Refrigerator Pull-Out Tray Guide Base for Flexible Shelf Layout
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern refrigerators have inflexible interior designs due to fixed drawer systems and shell-shaped containers, limiting customization and accessibility, especially in the rear area.
Innovation Solution
A horizontally arranged plate with removable guide bases and extractable trays that can be used as shelves or containers, featuring guide elements for precise movement and adjustable positioning, allowing for flexible interior design and use as either a shelf or a container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed drawer systems are used to attach drawers to side walls, then drawers are easily accessible when pulled out, but the interior design becomes very inflexible and cannot be customized according to personal needs
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer system is segmented into separate components: the drawer box, the guide base with guide elements, and the support structure. This allows the drawer to be easily removed and repositioned, providing both accessibility when pulled out and flexibility in configuration by removing or repositioning guide bases.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide bases are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned at different locations on the support structure. This dynamic configuration enables the interior design to be adapted according to personal needs while maintaining drawer accessibility when pulled out.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shell-shaped containers are used with width less than interior width, then limited flexibility is achieved, but the support cannot be used as a normal shelf and cannot store refrigerated goods without containers
Solution Approach 1:
The guide base is extracted as a separate removable component from the support structure. When the guide base and container are removed, the support structure functions as a normal shelf for storing refrigerated goods directly, providing both container configuration flexibility and shelf usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it can support shell-shaped containers when guide bases are installed, and it can function as a normal shelf when containers and guide bases are removed, achieving universality in its usage.
3Ease of operation
If guide elements are integrated into the support surface, then containers are properly guided, but the support cannot be used as a normal shelf
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance function is segmented into a separate guide base component that can be attached to or removed from the support structure. This allows the support to provide container guidance when needed while maintaining its ability to function as a normal shelf when the guide base is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide base acts as an intermediary component between the support structure and the container. It provides the necessary guide elements for proper container guidance while being removable, allowing the support structure to maintain its dual functionality as both a guided support and a normal shelf.
4Ease of operation
If the guide base is allowed to move freely with the tray, then the tray can be easily pulled out, but the guide base may move unintentionally when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining element is provided that preliminarily prevents the guide base from moving forward when the tray is not in use. This counteracts any potential unintentional movement while allowing the tray to be easily pulled out when needed, as the retaining element can be disengaged during tray removal.
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
Enables a highly customizable interior layout that can adapt to different storage needs, allowing for easy access and efficient use of space, preventing unintentional movement of guide bases and ensuring condensation water drainage.
Implementation Method 1
A corresponding spring is usually provided on each shelf. This spring is normally such. B. via vertically arranged webs, a distance to the rear wall of the interior and thus prevents stored goods from being pushed so far back on the shelf
Implementation Method 2
For this purpose, rubber strips could be attached to the guide base, which causes the static friction between the guide base and the plate to be higher than the static friction between the guide base and the shell
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator having a cooled interior, a front door for closing the interior, and at least one tray (5) that can be pulled from the interior toward the front, wherein a horizontally disposed plate (3) is provided in the interior, on which at least one removable guide base (4) having first guide elements (12, 13) is supported in the cover surface thereof. The pull-out tray (5) further has second guide elements (16) on the base surface thereof, which interact with the first guide elements (12, 13).