Deodorizing apparatus and refrigerator including the same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Deodorizing apparatuses in refrigerators face challenges in maintaining effective deodorization at low temperatures, as warm air from regeneration can disrupt the cold environment and reduce the absorption capacity of absorbing materials over time.
Innovation Solution
A deodorizing apparatus with a blower, absorptive decomposer, and heater configuration that circulates air and controls temperature to prevent warm air discharge, using a bimetal plate for opening/closing the air path and a processor to manage blower and heater operations, ensuring efficient regeneration and absorption modes without heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is used to regenerate the absorbing material, then the absorption capacity is restored, but warm air is discharged into the refrigerating room disrupting the low temperature environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air passage into multiple segments: a first air passage for introducing air to the heater, a second air passage for guiding air from the heater to the absorbing material, and a third air passage for discharging air away from the refrigerating room. This segmentation allows the heater to operate independently without discharging warm air into the refrigerating space, thus resolving the contradiction between restoring absorption capacity and maintaining low temperature environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a blower as an intermediary device that actively controls air flow through the system. The blower guides air through the heater and absorbing material while preventing warm air from entering the refrigerating room. This intermediary mechanism enables the heater to regenerate the absorbing material without compromising the temperature stability of the refrigerating environment.
2Productivity
If the absorbing material is continuously used, then the deodorizing function is maintained, but the absorption property deteriorates over time due to saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic regeneration of the absorbing material by introducing air heated to a regeneration temperature that desorbs accumulated malodorous substances. This periodic action restores the absorption property of the material, allowing it to maintain high deodorizing productivity over extended periods without permanent deterioration from saturation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the absorption capacity of the absorbing material through thermal regeneration. By heating the material to a regeneration temperature, malodorous substances are desorbed and removed, effectively recovering the material's absorption properties and extending its service life while maintaining continuous deodorizing productivity.
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
Maintains high deodorization capability over time by regenerating absorbing materials and decomposing malodorous substances effectively, while preventing heat discharge and maintaining low temperatures within the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
an oxidation catalyst for decomposing the harmful material desorbed from the absorbing structure
Implementation Method 2
configured to absorb a malodorous substance from air passing therethrough
Implementation Method 3
an opening/closing control member configured to control the opening/closing member to close the inlet and the outlet of the case when the heater heats the absorptive decomposer or air entered the absorptive decomposer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a technique capable of being used even in an environment that needs to be maintained at a low temperature. The present disclosure may include a fan configured to generate a flow of air, an absorbing material disposed downstream from the fan and configured to absorb a malodorous substance from air passing therethrough and to desorb the malodorous substance by being heated, an upstream heater disposed downstream from the fan and upstream from the absorbing material and configured to heat air entered the absorbing material, a catalyst configured to decompose the malodorous substance desorbed from the absorbing material, and a cooler configured to cool air passed through the catalyst.