Domestic refrigerator with light source module mounted on an internal container in a specific manner, and method of assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household refrigeration appliances face issues with the mechanical forces exerted on thin plastic inner container walls when mounting light source modules, leading to potential damage and instability.

Innovation Solution

A separate mounting part is arranged on the outer side of the inner container wall, with a snap-in geometry that absorbs the holding forces of the light source module, allowing for a stable and compact design by using a feedthrough and snap-in elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the light source module is directly attached to the inner container wall, then the mounting structure is simple, but the mechanical forces exerted on the thin plastic wall cause damage and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structureVSAvoidmounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A separate mounting part is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source module and the inner container wall. This mounting part absorbs the mechanical holding forces, preventing direct force transfer to the thin plastic wall and eliminating the risk of wall damage while ensuring stable mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a separate mounting part is introduced to absorb holding forces, then the mounting stability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidmounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting part is designed to be integrally formed with the inner container, merging the mounting function into the existing structure. This integration approach adds the necessary mounting capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the holding element extends through the wall directly, then the assembly is compact, but the forces act directly on the wall causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly compactnessVSAvoidmechanical damage to wall
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting part serves as a mediator that intercepts the holding element before it can directly contact the inner container wall. The holding element passes through the mounting part which is externally attached to the wall, thereby preventing direct force application to the wall while maintaining the compact assembly configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4119877B1Domestic refrigerator with light source module mounted on an internal container in a specific manner, and method of assembly
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4119877B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119877B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4119877B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A household refrigerating appliance (1) with an inner container (6) which, with walls (6a, 6b, 6c), delimits a receiving space (3) for food of the household refrigerating appliance (1), wherein at least one wall (6a, 6b, 6c) has at least one recess (10, 11, 12, 13) on which a light source module (5) of the household refrigerating appliance (1) is arranged, wherein the light source module (5) has at least one retaining element (8, 9) which engages through the recess (10 to 13) for holding, wherein the household refrigerating appliance (1) has an additional, separate mounting part (14) which is arranged on the outer side (7) of the wall (6a, 6b, 6c) facing away from the receiving space (3), wherein the retaining element (8, 9) is coupled to the mounting part (14) for holding the light source module (5).