Switchable Chamber Refrigerator with Path Switching for Rapid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerators with switchable chambers lack optimal temperature control and rapid cooling capabilities, as they often rely on a single evaporator configuration that limits the flexibility and efficiency in maintaining user-selected temperature ranges for the switchable chamber.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a main body with a freezing chamber, a switchable chamber, and a refrigerating chamber connected through a duct, utilizing a compressor, condenser, and evaporators, along with a damper and path switching device to control refrigerant flow and air circulation, allowing for simultaneous, single, or bypass modes to optimize temperature control and cooling speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single evaporator configuration is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision and cooling speed of the switchable chamber deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator is segmented into multiple independent evaporators (first evaporator for refrigerating chamber, second evaporator for freezing chamber and switchable chamber) to enable independent temperature control for each chamber, thereby improving temperature control precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The second evaporator is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the freezing chamber and the switchable chamber simultaneously or selectively, allowing one component to perform multiple functions and reducing the need for additional dedicated evaporators
2Device complexity
If a single evaporator configuration is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling speed of the switchable chamber deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the evaporator system into multiple independent units, each evaporator can be optimized for specific cooling requirements, enabling the second evaporator to provide rapid cooling to the switchable chamber when needed without being constrained by the cooling demands of other chambers
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control through blowers and dampers that can adjust air flow distribution in real-time, allowing the switchable chamber to receive increased cooling capacity when rapid cooling is required while maintaining balanced operation during normal conditions
3Measurement precision
If multiple evaporators and path switching device are added, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The path switching device is designed as a multi-functional component that can direct refrigerant flow to different evaporators and chambers based on operational requirements, allowing a single device to perform multiple routing functions and reducing the need for separate control mechanisms for each chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and controllers that provide feedback on chamber temperatures, enabling automatic adjustment of refrigerant flow distribution and blower operation to maintain precise temperature control while minimizing manual intervention and simplifying user operation
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 enables precise temperature control and rapid cooling of the switchable chamber, ensuring it can maintain user-selected temperature ranges efficiently, improving the overall performance of the refrigerator by optimizing refrigerant distribution and air flow.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor connected with a compressor suction path and a compressor discharging path to compress refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a condenser connected with the compressor discharging path and connected with a condenser discharging path
Implementation Method 3
a switchable chamber evaporator configured to cool the switchable chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator connected with the switchable chamber evaporator through an evaporator connection path to cool the freezing chamber
Implementation Method 4
a pair of switchable chamber capillary tubes connected with the switchable chamber evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body having a freezing chamber and a switchable chamber communicating with a refrigerating chamber through a duct, a compressor connected with a compressor suction path and a compressor discharging path, a condenser connected with the compressor discharging path and connected with a condenser discharging path, a switchable chamber evaporator, a freezing chamber evaporator connected with the switchable chamber evaporator through an evaporator connection path, a damper configured to control flow of cold air through the duct, a pair of switchable chamber capillary tubes connected with the switchable chamber evaporator, a bypass capillary tube connected with the evaporator connection path, a path switching device connected with the condenser discharging path, the pair of switchable chamber capillary tubes and the bypass capillary tube, and a controller for controlling the compressor, the damper and the path switching device.