Refrigerator and control method of refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides a refrigerator and a control method of the refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises an evaporator, a defrosting heater, a metal water receiving tray, a water receiving tray heater, a drain pipe, a second water receiving tray, a liquid level detecting device and a control unit. The second water receiving tray has a first height position and a second height position. The second height position is lower than the first height position. The outlet end of the drain pipe extends into the second water receiving tray. The control unit is configured to control the water receiving tray heater to work in the next defrosting cycle when the liquid level position is lower than the second height position, and to control the water receiving tray heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle when the liquid level position reaches or is higher than the first height position. The application can solve the problem that the water receiving tray heater works invalidly to cause the temperature in the refrigerator to rise and the energy consumption to increase in the prior art.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a refrigerator and a control method of the refrigerator. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, an aluminum water collecting tray is arranged at the bottom of the evaporator of a general air-cooled refrigerator. The aluminum water collecting tray has a certain slope and an opening at the lowest point for collecting defrosting water on the evaporator. The defrosting water is discharged to the outside of the refrigerator through a drain pipe. In order to prevent the water remaining on the aluminum water collecting tray from freezing or the heating wire of the evaporator from not heating completely to melt the ice at the water level of the drain opening of the aluminum water collecting tray, a water collecting tray heating wire is arranged at the drain opening of the aluminum water collecting tray.

[0003] Generally, the water collecting tray heating wire works synchronously with the evaporator heating wire. In actual use, the door is opened and closed frequently to take and place food, which increases the working frequency of the evaporator heating wire and the water collecting tray heating wire. As a result, the water collecting tray heating wire works invalidly in most cases, which leads to an increase in the internal temperature of the refrigerator and an increase in energy consumption. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above technical problems, the present application provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof to solve the problem of invalid working of the water collecting tray heater in the prior art, which leads to an increase in the internal temperature of the refrigerator and an increase in energy consumption.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present application provides a refrigerator, which comprises: an evaporator for providing cold energy for the refrigerator; a defrosting heater arranged near the evaporator for heating the evaporator to melt the frost on the evaporator; a metal water collecting tray arranged below the evaporator for collecting defrosting water on the evaporator, wherein a groove is arranged on the metal water collecting tray; a water collecting tray heater arranged near the metal water collecting tray for heating the metal water collecting tray; a drain pipe comprising a water inlet end and a water outlet end, wherein the water inlet end of the drain pipe is communicated with the groove for discharging the defrosting water in the metal water collecting tray; a second water collecting tray, which has a first height position and a second height position, wherein the second height position is lower than the first height position, and the water outlet end of the drain pipe extends into the second water collecting tray; a liquid level detection device arranged near the second water collecting tray for detecting the liquid level position in the second water collecting tray; and a control unit electrically connected with the defrosting heater, the liquid level detection device and the water collecting tray heater; the control unit is used to control the water collecting tray heater to work in the next defrosting cycle when the liquid level position is lower than the second height position; and the control unit is also used to control the water collecting tray heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle when the liquid level position reaches or is higher than the first height position.

[0006] As an optional technical solution, the control unit is further configured to determine whether the compressor of the refrigerator has run for more than or equal to a preset time when the liquid level position reaches or is higher than the second height position and is lower than the first height position, and control the water pan heater to work in the next defrosting cycle if the determination result is yes, or control the water pan heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle if the determination result is no.

[0007] As an optional technical solution, the water outlet end of the drain pipe is lower than the second height position.

[0008] As an optional technical solution, the second water pan is provided with a partition plate, the partition plate divides the second water pan into a first water receiving area and a second water receiving area, the water outlet end of the drain pipe is located in the first water receiving area, and the height of the partition plate is lower than the height of the second water pan, and the upper edge of the partition plate is higher than the water outlet end of the drain pipe.

[0009] As an optional technical solution, the partition plate and the second water pan are integrally formed.

[0010] As an optional technical solution, the first height position is flush with the upper edge of the partition plate.

