Refrigerator Evaporator Guide Member for Airflow and Defrost Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators, there is a gap between the evaporator and the lower surface of the cold air generating compartment that allows cold air to escape, reducing cooling efficiency and causing defrost water to accumulate, which can lead to inefficiencies in heat exchange and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A guide member is positioned between the cold air fan and the evaporator to direct cold air flow directly over the evaporator, while a drainage portion guides defrost water to a drain pan, reducing air flow into the gap and enhancing cooling efficiency by ensuring that cold air is not wasted and defrost water is effectively collected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the evaporator is positioned close to the lower surface of the cold air generating compartment, then the structure is compact, but cold air escapes through the gap reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the evaporator and the cold air fan. This guide member redirects the cold air flow that would otherwise escape through the gap, channeling it properly over the evaporator surface to improve cooling efficiency while maintaining the compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member creates a localized modification in the air flow path specifically in the gap region between the evaporator and the compartment surface. By altering the flow characteristics only in this specific local area, the solution maintains overall compactness while preventing cold air loss at the critical leakage point.
2Volume of moving object
If the evaporator is positioned close to the lower surface of the cold air generating compartment, then the structure is compact, but defrost water accumulates leading to heat exchange inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member serves a dual function as an intermediary: it both redirects cold air flow and channels defrost water toward the drain pan. This single component solves both the cold air loss problem and the water accumulation problem that would otherwise degrade heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member extracts and redirects the harmful element (defrost water) from the gap region where it would cause heat exchange inefficiency. By channeling the water to the drain pan, the solution removes the source of thermal interference while preserving the compact evaporator positioning.
3Ease of operation
If cold air is allowed to flow into the gap between the evaporator and the lower surface, then air circulation is simplified, but cooling efficiency decreases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member acts as a flow mediator that redirects cold air from the gap region back toward the evaporator. This maintains a controlled and efficient circulation pattern, preventing energy waste from cold air escaping into ineffective regions while preserving the overall simplicity of the air circulation system.
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 cooling efficiency by minimizing cold air loss and effectively managing defrost water, leading to improved refrigeration performance and reduced energy consumption.
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
Data Source
AI summary
In a refrigerator, cold air discharged from a cold air fan is guided by a guide member such that it flows directly to an evaporator. The guide member reduces flow of air through a gap between an inner surface of a cold air generating compartment and the evaporator. The guide member also includes a drainage portion configured to guide defrost water generated at the cold air fan to a position beneath the evaporator.