Plug-Type Fan Holder for Compact Refrigerator Condenser Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigeration appliances, such as domestic refrigerators, require a large machine compartment to accommodate the fan assembly due to the distance between the condenser and the fan, leading to reduced utilizable volume and increased noise from high fan speeds to compensate for cooling performance loss.

Innovation Solution

A plug-type holder that securely attaches the fan assembly directly to the refrigerant tube of the condenser using projections or screw holes, reducing the need for a large evaporator tray and allowing for lower fan rotational speeds, thereby enhancing cooling performance and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the fan assembly is positioned at a distance from the condenser, then the machine compartment volume is increased, but the cooling performance decreases and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine compartment volumeVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into a separate body portion and a plug portion that can be attached to the condenser. This segmentation allows the holder to be positioned close to the condenser while maintaining structural integrity, enabling compact arrangement of components without compromising cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-type holder acts as an intermediary component between the fan assembly and the condenser. It provides a secure mounting point directly on the condenser, allowing the fan assembly to be positioned in close proximity while maintaining stability and effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the fan assembly is positioned at a distance from the condenser, then the machine compartment volume is increased, but the noise level increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine compartment volumeVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into a separate body portion and a plug portion that can be attached to the condenser. This segmentation allows the holder to be positioned close to the condenser while maintaining structural integrity, enabling compact arrangement of components without compromising cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the mounting structure for the fan assembly and the attachment mechanism to the condenser. This merging of functions allows for a compact design that reduces the distance between the fan and condenser, thereby reducing noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the holder is integrally provided with the evaporator tray, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the space between condenser and fan assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder manufacturingVSAvoiddistance between condenser and fan assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into a body portion and a plug portion that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. The plug portion attaches directly to the condenser, allowing the fan assembly to be positioned close to the condenser without requiring the entire holder to be integrally formed with the evaporator tray.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug portion is extracted from the integral holder structure and made as a separate attachable component. This allows the holder to be positioned independently on the condenser, reducing the distance to the fan assembly while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the fan assembly is positioned close to the condenser, then the cooling performance is improved, but the holder structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidholder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into a body portion and a plug portion that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure by allowing each component to be optimized independently, reducing complexity while enabling close positioning of the fan assembly to the condenser for improved cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-type holder serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the fan assembly, acts as an attachment mechanism to the condenser, and enables compact positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing overall structural complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3161395B1Plug-type holder with improved assemblage for securing a fan assembly in a refrigerator
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3161395B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3161395B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3161395B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a holder (1) for securing a fan assembly (2) cooling a condenser (4) of a refrigeration appliance (3) comprising a compartment and a circuit for refrigerating the compartment. The holder (1 ) of the present invention is provided in form of a plug-type holder (1) comprising a body (9) separately provided from the evaporator tray (8). The body (9) includes a support base (10) for mounting the fan assembly (2), a plug (11) for attaching the body (9) directly to a refrigerant tube (5) of the condenser (4).