Roll-Bond Evaporator Defrosting Using Fan Airflow and Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with roll-bond type evaporators face challenges in efficiently defrosting the evaporator without the use of electro-thermal heaters, which can lead to incomplete defrosting and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a defrost sensor to monitor the evaporator temperature, combined with a controlled blowing fan operation to naturally defrost the evaporator by circulating warmer air from the storage chamber, allowing for multiple stages of defrosting to ensure complete defrosting without electro-thermal heaters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If electro-thermal heaters are used to defrost the evaporator, then the defrosting speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electro-thermal heater from the defrosting system and replaces it with a natural convection-based defrosting mechanism using the blowing fan and temperature differential between storage chambers, thereby eliminating the energy-consuming heating element while maintaining defrosting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the temperature difference between the freezing chamber and refrigerating chamber, combined with fan-driven air circulation, to create a self-sustaining defrosting process that does not require external energy input beyond the existing cooling operation
2Reliability
If electro-thermal heaters are used to defrost the evaporator, then the defrosting effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the electro-thermal heater component entirely, simplifying the device structure while achieving effective defrosting through the blowing fan and natural convection mechanisms that are already present in the refrigerator system
Solution Approach 2:
The blowing fan, originally designed for air circulation during cooling operation, is repurposed to also drive the defrosting process by directing warm air from the refrigerating chamber onto the evaporator, making it a multi-functional component
3Use of energy by moving object
If the evaporator is not thoroughly defrosted, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the cooling efficiency deteriorates and food decay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the evaporator temperature and provides feedback to the control unit, which terminates the defrosting operation when the predetermined temperature is reached, ensuring thorough defrosting without unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The defrosting operation is performed periodically based on temperature thresholds and operational timing, creating a cyclic process that alternates between cooling and defrosting modes to maintain optimal evaporator conditions
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 effectively defrosts the roll-bond evaporator while minimizing energy consumption and preventing food decay by ensuring thorough defrosting and maintaining optimal storage chamber temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing fan configured to draw air from the storage chamber to blow the air into the air flow channel
Implementation Method 2
a defrost sensor disposed on the roll-bond evaporator to sense a temperature of the roll-bond evaporator
Implementation Method 3
The refrigerator may use a fin tube type heat-exchanger or a roll-bond type heat-exchanger as an evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator a duct arranged to partition an inner space of a storage chamber body into a storage chamber and an air flow channel, wherein the duct has an ejection hole defined therein; a roll-bond evaporator disposed in the air flow channel, wherein the roll-bond evaporator has a top and a bottom, a left end and a right end; a blowing fan configured to draw air from the storage chamber to blow the air into the air flow channel; and a defrost sensor closer to one of the top and bottom than the other of the top and the bottom, wherein said one is closer to the blowing fan than the other, wherein the sensor is closer to one of the left end and the right end than the other of the left end and the right end.