Air Duct Shielding Structure for Defrosting in Air-Cooled Refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air-cooled refrigerators face issues during defrosting, where hot air enters the freezing compartment, accelerating food deterioration and increasing energy consumption, due to large and prone-to-freezing shielding covers that are difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A compact air-cooled refrigerator design featuring a rotary air door shielding device with air baffles and a centrifugal wind wheel, along with a water guide groove for efficient water discharge, preventing hot air from entering the storage compartment during defrosting and reducing the risk of the shielding device freezing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a lift type shielding cover is disposed on an axial flow fan to prevent hot air from entering the storage compartment during defrosting, then the storage compartment temperature stability is improved, but the device occupies too much space and the cover is prone to freezing and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding cover is divided into multiple air baffles that can be independently positioned. These segmented baffles are arranged radially around the air duct opening, allowing each baffle to function independently in blocking hot air while reducing the overall space required compared to a single large cover
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding cover is designed to be rotatable, transitioning between a working position where air baffles block the air duct opening during defrosting, and a storage position where baffles are retracted to allow normal air circulation. This dynamic positioning reduces occupied space when shielding is not needed
2Reliability
If a large volume fan is used for the shielding technology, then the shielding effectiveness is improved, but defrosting water accumulates in gaps between moving and fixed parts, causing freezing and device failure
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor of water accumulation is addressed by extracting and removing water from the system. A water discharge channel is provided that directs defrosting water away from the rotating shielding cover and air baffles, preventing water from accumulating in gaps where it would cause freezing
Solution Approach 2:
A water discharge channel acts as an intermediary structure between the air duct assembly and the exterior. This channel provides a dedicated pathway for water to flow out, preventing direct contact between water and the shielding device components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shielding cover is designed to completely block air duct openings during defrosting, then hot air prevention is improved, but the device structure becomes complex and occupies excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single complex moving cover, the shielding function is achieved through multiple simple air baffles arranged radially. Each baffle is a simple structural element that can be positioned to block the air duct opening, collectively providing complete shielding without requiring complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The air baffles serve multiple functions: they block hot air during defrosting, allow normal air circulation when retracted, and their radial arrangement provides structural stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components
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 effectively shields the air ducts during defrosting, maintains a better storage environment for food, reduces energy consumption, and prevents the shielding device from freezing, thus enhancing the refrigerator's performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A bottom of a sidewall of the accommodating cavity is provided with a water guide groove inclined rearward and downward, and the air duct assembly is provided with a water outlet hole communicating a rear side of the air duct assembly with a rear end of the water guide groove
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugal wind wheel mounted within the accommodating cavity and configured to draw an airflow from the air inlet and urge the airflow to enter each of the air supply communicating holes in a circumferential direction and/or radial direction
Data Source
AI summary
An air-cooled refrigerator includes an air duct assembly and an air door shielding device. The air duct assembly is provided with an accommodating cavity with a rearward air inlet. A plurality of air supply communicating holes are formed in a peripheral wall of the accommodating cavity. The air door shielding device is provided with a shielding part. The shielding part is provided with a plurality of air baffles. The shielding part is rotatably in the accommodating cavity, so as to have shielding positions for the plurality of air baffles to completely shield all of the air supply communicating holes. A bottom of a sidewall of the accommodating cavity is provided with a water guide groove inclined rearward and downward. The air duct assembly is provided with a water outlet hole communicating a rear side of the air duct assembly with a rear end of the water guide groove, so that water in the accommodating cavity flows out of the air duct assembly by means of the water guide groove.