Refrigeration and/or freezer device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers can only uniformly lower or raise the temperature across the entire refrigerated area using fans, lacking the ability to create distinct temperature zones efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a horizontally or vertically adjustable separating plate with openings that can be mechanically or electronically controlled to direct and modify the air flow, allowing for the creation of separate temperature areas by altering the air flow volume and direction using a fan positioned within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fan is used to circulate cold air throughout the cooled interior, then the entire area can be cooled uniformly, but it is impossible to create distinct temperature zones without additional complex components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooled interior is divided into multiple temperature zones using adjustable separating plates with openings. These plates segment the single cooled space into distinct areas that can be independently temperature-controlled, allowing some zones to receive cold air while others remain warmer without requiring separate cooling systems for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating plates are designed to be adjustable in position and opening size, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of airflow paths. This enables the system to adapt temperature distribution according to user needs while using a single fan and evaporator, avoiding the complexity of multiple fixed cooling systems.
2Reliability
If the entire cooled area is cooled uniformly, then all areas receive adequate cooling, but energy is wasted cooling areas that do not require low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones within the cooled interior are provided with different temperature characteristics by controlling airflow distribution. Areas requiring low temperatures receive cold air through opened separating plates, while areas not requiring cooling are isolated by closed plates, providing locally appropriate temperature conditions and avoiding energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airflow parameter (volume and direction) to different zones based on their cooling requirements. By adjusting the separating plate openings, the system dynamically controls the amount of cold air reaching each zone, matching cooling supply to actual demand and reducing energy consumption.
3Temperature
If separating plates with fixed openings are used to create temperature zones, then distinct areas can be formed, but the ability to adjust temperature distribution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The separating plates are designed with adjustable positions and opening sizes that can be dynamically changed according to user requirements. This allows the system to create different temperature zone configurations for various storage needs, providing versatility while maintaining the simplicity of using only one fan and evaporator.
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 the generation of distinct temperature zones within the cooled interior, optimizing energy usage by allowing areas to be cooled more intensely or less intensely, and enabling the creation of high-temperature zones for specific storage needs, such as a pantry or tropical fruit compartment.
Implementation Method 1
The airflow is generated by at least one fan
Implementation Method 2
cold air that would be cooled by an evaporator of the refrigerator or freezer
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with an appliance body and with a refrigerated interior space which is located in the appliance body, the appliance being designed in such a way that an air flow forms in the refrigerated interior space when the appliance is in operation, the Device has adjustable means that act on the air flow in such a way that the air flow depends on the setting of the means, so that areas with different temperatures are formed in the cooled interior depending on the setting of the means and thus depending on the effect on the air flow.