A defrosting method, system, device, and refrigerator equipment for a refrigerator.

Abstract

This invention provides a defrosting method, system, device, and refrigerator equipment for a refrigerator. The defrosting method includes: obtaining a first weight parameter of the current evaporator; determining a first weight difference between the first weight parameter and a target weight parameter; if the first weight difference is greater than a first preset difference and less than a second preset difference, determining that the evaporator needs defrosting and outputting a heat exchange defrosting command; if the first weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, determining that the evaporator needs defrosting and outputting a heating defrosting command; and, according to the defrosting command, transferring heat emitted by the heating components inside the refrigerator to the evaporator. Based on the technical solution of this invention, the heat emitted by the heating components inside the refrigerator is used to defrost the evaporator, saving the energy required for defrosting and avoiding excessively high ambient temperatures around the evaporator, which could lead to higher air outlet temperatures and poorer cooling performance in the refrigerator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigerator control technology, and particularly to a defrosting method, system, device, and refrigerator equipment for a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Currently in the refrigerator market, with the development of air-cooled refrigerators, all air-cooled refrigerators need to defrost the evaporator. This is because the cold air passing through the refrigerator compartment circulates and carries away the water vapor inside the refrigerator compartment. At the same time, it absorbs heat and becomes warmer and more humid air, which is then circulated to the lower-temperature evaporator, where the water vapor freezes upon contact with the cold air.

[0003] Because the thermal conductivity of frost is so low, only one percent or even a fraction of that of metal, the frost layer creates a large thermal resistance. Especially when the frost layer is thick, it acts like insulation, making it difficult for the cold air in the evaporator to dissipate, thus affecting the evaporator's cooling effect.

[0004] Currently, most air-cooled refrigerators on the market defrost by installing heating wires under the evaporator and defrosting the evaporator at certain intervals. This not only fails to defrost the evaporator in a timely manner, but the heat emitted by the heating wires also raises the ambient temperature of the evaporator chamber, heating the air that exchanges heat with the evaporator and affecting the evaporator's cooling effect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems in the prior art, this application proposes a defrosting method, system, device, and refrigerator equipment that can transfer the high temperature of the compressor compartment to the evaporator for defrosting, reduce the impact of evaporator defrosting on the heat exchange air, and save energy.

[0006] A defrosting method for a refrigerator according to the present invention includes:

[0007] Based on the changes in the mass of the refrigerator's evaporator, determine whether the evaporator needs defrosting;

[0008] If the evaporator needs to be defrosted, a defrost command is output;

[0009] According to the defrost command, the heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator is transferred to the evaporator.

[0010] In one implementation, determining whether the evaporator needs defrosting includes:

[0011] Obtain the first weight parameter of the evaporator currently being described;

[0012] Determine the first weight difference between the first weight parameter and the target weight parameter;

[0013] If the first weight difference is greater than the first preset difference and less than the second preset difference, then it is determined that the evaporator needs to be defrosted and a heat exchange defrosting command is output.

[0014] If the first weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, it is determined that the evaporator needs to be defrosted and a defrosting command is output. In this embodiment, the current weight of the evaporator is compared with the weight of the evaporator before frosting, and the comparison result determines whether the evaporator needs to be defrosted. At the same time, the corresponding defrosting command is output according to the comparison result.

[0015] In one embodiment, according to the heat exchange defrosting command, the heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator is transferred to the evaporator. In this embodiment, if the first weight difference is greater than a first preset difference and less than a second preset difference, the heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator is used to defrost the evaporator, thereby saving energy.

[0016] In one embodiment, according to the heating defrosting command, the heating component is activated, and the heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator and the heat emitted by the heating component are transferred to the evaporator. In this embodiment, if the first weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, it is determined that the evaporator is severely frosted, the heating component is activated, and the heat emitted by the heating component and the heating element is transferred to the evaporator.

