refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing refrigerator main bodies are costly, time-consuming, and require significant manpower due to the size of the inner and outer cases, and once assembled, the main body cannot be easily disassembled.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator is designed with a main body formed by assembling a plurality of insulation panels, where each panel includes an inner case, an outer case, and insulation in the insulating space between them, with contact portions having openings to reduce heat transfer and improve coupling strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the main body is manufactured by foaming and curing a foam liquid between a large inner case and outer case, then the thermal insulation performance is achieved, but the manufacturing cost, time and manpower requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator main body is divided into multiple insulation panels that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. Each panel consists of an inner case, outer case, and insulation layer that are formed and cured independently, then joined together to create the complete refrigerator body. This segmentation allows for smaller, more manageable manufacturing processes while maintaining overall thermal insulation performance.
2Strength
If the main body is manufactured by foaming and curing a foam liquid between inner case and outer case, then the structural integrity is achieved, but the assembly cannot be disassembled after manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator is constructed from multiple separate insulation panels that are joined together through coupling structures. These panels can be disassembled and reassembled, allowing for maintenance, repair, or reconfiguration while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.
3Strength
If the contact portion between insulation panels is solid without openings, then the coupling strength between panels is maximized, but heat transfer through the contact portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion between insulation panels features a localized opening structure that differentiates its thermal properties from the rest of the panel. The openings are strategically positioned to interrupt heat flow paths while the surrounding solid material maintains mechanical coupling strength. This creates different local qualities: thermal insulation where openings exist, and structural strength where solid material remains.
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 approach simplifies the manufacturing process, enhances the coupling strength and durability of the insulation panels, and improves the thermal insulation performance of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation in the insulating space
Implementation Method 2
the contact portion includes at least one opening to reduce heat transfer through the contact portion between the first insulation panel and the second insulation panel
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including a main body formed by an assembly of a plurality of insulation panels; a storage space in the main body; a door to open and close the storage space; and a cooling device to supply cold air to the storage space, wherein the plurality of insulation panels includes a first insulation panel coupled to a second insulation panel, the first insulation panel includes an inner case coupled to an outer case to thereby form an insulating space between the inner case and the outer case, and insulation in the insulating space, the inner case includes a space forming portion defining one side of the storage space, and a contact portion offset from the space forming portion and contacting an outer surface of the second insulation panel, and the contact portion includes an opening to reduce heat transfer between the first insulation panel and the second insulation panel.