Refrigerator having a height-adjustable shelf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator shelves are fixed, limiting storage space utilization and making it difficult to accommodate items of varying sizes, especially in taller refrigerators, and pose challenges in accessing high shelves.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a lifting shelf mechanism driven by a motor and gear transmission system, featuring a traction cable and guide rails for adjustable height adjustment, along with obstruction-encountering emergency stop devices and stroke detection for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the refrigerator height is increased to provide high capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but the difficulty in taking articles from the highest shelf increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shelf movable rather than fixed. The shelf can be automatically lowered from high positions to accessible positions, and raised back to original positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the refrigerator to maintain increased height for capacity while providing easy access to articles regardless of shelf height, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed shelves are used with multiple liner ribs, then shelf position adjustment is possible, but the height between shelves is not suitable for placing articles with different volumes, limiting storage space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling continuous or multi-position adjustment of shelf height. The shelf can be moved to different vertical positions to accommodate articles of varying volumes, maximizing storage space utilization while maintaining adaptability for different storage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf adjustment mechanism provides universal adaptability for storing different types and sizes of articles. The same shelf system can accommodate various storage configurations, making the refrigerator versatile for different user needs while optimizing storage capacity.
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
Enhances storage flexibility, simplifies access to high shelves, and ensures safe, reliable operation with minimal space occupation.
Implementation Method 1
a driving motor and a gear transmission mechanism, where the gear transmission mechanism includes at least one group of transmission gears, the driving motor outputs a torque
Implementation Method 2
a first pulley is disposed on the driving output shaft; and a traction cable, where the traction cable is wound around the first pulley
Implementation Method 3
a guide rail fixed in the storage compartment, where the guide rail is slidably connected to a support piece on the guide rail
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a refrigerator with a lifting shelf, including a lifting shelf, a shelf driving mechanism, and a shelf stroke detection device. The shelf driving mechanism includes: a driving motor and a gear transmission mechanism, where the gear transmission mechanism includes at least one group of transmission gears, the driving motor outputs a torque through a driving output shaft, and a first pulley is disposed on the driving output shaft; a guide rail slidably connected to a support piece on the guide rail, wherein the lifting shelf is fixedly connected with the support piece; and a traction cable, where the traction cable is wound around the first pulley, and the other end of the traction cable is fixedly connected with the support piece. The shelf stroke detection device includes: a stroke switch wherein a trigger portion is disposed on the stroke switch; and a linkage piece wherein the linkage piece cooperates with the stroke switch and the transmission gear respectively, a positioning portion is disposed on an inner wheel surface of the transmission gear, and when the driving motor drives the transmission gear to rotate until the positioning portion is in contact with the linkage piece, the linkage piece triggers the trigger portion of the stroke switch.