Refrigerator Sliding Shelf Structure for Easier Deep Item Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with hinged doors face limitations in forward movement of movable frames, leading to user inconvenience in retrieving items from the rear, increased frictional force due to heavy frames, reduced storage space, and potential damage to guide rails from concentrated loads.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring horizontal frames and vertical frames with first and second rail units that allow forward movement of item storage units, reducing the weight and volume of the vertical frame, and distributing loads to prevent damage to support units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the movable frame is made heavier to support multiple layers of item storage units, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the frictional force increases making door operation more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing a weight compensation mechanism that uses a counterweight member to offset the weight of the movable frame and item storage units. This reduces the net force required to move the door, thereby decreasing the frictional force effect while maintaining the full load-bearing capacity of the heavier frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by using lightweight materials for the movable frame components and optimizing the structural geometry to reduce mass while maintaining strength. This allows the frame to support multiple layers of item storage units with reduced weight, thereby decreasing frictional force during door operation.
2Ease of operation
If the movable frame is designed to move forward a greater distance, then user convenience in retrieving items is improved, but the structural stability of the connecting portion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movable frame into multiple independent layers, each capable of moving forward independently. This segmentation allows each layer to be supported by its own connecting portions, distributing the movement load and maintaining stability even when moving forward greater distances for improved item retrieval access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical dimensionality by stacking item storage units in multiple layers at different heights. This allows the system to achieve greater forward movement capability in the horizontal direction while maintaining structural stability through the vertical stacking arrangement, as each layer's connecting portion operates independently.
3Quantity of substance
If the movable frame structure is enlarged to support multiple layers, then storage capacity is improved, but the volume occupied in the storage compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing multiple item storage units vertically one above another in a nested configuration. This allows the system to increase storage capacity by utilizing vertical space within the same horizontal footprint, thereby increasing quantity of stored items without proportionally increasing the volume occupied by the frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal expansion to vertical stacking, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase storage capacity. By arranging item storage units in multiple vertical layers, the system achieves greater storage capacity while minimizing the horizontal volume occupied by the frame structure.
4Ease of operation
If the guide rails are used to support the movable frame, then the movement guidance is improved, but the concentrated load may cause damage to the guide rails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function by providing multiple guide rails distributed at different locations and heights along the movable frame. This segmentation distributes the concentrated load across multiple contact points, reducing the stress on each individual guide rail while maintaining effective movement guidance for each layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning guide rails at specific critical locations where they can most effectively guide movement while distributing load. The guide rails are strategically placed to provide localized support and guidance, optimizing both movement guidance and load distribution to prevent rail damage.
Data Source
AI summary
The refrigerator includes item storage units arranged in multiple layers in a storage compartment, horizontal frames arranged in multiple layers, the horizontal frames respectively supporting the item storage units, a vertical frame coupled to each of the horizontal frames, the vertical frame extending vertically, first rail units arranged in multiple layers, the first rail units respectively supporting the horizontal frames so that the horizontal frames is movable in a front-to-back direction relative to the storage compartment, a link to connect any one of the horizontal frames arranged and the door to each other so as to move the horizontal frames in the front-to-back direction in response to rotation of the door, and a second rail unit located between the item storage unit and the horizontal frame arranged in the same layer so as to movably support the item storage unit in the front-to-back direction.