Refrigerators with vacuum drawers and vacuum control methods

Abstract

This application provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer and a vacuum control method. The vacuum control method calculates how long the vacuum pump needs to continue running to reach another pressure threshold after the drawer reaches a preset pressure threshold, and uses this calculated time as a compensation period. After the vacuum pump continues running for the compensation period, the air pressure inside the drawer reaches the other pressure threshold. When the air pressure inside the drawer rises back to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump restarts and runs for the compensation period again, causing the air pressure inside the drawer to reach the other pressure threshold once more. Thus, the air pressure inside the drawer is maintained within an ideal range, eliminating the need to separately monitor whether the two pressure thresholds have been reached, making the setup simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and in particular to a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer and a method for controlling vacuum level. Background Technology

[0002] By removing the air from the refrigerator drawers, the air pressure inside the drawers is reduced, thereby weakening the respiration of the food stored inside and extending its storage time.

[0003] In the proposed solution, a vacuum pump is used to extract gas from the drawer, and the gas pressure inside the drawer is monitored in real time. When the gas pressure inside the drawer drops to less than or equal to a first pressure threshold, the vacuum pump stops working. Over time, when the gas pressure inside the drawer rises back to greater than or equal to a second pressure threshold, the vacuum pump starts evacuating again. This process is repeated to maintain the vacuum level inside the drawer within a certain range.

[0004] This requires comparing the pressure inside the drawer with two pressure thresholds, necessitating the installation of two pressure sensors to provide corresponding control signals when the air pressure inside the drawer drops to less than or equal to the first pressure threshold and greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold, respectively. Alternatively, a single pressure sensor could be installed that provides different control signals when the air pressure inside the drawer drops to less than or equal to the first pressure threshold and greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold, which is a more complex setup. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The vacuum control method provided in the first embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0006] Start the vacuum pump;

[0007] When the air pressure inside the container drops to less than or equal to a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is recorded as the base time period.

[0008] The compensation time period is calculated based on the base time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period; wherein, the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters.

[0009] After the compensation period of the vacuum pump has been completed, the vacuum pump shall be stopped.

[0010] When the gas pressure inside the container rises to a level greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump is operated for the compensation period.

[0011] The vacuum control method provided in the first embodiment of the present invention calculates how long the vacuum pump needs to continue running to reach another pressure threshold after the drawer reaches a preset pressure threshold, and uses the calculated time as a compensation period. Thus, after the vacuum pump continues to run for the compensation period, the air pressure in the drawer can reach another pressure threshold. When the air pressure in the drawer rises back to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump is restarted and runs for the compensation period again, and the air pressure in the drawer reaches another pressure threshold again. This cycle is repeated to maintain the air pressure in the drawer within the ideal range, without the need to monitor whether the two pressure thresholds have been reached separately, making the setup simple.

[0012] The vacuum control method provided in the second embodiment of the present invention includes, in the step of starting the vacuum pump, the following steps:

[0013] Monitor whether the container changes from an open state to a closed state;

[0014] If the container changes from an open state to a closed state, the vacuum pump is started.

[0015] The vacuum control method provided in the second embodiment of the present invention monitors that when the container changes from an open state to a closed state, the air pressure inside the container will return to the standard atmospheric pressure. In addition, the remaining volume of the items stored in the container may also change due to the removal and placement of items. Therefore, if the container changes from an open state to a closed state, the evacuation step is restarted to ensure that the air pressure inside the container is within the ideal pressure range.

[0016] The vacuum control method provided in the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein calculating the compensation time period based on the base time period, the compensation coefficient, and the maximum base time period includes:

[0017] The compensation period is calculated using the following formula:

[0018] Δt=kt+Δtmax-ktmax

[0019] Wherein, Δt represents the compensation time period, k represents the compensation coefficient, t represents the base time period, Δtmax represents the maximum compensation time period, Δtmax can be pre-measured or calculated when the container is completely empty, and tmax represents the maximum base time period, tmax can be pre-measured when the container is completely empty.

[0020] The vacuum control method provided in the third embodiment of the present invention gives a specific calculation formula for calculating the compensation time period based on the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period, and the maximum compensation time period. The compensation time period can be automatically calculated based on the statistical basic time period using this formula.

