Refrigeration Machine Capillary Inlet Design to Reduce Dead Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional refrigeration machines have inefficiencies due to the capillary's limited ability to remove refrigerant from the dryer, leading to variations in refrigerant circulation and potential damage to moisture-binding materials, affecting cooling capacity and circulation.

Innovation Solution

The capillary is designed to rise from the inlet end, reducing the dead volume of non-circulating refrigerant, with additional evacuation connections and adaptive nozzle shapes to ensure complete evacuation and minimize refrigerant trapped in the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the capillary dips deep into the dryer housing to remove more refrigerant, then the refrigerant removal efficiency is improved, but the risk of damaging the moisture-binding material increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant removal efficiencyVSAvoidmoisture-binding material integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a screen as an intermediary element between the capillary inlet and the moisture-binding material. This screen allows the capillary to extend deeper into the dryer housing for improved refrigerant removal while preventing direct contact with and potential damage to the moisture-binding material. The screen acts as a mediator that permits refrigerant flow while protecting the delicate material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The screen is installed in advance to establish a protective barrier before the capillary is positioned. This preliminary action ensures that when the capillary is inserted to optimize refrigerant removal, the moisture-binding material is already protected from potential damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the capillary dips deep into the dryer housing to remove more refrigerant, then the refrigerant removal efficiency is improved, but the capillary may block the inlet of the capillary itself

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigerant removal efficiencyVSAvoidrefrigerant circulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The screen serves as a mediator that prevents the capillary inlet from being blocked by the moisture-binding material. It allows refrigerant to pass through to the capillary while preventing the capillary inlet from becoming obstructed, thus maintaining ease of operation and refrigerant circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the capillary inlet end is positioned higher in the dryer housing, then the risk of damaging the moisture-binding material is reduced, but the amount of non-circulating refrigerant trapped in the dryer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture-binding material integrityVSAvoidnon-circulating refrigerant amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The screen enables the capillary to extend lower into the dryer housing without directly contacting the moisture-binding material. This intermediary structure allows the capillary inlet to be positioned at an optimal lower level for refrigerant removal while the screen prevents damage to the moisture-binding material, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design reduces the amount of refrigerant needed, stabilizes cooling capacity, and prevents damage to moisture-binding materials, resulting in more consistent and efficient refrigerant circulation.

Implementation Method 1

the capillary is designed to rise from the inlet end, reducing the dead volume of non-circulating refrigerant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a moisture-binding material is accommodated so that the circulated refrigerant flows through it and the refrigerant remaining in the refrigerant circuit during evacuation and disconnection is removed from the refrigerant entrained moisture binds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3894761B1Refrigeration machine and regrigeration device using same
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3894761B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3894761B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3894761B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a refrigeration machine, in particular for a domestic refrigeration device, comprising a coolant circuit having a high-pressure section and a low-pressure section, which are connected to one another at two transition points. The first transition point is formed by a compressor (2) and the second transition point by a capillary tube (8). The high-pressure section has a chamber (14) from which an evacuation connector (18) leads away in a downward direction. The capillary tube (8) engages into the evacuation connector (18) in an ascending orientation starting from an inlet end (19) of the capillary tube (8).