Refrigerator Mounting Spine for Continuously Adjustable Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators lack flexibility in mounting modular units, shelves, and bins, limiting users to predetermined incremental adjustment locations within the refrigerated cabinets, which restricts the placement of modules requiring utilities like coolant fluid, electrical power, or data signals.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring an elongated mounting spine with a continuously extending mechanical connector that includes electrical conductors or fluid conduits, allowing modules, shelves, and bins to be mounted at any desired location with a mating connector for receiving utilities, enabling cantilevered installation and infinite adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shelves and bins are mounted using predetermined incremental adjustment locations with slotted tracks or grooves, then the mounting structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adjustability and flexibility of shelf positions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a fixed spine structure and separate module components (shelves, bins, dividers) that can be independently positioned and attached at any location along the spine, enabling continuous adjustability without requiring a complex grid of mounting holes or tracks throughout the entire cabinet structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static predetermined mounting locations to a dynamic configuration where modules can be freely repositioned along the continuously extending spine at any desired height, allowing the mounting positions to adapt flexibly to different storage needs while maintaining a simple fixed spine structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular units are installed at fixed predetermined locations, then the utility distribution system is simpler, but the flexibility to place modules at desired locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spine serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a continuous mechanical mounting structure, a utility distribution conduit, and a support element. The continuously extending channel in the spine can accommodate both mechanical attachments and utility connections at any position, eliminating the need for separate predetermined mounting locations and utility access points
Solution Approach 2:
The spine acts as an intermediary element that bridges the cabinet structure and the modular units. It provides a continuously available interface along its length that mediates between the fixed cabinet structure and the movable modules, allowing both mechanical mounting and utility distribution to occur at any position along the spine
3Manufacturing precision
If shelves are adjusted only at incremental positions defined by slotted tracks, then the mounting system is easier to manufacture, but the precision and customization of shelf height selection are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the mounting function from the shelf units themselves, placing the mounting capability in the spine structure. This allows the shelves to be simple, inexpensive components that can be positioned precisely at any location along the spine without requiring complex integrated mounting mechanisms in each shelf unit
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of position from discrete incremental values to continuous values along the spine length. The continuously extending channel allows modules to be positioned at any height coordinate along the spine, providing infinite adjustment precision limited only by manufacturing tolerances of the channel and module interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An elongated spine extends vertically within a refrigerated cabinet, freezer cabinet, or doors and includes ductwork for the transmission of fluids within the spine as well as operating power and/or electrical control or data signals. The spine includes a mounting channel having inwardly extending edges. Modules mate with the spine for the physical mounting of the modules at any desired location within the continuously extending channel and are provided with a flange which fits within the spine and mounts the module in a cantilevered fashion to the refrigerator. Such construction facilitates the distribution of fluids, such as hot or cold air within the refrigerator, and the manufacturing of a refrigerator by providing a readily attached spine and allowing modular construction of a refrigerator with infinite adjustability for the user.