A cooling appliance comprising a retaining means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling appliances require different retaining means for articles of varying shapes and geometries, and the location of these retaining means is fixed or limited, failing to adapt to user demands for flexible placement and efficient use of internal volume.

Innovation Solution

A retaining means comprising a pivotable shaft with flaps that can be adjusted to different positions via a slot system, allowing for flexible placement and accommodating articles of different diameters, featuring a spring for automatic closure and a locking mechanism for secure attachment, enabling retention of various shapes and volumes with a single unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If stationary or limited-movement retaining means are used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the location cannot be changed to meet user demands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation flexibilityVSAvoidretaining means structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining means incorporates a shaft that can rotate within a slot, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This rotation capability allows the retaining means to change its location along the slot while maintaining structural simplicity, directly resolving the contradiction between location flexibility and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means is divided into separable components including the shaft, flaps, and mounting elements. This segmentation allows the retaining means to be easily repositioned by removing and reinserting it into different slots, achieving location flexibility without requiring complex integrated mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If different retaining means are used for articles of different shapes and heights, then each article type is securely retained, but multiple retaining means increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle shape accommodationVSAvoidnumber of retaining means
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining means is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate articles of various shapes, geometries, and heights through a single design. The flaps can pivot to adapt to different article dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized retaining means and reducing overall device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means utilizes variable parameters such as the pivot angle of the flaps and the position of the shaft within the slot to adapt to different article characteristics. By changing these parameters rather than changing the entire retaining means, the system achieves versatility while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If flaps are kept close together in closed position, then articles are securely retained, but articles with varying diameters cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediameter accommodationVSAvoidretention security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flaps are designed to pivot dynamically between a closed position for secure retention and an open position for accommodating larger diameters. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain security for standard articles while providing flexibility for varying diameters, resolving the contradiction between retention security and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution provides flexible placement and secure retention of articles within the cooling appliance, optimizing internal space utilization by allowing the retaining means to be relocated and accommodating diverse shapes and volumes with a single unit, preventing accidental removal and ensuring stability during door opening and closing.

Implementation Method 1

the retaining means comprises a spring, biasing the flaps towards the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the flaps comprise a canal into which the shaft is seated. By means of the canal, the flaps act as a hinge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3904799B1A cooling appliance comprising a retaining means
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3904799B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3904799B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3904799B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; a planar surface (2); a retaining means (3) comprising a shaft (4) and a pair of flaps (5) extending from the shaft (4).