Refrigerator Air Outlet Angles to Reduce Door-Open Cold Air Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric refrigerator air duct systems suffer from energy loss due to cold air being blown directly outside when the door is open, as the air outlet openings on the air duct cover plate are perpendicular, leading to inefficient cooling.
Innovation Solution
The air duct system is designed with angled air outlet openings on the air duct cover plate, where the fan is mounted horizontally above the evaporator, and the air flow is directed upwards or downwards at an angle, preventing direct airflow towards the door and incorporating sloping air discharge openings to guide air into the inner space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air outlet openings on the air duct cover plate are arranged perpendicular to the air ducts, then the air flow can be directly led out into the cold storage room, but the cold air flow is directed towards the door and blown outside when the door is open, increasing energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The air outlet openings are arranged at an angle (obliquely) rather than perpendicularly to the air ducts, creating an asymmetric configuration that directs cold air flow away from the door area. This angular arrangement ensures that when the door is open, the cold air is not blown directly outside, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining effective cooling distribution within the storage room.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow direction is specifically optimized for different regions of the cold storage room. By angling the air outlet openings, the cold air is directed towards the interior space away from the door, creating a localized flow pattern that prevents energy loss at the door region while ensuring adequate cooling in the storage regions.
2Device complexity
If the fan is arranged vertically above the evaporator, then the structure is simple, but the motor part of the fan must be embedded in the heat insulation wall, reducing the thickness of the heat insulation layer and adversely affecting temperature maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is repositioned from a vertical arrangement above the evaporator to a horizontal arrangement beside the evaporator. This dimensional change in the fan's spatial configuration allows the motor to be positioned outside the heat insulation wall, eliminating the need to reduce insulation thickness while still achieving effective air circulation and cooling.
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 reduces energy losses by preventing cold air from being blown directly outside, enhancing energy efficiency and maintaining a consistent internal temperature.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator installed in the space between the air duct cover plate and the thermal insulation wall
Implementation Method 2
The rotation of the fan causes the air flow cooled by the evaporator to be led out of these openings into the cold storage room
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electric refrigerator comprising a body provided with an inner receiving compartment, a door that is connected to the body in a mobile manner and is used to close the inner receiving compartment, and an air channel system applied to the heat insulation rear wall. Said air channel system comprises a covering plate provided with air outlets, an evaporator arranged between the air channel covering plate and the heat insulation rear wall, and a ventilator. The ventilator is applied horizontally above the evaporator, the air outlets are applied obliquely to the air channel covering plate, and the air flow generated by the ventilator is blown obliquely at an angle to the air channel covering plate, upwards or downwards in the inner receiving compartment.