Wall covering assembly with ventilation pattern and air curtain system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in effectively directing cooled air to prevent condensation on gaskets due to direct air flow from the refrigeration compartment, leading to inefficiencies in maintaining a consistent temperature and reducing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a wall covering assembly with a ventilated rear wall and duct assembly that creates an air curtain system, directing cooled air to prevent direct contact with the gaskets and maintaining the cold air inside the compartment, while concealing cooling components and air distribution systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cooled air is directly directed from the refrigeration compartment to prevent condensation on gaskets, then condensation prevention is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to loss of cold air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air curtain as an intermediary barrier between the refrigeration compartment and the exterior environment. This air curtain, generated by directing cooled air through a duct assembly along the door perimeter, prevents direct contact between cold air and gaskets while maintaining thermal separation. The mediator approach allows condensation prevention without direct cold air exposure to gaskets, reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall covering assembly is segmented into multiple functional zones: a ventilated rear wall with ports for air introduction, a duct assembly for air distribution, and a wall covering portion for concealment. This segmentation allows different sections to perform specialized functions - the ventilated rear wall introduces air, the duct system directs it along the door perimeter, and the wall covering hides the mechanical components while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
2Temperature
If a duct assembly with air distribution system is installed to create air curtain, then temperature retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The wall covering assembly combines structural wall coverage, ventilation functions, and concealment of cooling components into a single integrated unit. The duct assembly is positioned within the cavity between the wall covering and liner, merging air distribution with the structural framework. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining temperature retention benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall covering assembly acts as an intermediary structure that houses and conceals the duct assembly and air distribution system within the cavity space. This mediator approach allows the complex air distribution infrastructure to be hidden behind an aesthetically pleasing surface, reducing visual and structural complexity while maintaining functional performance.
3Shape
If wall covering assembly with ventilated rear wall is used to conceal air distribution system, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but air flow efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wall of the wall covering assembly features localized ventilation through strategically positioned ports rather than being fully solid or fully open. This local quality approach allows specific areas to be ventilated for air flow while other areas maintain aesthetic appearance. The patterned ports provide necessary air introduction points without compromising the overall visual appeal of the wall covering.
Solution Approach 2:
The air distribution system is positioned in the third dimension within the cavity between the wall covering assembly and the liner, rather than being embedded in the wall surface. This dimensional placement allows the ventilated rear wall to maintain aesthetic appearance from the front while air flows efficiently through ports into the hidden duct system, resolving the conflict between appearance and air flow efficiency.
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 air curtain system effectively prevents condensation on gaskets, enhances temperature retention within the refrigerator, and improves energy efficiency by maintaining cooled air inside the compartment.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigerator design incorporating a wall covering assembly with a ventilated rear wall and duct assembly that creates an air curtain system, directing cooled air to prevent direct contact with the gaskets
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the cold air inside the compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a wall covering assembly having a top wall spaced-apart from a top wall of a liner, and a rear wall spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly includes a pattern of ports for providing outwardly directed cooled air to the refrigerator cabinet from a duct assembly. The duct assembly is configured to deliver cooled air through the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly and also deliver cooled air to a front portion of the refrigerator cabinet via a downwardly directed air curtain. The air curtain disrupts the outward flow of air from the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly before the cooled air reaches a gasket assembly disposed around the refrigerator doors. Angled venting slots disposed on the wall covering assembly direct air towards inner surfaces of the doors without disruption from the air curtain.