A combined defrosting heating device for refrigerator evaporators

Abstract

This utility model provides a combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator. The device includes an evaporator body and a defrosting heater. The defrosting heater includes an aluminum tube heater and a steel tube heater. The aluminum tube heater is positioned at a first location on the evaporator body, and the steel tube heater is positioned at a second location on the evaporator body. The evaporator body includes an evaporator coil, fins, and an end plate. The steel tube heater is fixed by positioning holes on the end plate, and the aluminum tube heater is fixed to the evaporator coil by fixing structural components and screw and bolt assemblies. By arranging the aluminum tube heater at a higher position on the evaporator body and the steel tube heater at a lower position, the device specifically matches the frost characteristics and defrosting needs of different areas of the evaporator. This overcomes the shortcomings of a single steel tube heater (low upper temperature, slow defrosting) or a single aluminum tube heater (insufficient lower temperature), resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution in the upper and lower areas of the evaporator during the defrosting process, ensuring that the frost layer in each area melts effectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and more particularly to a combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator. Background Technology

[0002] Frost-free refrigerators use a fan to force-circulate cold air, achieving a uniform temperature distribution inside the refrigerator and offering a significant advantage over direct-cooling refrigerators in terms of frost-free refrigeration. The evaporator, as the core heat exchange component, condenses moisture from the air on its low-temperature surface during the cooling process to reduce humidity inside the refrigerator. However, even under normal operating conditions, a frost layer will gradually form on the surface of the evaporator fins due to continuous heat exchange. When the frost layer thickness exceeds 10 mm, the evaporator's heat transfer efficiency can decrease by more than 30%, leading to longer compressor operating time and a significant increase in energy consumption. Therefore, frost-free refrigerators rely on periodic defrosting operations to maintain cooling performance, a process typically achieved through electric heating wires or hot gas bypass.

[0003] However, existing defrosting control strategies for air-cooled refrigerators have significant limitations. Traditional timed defrosting or control methods based on evaporator temperature thresholds struggle to dynamically match the frosting rate under different usage scenarios. For example, in high-temperature and high-humidity environments or under conditions of frequent door opening, the frost layer thickness on the evaporator surface may exceed the processing capacity of a traditional defrosting cycle within a short period, leading to continuous frost accumulation that cannot be melted in time. Experimental data shows that when the frost thickness on the evaporator reaches 2 mm, its airflow resistance increases by approximately 50%, and its cooling efficiency decreases by 15%-20%. Traditional defrosting systems often wait until the frost thickness exceeds 5 mm before initiating the defrosting process, during which time the cooling performance has already been substantially damaged. Furthermore, the mixed flow of refrigeration and freezing return air in a single-cycle refrigeration system further exacerbates the tendency for frost to form on the evaporator surface.

[0004] Traditional defrosting processes have several drawbacks. First, electric defrosting relies on heat radiation to melt the frost layer from the outside in. During this process, the temperature gradient between the top and bottom of the evaporator can reach over 22°C, resulting in uneven defrosting. For example, the frost layer near the heating wire at the bottom of the freezer evaporator melts quickly, while the top fins, due to delayed heat transfer, still retain ice, requiring extended defrosting time for complete removal. Second, the temperature fluctuations inside the refrigerator during defrosting are drastic, with the freezer compartment's airflow temperature rising by up to 34.7°C and the refrigerator compartment by 12.5°C. This temperature shock can cause food cells to rupture and juices to be lost, significantly affecting the freshness of the food. Furthermore, the liquid water produced during defrosting needs to be drained through the drain hole, but existing drainage channel designs generally suffer from excessively long paths and narrow diameters. Melted water is prone to refreezing in low-temperature environments, forming ice blockages, causing water accumulation in the drip tray or even overflowing. Studies have shown that in traditional electric defrosting processes, only 15%-20% of the heat is used for effective defrosting, while the remaining energy is lost in the form of thermal radiation, resulting in defrosting energy consumption accounting for 15%-20% of the total energy consumption of the refrigerator. These shortcomings collectively restrict further improvements in the preservation effect, operational reliability, and energy efficiency of frost-free refrigerators. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a combined defrosting heating device for refrigerator evaporators to solve the problem in the prior art that the defrosting decision of refrigerators is prone to delay, and even leads to unstable defrosting effect, affecting the energy efficiency and heat preservation performance of refrigerators.

