Device with phase change energy storage module
By introducing phase change energy storage modules into home appliances, energy can be stored during periods of low electricity prices and released during periods of high electricity prices. This solves the problem that traditional home appliances cannot take advantage of electricity price differences, and achieves cost reduction and efficient cooling.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGDONG LIZI TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Traditional home appliances cannot take advantage of electricity price differences at different times to reduce electricity costs, resulting in higher operating costs.
Phase change energy storage modules are used. During periods of low electricity prices, the phase change modules are cooled and stored by the energy replenishment components. During periods of high electricity prices, the cooling capacity is released to reduce the cooling capacity of the compressor. Combined with circulation components and airflow components, efficient delivery of cooling capacity is achieved.
Reduce compressor operating time during periods of high electricity prices to lower electricity costs, improve refrigeration efficiency, achieve rapid refrigeration and freezing effects, and continue to provide cooling capacity in the event of a power outage.
Smart Images
Figure CN224415457U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household energy storage and temperature regulation technology, and in particular to a device with a phase change energy storage module. Background Technology
[0002] In most parts of my country, electricity prices vary throughout the day. For households, the lowest electricity prices typically occur at night, when people are resting and their electricity demand is lower. Large appliances with cooling functions, such as refrigerators, operate for extended periods. Traditional appliances do not adjust their power consumption based on electricity prices, nor do they store cold air during periods of low prices. Therefore, they cannot take advantage of different electricity prices at different times to reduce electricity costs and lower operating expenses. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the problem that traditional home appliances cannot reduce electricity costs and lower operating costs by taking advantage of different electricity prices at different times, this invention provides a device with a phase change energy storage module.
[0004] This application provides a device with a phase change energy storage module, including a housing, a phase change module, and a replenishing component. The housing is provided with a first assembly part and an article cavity. The phase change module is disposed in the first assembly part, and a phase change medium is disposed inside the phase change module. The replenishing component is connected to the phase change module to replenish the phase change module with energy.
[0005] In some embodiments, the phase change module is disposed on the first assembly part and detachably connected to the housing;
[0006] The energy replenishment component includes an energy terminal, which is detachably connected to the phase change module to replenish energy for the phase change module.
[0007] In some embodiments, the energy replenishment component may be a compressor or an external heat exchange device, and the energy replenishment component is connected to the phase change module via a pipeline for heat exchange.
[0008] In some embodiments, the phase change module includes a housing and a temperature regulating component. The housing has an energy storage cavity for storing the phase change medium. The temperature regulating component is at least partially disposed inside the energy storage cavity and in contact with the phase change medium. The temperature regulating component is connected to the cooling end of the energy replenishment component.
[0009] In some embodiments, the outer casing includes a first casing and a second casing, the second casing being disposed inside the first casing, and a vacuum interlayer being provided between the second casing and the first casing.
[0010] In some embodiments, a support is provided between the first housing and the second housing to maintain the relative position between the first housing and the second housing.
[0011] In some embodiments, the device with a phase change energy storage module further includes a circulation component and a first pipeline, the first pipeline having a liquid medium disposed inside, the first pipeline having a first end and a second end, the circulation component being disposed between the first end and the second end to connect the first end and the second end, the first end being at least partially disposed in the phase change module, and the second end being disposed around the outer periphery of the article cavity.
[0012] In some embodiments, the device with a phase change energy storage module further includes an airflow assembly. The phase change module has a first air duct, and the housing has a second air duct. The second air duct is connected to the first air duct and the article cavity, respectively. The airflow assembly is disposed in the first air duct or the second air duct to generate airflow.
[0013] In some embodiments, the device with a phase change energy storage module further includes an energy storage component for storing electrical energy, which is electrically connected to the airflow component to drive the airflow component.
[0014] In some embodiments, the device with a phase change energy storage module further includes a monitoring component, which includes a temperature monitoring device and a pressure monitoring device, the monitoring ends of which are disposed inside the energy storage cavity.
