Refrigerator Refrigerant Path Switching for Low-Temperature Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face issues with refrigerant super-cooling and power consumption when ambient temperatures are low, leading to refrigerant shortages and reduced cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator with a cold air supply device that includes a compressor, condenser, flow path switching valve, and capillary tubes, where a controller adjusts the refrigerant flow path based on external temperature, bypassing the cluster pipe in low temperature modes to prevent super-cooling and optimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the rotational speed of the compressor is increased to ease refrigerant shortage, then the refrigerant supply is improved, but the noise and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow resistance parameters of the capillary tubes by providing multiple tubes with different lengths and/or diameters. This allows adjustment of the refrigerant flow rate without changing compressor speed, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate refrigerant supply to the evaporator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the single capillary tube into multiple parallel capillary tubes with different flow resistance characteristics. This segmentation allows selective use of tubes with appropriate flow resistance for different operating conditions, optimizing refrigerant flow without increasing compressor power consumption
2Quantity of substance
If the rotational speed of the compressor is increased to ease refrigerant shortage, then the refrigerant supply is improved, but the noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow resistance parameters by using multiple capillary tubes with different lengths and/or diameters, allowing optimization of refrigerant flow rate without increasing compressor speed, thereby reducing noise generation from high-speed compressor operation
3Temperature
If the refrigerant flows through the cluster pipe in low ambient temperature, then the refrigerant is further condensed, but the refrigerant becomes super-cooled causing refrigerant shortage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects different refrigerant flow paths using a flow path switching valve based on ambient temperature conditions. In low ambient temperatures, the valve directs refrigerant away from the cluster pipe to prevent super-cooling, while in high ambient temperatures, the cluster pipe is utilized for enhanced condensation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a temperature sensor to detect ambient temperature and provides feedback to the controller, which then adjusts the flow path switching valve accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the refrigerant flow path is optimized for current thermal conditions, preventing super-cooling when ambient temperature is low
4Device complexity
If the refrigerant flow path is fixed, then the system is simple, but the cooling efficiency varies with ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the refrigerant flow path dynamic by introducing a flow path switching valve controlled by ambient temperature. This allows the system to adapt to varying thermal conditions, maintaining optimal cooling efficiency across different ambient temperatures while adding only moderate complexity through the valve and control logic
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 maintains constant cooling efficiency across varying ambient temperatures, reducing power consumption and preventing refrigerant shortages, thereby improving overall refrigeration performance.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser configured to condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 2
a first capillary tube and a second capillary tube connected to the flow path switching valve, respectively
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator connected to the first capillary tube and to the second capillary tube to evaporate the refrigerant received from the first capillary tube or the second capillary tube
Implementation Method 4
a compressor; a condenser configured to condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator including a main body having a storage chamber and a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage chamber, wherein the cold air supply device includes a compressor, a condenser configured to condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor, a flow path switching valve connected to the condenser, a first capillary tube and a second capillary tube connected to the flow path switching valve, respectively, the second capillary tube arranged in parallel with the first capillary tube, and a cluster pipe arranged between the flow path switching valve and the first capillary tube to further condensate the refrigerant pass therethrough. The flow path switching valve is configured to selectively allow the refrigerant received from the condenser to flow into the first capillary tube or the second capillary tube.