[0006] This application provides a combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator, the device comprising:

[0007] Evaporator body and defrosting heater;

[0008] The defrosting heater includes an aluminum tube heater and a steel tube heater; the aluminum tube heater is arranged at a first position on the evaporator body; the steel tube heater is arranged at a second position on the evaporator body; wherein the first position is higher than the second position;

[0009] The evaporator body includes an evaporator coil, fins, and an end plate. The steel tube heater is fixed by a positioning hole on the end plate, and the aluminum tube heater is fixed to the evaporator coil by a fixing structure and screw bolt assembly.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the first position is the upper 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 region of the evaporator body in the vertical direction; the second position refers to the lower 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 region of the evaporator body in the vertical direction.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the second position includes the area above and within the evaporator water collection tank.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the aluminum tube heater and the steel tube heater are connected in parallel to the same defrosting control circuit.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the steel pipe heater is arranged close to the lower coil or water collection tank of the evaporator body.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the aluminum tube heater is arranged in a corrugated structure with a peak spacing of 15-25 mm.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the steel pipe heater is arranged in a U-shape with its open end facing the evaporator water collection tank.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the end plate has an elastic snap-fit ​​structure inside the positioning hole, and the steel pipe heater can be quickly assembled and disassembled through the elastic snap-fit ​​structure.

[0017] In some possible implementations, a thermally conductive silicone gasket with a thickness of 0.5-1mm is provided between the fixing structure and the evaporator coil.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the surface of the aluminum tube heater is provided with a temperature sensor, and the sensor signal line is connected to the defrosting control circuit.

[0019] As described above, this application provides a combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator. The device includes an evaporator body and a defrosting heater. The defrosting heater includes an aluminum tube heater and a steel tube heater. The aluminum tube heater is positioned at a first location on the evaporator body, and the steel tube heater is positioned at a second location on the evaporator body. The first location is higher than the second location. The evaporator body includes an evaporator coil, fins, and an end plate. The steel tube heater is fixed by positioning holes on the end plate, and the aluminum tube heater is fixed to the evaporator coil by fixing structural components and screw / bolt assemblies. By arranging the aluminum tube heater at a higher location on the evaporator body and the steel tube heater at a lower location, the device specifically matches the frost characteristics and defrosting needs of different areas of the evaporator. This overcomes the shortcomings of a single steel tube heater (low upper temperature, slow defrosting) or a single aluminum tube heater (insufficient lower temperature), resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution in the upper and lower areas of the evaporator during defrosting, ensuring that the frost layer in each area melts effectively.

[0020] The steel tube heater is positioned in the second position, which can focus on heating the lower part of the evaporator and the water collection tank area that may be included, solving the problem of incomplete defrosting in this area by traditional aluminum tube heaters. At the same time, the aluminum tube heater in the first position can effectively cover the upper part of the evaporator, avoiding the risk of slow or incomplete defrosting in the upper part by traditional steel tube heaters, and ensuring that there is no defrosting residue on the evaporator as a whole.