[0011] The application also provides a control method of a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising an evaporator, a defrosting heater, a metal water pan, a water pan heater, a drain pipe, a second water pan, a liquid level detection device, and a control unit, the evaporator being configured to provide cold energy for the refrigerator, the defrosting heater being arranged adjacent to the evaporator and configured to heat the evaporator to melt frost on the evaporator, the metal water pan being arranged below the evaporator and configured to collect defrosting water on the evaporator, and a groove being arranged on the metal water pan, the water pan heater being arranged adjacent to the metal water pan and configured to heat the metal water pan, the drain pipe comprising a water inlet end and a water outlet end, the water inlet end of the drain pipe being communicated with the groove and configured to drain the defrosting water in the metal water pan, the second water pan having a first height position and a second height position, the second height position being lower than the first height position, and the water outlet end of the drain pipe extending into the second water pan, the liquid level detection device being configured to detect a liquid level position in the second water pan, and the control unit being electrically connected with the defrosting heater, the liquid level detection device, and the water pan heater, wherein the control method of the refrigerator comprises the following steps:

[0012] Step S1, a current defrosting cycle of the refrigerator ends.

[0013] Step S2, judging whether the liquid level position in the second water pan reaches or is higher than the second height position, if the result is yes, then entering step S3; if the result is no, then controlling the water pan heater to work in the next defrosting cycle;

[0014] Step S3, judging whether the liquid level position in the second water pan reaches or exceeds the first height position, if the result is yes, then controlling the water pan heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle.

[0015] As an optional technical solution, step S3 further comprises: if the result is no, then executing step S4;

[0016] Step S4, judging whether the compressor running time of the refrigerator is greater than or equal to a preset time, if the result is yes, then controlling the water pan heater to work in the next defrosting cycle; if the result is no, then controlling the water pan heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle.

[0017] As an optional technical solution, the water outlet end of the drain pipe is lower than the second height position.

[0018] As an optional technical solution, a partition is arranged in the second water pan, the partition separates the second water pan into a first water receiving area and a second water receiving area, the water outlet end of the drain pipe is located in the first water receiving area, and the height of the partition is lower than the height of the second water pan, and the upper edge of the partition is higher than the water outlet end of the drain pipe.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present application can ensure that the water pan heater can work as needed, eliminate invalid work, and thus solve the problem of rising internal temperature of the refrigerator and increased energy consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the specific embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0021] Figure 1 The figure shows a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic diagram of a second water pan of a refrigerator in Figure 1 ​

[0023] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a block diagram of the refrigerator of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic flowchart of the refrigerator control method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features, and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", 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.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the second drip tray of the refrigerator is shown. The refrigerator in this embodiment is approximately rectangular in shape, but the invention is not limited thereto. Generally, the appearance of a refrigerator is defined by storage compartments that define storage space and multiple doors installed on the compartments. Each door comprises a door shell on the outside of the refrigerator, an inner liner on the inside, and an insulation layer between the door shell and the inner liner; typically, the insulation layer is filled with foam material. Furthermore, the storage compartments can generally be configured according to the cooling temperature as a refrigerated storage compartment 2, a frozen storage compartment 1, a variable temperature storage compartment, etc. Specifically, the number, function, and layout of the storage compartments can be configured according to requirements.

