Refrigerator Shelf Pull-Out System for Flexible Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers with fixed shelves lack flexibility in adapting to changing storage needs, making it difficult to access items in the rear area without clearing the front area.
Innovation Solution
The shelves are designed to be releasably connected to the device, allowing for adjustable height settings through detachable extensions and pull-out rails, which can be fixed at multiple positions, enabling flexible use and easy access to items without the need to clear the front area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shelves are made fixed and non-movable, then device structure is simple and reliable, but adaptability to changing storage needs is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system is divided into separate components: the shelf board itself and the pull-out mechanism. This segmentation allows the shelf board to remain simple while the pull-out feature adds adaptability. The pull-out can be detached if not needed, maintaining structural simplicity when adaptability is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf position is made dynamic through the pull-out mechanism that can be extended and retracted along the shelf. This allows the storage space to be dynamically adjusted based on user needs, transforming a static shelf into a flexible storage solution without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pull-outs are made detachable from shelves, then flexibility in shelf arrangement is improved, but connection reliability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pull-out mechanism is designed as a detachable component that can be separated from the shelf board. This segmentation provides flexibility to remove or reconfigure pull-outs as needed, while the modular design ensures that when connected, the interface is straightforward and reliable for the intended application.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection interface serves as an intermediary between the pull-out mechanism and the shelf board. This intermediary component facilitates easy attachment and detachment while maintaining sufficient connection reliability during use, balancing flexibility with functional integrity through a standardized coupling system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple extensions are provided at different heights, then shelf position adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding multiple pull-out mechanisms at different heights (horizontal dimension), the solution provides multiple extension positions along the vertical dimension of a single pull-out. This allows height adjustment capability while minimizing the number of separate components, as one pull-out can serve multiple height positions through its telescopic extension feature.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer comprising one or several shelves (10) for accommodating products that are to be chilled or frozen as well as one or several extensions (50, 60) which are joined to the shelves and by means of which the shelves can be extracted from and inserted into the refrigerator/freezer. Said extensions are removably connected to the shelves and/or removably connected to the refrigerator/freezer.