Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerator designs require disassembly of the cabinet to install and maintain the cold air supply system components, making maintenance and repair complex and inefficient, and lack a simple configuration for cooling multiple storage compartments.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a removable cooling module that includes a compressor, condenser, and evaporator, allowing for easy access and installation, and uses multiple evaporators to efficiently cool multiple storage compartments through a network of ducts and fans, enabling separate control of temperature zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cold air supply system components (compressor, condenser, evaporator) are integrated into the cabinet structure, then the cooling performance is improved, but the ease of maintenance and repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module is segmented as a separate removable unit from the cabinet body. The module includes the compressor, condenser, and evaporator assembled together on a common frame, allowing it to be detached and reattached without disassembling the cabinet structure. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining integrated cooling functionality while enabling easy maintenance through modular separation.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple evaporators are installed to cool multiple storage compartments, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module is divided into multiple independent evaporator units, with each evaporator dedicated to a specific storage compartment. Each evaporator can be independently controlled and maintained, providing precise temperature control for each compartment while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to a single complex evaporator serving multiple compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling module design allows the same modular evaporator unit to serve multiple functions across different storage compartments. The module can be configured with different numbers and types of evaporators depending on the specific application requirements, providing universal applicability while maintaining relatively simple system configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cooling module is designed as a removable unit, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling module is manufactured as a separate complete unit with all cooling components (compressor, condenser, evaporator, refrigerant lines) pre-assembled and tested on a dedicated frame before installation in the cabinet. This segmentation enables parallel manufacturing processes and quality control, improving productivity while the robust frame structure maintains structural stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling module undergoes preliminary assembly, testing, and calibration as a complete unit before being installed in the cabinet. This preliminary action ensures that all components are properly integrated and functioning correctly, maintaining structural stability and cooling performance while enabling easier manufacturing and quality control through standardized modular production.
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
Facilitates easy maintenance and repair of the cold air supply system, simplifies the cooling configuration, and improves manufacturing productivity by allowing all components to be housed in a removable module, effectively cooling multiple compartments with fewer evaporators.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator is arranged in the storage compartment formed inside the cabinet
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator is arranged in the storage compartment formed inside the cabinet
Implementation Method 3
a fan configured to move cold air, which is generated in the evaporator, to at least one of the first cold air duct and the second cold air duct
Implementation Method 4
a condenser, and a compressor... a condenser are arranged in the machine room formed outside the cabinet
Implementation Method 5
a compressor and an condenser are arranged in the machine room formed outside the cabinet
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, and a cooling module removably mounted to the cabinet. The cooling module includes an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor. A first cold air duct extends from the first storage compartment and is configured to allow a portion of the cooling module in which the evaporator is arranged, to communicate with the first storage compartment when the cooling module is coupled to the cabinet, and a second cold air duct is different from the first cold air duct and extends from the second storage compartment. The second cold air duct is configured to allow the portion of the cooling module in which the evaporator is arranged, to communicate with the second storage compartment.