Magnetic refrigerator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic refrigerators using two different positive and negative magnetic members suffer from poor heat transfer efficiency due to non-uniform magnetocaloric effects and high costs, with the negative magnetic material being rare and expensive, leading to large and heavy devices.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic refrigerator design utilizing magnetic members of the same material, where a plurality of magnetic members are arranged with gaps, and a magnet/heat conductive member applies magnetism individually to each member, allowing for efficient heat transfer through the magnetocaloric effect, reducing device size, weight, and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two different positive and negative magnetic members are used, then the magnetocaloric effect can be exhibited, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates due to non-uniform magnetocaloric effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using magnetic members made of the same material throughout the system. This ensures uniform magnetocaloric effects across all magnetic members, eliminating the efficiency problems caused by mixing positive and negative magnetic materials with different properties. The uniform material composition allows consistent heat transfer performance.
2Reliability
If two different positive and negative magnetic members are used, then the magnetocaloric effect can be exhibited, but the device cost deteriorates due to rare and expensive negative magnetic material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive rare negative magnetic materials by using only common positive magnetic materials throughout the system. This homogeneity in material selection dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the magnetocaloric effect functionality through uniform magnetic member composition.
3Reliability
If two different positive and negative magnetic members are used, then the magnetocaloric effect can be exhibited, but the device weight deteriorates due to large and heavy magnetic circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device weight by using uniform positive magnetic materials that are lighter than the combination of positive and negative magnetic materials. The homogeneous material composition allows for a more compact and lighter magnetic circuit design while maintaining full magnetocaloric functionality.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If heat is transported by using heat conduction of solid material, then the environmental impact is reduced compared to gaseous refrigerant, but the heat transfer capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the heat transfer capacity of solid material conduction by optimizing thermal contact parameters. This includes using thermal conductive members with high thermal conductivity and designing optimal contact surfaces between magnetic members and heat exchange portions, thereby improving heat transfer capacity while maintaining the environmental benefits of solid-state refrigeration.
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 enhances heat transport capability and efficiency, enabling a smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective magnetic refrigerator by leveraging uniform magnetocaloric effects in same-material magnetic members.
Implementation Method 1
Some of the magnetic material exhibits, when the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic body is changed, vary temperature of itself in response to that change, through so-called magnetocaloric effect.
Implementation Method 2
heat is transported by using head conduction of solid material
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3(1)~3(3)'
AI summary
[Problem] To improve heat transport capability and heat transport efficiency and reduce the size, weight, and cost. [Solution] A magnetic body arranged plate (700) has a plurality of magnetic body units (200A, ...) each including a plurality of magnetic members (10Aa, ...) made of the same material and arranged in row at intervals. The magnetic body units (200A, ...) are arranged side by side at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the arranging direction of the magnetic members (10Aa, ...). A low-temperature side heat exchange unit and a high-temperature side heat exchange unit are disposed at one end and at the other end of each magnetic body units (200A, ...), on the magnetic body arranged plate (700), respectively. A plurality of permanent magnets and a plurality of heat conductive members facing the magnetic body arranged plate (700) are arranged on a magnet/heat conductive member arrenged plate. When the magnetic body arranged plate (700) and the magnet/heat conductive member arranged plate are moved relative to each other in the arranging direction of the magnetic body units (200A, ...) by a driving unit, the permanent magnets apply magnetism separately to the magnetic members (10Aa, ...) of each magnetic body unit (200A, ...). The magnet/heat conductive member arranged plate creates a temperature difference and conducts heat in one direction between the magnetic members of each magnetic body units (200A, ...), between the magnetic member positioned at one end of the magnetic body units (200A, ...) and the low-temperature side heat exchange unit, and between the magnetic member positioned at the other end of the magnetic body unit (200A, ...) and the high-temperature side heat exchange unit.