[0021] The vacuum control method provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention uses a compensation coefficient calculated by the following formula:

[0022]

[0023] Wherein, Δtmin represents the minimum compensation time period, which can be pre-measured or calculated when the container is full, and tmin represents the minimum basic time period, which can be pre-measured when the container is full.

[0024] The vacuum control method provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention gives a formula for calculating a compensation coefficient, and then calculates the compensation coefficient in advance before use as a constant for calculating the compensation time period.

[0025] The vacuum control method provided in the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a method for calculating the maximum compensation time period, comprising:

[0026] Measure the volume of the container and the maximum basic time period;

[0027] The maximum compensation time period is calculated based on the volume of the container, the maximum basic time period, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

[0028] The vacuum control method provided in the fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a method for calculating the maximum compensation time period by means of the container volume, the maximum basic time period and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump, thereby obtaining the maximum compensation time period through calculation.

[0029] The sixth embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, including a refrigerator body, a vacuum drawer, a vacuum pump and a control device;

[0030] A vacuum drawer is located in the main body of the refrigerator for storing items;

[0031] The vacuum pump's suction port is connected to the vacuum drawer;

[0032] The control device is configured to include: a sensing unit, located inside the vacuum drawer, for monitoring the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer; a timing unit, for recording the vacuum pump's running time as a base time period when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer drops to less than or equal to a preset threshold; a calculation unit, for calculating a compensation time period based on the base time period, a compensation coefficient, a maximum base time period, and a maximum compensation time period; wherein the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters; a control unit, for stopping the vacuum pump after continuing to run it for the compensation time period; and the control unit is also configured to run the vacuum pump for the compensation time period when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer rises back to greater than or equal to the preset threshold.

[0033] The seventh embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer. The refrigerator also includes a switch that is connected to the vacuum drawer for activating the vacuum pump when the vacuum drawer changes from an open state to a closed state.

[0034] The eighth embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, wherein the calculation unit includes: a calculation module for calculating the compensation time period using the following formula:

[0035] Δt=kt+Δtmax-ktmax

[0036] Wherein, Δt represents the compensation time period, k represents the compensation coefficient, t represents the base time period, Δtmax represents the maximum compensation time period, Δtmax can be pre-measured or calculated when the vacuum drawer is completely empty, and tmax represents the maximum base time period, tmax can be pre-measured when the vacuum drawer is completely empty.

[0037] In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer is provided. The calculation module includes a first calculation submodule, which is used to calculate the compensation coefficient using the following formula:

[0038]

[0039] Wherein, Δtmin represents the minimum compensation time period, which can be pre-measured or calculated when the vacuum drawer is full, and tmin represents the minimum basic time period, which can be pre-measured when the vacuum drawer is full.

[0040] The tenth embodiment of this application provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer. The calculation module includes a second calculation submodule, which is used to measure the volume of the vacuum drawer and the maximum basic time period, and calculate the maximum compensation time period based on the volume of the vacuum drawer, the maximum basic time period, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the steps of a vacuum degree control method in one embodiment of this application.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the steps for starting the vacuum pump to begin evacuation operations in one embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the base time period and the compensation time period in one embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer according to one embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the control logic for the vacuum level of a vacuum drawer in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] Typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that this application can have various variations in different embodiments, all of which do not depart from the scope of this application, and the descriptions and illustrations therein are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit this application.

[0047] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0048] Therefore, a feature pointed out in this specification is used to describe one feature of one embodiment of this disclosure, and does not imply that every embodiment of this application must have the described feature. Furthermore, it should be noted that this specification describes many features. While certain features may be combined to illustrate possible system designs, these features may also be used in other combinations not explicitly stated. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the described combinations are not intended to be limiting.

[0049] In the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, the directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, and back) used to explain the structure and movement of the various elements of this application are relative rather than absolute. These descriptions are appropriate when these elements are in the positions shown in the drawings. If the description of the positions of these elements changes, these directional indications also change accordingly.

[0050] The preferred embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] By removing the air from the refrigerator drawers, the air pressure inside the drawers is reduced, thereby weakening the respiration of the food stored inside and extending its storage time.

