Mechanism for opening door from the left or the right, and refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerators typically open only from the left side, requiring post-sales engineering to change hinges for right-side opening, which is skill-intensive and detracts from user experience.
Innovation Solution
A left-and-right door opening mechanism featuring a locking box assembly and hinge module with a movable locking plate that aligns openings and grooves to secure hinges for either side opening, incorporating stabilizing assemblies and convex rib structures for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If refrigerators are designed to open only from the left side, then the hinge structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability and user experience deteriorate when right-side opening is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate is designed to be movable within the locking box body, allowing it to dynamically switch between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic mechanism enables the hinge structure to adapt to different door opening directions (left or right) without requiring physical modification or replacement of the entire hinge assembly, thus improving adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking box assembly with the movable locking plate serves multiple functions: it can lock the hinge in place for left-side opening, lock it for right-side opening, and allow switching between these configurations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate hinge structures for different opening directions, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If post-sales engineers replace hinges or change hinge positions to enable right-side opening, then door opening versatility is improved, but the ease of operation and user experience deteriorate due to skill-intensive requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator door system enables end-users to switch between left-side and right-side opening configurations without requiring professional post-sales engineers. The movable locking plate can be easily repositioned by users themselves through simple manual operation, eliminating the need for skill-intensive hinge replacement or repositioning services
Solution Approach 2:
The locking box assembly is pre-designed with both a first opening and a second opening, along with corresponding grooves on the locking plate, during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration allows users to simply move the locking plate to the appropriate position for the desired opening direction, rather than requiring complex on-site modifications or engineering expertise
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a left-and-right door opening mechanism of a refrigerator. The left-and-right door opening mechanism comprises a locking box assembly disposed on a refrigerator body and a hinge module disposed on a refrigerator door body. The hinge module comprises a first hinge and a second hinge which are respectively located on two sides of the refrigerator door body. The locking box assembly comprises a locking box body and a locking plate located in the locking box body. A first opening and a second opening are respectively formed in the left side and the right side of the locking box body. A first groove and a second groove are respectively formed in the left side and the right side of the locking plate. The locking plate moves left and right in the locking box to align the first opening with the first groove or to align the second opening with the second groove. The first hinge or the second hinge is disengaged from the first opening and the first groove or from the second opening and the second groove to realize door opening from the left side or the right side.