Refrigerator Synchronous Cooling Control for Lower Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator appliances face a challenge in achieving energy efficiency without significant cost increases, as existing improvements in components and insulation materials often offset energy savings with higher appliance costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of synchronous temperature control (STC) in refrigerator appliances, which synchronizes the cooling cycles of the freezer and refrigeration compartments using a controller, evaporator fans, and a valve system to maintain set point temperatures, optimizing energy consumption and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If more efficient electrical components and improved thermal insulation materials are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but appliance cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the operational parameters of the compressor and evaporator fan based on temperature feedback from sensors. The controller modulates compressor cycling and fan speed to optimize energy consumption without requiring expensive hardware upgrades. This resolves the contradiction by achieving energy efficiency through intelligent control rather than costly component upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control using temperature sensors in both compartments that continuously monitor conditions and provide signals to the controller. The controller adjusts compressor and fan operation based on this feedback, enabling dynamic optimization of energy usage. This feedback mechanism achieves energy efficiency improvements without increasing appliance cost, as it uses existing components in a smarter way.
2Measurement precision
If independent temperature control is used for each compartment, then temperature precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of two compartments by using a single controller that coordinates compressor and fan operation for both the freezer and refrigeration compartments. Instead of independent control systems, the controller synchronizes cooling cycles and shares the evaporator resource between compartments. This combined approach maintains temperature precision while reducing overall energy consumption by eliminating redundant cooling cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through synchronized cooling cycles where the compressor and evaporator fan operate in coordinated intervals serving both compartments. The controller alternates between prioritizing freezer and refrigeration compartment cooling needs, creating periodic service patterns that maintain both temperatures within acceptable ranges while minimizing total runtime and energy use compared to continuous independent operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If synchronized cooling cycles are implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but temperature uniformity between compartments may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the evaporator fan speed variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts fan speed based on real-time temperature conditions in both compartments, enabling flexible distribution of cooling capacity. This dynamic control allows synchronized operation to reduce energy consumption while maintaining temperature uniformity, as the system can respond to changing thermal conditions and balance loads between compartments during different phases of the cooling cycle.
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
STC minimizes energy consumption while maintaining compartment temperatures within user-defined ranges, achieving significant energy savings and improved appliance efficiency without increasing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator in thermal communication with the refrigeration and the freezer compartment
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant circuit arranged to allow flow of the refrigerant between the condenser, the evaporator and the compressor
Implementation Method 3
a condenser, a refrigerant, a compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator appliance configuration, and associated methods of operation, for an appliance with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper, and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The controller, by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system, depending on the appliance configuration, synchronizes alternating cycles of cooling each compartment to a temperature approximately equal to the compartment set point temperature.