Transparent Refrigerator Door Panel Assembly With Sealed Insulation Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with multi-stage glass windows for visibility into the storage space suffer from weight issues, reduced operability, and complex production processes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A transparent panel assembly for refrigerators comprising a front glass panel, a rear transparent panel made of polymethyl methacrylate, and an intermediate plastic member with a partition portion forming a sealed insulation layer, using UV adhesive for assembly and ultrasonic welding, which reduces weight and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple glasses are arranged in a multi-stage structure for transparency and insulation, then insulation performance and visibility are improved, but the weight of the door increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining glass panels with a plastic intermediate member (made of PMMA or similar transparent plastic). This composite material approach maintains the transparency and insulation performance of glass while reducing the overall weight by replacing some glass components with lighter plastic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of the multi-stage glass structure (insulation and transparency) and implements it using a simplified single-stage design with an intermediate plastic member, eliminating the need for multiple glass layers and their associated weight.
2Temperature
If multiple glasses are arranged in a multi-stage structure, then insulation performance is improved, but the production process becomes complicated and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple glass panels and their complex assembly (with barrels, sealants, and joining processes) into a single integrated structure consisting of a front panel, rear panel, and intermediate member. This simplifies the production process and improves manufacturing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a composite material approach with transparent plastic for the intermediate member, the patent enables simpler manufacturing processes compared to traditional multi-glass assemblies, reducing production complexity and improving productivity.
3Temperature
If multiple glasses are arranged in a multi-stage structure, then insulation performance is improved, but the door structure becomes heavy leading to reduced operational stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials (glass panels combined with a plastic intermediate member) that provide the necessary insulation performance while reducing weight. This weight reduction improves the door's operational stability and ease of movement without compromising thermal insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential insulation function from the complex multi-glass structure and implements it with a simplified single-stage design, eliminating unnecessary weight that would compromise structural stability and operational ease.
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 improves productivity, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances insulation performance by forming multiple insulation layers, while maintaining visibility into the storage space without the weight and stability issues of traditional multi-stage glass designs.
Implementation Method 1
a partition portion formed to cross an inner surface of the edge portion to partition a gap between the front panel and the rear panel to thereby form a sealed insulation layer
Implementation Method 2
a rear panel defining at least a part of a rear appearance of the refrigerator door and made of a transparent material
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a transparent panel assembly for a refrigerator. The transparent panel assembly for a refrigerator comprises: a front panel defining at least a part of a front appearance of a refrigerator door and made of a glass material; a rear panel defining at least a part of a rear appearance of the refrigerator door and made of a transparent material; and an intermediate member connected between the front panel and the rear panel and made of a transparent plastic member, wherein the intermediate member comprises: an edge portion having both ends connected to a screening area formed at peripheries of the front panel and the rear panel; and a partition portion formed to cross an inner surface of the edge portion to partition a gap between the front panel and the rear panel to thereby form a sealed insulation layer.