Recirculated Air Cooling Layout for Uniform Refrigerator Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration devices with circulating air cooling face challenges in achieving uniform temperature distribution across compartments due to uneven cold air distribution, which can lead to over-cooling or under-cooling, especially under heavy loads, and require bulky valves for independent temperature control of separate cooling areas.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration device divides the cold air flow into a central inlet opening and distribution line openings, using a hood to direct air flow and minimize resistance, with a deflection mechanism and thermal separation to ensure even distribution and independent control of cold air supply to compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a distribution duct with multiple openings is used to supply cold air to each compartment, then uniform temperature distribution is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution duct is segmented into multiple sections with individual openings positioned at different locations. Each opening supplies cold air to a specific compartment or zone, ensuring uniform temperature distribution without requiring a single large complex duct system. The duct is divided into manageable segments that can be independently configured.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution duct extends along the wall in the depth direction of the refrigeration section, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to position openings at different locations. This spatial arrangement allows cold air to be distributed to multiple compartments without increasing the cross-sectional area, thereby avoiding losses of cooling space or insulation strength.
2Temperature
If the cold air flow rate in the distribution duct is increased to improve cooling, then cooling performance improves, but energy efficiency decreases due to fan power consumption and waste heat
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution duct is designed with varying opening sizes and positions tailored to the specific cooling requirements of each compartment. This localized approach allows each zone to receive the appropriate amount of cold air, avoiding the need for high overall flow rates and reducing fan power consumption while maintaining effective cooling performance.
3Productivity
If the duct cross-section is increased to accommodate higher flow rates, then cooling capacity improves, but cooling space and insulation strength are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution duct utilizes the depth direction (third dimension) to accommodate multiple openings at different positions along the wall. This allows the duct to serve multiple compartments without requiring a large cross-sectional area, thereby preserving both cooling space and insulation strength while maintaining adequate cooling capacity through strategic opening placement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a valve is installed to independently control cold air flow to separate cooling areas, then independent temperature control is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and useful volume is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cold air supply system is segmented into separate supply lines for different cooling areas, with each line equipped with its own valve. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of each cooling area while keeping the valve placement compact and integrated into the wall structure, minimizing the space required and preserving useful volume in the cooling areas.
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 solution achieves a more even temperature distribution within the refrigeration area, allowing for adjustable cold air flow rates and independent temperature control of compartments, reducing energy inefficiencies and preventing damage to refrigerated goods.
Implementation Method 1
a hood (9) which forms a flow resistance for air which has passed through the cold air supply opening and forces it at least partially through the opening covered by it into the distributor line (25)
Implementation Method 2
a deflection means (19) which, depending on its positioning, selectively supplies the cold air to the cold air supply duct (21) or to the cold air supply opening (20)
Implementation Method 3
a thermal separation between the cold air supply line and the refrigeration area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
According to the invention, an evaporator zone (2) and at least one cooling zone (3) are separated from each other in a refrigerator housing (1). A fan drives a cold air flow from the evaporator zone into the cooling zone (3) via a central inlet port (10) that is arranged next to a heat-insulating partition (7) located between the evaporator zone (2) and the cooling zone (3). A distributing device which diverts a partial air flow into at least one distributor pipe (25) that extends along at least one wall of the cooling zone (3) is mounted upstream of the central inlet port (10) in the direction of flow of the cold air. Said distributor pipe (25) is provided with holes (11) that are distributed along the height of the wall and extend into the cooling zone (3).