Cooling Chamber Refrigerant Valve Timing for Precise Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices face challenges in precisely controlling the temperature of multiple cooling chambers with different temperatures, leading to inefficiencies in refrigerant distribution, increased power consumption, and reduced durability due to inadequate control over refrigerant flow rates and pressure losses.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a refrigerant control unit that includes a valve to control the opening and closing times of the refrigerant control valve, allowing for precise adjustment of refrigerant flow rates to each evaporator, preventing refrigerant accumulation, and intermittently supplying refrigerant to avoid pressure losses and overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a 3-way valve is used to switch between refrigerated compartment cooling operation and freezer compartment cooling operation, then both cooling chambers can be cooled with appropriate evaporation temperatures, but refrigerant accumulates in the freezer compartment evaporator and response to load changes is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant flow control into separate controllable paths for the refrigerated compartment evaporator and freezer compartment evaporator. By using independent expansion valves and control mechanisms for each evaporator, the system can selectively supply refrigerant to either compartment without causing accumulation in the other, thereby improving response time while maintaining appropriate evaporation temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of refrigerant flow rates to each evaporator based on real-time load conditions and temperature requirements. The control system continuously adjusts the expansion valve openings and refrigerant supply timing to match changing demands, enabling rapid response to load changes while preventing refrigerant accumulation in inactive evaporators.
2Measurement precision
If refrigerant flow rate is reduced to improve temperature control precision, then temperature control precision improves, but valve opening degree control becomes difficult and pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electronic expansion valves with precise control capabilities as intermediaries between the control system and refrigerant flow. These valves provide accurate modulation of refrigerant flow rates even at low flow conditions, eliminating the control difficulty associated with manual or mechanical valve adjustment while maintaining precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from manual valve opening degree adjustment to electronically controlled valve positioning with feedback mechanisms. This allows precise control of refrigerant flow rates across the entire operating range, including low flow rates, by using electronic actuators that can make fine adjustments to valve opening positions based on temperature sensor feedback.
3Power
If refrigerant flow rate is increased to improve cooling capacity, then cooling capacity improves, but power consumption increases and compressor durability decreases due to refrigerant backflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by supplying refrigerant to only the evaporator that requires cooling at any given time, rather than simultaneously supplying both evaporators. This partial refrigerant distribution prevents excessive refrigerant flow through the system, reducing compressor workload and power consumption while maintaining adequate cooling capacity for the active compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where temperature sensors in both compartments continuously monitor conditions and provide signals to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow distribution to match actual cooling demands, preventing unnecessary refrigerant circulation that would increase power consumption and protect the compressor from damage due to improper refrigerant flow.
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 solution enables precise temperature control of multiple cooling chambers with improved response to load changes, reduces power consumption, and enhances the durability of the compressor by minimizing refrigerant backflow and maintaining efficient heat exchange performance.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant control valve installed between the condenser and the evaporator and controls an opening and closing time of the refrigerant control valve to adjust a refrigerant flow rate that flows to the evaporators
Implementation Method 2
evaporators installed between an outlet side of the condenser and an inlet side of the compressor to cool a cooling chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides precise temperature control of a cooling chamber and comprises: a cooling chamber; a refrigeration circuit having a compressor, a condenser installed at the outlet side of the compressor, an evaporator, installed between the outlet side of the condenser and the inlet side of the compressor, for cooling the cooling chamber, and a decompression means installed at the inlet side of the evaporator; and a refrigerant control unit which has a refrigerant control valve installed between the condenser and the evaporator, and which adjusts the refrigerant flow rate that flows into the evaporator by controlling the opening/closing time of the refrigerant control valve.