Refrigerator and/or freezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator and freezer designs require multiple drawer variants for different pull-out systems, increasing production complexity and tool costs, and making upgrades to higher-quality systems costly and effort-intensive due to the need for replacing all drawers for either sliding or roller extensions.
Innovation Solution
A single drawer variant is designed with receiving areas on both sides that can interact with both sliding and roller guides, using a floating bearing system instead of fixed positioning, allowing for the same drawer to be used with either type of guide, and can be configured as full or partial extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drawer variants are used for different pull-out systems, then the refrigerator can support both sliding and roller guides, but the manufacturing costs and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer is designed with a universal connection geometry that can accommodate both sliding guides and roller guides. The receiving area includes a flat sliding surface and positioning ribs that work with both guide types, allowing a single drawer design to function with different pull-out systems without requiring multiple drawer variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection geometry is segmented into distinct functional elements: a flat sliding surface for sliding guides, and positioning ribs with receiving areas for roller guides. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function while being part of a unified drawer design that works with both guide systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drawer variants are used for different pull-out systems, then both sliding and roller guides are supported, but tool costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer employs a universal connection geometry that eliminates the need for different drawer variants for sliding and roller guides. This universality reduces tool costs by standardizing the drawer design and reducing the variety of tools needed for manufacturing different drawer types.
3Ease of manufacture
If drawer connection geometry is optimized for one pull-out system, then manufacturing is simplified, but upgrades to different pull-out systems require replacing all drawers
Solution Approach 1:
The connection geometry is designed to be universally compatible with both sliding and roller guides. This allows customers to upgrade from one pull-out system to another by replacing only the guide mechanism while keeping the existing drawers, providing upgrade flexibility without requiring complete drawer replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection geometry incorporates dynamic adaptability through its dual-function design, allowing the same drawer structure to accommodate different guide types. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different pull-out configurations without requiring structural changes to the drawers themselves.
4Manufacturing precision
If centering ribs are added to fix drawer position on guide rail, then positioning precision improves, but the bearing surface cannot be used as sliding surface for sliding guide
Solution Approach 1:
The connection geometry is segmented into separate functional zones: positioning ribs that provide precise positioning for roller guides, and a flat sliding surface that remains clear for sliding guide compatibility. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the connection geometry have specialized qualities: the positioning ribs have features optimized for precise positioning with roller guides, while the flat sliding surface maintains a smooth, rib-free quality suitable for sliding guide interaction. This local differentiation enables both functions to coexist in a single drawer design.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a housing in which an inner container is located, which defines the cooled interior space, wherein an extension is located on the inner container, on which a storage element for chilled and/or frozen goods is arranged, wherein the extension is designed as a sliding extension or as a roller extension, and wherein a receiving area is arranged on both sides of the storage element, which is designed and suitable to cooperate with both the sliding extension and the roller extension.