Refrigerator Step-Motor Valve for Precise Multi-Compartment Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with multiple storage compartments face challenges in size, cost, and temperature control due to the use of multiple 3-way valves or a single 4-way valve, which results in uneven refrigerant distribution and inaccurate temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator employing a 4-way step motor valve with a valve plate and an opening/closing member having recesses to ensure only one outlet is open at a time, allowing for precise control of refrigerant supply to multiple compartments using a single opening/closing member and step motor control steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two 3-way valves are used to control refrigerant flow to multiple storage compartments, then the refrigerant can be distributed to respective compartments, but the installation space increases causing overall refrigerator size to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single integrated valve body that can control refrigerant flow to multiple storage compartments. The valve body includes multiple inlet and outlet ports with a single rotating valve member that can selectively connect different ports, eliminating the need for separate 3-way valves and reducing installation space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two 3-way valves are used to control refrigerant flow, then refrigerant distribution is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase resulting in high product price
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple valve functions into a single manufactured component, reducing the total number of parts that need to be produced, inventoried, and assembled. This consolidation reduces manufacturing complexity and material costs, leading to lower production expenses and potentially lower product prices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two 3-way valves are used for refrigerant control, then multiple compartments can be served, but the control method becomes complicated due to numerous opening/closing combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically rotating valve member that can be positioned in different angular orientations to achieve various refrigerant distribution patterns. This dynamic mechanism replaces complex multi-valve control systems with a single rotating component, simplifying the control logic while maintaining the ability to serve multiple storage compartments.
4Volume of stationary object
If a 4-way valve is used to control refrigerant flow to three or more storage compartments, then the valve size is reduced, but the interior structure becomes complicated requiring complicated control algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve body into distinct functional zones with separate inlet and outlet ports, each serving specific storage compartments. The rotating valve member is correspondingly segmented with multiple radial openings that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows for a compact overall structure while maintaining simple, modular control of each compartment through the rotation angle.
5Productivity
If all outlets of the valve are simultaneously opened to refrigerate multiple storage compartments, then all compartments receive refrigerant, but the refrigerant cannot be equally distributed due to difference in refrigerant pipe resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables selective opening of valve outlets based on actual refrigeration needs rather than opening all outlets simultaneously. The rotating valve can be positioned to open only specific outlets corresponding to compartments requiring refrigeration, or to adjust the degree of opening to compensate for varying pipe resistances, achieving more uniform refrigerant distribution across compartments with different thermal loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having a valve to distribute a refrigerant to a plurality of storage compartments. The valve includes a step motor, a valve plate having at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets, and an opening/closing member rotatably coupled to the valve plate to open or close the plurality of outlets in accordance with a rotating motion thereof. In particular, the opening/closing member has one or more recesses, which are indented from the circumference of the opening/closing member by a predetermined distance, to always open only one of the plurality of outlets. With the above-described configuration, the refrigerator can reduce material costs, and can achieve not only simplified valve control, but also accurate control in temperatures of the plurality of storage compartments.