Refrigerator storage compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with injection molded receiving casings for inner doors often have aesthetically unappealing die fitting lines and fastening lines, which can detract from consumer appeal.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a receiving casing with a frame surrounding the receiving space, including lateral frames, a top frame with cold-air holes, and a transparent plate, along with thermal insulation and a coating layer to improve aesthetics and assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a receiving casing is formed by assembling multiple injection molded pieces, then the receiving space can be properly defined and functional requirements are met, but die fitting lines and fastening lines appear causing poor visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple injection molded pieces into a single integrated receiving casing structure. The frame and transparent plate are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly operations and hiding all joining lines within the structure, thereby achieving both manufacturing efficiency and visual appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving casing combines different materials (frame material and transparent plate material) into a single integrated component. This composite structure allows the casing to maintain both structural integrity and aesthetic appearance without visible joining lines, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and visual appeal.
2Ease of operation
If the receiving space is made accessible from outside through outer doors, then user convenience is improved, but cold air leakage occurs when outer doors are opened
Solution Approach 1:
The door structure is segmented into multiple levels: outer doors for general access and an inner door with a receiving space for selective access to stored items. This segmentation allows users to open only the outer door for browsing while keeping the inner door closed to prevent cold air leakage, thus balancing accessibility with energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner door acts as an intermediary barrier between the storage space and the external environment. It provides an additional layer of protection that allows selective access to the receiving space without exposing the main storage space to warm air, thereby preventing cold air leakage while maintaining ease of operation.
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
The improved receiving casing structure enhances the visual appeal of the refrigerator while maintaining thermal insulation and efficient assembly, addressing the aesthetic issues of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
the frame has a cold-air hole defined therein through which cold air from the first storage space is introduced into the receiving space
Implementation Method 2
a transparent plate attached to the frame to separate the receiving space from the first storage space
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having a first storage compartment with a first storage space defined therein; an inner door to open and close the first storage space, wherein the inner door has an inner door receiving space that is separate from the first storage space; a receiving casing attached to a back face of the inner door; and an outer door pivotally mounted to the inner door to open and close the inner door receiving space, wherein the receiving casing includes a frame surrounding the inner door receiving space, wherein the frame has a cold-air hole defined therein, and a transparent plate attached to the frame to separate the inner door receiving space from the first storage space.