Household refrigeration device with an inner container and method for producing a household refrigeration device with an inner container

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of household refrigeration appliance inner containers is complex due to the need for precise tooling and difficulty in integrating features like ventilation grilles and shelves, especially when producing containers of different dimensions, as they are typically formed in a direction corresponding to the depth of the accommodating space.

Innovation Solution

The inner container is designed as two separate sections with an insulating foam between them, allowing for easier production and adaptation to different widths without the need for complex tooling, as the sections can be formed in the direction of their width, enabling the creation of inner containers with varying dimensions using the same parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If inner containers are produced by deep drawing with thermoplastics to match different dimensions, then inner containers of appropriate widths and heights can be manufactured, but it becomes difficult to integrate tool slides and corresponding features like parking cams or cavities into the tool

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidtooling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inner container is divided into multiple separate sections (front section, rear section, side sections) that can be produced independently using simpler tooling without complex slides, then assembled together to form the complete container structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of forming complex features like cavities and parking cams during the deep drawing process using complex tool slides, the invention forms these features as separate elements that are attached to the main container body after production, inverting the traditional sequence of feature creation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the inner container is formed in the depth direction towards the front, then the container can be produced by deep drawing, but it becomes complex to provide cutouts in the rear area for ventilation and cooling technology

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforming process simplicityVSAvoidcutout production complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is segmented into a front section formed by deep drawing and a separate rear section that includes the ventilation and cooling cutouts, allowing each section to be produced with appropriate simplicity while maintaining access to complex features

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rear section with ventilation and cooling cutouts is prepared in advance as a separate component, allowing these complex features to be created using simpler methods before assembly, rather than attempting to form them during the main deep drawing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate inner containers are manufactured for different widths and heights, then appropriate dimensions can be provided, but the production process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional varietyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into modular sections (front, rear, sides) that can be produced using standardized tooling and then assembled in different configurations to create containers of various widths and heights, reducing the need for completely separate production lines for each dimension

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separate sections are designed with universal features and standardized connection points that allow the same basic components to be used across multiple container variants, enabling a single set of tooling to produce containers of different dimensions through varying assembly configurations

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

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 design simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and allows for the production of inner containers of different widths with the same sections, providing cost advantages and flexibility in producing containers for various appliance sizes.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating material in the form of an insulating foam is provided between the inner container and the outer housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3222948B1Household refrigeration device with an inner container and method for producing a household refrigeration device with an inner container
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3222948B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3222948B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3222948B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an inner container (1) for a household refrigeration appliance, with walls (4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the inner container (1) delimiting a receiving space (2) for food. The inner container (1) is formed from at least two separate sections (5, 6), each of the at least two sections (5, 6) comprising at least one wall (4, 10, 12, 14) delimiting the receiving space (2). The invention also relates to a household refrigeration appliance with such an inner container (1) and a method for producing such an inner container (1).