Side-by-Side Refrigerator Condenser Layout to Reduce Heat Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In side-by-side arrangements of refrigeration appliances, the cooling requirements can differ significantly, leading to increased heat dissipation at one condenser reducing the performance of adjacent appliances due to overlapping condensers.

Innovation Solution

The condensers are positioned on opposing side walls with non-overlapping heat transfer sections, ensuring efficient heat dissipation by arranging them in disjoint regions of the side walls, optionally with meandering patterns and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If condensers of adjacent refrigeration appliances are arranged on overlapping areas of side walls, then space utilization is improved, but heat dissipation performance deteriorates due to mutual interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside wall area utilizationVSAvoidheat dissipation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The condenser heat transfer sections are segmented into distinct non-overlapping regions on adjacent side walls. Each condenser occupies a specific zone (first region on first side wall, second region on second side wall) that does not overlap with adjacent condensers when viewed in plan, thereby eliminating mutual thermal interference while maintaining space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the side walls are assigned different functional qualities - specific areas are designated for condenser heat transfer sections while other areas remain free for insulation or other components. This local differentiation ensures optimal heat dissipation in each region without compromising overall space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If high cooling demand is met by increasing condenser heat dissipation, then cooling performance is improved, but adjacent appliance functionality deteriorates due to heat interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidadjacent appliance functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat dissipation function is segmented into separate non-overlapping regions for adjacent appliances. This spatial segmentation allows each condenser to operate at high heat dissipation levels independently without interfering with adjacent appliances, thereby maintaining both high cooling performance and reliable adjacent appliance functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If condensers are arranged to maximize space utilization, then device compactness is improved, but heat transfer efficiency deteriorates due to overlapping heat transfer sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappliance compactnessVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The condenser heat transfer sections are arranged in different spatial zones on adjacent side walls such that their projections in plan view do not overlap. This three-dimensional arrangement allows maximum space utilization while maintaining efficient heat transfer by eliminating thermal interference between adjacent condensers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 minimizes heat transfer between adjacent condensers, improving the functionality and efficiency of refrigeration appliances in side-by-side arrangements.

Implementation Method 1

a first condenser (21) arranged on the first side wall (11) and a second condenser (22) arranged in series with the first condenser and arranged on the second side wall (12) in order to release heat to the environment by condensing refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

release heat to the environment by condensing refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP4230933B1Refrigeration device and combination of two such refrigeration devices
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4230933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4230933B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4230933B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A refrigerating appliance (100), in particular a household refrigerating appliance, comprising: a body (1) with a rear wall (10), a first side wall (11) extending transversely to the rear wall (10) and a second side wall (12) opposite the first and extending transversely to the rear wall (10); and a refrigerant circuit (2) with a condenser arrangement (20) comprising a first condenser (21) arranged on the first side wall (11) and a second condenser (22) connected in series with the first condenser (21) and arranged on the second side wall (12) in order to release heat to the environment by condensing refrigerant;characterized in that the first condenser (21) has a continuous condenser tube (21A) with a heat transfer section (21B) which runs in a first region (11A) of the first side wall (11), the second condenser (22) has a continuous condenser tube (22A) with a heat transfer section (21B) which runs in a second region (12A) of the second side wall (12), and the first and the second regions (11A, 12A) are disjoint from each other when viewed from above on one of the side walls (11, 12).