Refrigerator Storage Box Sliding Shelf With Self-Closing Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators with sliding storage boxes face difficulties in fully drawing the storage box due to rail structure limitations, making it hard to access food and generating noise during insertion.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design incorporating a sliding shelf at the bottom of the storage box with a self-closing unit and oil damper to facilitate easy insertion and drawing, reducing noise by absorbing shock and utilizing elastic force for smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rail structure of the sliding unit is provided at the side surfaces of the storage box, then the storage box can be guided during sliding, but the distance of the storage box to be drawn is shortened such that food inside the storage box is difficult to take

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGuiding function during slidingVSAvoidDrawing distance of storage box

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding function is segmented from the storage box side surfaces and transferred to the sliding shelf. The rail structure is now provided on the sliding shelf rather than the storage box, allowing the storage box to extend further outward while still being guided during the sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the storage box is inserted inside the storage chamber, then the storage box is received in the storage chamber, but the user needs to push the storage box until an end to sufficiently insert the storage box and noise is caused while the storage box is inserted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInsertion operationVSAvoidNoise during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The self-closing unit accumulates elastic force in advance during the drawing operation and automatically transfers this stored energy during the insertion operation, propelling the storage box into the storage chamber without requiring manual pushing and reducing insertion noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The oil damper converts the potentially harmful shock and noise generated during insertion into a beneficial controlled damping effect, absorbing the impact energy and reducing noise while ensuring smooth insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If the storage box is drawn outward, then food inside becomes accessible, but the self-closing unit accumulates elastic force that generates shock when the storage box is inserted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of foodVSAvoidShock during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 design allows for easy retrieval of food from the storage box and reduces noise during insertion by absorbing shock, enabling efficient and quiet operation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic unit which is provided inside the case and accumulates an elastic force when the storage box is drawn and transfers the elastic force in a direction in which the storage box is inserted into the storage chamber when the storage box is inserted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the oil damper combined with the elastic unit, configured to absorb a shock which is generated by an elastic force when the storage box is inserted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3043132B1refrigerator

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A refrigerator in which a storage box can be sufficiently drawn by placing a sliding shelf at the bottom of the storage box, and the storage box is easily inserted when it is inserted into inside the storage chamber, and less noise is generated, is provided. The refrigerator includes a storage box received in a storage chamber and inserted and drawn by sliding, a sliding shelf combined with a lower portion of the storage box and configured to guide the storage box to be inserted and drawn, and a combining unit provided at both sidewalls of the storage chamber to be combined with the sliding shelf, and the sliding shelf includes a sliding part combined with the lower portion of the storage box, a cover rail combined with the combining unit and guiding the storage box to be inserted and drawn by sliding, a slide rail provided at the sliding part to slide along the cover rail, and a self-closing unit combined with the sliding part, configured to accumulate an elastic force when the storage box is drawn and transfer the elastic force in a direction in which the storage box is inserted into the storage chamber when the storage box is inserted, and provided with an oil damper which absorbs a shock, which is generated by the elastic force when the storage box is inserted, is provided.