A cooling appliance having improved vacuum removal system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling appliances experience increased energy consumption due to the intake of ambient air when the door is opened, leading to a vacuum that makes it harder to open the door, as the air pressure inside the appliance falls, causing a temperature increase inside the appliance.
Innovation Solution
A cooling appliance with a hermetically sealed compartment and piston system that equalizes pressure between the interior and exterior using an air reservoir, preventing ambient air from entering while allowing the user to easily open the door once the vacuum is zeroed, utilizing a biasing means like a spring to facilitate piston movement and an indicator to notify the user of pressure equality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conduits are provided to communicate the inner volume with ambient air, then the vacuum is overcome and door opening is facilitated, but the temperature inside the cooling appliance increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The door is segmented into functional zones: a hermetically sealed insulation compartment, a pressure equalization chamber with piston, and a conduit system. This segmentation allows the pressure equalization function to be separated from the thermal insulation function, enabling vacuum relief without ambient air intake that would raise temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
A piston is introduced as an intermediary element between the inner volume and the conduit. The piston moves within the conduit to equalize pressure by displacing air already present in the system, rather than allowing direct communication with ambient air. This mediator enables pressure balance while maintaining thermal isolation.
2Temperature
If the door remains closed for longer periods, then the temperature inside drops lower, but the vacuum effect intensifies making door opening progressively harder
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization system is pre-configured within the door structure, with the piston positioned to respond automatically when pressure differential arises. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as soon as vacuum conditions develop during prolonged door closure, the equalization mechanism activates to counteract the force buildup before it becomes excessive.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston-based pressure equalization system operates automatically in response to pressure differential without requiring user intervention. The piston moves self-driven by the pressure imbalance to equalize forces, making the door opening process self-regulating regardless of how long the door has been closed.
3Loss of energy
If a hermetically sealed compartment with piston is used to equalize pressure, then ambient air is prevented from entering, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization chamber is merged with the door structure itself rather than being a separate component. The piston, conduit, and equalization chamber are integrated into the door assembly, combining multiple functions (structural support, thermal insulation, pressure equalization) into a unified system that minimizes overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, thermal insulation through the hermetically sealed compartment, pressure equalization via the piston mechanism, and acts as the opening/closing interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, offsetting the added complexity with functional consolidation.
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 effectively prevents the creation of vacuum inside the appliance without allowing ambient air intake, improving energy efficiency and user experience by ensuring easy door opening without excessive force, while maintaining low temperatures inside the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing means is placed between the piston and the conduit and the biasing means biases the piston to its initial condition
Implementation Method 2
the piston slides inside the compartment, helping to equalize the pressure between the ambient pressure and the air pressure inside the cooling appliance
Implementation Method 3
The compartment is embedded inside the insulation material filling the door
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; a body (2), a door (3) that is pivotable attached onto the body (2) between a closed position and an open position wherein the door (3) prevents access inside the body (2) in the closed position.