Refrigerator Door Shelf Support Profile for Heavy Rack Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator doors face challenges in securely and resiliently suspending heavy or protruding door racks due to leverage forces acting on thinner projections, which can lead to strain and require thicker inner panels for load-bearing capacity.
Innovation Solution
A door design featuring an extruded metal profile part with locking steps that distributes horizontal forces across its length, reducing the need for increased inner panel thickness, and is easily attachable with screws hidden from view for aesthetic and cleaning purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the inner panel thickness is increased to ensure sufficient load-bearing capacity of the projections, then the strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door pillar is segmented into an inner panel and a separate profile part that is attached to it. The profile part contains the locking steps and carries the door racks, while the inner panel provides structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile part acts as an intermediary element between the inner panel and the door racks. It transfers the loads from the door racks to the inner panel, distributing the forces over a larger area and reducing the stress concentration on the projections of the inner panel.
2Ease of manufacture
If the profile part is open at the ends to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and cleaning ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The profile part is merged with the inner panel through attachment, forming an integrated assembly. The profile part is closed at its ends by connection elements that are also used for attaching the profile part to the inner panel, combining structural closure with mounting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile part is designed as a hollow structure with thin-walled construction, providing both aesthetic appearance and ease of cleaning while maintaining sufficient structural strength to carry the door racks.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator door (1) comprising an outer wall and an inner wall (4) which surround an intermediate space as well as vertical bars (6) that protrude from the inner wall (4) and are provided with catching steps for door shelves (2, 3). The bars (6) are formed at least in part by a vertical profiled part (7) while the catching steps are embodied on the profiled part (7).