Overheat protection method for a refrigerator and its ultrasonic-assisted processing device

Abstract

The present invention provides an overheat protection method for a refrigerator and its ultrasonic assisted processing device. The method includes: starting the ultrasonic assisted processing device; determining whether the processing time after the ultrasonic assisted processing device is started this time reaches a preset single start duration; if so, determining whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device reaches a preset processing time; if the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, turning off the ultrasonic assisted processing device; if the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device does not reach the preset processing time, controlling the ultrasonic assisted processing device to stop for a preset pause duration and then restarting the ultrasonic assisted processing device. The advantage of the present invention is that it can avoid adversely affecting the quality of food materials due to the excessive temperature of the ultrasonic assisted processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and particularly to an overheat protection method for a refrigerator and an ultrasonic assisted treatment device thereof. Background Art

[0002] At present, the evaluation of the storage performance of refrigerators is no longer simply about extending the storage time. Some users also have requirements for the realization of certain auxiliary functions (such as pickling, cleaning, etc.).

[0003] In the prior art, ultrasonic assisted treatment devices are widely used in the industrial field. In the industrial field, ultrasonic assisted treatment devices are mainly used for cleaning food ingredients. A large amount of water is contained inside, and during the cleaning process, the large amount of water can play a good role in heat dissipation, thereby better suppressing the temperature of the ultrasonic assisted treatment device within a relatively ideal temperature range.

[0004] However, after applying the ultrasonic assisted treatment device to a refrigerator, it is difficult to contain a large amount of water in the ultrasonic assisted treatment device, which easily leads to too high a temperature of the ultrasonic assisted treatment device, and further causes an adverse impact on the quality of food ingredients. Therefore, there is still room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the first aspect of the present invention is to avoid an adverse impact on the quality of food ingredients due to too high a temperature of the ultrasonic assisted treatment device.

[0006] Another object of the first aspect of the present invention is to remind users to take out the processed food ingredients in time.

[0007] The object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an overheat protection method for an ultrasonic assisted treatment device of a refrigerator, the method comprising:

[0009] Starting the ultrasonic assisted treatment device;

[0010] Judging whether the processing time after the ultrasonic assisted treatment device is started this time reaches a preset single-start duration;

[0011] If so, judging whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted treatment device reaches a preset processing time;

[0012] If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted treatment device reaches the preset processing time, turning off the ultrasonic assisted treatment device;

[0013] If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted treatment device does not reach the preset processing time, controlling the ultrasonic assisted treatment device to stop for a preset pause duration and then restarting the ultrasonic assisted treatment device.

[0014] Optionally, the single start duration is set according to the time required for the ultrasonic-assisted processing device to rise from the initial temperature to the allowable maximum temperature.

[0015] Optionally, before the step of determining whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, it further includes:

[0016] Obtain the time required for the ingredients to be processed from the pre-stored corresponding relationship table according to the type of ingredients to be processed;

[0017] Take the time required for the ingredients to be processed as the preset processing time.

[0018] Optionally, the preset pause duration is set according to the time required for the allowable maximum temperature of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device to drop to the initial temperature.

[0019] Optionally, the step of determining whether the processing time after the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is started this time reaches the preset single start duration includes:

[0020] Start the timer while starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device;

[0021] Obtain the timing time of the timer;

[0022] Determine whether the timing time reaches the preset single start duration.

[0023] Optionally, after the step of turning off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device when the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, it further includes:

[0024] Display on the display interface of the refrigerator that the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is in a processing completed state.

[0025] Optionally, after the step of turning off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device when the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, it further includes:

[0026] Emit a prompt sound indicating that the processing is completed through the refrigerator.

[0027] Optionally, before the step of starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, it further includes:

[0028] Determine whether there are ingredients placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device. If so, execute the step of starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device.

[0029] Optionally, the step of determining whether there are ingredients placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device includes:

[0030] Obtain the sensing data of the capacitive sensor or the probe sensor set in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, and determine whether there are ingredients placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device according to the sensing data.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0032] An ultrasonic-assisted processing device disposed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator;

[0033] A controller, including a memory and a processor. When the control program stored in the memory is executed by the processor, it is used to implement any one of the above overheat protection methods.

