Reversible Refrigerator Drawer Bin for Adaptable Food Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator drawer assemblies are limited in accessibility and versatility, leading to forgotten food items spoiling and difficulty in accessing stored items, and lack flexibility for various food storage needs.
Innovation Solution
A storage drawer assembly with a carrier drawer and reversibly mounted bins that can be oriented in two positions, featuring a lid for enclosure and access, and optional environmental treatment cartridges, enhancing accessibility and adaptability for different food storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drawer assemblies are configured as single-function storage units, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but versatility for different food storage needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer assembly is divided into a carrier drawer and a separate bin that can be independently configured. The bin can be removed, inserted, or reoriented within the carrier drawer, allowing the system to adapt to different storage needs without complicating the overall structure. This segmentation enables versatility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable within the carrier drawer, allowing users to change its orientation (front-to-back or back-to-front) and position according to different storage requirements. This dynamic adaptability provides versatility without requiring multiple fixed drawer designs.
2Ease of operation
If food items are stored in drawer assemblies, then storage capacity is increased, but accessibility to view and retrieve items becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is segmented from the carrier drawer, allowing it to be partially extended or repositioned independently. This enables users to access specific items in the bin without having to pull out the entire carrier drawer, improving accessibility and reducing the time needed to locate and retrieve food items.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drawer assemblies are designed for single-purpose storage, then design simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to various food storage requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The bin is designed as a universal storage component that can be used for different food types (produce, meats, dairy, beverages) by simply changing its orientation and position within the carrier drawer. This multi-functionality provides adaptability to various storage requirements without requiring multiple specialized drawer designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bin's ability to be dynamically repositioned and reoriented within the carrier drawer allows a single drawer assembly design to serve multiple storage purposes, enhancing adaptability without increasing design complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator appliance includes a storage compartment having a storage drawer assembly disposed therein. The storage drawer assembly includes a carrier drawer, a lid, and a bin that may be reversibly mounted in the carrier drawer in either a first orientation or in a second orientation. The bin defines a storage space for receiving food items. The bin includes a sealing wall that encloses the storage space in the first orientation. The bin defines an access opening that grants access to the storage space in the second orientation.