Refrigerator and manufacturing method of the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerators face challenges in easily mounting a display unit with a simple structure and low manufacturing cost while maintaining an aesthetic appearance and allowing for easy access for maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The display unit is mounted on the inner side of the door or body, allowing it to be inserted after insulating material filling is complete, and can be slid out for access, simplifying assembly and reducing costs while maintaining an aesthetic design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display unit is mounted on the front panel, then it is easily accessible, but it deteriorates the aesthetic appearance of the front panel

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of display unitVSAvoidAesthetic appearance of front panel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is extracted from the front panel and relocated to the inner side of the door or body. This allows the front panel to maintain its aesthetic appearance while the display unit remains accessible through the opened door or removable panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit is moved from a two-dimensional front panel surface to a three-dimensional space on the inner side of the door or body. This dimensional transition resolves the conflict between aesthetic appearance and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the display unit is mounted before filling insulating material, then assembly is simpler, but manufacturing cost increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly simplicityVSAvoidAssembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating material is filled in advance before mounting the display unit. This preliminary action simplifies the overall assembly process by eliminating the need for complex integration of the display unit with insulating material during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly process is segmented into distinct stages: first filling insulating material, then mounting the display unit separately. This segmentation reduces assembly complexity by avoiding simultaneous integration of multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the display unit is permanently fixed, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveStructural stabilityVSAvoidDisplay unit accessibility for repair
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit mounting transitions from a static permanent fixation to a dynamic removable configuration. The display unit can be slid out or removed while maintaining structural stability during normal operation, enabling easy repair and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2242968B1Refrigerator and manufacturing method of the same
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2242968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2242968B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2242968B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator. The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a panel member forming at least a portion of the exterior of the refrigerator, an inner case of which at least portion is spaced from the panel, a display case provided at one side of the panel member, insulating material filled in space between the panel member and the inner case, and a display unit mounted on the display case after the filling of the insulating material is completed.