door is open, the pillar rotates to a first position that clears the storage path, maximizing storage capacity. When the door is closed, it rotates to a second position that ensures sealing effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the pillar is made movable to prevent interference, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member automatically returns the rotator to its initial position after the door closing force is removed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators or control systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the movable pillar functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotator acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pillar and the door closing force. It transmits and transforms the linear door closing force into rotational motion, enabling the pillar to change position indirectly through this intermediate component.
4Volume of moving object
If the pillar rotates to fold position when door opens, then storage capacity is improved, but sealing reliability may be compromised during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar's position is dynamically controlled based on door state. The rotator mechanism ensures the pillar is in the correct position (second position) when the door is closed for sealing, and in the first position when the door is open for storage access, maintaining sealing reliability while enabling storage capacity improvement.
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 prevents pillar interference with vegetable boxes and door baskets, improving usability and storage capacity by allowing the pillar to fold when doors are opened and ensuring effective sealing when closed.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to rotate the rotator in a second direction based on elastic force of the elastic member
Implementation Method 2
The pillar includes a pillar spring configured to retain a position of the pillar
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet; a storage compartment located within the cabinet; a first door pivotally mounted to the cabinet, the first door configured to open or close a first portion of the storage compartment; a second door pivotally mounted to the cabinet, the second door configured to open or close a second portion of the storage compartment; a pillar pivotally mounted to the first door and configured to block leakage of cold air between the first door and the second door; a pillar boss protruding outward from the pillar; a guide recess configured to guide the pillar boss; and a rotator that defines the guide recess, the rotator being configured to rotate about a rotation axis.