Refrigerator Container Support Surface to Protect the Inner Liner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices, such as household refrigerators, face issues with container movement causing high pressure on the inner liner, leading to physical deformations and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A support element with a contact element in superficial contact over a wide surface area is used, distributing force evenly and minimizing contact points, along with a housing configuration for stability and easy maintenance, made from materials like polyoxymethylene for reduced friction and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the container is moved on the inner liner using bearing elements with linear and/or punctual contact, then the container can be moved on the inner liner, but high pressure is exerted on the inner liner causing physical deformations and reducing its lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from linear and punctual contact (0D/1D) to superficial contact over a wide surface area (2D). The support element features a broad contact surface that distributes the container's weight across a larger area of the inner liner, reducing pressure concentration and preventing deformations while maintaining smooth container movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure distribution parameter by increasing the contact surface area. Instead of concentrated forces at linear or punctual contact points, the support element creates distributed pressure across a wide superficial contact area, reducing the pressure intensity on the inner liner material and extending its service life.
2Ease of operation
If bearing elements with cylinders/wheels are used to move the container, then the container can roll on the inner liner, but the intermediate bearing element adds complexity to the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the intermediate bearing element (the complex rotatable mounting structure) from the system. By using a simple support element with a broad contact surface that directly slides on the inner liner, the patent removes the unnecessary rotational mechanism while maintaining smooth container movement through reduced friction and even pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component with a broad contact surface that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This simple structure, lacking complex rotatable mechanisms, reduces manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements while effectively solving the movement problem.
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 solution extends the lifespan of the inner liner by reducing physical deformations and facilitating smooth container movement while maintaining structural integrity and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The support element comprises a contact element being in superficial contact with the sliding surface. Hence, the invention provides low pressure on the inner liner by a superficial contact on a wide surface area instead of the high pressure based on said linear and/or punctual contact available in the prior art.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a cooling appliance (1) comprising an inner chamber (10) defined by an inner liner (20); a container (30) movably disposed in the inner chamber (10); a support element (40) provided on a bottom wall (32) of the container (30) for carrying the container (30) on the inner liner (20); and a sliding surface (21) on the inner liner (20) where the support element (40) moves on by contacting during the movement of the container (30); and that the support element (40) comprises a contact element (41) being in superficial contact with the sliding surface (21).