Pivotable Refrigerator Shelf with Latching to Prevent Tipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration appliance shelves are not customer-friendly as they often lean against the inner rear wall, risking tipping and falling, which can lead to damage and safety hazards, and disrupt air circulation when stored in a vertically positioned swung-out state.
Innovation Solution
A shelf with a pivotable refrigerated goods carrier plate mounted on carrier bars, featuring latching elements that secure the plate in a stowed position, preventing tipping and allowing flexible use while maintaining subdivision of the storage space, and enabling easy removal for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the refrigerated goods carrier plate is designed to pivot vertically for storing upright goods, then the adaptability of the shelf is improved, but the stability of the plate deteriorates as it may tip forward and fall
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is designed to automatically engage with the carrier bar when the plate reaches the vertical position, preventing forward tipping before it can occur. This preliminary protective action ensures the plate remains stable in the upright storage position without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the plate's position. When the plate is pivoted to the vertical position, the latching element automatically latches onto the carrier bar to prevent tipping. When the plate is returned to horizontal, the latching element automatically releases, eliminating the need for manual operation.
2Productivity
If the refrigerated goods carrier plate is positioned vertically against the rear wall to eliminate subdivision, then the storage space utilization is improved, but the air circulation in the refrigerated goods storage room deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf plate is designed to be dynamically positionable between horizontal and vertical orientations. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt between two functional states: horizontal for maintaining air circulation and vertical for maximizing storage space utilization, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the refrigerated goods carrier plate is designed to pivot freely for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element provides preliminary protection against accidental tipping by automatically engaging when the plate reaches the vertical position. This prevents unintended forward movement while maintaining easy manual operation for intentional position changes.
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 shelf provides a safe and flexible solution by preventing the refrigerated goods carrier plate from tipping back into the horizontal position, ensuring stability and maintaining air circulation within the refrigerated goods storage room.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the carrier strips has a first spring element mounted thereon, the refrigerated goods carrier plate having a second latching element, the first spring element and the second latching element forming a snap connection in the stowed position of the refrigerated goods carrier plate
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a shelf (8) for subdividing a refrigerated goods storage space (4) of a domestic refrigerator (1) with a refrigerated goods support panel (11), a first support strip (15) and a second support strip (16), the refrigerated goods support panel (11) being attached to the support strips (15, 16) is pivotably mounted relative to the carrier strips (15, 16) and the refrigerated goods carrier plate (11) is designed in a horizontal position of use for holding refrigerated goods and in a stowed position pivoted with respect to the horizontal position of use to cancel the subdivision, with at least one the carrier strips (15, 16) have a first latching element (18, 22) and the refrigerated goods carrier plate (11) has a second latching element (17, 23), the first latching element (18, 22) and the second latching element (17, 23) are locked together in the stowed position. The invention also relates to a household refrigerator (1) with at least one shelf (8).