[0052] In the proposed solution, a vacuum pump is used to extract gas from the drawer, and the gas pressure inside the drawer is monitored in real time. When the gas pressure inside the drawer drops to less than or equal to a first pressure threshold, the vacuum pump stops working. Over time, when the gas pressure inside the drawer rises back to greater than or equal to a second pressure threshold, the vacuum pump starts evacuating again. This process is repeated to maintain the vacuum level inside the drawer within a certain range.

[0053] This requires comparing the pressure inside the drawer with two pressure thresholds, necessitating the installation of two pressure sensors to provide corresponding control signals when the air pressure inside the drawer drops to less than or equal to the first pressure threshold and greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold, respectively. Alternatively, a single pressure sensor could be installed that provides different control signals when the air pressure inside the drawer drops to less than or equal to the first pressure threshold and greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold, which is a more complex setup.

[0054] refer to Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the steps of a vacuum control method in one embodiment. The method aims to solve problems such as the current need to separately monitor whether two pressure thresholds have been reached inside the drawer, which is complex to set. The method includes the following steps:

[0055] Step S1: Start the vacuum pump;

[0056] Step S2: When the air pressure inside the container drops to less than or equal to a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is recorded as the base time period.

[0057] Step S3: Calculate the compensation time period based on the basic time period, compensation coefficient, maximum basic time period, and maximum compensation time period; wherein, the compensation coefficient, maximum basic time period, and maximum compensation time period are known parameters.

[0058] Step S4: After the vacuum pump has been running for the compensation period, turn off the vacuum pump.

[0059] Step S5: When the gas pressure inside the container rises to a level greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump is run for the compensation period.

[0060] As described in step S1 above, first start the vacuum pump to begin extracting air from the container, causing the air pressure inside the container to decrease.

[0061] In this embodiment, the container is in a conventional sealed state. "Conventional sealed state" means that the container's seal is not absolute, and there may be minor, barely observable leaks.

[0062] In practice, the container can be a vacuum drawer of a refrigerator.

[0063] As described in step S2 above, when the air pressure inside the container drops to less than or equal to a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is recorded as the base time period. For example, if the preset threshold is A, then when the air pressure inside the container drops to A, the time elapsed from starting the vacuum pump in step S1 to the air pressure inside the container dropping to A is recorded, and the recorded time is used as the base time period.

[0064] The preset threshold can be the upper limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. For example, if the ideal pressure threshold range inside the container is 0.08 MPa to 0.06 MPa, then 0.08 MPa can be used as the preset threshold.

[0065] It should be noted that the preset threshold is a critical point for whether to statistically analyze the vacuum pump's operating time. In actual control, the air pressure inside the container can be monitored in real time and compared with the preset threshold. When the air pressure inside the container drops below the preset threshold, the vacuum pump's operating time is statistically analyzed and recorded as the base time period. If the air pressure inside the container is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, no further action is taken.

[0066] As described in step S3 above, the compensation time period is calculated based on the basic time period, compensation coefficient, maximum basic time period, and maximum compensation time period, for use in subsequent steps.

[0067] The compensation period is the duration for which the vacuum pump needs to continue operating beyond the initial base period. Theoretically, after continuously operating for both the base and compensation periods, the vacuum pump can bring the pressure inside the container to the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range.

[0068] Specifically, in the application of refrigerators with vacuum drawers, the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range can be the air pressure corresponding to the maximum vacuum level that the vacuum pump can achieve inside the vacuum drawer.

[0069] The compensation coefficient, maximum base time period, and maximum compensation time period are all known parameters obtained through testing or calculation before installation. For the same container and the working assembly consisting of the vacuum pump that works in conjunction with the container, the compensation coefficient, maximum base time period, and maximum compensation time period are constant.

[0070] As described in step S4 above, after calculating the compensation time period, the vacuum pump continues to run for the compensation time period based on the previously run base time period. This theoretically allows the gas pressure inside the container to reach the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. After the vacuum pump continues running for the compensation time period, it stops operating. The container then enters the pressure holding stage.