[0017] In one embodiment, transferring heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator to the evaporator includes:

[0018] Open the valves on the defrost pipes, which are located near the evaporator and compressor compartment respectively, so that the heat exchange refrigerant in the defrost pipes absorbs the heat emitted by the compressor compartment and moves to the evaporator to release heat and defrost. In this embodiment, since the compressor compartment is hot when the refrigerator is working, the high heat in the compressor compartment is carried to the evaporator for defrosting through the gas-liquid phase change of the heat exchange refrigerant. This not only cools the compressor compartment and prevents the compressor from overheating and shutting down, but also saves the energy required for defrosting. It can also directly defrost the evaporator, preventing the ambient temperature of the evaporator from rising too high and affecting the temperature of the air outlet, which would result in poor refrigeration performance of the refrigerator.

[0019] In one implementation, after outputting the heat exchange defrosting command, the method further includes:

[0020] After outputting the heat exchange defrosting command, it also includes:

[0021] After a first preset time, the second weight parameter of the evaporator is obtained;

[0022] Determine the second weight difference between the second weight parameter and the target weight parameter;

[0023] If the second weight difference is less than the second preset difference, then the transfer of heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator to the evaporator will stop after the second preset time.

[0024] If the second weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, the heating component is activated and stops transferring heat from the heating elements inside the refrigerator to the evaporator after a second preset time, until the evaporator completes the defrosting process. In this embodiment, the heat emitted from the compressor compartment is used to defrost the evaporator for a first preset time. If the degree of frost on the evaporator is low, i.e., the second weight difference is less than the second preset difference, the valve can be closed after the second preset time. If the degree of frost on the evaporator is high, i.e., the second weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, the heating component needs to be activated to assist in the defrosting process, so as to complete the defrosting of the evaporator as quickly as possible and avoid prolonged frost buildup that could lead to malfunction.

[0025] In one embodiment, after activating the heating assembly, the method further includes:

[0026] Every third preset time interval, the third weight parameter of the evaporator is acquired once;

[0027] Determine the third weight difference between the third weight parameter and the target weight parameter;

[0028] If the third weight difference is less than the first preset difference, the heating component is turned off. In this embodiment, when the evaporator is highly frosted, the heating component is used to quickly defrost the evaporator. Since the heating component has a high heating temperature, the third weight parameter of the evaporator is obtained every third preset time. When the third weight difference is less than the first preset difference, the heating component is turned off to avoid the heating component working for a long time, which would cause the ambient temperature of the evaporator to be high and affect the refrigerator's cooling.

[0029] The present invention also provides a defrosting system for a refrigerator, comprising:

[0030] The signal acquisition module is used to acquire the weight parameter information of the evaporator of the refrigerator;

[0031] The signal processing module is used to determine whether the evaporator needs to be defrosted based on the weight parameter information of the evaporator;

[0032] A signal output module is electrically connected to the signal output module and is used to output a corresponding control signal according to whether the evaporator needs to defrost.

[0033] The present invention also provides a defrosting device for a refrigerator, comprising:

[0034] A pressure sensor is used to acquire the weight parameter information of the evaporator of the refrigerator;

[0035] A data processor is used to determine whether the evaporator needs defrosting based on the weight parameter information of the evaporator;

[0036] A defrosting tube is used to transfer heat emitted by the heating components inside the refrigerator to the evaporator, depending on whether the evaporator needs defrosting.

[0037] The present invention also provides a refrigerator device, including the defrosting device of the refrigerator described above.

[0038] The above-mentioned technical features can be combined in various suitable ways or replaced by equivalent technical features, as long as the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0039] The defrosting method, system, and defrosting device for a refrigerator provided by the present invention have at least the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0040] (1) The heat emitted by the heating components inside the refrigerator is used to defrost the evaporator, which not only cools the compressor compartment and prevents the compressor from tripping due to excessive temperature, but also saves the energy required for defrosting.

[0041] (2) It can directly defrost the evaporator to avoid the ambient temperature of the evaporator rising too high, which would affect the temperature of the air coming out and result in poor cooling effect of the refrigerator.

[0042] (3) It can shorten the defrosting time of the evaporator and prevent the temperature inside the freezer from being unstable for a long time. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 A flowchart of one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0045] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a defrosting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0046] Figure 3 This shows a schematic diagram of the defrosting tube in one direction according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 This shows a schematic diagram of the defrosting tube in one direction according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 5A schematic diagram of the structure of a flux valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0049] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale.

