Storage device and refrigerator provided with same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing egg holders in refrigerators are prone to collisions and contamination, and are inconvenient to use due to lack of stability and ease of access.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable sealed storage device with damping masses matched to rotating shafts and boxes, allowing smooth rotation and stabilization of egg holders, facilitating safe and easy retrieval of eggs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If eggs are placed directly in bottle holders or racks, then storage space is utilized, but eggs are easily collided and damaged or contaminated with other foods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveegg collision and contaminationVSAvoidegg retrieval convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The egg storage system is divided into multiple independent boxes, each capable of rotating independently on the rotating shaft. This segmentation isolates eggs in different boxes from each other, preventing collision and contamination while allowing individual access to each box for egg retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rotating shaft acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the eggs. The shaft enables controlled rotation of boxes to bring them to accessible positions, while damping masses serve as intermediaries to control the rotation speed and provide smooth stopping, facilitating easy egg retrieval without direct handling of eggs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a rotatable storage device is implemented, then egg accessibility is improved, but rotation smoothness and stability are compromised without damping mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveegg pickup convenienceVSAvoidrotation smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Damping masses are pre-installed on the rotating shaft to provide cushioning during rotation. These damping masses absorb shocks and vibrations during the rotation process, ensuring smooth operation and stable positioning of boxes before eggs are retrieved, thereby maintaining rotation smoothness while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If damping masses are added to ensure smooth rotation, then rotation stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating shaft serves multiple functions: it supports the boxes, enables rotation, and provides mounting for damping masses. The damping masses themselves serve dual purposes by both stabilizing rotation and facilitating smooth stopping for egg retrieval. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving rotation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device ensures smooth rotation and stability of egg holders, preventing collisions and contamination, enhancing user convenience and egg safety by allowing precise control over the rotation of multi-layer egg holders.

Implementation Method 1

the damping mass having a specific shape and volume can provide the most appropriate elastic force for the box of the multi-layer egg holder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3647698B1Storage device and refrigerator provided with same
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 QINGDAO HAIER SPECIAL REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP3647698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3647698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3647698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a storage device for a refrigerator, including: a plurality of boxes, a rotating shaft and a plurality of damping masses, so that the boxes can stay stationary at any rotation position at any time when are rotated around the rotating shaft, which ensures smooth rotation of the boxes during the opening and closing thereof, and thus facilitates the user to pick and place eggs and improves the stability of the fragile eggs within the rotating boxes.