Auxiliary Refrigerator Cooling With Flexible PCM Evaporator Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with auxiliary cooling devices face inefficiencies in heat exchange due to the uneven surface of the evaporator, leading to reduced contact area with phase change materials (PCMs), which prolongs the time required for thermal energy storage and cooling during power failures.
Innovation Solution
The PCM enclosure is molded or formed to match the shape of the evaporator, increasing the contact area and using flexible materials to conform to the evaporator's surface, enhancing thermal transfer efficiency and preventing damage during normal use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a rigid enclosure is used for the phase change material, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the contact area with the evaporator is reduced due to the uneven evaporator surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible enclosure made of materials such as vinyl or plastic that can conform to the uneven surface of the evaporator. This flexible shell allows the phase change material to maintain maximum contact area with the evaporator while remaining easy to manufacture and install, directly resolving the contradiction between contact area and ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If the phase change material is placed directly on the evaporator, then heat exchange efficiency is maximized, but the PCM is damaged during normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible enclosure acts as a protective barrier that allows thermal energy transfer while protecting the phase change material from mechanical damage during normal refrigerator use. The material can be easily molded to match the evaporator shape, ensuring efficient heat exchange without direct contact between the PCM and evaporator surfaces.
3Area of stationary object
If the enclosure is molded to match the evaporator shape, then contact area is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible enclosure that can be easily molded to match the evaporator shape, increasing contact area while maintaining simplicity in the overall device structure. The flexibility of the material allows it to conform to complex evaporator geometries without requiring complex assembly procedures or multiple components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the time needed for the PCM to store cold air and maintain refrigeration compartment temperatures, preventing food spoilage during power outages and improving the durability of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material to provide auxiliary cooling for the storage compartment when the evaporator is not operational
Implementation Method 2
the enclosure is formed of a flexible material and shaped to corresponding to a shape of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having an auxiliary cooling device is disclosed. The refrigerator may include a cabinet that includes a storage compartment to preserve food and a pipe for refrigerant arranged in the storage compartment to cool the storage compartment. a phase change material may provide auxiliary cooling for the storage compartment when the pipe is not operational. An enclosure for the phase change material may be provided around the pipe. The pipe may have a serpentine shape and the enclosure may be formed of a flexible material and shaped to corresponding to a shape of the pipe.