Refrigerator control method and device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a refrigerator control method and device, the method comprising: monitoring a compartment temperature of a refrigerator compartment; when a compressor is in an off state and the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to a first temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a first speed; when the compartment temperature is not yet lower than the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature has risen to a second temperature threshold, obtaining operation information of a defrost heater; if it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater has been controlled to be turned on and operated, controlling the compressor to operate at a second speed, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed; if it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater has not been controlled to be turned on and operated, controlling the compressor to operate at a third speed, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed. The embodiments of the present disclosure avoid unwarranted noise increases that may cause a poor user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of refrigerators, and in particular to a refrigerator control method and device. Background Art

[0002] Refrigerators generate cooling energy by controlling the operation of the compressor. The higher the compressor speed, the greater the cooling energy generated. Existing refrigerators with defrost functions automatically trigger heating and defrosting of the refrigerator compartment to remove accumulated frost. After defrosting is complete, the refrigerator needs to quickly lower the compartment temperature. This rapid reduction in temperature requires a significant increase in compressor speed, which results in a significant increase in noise. However, in existing technologies, since heating and defrosting often occur randomly from the user's perspective, the refrigerator often produces sudden and intense noise, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator control method and device, which can ensure that the temperature of an abnormally heated compartment can be quickly reduced while avoiding the unwarranted increase in noise from the user's perspective, which may cause a poor user experience.

[0004] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for controlling a refrigerator is disclosed, the method comprising:

[0005] Monitor the compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment;

[0006] When the compressor is in an off state and the compartment temperature is higher than or equal to a first temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a first speed so that the compartment temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold;

[0007] When the compartment temperature is not lower than the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature rises to the second temperature threshold, obtaining the operation information of the defrost heater;

[0008] If it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a second speed, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed;

[0009] If it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater has not been controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the compressor is controlled to operate at a third speed, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed.

[0010] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a control device for a refrigerator is disclosed, the device comprising:

[0011] a monitoring module configured to monitor a compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment;

[0012] a first control module configured to, when the compressor is in an off state and the compartment temperature is higher than or equal to a first temperature threshold, control the compressor to operate at a first speed so that the compartment temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold;

[0013] an acquisition module configured to acquire operation information of the defrost heater if it is detected that the compartment temperature rises to a second temperature threshold when the compartment temperature is not lower than the first temperature threshold;

[0014] a second control module configured to control the compressor to operate at a second speed if it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed;

[0015] a third control module configured to control the compressor to operate at a third speed if it is determined based on the operating information that the defrost heater has not been controlled to turn on and operate during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0017] Obtaining a first noise boost threshold;

[0018] A first speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the first noise increase threshold, and the second speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the first speed threshold.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0020] Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed;

[0021] determining a sum of a noise value corresponding to the first speed and the first noise enhancement threshold as a first target noise threshold;

[0022] The compressor speed corresponding to the first target noise threshold is determined as the first speed threshold.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0024] Obtaining a second noise enhancement threshold;

[0025] A second speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the second noise increase threshold, and the third speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the second speed threshold.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0027] Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed;

[0028] determining a sum of the noise value corresponding to the first speed and the second noise enhancement threshold as a second target noise threshold;

[0029] The compressor speed corresponding to the second target noise threshold is determined as the second speed threshold.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0031] controlling the compressor to operate at the first speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fourth speed;

[0032] controlling the compressor to operate at the second speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fifth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the fifth speed;

[0033] The compressor is controlled to operate at the third speed and the fan is controlled to operate at a sixth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the sixth speed.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured to control the sixth speed to be higher than the fifth speed.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0036] Get the third noise boost threshold;

[0037] A third speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the third noise increase threshold, and the fifth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the third speed threshold.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0039] Obtaining a fourth noise boost threshold;

