A refrigerated cabinet with adjustable shelf height

Abstract

This invention discloses a refrigerator with easily adjustable shelf height, comprising a cabinet body, support rails, hooks, shelves, and a synchronous unlocking mechanism. The synchronous unlocking mechanism comprises several sets, each positioned below different shelves. Each mechanism includes a drive-end operating component and a transmission-end component. The drive-end operating component includes a rotary drive lever, a rotary drive shaft, and a bevel gear assembly. The transmission-end component comprises two sets, each including a transmission shaft and multiple unlocking hooks corresponding to different hooks. In operation, the rotary drive lever drives the rotary drive shaft to rotate. The rotary drive shaft transmits power to the transmission shaft via the bevel gear assembly. The transmission shaft, carrying the unlocking hooks, swings in the corresponding direction, causing the unlocking hooks to pry open the hook's locking tongue, forcing all hook locking tongues to simultaneously disengage from the protrusions on the support rail, thus simultaneously unlocking the four corner hooks of the shelf.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to freezers, and more specifically to a refrigerator with adjustable shelf height. Background Technology

[0002] Refrigerated display cases (such as freezers used to store beverages and food) are often equipped with height-adjustable shelves to flexibly adjust the space layout according to the different heights of the stored materials. Existing shelf structures mainly consist of guide rails fixed inside the cabinet, hooks slidably mounted on each guide rail, and the shelf body supported by multiple hooks. The shelf is typically supported by four hooks located at the four corners, each hook corresponding to one guide rail. To facilitate height adjustment, the guide rails usually have markings (such as numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) to indicate different height positions. The hooks are equipped with two sets of locking mechanisms: one set located at the top of the hook to lock the shelf body to the hook, preventing the shelf from loosening; the other set located at the bottom of the hook, using a locking tongue that engages with a guide rail protrusion or slot, and in conjunction with a locking mechanism, to lock the hook in a specific position on the guide rail, preventing it from sliding.

[0003] For shelving units with the above structure, the operation process for initial installation or height adjustment is as follows: First, loosen the locking mechanism at the bottom of each hook. Slide each of the four hooks along the guide rail to the corresponding mark at the same height. Then, lock the locking mechanism at the bottom of the hooks to fix them on the guide rail. Next, place the shelving unit on each hook and lock the shelving unit using the locking mechanism at the top of the hooks to complete the installation. When the shelving height needs to be adjusted again, all materials placed on the shelving unit must be removed first. Release the upper locking mechanism of the hooks and remove the shelving unit. Then, release the lower locking mechanism of each hook in turn, readjust the height, and lock it again. Finally, reinstall the shelving unit and materials.

[0004] It is evident that existing shelf height adjustments are difficult to implement with the shelf itself, requiring a cumbersome process of "emptying materials—disassembling the shelf—adjusting the height of each hook individually—reinstalling the shelf—replacing materials." Furthermore, the hook adjustment process requires independent operation of each of the four hooks, further increasing complexity and time costs. This adjustment method is particularly inconvenient for freezers displaying a wide variety of materials with frequent height changes, severely impacting daily efficiency and flexibility. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the height adjustment structure of freezer shelves. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and provide a refrigerator with convenient adjustable shelf height. This refrigerator can realize the vertical adjustment of shelves and hooks at the same time, which greatly simplifies the operation of shelf height adjustment, making it very convenient and time-saving.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A refrigerator with adjustable shelf height includes a cabinet body and support rails, hooks, and shelves installed inside the cabinet body; It also includes a synchronous unlocking mechanism for causing the locking tongues of all hooks to simultaneously leave the boss of the support rail. The synchronous unlocking mechanism is provided in several groups and is respectively arranged below different shelves. The synchronous unlocking mechanism includes a drive end operation component and a transmission end component. The drive end operation component includes a rotary drive paddle, a rotary drive shaft and a bevel gear assembly. The transmission end component is provided in two groups and each group of transmission end components includes a transmission shaft and multiple unlocking hooks corresponding to different hooks. When the rotary drive lever is in operation, it drives the rotary drive shaft to rotate. The rotary drive shaft transmits power to the transmission shaft through a bevel gear assembly. The transmission shaft swings the unlocking hook in the corresponding direction, causing the unlocking hook to pry the latch of the hook upward, forcing the latches of all hooks to leave the boss on the support rail simultaneously, thus unlocking the four corner hooks of the shelf at the same time.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotary drive lever is fixedly connected to the rotary drive shaft, and the rotary drive shaft is rotatably connected to the back of the shelf. The drive shaft is rotatably connected to the back of the shelf, and its axis is perpendicular to the axis of the rotary drive shaft. By setting the axis of the drive shaft to be perpendicular to the axis of the rotary drive shaft and connecting it with a bevel gear assembly, the operation of the rotary drive lever on one side of the shelf (such as the front side near the cabinet opening) can be smoothly converted into the rotation of the drive shafts on both sides. This achieves a change in the direction of power transmission, making the structural layout more adaptable to the flat space behind the shelf and facilitating the concealed arrangement of the mechanism under the shelf.

