Fridge and / or freezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers with multiple temperature zones require significant equipment and complexity to achieve different temperatures, limiting efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a secondary air duct that introduces warmer air into a separate temperature zone, in addition to the cold air duct, allowing for adjustable temperature control without altering the inner container design, using air control elements to manage airflow between the ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple evaporators or heating elements are used to create different temperature zones, then different temperatures can be achieved, but device complexity and equipment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator's cooling function is segmented and distributed to multiple temperature zones through separate cold air ducts. Each duct delivers cold air to a specific zone, allowing different temperatures to be achieved by controlling the amount of cold air supplied to each zone rather than using multiple evaporators.
Solution Approach 2:
The single evaporator serves multiple functions by supplying cold air to multiple different temperature zones through multiple ducts. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate evaporators for each zone, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to create different temperature environments.
2Device complexity
If cold air is supplied to all zones from a single evaporator, then equipment is simplified, but temperature control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates adjustable air control elements (such as dampers or flaps) in each cold air duct that can be dynamically positioned to control the amount of cold air flowing to each temperature zone. This dynamic control mechanism provides flexibility in temperature regulation while maintaining the simplicity of a single evaporator system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air control elements are added to each duct for temperature adjustment, then temperature control flexibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air control elements are designed to be manually adjustable by the user without requiring complex automated control systems. Each duct has simple adjustment mechanisms that allow users to independently control the cold air flow to different zones, providing temperature flexibility while avoiding the complexity of automated control systems.
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 the creation of multiple temperature zones with minimal equipment outlay, allowing users to set different or identical temperatures in zones, enhancing operational flexibility and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator and a cold air duct communicating with the evaporator having an inlet arranged for air to flow into that inlet from the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a fan for conveying air into the inlet of the cold air duct
Implementation Method 3
an air control element which can be adjusted in order to adjust the amount of air flowing out of the duct into the temperature zone
Implementation Method 4
a further duct which has an inlet which is arranged in such a way that it is not, or at least not directly, acted upon by air from the evaporator but rather by warmer air
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling and/or freezing appliance with a cooled interior in which a first and a second temperature zone are provided, which can be operated at different temperatures during operation of the appliance, wherein the appliance has an evaporator and a cold air duct communicating with the evaporator, the cold air duct having an inlet arranged so that it is supplied with air from the evaporator and having an outlet arranged so that air from the cold air duct flows into the first temperature zone, wherein the appliance has a further duct having an inlet arranged so that it is not supplied with air from the evaporator and having an outlet arranged so that air from the further duct flows into the second temperature zone.