Refrigerator
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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 the need for different temperature ranges, resulting in subcooled evaporators and ineffective heat dissipation within a limited machine compartment capacity.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design utilizing multiple compressors and a dual path condenser, where each compartment has its own compressor and condenser, with a blower fan to forcibly direct air between them, enhancing heat dissipation and reducing energy consumption by allowing independent temperature control and improved heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single compressor is used to cool both refrigerator and freezer compartments, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy consumption increases due to inefficient cooling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single compressor system into multiple independent compressors (first compressor for refrigerator compartment, second compressor for freezer compartment). This segmentation allows each compressor to operate independently at optimal conditions for its specific compartment, eliminating the energy waste caused by one compressor needing to serve both different temperature zones.
2Device complexity
If a single compressor circulates one refrigerating cycle for both compartments, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficiency decreases due to subcooled evaporators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the single refrigerating cycle into multiple independent refrigerating cycles, with each cycle dedicated to a specific compartment. This allows the evaporator in each cycle to be optimized for its specific temperature requirements, preventing the subcooling problem that occurs when one evaporator must serve both warm and cold zones.
3Loss of energy
If multiple compressors are used to improve heat dissipation, then the heat dissipation effectiveness increases, but the machine compartment capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat dissipation functions of multiple compressors and the condenser into a shared machine compartment. By carefully arranging the first compressor, second compressor, and condenser within the same insulated space, the system achieves effective heat dissipation for multiple refrigerating cycles without requiring proportionally larger compartment capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement by positioning components in a compact three-dimensional configuration within the machine compartment. The slanted positioning of compressors and the strategic placement of the condenser create efficient heat dissipation pathways that maximize the use of available space without increasing overall compartment volume.
4Loss of energy
If compressors are positioned to optimize heat dissipation flow, then the heat exchange efficiency improves, but the arrangement complexity within the machine compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the first compressor and second compressor within the machine compartment, with each compressor slanted toward opposite sidewalls from the center. This asymmetric arrangement creates optimal heat dissipation flow paths while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized mounting configurations.
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 dissipates heat generated in multiple refrigerating cycles, reduces energy consumption, and improves the cooling efficiency of both the freezer and refrigerator compartments without increasing the machine compartment's capacity, allowing for better temperature control and reduced energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser disposed in the machine compartment so as to condense a refrigerant compressed by the freezer compartment compressor and/or to condense a refrigerant compressed by the refrigerator compartment compressor
Implementation Method 2
a blower fan disposed in the machine compartment so as to forcibly cause air to flow, wherein the blower fan allows air to forcibly flow from the refrigerator compartment compressor to the freezer compartment compressor via the condenser
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator to evaporate a liquid refrigerant so as to generate cold air
Implementation Method 4
a compressor to compress the refrigerant into a gas state at a high temperature under a high pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment that circulates a plurality of individual refrigerating cycles using a plurality of compressors (32, 42) so as to individually cool the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator includes a plurality of compressors, a plurality of condensers (33, 43), a plurality of expansion valves, and a plurality of evaporators. One of the plurality of condensers (33) is disposed in a machine compartment (23) and the other condenser (43) is disposed outside the machine compartment so that a heat dissipation effect of the machine compartment may be improved and arrangement availability may be increased. Also, the refrigerator includes a plurality of compressors, a dual path condenser, a plurality of expansion valves, and a plurality of evaporators. The dual path condenser may have a plurality of individual condensation paths.