Cold storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cold storages face increased power consumption as they are used to maintain lower temperatures for pharmaceuticals, leading to a demand for energy-saving solutions.
Innovation Solution
A control system that adjusts compressor operation based on external and internal temperature thresholds, combined with defrost and drain pan heaters, to maintain set temperatures efficiently, reducing compressor usage and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the temperature in the cold storage is set to a lower level to store pharmaceuticals, then the storage capability is improved, but the power consumption of the refrigeration circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the heat generated by the defrost heater and drain pan heater, which would normally be wasted energy, to preheat the air before it enters the evaporator. This converts harmful waste heat into a useful resource that reduces the temperature difference the evaporator must overcome, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to store pharmaceuticals at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the air flowing over the evaporator by introducing preheated air from the defrost and drain pan heaters. This parameter change reduces the thermal load on the refrigeration circuit, allowing the system to maintain lower storage temperatures with reduced power consumption
2Stability of the object's composition
If the compressor operates continuously to maintain low temperatures, then the temperature stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The defrost heater and drain pan heater operate in advance to preheat the air that will later be used by the evaporator. This preliminary heating action reduces the immediate cooling demand, allowing the compressor to cycle less frequently and reduce energy consumption while maintaining temperature stability
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by utilizing the heat from defrost and drain pan operations to preheat air for the evaporator. This continuous heat recovery process ensures that the refrigeration system operates more efficiently over time, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining stable temperatures
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
Achieves energy savings and extends compressor durability by optimizing compressor operation and utilizing defrost and drain pan heaters to maintain consistent temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
defrost heater causing liquid to be generated by melting of the frost
Implementation Method 2
drain pan heater causing liquid to be generated by melting of ice
Implementation Method 3
evaporator, and a fan causing the air in the cold storage chamber to be cooled by the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
fan causing the air in the cold storage chamber to be cooled by the evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Provided is a cold storage including: a box body that has a cold room; a compressor that constitutes a refrigeration circuit for cooling the inside of the cold room; a defrost heater for heating an evaporator that constitutes the refrigeration circuit; and a control device that controls the compressor and the defrost heater. The control device activates the defrost heater in the case where the compressor is not activated. In the case where the outside air temperature is equal to or higher than the room temperature of the cold room, the control device activates the compressor when the room temperature rises to a first threshold and stops the compressor when the room temperature drops to a second threshold lower than the first threshold. In the case where the outside air temperature is lower than the room temperature, the control device does not activate the compressor even when the room temperature rises to the first threshold.