Refrigerator structure with an in-line recirculation evaporator

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of heat exchange improvement technology for freezers, specifically to a freezer structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator, including a freezer shell, a foamed inner liner laid along the inner wall of the freezer shell, and a heat exchange system embedded in the foamed inner liner. The heat exchange system includes a vapor-liquid separator, an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a throttling device. This utility model embeds the vapor-liquid separator of the recirculating evaporator into the foamed layer near the freezer opening, solving the problem that recirculating evaporators with vapor-liquid separators cannot be used in small-scale commercial freezers, thus broadening its application range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of heat exchange improvement technology for freezers, and more specifically to a freezer structure with an embedded recirculation evaporator. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial component of a refrigeration system, the evaporator is responsible for transferring cooling capacity to the outside environment. In the commercial freezer industry, evaporators often employ a single-cycle, top-down evaporation method. The refrigerant, after being depressurized by a throttling device, enters the evaporator with a relatively low dryness. As the refrigerant gradually evaporates within the evaporator, its dryness increases. To prevent liquid slugging in the compressor, freezer manufacturers often strictly control the refrigerant charge, causing most of the refrigerant to convert to a gaseous state at the end of the evaporator piping, significantly reducing heat exchange efficiency. Therefore, improving the proportion and uniformity of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator is of significant importance.

[0003] Compared to dry-type evaporators, recirculating evaporators are equipped with a vapor-liquid separator. This device separates the liquid refrigerant from the evaporator outlet, preventing it from entering the compressor and causing problems. Due to the vapor-liquid separator, the refrigerant charge can be further increased, ensuring the evaporator piping is completely wetted with liquid refrigerant. This leads to a phase change reaction on the refrigerant side of the evaporator, significantly improving its heat exchange efficiency.

[0004] However, because recirculating evaporators require a large space to store liquid refrigerant due to the vapor-liquid separator, their miniaturization is limited, resulting in limited application in the commercial refrigeration sector. Utility Model Content

[0005] In response to the shortcomings of existing technologies, the inventors have developed a refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator through long-term practice. The vapor-liquid separator of the recirculating evaporator is embedded in the foaming layer near the refrigerator door, which solves the problem that recirculating evaporators with vapor-liquid separators cannot be used in small commercial refrigerators, thus expanding the application range.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator includes a refrigerator shell, a foamed inner liner laid along the inner wall of the refrigerator shell, and a heat exchange system embedded in the foamed inner liner. The heat exchange system includes a vapor-liquid separator, an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a throttling device. The evaporator inlet is connected to the bottom of the vapor-liquid separator, and the evaporator outlet is connected to the top of the vapor-liquid separator. The vapor-liquid separator is connected to the outlet of the throttling device, and the compressor inlet is connected to the vapor-liquid separator. The condenser inlet is connected to the compressor outlet, and the condenser outlet is connected to the inlet of the throttling device.

[0008] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator is installed in an embedded manner inside the foamed inner liner near the refrigerator door opening.

[0009] Furthermore, the thickness of the gas-liquid separator is less than the thickness of the foamed inner liner.

[0010] Furthermore, the vapor-liquid separator is attached to the inner wall of the foamed inner liner on one side near the inside of the freezer, and to the inner wall of the freezer shell on the other side away from the foamed inner liner.

[0011] Furthermore, the evaporator is installed below the bottom of the vapor-liquid separator.

[0012] Furthermore, the structure of the evaporator includes, but is not limited to, a coil-type evaporator, and the materials used in the evaporator include, but are not limited to, single-layer galvanized welded pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the connection point between the outlet of the throttling device and the vapor-liquid separator is located in the lower middle part of the vapor-liquid separator.

[0014] Furthermore, the connection point between the compressor inlet and the vapor-liquid separator is located in the upper middle part of the vapor-liquid separator.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0016] Embedding the vapor-liquid separator in the recirculating evaporator into the freezer not only reduces the impact of the vapor-liquid separator installation on the freezer volume, but also makes full use of the cooling capacity generated by the refrigerant evaporation in the vapor-liquid separator. This solves the problem that recirculating evaporators with vapor-liquid separators cannot be used in small-scale commercial freezers. Moreover, the use of recirculating evaporators can significantly reduce the dryness of the refrigerant in the evaporator pipes, making the evaporator temperature more uniform, greatly improving heat exchange efficiency, and expanding the application range. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of the heat exchange system inside the freezer of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of the refrigerator of this utility model.

[0019] In the attached image:

[0020] 1-Vacuum-liquid separator, 2-Evaporator outlet, 3-Evaporator inlet, 4-Evaporator, 5-Compressor, 6-Condenser, 7-Throttling device, 8-Refrigerator shell, 9-Foamed inner liner. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Based on the embodiments in this application, other similar embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, directional terms mentioned in the following embodiments, such as "up," "down," "left," and "right," are only for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings; therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0023] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 This utility model discloses a refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator, comprising a refrigerator shell 8, a foamed inner liner 9 laid along the inner wall of the refrigerator shell 8, and a heat exchange system embedded in the foamed inner liner 9. The heat exchange system includes a vapor-liquid separator 1, an evaporator 4, a compressor 5, a condenser 6, and a throttling device 7.

