Refrigerator Cooling Mode Control for Selectable Noise Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration devices for food storage face challenges in minimizing noise emissions without compromising usable volume or efficiency, as traditional soundproofing and thermal insulation methods come at the expense of performance, and quieter components increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a controller that allows switching between operating modes to adjust noise emissions based on input parameters, such as tolerable noise levels, by varying the throttle's flow resistance and compressor/fan power levels, enabling efficient operation with reduced noise when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If soundproofing panels are used to reduce noise emissions, then noise emissions are reduced, but usable volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the noise-generating components (compressor, fan) from the main appliance body by placing them in a separate, movable cart. This physical separation removes the noise source from the kitchen environment while preserving the full usable volume of the refrigerator and freezer compartments, avoiding the need for internal soundproofing panels that would reduce storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wheels as an intermediary mechanism that enables the noise-generating components to be easily moved and positioned. This allows the heavy compressor and fan assembly to be relocated to a separate area or removed entirely when not in use, reducing noise emissions without requiring permanent structural modifications that would consume usable volume.
2Loss of energy
If better thermal insulation is used to operate at lower average performance level, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the cooling system by enabling independent operation of the refrigerator and freezer compartments. The controller can adjust cooling performance levels dynamically, allowing each compartment to operate at optimized performance levels based on actual demand, thereby improving energy efficiency without requiring complex insulation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cooling system into separate, independently controllable segments (refrigerator compartment and freezer compartment). Each compartment has its own cooling control, allowing the system to operate at lower average performance levels by cooling only the necessary portions, thus improving energy efficiency without adding device complexity through uniform high-performance insulation throughout.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If quieter cooling devices with reduced-vibration components are used, then noise emissions are reduced, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the noise-generating components (compressor and fan) from the main appliance body and places them in a separate, movable cart. This approach reduces noise emissions using standard, cost-effective components rather than requiring expensive reduced-vibration components, as the physical separation itself mitigates noise transmission to the kitchen environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, movable cart design with wheels that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This inexpensive mechanical solution for noise reduction is more cost-effective than investing in expensive reduced-vibration components, while still achieving the desired noise emission reduction through physical separation and easy repositioning.
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
Enables flexible noise management by selecting operating modes that balance efficiency and noise levels, allowing for quieter operation at certain times or in specific environments without significant performance loss.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling device has a heat pump, the heat pump consisting of at least one compressor, one condenser, one evaporator and one throttle
Implementation Method 2
The throttle 7 has different flow resistances in particular when at least two different flow cross sections can be set
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
In order to be able to adjust the noise emissions of a cooling appliance (1), particularly a refrigerator, according to requirements, a control system (3) of a cooling device (3-11) has a plurality of operational modes, at least two operational modes differing in terms of their noise emissions while at the same cooling power. In a heat pump (3-11), for example, the flow resistance of a throttle valve (7) or the power level of a compressor (4) are influenced in said at least two operational modes.