Refrigerator Evaporator Layout for Low-Resistance Cold Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in maximizing heat exchange efficiency due to the vertical arrangement of evaporators and cold air fans, which limits the cold air introduction area and increases flow resistance, thereby reducing the storage compartment capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cold air generating compartment with an evaporator and fan arranged in a horizontal configuration, utilizing a guide duct system that separates air flow paths to enhance cold air circulation and distribution, allowing for a longer vertical evaporator length without reducing storage compartment capacity and improving heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the evaporator and cold air fan are arranged vertically, then the structure is compact, but the cold air introduction area is limited and flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is reoriented from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement within the cold air generating compartment. This dimensional change allows the evaporator to extend in the horizontal direction, increasing the cold air introduction area and reducing flow resistance while maintaining compact vertical space utilization.
2Productivity
If the evaporator length is increased vertically, then heat exchange area is improved, but storage compartment capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator's length is extended in the horizontal dimension rather than the vertical dimension. The evaporator extends horizontally across the cold air generating compartment, providing sufficient heat exchange area while preserving vertical space for the storage compartment, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and storage capacity.
3Productivity
If a guide duct system is added to separate air flow paths, then cold air circulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide duct system is segmented into multiple distinct ducts, each dedicated to a specific air flow path. One duct guides air from the rear side of the storage compartment to the rear side of the cold air generating compartment, while another duct guides air from the front side of the cold air generating compartment to the rear side of the storage compartment. This segmentation organizes the complex flow paths into manageable, functionally-separated components.
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 configuration enhances heat exchange efficiency by reducing flow resistance and maintaining storage compartment capacity, ensuring effective cold air circulation and distribution while allowing for a more efficient refrigeration process.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant emerging from the expansion valve in a low pressure state, thereby absorbing heat from the interior of the refrigerator
Implementation Method 2
a cold air fan positioned in the cold air generating compartment and configured to promote movement of air within the cold air generating compartment in a flow direction that passes over the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
a guide duct arranged in the body to connect the storage compartment and the cold air generating compartment and configured to guide air flow between the storage compartment and the cold air generating compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator, in which an evaporator and a cold air fan are horizontally arranged in a cold air generating compartment positioned at an upper portion of the refrigerator. The evaporator and the cold air fan extend along a depth of the refrigerator in forward and rearward directions of the refrigerator.