Refrigerator Drain Guide Pipe With Integrated Hot Pipe Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators lack effective heat exchange between the hot pipe and the drain guide pipe, which hinders the evaporation of defrosting water and requires separate fixing members for the hot pipe.
Innovation Solution
The hot pipe is integrated inside or outside the drain guide pipe, allowing for direct heat exchange and eliminating the need for additional fixing members by being positioned within or on the drain guide pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the hot pipe is spaced apart from the drain guide pipe, then the hot pipe can be easily installed and maintained, but heat exchange between the hot pipe and defrosting water cannot be carried out effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The hot pipe is integrated with the drain guide pipe by being received inside it, merging two previously separate components into a combined structure. This allows the hot pipe to be positioned close to the defrosting water flow path without requiring separate mounting brackets or fixing members, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot pipe is nested inside the drain guide pipe, with the hot pipe having a smaller diameter than the drain guide pipe's internal diameter. This nested configuration allows the hot pipe to be surrounded by defrosting water flow, maximizing thermal contact area and heat transfer efficiency while the drain guide pipe continues to perform its drainage function.
2Loss of energy
If the hot pipe is integrated inside or outside the drain guide pipe, then heat exchange and evaporation of defrosting water are enhanced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drain guide pipe serves multiple functions: it guides defrosting water from the evaporator to the water collecting tray, and simultaneously acts as a housing or protective sleeve for the hot pipe. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixing members or additional structural components, reducing overall structural complexity while achieving effective heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of the drain guide pipe and the hot pipe mounting structure are merged into a single integrated assembly. The hot pipe is either received inside the drain guide pipe or mounted outside it, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, clips, or fixing members, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective thermal coupling.
3Ease of repair
If separate fixing members are used to secure the hot pipe, then the hot pipe can be easily replaced and adjusted, but additional components are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The hot pipe and drain guide pipe are combined into a single integrated structure where the hot pipe is received inside the drain guide pipe. This eliminates the need for separate fixing members such as clips, brackets, or screws, reducing the total number of components while maintaining the ability to replace or adjust the hot pipe by simply removing it from the drain guide pipe's internal space.
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 enables efficient evaporation of defrosting water and enhances condensing efficiency without requiring separate fixing structures for the hot pipe.
Implementation Method 1
the hot pipe is provided inside or outside the drain guide pipe... able to carry out a heat exchange action between a hot pipe and a drain guide pipe
Implementation Method 2
an evaporation action of defrosting water flowing along the drain guide pipe can be carried out more desirably
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is disclosed, which is able to more desirably carry out a heat exchange action between a hot pipe and a drain guide pipe, which guides defrosting water. The refrigerator comprises a cool air generating chamber and a machine chamber provided above a main body; a defrosting water tray provided inside the cool air generating chamber; a water collecting tray provided below the main body; a hot pipe connecting a compressor with a condenser through the water collecting tray, the compressor and the condenser being provided in the machine chamber; and a drain guide pipe mounted outside the main body and connected to the defrosting water tray and the water collecting tray to guide the defrosting water discharged from the defrosting water tray to the water collecting tray, wherein the hot pipe is provided inside or outside the drain guide pipe.