[0071] For example, if the basic operating time of the vacuum pump is 30 seconds as calculated through step S2 above, and the compensation time is 15 seconds as calculated through step S3 above, then the vacuum pump needs to run for another 15 seconds after reaching the preset threshold in 30 seconds. That is, from the beginning to the end of this step, the vacuum pump needs to run for a total of 45 seconds.

[0072] As described in step S5 above, during the pressure holding stage, the vacuum pump is stopped. Due to the sealing performance of the container and the release of gas from the contents, the pressure inside the container will slowly rise. When the pressure inside the container rises to a level greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the duration of the vacuum pump compensation period is determined.

[0073] For example, if the vacuum pump stops and the pressure holding phase lasts for 2 hours, the gas pressure inside the container will rise back to the preset threshold. If the compensation time period calculated in the above steps is 15 seconds, then the vacuum pump will run for 15 seconds in this step, so that the gas pressure inside the container will return to the lower limit of the ideal pressure range.

[0074] This cycle repeats, and whenever the pressure inside the container rises to a level greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the vacuum pump is run to compensate for the duration of the time interval, thus maintaining the pressure inside the container within the ideal pressure range.

[0075] In this step, the preset threshold is a critical point for whether to start the vacuum pump. In actual control, the air pressure inside the container can be monitored in real time and compared with the preset threshold. When the air pressure inside the container rises to a level greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump will run for a compensation period. When the air pressure inside the container is lower than the preset threshold, the pressure will be maintained.

[0076] It is understandable that the preset threshold is a reference value. If in step S2, the basis for whether to count the basic time period is when the gas pressure inside the container is less than the preset threshold, then in step S5, the basis for whether to run the vacuum pump to compensate for the time period can be when the gas pressure inside the container is greater than or equal to the preset threshold.

[0077] In this embodiment, the duration of vacuum pump operation when the gas pressure inside the container drops to a preset threshold is used as the base time period. Then, the compensation time period can be calculated using the base time period, compensation coefficient, maximum base time period, and maximum compensation time period. Continuing to run the vacuum pump for the base time period theoretically reaches another pressure threshold. The range between these two pressure thresholds represents the ideal vacuum level within the container. After the vacuum pump stops operating, when the gas pressure inside the container rises back to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump resumes operation for the compensation time period. This cycle repeats, maintaining the gas pressure inside the container within the ideal vacuum level range. Therefore, the goal is achieved simply by monitoring whether the gas pressure inside the drawer reaches a pressure threshold, making the setup much simpler.

[0078] refer to Figure 2 The application provides a schematic diagram of the steps for starting a vacuum pump to begin evacuation operations in one embodiment. In some embodiments, the step S1 of starting the vacuum pump includes:

[0079] Step S11: Monitor whether the container changes from an open state to a closed state;

[0080] Step S12: If the container changes from an open state to a closed state, start the vacuum pump.

[0081] As described in steps S11 and S12 above, the state of the container must be monitored before starting the work. If the container changes from an open state to a closed state, the air pressure inside the container is the same as the outside air pressure. This may be because an item has just been put into the container or an item has been taken out of the container. The remaining volume inside the container has also changed. Therefore, in step S12, the vacuuming operation in the above embodiments is started or restarted.

[0082] For example, if the container is detected to change from an open state to a closed state, the vacuum pump is started and when the air pressure inside the container drops to a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is counted and recorded as the base time period. Then, the compensation time period is calculated and the vacuum pump continues to run for the duration of the compensation time period.

[0083] In some embodiments, step S3, which calculates the compensation time period based on the base time period, the compensation coefficient, and the maximum base time period, includes:

[0084] Step S31: Calculate the compensation time period using the following formula:

[0085] Δt=kt+Δtmax-ktmax

[0086] Wherein, Δt represents the compensation time period, k represents the compensation coefficient, t represents the base time period, Δtmax represents the maximum compensation time period, Δtmax can be pre-measured or calculated when the container is completely empty, and tmax represents the maximum base time period, tmax can be pre-measured when the container is completely empty.

[0087] As described in step S31 above, the compensation time period is calculated using the following formula:

[0088] Δt=kt+Δtmax-ktmax

[0089] Where Δt represents the compensation time period, k represents the compensation coefficient, t represents the base time period, Δtmax represents the maximum compensation time period, and tmax represents the maximum base time period.

