refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing method for refrigerators requires significant workforce, time, and resources due to bulky cases, and once insulation foaming is faulty, the entire unit needs to be discarded, as local parts cannot be repaired or replaced.
Innovation Solution
A modular refrigerator design where the main body is formed by assembling multiple wall modules and a cooling module, with ducts for cold air transfer buried in insulation, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling of components for maintenance and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main body is manufactured by molding inner and outer cases with insulation foaming, then the refrigerator structure is complete and functional, but the manufacturing process requires more workforce, expenses and time, and local faults cannot be repaired
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) that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. Each module contains its own insulation structure, allowing localized repair or replacement without discarding the entire refrigerator, thus improving repairability while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized module production
2Ease of manufacture
If the main body is manufactured by molding inner and outer cases with insulation foaming, then the refrigerator structure is complete and functional, but the manufacturing process requires more workforce, expenses and time
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator is segmented into standardized wall modules that can be manufactured using simplified molding processes and assembled through standardized connections. This reduces the complexity of manufacturing each individual module while the modular assembly approach improves overall productivity by enabling parallel manufacturing of multiple modules and easier quality control
Solution Approach 2:
The wall modules are designed with universal connection interfaces and standardized dimensions, allowing the same basic module design to be used across different refrigerator configurations. This universality simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of unique parts that need to be produced and assembled
3Device complexity
If the cooling module and wall module are integrated in one unit, then the structure is simplified, but the cold air transfer ducts become complex and the storage area becomes smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module is separated from the wall modules into an independent unit that can be coupled to any wall module configuration. The cold air transfer ducts are integrated within the cooling module itself, allowing the wall modules to be designed with maximum internal storage space while the cooling module provides the necessary air circulation pathways
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 simplifies manufacturing, reduces waste, and enables efficient repair or replacement of faulty parts, improving productivity and product reliability while maintaining a spacious storage area.
Implementation Method 1
a cold air producing space in which the evaporator is mounted and cold air is produced
Implementation Method 2
The outflow duct and the inflow duct may be buried in the insulation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a plurality of wall modules and a cooling module. At least one of a rear wall module, a left wall module, or a right wall module includes a supply duct provided to supply cold air produced by the cooling module to a storeroom, and a collecting duct to bring air having exchanged heat from the storeroom back to the cooling module.