Refrigerator Door Shelf with Switch-Based Ditch Step Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators have limited adjustability of door shelving, requiring users to empty and reposition fully loaded shelves, which is inefficient and detrimental to the refrigerator's operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a unique shelving system with ditch steps on the refrigerator door and switches on the shelves, allowing for easy vertical adjustment of shelves by applying force to overcome the switches' bias and snap into new positions, enabling quick and easy adjustment even when fully loaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shelves are made adjustable by providing multiple support grooves, then the adaptability of shelf positioning is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because fully loaded shelves must be emptied, removed, repositioned, and reloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf support system is segmented into multiple discrete support grooves positioned at different heights along the door. Each groove acts as an independent positioning station, allowing the shelf to be segmented into movable segments that can be independently repositioned without moving the entire shelf structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A shelf pin or connector acts as an intermediary element between the shelf and the support grooves. This intermediary component enables quick release and repositioning of the shelf by simply moving the pin between grooves, eliminating the need to empty and remove the entire shelf assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple support grooves are provided for shelf adjustment, then the degree of adjustability is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the prolonged process of emptying, removing, repositioning, and reloading shelves
Solution Approach 1:
The support grooves are pre-positioned at multiple predetermined heights along the door before the shelf needs to be adjusted. This preliminary arrangement of support positions allows for immediate repositioning without requiring measurement or calculation, reducing the time needed to adjust shelf height.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-servicing through the use of gravity-assisted or spring-loaded shelf pins that automatically engage with the support grooves. When the shelf pin is moved to a new groove, it self-locks into position without requiring additional tools or manual intervention, significantly reducing adjustment time.
3Ease of operation
If the door is left open during shelf adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to energy loss and potential damage to refrigerator contents
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf adjustment mechanism extracts the critical adjustment function from the main shelf body, allowing the shelf to be repositioned through a simple pin movement action that can be completed quickly while the door remains closed. This separates the adjustment operation from the bulky shelf handling that would require door opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment process is designed to skip the time-consuming steps of emptying and completely removing the shelf. Instead, the shelf pin quickly jumps from one support groove to another in a single rapid motion, completing the adjustment in seconds without requiring the door to be open, thereby minimizing energy loss and protecting contents.
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 provides a high degree of adjustability for refrigerator shelves, allowing for easy vertical positioning without the need to empty or reposition fully loaded shelves, enhancing user convenience and maintaining the refrigerator's efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member, such as a coil spring, is positioned about the mounting rod and engages the long component to bias the switch handle in an outward direction
Implementation Method 2
This force will overcome the outward bias of the switches, causing them to pivot toward the shelf, temporarily disengaging the switches from the current opposing ditch steps
Implementation Method 3
As the shelf is moved upward, the switches will automatically snap back outward to engage the next higher placed ditch steps
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a shelf and shelving system for a refrigerator door having a door liner with opposing side walls, where each side wall includes a row of ditch steps. The shelf or shelves includes a gap wall at each end of the shelf. A switch is positioned above each gap wall. Each switch includes a handle, a mounting rod and a biasing member for biasing a long component of the handle outwardly away from the gap wall such that an engagement surface of the long component will engage a ditch step and thereby secure the shelf in place within the refrigerator door. The switch is actuatable by a user to allow for vertical adjustment of the shelf along the rows of ditch steps or to remove the shelf therefrom.