Self-balancing adjustable rack device and refrigerator having the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator racks are difficult to adjust without removing all items, as they require manual balancing and can overturn, causing inconvenience and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A self-balancing adjustable rack device with a rack assembly, slide rail assembly, and synchronizing assembly, which includes pulleys and tensioning pieces to maintain balance and stability during height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rack position is adjusted by manually lifting and moving the entire rack, then the rack can be repositioned to different heights, but the user must continuously exert force and maintain balance, which is inconvenient and may cause the rack to overturn or be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The rack support structure is divided into multiple independent slide rail assemblies, each with its own sliding plate that can move independently along the rail groove. This segmentation allows the rack to be adjusted in smaller, more manageable increments rather than requiring complete manual lifting and repositioning of the entire rack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A synchronizing assembly with tensioning pieces and pulleys is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the two slide rail assemblies. This synchronizing mechanism coordinates the movement of both sliding plates, ensuring they move simultaneously and maintain balance, thereby eliminating the need for the user to manually balance the rack during adjustment.
2Quantity of substance
If the rack is designed with fixed liner ribs to support multiple racks, then more food can be stored, but when adjusting rack position, all articles must be removed and the entire rack must be manually balanced and repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The rack support system transitions from a static fixed-rack design to a dynamic adjustable design where each rack can independently move along the slide rails. The synchronizing assembly with tensioning pieces enables coordinated movement, allowing racks to be adjusted to different heights while maintaining balance, thus reducing adjustment complexity while preserving storage capacity.
3Device complexity
If the rack assembly is moved without a synchronizing mechanism, then the structure remains simple, but the two sides of the rack are difficult to balance and the panel cannot bear the load during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning pieces in the synchronizing assembly function as counterbalancing elements that distribute and equalize the load between the two slide rail assemblies. As one sliding plate moves upward, the tensioning piece transfers force to the other side, providing counterbalancing support and ensuring both sides remain balanced during the adjustment process, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
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
Enables convenient and labor-saving adjustment of rack positions without manual balancing, ensuring the rack remains stable and prevents overturning, even when loaded with heavy items.
Implementation Method 1
the synchronizing assembly comprises a first tensioning piece, a first pulley and a second pulley, and the first tensioning piece sequentially passes through the first upper fixing portion, the first pulley, the second pulley and the second lower fixing portion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a self-balancing adjustable rack device and a refrigerator having the same; the rack device includes a rack assembly, slide rail assemblies and a synchronizing assembly, the rack assembly includes a rack body and brackets, the slide rail assemblies are arranged on two sides of the rack body in a vertical direction, the synchronizing assembly includes at least one tensioning piece and at least two pulleys, one end of the tensioning piece is fixed at an upper end of a sliding plate, and the other end of the tensioning piece is fixed at a lower end of another sliding plate in the slide rail assembly on the other side through the pulleys, such that two sides of the rack assembly can be balanced in a moving process, and meanwhile, a pulling force is provided for the rack assembly by the tensioning piece.