Air channel assembly and refrigerator having same

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-cooled refrigerators face issues with water vapor condensation leading to water accumulation and icing, which increases energy consumption and reduces operational efficiency, as well as causing trouble in cleaning ice and air volume loss.

Innovation Solution

An air channel assembly with a casing featuring separate air and drainage guide portions, where the air-supply guide portion directs air to a bottom air supply port and the drainage guide portion directs water to a drainage port, with their guide directions being opposite, reducing air volume loss and preventing frosting by effectively separating air and water flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water drainage port is arranged at the bottom air supply port, then water can be drained, but air volume is lost and frosting occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainageVSAvoidair volume loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bottom wall into separate functional zones: a drainage guide portion with drainage ports for water removal, and an air supply guide portion with air supply ports for air circulation. This segmentation prevents air and water from mixing, allowing water drainage without air volume loss and preventing frosting by keeping the air supply path clear of condensed water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If water drainage port is arranged at the bottom air supply port, then water can be drained, but frosting increases energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainageVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bottom wall into separate functional zones: a drainage guide portion with drainage ports for water removal, and an air supply guide portion with air supply ports for air circulation. This segmentation prevents air and water from mixing, allowing water drainage without air volume loss and preventing frosting by keeping the air supply path clear of condensed water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If air and water flow paths are not separated, then structure is simple, but air volume loss and frosting occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidair volume loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bottom wall into separate functional zones: a drainage guide portion with drainage ports for water removal, and an air supply guide portion with air supply ports for air circulation. This segmentation prevents air and water from mixing, allowing water drainage without air volume loss and preventing frosting by keeping the air supply path clear of condensed water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces air volume loss and prevents frosting by ensuring effective separation of air and water flow, enhancing the operational efficiency and ease of cleaning in refrigerators.

Implementation Method 1

an air-supply guide portion (15) configured to lead air to the bottom air supply port (13) and a drainage guide portion (16) configured to lead water to the drainage port (14) being provided adjacent to the bottom air supply port (13), a guide direction of the air-supply guide portion (15) being away from a guide direction of the drainage guide portion (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow separation:

Implementation Method 2

a drainage guide portion (16) configured to lead water to the drainage port (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity-driven drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3290838B1Air channel assembly and refrigerator having same
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP3290838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3290838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3290838B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air channel assembly (100) and a refrigerator (200) having the same are provided. The air channel assembly (100) includes: a casing (10) provided with an air supply channel (11) and a drainage port (14) therein. The air supply channel (11) has an air inlet (12) and a bottom air supply port (13). An air-supply guide portion (15) configured to lead air to the bottom air supply port (13) and a drainage guide portion (16) configured to lead water to the drainage port (14) are provided adjacent to the bottom air supply port (13). A guide direction of the air-supply guide portion (15) being away from a guide direction of the drainage guide portion (16).