Refrigerator Upper Machine Room Layout for Larger Cold Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators often compromise on storage compartment size due to the placement of the machine room, which occupies valuable space and can lead to inefficient cooling and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The machine room is positioned at an uppermost part of the refrigerator body, allowing for increased size of the refrigerating and freezing compartments by relocating heat-producing components over the refrigerating compartment, and utilizing a central cool air generation compartment to distribute cool air uniformly to both compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the machine room is positioned in the rear portion under the storage compartment, then the cooling components are easily accessible, but the storage compartment size is reduced and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine room is relocated from the horizontal rear portion to the vertical upper portion of the cabinet. This dimensional change allows the storage compartment to expand into the previously occupied rear space while maintaining efficient cooling through vertical air circulation paths from the upper evaporator position.
2Volume of moving object
If the machine room occupies space in the cabinet, then cooling components are housed, but storage space is reduced and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the machine room vertically to the upper cabinet portion, the patent creates additional horizontal storage space while reducing energy consumption through optimized cold air distribution paths from the upper evaporator location.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine room components are extracted from the storage space and repositioned to the upper cabinet portion, allowing the storage compartment to occupy the full rear volume without compromising cooling functionality.
3Reliability
If the evaporator is positioned in the rear of the storage compartment, then cold air is generated, but air circulation efficiency is reduced and temperature distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is repositioned from the horizontal rear wall to the vertical upper portion of the cabinet, enabling superior cold air distribution through gravity-assisted downward flow and reduced circulation path lengths to all storage compartments.
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 enhances cooling efficiency, reduces the risk of food spoilage, and provides additional storage or functionality by freeing up space that would otherwise be occupied by the machine room, while also offering energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator positioned at an upper portion of the cabinet and configured to generate cold air supplied to the storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
a cold air fan configured to promote movement of cold air generated by the evaporator through the cold air outlet and into the storage compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet comprising a storage compartment An evaporator is positioned at an upper portion of the cabinet and generates cold air supplied to the storage compartment. A unit (e.g., closable damper) controls supply of cold air generated by the evaporator to the storage compartment.