A heat recovery refrigerator

Abstract

A heat recovery refrigerator includes a condenser and a compressor; and also includes a heat recovery module; the heat recovery module includes: a thermoelectric device, which is made of thermoelectric material; a power storage device, which is electrically connected to the thermoelectric device; and a lighting device, which is electrically connected to the lighting device; wherein the thermoelectric device has a hot end and a cold end, the condenser and the compressor are arranged on the same side of the hot end, and an air circulation channel is formed between the hot end and the condenser and the compressor; the cold end is arranged outside the refrigerator shell; and the lighting device is arranged in the refrigerator shell. The present invention uses thermoelectric materials to recycle the heat emitted to the air by the compressor and condenser in the refrigerator; the temperature difference between the air temperature around the compressor and condenser and the air temperature outside the refrigerator shell is used to convert it into electrical energy storage through the heat recovery module, and used for lighting inside the refrigerator, thereby improving the utilization rate of electrical energy and ultimately achieving the effect of improving energy utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and in particular to a heat recovery refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] Practical cold storage, such as low-temperature fresh-keeping storage or freezing and refrigeration of food, low-temperature storage of medicines, etc., require continuous and stable supply of cold capacity. For the common vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant circulates, becomes gaseous after absorbing heat and refrigeration, and returns to liquid after heat exchange again. The flow and phase change of the refrigerant are realized by the compression refrigeration system composed of the four main parts of the refrigeration compressor, condenser, expansion valve (or capillary tube) and evaporator, as well as pipelines, to achieve the purpose of continuous and stable supply of cooling capacity.

[0003] During the operation of the compression refrigeration system, the heat dissipated by the compressor and the condenser is discharged into the air without being effectively utilized. Some technical solutions are disclosed in the prior art to achieve heat recovery. The basic principle of these technical solutions is to convert heat into a medium and then transmit it to a place where it is needed. As disclosed in the Chinese patent application (publication number CN104236234A), the heat recovery refrigerator adopts the following structure: "It has an insulation chamber, including a refrigeration unit; a heating unit connected to the refrigeration unit; and a controller connected to the refrigeration unit and the heating unit for controlling the opening and closing of the heating unit; wherein the refrigeration unit includes a first condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and a throttle valve connected in sequence through pipelines. The heating unit includes a second condenser and a radiator, the inlet of the second condenser is connected between the compressor and the first condenser through a valve assembly, and the outlet is connected between the first condenser and the throttle valve through a three-way valve. The controller controls the passage of the valve assembly. When the valve assembly is connected to the second condenser, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor condenses and releases heat in the second condenser, and the radiator absorbs the heat released by the second condenser to provide heat for the insulation chamber." The above-mentioned comparative document uses another condenser to convert heat to the insulation chamber, so that the temperature in the insulation chamber can be continuously within the temperature range of 25 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius.

[0004] Unlike theoretical calculations, during the operation of the compression refrigeration system, there is a significant deviation between the actual refrigeration efficiency and the theoretical refrigeration efficiency. The heat discharged into the air that is not effectively utilized is difficult to be fully converted only through the matching second condenser, and the temperature of the insulation chamber is maintained within the ideal range, and the conversion efficiency is low. In order to maintain the temperature of the insulation chamber, it is likely that other heating equipment will be required, which deviates from the principle of heat recovery. Therefore, the above technical solution has the problem of poor practicality. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a heat recovery refrigerator, which aims to more effectively recover the heat discharged into the air by a compressor and a condenser, avoids the need for other heating equipment, and improves the practicability of heat recovery.

[0006] A heat recovery refrigerator includes a condenser and a compressor;

[0007] Also included is a heat recovery module;

[0008] The heat recovery module comprises:

[0009] A thermoelectric device, wherein the thermoelectric device is made of a thermoelectric material;

[0010] an electric storage device electrically connected to the thermoelectric device; and

[0011] a lighting device, the power storage device being electrically connected to the lighting device;

[0012] The thermoelectric device has a hot end and a cold end, the condenser and the compressor are arranged on the same side of the hot end, and an air circulation channel is formed between the hot end and the condenser and the compressor; the cold end is arranged outside the refrigerator shell;

[0013] The lighting device is arranged in the refrigerator housing.

