Sliding Refrigerator Dispenser Tray to Prevent Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator dispensers face issues with tray separation and limited capacity, making it difficult to dispense water or ice without grasping a container, especially for larger containers, due to narrow tray dimensions and lack of smooth sliding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The dispenser features a tray with a protrusion and stopping jaw that elastically contact each other, along with guiding units, allowing smooth sliding and preventing unexpected separation, while a protrusion on the dispenser cover facilitates easy extension and retraction of the tray, enabling dispensing without grasping a container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the tray is made narrow to fit in the dispenser cover, then the tray can be accommodated in the limited space, but the tray cannot receive water in larger containers
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed to be slidable rather than fixed, allowing it to extend outward to accommodate larger containers when needed and retract into the dispenser cover when not in use. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between needing larger capacity and limited available space.
2Ease of operation
If the tray is fixed in position, then the tray structure is simple, but the tray cannot be extended or retracted smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding mechanism is segmented into multiple components: protrusions on the tray, corresponding recesses in the dispenser cover, and guiding grooves. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while working together to achieve smooth sliding motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions and recesses act as intermediary elements between the tray and dispenser cover, facilitating smooth sliding motion while preventing unwanted movements. These intermediary features enable controlled movement without requiring complex mechanical systems.
3Reliability
If the tray is held tightly in the dispenser cover, then the tray position is stable, but the tray cannot be extended or removed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The tray positioning system transitions from a static tight-fit design to a dynamic system where the tray can be held securely during normal operation but easily extended or removed when needed. The protrusions and recesses provide stable positioning while allowing controlled movement along the sliding path.
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
This configuration prevents tray separation, allows smooth sliding, and enhances user convenience by enabling the dispensing of water or ice into larger containers without manual handling, ensuring secure and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
The protrusion may be elastically transformed so as to be moved up and down
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser has a dispenser cover having an accommodating space with an open front surface, a tray slidably retracted in the dispenser cover, and a protrusion elastically contacted with one of the dispenser cover and the tray to thusly be relatively moved. Accordingly, the sliding of the tray can smoothly be performed, and an unexpected tray separation due to a small external force applied thereto upon opening/closing the refrigerator door can be prevented.