Refrigerator Inner Case Assembly Using Interchangeable Material Sheets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator inner case manufacturing methods are limited to resin materials and specific thicknesses, restricting material choice and design flexibility, as well as requiring additional molds for sheet replacements.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator features an inner case composed of interchangeable sheets with varying thicknesses and materials, including metal and ceramic, which can be assembled without additional molds, using engagement mechanisms like sheet insertion grooves and flange couplings to ensure secure and leak-proof assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the inner case is formed through a vacuum forming method using a sheet, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the material selection is limited to resin materials and specific thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The inner case is divided into multiple independent sheets (first sheet, second sheet, third sheet, fourth sheet) that can be selectively assembled. Each sheet can be made from different materials and thicknesses, allowing flexible material selection while maintaining simple manufacturing processes for each individual sheet.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner case uses composite construction by assembling multiple sheets made from different materials (resin, metal, ceramic) and thicknesses. This allows the system to benefit from the properties of different materials while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized sheet production methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner case is formed by attaching a metal sheet to a resin inner case, then material variety is increased, but the metal sheet type, thickness, and weight are limited by bonding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The inner case is segmented into multiple independent sheets that can be selectively assembled. This segmentation eliminates the need for bonding metal sheets to resin cases, as each sheet can be independently manufactured and assembled through mechanical engagement, removing material selection constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement structure (protrusions and recesses) provides a universal connection method that works with any material type. This universal mechanism allows different materials (resin, metal, ceramic) to be combined without being limited by bonding compatibility requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different thickness sheets are used in the inner case, then design flexibility is improved, but additional molds are required for sheet replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The design allows changing the thickness parameter of individual sheets without requiring additional molds. By using standardized engagement structures that accommodate different thicknesses, the system achieves design flexibility while avoiding the need for specialized molding tools for each thickness variation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the inner case uses fixed material and thickness, then manufacturing is simplified, but consumer preferences and thermal conductivity requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The inner case transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system where sheets can be selectively assembled and replaced. This allows the manufacturing process to remain simple for each sheet while enabling customization to meet consumer preferences and thermal conductivity requirements through different material and thickness combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator including an inner case formed by a plurality of sheets being assembled. The refrigerator may include an inner case having various materials and shapes, and a sheet forming one side of the inner case may be replaceable.