[0040] A fourth speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the fourth noise increase threshold, and the sixth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the fourth speed threshold.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the refrigerator turns on the compressor for cooling, if the compartment temperature does not drop below a first temperature threshold but instead abnormally rises to a second temperature threshold greater than the first, this indicates that at least one of the following two situations has occurred. One is that the refrigerator has previously performed a heating defrost operation, and the other is that the compartment door has been opened. To quickly reduce the compartment temperature to normal, the refrigerator in this embodiment increases the compressor speed to improve cooling efficiency. Since heating defrost is generally triggered automatically, often at night while the user is sleeping, if the refrigerator has previously performed heating defrost, the compressor speed should not be increased too much to avoid generating loud noise that disturbs the user's sleep. If the refrigerator has not previously performed heating defrost, it indicates that the abnormal temperature rise was caused by the compartment door being opened, and the user has actively interacted with it. In this case, the compressor speed can be increased more significantly, and even if relatively loud noise is generated, it is within the user's tolerance range. Thus, the present embodiment ensures that the abnormally elevated compartment temperature can be quickly reduced while avoiding unwarranted noise increases that can negatively impact the user's experience.

[0042] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by practice of the present disclosure.

[0043] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail example embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0046] Figure 2 A flowchart of refrigerator control when the refrigerator compartment is a refrigeration compartment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Figure 3 A flowchart of refrigerator control when the refrigerator compartment is a freezer compartment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0048] Figure 4 A flowchart of the execution logic of refrigerator control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] Figure 5 A block diagram of a control device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the description of this disclosure will be more comprehensive and complete, and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings are merely schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical reference numerals in the figures indicate identical or similar parts, and thus repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0051] In addition, the described features, structures or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a full understanding of the example embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be practiced while omitting one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, steps, etc. can be adopted. In other cases, well-known structures, methods, implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0052] Some of the blocks shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities that do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0053] This disclosure provides a refrigerator control method, wherein the refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment, a compressor for cooling the refrigerator compartment, and a defrosting device for heating the refrigerator compartment to defrost the refrigerator compartment. The defrosting of the refrigerator compartment is automatically triggered upon meeting preset conditions. For example, defrosting of the refrigerator compartment may be automatically triggered every 24 hours; or defrosting of the refrigerator compartment may be automatically triggered whenever frost accumulation in the refrigerator compartment reaches a preset area threshold. Generally, during defrosting, the refrigerator controls the compressor to be off, ceasing cooling of the refrigerator compartment.

[0054] Figure 1 A flow chart of a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, the method comprising:

[0055] Step S110: monitoring the compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment;

[0056] Step S120: When the compressor is in an off state and the compartment temperature is higher than or equal to a first temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a first speed to make the compartment temperature lower than the first temperature threshold;

[0057] Step S130: when the compartment temperature is not lower than the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature rises to a second temperature threshold, obtaining operation information of the defrost heater;

[0058] Step S140: If it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a second speed, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed;

[0059] Step S150: If it is determined based on the operating information that the defrost heater has not been controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the compressor is controlled to operate at a third speed, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the refrigerator turns on the compressor for cooling, if the compartment temperature does not drop below a first temperature threshold but instead abnormally rises to a second temperature threshold greater than the first, this indicates that at least one of the following two situations has occurred. One is that the refrigerator has previously performed a heating defrost operation, and the other is that the compartment door has been opened. To quickly reduce the compartment temperature to normal, the refrigerator in this embodiment increases the compressor speed to improve cooling efficiency. Since heating defrost is generally triggered automatically, often at night while the user is sleeping, if the refrigerator has previously performed heating defrost, the compressor speed should not be increased too much to avoid generating loud noise that disturbs the user's sleep. If the refrigerator has not previously performed heating defrost, it indicates that the abnormal temperature rise was caused by the compartment door being opened, and the user has actively interacted with it. In this case, the compressor speed can be increased more significantly, and even if relatively loud noise is generated, it is within the user's tolerance range. Thus, the present embodiment ensures that the abnormally elevated compartment temperature can be quickly reduced while avoiding unwarranted noise increases that can negatively impact the user's experience.

[0061] In the disclosed embodiment, the refrigerator continuously monitors the compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment during power-on operation, wherein the refrigerator compartment can be a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when monitoring the compartment temperature of a refrigerator compartment, when the compressor is off and the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to a first temperature threshold, the compressor is controlled to operate at a first speed to keep the compartment temperature below the first temperature threshold. In other words, the first temperature threshold is the startup temperature threshold that triggers the compressor to turn on.

