Refrigerator Housing Reinforcement for Hinge Region Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration device housings, particularly around hinge regions, lack sufficient rigidity, leading to potential deformation and movement issues during the device's lifecycle.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a reinforcing member adjacent the hinge element, connecting frame parts vertically between the sidewall and inner liner, and to the hinge element and sidewall, enhancing the structural rigidity of the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the housing structure around the hinge region is made more rigid by adding a reinforcing member, then the resistance to deformation and movement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into distinct functional components: a base housing, a reinforcing member, and a hinge element. The reinforcing member is a separate component that can be independently manufactured and then assembled to strengthen the hinge region without redesigning the entire housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire housing more rigid, the reinforcing member is strategically placed only in the hinge region where additional strength is needed. This localized reinforcement approach improves housing rigidity at the critical area while keeping the rest of the housing structure simple and lightweight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a reinforcing member is added to connect frame parts and hinge element, then the housing stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing assembly is divided into separate manufacturable components including the base housing, reinforcing member, and hinge element. Each component can be manufactured independently using standard processes, and then assembled together, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving enhanced stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing member acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the frame parts and the hinge element. It provides a standardized connection interface that simplifies the assembly process while ensuring stable structural integration of all components.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration device includes a cabinet surrounded by a thermally-insulated housing having a sidewall facing outside and an inner liner spaced apart from the sidewall. At least one door is hinged to the housing by at least one hinge element and a front frame part is provided at a side of the housing facing the door. The housing includes a reinforcing member provided at a region of the housing adjacent a respective hinge element, so as to connect a pair of frame parts extending vertically between the sidewall and the inner liner to each other and to the respective hinge element and sidewall.