Refrigerator Coolant Bypass Control for Load-Adaptive Defogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face challenges in securing the optimum coolant circulation amount due to the coolant flowing through a hot line and a single expander, which affects efficiency in removing water drops and adapting to varying loads.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a hot line, first and second capillary tubes, and adjustable valves controlled by a controller to manage coolant flow based on temperature and humidity sensors, allowing for optimal coolant circulation and load adaptation, including a latch valve and 3-way valve for adjusting coolant paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a hot line is provided at the main body to be connected with the condenser, then water drops can be removed, but the coolant circulation amount cannot be optimized depending on load
Solution Approach 1:
The single coolant circulation path is segmented into multiple paths: a first path through the hot line and first capillary tube, and a second path through the second capillary tube. The second coolant adjusting valve divides the coolant flow between these paths, enabling optimized coolant circulation amounts depending on load conditions while maintaining the hot line function for water drop removal
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant circulation by using the second coolant adjusting valve to control the proportion of coolant flowing through the hot line versus the second capillary tube based on real-time load conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the refrigerator to adapt coolant circulation amounts to varying loads while preserving the hot line's water removal capability
2Device complexity
If only one expander is used for coolant flow, then the structure is simple, but the optimum coolant circulation amount cannot be secured
Solution Approach 1:
The single expander is replaced with two expanders (first and second capillary tubes) that work in parallel. The first expander handles coolant through the hot line path, while the second expander handles coolant through the bypass path. This segmentation enables optimized coolant circulation amounts for different load conditions without creating excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dual expander configuration provides multi-functionality: under high load conditions, both expanders operate to maximize coolant circulation; under low load conditions, the system can redirect coolant primarily through one expander. This universal design allows the same structure to handle varying productivity requirements efficiently
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 effectively removes water drops and secures the optimum coolant circulation amount, enhancing the refrigerator's cooling efficiency and adaptability to different loads with a simplified structure.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator evaporating a coolant and cooling a storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
a compressor compressing the coolant evaporated in the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
a condenser condensing the coolant condensed in the compressor
Implementation Method 4
a first capillary tube through which the coolant having passed through the hot line passes, and a second capillary tube through which the coolant condensed in the condenser passes
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes an evaporator configured to evaporate a coolant and to cool a storage compartment, a compressor configured to compress the coolant evaporated in the evaporator, a condenser configured to condense the coolant compressed in the compressor, a hot line configured to receive condensed coolant, a first capillary tube configured to receive condensed coolant from the hot line, a second capillary tube configured to receive condensed coolant and arranged to allow bypassing of the hot line, a first coolant configured to adjust flow of condensed coolant from the hot line to the first capillary tube and a second coolant adjusting valve configured to control flow of condensed coolant from the condenser to the hot line and the second capillary tube.