Lighted Shelf Electrical Bus for Adjustable Refrigerator Shelves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator appliances lack an efficient system for powering adjustable shelves with lighting devices, as existing solutions do not provide a flexible and reliable method for electrical coupling and power distribution to multiple shelf positions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shelf ladder with an electrical bus system comprising multiple conductors that supply power at different current levels, allowing adjustable shelves to be removably mounted and electrically coupled to the bus, with spring-loaded conductors ensuring secure and clean connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid electrical connection system is used for lighted shelves, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but shelf adjustability and cleaning accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into modular components: a power supply unit mounted on the refrigerator wall and separate lighting assemblies mounted on shelves. This segmentation allows shelves to be adjusted independently while maintaining reliable electrical connections through flexible wiring harnesses with connectors that mate between the power supply and lighting assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible wiring harnesses with insulated conductors are used to connect the power supply to lighting assemblies on adjustable shelves. The flexible nature of these wiring elements allows them to accommodate shelf movement and adjustment while maintaining continuous electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and shelf adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conductors are used for different current levels, then power distribution flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit incorporates multiple output conductors (first conductor for first current level, second conductor for second current level) that can serve different lighting assemblies with different power requirements. This multi-functional electrical bus system allows a single power supply to support various shelf positions and lighting configurations without requiring separate power supplies for each, balancing power distribution flexibility with acceptable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection system transitions from a two-dimensional planar connection (simple single-conductor connections) to a three-dimensional multi-conductor spatial arrangement. Multiple conductors are routed through the refrigerator structure to reach different shelf positions, enabling differentiated power distribution to lighting assemblies at various locations and current levels.
3Reliability
If spring-loaded conductors are used for secure connections, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spring-loaded conductors are incorporated into the lighting assemblies or shelf mounting brackets, where the spring mechanism automatically engages with corresponding contacts on the power supply or electrical bus. The spring-loaded design provides self-aligning and self-adjusting connection properties that ensure reliable electrical contact without requiring complex manual adjustment or specialized assembly tools, offsetting the manufacturing complexity with automated assembly capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Illustrative embodiments of systems and methods for powering lighted shelves in refrigerator appliances are described. In one embodiment, a refrigerator appliance may comprise a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, a shelf ladder disposed at least partially in the temperature-controlled compartment and providing a plurality of shelf mounting positions, the shelf ladder comprising an electrical bus including first, second, and third conductors, the second conductor configured to supply power at a first current level when electrically coupled to the first conductor, the third conductor configured to supply power at a second current level when electrically coupled to the first conductor, and a first adjustable shelf carrying a first lighting device, the first adjustable shelf being removably mountable in one of the plurality of shelf mounting positions such that the first lighting device is electrically coupled between the first conductor and the second conductor.