Refrigerator Drawer Support Positions for Flexible Storage Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration appliances lack flexibility in arranging drawers based on the preservation needs of different food items, limiting user customization and efficiency in storing various food types.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration appliance with adjustable drawer positions and configurations, allowing for interchangeable drawers with varying vertical extensions and support positions, enabling users to customize storage capacity and preservation conditions according to their needs, and incorporating temperature and humidity controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drawers are fixed in position with fixed vertical extensions, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability for different food storage needs is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerating compartment is divided into multiple drawer support positions (first, second, and third positions) at different vertical levels. Each drawer can be independently positioned at different support positions, allowing the drawer configuration to be segmented and reconfigured according to storage needs. This segmentation enables flexibility without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer support structure is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing drawers to be moved between different vertical positions. The support positions are designed to accommodate drawers of varying vertical extensions at different heights, enabling the system to adapt its configuration dynamically rather than being fixed statically.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all drawers have the same vertical extension, then the manufacturing is simple and consistent, but the storage capacity flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different drawers are designed with different vertical extensions to match different storage requirements. The first drawer has a first vertical extension while the second drawer has a second vertical extension that is greater than the first. This local differentiation in drawer dimensions allows customized storage capacities for different food types while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each drawer type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drawers are made interchangeable with different vertical extensions, then the storage flexibility increases, but the positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into discrete, standardized support positions (first, second, and third positions) with defined vertical spacing. Each drawer type is designed to align with specific support positions, creating a modular system where interchangeability is achieved through standardized interfaces rather than custom fitting, thereby reducing positioning precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a refrigerator or a fridge-freezer (2). The refrigeration appliance comprises a housing (4), a refrigerating compartment (6) formed within the housing (4), a slidably and releasably supported first drawer (20a) having a first vertical extension, a second slidably and releasably supported second drawer (20b) having a second vertical extension being greater than the first vertical extension of the first drawer (20a), and a first, a second and a third drawer support position (72a, 72b, 74a, 74b, 76a, 76b), wherein in vertical direction the first drawer support position (72a, 72b) is higher than the second drawer support position (74a, 74b) and the second drawer support position (74a, 74b) is higher than the third drawer support position (76a, 76b). When A) the first or second drawer (20a, 20b) is supported at the first drawer support position (72b) the upper levels of the first and second drawers (20a, 20b) are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment (6), and when the first drawer (20a) is supported at the third drawer support position (76b) or when the second drawer (20b) is supported at the second drawer support position (74b) the lower levels of the first and second drawers (20a, 20b) are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment (6), or when B) the first or second drawer (20a, 20b) is supported at the third drawer support position (76a) the upper levels of the first and second drawers (20a, 20b) are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment (6), and when the first drawer (20a) is supported at the second drawer support position (74a) or when the second drawer (20b) is supported at the first drawer support position (72a) the lower levels of the first and second drawers (20a, 20b) are at the same vertical position within the refrigerating compartment (6).