[0090] For a pre-configured container and vacuum pump, the base time period t varies depending on the space occupied by the stored items. The compensation coefficient k, the maximum base time period tmax, and the maximum compensation time period Δtmax remain constant. Therefore, in this step, the compensation time period Δt can be calculated by substituting the statistically obtained base time period t and the known parameters k, Δtmax, and tmax into the above formula.

[0091] The compensation coefficient k can be calculated in advance.

[0092] tmax can be pre-measured when the container is completely empty. Specifically, the measurement method can be to use a vacuum pump to evacuate the container when it is completely empty, and when the air pressure inside the container drops to a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is the maximum basic time period tmax.

[0093] Δtmax can be pre-measured or calculated when the container is completely empty. Specifically, when the pressure inside the container drops to a preset threshold, a vacuum pump is used to continue evacuating the container until the pressure reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. The time taken for the vacuum pump to operate from when the pressure inside the container reaches the preset threshold until it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range is the maximum compensation time period Δtmax.

[0094] refer to Figure 3 In this scheme, the base time period t and the compensation time period Δt are linearly related. By performing gain compensation on the evacuation time, the phenomenon of insufficient or excessive evacuation of the container under different load conditions is avoided.

[0095] In some embodiments, the maximum compensation time period can also be calculated based on parameters such as the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

[0096] In some embodiments, the method for calculating the maximum compensation time period includes:

[0097] Step S311: Measure the volume of the container and the maximum basic time period;

[0098] Step S312: Calculate the maximum compensation time period based on the volume of the container, the maximum basic time period, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump. The pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

[0099] As described in steps S311 and S312 above, the volume of the container is first measured and the maximum basic time period tmax is measured according to the method in the above embodiment. Then, the maximum compensation time period Δtmax is calculated based on the measured volume, the maximum basic time period tmax and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

[0100] In some embodiments, the compensation coefficient k is calculated using the following formula:

[0101]

[0102] Where Δtmin represents the minimum compensation time period and tmin represents the minimum base time period.

[0103] tmin can be pre-measured when the container is full. Specifically, the measurement method can be to use a vacuum pump to evacuate the container when it is full, and when the air pressure inside the container reaches a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is the minimum basic time period tmin.

[0104] Δtmin can be pre-measured or calculated when the container is full. Specifically, when the container is full and the pressure inside drops to a preset threshold, a vacuum pump is used to continue evacuating the container until the pressure reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. The time taken for the vacuum pump to operate from when the pressure inside the container reaches the preset threshold until it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range is the minimum compensation time period Δtmin.

[0105] In general use, "the container is full" should be understood as meaning that the container is filled with items that are likely to be stored there normally, rather than that there is absolutely no space left. For example, if the container is a vacuum drawer of a refrigerator, to test the minimum base time period tmin and the minimum compensation time period Δtmin, items simulating food can be placed inside the vacuum drawer, such as boxes that are sealed internally and whose outer shells are not easily deformed by air pressure.

[0106] Ideally, the container is filled to the brim, which can also be understood as the container having no remaining space.

[0107] In some embodiments, Δtmin can also be calculated based on parameters such as the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

[0108] refer to Figure 4 This application provides a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer in one embodiment. The application also provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, comprising a refrigerator body, a vacuum drawer, a vacuum pump, and a control device.

[0109] The vacuum drawer is located on the main body of the refrigerator and is used for storing items. The vacuum pump's suction port is connected to the vacuum drawer to evacuate it. When it starts working, the vacuum drawer is in a normally sealed state after being closed, so slight air leakage is unavoidable.

[0110] The control device is configured to include a sensing unit, a timing unit, a calculation unit, and a control unit.

[0111] The sensing unit is located inside the vacuum drawer and is used to monitor the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer, and to provide feedback when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches or exceeds a preset threshold. The sensing unit can specifically be an air pressure sensor or an air pressure sensing switch.

[0112] For example, if the preset threshold value is A, then when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer drops to A, the air pressure sensor will send a feedback signal, or the air pressure sensor switch will close.

[0113] The preset threshold can be the upper limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. For example, if the ideal pressure threshold range inside a vacuum drawer is 0.08 MPa to 0.06 MPa, then 0.08 MPa can be used as the preset threshold.

