Refrigerating appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration devices with drawer-like pull-out shelves are either expensive to manufacture or cumbersome and space-consuming, lacking a cost-effective, secure, and smooth-running solution for guiding and supporting shelves.
Innovation Solution
The use of short, locally limited guide elements and retaining projections on the side walls of the refrigeration device, which support the shelves from below and limit their movement, providing anti-tilt protection and allowing for easy removal, while maintaining a flat and visually appealing interior design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If telescopic extensions with metal rails are used, then high-quality pull-out functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal rail telescopic extensions with inexpensive plastic guide elements that are molded directly into the side walls. These guide elements are designed as simple, short structures that provide sufficient guidance without requiring complex mechanisms, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining acceptable pull-out functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential guiding function from the complex telescopic extension system. Instead of using full metal rail assemblies, it isolates and implements merely the guide element portion that is necessary for shelf displacement, eliminating unnecessary complexity and cost.
2Ease of operation
If groove-like receptacles extend along the entire length of side walls, then guide function is provided, but space is consumed and design becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing guide elements only where absolutely necessary - specifically at the front and rear portions of the side walls where guidance is needed to prevent shelf tilting. The guide elements do not extend along the entire length of the side walls, but only for the minimal distance required to achieve the anti-tilt function, thereby saving space and simplifying design.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding function is segmented into discrete, localized guide elements rather than continuous grooves. Each guide element is a separate, short structure positioned at specific locations, allowing the shelf to move freely in most areas while providing guidance only where needed for stability.
3Reliability
If guide elements extend along the entire depth of side walls, then anti-tilt protection is provided, but visibility increases and interior appears less spacious
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements are designed to extend only partially along the depth of the side walls - specifically, only far enough to provide the necessary anti-tilt protection during shelf displacement. They are not extended beyond this functional requirement, minimizing their visibility and maintaining a spacious interior appearance while still achieving reliable tilt prevention.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerating appliance, especially a household refrigerating appliance, comprising a refrigerating and/or freezing compartment having a rear wall (3, 23, 53), a door and lateral walls (1, 2, 21, 22, 41, 51, 71). At least one lateral wall (1, 2, 21, 22, 41, 51, 71) comprises at least one guiding element along which at least one compartment bottom (4, 24, 42, 54) can be pulled out like a drawer. According to the invention, each lateral wall comprises at least one holding projection (5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 27, 28, 43, 55, 56, 500, 76) on which the compartment bottom can be supported in such a way that it can be moved towards the door in the pull-out direction (90). At least one guiding element (9, 10, 31, 32, 46, 47, 61, 81) is arranged against at least one holding projection or at least one lateral wall, said guiding element only extending along part of the entire depth of the respective lateral wall (1, 2, 21, 22, 41, 51, 71) and limiting the perpendicular or transversal movement of the compartment bottom mounted on the holding projections, especially in relation to the direction (90) of movement thereof.