A cooling device having a conduit arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conduits in cooling devices like refrigerators and freezers often get damaged when the door is moved between open and closed positions due to fatigue fractures, necessitating a solution to guide the conduits without causing damage.

Innovation Solution

A conduit arrangement using a chain structure with first and second type chain links that can move between serpentine and elongated positions, allowing the conduit to harmoniously adapt to door movement, reducing length and width when the door is closed, and extending when open, with limited rotation to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid conduit is used to connect the cabinet and door, then the conduit can maintain a fixed path, but the conduit will be damaged by fatigue fractures when the door moves between open and closed positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit durabilityVSAvoidconduit flexibility for door movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit arrangement transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that adapts its configuration. The chain links can rotate relative to each other, allowing the conduit to change its shape and length dynamically as the door moves between open and closed positions, preventing fatigue fractures while maintaining connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit is designed with flexible characteristics, allowing it to bend and deform without damage. The chain link structure provides this flexibility by enabling rotational movement between links, accommodating the door's motion range while protecting the conduit from mechanical damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conduit arrangement is extended to accommodate door movement, then the conduit can move freely, but the length and width occupied when the door is closed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit movement rangeVSAvoidconduit arrangement dimensions when closed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit arrangement dynamically changes its spatial configuration based on door position. When the door is closed, the chain links fold into a compact serpentine pattern minimizing occupied space. When the door opens, the same links extend to provide the necessary movement range, achieving both compact storage and full mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The chain links are arranged in a nested or folded configuration when the door is closed, with each link contained within or adjacent to the previous one, creating a compact serpentine shape. This nesting allows the conduit arrangement to occupy minimal space in the closed position while maintaining the ability to extend when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250257789A1A cooling device having a conduit arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A cooling device contains a cabinet, a door pivotably coupled to the cabinet and movable between a closed position for closing the cabinet and an open position for allowing access to the cabinet, a hinge assembly for moving the door between the open position and the closed position, and a conduit arrangement provided on the hinge assembly for conducting a flexible conduit from the cabinet to the door. The conduit arrangement is configured to be movable between a serpentine position in which the conduit arrangement is folded on the hinge assembly when the door is at the closed position and an elongated position in which the conduit arrangement extends from the cabinet to the door when the door is at the open position.