Pull-Out Glass Shelf Mounting for Stable Refrigerator Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roller-mounted pull-out guides for refrigeration appliances are expensive due to the need for rustproof metal or high-quality paint finishes to withstand humid environments, and they require complex geometries for latching, making them costly and difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective solution involving a pull-out glass plate with a holding arrangement that includes a receptacle and projection section, allowing containers to be securely attached and easily removed, eliminating the need for separate linear guides and simplifying the geometry for easier cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional roller-mounted pull-out guides are used, then containers can be pulled out, but the system becomes expensive due to rustproof metal or high-quality paint finishes required for humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rustproof metal rails with a disposable plastic strip that is attached to the pull-out panel. The plastic strip has a limited service life but provides adequate functionality at much lower cost, eliminating the need for expensive rustproof materials while maintaining reliability during its operational period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical roller-mounted guide system with a friction-based plastic strip system. Instead of using metal rails with rollers, the solution uses a plastic strip with friction surfaces that guide the container through friction and geometric constraints, eliminating the complex mechanical system and expensive materials.
2Reliability
If conventional pull-out guides with latching lugs and indentations are used, then containers can be secured, but the geometry becomes complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible plastic strip with friction surfaces instead of rigid metal rails with complex latching geometries. The plastic strip can be formed with simple grooves and friction surfaces that provide adequate container positioning while maintaining a smooth, cleanable surface without complex indentations or protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic strip is designed as a simple, disposable component that can be easily manufactured with simple geometries. The strip provides sufficient positioning stability through friction and basic geometric constraints, eliminating the need for complex latching mechanisms that would be difficult to clean.
3Device complexity
If containers are placed directly on pull-out shelves without holding arrangements, then the system is simple, but containers slip when the shelf is pulled open vigorously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for complex mechanical holding arrangements with a friction-based plastic strip system. The plastic strip provides sufficient friction and geometric guidance to prevent container slipping during vigorous operation, maintaining system simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic strip acts as an intermediary between the container and the pull-out panel. It provides friction surfaces and geometric constraints that prevent container slipping, serving as a simple mediator that improves container position stability without adding complex holding mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator, particularly a household refrigerator, comprising a cabinet (2) having an inner container (3) forming a chiller chamber (4, 4a, 4b) having inner walls (17a, 17b) comprising a back wall (17c), and an extension plate (8), particularly a glass plate (8a, 8b) removably supported on the inner walls (17a, 17b) in the chiller chamber (4a, 4b) by means of at least one linear guide (18). According to the invention, the extension plate (8), particularly the glass plate (8a, 8b), comprises a mounting arrangement (24) for at least one container (9a, 9b) placed on the extension plate (8), particularly the glass plate (8a, 8b).