Rotatable Refrigerator Shelf for Access and Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional refrigerator shelving is static, leading to inaccessible and forgotten items due to continuous pushing towards the rear, uneven temperature distribution, and obstructed cold air flow, resulting in expired food and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable shelf assembly with a support bracket and bearing ring, along with an electric motor for controlled rotation, and sensors for user-activated movement, to improve accessibility and temperature uniformity within the refrigerator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional fixed shelving is used to maximize storage space, then storage capacity is improved, but item accessibility deteriorates as items are pushed towards the rear and become inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static fixed shelving into a rotatable shelf assembly. The shelf can rotate 360 degrees around a vertical axis, allowing users to easily access items at any position without having to reach into the rear of the refrigerator. The rotatable mechanism includes a bearing ring with rollers that enable smooth rotation while maintaining storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements another dimension by adding rotational movement around a vertical axis to the traditional linear shelving arrangement. This transforms the one-dimensional access (front to back) into a two-dimensional accessible surface, allowing items throughout the entire shelf circumference to be easily reached from the front.
2Quantity of substance
If fixed shelving is used to maximize storage space, then storage capacity is improved, but visibility of items deteriorates due to blocking by other shelves and items
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shelf assembly allows users to rotate the shelf to bring any item into direct view at the front of the refrigerator. This dynamic positioning eliminates the visibility blocking problem by allowing users to orient items toward them, making it easy to detect and identify stored items.
3Device complexity
If static shelving is used, then structural simplicity is improved, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates due to obstructed cold air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shelf assembly improves temperature distribution by enabling air flow circulation behind and around the shelf. The rotation capability creates gaps and pathways that allow cold air to reach all areas of the refrigerator more uniformly, reducing temperature stratification while maintaining relatively simple mechanical structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If items are stored on fixed shelving, then storage organization is improved, but food safety deteriorates due to expired items being forgotten and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shelf assembly improves food safety by ensuring all items remain accessible and visible. Users can easily rotate the shelf to locate and retrieve any item before its expiration date, preventing forgotten items from expiring. The system maintains storage organization while eliminating the safety risks associated with inaccessible items.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances item accessibility, reduces food expiration, and ensures more uniform temperature distribution by allowing for easy reorganization and optimal air circulation.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing ring having an upper and lower surface and at least three bearings disposed therein, wherein the bearings are configured to extend beyond the upper and lower surface, and wherein the bearings are configured to roll on the flat upper surface of the support bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable shelf for use in a refrigerator that may include a support bracket configured to support a turntable but is not required. A bearing ring may be disposed between the support bracket and the turntable, wherein the bearing ring is configured to facilitate the rotation of the turntable relative to the support bracket. The support bracket may further be configured to be installed into an interior space of a refrigerator such that the rotatable shelf assembly is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction. A user may then place items onto the turntable and manually or automatically rotate the turntable to access the items. Sensors may be configured to receive user input.