[0014] In order to prevent the power storage device from reversely discharging the thermoelectric device, a diode is provided between the power storage device and the thermoelectric device, wherein the positive electrode of the diode is connected to the thermoelectric device and the negative electrode of the diode is connected to the power storage device.

[0015] In order to extend the charge and discharge cycle and ensure the effective use of electric energy, a switch is provided between the power storage device and the lighting device; when the refrigerator door is closed, the switch is disconnected; when the refrigerator door is opened, the switch is closed.

[0016] In order to ensure the normal operation of the refrigerator and to fully utilize the heat energy, it also includes:

[0017] A fan baffle, wherein at least one air outlet is formed on the fan baffle;

[0018] The thermoelectric device is mounted on the fan baffle and is located at one side of the air outlet, the hot end extends away from the air flow direction of the air outlet, and the cold end extends along the air flow direction of the air outlet.

[0019] In order to prevent the cold end from contacting with hot air, a guide portion is provided at the air outlet, and the guide portion is perpendicular to the plane where the fan baffle is located and extends outward along the air flow direction of the air outlet.

[0020] Preferably, the extension length of the guide portion is greater than the extension length of the cold end.

[0021] In order to increase the contact area between the hot end and the hot air, a plurality of air outlets are evenly opened on the fan baffle, a plurality of thermoelectric devices are arranged between the air outlets at intervals, and the plurality of thermoelectric devices are connected in parallel.

[0022] Preferably, the area of ​​the fan baffle is greater than or equal to the area of ​​the condenser.

[0023] In order to increase the heat exchange efficiency between the cold end and the air outside the refrigerator and reduce the surface temperature of the cold end, the cold end is coated with carbon nanotube coating.

[0024] Preferably, the fan baffle is fixed on the refrigerator shell by bolts.

[0025] The heat recovery refrigerator disclosed in the present invention uses thermoelectric materials to recycle the heat emitted into the air by the compressor and condenser in the refrigerator; the temperature difference between the air temperature around the compressor and condenser and the air temperature outside the refrigerator shell is used to convert it into electrical energy storage through a heat recovery module, and used for lighting inside the refrigerator, thereby improving the utilization rate of electrical energy and ultimately achieving the effect of improving energy utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a part of the internal structure of the heat recovery refrigerator disclosed in the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fan baffle in use state;

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A transverse cross-sectional view of

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the heat recovery module disclosed in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the present invention aims to design and provide a heat recovery refrigerator. In view of the fact that the heat discharged into the air by the compressor and the condenser during operation is not effectively utilized, the present invention converts the heat into electrical energy based on the characteristics of thermoelectric materials, and supplies power to the lighting device in the refrigerator, thereby ultimately achieving the effect of improving energy utilization. In the present invention, thermoelectric materials refer to materials that can convert electrical energy and thermal energy into each other. According to the first thermoelectric effect (Seebeck effect), the temperature difference between two different conductors or semiconductors will cause an electric potential difference between the two substances. The greater the temperature difference between the two ends of the thermoelectric material, the greater the electric potential difference generated.

[0033] Specifically, the heat recovery refrigerator disclosed in the present invention includes a condenser 102 and a compressor 101. In the refrigeration operation, the condenser 102 and the compressor 101 operate normally to dissipate heat. Completely different from the prior art, the present invention also includes a heat recovery module 104. The heat recovery module 104 further includes a thermoelectric device 104-1, a power storage device 104-2, and a lighting device 104-3.