[0063] For example, the refrigerator compartment's power-on temperature threshold is 8°C, meaning the first temperature threshold is 8°C. Without considering the influence of other refrigerator controls, when the refrigerator compartment temperature is below 8°C, the compressor can be on or off. However, when the refrigerator compartment temperature is equal to or above 8°C, the compressor must turn on and run at 1500 rpm to keep the refrigerator compartment temperature below 8°C. This means the first speed is 1500 rpm.

[0064] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, during the normal operation of the refrigerator, except for the two situations of heating defrost and the user opening the compartment door (for example, the user opens the compartment door for a long time; or the user opens the compartment door to stuff a large number of items into the refrigerator compartment), the peak of the compartment temperature will basically not exceed the first temperature threshold, or will only briefly exceed the first temperature threshold by a small margin. The occurrence of the compartment temperature rising to the second temperature threshold is caused by at least one of the situations of heating defrost and the user opening the compartment door. Usually, when heating defrost is performed (whether heating defrost is performed on the refrigerator compartment or heating defrost is performed on the freezer compartment), the refrigerator controls the compressor to turn off to stop refrigeration, and then controls the defrost heater to heat the corresponding refrigerator compartment to complete defrosting.

[0065] For example, the first temperature threshold for the refrigerator compartment is 8°C, and the second temperature threshold is 15°C. During normal operation, the refrigerator compartment temperature will only rise to 15°C or above if the refrigerator is defrosting, the user opens the refrigerator door, or the user opens the refrigerator door during defrosting.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the compartment temperature has not yet fallen below the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature has risen to the second temperature threshold, the refrigerator obtains the operating information of the defrost heater and determines, based on the operating information of the defrost heater, whether the defrost heater has been controlled to be turned on during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold. For example, the first temperature threshold is 8°C and the second temperature threshold is 15°C. If, starting from 12:00:00, the compartment temperature continues to rise from 8°C until it reaches 15°C at 12:03:00, the refrigerator determines, based on the operating information of the defrost heater, whether the defrost heater has been controlled to be turned on during the period from 12:00:00 to 12:03:00.

[0067] If the defrost heater is controlled to be turned on during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, it means that the rise of the compartment temperature to the second temperature threshold is related to heating defrost. Considering that the occurrence of heating defrost is random for the user, in this case, the compressor is controlled to operate at the second speed. The second speed is higher than the first speed.

[0068] If the defrost heater is not controlled to be turned on during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, it means that the compressor has not been turned off due to heating and defrosting during the target period, resulting in the occurrence of refrigeration stop. Under the premise of normal operation of the refrigerator, the compartment temperature rises to the second temperature threshold entirely due to the opening of the compartment door, and the opening of the compartment door is usually related to the user's active action (for example, the user manually opens the compartment door). In this case, the compressor is controlled to run at a third speed, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed. That is, compared to the case where the defrost heater is controlled to be turned on during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the refrigerator increases the speed of the compressor by a greater margin in this case.

[0069] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0070] Obtaining a first noise boost threshold;

[0071] A first speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the first noise increase threshold, and the second speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the first speed threshold.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first rotation speed threshold for limiting the second rotation speed is determined based on the first noise increase threshold.

[0073] Specifically, the first noise enhancement threshold can be preset based on experience or relevant research results. Furthermore, the first speed threshold corresponding to the first noise enhancement threshold can be determined based on the first speed according to an ideal linear relationship between noise and speed, or can be determined based on the first speed according to actual testing.

[0074] In one embodiment, determining the first speed threshold based on the first speed and the first noise increase threshold includes:

[0075] Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed;

[0076] Determine the sum of the noise value corresponding to the first speed and the first noise enhancement threshold as the first target noise threshold;

[0077] The compressor speed corresponding to the first target noise threshold is determined as the first speed threshold.

[0078] In this embodiment, the refrigerator superimposes the first noise boost threshold on the noise value corresponding to the first speed to obtain the first target noise threshold, and then determines the compressor speed corresponding to the first target noise threshold as the first speed threshold.

[0079] For example, based on noise research, developers determined that users' maximum tolerance for sudden noise increases without any active action is 3 decibels. They then input 3 decibels as the first noise increase threshold into assembled refrigerators ready for shipment.

