Refrigerator Water Filter Bracket Design to Eliminate Liner Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The attachment of a water filter assembly to the inner liner in refrigerators often results in gaps, reducing usable space, offering potential condensation surfaces, and compromising aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement bracket with a projection and tabs is used to secure the water filter assembly to the inner liner, minimizing gaps and ensuring proper alignment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a water filter assembly is attached to the inner liner without a reinforcement bracket, then the device complexity is reduced, but gaps form between the assembly and liner reducing usable space and compromising aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement bracket is divided into functional segments: a mounting portion attached to the liner, a projection extending through the liner, and a water filter assembly portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively eliminating gaps without requiring complete structural redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement bracket acts as an intermediary component between the inner liner and the water filter assembly. It mediates the attachment relationship, providing structural support and alignment while eliminating gaps, thus solving the contradiction between simple attachment and gap elimination
2Manufacturing precision
If a reinforcement bracket is added to secure the water filter assembly, then alignment and gap elimination are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement bracket applies local quality enhancement by concentrating structural support and alignment features at specific critical locations where gaps typically form. The projection and mounting portion are strategically positioned to provide precise alignment without requiring complex structures throughout the entire assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement bracket employs asymmetric design with a projection extending in a specific direction through the liner at an angle. This asymmetric configuration provides effective alignment and gap elimination while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, avoiding the need for symmetric complex structures
3Manufacturing precision
If the projection extends through the liner at an angle, then alignment of the water filter assembly is improved, but the structural complexity of the bracket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is pre-formed at an angle during bracket manufacturing, establishing the correct alignment geometry before assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment of the water filter assembly with the liner without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multi-step alignment procedures during installation
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a liner, a water filter assembly, and a reinforcement bracket. The liner defines an internal cavity. The water filter assembly is disposed within the internal cavity. The reinforcement bracket is disposed on an opposing side of the liner relative to the water filter assembly. The reinforcement bracket includes a projection extending through the liner and engaging the water filter assembly to secure the water filter assembly to the liner within the internal cavity. The reinforcement bracket further includes a tab positioner to secure the reinforcement bracket to the liner. The reinforcement bracket further includes ribs to add stiffness to the bracket and provide a profile to form a channel to be filled with insulating material.