Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in preventing items from tipping over or falling during shelf movement and in providing a mechanism for easy and aesthetically pleasing storage with maximum mobility and structural stability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a movable body with a shelf connected via a connection member and a guard that surrounds the shelf, utilizing a guide rail system and interlocking mechanism with gears to facilitate smooth and stable movement of the shelf and guard, ensuring items remain secure and allowing for easy adjustment and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guard is provided to prevent items from tipping over or falling during shelf movement, then safety and stability are improved, but device complexity increases due to the additional interlocking mechanism and guide rail components
Solution Approach 1:
The guard is designed to nest within the shelf structure when not in use, with the guard fitting into a recess or channel formed by the shelf and case. The interlocking mechanism uses nested gear arrangements where smaller gears are positioned within or alongside larger gears, reducing the overall spatial footprint of the mechanism while maintaining full functionality for preventing items from falling during shelf movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard transitions from a static barrier to a dynamic component that moves with the shelf through the interlocking mechanism. The guide rail allows the guard to slide smoothly during shelf extension and retraction, adapting its position dynamically to match shelf movement while continuously providing protection against items tipping over or falling.
2Reliability
If the guard is made larger than the shelf to effectively surround and protect items, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased size and potential interference with shelf movement
Solution Approach 1:
The guard is divided into multiple segments or sections that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the guard to flex and adapt during shelf movement, reducing interference while maintaining overall protection. The segmented design enables the guard to conform to the shelf's position changes without creating excessive friction or mechanical interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard extends beyond the shelf in the vertical dimension rather than only in horizontal dimensions, creating a protective barrier that rises above the shelf surface. This dimensional approach allows the guard to provide effective protection against items tipping over while maintaining a compact horizontal profile that minimizes interference with shelf movement and operation.
3Ease of operation
If the guide rail extends in an inclined direction towards the front upper side, then ease of operation is improved by reducing required force, but device complexity increases due to the inclined guide rail design
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined guide rail is positioned and angled to utilize the weight of the shelf and guard assembly as a counterbalancing force. As the shelf moves along the inclined guide rail, gravity assists the movement by providing a component of force that reduces the effort required by the user. The inclination angle is optimized so that the gravitational force component acts in the direction of movement, effectively counteracting friction and mechanical resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail system is designed to create an equipotential path for the shelf movement, where the inclined orientation balances the gravitational potential energy changes with the mechanical work required. The inclination allows the shelf to move along a path where gravitational forces are evenly distributed, reducing peak force requirements and creating a more uniform operational experience throughout the shelf's range of motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a movable body that is located in a case that defines a storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a shelf that is connected to the movable body via a connection member. The refrigerator further includes a guard that is configured to surround an edge of the shelf, that is larger than the shelf, and that includes a protrusion member that protrudes toward the movable body. The movable body includes a guide rail that is configured to guide the protrusion member during sliding.