Multi-Zone Refrigerator Airflow Control With One Cooling Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration devices with multiple temperature zones require separate air supply lines or individually controllable coolants to maintain different temperatures, leading to complex equipment configurations.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration device with a usable space divided into lower and upper temperature zones, utilizing a cooling module, air conveying means, and a controller to adjust air flow rate and cooling module temperature based on measured temperatures, allowing independent temperature control of each zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate air supply lines or individually controllable coolants are used to maintain different temperatures in multiple zones, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling two variables (air flow rate and cooling module temperature) to achieve independent temperature control in multiple zones. The controller adjusts the flow rate of air conveyed by the air conveying means and the temperature of the cooling module based on measured temperatures in different zones, enabling precise temperature control without requiring separate air supply lines or individually controllable coolants for each zone.
2Device complexity
If a single cooling module serves the entire usable space, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically adjusting parameters of the single cooling module - specifically the air flow rate through the usable space and the temperature of the cooling module itself. The controller measures temperatures in different zones and adjusts these two parameters to maintain different target temperatures in lower and upper zones simultaneously, achieving multi-zone temperature control with a single cooling module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the controller continuously measures the instantaneous temperature in the first and second temperature zones and adjusts the air flow rate and cooling module temperature accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise temperature control in multiple zones while using a single cooling module, preventing temperature deviations by making real-time adjustments based on measured temperatures.
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
Enables simple and efficient independent temperature control of multiple zones by varying air flow rate and cooling module temperature, reducing equipment complexity and enhancing temperature precision.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling module for cooling air
Implementation Method 2
Air conveying means to introduce the air from the cooling module into the usable space from below and to discharge the air from the usable space from above and return it to the cooling module
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In a cooling device, the usable space (1) is divided into two temperature zones (2, 3), wherein a higher temperature should be maintained in the higher-temperature zone (3) than in the lower-temperature zone. Furthermore, air transport means (10, 11, 12, 13) are provided in order to feed air from a cooling module (8) from the bottom into the usable space (1), to extract air from the usable space 10 (1) from the top and to return the air to the cooling device (8). A controller (14) of the device is adapted to maintain a first set temperature in the lower-temperature zone and a second set temperature in the higher-temperature zone, and the controller, according to the temperatures in the temperature zones, (a) the flow velocity of the air transported by the air transport means (10, 11, 12, 13) and (b) the temperature of the cooling module (8).