Door-Linked Shelf Support for Hot-Chamber Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of closed-type cooking appliances face inconvenience and risk of burns when extracting or inserting shelves due to the need to lower their posture and stretch their arms into a hot chamber, as existing solutions do not effectively address the ergonomic and safety issues associated with shelf positioning and extraction mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A shelf supporting apparatus with a connecting member that changes the position of the shelf in conjunction with the door's rotation, allowing the shelf to be extracted and inserted without direct hand entry into the chamber, utilizing a guide rail and sliding support system to maintain stability and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the shelf is deeply placed in the chamber for storage, then the storage capacity is improved, but the user has to lower posture and stretch arms into the chamber causing ergonomic deterioration and burn risk
Solution Approach 1:
The door linkage mechanism performs preliminary action by automatically moving the shelf to an accessible position before the user needs to interact with it. When the door is opened, the linkage mechanism proactively extends the shelf outward, positioning it within easy reach of the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to stretch into the chamber and preventing burn risks while maintaining deep storage capacity
2Device complexity
If the shelf is directly extracted by user pulling, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user safety deteriorates due to burn risk from high temperature inside the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The door linkage mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user and the shelf. Instead of the user directly pulling the shelf from the hot chamber, the linkage mechanism mediates the extraction process by automatically moving the shelf outward when the door opens. This intermediary action allows the user to interact with the shelf from a safe distance outside the chamber, eliminating burn risk while adding only moderate mechanical complexity
3Device complexity
If the shelf position is fixed for simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates as the shelf cannot be adjusted to different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf support system is segmented into multiple adjustable positions along the door linkage mechanism. Instead of a single fixed position, the shelf can be stopped at various predetermined positions during the door opening/closing process. This segmentation provides adaptability for different cooking needs and shelf sizes while maintaining relatively simple mechanical structure through the use of stops or detents at each position
Data Source
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AI summary
A shelf supporting apparatus and a cooking appliance including a shelf supporting apparatus are provided. The shelf supporting apparatus may include a pair of fixing frames provided to face each other on opposite sides of a chamber which is opened and closed by a door; a pair of supports provided to have a length which is changeable in a frontward-rearward direction, the pair of supports being, respectively, coupled to the pair of fixing frames and having a shelf mounted thereon; coupling members provided on the pair of fixing frames and coupling the pair of supports to the pair of fixing frames to be position-changeable in the frontward-rearward direction; and a pair of connecting members that, respectively, connects the pair of supports and the door, and changing positions of the pair of supports in the frontward-rearward direction in conjunction with a rotation of the door.