Refrigerator Guide Duct Design for Storage Door Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators face issues with high power consumption due to repeated compressor operation and overcooling, leading to difficulty in maintaining a constant storage compartment temperature and potential temperature deviations.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator design includes a cold air duct system with a guide duct outside the storage compartment, which guides cold air efficiently to the storage compartment door, minimizing temperature deviations and preventing capacity reduction while optimizing airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the compressor is driven to cool the storage compartment when temperature exceeds the upper limit, then the storage compartment temperature is reduced, but power consumption increases due to repeated starting and stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is opened in advance before the compressor starts operating, allowing cold air to flow into the storage compartment ahead of time. This preliminary action reduces the temperature rise rate, thereby reducing the frequency and duration of compressor operations and lowering overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The damper operates periodically based on temperature conditions - fully opened when temperature exceeds the upper limit, partially closed when temperature is between upper and lower limits, and fully closed when temperature reaches the lower limit. This periodic adjustment optimizes the balance between cooling effectiveness and power consumption
2Productivity
If the damper is fully opened to cool the storage compartment quickly, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the storage compartment may be overcooled due to excessive cold air supply
Solution Approach 1:
The damper's opening degree is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature conditions. It is fully opened when temperature exceeds the upper limit for rapid cooling, partially closed when temperature is between upper and lower limits for moderate cooling, and fully closed when temperature reaches the lower limit to prevent overcooling. This dynamic adjustment maintains temperature control precision while ensuring cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The damper opening degree parameter is changed according to temperature parameters - from fully opened state to partially closed state to fully closed state, depending on whether the temperature is above upper limit, between limits, or at lower limit. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between cooling efficiency and temperature control precision
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 design reduces power consumption, maintains consistent storage compartment temperature, and ensures uniform temperature distribution within the storage compartment.
Implementation Method 1
a cold air duct (60) which introduces the cold air from the evaporator into a guide duct (70) disposed outside the storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
An insulation material is disposed between the inner case (11a) and the outer case (11b)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet (11) comprising an inner case (11a) that defines a storage compartment (111, 112), an outer case (llb) configured to surround an outside of the inner case (11a), and an insulation material provided between the inner case (11a) and the outer case (11b); a storage compartment door (15, 16) configured to open and to close the storage compartment (111, 112); a cold air duct (60) provided in the storage compartment (111, 112) configured to discharge cold air to the storage compartment (111, 112); and a guide duct (70) disposed outside the inner case (11a) adapted to communicate with the cold air duct (60) and to extend to the storage compartment door (15, 16) to guide the cold air received from the cold air duct (60) to the storage compartment door (15, 16), wherein a first opening (122) and a second opening (126) are defined in an upper wall (120) of the inner case (11a), and the guide duct (70) is configured to allow the first opening (122) and the second opening (126) to communicate with each other, wherein at least a portion of the second opening (126) is disposed to vertically overlap with the storage compartment door (15, 16).