Low-friction roller assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs fail to effectively reduce noise, wobble, and vibration in pull-out drawer assemblies, as described in prior patents.
Innovation Solution
A low-friction roller assembly with a rotating element encased in fluid within a housing, featuring a keyed interlocking axle and wheel connection, allowing for easy installation via screw or snap mounts, which reduces noise and vibration by utilizing a sealed fluid to facilitate smooth drawer movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional roller assemblies are used in refrigerator drawers, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but noise and vibration increase significantly during drawer movement
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating element is nested within the housing, with the fluid contained within the housing. This nested structure allows the roller assembly to reduce noise and vibration while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for refrigerator drawer applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid acts as an intermediary substance between the rotating element and the housing, providing damping and lubrication that reduces noise and vibration during drawer movement while allowing smooth rotation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional drawer support systems are used, then the design is straightforward, but wobble and vibration during drawer operation are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid within the housing converts the harmful effects of friction and impact into beneficial damping forces, reducing wobble and vibration while supporting the drawer's movement. The fluid's viscosity and compressibility transform potential instability into smooth, controlled motion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fluid-sealed roller assemblies are implemented, then noise and vibration are reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly is segmented into distinct components: the housing, the rotating element, and the fluid containment system. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added functionality of noise and vibration reduction.
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
The low-friction roller assembly significantly reduces noise and vibration, enhances the smooth operation of drawers, increases appliance longevity, and is cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating element encased within a fluid and secured within a housing
Implementation Method 2
The low-friction roller assembly significantly reduces noise and vibration
Data Source
AI summary
A low-friction roller assembly is provided. The low-friction roller assembly is especially suitable for use in a refrigerator for reducing noise and reducing wobble and vibration. The low-friction roller assembly has a rotating element encased within a fluid and secured within a housing. An axle attached to the rotating element extends outside of the housing and is connected to a wheel via a keyed interlocking component. The wheel is attached to mount assembly in, for example, a refrigerator, which is attached to a movable drawer.