Refrigerated warehouse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling warehouses using refrigerant sensors at a single location cannot accurately determine the degree of refrigerant leakage, leading to unnecessary shutdowns and potential damage to stored objects.

Innovation Solution

A cooling warehouse equipped with multiple refrigerant leakage detectors at different heights and a controller that assesses detection data to determine the degree of leakage, allowing for controlled air circulation to prevent refrigerant stagnation and potential fires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple leakage detectors at different heights are installed, then the measurement precision of refrigerant leakage degree is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerant leakage degree determination accuracyVSAvoidnumber of leakage detectors and control logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling warehouse interior is divided into multiple vertical detection zones by installing leakage detectors at different heights (first, second, and third detectors at respective height positions). This segmentation allows the system to detect refrigerant leakage at different vertical levels, thereby determining the degree of leakage more accurately without requiring a single complex detector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system transitions from a single-point detection approach to a multi-dimensional vertical distribution of detectors. By arranging detectors at different heights along the vertical dimension, the system can assess the vertical spread and concentration of leaked refrigerant, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of leakage degree while maintaining relatively simple individual detector components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If refrigerant leakage is detected, then the cooling operation is stopped to prevent fire, but the productivity decreases when leakage is minor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire prevention capabilityVSAvoidcooling operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system applies partial action by differentiating between minor and severe leakage conditions. When refrigerant leakage is detected, the system evaluates the degree of leakage based on which detectors are triggered and their concentration levels. Only when leakage reaches a severe threshold does the system stop the cooling operation; for minor leakage, the cooling operation continues with monitoring, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the response parameter based on the detected refrigerant concentration level. Instead of a binary stop/continue decision, the control system adjusts its response according to the severity parameter: low concentration allows continued operation with alert, while high concentration triggers operation shutdown. This parameter-based differentiation resolves the contradiction between safety and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables precise determination of refrigerant leakage levels, reducing the risk of refrigerant stagnation and fire outbreaks while minimizing damage to stored objects by adjusting cooling operations based on leakage severity.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of leakage detectors that are provided at different heights in the cooling warehouse and each detect refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefrigerant detection:

Implementation Method 2

the controller drives the air-sending device to move air inside the cooling warehouse, thereby discharging the leaked refrigerant outside the cooling warehouse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir movement:

Implementation Method 3

the specific gravity of fluorocarbon-based refrigerant containing slightly flammable refrigerant is greater than the specific gravity of air. Consequently, if refrigerant leaks out of an indoor unit, the refrigerant may disadvantageously stagnate inside the cooling warehouse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational settling: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3569955B1Refrigerated warehouse

Publication Date: 2021.05.19 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

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AI summary

A cooling warehouse includes a warehouse main body in which an introduction port through which air outside the cooling warehouse is introduced and a discharge port through which air inside the cooling warehouse is discharged are formed, an air-sending device that introduces air outside the cooling warehouse to an inside of the cooling warehouse and discharges air inside the cooling warehouse to an outside of the cooling warehouse, a plurality of leakage detectors that are provided at different heights in the cooling warehouse and each detect refrigerant, and a controller that controls the air-sending device depending on whether or not one of the plurality of leakage detectors detects refrigerant, whether or not another of the plurality of leakage detectors detects refrigerant, and a time during which refrigerant has been detected by each of the plurality of leakage detectors.