refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators lack independent temperature control and adjustable compartment sizes within storage compartments, limiting flexibility in storing food items of varying temperature requirements.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a movable divider with rollers and seals in a drawer, allowing for independent temperature control of two compartments by adjusting the size of each space, utilizing a fan housing and cooling air duct system to distribute cooling air effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a partition is provided to divide the storage space of the drawer, then the storage space can be divided into multiple compartments, but the temperature of each divided storage space cannot be independently controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The storage space is divided into multiple compartments using a partition that can be moved to different positions. Each compartment can be independently sized by adjusting the partition location, allowing flexible storage organization while maintaining a simple temperature control system for the entire drawer
Solution Approach 2:
The partition is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing users to dynamically adjust the size and configuration of storage compartments based on their needs. The partition can be positioned at different locations to create varying compartment sizes while the cooling air outlet remains stationary
2Adaptability or versatility
If the partition is made movable to adjust compartment sizes, then storage flexibility is improved, but the sealing between compartments becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary element between the movable partition and the drawer body. This seal member contacts both surfaces to prevent air leakage while allowing the partition to move freely along its guide path, maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed as a flexible component that can deform to accommodate the movement of the partition. This flexible sealing element maintains continuous contact with both the partition and the drawer body, ensuring reliable sealing despite the dynamic nature of the partition position
3Productivity
If cooling air outlets are provided in multiple locations, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The single cooling air outlet is designed to serve multiple functions by directing cooled air to different compartments through the movable partition structure. As the partition moves to different positions, the cooling air outlet can effectively cool different sections of the drawer, eliminating the need for multiple separate outlets while maintaining high cooling 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
Enables flexible temperature control and adjustable compartment sizes within the drawer, allowing for optimal storage conditions for different types of food, enhancing user convenience and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fan housing coupled to the rear panel and a fan provided in the fan housing; an outlet port formed at the fan housing to discharge the cooling air circulated by the fan
Implementation Method 2
a seal provided on at least one side of the divider to seal the first and second spaces to be isolated from each other
Implementation Method 3
the seal is provided with at least one roller
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator (10) may include a cabinet (11) configured to form a storage compartment; a rear panel (60) configured to form a rear wall of the storage compartment and have a cooling air outlet hole (55) for discharging cooling air toward the storage compartment; a fan housing (70) configured to couple to the rear panel (60) and install a fan (80) for generating a circulation of the cooling air therein; an outlet port (72) configured to be formed in the fan housing (70) and discharging the cooling air supplied by the drive of the fan (80); and a drawer (100) configured to be withdrawn forward from an inside of the storage compartment. The drawer (100) may include a drawer main body (110) configured to form a storage space (111); a divider (200) provided movably in the interior of the drawer main body (110) and partitioning the storage space (111) into a first space part (111a) and a second space part (111b); and a sealer device (250, 260, 270) configured to be provided on at least one side of the divider (200) and sealing the first and second space parts (111a, 111b) each other.