[0034] For the protection method of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device of the present invention, first start the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, and then determine whether the processing time after the current start of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset single-start duration. If so, then determine whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time. If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, then turn off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device. If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device does not reach the preset processing time, then control the ultrasonic-assisted processing device to stop for a preset pause duration and then restart the ultrasonic-assisted processing device. Thus, it can be seen that the overheat protection method provided by this embodiment can make the ultrasonic-assisted processing device operate periodically in the form of a startup ratio by controlling the single-start duration of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, thereby avoiding adverse effects on the processing quality of food ingredients due to excessive temperature of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device.

[0035] Further, after the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, by turning off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, display on the display interface of the refrigerator that the food ingredients are currently in a processed state, and control the refrigerator to emit a prompt sound for processing completion. In this way, it can remind the user to take out the processed food ingredients in time.

[0036] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more clear about the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0037] By reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, various other advantages and benefits will become clear to those of ordinary skill in the art. The drawings are only for the purpose of showing the preferred embodiments and are not considered to be a limitation of the present invention. Moreover, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of an overheat protection method for an ultrasonic-assisted processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of an overheat protection method for an ultrasonic-assisted processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure can be more thoroughly understood and the scope of the present disclosure can be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0043] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator 10. Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 generally may include a box body 100, and one or more storage compartments 110 are formed in the box body 100. The storage compartments 110 can be configured to form a refrigerated storage space, a frozen storage space, a variable-temperature storage space, etc. according to the refrigeration temperature. Specifically, the number, functions, and layout modes of the storage compartments 110 can be configured according to requirements.

[0044] The refrigerator 10 of the present invention may further include an ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 ( Figure 1 not shown in the figure). In this embodiment, the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 is disposed in the refrigerated storage space of the refrigerator 10. Of course, in some cases, the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 can also be disposed in the frozen storage space or the variable-temperature storage space. The functions of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 include but are not limited to assisting marinating, assisting freezing, etc. The ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 can be carried in the refrigerated storage space in the form of a drawer or directly placed in the refrigerated storage space.

[0045] The ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 at least includes a tray, an ultrasonic generator, and an ultrasonic transducer. Among them, the tray can be disposed in the refrigerated storage space (or the frozen storage space) for carrying the ingredients to be processed. The ultrasonic transducer can be disposed at the bottom of the tray, and the ultrasonic generator can be disposed on the back side of the refrigerator 10 and is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer. By providing ultrasonic-frequency electrical energy to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer is caused to vibrate, thereby realizing the auxiliary marinating (or auxiliary freezing) of the ingredients. It should be noted that the working principle of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 is well-known to those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated here.

[0046] After the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 is installed in the refrigerator 10, the tray in it is not sufficient to hold a large amount of water. When the ultrasonic transducer vibrates continuously, more heat will be generated, and the heat will be transferred upward through the tray to the food materials, which will have an adverse impact on the quality of the food materials. Therefore, to avoid this problem, in the present invention, the operation mode of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 is specially controlled, and this part of the content will be introduced in detail later.

[0047] Figure 2 It is a schematic block diagram of the refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the refrigerator 10 may also be provided with a controller 300, a timing device 340, etc.

[0048] The controller 300 includes a memory 320 and a processor 310. A control program 321 is stored in the memory 320. When the control program 321 is executed by the processor 310, it is used to implement the overheat protection method of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 in this embodiment. The controller 300 is signal-connected to the ultrasonic generator and is used to provide a control signal to the ultrasonic generator, so as to start and stop the ultrasonic generator and parameters such as the sound intensity and frequency of the ultrasonic signal. The controller 300 may be integrated on the main control board of the refrigerator 10 or may be separately provided adjacent to the ultrasonic generator. The controller 300 may further be signal-connected to the main control device of the refrigerator 10, provide the operating state of the ultrasonic generator to the main control device, and receive control commands from the main control device.

[0049] The controller 300 may be implemented by various devices with certain data processing capabilities. In a typical configuration, the controller 300 may include a memory 320, a processor 310, an input / output interface, etc.

