Partition-Wall Evaporator Layout for Larger Refrigerator Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators, the placement of the evaporator on the rear side of storage chambers limits the reduction of space required for the refrigeration system, reducing the front-to-back length of storage chambers and making it difficult to discharge defrosting water in upper-lower configurations, which compromises user convenience and storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
The evaporator is installed in a partition wall between the refrigerating and freezing chambers, with a blowing fan and supply ducts that direct cooled air to both chambers, and a defrosting water tray to manage condensation, allowing for increased storage space and improved air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the evaporator is installed on the rear side of storage chambers, then the refrigeration system can be compactly arranged, but the front-to-back length of storage chambers is reduced, making it difficult to discharge defrosting water in upper-lower configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is relocated from the traditional rear-side vertical installation to the partition wall between refrigerating and freezing chambers. This dimensional repositioning allows the evaporator to be installed in a previously underutilized space, enabling defrosting water to discharge downward into the freezing chamber while maintaining compact refrigeration system arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall between refrigerating and freezing chambers serves as an intermediary structure that accommodates the evaporator. By utilizing this intermediate space, the patent resolves the conflict between compact evaporator installation and effective defrosting water discharge, as the partition wall provides both structural support and a pathway for water management.
2Device complexity
If the evaporator is installed on the rear side of storage chambers, then the refrigeration system layout is simplified, but the storage chamber volume is reduced, compromising user convenience and storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator installation is moved from the storage chamber interior space to the partition wall structure. This repositioning in a different spatial dimension (from interior to structural boundary) allows the storage chamber volume to be maximized while the evaporator occupies space that would otherwise be structural or wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator is nested within the partition wall structure between refrigerating and freezing chambers. This nesting approach allows the evaporator to be housed within the existing structural framework of the refrigerator, eliminating the need for additional space that would reduce storage capacity.
3Ease of operation
If the partition wall vertically extends between freezing and refrigerating chambers, then defrosting water can be easily discharged, but the storage chamber front-to-back length is reduced in side-by-side configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall between refrigerating and freezing chambers serves multiple functions: it provides structural separation between chambers, acts as the installation surface for the evaporator, and serves as a conduit for defrosting water discharge. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same structure serve both spatial separation and fluid management purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall extends partially through the refrigerator structure, providing sufficient length to accommodate the evaporator and enable defrosting water discharge, while not excessively reducing the storage chamber dimensions. This partial extension achieves the necessary functionality without over-compromising storage volume.
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 enhances user convenience by increasing drawer withdrawal distances, enlarging storage chamber volumes, and efficiently managing defrosting water, thus improving the refrigerator's storage ability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerant may be evaporated while passing through the evaporator, and in this process, air passing through the vicinity of the evaporator may be cooled
Implementation Method 2
a blowing fan and supply ducts that direct cooled air to both chambers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A refrigerator includes evaporator cases arranged in a freezing chamber and located on a bottom surface of a partition wall, an evaporator installed inside the evaporator cases, and grill covers arranged on a rear side of the evaporator cases and having a blowing fan installed therein. The refrigerator includes a refrigerating chamber discharge passage which extends from the grill covers to a refrigerating chamber and through which at least a portion of cold air passing through the blowing fan flows, and a freezing chamber discharge passage which extends from the grill covers to the freezing chamber and through which the remaining cold air among the cold air passing through the blowing fan passes.