Refrigeration appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing and maintenance of refrigeration appliances are complicated due to the complex assembly and positioning of components within the working chamber, which increases time and costs, and poses challenges in handling and managing numerous components.

Innovation Solution

A refrigeration appliance with a holding device that can be removably connected to the chamber wall to temporarily hold components of the refrigerating circuit and electrical cables, featuring a sliding mechanism and snap-in device for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing external handling and quick disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple components are assembled inside the working chamber, then the refrigeration system functions properly, but the assembly complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration system functionalityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is divided into a support portion (fixed to chamber wall) and a holding portion (movable relative to support), allowing components to be held separately during assembly and then released for final positioning. This segmentation reduces assembly complexity by enabling staged component management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device acts as an intermediary tool between the chamber wall and the refrigeration components. It temporarily holds components in position during assembly, facilitating proper component placement without requiring complex fixed positioning structures, thus reducing overall assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple components are assembled inside the working chamber, then the refrigeration system functions properly, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration system functionalityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device enables preliminary positioning of components during assembly. Components can be temporarily held in correct positions using the holding portion, ensuring proper alignment before final assembly steps, thereby reducing total assembly time while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holding portion is configured to be movable relative to the support portion, allowing dynamic adjustment during assembly operations. This movability enables quick positioning and release of components, reducing assembly time while ensuring proper component placement for system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If components are fixed inside the working chamber, then the refrigeration system operates reliably, but maintenance operations become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is segmented into fixed support portion and movable holding portion, allowing components to be securely held during operation (maintaining reliability) but easily released during maintenance. The movable holding portion can be disengaged to provide access to components for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding portion's movability relative to the support portion enables a transition between secured (for reliable operation) and accessible (for maintenance) states. This dynamic capability allows components to be firmly held during operation but easily accessed during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4116647A1Refrigeration appliance
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP4116647A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4116647A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4116647A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A refrigeration appliance comprises at least one compartment for the storage of products to be cooled and an outer cabinet (2) enclosing said at least one compartment and a refrigeration system (100; 210) configured to cool said at least one compartment and comprising a closed refrigerating circuit (102; 202) filled with a refrigerant. A working chamber (20) is apt to receive at least one component (102a, 114) of the refrigerating circuit (102; 202) and/or at least one electrical cable (116; 216) for the functioning of the appliance, wherein at least one chamber wall (30A, 30B) at least partially delimits the working chamber (20). The appliance (1; 201) comprises a holding device (50A, 50B) apt to be removably connected to said at least one chamber wall (30A, 30B) and apt to at least temporarily hold said at least one component (102a, 114) of said refrigerating circuit (102; 202) and/or said at least one electrical cable (116; 216).