[0080] The refrigerator begins an automatic test, controlling the compressor to run at a first speed, r1. The noise sensor determines the current noise level is 37 decibels, setting the first target noise threshold at 40 decibels. The compressor speed is continuously increased while monitoring the noise level until it reaches 40 decibels, at which point the compressor speed, r2, is determined.

[0081] Thus, after the refrigerator is put into use, when the compartment temperature has not yet fallen below the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature has risen to the second temperature threshold, and it is determined that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rose from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the compressor is controlled to operate at the second speed. The second speed can be r2 during the automatic test, or a speed between the first speed r1 and r2.

[0082] The advantage of this embodiment is that by determining the first speed threshold according to the first noise increase threshold, the noise increase caused by the increase in compressor speed in refrigerator control is within the precise noise control range, thereby improving the accuracy of noise control.

[0083] It is understandable that this embodiment is merely an exemplary description. In addition to determining the first speed threshold based on noise, the first speed threshold may also be directly preset based on experience. This embodiment should not limit the function and scope of use of the present disclosure.

[0084] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0085] Obtaining a second noise enhancement threshold;

[0086] A second speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the second noise increase threshold, and the third speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the second speed threshold.

[0087] In this embodiment, the second rotation speed threshold for limiting the third rotation speed is determined based on the second noise increase threshold.

[0088] Specifically, similar to setting the first noise boost threshold, the second noise boost threshold can be pre-set based on experience or relevant research results. Furthermore, the second speed threshold corresponding to the second noise boost threshold can be determined based on an ideal linear relationship between noise and speed, or based on actual testing.

[0089] In one embodiment, determining the second speed threshold based on the first speed and the second noise increase threshold includes:

[0090] Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed;

[0091] Determine the sum of the noise value corresponding to the first speed and the second noise enhancement threshold as the second target noise threshold;

[0092] The compressor speed corresponding to the second target noise threshold is determined as the second speed threshold.

[0093] In this embodiment, the refrigerator superimposes the second noise boost threshold on the noise value corresponding to the first speed to obtain a second target noise threshold, and then determines the compressor speed corresponding to the second target noise threshold as the second speed threshold.

[0094] For example, based on noise research, developers determined that users' maximum tolerance for sudden noise increases without active action is 3 decibels, and with active action is 5 decibels. Developers then input 3 decibels as the first noise increase threshold and 5 decibels as the second noise increase threshold into assembled refrigerators ready for shipment.

[0095] The refrigerator begins an automatic test, controlling the compressor to run at a first speed, r1. The noise sensor determines the current noise level to be 37 decibels. The first target noise threshold is set at 40 decibels, and the second target noise threshold is set at 42 decibels. The compressor speed is continuously increased while monitoring the noise level until it reaches 40 decibels, at which point the compressor speed, r2, is determined. The speed is then increased again until the noise level reaches 42 decibels, at which point the compressor speed, r3, is determined.

[0096] Thus, after the refrigerator is put into use, when the compartment temperature has not yet fallen below the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature has risen to the second temperature threshold, and it is determined that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rose from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the compressor is controlled to operate at the second speed. Alternatively, if it is determined that the defrost heater was not controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rose from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the compressor is controlled to operate at a third speed. The second speed can be r2 during the automatic test, or a speed between the first speed r1 and r2; the third speed can be r3 during the automatic test, or a speed between r2 and r3.

[0097] It is understandable that this embodiment is merely an exemplary description. In addition to determining the second speed threshold based on noise, the second speed threshold may also be directly preset based on experience. This embodiment should not limit the function and scope of use of the present disclosure.

[0098] In one embodiment, the refrigerator further includes a fan for promoting cold circulation, and controlling the compressor to operate at a first speed so that the compartment temperature is lower than a first temperature threshold comprises: controlling the compressor to operate at the first speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fourth speed;

[0099] Controlling the compressor to operate at the second speed includes: controlling the compressor to operate at the second speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fifth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the fifth speed;

[0100] Controlling the compressor to operate at the third speed includes: controlling the compressor to operate at the third speed and controlling the fan to operate at a sixth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the sixth speed.

[0101] In this embodiment, the refrigerator generates cold energy by turning on the compressor. The higher the compressor speed, the more cold energy is generated. The refrigerator promotes cold energy circulation by turning on the fan. The higher the fan speed, the faster the cold energy circulation.