[0015] Compared with existing technologies, the device with a phase change energy storage module provided by this utility model has the following advantages: The phase change module contains a phase change medium (a phase change medium is a substance that changes its state of matter and provides latent heat while maintaining a constant temperature. The process of changing physical properties is called a phase change process, during which the phase change material absorbs or releases a large amount of latent heat); a supplementary energy component is connected to the phase change module to replenish its energy. In practical applications, the device with a phase change energy storage module provided by this application can cool the phase change medium inside the phase change module to store cold energy when electricity prices are low (off-peak hours). Then, when electricity prices are high (peak hours), the stored cold energy in the phase change module is released to reduce the cooling capacity of the compressor, thereby reducing electricity costs and lowering operating costs. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional exploded view of an embodiment of the device with a phase change energy storage module provided in this application;
[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 2Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle;
[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point B;
[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional planar schematic diagram of an embodiment of the phase change module provided in this application.
[0020] 100. Housing; 11. First assembly section; 200. Phase change module; 21. Outer shell; 211. First housing; 212. Second housing; 22. Temperature control component; 01. Energy storage cavity; 02. Vacuum interlayer; 300. Phase change medium; 400. Circulation assembly; 500. First pipeline; 51. First end. Detailed Implementation
[0021] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description in this part is only exemplary and explanatory, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this utility model in any way.
[0022] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.
[0023] It should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0024] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," and "sag" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.
[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.
[0026] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 The device shown is a refrigerator with a phase change energy storage module. It includes a cabinet 100, a phase change module 200, and an energy replenishment component. The cabinet 100 has a first assembly section 11 for assembling the phase change module 200 and other components, and an item cavity for holding frozen items. The phase change module 200 is disposed in the first assembly section 11, and contains a phase change medium 300 (a phase change medium 300 is a substance that changes its state of matter and provides latent heat while maintaining a constant temperature. The process of changing physical properties is called a phase change process, during which the phase change material absorbs or releases a large amount of latent heat). The energy replenishment component is connected to the phase change module 200 to replenish its energy.
[0028] In practical applications, the device with phase change energy storage module provided in this application can store cold energy by cooling the phase change medium 300 inside the phase change module through the energy replenishment component when the electricity price is low (off-peak hours). Then, when the electricity price is high (peak hours), the cold energy stored in the phase change module 200 is released to reduce the cooling capacity of the refrigerator compressor, thereby reducing electricity costs and lowering operating costs.
[0029] In addition to the effects mentioned above, compared to refrigeration by a compressor, the phase change module 200 releases cold energy through the phase change medium 300 at a much faster rate than the compressor (the cold energy of the phase change medium 300 can be directly delivered to the parts of the refrigerator that need refrigeration through pipeline circulation), thereby achieving rapid refrigeration and freezing effects and greatly reducing the time required for the refrigerator to refrigerate.
[0030] The technical details of each component will be introduced below.
[0031] In some implementations, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the phase change module 200 is disposed in the first assembly part 11 and detachably connected to the housing 100 for easy disassembly of the phase change module 200; the energy replenishment component includes an energy end, which is detachably connected to the phase change module 200 to replenish the phase change module 200 with energy. Through this design, in practical applications, users can choose whether to use the phase change module 200 for energy storage according to their own usage habits and needs. After prolonged use, the phase change module 200 may age, leading to a reduction in the maximum stored cooling capacity. In this case, the detachable connection between the phase change module 200 and the housing 100 facilitates replacement of the phase change module 200 by the user, ensuring the storage capacity of the device with the phase change energy storage module.
[0032] The phase change module 200 can be connected using clips or screws.
[0033] In some implementations, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the above-mentioned energy replenishment component can be a compressor or an external heat exchange device. The energy replenishment component is connected to the phase change module 200 through a pipeline for heat exchange.
[0034] When the energy replenishment component is a compressor, the phase change module 200 is installed inside the housing 100. The phase change module 200 is connected to the refrigeration end of the compressor, and the phase change module 200 can replenish and store cooling capacity through the compressor. In this way, during periods of low electricity prices, the compressor can be run to replenish the cooling capacity of the phase change module 200, and then the cooling capacity stored in the phase change module 200 can be released during periods of high electricity prices. This reduces the operating time of the compressor during periods of high electricity prices, thereby reducing electricity costs and lowering operating costs.
