refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators often have large temperature differences within storage chambers, which can lead to reduced quality and freshness of stored goods due to inadequate temperature control, especially for sensitive items like wine and cosmetics.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerator incorporates a temperature adjusting device with both cooling and heating capabilities, utilizing conduction, convection, and radiation to maintain a smaller temperature difference within storage chambers, allowing for precise temperature control between 3°C to 20°C, and includes a partitioned inner guide to manage airflow and temperature distribution across multiple temperature zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling devices are used in refrigerators, then cooling function is provided, but large temperature differences occur within storage chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The storage chamber is divided into multiple temperature zones (first temperature zone with cooling device, second temperature zone with heating device) to independently control temperatures in different regions, thereby reducing overall temperature differences within the chamber
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the storage chamber are provided with different temperature control characteristics - the first temperature zone uses cooling while the second temperature zone uses heating, allowing each zone to maintain optimal temperature for specific storage needs
2Reliability
If temperature control is improved for sensitive items, then quality of stored goods is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature adjusting device is designed to perform multiple functions - both cooling (via first temperature adjusting device) and heating (via second temperature adjusting device) - within a single integrated system, avoiding the need for separate cooling and heating systems
3Temperature
If heating device is added to storage chamber, then temperature difference is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature control parameter by using heating in the second temperature zone rather than continuous cooling, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining temperature uniformity across the storage chamber
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 solution minimizes the quality reduction of stored goods by maintaining a stable temperature range, ensuring optimal conditions for various types of goods, including wine, cosmetics, and medical supplies, while reducing energy consumption and extending the shelf life of stored items.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing conduction, convection, and radiation to maintain a smaller temperature difference within storage chambers
Implementation Method 2
utilizing conduction, convection, and radiation to maintain a smaller temperature difference within storage chambers
Implementation Method 3
utilizing conduction, convection, and radiation to maintain a smaller temperature difference within storage chambers
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to have an inner case in which a storage chamber is formed, a cooler configured to cool the storage chamber, a heating device configured to be spaced apart from the cooler and heat the storage chamber, a circulation fan configured to circulate air in the storage chamber, and a controller configured to operate the circulation fan when the heating device is operated.