Cascading Basket System for Freezer Accessibility and Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerator appliances, especially bottom mount models, accessing and viewing baskets above the lower basket in the freezer chamber is difficult, making it strenuous to pull out full baskets and increasing the likelihood of forgetting items due to poor visibility.
Innovation Solution
A cascading basket system where each basket is connected to the freezer door and slides out together, allowing all baskets to be pulled forward as a single unit, improving visibility and reducing the effort required to access each basket, with rollers and guide rails facilitating smooth movement and engagement between baskets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple baskets are stacked vertically in the freezer chamber, then storage capacity is improved, but accessibility and visibility of upper baskets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested basket structure where multiple baskets are stacked vertically one inside another, similar to nested dolls. The upper baskets are positioned within the vertical space of lower baskets, maximizing storage capacity while maintaining a compact footprint. This nesting arrangement allows users to access upper baskets by simply pulling the freezer door, which automatically draws out all baskets in sequence, eliminating the need to manually reach into the freezer chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate coupling mechanism that connects multiple baskets together. This coupling device acts as an intermediary element that transmits the pulling force from the freezer door to all baskets simultaneously. When the door is pulled, the coupling mechanism ensures that all baskets move outward in a coordinated manner, making upper baskets accessible without requiring users to bend over or reach deep into the freezer.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple baskets are stacked vertically in the freezer chamber, then storage capacity is improved, but visibility of upper baskets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the basket arrangement from a horizontal layout to a vertical stacking configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension of the freezer chamber, multiple baskets can be stacked one above another, effectively increasing storage capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint. This vertical arrangement, combined with the cascading draw-out mechanism, brings all baskets into a more visible and accessible plane when the door is opened.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic basket system where the position of baskets changes from a static stacked arrangement to a movable cascading configuration. When the freezer door is pulled, all baskets automatically move outward in a coordinated fashion, transitioning from a hidden vertical stack to an accessible horizontal arrangement. This dynamic movement ensures that upper baskets become visible and accessible without requiring users to manually manipulate individual baskets.
3Ease of operation
If upper baskets are pulled out manually, then accessibility is improved, but user effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operation of pulling multiple baskets into a single action. Instead of requiring users to separately pull out each basket, the coupling mechanism combines all baskets into a unified movable assembly. When the user pulls the freezer door, the combined assembly moves outward as one unit, distributing the effort across all baskets and eliminating the need to manually handle each individual basket.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the baskets automatically couple and uncouple based on the door position. The coupling device is designed to engage when baskets are in the stored position and automatically disengage when the door is pulled, without requiring user intervention. This self-service feature reduces user effort by eliminating manual coupling and uncoupling actions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An appliance (100) equipped with a cascading basket system (200) is provided. In one example aspect, the cascading basket system (200) includes a first basket (210) connected to a door (130) and movable together forward and backward, a second basket (310) positioned above the first basket (210), and a third basket (410) positioned above the second basket (310). The cascading basket system (200) includes features that allow a user to pull out the baskets as a single unit and in a cascading manner by moving the door (130) forward. As one example, the first and second baskets (210, 310) can define pocket recesses configured to receive rollers of the seconds and third baskets (310, 410) respectively to engage the baskets. As another example, the first and second baskets (210, 310) can include protruding ribs that receive bosses of the seconds and third baskets (310, 410) respectively to engage the baskets. In another example, the baskets can include magnets to move the baskets forward together as a single unit.