Refrigerator and humidity controlling device therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling relative humidity in refrigerators are either incomplete, costly, or require significant space, and existing humidifying technologies fail to accurately maintain desired humidity levels.
Innovation Solution
A humidity controlling device for refrigerators that adjusts the unfolding degree of a humidifying member and the flow rate of a humidifying agent using adjustable openings, controlled by a drive mechanism and sensors, to maintain target humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic humidifiers with RH sensors are used to automatically control RH, then RH control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive ultrasonic humidifiers and electronic RH sensors with a simple water tank and evaporative wick system. The wick is a low-cost, replaceable component that delivers water to the evaporative surface, providing sufficient RH control without electronic complexity. This disposable/replaceable component approach achieves the required control precision at a fraction of the cost of ultrasonic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electronic control systems (ultrasonic humidifiers, electronic sensors, and control circuits) with a passive mechanical evaporative system. The wick-based water delivery and evaporation process occurs naturally through capillary action and environmental humidity gradients, eliminating the need for powered ultrasonic transducers and electronic sensing while maintaining effective RH control.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonic humidifiers with RH sensors are used to automatically control RH, then RH control precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a compact water tank with an evaporative wick instead of bulky ultrasonic humidifier units. The wick system requires minimal space as it relies on passive evaporation rather than powered ultrasonic generation, significantly reducing the device volume while maintaining RH control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin evaporative wicks (flexible porous materials) to deliver water from the tank to the evaporative surface. These thin-film structures provide efficient water transport and evaporation in a minimal space, replacing the larger ultrasonic humidifier chamber and electronic sensor assembly with a compact, space-efficient design.
3Reliability
If isolating membranes are used to lock moisture, then moisture maintenance is improved, but RH control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous evaporative wicks instead of isolating membranes. The porous structure allows controlled water transport through capillary action while maintaining a large surface area for evaporation. This enables dynamic RH adjustment through passive evaporation, unlike isolating membranes that trap moisture and prevent control. The porous material provides both moisture retention and evaporative control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls RH by changing the evaporation rate parameter through water replenishment, rather than using isolating membranes that fix moisture levels. By adjusting water supply to the evaporative surface, the system can dynamically modify the evaporation rate and thus control RH levels, providing operational flexibility that isolating membranes cannot achieve.
4Productivity
If molecular sieves are used for humidifying, then moisture generation is improved, but RH control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous evaporative wicks for water transport and evaporation instead of molecular sieves. The porous wick structure provides efficient capillary-driven water delivery to the evaporative surface, enabling continuous moisture generation. Combined with water replenishment control, this system can dynamically adjust evaporation rates to control RH, unlike molecular sieves that release moisture at fixed rates without control capability.
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
The device effectively and efficiently maintains desired humidity levels with a simple, compact design, reducing costs and improving maintenance, while accurately responding to humidity changes.
Implementation Method 1
a humidifying member... to supply the humidifying agent
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a refrigerator and a humidity control method for the same. The refrigerator comprises a humidity controlling device to controllably maintain moisture and/or perform humidification. The humidity controlling device is configured to: set a target humidity value, measure an actual relative humidity value, and calculate a target water replenishing mass W based on a difference between the two values and a current temperature of the target space; measure and calculate a water replenishing time T, and adjust the humidity controlling device so as to maintain its maximum humidifying rate Vmax within the time T to achieve the humidification purpose; and adjust the humidity controlling device so as to maintain a humidifying rate consistent with a water vapor loss rate in the target space to achieve the moisture maintaining purpose.