Refrigerator Door Housing Cooling Via Integrated Cabinet Air Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with deep storage compartments face challenges in air circulation, as food stored in separate housing compartments obstructs the flow of cool air, leading to inefficient cooling and potential issues like dew condensation or ice formation with separate ducts.
Innovation Solution
A cool air circulation system is implemented within the refrigerator, featuring a housing with a cool air inlet at the upper surface and multiple outlet ports at the rear, along with a cool air circulation fan installed at the cabinet's inner upper surface, which creates a descending path for air to flow from the storage compartment into the housing and back, eliminating the need for a separate duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate duct is installed to supply cool air to the housing, then cool air supply is improved, but device complexity increases and insulation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cool air supply function with the existing cabinet structure by utilizing the cabinet's internal space and insulation. Instead of installing a separate duct, the system uses the cabinet body itself as the air passage, combining multiple functions (structural support, insulation, and air flow path) into a single integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, thermal insulation, and acts as the air passage for cool air supply. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated ductwork while maintaining effective cool air delivery to the housing.
2Temperature
If a separate duct is installed without adequate insulation, then cool air supply is achieved, but dew condensation and ice formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation function is merged with the cabinet structure itself. The cabinet body, which naturally provides thermal insulation, is utilized as the air passage, ensuring that the cool air flow path is inherently insulated against the external environment, preventing dew condensation and ice formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cabinet structure acts as an intermediary between the cool air supply system and the external environment. It provides thermal insulation as a mediator, preventing direct thermal exchange that would cause condensation or freezing, while still allowing effective cool air delivery to the housing.
3Quantity of substance
If food is stored in the housing, then storage capacity is improved, but cool air circulation is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The housing interior space is segmented into multiple levels or zones using shelves or dividers. This segmentation allows cool air to flow through different pathways and reach various storage areas, preventing complete blockage while maximizing storage capacity. The segmented structure creates multiple air circulation channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The air circulation system utilizes three-dimensional flow patterns by introducing cool air at multiple heights and positions within the housing. This multi-dimensional approach allows air to circulate around stored food items rather than being blocked by a single-level storage arrangement, maintaining both storage capacity and circulation efficiency.
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 solution ensures smooth air circulation within the storage compartments, preventing duct expansion, dew condensation, and ice formation, while maintaining effective cooling without the need for additional insulation or duct structures.
Implementation Method 1
a cool air circulation fan installed at an inner upper surface of the cabinet corresponding to an upper side of the cool air inlet hole when the door is closed, and configured to enable the cool air in the storage compartment to flow to an inside of the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a cabinet (11) having a storage compartment, a door (12) rotatably coupled to a front surface of the cabinet that opens and closes the storage compartment, a housing (14) provided at a rear surface of the door to define an accommodation space, a cool air inlet hole (141) provided at an upper surface of the housing, a basket (15) provided inside the housing and mounted to the door, the basket having a recess to provide an opening between the basket and the door, a circulation fan (20) provided at an inner upper surface of the cabinet that corresponds to an upper side of the cool air inlet hole when the door is closed, and configured to circulate cool air from the storage compartment into an inside of the housing, and a cool air flow path formed by the opening to allow the cool air to flow through the inside of the accommodation space.