Condenser Carrier Locking for Easier Refrigerator Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of a refrigeration device's condenser, which is often complicated due to the need to screw in a large and heavy capacitor, makes the subsequent cover assembly more difficult and requires holding the condenser firmly during assembly to prevent it from falling out, leading to increased complexity and potential interference with other components.

Innovation Solution

A receptacle within the refrigeration device housing accommodates the condenser, allowing it to be attached to a carrier outside the device, which can be locked in place easily, using a design with a cover that protects electrical contacts and a support plate with angled fingers to secure the capacitor, enabling quick and secure mounting without interfering with other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the capacitor is screwed into a threaded hole in a base, then the capacitor can be firmly fixed, but the assembly becomes complicated due to the large number of revolutions required and the need to access the back side for nut installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the capacitor assembly into two separate parts: a carrier that holds the capacitor and can be assembled beforehand, and a receptacle that is part of the base structure. The carrier is inserted into the receptacle after the base is assembled, eliminating the need to access the back side for nut installation while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor is attached to the carrier in advance, outside the refrigeration device, before the carrier is installed into the receptacle. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final installation process and avoids the complexity of working inside the confined space of the base.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the condenser is accommodated in a receptacle closed with a cover during assembly, then the capacitor is protected, but the capacitor must be held firmly during assembly to prevent it from falling out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitor securityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the capacitor mounting function from the base structure by introducing a carrier component. The carrier is designed to hold the capacitor securely and can be assembled beforehand, then simply inserted into the receptacle, eliminating the need to hold the capacitor firmly during base assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier acts as an intermediary component between the capacitor and the base receptacle. It provides a secure mounting solution for the capacitor and simplifies the assembly process by being a self-contained unit that can be installed as a single piece into the receptacle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a large-sized capacitor is used to slow down voltage rise, then compressor start-up is improved, but the capacitor becomes heavy and difficult to attach to the printed circuit board

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor start-up reliabilityVSAvoidattachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the capacitor from the printed circuit board assembly by introducing a carrier. The large, heavy capacitor is mounted on the carrier using its threaded extension, and the entire carrier-capacitor assembly is then installed into the receptacle, avoiding the need to solder or attach the heavy capacitor directly to the PCB.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier serves as an intermediary that supports the heavy capacitor, providing a stable mounting platform that is easier to handle and install than attaching the capacitor directly to the PCB. The carrier's threaded opening works with the capacitor's threaded extension to provide secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2492620B1Cooling device with a compressor capacitor
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2492620B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2492620B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2492620B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

In a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, with a compressor (16) and a condenser (35) assigned to the compressor (16), a support (34), to which the condenser (35) is attached, is mounted in a receptacle (27) of the refrigerator locked.