refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerator evaporator assembly is inefficient due to screwing processes and variable gaps between the evaporator and the cooling room, which affects air flow and heat exchange performance.

Innovation Solution

A combining member system that hooks and inserts the evaporator onto the cooling room's side, eliminating the need for screws and maintaining a constant gap, facilitating easier assembly and improved heat exchange by using a first combining member with a hook groove and a second combining member with an insertion groove, allowing the evaporator to be securely and efficiently attached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the evaporator is assembled using screwing processes, then the evaporator can be securely attached to the cooling room, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The combining member is divided into two distinct parts: a first combining member with a hook groove for vertical attachment, and a second combining member with an insertion groove for horizontal insertion. This segmentation allows each part to perform a specific function, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The combining member acts as an intermediary component between the evaporator and the cooling room. Instead of directly screwing the evaporator to the cooling room, the combining member mediates the connection through hooking and insertion mechanisms, reducing assembly complexity while ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the evaporator is attached using conventional methods, then it can be secured to the cooling room, but the gap between the evaporator and cooling room becomes variable, affecting air flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidgap consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The first combining member is preliminarily attached to the cooling room side using a hooking action, establishing a fixed reference point. Then the evaporator is inserted into the second combining member with a predetermined insertion depth, ensuring a constant gap is maintained from the outset. This preliminary positioning action prevents variable gaps that would otherwise require post-assembly adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the evaporator is securely attached to the cooling room, then heat exchange performance is maintained, but the assembly process requires multiple screwing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional screwing mechanism is replaced with a hooking and insertion mechanism. The first combining member hooks onto the cooling room side, and the second combining member receives the evaporator through insertion, eliminating the need for screws and multiple fastening operations. This mechanical substitution significantly improves assembly efficiency while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If the evaporator is positioned with a constant gap from the cooling room, then air flow and heat exchange are optimized, but the assembly process becomes more precise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap consistencyVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The second combining member is designed with an insertion groove that automatically positions the evaporator at the correct depth when inserted. The structure itself provides the positioning function, eliminating the need for external measurement or adjustment tools. The evaporator self-positions at the optimal gap distance through the designed insertion geometry of the combining member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Simplifies the assembly process and enhances heat exchange performance by ensuring consistent air flow and maintaining a constant gap between the evaporator and the cooling room, improving the overall efficiency of the refrigerator's cold air supply.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerant tube in a tubular form, in which a refrigerant flows to exchange heat with air inside the cooling room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a refrigerant flows to exchange heat with air inside the cooling room

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3182041B1refrigerator
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3182041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3182041B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3182041B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A refrigerator includes a first combining (210) member arranged on a side (11) of a cooling room such that the side of the cooling room and a side (121) of a evaporator are hooked with each other in a first direction (210) and a second (220) combining member arranged on the side of the cooling room, the other side of the evaporator is inserted into the second combining member in a second direction, which is different from the first direction, to combine the other side of the evaporator and the one side of the cooling room. Assembly performance is improved with a combining member that facilitates an evaporator to be combined onto an inner side of a cooling room, and heat exchanging performance is improved by the combining member enabling the evaporator to be combined onto a side of the cooling room with a gap.