Refrigerator Shelf Retainer Assembly With Stowed Door-Clearance Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator shelf retaining members either block access to lower shelves when in a lowered position or project beyond the shelf, preventing the refrigerator door from closing, and often require special liner constructions or structural modifications.
Innovation Solution
A movable article retainer assembly with support brackets and a retaining member that can be shifted between upright, lowered, and stowed positions, allowing easy access to items on the shelf while maintaining door closure and requiring minimal installation, using guide tracks and clip elements for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the retaining member is pivoted to a lowered position to allow easy access to articles on the shelf, then accessibility is improved, but the retaining member blocks access to lower shelves and may prevent the refrigerator door from closing properly
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is designed to be dynamically repositionable between upright, lowered, and stowed positions. The guide track mechanism enables smooth transition between these positions, allowing the retaining member to adapt its configuration based on operational needs while preventing door closure obstruction when in the stowed position
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member utilizes three-dimensional space by moving between vertical (upright), horizontal (lowered), and recessed (stowed) positions. The guide track provides a path that moves the retaining member through different spatial dimensions, specifically retracting it into the liner cavity to clear the door closure path
2Reliability
If a special liner construction is used to accommodate the retaining member in the upright position, then the retaining function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is segmented to include a separate cavity or recess that accommodates the retaining member when in the stowed position. This segmentation allows the retaining member to be housed without requiring the entire liner structure to be specially constructed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track acts as an intermediary mechanism that connects the retaining member to the liner structure. It provides the necessary support and guidance for the retaining member while requiring minimal modification to the liner itself, thus reducing overall device complexity
3Ease of operation
If the retaining member is made removable and pivoted to a lowered position, then accessibility is improved, but the retaining member projects beyond the shelf and prevents proper door closure
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one, capable of moving between lowered (access) and stowed (door clearance) positions. This dynamic capability allows the same component to satisfy both accessibility requirements and door closure requirements at different times
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member is designed to nest within the liner cavity when in the stowed position. This nesting arrangement allows the retaining member to be completely retracted into the available space, eliminating any projection beyond the shelf and ensuring proper door closure
Data Source
AI summary
An article retainer assembly for a refrigerator shelf includes a pair of support brackets and a retaining member. The support brackets are preferably mounted at opposing side portions of a refrigerator shelf, with the retaining member extending therebetween and across a front edge section of the shelf. The support brackets include corresponding guide tracks having first and second portions adapted to support the retaining member in an upright, lowered or stowed configuration. In the upright position, the retaining member prevents articles resting upon the shelf from moving beyond the front edge section. In the lowered position, unobstructed access is provided to the articles on the shelf and, in the stowed position, the retaining member is held in place below the shelf.