[0050] Figure label:

[0051] 1-Evaporator, 2-Compressor chamber, 3-Defrosting pipe, 4-Magnetic valve, 5-Protective housing, 6-Heat sink. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] This invention provides a defrosting method for a refrigerator, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0054] Determine whether the evaporator needs defrosting based on changes in its quality.

[0055] If the evaporator needs to defrost, a defrost command will be output.

[0056] According to the defrost command, the heat emitted by the heating components inside the refrigerator is transferred to the evaporator.

[0057] In one embodiment, determining whether the evaporator needs defrosting includes:

[0058] Obtain the first weight parameter of the current evaporator;

[0059] Determine the first weight difference between the first weight parameter and the target weight parameter;

[0060] If the first weight difference is greater than the first preset difference and less than the second preset difference, it is determined that the evaporator needs to be defrosted and a heat exchange defrosting command is output.

[0061] If the first weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, it is determined that the evaporator needs to be defrosted and a heating defrosting command is output.

[0062] It should be noted that the current weight of the evaporator is compared with its weight before frosting. The comparison result determines whether the evaporator needs to be defrosted, and the corresponding defrosting command is output based on the comparison result.

[0063] Specifically, the target weight parameter is the weight of the evaporator before frosting, and the first weight difference is the difference between the current weight of the evaporator and the weight before frosting; the first preset difference can be set to 1, and at this time, the second preset difference can be set to 2.

[0064] In one embodiment, according to the heat exchange defrosting command, the heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator is transferred to the evaporator. If the first weight difference is greater than the first preset difference and less than the second preset difference, it indicates that the current degree of frost on the evaporator is low. Only the heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator is needed to defrost the evaporator, thus saving energy.

[0065] In one embodiment, the heating element is activated according to the defrosting command, and heat emitted by the heating components inside the refrigerator and the heating element itself are transferred to the evaporator.

[0066] Specifically, if the first weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, it is determined that the evaporator is severely frosted. The heating element is then activated, and the heat emitted by the heating element and the heating components is transferred to the evaporator to shorten the defrosting time of the evaporator and prevent the temperature in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator from being unstable for a long time.

[0067] In one embodiment, transferring heat dissipated by the heating element inside the refrigerator to the evaporator includes:

[0068] Open the valves on the defrost pipes at both ends, which are close to the evaporator and the compressor compartment respectively, so that the heat exchange refrigerant in the defrost pipes absorbs the heat emitted by the compressor compartment and moves to the evaporator to release heat and defrost.

[0069] Specifically, since the compressor compartment is hot when the refrigerator is working, the high heat in the compressor compartment is transferred to the evaporator for defrosting through the heat exchange of refrigerant gas-liquid phase change. This not only cools the compressor compartment and prevents the compressor from overheating and shutting down, but also saves energy required for defrosting. It can also directly defrost the evaporator, preventing the ambient temperature of the evaporator from rising too high and affecting the temperature of the air coming out, which would result in poor cooling performance of the refrigerator.

[0070] In one embodiment, after outputting the heat exchange defrosting command, the following is also included:

[0071] After outputting the heat exchange defrosting command, it also includes:

[0072] After a first preset time, the second weight parameter of the evaporator is obtained;

[0073] Determine the second weight difference between the second weight parameter and the target weight parameter;

[0074] If the second weight difference is less than the second preset difference, then the transfer of heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator to the evaporator will stop after the second preset time.

[0075] If the second weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, the heating component is activated and stops transferring the heat emitted by the heating element inside the refrigerator to the evaporator after a second preset time, until the evaporator completes the defrosting operation.

[0076] Specifically, the first preset time can be set to 5 minutes, and the second preset time can be set to 3 minutes.

[0077] It should be noted that the heat emitted by the compressor chamber is used to defrost the evaporator for a first preset time. If the degree of frost on the evaporator is low, that is, if the second weight difference is greater than the first preset difference but less than the second preset difference, then the control valve can be closed after the second preset time.

