Adjustable Storage Assembly for Individual Bag Access in Refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage assemblies in refrigerated appliances often store items in an aggregative manner, making it difficult to access and store individualized storage units like flexible storage bags efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A storage assembly with adjustable support bars and carriers that allow for selective positioning within the refrigerated compartment, featuring slidably mounted support bars and carriers with a holding structure that includes a spherical restraining element for secure and easy storage unit placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage assemblies store items in an aggregative manner, then storage space is maximized, but individual access to storage units becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The storage assembly is divided into multiple discrete storage units (storage bags) that can be individually accessed. Each storage unit is separated from others, allowing users to access specific units without moving entire aggregates of stored items, thereby resolving the contradiction between maximizing storage space and enabling individual access.
2Ease of operation
If storage units are stored in discrete individualized containers, then individual access is improved, but storage space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete storage units (storage bags) are nested within or alongside each other on the same support bar. This nesting arrangement allows individual access to each storage unit while maintaining compact space utilization, as smaller storage units can be positioned within the space occupied by larger ones or arranged in a space-efficient configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If storage assemblies provide fixed positioning, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different storage unit sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar is designed with adjustable and repositionable features, allowing it to be moved to different locations along the mounting structure. This dynamic capability enables the storage assembly to adapt to storage units of varying sizes while maintaining structural stability during use, as the support bar can be repositioned to provide optimal support for different configurations.
4Ease of manufacture
If support bars are fixed in position, then mounting simplicity is maintained, but flexibility in positioning storage units is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar incorporates a sliding mechanism with engagement features (such as notches or clips) that allow it to be easily repositioned along the mounting structure. This dynamic design maintains relative mounting simplicity while providing flexibility, as the support bar can be slid to different positions and secured with simple engagement actions rather than requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage assembly supports and stores storage units at a storage facility such as a refrigerated compartment interior. The storage assembly can include (1) support bars that extend between each support bar's first end and second end and are mounted within the storage facility and (2) storage unit carriers that are supported at the support bars, with the storage unit carriers including a holding structure configured to selectively hold and release a storage unit. Either the support bars can be mounted within the storage facility for selective positioning within the storage facility at a plurality of locations laterally of the direction in which the support bars extend, or the storage unit carriers can be supported at the support bars for selective positioning at a plurality of locations along the support bars between each support bar's first end and second end. Alternatively, both arrangements can be implemented.