Fridge and / or freezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerant circuits in refrigerators and freezers face challenges in improving internal heat transfer and reducing background noise while using porous or electronic expansion elements, which require extensive structural adjustments and often result in refrigerant expansion over long distances, affecting cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The refrigerant circuit features a liquid line with an inner diameter greater than 0.8 mm, preferably 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm, and an expansion unit, either porous or electronic, positioned downstream of an internal heat exchanger to minimize pressure drop and noise, ensuring effective cooling without premature expansion into the two-phase region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a porous or electronic expansion element is used instead of a capillary, then the expansion distance is reduced from several meters to a few millimeters, but extensive adjustments to the previous structure are required and internal heat transfer is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the inner diameter parameter of the liquid line from conventional small dimensions to specifically greater than 0.8 mm (preferably greater than 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm). This parameter change compensates for the reduced expansion distance by improving flow characteristics and heat transfer efficiency, resolving the contradiction between compact expansion and effective heat transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid line with increased inner diameter is designed in advance to ensure optimal flow conditions before the refrigerant reaches the expansion element. This preliminary structural adjustment prepares the refrigerant for efficient expansion and heat transfer, reducing the need for extensive subsequent structural modifications
2Loss of energy
If the liquid line inner diameter is increased to improve internal heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure drop may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the liquid line inner diameter to a specific range (greater than 0.8 mm, preferably greater than 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm) that balances heat transfer efficiency and pressure drop. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient heat transfer area while maintaining acceptable pressure characteristics, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer improvement and pressure loss
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the expansion unit is positioned downstream of the internal heat exchanger, then noise is reduced and pressure drop is minimized, but the refrigerant may not expand properly into the two-phase region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the inner diameter parameter of the liquid line to greater than 0.8 mm (preferably greater than 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm), which modifies the refrigerant flow characteristics and pressure profile. This parameter change ensures that when the refrigerant reaches the expansion unit positioned downstream of the heat exchanger, it is properly conditioned for effective expansion into the two-phase region, maintaining reliability while reducing noise
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 configuration enhances internal heat transfer and reduces noise by maintaining a larger diameter for the liquid line and strategically placing the expansion unit to achieve efficient cooling performance without unnecessary pressure drops, improving overall refrigeration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an internal heat exchanger for heat exchange between a high-pressure side and a suction line of the refrigerant circuit
Implementation Method 2
the expansion of the refrigerant takes place over a distance of a few millimeters from high to low pressure, so that extensive adjustments to the previous structure of a refrigerator and/or freezer are required
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant is expanded over a length of several meters from the high to the low pressure of the system and thus from the liquid to the two-phase area of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
After flowing through the evaporator, the refrigerant reaches the compressor, where it is compressed and conveyed back to the condenser by the compressor
Implementation Method 5
a condenser for condensing the refrigerant
Implementation Method 6
an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a refrigeration and/or freezing appliance with a refrigerant circuit, wherein the refrigerant circuit comprises a refrigerant line for conveying a refrigerant, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, a condenser for liquefying the refrigerant, an internal heat exchanger for heat exchange between a high-pressure side and a suction line of the refrigerant circuit, an expansion unit for expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant. The invention is characterized in that the liquid line running from the condenser to the expansion unit through the internal heat exchanger has an inner diameter greater than 0.8 mm, preferably greater than 1.0 mm, and more preferably greater than 1.5 mm.