Refrigerator Door Adjustable Bin with Rail-Guided Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator bins are not configurable to accommodate user preferences or the varied characteristics of stored goods, and they do not maximize space within the door area.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable bin system that includes a housing with a rail system allowing bins to move between different locations, featuring actuators and bushings for secure positioning and easy reconfiguration, enabling flexible placement and maximizing door space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If predetermined fixed shelves are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the configurability to accommodate user preferences and stored goods characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is designed to be movable along rails rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned to different locations within the door compartment. This dynamic positioning capability provides configurability while maintaining a relatively simple rail-guided movement structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin is divided into separable components including the bin body, carriage, and actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows the bin to be easily moved, repositioned, and reconfigured along the rails while keeping each component structurally simple.
2Volume of moving object
If predetermined fixed shelves are used, then the device complexity is low, but the space utilization within the door area is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The bin can be dynamically repositioned along the rails to optimize space utilization based on stored goods characteristics and user preferences. The movable design allows flexible adjustment of bin locations to maximize the use of available door compartment space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable bins with actuators are used, then the configurability and space utilization are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user, eliminating the need for complex motorized or automated control systems. The user directly manipulates the actuator to move the bin along the rails, providing configurability while keeping the device complexity low through simple manual operation.
4Volume of moving object
If movable bins with actuators are used, then the space utilization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bin's movable design along rails enables flexible space utilization optimization. The simple rail-guided movement mechanism achieves space efficiency without requiring complex control or actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable bin components and simple carriage design facilitate easy movement and repositioning along the rails, maximizing space utilization while maintaining low device complexity through modular, straightforward construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance having one or more adjustable bins. The refrigerator door may include the one or more adjustable bins. The adjustable bin may move along one or more rails. The adjustable bin may include one or more actuators engaging the one or more rails. The adjustable bin may include one or more bushings slidably engaging the one or more rails. The adjustable bin may include a storage bin removable from a carriage.