[0021] By combining aluminum and steel tube heaters, there's no need to increase heater power or extend defrost time to meet the defrosting needs of a single area. Each type of heater leverages its respective heating advantage in different areas, working synergistically to shorten overall defrost time or reduce the required heating power for the same defrosting effect, thereby reducing energy consumption during defrosting and improving the refrigerator's operational economy. The device secures the steel tube heater via end plate positioning holes and the aluminum tube heater via fixing components and screw bolt assemblies, ensuring stable installation and preventing heating failure due to loosening during defrosting. Furthermore, by utilizing the material properties of both aluminum and steel tubes, the advantages of each material are fully leveraged, extending the overall lifespan of the heating device and improving operational reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator provided in this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the aluminum tube heater and the steel tube heater provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0025] Illustration:

[0026] 1-Evaporator coil; 2-Aluminum tube heater; 3-Fins; 4-End plate; 5-Steel tube heater; 6-Fixing structural component; 7-Screw and bolt assembly; 8-Evaporator body. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described below do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. They are merely examples of systems and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the claims.

[0028] Frost-free refrigerators use a fan to force-circulate cold air, achieving a uniform temperature distribution inside the refrigerator and offering a significant advantage over direct-cooling refrigerators in terms of frost-free refrigeration. The evaporator, as the core heat exchange component, condenses moisture from the air on its low-temperature surface during the cooling process to reduce humidity inside the refrigerator. However, even under normal operating conditions, a frost layer will gradually form on the surface of the evaporator fins due to continuous heat exchange. When the frost layer thickness exceeds 10 mm, the evaporator's heat transfer efficiency can decrease by more than 30%, leading to longer compressor operating time and a significant increase in energy consumption. Therefore, frost-free refrigerators rely on periodic defrosting operations to maintain cooling performance, a process typically achieved through electric heating wires or hot gas bypass.

[0029] However, existing defrosting control strategies for air-cooled refrigerators have significant limitations. Traditional timed defrosting or control methods based on evaporator temperature thresholds struggle to dynamically match the frosting rate under different usage scenarios. For example, in high-temperature and high-humidity environments or under conditions of frequent door opening, the frost layer thickness on the evaporator surface may exceed the processing capacity of a traditional defrosting cycle within a short period, leading to continuous frost accumulation that cannot be melted in time. Experimental data shows that when the frost thickness on the evaporator reaches 2 mm, its airflow resistance increases by approximately 50%, and its cooling efficiency decreases by 15%-20%. Traditional defrosting systems often wait until the frost thickness exceeds 5 mm before initiating the defrosting process, during which time the cooling performance has already been substantially damaged. Furthermore, the mixed flow of refrigeration and freezing return air in a single-cycle refrigeration system further exacerbates the tendency for frost to form on the evaporator surface.

[0030] Traditional defrosting processes have several drawbacks. First, electric defrosting relies on heat radiation to melt the frost layer from the outside in. During this process, the temperature gradient between the top and bottom of the evaporator can reach over 22°C, resulting in uneven defrosting. For example, the frost layer near the heating wire at the bottom of the freezer evaporator melts quickly, while the top fins, due to delayed heat transfer, still retain ice, requiring extended defrosting time for complete removal. Second, the temperature fluctuations inside the refrigerator during defrosting are drastic, with the freezer compartment's airflow temperature rising by up to 34.7°C and the refrigerator compartment by 12.5°C. This temperature shock can cause food cells to rupture and juices to be lost, significantly affecting the freshness of the food. Furthermore, the liquid water produced during defrosting needs to be drained through the drain hole, but existing drainage channel designs generally suffer from excessively long paths and narrow diameters. Melted water is prone to refreezing in low-temperature environments, forming ice blockages, causing water accumulation in the drip tray or even overflowing. Studies have shown that in traditional electric defrosting processes, only 15%-20% of the heat is used for effective defrosting, while the remaining energy is lost in the form of thermal radiation, resulting in defrosting energy consumption accounting for 15%-20% of the total energy consumption of the refrigerator. These shortcomings collectively restrict further improvements in the preservation effect, operational reliability, and energy efficiency of frost-free refrigerators.