[0035] When the energy replenishment component is an external heat exchange device, the phase change module 200 replenishes the cooling capacity through the external heat exchange device. The heat exchange device is equipped with a compressor and includes a cooling end and a heating end. The phase change module 200 is connected to the cooling end of the heat exchange device to replenish the cooling capacity. In this way, the heat exchange device can replenish the cooling capacity of the phase change module 200 during periods of low electricity prices, and then during periods of high electricity prices, the phase change module 200 can release the stored cooling capacity to cool the cavity of the item. This reduces the operating time of the compressor during periods of high electricity prices, thereby reducing electricity costs and lowering operating costs. It is understood that in other embodiments, the heat exchange device includes a cooling end and a heating end. The cooling device (such as a compressor, vortex tube, etc.) of the heat exchange device generates both cooling and heat during operation. The heat exchange device can transfer the generated cooling to the cooling end and the generated heat to the heating end. At the heating end, another phase change module 200 can be used to store the heat, or the heat from the heating end can be transferred to machines that require heat, such as water heaters and dishwashers. In this way, the heat generated during the cooling process can be reused through an external heat exchange device, thereby achieving the effect of energy saving.
[0036] In some implementations, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the phase change module 200 includes a housing 21 and a temperature regulating component 22. The housing 21 contains an energy storage cavity 01 for storing the phase change medium 300. The temperature regulating component 22 is at least partially disposed inside the energy storage cavity 01 and in contact with the phase change medium 300. The temperature regulating component 22 is connected to the cooling end of the energy replenishment component. The temperature regulating component 22 can be a hollow pipe connected to the cooling pipe of the compressor inside the energy replenishment component. The refrigerant from the compressor flowing through the temperature regulating component 22 absorbs the temperature of the phase change medium 300 inside the energy storage cavity 01, thereby causing a change in the physical properties of the phase change medium 300 to store cold energy.
[0037] In some implementations, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the outer shell 21 of the phase change module 200 includes a first shell 211 and a second shell 212. The second shell 212 is disposed inside the first shell 211, and a vacuum interlayer 02 is provided between the second shell 212 and the first shell 211. As is well known, heat transfer requires a medium. The vacuum state inside the vacuum interlayer 02 can effectively isolate the cold energy stored in the phase change medium 300, thereby playing a very good heat preservation role.
[0038] In some implementation methods, see [reference] Figure 4 To understand this, a support member (not shown in the drawings) is provided between the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 to maintain their relative positions. Since the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 are nested together, if they come into direct contact, the phase change medium 300 can exchange heat with the outside environment through the first housing 211 and the second housing 212, resulting in the loss of cooling capacity. The support member can be made of heat-insulating material and is thin-sheet in shape. While the material itself provides insulation, it also greatly reduces contact with the first housing 211 and the second housing 212, ensuring that the first housing 211 and the second housing 212 do not come into contact and significantly reducing the loss of cooling capacity of the phase change medium 300.
[0039] In some implementations, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the device with a phase change energy storage module provided in this application further includes a circulation component 400 and a first pipeline 500. The first pipeline 500 is filled with a liquid medium and includes a first end 51 and a second end. The circulation component 400 is a liquid circulation pump disposed between the first end 51 and the second end to connect the first end 51 and the second end and allow the liquid medium to circulate in the first pipeline 500. The first end 51 is at least partially disposed inside the phase change module 200 and in contact with the phase change medium 300. The second end surrounds the outer periphery of the housing 100 of the article cavity. In this way, the liquid medium can continuously transport the cold energy inside the phase change module 200 into the periphery of the article cavity under the circulation action of the circulation component 400, and then seep into the interior of the article cavity.
[0040] In some implementation methods, see [reference] Figure 2 To clarify, the device with a phase change energy storage module provided in this application also includes an airflow assembly (not shown in the accompanying drawings). The phase change module 200 has a first air duct (not shown in the accompanying drawings) inside, allowing the cooling energy in the phase change medium 300 to penetrate into the first air duct. The housing 100 has a second air duct (not shown in the accompanying drawings), which communicates with both the first air duct and the object cavity. The airflow assembly is positioned within either the first or second air duct to generate airflow. The airflow assembly includes a fan, which, during operation, uses airflow to transport the cooling energy from the phase change module 200 from the first air duct to the second air duct, and then blows it into the object cavity. Compared to the aforementioned method of heat transfer via liquid media, airflow-based heat transfer directly delivers the cooling energy from inside the phase change module 200 to the object cavity or the external environment, resulting in faster cooling.
