Refrigerator Shelf Spring Element to Prevent Unintended Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator shelves often experience unintended movement due to the placement or removal of objects, leading to gaps and potential spills, and existing solutions are either expensive or require user activation.
Innovation Solution
A shelf with a spring element integrated into the wall bearing means that presses against a stop surface, preventing vertical and horizontal movement by leveraging the shelf's weight and design, ensuring stability without additional components or user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shelf is designed to be easily removable and insertable, then ease of operation is improved, but the shelf becomes prone to unintended displacement and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded to continuously exert a pressing force on the shelf, creating a preliminary counteracting force against any potential displacement. This elastic pre-force ensures that the shelf is constantly held against the stop surface, preventing unintended slippage before it occurs while still allowing intentional removal when sufficient force is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides a dynamic, elastic connection between the shelf and the wall support means. Instead of a rigid fixed connection that would completely prevent movement, the spring allows controlled movement while maintaining continuous contact pressure, adapting to the shelf's position and weight while preventing excessive displacement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex fastening devices and locking elements are added to prevent shelf displacement, then shelf position stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for stabilization - a simple spring element pressing against a stop surface - while eliminating unnecessary complex fastening mechanisms. The spring element alone provides the stabilizing force, and the stop surface provides the positioning reference, removing the need for additional locking elements or complex fastening devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically adjusts to the shelf's weight and position, self-regulating the pressing force without requiring external control mechanisms. The system uses the shelf's own weight and the spring's elastic properties to maintain stable positioning, eliminating the need for externally controlled fastening or locking mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If elastic elements are placed between large and small support surfaces on the inside wall, then shelf stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies the support structure by extracting only the essential components: a single spring element and a stop surface. Instead of requiring large and small support surfaces with multiple elastic elements, the solution uses one spring pressing against one stop surface, dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is positioned at a specific location on the shelf support means where it can most effectively prevent displacement. The stop surface is located on the wall support means at the optimal position to provide resistance. This localized placement of elastic and stopping functions achieves stability with minimal components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents shelf displacement when objects are placed or removed, maintaining a secure position and reducing the risk of spills or gaps, while being easy to manufacture and use.
Implementation Method 1
A spring element (7) is arranged on at least one shelf support means (6). In the inserted state, the spring element (7) presses the shelf (3) against a stop surface (9a) of the at least one wall support means (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
Figure 7~11
AI summary
A refrigerating appliance, in particular a refrigerator, comprises at least one cooling chamber with side walls and at least one shelf. At least one wall bearing means for bearing the at least one shelf is arranged on at least one side wall. The shelf comprises at least one shelf with side edges, with a shelf bearing means being arranged on at least one of the side edges and serving to support the shelf on the at least one wall bearing means. At least one spring element (7) is arranged on the shelf storage means.