Refrigerator Separator Plate Seal for Easy Mounting and Leak Tightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs fail to provide a strong, leak-proof connection between the separator plate and the body while allowing easy mounting and dismounting, and often result in damage to the body under load.
Innovation Solution
A flexible intermediate member with two spaced flexible elements, a groove on the body, and a housing on the separator plate that allows the intermediate member to move and rotate, providing a durable and air-tight seal with claws and a rib for support, and a dampening surface to reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible intermediate member is used to provide leak-proofing between the separator plate and the body, then air flow is prevented and volumes are separated, but the intermediate member lacks sufficient strength and may give permanent damage to the body under load
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid core (providing structural strength) with flexible sealing elements (providing leak-proofing). This allows the single component to simultaneously deliver both mechanical support and air-tight sealing between the separator plate and body.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the intermediate member have different properties: the central portion provides rigid structural support to bear loads, while the peripheral sealing portions provide flexible leak-proofing. This local differentiation allows the intermediate member to fulfill both strength and sealing functions without compromising either.
2Strength
If the intermediate member remains rigid to support load, then structural strength is maintained, but the separator plate cannot be easily mounted to and dismounted from the body
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member incorporates flexible elements that allow dynamic deformation during mounting and dismounting operations, enabling easy installation and removal. Once positioned, the rigid core maintains structural integrity under load. This dynamic flexibility combined with static rigidity resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate member changes its physical parameters (flexibility/rigidity) based on operational requirements: it becomes flexible during mounting/dismounting to facilitate easy operation, and maintains rigidity during normal use to support structural loads. This parameter change allows the same component to satisfy both contradictory requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If load is concentrated on the body during separator plate placement, then the separator plate can be installed, but permanent damage may occur to the body
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate member acts as a mediator between the separator plate and the body, distributing the installation load across its structure and preventing concentrated forces from damaging the body. The rigid core of the intermediate member bears the mechanical stress, protecting the body from permanent damage while still enabling easy installation.
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
Enables easy mounting and dismounting of the separator plate while maintaining a strong, leak-proof connection and preventing air leakage, even under load, without causing damage to the body.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flexible element that is disposed on the intermediate member and that enables the separator plate to be easily placed to the body by getting narrower while the separator plate is placed into the body
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate member comprises a dampening surface that is disposed at the end portion of the flexible element, that has an inclined configuration and that decreases the friction between the separator plate and the intermediate member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2) wherein foodstuffs are placed; a separator plate (3) that is placed into the body (2) by being pushed and dismounted from the body (2) by being pulled and that divides the body (2) into two separate volumes when placed into the body (2); and two intermediate members (4) that are disposed between the separator plate (3) and the body (2) such that one remains at the right side of the separator plate (3) and the other at the left side of the separator plate (3) when the separator plate (3) is placed into the body (2).