Telescopic Drawer Rail Cover for Simpler Refrigerator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of telescopic extensions in domestic refrigeration appliances is complex due to the need for precise dimensional and positional matching of adapters and cover parts with movable rails, leading to assembly challenges and visibility of unsightly joints, which are difficult to clean and can cause user safety issues.
Innovation Solution
Reducing the number of parts to be assembled on the moving rail to one by using a single cover part that hides the rails and incorporates features like sloping surfaces and projections to manage kinetic energy and prevent slipping, eliminating the need for special adapters and ensuring easy installation and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If multiple adapters and cover parts are used to hide the rails, then the rails are hidden for better aesthetics, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (adapters and cover parts) into a single integrated cover part that directly covers the rails. This single cover part is designed with an L-shaped cross-section that encompasses both the vertical and horizontal rails, eliminating the need for separate adapters and simplifying the assembly process to just two steps: mounting the movable rail and attaching the integrated cover part.
2Reliability
If multiple adapters are snapped onto the movable rail, then the built-in part can be securely anchored, but the number of parts increases and assembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cover part serves dual functions: it covers the rails for aesthetics and simultaneously provides anchoring security through its structure. The cover part is designed with engagement features that secure it to the movable rail, eliminating the need for separate adapters while maintaining reliable anchoring of the built-in part.
3Shape
If precise dimensional matching is required between adapters, cover part, and rails, then the joints are hidden and aesthetics are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and production becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the cover function and anchoring function into a single cover part, the number of interfaces and joints is reduced. The cover part is designed with a continuous surface that covers both rails without requiring precise matching between multiple separate components, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
4Ease of operation
If the built-in part has freedom of movement against the cover part, then installation is easier and tolerances are accommodated, but the built-in part may slip off and cause safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cover part is designed with an asymmetric L-shaped cross-section where the vertical leg covers the vertical rail and the horizontal leg covers the horizontal rail. This asymmetric design provides both coverage and mechanical interlocking features that prevent the built-in part from slipping off while still allowing for tolerance accommodation during installation.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A refrigeration device comprises a built-in unit, especially a pull-out drawer (4), which is guided on telescopic pull-out elements (5) so that it can be pulled out from an interior space (3). Every telescopic pull-out element (5) comprises at least one rail which is stationary (9) in the interior space (3), a rail (12) which can be displaced together with the built-in unit (4) in a depth direction of the interior space (3) and a cover part (13) extending along the mobile rail (12). At least one first cover part (13) and the built-in unit (4) have contours (16, 28) which are complementary to each other and engage with each other in a form-locking connection in a width direction of the interior space (3).