Heater in a variable climate zone compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration appliances with variable climate zones often take an extended time to reach the desired temperature when the temperature needs to be increased in the variable climate zone compartment.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration appliance with a heater assembly integrated into a vertical partition between the fresh food and variable climate zone compartments, where the heater assembly heats air in an air passage, which is then circulated to the variable climate zone compartment to quickly achieve the desired temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the temperature of the VCZ compartment is increased, then the desired temperature is achieved, but it takes an extended amount of time for the temperature to increase to the desired temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heater assembly is positioned within the vertical partition structure in advance, pre-configured to provide rapid heating when temperature increase is needed. The heater can be activated immediately to pre-heat air that is then circulated to the VCZ compartment, eliminating the time delay associated with conventional heating approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
Air acts as an intermediary medium between the heater assembly and the VCZ compartment. The heater heats the air in the vertical partition, and this heated air is then circulated through the air passage into the VCZ compartment, providing rapid temperature adjustment without directly heating the compartment space.
2Speed
If a heater assembly is added to the vertical partition, then rapid temperature adjustment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater assembly is merged with the existing vertical partition structure that separates the freezer and VCZ compartments. By integrating the heater into the partition rather than adding a separate heating system, the design achieves rapid temperature adjustment while minimizing structural complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical partition structure serves multiple functions: it physically separates the freezer and VCZ compartments, provides structural support, and now also houses the heater assembly and air passage for temperature control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
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 allows for rapid temperature adjustment in the variable climate zone compartment, improving user convenience by reducing the time required to reach the selected temperature.
Implementation Method 1
A heater assembly is disposed between the front surface and the rear surface of the vertical partition proximate the air passage wherein air in the air passage is heated by the heater assembly when the heater assembly is energized.
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control system for a refrigerator. The temperature control system is positioned in a refrigerated compartment and fluidly communicates with a cooling fan. The temperature control system includes a vertical partition having a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface faces a rear wall of the refrigerated compartment and the front surface faces an open end of the refrigerated compartment. An air passage is formed in the vertical partition extending from a lower portion of the vertical partition to an upper portion of the vertical partition. A heater assembly is disposed between the front surface and the rear surface of the vertical partition proximate the air passage wherein air conveyed along the air passage is heated by the heater assembly when the heater assembly is energized.