Bottom-Mounted Cooling Module Layout for Defrost Water Evaporation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold appliance manufacturing faces challenges such as high transportation costs due to bulky products, limited flexibility in producing modular systems with complex components like condensation prevention devices, and inefficiencies in air circulation and defrosting systems, particularly when the evaporator is positioned below the compressor.
Innovation Solution
A modular cold appliance design with a cooling module positioned at the bottom, featuring a condenser tube integrated into the bottom plate for efficient defrost water evaporation, a drain water tray for effective heat utilization, and a compact evaporator placement to minimize thermal impact, along with a pre-defrost device to reduce frost formation and improved air duct design for controlled defrosting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the evaporator is positioned below the compressor to make the cooling module compact, then the cooling module size is reduced, but defrost water drainage becomes difficult due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on gravity for defrost water drainage by positioning the evaporator above the compressor, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the evaporator below the compressor and using active pumping mechanisms to move defrost water upward through the drainage system to the evaporation chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pump as an intermediary device between the evaporator and the drainage system to actively transport defrost water against gravity, enabling the evaporator to be positioned below the compressor while maintaining effective defrost water drainage
2Loss of energy
If the condenser tube is integrated with the bottom plate for heat utilization, then energy efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser tube is merged with the bottom plate structure, integrating the heat exchange function directly into the structural component. This allows the bottom plate to serve dual purposes: structural support and heat transfer to evaporate defrost water, thereby improving energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom plate is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a structural element and as a heat transfer surface for the condenser tube, enabling it to contribute to defrost water evaporation while maintaining its primary structural role
3Loss of energy
If modular design is implemented to reduce transportation costs, then transportation efficiency improves, but assembly complexity of complex components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold appliance is divided into modular components including the cooling module, cabinet, and door that can be manufactured separately and transported efficiently. The cooling module contains all necessary cooling devices and can be assembled with the cabinet at the destination, reducing transportation costs while maintaining functional integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling module is pre-assembled with all cooling devices including the evaporator, condenser, and expansion device before transportation. This preliminary assembly simplifies the final installation process and ensures proper configuration while reducing the complexity of on-site assembly
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 reduces transportation costs, enhances flexibility in production, improves air circulation efficiency, and effectively addresses defrosting challenges by utilizing the condenser tube's heat for defrost water evaporation and minimizing frost formation, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective modular cold appliance system.
Implementation Method 1
The condenser comprises a condenser tube, which is arranged in windings on, or is integrated with, a bottom plate of the cooling module
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the condenser tube's heat for defrost water evaporation
Implementation Method 3
The cooling module comprises an air outlet for supplying cool air from the cold section to the cold compartment and an air inlet receiving air from the cold compartment to the cold section
Implementation Method 4
the cooled air is circulated within the cabinet in order to cool the food. The air is cooled by having it pass through or around the evaporator, depending on its construction, by means of a fan
Data Source
AI summary
A cold appliance comprising a cooling module (102) and a cabinet (101) comprising a cold compartment (104). The cooling module comprises an air outlet (43) delivering cooled air to the cold compartment and an air inlet (44) receiving air from the cold compartment. The cooling module is arranged at the bottom of the cold appliance, and comprises a cold section (34), and a warm section (35), which is separated from the cold section by an insulating wall (105). An evaporator (33) is arranged in the cold section, and a compressor (36) and a condenser (32) is arranged in the warm section. The condenser comprises a condenser tube (32), which is arranged in windings on or integrated in a bottom plate (31) of the cooling module.