[0102] When the compressor is in the off state and the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the first temperature threshold, the refrigerator controls the compressor to operate at the first speed and controls the fan to operate at the fourth speed. When the compartment temperature is not lower than the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature has risen to the second temperature threshold, the refrigerator determines whether the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rose from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold.

[0103] If the defrost heater is controlled to be turned on and run during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the refrigerator can increase the fan speed while increasing the compressor speed, that is, the compressor is controlled to run at the second speed (higher than the first speed) and the fan is controlled to run at the fifth speed (higher than or equal to the fourth speed).

[0104] If the defrost heater is not controlled to start running during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the refrigerator can further increase the speed of the compressor and the speed of the fan at the same time, that is, the compressor is controlled to run at a third speed (higher than the second speed) and the fan is controlled to run at a sixth speed (higher than or equal to the fourth speed).

[0105] The advantage of this embodiment is that the rapid cooling effect is further improved by increasing the rotation speed of the fan to a certain extent while increasing the rotation speed of the compressor.

[0106] In one embodiment, the method further includes: controlling the sixth speed to be higher than the fifth speed.

[0107] In this embodiment, compared to the case where the defrost heater is controlled to be turned on and run during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, when the defrost heater is not controlled to be turned on and run during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the refrigerator increases the compressor speed by a greater margin while also increasing the fan speed by a greater margin, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency while further improving the cooling cycle efficiency. That is, when the defrost heater is not controlled to be turned on and run during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, the compressor is controlled to run at a third speed (higher than the second speed) and the fan is controlled to run at a sixth speed (higher than the fifth speed).

[0108] It should be noted that this embodiment is only an exemplary description and should not limit the function and scope of use of the present disclosure.

[0109] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0110] Get the third noise boost threshold;

[0111] A third speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the third noise increase threshold, and the fifth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the third speed threshold.

[0112] In this embodiment, the third speed threshold for limiting the fifth speed is determined based on the third noise increase threshold. It is understood that the specific implementation process of this embodiment is similar to the specific implementation process of determining the first speed threshold for limiting the second speed based on the first noise increase threshold, and therefore will not be further described here.

[0113] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0114] Obtaining a fourth noise boost threshold;

[0115] A fourth speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the fourth noise increase threshold, and the sixth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the fourth speed threshold.

[0116] In this embodiment, the fourth speed threshold for limiting the sixth speed is determined based on the fourth noise increase threshold. It is understood that the specific implementation process of this embodiment is similar to the specific implementation process of determining the first speed threshold for limiting the second speed based on the first noise increase threshold, and therefore will not be further described here.

[0117] Figure 2 A flowchart of refrigerator control when the refrigerator compartment is a refrigeration compartment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0118] In this embodiment, the temperature of the refrigerating chamber is denoted as Tc, the first temperature threshold of the refrigerating chamber is denoted as Tc1, and the second temperature threshold of the refrigerating chamber is denoted as Tc2.

[0119] The refrigerator monitors the refrigerator compartment temperature, Tc. When the compressor is off, the refrigerator determines whether Tc is greater than or equal to Tc1. If Tc is less than Tc1, the refrigerator keeps the compressor off. If Tc is greater than or equal to Tc1, the refrigerator controls the compressor to run at speed r1.

[0120] When the compressor runs at speed r1, the refrigerator determines whether Tc has risen to or above Tc2. If Tc is less than Tc2, the refrigerator continues to run at r1. If Tc is greater than or equal to Tc2, the refrigerator determines whether heating and defrosting have been performed during the target period. The target period refers to the time it takes for the refrigerator compartment temperature to rise from Tc1 to Tc2.

[0121] If heating and defrosting are performed during the target period, the refrigerator controls the compressor to run at speed r2, where r1 is less than r2. If heating and defrosting are not performed during the target period, the refrigerator controls the compressor to run at speed r3, where r2 is less than r3. Alternatively, if heating and defrosting are not performed during the target period, the refrigerator maintains the compressor at speed r1 while increasing the fan speed.

[0122] It should be noted that this embodiment is only an exemplary description and should not limit the function and scope of use of the present disclosure.

