Refrigeration appliance comprising a storage compartment that can be offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigeration appliances with pull-out storage containers face inefficiencies due to the need for maintaining a minimum distance from the collision edge on both sides, resulting in unused volume for refrigerated goods when the door is opened to 90°.

Innovation Solution

The storage container can be positioned in two different widths on the pull-out plate, with a spacer determining the position, allowing it to be moved between inserted and extended positions without requiring structural changes to the container or plate, thus eliminating the need for equal distance on both sides, allowing for increased volume by adjusting the spacer's location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a storage container is positioned on a pull-out plate in a refrigeration appliance, then the container can be moved between inserted and extended positions, but a minimum distance must be maintained on both sides between the container and collision edge of the door, resulting in unused volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusable volume for refrigerated goodsVSAvoiddoor opening operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies asymmetry by allowing the storage container to be positioned at different lateral locations on the pull-out plate. Instead of requiring symmetric clearance on both sides, the container can be offset to one side, creating asymmetric spacing where minimum distance is maintained only on the door side while maximizing space on the opposite side. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for equal clearance on both sides while still ensuring safe door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Volume of moving object

If the storage container is positioned to maximize volume on one side, then unused volume is reduced, but the container may collide with the door when opened to 90°

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusable volume for refrigerated goodsVSAvoidcollision risk with door

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the storage container at an optimized location on the pull-out plate before door opening occurs. The container is laterally offset to a position that anticipates the door's 90° opening trajectory, ensuring sufficient clearance is maintained without requiring maximum symmetric spacing. This pre-positioning resolves the contradiction by proactively preventing collision while maximizing usable volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2965028B1Refrigeration appliance comprising a storage compartment that can be offset

Publication Date: 2021.05.12 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance (100) comprising a refrigeration compartment (104), in which a storage container (114, 116) for refrigerated goods is mounted on a pull-out panel (106) such that it can be displaced between an inserted position (I) and a pulled-out position (II). According to the invention, the container (114, 116) can be arranged in a first position (A) and a second position on the pull-out panel (106), the first position (A) and the second position differing along the direction (Y) of the width of the refrigeration appliance.