Refrigerator including quick-chilling chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with quick-chilling chambers face complexity in structure and increased manufacturing costs when implemented as separate spaces, and reduced cooling speed when integrated into the refrigerating compartment, leading to non-uniform chilling of food or drink.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a quick-chilling chamber cooled by either direct cold air from a compressor or indirect cold air from the freezing compartment, controlled by a sensor module and controller to optimize chilling efficiency, allowing for rapid chilling and enhanced space usage by utilizing the freezing compartment door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the quick-chilling chamber is implemented as a separate space, then rapid chilling is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the quick-chilling chamber with the freezing compartment door, combining two functions into one structure. The quick-chilling chamber is formed within the door assembly rather than as a separate box, eliminating the need for additional structural components while maintaining rapid cooling capability through direct compressor air supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The freezing compartment door serves multiple functions: it acts as both the door for the freezing compartment and houses the quick-chilling chamber. This multi-functional design allows the same structural element to provide both access control for the freezing compartment and rapid cooling for beverages, reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the quick-chilling chamber is implemented as part of the refrigerating compartment, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but cooling speed decreases and food does not chill uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-chilling chamber is merged with the freezing compartment door structure rather than being integrated into the refrigerating compartment. This positioning allows the chamber to benefit from the colder temperature environment of the freezing compartment while maintaining a simple, cost-effective construction that uses existing door components.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-chilling chamber is positioned in the door where it can receive direct cold air supply from the compressor, creating a localized high-performance cooling zone. This local quality approach ensures rapid and uniform cooling in the specific area where beverages are stored, without requiring the entire refrigerating compartment to be modified.
3Speed
If the quick-chilling chamber uses direct cold air from the compressor, then rapid chilling is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by controlling the cooling fan to operate only when the quick-chilling chamber requires cooling, rather than continuously. The fan is activated when beverages need rapid chilling and can be stopped when cooling is complete or when the chamber temperature is sufficient, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining rapid cooling capability when needed.
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 solution enables rapid chilling of stored items while maintaining space efficiency, ensuring uniform cooling and reducing manufacturing costs by leveraging existing compartment resources.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to supply cold air to at least one of the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, or the quick-chilling chamber
Implementation Method 2
the quick-chilling chamber is cooled by first cold air introduced through the compressor or second cold air introduced through the freezing compartment
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment, a quick-chilling chamber, and a compressor that supplies cold air to at least one of the freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment, or the quick-chilling chamber. The quick-chilling chamber is cooled by first cold air introduced through the compressor or second cold air introduced through the freezing compartment.