Cooling Air Duct Closure Integrated to Prevent Refrigerator Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic refrigeration devices suffer from undesired flow leakages at the closure element of the cooling air duct, particularly when the flap is closed and pressure builds up, due to multicomponent designs that require gluing and create weak spots.
Innovation Solution
The closure element is integrated within the duct element of the cooling air duct, eliminating the need for additional connections and thus preventing leakages by positioning it internally, where it merges with the flow channel segment on both sides, preventing unwanted couplings and ensuring a sealed closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multicomponent design with additional coupling components is used at the closure element area, then the closure element can be installed and airflow control is enabled, but undesired flow leakages occur due to weak spots created by gluing connections
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is integrated directly into the duct element, merging two previously separate components into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for additional coupling components and gluing connections, thereby removing the weak spots that caused flow leakages while maintaining the airflow control function
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is positioned and integrated within the duct element structure, with the closure element effectively nested inside the duct element. This integration ensures that the closure element is surrounded and supported by the duct element, eliminating exposure to external pressure and preventing leakages at connection points
2Ease of manufacture
If the closure element is positioned at the lower end of the duct part with additional component coupling, then the structure is modular and assembly is facilitated, but leakages occur when pressure builds up in the locked area
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the closure element and duct element into a single integrated component, the patent eliminates the need for separate coupling connections that were prone to leakage under pressure. The integrated design maintains ease of manufacture through single-piece molding while eliminating the harmful leakage effect
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flap element remains uncovered towards the bottom with additional component attachment, then the duct structure can accommodate flow channel components, but weak spots are created that allow undesired leakages
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the closure element within the duct element creates a unified structure that eliminates weak spots while maintaining the ability to accommodate flow channel components. The merged design ensures that the closure seal integrity is preserved by removing the vulnerable coupling points
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is nested within the duct element structure, allowing the duct to accommodate flow channel components while the closure element remains protected and integrated. This nesting arrangement maintains adaptability while ensuring closure seal integrity by eliminating exposed connection points
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration device (1) comprising a first room (3, 4) for receiving goods to be cooled and a second room (3, 4) for receiving goods to be cooled, and a cooling air duct (10), by means of which cold air is passable between the rooms (3, 4), and a closure element (16) for closing a flow channel (13) of the cooling air duct (10), wherein the closure element (16) is integrated within a duct element (11) of the cooling air duct (10).