Multi-Outlet Airflow Assembly for Precise Refrigerator Air Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current air-cooled refrigerators suffer from inefficient air circulation and temperature fluctuations due to lack of control over air flow paths, leading to uneven refrigeration and preservation performance across storage compartments.

Innovation Solution

A device with multiple air flow paths featuring a housing with adjustable air outlets, a rotation disk member, and a gear transmission mechanism that allows precise control of air flow distribution and reduces motor jittering, enabling uniform air regulation and reduced thickness for enhanced storage space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex air passage system with multiple control devices is used to regulate air flow to each storage compartment, then the air distribution control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases and unified control becomes inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution control capabilityVSAvoidair passage system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple air outlet adjustment functions into a single integrated air passage assembly. One adjustment member controls multiple air outlets simultaneously, allowing unified regulation of air flow distribution to different storage compartments without requiring separate control devices for each outlet, thus simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can simultaneously regulate air flow to different storage compartments, control air distribution ratios, and adapt to varying refrigeration demands. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized control devices, reducing system complexity while preserving comprehensive control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If the motor is positioned close to the rotation disk member to reduce device thickness, then the space requirement is reduced, but the motor jittering may affect the stability of air flow control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidair flow control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transmission mechanism as an intermediary between the motor and the rotation disk member. This transmission mechanism acts as a buffer that isolates the motor's jittering from the air outlet adjustment system, ensuring stable air flow control even when the motor is positioned close to the rotation disk member, thus maintaining both compact dimensions and control reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides stable and accurate air distribution, reduces temperature fluctuations, and increases storage space by allowing precise control of refrigeration air supply to each compartment, improving preservation performance and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission mechanism configured to transfer a rotation motion outputted by the motor to the adjustment member at a reduced speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear transmission: Gear

Implementation Method 2

an adjustment member having a rotation disk member and rotatably provided in the housing about an axis of the rotation disk member to completely shield, partially shield or completely expose each air outlet when being at different rotation positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentEP3343141B1Device having multiple air flow paths and refrigerator having the same
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 HAIER SMART HOME CO LTD
  • EP3343141B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3343141B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3343141B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Provided are a device (100) having multiple air flow paths and refrigerator having the device (100) having multiple air flow paths. The device having multiple air flow paths comprises: a housing (20) having at least one air inlet (21) and multiple air outlets (22); an adjustment member (30) having a rotation disk member (31) and rotatably disposed in the housing (20) about an axis of the rotation disk member (31) to fully obstruct, partially obstruct or fully expose respective air outlets (22) when being at different rotation positions, so as to adjust an air outlet area of respective multiple air outlets (22); a motor (40) disposed at an outer side in a radial direction of the rotation disk member (31); and a transmission mechanism (50) configured to transfer a rotation motion outputted by the motor (40) to the adjustment member (30) with a reduced speed. The device (100) having multiple air flow paths and the refrigerator have the motor (40) and transmission mechanism (50) to reduce the influence of jittering of an output shaft of the motor (40) on rotation of the adjustment member (30), thus allowing the adjustment member (30) to precisely rotate to a certain position.