Clamping mechanism, shelf and refrigerator

Abstract

The utility model relates to a clamping mechanism, a shelf and a refrigerator. Wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a sliding limiting part and an elastic piece; a guide pillar is arranged on the first component, and included angles smaller than 90 degrees are formed between the guide pillar and the first direction and between the guide pillar and the second direction; the sliding limiting part comprises a first cylinder part and a second cylinder part which are connected with each other; the first column body part is in sliding connection with the guide column, and when the first column body part is in sliding connection to the guide column, the second column body part is perpendicular to the connecting face of the second component and the first component in the second direction; when the first column body part gets close to the first end of the guide column, the second column body part moves towards the second component, and the second column body part can move to protrude out of the opposite face of the first component and the second component and is connected with an inserting groove formed in the second component in an inserted mode; the elastic piece is connected with the first column body part to apply elastic force to the first column body part, so that the first column body part tends to the first end of the guide column.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of snap-fit ​​connections between different components, and more particularly to a snap-fit ​​mechanism, shelf, and refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Storage products such as refrigerators typically divide their interiors into multiple storage areas using layers or other methods. Shelves are usually used to divide the internal space of a refrigerator, and these shelves are fixed inside the refrigerator with movable connections, allowing them to be removed for cleaning. Furthermore, in some products, the position of the shelves can be moved and changed to adjust the size of different sections, better meeting the needs of accommodating products of different sizes.

[0003] Regarding the connection and fixation of shelves inside a refrigerator, Chinese utility model patent CN 206330348 U discloses a refrigerator shelf installation structure and a refrigerator. In its technical solution, elastic snap-fit ​​members are provided on both sides of the bottom of the shelf. Each elastic snap-fit ​​member includes a snap-fit ​​connector that extends along the width of the shelf, a snap-fit ​​groove on the refrigerator liner that matches the snap-fit ​​connector, and a shelf groove that matches the shelf edge. When the shelf is installed inside the refrigerator, the shelf edge is placed into the shelf groove, and the shelf is pushed to move along the shelf groove. When the snap-fit ​​connector on the shelf moves to the position of the snap-fit ​​groove, based on the elastic force of the elastic snap-fit ​​member (which includes a spring), the snap-fit ​​connector can be pushed and extended into the snap-fit ​​groove, thereby establishing a snap-fit ​​relationship between the snap-fit ​​connector and the snap-fit ​​groove, thus fixing the shelf inside the refrigerator.

[0004] The aforementioned shelves and refrigerators have the following technical problems in practical applications:

[0005] If the lever on the elastic latch is accidentally triggered, it will be pulled outward, overcoming the spring force. The latch will then move outward from the slot on the refrigerator liner, causing the shelf to separate from the refrigerator. This could result in the shelf and the items placed on it falling off, potentially causing damage or loss to the user's belongings, and even physical injury to people. Utility Model Content

[0006] This application provides a snap-fit ​​mechanism, a shelf, and a refrigerator to solve the technical problem in the prior art where the snap-fit ​​fixing between the shelf and the refrigerator is easily triggered by error, leading to the release of the snap-fit ​​fixing between the shelf and the refrigerator.

[0007] The snap-fit ​​mechanism provided by this utility model is installed on a first component and used to snap-fit ​​and fix the first component and a second component. The snap-fit ​​mechanism includes a sliding limiting part and an elastic element. A guide post is provided on the first component, and the guide post has an angle of less than 90 degrees with the first direction and the second direction. The first direction is the direction in which the first component moves relative to the second component, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The sliding limiting part includes a first column part and a second column part connected together. The first column part and the guide post are slidably connected. When the included angle between the parts is less than 90 degrees, and the first column part is slidably connected to the guide post, the second column part is perpendicular to the contact surface between the second part and the first part along the second direction; when the first column part moves closer to the first end of the guide post, the second column part moves towards the second part, and the second column part can move to protrude from the opposite surface of the first part and the second part, and be inserted into the slot provided on the second part; the elastic member is connected to the first column part to apply elastic force to the first column part, so that the first column part tends towards the first end of the guide post.

