Wave-Fin Refrigerator Condenser for Compact Heat Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators face limitations in condenser size due to inefficient heat radiation, leading to suboptimal refrigerant condensation within the limited space of the machinery compartment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a refrigerant pipe with a plate fin and wave fin structure, where the pipe is bent and connected by heat radiating pipes, with the plate fin and wave fin made of aluminum and coupled through brazing, enhancing heat radiating efficiency and allowing for miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the condenser uses a conventional structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the heat radiating efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the fin surfaces by forming wave-shaped patterns on the fins. These curved/waved fin surfaces increase the surface area for heat radiation compared to flat fins, thereby improving heat radiating efficiency. The curvature is achieved through forming processes that create sinusoidal or wave-like patterns on the fin surfaces while they are in a flexible state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat fin structure to a three-dimensional waved fin structure. By adding the wave dimension perpendicular to the flat fin surface, the heat radiating surface area is significantly increased without substantially increasing the footprint area, thereby improving heat radiating efficiency within the same spatial envelope.
2Volume of moving object
If the condenser size is reduced, then the space efficiency is improved, but the heat radiating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-layered fin structure where waved fins are arranged in overlapping layers. The fins are positioned such that they nest within each other's spatial envelope, creating a compact stacked arrangement. This nesting approach maximizes the heat radiating surface area within a reduced volume by efficiently utilizing vertical and horizontal space through layered configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The waved/curved fin surfaces increase the heat radiating surface area within a compact footprint. The curvature allows the fins to pack more efficiently in three-dimensional space, enabling a smaller overall condenser volume while maintaining or enhancing heat radiating capability through the increased effective surface area of the curved fins.
3Loss of energy
If the fin surface area is increased, then the heat radiating efficiency is improved, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar fin arrangement to a three-dimensional waved fin structure. The wave patterns add vertical dimension to the fin surfaces, increasing heat radiating area without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint. Multiple layers of fins are stacked vertically, allowing substantial surface area expansion while maintaining a compact base area.
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 configuration improves heat radiating efficiency, enabling effective refrigerant condensation even in compact spaces, reducing energy consumption and allowing for a more compact condenser design.
Implementation Method 1
a plate fin coupled to one side portion of the refrigerant pipe; and a wave fin provided to make contact with a rear surface portion of the plate fin
Implementation Method 2
a condenser to condense the refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
improved heat radiating efficiency, and thus a miniaturization thereof may be achieved while enhancing space efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A condenser (100) and a refrigerator (1) having the same, the condenser (100) includes a refrigerant pipe (110), a plate fin (130) coupled to one side portion of the refrigerant pipe (110), and a wave fin (140) making contact with a rear surface of the plate fin (130). Through the structure as such, the condensation efficiency of the condenser (100) may be enhanced, and furthermore, the condenser (100) may be miniaturized, and thus is effective in utilizing space.