Date of Defense

4-15-2025

Date of Graduation

4-2025

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

First Advisor

Kristina Lemmer

Second Advisor

Shiva Om Bade Shrestha

Abstract

This project presents the design and development of a Variable Volume Mini-Fridge Shelf, a solution to address the limitations of fixed compartment sizes in standard mini-fridge/freezer units. The proposed design enables users to dynamically adjust the internal ratio of fridge to freezer space using a repositionable shelf integrated with an airflow-regulating vent. The project involved multiple stages, including concept development, thermal and flow simulations, and physical prototyping.

SolidWorks Flow Simulation was employed to validate natural convection-driven airflow between compartments and guide initial design decisions. While attempts were made to integrate a dynamic control loop using MATLAB Simulink and the SolidWorks API, licensing and software limitations ultimately restricted full implementation. Instead, a physical, simplified Arduino-based control system using DHT22 temperature sensors and a servo motor was developed to demonstrate real-time vent control.

The prototype, constructed primarily from PLA plastic and scrap materials due to funding constraints, successfully demonstrated the mechanical viability of the shelf's internal locking mechanism and the integrated temperature-based airflow regulation. Key lessons included the importance of designing for material-specific constraints, adopting iterative prototyping over complex simulations, and prioritizing user safety and manufacturability. This project highlights a feasible path toward customizable refrigeration solutions for users in compact living environments and lays the groundwork for future development and commercialization.

Comments

Co-authored with:

Jacob Roberts

Quinn Kelley

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

Additional Files
Presentation.pdf (3352 kB)
Defense Presentation
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