[0028] The refrigerator 100 in this embodiment of the invention is, for example, a frost-free refrigerator. Its refrigeration system employs a compression refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration system typically includes a compressor, a fan, a damper, a condenser, an evaporator 3, and connecting pipes. It may further include a dryer filter and a capillary tube. The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, providing power to the refrigeration system. The condenser is the main site for refrigerant liquefaction and heat dissipation. The capillary tube throttles and reduces pressure, lowering the refrigerant evaporation temperature. The evaporator 3 is the main site for refrigerant vaporization and refrigeration. The fan provides power for the refrigeration and freezing frost-free cycle. The refrigeration damper controls the cooling of the refrigerator compartment; the damper opens when cooling is needed and closes when the desired temperature is reached. Since the refrigeration system of a refrigerator is well-known to those skilled in the art, the connections and working principles between its components will not be described in detail here.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the refrigerator 100, in addition to the aforementioned components, also includes a defrost heater 4, a metal drip tray 5, a drip tray heater 6, a drain pipe 7, a second drip tray 8, a liquid level detection device 9, and a control unit 10. The evaporator 3 provides cooling capacity to the refrigerator. The defrost heater 4 is positioned adjacent to the evaporator 3 to heat the evaporator 3 and melt the frost on it. Preferably, the defrost heater 4 is positioned close to the evaporator 3 and can adopt a semi-enclosed or side-mounted structure. The metal drip tray 5 is positioned below the evaporator 3 to collect defrost water from the evaporator 3, and the metal drip tray 5 has a groove 51. The metal drip tray is, for example, an aluminum drip tray. The drip tray heater 6 is positioned adjacent to the metal drip tray 5, for example, around the metal drip tray 5, and is used to heat the metal drip tray 5. The drip tray heater 6 is installed within the foam layer of the refrigerator and is attached to the inner liner. When the drip tray heater 6 heats, it heats the metal drip tray 5, preventing residual water on the metal drip tray from freezing or causing incomplete defrosting by the defrosting heater. The drain pipe 7 includes an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end of the drain pipe 7 is connected to the groove 51, allowing defrosting water in the metal drip tray 5 to flow into the drain pipe 7 through the groove 51. The drain pipe 7 can be configured as one or more sections as needed or in practice. For example, in this embodiment, the drain pipe 7 includes a first drain pipe connector 71 and a second drain pipe connector 72 connected together. The other end of the first drain pipe connector 71 is connected to the groove 51 of the metal drip tray 5, and the other end of the second drain pipe connector 72 is inserted into the second drip tray 8. The second drip tray 8 has a first height position 81 and a second height position 82, with the second height position 81 being lower than the first height position 82. The outlet end 73 of the drain pipe 7 extends into the second drip tray 8. The liquid level detection device 9 is located near the second water receiving tray 8, specifically, it can be located on the side of the second water receiving tray 8, and is used to detect the liquid level position in the second water receiving tray 8.

[0030] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3The diagram shows a block illustration of the refrigerator of the present invention. The control unit 10 is electrically connected to the defrost heater 4, the liquid level detection device 9, and the drip tray heater 6. The metal drip tray 5 below the evaporator 3 generally has a certain slope, and the lowest point has a groove 51 or an opening for collecting defrost water on the evaporator 3. When the refrigerator enters a defrost cycle, the defrost heater 4 below the evaporator 3 operates, and the defrost water is discharged through the drain pipe 7 located below the evaporator 3 into the second drip tray 8 outside the refrigerator. Moreover, at the end of the current defrost cycle of the refrigerator 100, the control unit 10 controls the drip tray heater 6 to operate in the next defrost cycle when the liquid level is lower than the second height position 82. The control unit 10 also controls the drip tray heater 6 to stop operating in the next defrost cycle when the liquid level reaches or exceeds the first height position 81. In other words, the control unit can control whether the drip tray heater 6 operates as needed, thereby reducing the ineffective operation of the drip tray heater 6, thus avoiding the internal temperature of the refrigerator from rising and reducing energy consumption.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 10 is also used to determine whether the compressor running time of the refrigerator is greater than or equal to a preset time when the liquid level reaches or is higher than the second height position 82 and lower than the first height position 81. If the determination result is yes, the control unit controls the water tray heater 6 to work in the next defrost cycle; if the determination result is no, the control unit controls the water tray heater 6 to stop working in the next defrost cycle. The preset time here can be set based on empirical values ​​or parameter values, such as 1 day or 12 hours.

[0032] Please continue reading Figure 2 The second water receiving tray 8 is also provided with a partition 83, which divides the second water receiving tray 8 into a first water receiving area 84 and a second water receiving area 85. The outlet end 73 of the drain pipe 7 is located in the first water receiving area 84, and the height of the partition 83 is lower than the height of the second water receiving tray 8. The upper edge of the partition 83 is higher than the outlet end 73 of the drain pipe 7, so that the defrosting water can overflow into the second water receiving area 85 after the liquid level (or water level) in the first water receiving area 84 exceeds the height of the partition 83.

[0033] Furthermore, since the outlet end 73 of the aforementioned drain pipe 7 is lower than the second height position 82, even if there is little defrost water inside the refrigerator 100, the defrost water flowing out through the drain pipe 7 into the second water tray 8 can seal the lower end of the drain pipe 7, thereby effectively preventing outside air from entering the refrigerator 100 through the gap between the drain pipe 7 and the second water tray 8.

