Refrigerator and controlling method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators face inefficiencies in defrosting due to excessive energy consumption and temperature increases in storage compartments, resulting from the defrost process, which affects cooling efficiency and food storage performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a defroster system with a defrost heater and fan configuration that includes a flow path resistance portion to minimize cold air loss during cooling and optimize heated air circulation during defrosting, reducing defrost time and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heater is located below the evaporator for defrosting, then the defrosting function is achieved, but a temperature difference occurs between the lower side and upper side of the evaporator, leading to excessive energy consumption and increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefrosting functionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of heating from below the evaporator, the patent introduces heated air from the lower flow path through the evaporator core from the opposite direction, allowing uniform heat distribution without creating temperature differences that waste energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a heater is located below the evaporator for defrosting, then the defrosting function is achieved, but the temperature of the storage compartment is raised, deteriorating performance of the food storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefrosting functionVSAvoidstorage compartment temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air flow paths into separate first and second flow paths, allowing heated air to be circulated through the evaporator core without mixing with the cold air in the storage compartment, thus maintaining food storage temperature while achieving defrosting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the evaporator core itself as a heat transfer medium, allowing heated air to pass through it and melt frost without the heated air directly contacting the storage compartment, thus protecting food storage temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a defrost heater and defrost fan are used, then the defrosting efficiency is improved, but the defrost time is extended and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefrosting efficiencyVSAvoiddefrost time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows the defrost fan to continue operating after the heater stops, utilizing residual heat to complete the defrosting process, thereby reducing total defrost time and power consumption while maintaining defrosting efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 configuration enhances defrosting efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and maintains storage compartment temperatures, thereby improving food storage conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The defroster may remove the frost of the evaporator using a heater

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the refrigerator is provided with an evaporator configured to absorb ambient heat while evaporating a low pressure and low temperature refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

so as to exchange heat with indoor air in the storage compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

water vapor that is introduced from the outside at the room temperature, or water vapor that is evaporated from the water contained in food stored in the refrigerator may be changed into frost on an outer surface of the evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3660423B1Refrigerator and controlling method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A refrigerator includes a storage compartment; a first flow path separated from the storage compartment; an evaporator provided on the first flow path to cool air; a compressor configured to discharge a refrigerant to the evaporator; a blower fan configured to discharge air of the first flow path to the storage compartment; a defrost heater provided on the first flow path to heat the evaporator; a second flow path separated from the first flow path; a defrost fan configured to suction air of the first flow path into the second flow path; and a controller configured to alternately perform a cooling operation and a defrosting operation, configured to operate the compressor and the blower fan during the cooling operation, configured to operate the defrost heater and the defrost fan during the defrosting operation, and configured to vary a rotational speed of the defrost fan.