Refrigeration and/or freezer device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers with mist generators have a bulky design due to the conventional arrangement of outlet openings relative to the sound waves from piezoelectric elements, which limits their compactness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The mist generator is designed with outlet openings positioned in front of the sound waves' direction, incorporating concentrators and deflection elements to focus and direct the sound waves or water jets away from the piezoelectric element, allowing for a more compact and efficient fog generation system, with modular components and a removable tank for easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the outlet opening is positioned behind the piezoelectric element in the conventional manner, then the structure is simple, but the device becomes bulky and loses compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening is positioned in front of the piezoelectric element rather than behind it, inverting the conventional arrangement. This allows the sound wave direction to be utilized for compact integration while concentrators and deflection elements manage the acoustic flow appropriately
Solution Approach 2:
The mist generator is divided into modular components including a separable tank, lid, and receptacle. This segmentation allows for compact overall design while enabling easy maintenance and cleaning of individual components without disassembling the entire device
2Volume of moving object
If the mist generator protrudes beyond the separating plate, then the outlet opening can be positioned conventionally, but the overall structure becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is designed as a removable component from the receptacle, allowing users to easily access and clean the water reservoir without requiring the entire mist generator to be accessible or protruding from the separating plate
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet openings are positioned at the front of the piezoelectric element rather than extending backward, allowing the mist generator to remain flush with or integrated into the separating plate while still providing effective mist distribution through alternative outlet positioning
3Volume of moving object
If concentrators and deflection elements are added to redirect sound waves, then compactness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrator and deflection elements are integrated into the existing mist generator housing and tank structure rather than being separate add-on components. This merging approach achieves the desired sound wave redirection for compactness while minimizing the increase in perceived device complexity
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 enhances the compactness and operational efficiency of refrigerators and freezers by ensuring the mist generator does not protrude beyond the separating plate, maintaining a sleek structure while ensuring effective fog distribution and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the piezoelectric element P generates sound waves
Implementation Method 2
the sound waves generated by the piezoelectric element P impinge on the water K
Implementation Method 3
one or more concentrators K, which have the task of concentrating the sound waves or water jets emanating from the at least one piezoelectric element P on a point or on an area
Implementation Method 4
the deflection element 90, which according to FIG. 4 can represent an integral part of the lid 30. From there the mist is directed into the nebulization chamber V
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with at least one body and with at least one refrigerated interior surrounded by the body, with at least one smoke generator being arranged in the cooled interior, with the smoke generator having at least one piezoelectric element, with the smoke generator having a or has a plurality of outlet openings through which the mist generated exits the mist generator, the at least one outlet opening being in the direction of the sound waves emanating from the piezoelectric element.