Refrigerator with glass shelves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs are complex and inefficient in transitioning between shelf-only and drawer configurations, often resulting in lateral wobbling and vertical movement issues during drawer use, which affects user experience and stability.
Innovation Solution
The integration of plastic elements with C-shaped cross sections on glass shelves, featuring protrusions and elastic ribs, which secure the shelf in place and allow for smooth drawer operation by preventing tilting and sliding, while accommodating deformation of the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional molded parts (grooves, support rails, shaped rails) are used to support glass shelves, then the shelf can be supported, but the construction becomes complex requiring at least three elements on each side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support functions into a single integrated plastic element. This element simultaneously provides: (1) support for the glass shelf, (2) guidance for drawer sliding movement, (3) prevention of lateral wobble, and (4) accommodation of cabinet deformation. This merging eliminates the need for separate grooves, support rails, and shaped rails, reducing the construction from three elements to one.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic element is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple roles: it acts as a support structure for the glass shelf, a guide rail for drawer movement, a stabilizer against lateral wobble, and a flexible element that accommodates cabinet deformation. This universal design simplifies the overall structure while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Device complexity
If simple glass shelves are used without additional support elements, then the structure is simple, but the shelves cannot support sliding drawers stably
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic element merges shelf support and drawer guidance functions into a single component attached to the glass shelf. The element includes a support portion for the shelf and protrusions that guide drawer movement, eliminating the need for separate support structures while ensuring stable drawer sliding.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic element acts as an intermediary between the glass shelf and the drawer. It provides the necessary mechanical interface that allows the drawer to slide smoothly on the glass shelf while preventing lateral wobble and vertical movement, without requiring direct complex connections between the shelf and drawer.
3Reliability
If rigid support structures are used to prevent drawer movement, then stability is improved, but the structure cannot accommodate cabinet deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic element is designed with elastic properties that allow it to deform within certain limits. The element can flex to accommodate cabinet deformation while maintaining its load-bearing capacity and drawer guidance function. This parameter change from completely rigid to elastically flexible allows the structure to adapt to varying cabinet dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic element transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible component that can adapt its shape. The element maintains structural integrity for drawer support while allowing controlled deformation to match cabinet variations, providing both stability and adaptability.
4Reliability
If elastic ribs with pins are added to block shelf movement, then lateral wobble is prevented, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic ribs with pins are integrated directly into the plastic element during the molding process, rather than being separate components. This merging of the positioning mechanism into the main support element simplifies assembly while providing precise shelf positioning and preventing lateral wobble.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic element utilizes composite material properties, combining rigidity for structural support with elasticity for the ribs that provide positioning and wobble prevention. The material selection and design allow the element to maintain shape for accurate positioning while flexing to accommodate deformation.
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 solution provides a stable and precise drawer extraction experience, similar to metal telescopic rails, allowing users to easily switch between shelves and drawers without lateral wobbling, enhancing usability and reducing complexity in refrigerator cavity arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
two elastic ribs with pins block the glass shelf on the cell, avoiding its movement during food items handling or during pull out of the drawer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A refrigerator (R) has an internal compartment (C) with side walls (W), each wall (W) being provided with molded parts (14, 17) for supporting a glass shelf (G); two parallel side of the glass shelf (G) are provided with plastic elements (10) having a C-shaped cross-section for embedding, at least partially, the respective edges (12) of the glass shelf (G), each plastic element (10) being provided with a first elastic portion (16) configured to cooperate with a corresponding seat (14a) of a molded part (14) for keeping the glass shelf (G) in a correct position.