Shroud for refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerator shrouds inadequately distribute cold air, resulting in significant temperature differences between the upper and lower portions of the storage chamber, leading to inefficient cooling and reduced storage capacity.

Innovation Solution

A shroud with a blower and strategically positioned outlet holes, guided by extended surfaces and penetrating holes, to enhance air flow distribution and uniform temperature distribution across the storage chambers, increasing storage volume and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional shroud design is used, then simple structure is maintained, but air flow distribution is poor and temperature uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidshroud structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shroud is divided into multiple functional regions (first region with outlet hole for first storage chamber, second region with outlet hole for second storage chamber, third region with outlet hole for second storage chamber) with separate guide structures (first guide, second guide, third guide) for each region, allowing independent optimization of air flow to different storage chambers and improving temperature uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Guide structures are introduced as intermediary elements between the blower and outlet holes to redirect and distribute air flow. The first guide is arranged between the second region and third region, the second guide between first and second regions, and the third guide between first region and third region, acting as mediators to achieve uniform air distribution across multiple storage chambers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If conventional shroud design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but storage chamber volume is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage chamber volumeVSAvoidshroud manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shroud is segmented into multiple regions with separate outlet holes and guide structures for different storage chambers, allowing the cold air passage to be efficiently utilized and expanding the effective storage volume by providing dedicated air flow paths to multiple chambers simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide structures extend in different spatial directions (first guide between second and third regions, second guide between first and second regions, third guide between first and third regions) to three-dimensionally distribute air flow, maximizing the utilization of available space and increasing effective storage volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If conventional shroud design is used, then energy consumption is low, but cooling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidblower energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the shroud are designed with specific functions: first region for first storage chamber, second and third regions for second storage chamber, with localized guide structures optimizing air flow distribution. This local optimization ensures efficient cooling of each region without requiring excessive blower energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guide structures ensure continuous and uniform air flow distribution to multiple storage chambers simultaneously, maintaining consistent cooling action throughout. The first guide, second guide, and third guide work together to continuously redirect air flow, eliminating dead zones and ensuring productive cooling across all regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 enhanced air flow distribution ensures uniform temperature distribution within the storage chambers, increasing storage capacity and efficiency by securing additional auxiliary space and improving the overall cooling process.

Implementation Method 1

a blower for generating air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a first guide arranged between the second region and the third region, projected closer to a rotational center of the blower, to guide air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Data Source

PatentUS11047607B2Shroud for refrigerator

Publication Date: 2021.06.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

There is disclosed a shroud for a refrigerator including a blower for generating air flow; a first region arranged on the right of the blower, the first region comprising an outlet hole for a first storage chamber for exhausting cold air to the first storage chamber; a second region arranged on the left of the blower, the second region comprising an outlet hole for a second storage chamber for exhausting cold air to the second storage; a third region arranged under the blower, the third region comprising an outlet hole for the second storage chamber; and a first guide arranged between the second region and the third region, projected closer to a rotational center of the blower, to guide air flow.