Elastic Positioning Ring for Refrigeration Line Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for positioning elongated components in refrigeration appliances, such as pipes and electrical lines, within the housing parts are complex and cumbersome, requiring additional gluing and material, which is inefficient in terms of production and can lead to impermissible impressions or damage during the foaming process of insulation material.
Innovation Solution
A position positioning element with spring-elastic support wings around its outer circumference, allowing for flexible adaptation to varying installation conditions, including different insulation material wall thicknesses, and enabling reliable positioning without the need for additional gluing, by absorbing contact pressures and ensuring sufficient foam flow during the foaming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid washers or spacers are used to position elongated components at a specific distance, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing time increase due to additional gluing steps and material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid spacer into a resilient washer with elastic support wings that can deform elastically under compression. This parameter change from rigid to resilient allows the washer to adapt to varying installation conditions while maintaining positioning function, eliminating the need for precise thickness matching and additional gluing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The support wings are designed to be resilient and capable of elastic deformation, allowing the washer to dynamically adapt to different insulation material thicknesses and component positions. This dynamic capability replaces the static rigid structure, enabling automatic adjustment without additional assembly steps
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid base parts with specific thickness are used to maintain distance, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the productivity decreases due to additional material and time requirements for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient washer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a positioning element, a spacer, and a cushioning element. The elastic support wings automatically adjust to maintain the required distance without requiring precise thickness selection, making the washer universally applicable to various component sizes and insulation thicknesses, thereby eliminating additional assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient washer automatically adjusts its compression level to maintain the correct positioning distance between components. The elastic deformation of the support wings provides self-regulating positioning without requiring external adjustment or additional gluing operations, enabling workers to complete assembly faster
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid spacers are used for positioning components, then the positioning stability is improved, but the reliability decreases due to potential impressions or damage during the foaming process
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient washer with elastic support wings provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing compression forces during the foaming process. The elastic material acts as a buffer between the rigid components and the expanding insulation material, preventing impressions and damage while maintaining positioning stability throughout the manufacturing process
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 solution simplifies the assembly process, ensures reliable positioning of elongated components at desired distances, avoids impermissible impressions, and enhances production reliability by compensating for tolerances in insulation material layer thicknesses, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the refrigeration appliance manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a position positioning element with spring-elastic support wings which are arranged around an outer circumference of an inner ring element and protrude freely outwards and are each designed to be resilient
Implementation Method 2
a polymer material, in particular polyurethane or a synthetic resin material, is injected into the cavity of the hollow body, e.g. with compressed air and/or another propellant gas, and is expanded therein
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigeration appliance (KG), especially a household refrigeration appliance, comprising at least one housing part (IB), relative to which at least one elongate component (LB) is arranged at a predefined mounting distance (HO) by means of a positioning element (LPE), is fitted with an inner ring element (RE) that has a plurality of supporting wings (LA1 with LAn) which are disposed around the outer circumference of the ring element (RE), project freely towards the outside, and are designed to be elastic.