Evaporator Spring-Rod Mounting for Tolerance and Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems face challenges in securely mounting components within insulated compartments, particularly the evaporator assembly, which can lead to movement and noise issues, as well as tolerance problems due to dimensional variations in the compartment walls.
Innovation Solution
A spring rod with a shoulder is used to mount evaporator assembly components within an insulated compartment, where one end is attached to one wall and the other end to an opposing wall, exerting a force to limit movement and provide rigidity, thus acting as both a locating and bracing structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mounting structure is used to secure evaporator assembly, then component stability is improved, but dimensional variations in compartment walls cause assembly tolerance problems
Solution Approach 1:
The spring rod changes its physical state from rigid to flexible by utilizing elastic deformation. The rod is designed to deflect within a specific range (e.g., 0.5-2 inches) to accommodate dimensional variations in the insulated compartment walls while maintaining secure mounting of the evaporator assembly. This parameter change allows the mounting structure to adapt to manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The spring rod can deflect and adjust its position dynamically to compensate for variations in compartment wall dimensions, ensuring consistent assembly tolerance despite variations in the insulated compartment's actual dimensions.
2Manufacturing precision
If flexible mounting structure is used to accommodate dimensional variations, then assembly tolerance is improved, but component stability and noise reduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring rod maintains flexibility for tolerance accommodation while preserving stability through controlled elastic properties. By selecting appropriate material properties (modulus of elasticity) and geometric parameters (diameter, length, cross-section), the rod provides just enough flexibility to accommodate dimensional variations while maintaining sufficient rigidity to secure the evaporator assembly and reduce noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic flexibility of the spring rod is optimized to provide the right balance between accommodation and stability. The rod deflects dynamically to absorb dimensional variations but maintains sufficient restoring force to keep the evaporator assembly securely mounted and minimize vibrations and noise.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spring rod is made longer to accommodate variations, then adaptability is improved, but structural rigidity and noise reduction worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing length, the patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously: material properties (elastic modulus), cross-sectional geometry (diameter, wall thickness), and rod length. This multi-parameter optimization allows the spring rod to achieve the right balance between adaptability (ability to deflect) and structural rigidity (ability to maintain strength and reduce noise).
Solution Approach 2:
The spring rod may utilize composite material structures or optimized material selections that provide high strength-to-weight ratios and controlled elastic properties. This allows the rod to maintain structural rigidity for noise reduction while having sufficient flexibility to accommodate dimensional variations in the insulated compartment.
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
The spring rod effectively reduces relative movement and noise, maintains component rigidity, and accommodates dimensional variations in the compartment walls, enhancing the stability and assembly precision of refrigeration systems.
Implementation Method 1
A spring rod has a first end mounted at a first location to a first wall of the insulated compartment and a second end mounted at a second location to a second wall of the insulated compartment. A shoulder of the spring rod exerts a force against the evaporator coil in a direction toward the first wall to limit the movement of the evaporator coil mounted to the insulated compartment.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration unit includes a housing including an insulated compartment having opposing first and second walls. A spring rod has a first end mounted at a first location to the first wall of the insulated compartment and a second end mounted at a second location to the second wall of the insulated compartment. An evaporator assembly includes a component mounted to the insulated compartment by the spring rod. A shoulder of the spring rod exerts a force against the component in a direction toward the first wall to limit movement of the component mounted to the insulated compartment.