Refrigerator Fan Assembly With Snap-Fit Bearing Dome Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fan assembly in refrigeration appliances is difficult to assemble and can lead to damage to the fan axle and bearing due to screw connections, which are time-consuming and prone to quality fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
The fan assembly is designed with three bearing domes arranged at 120° angles on the rear housing part, featuring a decoupling element made of elastic rubber to reduce vibration transmission and simplify assembly, and a counter bearing on the front housing part for secure attachment, allowing for a latching mechanism that clamps the fan assembly between the housing parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections are used to attach the fan assembly to the housing, then the fan assembly can be securely fastened, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and prone to quality fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw connection system with a snap-fit connection system. The fan assembly includes connection elements that engage with corresponding recesses in the housing, eliminating the need for screws and manual tightening operations. This substitution maintains secure fastening while dramatically reducing assembly time and eliminating quality fluctuations associated with manual screw tightening.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit connection system is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The connection elements automatically engage with the housing recesses when the fan assembly is inserted, requiring no additional tools or operations. The design ensures proper positioning and secure attachment through the geometry of the connection elements themselves, making the assembly process intuitive and error-proof.
2Reliability
If screw connections are used to attach the fan assembly, then fastening can be achieved, but damage to the fan axle and fan bearing may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw connection system with a snap-fit connection system that attaches the fan assembly to the housing at locations that do not interfere with the fan axle and bearing. The connection elements are positioned on the housing body rather than requiring attachment to the fan assembly itself, eliminating the risk of screw holes or tightening forces damaging the fan axle and bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that provides the fastening function without directly attaching to the fan assembly components. The snap-fit connections engage with the housing body, which then supports the fan assembly, thereby isolating the fan axle and bearing from any fastening-related stress or damage.
3Reliability
If individual screws are used for assembly, then attachment can be achieved, but quality fluctuations occur due to forgotten screws or insufficient tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit connection system is designed to be self-completing, where the geometry of the connection elements and recesses ensures that proper attachment occurs automatically during assembly. There are no separate steps for inserting screws or tightening fasteners, eliminating the human error factors of forgotten screws or insufficient tightening. The design makes it impossible to assemble incorrectly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the fan assembly components themselves and relocates it to the housing structure. The connection elements are integrated into the housing rather than being separate fasteners that need to be attached to the fan assembly. This extraction eliminates the need for multiple discrete fastening operations and ensures consistent quality.
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 enhances the stability and ease of assembly of the fan assembly, reduces the risk of damage, and ensures a secure and efficient attachment, improving the overall assembly process and product stability.
Implementation Method 1
a decoupling element is arranged between the bearing dome and the fan assembly. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that vibrations from the fan assembly are not transmitted to the housing.
Implementation Method 2
the decoupling element is an elastic rubber molded part
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigeration device comprising a fan assembly which is mounted in a housing comprising a housing front side part (120) and a housing rear side part (122), and which is secured to the housing rear side part (122) and is held in place by means of the housing front side part (120).