Freezer Cabinet Lid Structure for Continuous Cold Air Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerators face challenges in maintaining continuous air flow within the cabinet when foodstuffs are stored, as air gaps can be closed by items placed inside the freezing compartment, disrupting cooling efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator design featuring a cabinet with a lid that rotates to an open position for access, incorporating a grating for cold air delivery, an opening for air circulation, and a locking mechanism that maintains a gap between the lid and cabinet front wall, ensuring continuous air flow and efficient cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lid is completely closed to seal the cabinet, then the sealing performance is improved, but the air flow is interrupted and cooling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed with non-uniform structure: the front portion is movable to maintain sealing while the rear portion includes a fixed gap for air circulation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of sealing performance and cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is segmented into a front movable section and a rear fixed section with air outlet gaps. This segmentation enables the front to provide sealing while the rear maintains continuous air flow for cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the lid is kept open for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the temperature stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess convenienceVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing easy opening/closing for access while automatically returning to a partially closed position that maintains temperature stability through the balanced air flow paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the cabinet structure is simplified for easier assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the air circulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly convenienceVSAvoidair circulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet is divided into modular components including the cabinet body, lid, grating, and locking mechanism. This segmentation simplifies assembly while the strategic placement of these segments creates effective air circulation paths from the grating through the cabinet interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism serves as an intermediary element that not only secures the lid but also maintains the critical air outlet gap. This single component fulfills multiple functions including sealing support and air flow preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design ensures efficient air circulation and refrigeration by maintaining a gap for air exit, enhancing cooling efficiency and convenience in assembly and serviceability while allowing for ice cream production and storage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one grating (6) that is arranged on the freezing compartment (3) wall, that faces the inside of the freezing compartment and that delivers cold air into the cabinet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3019802B1refrigerator
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3019802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3019802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3019802B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a fresh food compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs to be cooled are placed, a freezing compartment (3) wherein foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, a cabinet (4) disposed into the freezing compartment (3), and a lid (5) that is situated on the front side of the cabinet (4) and that has an open position wherein access into the cabinet (4) is provided and a closed position whereto the lid (5) is brought by being rotated from the open position, wherein the front side of the cabinet (4) is closed and the air inside the cabinet (4) is allowed to be at least partially discharged.