[0123] Figure 3 A flowchart of refrigerator control when the refrigerator compartment is a freezer compartment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0124] In this embodiment, the temperature of the freezing chamber is denoted as Td, the first temperature threshold of the freezing chamber is denoted as Td1, and the second temperature threshold of the freezing chamber is denoted as Td2.

[0125] The refrigerator monitors the freezer compartment temperature, Td. When the compressor is off, the refrigerator determines whether Td is greater than or equal to Td1. If Td is less than Td1, the refrigerator keeps the compressor off. If Td is greater than or equal to Td1, the refrigerator controls the compressor to run at speed r1.

[0126] When the compressor runs at speed r1, the refrigerator determines whether Td has risen to or above Td2. If Td is less than Td2, the refrigerator continues to run at r1. If Td is greater than or equal to Td2, the refrigerator determines whether heating and defrosting have been performed during the target period. The target period refers to the time it takes for the freezer compartment temperature to rise from Td1 to Td2.

[0127] If heating and defrosting are performed during the target period, the refrigerator controls the compressor to run at a speed r2, where r1 is less than r2; if heating and defrosting are not performed during the target period, the refrigerator controls the compressor to run at a speed r3, where r2 is less than r3.

[0128] It should be noted that this embodiment is only an exemplary description and should not limit the function and scope of use of the present disclosure.

[0129] Figure 4 A flowchart showing the execution logic of refrigerator control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0130] In this embodiment, when the compartment temperature T is detected to be greater than or equal to the second temperature threshold T2, it is determined whether overheating and defrosting have occurred during the abnormal temperature rise process. If overheating and defrosting have occurred, the refrigerator increases the compressor speed by one level according to the ambient temperature of the environment.

[0131] If no heating or defrosting occurred, it can be determined that the abnormal temperature rise was caused by the user manually opening the compartment door, and that no refrigeration was stopped due to the compressor being shut down by heating or defrosting during the abnormal temperature rise. The system then further determines whether the abnormal temperature rise occurred in the refrigerator compartment, namely, whether the refrigerator compartment temperature Tc is greater than or equal to the second temperature threshold Tc2 for the refrigerator compartment. If the abnormal temperature rise is determined to be in the refrigerator compartment, namely, whether the refrigerator compartment temperature Tc is greater than or equal to the second temperature threshold Tc2 for the refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator maintains the compressor speed and increases the fan speed by one level.

[0132] If it is determined that the abnormal temperature rise in the refrigerator compartment is not occurring, that is, the refrigerator compartment temperature Tc is less than the second temperature threshold Tc2 of the refrigerator compartment, then it is determined that the abnormal temperature rise in the freezer compartment is occurring, and the refrigerator controls the compressor to operate at a preset speed N. Furthermore, the speed N may be higher than the speed obtained by increasing the compressor speed by one level when heating and defrosting occurs.

[0133] It should be noted that this embodiment is only an exemplary description and should not limit the function and scope of use of the present disclosure.

[0134] Figure 5 A control device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, the device comprising:

[0135] A monitoring module 210 configured to monitor the compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment;

[0136] The first control module 220 is configured to control the compressor to operate at a first speed to make the compartment temperature lower than the first temperature threshold when the compressor is in an off state and the compartment temperature is higher than or equal to a first temperature threshold;

[0137] The acquisition module 230 is configured to acquire the operation information of the defrost heater if it is detected that the compartment temperature rises to a second temperature threshold when the compartment temperature is not lower than the first temperature threshold;

[0138] The second control module 240 is configured to control the compressor to operate at a second speed if it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed;

[0139] The third control module 250 is configured to control the compressor to operate at a third speed if it is determined based on the operating information that the defrost heater has not been controlled to turn on and operate during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed.

[0140] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0141] Obtaining a first noise boost threshold;

[0142] A first speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the first noise increase threshold, and the second speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the first speed threshold.

[0143] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0144] Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed;

[0145] determining a sum of a noise value corresponding to the first speed and the first noise enhancement threshold as a first target noise threshold;

[0146] The compressor speed corresponding to the first target noise threshold is determined as the first speed threshold.

[0147] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0148] Obtaining a second noise enhancement threshold;

[0149] A second speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the second noise increase threshold, and the third speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the second speed threshold.

