Wall arrangement for a refrigerator, refrigerator and procedure for assembling a wall arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigeration appliance wall arrangements are not compact or easy to assemble, leading to inefficiencies in space usage and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

A wall arrangement featuring a partition, an insulating part made of thermally insulating foam, and a fan, where the fan is positioned between the insulating part and the partition, with locking elements allowing for easy and secure assembly, reducing the number of components and enhancing thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If foam elements are loosely applied and secured with adhesive tape or clamps, then the wall arrangement can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes complex and the structure is not compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the insulating part and the partition wall into a single integrated component with the insulating part directly attached to the partition wall. This merging eliminates the need for separate fastening operations (adhesive tape or clamps) and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining thermal insulation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating part is pre-attached to the partition wall during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary action transfers the insulation installation step from the assembly phase to the manufacturing phase, simplifying the final assembly process where the entire wall arrangement is installed as one unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Volume of moving object

If traditional wall arrangements are used with separate components, then assembly is possible, but the usable volume of the cold compartment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusable volume of cold compartmentVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the insulating part and partition wall into one integrated component, the patent reduces the total number of separate parts in the wall arrangement. This consolidation minimizes the space occupied by structural elements and fasteners, thereby increasing the usable volume of the cold compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated wall arrangement component serves multiple functions simultaneously: the partition wall provides structural separation, the attached insulating part provides thermal insulation, and the integrated design eliminates the need for separate fastening components. This multi-functionality reduces component count and optimizes space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If foam elements are secured with adhesive tape or clamps, then the insulation is fixed, but the fixation is not vibration-proof

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidvibration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a collar with a retaining web that creates a curved or contoured engagement structure. This geometric design provides mechanical interlocking between the wall arrangement and the refrigeration compartment, creating vibration-resistant fixation that superior to flat adhesive tape or simple clamps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar is segmented into a main body and a retaining web portion that extends into the recess. This segmentation allows the retaining web to engage with the recess walls independently, creating multiple contact points that distribute vibrational forces and enhance fixation reliability.

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

The solution results in a compact, space-saving design that simplifies assembly, improves thermal insulation, and increases the usable volume of the cold compartment while ensuring reliable and vibration-proof fixation of components.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating part (3) made of a thermally insulating foam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

air can be sucked in by means of the fan (6) via the heat exchanger (121)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4244554B1Wall arrangement for a refrigerator, refrigerator and procedure for assembling a wall arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4244554B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4244554B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4244554B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a wall arrangement for a refrigeration appliance, in particular for a domestic refrigerator, comprising a partition for delimiting a refrigeration compartment having a planarly extending main wall on which at least a first latching element is formed, and a planarly extending insulation part which is arranged on a first surface of the main wall, the partition and the insulation part being interlockingly fastened to each other. The wall arrangement also has a fan arranged between the main wall and the insulation part, wherein the main wall has at least one first through-opening so that air can be conveyed through the first through-opening by the fan, and wherein the insulation part has a second through-opening so that air can be conveyed through the second through-opening by the fan.