[0078] Furthermore, if the evaporator is highly frosted, i.e. the second weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, the heating element needs to be activated to assist in defrosting, so as to complete the defrosting of the evaporator as soon as possible and avoid the evaporator from malfunctioning due to prolonged frosting.

[0079] In one embodiment, after activating the heating component, the method further includes:

[0080] Every third preset time interval, the third weight parameter of the current evaporator is obtained once;

[0081] Determine the third weight difference between the third weight parameter and the target weight parameter;

[0082] If the third weight difference is less than the first preset difference, then the heating component is turned off.

[0083] It should be noted that when the evaporator is heavily frosted, the heating element is used to quickly defrost the evaporator. Since the heating element has a high heating temperature, the third weight parameter of the evaporator is obtained every third preset time. When the third weight difference is less than the first preset difference, the heating element is turned off to avoid the heating element working for a long time, which would cause the ambient temperature of the evaporator to be too high and affect the refrigerator's cooling.

[0084] The present invention also provides a defrosting system for a refrigerator, comprising:

[0085] The signal acquisition module is used to collect the weight parameter information of the refrigerator's evaporator;

[0086] The signal processing module is used to determine whether the evaporator needs defrosting based on the evaporator's weight parameters.

[0087] The signal output module is electrically connected to the signal output module and is used to output corresponding control signals according to whether the evaporator needs to defrost.

[0088] The present invention also provides a defrosting device for a refrigerator, comprising:

[0089] A pressure sensor is used to obtain weight parameter information of the refrigerator's evaporator;

[0090] A data processor is used to determine whether the evaporator needs defrosting based on the evaporator's weight parameters.

[0091] The defrost tube is used to transfer heat dissipated by the heating components inside the refrigerator to the evaporator, depending on whether the evaporator needs defrosting.

[0092] In one embodiment, the two ends of the defrost pipe 3 are close to the evaporator 1 of the refrigerator and the heating element of the refrigerator, respectively, and the defrost pipe 3 contains refrigerant.

[0093] Specifically, the heating components inside the refrigerator include the compressor in compressor compartment 2.

[0094] In one embodiment, a valve body is installed on the defrost pipe 3, and the valve body is used to control the opening and closing of the refrigerant flow path in the defrost pipe 3.

[0095] It should be noted that the opening and closing of the defrost pipe 3 is controlled by the opening and closing of the valve body. When the evaporator 1 does not need defrosting, the refrigerant in the defrost pipe can absorb and store the heat emitted by the compressor in the compressor chamber 2. When the evaporator 1 needs defrosting, the gaseous refrigerant in the defrost pipe 3 can move to the evaporator 1 to release heat and defrost. At the same time, it avoids the refrigerant in the defrost pipe 3 from continuously releasing heat to the evaporator 1 when the evaporator 1 does not need defrosting, which would cause the temperature inside the evaporator 1 to rise and increase the energy consumption of the evaporator 1.

[0096] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the defrost pipe 3 is installed vertically inside the refrigerator. The top of the defrost pipe 3 is close to the evaporator 1, and the bottom of the defrost pipe 3 is close to the compressor in the compressor compartment 2. This allows the refrigerant in the defrost pipe 3 to circulate and move within the defrost pipe 3 without external power, thus saving energy.

[0097] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 The defrosting tube 3 has an arc-shaped structure at the top end near the evaporator 1, which facilitates the high-temperature refrigerant gas to turn into liquid after releasing heat and flow back down to the bottom of the defrosting tube 3.

[0098] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the defrosting pipe 3 has a U-shaped coil structure at one end near the bottom of the compressor inside the compressor chamber 2.

[0099] It should be noted that since the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the heating components and vaporizes, it occupies more space. In order to prevent the pressure inside the defrosting pipe 3 from increasing and causing the pipe to crack, and at the same time, it can also increase the contact area with air and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the refrigerant.

[0100] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the defrosting pipe 3 is also equipped with a heat sink 6 connected to the U-shaped coil structure at the end of the compressor near the compressor chamber 2, which further increases the contact area between the refrigerant and the air in the defrosting pipe 3 and improves the heat absorption efficiency.