[0041] In some embodiments, the device with a phase change energy storage module provided in this application further includes an energy storage component (not shown in the drawings). The energy storage component is used to store electrical energy and is electrically connected to the airflow component to drive the airflow component. In actual use, a power outage may occur. At this time, the energy storage component can drive the airflow component with the stored electrical energy to deliver the cooling energy in the phase change module 200 to the interior of the item cavity. It is understood that the power required to drive the airflow component (usually a fan) is much less than that required to drive the compressor. Therefore, the phase change module 200 can continue to deliver cooling energy to the interior of the item cavity during a power outage to ensure the refrigeration and freezing effect of the device with the phase change energy storage module on the item.
[0042] Similarly, in other embodiments, when the device with phase change energy storage module provided in this application is equipped with the above-mentioned circulation component 400, the circulation component 400 can also be driven by the energy storage component, so that the cold energy inside the phase change module 200 can be transported to the outer periphery of the article cavity or the external environment in the event of a power outage.
[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in the figure, the device with a phase change energy storage module provided in this application further includes a monitoring component, which includes a temperature monitoring device and a pressure monitoring device. The monitoring terminals of the temperature monitoring device and the pressure monitoring device are disposed inside the energy storage cavity 01. In actual use, the phase change medium 300 inside the phase change module 200 will experience volume changes during the process of physical property changes. At this time, the pressure monitoring device can monitor the pressure inside the phase change module to avoid excessive or insufficient pressure inside the phase change module 200 due to malfunctions. The temperature monitoring device is used to monitor the temperature of the phase change medium 300 inside the phase change module 200 so that the user can understand the amount of cold energy stored inside the phase change module 200.
[0044] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0045] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.
[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. An apparatus having a phase change energy storage module, characterized by, include: The box (100) is provided with a first assembly part (11) and an article cavity; A phase change module (200) is disposed in the first assembly part (11), and a phase change medium (300) is disposed inside the phase change module (200). A power replenishment component is connected to the phase change module (200) to replenish energy for the phase change module (200).
2. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The phase change module (200) is disposed in the first assembly part (11) and is detachably connected to the housing (100); The energy replenishment component includes an energy terminal, which is detachably connected to the phase change module (200) to replenish energy to the phase change module (200).
3. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The energy replenishment component can be a compressor or an external heat exchange device. The energy replenishment component is connected to the phase change module (200) through a pipeline for heat exchange.
4. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The phase change module (200) includes a housing (21) and a temperature regulating component (22). The housing (21) has an energy storage cavity (01) for storing the phase change medium (300). The temperature regulating component (22) is at least partially disposed inside the energy storage cavity (01) and in contact with the phase change medium (300). The temperature regulating component (22) is connected to the cooling end of the energy replenishment component.
5. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer shell (21) includes a first shell (211) and a second shell (212), the second shell (212) being disposed inside the first shell (211), and a vacuum interlayer (02) being disposed between the second shell (212) and the first shell (211).
6. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 5, characterized in that, A support is provided between the first housing (211) and the second housing (212) to maintain the relative position between the first housing (211) and the second housing (212).
7. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device with a phase change energy storage module further includes a circulation component (400) and a first pipeline (500). The first pipeline (500) contains a liquid medium and includes a first end (51) and a second end. The circulation component (400) is disposed between the first end (51) and the second end to connect the first end (51) and the second end. The first end (51) is at least partially disposed in the phase change module (200), and the second end is disposed around the outer periphery of the article cavity.
8. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device with a phase change energy storage module further includes an airflow component. The phase change module (200) has a first air duct, and the housing (100) has a second air duct. The second air duct is connected to the first air duct and the article cavity, respectively. The airflow component is disposed in the first air duct or the second air duct to generate airflow.
9. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 8, characterized in that, The device with a phase change energy storage module further includes an energy storage component for storing electrical energy, which is electrically connected to the airflow component to drive the airflow component.
10. The device with a phase change energy storage module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The device with a phase change energy storage module also includes a monitoring component, which includes a temperature monitoring device and a pressure monitoring device. The monitoring ends of the temperature monitoring device and the pressure monitoring device are located inside the energy storage cavity (01).