Movable Shelf Assembly with Link Mechanism for Upper Shelf Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges with inconvenient access to upper shelves due to their height, leading to reduced usage efficiency, especially for short users.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a movable shelf assembly with links and drivers that allow the shelf to pivot and extend outward, maintaining horizontal orientation for easy access and improving storage space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper shelf is located at eye level of an average height user, then the shelf is positioned for convenient access, but it becomes inconvenient for short users and reduces overall storage space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to change position dynamically. The shelf can be pulled out horizontally and lowered vertically, transforming from a static high-positioned shelf to a dynamic, user-accessible shelf that adapts to different user heights and needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf movement mechanism incorporates both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The shelf first moves horizontally outward from the refrigerator interior, then pivots to move vertically downward, creating a two-dimensional movement path that resolves the contradiction between high storage position and user accessibility.
2Volume of stationary object
If the upper shelf is positioned high in the storage space, then more storage capacity is available, but access becomes difficult especially for short users
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf transitions from a fixed high-positioned structure to a dynamic, movable component that can change its vertical position. By incorporating vertical movement capability through the pivoting mechanism, the shelf maintains its high storage position when retracted but becomes accessible when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism acts as an intermediary between the shelf and the user's pulling action. When the user pulls the shelf, the link mechanism mediates the force transmission, converting the horizontal pulling motion into combined horizontal and vertical shelf movement, making high shelf access feasible.
3Ease of operation
If a movable shelf mechanism with links and drivers is implemented, then shelf accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable shelf mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the shelf body, multiple links connected at pivot points, and driver elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design and maintenance of the complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism employs asymmetric link lengths and pivot point positions to achieve the desired shelf movement trajectory. By carefully designing the asymmetric geometry of the links, the mechanism accomplishes the complex combined horizontal and vertical motion without requiring additional complex control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator having a first storage compartment with a first storage space and a movable shelf assembly disposed in the first storage space, wherein the movable shelf assembly includes a movable shelf movably disposed in the first storage space, a plurality of links, one end of each of the links being pivotably coupled to each of both sides of the movable shelf, and a driver coupled to the other end of each of the links such that each link pivots, wherein the driver is configured to move each link forwardly and outwardly of the first storage space and, at the same time, to pivot each link.