Deodorizing apparatus comprising suction fan and refrigerator including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in maintaining freshness of stored foods due to gases like ethylene generated from preserved items, which deteriorate food quality, and existing deodorizing devices are either inefficient or too large for integration within refrigerators.
Innovation Solution
A compact deodorizing device with a suction fan, filters, and UV light emitting modules that efficiently deodorize a large volume of air by using filters and UV light to remove harmful substances, while being designed to fit within the refrigerator without obstructing airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a deodorizing device is designed to deodorize a large amount of air per hour, then deodorizing efficiency is improved, but the device size increases making it difficult to integrate within refrigerators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the suction fan from the traditional horizontal airflow configuration to a vertical airflow configuration. The fan draws air from the suction port located at the bottom and discharges it upward through the discharge port, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve compact integration while maintaining effective air circulation and deodorizing performance within the refrigerator space
Solution Approach 2:
The suction fan is pre-positioned adjacent to the suction port before air intake, creating immediate negative pressure that actively draws air through the deodorizing filters. This preliminary positioning ensures efficient air capture and directs it through the UV-C lighting and filtration system, maximizing deodorizing efficiency in a compact configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If the deodorizing device is made compact to fit within refrigerators, then ease of integration is improved, but deodorizing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple deodorizing functions into a single integrated unit: the suction fan, UV-C light emitting module, and deodorizing filters are merged into one compact assembly. This unified structure maintains effective deodorizing performance while achieving the compact size needed for refrigerator integration
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning to vertical airflow configuration, the device exploits the vertical space within the refrigerator to achieve compact horizontal footprint while maintaining sufficient air processing capacity for effective deodorizing
3Reliability
If traditional deodorizing devices are used, then deodorizing function is provided, but they are too large to be attached to the interior of the refrigerator
Solution Approach 1:
The suction fan is reconfigured to operate in a vertical airflow orientation, drawing air from the bottom suction port and discharging it upward. This dimensional change allows the device to maintain its deodorizing function while reducing its horizontal footprint to fit within refrigerator interior space constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The suction fan is positioned immediately adjacent to the suction port before air intake, creating immediate negative pressure that actively draws air through the compact deodorizing system. This preliminary positioning ensures efficient air capture and directs it through the UV-C lighting and filtration system within the compact device structure
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 device effectively removes harmful gases, maintaining freshness in refrigerators by deodorizing a large amount of air per hour while maintaining a reduced size and improving deodorizing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction fan suctioning air from the suction port
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting module including a light emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
A deodorizing apparatus including: a base, in which a suction port and a discharge port are disposed; a cover coupled to the base; a suction fan fixed to the base so as to suction air through the suction port; a first fixing member disposed between the suction port and the discharge port so as to support a filter; a light emitting module including a light emitting diode; and a second fixing member for supporting the light emitting module. The first fixing member includes a first body part for spacing the filter apart from the base.