[0114] The preset threshold is a critical point for determining whether to statistically analyze the vacuum pump's operating time. In actual control, the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer can be monitored in real time and compared with the preset threshold. When the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer drops below the preset threshold, the vacuum pump's operating time is statistically analyzed and recorded as the base time period. If the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, no further action is taken.

[0115] The timing unit is used to calculate the vacuum pump's running time as a base time period based on feedback from the sensing unit when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer drops to less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0116] For example, if the preset threshold value is A, the time taken from starting the vacuum pump to the air pressure in the vacuum drawer decreasing to A is counted, and the counted time is used as the base time period.

[0117] The calculation unit is used to calculate the compensation time period based on the base time period, compensation coefficient, maximum base time period, and maximum compensation time period for use in subsequent steps.

[0118] The compensation period is the duration for which the vacuum pump needs to continue operating beyond the initial operating period. Theoretically, after the initial and compensation periods of continuous operation, the vacuum pump can bring the pressure inside the vacuum drawer to the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range.

[0119] In practical applications, the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range can be the gas pressure corresponding to the maximum vacuum level that the vacuum pump can achieve in the vacuum drawer.

[0120] The compensation coefficient, maximum base time period, and maximum compensation time period are all known parameters obtained through testing or calculation before installation. For the same vacuum drawer and the working assembly consisting of the vacuum pump that works in conjunction with the vacuum drawer, the compensation coefficient, maximum base time period, and maximum compensation time period are constant.

[0121] The control unit stops the vacuum pump after it has run for the compensation period. After the calculation unit calculates the compensation period, the control unit controls the vacuum pump to continue running for the compensation period, based on the already completed base period. This theoretically allows the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer to reach the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. After the compensation period, the vacuum pump stops running, and the vacuum drawer enters the pressure holding phase.

[0122] The control unit is also used to control the vacuum pump to operate for a compensation period based on the feedback signal from the sensing unit when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises to a level greater than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0123] During the pressure holding phase, the vacuum pump is stopped. Due to the sealing performance of the vacuum drawer and the release of gas from the items inside, the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer will slowly rise. When the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer rises to a level greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the duration of the vacuum pump compensation period will begin.

[0124] For example, if the vacuum pump stops for 2 hours and the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises back to the preset threshold, and the compensation time period calculated in the above steps is 15 seconds, then the vacuum pump will be run for 15 seconds in this step, so that the air pressure in the vacuum drawer will be restored to the lower limit of the ideal pressure range.

[0125] This cycle repeats, and whenever the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer rises to a level greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the vacuum pump is run for a compensation period, thus maintaining the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer within the ideal pressure range.

[0126] The preset threshold is a critical point for whether to start the vacuum pump. In actual control, the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer can be monitored in real time and compared with the preset threshold. When the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer rises to a level greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump will run for a compensation period. When the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer is lower than the preset threshold, the pressure will be maintained.

[0127] In some embodiments, the refrigerator with a vacuum drawer also includes a switch linked to the vacuum drawer. Changing the vacuum drawer from an open state to a closed state activates the switch. When the vacuum drawer changes from an open state to a closed state, the switch activates the control circuit, thereby starting the vacuum pump and initiating the evacuation process of the vacuum drawer.

[0128] If the vacuum drawer changes from the open state to the closed state, the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer is the same as the outside air pressure. This may be because an item was just put into the vacuum drawer or an item was just taken out of the vacuum drawer. The remaining volume inside the vacuum drawer has also changed, so the switch activates the control circuit and begins to vacuum the drawer.

[0129] refer to Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the control logic for the vacuum level of a vacuum drawer in one embodiment. The control process of the reaction is roughly as follows:

[0130] When the vacuum drawer changes from open to closed, it closes the switch, which in turn activates the control circuit, and the vacuum pump starts operating. If the pressure inside the vacuum drawer drops below a preset threshold, the timing unit records the vacuum pump's running time as the base time period, and the calculation unit calculates the compensation time period based on the base time period and known parameters. Then, the vacuum pump continues to run for the compensation time period and then stops, allowing the vacuum drawer to enter the pressure-holding phase. If, at some point, the pressure inside the vacuum drawer is detected to rise back to above or equal to the preset threshold, the previous step of controlling the vacuum pump to run for the compensation time period is repeated. This process is repeated, ensuring that as long as the pressure inside the vacuum drawer rises back to above or equal to the preset threshold during the pressure-holding phase, the vacuum pump runs for the compensation time period, thus keeping the pressure inside the vacuum drawer within the ideal pressure threshold range.

