refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators face challenges in accurately detecting the temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant tube, which affects the efficiency and performance of the refrigeration cycle.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design that includes a heat exchanger with a refrigerant tube and a temperature sensor, where a fixing device securely attaches the temperature sensor to the guide tube, allowing direct contact and accurate temperature detection of the refrigerant, and a control unit manages the blower fan based on temperature differences between the refrigerant outlet and the compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is disposed on the inlet-side or outlet-side of the heat exchanger, then the refrigerant temperature can be detected, but the detection accuracy is insufficient due to indirect contact
Solution Approach 1:
A guide tube is introduced as an intermediary component that bridges the temperature sensor and the refrigerant tube. The guide tube makes direct contact with the refrigerant tube, allowing thermal conduction from the refrigerant to the sensor through the guide tube, thereby improving detection accuracy while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is placed in direct contact with the refrigerant tube, then detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into distinct functional components: a guide tube for thermal contact, a fixing device with first and second fixing parts for secure attachment, and a temperature sensor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation by allowing pre-assembly of the guide tube and sensor before mounting to the refrigerant tube.
3Reliability
If a fixing device is used to secure the guide tube and sensor, then detection stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the first fixing part secures the guide tube, the second fixing part secures the temperature sensor, and both are connected through a unified structure. This merging ensures stable thermal contact and reliable sensor positioning while avoiding the need for multiple separate fastening components, thereby maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
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 enables precise refrigerant temperature detection, efficient operation of the refrigeration cycle, and reduced power consumption by utilizing waste heat, improving the overall performance and energy efficiency of the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing device for fixing a guide tube disposed on an inlet-side or outlet-side of the refrigerant tube and the temperature sensor in a state where the guide tube is in contact with the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger including a refrigerant tube in which a refrigerant flows and a heat exchange fin in which the refrigerant tube is inserted
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant is heat-exchanged with external air
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a heat exchanger assembly for a refrigerator (10). The heat exchanger (50) assembly includes a heat exchanger provided on one side of a refrigerator body (11), the heat exchanger (50) including a refrigerant tube (51) in which a refrigerant flows and a heat exchange fin (53) in which the refrigerant tube (51) is inserted, a temperature sensor (150) disposed on an inlet-side or outlet-side of the heat exchanger (50) to detect a temperature of the refrigerant, and a fixing device (100) for fixing a guide tube (80) disposed on an inlet-side or outlet-side of the refrigerant tube (51) and the temperature sensor (150) in a state where the guide tube (80) is in contact with the temperature sensor (150).