Dual-Zone Air Cooling Control with Single Evaporator and Dampers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air-cooling devices with dual temperature zones require complex structural designs and cumbersome production processes to achieve thermostatic control, especially under lower ambient temperatures where cold air blending becomes a significant issue.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a single evaporator, a single evaporation blower, two dampers, and three heating wires, in conjunction with the control of the compressor, evaporation blower, heating wires, and dampers, to achieve thermostatic control in dual temperature zones with a simplified structural design and process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual evaporators + dual evaporation blowers + dual heating wires + solenoid valve are employed to achieve thermostatic control, then the thermostatic control is achieved, but the structural design becomes complicated and the production process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermostatic controlVSAvoidstructural design
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two independent refrigeration systems into a single refrigeration system with one evaporator and one evaporation blower. The single evaporator serves both the refrigeration chamber and freezing chamber through controlled air distribution, eliminating the need for duplicate components while maintaining thermostatic control in both chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the air flow paths using separate blowers for the refrigeration chamber and freezing chamber, allowing independent temperature control in each chamber despite sharing a single evaporator. The air circulation system is divided into distinct pathways that can be independently managed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single evaporator + dual evaporation blowers is used for dual temperature zones, then the structural design is simplified, but the thermostatic control cannot be achieved under lower ambient temperature as cold air blends seriously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural designVSAvoidthermostatic control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent further segments the air circulation system by adding a dedicated freezing chamber blower that operates independently from the refrigeration chamber blower. This ensures that cold air in the freezing chamber does not blend with air in the refrigeration chamber, maintaining distinct temperature zones even with a single evaporator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces separate air circulation pathways as intermediaries between the single evaporator and the two chambers. These distinct air paths prevent direct mixing of cold air between chambers, allowing the single evaporator to effectively serve both temperature zones without thermal interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual evaporators are used to achieve independent temperature control in two chambers, then the thermostatic control is achieved, but the quantity of components increases and the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent temperature controlVSAvoidquantity of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the refrigeration and freezing functions into a single evaporator system, reducing the total quantity of components from two evaporators to one. The single evaporator is strategically positioned and controlled to serve both chambers through managed air distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single evaporator is designed to perform multiple functions by serving both the refrigeration chamber and freezing chamber. Through controlled air flow management with separate blowers and strategic damper positioning, one evaporator achieves what traditionally required two separate evaporators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables effective thermostatic control of dual temperature zones using a single air-cooling system, simplifying the structural design and production process while maintaining efficient temperature regulation.

Implementation Method 1

a single cycle refrigeration system comprises a circulation air passage, a compressor and an evaporator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the heating wires in the chambers are activated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResistive heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4067795B1Air cooling device control method and air cooling device
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 QINGDAO HAIER SPECIAL ICEBOX
  • EP4067795B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4067795B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4067795B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method of controlling an air-cooling device and an air-cooling device. The air-cooling device enables two chambers to achieve simultaneous refrigeration by operating the compressor and the evaporation blower and opening the first damper and the second damper, by employing a structural design with a single evaporator + a single evaporation blower + two dampers + three heating wires, in conjunction with the control of operational relationship of the compressor, the evaporation blower, the heating wires and the dampers; to achieve simultaneous heating by stopping the compressor, operating the evaporation blower, opening the first damper and the second damper, and activating the first heating wire, the second heating wire and the compensatory heating wire; to achieve refrigeration in one chamber and heating in the other chamber by operating the compressor and the evaporation blower, opening the first damper and closing the second damper, and activating the second heating wire, in conjunction with the refrigeration and heating requirements and conditions such as the defrost temperature; in conjunction with the control in the above three manners, the thermostatic control of the air-cooling device with a single refrigeration system and dual temperature zones is achieved with a simple structure and process.