Refrigerator Shelf Assembly With Cam-Guided Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator shelf adjustment mechanisms are cumbersome and pose a safety risk, as users must completely remove food items and shelves from support ribs or rails to adjust levels, and there is a risk of shelves falling when moved from upper to lower positions.
Innovation Solution
A shelf assembly with cam members and guide members that allow vertical movement of shelves while maintaining a horizontal state, using a handle to pivot cam members and locking levers to prevent unintended movement, enabling level adjustment without removing the shelf or risking its fall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf is mounted to support ribs or mounting rails for level adjustment, then the shelf can be positioned at different heights, but the user must completely remove food articles and the shelf to adjust the mounting level, making the operation difficult and troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf mounting system transitions from a static fixed mounting to a dynamic adjustable mounting. The shelf can be easily moved between different height levels by sliding it along the mounting rails, which have multiple vertically arranged holes at different positions. This allows the shelf to adapt to different storage needs while maintaining simple operation - the user only needs to remove the shelf from its current mounting position and reattach it at the desired level, without needing to completely disassemble the shelf or remove food items.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into discrete mounting positions along the vertical rails, with holes arranged at different heights. This segmentation allows the shelf to be independently positioned at any of these predetermined levels. The shelf itself is separated from the food items it holds, allowing the shelf to be adjusted while food remains in place on the shelf surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf is moved along an inclined guide slot for level adjustment, then the shelf level can be changed, but the user has to move the shelf along the guide slot in forward and rearward directions by a long distance, increasing the operation distance required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system changes from horizontal movement along an inclined guide slot to vertical positioning through multiple height levels. Instead of moving the shelf forward and backward along a sloped path, the shelf is mounted on vertical rails with holes at different elevations. This dimensional change allows level adjustment by simply moving the shelf vertically to the desired hole position, significantly reducing the movement distance required while achieving the same level adjustment functionality.
3Productivity
If the shelf is disposed at an upper position with food articles placed on it, then space utilization is improved, but there is a danger that the shelf may move to a lower position along the guide slot
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system provides dynamic positioning capability with multiple discrete height levels along the vertical rails. The shelf can be securely mounted at any desired upper position to maximize space utilization. The stability is ensured through the mechanical connection between the shelf mounting brackets and the holes in the rails, which prevent unintended movement while allowing intentional repositioning when needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf is separably mounted at different levels on support ribs, then the shelf can be adjusted to different positions, but the structure becomes complex requiring separation and reattachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rails serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the shelf, enable level adjustment through multiple vertically arranged holes, and guide the shelf during positioning. The shelf and support ribs are designed as universal components that can be mounted at any of the predetermined hole positions along the rails. This multi-functionality reduces structural complexity compared to having separate adjustment mechanisms for each level, as the same rail structure accommodates all positioning needs.
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
Facilitates easy and safe level adjustment of shelves without removing them, enhancing user convenience and preventing accidental falls, while maintaining a simple and efficient operating mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
two pairs of cam members 160 pivotably mounted to corresponding ones of the guide members 140, to vertically move the shelf 120
Implementation Method 2
Each of the locking lever devices 180...to be selectively engaged with an engagement portion or notch 168 provided at one side of a corresponding one of the cam members 160 in order to selectively limit pivotal movement of the corresponding cam member 160
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet (10) with a storage chamber (20), and a shelf assembly (100) vertically movably mounted in the storage chamber (20). The shelf assembly (100) includes a pair of guide members (140) mounted to opposite side walls of the storage chamber, a shelf (120) guided by the guide members (140) to be vertically movable, a pair of side walls (130) extending downwards from opposite lateral ends of the shelf (120) and vertically movable while being guided by the guide members (140), a handle member (150) having opposite ends mounted in guide slots (131) formed through upper portions of the side walls (130), to be slidably guided by the guide slots (131) in forward and rearward directions, two pairs of cam members (160) pivotably mounted to the corresponding guide members (140), to support the shelf (120), and a pair of extension portions (152) pivotally connected to the corresponding cam members (160) while extending rearwards from opposite ends of the handle member (150).