Refrigerator and transparent panel assembly for refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with multi-stage glass windows for visibility into the storage space face issues of increased weight, reduced operability, structural instability, and complex production processes, leading to higher manufacturing costs and lower productivity.
Innovation Solution
A transparent panel assembly for refrigerators comprising a front glass panel, a rear transparent panel, and an intermediate plastic member with a partition portion forming a sealed insulation layer, using injection-molded polymethyl methacrylate and UV adhesive for assembly, which reduces weight and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multiple glasses are arranged in a multi-stage structure for transparency and insulation, then insulation performance and visibility are improved, but the weight of the door increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional multi-stage glass to a single-stage transparent insulating material with specific thermal conductivity characteristics. This material achieves the required insulation performance through its inherent thermal properties rather than relying on multiple glass layers and vacuum spaces, thereby reducing door weight while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite transparent insulating material that combines transparency and insulation properties in a single stage. This composite material integrates the functions previously achieved by multiple glass layers with vacuum spaces, eliminating the need for complex multi-stage structures and reducing overall weight.
2Loss of energy
If multiple glasses are arranged in a multi-stage structure, then insulation performance is improved, but the production process becomes complicated and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex intermediate structures (vacuum spaces, multiple glass layers, sealing mechanisms) from the traditional multi-stage design. By using a single-stage transparent insulating material, the production process is simplified to basic material installation, removing the need for complex assembly operations and significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the insulation function from the structural complexity, achieving insulation through a specialized material rather than through multiple structural layers. This segmentation allows the insulation function to be fulfilled by a single component, simplifying the overall structure and production process.
3Loss of energy
If multiple glasses are arranged in a multi-stage structure, then insulation performance is improved, but the door structure becomes unstable and operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameter from multi-stage to single-stage configuration, reducing the complexity of the door structure. This simplification improves structural stability and makes the door easier to operate, while the specialized transparent insulating material maintains the required thermal insulation performance.
4Loss of energy
If multiple glasses are arranged in a multi-stage structure, then insulation performance is improved, but manufacturing costs increase due to complex production processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex intermediate structures and multi-stage assembly requirements from the design. By using a single-stage transparent insulating material, the manufacturing process is simplified to basic material installation, eliminating the need for complex joining, sealing, and alignment operations, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
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
The solution improves productivity, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances insulation performance while maintaining visibility into the storage space, with the lightweight design and simplified assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a partition portion formed to cross an inner surface of the edge portion to partition a gap between the front panel and the rear panel to thereby form a sealed insulation layer
Implementation Method 2
UV adhesive for assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a transparent panel assembly for a refrigerator. The transparent panel assembly for a refrigerator comprises: a front panel defining at least a part of a front appearance of a refrigerator door and made of a glass material; a rear panel defining at least a part of a rear appearance of the refrigerator door and made of a transparent material; and an intermediate member connected between the front panel and the rear panel and made of a transparent plastic member, wherein the intermediate member comprises: an edge portion having both ends connected to a screening area formed at peripheries of the front panel and the rear panel; and a partition portion formed to cross an inner surface of the edge portion to partition a gap between the front panel and the rear panel to thereby form a sealed insulation layer.