Refrigerator including module having plurality of storage chambers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In shared spaces like offices, hospitals, and dormitories, existing refrigerators are inconvenient for multiple users due to shared storage and potential unauthorized use, and there is a challenge in maintaining refrigerated food freshness during delivery.

Innovation Solution

A modular refrigerator system with individual doors and separate cooling units, allowing for vertical or horizontal expansion, independent cooling of each room, and user authentication via NFC, enabling secure and efficient storage and delivery of fresh food.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple small refrigerators are installed in shared space, then user privacy and security are improved, but space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser privacy and securityVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerator is divided into multiple independent storage chambers, each accessible by individual users through separate doors. This segmentation allows multiple users to share a single refrigerator while maintaining privacy and security for their respective stored items, resolving the contradiction between user privacy and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If a single refrigerator is used in shared space, then space utilization is improved, but user privacy and security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoiduser privacy and security

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerator interior is segmented into multiple storage chambers with individual doors for each user. This allows the refrigerator to function as a single space-efficient unit while providing separate, secure access for each user, thus maintaining both space utilization and user privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a single shared appliance for space efficiency while also providing individual private storage spaces for multiple users. The system universally serves both collective and individual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If thermal insulation packaging is used for refrigerated delivery, then food freshness is improved, but environmental pollution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood freshnessVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerator is prepared in advance with dedicated storage chambers ready to receive delivered food. Delivery personnel can directly place refrigerated food into the pre-prepared storage spaces without requiring extensive thermal insulation packaging, thereby reducing packaging waste while maintaining food freshness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances space utilization, user satisfaction, and food freshness by preventing unauthorized access and ensuring independent cooling, while allowing for efficient delivery and storage of refrigerated goods.

Implementation Method 1

each radiational cooling plate for forming a rear wall of each storage chamber, wherein the radiational cooling plate is disposed to block air communication between an interior of the storage chamber and an interior of another storage chamber, wherein the radiational cooling plate cools the interior of the storage chamber through radiational cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiational cooling: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a refrigerant pipe flow path located in the rear of the radiational cooling plate to exchange heat with the radiational cooling plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS12196477B2Refrigerator including module having plurality of storage chambers

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator including one or more modules having a plurality of rooms. An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a refrigerator including a plurality of refrigerator modules, wherein the refrigerator modules include: a cabinet forming an outer shape and having a plurality of storage chambers therein; doors provided in the cabinet and provided for each storage chamber; a radiant cooling plate which forms the rear wall of the storage chambers, and is provided to block the communication of air between the inner portions of the storage chambers and cool the inner portions of the storage chambers through radiant cooling; a refrigerant pipe flow path located at the rear side of the radiant cooling plate to exchange heat with the radiant cooling plate; and a machine room which discharges the refrigerant to the refrigerant pipe flow path and sucks the refrigerant having exchanged heat with the radiant cooling plate.