Modular Refrigerator Compartment Assembly for Flexible Food Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing domestic refrigeration appliances lack flexibility in compartment configuration, as additional compartments are typically fixed and prespecified, limiting user customization and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A modular design for an additional compartment with delimiting walls that can be non-destructively assembled and disassembled, allowing for reversible configuration and placement within the refrigeration chamber, enabling customizable storage conditions and increased usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional compartments are made fixed and prespecified, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability and user customization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The additional compartment is divided into separate delimiting walls that can be individually assembled and disassembled. These walls form the boundaries of the receiving volume and can be configured in different arrangements, allowing users to customize the compartment geometry while maintaining structural simplicity through modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The delimiting walls are designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling the additional compartment to be assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured. This dynamic design allows the compartment to adapt to different storage needs and positions within the receiving chamber, transforming a static structure into a flexible system
2Ease of operation
If additional compartment delimiting walls can be separated and joined non-destructively, then the ease of operation and flexibility increase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting walls are segmented into separate components that can be independently handled, assembled, and disassembled. This segmentation enables non-destructive joining and separation while maintaining structural integrity, allowing users to easily configure the compartment without complex fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The delimiting walls serve multiple functions: they define the receiving volume boundaries, provide structural support, and enable reversible assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, maintaining simplicity while achieving ease of operation through the universal design of the wall elements
3Reliability
If the additional compartment is completely delimited from the remaining volume, then the reliability of independent storage conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving chamber is segmented into the additional compartment and remaining volume by delimiting walls that form complete boundaries. This segmentation ensures independent storage conditions within the additional compartment while using simple wall structures rather than complex sealing mechanisms, achieving reliability through geometric delimitation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating a complex sealed enclosure system, the invention inverts the approach by using the delimiting walls themselves to define the complete boundary. The walls are positioned and configured to naturally enclose the receiving volume, achieving complete delimitation and reliable independent storage conditions through the arrangement of structural elements rather than additional sealing components
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic refrigeration appliance with a housing in which a receiving chamber for foodstuffs is formed, is delimited by walls of an interior container, and is formed with an additional compartment for foodstuffs in the receiving chamber comprising delimiting walls by way of which a receiving volume of the additional compartment is delimited. Delimiting walls can be separated and joined non-destructively, thus enabling the additional compartment to be reversibly assembled and disassembled in the receiving chamber.