[0008] The first column is annular and has an inner hole; the inner hole of the first column is fitted onto the guide post.

[0009] The first column portion is provided with a circumferential limiting surface, which cooperates with the guide post to restrict the first column portion from rotating relative to the guide post in the circumferential direction.

[0010] The cross-sectional shape of the inner hole of the first column portion is polygonal, elliptical, or a curved shape with varying curvature; the guide post has a cross-sectional shape that matches the inner hole.

[0011] The elastic element is a spring, which is sleeved on the guide post. One end of the spring is located at the second end of the guide post, and the other end abuts against the first post body.

[0012] The shelf provided by this utility model includes a shelf body and the aforementioned snap-fit ​​mechanism. The shelf body is the first component, and the snap-fit ​​mechanism is disposed at the front end of the shelf body.

[0013] The number of the snap-fit ​​mechanisms is two, and they are respectively located on two opposite sides of the front end of the shelf body.

[0014] The rear end of the shelf body is provided with a second connecting part, which is used to connect and fix with the second component.

[0015] Wherein, the second connecting part is a protrusion, and the protrusion is aligned with the recess provided on the second component; or, the second connecting part is a recess, and the recess is aligned with the protrusion provided on the second component.

[0016] The refrigerator provided by this utility model includes the aforementioned shelf, and the inner wall of the refrigerator is the second component.

[0017] The technical solutions provided in this application have the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0018] The snap-fit ​​mechanism, shelf, and refrigerator provided in this application embodiment, after the snap-fit ​​mechanism achieves snap-fit ​​between the first component and the second component, when the first column of the sliding limiting part is mistakenly triggered and a force is applied in the direction of the second end of the guide post, since the direction of this force is oblique along the second guide post and not in the same direction as the second column, when the first component moves forward without being forced, a mutual limiting effect is formed between the first column and the second column. This prevents the first column from sliding along the guide post and the second column from moving back in the second direction, thus preventing it from disengaging from the slot. Therefore, the force in the direction of the second end of the guide post applied to the sliding limiting part by the aforementioned mistaken trigger will not cause the snap-fit ​​fixation between the first component and the second component to be broken, thereby making the snap-fit ​​fixation between the first component and the second component stable and reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the front view of the snap-fit ​​mechanism provided in the embodiment of this application applied to a shelf;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1A schematic diagram in the side view direction;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A diagram in the rear-view direction;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of region A in the middle;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding limiting part from one viewing angle.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding limiting part from another perspective.

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the assembly of the shelf with the refrigerator.

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of region B in the middle;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a side view of the shelf and refrigerator assembled together.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating how to remove a shelf from a refrigerator.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 10-Shelf; 11-Shelf body; 12-Guide post; 13-Second connecting part;

[0034] 20 - Refrigerator; 21 - Slot;

[0035] 30-Snap-fit ​​mechanism; 31-Sliding limiting part; 311-First column part; 312-Second column part; 32-Elastic element. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the present invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed.

[0038] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relative position or movement of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "front," "back," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure undergoes a positional flip, orientation change, or change of motion, these directional indications will change accordingly. For instance, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" will subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative descriptors used in the text will be interpreted accordingly.

[0039] In one embodiment of the snap-fit ​​mechanism provided by this utility model, such as Figures 1 to 10As shown, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 is mounted on the first component and is used to snap-fit ​​and fix the first component and the second component. The snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 includes a sliding limiting part 31 and an elastic element 32; a guide post 12 is provided on the first component, and the guide post 12 has an angle of less than 90 degrees with the first direction and the second direction; the first direction is the direction in which the first component moves relative to the second component, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; the sliding limiting part 31 includes a first column part 311 and a second column part 312 connected to each other; the first column part 311 is slidably connected to the guide post 12, and the angle between the first column part 311 and the second column part 312 is less than 90 degrees, and the first column part 311 slides... When movably connected to the guide post 12, the second column portion 312 is perpendicular to the contact surface between the second component and the first component along the second direction; when the first column portion 311 approaches the first end of the guide post 12, the second column portion 312 moves towards the second component, and the second column portion 312 can move to protrude from the opposing surface of the first component and the second component, and be inserted into the slot 21 provided on the second component; the elastic member 32 is connected to the first column portion 311 to apply elastic force to the first column portion 311, causing the first column portion 311 to tend towards the first end of the guide post 12.

