Adjustable Refrigerator Shelf Connector With Weight-Activated Power Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator shelves with lighting require reliable and adjustable power connections that can accommodate different current levels and easy installation/removal, while maintaining a secure electrical connection.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an electrical connector system with a movable actuator and resilient member, where the weight of the adjustable shelf engages an electrical contact, and additional contacts supply power at different current levels, ensuring secure engagement and disengagement based on shelf position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed electrical connection is used for refrigerator shelves, then the electrical connection is simple and reliable, but the shelf cannot be adjusted to different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector uses a movable contact that can automatically engage and disengage based on shelf position. The contact is spring-loaded to maintain pressure against the shelf's electrical terminal, allowing the connector to adapt dynamically as the shelf is moved between positions while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector automatically engages and disengages based on the presence and position of the shelf. When the shelf is installed, its weight and position automatically activate the electrical contact through the actuator mechanism, eliminating the need for manual electrical connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable electrical contact is used to accommodate shelf adjustment, then the shelf can be positioned flexibly, but the reliability of electrical connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is designed with spring loading that maintains constant pressure against the shelf's terminal regardless of minor position variations. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable electrical connection while accommodating the adjustable nature of the shelf.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded actuator is pre-loaded to compensate for variations in shelf position and contact pressure. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the electrical contact maintains sufficient pressure for reliable connection even when the shelf is at different adjustable positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical contacts are provided for different current levels, then power supply versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrical contacts for different current levels are integrated into a single connector assembly that engages with the shelf simultaneously. This merging of multiple functions into one unified structure provides versatile power supply options without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector is designed to provide multiple current levels through a single engagement action. The shelf's electrical terminal can connect to different contacts based on its configuration, allowing one connector to serve multiple power supply functions.
4Reliability
If manual electrical connection is required for each shelf position, then the electrical connection can be secure, but the installation and removal process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector automatically engages and disengages based on the shelf's installation and removal. The actuator mechanism responds to the shelf's weight and position, automatically establishing or breaking the electrical connection without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining security while reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded contact is pre-positioned and pre-loaded to be ready for engagement. When the shelf is installed, the electrical connection is automatically established without requiring separate manual connection steps, saving time while ensuring secure contact.
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
This solution provides a reliable, adjustable, and efficient power connection for illuminated shelves, ensuring consistent lighting while simplifying shelf installation and removal by using a mechanism that automatically engages and disengages power as the shelf is positioned.
Implementation Method 1
each of the electrical connectors may further include a resilient member that biases the actuator toward the first position, the resilient member being deformable by the weight of the adjustable shelf
Implementation Method 2
the actuator of the corresponding electrical connector is held in the second position by a weight of the adjustable shelf
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, a shelf ladder disposed in the temperature-controlled compartment and providing a plurality of shelf mounting positions, an electrical connector corresponding to each of the plurality of shelf mounting positions, wherein each of the electrical connectors comprises an actuator movable from a first position to a second position and an electrical contact configured to automatically move from a disengaged position to an engaged position in response to the actuator moving from the first position to the second position, and an adjustable shelf removably mountable in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions such that the actuator of the corresponding electrical connector is held in the second position by a weight of the adjustable shelf and the electrical contact of the corresponding electrical connector engages the adjustable shelf.