[0008] Furthermore, the bevel gear assembly is provided in two sets, one set of which has a drive shaft connected to one end of the rotary drive shaft through one set of bevel gear assemblies, and the other set of which has a drive shaft connected to the other end of the rotary drive shaft through another set of bevel gear assemblies.

[0009] Furthermore, at least two unlocking hooks are provided in the same group and both are fixedly mounted on the drive shaft. The position of the unlocking hook corresponds to the position of the hook corresponding to the shelf. The unlocking hook is provided with an unlocking hook part extending to the lower part of the operating part of the locking tongue of the hook.

[0010] The working principle of the above-mentioned refrigerator with adjustable shelf height is as follows: During operation, rotating the rotary drive lever causes the rotary drive shaft to rotate around its own axis. The rotational motion is transmitted to the transmission shafts on both sides through their respective sets of bevel gear assemblies. The transmission shafts then drive the unlocking hooks to swing, causing the unlocking hooks to pry the locking tongues upwards, forcing all the hooks' locking tongues to simultaneously leave the bosses on the support rail, thus unlocking the four corner hooks of the shelf at the same time.

[0011] At this point, the hooks and support rails are unlocked, and the shelf, along with all the hooks on it, can slide freely up and down along the support rails as a whole. It can be quickly moved to the desired target height without disassembling the shelf or emptying the materials.

[0012] Once the shelf is adjusted to the appropriate position, release the rotary drive lever. The adaptive reset structure on the drive shaft automatically reverses and resets, causing the unlocking hooks to return to their original position and releasing the unlocking force on the locking tongue's operating part. The locking tongue then re-engages into the corresponding boss on the support rail, locking each hook back onto the support rail, completing the height adjustment. Thus, all hooks can be unlocked simultaneously and the shelf height adjusted in a single operation.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drive shaft is provided with two sets of adaptive reset structures. Each set of adaptive reset structures includes an adaptive reset torsion spring and a transmission mounting block. The transmission mounting block is fixedly mounted on the drive shaft, and the adaptive reset torsion spring is sleeved on the drive shaft. The two ends of the adaptive reset torsion spring press against the bottom surface of the shelf and the transmission mounting block, respectively. The reset forces of the adaptive reset torsion springs in the two sets of adaptive reset structures are opposite. The advantage of this arrangement is that, firstly, when the shelf is mounted on the hook, the unlocking hook moves from top to bottom. Since the unlocking hook and the hook overlap vertically, when the unlocking hook moves downwards towards the hook, it is pushed upwards by the hook, causing the unlocking hook to swing upwards to avoid the hook. At this time, the adaptive reset torsion spring in the corresponding direction is compressed and stores energy. When the unlocking hook moves downwards past the hook, the adaptive reset torsion spring restores its deformation, driving the unlocking hook and the drive shaft to reset, ensuring that the unlocking hook part is located below the operating part of the hook's locking tongue. Second, when removing the shelf from the hook, the unlocking hook moves from bottom to top, and the hook pushes the unlocking hook downward until the unlocking hook passes the hook, so that the shelf can be removed smoothly.

[0014] Furthermore, the drive-end operating component also includes a drive reset structure, which comprises a drive reset torsion spring and a drive mounting block. The drive reset torsion spring is sleeved on the rotary drive shaft, with its two ends pressing against the bottom surface of the shelf and the drive mounting block, respectively. With this structure, after the operator releases the rotary drive lever, the rotary drive shaft can automatically reset under the action of the torsion spring, eliminating the need for manual rotation of the lever and improving operational convenience and tactile consistency.

