Refrigerator Pull-Out Container Support to Prevent Wedging

Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigerators with wide interior spaces face challenges in smoothly pulling out chilled-goods containers due to uneven friction distribution, leading to a high risk of the containers becoming wedged between side walls, especially when two containers are arranged adjacently.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a refrigerator design where two chilled-goods containers are mounted adjacently and spaced apart from the floor, guided by extending elements with a longitudinal bearing supported at both ends and transverse bearings on the side walls, ensuring parallelism and preventing lateral movement, thus allowing easy and low-friction operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two chilled-goods containers are arranged adjacently in a wide interior space, then the width-to-depth ratio of each container is improved, but the friction distribution becomes uneven and the risk of wedging increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth-to-depth ratioVSAvoidrisk of wedging

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting function is segmented between floor bearings (for vertical support) and wall-mounted transverse bearings (for guiding lateral movement). This segmentation allows each bearing type to specialize in its respective function, preventing the uneven friction distribution that occurs when a single supporting surface bears both support and guidance loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guidance function is moved from the horizontal plane (floor bearings) to the vertical plane (wall-mounted transverse bearings). By mounting transverse bearings on the side walls, the system uses the vertical dimension to provide lateral guidance, eliminating the wedging problem caused by horizontal friction unevenness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If extending elements are mounted on the interior floor, then the structure is simplified, but the friction is distributed unevenly and varies during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidfriction distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting function is segmented between floor bearings (for vertical support) and wall-mounted transverse bearings (for guiding lateral movement). This segmentation allows each bearing type to specialize in its respective function, preventing the uneven friction distribution that occurs when a single supporting surface bears both support and guidance loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single chilled-goods container occupies the lowest compartment, then the structure is simple, but the operational convenience is reduced compared to multiple containers

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting function is segmented between floor bearings (for vertical support) and wall-mounted transverse bearings (for guiding lateral movement). This segmentation allows each bearing type to specialize in its respective function, preventing the uneven friction distribution that occurs when a single supporting surface bears both support and guidance loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enhances the operational convenience of refrigerators by ensuring that two chilled-goods containers can be easily pulled out without becoming wedged, even in wide interior spaces, by maintaining the parallelism of extending elements and distributing friction evenly.

Implementation Method 1

the friction occurring while a chilled-goods container of said type is being pulled out is generally distributed unevenly over the pull-out container's underside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

Said rails are usually rendered easily sliding one against the other with little friction by means of rollers or balls arranged between them

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRoller: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS8651599B2Refrigerator comprising an extractably guided receptable for chilled goods

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a heat-insulated housing having an interior space in which a pair of chilled-goods containers are disposed adjacent to one another at a spacing from the floor. Each chilled-goods container is mounted on extending elements that guide chilled-goods container into and out of the interior space. A longitudinal beam extends between the chilled-goods containers and each of the extractable elements is supported on sidewalls of the housing via at least one crossbeam.