Refrigerator having air processing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with integrated air processing apparatuses face difficulties in maintenance and repair due to inaccessible printed circuit boards (PCBs) and challenging filter removal, especially for users of shorter stature.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with a movable PCB that can be easily connected or disconnected from power and control lines, and a detachable filter unit with a user-friendly mounting system that allows easy access and maintenance, including a second cabinet with a blower fan and filter unit for air processing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PCB is fixed on top of the refrigerator to control the refrigerator, then the control function is improved, but the accessibility for maintenance and repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two separate PCBs: a first PCB fixed in the refrigerator body for stable control, and a second PCB detachably mounted in the air processing apparatus for easy access. This segmentation allows the control function to be distributed across multiple locations, improving both reliability and maintainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting position of the second PCB is made dynamic and adjustable. It can be detached from the air processing apparatus and repositioned to the first mounting unit in the refrigerator body, or vice versa. This dynamic reconfigurability enables flexible maintenance access while preserving control functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the air processing apparatus is fixed on the top surface of the refrigerator, then the integration is improved, but the ease of filter removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air processing apparatus is segmented into a fixed first cabinet and a detachable second cabinet. The filter unit is specifically located in the second cabinet, which can be independently removed. This segmentation allows users to access and remove filters without disturbing the integrated structure of the entire air processing apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cabinet containing the filter unit is extracted as a separate detachable component from the main air processing apparatus. This extraction enables users to easily remove the second cabinet for filter maintenance while the first cabinet remains fixed and integrated with the refrigerator.
3Ease of repair
If the PCB is made movable between refrigerator and air processing apparatus, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into two independent mounting units: a first mounting unit in the refrigerator body and a second mounting unit in the air processing apparatus. Each mounting unit has corresponding electrical connection structures. This segmentation simplifies the relocation process by providing pre-defined connection points, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from a fully flexible mounting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting units act as intermediaries that facilitate the transfer of the second PCB between locations. These intermediaries include standardized electrical connection structures (such as connectors or contact points) that simplify the relocation process, reducing the overall system complexity by providing a structured interface for PCB movement.
4Ease of operation
If the filter unit is placed in a detachable second cabinet, then the ease of filter removal is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air processing apparatus is divided into a fixed first cabinet and a detachable second cabinet. The second cabinet is designed as a simple, self-contained module that can be easily removed and reattached. This segmentation provides the filter removal functionality without requiring complex mechanisms, as the entire second cabinet serves as the removal interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cabinet serves multiple functions: it houses the filter unit, provides easy access for filter maintenance, and can be independently removed for cleaning or replacement. By making this single component multi-functional, the design avoids the need for additional separate mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving ease of filter removal.
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
Facilitates easy maintenance and repair of the refrigerator's PCB and easy filter removal, enhancing user convenience and accessibility, particularly for shorter users.
Implementation Method 1
a first compressor configured to circulate the refrigerant along the first refrigerant pipe
Implementation Method 2
a first condenser configured to condense the refrigerant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant exhausted from the first compressor and external air of the storage compartment
Implementation Method 3
a first pressure regulator configured to lower the pressure of the refrigerant having passed the first condenser
Implementation Method 4
a first evaporator configured to vaporize the refrigerant having passed the first pressure regulator by absorbing heat from the internal air of the storage compartment
Implementation Method 5
a blower fan provided in the second cabinet and configured to blow the air drawn into the inlet hole toward the outlet hole
Implementation Method 6
a filter unit configured to filter the air drawn into the second cabinet via the inlet hole
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having an air processing apparatus includes a first cabinet including a storage compartment and second cabinet mounted at one surface of the first cabinet includes an inlet hole and an outlet hole, a blower fan to blow the air drawn into the inlet hole towards the outlet hole, and a filter unit to filter the air drawn into the second cabinet via the inlet hole. A first PCB includes a first control unit to control at least one of a compressor and a pressure regulator, and a second PCB includes a second control unit to control the blower fan. A first mounting unit at one surface of the first cabinet defines a predetermined space which can accommodate the first PCB, and a second mounting unit at one surface of the second cabinet defines a predetermined space which can accommodate both the first PCB and the second PCB.