Compact Stirling-Engine Freezer for Electronic Device Component Repair
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional freezers for freezing electronic device components are large, inefficient, unsafe, and require constant operation, making repairs costly and difficult due to their inability to reach low temperatures and lack of remote control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A compact, low-power freezing system with a Stirling engine that reaches extreme sub-zero temperatures, integrated with internet connectivity for remote control and data exchange, allowing precise temperature control and efficient component freezing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional freezers are used to freeze electronic device components, then freezing capability is provided, but the device size becomes very large occupying chest freezer space
Solution Approach 1:
The freezing system is divided into separate functional modules: a compact cooling unit with compressor and evaporator, a control unit with microprocessor, and a heating unit with heating element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, resulting in a much smaller overall footprint compared to conventional chest freezers while maintaining effective freezing capability for electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from large horizontal chest freezer design to a compact vertical or desk-top configuration. The cooling system is arranged in a vertical stack with the compressor at the bottom, evaporator in the middle, and control elements at the top, utilizing vertical space efficiently to reduce horizontal footprint while maintaining freezing functionality.
2Temperature
If conventional freezers operate continuously to maintain freezing temperature, then temperature stability is achieved, but power consumption becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic operation by cycling the compressor on and off based on temperature sensor feedback. When the target freezing temperature is reached, the compressor stops; when temperature rises above the threshold, the compressor restarts. This periodic action maintains temperature stability while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation of conventional freezers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the freezing chamber temperature and provide feedback to the microprocessor control unit. The controller adjusts compressor operation, fan speed, and heating element activation based on real-time temperature readings, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining the required freezing temperature stability for electronic component repair.
3Temperature
If ammonia or nitrogen is used to reach freezing temperatures, then low temperature capability is achieved, but safety hazards increase due to dangerous substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses conventional refrigerant R-134a or similar safe refrigerants in a sealed refrigeration cycle system, replacing dangerous ammonia or nitrogen systems. The refrigerant is contained in closed loops with the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, eliminating the need for direct contact with hazardous substances while achieving the same freezing temperature capability through standard vapor-compression refrigeration.
4Temperature
If large conventional freezers are used for component freezing, then freezing capacity is sufficient, but repair cost efficiency decreases due to replacement of larger components
Solution Approach 1:
The freezing system is designed to freeze only the specific damaged component or small assembly rather than requiring freezing of entire devices or large component groups. The compact freezing chamber and targeted cooling application allow precise local freezing of individual IC chips, connectors, or small assemblies, enabling selective repair of damaged parts while preserving the rest of the electronic device, thereby improving repair cost efficiency.
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective repair of electronic device components by achieving rapid, low-power freezing with remote operation and software updates, facilitating precise temperature control and real-time data exchange.
Implementation Method 1
A back housing panel, a front housing panel, a bottom housing panel, a left side panel, a right side panel and a top housing panel form a housing of a central freezing machine. A Stirling engine system complete with built in PCB, power supply unit and cooling fan is utilized to reach sub-zero temperatures which may even exceed negative 100 degrees Celsius.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A system utilized for freezing parts of electronic mobile devices comprises a freezing machine incorporating internet communication hardware and software, molds and vacuum bags and a central computer server hosting and operating a web-centric and/or mobile app software application which connects to, updates and operates the freezing machine via the Internet. The freezing machine comprises a housing, an engine with cylindrical cooling head, an adjustable cooling head ring fixture and metal plate attached to the adjustable cooling head ring fixture. The freezing machine further comprises an encapsulation chamber, a lid, a power inlet, a LCD/OLED display and a PCB with processor capable of operating the freezing machine.