A cooling device with a reinforced inner liner and production method for it

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cooling device door manufacturing process faces challenges in achieving precise dimensions due to the expansion of insulation materials like polyurethane, which can cause the support parts to become non-precise, leading to improper seating of shelves and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of spaced ribs on the inner wall of the support parts, which extend in the transverse direction and are located near the tabs, prevents inflation and maintains precise dimensions. These ribs increase the rigidity around the tabs and provide a firmer connection between the tabs and the support parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If insulation material is placed between the inner liner and outer frame, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the support parts become non-precise due to expansion pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidsupport part dimension precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ribs are formed on the inner wall of the support parts before the insulation material is placed, creating a preliminary structural reinforcement that prevents the expansion pressure from deforming the support parts. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the tabs maintain their precise dimensions even after insulation material expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The ribs are strategically positioned only in the vicinity of the tabs on the inner wall of the support parts, providing localized reinforcement where it is most needed. This local quality approach prevents deformation at the critical tab areas without requiring reinforcement throughout the entire support part structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If support parts are made thin-walled for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but dimension precision deteriorates under expansion pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner liner manufacturabilityVSAvoidtab dimension precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire support part thick-walled, ribs are added only in the critical areas where tabs are located. This local reinforcement provides the necessary dimensional stability under expansion pressure while keeping the overall structure thin-walled and easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The support part structure is segmented into regions: thin-walled areas for ease of manufacture and rib-reinforced areas for precision. The ribs are formed as separate structural elements on the inner wall, allowing the majority of the support part to remain thin-walled while providing localized reinforcement where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If tabs are formed on support parts for shelf attachment, then shelf mounting capability is improved, but tab precision is compromised by insulation material expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf mounting capabilityVSAvoidtab size and spacing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ribs are formed on the inner wall in advance to prevent the expansion pressure from affecting the tabs. This preliminary protective structure ensures that the tabs maintain their precise size and spacing, enabling accurate shelf mounting despite the presence of expanding insulation material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The ribs are positioned specifically in the vicinity of the tabs to provide localized protection and reinforcement. This ensures that the critical tab dimensions and spacing remain precise while allowing the rest of the support part to accommodate the expansion pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The use of ribs ensures that shelves can be seated with the desired precision, preventing the cooling device door from becoming useless and reducing manufacturing costs associated with imprecise dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

an insulation layer which expands and places between a plastic based inner liner and an outer frame so as to apply pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the ribs... increase rigidity in the vicinity of the tab

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRigidity:

Data Source

PatentEP2469204B2A cooling device with a reinforced inner liner and production method for it
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2469204B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2469204B2 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2469204B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention is a cooling device comprising an insulation layer (80) which expands and places between a plastic based inner liner (20) and an outer frame (50) so as to apply pressure; at least two mutual support parts (30) of the inner liner (20) which are formed so as to extend outwardly in transverse direction (y) and which are in shell form; a door (10) which is formed by the forming of an inner wall (32) of the support parts (30) facing each other and which comprises at least one tab (42). Said cooling device is characterized by comprising pluralities of spaced ribs (46) which are formed by giving a predetermined form to the inner wall (32) and which are provided in the vicinity of the tab (42).