Water tank assembly for use in a refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with integrated water tanks and ice making apparatuses face challenges of reduced usable space and increased production and assembly complexity, failing to meet user expectations and efficiency standards.
Innovation Solution
A water tank assembly is designed to be installed between extendable drawers and a lower plate in the refrigerator, utilizing a casing with inner and outer guiding members and attachment means for flexible attachment, reducing production costs and enhancing space utilization by exploiting dead space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a water tank and ice making apparatus are integrated into the refrigerator, then the functionality and user convenience are improved, but the usable space of the refrigerator becomes much smaller
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank assembly is installed in the vertical space between the extendable drawers and the lower plate, utilizing the third dimension (height/vertical space) rather than consuming horizontal usable space. This dimensional transition allows the water tank to occupy previously unused vertical volume while preserving the horizontal working area of the drawers.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tank assembly is nested within the structural framework of the refrigerator, specifically utilizing the space between existing components (drawers and lower plate). The guiding members of the drawers are integrated with the water tank assembly structure, allowing mutual support and space sharing without requiring separate dedicated spaces for each component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the functionality of the refrigerator is increased through the provision of water dispenser and ice making apparatus, then user convenience is improved, but the production and assembly becomes increasingly more complicated and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding members of the extendable drawers serve dual functions: they guide the drawer movement and simultaneously support the water tank assembly. The outer guiding members are attached to the side walls while inner guiding members are attached to the water tank assembly, creating a multi-functional structural element that reduces the total number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The water tank assembly is merged with the drawer guiding mechanism, where the guiding members structurally integrate both functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures for the water tank, simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing production complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If the water tank assembly is installed between extendable drawers and onto the lower plate, then space utilization is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank assembly is divided into modular components including the water tank, casing, and attachment mechanisms that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. The guiding members are also segmented into outer and inner sets that can be independently attached to different structures, allowing flexible assembly while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates a water tank assembly for use in a refrigerator comprising a compartment for fresh food, a water dispenser and/or an ice making apparatus, two side by side extendable drawers in the compartment, a lower plate underside of the extendable drawers and two outer guiding members for slidably supporting the extendable drawers respectively from their outer sides. The water tank assembly comprises a water tank. The water tank assembly of the present invention further comprises a casing for installation between the extendable drawers and onto the lower plate, wherein the water tank is disposed into the casing.