A refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators with a cold wall evaporator and height-adjustable shelves, efficient cooling is hindered because the evaporator is not aligned with the shelf supports, leading to inefficient cooling distribution.
Innovation Solution
A cut-out in the rear wall panel allows the shelf supports to be mounted without obstructing the evaporator, and a serpentine-shaped flow pipe is used to cover the panel's surface, ensuring continuous airflow and balanced cooling across the inner cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shelf supports are fixed to the rear wall to enable height-adjustable shelves, then shelf adjustability is improved, but cooling efficiency deteriorates because the evaporator cannot be aligned with the shelf supports
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator panel is segmented by introducing a cut-out that divides the panel into multiple surfaces. This segmentation allows the shelf support to be positioned on the rear wall while the evaporator flows around the cut-out, maintaining alignment with the shelf support structure and ensuring efficient cooling distribution to all shelf regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cut-out in the evaporator panel acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the shelf support structure and the evaporator cooling surface. It allows the shelf support to pass through or be positioned behind the evaporator without obstructing the cooling flow, enabling both shelf adjustability and cooling efficiency to coexist.
2Area of stationary object
If the evaporator is fixed to the rear wall to provide cold wall evaporator cooling, then cooling coverage is improved, but shelf support installation deteriorates because the evaporator obstructs the shelf support mounting area
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator panel is divided into multiple surfaces by the cut-out, creating separate mounting zones. The first surface provides mounting area for the shelf support while the second surface extends the cooling coverage, allowing both functions to be fulfilled without obstruction.
3Reliability
If the evaporator is positioned to align with shelf supports, then cooling efficiency is improved, but shelf adjustability deteriorates because the evaporator obstructs height adjustment movement
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator panel is segmented into multiple surfaces around the cut-out, allowing the shelf support to be positioned on the rear wall while the evaporator flows around the cut-out. This maintains alignment between the evaporator and shelf support structure, ensuring efficient cooling distribution while allowing full shelf height adjustability.
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 configuration enables effective cooling of height-adjustable shelves without reducing cooling efficiency, ensuring balanced cooling across all regions of the inner cabinet.
Implementation Method 1
a flow pipe (8) fixed onto the panel (7), bent in a serpentine shape such that it will form a continuous flow
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator (6) that has a flat sheet-shaped panel (7) mounted to the other side of the rear wall (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising an outer wall, a rear wall (3) and an inner cabinet (2), between which and the outer wall insulation material is filled, one or more shelves (4) disposed into the inner cabinet (2), carrying the items placed thereon, one or more shelf supports (5) which are fixed to the side of the rear wall (3) facing the inside of the inner cabinet (2) and whereon the shelves (4) are seated, and an evaporator (6) that has a flat sheet-shaped panel (7) mounted to the other side of the rear wall (3) such that it will remain between the outer wall and the inner cabinet (2) and a flow pipe (8) fixed onto the panel (7), bent in a serpentine shape such that it will form a continuous flow.