[0131] In some embodiments, the calculation unit includes a calculation module for calculating the compensation time period using the following formula:

[0132] Δt=kt+Δtmax-ktmax

[0133] Where Δt represents the compensation time period, k represents the compensation coefficient, t represents the base time period, Δtmax represents the maximum compensation time period, Δtmax can be measured in advance or calculated when the vacuum drawer is completely empty, and tmax represents the maximum base time period, tmax can be measured in advance when the vacuum drawer is completely empty.

[0134] For a pre-configured vacuum drawer and vacuum pump, the base time period t varies depending on the space occupied by the items stored inside the vacuum drawer. The compensation coefficient k, the maximum base time period tmax, and the maximum compensation time period Δtmax remain constant. Therefore, in this step, the compensation time period Δt can be calculated by substituting the statistically obtained base time period t and the known parameters k, Δtmax, and tmax into the above formula.

[0135] The compensation coefficient k can be calculated in advance.

[0136] tmax can be pre-measured with the vacuum drawer completely empty. Specifically, with the vacuum drawer completely empty, a vacuum pump is used to evacuate the drawer. When the air pressure inside the drawer drops to a preset threshold, the duration of the vacuum pump's operation is recorded as the maximum baseline time period tmax.

[0137] Δtmax can be pre-measured or calculated when the vacuum drawer is completely empty. Specifically, with the vacuum drawer completely empty, once the pressure inside the drawer drops to a preset threshold, a vacuum pump is used to continue evacuating the drawer until the pressure reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. The time taken for the vacuum pump to operate from when the pressure inside the drawer reaches the preset threshold until it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range is the maximum compensation time period Δtmax.

[0138] In this scheme, the basic time period t and the compensation time period Δt are linearly related. By performing gain compensation on the evacuation time, the vacuum drawer can avoid insufficient or excessive evacuation under different load conditions.

[0139] In some embodiments, Δtmax can also be calculated based on parameters such as the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

[0140] In some embodiments, the calculation module includes a first calculation submodule for calculating the compensation coefficient using the following formula:

[0141]

[0142] Where Δtmin represents the minimum compensation time period and tmin represents the minimum base time period.

[0143] tmax and Δtmax can be measured or calculated according to the methods in the above embodiments.

[0144] tmin can be pre-measured when the vacuum drawer is full. Specifically, the measurement method is to use a vacuum pump to evacuate the vacuum drawer when it is full, and when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer drops to a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is counted as the minimum basic time period tmin.

[0145] The vacuum drawer being filled can generally be understood as the drawer being filled with items that are likely to be stored there normally, such as food, under normal use, rather than having absolutely no space remaining. To test the minimum base time period tmin and the minimum compensation time period Δtmin, simulated food items, such as boxes that are internally sealed and whose outer shells are not easily deformed by air pressure, can be placed inside the vacuum drawer.

[0146] Ideally, a vacuum drawer should be filled to the brim, which can also be understood as having no remaining space.

[0147] Δtmin can be pre-measured or calculated when the vacuum drawer is full. Specifically, when the vacuum drawer is full and the pressure inside drops to a preset threshold, a vacuum pump is used to continue evacuating the drawer until the pressure reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. The time taken for the vacuum pump to operate from when the pressure inside the drawer reaches the preset threshold until it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range is the minimum compensation time period Δtmin.

