Evaporator, a refrigerator using the evaporator and a method for controlling the refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in quickly cooling refrigerants and efficiently cooling refrigerating and freezing spaces, leading to suboptimal energy usage and cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An evaporator design incorporating a phase change material (PCM) accommodation unit that brings the PCM into direct contact with the refrigerant evaporation unit, allowing for enhanced heat transfer and increased evaporation temperature, coupled with a control method that operates the freezer and cooling fan to maintain set temperatures and utilize accumulated cold energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional evaporator design is used, then the structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is low and evaporation temperature cannot be increased quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the evaporator with the PCM accommodation unit into a single integrated structure. The PCM unit is directly coupled to the evaporator, allowing thermal energy to be transferred directly from the evaporating refrigerant to the PCM without requiring separate cooling systems. This integration enhances cooling efficiency while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the evaporator (metallic heat exchange component) with the PCM accommodation unit (thermal energy storage component). This composite design allows the system to leverage both the high heat transfer capability of the evaporator and the high heat capacity of the PCM, achieving improved cooling efficiency and evaporation temperature control.
2Speed
If compressor operation rate is increased to cool spaces faster, then cooling speed improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM accommodation unit performs preliminary cooling action by storing thermal energy during periods when the compressor is running. The PCM absorbs and stores cooling capacity in advance, allowing the system to maintain cooling speed without continuously running the compressor at high power, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCM unit provides self-service cooling by releasing stored thermal energy when the compressor is not actively cooling. This allows the system to maintain cooling functionality without continuous compressor operation, reducing energy consumption while preserving cooling speed when needed.
3Power
If PCM is brought into direct contact with evaporator, then heat transfer is enhanced and evaporation temperature increases, but the risk of PCM leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCM accommodation unit is nested within or directly coupled to the evaporator structure, with the PCM contained in a dedicated accommodation space formed by the evaporator body or attached housing. This nested design allows direct thermal contact for enhanced heat transfer while the evaporator structure itself serves as the containment boundary, preventing PCM leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator structure acts as an intermediary between the refrigerant and the PCM. It provides a controlled interface that facilitates direct heat transfer to the PCM while simultaneously serving as a containment barrier that prevents PCM leakage into the refrigerant circuit.
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 enhances cooling efficiency by increasing evaporation temperature, reducing compressor operation rates, and improving overall energy efficiency in refrigerators.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material (PCM) accommodation unit that is installed in the refrigerant evaporation unit and accommodates a PCM
Implementation Method 2
The PCM is brought into direct contact with an outer surface of the refrigerant evaporation unit inside the PCM accommodation unit
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant evaporation unit in which a flow passage where a refrigerant evaporates is formed
Implementation Method 4
the PCM is brought into direct contact with an outer surface of the refrigerant evaporation unit inside the PCM accommodation unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an evaporator, a refrigerator using the evaporator, and a method for controlling the refrigerator. The evaporator includes a refrigerant evaporation unit in which a flow passage where a refrigerant evaporates is formed, and a phase change material (PCM) accommodation unit that is coupled to the refrigerant evaporation unit and accommodates the PCM whose phase is changed according to latent heat absorbed by the refrigerant, wherein the PCM is brought into direct contact with an outer surface of the refrigerant evaporation unit inside the PCM accommodation unit.