refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator designs with drawer-type doors face issues such as cable exposure, breakage, and complex assembly due to limited cable length and the need for wire connection before drawer assembly, leading to sagging and disconnection of cables during door movement.

Innovation Solution

A wire guide module with separably coupled connectors is introduced to guide and support the cable connection between the cabinet and the door, using a chain-like structure of connecting members to prevent sagging and facilitate easy assembly by allowing separable connection of electrical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cable is installed to be movable forward and backward along the guide hole, then the cable can accommodate drawer movement, but the cable experiences hook phenomenon and is easily broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable movement adaptabilityVSAvoidcable durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide hole is divided into multiple segments or sections, allowing the cable to move through discrete positions rather than continuously, reducing bending stress and hook phenomenon while maintaining adaptability to drawer movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cable guide member or intermediary structure is introduced within the guide hole to support and protect the cable during movement, preventing direct contact with sharp edges and reducing the hook phenomenon that causes cable breakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wire connection is performed before drawer portion assembly, then electrical connections can be established, but the assembling operation becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire connection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wire connection process is segmented into modular connection portions that can be independently assembled and then integrated, allowing wires to be connected after the drawer portion is assembled rather than before, simplifying the overall assembly operation while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection portions are pre-prepared with wire connection terminals in advance, allowing the actual wire connection to be performed easily after drawer assembly without requiring complex pre-assembly steps, thus reducing assembly complexity while ensuring reliable electrical connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4279844A1refrigerator

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

Refrigerator including a cabinet (10) having a storage space (11); a door (30) disposed to be drawn in and out of the storage space (11) and comprising a door portion (31) configured to define a front surface and a drawer portion (32) configured to define an accommodation space; a wire guide module (90) configured to connect a wire inside the cabinet (10) to a wire inside the door (30), wherein the wire guide module (90) comprises: a plurality of connecting members (93) which is disposed to connect the cabinet (10) to the door (30) and in which the wire is accommodated; and a connecting connection portion (98) connected to one end of one connecting member of the plurality of connecting members (93) and separably coupled to a door connector (971) connected to the wire inside the door (30).