In-Vehicle Refrigeration Reshapes the Automobile Industry

Outdoor refrigerators are designed for outdoor use such as cars, outdoor living spaces, trucks, etc. Outdoor refrigerators have a wider ambient temperature range than indoor refrigerators.

Lately, the demand for outdoor refrigerators, especially for in-vehicle use has been on the rise. These refrigerators can be widely divided into three categories: portable refrigerators, retail refrigerators, and OEMs. Portable refrigerators can be simply carried inside a car or vehicle, retail refrigerators are retrofitted in vehicles after they are already in the market, and OEMs are installed in the vehicle during the production process.

Portable refrigerators make camping and other outdoor activities more enjoyable and convenient. A portable refrigerator has a relatively larger capacity of about 40-60 liters, and the retail and OEM products are smaller with a capacity of 8~15L.

So, we are faced with the question — why are these products gaining popularity?
With the rising interest in camping activities and RV sales, the demand for portable refrigerators is catching up fast. Since the advent of electric vehicles, many EV companies have been contemplating the integration of refrigeration units into their automobiles as a strategic means to enhance the competitive advantage of their products.

It is crucial to highlight that in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, battery capacity was constrained. Nevertheless, with the transition to electric vehicles, both battery capacity and usage have seen an upward curve. In a similar vein, automobiles have welcomed many home appliances for use in vehicles and refrigerators have emerged as the most popular choice for evident reasons.

Electric vehicles operate very quietly thanks to the absence of engine sounds. In such circumstances, even the slightest noise gets amplified, underscoring the importance of ensuring that compressors for in-vehicle refrigeration generate minimal noise to enhance the comfort of the end user.

Given the constrained space within a car, a compact or lightweight compressor with minimal noise and vibrations is appropriate. With this exact consideration in mind, LG developed its BCA Compressor.

The BCA Compressor is widely used by well-renowned global automotive companies for automobile refrigeration. It has a wide range of applications ranging from in-vehicle refrigerators, and water purifiers to inbuilt refrigerators in yachts.

The BCA Compressor is available in AC and DC inputs, with both types having proved useful for a variety of cooling and refrigeration applications. AC inputs are mainly used for water purifiers, beverage machines, medical refrigerators, etc. On the other hand, DC inputs are used widely in portable refrigerators in RVs, yachts, aircraft, buses, as well as the refrigerators in sedans.

The key features of this compressor are reduced noise, compact design, lightweight and long-lasting durability. This micro compressor weighs no more than a mere 1.5 kg making it incredibly easy to transport. Its compact design allows for more refrigeration space without adding to the size of the refrigeration unit.

As we all know, automobiles are made for moving people and objects from one place to another, meaning they are in constant motion. Anything that goes inside a vehicle should be readily able to handle the constant vibrations and instability induced by the continuous movement. Owing to this fact, the safety standards for spare parts used in vehicles are much higher than those in home appliances making it significantly harder to meet safety standards and regulations applicable for automobiles.

LG’s BCA Compressor meets the safety standards for automobiles and is not only reliable for use in cars like sedans but has also proved to be ideal for use in heavy vehicles like RVs and trucks. In conclusion, we can say that the BCA Compressor is a result of advanced automobile refrigeration engineering.

Noise and vibration play crucial roles in in-vehicle appliances, particularly in refrigerators designed for automobiles. Furthermore, offering products capable of minimizing noise and vibrations is becoming increasingly essential for enhancing customer experience.

On the other hand, given the compact nature of the product, mitigating structural interference and resonance assumes paramount importance. Considering the limited space available, reducing noise across all frequency ranges, both low and high, becomes imperative.

The focal point lies in minimizing gas pulsation, a characteristic inherent in reciprocating compressors while optimizing the load that induces vibrations.

As the demand for in-vehicle refrigeration increases, so will the need for in-vehicle refrigerator compressors. Although, currently, the use of in-vehicle refrigerators is limited to high-end automobiles and RVs, it is foreseeable that this trend will eventually become ubiquitous as accessibility expands across various segments.