Side wall attachment system for extractable wine shelves
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving systems for refrigerating appliances, such as wine coolers, lack adjustable and slideable features that accommodate varying interior dimensions and angles, making it difficult to efficiently store and access items like wine bottles.
Innovation Solution
The shelving system incorporates opposing sidewall adapters with vertically spaced ledges and a base plate that includes apertures for a glide assembly, which is attracted by a magnet, and adjustable fasteners to mount the adapters to the cabinet liner, allowing shelves to be slideable fore and aft, accommodating different interior dimensions and angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed shelving systems are used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the shelves cannot be adjusted to accommodate varying interior dimensions and angles
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system transforms from a fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable one by incorporating slideable shelves that can move along the sidewall adapters, and adjustable fasteners that allow repositioning of the adapters themselves. This enables the shelves to adapt to different interior dimensions and angles while maintaining structural integrity through the magnetic and mechanical connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system is divided into separate modular components: sidewall adapters that can be independently positioned, glide assemblies that enable smooth movement, and adjustable fasteners that allow flexible mounting. This segmentation provides adjustability while keeping each component relatively simple in design.
2Ease of operation
If shelves are made slideable with glide assemblies, then access to items is easier, but the mounting system becomes more complex requiring magnets and apertures
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection system is enhanced with magnetic attraction between the magnets in the base plates and the glide assemblies. This magnetic field-based connection complements the mechanical aperture-tab interface, providing both ease of sliding operation and reliable mounting without requiring complex mechanical fasteners or multiple adjustment mechanisms.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple vertically spaced ledges are provided on sidewall adapters, then storage capacity increases, but the sidewall adapter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewall adapters are designed as multi-functional components that serve both as structural mounting elements and as storage support structures. The vertically spaced ledges provide multiple storage levels while the same adapter body also houses the base plates with magnets for securing glide assemblies. This universal design increases storage capacity without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.
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 configuration enables flexible storage and easy access to items by allowing shelves to be adjusted to various positions, enhancing storage capacity and usability within the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one magnet is disposed within the base plate and is configured to attract the glide assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving system for an appliance may include a sidewall adapter coupled to a side of a cabinet liner. The sidewall adapter may include a body defining at least one ledge and a base plate coupled to the at least one ledge. The base plate may define at least one aperture configured to receive a tab on a glide assembly. At least two adjustable fasteners may be coupled to the cabinet liner and may be configured to mount the sidewall adapter to the cabinet liner. A shelf may be coupled to the glide assemblies such that the shelf is slideable within the cabinet liner.