Refrigerator Air-Passage Trap for Defrost Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in efficiently defrosting, leading to increased inner temperatures during the process, which can cause food spoilage, and require continuous heater output to remove remaining frost, potentially reducing heater efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a refrigerator design that uses multiple defrosting heaters and blower fans, along with a trap part to prevent warm air from entering the internal space, and a controller to manage the refrigerant flow and heater output based on temperature changes, allowing for optimized defrosting time and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is driven to activate defrosting with predetermined pattern control, then the heater operation can be controlled based on temperature detection, but the defrosting time increases and the inner temperature of the refrigerator rises
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the defrosting process into multiple stages by controlling multiple heaters (first heater and second heater) at different locations. The first heater operates initially to melt frost, then the second heater operates to remove remaining frost, creating a segmented defrosting sequence that reduces total defrosting time and prevents excessive temperature rise in the refrigerator interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a trap part that preliminarily traps warm air generated during defrosting before it can enter the refrigerator's inner space. This preliminary action of capturing warm air prevents temperature rise in the stored goods area while the defrosting process continues efficiently.
2Reliability
If the heater output is maintained at a predetermined level to remove remaining frost, then complete defrosting can be achieved, but the heater efficiency deteriorates and defrosting process must be continuously performed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the heater operation into two distinct phases: the first heater operates at high output to remove the majority of frost, then the second heater operates to eliminate remaining frost. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete defrosting reliability while avoiding the continuous high-output operation that would waste energy, as the second heater operates only when needed for residual frost removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements periodic action by switching between the first and second heaters based on temperature detection. The first heater operates during the main defrosting phase, then stops, and the second heater operates subsequently for remaining frost removal. This periodic switching optimizes heater efficiency while ensuring complete defrosting.
3Productivity
If multiple defrosting heaters and blower fans are used to reduce defrosting time, then defrosting efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by placing the first heater at the evaporator and the second heater at a different location, with the controller managing their sequential operation. This segmented approach improves defrosting efficiency by targeting different frost locations while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap part serves multiple functions: it traps warm air generated during defrosting, prevents warm air from entering the inner space, and can be integrated with the existing air passage structure. This multi-functionality improves defrosting efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural element performs multiple protective and functional roles.
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 approach reduces defrosting time, prevents inner temperature increases, and maintains efficient heater output, thereby minimizing food spoilage and ensuring effective defrosting without compromising cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater and a temperature sensor are mounted to each evaporator, such that heater operation can be controlled by a temperature detected by the corresponding evaporator temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
the heater and a temperature sensor are mounted to each evaporator, such that heater operation can be controlled by a temperature detected by the corresponding evaporator temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant to cool the storage chamber
Implementation Method 4
The refrigerator repeatedly performs a cooling cycle for sequentially performing compression -> condensation -> expansion -> evaporation of a refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a blower fan to blow air in an air passage
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a storage chamber, an evaporator configured to cool the storage chamber, and an air passage through which cold air generated by the evaporator flows. The air passage includes a blower fan configured to blow the cold air to the storage chamber, and a trap part in which warm air generated by a defrosting operation stays, such that warm air generated by the defrosting operation is prevented from being introduced into the inner space of the refrigerator through the air passage. In accordance with the present disclosure, the refrigerator includes the trap part in which warm air generated by the defrosting operation is trapped, such that warm air generated by the defrosting operation can be prevented from being introduced into the inner space of the refrigerator through the air passage.