refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with sub doors often have manipulation buttons that are inconveniently located and difficult to operate, as they are exposed on the front surface and require pushing in a direction opposite to the door's opening direction, limiting installation positions and user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a door opening assembly with a locking unit and manipulation member that allows the sub door to be selectively restricted on its circumferential surface, using a push rod and elastic members to facilitate easy operation, with the manipulation member positioned on the sub door's side to enhance user accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the manipulation button is exposed on the front surface of the sub door, then the sub door can be operated, but the exterior aesthetics of the refrigerator door is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation button is extracted from the front surface of the sub door and relocated to the circumferential surface (side surface). This removes the visually disturbing element from the main exterior view while preserving its operational function, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetics and operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulation button is moved from a two-dimensional front surface to a three-dimensional circumferential surface (side surface). This dimensional relocation allows the button to remain accessible for operation while being hidden from the primary exterior view, simultaneously achieving aesthetic improvement and operational convenience.
2Ease of operation
If the manipulation button is disposed at the position corresponding to the locking device, then the sub door can be opened, but the installation position is very limited
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the manipulation button to the circumferential surface (side surface) of the sub door, the patent creates additional spatial freedom. The button can now be positioned at various locations around the circumferential surface rather than being constrained to a single spot on the front surface near the locking device, thereby increasing installation flexibility.
3Reliability
If the manipulation button is pushed in a direction opposite to the opening direction of the door, then the locking device can be released, but the manipulation is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the manipulation button in the opposite direction to door opening (which is counterintuitive), the patent repositions the button so that it can be manipulated in a direction consistent with natural door opening motion. This inversion of the manipulation direction resolves the contradiction between reliable locking release and user convenience.
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 design improves user convenience by allowing the sub door to be easily opened and closed without compromising the refrigerator's exterior aesthetics, maintaining energy efficiency and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member exposed through a front surface of the sub door, the elastic member being pushed to move the push rod
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator (1) comprising a cabinet (10) defining a first storage compartment (12) in which a food is stored, a main door (100) rotatably mounted on the cabinet (10) to open or close the first storage compartment (12), an accommodation device (31) that is accessible through an opening (120) of the main door (100), the accommodation device (31) defining a second storage compartment (32) in a back surface of the main door (100), and a sub door (200) opening or closing the opening (120), wherein the refrigerator (1) further comprises a door opening assembly (400; 500; 700) with which one side of a back surface of the sub door (200) and one side of the main door (100) are selectively restricted, the door opening assembly (400, 500, 700) being configured to selectively restrict the sub door (200) and the main door (100) on a circumferential surface of the sub door (200).