[0031] Based on this, such as Figure 1As shown, this application provides a combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator, the device comprising:

[0032] Evaporator body 8 and defrost heater;

[0033] The defrosting heater includes an aluminum tube heater 2 and a steel tube heater 5; the aluminum tube heater 2 is arranged at a first position of the evaporator body 8; the steel tube heater 5 is arranged at a second position of the evaporator body 8; wherein, the first position is higher than the second position;

[0034] The evaporator body 8 includes an evaporator coil 1, fins 3, and an end plate 4. The steel tube heater 5 is fixed by a positioning hole on the end plate 4. The aluminum tube heater 2 is fixed to the evaporator coil 1 by a fixing structure 6 and a screw and bolt assembly 7.

[0035] By placing the aluminum tube heater 2 at a higher position on the evaporator body 8 and the steel tube heater 5 at a lower position, the defrosting characteristics and defrosting requirements of different areas of the evaporator are specifically matched. This overcomes the shortcomings of low temperature and slow defrosting at the upper part of a single steel tube heater 5 or insufficient temperature at the lower part of a single aluminum tube heater 2. This makes the temperature distribution in the upper and lower parts of the evaporator more uniform during the defrosting process, ensuring that the frost layer in each area can be effectively melted.

[0036] The steel tube heater 5 is positioned in the second position, which can focus on heating the lower part of the evaporator and the water collection tank area that may be included, thus solving the problem of incomplete defrosting in this area by traditional aluminum tube heaters. At the same time, the aluminum tube heater 2 in the first position can effectively cover the upper part of the evaporator, avoiding the risk of slow or incomplete defrosting in the upper part by traditional steel tube heaters, and ensuring that there is no defrosting residue on the evaporator.

[0037] By combining aluminum tube heater 2 and steel tube heater 5, there is no need to increase heater power or extend defrosting time to meet the defrosting needs of a single area. The two heaters each leverage their respective heating advantages in different areas, working synergistically to shorten the overall defrosting time or reduce the required heating power while maintaining the same defrosting effect, thereby reducing energy consumption during the defrosting process and improving the refrigerator's operational economy. The device secures the steel tube heater 5 through the positioning holes on the end plate 4 and the aluminum tube heater 2 through the fixing structure 6 and screw and bolt assembly 7, ensuring stable installation of both heaters and preventing heating failure due to loosening during defrosting. Simultaneously, by combining the material properties of aluminum and steel tubes, the advantages of different materials are fully utilized, extending the overall service life of the heating device and improving operational reliability.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first position is the upper 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 region of the evaporator body 8 in the vertical direction; the second position refers to the lower 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 region of the evaporator body 8 in the vertical direction.

[0039] The upper third to half of the evaporator is an area that traditional single steel tube heaters cannot effectively cover, while aluminum tube heater 2 is placed here to specifically supplement heat; the lower third to half of the evaporator is an area where traditional single aluminum tube heaters are prone to incomplete defrosting (especially the water collection tank and surrounding area), and steel tube heater 5 is placed here to enhance heating. This precise division based on area proportions ensures that the core frosting areas in both the upper and lower parts of the evaporator receive appropriate heating intensity, significantly improving the uniformity of temperature distribution during the defrosting process and avoiding the problem of "slow defrosting in the upper part and incomplete defrosting in the lower part".

[0040] The aluminum tube heater 2 in the upper 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 area can fully cover the key area of ​​the evaporator that is prone to frost accumulation, solving the problem of incomplete defrosting in the upper part caused by the position limitation of traditional steel tube heaters; the steel tube heater 5 in the lower 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 area can focus on the lower part of the evaporator and the water collection tank area, avoiding the frost residue caused by insufficient heat from a single aluminum tube heater in this area, and ensuring that the entire core frosting area of ​​the evaporator can be completely defrosted.

[0041] By dividing the space into the above locations, the aluminum tube heater 2 and the steel tube heater 5 do not need to increase their power or extend their working time to cover non-core areas. Instead, they each focus on the 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 area that needs the most heating. Through their synergistic effect, they can meet the defrosting requirements while shortening the overall defrosting time or reducing the total power consumption, thereby improving defrosting efficiency and reducing unnecessary energy waste.

