Refrigeration and/or freezer device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Warm air flows into the chilled interior of cooling and/or freezing devices when the door is open, creating a vacuum that makes it difficult to open the door again, and existing pressure equalization openings cause thermal bridges and additional costs with low cross-section risks.
Innovation Solution
A stop mechanism is implemented to prevent complete closure of the locking element in a first position, allowing it to move into a second position automatically, keeping the door open for a short time to allow air to cool before complete closure, using mechanical or electronic actuators to control the movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pressure equalization openings are provided to equalize pressure after door closure, then door opening difficulty is reduced, but thermal bridges are formed allowing warm air ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is activated in advance when the door is closed to prevent complete closure temporarily, allowing pressure equalization without requiring permanent openings. The door is held at a gap position long enough for pressure to equalize, then fully closes without creating thermal bridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the door and the cooled interior, temporarily preventing full closure to allow pressure equalization. This mediator enables pressure balancing without the need for direct thermal connections through permanent openings.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure equalization openings with small cross-section are used, then warm air ingress is reduced, but the openings risk icing up
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure equalization function from permanent openings and relocates it to a temporary mechanism activated only when needed. The holding means provides pressure equalization through temporary gap maintenance during door closure, eliminating the need for permanent small cross-section openings that are prone to icing.
3Loss of energy
If the door is closed immediately after opening, then energy loss is minimized, but the door is difficult to open due to negative pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means performs preliminary action by preventing complete door closure for a predetermined period, allowing pressure to equalize before full closure occurs. This preliminary gap maintenance enables easy door reopening while minimizing energy loss through brief controlled exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic control where the holding means activates temporarily during door closure operations. This periodic intervention creates a time window for pressure equalization without requiring continuous openings, balancing energy conservation with operational ease.
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 door opening without thermal bridges or additional costs, ensuring minimal warm air ingress by delaying closure until the air inside has cooled.
Implementation Method 1
keeping the door open for a short time to allow air to cool before complete closure
Implementation Method 2
the holding means is or comprises a spring, in particular a gas pressure spring, which is designed to exert on the closure element a force directed counter to the closing direction of the closure element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling and/or freezing appliance (10) with a cooled interior and with a closing element (20) by means of which the cooled interior can be closed, wherein a retaining means (30) is provided which in a first position opposes a complete closing of the closing element, so that the closing element remains open by a gap, and which in a second position enables the complete closing of the closing element, wherein the retaining means is designed such that it automatically assumes the second position after a period of time starting from the first position.