Cabinet for storing wine with two compartments
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wine storage cabinets with multiple temperature zones, especially cost-effective ones, have limited temperature control precision and significant temperature fluctuations between compartments.
Innovation Solution
A wine storage cabinet with a refrigerant circuit and two interior fans that utilize a cold heat exchanger and adjustable partitions to precisely control air flow between compartments, allowing for improved temperature setting options and minimized fluctuations by using a single evaporator and strategically placed fans and air ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single refrigeration circuit is used in cost-effective multi-zone devices, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the temperature control precision deteriorates and temperature fluctuations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interior space is divided into multiple compartments separated by partition walls, with each compartment having independent air circulation through dedicated fans and ducts. This segmentation allows each zone to be controlled independently despite using a shared refrigeration circuit, thereby maintaining temperature control precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall between compartments is designed to be height-adjustable, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of compartment volumes and air flow paths. This dynamic adjustment enables optimization of temperature distribution and control precision for different storage requirements while maintaining system simplicity.
2Device complexity
If static temperature control is used in the lower area, then the device structure is simplified, but the temperature setting options are limited and temperature fluctuations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic temperature control through independently controllable fans in each compartment. The fans can be operated at different speeds and durations to achieve various temperature settings, providing adaptability for different wine storage requirements while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system operates in periodic cycles with the compressor alternating between on and off states. Combined with the independent fan control in each compartment, this periodic operation allows flexible temperature management and multiple setting options without requiring complex continuous control systems.
3Measurement precision
If multiple compressors or valve switching are used to achieve multiple temperature zones, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of segmenting the refrigeration circuit into multiple independent systems, the patent segments the air circulation system into multiple independent zones with separate fans and ducts. This approach achieves multiple temperature zone control while maintaining a single, simpler refrigeration circuit with one compressor.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall with adjustable height acts as an intermediary element that facilitates thermal separation between compartments. By adjusting the partition height, different thermal zones are created, enabling precise temperature control in each zone without requiring multiple compressors or complex valve switching mechanisms.
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
Enables precise temperature control in multiple compartments with reduced temperature fluctuations, allowing for optimal storage conditions for different types of wine by adjusting fan operation and partition height, enhancing user flexibility and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The heat pump is preferably a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a condenser, a throttle and an evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a first interior fan is provided in the first compartment, which is arranged in such a way that when it is in operation, air is guided over the cold heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a first interior fan is provided in the first compartment, which is arranged in such a way that when it is in operation, air is guided over the cold heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
The heat pump is preferably a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a condenser, a throttle and an evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a wine storage cabinet with a cooled interior, comprising two compartments arranged one above the other and separated from each other by a partition, wherein the wine storage cabinet includes a heat pump with a cold heat exchanger arranged in the interior, and wherein the wine storage cabinet is designed to set a higher temperature in the upper compartment than in the lower compartment, wherein the wine storage cabinet has a riser shaft leading from the lower compartment to the upper compartment and a second interior fan, which is arranged such that, when the fan is operating, air from the lower compartment is drawn through the riser shaft into the upper compartment, and wherein the wine storage cabinet has a drop shaft leading from the upper compartment to the lower compartment, through which air from the upper compartment can fall into the lower compartment.