Refrigerator Quick-Cooling Compartment Using Thermoelectric Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a refrigerator to have a separate storage space that can quickly cool foods in addition to the standard refrigerating and freezing compartments, as existing refrigerators do not efficiently provide a low-temperature storage solution for certain types of food.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design incorporating a quick cooling module that includes a thermal conductive unit in thermal conduction with a refrigerant pipe and a thermoelectric device, which uses the Peltier effect to rapidly cool a designated storage compartment by heat-exchanging with the refrigerant pipe, allowing for super-low temperature cooling without requiring a separate refrigeration cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a separate refrigeration cycle is added to provide quick cooling, then cooling speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the quick cooling function with the existing refrigeration system by integrating a heat exchange chamber and thermoelectric device into the current refrigerant circulation path. The quick cooling module shares the refrigerant supply from the compressor and condenser with the main refrigeration system, eliminating the need for a separate refrigeration cycle while achieving rapid cooling in the second storage compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the refrigeration system into distinct functional zones: a first storage compartment for general refrigeration, a second storage compartment for quick cooling, and a heat exchange chamber for thermal management. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific purpose independently while sharing common components like the compressor and condenser.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a thermoelectric device is used for quick cooling, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat exchange chamber as an intermediary between the refrigerant pipe and the second storage compartment. This heat exchange chamber acts as a thermal mediator that amplifies the cooling effect of the thermoelectric device by utilizing the cold refrigerant to pre-cool the air before it enters the storage compartment, thereby extending the effective temperature range beyond what the thermoelectric device alone could achieve.
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
Enables quick and efficient cooling of foods to extremely low temperatures, reducing freezing time and eliminating the need for a separate defrosting operation, while also serving as a defrosting member for the evaporator and potentially a quick thawing compartment by reversing the thermoelectric device's heat flow.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device having a first surface in thermal conduction with the thermal conductive unit to heat-exchange with the thermal conductive unit when current is supplied
Implementation Method 2
a thermal conductive unit in thermal conduction with the refrigerant pipe
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator received in the heat exchange chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a main body in which a first storage compartment is defined, and a heat exchange chamber defined in the main body. An evaporator received in the heat exchange chamber. A second storage compartment is provided in the first storage compartment and a quick cooling module to cool an inside of the second storage compartment is provided, where the quick cooling module heat-exchanges with a refrigerant pipe of the evaporator. The quick cooling module includes a thermal conductive unit in thermal conduction with the refrigerant pipe, and a thermoelectric device having a first surface in thermal conduction with the thermal conductive unit to heat-exchange with the thermal conductive unit when current is supplied and a second surface facing the second storage compartment.