Solid-state cooling module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state cooling technologies, such as magnetic refrigeration modules, face inefficiencies due to parallel connections of housing portions, which can lead to unnecessary heat transport and performance deterioration from dead volumes and heat leakage between housing portions with different temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state cooling module with housing portions connected in series, incorporating backflow prevention portions and heat insulating layers to manage heat medium flow and prevent reverse flow, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing heat leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If housing portions are connected in parallel, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat leakage occurs between housing portions with different temperatures and dead volumes cause performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The housing portions are segmented into series-connected units rather than parallel connections. Each housing portion is independently connected in series to the next, eliminating the heat leakage paths that exist in parallel configurations where housing portions with different temperatures are adjacent to each other.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between adjacent housing portions. This heat insulating layer acts as a thermal barrier that prevents heat leakage between housing portions while allowing the series connection structure to maintain its compact form.
2Device complexity
If housing portions are connected in parallel, then the device complexity is low, but dead volumes create unnecessary heat transport and performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of connecting housing portions in parallel (conventional approach), the patent inverts the connection topology to series configuration. This inversion eliminates dead volumes between parallel branches and ensures continuous unidirectional flow of the heat medium, improving cooling efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The series connection configuration ensures continuous unidirectional flow of the heat medium through each housing portion in sequence. This eliminates the dead volumes and flow stagnation that occur in parallel connections, maintaining continuous useful thermal action throughout the system.
3Temperature
If heat medium flows through multiple housing portions, then heat management is improved, but reverse flow can occur causing performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
Backflow prevention portions are incorporated into the series connection structure to preemptively prevent reverse flow before it can occur. These portions create flow resistance or directional constraints that ensure the heat medium flows only in the intended unidirectional path through the housing portions, maintaining reliable temperature management.
4Loss of energy
If series connection is implemented, then heat leakage is reduced and efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The series connection structure merges multiple housing portions into a continuous unidirectional flow path. By combining the housing portions in series rather than parallel, the design achieves reduced heat leakage while the integrated series configuration keeps the overall structure manageable despite the increased connection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat insulating layers are used as intermediaries between housing portions in the series connection. These intermediaries provide thermal isolation that reduces heat leakage between adjacent housing portions, and their modular integration into the series structure manages the complexity of the overall connection system.
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
The series connection of housing portions in the magnetic refrigeration module improves heat management, reduces unnecessary heat transport, and maintains performance by ensuring unidirectional heat medium flow and minimizing heat leakage, resulting in more efficient cooling and heating operations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic refrigeration module including a plurality of housing portions each housing a magnetic working substance
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state cooling module includes a plurality of housing portions. Each of the housing portions houses a solid refrigerant substance. The solid-state cooling module is configured to heat or cool a heat medium flowing through insides of the plurality of housing portions. At least some of the plurality of housing portions are connected to each other in series with respect to a flow of the heat medium.