Cold appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of cold appliances faces challenges such as high transportation costs due to bulky products, limited flexibility in producing modular systems with complex technical equipment, difficulties in arranging condensation prevention devices, and inefficiencies in air circulation and defrosting systems, particularly when the evaporator is positioned lower than the compressor.
Innovation Solution
A modular cold appliance design featuring a self-contained cooling module with a compact layout, where the evaporator and compressor are thermally insulated and positioned beside each other, utilizing a rear wall lining for efficient air circulation and hiding post-mounted parts like cables, and incorporating a condensation prevention device with a thermosiphon tube and profiled bar for easy assembly and reduced heat leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cold appliances are manufactured in a modular fashion for disassembled transport, then transportation costs are reduced, but the assembly complexity and difficulty of providing easy-to-assemble modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold appliance is divided into separate modular components (cabinet, cooling module, door) that can be transported independently and assembled at the destination. The cooling module itself is segmented into functional sub-components including evaporator, compressor, condenser, and air circulation system, each designed as an independent assembly unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements and mounting structures serve as intermediaries between modular components, facilitating easy assembly. The rear wall lining acts as an intermediary structure that provides mounting surfaces for cables and air ducts, simplifying the connection process between modules.
2Volume of moving object
If the evaporator is positioned lower than the compressor for compact layout, then space utilization is improved, but the defrosting system complexity and air circulation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation system utilizes vertical dimension for heat carrier fluid circulation in the thermosiphon tube, allowing defrosting function without requiring horizontal space. The rear wall lining creates a vertical space for air ducts and cables, enabling compact front-to-back layout while maintaining functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermosiphon tube filled with heat carrier fluid is used for condensation prevention and defrosting. The fluid circulates naturally through thermal convection currents, eliminating the need for additional pumps or complex mechanical defrosting systems, thus simplifying the overall system despite compact positioning.
3Productivity
If a rear wall lining is added for air circulation and cable hiding, then air circulation efficiency and aesthetics are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wall lining serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a surface for air circulation, hides cables and connections, supports mounting of air ducts, and contributes to the aesthetic appearance of the cabinet interior. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of air circulation pathway, cable management, and structural support are merged into a single rear wall lining component. This integration simplifies the overall device structure by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.
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
This design reduces transportation costs, enhances flexibility in production, simplifies the assembly of complex components, improves air circulation, and effectively manages defrosting by using a compact cooling module layout and innovative air duct configurations, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and thermal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat carrier tube (87) being positioned at a front frame portion (66) of the cabinet (101), wherein the heat carrier tube (87) is filled with a heat carrier fluid and is closed and has a boiler portion (176), which is arranged in thermal contact with a heat generating means (31, 32) of the cooling module (102) for boiling the heat carrier fluid
Implementation Method 2
two opposite pre-foamed side wall panels (1, 122), a pre-foamed rear wall panel (4, 132), wherein each panel comprises an inner sheet (9, 136), an outer sheet (8, 128) and an intermediary layer of a foamed insulating material (17)
Data Source
AI summary
A cold appliance comprising a cooling module (102) and a cabinet (101) comprising cabinet panels including two opposite pre-foamed side wall panels (1), a pre-foamed rear wall panel (4), a top part (2), and a bottom part (103); and a door (6). The cooling module comprises an air outlet (43) delivering cooled air to a cold compartment (104) of the cabinet, and an air inlet (44) receiving air from the cold compartment. The cold appliance further comprises a rear wall lining (50), which is arranged at the inside of the pre-foamed rear wall panel, and which forms a space between the rear wall lining and the rear wall panel.