Powered Refrigerator Shelf Track With Reliable Bus-Bar Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator appliances with powered tracks for adjustable shelves are cumbersome to assemble, require more parts, and often have unreliable electrical connections, leading to power disruptions and limited material selection due to the need for both structural and corrosion-resistant properties in load-bearing and electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A powered track system with a first and second bus bar configuration, where adjustable shelves have dedicated electrical connectors that maintain contact with the bus bars when mounted, ensuring reliable power delivery and decoupling load-bearing and electrical functions, allowing for the use of non-corrosive materials for the brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional powered tracks are used to deliver power to adjustable shelves, then power can be provided to shelves at any mounting position, but assembly time increases and production costs increase due to more parts
Solution Approach 1:
The powered track is segmented into modular sections with standardized connectors. Each section can be independently assembled and then connected to form the complete track system, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining the ability to power shelves at any position along the track.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered track components are designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized electrical connectors that work across all positions. This allows a single modular component design to serve multiple functions and positions, reducing the variety of parts needed and simplifying assembly procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional powered tracks are used to deliver power to adjustable shelves, then power can be provided to shelves at any mounting position, but production costs increase due to more parts
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the powered track into standardized modular sections, manufacturing can be optimized for each segment. This allows for economies of scale in producing identical components, reducing per-unit costs while maintaining versatility through modular configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The design standardizes key parameters such as connector types, mounting hole patterns, and electrical contact configurations across all track components. This parameter standardization enables simplified manufacturing processes and reduced tooling costs while maintaining the ability to accommodate shelves at any position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional powered tracks are used, then power delivery is enabled, but electrical connections are unreliable causing power disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
Spring-loaded electrical connectors are introduced as intermediary elements between the powered track and shelf contacts. These springs maintain constant contact pressure, ensuring reliable electrical connection even with manufacturing tolerances or thermal expansion, thereby preventing power disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by pre-loading the electrical contacts with sufficient force to compensate for potential misalignments, wear, or environmental factors that might otherwise cause connection failure. This proactive approach ensures continuous reliable power delivery.
4Device complexity
If load-bearing members double as current-carrying electrical components, then structural and electrical functions are combined, but material selection is limited due to corrosion resistance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing structural members and current-carrying electrical components are segmented into separate functional elements. The structural brackets bear mechanical loads while dedicated electrical contacts handle current transmission, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
While separating structural and electrical functions, the design uses standardized universal connectors that interface both mechanically and electrically. This allows the structural brackets to be made from corrosion-resistant materials optimized for load-bearing applications, while electrical contacts use highly conductive materials, with both connecting through a standardized interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet and a powered track disposed within the cabinet for receiving adjustable shelves at various shelf mounting positions. The powered track can include a first and a second power bus in electrical communication with a power source. The adjustable shelf can include a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector that are biased in electrical communication with the first and second power bus, respectively, when the adjustable shelf is mounted to the powered track.