Linked Baffle Air Branching for Uniform Refrigerator Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-cooled refrigerators have complex and costly control systems for airflow circulation, making it difficult to uniformly regulate cold air distribution and flow rates across storage compartments, leading to inefficient food preservation and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A branching air supply device with a housing, baffle plates, and a linkage device that allows for intermittent movement of baffle plates to block or conduct airflow passages, enabling precise control of cold air distribution and flow rates through a simple and compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dampers are used to control airflow to multiple storage compartments, then airflow control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple dampers are integrated into a single unified structure where a common drive shaft connects all damper assemblies. This allows multiple airflow control functions to be performed by one coordinated mechanism rather than independent controls, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to regulate airflow to multiple storage compartments independently
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive shaft and linkage mechanism serve multiple functions simultaneously - it controls all dampers in sequence and can be driven by a single motor or actuator. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate control systems for each damper, reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dampers are used to control airflow to multiple storage compartments, then airflow control capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple dampers are integrated into a single unified structure where a common drive shaft connects all damper assemblies. This allows multiple airflow control functions to be performed by one coordinated mechanism rather than independent controls, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to regulate airflow to multiple storage compartments independently
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive shaft and linkage mechanism serve multiple functions simultaneously - it controls all dampers in sequence and can be driven by a single motor or actuator. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate control systems for each damper, reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability
3Productivity
If cold air is supplied directly to storage compartments without control, then refrigerating capacity is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dampers are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the airflow path and distribution to be changed based on storage compartment needs. The linkage mechanism enables sequential or simultaneous adjustment of multiple dampers, creating dynamic control over cold air distribution to maintain temperature uniformity while preserving refrigerating capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Each damper can be independently positioned to control airflow to specific storage compartments or regions. This allows local adjustment of airflow characteristics - directing more cold air to compartments requiring higher refrigeration while reducing flow to compartments needing less cooling, thereby maintaining temperature uniformity across different storage spaces
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 uniform and efficient distribution of cold air according to refrigerating capacity needs, enhancing food preservation and reducing energy consumption by simplifying the control of airflow paths and flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of baffle plates, each of the baffle plates being movably mounted to the housing and being configured to perform complete blocking, partial conducting or complete conducting of one of the airflow passages in different positions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
Provided are a branching air supply device (100) and a refrigerator with the branching air supply device (100). The branching air supply device (100) comprises a housing (20), a plurality of airflow passages (21) provided in parallel being defined in the housing; a plurality of baffle plates (30), each baffle plate (30) being movably mounted to the housing (20) and being configured to perform complete blocking, partial conducting or complete conducting of one airflow passage (21) in different positions; and a linkage device (40) movably mounted to the housing (20) and configured to move each of the baffle plates (30) intermittently when the linkage device moves. The branching air supply device (100) and the refrigerator can perform uniform adjustment for cooling air, according to cold requirements for different storage compartments or cold requirements for different positions of one storage compartment.