A refrigerator shelf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cantilevered refrigerator shelves face challenges in rigidity and cost due to the use of petroleum-derived materials, and aesthetics are compromised by visible adhesive or complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A cantilevered shelf design utilizing two metal shelf brackets and a tempered glass panel, where the brackets are blanked, contoured, and painted, with adhesive applied within upwardly opening reservoirs on the flanges to ensure rigidity and aesthetic appeal by preventing adhesive extrusion, and additional flanges provide support and alignment for perfect parallelism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If petroleum-derived polymeric/copolymeric material is used for injection molding of rim/encapsulation to effect rigidity/reinforcement, then shelf rigidity is improved, but material cost and price stability deteriorate due to petroleum availability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from petroleum-derived polymeric/copolymeric material to alternative materials such as polypropylene or other suitable plastics that are not dependent on petroleum availability. This substitution maintains the required rigidity and reinforcement properties while eliminating the price volatility and availability issues associated with petroleum-based materials, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and manufacturing cost stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the shelf bracket made of alternative plastic material with the glass shelf panel, creating a hybrid structure that achieves the required rigidity through material combination rather than relying solely on petroleum-derived encapsulation material. This composite approach allows optimization of each material's properties while avoiding the drawbacks of petroleum dependency
2Strength
If adhesive is applied to unite shelf brackets to glass shelf panel, then shelf assembly rigidity is improved, but aesthetics deteriorate due to visible adhesive or complex assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adhesive application process from the visible exterior of the shelf assembly by precisely controlling adhesive placement within the bracket structure. The adhesive is applied only in specific locations where it is needed for bonding, and the bracket design ensures that no adhesive is visible from the exterior, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while achieving the required assembly rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf bracket serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the glass shelf panel and the refrigerator support structure. The bracket's design includes features such as recesses or channels that contain the adhesive internally, allowing the bracket to perform its bonding function while preventing adhesive from being visible, thus resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and aesthetic appearance
3Ease of manufacture
If polymeric/copolymeric shelf arms are made extremely thin to reduce material cost, then manufacturing cost is improved, but shelf stability deteriorates due to adverse torquing characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of the shelf bracket arms strategically - making them thinner in non-critical areas to reduce material cost while maintaining adequate thickness in critical areas where structural support and torque resistance are required. This localized optimization allows cost reduction without compromising overall shelf stability
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf bracket is segmented into multiple functional zones with different thickness requirements. By dividing the bracket structure into segments that perform different functions (support, connection, reinforcement), the design allows thin-walled construction in appropriate areas while concentrating material only where needed for stability, thus achieving cost efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity
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
The design enhances rigidity, prevents torquing, and maintains aesthetic appeal by hiding adhesive, while reducing manufacturing costs through simpler assembly and the use of fewer materials, ensuring a stable and visually appealing shelf.
Implementation Method 1
adhesive for uniting the latter three shelf components in a substantially rigid manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A shelf is defined by a tempered glass panel (11) bonded to opposing flanges of a pair of metal shelf brackets (12,13) carrying hooks (36,37) for connection to and adjustment along vertical trackways in refrigerator compartments. Adhesive (A) constitutes the sole means for maintaining the shelf substantially rigidly united. Each shelf bracket (12,13) includes at least one abutment surface for engaging an edge of the shelf panel or a handgrip member carried thereby to assure perfect alignment between the components during curing of the adhesive. Each shelf bracket (12,13) is defined by a shelf arm (30,31) and a flange (40,41) with the flanges having pockets housing the adhesive (A). The shelf arms may additionally include uppermost projections (147,148,149) for engaging side edges of the shelf panel and/or at least one additional flange, such that side edge portions of the shelf panel can be housed between the pair of vertically spaced longitudinally offset flanges of each shelf bracket.