[0040] In this embodiment, the types of the first and second components that the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 engages and fixes are not limited. As long as the first and second components are in a snap-fit ​​relationship, the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 described in this embodiment can be applied. In the following description, taking the shelf 10 as the first component and the refrigerator 20 as the second component as examples, multiple implementation schemes of the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 for achieving snap-fit ​​fixation between the first and second components will be described in detail.

[0041] When the shelf 10 is snapped and fixed inside the refrigerator 20 by the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30, it has an inner end located deep inside the refrigerator 20 and an outer end located at the opening of the refrigerator 20. In this embodiment, the inner end of the shelf 10 (in...) Figure 1 The upper part of the middle section is the front end, with the outer end of the shelf 10 (in the middle section) as the front end. Figure 1 The middle part (lower part) is the rear end, with shelf 10 placed on the left and right sides of the refrigerator 20 (in the middle). Figure 1 The left and right sides are defined as 'center' and 'right' respectively, and the top and bottom sides of the shelf 10 when it is placed on the refrigerator 20 are defined as 'top' and 'bottom' respectively. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first direction is actually the front-back direction of the shelf 10, and the second direction is the left-right direction of the shelf 10.

[0042] In this embodiment, the guide post 12 is disposed on the shelf 10, which is the first component, and the length direction of the guide post 12 is neither in the first direction nor in the second direction. That is, the guide post 12 is inclined on the shelf 10, and it has an angle that is not 90 degrees with the front-back direction and the left-right direction of the shelf 10. For the guide post 12, in combination with its inclined direction, its first end is located on the front side and the outer side obliquely upward, and its second end is located on the rear side and the inner side obliquely upward.

[0043] In practical implementation, the guide post 12 can be formed on the shelf 10 in a fixed and inseparable manner, for example, the guide post 10 is integrally formed with other parts on the shelf 10. Alternatively, the guide post 12 can also be installed and fixed to the shelf 10 in a movable and detachable manner, for example... Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 The guide post 12 shown is inserted into the slot on the shelf 10, and pins are provided at both ends of the guide post 12 to limit its movement and prevent it from moving out of the slot. In the latter embodiment described above, the guide post 12 can be used as a structural component of the shelf 10 or as a component of the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 during actual product manufacturing and sales.

[0044] In this embodiment, the sliding limiting part 31 includes a first column part 311 and a second column part 312. The first column part 311 and the guide column 12 are slidably connected, and the first column part 311 and the second column part 312 have a set included angle. The value of the included angle is the same as the angle between the guide column 12 and the second direction. This setting ensures that when the first column part 311 and the guide column 12 are slidably connected, the length direction of the second column part 312 is in the second direction, that is, in the left and right direction of the shelf 10. When the first column part 311 slides along the guide column 12, the movement direction of the second column part 312 is also perpendicular to the inner wall of the refrigerator 20 (the area opposite to the left and right sides of the shelf 10) along the left and right direction of the shelf 10, extending and retracting.

