Refrigerator Backing Part Assembly Without Foam Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing backing parts for household refrigeration appliance components face challenges in assembly complexity and sealing issues due to thin gaps and manufacturing tolerances, leading to potential thermally insulating foam leakage and inadequate snapping mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A backing part design with side walls terminating at an angle to a base wall, forming a closed volume space without openings, featuring a holding element for secure snapping with a counter-retaining element, and an insertion pocket for enhanced assembly and sealing, including a guide part for precise alignment and a sealing flange for complete coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tabs are threaded through thin gaps during assembly, then mechanical coupling is achieved, but assembly complexity increases and manufacturing precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical coupling reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of threading tabs through gaps from the outside, the patent inverts the approach by having retaining elements on the backing part engage with counter-retaining elements that protrude into the closed volume space from the wall. This eliminates the need for thin gaps and complex threading operations, simplifying assembly while maintaining reliable mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical coupling is segmented into two independent parts: retaining elements integrated into the backing part and counter-retaining elements on the wall. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently and simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for precise gap formation and threading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If open slots are provided in side walls for tab insertion, then assembly is enabled, but thermally insulating foam leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidfoam leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing open slots in the side walls for tab insertion, the patent inverts the approach by forming a closed volume space without openings in the side walls. Retaining elements engage with counter-retaining elements that protrude into this closed space from the wall, eliminating foam leakage pathways while maintaining assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The side walls form a closed, flexible barrier that prevents foam leakage. The retaining elements and counter-retaining elements provide the necessary mechanical coupling without requiring open slots, allowing the side walls to completely seal the volume space and prevent foam from escaping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Volume of stationary object

If minimal gaps are formed for tab threading, then assembly space is provided, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly spaceVSAvoidgap width precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forming minimal gaps in the side walls for tab threading, the patent inverts the approach by creating a closed volume space without openings. The assembly space is provided through the three-dimensional volume enclosed by the base wall and side walls, while mechanical coupling is achieved through retaining elements engaging with counter-retaining elements that protrude from the wall into this space, eliminating the need for precise gap formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional gap-based assembly approach to a three-dimensional volume-based approach. The closed volume space provides ample room for maneuvering and assembly operations, while the retaining elements and counter-retaining elements establish mechanical coupling in a different spatial configuration that does not require precise gap widths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If tabs are bent during threading through gaps, then assembly is completed, but assembly reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly completionVSAvoidassembly reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bending tabs during threading through gaps, the patent inverts the approach by having retaining elements on the backing part engage with counter-retaining elements that protrude into the closed volume space from the wall. This eliminates the bending operation entirely, completing assembly through a straightforward engagement process that maintains high reliability without deformation-related errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4056935A1Rear part for a domestic cooling appliance component, arrangement comprising a domestic cooling appliance component and a rear part, and method of assembly

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

One aspect of the invention relates to a backing element (7) for a household refrigeration appliance component (1), comprising a base wall (18) and side walls (19, 20, 21, 22) terminating at the base wall (18), such that the base wall (18) and the side walls (19 to 22) form a trough with a volume space (23) bounded by the walls (18 to 22), and comprising at least one retaining element (28) for coupling with a counter-retaining element (30) of the household refrigeration appliance component (1) when the backing element (7) is mounted to the household refrigeration appliance component (1), characterized in that the retaining element (28) is arranged in the volume space (23). Further aspects relate to an arrangement (17) and a method.