Refrigerator Agitating Assembly Anti-Interference for Low-Noise Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with cooling devices face issues of high power consumption for agitating assemblies, difficulty in starting due to high torque requirements, and vibration noise caused by the agitating assembly hitting inner walls due to weight differences and manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a swingable agitating assembly with a driving assembly and an anti-interference mechanism to minimize power consumption, reduce starting torque requirements, and prevent vibration noise by using a driving assembly with permanent magnets and an anti-interference mechanism with stoppers and shock-absorbing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power generator is positioned close to the rotary shaft to generate swing force, then the swing function is achieved, but large torque is required resulting in high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A lever arm is introduced as an intermediary between the power generator and the agitating assembly. The lever arm amplifies the force generated by the power generator, allowing the agitating assembly to swing without requiring large torque from the power generator itself, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining the swing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the dynamic characteristics of the agitating assembly and lever arm during swing motion. By positioning the power generator at one end of the lever arm and allowing the assembly to swing freely under gravity and inertial forces, the system achieves oscillation with minimal continuous power input, converting potential energy to kinetic energy during the swing cycle.
2Ease of operation
If large torque is applied to start the agitating assembly, then the assembly can overcome inertia and start swinging, but large power consumption occurs during starting
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm acts as a counterbalance system where the weight distribution creates a natural tendency for the assembly to return to its initial position after being displaced. This reduces the starting torque requirement because the system leverages gravitational potential energy and inertial forces rather than relying solely on motor torque to overcome inertia during startup.
3Productivity
If the agitating assembly swings with large amplitude, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but the assembly may hit the inner walls due to tolerance and inertia differences resulting in vibration noise and damage
Solution Approach 1:
Shock-absorbing members are pre-installed at the swing limits of the agitating assembly to cushion against any potential impact with the case inner walls. These members are positioned in advance to absorb excessive swing amplitude caused by manufacturing tolerances or inertial effects, preventing direct contact and damage while allowing normal large-amplitude swinging for effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing amplitude parameter is optimized to balance cooling effectiveness with safety margins. By carefully designing the lever arm length, power generator positioning, and shock-absorber placement, the system maintains sufficiently large swing amplitudes for effective cooling while ensuring that the amplitude remains below the threshold that would cause impact with the case walls under normal operating conditions.
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
The design minimizes power consumption for agitating assemblies, reduces the need for specific power for starting, and prevents vibration noise and damage by maintaining a predetermined distance from the case walls, ensuring efficient operation and reduced wear.
Implementation Method 1
a driving assembly that is mounted on the case and an underside of the agitating assembly to generates a driving force for swinging the agitating assembly
Implementation Method 2
an anti-interference mechanism disposed at the agitating assembly and the case, wherein the anti-interference mechanism is configured to prevent the agitating assembly from hitting against an inner surface of the case while the agitating assembly swings
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a body having a storage chamber; a door selectively opening or closing the storage chamber; a cooling device including: a case of which a front surface is open and mounted at a side in the storage chamber; an agitating assembly that is swingably disposed in the case; a cover that is rotatably mounted on the case to open or close the front surface of the case; and a driving assembly that is mounted on the case and an underside of the agitating assembly to generates a driving force for swinging the agitating assembly; a refrigeration cycle for producing cold air to be supplied to the storage chamber and the cooling device; and an anti-interference mechanism disposed at the agitating assembly and the case, wherein the anti-interference mechanism is configured to prevent the agitating assembly from hitting against an inner surface of the case while the agitating assembly swings.