[0050] The overheat protection method in this embodiment uses the single startup duration of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 as the control basis to ensure that during the processing, the temperature of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 will not affect the quality of the food materials. The timing device 340 may be a timer, and through the timer, it is relatively convenient and accurate to measure the processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 and accumulate the total processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0051] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the overheat protection method of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This method at least includes the following steps S102 to step S110.

[0052] Step S102, start the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0053] Step S104, determine whether the processing time after the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 is started this time reaches the preset single startup duration.

[0054] In this step, the single startup duration can be set according to the time required for the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 to rise from the initial temperature to the allowable maximum temperature. The allowable maximum temperature of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 refers to the critical temperature below which the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 operates without affecting the quality of the food ingredients.

[0055] Step S106, if yes, determine whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time.

[0056] In this step, the preset processing time refers to the time required to continuously process the food ingredients until the food ingredients are processed completely under ideal conditions.

[0057] Step S108, if the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time, then turn off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0058] Step S110, if the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 does not reach the preset processing time, then control the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 to stop for a preset pause duration and then restart the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0059] The protection method of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 of the present invention first starts the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200, and then determines whether the processing time after the current startup of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset single startup duration. If yes, then determine whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time. If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time, then turn off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200. If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 does not reach the preset processing time, then control the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 to stop for a preset pause duration and then restart the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200. It can be seen that the overheat protection method provided by this embodiment enables the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 to operate periodically in the form of a startup ratio by controlling the single startup duration of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200, thereby avoiding adverse effects on the processing quality of the food ingredients due to excessive temperature of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0060] In step S106, before the step of determining whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time, it may also be to first obtain the time required for the food ingredients to be processed completely from the pre-stored corresponding relationship table according to the type of the food ingredients to be processed, and then use the time required for the food ingredients to be processed completely as the preset processing time. Since there are certain differences in the time required for different food ingredients to be processed completely, in this embodiment, no specific limit is imposed on the specific value of the time required for the food ingredients to be processed completely.

[0061] In step S110, the preset pause duration is set according to the time required for the maximum temperature allowed by the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 to drop to the initial temperature. In this embodiment, the step of controlling the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 to stop for the preset pause duration may be to turn off the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200, determine whether the shutdown time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset pause duration. If so, restart the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200. If not, continue to wait until the shutdown time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset pause duration.

[0062] In some embodiments, during the process of controlling the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 to stop for the preset pause duration, the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 can be rapidly cooled so that it drops from the maximum temperature to the initial temperature in a short time. The cooling measures taken include but are not limited to adjusting the temperature of the refrigerated storage space to the lowest temperature to improve the heat dissipation effect of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200.

[0063] In practical applications, for example, when the temperature of the refrigerated storage space is 9°C and the startup ratio of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 is 1:2, the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 operates cyclically in the mode of starting for 10S and stopping for 20S. After a period of time, its temperature will finally stabilize at about 25°C without exceeding the allowed maximum temperature of 30°C. However, this method has too long a shutdown time, seriously affecting the processing efficiency of the ingredients. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 can be made to operate cyclically in the mode of starting for 10S and stopping for 10S, thereby shortening the shutdown duration. However, this will also cause the temperature of the ultrasonic assisted ingredient processing device 200 to gradually rise to 30°C. At this time, by rapidly cooling the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200, its temperature can be returned to the initial temperature again. In this way, the shutdown time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 can be shortened to the greatest extent, thereby shortening the processing cycle of the ingredients and improving the processing efficiency.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment, the step of determining whether the processing time after the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 is started this time reaches the preset single startup duration may be to start a timer when starting the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200, then obtain the timing time of the timer, and determine whether the timing time reaches the preset single startup duration. The operation is relatively convenient and simple.

[0065] Preferably, after the step of turning off the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 when the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time, the refrigerator 10 can also be controlled to display on its display interface that the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 is currently in the processing completed state, so as to avoid misinterpreting that the ingredients have been processed as the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 is in shutdown cooling.

[0066] Further, after the step of turning off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 when the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time, a completion prompt sound can also be emitted by the refrigerator 10 to remind the user to take out the processed ingredients in a timely manner.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, before the step of starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200, it further includes: determining whether there is an ingredient placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200, and if so, executing the step of starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0068] Specifically, the step of determining whether there is an ingredient placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 may be to obtain the sensing data of a capacitive sensor or a probe sensor provided in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200, and determine whether there is an ingredient placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 according to the sensing data.

