A cooling device wherein shelf height can be changed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices require users to partially remove shelves to adjust their height, which is cumbersome and can lead to damage, especially due to the complexity and cost of side wall components, and the difficulty in inserting pins into channels.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling device design featuring an adaptor with channels and a retainer that allows shelf height adjustment without removal, using protrusions, slides, and a heart-shaped mechanism to secure the pin in place, ensuring easy mounting and stable vertical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf height is adjusted by removing the shelf from the body, then the shelf height can be changed, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the shelf assembly into separate components: the shelf board and the retainer mechanism. The retainer is detachably mounted to the side wall and can be independently adjusted along the channel, while the shelf board remains stationary. This segmentation allows the adjustment mechanism to be modified without removing the entire shelf, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and operational simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pins are used to fasten the shelf to the side wall for height adjustment, then the shelf height can be changed, but the side wall structure becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adjustment mechanism from the side wall structure by using a detachable retainer that mounts to the side wall but contains the channel and pin mechanism itself. This removes the complexity from the side wall while preserving the adjustment functionality. The retainer can be easily removed and replaced without modifying the side wall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic retainer mechanism that can be easily attached and detached from the side wall. The retainer moves along the channel with the pin, providing adjustable shelf positioning. This dynamic component replaces the static, complex side wall modifications, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pins are inserted into channels on the side wall for shelf adjustment, then the shelf height can be changed, but the pin insertion process becomes difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the retainer as an intermediary component between the shelf and the side wall. The retainer contains the channel and receives the pin, mediating the connection and adjustment process. This intermediary structure guides the pin insertion and ensures proper alignment, making the adjustment process easier and less error-prone while preserving height adjustability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf is completely removed from the body for height adjustment, then the shelf height can be changed, but the risk of damage increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shelf system into a stationary shelf board and a movable retainer mechanism, the invention allows the retainer to be adjusted independently along the channel without removing the shelf board. This maintains productivity by eliminating the need to completely remove and reinstall the shelf, while still achieving height adjustability through the retainer's movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) having two opposite side walls (3), at least one shelf (4) whereon the items are placed and at least one adaptor (5) that is detachably mounted onto the side wall (3) and that provides the height of the shelf (4) to be adjusted, and wherein the height of the shelf (4) can be adjusted.