Sliding Cover Carrier Structure for Insulated Freezer Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration appliances with supports spanning the refrigeration space are prone to mechanical failure under dynamic stresses, such as those caused by opening and closing the sliding covers or leaning, and fail to provide adequate thermal insulation, leading to issues like icing and thermal bridges.
Innovation Solution
The support profile is designed to run underneath the linear guide, with a gap increasing in size between the casing and support profile to enhance mechanical strength and thermal insulation, and the casing is connected using snap connections for easy maintenance and installation, while the support profile is made of metal and the casing of plastic to reduce thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support profile is made of metal and positioned underneath the linear guide, then the mechanical strength and resistance to dynamic stresses are improved, but the thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to increased thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic casing acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the metal support profile and the refrigeration space. The casing is designed with intentional gaps and air spaces that interrupt heat flow paths, allowing the metal profile to provide mechanical strength while the plastic material and air gaps maintain thermal insulation by breaking the thermal bridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure uses a composite design combining metal support profile (for mechanical strength) with plastic casing material (for thermal insulation). This composite construction allows each material to perform its optimal function - the metal provides structural integrity while the plastic provides thermal barrier properties.
2Device complexity
If the linear guide is positioned directly on the support profile, then the mechanical fixation is simplified, but the support profile becomes vulnerable to bending and mechanical failure under dynamic stresses
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the linear guide directly on top of the support profile, the design inverts the positioning by placing the support profile underneath the linear guide. This inversion allows the linear guide to rest on and be supported by the robust metal profile, distributing dynamic loads more effectively and preventing bending while maintaining simple mechanical fixation through the casing.
3Loss of energy
If the gap between the casing and support profile is increased to reduce thermal bridges, then the thermal insulation is improved, but the mechanical stability and fixation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between the casing and support profile is not uniformly distributed but is strategically positioned in specific regions where thermal bridges are most problematic. The casing maintains close proximity to the support profile in areas requiring mechanical stability while creating larger gaps in regions where thermal insulation is critical, such as underneath the linear guide and near the sliding cover connection regions.
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 creates a robust and energy-efficient refrigeration appliance that withstands dynamic stresses, prevents mechanical failure, reduces thermal bridges, and simplifies maintenance, while providing improved thermal insulation and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gap, which increases in size at least in certain regions, is provided in the region of the linear guide, between the casing and the support profile
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling unit (1) for chilled, in particular frozen, goods, comprising a cooling chamber (2), a housing wall (3) that at least partially delimits the cooling chamber (2), a carrier (8) that bridges the cooling chamber (2) at least in some regions and has a covering (14) and a support profile (15) for absorbing bending stresses, which profile is at least partially covered by the covering (14), and at least one sliding cover (4, 5, 6, 7), by means of which the cooling chamber (2) can be at least partially closed and which is mounted in a slidable manner on the covering (14) of the carrier (8) and on the housing wall (3) by way of linear guides (9, 10, 11) of the cooling unit (1). In order to provide a stable and user-friendly cooling unit (1), the support profile (15) runs at least partially beneath the linear guide (10, 11).