Side-by-Side Refrigerator Duct Design for Nested Damper Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with a single evaporator for both refrigerating and freezing chambers face challenges in maintaining temperature differences and efficiency due to the placement of dampers, which reduces the capacity and aesthetic appeal of the refrigerating chamber.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with a damper arranged inside the freezing chamber duct, inclined to facilitate condensate water drainage, and a connection duct system that allows for selective control of cold air flow between the refrigerating and freezing chambers, ensuring efficient temperature management and increased refrigerating chamber capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the damper is arranged outside the freezing chamber duct (in the refrigerating chamber), then the temperature control between chambers is improved, but the refrigerating chamber capacity is reduced and aesthetic appearance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is nested inside the freezing chamber duct, placing one component (damper) within another component's space (freezing chamber duct). This allows the damper to be housed in the freezing chamber area rather than protruding into the refrigerating chamber, thereby maintaining refrigerating chamber capacity while achieving temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper is positioned in a different spatial dimension (inside the freezing chamber duct) rather than in the traditional location (in the refrigerating chamber). This dimensional relocation resolves the conflict between temperature control needs and refrigerating chamber capacity requirements.
2Temperature
If the damper is arranged outside the freezing chamber duct, then the temperature difference maintenance is improved, but the aesthetic appearance of the refrigerating chamber is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the damper inside the freezing chamber duct, the component that would otherwise be visible and affect aesthetics is hidden within the duct structure. The flat surface configuration of the second duct further conceals any protrusions, maintaining aesthetic appearance while preserving temperature difference control functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If the damper is arranged inside the freezing chamber duct, then the refrigerating chamber capacity is increased, but the damper placement complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is segmented into distinct sections (first duct for freezing chamber, second duct for refrigerating chamber, and connection duct linking them). The damper is placed in the connection duct area, allowing independent configuration of each segment and simplifying the overall placement strategy despite the multi-duct system.
4Ease of manufacture
If the second duct has a protruding part, then the damper installation space is provided, but the flat surface requirement and aesthetic appearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a protruding part on the second duct, the damper is nested inside the freezing chamber duct and connection duct assembly. This eliminates the need for external protrusions while providing adequate installation space for the damper within the duct structure itself.
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 design enhances the refrigerating chamber's capacity while preventing dew condensation and maintaining efficient temperature control, improving the refrigerator's performance and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator arranged inside the main body and configured to generate cold air
Implementation Method 2
a damper configured to selectively open and close the connection duct
Implementation Method 3
a drain part provided at a lower end of the damper to drain condensate water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a refrigerator including a main body having a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber being arranged in a lateral direction; an evaporator arranged in a lower portion of the freezing chamber to generate cold air; a freezing chamber duct provided in the freezing chamber to supply the cold air to the freezing chamber; a refrigerating chamber duct provided in the refrigerating chamber to supply the cold air to the refrigerating chamber; and a connection duct connecting between the freezing chamber duct and the refrigerating chamber duct such that the cold air of the freezing chamber duct is guided to the refrigerating chamber duct, wherein the freezing chamber duct includes: a duct plate forming a front side of the freezing chamber duct; a duct cover coupled to a rear side of the duct plate; a blower fan provided inside the freezing chamber duct, the blower fan configured to suction the cold air generated by the evaporator into the freezing chamber duct, and perform at least one of allowing the suctioned cold air in the freezing chamber duct to be discharged to the freezing chamber or allowing the suctioned cold air in the freezing chamber duct to flow to the refrigerating chamber duct through the connection duct; and a damper provided at one side in a radial direction of the blower fan inside the freezing chamber duct to control flow of the cold air in the freezing chamber duct to the connection duct.