[0034] Among them, the thermoelectric device 104-1 is a carrier for realizing energy conversion and is made of thermoelectric materials. In the present invention, the thermoelectric material is preferably a thermoelectric material of the BiTe system, and its operating temperature is 300K to 500K. Under room temperature conditions, the ZT value of the thermoelectric material of the BiTe system can reach 1; wherein, the ZT value is a physical quantity used to characterize the thermoelectric conversion ability of the thermoelectric material, and the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric material of the BiTe system is about 7%. Of course, in the present invention, it is not limited to the thermoelectric material of the BiTe system, and other low-temperature types of thermoelectric materials can also be used. Thermoelectric device 104-1 has a hot end 104-11 and a cold end 104-12. The condenser 102 and the compressor 101 are arranged on the same side of the hot end 104-11, and an air circulation channel (not shown in the figure) is formed between the hot end 104-11 and the condenser 102 and the compressor 101. The exposed hot end 104-11 fully exchanges heat with the air around the condenser 102 and the compressor 101, and receives the heat emitted to the air by the compressor 101 and the condenser 102. The cold end 104-12 is arranged on the outside of the refrigerator shell 100 and has a lower temperature. Thus, a temperature difference is formed between the hot end 104-11 and the cold end 104-12, and a potential difference is generated by using the characteristics of the thermoelectric material to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. Figure 1 Reference numeral 103 shows a preferred location of a thermoelectric device 104 - 1 .

[0035] The power storage device 104 - 2 is electrically connected to the thermoelectric device 104 - 1 to store electrical energy.

[0036] The lighting device 104-3 is preferably an LED lamp bead, a light strip or a similar lighting device, which is arranged in the cold cabinet housing. The power storage device 104-2 is electrically connected to the lighting device 104-3 to supply power to the lighting device 104-3. The lighting device 104-3 mainly provides lighting for the low-temperature storage compartment. The energy consumption required by the lighting device 104-3 is low. On the one hand, it can effectively utilize a small part of the heat energy emitted into the air during the operation of the compressor 101 and the condenser 102. On the other hand, it can ensure the normal operation of the lighting device 104-3 and improve the utilization rate of heat energy.

[0037] As a further optimization of the above technical solution, a diode 104-4 is provided between the power storage device 104-2 and the thermoelectric device 104-1. The positive electrode of the diode 104-4 is connected to the thermoelectric device 104-1, and the negative electrode of the diode 104-4 is connected to the power storage device 104-2, so as to prevent the power storage device 104-2 from reversely discharging the thermoelectric device 104-1, thereby protecting the thermoelectric device 104-1. The power storage device 104-2 is preferably a battery, and the power storage device 104-2 is provided in the refrigerator housing.

[0038] As a further optimization of the above technical solution, in order to extend the charge and discharge cycle and power supply time of the power storage device 104-2, a switch 104-5 is provided between the power storage device 104-2 and the lighting device 104-3. The switch 104-5 is linked with the refrigerator door. When the refrigerator door is closed, the switch 104-5 is disconnected, and when the refrigerator door is opened, the switch 104-5 is closed. The switch 104-5 can be magnetically attracted, a proximity sensor, a reed switch, and other methods.

[0039] As a further optimization of the above technical solution, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the heat recovery refrigerator disclosed in the present invention also includes a fan baffle 105. At least one air outlet 105-1 is provided on the fan baffle 105, and the air outlet 105-1 is used to guide the gas in the refrigerator shell 100 to the outside of the refrigerator shell under the action of the fan, and the thermoelectric device 104-1 is installed on the fan baffle 105 and arranged on one side of the air outlet 105-1. Preferably, the area of ​​the fan baffle 105 is greater than or equal to the area of ​​the condenser 102, and the compressor 101, the condenser 102 and the fan baffle 105 are arranged in sequence to ensure that the area of ​​the hot end 104-11 of the thermoelectric device 104-1 installed on the fan baffle 105 is large enough to fully contact with the hot air. The fan baffle 105 is fixedly arranged on the refrigerator shell 100 by bolts 105-3. The hot air generated by heat exchange with the compressor 101 and the condenser 102 is discharged from the refrigerator shell through the air outlet 105-1 under the action of the fan, ensuring the normal operation of the refrigerator. At the same time, the hot air is in full contact with the hot end 104-11 of the thermoelectric device 104-1, so that the temperature of the hot end 104-11 of the thermoelectric device 104-1 is increased as much as possible.

