Cooler and interior container for same

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of a refrigeration appliance with a deep-drawn inner container and an upwardly protuberance on its ceiling complicates the deep-drawing process, limiting the ability to place refrigerated goods carriers close to the ceiling due to the need for additional support contours and insulation, which restricts the use of space in the lower storage compartment.

Innovation Solution

A support surface is implemented on the rear wall or vicinity of the inner container, with an adapter providing stable support and allowing easy attachment of a refrigerated goods carrier, utilizing a recess and an elastically deflectable finger for secure fixation, and accommodating an evaporator in the created volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a ceiling slide is used to form the protuberance on the inner container ceiling, then the protuberance can be deep-drawn, but the support contours for refrigerated goods carriers cannot be placed close to the ceiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceiling protuberanceVSAvoidusable space near ceiling
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The die is divided into a stationary part and a movable ceiling slide part. The ceiling slide can be moved transversely to the drawing direction to form the protuberance, while the support contours are formed by separate laterally extendable slides that can be positioned independently, allowing refrigerated goods carriers to be placed close to the ceiling without interference from the ceiling slide's retraction space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a one-piece rigid die is used for deep-drawing the inner container, then the manufacturing process is simple, but no protuberance can be formed on the ceiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeep-drawing processVSAvoidceiling protuberance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The die is segmented into a stationary part and a movable ceiling slide part. The ceiling slide can be moved transversely to the drawing direction during the deep-drawing process to form the protuberance on the ceiling, while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process compared to more complex forming methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If support contours are maintained at a distance from the ceiling, then the deep-drawing process can accommodate the ceiling slide, but refrigerated goods carriers cannot be placed close to the ceiling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeep-drawing processVSAvoidcarrier placement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The forming slides are segmented into different functional parts: the ceiling slide for forming the protuberance and separate laterally extendable slides for forming support contours. These support contours can be positioned close to the ceiling without interfering with the ceiling slide's operation, as they extend laterally rather than occupying the transverse movement space of the ceiling slide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling slide is designed to be movable in the transverse direction during the deep-drawing process, allowing it to form the protuberance only when needed. During normal operation, the ceiling slide can be retracted, and the support contours remain close to the ceiling, providing maximum space flexibility for refrigerated goods carrier placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2244043B1Cooler and interior container for same
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2244043B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2244043B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The container (6) has an open front side, and a main hollow space (6a) deep-drawn in a depth direction of the container. A protuberance (7) is upwardly deep-drawn at a cover of the main hollow space, where distance of a contact surface deep-drawn in a depth direction for a fitting part from a deepest area (11) of a cover (12) is smaller than height of the protuberance. The contact surface is arranged at a rear wall (9) of the container or adjacent to the rear wall, and is a part of the main hollow space of an open recess of the container.