[0034] Furthermore, preferably, the partition 83 and the second water receiving tray 8 are integrally formed. Additionally, preferably, the first height position 81 is flush with the upper edge of the partition 83.

[0035] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic flowchart of the refrigerator control method of the present invention. The present invention also provides a refrigerator control method, which can be found in the following sections. Figures 1-3 The refrigerator includes an evaporator 3, a defrost heater 4, a metal drip tray 5, a drip tray heater 6, a drain pipe 7, a second drip tray 8, a liquid level detection device 9, and a control unit 10. The evaporator 3 provides cooling capacity to the refrigerator. The defrost heater 4 is located adjacent to the evaporator 3 and is used to heat the evaporator 3 to melt the frost on it. Preferably, the defrost heater 4 is located close to the evaporator 3 and can have a semi-enclosed or side-mounted structure. The defrost heater 4 can be, for example, in the form of a heating wire or heating element. The metal drip tray 5 is located below the evaporator 3 and is used to collect defrost water from the evaporator 3. The metal drip tray 5 has a groove 51, and is, for example, an aluminum drip tray. The drip tray heater 6 is located adjacent to the metal drip tray 5, for example, around the metal drip tray 5, and is used to heat the metal drip tray 5. The drip tray heater 6 can be, for example, in the form of a heating wire or heating element. The drip tray heater 6 is installed within the foam layer of the refrigerator and is attached to the inner liner. When the drip tray heater 6 heats, it heats the metal drip tray 5, preventing residual water on the metal drip tray from freezing or causing incomplete defrosting by the defrosting heater. The drain pipe 7 includes an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end of the drain pipe 7 is connected to the groove 51, allowing defrosting water in the metal drip tray 5 to flow into the drain pipe 7 through the groove 51. The drain pipe 7 can be configured as one or more sections as needed or in practice. For example, in this embodiment, the drain pipe 7 includes a first drain pipe connector 71 and a second drain pipe connector 72 connected together. The other end of the first drain pipe connector 71 is connected to the groove 51 of the metal drip tray 5, and the other end of the second drain pipe connector 72 is inserted into the second drip tray 8. The second drip tray 8 has a first height position 81 and a second height position 82, with the second height position 81 being lower than the first height position 82. The outlet end 73 of the drain pipe 7 extends into the second drip tray 8. The liquid level detection device 9 is located near the second water receiving tray 8, specifically, it can be located on the side of the second water receiving tray 8, and is used to detect the liquid level position in the second water receiving tray 8. The control unit 10 is electrically connected to the defrost heater 4, the liquid level detection device 9, and the water receiving tray heater 6, and the refrigerator is, for example, the refrigerator 100 described above.

[0036] The above-mentioned refrigerator control method includes the following steps:

[0037] Step S1: The current defrosting cycle of the refrigerator ends;

[0038] Step S2: Determine whether the liquid level in the second water receiving tray has reached or exceeded the second height position. If the determination result is yes, proceed to step S3; if the determination result is no, control the water receiving tray heater to work in the next defrosting cycle.

[0039] Step S3: Determine whether the liquid level in the second water receiving tray has reached or exceeded the first height position. If the determination result is yes, then control the water receiving tray heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle.

[0040] In other words, the control unit can control whether the water tray heater 6 works or not as needed. This can reduce the ineffective operation of the water tray heater 6, thereby preventing the internal temperature of the refrigerator from rising and reducing energy consumption.

[0041] The above step S3 also includes: if the judgment result is negative, then step S4 is executed;

[0042] Step S4: Determine whether the refrigerator compressor's running time is greater than or equal to a preset time. If the determination result is yes, control the water tray heater to operate in the next defrost cycle; if the determination result is no, control the water tray heater to stop operating in the next defrost cycle. The preset time here can be set based on empirical values ​​or parameter values, such as 1 day or 12 hours.

[0043] In summary, this invention determines whether the defrost tray heater needs to operate by detecting the liquid level or amount of defrost water in the drip tray, thereby ensuring that the drip tray heater operates as needed and preventing ineffective operation, thus solving the problem of increased energy consumption due to rising internal refrigerator temperature.

