Modular Refrigerator Wall Assembly for Insulated Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing method for refrigerators requires significant workforce, time, and resources due to bulky inner and outer cases, and does not allow for disassembly of the main body after insulation is foamed, limiting assembly efficiency and durability.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a main body formed by assembling multiple wall modules with convex and concave portions, where the convex portion includes an insulation filling space and a fastening groove, and the concave portion has a guide projection and groove for precise alignment and easy assembly, along with connectors for electrical interconnection, allowing for improved assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main body is manufactured by molding inner and outer cases and assembling them with foam insulation, then the insulation effect is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase, and disassembly becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator main body is divided into multiple independent wall modules (front wall module, rear wall module, left wall module, right wall module, top wall module, bottom wall module). Each module is pre-assembled with its own insulation layer, allowing for simplified manufacturing and easy disassembly while maintaining insulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation layers are pre-installed on the inner walls of each wall module before assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site insulation application and allows for easy replacement or repair of individual modules without affecting the entire refrigerator structure.
2Reliability
If the main body is manufactured by molding inner and outer cases and assembling them with foam insulation, then the insulation effect is improved, but the manufacturing cost and workforce requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator main body is divided into multiple independent wall modules (front wall module, rear wall module, left wall module, right wall module, top wall module, bottom wall module). Each module is pre-assembled with its own insulation layer, allowing for simplified manufacturing and easy disassembly while maintaining insulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows individual wall modules to be replaced or repaired independently without discarding the entire refrigerator structure. This extends the product lifecycle and reduces long-term manufacturing costs by enabling selective replacement of only the necessary components.
3Reliability
If the main body is manufactured by molding inner and outer cases and assembling them with foam insulation, then the insulation effect is improved, but disassembly becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator main body is divided into multiple independent wall modules (front wall module, rear wall module, left wall module, right wall module, top wall module, bottom wall module). Each module is pre-assembled with its own insulation layer, allowing for simplified manufacturing and easy disassembly while maintaining insulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows individual wall modules to be replaced or repaired independently without discarding the entire refrigerator structure. This extends the product lifecycle and reduces long-term manufacturing costs by enabling selective replacement of only the necessary components.
4Strength
If wall modules are connected by fastening members inserted into fastening grooves, then the assembly strength is improved, but the assembly precision may decrease without guide structures
Solution Approach 1:
The wall modules feature asymmetric guide projections and guide grooves that ensure precise alignment in specific directions. The guide projections on the outer walls engage with corresponding guide grooves, providing accurate positioning while the fastening members secure the connection, achieving both precision and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide projections are nested within the guide grooves during assembly, providing precise alignment. The fastening members are then inserted through the wall modules to secure the connection, creating a nested structure that ensures both precision and strength.
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 design facilitates efficient and accurate assembly of the refrigerator main body, enhances durability and airtightness, and allows for the disassembly of modules for repair or replacement, reducing manufacturing costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
the convex portion includes an insulation filling space in which insulation is filled
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body including a plurality of wall modules, a storeroom formed inside the main body, and a door arranged to open or close the storeroom. The plurality of wall modules include a first wall module having a concave portion and a second wall module having a convex portion engaged with the concave portion, and the convex portion includes an insulation filling space in which insulation is filled, and a fastening groove to which a fastening member is fastened to fix the first wall module and the second wall module.