Refrigeration apparatus with a temperature sensor attaching pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration apparatuses with two-way refrigerant circuits face complexity in temperature detection and control, leading to inefficient operation due to complications in temperature sensing and control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration apparatus with a temperature sensor attaching pipe and structure that allows for efficient temperature detection and control by installing the sensor at a specific position within the low-temperature side refrigerant circuit, using a metallic pipe to protect the sensor from external conditions and facilitate easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a two-way refrigerant circuit is used to cool the storage unit, then the cooling capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to complicated temperature detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the complex control system and directly attached to the refrigerant circuit via a simple attaching pipe. This separates the temperature detection function from the control mechanism, allowing accurate temperature monitoring without complicating the overall control system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor attaching pipe serves as an intermediary component that connects the temperature sensor to the refrigerant circuit. This simple metallic pipe facilitates temperature detection while maintaining system simplicity, avoiding complex integration methods.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is directly exposed in the refrigerant circuit, then the temperature detection accuracy is improved, but condensation and ice adhesion occur on the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is enclosed within a metallic attaching pipe that acts as a protective shell. This thin-walled pipe protects the sensor from direct exposure to humid conditions while maintaining thermal contact with the refrigerant, preventing condensation and ice adhesion on the sensor surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The attaching pipe is made of metallic material that combines thermal conductivity for accurate temperature sensing with protective properties against condensation and ice. This composite approach integrates both sensing and protection functions in a single component.
3Reliability
If the temperature sensor is protected from external conditions, then the sensor reliability is improved, but the temperature detection accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic attaching pipe uses a thin-walled structure that provides protection against external conditions while maintaining excellent thermal conductivity. The thin wall minimizes thermal resistance, ensuring accurate temperature detection is not compromised by the protective enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic material of the attaching pipe provides both protective and thermal functions simultaneously. The material properties are selected to ensure high thermal conductivity for accurate sensing while providing sufficient protection against condensation and mechanical damage.
4Measurement precision
If a complex temperature sensor attachment structure is used, then the temperature detection accuracy is improved, but the ease of manufacture and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor attachment is extracted from complex integration processes and simplified to a direct insertion method into the attaching pipe. This separates the sensor mounting from the refrigerant circuit assembly, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor assembly is segmented into a separate component that can be independently attached to the refrigerant circuit via the attaching pipe. This modular approach allows the sensor to be manufactured and tested separately, then easily installed without disassembling the entire refrigeration system.
5Ease of repair
If the temperature sensor is easily accessible for maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the sensor may be exposed to harmful external conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted as a separate, easily removable component from the refrigerant circuit. The sensor can be accessed and replaced by simply disconnecting it from the attaching pipe, which remains connected to the refrigerant circuit, allowing maintenance without exposing the sensor to harmful conditions during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is segmented into a removable portion (the sensor itself) and a fixed portion (the attaching pipe connected to the refrigerant circuit). This segmentation allows the sensor to be easily accessed for maintenance while the protective attaching pipe remains in place to prevent exposure to harmful external conditions.
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
Enhances the efficiency of refrigeration apparatus operation by accurately measuring refrigerant temperature, preventing condensation and ice adhesion, and simplifying maintenance, thereby optimizing compressor control.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor T1 disposed inside the attaching pipe 101
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor attaching pipe 101...protect the sensor from external conditions
Implementation Method 3
the machine to be controlled such as a compressor is controlled such that the temperature of the storage unit in which the cooling object is disposed is set to the target temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This refrigeration device comprises: a high temperature side refrigerant circuit in which a high temperature side refrigerant circulates; a low temperature side refrigerant circuit in which a low temperature side refrigerant circulates; and a cascade heat exchanger that cools the low temperature side refrigerant with the high temperature side refrigerant. In the low temperature side refrigerant circuit, a low temperature side decompressor is disposed downstream of the cascade heat exchanger and a temperature sensor is installed in a piping portion between the cascade heat exchanger and the low temperature side decompressor.