Edge protection module for attachment to an outer edge of a shelf

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional edge protection modules for refrigerator shelves face issues with reliable electrical contacting due to thermal expansion differences between the metallic carrier strip and the lighting rod, causing connection points to become displaced and potentially leading to power failure.

Innovation Solution

The edge protection module features connection points arranged on a metallic carrier strip with at least one point in a separate contacting unit, positioned axially from the lighting rod, allowing for temperature-related changes in the lighting rod without affecting the connection points' accuracy, ensuring reliable electrical contacting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection points are fixedly arranged on the lighting rod, then electrical connection is provided, but thermal expansion causes displacement of connection points from their optimum position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contacting reliabilityVSAvoidconnection point position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The edge protection module is divided into separate functional components: the lighting rod (with lighting elements) and the contacting unit (with connection points) are structurally separate. The lighting rod can be mounted on the carrier strip at a defined axial position, while the contacting unit is mounted at a different axial position, allowing independent thermal expansion of each component without affecting the other's positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier strip serves as an intermediary structure that mounts both the lighting rod and the contacting unit at defined axial positions. This intermediary structure provides stable mounting points that are not directly coupled, allowing the lighting rod and contacting unit to expand thermally independently while maintaining their respective connection point positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the lighting rod is rigidly fixed to the carrier strip, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion causes connection point displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidelectrical contacting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the structural and electrical functions into separate components. The lighting rod provides structural stability when mounted on the carrier strip, while the contacting unit provides electrical connection functionality. The axial separation allows each component to maintain its own stability characteristics without being constrained by the other's thermal expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If connection points are positioned close to the lighting rod, then compact design is achieved, but thermal expansion directly affects connection point position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign compactnessVSAvoidconnection point axial position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The solution uses axial separation along the length of the carrier strip to resolve the conflict between compactness and precision. By positioning the contacting unit at a defined axial distance from the lighting rod, the design creates separation in one dimension (axial) while maintaining compactness in other dimensions. This dimensional separation allows thermal expansion to occur without affecting connection point positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design maintains the axial position accuracy of connection points despite temperature-related changes in the lighting rod, ensuring consistent power supply and functionality of the edge protection module.

Implementation Method 1

the lighting rod exhibits different thermal expansion behaviour to the carrier strip. One or both of the connection points can then be displaced relative to their respective optimum position (optimum in respect of contacting by an external contact element) due to the temperature.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS11187454B2Edge protection module for attachment to an outer edge of a shelf

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 EMZ HANAUER GMBH & CO KGAA

AI summary

An edge protection module for attachment to an outer edge of a shelf of a domestic refrigerator, includes a metallic carrier strip having a strip axis, a lighting rod which is mounted on the carrier strip and extends along the strip axis and which has two axially opposite rod ends and a row of lighting elements, which are arranged in an axially distributed manner, and two connection points in electrical connection with the row of lighting elements, which connection points are arranged axially on both sides of the row of lighting elements in a defined axial position relative to the carrier strip and are accessible from outside the edge protection module, where at least one of the connection points is part of a contacting unit which is structurally separate from the lighting rod and is mounted on the carrier strip at an axial distance from the lighting rod.