Refrigerator Storage Drawer Guide Design for Partition Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator storage systems lack efficient mechanisms to facilitate smooth sliding and restrict vertical movement of partitions within compartments, leading to potential misalignment and reduced storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A storage receptacle design featuring guides with protruding regions and hooks that engage with slots and orifices to facilitate sliding and restrict movement of partitions, ensuring precise alignment and stability within the refrigerator compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a partition wall is made slidable to improve storage flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but stability and alignment are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is segmented into multiple functional components: a body portion for positioning, a protrusion for engagement, and a slot for movement guidance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to maintain overall system stability during partition movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide acts as an intermediary mechanism between the partition wall and the storage receptacle walls. It mediates the movement by providing a controlled path through the slot and engagement features, ensuring the partition moves smoothly while maintaining proper alignment and preventing unwanted movements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If guides engage the partition to restrict movement in multiple directions, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the partition's sliding movement through the slot, restricts vertical movement through the protrusion-slot engagement, and prevents movement toward the rear wall through the base portion engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple constraint functions are merged into a single integrated guide component. The body portion, protrusion, and slot work together as one unified structure that provides both movement facilitation and restriction, simplifying the overall design compared to using separate components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage drawer for a refrigerator appliance includes a first wall, a second wall, a partition, and a guide. The first wall defines a slot. The second wall is spaced-apart from the first wall, has an upper edge, and has a lip extending outward therefrom along the upper edge. The partition extends between the first and second walls, is slidable along the first and second walls, has a hook extending outward therefrom, and defines orifice on an opposing side of the partition relative to the hook. The hook engages the lip to facilitate movement of the partition. The guide has a base region and a keyed region. The keyed region extends through the slot and into the orifice such that the keyed region engages the partition within the orifice and the base region engages the first wall on an opposing side of the first wall relative to the partition.