Tuck Shelf Front Profile to Prevent Inadvertent Refrigerator Shelf Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator shelves with tucking front portions can inadvertently move, causing items to be pushed off or fall when transitioning between extended and tucked positions, leading to instability and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A shelf design featuring a moveable glass substrate with a trim member that engages with the frame's side members, preventing inadvertent movement by physically interacting with the shelf's edge profile, ensuring secure transition between extended and tucked positions through a coordinated mechanism of ledges and tracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the front portion of the shelf is made moveable between extended and tucked positions, then adaptability and storage flexibility are improved, but stability and reliability deteriorate due to inadvertent movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidshelf stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trim member is designed with a profile that engages with the side members to create preliminary resistance against inadvertent movement. The engagement profile includes features that prevent accidental disengagement while allowing intentional repositioning, thus applying counter-action in advance to stabilize the moveable front portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf front portion is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between extended and tucked positions through a controlled mechanism. The trim member and side member engagement system allows the structure to transition between stable states while maintaining reliability during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the trim member engages with the side members to prevent inadvertent movement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional engagement mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf stabilityVSAvoidengagement mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trim member is integrated with the moveable substrate to form a unified assembly, and the engagement profile is incorporated directly into the side members. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall engagement mechanism while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The trim member serves multiple functions: it provides the engagement profile for stability, defines the front edge appearance, and facilitates user grip for repositioning. The side members simultaneously provide structural support and the engagement interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the first substrate is moveable along the side members, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper alignment and engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf reconfigurabilityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is segmented into a fixed back portion and a moveable front portion (first substrate with trim member). This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured and assembled independently, with the engagement profile providing natural alignment references that reduce the need for high-precision manufacturing throughout the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trim member acts as an intermediary between the moveable first substrate and the fixed side members. It provides the engagement profile that mediates the interaction, ensuring proper alignment and controlled movement while accommodating minor manufacturing variations in the mating components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3699533B1Refrigerator tuck shelf with flush front profile and co-injected fixed glass

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 WHIRLPOOL CORP

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AI summary

A refrigerator (12) shelf (10) includes a frame (14) having laterally spaced-apart first and second side members (16, 18), defining opposite first and second ends (20, 22) defining first and second portions of a front edge profile of the refrigerator (12) shelf (10), respectively. A medial member (28) extends between the first and second side members (16, 18) at respective locations between the first and second ends (20, 22). A first substrate (32) is received between the first and second side members (16, 18), defines a first edge, and is moveable between an extended position with the first edge adjacent the first ends (20) of the first and second members and a tucked position with the front edge spaced away from the first ends (20). A trim member (36) extends along an edge of the second substrate (64) and defines a third portion of the front edge profile that is aligned with and physically engages with the first and second portions when the second substrate (64) is in the extended position.