Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing adjustable shelf assemblies in refrigerators often result in a cluttered interior due to exposed rear supporting portions, which compromise the neatness of the storage chamber.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support unit with a rear supporting portion that is at least partially concealed by a side frame portion, eliminating the need for additional cover elements and maintaining cost-effectiveness, while allowing the rear shelf to be supported and guided within the storage chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear supporting portion is exposed to support the rear shelf, then the shelf assembly can be properly supported, but the interior of the refrigerator becomes cluttered and loses neatness
Solution Approach 1:
The rear supporting portion is nested within the side frame portion, specifically positioned in a recessed area formed by the side frame's rearward extension. This allows the supporting structure to be concealed within the aesthetic frame, eliminating visual clutter while maintaining structural support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The side frame portion extends rearward beyond the rear shelf in the depth dimension, creating a three-dimensional recessed space that houses the rear supporting portion. This dimensional extension allows the support structure to be hidden from the front view, improving interior neatness while preserving support capability.
2Shape
If additional cover elements are added to conceal the rear supporting portion, then interior neatness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame portion is designed to perform dual functions: it provides structural support for the rear shelf and simultaneously conceals the rear supporting portion within its recessed area. By merging these two functions into a single integrated component, the need for separate cover elements is eliminated, reducing part count and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The side frame portion is designed as a multi-functional element that serves both aesthetic and structural purposes. It acts as the visible frame structure while also creating the recessed space that hides the supporting mechanism, thereby eliminating the need for additional dedicated cover components.
3Volume of stationary object
If the front shelf is retracted below the rear shelf, then storage space is optimized, but the exposed rear rail portions create a cluttered appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The rear rail portions are nested within the recessed area formed by the side frame portion's rearward extension. When the front shelf is retracted, these rail portions remain concealed within the side frame's three-dimensional recess, preventing visual clutter while allowing the shelf assembly to maintain optimized storage configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator (1) includes a storage chamber (2) having a side wall; a shelf assembly (3) including a rear shelf (30) and a front shelf (40), where the front shelf is movable between a retraction position below the rear shelf and an extending position protruding in front of the rear shelf, the rear shelf includes a carrying portion (301) and a side frame portion (302) connected to the carrying portion, and the side frame portion has a rear rail portion (323) for supporting the front shelf portion at the retraction position; and a support unit (4), connected to the side wall (21) to support the shelf assembly, and including a rear supporting portion (42) for supporting the horizontally placed rear shelf, where the rear supporting portion (42) has a horizontal rear supporting surface (420). As suggested by the present invention, the rear supporting portion (42) is located between the side frame portion (302) and the side wall (21) and is covered by the side frame portion (302) in a direction perpendicular to the side wall (21).