Samsung Electronics 'Bespoke AI Hybrid' Briefing on the 20th
Hybrid cooling method using two power sources
30% more energy savings than the top 1st-grade standard
Internal capacity increased by 25ℓ
Additional electricity bill savings with SmartThings AI saving mode
Samsung Electronics has launched the industry's first 'Bespoke AI Hybrid' refrigerator that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with semiconductor devices to maximize energy efficiency. Adopting a cooling method that uses two power sources like a hybrid car, this product is 30% more efficient than the highest energy efficiency grade 1.
On the 20th, Samsung Electronics held a briefing at its press room in Taepyeong-ro, Jung-gu, explaining the background of the Bespoke AI Hybrid development and its core technologies.
The Bespoke AI Hybrid is characterized by adopting a hybrid cooling method that combines the semiconductor device 'Peltier' for the first time in Korea, moving away from the conventional refrigerator cooling method that used only a compressor as a single power source. The Peltier device was supplied by a specialized manufacturer, not Samsung Electronics.
Wi Hoon, Vice President and Head of Advanced Development Team at Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions Division, is speaking at a media briefing held at the Samsung Electronics press room on the 20th. [Photo by Han Yeju]
Wi Hoon, Vice President and Head of Advanced Development Team at Samsung Electronics' DA Division, explained, "Refrigerators are one of the home appliances with high power consumption as they are powered on 24/7 throughout the year. Consumers are interested not only in basic food storage and freshness preservation but also have a strong need to reduce electricity bills, so we considered how to make it more efficient."
Under normal conditions, the AI inverter compressor operates alone to maintain a constant energy consumption level. However, when a large amount of energy is needed at once?such as during the peak summer heat when ice consumption surges or when a large quantity of newly purchased ingredients is placed?the Peltier device operates together to cool quickly and efficiently.
Vice President Wi said, "The semiconductor device adopted in the Bespoke AI Hybrid flows current through two different semiconductors, causing one side to absorb heat and the opposite side to release heat. This can reduce electricity bills by about 28,000 KRW per year."
By adopting the semiconductor device, the internal capacity has also been increased. By simplifying internal components, the refrigerator maintains the same external size as before but features shelves that are 6 cm deeper and an increased capacity of 25 liters, allowing for more food storage. This is equivalent to storing 24 more cans compared to the previous model.
New technologies have also been applied to the compressor itself in the Bespoke AI Hybrid. To improve both energy efficiency and durability, Samsung researched and developed manufacturing methods for internal components such as the motor, ball bearings, pistons, and valves, enhancing compressor efficiency and reducing power consumption. Additionally, the rotor, the rotating part of the motor, was moved from the inside to the outside, increasing rotational inertia by about four times compared to before, minimizing speed fluctuations during operation. Notably, energy efficiency in the low-speed operation range (950?1450 rpm), which is the main operating range for typical refrigerators, has been improved by more than 13% compared to the previous generation compressor.
Using SmartThings' 'AI Saving Mode,' an AI algorithm built through machine learning optimizes operation by autonomously determining simple door openings and situations requiring maximum cooling. Unlike previous models that performed defrosting uniformly at fixed intervals, the new product detects frost based on data and defrosts only when necessary. Through this customized energy-saving feature, consumers can reduce actual energy consumption by up to 25%.
Samsung Electronics plans to provide the 'Hybrid Constant Temperature' function as an update in August as part of the regular software update service 'Smart Forward.' This function operates the semiconductor device during defrosting to reduce temperature rise, further enhancing food preservation performance. For example, applying the Hybrid Constant Temperature function to fresh salmon can extend the storage limit by up to 1.2 times.
Vice President Wi emphasized, "The Bespoke AI Hybrid is a refrigerator that combines Samsung Electronics' AI strengths with semiconductor devices to easily reduce energy consumption. We will continue to introduce various home appliances that incorporate Samsung's unique innovative technologies to make consumers' daily lives more convenient."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
