Chest Freezer Spring-Loaded Gap Seal to Reduce Heat Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chest freezers face issues with the sliding lid getting pinched or caught due to design gaps, leading to heat and humidity infiltration, which causes frost or ice formation, and existing solutions like soft rubber lips or brush strips are not reliable over time.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded gap-compensating element that automatically adjusts to close the gap between the sliding lid and the body, ensuring reliable mobility and a permanent seal by adapting to varying gap widths, reducing air exchange and heat entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gap distance is provided between the sliding lid and the cover frame, then the sliding lid can move reliably without pinching, but heat and humidity infiltrate through the gap causing frost formation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be movable relative to the housing, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on the gap width. The spring-loaded mechanism enables the sealing element to move outward when the gap widens and retract when the gap narrows, maintaining effective sealing throughout the sliding lid's movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element's position parameter is changed dynamically through the spring mechanism. As the gap width changes during lid movement, the spring force adjusts the sealing element's extension, optimizing the seal contact pressure and position to maintain sealing effectiveness across varying gap conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft rubber lips or brush strips are used to seal the gap, then heat infiltration is reduced, but the sealing elements deform over time and become non-functional
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides self-adjusting functionality, automatically compensating for wear and deformation of the sealing element over time. The spring maintains constant contact pressure between the sealing element and the cover frame, ensuring continuous effective sealing without requiring manual adjustment or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism pre-compresses the sealing element to ensure optimal contact pressure before any wear occurs. This beforehand cushioning compensates for anticipated deformation and wear, maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the service life of the sealing element.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sealing element is pressed strongly against the cover frame, then the seal is effective, but the sliding lid mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded sealing element provides dynamic contact pressure that adjusts during lid movement. The spring allows the sealing element to flex and maintain optimal contact pressure while accommodating the natural variations in gap width during sliding motion, preserving both sealing effectiveness and mobility.
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 solution effectively compensates for different gap dimensions along the sliding lid's movement path, maintaining a sealed environment and preventing heat and humidity entry, thus reducing the need for manual defrosting and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring-loaded gap-compensating element (40) is provided, which is designed in such a way that it automatically partially or completely closes at least one gap
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention comprises a refrigerator and/or freezer with at least one body and with at least one sliding lid (20, 30) for closing the upper side of the body, wherein the body has at least one area (16) relative to which the sliding lid is slidably guided, wherein at least one spring-loaded gap compensation element (40) is provided which is designed such that it automatically closes at least one gap between the sliding lid and the said area of the body completely or partially.