[0042] In some embodiments, the second location includes the area above the evaporator water collection tank and the water collection tank area.

[0043] The water collection tank and the area above it are critical for the collection and drainage of melted water after the evaporator defrosts. If the frost layer in this area is not completely melted, residual ice can easily form, causing blockage of the drainage channel. A steel pipe heater is specifically positioned here, ensuring complete melting of the frost layer through centralized heating. This solves the problem of incomplete defrosting in this area caused by traditional aluminum pipe heaters, guaranteeing smooth drainage of the melted water.

[0044] During defrosting, if the temperature in the water collection tank area is insufficient, the melted water may refreeze before draining, causing ice blockage at the drain outlet. The heating effect of the steel pipe heater in this area can maintain the temperature of the water collection tank and its surroundings, preventing the melted water from freezing again, ensuring a stable and reliable drainage process after defrosting, and reducing the risk of refrigerator malfunctions due to ice blockage. Due to air convection and residual melted water, frost often forms more densely and is more difficult to remove in the lower part of the evaporator and the water collection tank area. Placing the steel pipe heater in a secondary position encompassing this area can fully utilize its heating advantage in the lower region, specifically addressing the problem of stubborn frost formation in this area, and improving the uniformity and thoroughness of defrosting the entire evaporator.

[0045] In some embodiments, the aluminum tube heater 2 and the steel tube heater 5 are connected in parallel to the same defrosting control circuit.

[0046] Parallel connection allows both heaters to operate simultaneously within the same defrost cycle. Aluminum tube heater 2 efficiently heats the upper part of the evaporator, while steel tube heater 5 focuses on enhancing heating of the lower part and the water collection tank area. Their synergistic effect quickly balances the temperature between the upper and lower parts of the evaporator, avoiding defrosting delays caused by the need for separate heating steps from a single heater or uneven power distribution, significantly shortening the overall defrost time. Sharing a common defrost control circuit eliminates the need for separate control modules for the two heaters, reducing the number of circuit components and wiring complexity, lowering manufacturing costs and the risk of failure, thus meeting economic design requirements.

[0047] In some embodiments, the steel pipe heater 5 is arranged close to the lower coil of the evaporator or near the water collection tank.

[0048] The close-fitting arrangement minimizes the thermal resistance between the steel pipe heater 5 and the lower coil and water collection tank of the evaporator, allowing heat to be transferred directly and efficiently to the frosting area. This avoids heat loss during the transfer process and ensures that the area can quickly reach the temperature required for defrosting. It solves the problems of low thermal efficiency and slow local defrosting caused by excessive spacing of traditional heaters.

[0049] The lower coil and water collection tank area of ​​the evaporator are areas where frost tends to accumulate densely and easily (such as frost between coils and ice shards at the edges of the water collection tank). With the steel pipe heater 5 tightly fitted, it can target these areas with heat, ensuring complete melting of the frost and preventing defrosting residue due to insufficient heating. In particular, it prevents drainage blockage caused by residual ice in the water collection tank area. The water collection tank is the core area for the collection and drainage of melted water after defrosting. The tightly fitted steel pipe heater continuously provides sufficient heat to this area, maintaining the temperature of the water collection tank and its surroundings above freezing. This prevents the melted water from refreezing and forming ice blockages before drainage, ensuring stable and reliable drainage after defrosting and improving the overall safety and reliability of the defrosting process.

[0050] In some embodiments, the aluminum tube heater 2 is arranged in a wave-shaped structure with a peak spacing of 15-25mm.

[0051] The wavy structure can better fit the distribution pattern of the upper coil and fins 3 of the evaporator, especially the gap between the fins, which increases the contact area or heat radiation coverage area between the aluminum tube heater 2 and the evaporator fins and coils, reduces heat loss during the heat transfer process, and makes the heat transfer to the frosting area of ​​the upper part of the evaporator more efficient, thus enhancing the defrosting speed of the upper area.

