Refrigerator Pedestal Assembly for Accessibility and Stable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators are difficult to access for individuals with disabilities or those using wheelchairs due to their floor-based design, and there is a need for additional storage space for items near the refrigerator.
Innovation Solution
A pedestal system that elevates the refrigerator, providing secure support and integrated storage, which can be easily assembled and shipped without requiring advanced mechanical skills or tools, featuring interengaging projections and recesses for assembly and a height-adjustable foot for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the refrigerator is placed on the floor, then it is stable and easy to install, but items in the lower portion are difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a pedestal base and a refrigerator unit. The pedestal provides elevation and storage functionality, while the refrigerator remains a separate appliance that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation allows the refrigerator to be elevated without modifying its structure, improving accessibility while maintaining installation simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a pedestal is added to elevate the refrigerator, then accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the pedestal and refrigerator into independent components, the system avoids the complexity of integrated designs. The pedestal is a simple box structure with basic assembly features, and the refrigerator remains an unchanged commercial appliance. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity while achieving the elevation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedestal incorporates self-aligning features such as protrusions that fit into recesses on the refrigerator's base, allowing the components to self-assemble without complex fastening mechanisms. This self-service approach simplifies the connection between parts, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pedestal is designed for easy assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but assembly precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pedestal and refrigerator base feature self-aligning protrusion-recess connections that guide the parts into proper alignment during assembly. This self-alignment mechanism ensures precise positioning without requiring complex fastening procedures or specialized tools, simultaneously achieving ease of assembly and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection features are designed with specific dimensional parameters that ensure proper fit and alignment. The protrusions and recesses are sized and positioned to automatically align the pedestal with the refrigerator base, providing precise assembly through carefully controlled geometric parameters rather than complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the refrigerator is elevated on a pedestal, then accessibility is improved, but the stability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pedestal is designed with a broad base and integrated connection features that are prepared in advance to securely receive the refrigerator. The connection protrusions and recesses are pre-configured to ensure stable attachment, preventing the refrigerator from shifting or becoming unstable once elevated. This preliminary design ensures stability is built into the structure before assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary support structure for a refrigerator (12) includes a pedestal (10). The pedestal is comprised of a housing (18) comprised of a plurality of panels (20, 22, 24, 26, 28) which are held together in fixed relation through interengaging projections and recesses. A drawer (32) is comprised of a plurality of drawer panels (34, 36, 38, 40, 44) which are held together through interengaging projections and recesses. The panels which make up the pedestal are configured along with other components to be packed and shipped in a single box (30).