Refrigerator Sub-Door Tray Guide with Spring-Controlled Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators face challenges in allowing users to conveniently access and withdraw trays stored in the main door, particularly in bottom freezer type refrigerators, where ice storage and dispensing mechanisms are often complex and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a sub door that opens independently of the main door, allowing a tray to be introduced into or withdrawn from a storage chamber using a guide unit with compressible springs and a torsion spring mechanism, which varies the tray's moving speed and trajectory, and a sub hinge with a limiter to control rotation, ensuring smooth and controlled tray movement without mechanical linkages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tray is stored inside the main door, then ice storage and dispensing are integrated, but the tray becomes difficult to access and withdraw
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into a main door and a sub-door. The sub-door can be opened independently to provide direct access to the tray stored in the main door, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages to withdraw the tray. This segmentation allows users to access the tray easily by simply opening the sub-door without moving the entire main door or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-door acts as an intermediary element between the user and the tray stored in the main door. Instead of requiring direct access through the main door or complex mechanical linkages, the sub-door provides an intermediate access point that simplifies the interaction. The sub-door's movement guides the tray outward, making it accessible without complex mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a home-bar door is vertically pivotally rotated, then ice can be supplied conveniently, but the tray movement control becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tray movement control function is extracted from the main door's pivotal rotation mechanism. Instead of using the main door's complex pivotal rotation to control tray movement, the sub-door is designed with its own independent movement mechanism that specifically controls tray withdrawal. This extraction simplifies the overall system by separating the ice supply function (main door rotation) from the tray access function (sub-door movement).
Solution Approach 2:
The door system is segmented into functional components: the main door handles ice supply through pivotal rotation, while the sub-door handles tray access through independent movement. This segmentation allows each component to have a simplified, dedicated mechanism rather than one complex mechanism trying to handle all functions.
3Ease of operation
If the sub door opens independently, then tray access is improved, but the sealing and insulation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into a main door and a sub-door, with the sub-door providing a smaller, controlled opening for tray access. This segmentation allows the majority of the door structure (main door) to remain sealed and insulated, while only a small portion (sub-door) is opened for access. The sub-door includes sealing elements that maintain insulation when closed, and the limited opening area minimizes thermal loss during access.
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
Enables easy and efficient access to trays and baskets within the refrigerator, preventing tilting and spillage, while maintaining insulation and aesthetic appeal, with improved user convenience and reduced mechanical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a guide unit configured to guide movement of the tray by being compressed when the tray is introduced into the storage chamber and released from compression when the tray is withdrawn from the storage chamber
Implementation Method 2
a sub hinge with a limiter to control rotation
Implementation Method 3
a guide unit configured to guide movement of the tray by being compressed when the tray is introduced into the storage chamber and released from compression when the tray is withdrawn from the storage chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body (10) having a storage compartment in which food is stored, a main door (12) configured to open or close the storage compartment, the main door (12) having a storage chamber (18) separate from the storage compartment, a sub door (100) configured to open or close an opening (13) of the storage chamber (18) , a tray (30) configured to be introduced into or withdrawn from the storage chamber (18) , a guide unit (40) configured to guide movement of the tray (30) by being compressed when the tray is introduced into the storage chamber and released from compression when the tray is withdrawn from the storage chamber, and the guide unit (40) causes variation in a moving speed of the tray when the tray is introduced or withdrawn.