[0045] In this embodiment, the elastic member 32 provides elastic force to the sliding limiting part 31, and the direction of the elastic force is towards the first end of the guide post 12, that is, towards the front and the outside along the oblique direction of the guide post 12. The elastic force acts on the sliding limiting part 31, and in the absence of other external forces, the first column part 311 can be placed at the first end of the guide post 12. At this time, the second column part 312 extends outward from the left and right sides of the shelf 10, and the extension length reaches the maximum. When other external forces act on the sliding limiting part 31, the elastic force of the elastic member 32 acting on the sliding limiting part 31 causes the first column part 311 to have a tendency to move towards the first end of the guide post 12.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the locking mechanism 30 locks and fixes the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20, firstly, after assembling the sliding limiting part 31 and the elastic member 32 of the locking mechanism 30 onto the shelf 10, the shelf 10 is moved to the corresponding position inside the refrigerator 20 (the refrigerator 20 has a shelf slot or other structure corresponding to the shelf 10). The first column part 311 of the sliding limiting part 31 is pulled directly by hand (or other structures are used to indirectly act on the first column part 311, which will not be described in detail here), and force is applied to the second end of the guide column 12 to overcome and offset part of the elastic force of the elastic member 32, so that the first column part 311 moves to the second end of the guide column 12. During the process of the first column part 311 moving to the second end of the guide column 12, the second column part 312 will retract towards the shelf 10 until its head no longer protrudes from the left and right sides of the shelf 10. At this time, the shelf 10 can be placed on the shelf slot or other corresponding structure inside the refrigerator 20.

[0047] Subsequently, the force applied to the first column 311 is removed. Under the elastic force of the elastic member 32 on the sliding limit part 31, the first column 311 will move a certain distance to the first end of the guide column 12, and the second column 312 will move outward from the left and right sides of the shelf 10 until the head end of the second column 312 abuts against the inner wall of the refrigerator 20. Under the action of this abutting relationship, the sliding limit part 31 will remain fixed on the guide column 12.

[0048] Next, the shelf 10 is pushed into the refrigerator 20, that is, the shelf 10 moves forward until it reaches the target position. A slot 21 is provided on the refrigerator 20 at the target position, and this slot 21 is located on the movement path of the second column portion 312. After the shelf 10 moves to the target position, the head end of the second column portion 312 no longer abuts against the side wall of the refrigerator 20. Under the elastic force of the elastic member 32, the second column portion 312 inserts into the slot 21. With the second column portion 312 and the slot 21 interlocked, they can limit the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20 in the front-back direction, thus forming a locking relationship between the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20.

[0049] After the aforementioned engagement is achieved between the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20, when the first column portion 311 of the sliding limiting part 31 is mistakenly triggered and a force is applied to the second end direction of the guide post 12, since the direction of this force is oblique along the second guide post 12 and not in the same direction as the second column portion 312, when the shelf 10 moves forward without any force applied, a mutual limit is formed between the first column portion 311 and the second column portion 312. This prevents the first column portion 311 from sliding along the guide post 12, and the second column portion 312 from moving back in the second direction, thus preventing it from disengaging from the slot 21. Therefore, the force applied to the sliding limiting part 31 in the second end direction of the guide post 12 due to the aforementioned mistaken trigger will not cause the engagement between the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20 to be broken, and the risk of damage to the items placed on the shelf 10 can also be avoided.

[0050] If it is necessary to remove the shelf 10 from the refrigerator 20, the actual process is roughly as follows: Force is applied to the first column portion 311 of the sliding limit part 31, and simultaneously force is applied to the shelf 10; the force applied to the first column portion 311 is directed towards the second end of the guide post 12, while the force applied to the shelf 10 is directed towards the front end of the shelf 10. Through the above simultaneous application of force, as... Figure 10 As shown, the first column portion 311 of the sliding limiting part 31 can move towards the second end of the guide column 12, while the head end of the second column portion 312 retracts towards the shelf 10. Finally, after the shelf 10 moves a certain distance towards its front end, the head end of the second column portion 312 no longer protrudes from the left and right sides of the shelf 10, and it disengages from the slot 21. At this time, the insertion relationship between the second column portion 312 and the slot 21 is released, and the locking relationship between the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20 is released. At this time, the shelf 10 can be removed from the refrigerator 20.

[0051] Understandably, in order to ensure that shelf 10 can be removed from refrigerator 20, and to ensure that shelf 10 can move effectively a sufficient distance forward during the removal process (in... Figure 10 The middle part represents moving the second column portion 312 from the slot 21 to Figure 10 The dashed frame pointing to the second column portion 312 is used to allow the head end of the second column portion 312 to retract and disengage from the slot 21. Sufficient distance needs to be reserved between the front end of the shelf 10 and the rear wall of the refrigerator 20. This is an inherent requirement for implementing the technical solution of this utility model. In actual implementation, the above-mentioned reserved distance can be set as needed.

