Refrigeration system and cooling method of electronic control unit thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic device cooling methods in refrigeration systems are inefficient and prone to failure due to improper dehumidification in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, leading to reliability issues and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with an electronic device cooling unit connected in parallel to the refrigeration loop, incorporating an air-refrigerant heat exchanger, fan, and electromagnetic valve, which adjusts based on temperature and humidity to provide effective cooling and dehumidification, eliminating the need for special cooling systems and improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If natural convection or forced convection cooling is used through openings on the housing, then the electronic device can be cooled, but the cooling efficiency is relatively low and dehumidification is insufficient in high-temperature high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function and dehumidification function into a single integrated system by connecting the electronic device cooling unit in parallel to the refrigeration loop. The refrigerant simultaneously performs both cooling and dehumidification tasks, eliminating the need for separate systems and improving overall reliability while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration loop is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the refrigerated space, cools the electronic control unit, and dehumidifies the electronic control unit environment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by using a single system to address both temperature control and humidity control, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing cooling efficiency.
2Temperature
If a water-cooled heat exchange device is arranged in the housing with external cooling water, then cooling can be achieved, but the system complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electronic device cooling system with the existing refrigeration system by integrating them through the refrigeration loop. Instead of adding a separate water-cooled system, the refrigerant is used to cool both the refrigerated space and the electronic control unit, thereby reducing system complexity and eliminating the need for external water sources while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration loop is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the refrigerated space, cools the electronic control unit, and dehumidifies the electronic control unit environment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by using a single system to address both temperature control and humidity control, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing cooling efficiency.
3Temperature
If conventional cooling modes are used without proper dehumidification, then cooling can be provided, but the electronic device fails due to high humidity in high-temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function and dehumidification function into a single integrated system by connecting the electronic device cooling unit in parallel to the refrigeration loop. The refrigerant simultaneously performs both cooling and dehumidification tasks, eliminating the need for separate systems and improving overall reliability while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration loop is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the refrigerated space, cools the electronic control unit, and dehumidifies the electronic control unit environment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by using a single system to address both temperature control and humidity control, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing cooling efficiency.
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 solution achieves high-efficiency cooling and dehumidification, enhancing device reliability and reducing system complexity while maintaining ambient humidity below thresholds, thus preventing electronic control unit failures.
Implementation Method 1
an air-refrigerant heat exchanger (161), and a fan (162)... the air-refrigerant heat exchanger (161)... exchanges heat with air that flows through the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a fan (162)... forced convective heat transfer between wind and the refrigerant in the heat exchanger (161) is achieved through the fan (162)
Implementation Method 3
an electromagnetic valve (140)... The electromagnetic valve (140) can be used for controlling switching on and switching off of the loop
Implementation Method 4
the secondary throttling element (200) provides a throttling effect on the refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A refrigeration system (100), including: an electronic control unit (190), including a housing (192) and an electronic device (191) arranged in the housing; a refrigeration loop, including a compressor (110), a condenser (120), a primary throttling element (150), and an evaporator (130) sequentially connected through a pipeline and forming a closed loop; and an electronic device cooling branch connected into the refrigeration loop from the condenser, and connected back to the refrigeration loop from the evaporator; the electronic device cooling branch including an electronic device cooling unit (160), a secondary throttling element (200), and an electromagnetic valve (140); and the electronic device cooling unit being arranged in the housing and spaced apart from the electronic device, for reducing the temperature and humidity of the electronic device and an environment in the housing.