[0015] Furthermore, the bevel gear assembly includes a driving bevel gear coaxially connected to the rotary drive shaft and a driven bevel gear coaxially connected to the transmission shaft. The driving bevel gear has a meshing notch. When the rotary drive shaft is not in the rotating state, this meshing notch engages with the driven bevel gear. With this structure, when the shelf is installed or removed, the rotary drive shaft is in a non-rotating state. At this time, the meshing notch on the driving bevel gear engages with the driven bevel gear. Therefore, when the transmission shaft rotates, it will not drive the drive shaft to rotate in the opposite direction, making the structural layout more reasonable and scientific! Of course, when the rotary drive shaft is actively rotated, the meshing notch on the driving bevel gear moves away from the driven bevel gear, and then the tooth structure of the driving bevel gear meshes with the driven bevel gear, thereby transmitting power.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotary drive lever is located on the side of the shelf near the opening of the refrigerator. Positioning the lever near the cabinet opening allows the operator to easily reach and operate it without having to penetrate deep into the cabinet after opening the door, further improving the convenience of adjustment and user experience.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shelves are provided in multiple and arranged vertically; the hooks are provided in multiple groups and each group includes multiple hooks.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. By setting up a synchronous unlocking mechanism, when adjusting the height, there is no need to remove the shelf from the hook or clear the materials displayed on the shelf beforehand. The shelf and hook can slide smoothly along the support rail as a whole, completely eliminating the cumbersome steps of "clearing materials - disassembling the shelf - reinstalling the shelf - repositioning materials" in the existing technology.

[0019] 2. The rotational power is transmitted to the transmission end components on both sides via the bevel gear assembly using the drive end operating component. Then, multiple unlocking hooks on the transmission shaft swing synchronously. By simply operating the rotation drive lever, the locking tongues of all hooks can be forced to leave the boss on the support rail synchronously. The four corner hooks are unlocked at the same time, which changes the situation in the existing technology where the four hooks must be adjusted independently, greatly reducing the complexity of operation and time cost.

[0020] 3. Due to the greatly simplified adjustment process and quick operation, it is especially suitable for refrigerated cabinets with a wide variety of display materials and frequent changes in shelf height, which can effectively improve the efficiency of daily use and the flexibility of display layout. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the refrigerator cabinet with convenient adjustable shelf height according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of X in the image.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the shelf and synchronous unlocking operation mechanism of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of the Y-axis.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the synchronous unlocking mechanism of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of Z in the image. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0028] Combination Figure 1-6 The refrigerator with adjustable shelf height in this embodiment includes a cabinet body (not shown in the figure) and support rails 1, hooks 2 and shelves 3 installed in the cabinet body; wherein, there are multiple shelves 3 arranged vertically; there are multiple sets of hooks 2 and each set includes multiple hooks 2.

[0029] Combination Figure 1-6 This embodiment also includes a synchronous unlocking mechanism for causing all the latches 2-1 of the hooks 2 to simultaneously leave the boss of the support rail 1. The synchronous unlocking mechanism has several sets and is respectively arranged below different shelves 3. The synchronous unlocking mechanism includes a drive end operation component and a transmission end component. The drive end operation component includes a rotary drive paddle 4, a rotary drive shaft 5 and a bevel gear assembly. The rotary drive paddle 4 is fixedly connected to the rotary drive shaft 5. The rotary drive shaft 5 is rotatably connected to the back of the shelf 3. The bevel gear assembly has two sets.

[0030] Combination Figure 1-6 The rotary drive lever 4 is located on the side of the shelf 3 near the opening of the refrigerator. Positioning the lever near the cabinet opening allows the operator to easily reach and operate it without having to penetrate deep into the cabinet after opening the door, further enhancing the convenience of adjustment and user experience.

[0031] Combination Figure 1-6The transmission end assembly is provided in two sets, and each set of transmission end assemblies includes a transmission shaft 6 and an unlocking hook 7. The transmission shaft 6 is rotatably connected to the back of the shelf 3. The axis of the transmission shaft 6 is perpendicular to the axis of the rotary drive shaft 5. One set of transmission shafts 6 is connected to one end of the rotary drive shaft 5 through one set of bevel gear assemblies, and the other set of transmission shafts 6 is connected to the other end of the rotary drive shaft 5 through another set of bevel gear assemblies. At least two unlocking hooks 7 are provided in the same set and are fixedly mounted on the transmission shaft 6. The position of the unlocking hook 7 corresponds to the position of the hook 2 of the corresponding shelf 3. The unlocking hook 7 is provided with an unlocking hook part 7-1 extending to the lower part of the operating part of the locking tongue 2-1 of the hook 2.

