Side-by-Side Refrigerator Connector Design for Consistent Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The arrangement of home appliances side by side, such as refrigerators, often results in a fluctuating gap between them, which detracts from the aesthetic unity and user satisfaction, as they are not structurally coupled, leading to difficulties in maintenance and repair.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bracket system that allows for independent movement in forward and backward directions while restricting lateral movement, enabling the appliances to be coupled and decoupled without separate coupling members, thus maintaining a consistent gap and facilitating easy access for repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple home appliances are arranged side by side without structural coupling, then the installation flexibility and ease of placement are improved, but the gap between appliances fluctuates and aesthetic unity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A bracket structure serves as an intermediary component between adjacent home appliances. The bracket includes a first bracket coupled to the first appliance and a second bracket coupled to the second appliance, with coupling members connecting the two brackets. This intermediary structure maintains a predetermined gap between appliances while allowing flexible installation, resolving the contradiction between installation ease and gap consistency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple home appliances are structurally coupled together, then the aesthetic unity and gap consistency are improved, but the complexity of coupling and repair processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into modular components: first brackets attached to first appliances, second brackets attached to second appliances, and removable coupling members connecting the brackets. This segmentation allows the coupling structure to maintain gap consistency while reducing overall complexity, as each component is simple and standardized, and can be independently assembled or disassembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling members are designed to be removable and reconfigurable, transforming the coupling system from a fixed static structure to a dynamic one. This allows the gap between appliances to be maintained consistently during normal operation, while enabling easy adjustment, relocation, or repair by simply removing the coupling members without permanent attachment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If home appliances are tightly coupled together, then the aesthetic unity is improved, but the accessibility for maintenance and repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling members are designed with dynamic, removable characteristics that allow easy disconnection. During maintenance or repair, the coupling members can be quickly removed to separate the appliances, providing full accessibility to service personnel. The bracket structures remain in place, maintaining the aesthetic gap appearance, while the removable coupling enables complete appliance separation for repair without permanent fixed attachments.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a first refrigerator including a first cabinet and a second refrigerator including a second cabinet, and operating independently from the first refrigerator. A first connector is installed on the first cabinet; and a second connector is installed on the second cabinet to correspond to the first connector. The second connector is configured to be coupled to the first connector, such that in a state in which the first connector and the second connector are coupled to each other, a movement of the first cabinet in a first direction with respect to the second cabinet is allowed, and a movement of the first cabinet in a second direction with respect to the second cabinet is restricted, with the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.