Refrigerator Door Embedded Rail for Vertical Moving Basket Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with moving baskets or shelves face challenges in supporting the weight of the baskets without damaging the door liner and reducing storage space, as existing rail systems are either visibly exposed or protrude, compromising the door's appearance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an embedded rail system within the door dike, coupled with a rail cover bracket and a moving frame that includes a supporter with rollers and an elastic material, allows the basket to move vertically while maintaining the door's appearance and minimizing storage space reduction, using a spring mechanism for user-adjustable displacement and interlocking parts for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an embedded rail system is implemented within the door dike, then the moving basket can be supported without damaging the door liner and storage space is minimized, but the device complexity increases due to the need for rail cover brackets and integrated support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system is nested within the door dike structure, with the rail cover bracket integrated into the door assembly. The moving frame with supporter is nested within the rail system, creating a compact integrated structure that minimizes storage space while supporting the moving basket
Solution Approach 2:
The rail cover bracket serves multiple functions: it covers the rail system for aesthetic purposes, provides structural support, and integrates the rail mounting structure into the door dike. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components and minimizes storage space
2Strength
If a rail system is exposed or protrudes from the door, then the moving basket can be supported, but the door's appearance is compromised and functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system is extracted from the traditional exposed position and embedded within the door dike structure. The rail cover bracket then conceals the rail system, separating the support function from the visible door surface, thus maintaining appearance while preserving support capability
Solution Approach 2:
The rail cover bracket acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the rail system and the door exterior. It provides the necessary structural support for the moving basket while presenting a clean, aesthetic surface on the door
3Reliability
If the rail system is embedded within the door dike, then the door's appearance and functionality are maintained, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to precise integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system and rail cover bracket are designed as pre-integrated components that can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the door dike. This preliminary preparation of components simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring precise integration for reliable door functionality
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 solution effectively supports the moving basket without damaging the door dike, maintains the door's aesthetic and functional integrity, and allows for easy user operation, enhancing the overall storage and usability of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
an operation unit that is configured to adjust displacement of the lever based on the user's input displacement
Implementation Method 2
The supporter includes a supporter frame including a plurality of rollers at upper and lower parts of the supporter
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator may include a cabinet disposed at a storage compartment, a door hinged to the cabinet and configured to open and close at least a portion of the storage compartment, the door including an outer door defining a front appearance of the door, a door dike defining a rear appearance of the door, and an inner space located between the outer door and the door dike, a moving frame configured to move vertically with respect to the door dike, the moving frame including a supporter configured to extend from the door dike to the inner space, and a rail embedded in the inner space configured to support the supporter.