Refrigerator with a sliding shelf
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator shelving does not accommodate large or tall items effectively, lacking flexibility in positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sliding shelf system with interconnecting links and tracks that allows the shelf to move between stowed and deployed positions, utilizing rollers for orientation change and biased locks for secure positioning, enabling flexible placement within the refrigerator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shelving is used in the refrigerator, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate large or tall items and lacks positioning flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to slide along tracks between different positions. This dynamic capability enables the shelf to adapt to different storage needs, accommodating both large/tall items and standard items by adjusting its position along the track system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system is divided into multiple independent components: the shelf itself, the tracks, the rollers, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in various configurations to accommodate different item sizes and shapes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sliding shelf system with tracks and links is implemented, then positioning flexibility and storage space utilization are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding shelf system serves multiple functions: it provides adjustable positioning along the track, supports various orientations through the link mechanism, and includes locking capability for secure placement. This multi-functionality justifies the increased complexity by delivering superior adaptability and storage optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism acts as an intermediary between the shelf and the tracks, enabling the conversion between horizontal and vertical orientations while maintaining smooth motion. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system by providing a dedicated mechanism for orientation change rather than requiring complex direct coupling.
3Volume of moving object
If the shelf is designed to change orientation from vertical to horizontal, then space utilization for large items is maximized, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf orientation is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between vertical and horizontal positions. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the same shelf structure to maximize storage space for different item types, whether tall/narrow or wide/flat items.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf utilizes a second dimension of movement by changing its orientation from vertical to horizontal through the link mechanism. This dimensional change allows the shelf to access and utilize three-dimensional space more effectively, accommodating items of varying shapes and sizes within the refrigerator volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance having one or more sliding shelves. The sliding shelf may slide along one or more tracks. The sliding shelf may include one or more shelf plates. The one or more tracks may be adjustable.