Refrigerator Air Duct Design for Segmented Cold Air Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing an air duct unit for a refrigerator that effectively and evenly cools different regions of the storage chamber is a technical challenge faced by designers.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator includes a heat-insulated main body with a first chamber, a first evaporator, and a first air duct unit configured to define an air channel for conveying cooled air to a storage space. The air duct unit has a fan located in the air channel, with separate channels for supplying cooled air upward and downward, improving cold air distribution uniformity and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air channel is used to supply cooled air to the storage chamber, then the structure is simple, but the cold air distribution uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The air channel is segmented into multiple independent channels (first air channel, second air channel, third air channel) that supply cooled air to different regions of the storage chamber simultaneously. This segmentation allows differentiated cold air distribution to upper, lower, and side regions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and distribution uniformity.
2Volume of stationary object
If the fan is located in the air channel without dedicated space, then the space utilization is low, but the air duct unit structure is compact
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is positioned in the air channel along the airflow direction, utilizing the longitudinal space of the air duct unit. This dimensional arrangement allows the fan to be integrated into the existing air channel structure without requiring additional lateral space, thereby improving space utilization while maintaining structural compactness.
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 improved air duct unit design enhances the uniformity of cold air distribution in the storage space, effectively cooling various regions, including shelves and drawers, while optimizing space utilization and reducing the risk of condensate water accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
the air is cooled by an evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a fan to suck the air from the storage chamber into the cold air channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
An embodiment of the present application relates to a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a heat-insulated main body (101) with a first chamber (102), an first evaporator (2), a first air duct unit (3) configured to define an air channel (4), and a fan (5) located in the air channel (4). The air channel (4) includes a first channel (41) for supplying air cooled by the first evaporator (2) to the fan, a second channel (42) for supplying air flowing out of the fan upward, and a third channel (43) for supplying the air flowing out of the fan downward. The first air duct unit (3) includes a front cover (33), a first rear cover (34) and a second rear cover (35) located below the first rear cover (34). The fan is located between the first rear cover (34) and the front cover (33), at least a portion of the third channel (43) is located between the second rear cover (35) and the front cover (33), and the first air duct unit (3) has at least one first air outlet (312) communicated with the third channel (43) in a region corresponding to the second rear cover (35) to supply the cooled air to a storage space (104).