Refrigerator Plenum Layout for Uniform Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with single evaporators and plenums face challenges in maintaining uniform temperature due to air obstructions and settling, requiring high system pressure and larger fan motors, which increase noise and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a plenum with a first air inlet between two air outlets, where air is drawn in, cooled over an evaporator, and expelled through both outlets to create counter-rotating air circulation patterns, reducing temperature gradients and eliminating the need for high system pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is circulated through a plenum with the inlet between two outlets, then temperature uniformity is improved and temperature gradients are reduced, but the airflow path length increases requiring higher system pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum is segmented into multiple airflow paths with separate inlets and outlets positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the cooling system to address different regions of the compartment independently, reducing temperature gradients by directing cooled air to specific areas that need cooling rather than relying on a single long circulation path
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow distribution transitions from a single-dimensional path through the plenum to a multi-dimensional distribution pattern. By positioning inlets and outlets at different spatial locations and orientations, the system distributes cooled air throughout the compartment volume more effectively, reducing temperature gradients without requiring excessively long airflow paths
2Productivity
If a larger fan motor is used to maintain higher system pressure, then sufficient airflow volume is achieved, but noise increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow requirement is segmented into multiple smaller streams by using multiple inlets and outlets distributed throughout the plenum. Each stream requires less pressure to maintain adequate flow, allowing the use of a smaller, more efficient fan motor while still achieving sufficient total airflow volume to cool the compartment effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airflow parameters by distributing air through multiple paths rather than forcing a single high-volume stream. This parameter change allows operation at lower pressure levels with adequate total flow, improving fan motor efficiency and reducing noise while maintaining cooling performance
3Productivity
If the evaporator is doubled over to ensure sufficient flow channels, then airflow capacity is improved, but the useful volume of the compartment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator design transitions from a compact doubled-over configuration to an extended linear arrangement within the plenum. This dimensional change allows the evaporator to provide sufficient surface area and flow channels for adequate airflow capacity while occupying less space within the compartment, thereby preserving useful storage volume
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 temperature uniformity and reduces noise and energy consumption by optimizing airflow and evaporator placement, allowing for more efficient cooling without compromising compartment volume.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporator is configured to cool air that flows past
Implementation Method 2
Air flow is created by fan, which draws air from the bottom of the compartment
Implementation Method 3
The removal of air from the bottom of freezer compartment and return of chilled air at the top creates a generally circular flow encompassing the entire cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a first storage compartment defining a first interior volume. A first evaporator is configured to cool air that flows past. A first plenum includes a first air outlet, a second air outlet and a first air inlet disposed between the first and second air outlets. The first air inlet is configured to receive air into the first plenum from the first interior volume. The first plenum is configured to flow the air received in the first air inlet over the first evaporator to cool the air. The first and second air outlets are configured to flow the cool air from the first plenum into the first interior volume.