Under-Mount Roller Mechanism for Crisper Drawer Movement and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing crisper drawer systems in refrigerators are complex to install and remove, often causing binding issues due to uneven movement, which complicates access and storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A crisper system with an under mount roller mechanism that includes rollers extending from the drawer to move within channels on the support system, providing even resistance and easy installation and removal, while maintaining storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a track-based hanging design is used for crisper drawers, then the drawers can be removed from the refrigerator, but the structure becomes complex and binding occurs during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drawer from the complex track-based hanging system and relocates it to a bottom-mount configuration. The drawer is removed from the traditional overhead track structure and repositioned to slide on the bottom surface of the compartment, eliminating the need for complex hanging tracks while maintaining removability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional mounting approach by switching from a top-hanging track system to a bottom-mount sliding system. Instead of suspending the drawer from above via tracks, the drawer is now supported and guided from below, reversing the conventional design paradigm and simplifying the overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If rollers are added to reduce friction, then drawer movement becomes smoother, but storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies rollers only at specific localized points where friction occurs during drawer movement, rather than adding rollers throughout the entire drawer structure. This targeted approach reduces friction in the critical sliding areas while preserving maximum storage volume in the drawer's main compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses small roller elements that replicate the rolling motion function without requiring large structural modifications. These compact rollers provide the friction-reduction benefit while occupying minimal space, effectively copying the essential function of larger roller systems in a space-efficient manner.
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 system simplifies the installation and removal of crisper drawers, reduces friction, and maintains storage capacity by ensuring even movement and easy access to the storage area.
Implementation Method 1
rollers extending from the drawer to move within channels on the support system, providing even resistance and easy installation and removal
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided that includes a crisper system having one or more moveable and removable drawers. The drawers include rollers extending downwardly and outwardly from the drawers to provide maximum storage volume. The rollers are configured to work with channels formed in a support system, which may be integrally formed with a bottom floor of a compartment of the refrigerator. Therefore, the rollers and channels of the support system provide easy access and removability of the drawers of the crisper system.