Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indirect cooling type refrigerators face challenges in efficiently cooling storage compartments while preserving food moisture, as high-speed air discharge leads to moisture removal and inefficient cooling due to limited discharge ports.
Innovation Solution
A duct system with a first discharge hole for high-speed air discharge and multiple second discharge holes for low-speed air discharge, regulated by a damper to adjust airflow paths, allowing for rapid cooling and reduced moisture loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cold air is supplied to the storage compartment through a duct, then the cooling rate is improved, but moisture of food is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is divided into multiple discharge holes with different functions: a first discharge hole for high-speed cooling and multiple second discharge holes for low-speed moisture preservation. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve rapid cooling and moisture conservation by directing air through different paths based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
A damper is introduced to dynamically control the airflow distribution between the first and second discharge holes. The damper can adjust the flow rate ratio between high-speed and low-speed discharge paths, enabling the system to adaptively respond to different storage conditions and maintain optimal balance between cooling efficiency and moisture preservation.
2Productivity
If high-speed air discharge is used for rapid cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but moisture removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into two distinct pathways: the first discharge hole optimized for high-speed cooling with larger discharge area, and multiple second discharge holes optimized for low-speed moisture preservation with smaller discharge areas. This allows selective activation based on cooling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the duct system are assigned different functional qualities: the first discharge hole provides high-velocity cooling air to specific areas requiring rapid temperature reduction, while the second discharge holes provide low-velocity air to areas where moisture preservation is prioritized, creating localized optimal conditions throughout the storage compartment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple discharge ports are provided for uniform cooling, then the cooling uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both high-speed and low-speed discharge capabilities within a single integrated structure. The same duct serves both rapid cooling and moisture preservation functions by utilizing the damper to route airflow through different discharge holes based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper mechanism provides dynamic control over airflow distribution, allowing the system to adjust the number and function of active discharge ports based on real-time cooling needs. This dynamic adaptability enables uniform cooling across different storage conditions without requiring a fixed complex multi-port structure.
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 duct system efficiently cools the storage compartment by varying air discharge speed, maintaining food quality by minimizing moisture removal and optimizing cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator configured to generate cold air and disposed behind the storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
a damper configured to selectively regulate a flow of air to guide the air in the duct to the first discharge hole or the plurality of second discharge holes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a body, a storage compartment disposed inside the body, an evaporator configured to generate cold air and disposed behind the storage compartment, and a duct configured to supply the cold air generated by the evaporator to the storage compartment. The duct includes a first discharge hole through which air flowing in the duct is discharged, a plurality of second discharge holes through which air is discharged at a speed lower than a speed of the air discharged through the first discharge hole, and a damper configured to selectively regulate a flow of air to guide the air in the duct to the first discharge hole or the plurality of second discharge holes.