[0148] In some embodiments, Δtmin can also be calculated based on parameters such as the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

[0149] In some embodiments, the calculation module includes a second calculation submodule, used to calculate the maximum compensation time period Δtmax based on the volume of the vacuum drawer, the maximum basic time period tmax, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump. The volume of the vacuum drawer and the maximum basic time period tmax can be measured in advance, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

[0150] Although this application has been described with reference to several typical embodiments, it should be understood that the terminology used is descriptive and exemplary, and not restrictive. Since this application can be embodied in many forms without departing from its spirit or substance, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limited to any of the foregoing details, but should be interpreted broadly within the spirit and scope defined by the appended claims. Therefore, all variations and modifications falling within the scope of the claims or their equivalents should be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vacuum degree control method, characterized in that, include: Start the vacuum pump; When the air pressure inside the container drops to less than or equal to a preset threshold, the running time of the vacuum pump is recorded as the base time period. The compensation period is calculated using the following formula: Δt=kt+Δtmax-ktmax Where Δt represents the compensation time period, k represents the compensation coefficient, t represents the base time period, and Δtmax represents the maximum compensation time period. When the container is completely empty, and the air pressure inside the container drops to a preset threshold, the vacuum pump continues to evacuate the container until the air pressure inside the container reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. Δtmax is obtained by statistically analyzing the running time of the vacuum pump from when the air pressure inside the container reaches the preset threshold to when it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range; tmax represents the maximum base time period. The compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters. The compensation coefficient is calculated using the following formula: Wherein, Δtmin represents the minimum compensation time period, which can be pre-measured or calculated when the container is full. When the air pressure inside the container drops to a preset threshold when the container is full, the vacuum pump continues to evacuate the container until the air pressure inside the container reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. Δtmin is obtained by statistically analyzing the running time of the vacuum pump from when the air pressure inside the container reaches the preset threshold to when it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range; tmin represents the minimum basic time period, which can be pre-measured when the container is full. After the compensation period of the vacuum pump has been completed, the vacuum pump shall be turned off. When the gas pressure inside the container rises to a level greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump is operated for the compensation period.

2. The vacuum degree control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The start-up vacuum pump includes: Monitor whether the container changes from an open state to a closed state; If the container changes from an open state to a closed state, the vacuum pump is started.

3. The vacuum degree control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The calculation method for the maximum compensation time period includes: Measure the volume of the container and the maximum basic time period; The maximum compensation time period is calculated based on the volume of the container, the maximum basic time period, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

4. A refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, characterized in that, include: Refrigerator body; A vacuum drawer, located in the main body of the refrigerator, is used for storing items; A vacuum pump, the pump's suction port being connected to the vacuum drawer; The control device is configured to include: A sensing unit, located inside the vacuum drawer, is used to monitor the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer; A timing unit is used to record the running time of the vacuum pump as a base time period when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer drops to less than or equal to a preset threshold. The calculation unit is used to calculate the compensation time period based on the base time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period; wherein, the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters; The calculation unit includes a calculation module, used to calculate the compensation time period using the following formula: Δt=kt+Δtmax-ktmax Where Δt represents the compensation time period, k represents the compensation coefficient, t represents the base time period, and Δtmax represents the maximum compensation time period. When the vacuum drawer is completely empty, after the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer drops to a preset threshold, the vacuum pump continues to evacuate the vacuum drawer until the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. Δtmax is obtained by statistically analyzing the running time of the vacuum pump from when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the preset threshold to when it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range; tmax represents the maximum base time period. The calculation unit includes a first calculation submodule, used to calculate the compensation coefficient using the following formula: Wherein, Δtmin represents the minimum compensation time period, which can be pre-measured or calculated when the vacuum drawer is full. When the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer drops to a preset threshold when the vacuum drawer is full, the vacuum pump continues to evacuate the vacuum drawer until the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range. Δtmin is obtained by statistically analyzing the running time of the vacuum pump from when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the preset threshold to when it reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range; tmin represents the minimum basic time period, which can be pre-measured when the vacuum drawer is full. Control unit, used for, After the compensation period of the vacuum pump has been completed, the vacuum pump shall be stopped. When the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer rises to a level greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the vacuum pump is operated for the compensation period.

5. The refrigerator with a vacuum drawer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes: A switch, connected to the vacuum drawer, is used to start the vacuum pump when the vacuum drawer changes from an open state to a closed state.

6. The refrigerator with a vacuum drawer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The computing module includes: The second calculation submodule is used to measure the volume of the vacuum drawer and the maximum basic time period, and to calculate the maximum compensation time period based on the volume of the vacuum drawer, the maximum basic time period, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

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