Refrigerator Electronic Assembly Mounting Using Undercut Contours
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting electronic assemblies in refrigerators and freezers are complex, costly, and not user-friendly, relying on screws, foam, and additional securing pieces.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator and freezer design featuring a heat-insulated body with a container pocket in the inner wall having undercut contours, which engages with counter-contours on the electronic assembly for a form-fitting secure attachment without screws or adhesives, using deep-drawing or thermoforming techniques to create stable mating contours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws and foam pieces are used to attach electronic assemblies, then secure mounting is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attachment function and the wall structure into a single integrated container pocket. The pocket is formed directly from the inner container wall material, eliminating the need for separate screws, foam pieces, and reinforcement elements. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining secure mounting through the undercut contours that provide mechanical interlocking with the electronic assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The container pocket serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the electronic assembly, creates the attachment mechanism through undercut contours, and eliminates the need for separate reinforcement elements. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable mounting.
2Stability of the object's composition
If reinforcement elements are added to the wall, then mounting stability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is merged into the container pocket structure itself. The pocket is formed from the inner container wall material through deep-drawing or thermoforming, creating an integrated structure that provides both support and attachment functionality without requiring separate reinforcement plates or elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process parameters are optimized to create the undercut contours directly during deep-drawing or thermoforming. This parameter change allows the pocket to achieve sufficient stability through its geometric design rather than requiring additional reinforcement elements, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining mounting stability.
3Reliability
If multiple attachment aids are used, then secure fixation is achieved, but ease of operation during installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container pocket provides self-aligning attachment through its undercut contours. The electronic assembly with corresponding protrusions automatically finds its correct position and orientation when inserted into the pocket, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or multiple attachment steps. The geometry of the pocket guides the assembly into place and secures it through the interlocking contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the alignment and positioning functions from complex multi-step attachment procedures and embeds them directly into the geometric design of the container pocket. The undercut contours and corresponding protrusions provide inherent alignment, allowing the electronic assembly to be installed by simple insertion without requiring separate alignment operations or multiple attachment aids.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a thermally insulated appliance body enclosing an interior space and with a heat pump for cooling the interior space. The appliance body comprises an outer casing forming the exterior of the appliance, an inner container defining the interior space, and foam insulation arranged between the outer casing and the inner container. An electronic assembly is provided in the interior space and is held against a wall of the inner container. A container pocket is formed in the wall of the inner container, having undercut contours. The electronic assembly has counter contours on its rear side that engage with the undercut contours to hold the assembly positively against the wall. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a refrigerator and/or freezer.