Refrigerator Door Vacuum Insulation Assembly to Reduce Damage Risk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator doors face challenges in maintaining a thin profile while enhancing heat insulation properties and simplifying the assembly process without damaging vacuum heat insulating members.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a refrigerator door design that incorporates a molded heat insulating member and a vacuum heat insulating member, where the molded member is shaped to match the door frame's inner convex edge and includes a convex step portion to support the front panel, and a protection sheet is used to prevent damage to the vacuum insulating member during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a vacuum heat insulating member is included in the refrigerator door to maintain thin profile and improve heat insulation, then heat insulating property is improved, but the assembling process becomes complex and the vacuum heat insulating member is prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulation propertyVSAvoidassembling process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the vacuum heat insulating member with the molded heat insulating member into a single integrated heat insulating assembly. The vacuum heat insulating member is positioned within the molded heat insulating member, creating a composite structure that maintains excellent thermal insulation while simplifying the overall assembly process by pre-positioning components together

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a protection sheet to the vacuum heat insulating member before assembly. This preliminary protective action prevents damage to the vacuum heat insulating member during the assembling process, eliminating the need for complex handling procedures and special precautions while maintaining component integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Length of stationary object

If the refrigerator door is made thin by using vacuum heat insulating member, then the door thickness is reduced, but the assembling process becomes more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor thicknessVSAvoidassembling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the vacuum heat insulating member within the molded heat insulating member in a pre-assembled configuration, the patent enables faster installation of the complete heat insulating assembly as a single unit, improving productivity without compromising the thin door profile

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection sheet is applied in advance to the vacuum heat insulating member, preventing damage during handling and assembly. This preliminary protective measure streamlines the assembling process by eliminating the need for special care and complex procedures, thereby increasing assembly speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a molded heat insulating member is used to support the front panel, then the structure is simplified, but the vacuum heat insulating member may be damaged during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidvacuum heat insulating member integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protection sheet is applied to the vacuum heat insulating member before it is installed within the molded heat insulating member. This preliminary protective action prevents damage during the assembly process while maintaining the simplified structural design, ensuring the reliability and integrity of the vacuum heat insulating member

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design effectively maintains excellent heat insulation properties while preventing damage to the vacuum heat insulating member and simplifying the assembly process, ensuring the refrigerator door remains thin and energy-efficient.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum heat insulating member (126) included in the molded heat insulating member (121)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a molded heat insulating member (121) in which a convex step portion (122b) protruding toward the front side is formed on the front surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2865972B1Refrigerator having a refrigerator door
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 TOSHIBA LIFESTYLE PROD & SERVICES CORP
  • EP2865972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2865972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2865972B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A refrigerator door of an embodiment includes a door frame, a front panel which is attached to the door frame, a structure which is disposed in the door frame such that a front face of the structure faces a rear face of the front panel, a flat vacuum heat insulating member which is disposed in a rear face side of the structure, and a molded heat insulating member which is disposed in a space surrounded by a front face of the vacuum heat insulating member, a rear face of the front panel, and an outer side face of the structure.