Ice Thermal Storage Pack Structure for Stable Refrigerator Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator ice thermal storage devices face issues with cooling efficiency due to surface deformation and potential breakage of the ice thermal storage pack during phase change, which reduces contact area and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a support system with an expansion induction region and an air-bubble guide to maintain contact between the ice thermal storage pack and the heat transfer plate, using a metallic heat transfer plate with a coating and a case that allows for expansion of the ice thermal storage pack, ensuring continuous contact and preventing breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ice thermal storage pack is sealed in a pack and placed in the freezing compartment, then the ice thermal storage material is protected, but if the pack breaks or deforms during phase change, the cooling efficiency is reduced and food may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The ice thermal storage device is divided into separate functional components: an ice box for containing the ice thermal storage material, a heat transfer plate for thermal exchange, and a support structure with expansion induction regions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the ice box can accommodate volume changes while the heat transfer plate maintains contact, resolving the contradiction between pack integrity and cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The support bar with expansion induction regions acts as an intermediary between the ice thermal storage pack and the heat transfer plate. It accommodates the volume expansion of ice during freezing while ensuring continuous contact with the heat transfer plate, preventing both pack breakage and maintaining cooling efficiency simultaneously
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ice thermal storage material is allowed to expand during phase change, then the natural phase change process is maintained, but the pack surface deforms and contact area with heat transfer plate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. The support bar includes expansion induction regions that allow controlled movement and deformation to accommodate ice volume changes during phase change. This dynamic design maintains the natural phase change process while preserving contact area with the heat transfer plate through controlled deformation pathways
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 maintains high cooling efficiency and prevents damage to food by ensuring constant contact and preventing breakage of the ice thermal storage pack, even during volume changes, thus enhancing the refrigerator's cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
heat-exchange of a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
ice thermal storage material varies in volume during phase change from liquid to solid
Implementation Method 3
ice thermal storage material varies in volume during phase change from liquid to solid
Implementation Method 4
The cold air is uniformly transferred throughout the storage compartment by convection
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator having an ice thermal storage device. The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a storage compartment defined in the cabinet, and an ice thermal storage device placed in the storage compartment. The ice thermal storage device includes a case including at least one heat transfer plate, and an ice thermal storage pack received in the case and arranged to come into contact with the at least one heat transfer plate.