Refrigerator Water Feed System Integration to Reduce Pipe Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator water feed systems have a complex configuration due to separately mounted filters, water tanks, and valves, leading to increased pipe length, assembly complications, and inefficient use of interior space.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the filter, water tank, and control valve within the refrigerating compartment, with a simplified water feed pipe configuration that reduces the number of pipes and facilitates easy assembly, while utilizing previously unused space for improved space efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter, water tank, and valve are arranged separately in different locations (water tank in refrigerating compartment, valve in bottom machine room), then each component can be independently accessed and maintained, but the water feed pipe length increases and the configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filter, water tank, and valve into a single integrated assembly that is collectively received in the refrigerating compartment. This merging of previously separate components into one unified structure simplifies the water feed pipe configuration and reduces the number of connection points, while still allowing access to individual components through the integrated design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the filter, water tank, and valve are arranged separately, then each component can be independently manufactured and replaced, but the assembly process becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The filter, water tank, and valve are merged into a pre-assembled integrated unit that can be manufactured as a single module. This approach maintains the independence of individual components for manufacturing purposes while significantly improving assembly efficiency, as the entire water feed system can be installed as one unit rather than assembling multiple separate components during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter, water tank, and valve are pre-assembled into an integrated configuration before installation in the refrigerator. This preliminary assembly action allows for standardized manufacturing and testing of the complete water feed system, thereby simplifying the final installation process and improving overall assembly productivity.
3Ease of operation
If separate mounting of filter, water tank, and valve is used, then components can be individually accessed, but the interior space of the refrigerator is not maximized and workability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the filter, water tank, and valve into a single integrated assembly received in the refrigerating compartment, the patent optimizes space utilization by consolidating multiple components into one compact unit. This integrated approach maximizes the use of available interior space while maintaining accessibility to all components through the unified structure.
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 configuration simplifies the assembly process, reduces pipe complexity, maximizes interior space, and enhances the reliability of the water feed system by preventing water leakage in case of filter damage, while maintaining effective water supply to the icemaker and dispenser.
Implementation Method 1
a control valve provided on a hose connecting the external water source and the filter to each other and serving to control supply of water from the external water source
Implementation Method 2
the filter, a water tank and a valve... serves to purify water fed from an external water source and feed the purified water
Data Source
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AI summary
A water feed system usable with a refrigerator having an icemaker and a dispenser, which assures efficient utilization of a storage space. The refrigerator includes a filter to purify water to be fed from an external water source to the icemaker and the dispenser, a water tank in which the water, purified by the filter, is stored so as to be cooled by interior cold air of the refrigerating compartment, and a valve provided at a junction of a hose connecting the filter to the water tank and the icemaker to selectively supply the water, purified by the filter, to the water tank or the icemaker. The filter, the water tank and the valve are received in a case so as to be integrally positioned in the refrigerating compartment.