Adjustable shelf assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator shelves are typically fixed or non-adjustable, requiring significant effort to reposition and resulting in underutilization of storage space due to their rigid design and inability to accommodate items of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable shelf assembly with mounting members and an intermediate shelf that can be inserted into slots formed by partition walls, allowing for customizable storage space subdivision and easier manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If refrigerator shelves are made fixed and rigid, then structural stability is improved, but storage space utilization deteriorates and ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system is divided into multiple independent shelf members that can be selectively positioned at different locations along the support tracks. Each shelf member can be independently adjusted, allowing the storage space to be segmented into different zones to accommodate items of varying sizes, thus improving storage space utilization while maintaining structural stability of each individual shelf segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelves are designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing users to reposition them along the support tracks according to storage needs. This dynamic adjustability enables the shelf system to adapt to different storage configurations, maximizing storage space utilization while maintaining structural integrity through proper mounting mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If refrigerator shelves are made fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf assembly is segmented into modular components including shelf members, support tracks, and positioning mechanisms. This modular design allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components that can be easily assembled and disassembled, improving ease of operation for repositioning while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf system incorporates movable components with simple positioning mechanisms that allow easy adjustment along the support tracks. The dynamic design uses straightforward mounting and detachment mechanisms that are simple to manufacture yet provide user-friendly repositioning capabilities.
3Device complexity
If shelves are made non-adjustable, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system uses segmented shelf members that can be independently positioned at multiple locations along the support tracks. This segmentation provides adaptability to accommodate items of varying sizes without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, as each segment can be simply placed at the appropriate position.
Solution Approach 2:
The support tracks and shelf members are designed with universal compatibility, allowing the same components to serve multiple positions and configurations. This multi-functionality provides adaptability for different storage needs while maintaining relatively simple device structure through standardized universal components.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable shelf assembly including a number of mounting members and an adjustable shelf. The number of mounting members are provided with a main body and a number of fingers extending from the main body. The number of fingers collectively define a number of interstices disposed interstitially between adjacent fingers of the number of fingers. A first finger of the number of fingers define an aperture configured to receive a shelf of the refrigerator. The adjustable shelf is configured to be inserted into one or more of the interstices so that adjustable shelf is detachably connected to one or more of the number of interstices.