[0032] Combination Figure 1-6 The drive shaft 6 is equipped with two sets of adaptive reset structures. Each set of adaptive reset structures includes an adaptive reset torsion spring 8 and a transmission mounting block 9. The transmission mounting block 9 is fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 6, and the adaptive reset torsion spring 8 is sleeved on the drive shaft 6. The two ends of the adaptive reset torsion spring 8 press against the bottom surface of the shelf 3 and the transmission mounting block 9, respectively. The reset forces of the adaptive reset torsion springs 8 in the two sets of adaptive reset structures are opposite. The advantage of this arrangement is that, firstly, when the shelf 3 is mounted on the hook 2, the unlocking hook 7 moves from top to bottom. Since the unlocking hook 7 and the hook 2 overlap vertically, when the unlocking hook 7 moves downwards towards the hook 2, it will be pushed upwards by the hook 2, causing the unlocking hook 7 to swing upwards to avoid the hook 2. At this time, the adaptive reset torsion spring 8 in the corresponding direction is compressed and stores energy. When the unlocking hook 7 moves downwards past the hook 2, the adaptive reset torsion spring 8 restores its deformation, driving the unlocking hook 7 and the drive shaft 6 to reset, ensuring that the unlocking hook part 7-1 of the unlocking hook 7 is located below the operating part of the locking tongue 2-1 of the hook 2. Second, when the shelf 3 is removed from the hook 2, the unlocking hook 7 moves from bottom to top, and the hook 2 pushes the unlocking hook 7 to swing downward until the unlocking hook 7 passes the hook 2, so that the shelf 3 can be removed smoothly.

[0033] Combination Figure 1-6 The drive-end operating component also includes a drive reset structure, which comprises a drive reset torsion spring 10 and a drive mounting block 11. The drive reset torsion spring 10 is sleeved on the rotary drive shaft 5, and its two ends press against the bottom surface of the shelf 3 and the drive mounting block 9, respectively. With this structure, after the operator releases the rotary drive lever, the rotary drive shaft can automatically reset under the action of the torsion spring, eliminating the need for manual rotation of the lever and improving operational convenience and tactile consistency.

[0034] Combination Figure 3-4The bevel gear assembly includes a driving bevel gear 12 coaxially connected to the rotary drive shaft 5 and a driven bevel gear 13 coaxially connected to the transmission shaft 6. The driving bevel gear 12 has a meshing notch 12-1. When the rotary drive shaft 5 is not being moved, the meshing notch 12-1 engages with the driven bevel gear 13. With this structure, when the shelf 3 is installed or removed, the rotary drive shaft 5 is in a non-moving state. At this time, the meshing notch 12-1 on the driving bevel gear 12 engages with the driven bevel gear 13. Therefore, when the transmission shaft 6 rotates, it will not drive the drive shaft to rotate in the opposite direction, making the structural layout more reasonable and scientific! Of course, when the rotary drive shaft 5 is actively rotated, the meshing notch 12-1 on the driving bevel gear 12 moves away from the driven bevel gear 13, and then the tooth structure of the driving bevel gear 12 meshes with the driven bevel gear 13, thereby transmitting power.

[0035] Combination Figure 1-6 The working principle of the above-mentioned refrigerator with adjustable shelf height is as follows: During operation, rotating the rotary drive lever 4 causes the rotary drive shaft 5 to rotate around its own axis. The rotational motion is transmitted to the transmission shafts 6 on both sides through their respective sets of bevel gear assemblies. The transmission shafts 6 then drive the unlocking hooks 7 to swing, causing the unlocking hook 7-1 to pry upward the operating part of the locking tongue 2-1, forcing all the hooks 2's locking tongues 2-1 to simultaneously leave the boss on the support rail 1, thus unlocking the four corner hooks 2 of the shelf 3 at the same time.

[0036] At this point, the hooks 2 are unlocked from the support rail 1, and the shelf 3, together with all the hooks 2 on it, can slide freely up and down along the support rail 1 as a whole. It can be quickly moved to the desired target height without disassembling the shelf 3 or emptying the materials.

