refrigerator

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In refrigerators, heat insulating material can be discharged outside the door body when it is filled, compromising the insulation efficiency and energy performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a cover fixer mechanism that prevents heat insulating material from being discharged by securely accommodating it within the door body, using a combination of fixers and buffer members to ensure the material remains in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If heat insulating material is filled in the door body, then insulation efficiency is improved, but heat insulating material may be discharged to the outside through accommodation space for fixers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the heat insulating material inside the door body structure, specifically within the space formed by the door panel, frame, and cover. The fixers are embedded within this nested structure, with their accommodation spaces positioned to contain the insulating material, preventing it from being discharged to the outside while maintaining insulation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary component that seals the accommodation spaces of the fixers. By positioning the cover to close these spaces, it prevents the heat insulating material from being discharged through the fixer mounting areas, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining insulation and preventing material discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If fixers are mounted on door panel to combine door panel to door body, then door assembly is achieved, but accommodation space for fixers may allow heat insulating material to discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor assembly strengthVSAvoidmaterial discharge through fixer space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixers are nested within the door body structure, with their accommodation spaces positioned inside the door body rather than on the exterior. This nesting arrangement allows the fixers to provide strong mechanical attachment while containing the heat insulating material within the door body, preventing discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover serves as an intermediary sealing element that closes the accommodation spaces of the fixers. This intermediary component maintains the structural integrity of the door assembly while preventing the heat insulating material from being discharged through the fixer mounting areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If door panel is detachably coupled to door body, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but sealing and material containment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly and disassembly easeVSAvoidmaterial discharge risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable coupling system is nested within the door body structure, with the fixers and their accommodation spaces positioned to contain the heat insulating material. The door panel can be detached from the door body through this nested fixer system while the heat insulating material remains contained within the door body, preventing discharge during assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary sealing component that maintains containment of the heat insulating material during detachable coupling operations. By sealing the accommodation spaces, it ensures that material discharge does not occur even when the door panel is being assembled or disassembled from the door body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution enhances insulation efficiency by maintaining the heat insulating material within the door body, improving energy performance and user safety by preventing material exposure.

Implementation Method 1

heat insulating material is filled in the door body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3822564B1refrigerator
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3822564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3822564B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3822564B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body (10) having a front side thereof open; and a door (100) configured to open and close the open front side of the main body. The door includes: a door panel (110) including a panel body (111) and a fixer (161) provided at one surface of the panel body; and a door body on which the door panel is separably mounted and filled by a heat insulating member, the door body including a cover fixer (180) concavely formed to have the fixer inserted thereinto and arranged to come in contact with the heat insulating member when the door panel is mounted on the door body.