Refrigerator Sub Door Opening Assembly for Hidden Manipulation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs with sub doors often have manipulation buttons exposed on the front surface, limiting installation positions and making them inconvenient to use, as they are typically positioned opposite to the opening direction and integrated with locking mechanisms, affecting user experience and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A door opening assembly is implemented where the locking member is positioned for easy fixation and the manipulation member is placed on the outer end of the sub door, allowing for easy operation without exposing the manipulation mechanism to the front surface, utilizing a connection member to facilitate the opening and closing of the sub door through a push rod and elastic members for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the manipulation button is disposed at a position corresponding to the locking device on the sub door, then the opening/closing function is achieved, but the installation position is very limited and the manipulation structure becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation button is separated from the locking device and disposed at a different position on the sub door. This segmentation allows the button to be placed at a more convenient location for user operation while the locking mechanism remains at its optimal position, thereby improving ease of operation without compromising the opening/closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection structure is introduced as an intermediary between the manipulation button and the locking device. This connection structure transmits the manipulation force from the button to the locking mechanism, enabling the button to be positioned independently from the locking device while maintaining functional connectivity.
2Ease of operation
If the manipulation button is exposed to the front surface of the sub door, then the opening function is accessible, but the exterior appearance of the refrigerator door is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation button structure is extracted from the visible front surface of the sub door and repositioned at a location that does not compromise the exterior appearance. The button remains accessible for operation but is no longer exposed on the aesthetic front surface, thereby resolving the conflict between functionality and appearance.
3Reliability
If the manipulation button is pushed in a direction opposite to the opening direction of the door, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation direction of the button is inverted to align with the natural opening direction of the door. Instead of requiring oppositional pushing, the button now manipulates in the same direction as door opening, making the operation more intuitive and convenient while still effectively actuating the locking mechanism through the connection structure.
Data Source
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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).