Adjustable Refrigerator Shelf With Rotating Bars and Guide Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators lack a shelf design that allows for efficient vertical and directional adjustment, making it difficult to manage storage space and prevent objects from falling during shelf movement.

Innovation Solution

A shelf system with rotating bars and guide holes that enable forward, rearward, upward, and downward movement, utilizing elastic elements and dampers for smooth operation and stability, and stoppers for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional fixed shelf design is used, then the structure is simple, but the storage space cannot be efficiently adjusted to accommodate objects of various sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space adjustment capabilityVSAvoidshelf structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is designed with rotating bars that can pivot between horizontal and vertical positions, transforming the shelf from a static structure to a dynamic one. This allows the shelf to adapt its configuration and height to accommodate objects of various sizes while maintaining operational simplicity through mechanical movement rather than complex adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf structure is divided into multiple segments including the shelf body, rotating bars, and guide holes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adaptability of the storage system, enabling height adjustment without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a movable shelf design is implemented, then storage flexibility is improved, but objects may fall or become unstable during shelf movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf movement flexibilityVSAvoidobject stability during movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Dampers are installed on the rotating bars to provide shock absorption and damping effects before objects can fall or become unstable. These dampers reduce sudden movements and vibrations during shelf adjustment, ensuring object stability while maintaining the flexibility of shelf movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

Guide holes serve as intermediary structures that constrain and guide the movement of rotating bars. These guide holes ensure that the shelf moves along a predetermined safe path, preventing erratic movements that could cause objects to fall while still allowing necessary adjustment flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to the shelf, then vertical and directional adjustment capability is improved, but the operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical and directional adjustment capabilityVSAvoidshelf adjustment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple adjustment functions (vertical movement, horizontal positioning, and rotational adjustment) are merged into a single integrated mechanism where the rotating bars perform multiple functions simultaneously. This allows the shelf to achieve complex adjustment capabilities while maintaining ease of operation through unified mechanical action rather than separate control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The shelf system allows for easy adjustment and movement while maintaining object stability, reducing the risk of objects falling and optimizing storage compartment utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic element disposed in the first guide hole and configured to provide a forward elastic force to the first rotating shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9593880B2Refrigerator

Publication Date: 2017.03.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a first guide hole located at a first inner wall of a storage compartment, a second guide hole located at a second inner wall of the storage compartment, a first rotating bar that includes a first rotating shaft fitted in the first guide hole, and a second rotating bar that includes a second rotating shaft fitted in the second guide hole. A shelf is rotatably supported by the first rotating bar and the second rotating bar and is adjustable in height based on rotation of the first rotating bar and the second rotating bar. Also, the first guide hole has a first space that extends in a forward and rearward direction and that allows the first rotating shaft to slide and the second guide hole has a second space that extends in the forward and rearward direction and that allows the second rotating shaft to slide.