Heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microchannel heat exchangers in refrigerators face increased airflow resistance and difficulty in discharging defrost water due to the configuration of headers and fins, while traditional fin-tube heat exchangers struggle with heat exchange performance and high air pressure loss.
Innovation Solution
The design features headers extending parallel to the air flow direction, wider refrigerant tubes in the up-down direction, and fins with varying densities to reduce airflow resistance and facilitate defrost water discharge, while maintaining high heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If headers are positioned perpendicular to air flow direction (traditional configuration), then heat exchange area is maximized, but airflow resistance is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning headers parallel to the air flow direction rather than perpendicular to it. This asymmetric arrangement reduces the obstruction to air flow while maintaining effective heat exchange surfaces, thereby reducing airflow resistance without completely sacrificing heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of header arrangement from perpendicular (blocking air flow path) to parallel (aligned with air flow path). This dimensional reorientation allows air to flow more smoothly over the heat exchange surfaces while headers remain effectively positioned for heat transfer.
2Temperature
If fins are arranged densely to increase heat exchange area, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but defrost water discharge becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different fin densities in different regions. The upper portion has denser fins for enhanced heat exchange, while the lower portion has sparser fins or open spaces that facilitate defrost water discharge. This localized variation in fin density allows simultaneous optimization of both heat exchange efficiency and water discharge capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin structure is segmented into different regions with different densities. The upper region contains densely packed fins for maximum heat exchange, while the lower region has reduced fin density or gaps to create discharge paths for defrost water, allowing each segment to serve its specific function optimally.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If refrigerant tubes are made wider to reduce flow resistance, then refrigerant flow improves, but heat exchange area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the refrigerant tubes from horizontal to vertical arrangement. This dimensional change allows the tubes to extend in the up-down direction, increasing their width in that dimension for reduced flow resistance, while maintaining sufficient heat exchange surface area through the vertical configuration and association with fins.
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 improves heat exchange efficiency, reduces airflow resistance, and allows for easy discharge of defrost water and ice accumulation, enhancing overall refrigeration performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger that improves heat exchange efficiency
Implementation Method 2
flowing air flows at a predetermined angle toward a surface connecting the longitudinal axes of the two headers 1 and 2, thereby passing through between the tubes 3 and the two headers 1 and 2
Implementation Method 3
headers extend in a direction parallel with a flow direction of air
Implementation Method 4
easily discharges defrost water
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger of the present disclosure includes a plurality of front refrigerant tubes through which a refrigerant flows and that extends in a first direction, a plurality of rear refrigerant tubes through which a refrigerant flows and that extends in the first direction and is spaced apart from the plurality of front refrigerant tubes in a second direction crossing the first direction, fins that are disposed between the plurality of front refrigerant tubes and the plurality of rear refrigerant tubes to conduct heat and that extend in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, a pair of front headers that is connected with both ends of the plurality of front refrigerant tubes and supplies a refrigerant, and a pair of rear headers that is connected with both ends of the plurality of rear refrigerant tubes and supplies a refrigerant, wherein the front headers and the rear headers extend in a direction parallel with the third direction.