Refrigerator FFC Connector Layout for Space-Saving Wire Harnessing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for refrigerators are costly due to manual assembly and have low price competitiveness, and they do not efficiently utilize space within the refrigerator, leading to reduced energy efficiency and accommodation capacity.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a flexible flat cable (FFC) and wire connection system with a first housing and multiple second housings, where an insulating material is uniformly foamed between the inner and outer cases, reducing the volume of the wire harness and improving energy efficiency, and including connection members and a binder to secure the housings and prevent separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a board-to-wire type connector with multiple components is assembled manually, then electrical connectivity between wire harness and electronic components is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the header and housing into a single integrated connector body. The connector includes a body with an accommodation space for the FFC and connection terminals, eliminating the need for separate header and housing components. This integration enables automated assembly while maintaining electrical connectivity between the wire harness and electronic components.
2Reliability
If conventional connector components are used with manual assembly, then electrical connection is established, but manufacturing cost increases and price competitiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple conventional connector components (header, housing, terminals) into a single integrated connector body. This reduces the number of parts, simplifies manufacturing processes, and enables automated production, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the integrated connection terminals.
3Reliability
If wire harness is inserted between inner case and outer case, then electrical connection is provided, but volume occupies storage compartment space and reduces accommodation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the connector along the thickness direction of the inner case, with the accommodation space extending in the thickness direction rather than occupying lateral storage space. The connector is installed such that the accommodation space is positioned near the rear surface of the inner case, utilizing the thickness dimension to route the FFC and wires without encroaching on the storage compartment volume.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If insulating material is foamed between inner case and outer case, then thermal insulation is provided, but uniform foaming is difficult due to connector components and wire harness volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connector into distinct functional regions: an accommodation space for the FFC and a connection terminal region. The accommodation space is designed to be closely surrounded by the insulating material, creating a well-defined foaming region. This segmentation allows the insulating material to be uniformly foamed around the connector components without voids or irregularities, improving thermal insulation efficiency.
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 connector reduces the volume of the wire harness, enhances energy efficiency by uniform foaming of the insulating material, and improves the accommodation capacity of the storage compartment, while maintaining electrical connectivity and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A foaming space in which an insulating material is filled, may be provided between the outer case and the inner case
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having an inner case that constitutes a storage compartment, an outer case that is coupled to an outer side of the inner case and constitutes an exterior, and a connector that connects a flexible flat cable (FFC) and wires. The connector includes a first housing having an accommodation space in which the FFC is inserted, a plurality of second housings in which a wire insertion hole into which the wires are inserted, is formed and which are coupled to the first housing, and connection members provided in the first housing and the plurality of second housings so as to electrically connect the FFC and the wires. The connector is installed at the inner case in such a way that the first housing faces the outer case and the second housings face the storage compartment.