Integrated Refrigerator Air Duct Module for Space-Saving Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator air duct assembly process is complex and prone to errors, and the conventional design often requires a protruding structure at the top of the refrigerator compartment, which reduces storage volume.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air duct module with a modular structure that eliminates the need for a protruding air vent, featuring a snap-fit assembly of air duct components, a radial fan, and a heat-insulating air guide portion to improve assembly accuracy and increase storage space by integrating the air duct within the refrigerator compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air duct parts are assembled separately, then the assembly process becomes complex, but the manufacturing flexibility is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple air duct parts (first air duct part and second air duct part) into a single integrated air duct component. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly operations, reduces the number of connection interfaces, and simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining the functional separation of air duct sections.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional air duct arrangement is used, then the air vent can be accommodated, but a protruding structure is required which reduces storage volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the air vent from a protruding structure extending into the refrigerator compartment to a configuration integrated into the rear wall structure. By changing the spatial dimension and orientation of the air vent, the design eliminates the need for protruding elements while maintaining proper air circulation pathways.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate air duct parts are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but connection and fixation accuracy deteriorates due to large errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple air duct sections into a single molded component, eliminating connection interfaces that would introduce assembly errors. This integration ensures precise geometric relationships between different air duct sections are maintained through single-piece manufacturing, achieving high mounting quality while the modular design still allows manufacturing flexibility.
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 integrated air duct module simplifies the assembly process, enhances accuracy, and increases storage volume by eliminating the need for a protruding structure, while maintaining efficient cold air distribution and refrigeration functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a radial fan to move the cold air
Implementation Method 2
a heat-insulating air guide portion
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated air duct module (100), wherein the distributed structure of traditional air ducts is changed and a modular structure is used so as to improve the precision in the assembly of a refrigerator, being applied to a two-door refrigerator and eliminating the traditional refrigerator structure by providing an air vent at a side of a refrigerator compartment (30), thereby preventing a convex structure that occupies the storage capacity of the refrigerator compartment (30) from forming at a top portion of the refrigerator compartment (30), increasing the storage space of the refrigerator compartment (30).