Refrigerator Shelf Assembly with Front-Accessible Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator shelf height adjustment mechanisms are cumbersome and difficult to manipulate, often requiring complex internal operations that can damage the shelf or reduce usability.
Innovation Solution
A shelf assembly with a handle part installed on the front of the shelf for easy height adjustment, utilizing gear parts that operate simultaneously to hold or release holding members, and a lift body with protrusions that secure the shelf in place within the lift rail module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf is completely removed from the rack bar for height adjustment, then the shelf can be positioned at any desired location, but the usability is reduced and the shelf may collide with surrounding objects causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is nested within the rack bar structure through the engagement of engagement protrusions with engagement grooves. The shelf can be partially inserted into the rack bar while maintaining adjustability, eliminating the need for complete removal and reducing the risk of collision with surrounding objects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the switching bar is located in the innermost part of the cabinet for height adjustment, then the shelf can be adjusted while held by the shelf hanger, but the user's manipulation becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement protrusions are positioned at the front end of the shelf, transitioning the control mechanism from the innermost part of the cabinet to the front accessible area. This spatial repositioning allows users to easily manipulate the shelf height adjustment without reaching into difficult-to-access locations.
3Reliability
If multiple holding jaws and holding levers are used to hold the shelf, then the shelf can be securely held by the shelf hanger, but the structure becomes complex and the adjustment mechanism becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the conventional multi-lever, multi-jaw system. By using a single engagement protrusion that directly engages with the rack bar, the design removes redundant holding mechanisms while maintaining secure shelf attachment, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
4Ease of operation
If a handle part is installed on the front of the shelf, then the height adjustment can be easily manipulated by the user, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle part is merged with the engagement protrusion, combining the user interface function with the mechanical engagement function. This integration allows the engagement protrusion to serve dual purposes: providing structural engagement with the rack bar and serving as the user's manipulation point for height adjustment, thereby avoiding an increase in part count.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator which includes a shelf assembly comprising: a shelf which is provided inside a cabinet constituting a storage space of the refrigerator, and on which food and containers are seated; shelf fixing brackets, fixedly provided at opposite sides of the shelf and supporting the shelf; a lift rail module provided to be elongated in a vertical direction inside the cabinet and to allow the shelf fixing brackets to be movable in the vertical direction; and a lift module, slidably provided at one side of the shelf and selectively releasing fixing of the shelf fixing brackets fixedly provided on the lift rail module according to user's manipulation.