[0024] The vapor-liquid separator 1 is embedded inside the foamed inner liner 9 near the refrigerator door opening. The thickness of the vapor-liquid separator 1 is less than the thickness of the foamed inner liner 9 to prevent the cold air in the vapor-liquid separator 1 from being transferred to the outside through the foam layer. The vapor-liquid separator 1 is attached to the inner wall of the foamed inner liner 9 on the side closest to the inside of the refrigerator, and to the inner wall of the refrigerator shell 8 on the other side away from the foamed inner liner 9. If necessary, thermally conductive adhesive can be used to help dissipate heat and fix the vapor-liquid separator 1.

[0025] The evaporator 4 is installed below the bottom of the vapor-liquid separator 1. The evaporator inlet 3 is connected to the bottom of the vapor-liquid separator 1, and the evaporator outlet 2 is connected to the top of the vapor-liquid separator 1. This configuration allows the liquid refrigerant to flow spontaneously into the evaporator 4 piping under gravity. The evaporated refrigerant can be separated in the vapor-liquid separator 1, with the liquid refrigerant re-entering the evaporator 4 for further evaporation, while the gaseous refrigerant enters the compressor 5 for the next refrigeration cycle.

[0026] The structure of evaporator 4 includes, but is not limited to, a coil-type evaporator, and the materials used in evaporator 4 include, but are not limited to, single-layer galvanized welded pipe.

[0027] The outlet of the vapor-liquid separator 1 is connected to the outlet of the throttling device 7, and the inlet of the compressor 5 is connected to the vapor-liquid separator 1. The connection point between the outlet of the throttling device 7 and the vapor-liquid separator 1 is located in the lower middle part of the vapor-liquid separator 1, and the connection point between the inlet of the compressor 5 and the vapor-liquid separator 1 is located in the upper middle part of the vapor-liquid separator 1. The inlet of the condenser 6 is connected to the outlet of the compressor 5, and the outlet of the condenser 6 is connected to the inlet of the throttling device 7.

[0028] To achieve its functions, the heat exchange system includes, but is not limited to, the aforementioned refrigeration components. The connection methods between these refrigeration components are commonly used in the industry, including but not limited to brazing and resistance welding.

[0029] The refrigerant circulates sequentially through compressor 5, condenser 6, throttling device 7, vapor-liquid separator 1, evaporator 4, vapor-liquid separator 1, and compressor 5.

[0030] The refrigerant circulation method within the heat exchange system of this utility model freezer is as follows:

[0031] After releasing its cooling capacity, the refrigerant is compressed in compressor 5, transforming into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. This refrigerant then enters condenser 6 and is cooled into a liquid state. The liquid refrigerant is then depressurized by throttling device 7, transforming into a low-temperature, low-pressure vapor-liquid mixture. This state of refrigerant undergoes vapor-liquid separation in vapor-liquid separator 1. Under the influence of gravity, the liquid refrigerant settles in the bottom space of vapor-liquid separator 1, while the gaseous refrigerant remains in the upper space.

[0032] The liquid refrigerant in the lower layer of the vapor-liquid separator 1 flows into the evaporator pipeline through the inlet of the evaporator 4 under the action of gravity. In the evaporator 4, the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates. The refrigerant in the vapor-liquid mixed state flows into the vapor-liquid separator 1. The gaseous refrigerant is separated in the space above the vapor-liquid separator 1, and the liquid refrigerant is deposited in the space below to participate in the next cycle of the evaporator 4.

[0033] The gaseous refrigerant in the upper space of the gas-liquid separator 1 enters the compressor 5 under the suction action of the compressor 5 to carry out the next cycle of refrigerant.

[0034] The present invention has been described in detail above. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of this application should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator, characterized in that, It includes a freezer shell (8), a foamed inner liner (9) laid along the inner wall of the freezer shell (8), and a heat exchange system embedded in the foamed inner liner (9); the heat exchange system includes a vapor-liquid separator (1), an evaporator (4), a compressor (5), a condenser (6), and a throttling device (7). The evaporator inlet (3) is connected to the bottom of the vapor-liquid separator (1), and the evaporator outlet (2) is connected to the top of the vapor-liquid separator (1); the vapor-liquid separator (1) is connected to the outlet of the throttling device (7), and the inlet of the compressor (5) is connected to the vapor-liquid separator (1); the inlet of the condenser (6) is connected to the outlet of the compressor (5), and the outlet of the condenser (6) is connected to the inlet of the throttling device (7).

2. The refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vapor-liquid separator (1) is embedded in the foamed inner liner (9) near the refrigerator door.

3. The refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thickness of the vapor-liquid separator (1) is less than the thickness of the foamed inner liner (9).

4. The refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vapor-liquid separator (1) is attached to the inner wall of the foamed inner liner (9) on one side close to the inside of the freezer, and away from the foamed inner liner (9) on the other side close to the inner wall of the freezer shell (8).

5. The refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The evaporator (4) is installed below the bottom of the vapor-liquid separator (1).

6. The refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The structure of the evaporator (4) includes, but is not limited to, a coil evaporator, and the materials used in the evaporator (4) include, but are not limited to, single-layer galvanized welded pipe.

7. The refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connection point between the outlet of the throttling device (7) and the vapor-liquid separator (1) is located in the lower middle part of the vapor-liquid separator (1).

8. The refrigerator structure with an embedded recirculating evaporator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connection point between the inlet of the compressor (5) and the vapor-liquid separator (1) is located in the upper middle part of the vapor-liquid separator (1).

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