[0052] In one embodiment of the snap-fit ​​mechanism, the first column portion 311 is annular and has an inner hole; the inner hole of the first column 311 is sleeved on the guide post 12.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first column portion 311 is set as an annular shape, and its inner hole is sleeved together with the guide post 12, so that the first column portion 311 can slide relative to the guide post 12. Moreover, this structure is simple and has a low cost.

[0054] In one embodiment of the snap-fit ​​mechanism, the first column portion 311 is provided with a circumferential limiting surface, which cooperates with the guide post 12 to restrict the first column portion 311 from rotating relative to the guide post 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0055] In this embodiment, a circumferential limiting surface is provided on the first column portion 311, and the circumferential limiting surface cooperates with the guide post 12. Through the circumferential limiting surface, the rotation between the first column portion 311 and the guide post 12 can be restricted, so that when the first column portion 311 is sleeved on the guide post 12, the second column portion 312 can always be kept in the second direction, and the head end of the second column portion 312 always faces the inner wall of the refrigerator 20 opposite to the left and right sides of the shelf 10.

[0056] In one embodiment of the snap-fit ​​mechanism, the cross-sectional shape of the inner hole of the first column portion 311 is polygonal, elliptical, or a curved shape containing variable curvature; the guide post 12 has a cross-sectional shape that matches the inner hole.

[0057] In this embodiment, when the cross-sectional shape of the inner hole of the first column portion 311 is a non-circular shape such as a polygon, an ellipse, or a curve shape containing variable curvature, the overall cross-section of the inner hole of the first column portion 311 constitutes a circumferential limiting surface, which can play the role of limiting the relative rotation between the first column portion 311 and the guide post 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0058] In one embodiment of the snap-fit ​​mechanism, the elastic element 32 is a spring, which is sleeved on the guide post 12. One end of the spring is located at the second end of the guide post 12, and the other end abuts against the first post body 311.

[0059] In this embodiment, a spring is selected as the elastic element 32. It is only necessary to sleeve the spring on the guide post 12, so that one end of the spring abuts against the second end of the guide post 12 (or other fixed areas on the shelf 10), and the other end abuts against the first column part 311.

[0060] In one embodiment of the shelf provided by this utility model, the shelf 10 includes a shelf body 11 and a snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 described in the above embodiment. The shelf body 11 is the first component, and the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 is disposed at the front end of the shelf body 11.

[0061] In this embodiment, the front end of the shelf body 11 is the front end of the shelf 10 in the aforementioned embodiment, and correspondingly, the rear end of the shelf body 11 (see description below) is the rear end of the shelf 10, and the two opposite sides of the front end of the shelf body 11 (see description below) are the left and right sides of the shelf 10.

[0062] In this embodiment, the shelf 10 includes the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 described in the previous embodiment. Through the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30, the shelf 10 can be snapped and fixed to the refrigerator 20, and the snap-fit ​​between the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20 will not be released due to the erroneous triggering of the snap-fit ​​mechanism 30, so that the snap-fit ​​between the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20 is stable and reliable, and can effectively protect the shelf 10 and the items placed on the shelf 10.

[0063] In one embodiment of the shelf, there are two locking mechanisms 30, which are respectively located on two opposite sides of the front end of the shelf body 11.

[0064] In this embodiment, a snap-fit ​​mechanism 30 is provided on the two opposite sides of the front end of the shelf body 11, namely the left and right sides, which can better snap-fit ​​and fix the shelf 10 to the refrigerator 20, and achieve a better snap-fit ​​and fixing effect.

[0065] In one embodiment of the shelf, a second connecting portion 13 is provided at the rear end of the shelf body 11, the second connecting portion 13 being used to connect and fix with the second component.

