refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kimchi refrigerators face challenges in independently controlling temperatures across multiple compartments, particularly when using a single evaporator, leading to inefficient refrigeration and difficulty in maintaining large temperature differences between compartments.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a circulating air path guide that reintroduces air from one storage compartment into the evaporator, separate guide ducts for each compartment, and strategically located evaporators to enhance air flow and heat exchange efficiency, allowing for individual temperature control and improved refrigeration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single evaporator is used to control temperatures of multiple storage compartments, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator is divided into multiple independent sections (first evaporator section, second evaporator section, third evaporator section), each serving a specific storage compartment. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for each compartment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure with only one evaporator unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the evaporator are positioned to serve different storage compartments with different temperature requirements. The first evaporator section serves the refrigerating compartment, the second serves the freezing compartment, and the third serves the second refrigerating compartment, providing localized temperature control.
2Device complexity
If air flow paths from multiple storage compartments are merged into a single evaporator inlet, then device complexity is reduced, but refrigeration efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow path structure is segmented into separate inlet passages for each storage compartment (first air flow path from refrigerating compartment, second air flow path from freezing compartment, third air flow path from second refrigerating compartment). Each passage independently directs air to the corresponding evaporator section, preventing flow interference and maintaining high refrigeration efficiency.
3Device complexity
If evaporator capacity is reduced to simplify the system, then device complexity and energy consumption are reduced, but temperature control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into multiple smaller sections, each with moderate capacity, that collectively provide the total cooling capacity needed. This segmentation allows the use of a smaller overall evaporator while maintaining the ability to control temperatures in multiple compartments independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented evaporator structure allows a single evaporator unit to perform multiple functions by serving different storage compartments with different temperature requirements through its various sections, enhancing adaptability without increasing overall capacity.
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 precise temperature control for each compartment, even with a smaller evaporator capacity, and improves refrigeration efficiency by ensuring uniform cold air distribution and minimizing air flow loss, thus addressing the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
temperatures of a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment are controlled by one evaporator
Implementation Method 2
air passing through a first end of the evaporator and a second end thereof is sufficiently performed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Proposed is a refrigerator in which the internal air of a first storage compartment of two storage compartments whose temperatures are controlled by an evaporator is reintroduced into the evaporator by a circulating air path guide to be circulated, whereby even if an evaporator having small capacity is applied, freezing or refrigeration temperature may be freely embodied, and the circulation of cold air can be efficiently performed without interference.