A cooling device comprising an adaptor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooling devices face challenges in providing effective leak-proofing and compatibility with bottles of varying widths for liquid supply to ice making units and water dispensers, leading to difficulties in utilization and space efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A modular adaptor system with a funnel-shaped lid and a locking mechanism that compresses the bottle from the neck, allowing for secure attachment and leak-proofing across different bottle widths, utilizing rotating casings and a prestress mechanism for stable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-width bottle adapter is used, then the attachment structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate bottles with different widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different bottle widthsVSAvoidadaptor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism incorporates movable jaws that can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate different bottle widths. The jaws are capable of moving between locked and unlocked positions, and can be adjusted to different widths within a range, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to varying bottle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor is designed with a universal locking mechanism that can attach to bottles of various widths within a specified range. The adjustable jaws and range-adjustable features enable a single adaptor design to serve multiple bottle sizes, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-width adaptors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a simple bottle opening closure is used, then the device structure is simple, but effective leak-proofing cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak-proofing effectivenessVSAvoidadaptor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adaptor merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the funnel-shaped lid closes the bottle opening while the locking mechanism with adjustable jaws secures the adaptor to the bottle neck. This combination ensures both leak-proofing and secure attachment without requiring separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor employs a funnel-shaped lid that provides localized sealing at the bottle opening, concentrating the leak-proofing function at the critical interface between the adaptor and bottle. This focused approach to sealing effectiveness does not require complex structures throughout the entire adaptor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If storage containers are used for liquid supply, then automatic water supply is achieved, but they occupy considerable space and make loading/removing/cleaning difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of loading, removing, and cleaningVSAvoidspace occupied by storage container
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the liquid storage function from a dedicated storage container and relocates it to reusable bottles that users already possess. The adaptor serves as the interface between these external bottles and the cooling device, eliminating the need for a built-in storage container and its associated space requirements and maintenance issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptor acts as an intermediary component that connects the user's existing bottles to the cooling device's liquid supply system. This mediator enables automatic water supply functionality without requiring the cooling device to contain a built-in storage container, thereby saving space and simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2938939B1A cooling device comprising an adaptor
Publication Date: 2017.11.08 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2938939B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2938939B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2938939B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a pump (2) that enables liquid to be delivered to the members like water dispenser and/or ice making unit disposed thereon, a liquid delivery tube (3) that enables liquid to be taken into the pump (2) from inside a bottle (B), one end of which is immersed into the bottle (B) and the other end of which is connected to the pump (2), and an adaptor (4) that enables the mouth of the bottle (B) to be closed in a leak-proofing manner by being fitted on the liquid delivery tube (3).