A refrigerator comprising a humidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerators with crisper drawers suffer from high humidity loss due to temperature differences, leading to food spoilage, as existing solutions for humidification lack efficient steam distribution and rely on passive moisture conservation, resulting in regional condensation and evaporation issues, and require external moisture addition.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a steam generator positioned on the edge of the crisper drawer, angled between 30-60 degrees, and a sensor placed away from the rear wall to optimize steam distribution and humidity control, eliminating the need for fans and ensuring homogeneous humidity distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If moisture is added from outside to compensate moisture losses, then humidity level is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crisper drawer automatically generates its own humidity through the steam generator integrated within the drawer structure. Water stored in the reservoir evaporates naturally through the porous plate, providing self-sustaining humidification without requiring external moisture addition systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The humidification function is extracted from the main refrigerator body and integrated directly into the crisper drawer structure. The steam generator, water reservoir, and evaporative elements are all contained within the drawer, eliminating the need for complex external humidification systems.
2Productivity
If steam is discharged vertically or horizontally depending on generator positioning, then steam delivery is achieved, but homogeneous humidity distribution is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is positioned at an angled orientation (between 30-60 degrees) relative to the drawer walls, introducing a diagonal steam delivery path. This angular positioning allows steam to distribute across multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, achieving both effective steam delivery and homogeneous humidity distribution throughout the drawer.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generator is deliberately positioned asymmetrically at an angle rather than centrally or perpendicular to walls. This asymmetric angular positioning optimizes steam flow patterns to achieve uniform distribution across the irregular internal geometry of the crisper drawer.
3Manufacturing precision
If fan or distributor is used to improve steam distribution, then humidity uniformity is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses natural evaporative processes through the porous plate and passive convection currents within the drawer to distribute humidity uniformly. No active fan or mechanical distributor is required, as the evaporative mechanism itself provides sufficient mixing and distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical fan or distributor system is replaced with a passive evaporative humidification mechanism. The porous plate enables natural evaporation, and the angled steam generator positioning creates optimal flow patterns without requiring mechanical assistance for distribution.
4Ease of operation
If sensor is positioned close to rear wall, then measurement is easy, but data accuracy decreases due to air flow and steam discharge interference
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned in a specific location away from the rear wall where air flow patterns and steam discharge effects are minimized. This localized positioning ensures the sensor measures representative ambient conditions without being influenced by localized turbulence or direct steam exposure.
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 minimizes humidity loss, enhances energy efficiency, and maintains food freshness by providing a stable and evenly distributed humidity environment within the crisper drawer.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (6) which is disposed in the drawer (5) and which converts the water delivered from the water reservoir (4) into steam to be delivered into the drawer (5) as steam
Implementation Method 2
at least one ambient sensor (7) which is disposed in the body (2) so as to detect the temperature and/or humidity level in the drawer (5)
Implementation Method 3
a control unit (8) which is disposed in the body (2) and which adjusts the humidity level according to the data received from the ambient sensor (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a body (2); a protective cover (3) which is disposed in the body (2); a water reservoir (4) which is disposed in the body (2); a drawer (5) which is positioned under the protective cover (3), which is used for loading fruits and vegetables and which has a front wall (5.1), a rear wall (5.2) and a first wall (5.3) and a second wall (5.4) which join the front (5.1) and rear walls (5.2); a steam generator (6) which is disposed in the drawer (5) and which converts the water delivered from the water reservoir (4) into steam to be delivered into the drawer (5) as steam; at least one ambient sensor (7) which is disposed in the body (2) so as to detect the temperature and/or humidity level in the drawer (5); and a control unit (8) which is disposed in the body (2) and which adjusts the humidity level according to the data received from the ambient sensor (7).