Refrigerator Door Water-Filter Mounting to Prevent Cold Air Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerator water-filter mounting structures reduce storage capacity, lead to cold air leakage during filter replacement, and risk damage to the water filter due to low temperatures, while also compromising product compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A water-filter mounting structure that positions the water filter below the dispenser on the refrigerator door, with a cover plate for easy access and a sealing member to prevent cold air leakage, and uses separate water supplying pipes to connect the filter to the dispenser and ice maker without penetrating the refrigerator main body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the water filter is installed within the refrigerating chamber, then the water filter can be easily accessed, but the storage capacity of the refrigerating chamber is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of water filterVSAvoidstorage capacity of refrigerating chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The water filter is extracted from the refrigerating chamber and relocated to the door body. This separation allows the filter to be independently accessible through the door without occupying valuable storage space within the refrigerating chamber, thereby resolving the contradiction between accessibility and storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the water filter is installed within the refrigerating chamber, then the filter can be integrated with the water supply system, but cold air leaks when the chamber door is opened for filter replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of water filter with water supply systemVSAvoidcold air leakage during filter replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The water filter is extracted from the refrigerating chamber and relocated to the door body, where it can be replaced by simply opening the door without compromising the sealed state of the refrigerating chamber. This maintains the integration function while eliminating cold air leakage during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the water filter is installed within the refrigerating chamber, then the filter is positioned near the water supply, but the low temperature environment may damage the water filter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning near water supply sourceVSAvoiddurability of water filter in low temperature environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water filter is extracted from the low-temperature refrigerating chamber and relocated to the door body, which operates at a higher temperature. This maintains the filter's proximity to the water supply system for ease of installation while protecting the filter from temperature-related damage and extending its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If the water supply pipe penetrates the main body, then the water filter can be connected to the water supply, but product compatibility is reduced when water filter or dispenser is selectively provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection of water supply pipeVSAvoidproduct compatibility for different configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The water supply connection is standardized at the door body level, creating a universal interface that works regardless of whether a water filter or dispenser is installed. This modular approach allows the same main body to support different configurations (with water filter only, with dispenser only, or with both), thereby improving product compatibility and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 minimizes storage capacity reduction, prevents cold air leakage during filter replacement, enhances filter durability, and improves product compatibility by allowing identical refrigerator main bodies to be used with or without the water filter or dispenser.

Implementation Method 1

a water filter mounted in the filter receiving section to purify water supplied from a water supplying source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a sealing member to prevent cold air leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS8911041B2Water-filter mounting structure for refrigerator

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A water-filter mounting structure for a refrigerator has a filter receiving section provided below a dispenser that is mounted at a door for selectively opening and closing a storage space and discharges water or ice to the outside. A water filter mounted in the filter receiving section purifies water supplied from a water supplying source. It is possible to minimize reduction in a storage capacity, loss in cold air and damage to the water filter and improve product compatibility.