Linking Mechanism with Adjustable Spacers for Cooling Device Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling device grouping methods require different linking mechanisms for varying distances between devices, leading to increased production, inventory, and logistics costs.

Innovation Solution

A linking mechanism featuring spacers of different sizes that can be positioned between cooling devices to maintain varying distances, allowing for flexible grouping while reducing production costs through a single, versatile design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different linking mechanisms are used for different distances between cooling devices, then the cooling devices can be grouped with various distances, but the production, inventory and logistics costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance adjustment capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The linking mechanism is designed with multiple spacers of different lengths integrated into a single body, allowing one linking mechanism to accommodate multiple spacing requirements. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for producing, storing and transporting multiple different linking mechanisms, thereby reducing production, inventory and logistics costs while maintaining the capability to group cooling devices at various distances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different linking mechanisms are used for different distances between cooling devices, then the cooling devices can be grouped with various distances, but the inventory and logistics costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance adjustment capabilityVSAvoidinventory cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating multiple spacers of different lengths into a single linking mechanism body, the system requires only one type of linking mechanism to be stocked and transported. This universal design significantly reduces inventory complexity and logistics costs compared to maintaining separate linking mechanisms for each spacing requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single linking mechanism is used for all distances, then production costs decrease, but the ability to group cooling devices with different distances is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoiddistance adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The linking mechanism body is segmented to include multiple spacers of different lengths, each capable of being positioned between cooling devices to achieve different spacing requirements. This segmentation allows a single linking mechanism to provide multiple distance adjustment capabilities while maintaining production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spacers are integrated into one linking mechanism, then versatility increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance adjustment capabilityVSAvoidlinking mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple spacers of different lengths are merged into a single integrated linking mechanism body, allowing them to function together as one unit. This combining approach provides versatility for different spacing requirements while avoiding the complexity of handling and assembling multiple separate linking mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3004765B1A linking mechanism
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3004765B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3004765B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3004765B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a linking mechanism (1) that is suitable to be placed between two cooling devices (C1, C2) placed side by side, that enables the cooling devices (C1, C2) to be kept together by being mounted to each cooling device (C1, C2) and that comprises at least one connection member (2, 102) and more than one spacer (3, 103).