Refrigerator Evaporator Flow Paths for Lower Heat Exchange Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fin-tube type evaporators in refrigerators face inefficiencies due to low evaporation temperatures and heat exchange losses, leading to suboptimal cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a roll-bond type evaporator with a heat-exchanger that divides the flow path into front and rear paths, utilizing fans and dampers to adjust cool air flow, thereby reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a fin-tube type evaporator is used to supply cool air to storage compartments, then the cooling function is provided, but heat exchange losses occur and evaporation temperature is low resulting in reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into multiple flow paths (first flow path and second flow path) with different evaporation temperatures. This segmentation allows different storage compartments to receive cool air at optimal temperatures for their specific storage needs, reducing unnecessary heat exchange losses and improving overall cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the evaporator are designed with different evaporation temperatures to match the specific cooling requirements of different storage compartments. This local optimization ensures that each compartment receives appropriately cooled air without the energy losses associated with over-cooling or insufficient cooling.
2Productivity
If a single flow path is used in the evaporator, then the structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency is reduced due to heat exchange losses
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is segmented into multiple independent flow paths that can be controlled separately. This segmentation enables optimized cooling for different storage compartments while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates seamlessly into the refrigerator system.
3Volume of stationary object
If the evaporator is positioned close to the rear surface panel, then the space utilization is improved, but heat loss during cool air transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into multiple flow paths with different lengths and configurations. This allows the cooler to be positioned close to the rear surface panel for space efficiency while certain flow paths can be optimized to minimize transport distance to specific storage compartments, reducing heat loss during cool air delivery.
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 enhances cooling efficiency by minimizing heat loss during cool air transport and optimizing energy conservation within the refrigerator.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-exchanger to divide a flow path at which cool air is provided to flow along the cool air supplying unit
Implementation Method 2
the evaporator may include a roll-bond type evaporator
Implementation Method 3
after the air at the evaporator and the temperature converting compartment is heat-exchanged
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator has a flow path structure formed by a heat-exchanger. The refrigerator includes storage compartments, and a cool air supplying unit provided at a rear of the storage compartments to supply cool air at the storage compartments, and the cool air supplying unit includes a heat-exchanger to divide a flow path at which cool air is provided to flow along the cool air supplying unit.