Bent Refrigerator Condenser Layout for Machine Room Heat Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The heat exchange efficiency of refrigerators' condensers is compromised due to limited space and increased air pressure and resistance, leading to reduced performance and potential damage from defrosted water.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with a condenser that extends and bends along the edge of the machine room, featuring multiple heat exchange portions and a parallel flow configuration, along with a supporting member to prevent contact with defrosted water, enhances heat exchange efficiency and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the condenser is installed in a machine room separated from the storage room, then the refrigerator structure is organized and components are protected, but heat exchange efficiency deteriorates due to air pressure drop and air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is transformed from a conventional horizontal or vertical configuration to a bent shape that extends along the edge area of the machine room, utilizing three-dimensional space more effectively. This dimensional change allows the condenser to follow the air flow path from the rear surface inlet through the side to the front surface outlet, maximizing heat exchange efficiency while maintaining component protection within the sealed machine room.
2Volume of moving object
If the condenser is made compact to fit limited machine room space, then space utilization improves, but heat exchange efficiency decreases due to reduced contact area with air
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is designed with a bent configuration that curves along the edge area of the machine room, following the contours of the available space. This curved design maximizes the surface area contact with circulating air within the constrained volume, achieving both compact space utilization and enhanced heat exchange efficiency by increasing the effective heat transfer surface area.
3Productivity
If the condenser fins are extended to maximize heat exchange area, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the fins become vulnerable to damage from defrosted water contact
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the defrosted water and the condenser fins. This support member receives and directs defrosted water away from the condenser, preventing direct contact that would cause damage to the extended fins. This allows the fins to be optimized for maximum heat exchange area without compromising their durability.
4Productivity
If the condenser is positioned to maximize air flow contact, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the condenser becomes exposed to defrosted water that flows down the machine room
Solution Approach 1:
The machine room space is segmented into distinct functional zones: an upper area where the condenser is positioned for optimal heat exchange with circulating air, and a lower drainage path for defrosted water. This spatial segmentation allows the condenser to operate in the upper zone maximizing air contact efficiency, while defrosted water is channeled through a separate lower drainage path, preventing harmful contact between water and the condenser.
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 design improves heat exchange efficiency by increasing the contact area with air and preventing damage from defrosted water, while efficiently utilizing the machine room space.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
The condenser dissipates heat outward while condensing the vapor phase refrigerant compressed to the high temperature and high pressure into the liquid phase
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator for generating cool air by evaporating the liquid phase refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator (1). The refrigerator (1) includes a body (10) including a storage room (20) therein, a machine room (40) formed in the body (10) and separated from the storage room (20), and a cool air generating unit (50) including a compressor (51) and a condenser (60) arranged inside the machine room (40) and providing cool air to the storage room (20). Here, the condenser (60) includes a first condensing portion (60a, 160a) which faces a rear surface of the machine room (40) and a second condensing portion (60b,160b) which is bent from the first condensing portion (60a,160a) and faces a first side of the machine room (40).