Refrigerator Parallel Evaporator Circuit to Reduce Valve Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators and freezers with multiple evaporators connected in parallel face complexity in simultaneously supplying refrigerant to all evaporators, leading to inefficiencies and potential temperature control issues due to the need for multiple valves and shut-off mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A simplified refrigerant circuit design featuring a control device upstream of the evaporators that distributes refrigerant without shut-off mechanisms downstream, allowing for parallel operation of evaporators with a common suction line, and a regulation system to adjust temperature setpoints to prevent post-evaporation and maintain desired compartment temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple valves and shut-off mechanisms are installed downstream of each evaporator to control refrigerant distribution, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes shut-off means from the downstream lines of evaporators, extracting the complexity of multiple valves and control mechanisms. Instead, a single control device upstream distributes refrigerant to multiple evaporators simultaneously, simplifying the overall system while maintaining temperature control capability through the upstream control point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual control functions into a single control device located upstream of the evaporators. This unified control approach distributes refrigerant to multiple evaporators simultaneously without requiring separate shut-off mechanisms for each evaporator downstream, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Measurement precision
If shut-off means are installed downstream of evaporators to control refrigerant flow, then temperature control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary shut-off means from downstream evaporator lines, eliminating the need for multiple valves and control components. This reduction in parts directly lowers manufacturing costs while the upstream control device maintains adequate temperature control through centralized refrigerant distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive multiple shut-off valves with a simpler, more cost-effective upstream control device. The simplified downstream lines without valves reduce manufacturing complexity and cost, achieving acceptable temperature control through the less expensive upstream control approach rather than requiring costly multiple downstream control mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If refrigerant is supplied sequentially to each evaporator, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple evaporator supply lines into a parallel configuration controlled by a single upstream control device. This allows simultaneous refrigerant supply to multiple evaporators, improving productivity by cooling multiple compartments at the same time rather than sequentially, while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through the unified control approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous and simultaneous refrigerant supply to multiple evaporators through parallel lines controlled by an upstream device. This eliminates the interruptions and delays inherent in sequential supply, maintaining continuous cooling action across multiple compartments and thereby improving overall system productivity without significantly increasing complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are installed in parallel refrigerant lines, then temperature control flexibility is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes multiple downstream valves that would require individual operation, extracting the operational complexity. The upstream control device provides centralized control that simplifies operation while maintaining the ability to distribute refrigerant flexibly to different evaporator combinations, improving ease of operation without sacrificing temperature control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream control device serves multiple functions: it controls refrigerant distribution to individual evaporators, to groups of evaporators, or to all evaporators simultaneously. This multi-functional control mechanism provides the same temperature control flexibility as multiple individual valves would offer, but with simpler operation through a single control point that can adapt to different operating modes.
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 results in a cost-effective, efficient refrigeration system that maintains consistent compartment temperatures and prevents temperature drops by ensuring continuous refrigerant distribution and adaptive temperature control, reducing the risk of ice formation and condensation.
Implementation Method 1
two or more than two evaporators (30, 40, 50) connected in parallel with one another, which preferably cool different compartments (200, 300) of the refrigerator and/or freezer
Implementation Method 2
at least one compressor (70), by means of which the evaporators can be acted upon with refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device has a refrigerant circuit with three parallely switched evaporators (30, 40, 50), which cools different compartments of the device. A compressor (70) guides refrigerant to the evaporators, and a control device i.e. 4-way valve (20), is movable in multiple positions (60). The control device is arranged upstream to the evaporators in a flow direction of the refrigerant such that the control device distributes the refrigerant to the evaporators. Lines of the circuit, which are diverted from the evaporators, communicate with each other and do not comprise a sealant. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a cooling- and/or refrigeration device.