[0052] The 15-25mm peak spacing can be specifically adapted to the conventional spacing of the evaporator fins 3, so that each peak can cover the space between adjacent fins 3, ensuring that heat is evenly distributed to each fin and coil surface in the upper part of the evaporator, avoiding local defrosting incompleteness or overheating caused by uneven distribution of heating points, and further improving the temperature uniformity of defrosting in the upper area of ​​the evaporator.

[0053] Within the limited space above the evaporator, the wave-shaped structure, through the alternating design of crests and troughs, ensures sufficient heating length to provide ample heat without obstructing normal heat exchange or airflow circulation due to an overly compact structure. The 15-25mm spacing balances the heating coverage area with space occupation, avoiding structural bulkiness caused by too small a spacing or heating blind spots caused by too large a spacing, and adapting to the installation space requirements of the upper 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 area of ​​the evaporator.

[0054] In some embodiments, the steel pipe heater 5 is arranged in a U-shape, with its open end facing the evaporator water collection tank.

[0055] The two sides of the U-shaped structure can cover the two sides of the lower coil of the evaporator, while the bottom connecting section can cover the middle area above the water collection tank, forming a surrounding heating coverage of the water collection tank and the lower coil around it. This avoids local heating blind spots caused by a single straight structure, ensuring that details prone to frost accumulation, such as the gap between the lower coil of the evaporator and the edge of the water collection tank, can be effectively heated, thus ensuring thorough defrosting.

[0056] The design, with the open end facing the water collection tank, allows the heat radiation and conduction of the U-shaped structure to be more concentrated in the water collection tank area. As the core component for collecting defrost meltwater, this design specifically enhances the surrounding temperature of the water collection tank, ensuring that the meltwater remains liquid throughout the collection and discharge process. This prevents secondary freezing of the meltwater due to insufficient local temperature, structurally ensuring smooth drainage and reducing the risk of ice blockage. The U-shaped structure better conforms to the curvature of the lower coil of the evaporator and the perimeter of the water collection tank, reducing the spatial gap between them and the lower structure of the evaporator. This increases the heat radiation contact area between the steel pipe heater 5 and the lower coil and water collection tank, reducing heat loss during transfer and allowing heat to act more efficiently on the frosted area, shortening the defrosting time in the lower area and improving overall defrosting efficiency.

[0057] In some embodiments, the end plate 4 has an elastic buckle structure inside the positioning hole, and the steel pipe heater 5 can be quickly assembled and disassembled through the elastic buckle structure.

[0058] The flexible snap-fit ​​structure eliminates the need for additional fasteners such as screws and bolts. The steel pipe heater can be quickly attached or detached through the elastic deformation of the snap-fit, simplifying the installation process. During the production assembly stage, it shortens the assembly time between the evaporator and the heater, improving production line efficiency. In later maintenance, the steel pipe heater can be quickly removed for inspection or replacement, reducing maintenance costs and operational difficulty. When locked, the flexible snap-fit ​​provides continuous elastic force to tightly clamp the steel pipe heater, ensuring it does not loosen or shift during refrigerator operation and defrosting. This maintains the precise positioning of the steel pipe heater in the critical area below the evaporator, ensuring stable heating and preventing incomplete defrosting due to positional misalignment.

[0059] In some embodiments, a thermally conductive silicone pad with a thickness of 0.5-1mm is provided between the fixing structure 6 and the evaporator coil 1.

[0060] Thermally conductive silicone gaskets possess excellent thermal conductivity, effectively filling the minute gaps between the fixed structural components and the evaporator coils. This reduces thermal resistance from the air layer, allowing heat generated by the aluminum tube heater to be transferred more efficiently to the evaporator coils through the fixed structural components. This enhances heat conduction in the upper area of ​​the evaporator, accelerating defrosting of the upper coils and surrounding fins. A thickness of 0.5-1mm ensures the gasket fully fills the gaps, achieving a tight fit between the fixed structural components and the coils through its own elasticity, without increasing thermal resistance due to excessive thickness. Simultaneously, the elasticity of the silicone material cushions vibrations during refrigerator operation, preventing hard contact wear between the fixed structural components and the coils, protecting the evaporator coils from mechanical damage, and extending the unit's lifespan.