[0044] The present invention has been described by the above-described embodiments; however, these embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described above can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. It must be pointed out that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. On the contrary, any modifications and refinements made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes: An evaporator is used to provide cooling capacity to the refrigerator; A defrosting heater, located adjacent to the evaporator, is used to heat the evaporator to melt the frost on the evaporator; A metal drip tray is located below the evaporator to collect defrost water from the evaporator, and the metal drip tray has a groove. A water receiving pan heater is disposed adjacent to the metal water receiving pan for heating the metal water receiving pan; A drain pipe, including an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the inlet end of the drain pipe is connected to the groove for draining defrost water from the metal water receiving tray; The second water receiving tray has a first height position and a second height position, the second height position being lower than the first height position, and the water outlet end of the drain pipe extending into the second water receiving tray; A liquid level detection device is installed near the second water receiving tray to detect the liquid level position within the second water receiving tray; and The control unit is electrically connected to the defrost heater, the liquid level detection device, and the drip tray heater. The control unit is used to control the drip tray heater to operate in the next defrost cycle when the liquid level is lower than the second height position. The control unit is also used to control the drip tray heater to stop operating in the next defrost cycle when the liquid level reaches or exceeds the first height position. Furthermore, the control unit is used to determine whether the refrigerator compressor's running time is greater than or equal to a preset time when the liquid level reaches or exceeds the second height position but is lower than the first height position. If the determination result is yes, the control unit controls the drip tray heater to operate in the next defrost cycle; if the determination result is no, the control unit controls the drip tray heater to stop operating in the next defrost cycle.

2. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet end of the drain pipe is lower than the second height position.

3. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second water receiving tray is provided with a partition, which divides the second water receiving tray into a first water receiving area and a second water receiving area. The water outlet end of the drain pipe is located in the first water receiving area, and the height of the partition is lower than the height of the second water receiving tray, while the upper edge of the partition is higher than the water outlet end of the drain pipe.

4. The refrigerator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The partition and the second water receiving tray are integrally formed.

5. The refrigerator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first height position is flush with the upper edge of the partition.

6. A method for controlling a refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes an evaporator, a defrost heater, a metal drip tray, a drip tray heater, a drain pipe, a second drip tray, a liquid level detection device, and a control unit. The evaporator provides cooling capacity to the refrigerator. The defrost heater is located adjacent to the evaporator and is used to heat the evaporator to melt the frost on it. The metal drip tray is located below the evaporator and is used to collect defrost water from the evaporator. The metal drip tray has a groove. The drip tray heater is located adjacent to the metal drip tray and is used to heat the metal drip tray. The drain pipe includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the drain pipe is connected to the groove to drain the defrost water from the metal drip tray. The second drip tray has a first height position and a second height position, with the second height position being lower than the first height position. The outlet of the drain pipe extends into the second drip tray. The liquid level detection device is used to detect the liquid level in the second drip tray. The control unit is electrically connected to the defrost heater, the liquid level detection device, and the water tray heater, wherein the control method of the refrigerator includes: Step S1: The current defrosting cycle of the refrigerator ends; Step S2: Determine whether the liquid level in the second water receiving tray has reached or exceeded the second height position. If the determination result is yes, proceed to step S3; if the determination result is no, control the water receiving tray heater to work in the next defrosting cycle. Step S3: Determine whether the liquid level in the second water receiving tray has reached or exceeded the first height position. If the determination result is yes, control the water receiving tray heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle. If the determination result is no, proceed to step S4. Step S4: Determine whether the compressor running time of the refrigerator is greater than or equal to a preset time. If the determination result is yes, control the water tray heater to work in the next defrosting cycle; if the determination result is no, control the water tray heater to stop working in the next defrosting cycle.

7. The refrigerator control method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The outlet end of the drain pipe is lower than the second height position.

8. The refrigerator control method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The second water receiving tray is provided with a partition, which divides the second water receiving tray into a first water receiving area and a second water receiving area. The water outlet end of the drain pipe is located in the first water receiving area, and the height of the partition is lower than the height of the second water receiving tray, while the upper edge of the partition is higher than the water outlet end of the drain pipe.

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