Refrigerator having detachable cooling module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerator designs require disassembly of the cabinet for testing and maintenance of the cold air supply system, which is inefficient and hinders productivity.
Innovation Solution
A modular design where the cooling module, including the evaporator, compressor, and condenser, is detachably coupled to the cabinet, allowing the duct module to be separated through a duct opening for easy access and maintenance without disassembling the cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the cabinet is disassembled for testing and maintenance of the cold air supply system, then the cooling performance can be tested and components can be maintained, but the productivity is reduced and the manufacturing process is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The cold air supply system is divided into a detachable cooling module that can be separated from the cabinet. The cooling module includes the evaporator, condenser, compressor, and duct module, which can be independently removed through the duct opening for maintenance without disassembling the entire cabinet, thus improving both ease of repair and maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The duct module is extracted as a separate detachable component from the cooling module. This allows the duct module to be removed through the duct opening for easy access to the evaporator and other components, enabling maintenance without cabinet disassembly and preserving manufacturing efficiency
2Reliability
If all components of the cold air supply system are installed in the cabinet before testing, then the cooling performance can be tested, but the complexity of the assembly process increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module is segmented as a pre-assembled unit containing the evaporator, condenser, compressor, and duct module. This modular design allows the entire cooling system to be tested before installation in the cabinet, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable cooling performance testing
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling module and its components are pre-assembled and pre-tested outside the cabinet before final installation. This preliminary action allows cooling performance to be verified in advance, reducing the need for complex in-cabinet assembly and testing procedures
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
Enables easy testing of cooling performance and maintenance of the cold air supply system, enhancing productivity by allowing components to be accessed and repaired without disassembling the cabinet, thus improving the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a module body having a space in which the evaporator is accommodated
Implementation Method 2
a fan configured to circulate air in the storeroom
Implementation Method 3
a compressor
Implementation Method 4
a condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including a cabinet in which a storeroom is formed and including a duct opening; a cooling module detachably coupled to the cabinet and including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a module body having a space in which the evaporator is accommodated, and a duct module detachably coupled to the module body to guide cold air produced from the evaporator to the storeroom, wherein the duct opening, the duct module and the storeroom are arranged so that, when the duct module is detached from the module body, the duct module is passable through the duct opening to be removed through the storeroom.