Split Air Flow System for Independent Multi-Zone Refrigerator Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with multiple cooling zones face challenges in efficiently managing air flow and temperature control between zones, leading to suboptimal cooling performance and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a system with multiple fans, ducts, and temperature sensors that allow for independent control of air flow and temperature in each zone, using a plate with strategically positioned apertures to direct cooled air from an evaporator to specific zones, optimizing cooling performance and energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single evaporator serves multiple cooling zones, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision and cooling efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator is segmented into multiple independent cooling circuits, each serving a specific zone (refrigerated zone, freezer zone, and additional zones). This allows independent temperature control for each zone while using a single evaporator physically, thus reducing device complexity while improving temperature control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the expansion valves and fans to adjust refrigerant flow and air circulation based on real-time temperature sensor feedback from each zone. This dynamic adjustment enables precise temperature control for each zone independently, resolving the contradiction between single evaporator simplicity and multi-zone precision.
2Device complexity
If air flow is shared across multiple zones, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency and energy consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow control system is segmented into multiple independent fan units, each dedicated to a specific zone. This segmentation allows each zone to have optimized air circulation independent of others, improving cooling efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator serves multiple functions by providing cooling to multiple zones simultaneously through separate refrigerant circuits, while each fan unit provides zone-specific air circulation. This multi-functionality approach improves overall cooling efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If independent temperature control is implemented for each zone, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cooling zone is equipped with temperature sensors that provide real-time feedback to the controller. The controller automatically adjusts expansion valves and fan operations based on this feedback, achieving precise independent temperature control for each zone while keeping the control system manageable through automated feedback loops rather than complex manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service control where each zone's temperature sensor and associated expansion valve/fan form an autonomous control loop. Each zone essentially controls its own temperature independently, reducing the overall control system complexity while maintaining high temperature control precision across all zones.
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 solution enhances cooling efficiency and temperature stratification across zones, reducing energy consumption and maintaining desired temperatures in both refrigerated and freezer zones.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator... The first fan is configured to receive air from the first duct and to move the received air into the first zone when on. The second fan is configured to receive second air from the evaporator through the second duct
Implementation Method 2
The first fan is configured to receive air from the first duct and to move the received air into the first zone when on
Implementation Method 3
The second fan is configured to receive second air from the evaporator through the second duct and to move the received second air into the second zone when on
Implementation Method 4
The return duct is mounted at least partially between the first zone or the second zone and the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes an evaporator, a first fan, a first duct, a second fan, a second duct, and a plate. The first duct is mounted between the evaporator and the first fan. The first fan moves air from the first duct into a first zone. The second fan moves air from the second duct into a second zone. The plate is mounted between the evaporator and the second duct. The plate includes a plate aperture wall that defines a duct aperture formed through the plate. A first aperture of the second duct is adjacent the second fan. A second aperture of the second duct is positioned to encompass the duct aperture. A center of the duct aperture is positioned a distance from a center of the evaporator measured in a first direction. The distance is between 0% and 40% of a total length of the evaporator in the first direction.