refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inner volume of refrigerator compartments is reduced due to the space occupied by separate cold air supply systems for the refrigerator and freezer compartments, and the adjustment of cold air flow leads to dew condensation and further space reduction with additional insulating materials.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of first and second flow path opening/closing dampers overlapping in a front-rear direction, with a grill fan assembly directing cold air to both compartments, allows efficient adjustment of cold air supply to each compartment without protruding into the refrigerator compartment, reducing the need for additional components on its rear surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate cold air supply systems are provided in the refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment, then independent temperature control is improved, but the inner volume of the compartments is reduced due to the space occupied by the systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cold air supply systems by providing a single evaporator and grill fan assembly that serves both the refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate evaporators and fan assemblies in each compartment, thereby increasing the inner volume while maintaining independent temperature control through a flow path opening/closing damper that selectively directs cold air to different compartments.
2Ease of operation
If a flow path opening/closing damper is provided in the refrigerator compartment to adjust cold air supply, then cold air flow adjustment is improved, but the refrigerator compartment shape must protrude inwardly reducing its inner volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow path opening/closing damper from the refrigerator compartment and relocates it to the freezer compartment. Specifically, the damper is positioned in the flow path between the evaporator and the refrigerator compartment, allowing it to control cold air supply to the refrigerator compartment without requiring the refrigerator compartment to protrude inwardly. This extraction resolves the volume reduction issue while preserving the cold air flow adjustment capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the refrigerator compartment protrudes inwardly to accommodate the flow path opening/closing module, then the module installation space is secured, but the inner volume of the refrigerator compartment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow path opening/closing module from the refrigerator compartment and relocates it to the freezer compartment. The module is installed in the flow path within the freezer compartment, eliminating the need for the refrigerator compartment to protrude inwardly. This relocation provides sufficient installation space for the module in the freezer compartment while preserving the full inner volume of the refrigerator compartment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the refrigerator compartment protrudes further inwardly to accommodate multiple flow path opening/closing modules, then multiple temperature zone control is improved, but the inner volume is further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts multiple flow path opening/closing modules from the refrigerator compartment and relocates them to the freezer compartment. Each module can control cold air supply to different temperature zones within the refrigerator compartment, enabling multiple temperature zone control without requiring the refrigerator compartment to protrude inwardly. The modules are installed in the freezer compartment where sufficient space is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension in the freezer compartment to accommodate multiple flow path opening/closing modules. Instead of arranging modules in a limited space within the refrigerator compartment, the system exploits the available volume in the freezer compartment, allowing multiple modules to be positioned at different locations and orientations to control various temperature zones in the refrigerator compartment.
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 increases the inner volume of the refrigerator compartment by minimizing the space taken up by cold air supply components and prevents dew condensation, enhancing capacity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid refrigerant is vaporized into gaseous refrigerant. During this process, the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may be generated by taking heat from the inside of the refrigerator
Implementation Method 2
a grill fan assembly for blowing the generated cold air to the refrigerator compartment and/or the freezer compartment
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A refrigerator comprising: an evaporator (101) configured to generate cold air; and a refrigerator compartment (51) comprising a first storage chamber (51a) and a second storage chamber (51b); a freezer compartment (52); a grill fan assembly (100) configured to blow the cold air generated by the evaporator (101) to the refrigerator compartment (51) and the freezer compartment (52), wherein the grill fan assembly (100) comprises, a freezing fan module (160) configured to blow cold air to the refrigerator compartment (51) and the freezer compartment (52); a first flow path opening/closing damper (140) configured to selectively block the cold air blown to the first storage chamber (51a); and a second flow path opening/closing damper (150) configured to selectively block the cold air blown to the second storage chamber (51b).