Refrigerator Agitating Assembly With Low-Torque Swing and Impact Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with cooling devices face issues of high power consumption for agitating assemblies due to required torque, stiffening failures, and vibration noise caused by the agitating assembly hitting inner walls due to weight differences and manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with a cooling device featuring a starting torque supply mechanism and an anti-interference mechanism to minimize power consumption and prevent vibration noise, including a driving assembly that generates mechanical or electric energy for the agitating assembly and shock-absorbing components to maintain distance from the case walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power generator is positioned close to the rotary shaft to generate swing motion, then the swing function is achieved, but large torque is required resulting in high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A cam mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the power generator and the agitating assembly. The cam converts rotational motion into oscillating motion, allowing the power generator to be positioned away from the rotary shaft while still achieving the swing function. This reduces the torque requirement and power consumption compared to direct coupling.
2Ease of operation
If relatively large torque is applied for starting the agitating assembly, then the assembly can start swinging, but a large amount of power is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed to automatically guide the agitating assembly through its swing motion once initiated. The geometric shape of the cam provides the necessary motion profile, reducing the starting torque requirement compared to direct mechanical coupling. The system leverages the cam's pre-configured motion path to minimize starting power consumption.
3Productivity
If the agitating assembly is swingable in the cooling device, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the assembly hits on inner walls due to tolerance and inertia differences causing stiffening failure and vibration noise
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer member is positioned between the agitating assembly and the case to prevent direct contact. This buffer member absorbs impact forces before they can cause damage to the agitating assembly or case, addressing the reliability issue while preserving the swing function for cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer member acts as an intermediary element that mediates the interaction between the agitating assembly and the case. It allows the swing motion to continue for cooling purposes while preventing harmful impacts that would cause structural damage and vibration noise.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the agitating assembly swings with different beverage weights, then cooling flexibility is improved, but difference in inertia causes hitting on walls and vibration noise
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer member is pre-positioned to counteract the harmful effects of inertial differences caused by varying beverage weights. It absorbs impact forces regardless of the load, allowing the system to maintain cooling flexibility with different beverages while preventing vibration noise and structural damage.
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 solution minimizes power consumption for agitating assembly operation, reduces the need for specific power for starting, and prevents damage and noise from the agitating assembly due to weight differences, ensuring efficient and quiet operation.
Implementation Method 1
a driving assembly that is mounted on the case and an underside of the agitating assembly to generates a driving force for swinging the agitating assembly
Implementation Method 2
a starting torque supply mechanism supplying mechanical or electric energy to the agitating assembly, such that the agitating assembly in a stopped state start swinging
Implementation Method 3
a shock-absorbing member disposed in the case at a position corresponding to the agitating assembly to absorb an impact of the agitating assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a driving assembly that is mounted on the case and an underside of the agitating assembly to generate a driving force for swinging the agitating assembly, and a refrigeration cycle for producing cold air to be supplied to the storage chamber and the cooling device. The cooling device further includes a starting torque supply mechanism supplying mechanical or electric energy to the agitating assembly, to initiate a swinging motion of the agitating assembly.