Adjustable Damper Air Flow System for Single-Evaporator Refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator appliances with single evaporators face inefficiencies when supplying different temperature compartments, requiring modified operation of the refrigeration loop to maintain desired temperatures, especially in multi-compartment models.
Innovation Solution
An air circulation system with adjustable damper assemblies and a controller that calculates and adjusts the open area of the damper based on target temperatures to simultaneously cool multiple compartments efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If individual air ducts are positioned to supply air specifically to respective areas, then temperature control for different compartments is improved, but system efficiency deteriorates due to modified compressor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic damper assemblies that can adjust their opening positions to control air flow distribution between compartments. The dampers are positioned within the evaporator assembly and can be independently controlled to direct cold air to either the fresh food compartment or frozen food compartment based on temperature requirements, eliminating the need for modified compressor operation while maintaining precise temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator assembly is segmented into multiple independent air ducts, each equipped with its own damper assembly. This segmentation allows separate control of air flow to different compartments from a single evaporator, enabling the system to maintain different temperatures in fresh food and frozen food compartments without requiring separate evaporators or modified compressor operation
2Device complexity
If a single evaporator is used to cool multiple compartments, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assemblies are designed with actuator mechanisms that enable dynamic adjustment of air flow distribution. The dampers can change their opening angles to regulate the amount of cold air directed to each compartment, allowing the single evaporator to adaptively maintain uniform temperature distribution across multiple compartments with different temperature requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors in each compartment that provide feedback to a control system. Based on the temperature feedback, the control system adjusts the damper positions to optimize air flow distribution, ensuring that each compartment maintains its target temperature despite using a single evaporator
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 system ensures both compartments reach their target temperatures simultaneously, enhancing system efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a fan may circulate air over an evaporator before supplying the air to the chamber
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerator damper assembly is positioned and configured to selectively allow air to pass through the refrigerator duct and into the refrigerating compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance includes a controller disposed in a cabinet, and the controller is in operable communication with a freezer damper assembly. The controller is configured to operate the compressor in order to simultaneously cool down both of the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment, as well as calculate a new open area of the freezer damper assembly based on a target temperature state. The target temperature state includes a refrigerator target temperature of the refrigerating compartment and a freezer target temperature of the freezer compartment. The controller is further configured to adjust a position of the freezer damper assembly to provide the calculated new open area.