Single Air Passage Damper Assembly for Variable Climate Zone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration appliances lack an efficient mechanism for a single air flow path that can supply both warm and cool air to a variable climate zone compartment, limiting user flexibility in temperature control for different food storage needs.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration appliance design featuring a single air flow path with a damper door assembly that allows for user-selectable temperature control between the freezer and variable climate zone compartments, utilizing a partition with a through passage and a temperature control system including an evaporator, fan, and heater to direct air flow based on user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate cooling and heating flow paths are provided in the VCZ compartment, then temperature control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single air passage serves multiple functions by enabling both cooling and heating operations through a unified structure. The passage allows air to flow from the evaporator to the VCZ compartment during cooling, and from the VCZ compartment to the heater during heating, eliminating the need for separate dedicated passages for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper door assembly provides dynamic control of air flow direction within the single passage. By rotating the damper door to different positions, the system can dynamically switch between cooling mode (damper directs air to VCZ compartment) and heating mode (damper directs air to heater), allowing adaptive temperature control without requiring separate fixed flow paths.
2Device complexity
If a single air flow path is used for both cooling and heating, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system continuously monitors the VCZ compartment temperature and uses this feedback to control the damper door position and heater operation. When the temperature deviates from the set point, the system adjusts the damper angle and heater power to correct the temperature, ensuring precise control despite using a single shared air passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls temperature precision by varying parameters such as damper door rotation angle and heater power level. By adjusting these parameters dynamically based on temperature requirements, the system can achieve precise temperature control in the VCZ compartment while using a simplified single air passage structure.
3Loss of energy
If the damper door isolates the through passage from the upper compartment, then cooling efficiency is improved, but air flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly segments the single air passage into functionally distinct zones using a rotatable door mechanism. The door can divide the passage to direct air flow preferentially to either the VCZ compartment or the heater, creating virtual separate flow paths within the unified structure without requiring physical separation of the entire passage system.
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
Enables efficient temperature control in both the freezer and variable climate zone compartments, allowing for flexible temperature settings between freezing and refrigeration, enhancing user convenience and storage options.
Implementation Method 1
An evaporator fan is disposed in the lower compartment for conveying cooling air from the evaporator to the lower compartment and the upper compartment
Implementation Method 2
A door is rotatably attached to the frame assembly. The door is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the door is in the first position the door fluidly isolates the through passage in the partition from the upper compartment while allowing the lower inlet opening in the vertical partition to fluidly communicate with the air passage in the vertical partition.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration appliance including a partition that defines a through passage between an upper compartment and a lower compartment. A temperature control system is positioned in the upper compartment and includes an air passage. A lower inlet opening extends through a front surface of the vertical partition to the air passage. A damper assembly includes a door that is moveable between a first position and a second position. When the door is in the first position the door fluidly isolates the through passage in the partition from the upper compartment while allowing the lower inlet opening in the vertical partition to fluidly communicate with the air passage in the vertical partition. When the door is in the second position the door fluidly isolates the lower inlet opening from the air passage while allowing the through passage to fluidly communicate with the upper compartment.