Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face structural weakness in the machine chamber due to airflow passages, leading to deformation during transportation or installation, and existing reinforcement methods either compromise heat dissipation performance or increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a reinforcement frame and bracket system, composed of bent metal components, which secures the machine chamber's sides without filling the entire chamber with heat-insulating material, allowing for improved strength and heat dissipation while maintaining storage capacity and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heat-insulating material is injected into the side wall of the machine chamber to reinforce side strength, then structural strength is improved, but heat dissipation performance deteriorates and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall of the machine chamber is segmented into multiple regions: reinforced sections with heat-insulating material for structural strength, and unreinforced sections with flow passages for heat dissipation. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of both strength and thermal performance without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the side wall are assigned different properties: some areas are filled with heat-insulating material where structural reinforcement is needed, while other areas remain open or have flow passages where heat dissipation is prioritized. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying the right property in the right location.
2Loss of energy
If flow path device is increased to improve heat dissipation efficiency, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but strength reinforcement performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall structure is divided into discrete flow passage regions and reinforcement regions. Flow path devices are strategically placed in specific segments where heat dissipation is critical, while other segments are dedicated to structural reinforcement, allowing both functions to coexist without interfering with each other's performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a two-dimensional choice (either fill entire wall or leave entire wall open) to a three-dimensional solution by creating multiple flow passages at different locations and orientations within the side wall structure, enabling simultaneous heat dissipation and strength reinforcement through spatial distribution.
3Volume of stationary object
If machine chamber size is decreased to secure storage capacity and insulation performance, then storage capacity and insulation are improved, but heat dissipation and strength reinforcement become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By creating multiple flow passages at different spatial locations and orientations within the compact machine chamber, the design compensates for the reduced overall size. The multi-dimensional arrangement of flow paths ensures adequate heat dissipation surface area and airflow channels are maintained even when the chamber volume is minimized for storage capacity.
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 design enhances the structural integrity of the machine chamber, allows for compact component placement, and improves heat dissipation, resulting in reduced power consumption and expanded electrical component mounting space without altering the storage capacity or thermal insulation performance.
Implementation Method 1
heat-insulating material being injected into the side wall of the machine chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator an outer case that forms an outer appearance of a cabinet in which a storage space is formed, a machine chamber provided at a lower end of a rear surface of the cabinet and independent of the storage space, the machine chamber being configured to receive a compressor and a condenser, frame assemblies provided at lower ends of both side surfaces of the outer case, and a main plate provided between the frame assemblies, the main plate forming the machine chamber, in which the frame assembly includes a reinforcement frame provided along a lower end and a rear edge of the outer case; and a reinforcement bracket coupled to the reinforcement frame and provided along circumferences of both side surfaces of the machine chamber in a left and right direction.