Tower pantry in refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators often struggle to accommodate large-capacity beverage containers due to size constraints within the door baskets, making it inconvenient to store and retrieve such items.
Innovation Solution
A tower pantry system with a guide mechanism and vertically extending frames within the refrigerating room, allowing a gallon-sized beverage container to be kept upright and easily extracted by sliding the basket along a rail, while maintaining a reinforcing member to prevent distortion and optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beverages are stored in door baskets, then storage is convenient and accessible, but the size of beverages is limited and large-capacity beverages cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal door basket storage to vertical tower pantry storage within the refrigerating room. By utilizing the vertical dimension and extending frames upward, the system accommodates tall gallon-sized beverages while maintaining front accessibility through the sliding basket mechanism, thus resolving the contradiction between size accommodation and retrieval convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding basket mechanism allows dynamic movement of the beverage container along the guide mechanism. The basket can be pulled forward for easy retrieval and pushed back for compact storage, providing operational flexibility that maintains convenience while accommodating large beverages in the vertical tower structure.
2Volume of stationary object
If large-capacity beverages are placed on shelves or tray covers, then storage space is utilized, but beverage retrieval becomes less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing large beverages horizontally on shelves or tray covers, the invention creates a vertical tower structure that extends upward from the floor of the refrigerating room. This vertical arrangement accommodates gallon-sized beverages while positioning them for easy access through the sliding basket, improving both space utilization and retrieval convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding basket acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the vertically stored beverages. By mounting the basket on a guide mechanism that slides along rails, the system provides smooth, controlled access to tall beverage containers, making retrieval as convenient as accessing door basket items while maintaining efficient vertical space utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vertical frames are extended to accommodate gallon beverages, then beverage accommodation is improved, but structural distortion may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The frames are constructed from stainless steel material that provides both the necessary height to accommodate gallon-sized beverages and the structural strength to resist distortion. The combination of adequate frame height with high-strength material properties resolves the contradiction between accommodation capability and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frames incorporate curved surfaces and periodic bending with connecting ribs that enhance structural rigidity. This curvature design distributes mechanical loads more effectively, preventing distortion while maintaining the vertical extension needed for tall beverage containers.
4Ease of operation
If a sliding mechanism is added for basket movement, then beverage retrieval is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: fixed rails mounted on the refrigerating room floor, movable slides attached to the basket, and shafts connecting the basket corners to the slides. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing smooth basket movement for easy beverage retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide mechanism is designed to be self-guiding through the interaction of slides moving along fixed rails. The shafts automatically align and engage with the rail geometry, eliminating the need for complex motors, sensors, or control systems. The mechanism achieves smooth, controlled basket movement through passive mechanical guidance, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tower pantry (50) includes a guide mechanism (51) mounted on a bottom (10c) of an opened space inside a refrigerating room (10) and a basket (53) attached to the guide mechanism (51) and configured to move forward and backward on the first guide mechanism (51). The tower pantry (50) also includes frames (54) that are fastened to corners of the first basket (53) and that vertically extend from the first basket (53). The tower pantry (50) further includes a frame cover (56) fastened on the frames (54) and defining a space that accommodates a large-size beverage container.