Sidewall Adapter and Glide Assembly for Adjustable Wine Shelves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving systems for appliances, such as refrigerating units, lack adjustable and versatile configurations that allow for optimal storage and easy access to items, particularly in appliances like wine coolers where storage angles and accessibility are critical for preserving wine quality.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system featuring a cabinet liner with opposing sidewall adapters that include vertically spaced ledges and a base plate with apertures for glide assemblies, coupled with adjustable fasteners and magnets, enabling shelves to be slideable and adjustable for various storage configurations, including angled positions to secure wine bottles effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shelving systems are used in appliances, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the storage configuration is not adjustable and accessibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is divided into modular components including sidewall adapters, glide assemblies, and shelves that can be independently adjusted and repositioned. The sidewall adapters are segmented with multiple mounting positions to allow flexible configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system transitions from fixed to adjustable configurations through movable glide assemblies that can be repositioned along the sidewall adapters, enabling dynamic adaptation of storage positions and angles.
2Ease of operation
If fixed shelving positions are used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are lower, but the accessibility and optimal positioning for wine bottles cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into discrete adjustment positions on the sidewall adapters, allowing precise shelf placement without requiring high manufacturing precision for continuous positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows change in positional parameters by providing multiple predetermined mounting positions on the sidewall adapters, enabling adjustment of shelf height and angle to optimize accessibility and wine bottle positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable fasteners and magnets are added to enable shelf adjustment, then the storage versatility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism merges mechanical fasteners with magnetic elements in a single integrated component, combining the strengths of both systems to provide secure yet adjustable mounting without requiring separate complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic component provides self-aligning and self-holding functionality, reducing the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and allowing users to easily position and secure shelves without specialized tools or procedures.
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 shelving system provides adjustable and versatile storage solutions, allowing for optimal positioning of wine bottles to maintain wine quality, with shelves that are easily accessible, accommodating different bottle orientations and accommodating variations in appliance dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one magnet is disposed within the base plate and is configured to attract the glide assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving system for an appliance may include a sidewall adapter coupled to a side of a cabinet liner. The sidewall adapter may include a body defining at least one ledge and a base plate coupled to the at least one ledge. The base plate may define at least one aperture configured to receive a tab on a glide assembly. At least two adjustable fasteners may be coupled to the cabinet liner and may be configured to mount the sidewall adapter to the cabinet liner. A shelf may be coupled to the glide assemblies such that the shelf is slideable within the cabinet liner.