Refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-compartment refrigerators in the market require multiple doors, leading to high material costs and complex assembly processes due to the need for one-to-one correspondence between compartments and doors.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design that uses a single door to open and close multiple compartments, with sealing members to reduce cooling capacity exchange and achieve area temperature control, simplifying the structure and assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple doors are provided for multi-compartment refrigerator, then each compartment can be sealed independently, but material cost increases and assembling process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple doors are merged into a single integrated door assembly. The door assembly includes a door body with a door liner that can seal multiple compartments simultaneously, reducing the number of separate door components from multiple to one, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining sealing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single door assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can seal multiple different compartments (fresh-keeping compartment, freezing compartment, etc.) simultaneously. The door liner is configured with sealing structures that can interface with different partition plate assemblies, making the door universal for multiple compartment types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple doors are provided for multi-compartment refrigerator, then each compartment can be accessed independently, but material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompartment accessVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple doors are merged into a single integrated door assembly, reducing the quantity of door materials (metal, plastic, insulation materials) from multiple doors to one door, thereby directly reducing material cost while maintaining the ability to access different compartments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single door seals multiple compartments, then structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but sealing performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single door assembly is segmented into multiple independent sealing units. Each sealing unit includes a sealing member (such as a sealing strip or gasket) that can independently seal against a specific partition plate assembly. This segmentation allows each compartment to be sealed effectively while using a single integrated door structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sealing members (such as sealing strips, gaskets, or elastomeric seals) are introduced as intermediary elements between the door liner and the partition plate assemblies. These sealing members deform to conform to the mating surfaces, ensuring hermetic sealing across multiple compartments while allowing the door to maintain a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Temperature

If sealing members are added to reduce cooling capacity exchange, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsealing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into multiple independent sealing members positioned at different locations (front surface and rear surface of the door liner). Each sealing member addresses the sealing needs of specific compartments, allowing independent optimization of each sealing location without requiring a completely complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution reduces the complexity and cost of the refrigerator's structure, improves assembly efficiency, and enhances temperature control within compartments by using a single door to seal multiple compartments effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a first sealing member is provided at a front surface of the partition plate assembly; and a second sealing member is provided at a rear surface of the door liner, and the first sealing member is configured to be fitted with the second sealing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS10274249B2Refrigerator

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 HEFEI HUALING CO LTD

AI summary

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: a cabinet having a cabinet liner; a partition plate assembly disposed in the cabinet liner and configured to partition an inner space of the cabinet liner into a plurality of compartments spaced apart from one another; and a door having a door liner, mounted to the cabinet, and configured to open or close the plurality of compartments simultaneously, in which the door liner is configured to be sealingly fitted with the partition plate assembly so as to isolate the plurality of compartments hermetically.