Rack with decorative panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers for refrigeration appliances fail to achieve uniform appearance across different series, as decorative strips do not fully cover the end walls, leaving them visible and affecting the aesthetic value.
Innovation Solution
A modular storage container design featuring a container body with a decorative panel that completely covers the end walls, using a non-positive or positive connection to attach the panel from the front, ensuring the end walls are hidden and the aesthetic impression is uniform, with interchangeable decorative panels for different series.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a decorative strip is used to differentiate storage container series, then product differentiation is achieved, but the end walls remain visible and aesthetic uniformity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into modular components: a standardized container body and interchangeable decorative front panels. The front panel is segmented to completely cover the end walls, creating a unified aesthetic appearance while allowing different panel designs for different product series.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal container body design is used across different storage container series, with the only variation being the interchangeable decorative front panels. This allows the same base structure to serve multiple product lines while achieving differentiation through panel design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the front wall is assembled from several interlocking elements, then modular assembly is enabled, but the front wall cannot cover the end walls and aesthetic completeness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative front panel merges the functions of the front wall and end wall covers into a single component. This unified panel is attached to the container body in a way that completely conceals the end walls, achieving aesthetic completeness while maintaining modular assembly through the attachment mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If decorative panels are attached from the front, then assembly simplicity is improved, but secure attachment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses a nested structure where attachment elements on the container body (such as recesses or grooves) receive and secure the corresponding protrusions on the decorative panel. This nested arrangement provides secure attachment while allowing front-side assembly, as the panel is received into the container body structure rather than requiring rear-side fastening.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a rack (1) for mounting in a door of a refrigerator, comprising a rack body (2) with a base (3), two end walls (4, 4'), optionally a front wall (9), arranged on the front side of the rack (1), and a decorative panel (10, 20, 30, 40), fitted on the front side of the rack (1) and forming a part that is separate from the rack body (2) but is fixedly secured on the rack body (2). The end walls (4, 4') of the rack body (2) are at least partially covered by the decorative panel (10, 20, 30, 40) towards the front side; in particular, the decorative panel (10, 20, 30, 40) extends over the entire width and, at least at the end faces (4, 4') of the rack (1), over the entire height of the front side of the rack (1).