Liquid Dispenser Composite Insulation for Dew and Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purifiers face issues with dew condensation on the outer surfaces of insulation members due to miniaturization, leading to potential malfunction and mold formation, along with vibration and noise from air gaps during operation.

Innovation Solution

A water purifier design incorporating a rigid insulator surrounding the cold water tank assembly and a soft insulator between the rigid insulator and the cover, along with a thermal diffusion member to enhance cooling efficiency and prevent dew condensation, while reducing noise and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the thickness of the foam insulation member is reduced to achieve miniaturization of the water purifier, then the device size is reduced, but dew condensation occurs on the outer circumferential surface of the insulation member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoiddew condensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite insulation structure combining foam insulation member with a board-type insulation member having lower thermal conductivity. This composite approach provides superior thermal insulation performance with reduced thickness, preventing dew condensation while maintaining compact device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter by introducing a board-type insulation member with lower thermal conductivity than the foam insulation member. This parameter change enables effective insulation with thinner overall insulation layer, resolving the contradiction between compact size and dew prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If an air gap is provided between the foam insulation member and the rear cover for additional cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but vibration and noise are generated during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidvibration and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a board-type insulation member as an intermediary between the foam insulation member and the rear cover. This intermediary fills the air gap, eliminating vibration and noise while maintaining cooling efficiency through its superior insulation properties and thermal diffusion capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The board-type insulation member acts as a flexible filling material that conforms to the space between the foam insulation member and rear cover, eliminating the air gap without creating rigid structures that would generate noise and vibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a thick foam insulation member is used to prevent dew condensation, then dew formation is prevented, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedew condensation preventionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite insulation system where a thin board-type insulation member with low thermal conductivity is combined with a foam insulation member. This composite structure achieves superior dew prevention performance without requiring increased overall thickness, thus preventing device size increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the thermal conductivity parameter through the board-type insulation member, the patent achieves effective dew condensation prevention with a thinner overall insulation layer, avoiding the need for thick insulation that would increase device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively prevents dew condensation and reduces noise and vibration, improving the cooling efficiency and assembly ease of the water purifier by utilizing a combination of rigid and soft insulators and a thermal diffusion member.

Implementation Method 1

a rigid insulator (1210) surrounding an outer surface of the cold water tank assembly (1200)... a soft insulator (1300) provided in a space formed between the rigid insulator (1210) and a first cover (1011)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a thermal diffusion member (1310) attached to at least predetermined area of the soft insulator (1300)... the thermal diffusion member (1310) increases temperature in predetermined areas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal diffusion: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the cooling device may heat-exchange a coolant with a refrigerant inside an evaporator using an evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS12358774B2Liquid dispenser

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A liquid dispenser, such as water purifier, may have a soft insulation material installed in a space between a rigid insulator surrounding a cold water tank assembly and a cover, the cold water tank accommodating a coolant therein and having a passage through which water passes to be cooled through a heat exchange with the coolant, and the soft insulation material thereby removing the space and improving a cooling effect.