Thermoelectric Refrigerator Airflow Layout for Uniform Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators using thermoelectric modules have low refrigeration efficiency but offer reduced noise and are suitable for compact applications, while traditional refrigeration cycle devices provide high efficiency but generate significant noise, necessitating a solution for improved refrigeration performance with reduced noise and compact size.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a thermoelectric module with a cooling fan that forcibly circulates cooled air within the storage chamber, utilizing a fan cover with strategically positioned discharge and suction holes to enhance air circulation and temperature uniformity, thereby improving refrigeration performance and allowing for a compact, low-height form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a thermoelectric module is used for cooling, then noise is reduced, but refrigeration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fan to dynamically circulate air within the storage chamber, creating forced convection that enhances heat transfer from the thermoelectric module to the stored items. This dynamic air movement compensates for the inherently lower cooling capacity of thermoelectric modules, improving refrigeration efficiency while maintaining the noise-reduction benefit of not using a compressor
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing a fan-driven air circulation system. The fan creates controlled air flow patterns that force cooled air to circulate throughout the storage chamber, enhancing convective heat transfer and improving the overall refrigeration performance of the thermoelectric module without requiring mechanical compression
2Stability of the object's composition
If air circulation is enhanced through fan operation, then temperature distribution uniformity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the fan, creates air intake pathways through its geometry, and directs airflow patterns within the chamber. By integrating these functions into a single component, the design achieves improved temperature uniformity without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fan cover utilizes a thin-walled structure that is optimized for airflow characteristics. The cover's geometry is designed to guide air flow smoothly while maintaining structural integrity, achieving effective air circulation and temperature distribution without adding significant complexity or material usage
3Volume of moving object
If the refrigerator is designed with compact dimensions, then space utilization improves, but heat dissipation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space within the compact refrigerator by positioning the thermoelectric module and fan assembly to create three-dimensional air circulation patterns. The fan is positioned to draw air from the bottom and discharge it upward, utilizing the vertical dimension to maximize heat transfer efficiency within the limited horizontal space
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the geometric parameters of the fan cover and air pathways to enhance heat dissipation efficiency within the compact form factor. By carefully designing the surface area-to-volume ratio of heat transfer surfaces and optimizing airflow velocity profiles, the system achieves effective heat dissipation despite the reduced overall size
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
The design enhances refrigeration performance by ensuring active air circulation and uniform temperature distribution within the storage chamber, while allowing for a compact and quiet operation, suitable for applications where space and noise are concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric module (TEM) that uses a phenomenon in which a temperature difference is generated at both cross-sections of different metals coupled to each other when a current is applied to the metals
Implementation Method 2
a fan configured to circulate air, which has exchanged heat with the cooling sink, to the storage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator include: an inner case having a storage chamber; a thermoelectric module including a thermoelectric element and a cooling sink; a fan configured to circulate air, to the storage chamber; a fan cover configured to cover the fan and having an upper discharge hole, a lower discharge hole, and an inner suction hole formed between the upper discharge hole and the lower discharge hole; a first receiving member disposed in the storage chamber; and a second receiving member disposed over the first receiving member to be spaced apart from the first receiving member. At least a portion of each of the inner suction hole and the lower discharge hole faces a portion between the first receiving member and the second receiving member, and at least a portion of the upper discharge hole faces a portion between a top surface of the storage chamber and the second receiving member.