[0061] In some embodiments, the surface of the aluminum tube heater 2 is provided with a temperature sensor, and the sensor signal line is connected to the defrosting control circuit.

[0062] Temperature sensors monitor the surface temperature of the aluminum tube heaters in real time, reflecting the defrosting temperature status of the upper region of the evaporator. The defrosting control circuit, by receiving temperature signals from the sensors, can accurately determine whether the frost layer in the upper region has completely melted, avoiding overheating or underheating problems caused by traditional timed defrosting or single threshold control, thus improving the intelligence and accuracy of the defrosting process. Combined with the parallel control of the aluminum tube heaters and steel tube heaters, the feedback from the upper temperature sensor can assist the control circuit in dynamically adjusting the operating status of both. For example, when the sensor detects that the upper temperature has reached the target, it can adjust the overall heating power or duration in a timely manner, while ensuring that the lower steel tube heater has completed defrosting of its corresponding area, avoiding ineffective energy consumption, making the upper and lower defrosting processes more coordinated, and further improving overall defrosting efficiency.

[0063] By placing the aluminum tube heater at a higher position on the main body of the evaporator and the steel tube heater at a lower position, the frost characteristics and defrosting requirements of different areas of the evaporator are specifically matched. This overcomes the shortcomings of low temperature and slow defrosting in the upper part of a single steel tube heater or insufficient temperature in the lower part of a single aluminum tube heater. It makes the temperature distribution in the upper and lower parts of the evaporator more uniform during the defrosting process, ensuring that the frost layer in each area can be effectively melted.

[0064] The steel tube heater is positioned in the second position, which can focus on heating the lower part of the evaporator and the water collection tank area that may be included, solving the problem of incomplete defrosting in this area by traditional aluminum tube heaters. At the same time, the aluminum tube heater in the first position can effectively cover the upper part of the evaporator, avoiding the risk of slow or incomplete defrosting in the upper part by traditional steel tube heaters, and ensuring that there is no defrosting residue on the evaporator as a whole.

[0065] By combining aluminum and steel tube heaters, there's no need to increase heater power or extend defrost time to meet the defrosting needs of a single area. Each type of heater leverages its respective heating advantage in different areas, working synergistically to shorten overall defrost time or reduce the required heating power for the same defrosting effect, thereby reducing energy consumption during defrosting and improving the refrigerator's operational economy. The device secures the steel tube heater via end plate positioning holes and the aluminum tube heater via fixing components and screw bolt assemblies, ensuring stable installation and preventing heating failure due to loosening during defrosting. Furthermore, by utilizing the material properties of both aluminum and steel tubes, the advantages of each material are fully leveraged, extending the overall lifespan of the heating device and improving operational reliability.

[0066] Example

[0067] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment provides a combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator, including an evaporator body 8 and a defrosting heater. The defrosting heater includes an aluminum tube heater 2 and a steel tube heater 5. The evaporator body 8 includes an evaporator coil 1, fins 3, and an end plate 4. The steel tube heater 5 is fixed by positioning holes on the end plate 4, and the aluminum tube heater 2 is fixed to the evaporator coil 1 by fixing structural components 6 and screw and bolt assemblies 7. The aluminum tube heater 2 is arranged in the upper part of the evaporator body 8; the steel tube heater 5 is arranged in the lower part of the evaporator body 8. The upper position is defined as the area from the upper 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the total vertical height of the evaporator, and the lower position is defined as the area from the lower 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the total vertical height of the evaporator. The upper part refers to the upper 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the vertical area of ​​the evaporator body 8; the lower part refers to the lower 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the vertical area of ​​the evaporator body 8; the lower part includes at least the area above the evaporator water collection tank and the water collection tank area; the aluminum tube heater and the steel tube heater are connected in parallel to the same defrosting control circuit;

