Refrigerator Inner Casing Assembly to Block Insulation Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulation foaming processes in refrigerators result in liquid insulation material flowing into storage compartments through holes in the inner casing, necessitating temporary and permanent fixing mechanisms to prevent this flow and ensure proper insulation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of temporary fixing protrusions and mounting recesses on in-refrigerator parts, which temporarily couple these parts to the inner casing, blocking the flow of insulation material and allowing for permanent fixation once the insulation solidifies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If holes are provided in the inner casing for assembly purposes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but liquid insulation material flows into the storage compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing protrusion is divided into two segments that can be inserted through the hole separately, allowing the hole to remain open for insulation material application while still enabling fixation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The two segments are inserted into the hole before the insulation material is applied, allowing the hole to be temporarily blocked by the segments themselves, preventing insulation material leakage during the insulation process
2Ease of operation
If in-refrigerator parts are temporarily fixed to the inner casing, then ease of assembly is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional fixing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing protrusion is segmented into two separate segments that can be independently inserted and positioned, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining effective fixation without requiring complex multi-component mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The two segments of the fixing protrusion automatically block the hole when inserted, eliminating the need for separate blocking materials or additional components to prevent insulation material leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including an inner casing that is located within a main refrigerator body and that includes a storage compartment, and a mounting recess that is a recessed portion on a surface of the inner casing; and an in-refrigerator part that is configured to be coupled to the inner casing and that includes: a temporary fixing protrusion that protrudes from a portion of the in-refrigerator part and that includes two segments that are configured to (i) be inserted into the mounting recess, (ii) be coupled to an inner portion of the mounting recess, and (iii) be fixed to the mounting recess is disclosed.