Refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator designs face challenges in preventing deformation of the outer case due to the shrinkage of heat insulators, which can lead to inefficiencies in maintaining a consistent temperature and compromising the structural integrity of the refrigerator.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a partitioning wall structure with a heat insulator inlet that is optimized in size and configuration, featuring a first vertical partitioning wall with a specific height that inversely correlates with the size of the heat insulator inlet, and additional structural elements like protrusions and support ribs to manage the heat insulator's expansion and contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the heat insulator is filled between the inner case and outer case to prevent cold air leakage, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the outer case deforms due to heat insulator shrinkage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold air leakageVSAvoidouter case deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The partition is divided into multiple partitioning walls (first vertical partitioning wall, second vertical partitioning wall, third vertical partitioning wall) that segment the heat insulator into different regions. This segmentation allows different portions of the heat insulator to have different thicknesses, preventing uniform shrinkage from deforming the outer case while maintaining thermal insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the heat insulator are given different thicknesses based on their specific functions. The first portion (between first and second partitioning walls) has greater thickness for insulation, while the second portion (between second and third partitioning walls) has lesser thickness to accommodate shrinkage without deforming the outer case. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between insulation performance and deformation prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the heat insulator thickness is increased to improve insulation, then thermal performance is improved, but shrinkage effects are amplified causing outer case deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heat insulator is designed with non-uniform thickness where the first portion has greater thickness for optimal insulation performance, while the second portion has lesser thickness to minimize shrinkage impact. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve good thermal insulation without amplifying shrinkage effects that would compromise structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the heat insulator into multiple portions with different thicknesses through the partitioning wall structure, the patent allows thick insulation where needed while providing thin sections that can accommodate shrinkage, thereby maintaining overall structural integrity while achieving good insulation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the partitioning wall structure is simplified, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the ability to control heat insulator shrinkage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepartition structure complexityVSAvoidshrinkage control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The partition is segmented into multiple vertical partitioning walls that are relatively simple individual components. This segmentation allows each partitioning wall to be manufactured separately and then assembled, maintaining ease of manufacture while the collective segmented structure provides effective shrinkage control through differential heat insulator thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution effectively minimizes the deformation of the outer case by reducing the thickness of the heat insulator in critical areas, thereby maintaining the structural integrity and temperature consistency of the refrigerator.

Implementation Method 1

The heat insulator is filled between the outer case and the inner case to prevent a leakage of cold air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

deformation of an outer case caused due to shrinkage of a heat insulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS12305913B2Refrigerator

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: an outer case forming an exterior of the refrigerator; an inner case disposed inside the outer case, forming a storage compartment therein, and having a communication hole formed through a side surface thereof; a partition supported by the inner case to partition the storage compartment, and including a heat insulator inlet at a position corresponding to the communication hole; and a heat insulator filled between the outer case and the inner case and filled into the partition through the heat insulator inlet, wherein the partition includes a first vertical partitioning wall disposed between the outer case and the inner case and having a height to limit a size of the heat insulator inlet.