Refrigerator Sub-Door Support Shelf with Rack-and-Pinion Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators lack a structure to support items when the sub door is opened, requiring users to inconveniently move retrieved foods to another location.
Innovation Solution
A support unit is pivotably mounted within the main door, rotating between vertically and horizontally oriented positions in linkage with the sub door, allowing direct placement of items on the support unit below the main door opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support unit is pivotably mounted to rotate between vertical and horizontal positions in linkage with the sub door, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable mounting mechanism of the support unit is merged with the existing sub door hinge mechanism. By integrating the support unit's rotation capability into the sub door's existing pivot structure, the system achieves multi-position adaptability without adding separate complex mechanisms. The support unit rotates together with or in coordination with the sub door, sharing the same mechanical foundation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub door hinge mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only enables the sub door to open and close the auxiliary storage compartment but also provides the pivotable mounting for the support unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator may include a cabinet (100) having a storage compartment: a main door (120) pivotably mounted to the cabinet (100) to allow access to the storage compartment, the main door (120) having an opening for an auxiliary storage compartment (140) within the main door (120); a sub door (130) pivotably mounted to the main door (120) to enable access to the auxiliary storage compartment (140) ; a support shelf (200) having at least one rotating shaft (230, 240) pivotably mounted at a lower vicinity of the opening of the main door (120); a case (410, 420) mounted in a recess formed in the main door (120) , the case (410, 420) having an opening through which a slider (430) is configured to slide forward and rearward, and a rotating gear (460) provided with a pinion (464) at a circumferential surface and coupled to the at least one rotating shaft (230, 240) of the support shelf (200). The slider (430) includes a rack (436) engaged with the pinion (464) such that a movement of the sub door (130) to close the auxiliary compartment (140) rotates the support shelf (200) to a vertical position, and a movement of the sub door (130) to open the auxiliary compartment (140) rotates the support shelf (200) to a horizontal position.