Refrigerator appliance with a convertible compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator appliances require separate evaporators for each compartment to achieve different temperatures, leading to increased costs, complex assembly, and operational limitations, as well as the use of electric heaters that negatively impact energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a convertible chamber, a plenum, and dampers to allow air from the fresh food and freezer chambers to be directed into the convertible chamber, eliminating the need for a dedicated evaporator and using a fan to force air from the plenum into the convertible chamber for temperature adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate evaporators are used for each compartment to achieve different temperatures, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator is designed to serve multiple chambers (fresh food chamber, freezer chamber, and convertible chamber) through a multi-way valve system. The evaporator performs the cooling function for all chambers sequentially or simultaneously based on control signals, eliminating the need for separate evaporators while maintaining temperature control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A multi-way valve (four-way valve) is introduced as an intermediary component to direct refrigerant flow from the single evaporator to different chambers. This valve acts as a mediator that enables the evaporator to condition multiple chambers by routing refrigerant to the appropriate chamber based on cooling demands.
2Temperature
If separate evaporators are used for each compartment, then temperature control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple evaporator components are merged into a single evaporator unit that serves all chambers. The evaporator is designed with a refrigerant distribution system that includes multi-way valves and ducts to deliver cooled air to different chambers, reducing the total number of evaporators from three to one and thereby lowering manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single evaporator is designed to perform multiple functions by conditioning air for the fresh food chamber, freezer chamber, and convertible chamber. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate evaporators, reducing component count and manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a four-way valve is used to direct refrigerant to multiple chambers, then operational flexibility is improved, but operational limitations arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a convertible chamber that can dynamically change its function between a freezer chamber and a fresh food chamber based on user needs. The control system adjusts refrigerant flow and fan operation to adapt the chamber's temperature characteristics, providing operational flexibility while maintaining reliability through controlled transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The convertible chamber's temperature parameters can be changed by adjusting the refrigerant flow through the multi-way valve and controlling the fan speed. The system can transition the chamber between different temperature ranges (freezer or fresh food conditions) by modifying operational parameters rather than requiring separate evaporators, maintaining reliability while enhancing versatility.
4Temperature
If electric heaters are used to warm the convertible compartment, then temperature adjustment is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing evaporator and refrigerant circulation system to condition the convertible chamber, eliminating the need for separate heating elements. The evaporator provides cooled air to the convertible chamber when needed, and the system relies on the thermal mass and insulation of the chamber to maintain temperatures, reducing energy consumption compared to active heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric heating elements typically found in convertible chambers are removed from the system. Instead, the patent uses the refrigeration system's existing evaporator and control mechanisms to achieve temperature adjustment, extracting the heating function and replacing it with a more energy-efficient refrigeration-based approach.
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
Enables temperature adjustment of the convertible chamber without additional evaporators, reducing complexity and energy consumption by utilizing existing evaporators and improving operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A fan is disposed between the convertible chamber and the plenum. The fan is configured to force air from the plenum into the convertible chamber.
Implementation Method 2
A typical sealed system includes an evaporator and a fan. The fan generates a flow of air across the evaporator to cool the flow of air.
Implementation Method 3
A typical sealed system includes an evaporator and a fan. The fan generates a flow of air across the evaporator to cool the flow of air.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining multiple food storage chambers which are operable at distinct temperatures. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet comprising a plurality of insulated mullions. The insulated mullions at least partially define a fresh food chamber, a freezer chamber, a convertible chamber, and a plenum. The refrigerator appliance also includes a first damper selectively providing fluid communication between the fresh food chamber and the plenum, a second damper selectively providing fluid communication between the freezer chamber and the plenum, and a fan disposed between the convertible chamber and the plenum. The fan is configured to force air from the plenum into the convertible chamber.