Deodorizing apparatus comprising suction fan, and refrigerator including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in maintaining the freshness of stored foods due to gases like ethylene, which accelerate spoilage, requiring a deodorizing device with high efficiency and compact size to effectively remove these gases from a large volume of air per hour.
Innovation Solution
A deodorizing device with a suction fan, filters, light emitting modules, and a controller that includes a photosensor and air sensor to optimize air circulation and deodorization, featuring a reduced thickness and efficient air handling through strategically placed filters and light emitting diodes, and a control system for alarm generation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional deodorizing device is designed to deodorize a large amount of air per hour, then the deodorizing efficiency is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the air flow path from a conventional horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement. The suction fan draws air upward through the filter assembly, and the discharged air exits vertically through the discharge port. This dimensional change allows the device to achieve high deodorizing efficiency (processing large volumes of air per hour) while maintaining a compact footprint, as the vertical flow path充分利用s the thickness dimension rather than requiring extensive horizontal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the filter assembly is positioned within the housing in a space-efficient manner. The first filter and second filter are arranged in series within the vertical air flow path, with the light emitting module integrated between them. This nesting arrangement maximizes the utilization of internal space, allowing multiple functional components to be compactly integrated without increasing the overall device volume, thereby achieving high deodorizing efficiency in a compact form factor.
2Length of moving object
If the deodorizing device is designed with a small thickness, then the device size is reduced, but the air circulation capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal air circulation design to a vertical design. The suction fan creates an upward air flow that passes through filters and exits through a vertical discharge port. This dimensional reorientation allows the device to achieve effective air circulation within a reduced thickness profile, as the vertical flow path efficiently utilizes the available space in the thickness direction without requiring extended horizontal dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a controllable suction fan that can adjust its operation based on detected air quality conditions. The fan operates dynamically to maintain optimal air circulation capacity within the compact device structure, ensuring that the reduced thickness does not compromise the air handling performance. The dynamic control allows the system to adapt to varying deodorizing demands while maintaining a compact form factor.
3Device complexity
If multiple components (fan, filters, light modules) are integrated into a compact arrangement, then the device complexity increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the deodorizing device into distinct functional modules: a suction fan module, a filter assembly (with first and second filters), a light emitting module, and a discharge module. Each module is designed and assembled separately with standardized interfaces, then integrated into the final device. This segmentation approach manages device complexity by creating manageable sub-assemblies, and it reduces manufacturing precision requirements by allowing each module to be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly, rather than requiring all components to be precisely integrated in a single manufacturing step.
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
The device effectively deodorizes a large amount of air per hour while maintaining a compact size, improving food freshness by efficiently removing harmful gases and providing alerts for maintenance needs, thus extending the storage life of refrigerated items.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan suctioning air through the suction port
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting module including a light emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
A deodorizing apparatus including: a base, in which a suction port and a discharge port are disposed; a cover coupled to the base; a suction fan fixed to the base so as to suction air through the suction port; a first fixing member disposed between the suction port and the discharge port so as to support a filter; a light emitting module including a light emitting diode; and a second fixing member for supporting the light emitting module. The first fixing member includes a first body part for spacing the filter apart from the base.