Refrigerator Bottle Support with Pivotable Brackets and Universal Adapters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerated goods carriers for domestic refrigeration appliances face complexity and high production costs due to the need for multiple models to accommodate different bottle formats, as existing solutions require separate molds for varying dimensions and locking mechanisms, making it difficult to adapt to diverse container sizes efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerated goods carrier with pivotable brackets and adapters that have a uniform design, featuring adjustable attachment points and latching contours, allowing for easy adaptation to different bottle formats without the need for multiple molds, using adapters with fixed and elastic hooks for secure and versatile mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate molds are used for each bottle format, then manufacturing precision for different bottle dimensions is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle format adaptation precisionVSAvoidproduction mold complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single standardized adapter component that can be mounted at multiple positions along the strip to accommodate different bottle formats. Instead of creating separate molds for each bottle size, the same adapter mold is reused with varying mounting locations, making the production system universal across different product configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the support system into modular components: standardized adapters, adjustable mounting positions on strips, and pivotable brackets. This segmentation allows the standardized adapter component to be produced with a single mold while the system as a whole adapts to different bottle formats through configurable assembly, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple models with different bearing placements are produced, then adaptability to different bottle formats is improved, but productivity decreases due to complex production procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle format adaptabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by using identical adapter components that can be mounted at various positions along the strips. This single standardized component design allows the same production process and mold to produce adapters for all bottle formats, eliminating the need for multiple specialized production lines and significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates dynamic adjustability by allowing adapters to be mounted at different positions along the strips and enabling pivotable brackets to adjust between horizontal and angled positions. This dynamic configuration capability provides adaptability to different bottle formats without requiring different physical components, maintaining high production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If injection molding with separate molds is used for each model, then manufacturing precision for specific formats is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to multiple molds required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadapter fit precisionVSAvoidproduction process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the adapter as a standardized component produced with a single injection mold. This standardized adapter maintains precise fit and finish through consistent mold manufacturing while eliminating the complexity of creating and managing multiple specialized molds, significantly improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by varying the mounting position of the standardized adapter along the strip rather than changing the adapter design itself. This approach maintains manufacturing precision through consistent adapter production while simplifying the manufacturing process by avoiding multiple mold designs, achieving both precision and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2454543B1Support for refrigerated products in a refrigeration appliance
Publication Date: 2013.09.11 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2454543B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2454543B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A support for refrigerated products in a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, comprises a plate (1), strips (3) extending in the direction of the depth of the plate, and at least one bow (12) that can be swiveled between a position in which the bow extends parallel to the plate and a position in which the bow projects from the plate. At least one adapter (9), which forms a bearing (11) for a pivot (25) of the bow and has a locking contour (16) for locking the bow at least in the position in which the bow extends parallel to the plate, is locked onto each strip.