Slide assembly for refrigerator storage drawer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller systems for supporting crisper drawers in refrigerators suffer from noise and friction due to hard surface contact, and while ball bearing glides offer improvements, they are expensive and prone to lubrication issues in cold environments.
Innovation Solution
A slide assembly using six lubricated rollers, with four at the sides for vertical movement and two central rollers mounted 90 degrees relative to the sides for horizontal movement, to prevent hard surface contact and ensure smooth, quiet operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a roller system with hard surface contact is used to support the drawer, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but friction and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface properties of the rollers by applying a lubricious coating to the roller surfaces. This modifies the friction parameter between the roller and the guide track, reducing both friction and noise while maintaining the simple roller system structure. The coating transforms the surface characteristics without altering the fundamental roller mechanism.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If ball bearing glides are used to reduce friction and noise, then smooth operation is improved, but cost increases and lubrication issues occur in cold environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lubricious coating applied to standard rollers instead of expensive ball bearing glides. This approach employs a simpler, more cost-effective solution that can be easily manufactured and maintained. The coating provides the necessary low-friction properties without the complexity and cost of ball bearings, making it suitable for cold environment applications where lubrication can be an issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ball bearing system with a lubricated roller system. By substituting the complex ball bearing mechanism with simpler rollers that have a lubricious coating, the invention achieves similar friction-reduction benefits while eliminating the cost, complexity, and lubrication maintenance issues associated with ball bearings in cold environments.
3Device complexity
If side flanges are directly supported on guide tracks, then the structure is simple, but multidirectional movement occurs causing noise and cumbersome operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rollers as an intermediary element between the drawer side flanges and the guide tracks. These rollers constrain the drawer to move only in the intended direction by rolling along the guide tracks, preventing multidirectional movement. This intermediary rolling mechanism reduces noise and improves operational smoothness while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
The solution provides a robust, quiet, and smooth sliding mechanism for crisper drawers, reducing noise and friction while maintaining a high-quality glide system, suitable for high-end appliance models.
Implementation Method 1
The various rollers are lubricated to dampen noise and movement such that the slide assembly provides for a very smooth, quiet and robust-feeling drawer operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide assembly for a drawer inside a refrigerator employs both side and central rollers which control both horizontal and vertical movement of the drawer through a first set of rollers employed at front and rear portions at each side of the drawer to control vertical movement within side tracks while the drawer is moved between an extended position and a retracted position. A second set of rollers is mounted along axes which are arranged 90 degrees relative to the first set of rollers and underneath the drawer. This second set of rollers control side-by-side movement of the drawer as it is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the second set of rollers is mounted in a refrigerated compartment and travel within a track or guideway mounted on the bottom of the drawer.