Domestic refrigerator and food storage container with an air-conditioning device with a specific adjustment between a shell and an attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food storage containers for household refrigeration appliances require complex mechanical assemblies and operating elements to adjust air conditioning devices, leading to restricted movement and cramped situations, which complicates the operation and maintenance of ventilation.

Innovation Solution

A food storage container with a wall attachment that can be placed on a tray, featuring a lifting device with an elongated slide and tilting beam mechanism, allowing for manual adjustment of the wall attachment's position relative to the tray, enabling two operating states for air exchange and ventilation control without the need for additional motors or complex mechanical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lid-based air conditioning device is used, then air exchange control is achieved, but the operation becomes cramped and requires complex mechanical assemblies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair exchange controlVSAvoidoperation accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioning device is segmented into separate functional components: the wall attachment with lifting device is separated from the lid structure. This allows the air exchange control mechanism to be operated independently from the lid, eliminating the cramped operating conditions caused by integrating both functions in the lid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If complex mechanical assemblies are used for air conditioning adjustment, then precise control is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair exchange adjustment precisionVSAvoidmechanical assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms are extracted from the lid and relocated to the wall attachment. The lifting device with its simple elongated slide and tilting beam provides precise air exchange control through a minimal mechanical structure, eliminating the need for complex assemblies while maintaining adjustment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air exchange control is achieved by changing the vertical position parameter of the wall attachment relative to the tray. The lifting device enables continuous adjustment of this position parameter, providing precise control over the ventilation gap size without requiring complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If additional motors and complex components are added for air conditioning, then automation is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair conditioning operationVSAvoidmechanical components quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device is designed for manual operation by the user, eliminating the need for motors or automated actuation systems. The simple mechanical structure of the elongated slide and tilting beam allows direct user manipulation, achieving air conditioning control through self-service operation without adding complex automated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4086546B1Domestic refrigerator and food storage container with an air-conditioning device with a specific adjustment between a shell and an attachment
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4086546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4086546B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4086546B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One aspect of the invention relates to a food storage container (8, 8') for a household refrigeration appliance (1), comprising a tray (10) for receiving the food and an air conditioning device (23) by which air exchange between the environment and the interior of the food storage container (8, 8') is possible, and a wall attachment (17) separate from the tray (10) which can be placed on top of the tray (10), wherein the air conditioning device (23) has a lifting device (24) by which the wall attachment (17) is movable relative to the tray (10) in the vertical direction (y) of the food storage container (8, 8'), so that in a ventilation position of the air conditioning device (23) a ventilation gap (38) is formed between the tray (10) and the wall attachment (17). The invention also relates to a household refrigeration appliance (1).