Refrigerator Shelf Pivot Arm Stops for Stable Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration appliances with height-adjustable shelves often experience instability and unintended position changes, as the shelf's movement is limited by the rear wall, leading to potential accidents and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates pivot arms with integrated stop sections and locking elements that prevent unintentional movement, allowing the shelf to adjust along a circular path with defined movement stops on the swivel arm, rather than the rear wall, and includes a locking mechanism for secure positioning in both high and low states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shelf is limited by the rear wall to prevent unintended movement, then the shelf structure is simple, but the shelf becomes unstable and may change position unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces stop sections as intermediary elements between the shelf and rear wall. These stop sections are articulated components that mediate the interaction between the shelf movement and the rear wall constraint, providing controlled limitation of movement while maintaining shelf stability. The stop sections act as a buffer mechanism that prevents direct contact between the shelf and rear wall, thereby preventing unintended position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop sections are designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. They can pivot and adapt to different shelf positions, transitioning between active constraint and passive alignment states. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to maintain reliability across varying operational conditions while avoiding the complexity of multiple fixed constraint mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the shelf allows free movement along a circular path, then the shelf is easy to adjust, but the shelf may fold down unintentionally from the raised position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are positioned to engage with the stop sections at specific points along the circular movement path. These locking elements provide preliminary counter-action that prevents the shelf from folding down unintentionally from the raised position. The locking mechanism is pre-positioned to activate before any unintended folding can occur, thereby maintaining position stability while preserving ease of intentional adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements serve as intermediary components between the stop sections and the shelf structure. They mediate the transition between free movement and constrained positioning, allowing the shelf to be easily adjusted along the circular path while preventing unintended folding. The locking elements engage and disengage smoothly, maintaining operational ease while ensuring position stability.
3Reliability
If the shelf is constrained by the rear wall, then the movement path is limited, but the shelf cannot be securely locked in position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stop sections and locking elements into an integrated system. The stop sections and locking elements work together as a unified mechanism, where the stop sections provide the structural framework and the locking elements provide the securing function. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate constraint and locking mechanisms, while achieving reliable position locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop sections serve multiple functions: they limit the circular movement path, provide mounting points for locking elements, and act as structural supports. The locking elements similarly serve dual purposes by both securing the shelf in position and guiding its movement along the circular path. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the system while achieving reliable position locking.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator, in particular a domestic refrigerator, comprising at least one storage tray (3) which is mounted on a pivot arm (8) that is articulated on a first shaft (A1), which is rigid with the housing, the pivot arm (8) being articulated on the storage tray (3) on a second shaft (A2) which is parallel to the first shaft (A1) that is rigid with the housing in such a way that the storage tray (3) can be vertically adjusted between a high position (I) and a low position (II) along a substantially circular movement path (B) which is delimited by movement stops (20a, 20b). According to the invention, the movement stops (20a, 20b) are formed as stop sections directly on the pivot arm (8) and can be moved into abutment with a corresponding counter contour on the storage tray (3).