Rotating Tray Device for Beverage Retrieval in Refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators require users to remove outer beverages to access inner ones, making it inconvenient to retrieve desired beverages.
Innovation Solution
A rotating device for beverages featuring a bottom case with a limit track, rollers, and trays that allow horizontal rotation, enabling easy access to desired beverages by moving them to the front.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If beverages are stacked from inside to outside in the refrigerator, then storage capacity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users must remove outer beverages to access inner ones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static stacked storage arrangement into a dynamic rotating system. The beverage containers are mounted on trays that can rotate along a circular track, allowing the storage system to change its configuration dynamically. This enables users to rotate containers to the front for easy access while maintaining dense stacking when not in use, thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by transitioning from linear front-to-back stacking to a circular rotational arrangement. The limited post with limit wheel mechanism enables movement along a circular path (adding rotational dimension), allowing beverages to be accessed by rotating them to the front rather than removing outer containers, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining storage density
2Ease of operation
If a rotating mechanism with multiple trays and rollers is introduced, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing a gravity-assisted rolling mechanism where beverages automatically roll forward when rotated, eliminating the need for complex motorized actuators. The limited post and limit wheel provide automatic positioning and limiting functionality without requiring external control systems, thus improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the rotation function from the storage function. The rotating mechanism with trays is extracted as a distinct subsystem that enables easy access, while the storage containers remain simple cylindrical vessels. This modular approach allows the rotation mechanism to be relatively simple while still providing significant ease of operation benefits
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
The device facilitates easy retrieval of desired beverages by rotating them to the front, improving convenience and usability in refrigerators.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of trays are in contact with corresponding rollers, each tray has a limited post on the bottom, and the limited post is inserted in the limit track and moves along the limit track
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating device for beverages including a bottom case, a plurality of rollers, and a plurality of trays. The bottom case is provided with a limit track in a closed loop, the plurality of rollers are disposed on the bottom case and distributed alongside the limit track, and the plurality of trays are circular pieces having the same diameter, the circular pieces being arranged in an eclipsed conformation and trays movably disposed on the bottom case. The plurality of trays are in contact with corresponding rollers, each tray has a post on bottom, and the post are inserted in the limit track and move along the limit track.