[0037] Once the shelf 3 is adjusted to the appropriate position, release the rotary drive lever 4. Under the action of the adaptive reset structure on the drive shaft 6, the drive shaft 6 automatically rotates in the opposite direction and resets, causing the unlocking hook 7 to return to its original position, releasing the unlocking force on the operating part of the locking tongue 2-1. The locking tongue 2-1 then re-engages into the corresponding boss on the support rail 1, locking each hook 2 back onto the support rail 1, completing the height adjustment. Thus, all hooks 2 can be simultaneously unlocked and the shelf height adjusted in a single operation.

[0038] The above are preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above content. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be considered equivalent substitutions and shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator with adjustable shelf height, comprising a cabinet body and support rails, hooks, and shelves disposed within the cabinet body; characterized in that, It also includes a synchronous unlocking mechanism for causing the locking tongues of all hooks to simultaneously leave the boss of the support rail. The synchronous unlocking mechanism is provided in several groups and is respectively arranged below different shelves. The synchronous unlocking mechanism includes a drive end operation component and a transmission end component. The drive end operation component includes a rotary drive paddle, a rotary drive shaft and a bevel gear assembly. The transmission end component is provided in two groups and each group of transmission end components includes a transmission shaft and multiple unlocking hooks corresponding to different hooks. When the rotary drive lever is in operation, it drives the rotary drive shaft to rotate. The rotary drive shaft transmits power to the transmission shaft through a bevel gear assembly. The transmission shaft swings the unlocking hook in the corresponding direction, causing the unlocking hook to pry the latch of the hook upward, forcing the latches of all hooks to leave the boss on the support rail simultaneously, thus unlocking the four corner hooks of the shelf at the same time.

2. The reach-in refrigerator with adjustable shelf height according to claim 1, wherein, The rotary drive lever is fixedly connected to the rotary drive shaft, which is rotatably connected to the back of the shelf.

3. The reach-in refrigerator with adjustable shelf height of claim 2, wherein, The drive shaft is rotatably connected to the back of the shelf, and the axis of the drive shaft is perpendicular to the axis of the rotary drive shaft.

4. The reach-in refrigerator with adjustable shelf height of claim 3, wherein, The bevel gear assembly is provided in two sets. The drive shaft of one set is connected to one end of the rotary drive shaft through one set of bevel gear assemblies, and the drive shaft of the other set is connected to the other end of the rotary drive shaft through another set of bevel gear assemblies.

5. The refrigerator with conveniently adjustable shelf height according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least two unlocking hooks are provided in the same group and are fixedly mounted on the drive shaft. The position of the unlocking hook corresponds to the position of the hook corresponding to the shelf. The unlocking hook is provided with an unlocking hook part extending to the lower part of the operating part of the locking tongue of the hook.

6. The refrigerator with adjustable shelf height according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drive shaft is provided with two sets of adaptive reset structures. Each set of adaptive reset structures includes an adaptive reset torsion spring and a transmission mounting block. The transmission mounting block is fixedly installed on the drive shaft, and the adaptive reset torsion spring is sleeved on the drive shaft. The two ends of the adaptive reset torsion spring press against the bottom surface of the shelf and the transmission mounting block, respectively. The reset forces of the adaptive reset torsion springs of the two sets of adaptive reset structures are opposite.

7. The refrigerator with conveniently adjustable shelf height according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drive-end operation component also includes a drive reset structure, which includes a drive reset torsion spring and a drive mounting block. The drive reset torsion spring is sleeved on the rotary drive shaft, and its two ends press against the bottom surface of the shelf and the drive mounting block, respectively.

8. The refrigerator with adjustable shelf height according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bevel gear assembly includes a driving bevel gear coaxially connected to the rotary drive shaft and a driven bevel gear coaxially connected to the transmission shaft. The driving bevel gear has a meshing notch. When the rotary drive shaft is not in the rotating state, the meshing notch engages with the driven bevel gear.

9. The refrigerator with conveniently adjustable shelf height according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotary drive lever is located on the side of the shelf near the opening of the refrigerator.

10. The refrigerator with conveniently adjustable shelf height according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shelves are provided in multiple vertical arrangements; the hooks are provided in multiple sets, and each set includes multiple hooks.

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