Compressor Evaporation Tray Latch for Secure Thermal Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern refrigeration compressors generate less waste heat, requiring larger and heavier evaporation trays for efficient water evaporation, which increases the risk of the locking mechanism loosening during transport, compromising thermal contact and potentially damaging the evaporation tray during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A compressor assembly with a bracket and latching channel design where an elastic finger from the evaporation tray engages with the bracket, applying pressure rather than tension, allowing for secure fixation with a smaller cross-section and reduced risk of damage, and an S-shaped curved elastic finger made of spring steel for enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the evaporation tray is made larger and heavier to ensure sufficient evaporation of condensed water, then the evaporation efficiency is improved, but the probability that the locking mechanism will loosen during transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional latching approach by using an elastic finger that engages with the bracket in reverse. Instead of the bracket actively locking the tray, the elastic finger passively engages and is deflected during assembly, creating a secure lock that accommodates the heavier tray weight without increasing loosening probability during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the latching system by introducing an elastic finger with specific deflection characteristics. The finger's elasticity and deflection angle are optimized to provide secure locking for heavier trays while maintaining stability during transport, resolving the contradiction between tray weight and locking stability.
2Reliability
If the barbs are made stiffer to reduce the risk of disengaging the latch, then the locking reliability is improved, but the likelihood that they will be damaged when latched to the compressor capsule increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional barb design by using an elastic finger that deflects during engagement rather than a stiff barb that resists deflection. The elastic finger is designed to be deflected by the bracket during assembly, creating a secure lock without requiring high stiffness that would lead to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible elastic finger instead of a rigid barb. The finger's flexibility allows it to be deflected during assembly and then elastically recover to create a secure locking engagement, maintaining reliability while avoiding damage through controlled deformation rather than rigid resistance.
3Reliability
If the area over which the barbs overlap the rear of the yoke is increased to secure the latch, then the locking reliability is improved, but the risk of damage to the evaporation tray increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the elastic finger engage the bracket in reverse fashion. The finger is deflected during assembly and then locks behind the bracket, providing secure latching without requiring large overlap areas that would increase damage risk during the latching process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the latching system by using a compact elastic finger design with optimized deflection angle and contact area. This provides sufficient locking reliability for heavier trays while minimizing the overlap area and associated damage risk during assembly.
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
Ensures secure latching and efficient heat transfer while minimizing the risk of damage to the evaporation tray during assembly and operation, maintaining effective thermal contact between the compressor capsule and evaporation tray.
Implementation Method 1
a contact surface of a deflectable elastic finger of the evaporation tray engages on a rear side of the bracket... the elastic finger, in contrast to the conventional barbs described above, is not subjected to tension and bending, but essentially to pressure
Implementation Method 2
The compressor housed in the compressor capsule heats the capsule to temperatures between 40° and 60° Celsius during operation. This heat is conventionally used to promote the evaporation of condensed water in the evaporation tray mounted on the compressor capsule. This requires good heat transfer between the compressor capsule and the evaporation tray
Implementation Method 3
This heat is conventionally used to promote the evaporation of condensed water in the evaporation tray mounted on the compressor capsule
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A compressor module for a domestic refrigeration appliance comprises a compressor and an evaporation tray (2). A clip (10) is fitted to a capsule (1) of the compressor in order to define a passage (14) between the capsule (1) and the clip (10). A latching channel (7) is formed in the evaporation tray (2). The compressor (1) and the evaporation tray (2) are displaced in the longitudinal direction (x) of the latching channel (7) from a free position, in which the clip (10) engages in the latching channel (7) and the passage (14) is free of parts of the evaporation tray (2), into a latching position, in which an insertion finger (17) of the evaporation tray (2) is pushed into the passage (14) from a front side (23) of the clip (10) and a contact face (20) of an elastically deflectable finger (18) of the evaporation tray (2) acts on a rear side (21) of the clip (10), characterized in that the elastic finger (18) extends beyond the rear side (21) of the clip (10) as far as a base (19) which is stationary on the evaporation tray (2) and which is further away from the rear side (21) of the clip (10) than the contact face (20).