Refrigerator Shelf Assembly with Hook-Clamped Extending Front Shelf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator shelf assemblies require complex frame structures to securely clamp the front and rear shelves, which complicates their design and affects the neatness and usability of the storage space.
Innovation Solution
A shelf assembly where the front shelf overlaps or extends over the rear shelf, utilizing a hook portion on the rear frame's extending portion that is clamped by a notch on the front frame's lower edge covering portion, simplifying the frame structure and concealing the supporting elements for a neater appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the front shelf and rear shelf are provided with complicated frame structures including recesses and multiple clamping portions, then the front shelf can be reliably clamped to the rear shelf, but the frame structure becomes complex and affects the neatness of appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the clamping function from the frame structure by using a separate clamping member that can be inserted into a simple through-hole in the rear shelf. This separates the clamping mechanism from the frame portions, allowing reliable clamping without complicating the frame structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a clamping member as an intermediary element between the front shelf and rear shelf. This clamping member engages with the through-hole in the rear shelf and the front shelf, providing reliable clamping while keeping the frame structures simple and neat.
2Productivity
If the front shelf is designed to extend forward from the rear shelf, then the storage space utilization is improved, but the supporting elements become visible affecting the aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the supporting function from visible frame structures by using a clamping member that engages with a through-hole. This allows the extending portion to provide structural support and storage space utilization while remaining concealed, improving aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a glass plate with a through-hole that appears clean and neat from the front view. The clamping member engages with this through-hole, providing structural support while the thin glass plate maintains a clean, aesthetic appearance without visible supporting elements.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Disclosed are a shelf assembly for a refrigerator and a refrigerator. The shelf assembly (3) includes a rear shelf (30) and a front shelf (40) movable with respect to the rear shelf (30), where the front shelf is selectively located at an overlapping position where the front shelf at least most partially overlaps the rear shelf in a vertical direction and projects at an extending position in front of the rear shelf, the rear shelf includes a rear glass plate (301) and a first frame portion (302) connected to a front edge portion of the rear glass plate, the first frame portion includes an extending portion (3025) extending forward and having a hook portion (3026) at a distal end thereof, the front shelf includes a front glass plate (401) and a second frame portion (402) connected to a rear edge portion of the front glass plate, and the second frame portion includes a second edge covering portion (4021) extending along a lower surface of the front glass plate. According to the present invention, when the front shelf is located at the extending position, the extending portion overlaps the front glass plate in the vertical direction, and the hook portion is clamped to a front end surface of the second edge covering portion. Therefore, the second frame portion may have a simple structure.