Refrigerator Multi-Layer Air Duct Assembly to Reduce System Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air-cooled refrigerators have complex and large air duct systems that hinder effective air circulation, leading to suboptimal freshness-keeping performance and increased energy consumption due to inefficient air transportation to storage chambers.
Innovation Solution
A novel refrigerator design featuring a simplified air duct system with multiple layers of air ducts and an adjustable air discharger, allowing airflow to reach various positions in the storage chamber efficiently, reducing wind resistance and enabling better air distribution, which enhances freshness-keeping and reduces energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complicated air passage system is used to communicate the evaporator accommodating compartment to respective storage chambers, then the air can be transported to storage chambers, but the air duct system becomes relatively complicated and the structure becomes relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct system is divided into multiple independent air duct layers, each layer containing one or more air ducts that can be independently designed and adjusted. This segmentation allows each layer to serve specific storage chambers, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive air distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-plane air duct arrangement to a multi-layer spatial configuration. By stacking air ducts in multiple layers along the longitudinal direction of the cabinet, the system achieves three-dimensional air distribution, effectively communicating with storage chambers at different heights and positions without requiring excessively long or complex duct paths.
2Ease of operation
If a complicated air passage system is used to communicate the evaporator accommodating compartment to respective storage chambers, then the air can be transported to storage chambers, but the structure becomes relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple air ducts are arranged in a nested or stacked configuration where smaller ducts are positioned within or alongside larger duct structures. This nested arrangement allows efficient use of vertical and horizontal space, enabling comprehensive air distribution while minimizing the overall volume occupied by the air duct system.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct system utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging ducts in multiple layers along the longitudinal direction of the cabinet. This three-dimensional configuration allows air to reach storage chambers at various heights through vertically stacked ducts, significantly reducing the horizontal footprint and overall volume of the air duct system compared to traditional single-plane arrangements.
3Device complexity
If the existing air duct system structure is used, then the structure is relatively simple, but the air cannot be transported to an expected position
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct system is segmented into multiple layers with each layer containing one or more air ducts positioned to serve specific storage chambers. This segmentation enables precise targeting of air delivery locations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, as each duct layer can be independently optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct system incorporates adjustable components that allow the configuration and positioning of ducts to be modified according to different storage requirements. This dynamic adjustability enables the system to transport air to expected positions in various storage chambers while maintaining structural simplicity through modular, reconfigurable components.
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 design improves air circulation, reduces nutrient loss, decreases energy consumption, and allows for a more compact structure, thereby enhancing the refrigeration and freshness-keeping performance while increasing storage volume.
Implementation Method 1
the requirements on refrigerators are shifted from low-temperature refrigeration to freshness-keeping performance of the food. Therefore, air-cooled refrigerators gradually become popular to the people. For the air-cooled refrigerator, the freshness-keeping performance of the food depends to a large extent on air circulation in a storage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in the application is a refrigerator. The refrigerator may comprise: a cabinet having a cooling chamber and at least one storage chamber, and an air duct assembly installed on the cabinet. The air duct assembly has a plurality of air duct layers sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the cabinet and each of the air duct layers has one or more air ducts.