Refrigerator Shelf Plug-In Connection for Tool-Free Height Adjustment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigeration devices require complex screw connections for shelf adjustment, increasing assembly effort and making it difficult to change the shelf height.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration device with plug-in connections between the shelf and the refrigeration compartment housing, allowing for easy adjustment of the shelf height without tools, and incorporating a holding element with a support surface and securing means to prevent unintentional displacement, while maintaining energy efficiency by allowing additional evaporator sections to be attached without indentations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screw connections are used to fasten the retaining element, then the shelf can be securely attached, but the assembly effort increases and changing the shelf height becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf attachment securityVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element is divided into a shelf body and separate connecting elements that can be independently positioned. The connecting elements are detachably connected to the housing at different positions, allowing the shelf to be segmented into adjustable modules that simplify assembly while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements are designed to be detachably connected rather than permanently fixed, enabling dynamic repositioning of the shelf to different heights. This dynamic connection system allows users to easily change shelf positions by detaching and reattaching the connecting elements at different locations on the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If screw connections are used to fasten the retaining element, then the shelf can be securely attached, but changing the shelf height becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf attachment securityVSAvoidshelf height adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining element is divided into a shelf body and separate connecting elements that can be independently positioned. The connecting elements are detachably connected to the housing at different positions, allowing the shelf to be segmented into adjustable modules that simplify assembly while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements are designed to be detachably connected rather than permanently fixed, enabling dynamic repositioning of the shelf to different heights. This dynamic connection system allows users to easily change shelf positions by detaching and reattaching the connecting elements at different locations on the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2743621B1Cooling device with a shelf

Publication Date: 2020.06.10 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance with a refrigeration compartment housing (200) which delimits an interior space (112) of the refrigeration compartment, a compartment base (108) being arranged in the interior space (112) of the refrigeration compartment, and the compartment base (108) being in contact in sections with a holding element (110 ) is, wherein the holding element (110) has a first connecting element (302) and a second connecting element (304). According to the invention, the first connecting element (302) engages in a first depression (226) in the refrigeration compartment housing (200) to form a plug-in connection and/or the second connecting element (304) in a second depression (228) in the refrigeration compartment housing (200) to form a plug-in connection ( 502) a.