Frost-Free Refrigerator Evaporator Layout for Uniform Storage Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
In no-frost refrigeration appliances, the evaporator chamber and storage compartment sharing a common inner container often result in inefficient use of space due to uneven areas in the storage compartment, making it difficult to access recesses and affecting usability.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal section of the dividing wall is positioned at the same height as the non-protruded ceiling area, with a recess formed to accommodate the evaporator fully, and a pin element securing it to the side walls for better load-bearing capacity, while also serving as an air guiding element to distribute air evenly over the evaporator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the evaporator chamber is separated under the ceiling or in front of the rear wall without completely filling the ceiling or rear wall, then the evaporator chamber can be accommodated, but areas of different depths arise in the storage compartment making efficient use difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional ceiling-mounted or rear-wall-mounted evaporator chamber to a side-wall-mounted configuration. This dimensional change allows the evaporator chamber to be positioned in the side wall of the inner container, creating a protrusion that does not interfere with the depth uniformity of the storage compartment, thereby maintaining usability while accommodating the evaporator chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a protrusion in the side wall that mirrors the evaporator chamber shape, allowing the evaporator chamber to be integrated into the side wall structure. This copying approach enables the evaporator chamber to occupy space in the side wall without creating uneven depths in the storage compartment, as the protrusion is confined to the side wall area.
2Ease of operation
If the dividing wall is raised to improve storage compartment usability, then access to recesses improves, but the usable height in part of the storage compartment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the evaporator chamber from the ceiling or rear wall location and relocates it to the side wall. This extraction eliminates the need for the dividing wall to be raised to accommodate the evaporator chamber, as the side wall mounting position does not create recesses that require wall raising for access. The dividing wall can therefore be kept at a lower position, maintaining usable height in the storage compartment.
3Volume of stationary object
If the evaporator chamber is accommodated in a common inner container with the storage compartment, then space is utilized, but the load-bearing capacity of the ceiling must support the dividing wall and evaporator weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a protrusion in the side wall that copies the evaporator chamber shape, allowing the evaporator chamber to be mounted in the side wall rather than the ceiling. This copying approach transfers the load-bearing requirement from the ceiling to the side wall, which has superior load-bearing capacity, while maintaining space utilization in the inner container.
4Reliability
If the dividing wall is attached to the ceiling, then the evaporator chamber is supported, but the ceiling's load-bearing capacity is insufficient compared to side walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a protrusion in the side wall that replicates the evaporator chamber mounting structure. This copying approach relocates the support function from the ceiling to the side wall, utilizing the side wall's superior load-bearing capacity to reliably support the evaporator chamber and dividing wall.
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
This design enhances the usability of the storage compartment by optimizing space usage and ensuring efficient air circulation, allowing for effective frost removal without heating the refrigerated goods, while maintaining structural integrity and easy door sealing.
Implementation Method 1
A pin element passes through an opening in a wall part of the recess and an opening in a side wall of the inner container lying opposite the wall part. In this way, the weight of the dividing wall and possibly an evaporator resting on it can be introduced into the side walls, the load-bearing capacity of which is usually better than that of the ceiling of the inner container.
Implementation Method 2
If the recess is arranged between an inlet area of the evaporator chamber and the evaporator, it can simultaneously serve as an air guiding element, with the aid of which air that has entered the evaporator chamber in the air inlet area is distributed evenly over the cross-sectional area of the evaporator.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a frost-free refrigerator having a deep-drawn inner container (5) enclosing a storage compartment (3) and an evaporator chamber delimited from the storage compartment (3) by a partition (9). A deep-drawn upward protuberance (8) is formed in a ceiling of the inner container (5). The evaporator chamber engages at least part of the protuberance (8).