Compressor Heat Storage Interface for Gap-Free Thermal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat storage devices struggle to efficiently store heat generated by compressors due to gaps between the heat storage tank and compressor, which act as insulating layers, reducing heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage device with a contact member having a hardness of 50 degrees or less in Asker C hardness is interposed between the compressor and the heat storage tank, allowing deformation under pressure to increase contact area and reduce air layers, enhancing heat transfer to the heat storage material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a heat storage tank is disposed around a compressor to store heat generated by the compressor, then heat storage function is improved, but gaps between the heat storage tank and compressor create air layers that act as heat insulating material, worsening heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A contact member made of soft material (foam rubber or foam polyethylene with specific gravity 0.05-0.3) is introduced as an intermediary substance between the heat storage tank and compressor. This contact member fills gaps and eliminates air layers that act as thermal insulators, while its softness allows it to conform to the compressor surface irregularities, ensuring intimate thermal contact and improving heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the contact interface by using a material with specific gravity between 0.05-0.3 (foam rubber or foam polyethylene). This parameter selection optimizes the balance between softness (to conform to surfaces) and thermal conductivity (to transfer heat), resolving the contradiction between maintaining good thermal contact and avoiding excessive compression deformation
2Loss of energy
If silicone filler is used to fill gaps between the compressor and heat storage tank, then heat transfer is improved, but large gaps or large contact areas cannot be sufficiently filled, worsening manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible foam material (foam rubber or foam polyethylene) instead of rigid silicone filler. This flexible material can be easily applied to fill gaps of various sizes and conform to large contact areas, significantly improving manufacturing feasibility while maintaining good heat transfer performance
3Loss of energy
If the contact member has sufficient softness and thickness to deform and reduce gaps, then heat transfer area is increased, but the contact member material selection becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies a particular parameter range for the contact member material (specific gravity 0.05-0.3, foam rubber or foam polyethylene). This parameter range provides the optimal balance between softness (for gap filling and conformability), thermal conductivity (for heat transfer), and compressibility (for deformation under pressing force). While this narrows material selection, it ensures reliable performance across different applications
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 configuration significantly improves heat transfer efficiency, allowing for effective storage and utilization of compressor-generated heat during defrosting operations, maintaining heating performance without loss.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing force applied to the contact member to fix the heat storage tank causes deformation of the contact member to reduce a small gap between the compressor and the heat storage tank
Implementation Method 2
heat generated by the compressor can be efficiently transferred to and stored in the heat storage material
Implementation Method 3
a heat storage device disposed around a compressor to store heat generated by the compressor
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat storage device is disposed around a compressor 6 to store heat generated by the compressor 6 and includes a heat storage material 36 for storing heat generated by the compressor 6, a heat storage tank 32 for accommodating the heat storage material 36 therein, and a contact member 52 located at a location confronting the compressor 6 and held in close contact with the compressor 6. The contact member 52 has a hardness of 50 degrees or less in Asker C hardness, a thermal conductivity of 0.43 W/mK or more, and a thickness of from 1 to 5 mm. The heat storage tank 32 is pressed against the compressor 6 to be brought into close contact therewith and secured thereto by a belt or thread fastening, thus making it possible to reduce an air layer, which acts as a heat insulating material, and efficiently transfer and store heat generated by the compressor 6 to and in the heat storage material.