Refrigerator Defroster with Reverse Airflow for Uniform Evaporator Thawing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional defrosting systems with radiation type heaters in refrigerators face limitations in defrosting the upper portion of the evaporator, particularly due to size constraints and inefficiencies in heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A defroster system that incorporates a radiation type heater and flow control means, such as a damper, to reverse the air flow direction using a fan, allowing both radiant and convective heat to uniformly defrost the evaporator without size limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a radiation type heater is used for defrosting the evaporator, then the heater structure is simple and energy consumption is reduced, but the upper portion of the evaporator cannot be defrosted uniformly and the evaporator longitudinal size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines radiation type heater and convection type fan into a single defrosting system. The radiation heater provides base heating while the fan generates convective air flow that circulates heated air throughout the evaporator, merging both heating mechanisms to achieve uniform defrosting across the entire evaporator surface including upper portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium between the radiation heater and the evaporator surface. The fan circulates air that absorbs heat from the radiation heater and distributes it convectively across the evaporator, allowing indirect heat transfer to reach areas that radiation alone cannot effectively cover.
2Device complexity
If a radiation type heater is used for defrosting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the evaporator longitudinal size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by employing a fan to generate forced air convection. The circulating air flow acts as a fluid medium that can reach and heat evaporator surfaces throughout its entire longitudinal length, removing the size limitations inherent in radiation-only systems.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If only radiant heat is used for defrosting, then energy consumption is low, but defrosting efficiency is insufficient for large evaporators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic air circulation through the fan, transforming the static radiation heating into a dynamic combined heating system. The moving air flow continuously distributes heat throughout the evaporator, enhancing defrosting efficiency while maintaining reasonable energy consumption through the efficiency of both radiation and convection mechanisms.
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 approach enhances defrosting efficiency by utilizing both radiant and convective heat, ensuring uniform defrosting of the evaporator's upper portion, overcoming size limitations and improving overall defrosting performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heater for defrosting the evaporator by radiation
Implementation Method 2
flow control means for controlling air circulated by a fan to flow in a reverse direction toward the evaporator in the defrosting
Data Source
AI summary
A defroster is provided in a refrigerator, in which a damper mounted to an inlet to a circulating duct controls air to flow in a reverse direction toward an evaporator to maximize a defrosting efficiency by using not only radiant heat but also convective heat. The defroster includes the evaporator, a heater that defrosts the evaporator by radiation, and a flow controller that controls air circulated by a fan to flow in a reverse direction toward the evaporator in defrosting.