Improvements in refrigerators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open-fronted refrigerators are energy-inefficient due to air curtain infiltration, where warm air mixes with cool air, increasing energy consumption as the refrigerator works to maintain temperature.
Innovation Solution
The installation of elongate air-guiding strips, in the form of aerofoils, beneath the outer edge of the upper air egress to stabilize and direct the air curtain, reducing turbulence and infiltration, while being transparent to maintain product visibility and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If doors or plastic strips are fitted to cover the opening, then energy efficiency is improved, but accessibility and visibility of products deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air curtain function from a closed door system, creating an open-fronted refrigerator that maintains energy efficiency through controlled air flow rather than physical barriers, thus preserving customer accessibility while reducing energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
An air curtain acts as an intermediary between the cold interior and warm exterior environments, using a sheet of cool air to prevent direct mixing of air masses and reduce thermal infiltration, thereby maintaining energy efficiency without obstructing access
2Loss of energy
If air is blown downwards to create an air curtain, then energy efficiency is improved, but turbulence and mixing with warm air increase infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The air-guiding strips feature a curved aerofoil cross-section that streamlines air flow, reducing turbulence and preventing eddy formation. The curved surface guides air smoothly downward along the strip, maintaining air curtain integrity and reducing infiltration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of air flow by using the aerofoil shape to control velocity distribution and pressure gradients. The curved surface creates favorable pressure gradients that prevent flow separation and reduce turbulence, thereby minimizing infiltration
3Loss of energy
If air-guiding strips are installed to reduce infiltration, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air-guiding system is segmented into multiple strips positioned at different heights corresponding to shelf locations. Each strip is an independent, simple component that can be individually installed and adjusted, making the overall system easier to manufacture and maintain despite covering the entire open front
Solution Approach 2:
The air-guiding strips are thin, lightweight components with a simple aerofoil cross-section that can be made from various materials. Their simple geometry allows for easy manufacturing and installation, minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving the energy efficiency benefits
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 solution reduces energy consumption by minimizing air curtain dispersion and maintaining temperature performance without obstructing the product display or user access, achieving energy savings of up to 15%.
Implementation Method 1
the air-guiding strip is in the form of an aerofoil having a leading edge (11), a pressure surface (10) which faces the front edge (8) of the shelf (3), and a suction surface that faces outwardly from the storage space of the refrigerator
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator has an open front and an air curtain system having at least one upper air egress with an outer edge and at least one lower air-recovery ingress. The air curtain system is adapted to produce a substantially vertical air curtain over at least part of the open front of the refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises at least one shelf between the egress and the ingress, the shelf having a front edge, and at least one elongate air-guiding strip extending across at least part of the open front of the fridge. The strip is located substantially in the plane of the shelf and spaced from the front edge of the shelf. The strip is located substantially vertically beneath the outer edge of the upper air egress.