Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigeration appliances, flow short circuits in the fan can lead to reduced energy efficiency, and existing designs do not adequately prevent these short circuits, affecting overall performance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration device with a condenser assembly that divides the machine room into two sub-volumes, using a fan to suck air into one sub-volume and expel it into another, with a diaphragm or panel sealing the area between the floor and inner wall to prevent backflow, and a seal between the suction and blow-out openings to prevent air from flowing back to the suction side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fan is positioned in the machine room to direct airflow over the condenser, then heat dissipation is improved, but flow short circuits occur at the fan reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The machine room is divided into two separate sub-volumes (first and second sub-volumes) by the condenser assembly, with the fan positioned between them. This segmentation prevents air that has passed over the condenser from flowing back to the fan inlet, eliminating flow short circuits while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser assembly acts as an intermediary structure that both performs heat dissipation function and serves as a flow separator. By positioning the fan in the space created by this intermediary structure, the patent achieves both cooling efficiency and energy efficiency.
2Volume of stationary object
If the machine room is used for both component housing and heat dissipation, then space utilization is improved, but flow short circuits reduce overall performance
Solution Approach 1:
The machine room volume is segmented into functional zones using the condenser assembly as a divider. The first sub-volume handles air intake and fan operation, while the second sub-volume handles exhaust and heat dissipation, allowing efficient use of limited space without compromising performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the machine room are assigned different functional qualities - the first sub-volume is optimized for air intake and fan operation, while the second sub-volume is optimized for heat dissipation and exhaust, maximizing the utility of each local space.
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 enhances air flow through the condenser, reduces backflows, and improves energy efficiency by ensuring air is expelled vertically, reducing noise and increasing the effectiveness of heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
a fan (32) located in the machine compartment, which is designed to draw air into the machine compartment through the inlet opening and expel it through the outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
a condenser assembly (30) arranged in the machine compartment with a condenser (31) for releasing the heat to the environment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A refrigeration appliance (100), in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, comprises a storage compartment (1), a machine compartment (2) which is bounded vertically by a floor (20) and a ceiling (21), transversely by first and second side walls (22, 23), and in depth by an inner wall (24) and a rear wall (25). The machine compartment has an intake opening (26) and an exhaust opening (28). A refrigerant circuit (3) is thermally coupled to the storage compartment and comprises a condenser assembly (30) with a condenser (31) arranged in the machine compartment. A fan (32) is also arranged in the machine compartment. The condenser assembly divides the machine compartment transversely into a first partial volume (2A), which is connected to the environment via the intake opening, and a second partial volume (2B), which is connected to the environment via the exhaust opening.A suction side of the fan is connected to the first partial volume and a pressure side of the fan to the second partial volume, in order to draw air into the first partial volume via the intake opening and expel it into the second partial volume. Furthermore, a baffle (4) is provided, extending at least within the second partial volume between the bottom (20) and the inner wall (24).