Refrigerator Shelf Holders for Horizontal Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration appliances require shelves to be completely removed or tilted for height adjustment, which is inconvenient and often impossible due to door obstructions or loaded shelves.
Innovation Solution
The design features holding means with staggered support surfaces on the inner container and counter-holding means on the shelves, allowing for horizontal height adjustment without complete removal, using recesses or projections that overlap or gap as the shelf is pulled out, ensuring secure holding and easy adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If shelves are completely removed for height adjustment, then height adjustment is possible, but operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means are designed to allow dynamic adjustment of shelf height while the shelf is inserted in the inner container. The support surfaces can be engaged or disengaged by simple horizontal movement of the shelf, enabling easy height adjustment without complete removal. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the adjustment process quick and convenient while maintaining secure positioning when adjusted.
2Ease of operation
If door leaf is swung open by 90 degrees for shelf adjustment, then shelf access is improved, but door rack partially blocks the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention allows shelf height adjustment with the shelf partially inserted in the inner container, rather than requiring complete removal. This partial action approach enables users to adjust shelf height without needing full door opening, as the adjustment can be performed with the shelf extending partially outside. This resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient access for adjustment while minimizing the space required and avoiding door rack obstruction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shelves are completely removed for height adjustment, then height change is possible, but refrigerated goods must be transferred elsewhere
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means with support surfaces enable dynamic height adjustment of shelves while they remain inserted in the inner container and continue to support refrigerated goods. Users can adjust shelf height by simply moving the shelf horizontally to engage or disengage from different support surfaces, without needing to remove the shelf or transfer goods. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining both adaptability for height adjustment and ease of operation with loaded shelves.
4Reliability
If support surfaces overlap in pushed-in position, then shelf is securely held, but shelf cannot be adjusted horizontally
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means are designed with support surfaces that can dynamically transition between overlapping (secure holding) and gapped (adjustable) positions. When the shelf is in the pushed-in position, the support surfaces overlap to securely hold the shelf. When the shelf is partially pulled out, a gap forms between the support surfaces, allowing horizontal movement for height adjustment. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by providing both secure positioning and adjustability at different stages of the adjustment process.
5Adaptability or versatility
If support surfaces are staggered when shelf is partially pulled out, then height adjustment is enabled, but shelf holding security is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means create a dynamic system where the relationship between support surfaces changes based on shelf position. When the shelf is partially pulled out for adjustment, the support surfaces are staggered with a gap, enabling height offset. When the shelf is pushed in to the final position, the support surfaces overlap, restoring secure holding. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction by temporarily reducing holding security during adjustment while restoring it when adjustment is complete.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigeration device, in particular a household refrigeration device (1), comprising a heat-insulating inner container (4) forming a storage chamber (3) for the goods to be cooled, a door leaf (2) which is mounted so that it can pivot in relation to an opening plane (O) for opening and closing the storage chamber (3), and holding means (7) which are provided on the side walls of the inner container (4) and which interact with the counter holding means (9) of at least one shelf (8) and support said shelf, and the holding means (7) comprise at least one upwardly pointing bearing surface (7a) and the counter holding means (9) comprise at least one downward pointing support surface (9a). The at least one bearing surface (7a) is formed and/or arranged on the inner container (4) and the at least one support surface (9a) is formed and/or arranged on the shelf (8) in such a manner that when the shelf (8) is in the inserted position, in which the door leaf (2) can be closed, the at least one bearing surface (7a) and the at least one support surface (9a) overlap and when the shelf (8) is in a position which is partially withdrawn from the inner container (4), the at least one bearing surface (7a) and the at least one support surface (9a) are arranged in gaps.