Heat conduction unit and refrigerator including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat conduction units in refrigerators face inefficiencies in heat dissipation due to uneven surface temperatures of thermoelectric elements, leading to reduced heat exchange efficiency and degraded performance in maintaining ultra-low temperatures for quick freezing applications.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a heat conduction unit evaporation part with a refrigerant flow channel that maximizes heat exchange by positioning the refrigerant inlet at the central portion of the thermoelectric element's highest temperature area, where the refrigerant flows in a zigzag manner and is connected to the evaporator, enhancing heat transfer from the heating surface to the refrigerant, and includes an insulator to prevent external heat transfer to the heat absorption surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional heat conduction unit with thermoelectric element is used, then the ultra-low temperature compartment can be cooled, but the heat exchange efficiency is reduced due to uneven surface temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant flow channel is positioned to concentrate cooling at the central portion of the thermoelectric element where the temperature is highest, creating non-uniform heat exchange that compensates for the inherent temperature distribution. This local quality approach directs refrigerant flow specifically to the hottest area (central portion) rather than treating the entire surface uniformly, thereby optimizing heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant flow channel acts as an intermediary heat exchange medium between the thermoelectric element and the cooling system. By introducing this intermediate refrigerant pathway, heat is efficiently transferred from the high-temperature central region of the thermoelectric element through the refrigerant, improving overall heat exchange efficiency while managing the temperature distribution issue.
2Loss of energy
If the refrigerant flow channel is positioned at the peripheral portion, then external heat transfer is reduced, but heat dissipation performance is degraded due to lower temperature at that region
Solution Approach 1:
The solution applies local quality by differentiating the functions of different regions: the central portion handles high-temperature heat dissipation through concentrated refrigerant flow, while the peripheral portion is insulated to prevent external heat transfer. This regional differentiation optimizes both heat dissipation performance and thermal isolation where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat conduction unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: a central region with refrigerant flow channels for active heat exchange, and a peripheral region with insulating structures for thermal isolation. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specialized function optimally without interfering with the other.
3Loss of energy
If the refrigerant flow channel is positioned at the central portion, then heat exchange efficiency is maximized, but external heat transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design applies local quality by concentrating refrigerant flow channels specifically at the central portion where heat exchange is most critical, while applying insulation selectively at the peripheral portions. This localized approach maximizes heat exchange efficiency where needed while minimizing external heat transfer through strategic insulation placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat conduction unit is segmented into an active heat exchange zone (central portion with refrigerant channels) and a thermal isolation zone (peripheral portion with insulation). This segmentation enables the system to achieve both high heat exchange efficiency in the central region and reduced external heat transfer at the periphery simultaneously.
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 significantly improves heat dissipation performance and heat exchange efficiency, allowing the ultra-low temperature compartment to maintain temperatures as low as -40°C, effectively preserving food quality by minimizing drip loss and enhancing competitive product differentiation.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerant flow channel allowing a refrigerant to flow therein is provided within a heat conduction unit evaporation part... heat emitted from the heating surface is transmitted to a refrigerant flowing at the other side of the heat conduction unit evaporation part, thus cooling the heating surface of the thermoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
heat emitted from the heating surface is transmitted to a refrigerant flowing at the other side of the heat conduction unit evaporation part
Implementation Method 3
a thermoelectric element including a heating surface and a heat absorption surface disposed to oppose the heating surface
Implementation Method 4
includes an insulator to prevent external heat transfer to the heat absorption surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator may have an ultra-low temperature cooling module (140) for cooling an ultra-low temperature compartment (120) that includes a thermoelectric element (142) having a heating surface (142b) and a heat absorption surface (142a) disposed to oppose the heating surface (142b) and a heat conduction unit evaporation part (145) whose one side is in contact with the heating surface (142b) of the thermoelectric element (142) and the other side is connected to a refrigerant pipe (137) of an evaporator (134) to transmit heat emitted from the heating surface (142b) of the thermoelectric element (142) to the refrigerant. An amount of heat exchange between a central portion of the heating surface (142b) having a relatively high temperature and a refrigerant of the heat conduction unit evaporation part (145) may be greater than an amount of heat exchange between a peripheral portion of the heating surface (142b) surrounding the central portion and the refrigerant.