Ice-Making Refrigerant Pipe Insulation to Prevent Frost and Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
In direct cooling type ice-making systems, frequent frost formation at the ice-making tray and refrigerant pipe occurs due to temperature differences, requiring additional installation and potentially leading to pipe bending or deformation.
Innovation Solution
An insulation structure and fixing structure are implemented around the ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe, using a combination of first and second insulation members coupled with a fixing member to prevent frost formation and ensure the pipe remains straight and securely fixed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the refrigerant pipe is directly inserted into the ice-making compartment to enable direct cooling, then the ice-generating speed is improved, but the pipe is prone to bending or deformation and requires additional fixing measures
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant pipe is constructed as a composite structure with an inner pipe and an outer pipe, where the inner pipe has a smaller outer diameter than the outer pipe's inner diameter, creating an annular space between them. This composite structure provides enhanced mechanical strength and resistance to bending or deformation while maintaining the direct cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner pipe is nested within the outer pipe, forming a concentric arrangement where the annular space between the two pipes can be filled with insulation material. This nested configuration both protects the refrigerant-carrying inner pipe from external forces and provides thermal insulation to prevent frost formation.
2Power
If the refrigerant pipe is directly inserted into the ice-making compartment for direct cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but frequent frost formation occurs at the pipe due to temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
Insulation material is introduced as an intermediary substance filling the annular space between the inner pipe and outer pipe. This insulation layer acts as a thermal barrier that prevents moisture in the air from condensing and freezing on the refrigerant pipe surface, thereby preventing frost formation while allowing the pipe to maintain its low temperature for efficient cooling.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional fixing measures are taken to secure the refrigerant pipe, then pipe stability is improved, but installation and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing function is merged with the insulation structure itself. The insulation material fills the annular space between the inner and outer pipes and extends outward to provide structural support and fixation. This integration eliminates the need for separate fixing components, simplifying both installation and manufacturing processes while maintaining pipe 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
The solution effectively prevents frost formation and deformation of the ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe, maintaining its structural integrity and ensuring efficient ice production.
Implementation Method 1
The insulation member may be configured to surround the ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe to thermally insulate the ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes an insulation structure and fastening structure of an ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe disposed at an inside an ice-making compartment configured to directly supply cooling energy by being in contact with an ice-making tray. The refrigerator includes an insulation member configured to surround the ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe, and a fixing member coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the insulation member in a shape of a loop to prevent the insulation member from being widened.