Modular Water Cooler with Tool-Free Chassis for Simplified Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall-mounted water coolers with integrated refrigeration units are difficult to maintain and service due to their permanent attachment and low mounting height, which hinders access to internal components.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained water cooler module with a removable and tool-free attachable chassis that houses the refrigeration unit, compressor, condenser, and evaporator, allowing for easy installation, removal, and replacement within a water dispenser or bottle filling station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the water cooler is permanently attached to the wall, then the mounting stability is improved, but the ease of maintenance and serviceability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water cooler system is divided into separate modular components: a wall-mounted housing structure and a removable cooler module. The cooler module containing the refrigeration unit can be independently detached from the housing, allowing maintenance without removing the entire unit from the wall. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining stable wall mounting while enabling easy serviceability.
2Ease of operation
If the water cooler is mounted at low height to accommodate users, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ease of access to internal components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the cooler module from the wall-mounted housing, the design allows the housing to remain at user-friendly low height while the serviceable cooler module can be easily removed and positioned at convenient heights for maintenance personnel. This resolves the contradiction between operational accessibility and maintenance accessibility.
3Device complexity
If the refrigeration components are integrated into a fixed chassis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration components (compressor, condenser, evaporator) are extracted from the wall-mounted housing and placed in a separate removable cooler module. This allows the entire refrigeration system to be taken out as one unit for service, simplifying maintenance while maintaining structural integration within the module itself. The module can be replaced without servicing individual components separately.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the water cooler is designed as a self-contained unit, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The self-contained water cooler is designed as a modular assembly of standardized components (housing, cooler module, mounting brackets) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using simpler processes while maintaining the overall self-contained functionality of the complete unit.
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
Facilitates effortless maintenance and service by enabling the module to be detached from the housing without tools, allowing for simplified access and replacement of components, improving service efficiency and reducing the need for specialized personnel.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator coil, through which a refrigeration fluid such as R134a circulates
Implementation Method 2
a condenser coil, a compressor and an evaporator coil, through which a refrigeration fluid such as R134a circulates
Implementation Method 3
a condenser coil, a compressor and an evaporator coil
Data Source
AI summary
A self-contained water cooler module for use with a water dispenser includes a chassis. The chassis includes a back panel, a pair of spaced side panels extending forwardly from the back panel, a bottom panel extending forwardly from the back panel and attached to bottom edges of the pair of spaced side panels, and the back panel, side panels and bottom panel are constructed of a single, unitary sheet. A strut interconnects front edges of the pair of spaced side panels. A support bracket interconnects the back panel and the horizontal frame member. A refrigeration unit includes an evaporator, a condenser, a fan and motor assembly, and a compressor. The refrigeration unit is attached to the chassis. A water storage tank is configured to receive cooled water from the refrigeration unit. The chassis is configured to be attached to and detached from the water dispenser via a tool-free connection.