V-Shaped Ventilation Flap for Compact Food Storage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food storage containers in household refrigerators face challenges with the design of ventilation flaps, which often protrude excessively when open, requiring additional space and potentially colliding with other components due to their flat and pivotable nature within the lid.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation flap with a V-like shape, where the first angle part is oriented horizontally in the closed position and obliquely downwards in the open position, allowing for a compact and low profile while avoiding upward protrusion, and featuring a pivot axis positioned below the angle parts to minimize upward movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat pivotable flap is used in the lid, then the ventilation function is achieved, but the flap protrudes excessively when open and requires additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is transformed from a flat two-dimensional structure to a three-dimensional V-shaped structure with angular parts. This dimensional change allows the flap to achieve the same ventilation function while reducing the space it occupies when open, as the V-shape enables the flap to fold more compactly within the lid's depth rather than protruding outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap incorporates curved or angled surfaces instead of flat planes, creating a V-like profile with at least one angle part. This curvature allows the flap to pivot with a more compact trajectory, reducing the maximum protrusion distance while maintaining adequate ventilation opening area when in the open position.
2Reliability
If a flat pivotable flap is used in the lid, then the ventilation function is achieved, but the flap may collide with other components due to its protruding position
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the flap from a flat structure to a V-shaped three-dimensional structure, the pivot path and final open position are altered spatially. This dimensional transformation repositions the flap's open state to occupy a different spatial envelope that avoids interference zones with other container components, eliminating collision risks while preserving ventilation capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pivot axis is arranged within the lid height, then the flap can be mounted, but the upwardly projecting portion reaches too far up when opened
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped configuration with angular parts changes the geometric relationship between the pivot axis and the flap's outer edges. This dimensional transformation causes the flap to project more in the depth direction rather than the upward vertical direction when open, effectively reducing the upward projection length while maintaining the same pivot axis position within the lid for ease of manufacture.
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a food storage container (8) for a household refrigerator (1), comprising a tray (10) for receiving the food, a separate lid (9) which can be placed on the tray (10) to close it, and a ventilation device (12) which allows air exchange between the environment and the interior (13) of the food storage container (8), wherein the ventilation device (12) has a pivotable flap (14) which, in an open position, exposes a ventilation opening (18) and, in the closed position, closes the ventilation opening (18), characterized in that the flap (14) has an uneven cross-section when viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (B) of the flap (14). Another aspect relates to a household refrigerator (1).