Refrigerator Valve Control for Deep-Freezing Compartment Load Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators using thermoelectric modules struggle to maintain a deep freezing compartment at cryogenic temperatures due to limitations in cooling efficiency and temperature control, especially when accommodating different storage compartments with varying temperature requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a refrigerator that involves simultaneously operating the refrigerating compartment and freezing compartment valves during deep freezing compartment load removal operations to maintain temperature stability and enhance cooling capacity, while also switching between simultaneous and exclusive operation modes based on temperature changes in other compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the supply current to the thermoelectric module is increased to lower the heat absorption surface temperature, then the cooling capacity increases, but the self-heat generation increases and heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat generation surface cooler as an intermediary component between the thermoelectric module's heat generation surface and the environment. This cooler actively removes heat from the heat generation surface, preventing self-generated heat from flowing back to the heat absorption surface, thereby enabling the thermoelectric module to operate at higher currents with improved heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cooling system into distinct functional components: the thermoelectric module for primary cooling, the heat generation surface cooler for secondary heat removal, and associated heat exchangers. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the cooler specifically addressing the heat generation issue without interfering with the thermoelectric module's heat absorption function
2Device complexity
If the heat generation surface temperature is not sufficiently cooled, then the system is simpler, but heat flows back to the heat absorption surface causing temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generation surface cooler acts as a mediator that intercepts heat before it can flow back to the heat absorption surface. This intermediary cooling system includes heat exchangers and fluid circulation components that actively manage heat removal, preventing thermal backflow while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the heat generation surface before heat can accumulate and flow back to the heat absorption surface. By continuously removing heat at the generation surface, the system prevents the formation of harmful temperature gradients that would otherwise cause thermal backflow
3Temperature
If the deep freezing compartment is cooled to cryogenic temperature, then food quality is improved, but the temperature control complexity increases when accommodating multiple storage compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature control into independent zones: the deep freezing compartment with cryogenic temperatures for food quality, the freezing compartment at standard freezing temperatures, and the refrigerating compartment at refrigeration temperatures. Each zone has its own cooling control, allowing the deep freezing compartment to operate at optimal cryogenic temperatures without compromising the temperature stability of other compartments
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts cooling operations based on compartment-specific requirements. The controller can independently modulate cooling capacity for each compartment, enabling the deep freezing compartment to reach and maintain cryogenic temperatures while other compartments maintain their respective temperature setpoints, thus managing overall system complexity through dynamic control
4Power
If the thermoelectric module is used to achieve cryogenic temperature, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the efficiency deteriorates due to limited heat generation surface cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generation surface cooler serves as an intermediary heat removal system that prevents waste heat from the thermoelectric module from recirculating back to the cold side. By using a separate cooling circuit with heat exchangers, the system efficiently removes heat at the generation surface without interfering with the thermoelectric module's primary cooling function, thereby maintaining high efficiency even at cryogenic temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermal parameters at the heat generation surface by actively controlling its temperature through the cooler. By maintaining the heat generation surface at a lower temperature, the system reduces the temperature differential that drives heat back to the heat absorption surface, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the thermoelectric module while maintaining sufficient cooling capacity
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 method allows for rapid load removal in the deep freezing compartment without significantly increasing temperatures in other compartments, while maintaining efficient cooling performance across all storage compartments.
Implementation Method 1
an attempt is made to lower the temperature of the deep freezing compartment to a cryogenic temperature by using a thermoelectric module (TEM)
Implementation Method 2
a heat generation surface cooler configured to cool the heat generation surface of the thermoelectric module
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
In a refrigerator control method according to an embodiment of the present invention, an operation corresponding to a deep-freezing chamber load, in which both a refrigeration chamber valve and a freezer chamber valve are opened, is performed when a deep-freezing chamber mode is turned on and the input condition of the operation corresponding to a deep-freezing chamber load is satisfied.