Refrigerator Movable Partition for Air Inlet and Outlet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators, the proximity of the air outlet to the air inlet can cause hot air from the exhaust flow path to be directed back into the machine compartment, reducing the efficiency of the refrigeration process by decreasing the heat being rejected from the compressor and condenser.
Innovation Solution
A divider is movably secured to the door and configured to rotate between an operational position, where it engages the cabinet to separate the air inlet from the air outlet, and a stowed position, providing clearance when the door is open. This prevents hot air from the exhaust flow path from entering the air inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is opened to provide user access, then ease of operation is improved, but the space between the door and cabinet is reduced causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The divider is made movable between a retracted position (when door is open) and an advanced position (when door is closed). This dynamic adjustment allows the divider to adapt to different operational states, providing user clearance when needed while maintaining air separation when the door is closed.
2Device complexity
If the air inlet and air outlet are positioned close together, then device complexity is reduced, but hot air from exhaust flow path enters air inlet reducing refrigeration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The divider is introduced as a separate component that physically separates the air inlet and air outlet regions. By extracting the air separation function into a distinct movable element, the system prevents hot air mixing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Productivity
If a fixed divider is used to separate air inlet from air outlet, then refrigeration efficiency is improved, but user clearance when door is open is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The divider transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one that can change position based on door state. When the door is open, the divider retracts to provide user clearance; when the door is closed, it advances to separate air flows and maintain refrigeration efficiency.
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 divider effectively segregates the cold air intake flow path from the hot air exhaust flow path, enhancing the efficiency of heat exchange within the machine compartment and maintaining a desirable cool temperature in the refrigerated compartment.
Implementation Method 1
the divider is configured to rotate to an advanced position in response to closing the door. The divider is configured to rotate to a retracted position in response to opening the door. In the advanced position, the divider is rotated away from the bottom of the door and engages a lower end of the cabinet to separate the inlet from the outlet.
Implementation Method 2
Refrigerators circulate refrigerant and change the refrigerant from a liquid state to a gas state by an evaporation process in order cool the air within the refrigerator. During the evaporation process, heat is transferred to the refrigerant.
Implementation Method 3
After evaporating, a compressor increases the pressure, and in turn, the temperature of the refrigerant.
Implementation Method 4
The gas refrigerant is then condensed into a liquid and the excess heat is rejected to the ambient surroundings.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door, and a partition. The cabinet defines an air inlet and an air outlet. The door is movably secured to the cabinet. The door is configured to transition between open and closed positions. The partition is movably secured to the door. The partition is configured to advance away from the door to transition to an operational position. The partition is configured to retract toward the door to transition to a stowed position. In response to closing the door, the partition transitions to the operational position and engages the cabinet to separate the air inlet from the air outlet. In response to opening the door, the partition transitions to the stowed position and provides clearance within a space that is defined between the door and the cabinet when the door is in the open position.