Appliance Basket Multi-Axis Adjustment to Reduce Thermal Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Appliances such as refrigerators and ovens experience issues with binding or misalignment of drawers and shelves due to temperature exposure, temperature differentials, and manufacturing differences, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A basket assembly with a base assembly and adjustment members that allow for three-axis or four-axis tuning, enabling fine adjustments to correct for warping, shifting, and binding by applying forces along orthogonal axes to maintain alignment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid fixed positioning is used for baskets and shelves, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but binding and misalignment occur due to thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing rigid fixed positioning with adjustable and articulating mechanisms. The basket assembly includes adjustment members with articulating joints that allow dynamic adaptation to thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, eliminating binding while maintaining alignment stability throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by enabling continuous adjustment of positioning parameters through threaded adjustment members and articulating joints. These mechanisms allow modification of position, angle, and spacing parameters to compensate for thermal effects and manufacturing variations, preventing binding and misalignment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If adjustable mechanisms are added to correct alignment, then binding and misalignment are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the adjustment function into multiple independent adjustment members, each handling specific alignment degrees of freedom. This modular approach allows targeted adjustment of individual parameters without requiring complex integrated mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while effectively addressing binding and misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by integrating articulating joints within the adjustment members themselves. The articulating joints are nested within the adjustment mechanism structure, allowing multi-axis adjustment functionality to be contained within compact integrated units rather than requiring separate external components.
3Manufacturing precision
If three-axis or four-axis tuning is implemented, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the adjustment members with integrated articulating joints and positioning features during manufacturing. The adjustment members are pre-assembled with threaded mechanisms and joint structures that enable multi-axis tuning, allowing field adjustment without requiring complex assembly procedures or specialized tools.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance includes a basket having a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls forming an interior compartment. The basket includes a first positioning wall and a second positioning wall extending from the bottom wall. The first positioning wall extends substantially co-directional to a first axis. The second positioning wall extends substantially co-directional to a second axis. A base assembly includes a base wall, a first perimeter wall, and a second perimeter wall. A first adjustment member extends from the first perimeter wall toward the first positioning wall co-directional to the second axis. A second adjustment member extends from the second perimeter wall toward the second positioning wall co-directional to the first axis. The base wall extends co-planar to the bottom wall. A third adjustment member extends from the base wall toward the bottom wall co-directional to a third axis.