Defrosting device and refrigerator having same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defrosting devices for evaporators in refrigeration cycles face challenges such as high power consumption, heater overheating, and reduced lifespan due to concentrated high-temperature heat, as well as issues with working fluid circulation and sealing.
Innovation Solution
A defrosting device with a heating unit and heat pipe configuration where the heating unit has a plate-shaped ceramic heater attached to the outer surface of a heater case, featuring a vacant space with separated inlets and outlets, and extended fins for enhanced heat transfer and circulation, preventing overheating and improving maintenance accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If working fluid is filled only into a bottom portion of the heater, then evaporation speed increases due to rapid heating, but the heater may overheat
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is configured as a plate-shaped heater with a large surface area, transitioning from a conventional three-dimensional heating element to a two-dimensional plate structure. This dimensional change increases the heat transfer surface area in contact with the working fluid, enabling more efficient heat distribution and preventing localized overheating while maintaining rapid evaporation speed.
2Temperature
If the heater is accommodated into the heat pipe, then high-temperature heat is concentrated on an inside of the heat pipe, but this reduces the lifespan of the heater as well as causing sealing problems
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two separate components: the plate-shaped heater and the heat pipe. The heater is positioned adjacent to the heat pipe rather than being accommodated inside it, allowing the heater to generate heat that is then transferred to the working fluid in the heat pipe. This segmentation prevents the heater from being exposed to high-temperature concentrations inside the heat pipe, thereby extending its lifespan and avoiding sealing problems.
3Productivity
If a heater is vertically disposed in the top-down direction of the evaporator, then heating efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a plate-shaped heater that can be manufactured using standard ceramic heating element fabrication processes, essentially copying proven manufacturing techniques from other applications. This approach avoids the need for custom vertical heater designs, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective heating performance through the plate's large surface area contact with the working fluid.
4Volume of moving object
If the heater is accommodated into the heat pipe, then compact structure is achieved, but sealing problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is extracted from the heat pipe structure and positioned as a separate component adjacent to the heat pipe. This extraction eliminates the sealing interface between the heater and heat pipe, thereby preventing sealing problems while maintaining a compact overall structure through the close proximity arrangement of the heater and heat pipe components.
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
The solution reduces power consumption, enhances heat transfer efficiency, prolongs heater lifespan, and ensures efficient working fluid circulation, effectively addressing the challenges of existing defrosting technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a heater attached to an outer surface of the heater case to heat working fluid within the heater case
Implementation Method 2
a heat pipe, both end portions of which are connected to an inlet and an outlet of the heating unit, respectively, and at least part of which is disposed adjacent to a cooling tube to dissipate heat to the cooling tube of the evaporator due to high-temperature working fluid heated and transferred by the heating unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a defrosting device, including a heating unit provided in an evaporator; and a heat pipe, both end portions of which are connected to an inlet and an outlet of the heating unit, respectively, and at least part of which is disposed adjacent to a cooling tube to dissipate heat to the cooling tube of the evaporator due to high-temperature working fluid heated and transferred by the heating unit, wherein the heating unit includes a heater case provided with a vacant space therein, and provided with the inlet and the outlet at positions separated from each other, respectively, along a length direction; and a heater attached to an outer surface of the heater case to heat working fluid within the heater case.