Refrigerator Drawer Handle Strip Groove Joint for Secure Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigeration devices face high manufacturing costs due to the need for individually produced container designs for different brands and types, and existing handle strip attachments are prone to detachment under load.

Innovation Solution

A tongue and groove connection is used to securely attach the handle strip to the bowl-shaped container, allowing for customizable designs without additional parts, ensuring the handle strip remains attached during use and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If handle strips are attached to the container by clamp connection, then the attachment method is simple, but the handle strip comes loose under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment connection is divided into two functional parts: the tongue (protrusion) integrated with the container and the groove (recess) integrated with the handle strip. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while working together to provide both ease of manufacture and reliable attachment under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tongue and groove connection merges the container and handle strip into a unified structural assembly. The tongue of the container fits into the groove of the handle strip, creating a form-fitting connection that distributes loads across both components, thereby maintaining attachment stability while remaining simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If individually manufactured containers are produced for each brand or type, then brand-specific differentiation is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrand differentiationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The container design incorporates a universal tongue structure that can accommodate different handle strip designs for various brands and types. This allows a single container base to be used across multiple applications, reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale while still enabling brand-specific differentiation through customized handle strips.

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

Solution Approach 2:

While the overall container structure remains standardized for cost-effective production, the tongue feature provides a localized interface for customization. Different handle strips with varying groove designs can be attached to the same container, allowing brand-specific differentiation at a local level without requiring complete individual manufacturing of each container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the same container is used for different brands or types, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but design differentiation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseries production volumeVSAvoiddesign differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The design is segmented into the standardized container body and the customizable handle strip. This segmentation allows the container to be produced in large series for cost efficiency, while the handle strip serves as a separate element that can be designed differently for each brand or type, maintaining design differentiation without compromising manufacturing economies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2225513B1Refrigerating device
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2225513B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigerating device, in particular a refrigerator and/or freezer compartment, comprising a refrigerating chamber and at least one drawer-type container (12) that is displacably arranged therein and a handle strip (1) that is arranged thereon. According to the invention, the handle strip (1) is connected in a positive fit to the container (12) in the form of a groove and spring connection.