Condenser for refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional condensers for refrigerators face challenges in efficiently utilizing confined spaces, experiencing reduced heat-transfer efficiency and increased air pressure loss due to limited design flexibility and manufacturing complexities, especially when bent in configurations for multiple rows.
Innovation Solution
A condenser design featuring multiple flat tubes bent in zigzag fashion to form rows, with specific curvature ratios and orientations to optimize space utilization and airflow, including headers for refrigerant flow and fins for enhanced heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a spiral condenser is used to reduce size, then the refrigeration cycle apparatus becomes compact, but freedom in pass configuration is limited and air pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is divided into multiple straight tube rows (first row, second row, third row, etc.) arranged in parallel, with each row having independent inlet and outlet connections. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of multiple passes without the geometric constraints of a spiral design, resolving the contradiction between compact size and configuration freedom.
2Productivity
If microchannel-type heat exchanger is used to improve efficiency, then heat transfer efficiency increases, but manufacturing costs increase and it is difficult to use in small machine rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The complex header connection structure of microchannel heat exchangers is extracted and replaced with a simpler design. The patent uses straight tubes with welded plate heat exchanger sections, eliminating the need for multiple header connections while maintaining efficient heat transfer. This reduces manufacturing complexity and allows easier installation in confined spaces.
3Volume of moving object
If heat exchanger is bent to fit confined space, then space utilization improves, but flow channel deformation or blockage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending tubes in the traditional planar direction, the patent arranges multiple straight tube rows in parallel along the airflow direction, utilizing the third dimension (depth/length along airflow). This dimensional reconfiguration allows the heat exchanger to adapt to confined spaces without bending the tubes, thereby maintaining flow channel integrity.
4Volume of moving object
If fins are made small with circular cross-section in spiral condenser, then compactness is achieved, but air pressure loss increases due to single-sided air introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is segmented into multiple parallel rows, each capable of independent airflow passage. This allows air to be introduced and distributed across multiple rows simultaneously, reducing air pressure loss compared to single-sided introduction in spiral condensers, while maintaining compact dimensions through the parallel arrangement.
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 design ensures efficient heat transfer in confined spaces, prevents deformation, and reduces air pressure loss, allowing for effective heat exchange without compromising the flow channel, even when bent, thus optimizing space and performance.
Implementation Method 1
perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and air
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between refrigerant and air
Implementation Method 3
heat exchange between refrigerant and air
Implementation Method 4
the bent tube portion may be disposed so as to face a direction intersecting the airflow direction
Data Source
AI summary
A condenser for a refrigerator according the present invention includes a heat exchange unit configured to receive at one side thereof refrigerant, which has been compressed in a compressor, to perform heat exchange between the refrigerant and air and to discharge the refrigerant, which has exchanged heat with the air, to an evaporator, wherein the heat exchange unit includes a flat tube, through one end of which the refrigerant is introduced and through a remaining end of which the refrigerant is discharged, thereby performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air, wherein the flat tube includes at least one bent tube portion defining plural rows of tubes, which are spaced apart from each other in an up-and-down direction, and wherein the plural rows of tubes define an intersection bent surface, which has a predetermined curvature and intersects the up-and-down direction.