Refrigerator Air Duct Flush Integration to Preserve Interior Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refrigeration devices face challenges in space-efficient integration of air ducts into the rear wall, leading to volume loss and design complications.

Innovation Solution

An air duct is formed by a recess with wedge-shaped side sections in the wall, and a cover attached to these sections, ensuring a flush integration and increased volume, with latching means for easy mounting and a smooth, edge-free surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an air duct is formed raised relative to a wall, then air flow guidance is achieved, but space inside the refrigeration compartment is reduced and volume is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair flow guidanceVSAvoidspace inside refrigeration compartment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct is nested within the wall structure by forming a recess in the wall and integrating the duct into this recess, allowing the duct to be housed within the wall thickness rather than protruding into the refrigeration compartment space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The air duct is oriented to run in the thickness direction of the wall, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) rather than occupying horizontal or vertical space within the refrigeration compartment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Shape

If an air duct is integrated into a complete rear wall cover, then flush integration is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and volume is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflush integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wall structure is segmented into distinct components: the wall itself with an integrated recess, and the air duct as a separate element that fits into the recess, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recess is pre-formed in the wall during wall manufacturing, and the air duct is pre-formed as a separate component, allowing both parts to be manufactured independently before final assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a cover is attached to the air duct, then the air duct can be sealed, but edges may protrude and complicate cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed with locally adapted geometries including bent edge sections that conform to the recess shape and tapered sections that facilitate insertion, creating a flush fit that seals effectively while maintaining cleanability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cover includes bent edge sections with curved geometries that follow the contour of the recess, allowing the cover to conform to the wall surface and create a flush, edge-free appearance that is easy to clean

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3019800B1Refrigerator with air duct

Publication Date: 2017.11.08 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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AI summary

The invention concerns a refrigerator with an air duct (101), the air duct (101) being formed by a depression (103) with wedge-shaped side sections (105) in a wall (107) and a covering (109) secured to the wedge-shaped side sections (105), the exterior of the covering running flush with the wall (107).