Pull-Out Rail Mounting for Non-Parallel Refrigerator Side Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration appliances require precise parallelism of opposing wall parts for installing pull-out rails, which is challenging due to the non-parallel side walls of the inner container, often necessitating additional metal backing parts and complex alignment procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of adapters with different engagement depths, comprising a body and a latching head, which can be pressed or screwed into receptacles in the side wall, allows for compensation of non-parallelism, enabling easy installation without requiring parallel wall parts, with the option of bayonet coupling or screwing for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional deep-drawn inner containers are used with non-parallel side walls, then manufacturing is simpler and costs are lower, but installation of pull-out rails becomes difficult and requires additional metal backing parts
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into multiple components: receptacles integrated into the inner container, adapters with adjustment mechanisms, and pull-out rails. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the receptacles can be molded into the plastic container while adapters provide the necessary adjustment capability for non-parallel walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter includes adjustment mechanisms that allow changing the engagement depth and orientation parameters. By varying these parameters, the adapter can compensate for the non-parallelism of the side walls, enabling proper installation of pull-out rails without requiring precise parallelism of the container walls.
2Ease of operation
If metal backing parts are added to compensate for non-parallel walls, then pull-out rail installation becomes possible, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it connects the pull-out rail to the receptacle, provides adjustment capability for non-parallel walls, and ensures proper positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate metal backing parts while maintaining installation feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system uses composite construction combining plastic receptacles molded into the inner container with plastic or metal adapters. This composite approach replaces traditional all-metal backing parts with a hybrid system that reduces complexity and cost while maintaining functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise parallelism of wall parts is required for rail installation, then rail alignment is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter includes self-aligning and self-adjusting features that automatically compensate for wall non-parallelism during installation. The adjustment mechanisms allow the installer to quickly adapt the adapter to the actual wall geometry without requiring precise pre-alignment, significantly reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system transitions from a static, fixed-geometry connection to a dynamic, adjustable connection. The adapter can be adjusted during installation to match the actual wall configuration, allowing the system to adapt to variations in manufacturing tolerance and eliminating the need for precise parallelism.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A refrigeration device, in particular a household refrigeration device, comprises an inside container, on which a mounting for a pull-out rail (19) is provided on a side wall (1) of the inside container (24) by means of at least two fastening parts which are spaced apart in the depth direction. The fastening parts are designed as holders (4) that are introduced into the side wall and adapters (15) engaging therein for connecting the holders (4) to the pull-out rail (19).