Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with exposed water pipes experience temperature fluctuations, leading to user dissatisfaction due to higher discharge water temperature, and complex assembly and maintenance issues when pipes are fully enclosed.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with a water supply path that includes a first pipe inside the cabinet, a second pipe partially exposed through the rear surface, and a connector with smaller inner diameter to minimize temperature rise, combined with a cover and sealing member to shield the pipes and maintain temperature consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the water pipe is exposed to the outside of the refrigerator to reduce installation complexity and manufacturing cost, then the assembly operation is simplified and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the temperature of the water supplied through the pipe changes due to external temperature, causing the discharged water temperature to be higher than the set temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply path is divided into multiple segments: a first pipe inside the refrigerating chamber, a second pipe extending through the rear surface, and a connector joining them. This segmentation allows the pipe to be partially exposed for ease of installation while minimizing temperature impact on the water supply path.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with a smaller inner diameter than the first pipe, creating a localized constriction that reduces the volume of water exposed to external temperatures. This local quality change minimizes temperature rise in the exposed section while maintaining adequate flow through the dispenser.
2Temperature
If the entire pipe is disposed without being exposed to the outside and buried in an adiabatic material, then the temperature stability of the water supply is improved, but the assembly operation becomes complicated and manufacturing cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply path is segmented into an internal portion (first pipe) and an external portion (second pipe), connected by a connector. This allows the critical water-cooling section to remain inside the refrigerating chamber while the connection section can be externally accessible, simplifying assembly compared to fully enclosed adiabatic routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary element that joins the internal first pipe to the external second pipe. This intermediate component enables a transition from the temperature-controlled internal environment to the external environment, facilitating easier installation and maintenance while maintaining temperature stability in the water supply.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pipe is exposed to the outside, then the assembly operation is simplified, but when the pipe needs to be separated for replacement or repair, the pipe work becomes very difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply path is divided into separable segments (first pipe, connector, second pipe) that can be independently accessed and replaced. The connector serves as a detachable joint, allowing the external second pipe to be separated and replaced without disturbing the internal first pipe or the water tank connection, significantly easing repair operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The external second pipe is extracted as a separate, independently replaceable component from the internal water supply system. This extraction allows the exposed pipe section to be removed and replaced without disassembling the refrigerator or disturbing the internal components, making maintenance simple and practical.
4Temperature
If a connector with smaller inner diameter is used to minimize temperature rise, then the volume of water exposed to external temperature is reduced, but the flow rate through the connector may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The connector has a locally reduced inner diameter compared to the first pipe, creating a constrained section that minimizes the volume of water exposed to external temperatures. This local quality change reduces thermal impact on the water supply while the overall system maintains adequate flow rate through the dispenser.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector provides partial flow restriction to achieve the primary goal of minimizing temperature rise in the exposed section. The inner diameter is reduced enough to limit exposed water volume but maintained at a level that still allows sufficient flow rate for normal dispenser operation, balancing thermal performance with productivity requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage space, a water tank provided inside the storage space, a door rotatably connected to the cabinet by a hinge and configured to open and close the storage space, a dispenser provided in the door, and a water supply path connecting the water tank and the dispenser through the hinge and supplying water from the water tank to the dispenser. The water supply path includes a first pipe communicating with an output side of the water tank, a second pipe extending toward the dispenser and at least partially exposed through a rear surface of the cabinet, and a connector connecting an end part of the first pipe and an end part of the second pipe. An inner diameter of the second pipe is smaller than an inner diameter of the first pipe.