A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door, a rail assembly that slidably couples the drawer door to the cabinet, a driving device disposed at the door part, and an elevation device disposed at the drawer part to vertically elevate at least a portion of the drawer part. The driving device includes a motor assembly, a pair of screw units, and a pair of levers, each of the pair of levers being coupled to and configured to be rotated by a corresponding one of the pair of screw units to elevate the elevation device. The drawer door includes a door part configured to open and close the storage chamber and a drawer part that is configured to be inserted into and withdrawn out of the storage chamber and defines a storage space.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage chamber, a drawer door, a rail assembly that slidably couples the drawer door to the cabinet, a driving device disposed at the door part, and an elevation device disposed at the drawer part to vertically elevate at least a portion of the drawer part. The driving device includes a motor assembly, a pair of screw units, and a pair of levers, each of the pair of levers being coupled to and configured to be rotated by a corresponding one of the pair of screw units to elevate the elevation device. The drawer door includes a door part configured to open and close the storage chamber and a drawer part that is configured to be inserted into and withdrawn out of the storage chamber and defines a storage space.

An appliance having a drawer assembly that has features that facilitate organization and user access to the contents of the drawer assembly is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance, includes a drawer movable between a retracted position and a withdrawn position. A bin is rotatably coupled with the drawer between a received position and an expanded position. When the drawer is moved outward from a chamber defined by the appliance to the withdrawn position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin from the received position to the expanded position such that the contents within the bin are readily accessible. When the drawer is moved the retracted position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin to the received position so that drawer assembly may be retracted within the chamber of the appliance.

An appliance having a drawer assembly that has features that facilitate organization and user access to the contents of the drawer assembly is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance, includes a drawer movable between a retracted position and a withdrawn position. A bin is rotatably coupled with the drawer between a received position and an expanded position. When the drawer is moved outward from a chamber defined by the appliance to the withdrawn position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin from the received position to the expanded position such that the contents within the bin are readily accessible. When the drawer is moved the retracted position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin to the received position so that drawer assembly may be retracted within the chamber of the appliance.

An appliance having a drawer assembly that has features that facilitate organization and user access to the contents of the drawer assembly is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance, includes a drawer movable between a retracted position and a withdrawn position. A bin is rotatably coupled with the drawer between a received position and an expanded position. When the drawer is moved outward from a chamber defined by the appliance to the withdrawn position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin from the received position to the expanded position such that the contents within the bin are readily accessible. When the drawer is moved the retracted position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin to the received position so that drawer assembly may be retracted within the chamber of the appliance.

An appliance having a drawer assembly that has features that facilitate organization and user access to the contents of the drawer assembly is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance, includes a drawer movable between a retracted position and a withdrawn position. A bin is rotatably coupled with the drawer between a received position and an expanded position. When the drawer is moved outward from a chamber defined by the appliance to the withdrawn position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin from the received position to the expanded position such that the contents within the bin are readily accessible. When the drawer is moved the retracted position, the features of the drawer assembly automatically rotate the bin to the received position so that drawer assembly may be retracted within the chamber of the appliance.

A storage system comprising: a cartridge, said cartridge including an upright having mounted to one side a plurality of guide blocks; a plurality of first drawer information means for providing information on at least one of position and movement of respective drawers; and a plurality of latch mechanisms, said system further comprising a plurality of drawers, each said drawer including: guide block engaging means extending in a depth direction of the drawer and mounting a first side of the drawer adjacent a respective guide block; second drawer information means disposed adjacent the first drawer information means; and at least one stop on the first side of the drawer for engaging with a said latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanisms are electronically controllable, whereby access to the drawers can be controlled.

A storage system comprising: a cartridge, said cartridge including an upright having mounted to one side a plurality of guide blocks; a plurality of first drawer information means for providing information on at least one of position and movement of respective drawers; and a plurality of latch mechanisms, said system further comprising a plurality of drawers, each said drawer including: guide block engaging means extending in a depth direction of the drawer and mounting a first side of the drawer adjacent a respective guide block; second drawer information means disposed adjacent the first drawer information means; and at least one stop on the first side of the drawer for engaging with a said latch mechanism, wherein the latch mechanisms are electronically controllable, whereby access to the drawers can be controlled.

Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having a structure to be assembled in the manufacturing of the refrigerator and configured to reduce a load applied to a drive unit driving a rail although a position of the rail is displaced with respect to a refrigerator body. The refrigerator includes a body, a storage compartment disposed inside the body and provided with an opening, a drawer configured to open and close the opening of the storage compartment, and a sliding apparatus configured to slidably support the drawer against the storage compartment and the sliding apparatus includes a first rail installed on an inner wall of the storage compartment, a second rail installed on the drawer and configured to be slidable with respect to the first rail, and a drive unit installed on the first rail and configured to provide a driving force to slide the second rail.

A drawer glide mechanism can include a first elongate guide member, a second elongate guide member, a ball bearing component, a v-notch socket, a release mechanism, and/or a roller support. The first elongate guide member can include a distal end that is configured to fit within an opening in the v-notch socket. The drawer glide mechanism can further include one or more floating members and fixed members. In some cases, the drawer glide mechanism includes a release member configured to facilitate separation of the first and second elongate guide members when actuated and to inhibit or prevent accidental separation of the first and second elongate guide members.