Dual-Compressor Refrigerator Condenser Layout for Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators waste energy by using a single compressor to cool both the refrigerator and freezer compartments, leading to inefficient power consumption due to subcooling of the evaporator and heat dissipation challenges within a limited machine compartment capacity.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design utilizing multiple compressors and refrigerating units, with a dual path condenser configuration, where one compressor and condenser are cooled by forced air flow and the other by natural convection, allowing for independent cooling of compartments and improved heat dissipation through a heat dissipation pipe and dual path condenser design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single compressor is used to cool both refrigerator and freezer compartments, then device complexity is reduced, but energy consumption increases due to subcooling of the evaporator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single refrigeration system into two separate refrigeration cycles, each with its own compressor (first compressor for freezer compartment, second compressor for refrigerator compartment). This segmentation allows independent operation of each cycle, eliminating the subcooling waste that occurs in single-compressor systems where the evaporator must serve both compartments with different temperature requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple compressors and condensers are disposed in the machine compartment, then independent cooling of compartments is achieved, but heat dissipation becomes challenging within limited machine compartment capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the second condenser from the machine compartment and positions it in the refrigerator compartment or on the rear wall of the refrigerator body. This extraction resolves the heat dissipation challenge by removing one of the heat-generating components from the confined machine compartment, allowing the multiple-compressor system to operate efficiently without thermal interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space of the refrigerator body by positioning components in different locations: the first condenser remains in the machine compartment while the second condenser is placed in the refrigerator compartment or on the rear wall. This spatial distribution across different dimensions and locations enables effective heat dissipation for multiple compressors without increasing machine compartment capacity.
3Loss of energy
If forced air flow is used to cool machine compartment components, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cooling methods to different components based on their specific thermal requirements and locations: the first compressor and first condenser in the machine compartment use forced air flow for efficient heat dissipation, while the second condenser positioned in the refrigerator compartment or on the rear wall utilizes natural convection. This localized approach optimizes heat dissipation efficiency without unnecessarily increasing device complexity throughout the entire system.
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 effectively reduces energy consumption and enhances heat dissipation within the machine compartment, allowing for efficient cooling of both compartments without increasing the compartment's capacity, thereby improving overall refrigeration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a blower fan disposed in the machine compartment so as to cool the machine compartment; the first compressor, the second compressor, and the first condenser are disposed in the machine compartment and are cooled by forcible flow of air caused by the blower fan
Implementation Method 2
the second condenser is disposed outside the machine compartment and is cooled by natural convection of air
Implementation Method 3
a first compressor for compressing a first refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a first condenser for condensing the first refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a first expansion valve for expanding the first refrigerant
Implementation Method 6
a first evaporator for evaporating the first refrigerant so as to generate cold air
Implementation Method 7
a second compressor for compressing a second refrigerant
Implementation Method 8
a second condenser for condensing the second refrigerant
Implementation Method 9
a second expansion valve for expanding the second refrigerant
Implementation Method 10
a second evaporator for evaporating the second refrigerant so as to generate cold air
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator includes a body, first and second storage compartments (21, 22) and a machine compartment (23) formed in the body, a blower fan (24) disposed in the machine compartment, first and second refrigerating units comprising first and second compressors (32, 42) to compress first and second refrigerants, respectively, first and second condensers (33, 43)to condense the first and second refrigerants, respectively, first and second expansion valves to expand the first and second refrigerants, respectively, and first and second evaporators to evaporate the first and second refrigerants, respectively, the first and second refrigerating units supplying cold air to the first and storage compartments, respectively. The first compressor (32), the second compressor (42), and the first condenser (33) are disposed in the machine compartment and are cooled by forcible flow of air caused by the blower fan, and the second condenser (43) is disposed outside the machine compartment and is cooled by natural convection of air.