Offset Refrigerator Shelf Assembly for Full Door-Clear Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator shelving designs often fail to achieve full extension due to interference with conventional refrigerator doors, limiting the ability to fully extend shelving and baskets without modifying the door features.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cantilever frame and offset rear bracket extensions that allow the shelving or basket assembly to slide freely, preventing interference with the refrigerator door, enabling full extension without modifying the door features, and includes features like ball bearing slide elements for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional refrigerator shelving is designed to extend fully, then the shelf length and accessibility are improved, but the shelf interferes with the refrigerator door when opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rear bracket extension that protrudes from the rear of the shelf assembly, effectively adding a dimensional offset in the depth direction. This allows the shelf to extend fully while the door opens without collision, as the rotation axis is displaced rearward by the bracket extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear bracket extension acts as an intermediary element between the shelf assembly and the refrigerator door. It provides a pivot point that mediates the conflict between shelf extension and door opening, allowing both movements to occur without interference.
2Ease of operation
If the shelf is designed with full extension capability, then user accessibility is improved, but additional structural components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The rear bracket extension is integrated as a single structural component that combines the functions of shelf support, door clearance provision, and rotation pivot. This merging approach achieves full extension capability without requiring multiple separate mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear bracket extension serves multiple functions simultaneously: it extends the shelf depth, provides door clearance space, acts as a rotation pivot, and supports the shelf assembly. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite enabling full extension.
3Length of moving object
If the shelf uses a cantilever frame with offset brackets, then full extension without door interference is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf assembly is segmented into modular components: the cantilever frame, the offset rear brackets, and the shelf surface. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard techniques, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the innovative configuration.
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 full extension of shelving and baskets without door interference, facilitating easy placement and removal of items while maintaining structural integrity and preventing damage from door components.
Implementation Method 1
The design incorporates a cantilever frame and offset rear bracket extensions that allow the shelving or basket assembly to slide freely, preventing interference with the refrigerator door, enabling full extension without modifying the door features, and includes features like ball bearing slide elements for smooth movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf assembly (1020) in a refrigerator (1002) includes a refrigerator shelf (1022). Also included is a cantilever frame (1028) to slidably support the shelf (1022). The shelf assembly (1020) includes a left side hanger set (1042) extending rearwardly from the cantilever frame (1028). A right side rear bracket extension (1044) extends directly to the right from the right end and the rear portion of the cantilever frame (1028). The rear bracket extension (1044) provides for an offset of the refrigerator shelf (1022) from one side of the refrigerator (1002). The offset provides that when the shelf (1022) is extended forwardly, the front end of the shelf (1022) will not be interfered with by any portion of the refrigerator door when the door is in an open position.