A refrigerator comprising a fast cooling compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators take too long to cool drinks in the cooler compartment, and using the freezer compartment for fast cooling can damage containers and drinks if forgotten.
Innovation Solution
A fast cooling compartment with an evaporator, fan, and control unit within the cooler compartment, along with insulation and a tray system, allowing for rapid cooling and energy-efficient operation, and the option to make ice in either compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the freezer compartment is used for fast cooling of drinks, then the cooling speed is improved, but the risk of damaging containers and drinks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator is divided into three distinct temperature zones: the freezer compartment for freezing, the cooler compartment for general cooling, and the fast cooling compartment specifically for rapid cooling of beverages. This segmentation allows each compartment to operate at its optimal temperature without causing damage to stored items.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast cooling compartment is designed with localized intense cooling capability using a dedicated evaporator and fan system, creating a high-velocity cold air flow zone. This local quality of intense cooling is concentrated only where needed for beverages, while other compartments maintain their respective temperature zones.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cooler compartment is used for cooling drinks, then the risk of damage is reduced, but the cooling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fast cooling compartment is pre-configured with a dedicated evaporator, high-velocity fan, and insulated structure before use. When a beverage needs rapid cooling, the user simply places it in the fast cooling compartment and activates the system, which immediately begins intensive cooling without requiring the beverage to wait in the regular cooler compartment first.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast cooling compartment employs dynamic high-velocity air circulation through a powerful fan that creates turbulent cold air flow. This dynamic cooling approach adapts to the specific cooling needs of beverages, providing intensive cooling when needed while maintaining safety through controlled temperature zones.
3Productivity
If a rotating bearer mechanism is used for fast cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a rotating bearer mechanism, the patent employs high-velocity air flow generated by a fan to create turbulent cooling. This approach achieves enhanced heat transfer through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical rotation, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining high cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical rotating bearer systems with a simpler fan-driven air circulation system. The mechanical rotation is substituted with aerodynamic cooling through high-velocity cold air flow, reducing mechanical complexity while achieving the same or better cooling efficiency.
4Device complexity
If the fast cooling compartment is not insulated, then the structure is simplified, but the energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fast cooling compartment is nested within the cooler compartment, creating a compact insulated chamber. The insulation layer is integrated into the wall structure of the fast cooling compartment, providing thermal isolation without adding significant external complexity. This nested design allows the fast cooling compartment to maintain its intensive cooling environment while minimizing energy loss to the surrounding cooler compartment.
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 rapid cooling of drinks without risking damage, while minimizing energy consumption and maintaining control over the cooling process through a user-friendly control panel.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (5) provided behind the body (4)
Implementation Method 2
a fan (6) provided behind the body (4) enabling conveyance of the cold air coming from the evaporator (5) into the body (4)
Implementation Method 3
the body (4) is covered by an insulation unit (9) in order to prevent the temperature of the fast cooling compartment from being decreased immediately by the temperature of the cooler compartment (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising a freezer compartment (2) in which food to be frozen are placed, and a cooler compartment (3) maintained at a higher temperature than the freezer compartment (2), in which the food to be cooled are placed. The refrigerator further comprises a fast cooling compartment (8).