Dual Refrigerator Cooling with Vacuum Insulation and Off-Cycle Loss Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigerators experience high energy consumption due to frequent on-off operations of compressors, leading to refrigerant migration loss and inefficient cooling, as they lack a vacuum insulated cabinet structure and dual cooling systems.

Innovation Solution

A refrigerator with a vacuum insulated cabinet structure incorporating a dual cooling system that combines a vapor compression system for fast recovery and a thermoelectric system for steady-state cooling, where the thermoelectric device operates outside the vacuum insulated cabinet, connected by coolant tubing for efficient convective cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional vapor compression system operates frequently to maintain cooling, then the cooling effect is maintained, but energy consumption increases and refrigerant migration loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcooling effect maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into two independent parts: a vapor compression system for rapid cooling and a thermoelectric cooling system for steady-state maintenance. This segmentation allows each system to operate optimally for its specific function, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between vapor compression and thermoelectric cooling modes based on temperature requirements. The vacuum insulated cabinet dynamically adjusts thermal insulation, and the control system dynamically selects the appropriate cooling method, optimizing energy efficiency at different operational stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If a vacuum insulated cabinet structure is used to reduce heat transfer, then energy efficiency improves, but the complexity of the cooling system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer reductionVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces part of the mechanical vapor compression system with a thermoelectric cooling system based on the Peltier effect. This substitution reduces the need for frequent compressor operation while the vacuum insulation reduces heat transfer, balancing energy efficiency with system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If the thermoelectric device operates continuously to provide steady-state cooling, then energy consumption is reduced, but the cooling capacity for fast recovery is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteady-state cooling efficiencyVSAvoidfast recovery cooling speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action by switching between vapor compression mode for fast recovery and thermoelectric mode for steady-state cooling. The vacuum insulated cabinet periodically adjusts its insulation properties, and the control system periodically selects the appropriate cooling method based on temperature deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If the vapor compression system operates at high capacity to handle all cooling needs, then cooling reliability is maintained, but noise and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling reliabilityVSAvoidcompressor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a complementary cooling system (thermoelectric) that copies and supplements the vapor compression system's function. Instead of relying solely on the high-capacity vapor compression system, the thermoelectric system handles steady-state cooling, allowing the vapor compression system to operate at lower capacity and frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 dual cooling system reduces energy consumption by allowing the thermoelectric portion to operate almost 100% of the time, providing sufficient steady-state cooling and minimizing noise, while the vapor compression system handles fast recovery scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having an exterior wall and an interior wall with a vacuum therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a thermoelectric portion that includes a thermoelectric device positioned outside the vacuum insulated cabinet structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermoelectric cooling: Peltier Effect

Implementation Method 3

at least one vapor compression system portion configured to operate during a pull down mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor compression cooling: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9182158B2Dual cooling systems to minimize off-cycle migration loss in refrigerators with a vacuum insulated structure

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An appliance that includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having an exterior wall and an interior wall with a vacuum therebetween that forms at least the back wall, bottom, right side, left side, and top of the appliance; and a dual cooling system that includes at least one vapor compression system portion configured to operate during a pull down mode and a thermoelectric portion configured to operate in a steady-state mode without the vapor compression system operating while providing sufficient cooling to offset the steady-state heat load of the appliance.