Direct drive rack & pinion lift mechanism for refrigerated storage bin

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided including a refrigerator compartment having a bin door. A storage bin is positioned within the refrigerator compartment. A lift mechanism is positioned within the refrigerator compartment. The lift mechanism includes a lifting device that supports the storage bin. The lifting mechanism further includes a gear system that assists in raising and lowering the storage bin. The gear system includes a motor and one or more gears. The motor rotates the one or more gears, causing the one or more gears to apply a vertical force to the storage bin. This vertical force raises and lowers the storage bin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a refrigerator compartment;   a storage bin positioned within the refrigerator compartment; and   a lift mechanism positioned within the refrigerator compartment, the lift mechanism including:
 a lifting device configured to support the storage bin; 
 a guide track configured to be operatively coupled to the lifting device; and 
 a gear engaging the guide track, wherein rotation of the gear is configured to move the storage bin. 
   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further including a drive unit applying a rotational force to at least one intermediate gear. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one intermediate gear includes an output gear and an engaging gear. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the guide track includes a first guide track and a second guide track. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the gear includes a first gear and a second gear, further wherein the first gear engages the first guide track and the second gear engages the second guide track. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 5 , further including a connection link attached to the engaging gear, the first gear, and the second gear. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 6 , wherein rotation of the engaging gear rotates the connection link, further wherein rotation of the connection link rotates the first gear and the second gear. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , further including a control system including a controller operatively connected to the drive unit. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the control system includes an extension sensor configured to send a signal to the controller to deactivate the drive unit when the storage bin is in an extended position. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the control system includes a retraction sensor configured to send a signal to the controller to deactivate the drive unit when the storage bin is in a retracted position. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the control system includes a user interface with an extension switch and a retraction switch. 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a refrigerator compartment including a bin door;   a storage bin positioned within the refrigerator compartment;   a lift mechanism positioned within the refrigerator compartment, the lift mechanism including:
 a guide track; 
 a gear engaging the guide track; and 
 a drive unit coupled to the gear, wherein movement of the gear is configured to raise and lower the storage bin; 
   a control system operatively connected to the drive unit, wherein the control system is configured to selectively control raising and lowering of the storage bin.   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , wherein the lift mechanism is positioned within the bin door. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator of  claim 13 , further including a lifting device configured to support the storage bin, wherein the guide track is attached to the lifting device. 
     
     
         16 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a refrigerator compartment including a bin door;   a storage bin positioned within the refrigerator compartment; and   a lift mechanism positioned within the refrigerator compartment, the lift mechanism including:
 a lifting device configured to support the storage bin; 
 an attachment structure configured to be supported by the bin door, the lifting device configured to be movably supported by the attachment structure; and 
 a gear system configured to move the storage bin along the attachment structure. 
   
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 16 , wherein the attachment structure includes at least one guiding structure, further wherein the at least one guiding structure is configured to rotatably support the lifting device. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator of  claim 18 , further including an attachment structure configured to attach the lifting device to the bin door. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment structure includes a guide bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator of  claim 19 , wherein the attachment structure includes an engaging bracket attached to the lifting device, further wherein the engaging bracket is configured to move with respect to the guide bracket.