[0101] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, it also includes a protective box 5 installed on the defrosting pipe 3, and the valve body is installed inside the protective box 5 to prevent the valve body from failing to operate properly due to the foaming effect of the box.

[0102] In one embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the valve body is a magnetic flux valve 4. When the evaporator needs to defrost, the magnetic flux valve 4 is energized, and the valve can be opened through the principle of electromagnetic induction. After defrosting is completed, the magnetic flux valve 4 is de-energized and closed.

[0103] In one embodiment, the defrosting pipe is a loop-shaped pipe structure made of a material with high thermal conductivity, which ensures the thermal conductivity of the defrosting pipe 3 and facilitates the heat release of the refrigerant inside to defrost the evaporator through the defrosting pipe.

[0104] In one embodiment, the defrosting tube is made of metallic copper.

[0105] The present invention also provides a refrigerator device, including a defrosting device for a refrigerator as described above.

[0106] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "bottom", "top", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0107] While the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of the principles and applications of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments, and other arrangements can be designed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that different dependent claims and features herein can be combined in ways different from those described in the original claims. It is also understood that features described in conjunction with individual embodiments can be used in other embodiments.

Claims

1. A defrosting method of a refrigerator, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: determining whether the evaporator needs defrosting according to the change of the weight of the evaporator of the refrigerator; outputting defrosting instructions if the evaporator needs defrosting; delivering the heat generated by the heat-generating components in the refrigerator to the evaporator according to the defrosting instructions; wherein determining whether the evaporator needs defrosting comprises: obtaining a first weight parameter of the evaporator; determining a first weight difference between the first weight parameter and a target weight parameter; if the first weight difference is greater than a first preset difference and less than a second preset difference, determining that the evaporator needs defrosting and outputting heat exchange defrosting instructions; if the first weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, determining that the evaporator needs defrosting and outputting heating defrosting instructions, and delivering the heat generated by the heat-generating components in the refrigerator and the heat generated by the heating assembly to the evaporator; delivering the heat generated by the heat-generating components in the refrigerator to the evaporator according to the heat exchange defrosting instructions; wherein delivering the heat generated by the heat-generating components in the refrigerator to the evaporator comprises: opening the valves on the defrosting pipes near the evaporator and the compressor chamber respectively, so that the heat exchange refrigerant in the defrosting pipes absorbs the heat generated by the compressor chamber and moves to the evaporator to release heat and defrost; the defrosting pipes are configured to absorb the heat generated by the compressor in the compressor chamber and store it; after outputting the heat exchange defrosting instructions, the method further comprises: after a first preset time, obtaining a second weight parameter of the evaporator; determining a second weight difference between the second weight parameter and the target weight parameter; if the second weight difference is less than the second preset difference, stopping delivering the heat generated by the heat-generating components in the refrigerator to the evaporator after a second preset time; if the second weight difference is greater than the second preset difference, starting the heating assembly and stopping delivering the heat generated by the heat-generating components in the refrigerator to the evaporator after a second preset time until the evaporator completes the defrosting operation; after starting the heating assembly, the method further comprises: obtaining a third weight parameter of the evaporator every third preset time; determining a third weight difference between the third weight parameter and the target weight parameter; if the third weight difference is less than the first preset difference, turning off the heating assembly.

2. A defrosting system of a refrigerator to which the defrosting method according to claim 1 is applied, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: a signal acquisition module for acquiring the weight parameter information of the evaporator of the refrigerator; a signal processing module for determining whether the evaporator needs defrosting according to the weight parameter information of the evaporator; a signal output module electrically connected to the signal output module and used for outputting corresponding control signals according to whether the evaporator needs defrosting.

3. A defrosting apparatus of a refrigerator to which the defrosting method according to claim 1 is applied, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: a pressure sensor for obtaining the weight parameter information of the evaporator of the refrigerator; a data processor for determining whether the evaporator needs defrosting according to the weight parameter information of the evaporator; a defrosting pipe for delivering the heat generated by the heat-generating components in the refrigerator to the evaporator according to whether the evaporator needs defrosting.

4. A refrigerator device comprising the defrosting device of the refrigerator according to claim 3.

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