[0066] In this embodiment, a second connecting portion 13 is provided at the rear end of the shelf body 11. This second connecting portion 13 can be connected and fixed to the refrigerator 20. When the second connecting portion 13 is connected and fixed to the refrigerator 20, it can restrict the movement between the shelf 10 and the refrigerator 20, especially the movement in the front-to-back direction. In this case, when the connection between the second connecting portion 13 and the refrigerator 20 is fixed, even if the first column portion 311 of the locking mechanism 30 in the aforementioned embodiment is mistakenly triggered and force is applied, the insertion relationship between the second column portion 312 and the slot 21 cannot be destroyed. Thus, the second connecting portion 13 can play the role of protecting the locking mechanism 30.

[0067] In one embodiment of the shelf, the second connecting portion 13 is a protrusion that aligns with a recess provided on the second component.

[0068] In this embodiment, the connection and fixation between the second connecting part 13 and the refrigerator 20 can be achieved simply by the protrusion of the second connecting part 13 and the recess on the refrigerator 20 engaging. The structure is simple, the cost is low, and it is easy to operate and install.

[0069] In an alternative embodiment, the second connecting portion 13 is a recess that aligns with a protrusion on the second component. The method of connecting and fixing the second connecting portion 13 and the refrigerator 20 through this recess-protrusion fit is similar to that described above and will not be repeated here.

[0070] In one embodiment of the refrigerator provided by this utility model, the refrigerator 20 includes the shelf 10 described in the above embodiment, and the inner wall of the refrigerator 20 is the second component.

[0071] In this embodiment, the refrigerator 20 includes the shelf 10 described in the foregoing embodiments, which includes all the technical features of the shelf 10 and naturally has the same beneficial effects as the shelf 10, which will not be repeated here.

[0072] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0073] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0074] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A snap-fit ​​mechanism, mounted on a first component and used to snap-fit ​​and fix the first component and a second component, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes a sliding limiting part and an elastic element; The first component is provided with a guide post, and the guide post has an angle of less than 90 degrees with the first direction and the second direction; the first direction is the direction in which the first component moves relative to the second component, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The sliding limiting part includes a first column part and a second column part connected to each other; The first column portion is slidably connected to the guide post. The included angle between the first column portion and the second column portion is less than 90 degrees. When the first column portion is slidably connected to the guide post, the second column portion is perpendicular to the contact surface between the second component and the first component along the second direction. When the first column portion moves closer to the first end of the guide post, the second column portion moves towards the second component. The second column portion can move to protrude from the opposite surface of the first component and the second component and be inserted into the slot provided on the second component. The elastic element is connected to the first column portion to apply elastic force to the first column portion, causing the first column portion to tend toward the first end of the guide post.

2. The snap-fit ​​mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first column is annular and has an inner hole; the inner hole of the first column is fitted onto the guide post.

3. The snap-fit ​​mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first column portion is provided with a circumferential limiting surface, which cooperates with the guide post to restrict the first column portion from rotating relative to the guide post in the circumferential direction.

4. The snap-fit ​​mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the inner hole of the first column part is polygonal, elliptical, or a curved shape containing variable curvature; The guide post has a cross-sectional shape that matches the inner hole.

5. The snap-fit ​​mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring, which is sleeved on the guide post. One end of the spring is located at the second end of the guide post, and the other end abuts against the first post body.

6. A shelf, characterized in that, The shelf includes a shelf body and a snap-fit ​​mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shelf body is the first component and the snap-fit ​​mechanism is disposed at the front end of the shelf body.

7. The shelf according to claim 6, characterized in that, The number of the snap-fit ​​mechanisms is two, and they are respectively located on two opposite sides of the front end of the shelf body.

8. The shelf according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rear end of the shelf body is provided with a second connecting part, which is used to connect and fix with the second component.

9. The shelf according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second connecting part is a protrusion, which aligns with a recess on the second component; or The second connecting part is a recess, which is aligned and fitted with the protrusion provided on the second component.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes the shelf as described in any one of claims 6 to 9, and the inner wall of the refrigerator is the second component.

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