Refrigerator Nested Duct Layout to Preserve Internal Storage Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
In refrigerators with multiple storage chambers, the existing cool air supply systems face challenges such as increased power consumption, noise, component costs, and reduced internal volume due to the need for multiple cool air ducts, which also lead to inefficiencies in cool air distribution and higher chances of connection failures between ducts and the inner casing.
Innovation Solution
A new cool air supply system is designed with an inner casing that includes upper and lower storage chambers divided by a barrier, featuring overlapping cool air supply ducts and recovery ducts to minimize interference and space usage, while using thermally-insulating foam to simplify the connection process and reduce the risk of connection failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate cool air ducts are used to supply cool air to multiple storage chambers, then each storage chamber can be cooled independently, but the space occupied by the ducts increases and the internal volume of the storage chamber decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the cool air supply duct inside the cool air recovery duct, forming a concentric structure. The supply duct is positioned within the inner cavity of the recovery duct, allowing both ducts to share the same spatial envelope. This nested arrangement enables independent cooling of multiple storage chambers while minimizing the overall space occupied by the ducting system, thereby preserving internal storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of ducts to a three-dimensional concentric configuration. By utilizing the radial dimension and creating a nested duct structure, the system accommodates multiple duct functions within a compact volumetric footprint, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the duct arrangement to reduce space occupation.
2Productivity
If multiple cool air ducts are installed to serve multiple storage chambers, then cool air distribution is improved, but the number of connection points between ducts and inner casing increases, leading to higher chances of connection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The nested duct structure reduces the number of connection points to the inner casing from multiple separate duct connections to a single integrated assembly connection. The concentric arrangement of supply and recovery ducts allows them to be connected to the inner casing as a unified structure, minimizing connection points and thereby improving connection reliability while maintaining efficient cool air distribution to multiple storage chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the supply duct and recovery duct into a single integrated nested assembly. This combination reduces the number of separate connection interfaces required between the ducting system and the inner casing, thereby reducing potential failure points and improving overall connection reliability while preserving the functionality of distributing cool air to multiple storage chambers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate grille-fan assemblies and evaporators are disposed in each storage chamber, then each chamber can be cooled independently, but power consumption, noise, and component costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal cool air supply system where a single evaporator and grille-fan assembly serve multiple storage chambers through the nested duct network. The supply duct distributes cool air to different chambers, while the recovery duct collects return air from these chambers back to the evaporator. This multi-functional arrangement enables independent cooling control for each chamber while using shared components, thereby reducing power consumption and noise compared to having separate systems in each chamber.
4Ease of manufacture
If cool air supply ducts and recovery ducts are arranged separately, then the system is simple to design, but the ducts interfere with each other and space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested concentric arrangement of supply and recovery ducts resolves the spatial interference problem by placing one duct within the other, eliminating the need for separate parallel routing. This configuration maximizes space utilization by reducing the overall duct assembly footprint while maintaining simple manufacturing processes, as the nested structure can be fabricated as an integrated component or pre-assembled unit.
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 system efficiently supplies cool air to multiple storage chambers with minimized cool air loss, increased space utilization, and reduced connection failures, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the cool air distribution system.
Implementation Method 1
a first cool air supply duct and a second cool air supply duct disposed in a space between the inner casing and the outer casing, and a first connection duct and a second connection duct located in an inner space of the barrier, wherein the barrier includes a plurality of connection ducts through which the cool air supplied from the grille-fan assembly flows
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided in which a first cool air supply duct and a second cool air supply duct are arranged so as to at least partially overlap each other in a front-rear direction, thereby increasing space utilization in rear of a storage chamber such that an internal volume of the refrigerator is increased.