[0069] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of an overheat protection method for the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This method at least includes the following steps S202 to step S222.

[0070] Step S202, obtain the sensing data of a capacitive sensor or a probe sensor provided in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0071] Step S204, determine whether there is an ingredient placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 according to the sensing data, and if so, execute step S206.

[0072] Step S206, start the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200.

[0073] Step S208, determine whether the processing time after the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 is started this time reaches the preset single-start duration, and if so, execute step S210.

[0074] In this step, the single-start duration can be set according to the time required for the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 to rise from the initial temperature to the allowed maximum temperature. The allowed maximum temperature of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 refers to the critical temperature, and the ultrasonic-assisted processing device 200 will not affect the quality of the ingredients when operating below this temperature.

[0075] Step S210, obtain the required time for the ingredient to be processed from the pre-stored corresponding relationship table according to the type of the ingredient to be processed.

[0076] Step S212, use the required time for the ingredient to be processed as the preset processing time.

[0077] Step S214: Determine whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 reaches the preset processing time. If so, execute Step S216; if not, execute Step S224.

[0078] Step S216: Turn off the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200.

[0079] Step S218: Display on the display interface of the refrigerator 10 that the food ingredients have been processed.

[0080] Step S220: The refrigerator 10 emits a prompt sound to remind the user to take out the processed food ingredients in time.

[0081] Step S222: Control the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 to stop for a preset pause duration, and return to Step S206.

[0082] Through the actual use of the trial-produced samples, the overheat protection method of the refrigerator 10 and its ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 in this embodiment can effectively avoid the adverse impact on the quality of food ingredients caused by the excessive temperature of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200 (specifically, the tray) by controlling the single startup duration of the ultrasonic assisted processing device 200.

[0083] Up to this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived from the content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and determined to cover all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. An overheat protection method for an ultrasonic-assisted processing device of a refrigerator, the method comprising: Starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device; Determining whether the processing time after the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is started this time reaches a preset single-start duration; If so, obtaining the time required for the ingredient to be processed from a pre-stored corresponding relationship table according to the type of the ingredient to be processed, and using the time required for the ingredient to be processed as the preset processing time; Determining whether the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time; If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, turning off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device; If the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device does not reach the preset processing time, controlling the ultrasonic-assisted processing device to stop for a preset pause duration and then restarting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device; Wherein, during the process of controlling the ultrasonic-assisted processing device to stop for a preset pause duration, the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is cooled down.

2. The overheat protection method according to claim 1, wherein The single-start duration is set according to the time required for the ultrasonic-assisted processing device to rise from the initial temperature to the allowed maximum temperature.

3. The overheat protection method according to claim 1, wherein The preset pause duration is set according to the time required for the allowed maximum temperature of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device to drop to the initial temperature.

4. The overheat protection method according to claim 1, wherein, The step of determining whether the processing time after the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is started this time reaches a preset single-start duration includes: Starting a timer while starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device; Obtaining the timing time of the timer; Determining whether the timing time reaches the preset single-start duration.

5. The overheat protection method according to claim 1, wherein, After the step of turning off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device when the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, further comprising: Displaying on the display interface of the refrigerator that the ultrasonic-assisted processing device is in a processing-completed state.

6. The overheat protection method according to claim 1, wherein, After the step of turning off the ultrasonic-assisted processing device when the cumulative processing time of the ultrasonic-assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, further comprising: Sending a processing-completed prompt sound through the refrigerator.

7. The overheat protection method according to claim 1, wherein Before the step of starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, further comprising: Determining whether there is an ingredient placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, and if so, executing the step of starting the ultrasonic-assisted processing device.

8. The overheat protection method according to claim 7, wherein, The step of determining whether there is an ingredient placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device includes: Obtaining the sensing data of a capacitive sensor or a probe sensor provided in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device, and determining whether there is an ingredient placed in the ultrasonic-assisted processing device according to the sensing data.

9. A refrigerator, comprising: An ultrasonic-assisted processing device provided in the storage compartment of the refrigerator; A controller including a memory and a processor, wherein a control program is stored in the memory, and when the control program is executed by the processor, it is used to implement the overheat protection method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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