Solid-state refrigeration device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state refrigeration devices face challenges in efficiently managing temperature differences and defrosting operations, particularly in magnetic refrigeration systems where the low-temperature-side heat exchanger may become frosted, requiring effective defrosting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state refrigeration device incorporating at least one solid-state cooler with a solid refrigerant substance, an internal flow path, and an inducer to induce a caloric effect. The device includes a heat medium circuit connected to first and second heat exchangers, a reciprocating transport mechanism, and an operation switching mechanism to switch between heating and defrosting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the low-temperature-side heat exchanger operates at low temperature for refrigeration, then cooling performance is improved, but frost accumulation occurs on the heat exchanger surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful frost accumulation into a beneficial defrosting process by reversing the heat transfer direction. The high-temperature heat medium from the first heat exchanger is used to melt the frost on the low-temperature-side heat exchanger, transforming the problematic frost into an opportunity for efficient heat transfer during defrosting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between cooling operation and defrosting operation based on operational conditions. The operation switching mechanism adjusts the flow paths and heat transfer directions in real-time, allowing the low-temperature-side heat exchanger to alternate between cooling mode (where frost forms) and defrosting mode (where frost is removed), optimizing overall system performance.
2Productivity
If heat medium is transported continuously for cooling, then refrigeration efficiency is improved, but energy waste occurs during defrosting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own high-temperature heat medium from the first heat exchanger to perform the defrosting operation on the low-temperature-side heat exchanger. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external energy sources or separate heating systems, converting what would be waste heat into a useful resource for removing frost accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the thermal energy from the heat medium that would otherwise be discarded after cooling operation. By routing this heat medium through the low-temperature-side heat exchanger during defrosting mode, the system recovers valuable thermal energy that would have been lost, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and improving system efficiency.
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 device effectively manages temperature differences by utilizing the caloric effect in solid refrigerants and efficiently defrosts the low-temperature-side heat exchanger by reversing the heat transfer process, ensuring continuous operation and improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
In the beds, a magnetic working substance generates heat or absorbs heat in accordance with a magnetic field fluctuation of the magnetic working substance
Implementation Method 2
A heat medium of the heat medium circuit is heated by the magnetic working substance that generates heat. Otherwise, the heat medium of the heat medium circuit is cooled by the magnetic working substance that absorbs heat.
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state refrigeration device includes a solid-state cooler, first and second heat exchangers, a heat medium circuit, a reciprocating transport mechanism to transport a heat medium of the heat medium circuit, and an operation switching mechanism. The operation switching mechanism is configured to switch between a heating operation and a defrosting operation. In the heating operation, the heat medium heated by the solid-state cooler is caused to release heat in the first heat exchanger, and the heat medium cooled by the solid-state cooler is caused to absorb heat in the second heat exchanger. In the defrosting operation, the heat medium cooled by the solid-state cooler is caused to absorb heat in the first heat exchanger, and the heat medium heated by the solid-state cooler is caused to release heat in the second heat exchanger.