Refrigeration device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dual refrigerating apparatuses, discrepancies in compressor specifications can lead to mismatched timing and biased changes in evaporation and condensation temperatures, prolonging the time to achieve a constant temperature in the storage and inside the storage.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerating apparatus with separate refrigerant circuits and sensors to detect cascade condenser and storage temperatures, allowing for variable control of compressor operations to maintain optimal temperature settings, ensuring faster and more precise temperature control within the storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If control is made based on a single sensor detecting storage temperature, then the control system is simple, but the timing and rate of temperature change in the cascade condenser and evaporator may not match, prolonging the time to reach constant temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidtime to reach constant temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dual feedback loops: one sensor monitors cascade condenser temperature and feeds back to control the high-temperature compressor, while another sensor monitors storage temperature and feeds back to control the low-temperature compressor. This dual feedback mechanism enables independent optimization of each compressor's operation, ensuring synchronized temperature changes and reducing the time to reach constant temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is segmented into two independent control loops, each managing one compressor based on its own temperature sensor. This segmentation allows each compressor to be controlled independently according to its specific performance characteristics, resolving the timing mismatch problem that occurs with unified control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If compressor specifications are made uniform, then manufacturing and operation are simplified, but performance variations still cause mismatched temperature change timing and rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor performance consistencyVSAvoidtemperature control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from unified temperature control to separate temperature control for each compressor. By monitoring cascade condenser temperature for the high-temperature compressor and storage temperature for the low-temperature compressor, the system adapts to performance variations in compressor specifications, ensuring reliable and stable temperature control regardless of manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution improves controllability of storage temperatures by synchronizing compressor operations based on real-time temperature feedback, reducing the time required to reach and maintain a constant temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a cascade condenser constituted by integrating the first evaporator and the second condenser in a heat exchangeable manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3495751B1Refrigeration device
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 PHC HLDG CORP
  • EP3495751B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3495751B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3495751B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A refrigerating apparatus for keeping an inside of a storage at a predetermined low-temperature state includes first and second refrigerant circuits including compressors, concensers, decompressors, and evaporators, connected circularly with pipings to form refrigerating cycles, the circuit having a first or second refrigerant sealed therein as a working refrigerant, a first sensor which detects a temperature of a cascade condenser constituted by integrating the evaporator of the first refrigerant circuit and the condenser of the second refrigerant circuit in a heat exchangeable manner, first and second controllers which control operation performances of the first and second compressors in a variable manner based on first-arid second-sensor-detected temperatures in order that the first- and second-sensor-detected temperatures are first and second temperatures, respectively, and a second sensor which detects a temperature inside the storage.