Refrigerator Body Reinforcement With Vacuum Insulation Panels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator designs face issues with deformation and reduced insulation performance due to the difference in thermal contraction between the plastic inner case and steel outer case, leading to compromised rigidity and increased deformation, especially when the thickness of the insulating material is reduced to increase internal capacity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a reinforcement structure, including reinforcement members and a vacuum insulation panel, along with strategically placing a reinforcement plate in the electric apparatus box to enhance rigidity and prevent fire spread, addresses the deformation and insulation performance issues. Additionally, the electric apparatus box is positioned in a hinge cover to improve spatial utility and the heating pipe is placed adjacent to the outer case to prevent dew condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the thickness of the insulating material is reduced to increase internal capacity, then the internal capacity is improved, but the rigidity deteriorates and deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines foam insulating material with a vacuum insulating panel to create a composite insulation structure. The vacuum insulating panel provides superior insulation performance and structural support, compensating for the reduced thickness of the foam material and preventing body deformation while maintaining increased internal capacity.
2Volume of stationary object
If the thickness of the insulating material is reduced to increase internal capacity, then the internal capacity is improved, but the insulation performance is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite insulation structure combining foam material with a vacuum insulating panel. The vacuum panel provides exceptional thermal insulation performance, compensating for the reduced thickness of the foam material and maintaining overall insulation effectiveness despite the reduced total insulation thickness.
3Volume of stationary object
If the electric apparatus box is disposed in the front of the upper portion of the body, then the spatial utility is improved, but the heat infiltration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat-cutting part (thermal barrier) as an intermediary structure between the electric apparatus box and the cold storage compartment. This thermal barrier prevents heat transfer from the front panel area to the storage compartment, allowing the electric apparatus box to be positioned in the front upper portion without compromising insulation performance.
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 reinforcement structure maintains rigidity, reduces deformation, and enhances insulation performance, while the electric apparatus box configuration improves spatial efficiency and prevents fire spread, effectively addressing the challenges of thermal contraction and insulation in refrigerator design.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating material foamed between the inner case and the outer case
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum insulation panel
Implementation Method 3
the heating pipe is placed adjacent to the outer case to prevent dew condensation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator which is capable of reducing a quantity of deformation of a body by improving rigidity of the body that is lowered due to a thickness of insulation reduced to increase an internal capacity of the body, using a reinforcement structure, and in which an electric apparatus box in which electric apparatus components for controlling an operation of the refrigerator are accommodated, is disposed in a hinge cover disposed in the front of an upper portion of a body so that spatial utility can be improved and when a fire breaks out in components inside the electric apparatus box, a reinforcement plate formed of a steel material is disposed in the electric apparatus box so as to prevent the fire from being spread toward an outside of the electric apparatus box.