Refrigerator Drawer Storage Box Rollers for Smooth Dual-Box Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator designs face challenges in smoothly inserting and withdrawing the second storage box, which is mounted on top of the first drawer-type storage box, due to its limited utility and movement constraints.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a roller device and a rail device within the refrigerator allows for smooth insertion and withdrawal of both storage boxes, where the roller device includes first and second roller members and supporting parts to facilitate rolling motion, and the rail device minimizes noise and prevents separation during the operation of the first storage box, with additional features like buffer members and gear teeth configurations to enhance functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the second storage box is mounted on top of the first storage box, then storage space is utilized efficiently, but the second storage box cannot be smoothly inserted and withdrawn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static mounting structure into a dynamic rolling structure. Roller members are introduced between the first and second storage boxes, allowing the second storage box to roll on the first storage box during insertion and withdrawal operations. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling smooth movement while maintaining the space-efficient stacked configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller members act as intermediary elements between the first storage box and the second storage box. These rollers facilitate the movement of the second storage box by converting sliding friction into rolling friction, thereby enabling smooth insertion and withdrawal operations while maintaining the stacked configuration for efficient space utilization.
2Ease of operation
If a roller device is introduced to enable rolling motion, then insertion and withdrawal smoothness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller device is segmented into multiple independent roller members distributed at different positions (front end, rear end, and sides) of the second storage box. This segmentation allows each roller to independently handle movement tasks, simplifying the overall structure while achieving smooth rolling motion during insertion and withdrawal operations.
3Ease of operation
If the first storage box is made movable like a drawer, then accessibility is improved, but noise and separation issues occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rail device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the movable first storage box and the refrigerator body. The rail guides constrain the movement path of the first storage box, preventing lateral separation and misalignment. This intermediary structure enables drawer-like accessibility while eliminating noise and separation issues through proper movement guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having a first storage box inserted and withdrawn like a drawer in association with a door, a second storage box seated and rolled on an upper part of the first storage box, and a roller device to enable the rolling motion of the second storage box on the first storage box. The roller device includes a first roller member mounted to the second storage box, a first roller supporting part formed at the first storage box to support a rolling motion of the first roller member thereon, a second roller member mounted to the first storage box, and a second roller supporting part formed at the second storage box to support the rolling motion of the second roller member thereon. The second storage box may be smoothly moved since the load of the second storage box is distributed to the first and second roller members.