Refrigerator and shelving system for a refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator shelving systems lack efficient space management, as shelves are either fully operational or fully stowed, failing to adapt to varying storage needs, such as accommodating large items or maximizing storage capacity for smaller items.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator shelving system featuring an upper shelf with nesting features, hangers, and a lower shelf that can rotate upward and forward to an intermediate position, then slide rearward to a stowed position, utilizing protrusions and nests to adjust its height and position, allowing for flexible storage configurations by creating space between shelves when stowed and optimizing storage capacity when operational.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lower shelf is kept in a fixed operational position, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but storage capacity for larger items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lower shelf is designed to be dynamically repositionable between a fixed operational position and a variable storage position. The rail system with protrusions and nests enables the shelf to move from a fixed low position (easy access) to a higher stowed position (maximizing storage capacity), resolving the contradiction between accessibility and storage versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The lower shelf serves multiple functions: it provides easy-access storage when in the operational position, and can be repositioned to create additional space for larger items when stowed. The same shelf structure adapts to different storage needs, making it universally applicable for various item sizes
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lower shelf is stowed in a fixed position, then storage capacity for large items is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system allows dynamic repositioning from a stowed position to an operational position. When large items need storage, the shelf can be moved to the stowed position via the rail mechanism. When accessibility is needed, it can be returned to the operational position, maintaining ease of operation
3Device complexity
If the shelf system is made fixed and simple, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying storage needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system uses a nesting mechanism where protrusions on the shelf engage with nests on the rails. This simple nested structure enables the shelf to be repositioned along the rails, providing adaptability for different storage configurations without adding complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system is segmented into modular components: upper shelf, lower shelf, rails with nests, and protrusions. This segmentation allows the lower shelf to be independently repositioned while maintaining the overall structural simplicity of the system
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator shelving system includes an upper shelf, suspenders, rails, and a lower shelf. The upper shelf has nests disposed along a bottom side of the upper shelf. The suspenders are rotatably secured to the upper shelf. The rails are suspended from the upper shelf via the suspenders. The lower shelf is slidably secured to the rails and has bosses extending laterally outward therefrom. Each of the bosses are configured to engage one of the nests to maintain the lower shelf in a stowed position. The lower shelf is configured to slide forward from the stowed position to an intermediate position via the rails to disengage the bosses from the nests. The lower shelf is configured to rotate downward and rearward via the suspenders to transition from the intermediate position to an operational position.