Refrigerator storage system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs lack an efficient mechanism to securely hold and position containers of varying sizes within the door bins, leading to potential instability and movement during door opening and closing, which can cause contents to spill or fall.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator door bin system incorporates a bin with downward-extending rails and an adapter plate featuring varying-sized orifices, along with a secondary container that engages these rails through grooves and notches, and includes a stop and protrusion to limit travel and restrict vertical movement, ensuring secure positioning of containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If containers are placed in door bins without secure positioning mechanisms, then the bin structure remains simple, but containers can rotate or fall during door opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is divided into multiple compartments with individual positioning mechanisms. Each container size category has its own designated space with tailored retention features, allowing independent stabilization of each container type without affecting others.
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning elements such as protrusions, notches, and retaining walls act as intermediary components between the container and the bin structure. These intermediaries provide the necessary mechanical engagement to prevent container movement during door operation.
2Reliability
If a secure positioning mechanism with rails and protrusions is added to the bin, then container stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple positioning functions are merged into integrated structures. For example, the retaining wall serves both as a physical barrier to prevent container escape and as a positioning reference for alignment. The rails combine support and positioning functions in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanisms are designed to accommodate multiple container types and sizes using the same basic structure. The varying-sized orifices and standardized rail systems provide universal engagement across different container configurations, reducing the need for specialized components for each container type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If varying-sized orifices are provided in the adapter plate, then adaptability to different container sizes improves, but the adapter plate complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter plate features locally differentiated openings tailored to specific container size categories. Each region of the adapter plate has openings configured for particular container dimensions, providing precise fit and engagement without requiring a completely customized plate for each container type.
4Reliability
If rails with upward extending protrusions are added to secure containers, then container stability during door movement improves, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upward extending protrusions are integrated directly into the rail structures rather than being separate components. This merging of features reduces the total component count while maintaining the anti-rotation and positioning functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator bin system (28) includes a receptacle (32), at least one rail (36), and a secondary container (48). The receptacle (32) has a top side defining a plurality of orifices (44) of varying sizes configured to receive primary containers (46) of varying sizes. The at least one rail (36) is disposed below receptacle (32). The secondary container (48) is configured to engage the at least one rail (36) for securing and removing the secondary container (48) onto and from the receptacle (32).