Refrigerator Duct Guide With PCM for Even Cooling Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators exhibit high power consumption due to inefficient temperature distribution within the storage compartment, where the compressor is driven based on the temperature of the upper region, even if the lower region has a lower temperature, leading to unnecessary energy use.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a duct unit with a guide that allows for heat exchange with cold air, featuring a phase change material with a melting point near 0°C, and a tapered design for improved thermal conductivity, along with insulation members and discharge holes for even temperature distribution, delays the initiation of the compressor and reduces power consumption by utilizing accumulated cold air when the compressor is not operating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the compressor is driven based on the temperature of the upper region of the storage compartment, then the upper region temperature control is improved, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily because the lower region already has a lower temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is divided into multiple temperature zones (upper and lower regions) with independent temperature sensing. Each zone has its own temperature sensor that independently monitors local temperature conditions, allowing the control system to make decisions based on the warmest zone only, rather than uniformly controlling the entire compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the storage compartment are assigned different temperature characteristics, with the lower region naturally maintaining a lower temperature due to cold air sinking. The control system applies local quality by monitoring and controlling each region differently, using the temperature of the upper (warmer) region as the primary control parameter while allowing the lower region to maintain its naturally cooler state.
2Volume of stationary object
If the storage capacity of the refrigerator is increased, then the storage capability is improved, but the power consumption increases due to larger volume requiring more cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The enlarged storage compartment is segmented into multiple temperature zones with independent sensing and control. This allows the control system to manage each zone independently, avoiding the need to cool the entire large volume uniformly, thereby reducing the energy required to maintain the expanded storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material is pre-positioned in the lower region to store cold energy in advance. When the compressor stops, this pre-stored cold energy is released to maintain low temperatures in the lower region, reducing the frequency and duration of compressor operation needed for the large storage volume.
3Temperature
If the compressor operates frequently to maintain low temperature, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material is prepared in advance in the lower region to store cold energy before the compressor needs to stop. This preliminary energy storage allows the system to maintain precise temperature control in the lower region during compressor off-periods, extending the intervals between compressor operations while preserving temperature precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material acts as an intermediary thermal energy storage medium between the compressor cycles. It absorbs excess cold energy when the compressor runs and releases it when the compressor stops, smoothing out temperature fluctuations and allowing less frequent compressor operation while maintaining temperature precision.
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 solution achieves reduced power consumption and even temperature distribution within the storage compartment, minimizing unnecessary compressor operation and maintaining consistent temperatures, thereby optimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
The guide may undergo heat exchange with the cold air to be discharged to the storage compartment within the duct unit
Implementation Method 2
a phase change material with a melting point near 0°C
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet (1) having a storage compartment (2), a duct unit 200) formed with a plurality of discharge holes (212, 222) for discharge of cold air to the storage compartment (2), the duct unit (200) providing a path for movement of the cold air, a guide (230) provided inside the duct unit (200), the guide (230) being configured to guide the cold air to be discharged to the storage compartment (2) by dividing the cold air, moving to the top of the duct unit (200), into opposite sides, and a compressor (600) configured to compress a refrigerant so as to supply the cold air to the duct unit (200). The guide (230) includes a Phase Change Material (PCM) having a melting point at a lower temperature than a temperature inside the storage compartment (2), the temperature inside the storage compartment (2) being set to initiate driving of the compressor 600).