Refrigerator Hot Pipe Ribbed Seating to Prevent Outer-Case Dew

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Solution Overview

Problem

In refrigerators, the existing hot pipe seating structures fail to effectively manage temperature differences between the inner and outer cases, leading to dew formation on the outer surface and inefficient energy consumption due to the lack of a robust mechanism for close contact between the hot pipe and the outer case.

Innovation Solution

The integration of ribs within the seating groove of the inner case allows the hot pipe to be in close contact with the outer case, reducing temperature differences and preventing dew formation while maintaining the hot pipe's distance from the storage compartment to minimize heat transfer and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the hot pipe is seated closer to the outer case, then dew formation on the outer case is prevented, but heat transfer to the storage compartment increases leading to higher energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew formation on outer caseVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seating groove is divided into multiple segments: a first groove portion facing the outer case, a second groove portion facing the storage compartment, and multiple ribs protruding from the bottom surface. This segmentation allows the hot pipe to be positioned close to the outer case for dew prevention while the ribs and second groove portion maintain distance from the storage compartment, reducing heat transfer and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the hot pipe is seated further away from the storage compartment, then energy consumption is reduced, but close contact with the outer case is compromised leading to dew formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddew formation on outer case

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seating groove has different local characteristics: the first groove portion provides a close-fitting structure facing the outer case to prevent dew formation, while the second groove portion faces the storage compartment with a structure that maintains distance. The ribs protruding from the bottom surface further enhance the close contact with the outer case while keeping the hot pipe away from the storage compartment, achieving local optimization for both dew prevention and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a separate part is used for the seating groove, then the hot pipe can be positioned correctly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot pipe positioningVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seating groove is formed integrally with the inner case as a single molded structure, combining the functions of positioning the hot pipe, maintaining distance from the storage compartment, and ensuring close contact with the outer case. This eliminates the need for separate positioning parts or assemblies, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable hot pipe positioning through the ribbed groove structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents dew formation on the outer case and reduces energy consumption by ensuring close contact between the hot pipe and the outer case while keeping the hot pipe away from the storage compartment, thus optimizing temperature regulation.

Implementation Method 1

the closer the hot pipe seated in the seating groove is to the outer case, the better the high-temperature heat from a high-temperature refrigerant flowing in the hot pipe is transferred to the outer case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of ribs provided within the seating groove and formed integrally with the inner case so that the hot pipe is in close contact with the outer case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical support: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20240159447A1refrigerator

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a refrigerator including an inner case having a storage compartment therein and including a plurality of plates each formed by injection molding, an outer case coupled to the outside of the inner case to form the exterior thereof, and a hot pipe seated on a front flange of the inner case to prevents dew from forming on the outer case, wherein the inner case includes a seating groove provided on the front flange to seat the hot pipe, and a plurality of ribs provided within the seating groove and formed integrally with the inner case so that the hot pipe is in close contact with the outer case.