[0068] The power of the aluminum tube heater and the steel tube heater is set according to a certain ratio. In this embodiment, the aluminum tube heater has a power of 70W and the steel tube heater has a power of 110W. Under the same defrosting conditions, at an ambient temperature of 16℃, the defrosting time is 97 minutes compared to that of a conventional steel tube heater. After using the composite heater, the defrosting time is shortened to 55 minutes, and the defrosting efficiency is significantly improved. The steel tube heater is closely attached to the lower coil of the evaporator or near the water collection tank.

[0069] As can be seen from the above embodiments, this application provides a combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator. The device includes an evaporator body and a defrosting heater. The defrosting heater includes an aluminum tube heater and a steel tube heater. The aluminum tube heater is arranged at a first position on the evaporator body; the steel tube heater is arranged at a second position on the evaporator body; wherein the first position is higher than the second position. The evaporator body includes an evaporator coil, fins, and an end plate. The steel tube heater is fixed by positioning holes on the end plate, and the aluminum tube heater is fixed to the evaporator coil by fixing structural components and screw / bolt assemblies. By arranging the aluminum tube heater at a higher position on the evaporator body and the steel tube heater at a lower position, the device specifically matches the frost characteristics and defrosting needs of different areas of the evaporator, overcoming the defects of low upper temperature and slow defrosting with a single steel tube heater, or insufficient lower temperature with a single aluminum tube heater. This results in a more uniform temperature distribution in the upper and lower areas of the evaporator during the defrosting process, ensuring that the frost layer in each area can be effectively melted.

[0070] Similar parts between the embodiments provided in this application can be referred to mutually. The specific implementation methods provided above are only a few examples under the overall concept of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For those skilled in the art, any other implementation methods extended from the solution of this application without creative effort shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A combined defrosting and heating device for a refrigerator evaporator, characterized in that, The device includes: Evaporator body (8) and defrost heater; The defrosting heater includes an aluminum tube heater (2) and a steel tube heater (5); the aluminum tube heater (2) is arranged at a first position on the evaporator body (8); the steel tube heater (5) is arranged at a second position on the evaporator body (8); wherein the first position is higher than the second position; The evaporator body (8) includes an evaporator coil (1), fins (3), and end plate (4). The steel tube heater (5) is fixed by a positioning hole on the end plate (4). The aluminum tube heater (2) is fixed on the evaporator coil (1) by a fixing structure (6) and a screw and bolt assembly (7).

2. A combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first position is the upper 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 region of the evaporator body (8) in the vertical direction; the second position refers to the lower 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 region of the evaporator body (8) in the vertical direction.

3. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second location includes the area above the evaporator water collection tank and the water collection tank area.

4. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The aluminum tube heater (2) and the steel tube heater (5) are connected in parallel to the same defrosting control circuit.

5. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The steel pipe heater (5) is closely fitted and arranged near the lower coil or water collection tank of the evaporator body (8).

6. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The aluminum tube heater (2) is arranged in a wave-shaped structure with a peak spacing of 15-25mm.

7. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The steel pipe heater (5) is arranged in a U-shape, with its open end facing the evaporator water collection tank.

8. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end plate (4) is provided with an elastic buckle structure inside the positioning hole, and the steel pipe heater (5) can be quickly disassembled and assembled through the elastic buckle structure.

9. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, A thermally conductive silicone pad with a thickness of 0.5-1mm is provided between the fixed structural component (6) and the evaporator coil (1).

10. The combined defrosting heating device for a refrigerator evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aluminum tube heater (2) is equipped with a temperature sensor on its surface, and the sensor signal line is connected to the defrosting control circuit.

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