Heat storage device and air conditioner comprising the heat storage device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat storage devices for air conditioners face issues with heat transfer due to inadequate adhesion between the compressor and the heat storage tank, leading to thermal resistance and reduced heat transfer efficiency, often caused by air being trapped between the components.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage device is designed with a flexible heat transfer sheet having vent holes interposed between the compressor and the heat storage tank, where the sheet is 0.5 to 2.0 mm thick and the vent holes occupy 25% or less of the sheet's area, aligned at specific intervals to prevent air entrapment and enhance adhesion, thereby improving heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a heat transfer sheet is interposed between the compressor and the heat storage tank to secure adhesion, then the adhesion property is improved, but air may be left between them which serves as a heat insulating layer and deteriorates heat transfer property
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer sheet is designed with through-holes (porous structure) that allow air to escape during attachment. The sheet has a specific porosity (20-80% of sheet area) with hole diameters of 0.1-5mm, enabling air discharge while maintaining sufficient heat transfer area. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the sheet to provide adhesion while preventing air entrapment that would insulate heat.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer sheet acts as an intermediary between the compressor and heat storage tank, mediating the attachment process. Rather than direct contact or rigid bonding, the flexible sheet with through-holes provides compliant attachment that accommodates surface irregularities while allowing air escape, thus maintaining both adhesion and heat transfer efficiency.
2Reliability
If the heat storage tank is attached directly to the compressor without a heat transfer sheet, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but adhesion property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer sheet is a flexible thin film (0.5-5mm thick) that can conform to the compressor surface and maintain intimate contact. The flexibility allows the sheet to adapt to surface irregularities while the through-holes prevent air entrapment, thus maintaining both adhesion and heat transfer efficiency that neither direct attachment nor rigid bonding could achieve alone.
3Reliability
If the heat transfer sheet is made thinner to improve heat transfer, then heat transfer property is improved, but adhesion property and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet thickness is optimized within a specific range (0.5-5mm, preferably 1-3mm) to balance heat transfer efficiency and structural integrity. This parameter optimization ensures the sheet is thin enough for good thermal contact but thick enough to maintain mechanical strength and accommodate the through-holes without compromising adhesion or structural stability.
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 ensures effective heat transfer between the compressor and the heat storage tank, allowing for rapid increase in temperature of the heat storage material, thus enhancing the efficiency of the air conditioner's defrosting process.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet member is configured by a heat transfer sheet for transferring heat generated by the compressor to the heat transfer surface of the heat storage tank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A heat storage device disposed to surround a substantially cylindrical compressor 6, includes: a heat storage material 36 for storing heat generated by the compressor 6; a heat transfer surface 46b accommodating a heat storage heat exchanger 34, which obtains the stored heat, and being in contact with the compressor so as to obtain the heat generated by the compressor; and a highly flexible heat transfer sheet 51 interposed between the heat transfer surface and the compressor, the heat transfer sheet being provided with vent holes 54 that occupy 25% or less of an entire area of the heat transfer sheet and are provided at predetermined intervals, so as to keep the high heat transfer property.