[0040] Preferably, a plurality of air outlets 105-1 are provided on the fan baffle 105, and the plurality of air outlets 105-1 are in the shape of long strips and are evenly arranged. The thermoelectric device 104-1 is also in the shape of long strips as a whole and is arranged at intervals between the air outlets 105-1, and the plurality of thermoelectric devices 104-1 are connected in parallel with a wire 105-2. The hot end 104-11 of each thermoelectric device 104-1 extends along the air flow direction away from the air outlet, and the cold end 104-12 of each thermoelectric device 104-1 extends along the air flow direction of the air outlet 105-1. In this way, the hot end 104-11 can fully contact the hot air blown out of the refrigerator shell and fully absorb the heat in the hot air, while the cold end 104-12 will not contact the hot air, so that the temperature difference between the cold end 104-12 and the hot end 104-11 is as large as possible to generate a higher potential difference.

[0041] In order to fully prevent the cold end 104-12 from contacting the hot air discharged from the air outlet 105-1, as a preferred embodiment of the above technical solution, a guide portion 105-11 is provided at the air outlet 105-1. The guide portion 105-11 is a folded edge formed around the air outlet 105-1, and the guide portion 105-11 is perpendicular to the plane where the fan baffle 105 is located and extends outward along the air flow direction of the air outlet 105-1. Preferably, the extension length of the guide portion 105-11 is set to be greater than the extension length of the cold end 104-12, so as to isolate the cold end 104-12 of each thermoelectric device from the hot air discharged from the refrigerator shell through the guide portion 105-11, and prevent the hot air from being blown to the surface of the cold end 104-12. The outer surface of the cold end 104-12 is coated with a carbon nanotube coating, which is conducive to dissipating the heat of the cold end 104-12 to the external environment in time and reducing the temperature of the cold end.

[0042] The heat recovery refrigerator disclosed in the present invention uses thermoelectric materials to recycle a small part of the heat emitted into the air by the compressor and condenser in the refrigerator; the temperature difference between the air temperature around the compressor and condenser and the air temperature outside the refrigerator shell is used to convert it into electrical energy storage through a heat recovery module, and used for lighting inside the refrigerator, thereby improving the utilization rate of electrical energy and ultimately achieving the effect of improving energy utilization.

[0043] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heat recovery refrigerator, comprising a condenser and a compressor; characterized in that: Also included is a heat recovery module; The heat recovery module comprises: A thermoelectric device, wherein the thermoelectric device is made of a thermoelectric material; an electric storage device electrically connected to the thermoelectric device; and a lighting device, the power storage device being electrically connected to the lighting device; The thermoelectric device has a hot end and a cold end, the condenser and the compressor are arranged on the same side of the hot end, and an air circulation channel is formed between the hot end and the condenser and the compressor; the cold end is arranged outside the refrigerator shell; The lighting device is arranged in the refrigerator housing; A fan baffle, wherein a plurality of air outlets are formed on the fan baffle, and the air outlets are in the shape of long strips; a plurality of the thermoelectric devices are in the shape of long strips and are arranged at intervals between the air outlets; the hot end of each of the thermoelectric devices extends in the direction of air flow away from the air outlet, and the cold end of each of the thermoelectric devices extends in the direction of air flow of the air outlet; The air outlet is provided with a guide portion, the guide portion is a folded edge formed around the air outlet, the guide portion is perpendicular to the plane where the fan baffle is located and extends outward along the air flow direction of the air outlet, and the extension length of the guide portion is greater than the extension length of the cold end; The fan baffle is fixedly arranged on the refrigerator shell.

2. The heat recovery refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A diode is provided between the power storage device and the thermoelectric device, the positive electrode of the diode is connected to the thermoelectric device, and the negative electrode of the diode is connected to the power storage device.

3. The heat recovery refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: A switch is provided between the power storage device and the lighting device; when the refrigerator door is closed, the switch is disconnected; when the refrigerator door is opened, the switch is closed.

4. The heat recovery refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A plurality of air outlets are evenly arranged on the fan baffle.

5. The heat recovery refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A plurality of the thermoelectric devices are connected in parallel by wires.

6. The heat recovery refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The area of ​​the fan baffle is greater than or equal to the area of ​​the condenser.

7. The heat recovery refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cold end is coated with carbon nanotube coating.

8. The heat recovery refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The fan baffle is fixed on the refrigerator shell by bolts.

Images