Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a refrigerator is embedded into a cupboard, the hot air from the compressor compartment blends with cold air, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced performance of the condenser and compressor due to inadequate heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a baffle mechanism that adjusts the air flow paths to prevent hot air from re-entering the compressor compartment, using a baffle that can be moved between open and closed positions to redirect air flow through alternative vents, ensuring efficient heat dissipation by separating hot and cold air streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the refrigerator is embedded into the cupboard to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the heat dissipation performance deteriorates due to hot air re-entering the compressor compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt between two positions: opening the first air vent when the refrigerator is not embedded, and closing it when embedded in a cupboard. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize heat dissipation performance for different installation scenarios, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and heat dissipation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the air flow path parameters by switching between using the first air vent and the second air vent. When embedded, the baffle closes the first air vent and redirects air flow through the second air vent, fundamentally changing the heat dissipation pathway to prevent hot air re-entry, thus maintaining effective heat dissipation in the embedded configuration
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between the refrigerator and cupboard wall is reduced to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the temperature of air in the compressor compartment rises due to hot air blending with cold air
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent system is segmented into multiple independent pathways: the first air vent controlled by the movable baffle, and the second air vent that remains open. This segmentation allows selective closure of the first air vent when embedded, forcing air flow through the second air vent pathway, thereby preventing hot air from the rear space from blending with cold air in the compressor compartment and maintaining lower temperatures
3Volume of moving object
If the conventional mounting space of over 100 mm is reduced to less than 30 mm, then the space utilization is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to inadequate heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The movable baffle dynamically adjusts the air vent configuration based on installation conditions. When embedded with less than 30 mm clearance, the baffle closes the first air vent and redirects air flow through the second air vent, ensuring continuous effective heat dissipation. This dynamic adaptation prevents energy consumption increase that would otherwise result from inadequate heat dissipation in tight spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The second air vent acts as an intermediary pathway for heat dissipation when the first air vent is closed due to embedding. This alternative pathway mediates the heat dissipation process, allowing the system to maintain effective thermal management even when the primary air vent pathway is blocked by the cupboard configuration, thereby preventing energy consumption increase
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 design effectively prevents hot air from re-entering the compressor compartment, reducing the average temperature of the compressor compartment and improving energy efficiency, thus maintaining the performance of the condenser and compressor even when the refrigerator is embedded in a cupboard.
Implementation Method 1
a heat dissipation blower disposed in the internal space
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a refrigerator, comprising a compressor compartment disposed in its lower rear portion thereof, wherein the back plate of the compressor compartment has a first air port and a second air port, and the bottom plate is provided with a third air port. The refrigerator further comprises a baffle movably disposed at the first air port to open or close the first air port. The baffle may prevent the hot air discharged from the compressor compartment from blending with cold air and re-entering the compressor compartment after the refrigerator is embedded in the cupboard.