refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator doors require significant clearance space for opening and can obstruct natural light when opened, limiting access and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design utilizing translation hinges with a parallelogram-shaped mechanism, allowing doors to translate open and close without the need for clearance space, ensuring the door remains parallel to the case and maximizing access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotatably-mounted door is used, then the door can open and close, but significant clearance space is required in front of the refrigerator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rotational hinge to a dynamic translation hinge mechanism. The door assembly includes a door body, a translating assembly with guide rails and sliding blocks, and a driving assembly that converts rotational motion to translational motion. This allows the door to move horizontally along the guide rail rather than rotating outward, eliminating the need for clearance space in front of the refrigerator while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a rotatably-mounted door is used, then the door can open, but the operator needs to move backwards to make space
Solution Approach 1:
The translation hinge mechanism with guide rails and sliding blocks enables the door to move horizontally without requiring the operator to step backward. The driving assembly automatically handles the door movement, transforming the operation into a simple pull or push action while the mechanism manages the spatial requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a rotatably-mounted door is used, then the door can open, but it can prevent natural light or lamplight from entering the interior
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal translation movement of the door along the guide rail allows the door to clear the opening path completely, unlike rotational doors that may block light. The door moves parallel to the front surface and can be positioned to the side, allowing natural light or lamplight to enter the interior without obstruction while maintaining the door's opening function.
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
Enhances convenience by eliminating the need for clearance space and ensuring unobstructed access to the interior, while maintaining efficient use of space and natural light entry.
Implementation Method 1
each translation hinge has two swing arms, and two ends of each swing arm are directly or indirectly mounted rotatably on the door and the case relative to the door and the case, respectively, such that each translation hinge and the door and the case form a parallelogram-shaped mechanism, allowing the door to translate to open or close the storage space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A refrigerator (100) comprises a case (10) defining a storage compartment, and at least one door assembly (20). Each door assembly (20) comprises: a door (22), arranged in front of the case (10) and used for opening or closing the storage compartment; and at least one translation hinge (24). Each translation hinge (24) has two swing arms, and two ends of each swing arm directly or indirectly mounted rotatably on the door (22) and the case (10) relative to the door (22) and the case (10), so that each translation hinge (24) and the door (22) and the case (10) form a parallelogram-shaped mechanism, allowing the door (22) to translate to open or close the storage compartment.