Refrigerator Air Duct Layout for Larger Storage and Split Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with roll bond heat exchangers face challenges in maximizing storage compartment volume while maintaining effective cooling, as the heat exchanger's thickness limits the front-rear width of the compartment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a duct with a main discharge port and a sub-discharge port, an air guide that separates the air channel into first and second channels, and a fan that directs air to the heat exchanger, allowing for separate cooling of the storage compartment and a pantry, with the heat exchanger positioned in the first channel and the fan and damper strategically placed to maximize compartment volume and cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a roll bond heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, then the front-rear thickness of the heat exchanger is reduced, but the storage compartment volume is still limited due to the heat exchanger's thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The air channel is divided into multiple segments (first air channel and second air channel) by the air guide, allowing the heat exchanger to be positioned in one channel while the other channel provides additional storage space. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by creating separate functional zones within the limited thickness space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the heat exchanger at the rear of the storage compartment and using the air guide to create channels that extend forward. This dimensional approach allows the storage compartment volume to be maximized in the front-rear direction while maintaining effective heat exchange area.
2Productivity
If a single discharge port is used, then the device structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency and heat transfer area are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port is segmented into multiple discharge ports (first discharge port and second discharge port) positioned at different locations. This allows cooled air to be distributed to different regions of the storage compartment simultaneously, enhancing cooling efficiency without requiring complex ducting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct structure serves multiple functions: it guides air from the heat exchanger, provides structural support, and incorporates multiple discharge ports for distributed cooling. This multi-functionality achieves improved cooling efficiency while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.
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 configuration enables the maximization of storage compartment volume while ensuring effective cooling by allowing air to be discharged through separate ports, enhancing the heat transfer area and cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger provided in the first channel
Implementation Method 2
a fan suctioning air in the storage compartment and sending the air to the first channel
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes: a duct dividing the inside of a storage compartment body into a storage compartment and an air channel and having a main discharge port and a sub-discharge port; an air guide dividing the air channel into a first channel communicating with the main discharge port and a second channel guiding air in the first channel to the sub-discharge port; a heat exchanger provided in the first channel; and a fan suctioning air in the storage compartment and sending the air to the first channel. According to the refrigerator, it is possible to maximize the volume of the storage compartment and separately discharge air to the main discharge port and the sub-discharge port, using a simple structure.