Assembly set including drip tray for a compact machine compartment and refrigerator using a drip tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator designs face challenges in reducing the installation height and depth of the machine compartment while maintaining efficient fan flow and water evaporation, leading to reduced storage space without increasing external dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A drip tray and fan assembly configuration where the fan assembly is inserted into a compact machine compartment, with a design that allows the fan assembly to be fixed securely and the drip tray's structure prevents water from entering the fan area, enhancing the fan's efficiency and reducing the compartment's height and depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the size of the fan assembly is reduced to reduce the height and depth of the machine compartment, then the installation height and depth are reduced, but the fan flow rate is reduced correspondingly
Solution Approach 1:
The fan assembly is nested within the drip tray structure. The drip tray includes an accommodation space that receives the fan assembly, allowing the fan to be positioned inside the drip tray rather than above it. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall height of the machine compartment while maintaining the fan assembly's operational effectiveness by providing adequate space for air flow within the accommodation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (fan assembly above drip tray) to a horizontal integration arrangement (fan assembly within drip tray). By utilizing the depth dimension of the drip tray to accommodate the fan assembly, the design reduces the height requirement while maintaining sufficient space for fan operation and air flow.
2Productivity
If the fan assembly is placed above the drip tray to ensure proper air flow, then the fan flow rate is maintained, but the height of the machine compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan assembly is nested within the drip tray structure. The drip tray includes an accommodation space that receives the fan assembly, allowing the fan to be positioned inside the drip tray rather than above it. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall height of the machine compartment while maintaining the fan assembly's operational effectiveness by providing adequate space for air flow within the accommodation space.
3Productivity
If the drip tray has a flat and wide shape to widen the surface area for evaporation, then the evaporation efficiency is improved, but the depth of the machine compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (fan assembly above drip tray) to a horizontal integration arrangement (fan assembly within drip tray). By utilizing the depth dimension of the drip tray to accommodate the fan assembly, the design reduces the height requirement while maintaining sufficient space for fan operation and air flow.
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 configuration increases storage capacity by optimizing the machine compartment's dimensions, enhancing heat exchange and defrosted water removal efficiency while maintaining the fan's performance and preventing water from reaching the fan's motor.
Implementation Method 1
The defrosted water stored in the drip tray may be evaporated by the heat released from the compressor and condenser of the machine compartment. The air flow may be used to evaporate the water contained in the drip tray.
Implementation Method 2
The machine compartment may include a fan which generates an air flow through the compressor and the condenser. The air flow may be used to evaporate the water contained in the drip tray.
Implementation Method 3
The defrosted water stored in the drip tray may be evaporated by the heat released from the compressor and condenser of the machine compartment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An assembly set including a drip tray (7) and a fan assembly (3) is provided. The assembly set is configured to be provided in a machine compartment (10) of a refrigerator. The fan assembly (3) includes a fan (41) configured to generate air flow by rotation thereof and a frame (30) configured to support the fan (41). The drip tray (7) includes a fan assembly mounting space (73) in which at least a portion of the fan assembly (3) is mounted and an opening (78) laterally and outwardly open to communicate with the fan assembly mounting space (73). The fan assembly (3) is configured to be at least partially inserted into or withdrawn out of the fan assembly mounting space (73) through the opening (78).