Walter Greenawalt of Bedford, PA is the sponsor for the “Simplicity Freezer” project. He worked for 30 years at Bethlehem Steel before retiring in 2000. Walter would like to obtain a design patent for the Simplicity Freezer idea and is in need of some technical assistance in designing the prototype. A non-profit organization known as the Bedford County Development Association (BCDA) is funding the project. The BCDA encourages the economic development of Bedford County and hope that this invention will create new jobs in the area.
The idea behind this invention is to aid elderly and handicapped individuals who live on their own. It is difficult to reach to the back of a freezer for specific items; the simplicity freezer would allow the user to input what they want and get it without having to reach or even stand up. The opportunity for a product like this was realized when Walter observed his elderly mother struggling to reach items in the freezer.
The handicapped, disabled and elderly population does not have the ability to store items in a standard freezer and access them efficiently. The goal of this project was to design a revolving storage tray system inside of the freezer. Each tray contains certain items, and the user input system associates the tray number and item contained inside it. The final product will be customizable to the kitchen and the user’s request.
The objectives for the Simplicity Freezer are fairly straightforward. Since the prototype does not need to freeze the items, the team decided to use a 4.9 cubic foot capacity mini-refrigerator. The particular one chosen has no freezer compartment, which allows for the most efficient use of space.
The first area in which the team needed to make design decisions is the internal rotating system. The first proposed solution was a ‘Ferris Wheel’ type rotating system. In this system, the baskets revolve around a central axis until the correct basket is in position. For this system to work as originally proposed, the top of the freezer would have to open for the user to be able to access the food item. The second option proposed would rotate the food baskets around a rectangular path parallel to the front face of the refrigerator (Figure 1). The baskets span through the depth of the refrigerator and are suspended between two identical chain paths on the front and back face of the refrigerator. After the user inputs his/her selection, the basket rotates into position in the top center and is ejected through an opening in the front face. After weighing the different design concerns and ranking both options, the second option was chosen as the design to pursue.
Figure 1.
◊ Built internal structure and mounted sprockets
◊ Assembled, mounted and tensioned the chain sections (Figure 2.)
◊ Constructed the drive train apparatus (Figure 3.)
◊ Manufactured baskets and trays; mounted trays to baskets with drawer slides (Figure 4.)
◊ Assembled the ejection table
◊ Set the limit switch locations
◊ Cut door on water jet, manufactured hinged opening, and attached it to the refrigerator
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
The purpose of the Simplicity Freezer project was to design a working prototype to prove the design concept. The finished product does in fact show that the idea is novel and workable. The chain driven basket system that was decided on by the team provides an efficient solution to the problem. When the user inputs a selection, the motor that drives the system is activated. The system will continue spinning until the proper basket has been located. The basket contains a tray on drawer slides that is ejected towards the user with the item of choice inside of it. The opening on the front of the freezer is at an accessible height, even for someone in a wheelchair. The user does not need to reach into the freezer at all. The door is opened automatically with the tray and the tray will retract and the door will close when the user presses the ‘done’ command.
One of the main selling points of the Simplicity Freezer design is the fact that it is customizable. Depending upon the customer’s requirements, the system specifications can be altered to fit the need. The amount of baskets, the size of the baskets, and the size of the internal system itself are all variable and dependent upon need. The Simplicity Freezer is also easy of use for the customer. Everything up to and including the door opening and closing is completely automated. The only user function is selecting an item on the screen, and touching the ‘done’ button when finished. The interface is very simple and user friendly.
Due to the nature of the system, the need for mechanical repairs and maintenance is higher than a typical freezer. Fortunately for the price of the freezer, the sponsor would be willing to offer a lifetime warranty. In the prototype designed by the project team, the entire inner system runs on drawer slides. Should the need for maintenance arise, the whole internal system can be pulled out of the freezer casing for repair. Another main concern with this product is cost. A large part of that cost (approximately $1000 per unit) is attributed to the touch screen input system. This product is designed for handicapped individuals, and the only other realistic market for it is in high-end, technically advanced kitchens. This is not a product that will be seen in every household, which unfortunately limits the marketability of the freezer.
© 2006 Cold As Ice
Updated April 19,2006