[0150] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0151] Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed;

[0152] determining a sum of the noise value corresponding to the first speed and the second noise enhancement threshold as a second target noise threshold;

[0153] The compressor speed corresponding to the second target noise threshold is determined as the second speed threshold.

[0154] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0155] controlling the compressor to operate at the first speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fourth speed;

[0156] controlling the compressor to operate at the second speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fifth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the fifth speed;

[0157] The compressor is controlled to operate at the third speed and the fan is controlled to operate at a sixth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the sixth speed.

[0158] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured to control the sixth speed to be higher than the fifth speed.

[0159] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0160] Get the third noise boost threshold;

[0161] A third speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the third noise increase threshold, and the fifth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the third speed threshold.

[0162] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the device is configured as follows:

[0163] Obtaining a fourth noise boost threshold;

[0164] A fourth speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the fourth noise increase threshold, and the sixth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the fourth speed threshold.

[0165] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator control method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Monitor the compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment; When the compressor is in an off state and the compartment temperature is higher than or equal to a first temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a first speed so that the compartment temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold; When the compartment temperature is not lower than the first temperature threshold, if it is detected that the compartment temperature rises to the second temperature threshold, obtaining the operation information of the defrost heater; If it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a second speed, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed; If it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater has not been controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, controlling the compressor to operate at a third speed, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed; Obtaining a first noise boost threshold; determining a first speed threshold based on the first speed and the first noise increase threshold, and controlling the second speed to be lower than or equal to the first speed threshold; Obtaining a second noise enhancement threshold; A second speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the second noise increase threshold, and the third speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the second speed threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Determining the first speed threshold based on the first speed and the first noise increase threshold includes: Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed; determining a sum of a noise value corresponding to the first speed and the first noise enhancement threshold as a first target noise threshold; The compressor speed corresponding to the first target noise threshold is determined as the first speed threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1, determining the second speed threshold based on the first speed and the second noise increase threshold, comprising: Test the noise value corresponding to the compressor speed; determining a sum of the noise value corresponding to the first speed and the second noise enhancement threshold as a second target noise threshold; The compressor speed corresponding to the second target noise threshold is determined as the second speed threshold.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The refrigerator further includes a fan for promoting cold circulation, and controlling the compressor to operate at a first speed so that the compartment temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold comprises: controlling the compressor to operate at the first speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fourth speed; Controlling the compressor to operate at a second speed includes: controlling the compressor to operate at the second speed and controlling the fan to operate at a fifth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the fifth speed; Controlling the compressor to operate at a third speed includes: controlling the compressor to operate at the third speed and controlling the fan to operate at a sixth speed, wherein the fourth speed is lower than or equal to the sixth speed.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further includes controlling the sixth speed to be higher than the fifth speed.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Get the third noise boost threshold; A third speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the third noise increase threshold, and the fifth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the third speed threshold.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining a fourth noise boost threshold; A fourth speed threshold is determined based on the fourth speed and the fourth noise increase threshold, and the sixth speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the fourth speed threshold.

8. A refrigerator control device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a monitoring module configured to monitor a compartment temperature of the refrigerator compartment; a first control module configured to, when the compressor is in an off state and the compartment temperature is higher than or equal to a first temperature threshold, control the compressor to operate at a first speed so that the compartment temperature is lower than the first temperature threshold; an acquisition module configured to acquire operation information of the defrost heater if it is detected that the compartment temperature rises to a second temperature threshold when the compartment temperature is not lower than the first temperature threshold; a second control module configured to control the compressor to operate at a second speed if it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater was controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed; a third control module configured to control the compressor to operate at a third speed if it is determined based on the operation information that the defrost heater has not been controlled to be turned on and operated during the period when the compartment temperature rises from the first temperature threshold to the second temperature threshold, wherein the third speed is higher than the second speed; Obtaining a first noise boost threshold; determining a first speed threshold based on the first speed and the first noise increase threshold, and controlling the second speed to be lower than or equal to the first speed threshold; Obtaining a second noise enhancement threshold; A second speed threshold is determined based on the first speed and the second noise increase threshold, and the third speed is controlled to be lower than or equal to the second speed threshold.

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