Special Compartment Cooling Control for Stable 0°C Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling devices with a special compartment for storing foodstuffs like cheese and meat at approximately 0°C struggle to maintain the desired temperature, especially when used in varying ambient conditions, as existing technologies rely on heat transfer between the special compartment and other compartments, which is not effectively controlled within the refrigeration cycle.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a control unit that directs refrigerant fluid between the fresh food compartment, freezing compartment, and special compartment evaporators based on temperature sensors to maintain the 0°C temperature, using valves to manage refrigerant flow and optimize refrigeration cycle performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the special compartment temperature is controlled by heat transfer between compartments independently from the refrigeration cycle, then the temperature control is simplified, but the temperature cannot be kept within the desired interval under varying ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The special compartment evaporator is extracted from the common refrigeration cycle and given a separate control mechanism. The control unit independently manages refrigerant flow to the special compartment evaporator based on its specific temperature requirements, separating its temperature control from the main refrigeration cycle control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow distribution based on real-time temperature sensor feedback from different compartments. The control unit continuously monitors temperatures and adjusts valve positions to optimize refrigerant allocation to each evaporator, including the special compartment evaporator, ensuring adaptive temperature control under varying conditions.
2Device complexity
If refrigerant fluid is directed to multiple evaporators through a single cycle, then the refrigeration system is simplified, but the special compartment temperature cannot be precisely maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is segmented into multiple independent control zones. The special compartment evaporator is provided with dedicated refrigerant supply control through separate valves and temperature sensors, allowing independent temperature management for the special compartment while maintaining the overall refrigeration cycle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors in the special compartment and other compartments provide continuous feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts refrigerant flow distribution to maintain precise temperature control in each compartment, particularly ensuring the special compartment stays within its desired temperature interval.
3Reliability
If the refrigeration cycle operates continuously to maintain compartment temperatures, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration cycle operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit monitors temperatures in all compartments and activates the compressor and refrigerant circulation only when temperature thresholds are exceeded, allowing periodic operation that maintains temperature stability while reducing unnecessary energy consumption during periods when temperatures are already within desired ranges.
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 maintains the special compartment temperature within the desired range by dynamically directing refrigerant fluid, improving refrigeration cycle performance and reducing energy consumption by terminating the cycle when compartments are sufficiently cooled.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor (5) providing the compression of the refrigerant fluid
Implementation Method 2
a condenser (6) that enables the refrigerant fluid leaving the compressor (5) as hot vapor to be condensed so as to change into liquid phase
Implementation Method 3
at least one fresh food compartment evaporator (7) providing the cooling of the fresh food compartment (2); at least one freezing compartment evaporator (8) providing the cooling of the freezing compartment (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a fresh food compartment (2) wherein the foods are placed to be cooled; a freezing compartment (3) that is kept at lower temperatures than the fresh food compartment (2) and wherein the foods are placed to be frozen; a special compartment (4) that is disposed inside the fresh food compartment (2) and that is kept at a temperature between the fresh food compartment (2) temperature and the freezing compartment (3) temperature; a compressor (5) providing the compression of the refrigerant fluid; a condenser (6) that enables the refrigerant fluid leaving the compressor (5) to change to the liquid phase by being condensed; at least one fresh food compartment evaporator (7) providing the cooling of the fresh food compartment (2); at least one freezing compartment evaporator (8) providing the cooling of the freezing compartment (3); a first temperature sensor (10) that measures the temperature of the fresh food compartment (2) for controlling the cooling process; a second temperature sensor (11) that measures the temperature of the freezing compartment (3) for controlling the freezing process; a first valve (13) that is disposed at the outlet of the condenser (6), and a control unit (14) that enables the refrigerant fluid leaving the condenser (6) to be directed to the fresh food compartment evaporator (7) or the freezing compartment evaporator (8) by passing through the first valve (13) by evaluating the data received from the first temperature sensor (10) and the second temperature sensor (11).