Trailer Refrigeration Unit Passage Layout to Reduce Body Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration units for trailers face challenges in reducing thickness due to the arrangement of components like condensers and evaporators, which hinders the creation of sufficient cargo space.
Innovation Solution
The refrigeration unit design features a condensation side passage from the front surface to the top, with the condenser and radiator in series, and evaporator passage formed within the unit body, allowing for efficient air flow and heat exhaust with a frame structure that reduces thickness and enables effective space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the condenser and radiator are arranged in parallel or with space between them, then the installation space is sufficient, but the thickness of the refrigeration unit body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser and radiator are merged into a single integrated component structure, eliminating the space between them. The condenser is positioned at the front and the radiator at the rear, forming a continuous heat exchange assembly that reduces the overall thickness of the refrigeration unit body while maintaining sufficient installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow path is designed to move through the condenser and radiator in a compact three-dimensional arrangement. Air enters from the front, passes through the condenser, then through the radiator, and exits from the rear, creating an efficient spatial utilization that reduces thickness without compromising heat exchange effectiveness.
2Length of stationary object
If the condensation side passage is not formed from front surface to top, then the structure is simpler, but short circuit occurs and thickness cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration unit body is segmented into distinct functional passages: a condensation side passage extending from the front surface to the top for heat exhaust, and a cargo space. This segmentation ensures that the air flow paths are clearly defined, preventing short circuit between different functional zones while maintaining a compact thickness.
3Loss of energy
If sufficient air flow is not obtained, then power consumption is reduced, but heat exhaust efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A condenser fan is incorporated into the condensation side passage to dynamically control air flow. The fan ensures sufficient air circulation through the condenser and radiator, maintaining high heat exhaust efficiency while allowing the system to operate efficiently with optimized power consumption based on actual thermal load requirements.
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 design achieves a thinner refrigeration unit body, efficient heat exhaust, and improved space utilization, while allowing for easy maintenance and integration with the trailer body, reducing costs and enhancing cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
air exchanging heat with the condenser (42) flows through the refrigeration unit body (31)
Implementation Method 2
air in the condensation side passage (70) flows through the condenser (42), the condenser fan (44) and the radiator (55)
Implementation Method 3
the radiator (55) is disposed at the top of the refrigeration unit body (31)... exhaust heat can surely be discharged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigeration unit body (31) is mounted to a trailer (20). The refrigeration unit body (31) includes a refrigerant circuit (40), an engine (50) and an electric generator (51). The refrigeration unit body (31) has a condensation side passage (70) formed from the front surface of the refrigeration unit body (31) to the top thereof. In the condensation side passage (70), a condenser (42) and an electrical component box (54) are disposed in series with condenser fans (44) for the condenser (42) and a radiator (55) in order from upstream to downstream of air flow. In addition, the refrigeration unit body (31) has an evaporation side passage (71) formed therein. The condenser fans (44) in the condensation side passage (70) and evaporation fans in the evaporation side passage are disposed alternately in the width direction of the refrigeration unit body (31).