Refrigerator Door Ice-Maker Duct Layout for Insulation and Splash Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator designs face issues with foaming liquid insulation efficiency, icemaker rigidity, and water splashing during door operation, leading to reduced cooling performance and icemaker malfunction.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator door design featuring a spaced tube guide for even foaming liquid distribution, a fixing unit to secure the icemaker, and a splash-preventing guide part to reintroduce water to the icemaker, enhancing insulation efficiency and preventing icemaker breakage and water splashing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the tube guide is installed to adhere closely to the backside of the outer case, then the structure is compact, but the foaming liquid cannot be evenly distributed and insulation efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidinsulation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tube guide is segmented into multiple sections with spacing between them, allowing the foaming liquid to flow through and distribute evenly across the backside of the outer case, thereby maintaining insulation efficiency while keeping the structure compact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tube guide acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates the even distribution of foaming liquid between the inner case and outer case, ensuring proper insulation without requiring the tube guide to adhere closely to the outer case backside

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the icemaker is directly attached to the inner lateral side of the inner case, then the installation is simple, but the inner case lacks rigidity and may droop or transform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidinner case rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A support structure is预先 installed on the inner case before attaching the icemaker, providing the necessary rigidity and structural support to prevent drooping or transformation of the inner case while maintaining installation simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the icemaker is provided inside the cold storage room door, then the door functionality is enhanced, but water may be splashed on the door when opened or closed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor functionalityVSAvoidwater splashing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The splash-preventing guide part converts the harmful water splashing effect into a beneficial containment function by guiding the splashed water back into the ice making room, where it can be reused for ice making, thereby maintaining door functionality while eliminating water splashing on the door

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If water is splashed on the refrigerator door during door operation, then the icemaker unit may malfunction, but preventing water splashing requires additional structural complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveicemaker unit functionalityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The splash-preventing guide part is integrated into the existing door structure and automatically contains and redirects water splashes without requiring additional active components or complex control systems, maintaining icemaker reliability while minimizing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design improves insulation efficiency, prevents icemaker breakage, and ensures water is reused within the icemaker, enhancing overall refrigerator performance and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

an insulation duct provided to one side of the inner case configuring the ice making room to guide cold air flowing to an inside/outside of the ice making room

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase Change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS7942017B2Refrigerator door comprising an insulated duct for ice making air supply and discharge

Publication Date: 2011.05.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.