Refrigerator Air Filter Layout for Low Pressure Drop
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration devices face challenges in achieving an adequate air filter effect with minimal airflow hindrance, leading to excessive pressure drops and energy consumption, particularly due to the need for additional fans and inefficient airflow through existing air filter designs.
Innovation Solution
An air filter is positioned in the airflow path over only part of the flow cross-section, placed on the overpressure side of the fan, and integrated into a protective cover to minimize obstruction and energy usage, allowing partial airflow to bypass the filter while ensuring sufficient filtration through repeated air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air filter completely covers the flow cross-section of the suction line, then the filter effect is improved, but the pressure drop increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The air filter is designed to cover only a portion (specifically 50%) of the flow cross-section of the suction line rather than the entire cross-section. This partial coverage allows the filter to provide adequate filtration for the portion of air it handles while leaving the remaining cross-section open for unfiltered air to pass through, thereby maintaining acceptable pressure drop characteristics while still achieving sufficient filter effect through repeated air circulation.
2Reliability
If a separate auxiliary fan is added to promote air flow through the filter, then the filter effect is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air filter is integrated directly into the protective cover of the existing fan's suction line, combining the filtration function with the existing air circulation system. This eliminates the need for a separate auxiliary fan by utilizing the flow path and pressure differential already created by the main fan, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate filtration through the partial cross-section coverage design.
3Device complexity
If the air filter is integrated into the protective cover, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation for filter replacement may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The air filter is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently accessed and replaced. The protective cover is segmented to allow access to the filter without requiring removal of the entire fan assembly, enabling users to replace the filter easily while maintaining the integrated design that reduces overall device complexity.
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 maintains a high air flow throughput while reducing electrical energy consumption by eliminating the need for a secondary fan and operating the primary fan with lower pressure drops, ensuring effective air cleaning with reduced energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
A filter system is described with which odors arising in the refrigerated goods storage room can be eliminated
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerator device (1), comprising a thermally insulated housing (2), the interior (8) of which is accessible via an opening and closing door (10), at least one flow duct (A, B, C, D) for the introduction of air into the interior (8), a fan (13) for generating an air flow along the flow duct (A, B, C, D), and an air filter (28), arranged in the flow duct (A, B, C, D). According to the invention, an air filter (28) for a refrigeration device (1) can be produced with an adequate filter effect with low airflow hindrance into the refrigeration device (1), wherein the air filter (28)in the flow duct (A, B, C, D) only extends over a part of the flow width (23) thereof. The invention further relates to an air filter (28) designed as a filter cartridge (28a).