Window Refrigerator With Outdoor Condenser and Night Ice Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators and air conditioners are inefficient, consuming excessive electricity due to their internal condenser coils, which increase indoor heat and noise, and work against air conditioning systems in the summer, leading to higher energy consumption and reduced Coefficient of Performance (COP).
Innovation Solution
A window refrigerator with its condenser coil placed outdoors and an auxiliary evaporator that freezes water at night to aid in daytime cooling, utilizing outdoor cold air for cooling and latent heat for heating and humidifying, while maintaining the evaporator indoors to reduce indoor heat and noise, and incorporating a heat pump for synergistic energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the condenser coil is placed indoors in a conventional refrigerator, then the refrigerator structure is simple and compact, but the refrigerator generates indoor heat and noise, increases electricity consumption, and reduces energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator system is divided into two separate units: an indoor evaporator unit and an outdoor condenser unit. The evaporator with insulation remains indoors to maintain food storage, while the condenser coil is relocated outdoors to discharge heat away from the living space. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by reducing indoor heat generation and improving energy efficiency while maintaining functional simplicity through modular design.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If the condenser coil is placed outdoors in a window refrigerator, then indoor heat and noise are reduced and electricity consumption decreases, but the refrigerator requires installation through a window or wall opening
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser is positioned in a different spatial dimension (outdoors) rather than within the indoor space, utilizing the external environment for heat dissipation. This dimensional relocation allows the condenser to operate independently of indoor constraints while improving energy efficiency. The modular design enables flexible installation through various openings (windows, walls, or balconies) without requiring complex structural modifications.
3Productivity
If an auxiliary evaporator is added to freeze water at night for daytime cooling, then cooling efficiency during hot daytime hours is improved, but the system complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary evaporator pre-freezes water during nighttime hours when electrical demand and rates are lower, storing cold energy in the form of ice. During daytime hot periods, this pre-frozen ice is utilized to enhance cooling capacity without requiring additional electrical input. This preliminary action during off-peak hours improves daytime cooling productivity while managing system complexity through time-based operational scheduling.
4Reliability
If the refrigerator operates continuously during hot summer months with high outdoor temperatures, then the Coefficient of Performance (COP) decreases and electricity consumption increases, but the refrigerator must maintain constant cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator system operates the condenser continuously to maintain constant cooling reliability, while the auxiliary evaporator provides periodic nighttime pre-cooling to reduce the overall energy burden. The ice storage system acts as a thermal buffer that continues to provide cooling during peak daytime hours without requiring continuous high-power operation of the main compressor, thus maintaining reliability while reducing average electricity consumption.
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 reduces electricity consumption, increases energy efficiency, extends the refrigerator's lifespan, and provides a more stable and efficient cooling and heating solution by leveraging outdoor temperature differences and latent heat, without heating the home during summer months.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary evaporator that freezes water at night to aid in daytime cooling, utilizing outdoor cold air for cooling and latent heat for heating and humidifying
Implementation Method 2
a window refrigerator with its condenser coil placed outdoors... utilizing outdoor cold air for cooling
Implementation Method 3
incorporating a heat pump for synergistic energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator having its heat exchanger outdoors. In one embodiment, a thermos is attached to the front of a window air conditioner. In another embodiment, the refrigerator has gated conduits to allow cold outdoor air into the refrigerator. The refrigerator has a compressor that circulates refrigerant in an auxiliary evaporator adjacent to the refrigerator compartment to freeze the water in the refrigerator at night and to allow the ice to keep the refrigerator cold. In another embodiment, the refrigerator is combined with a heat pump such that the outdoor heat exchanger of the heat pump and the outdoor heat exchanger of the refrigerator are in close thermal contact. Another embodiment includes a heat pump having a second evaporator near the refrigerator compartment to cool the inside of the refrigerator compartment and heat the home simultaneously by transferring the heat from inside the refrigerator to the indoors.