Refrigerator Water Dispenser Lever Layout for Thin Sidewall Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with water dispensers require a large thickness to accommodate the seesaw movement of the lever, leading to reduced inner storage space when the dispenser is installed on the sidewall.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design with a button and lever that moves sideward, utilizing a cam projection to rotate the lever and press a switch, allowing for a smaller thickness and efficient use of storage space, with the discharge line positioned for easy water extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lever performs a seesaw movement in a forward/backward direction to press the switch, then the switch can be pressed to discharge water, but the dispenser requires a large thickness which reduces the inner storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The lever's movement direction is changed from forward/backward (horizontal dimension) to sideward movement (vertical dimension relative to the button). This dimensional change allows the lever to press the switch while reducing the horizontal space required, thereby decreasing the overall dispenser thickness and increasing storage space without compromising the switching operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the dispenser is installed on the sidewall of the storage chamber, then the design is simplified, but the dispenser protrudes into the storage chamber reducing inner space
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the lever's movement from horizontal (forward/backward) to vertical (sideward), the dispenser's required thickness is reduced. This allows the dispenser to be installed on the sidewall with minimal protrusion into the storage chamber, maintaining design simplicity while preserving storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the lever mechanism are changed by altering the movement direction and pivot point positioning. This parameter change reduces the overall depth of the dispenser assembly, enabling sidewall installation without significant intrusion into the storage chamber volume.
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
Enables the dispenser to be installed on the side wall without reducing storage space, allowing for easy water extraction with one hand while maintaining a compact dispenser thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a cam projection having a slanted surface formed at one of the button and the lever to rotate the lever sideward as the button moves backward
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including a dispenser to extract water is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door opening and closing the storage chamber, and a dispenser disposed to discharge water, the dispenser including a button installed to be movable in a backward and forward moving direction, a switch pressed to cause water to be discharged, and a lever rotatably installed sideward with respect to the forward/backward moving direction of the button having one end disposed at a rear side of the button and an other end disposed on the switch and performing a seesaw movement sideward as the button moves in the forward/backward moving direction to press the switch. Thus, the dispenser can be formed to have a small thickness in a forward/backward direction.