Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a refrigerator, comprising: a box body, which serves as a supporting structure of the refrigerator and is internally provided with a plurality of storage chambers; a drinking water device, which is provided outside the box body and comprises a water valve, a water outlet, a cover plate and a pressure sensor; wherein the pressure sensor is provided inside the cover plate; a controller is configured to: obtain the current pressure value detected by the pressure sensor; determine the corresponding pressure gear according to the current pressure value; wherein different pressure gears are correspondingly provided with a water valve opening, and the water valve opening is in a closed state when the pressure sensor does not detect a pressure value; and adjust the water valve opening according to the pressure gear. The present invention also discloses a control method for a refrigerator. By adopting the embodiments of the present invention, the hidden danger of water continuing to fall when a person takes his hands away can be avoided, and the problem of water splashing caused by water flowing quickly into a water cup can also be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With improved living standards, the demand for refrigerator water dispensers is increasing. These dispensers are commonly installed on the refrigerator door. Due to the low temperature of the refrigerator, users can always have ice cold water. The most common switch used to control the water flow is a toggle switch. This switch has a light touch button. Pressing it turns on the controller, which opens the water valve and allows water to flow. Releasing it turns it off, causing the controller to disconnect the valve and stop water flow. While the water flow rate is constant, the instantaneous connection and disconnection during this period can cause an error between the opening and closing of the valve. This can result in water dripping from the outlet when a user leaves the cup after filling it. This is unsanitary and provides a poor user experience. When the cup is almost full, the valve closes quickly, causing water to quickly fall into the cup, which can also cause splashing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which can avoid the hidden danger of water continuing to fall when a person takes his hands away, and can also avoid the problem of water quickly falling into a water cup and causing water splashing.

[0004] To achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0005] The box body, which serves as the supporting structure of the refrigerator and has several storage compartments inside;

[0006] A drinking water device, which is arranged outside the box, comprises a water valve, a water outlet, a cover plate and a pressure sensor; wherein the pressure sensor is arranged inside the cover plate;

[0007] The controller is configured as:

[0008] Obtaining a current pressure value detected by the pressure sensor;

[0009] Determining a pressure gear corresponding to the current pressure value; wherein different pressure gears are correspondingly provided with water valve openings, and the water valve opening is in a closed state when the pressure sensor does not detect a pressure value;

[0010] The water valve opening is adjusted according to the pressure level.

[0011] As an improvement of the above solution, the cover plate is a vertical cover plate, which is arranged on the side of the water outlet, and the height of the top of the vertical cover plate is smaller than the height of the water outlet; then, the opening of the water valve is proportional to the pressure level.

[0012] As an improvement of the above-mentioned solution, the cover plate is a horizontal cover plate, and the horizontal cover plate is arranged directly below the water outlet; then, within a preset time period when the pressure value is obtained, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level, and after exceeding the preset time period, the water valve opening is inversely proportional to the pressure level.

[0013] As an improvement to the above solution, the refrigerator further includes a camera; then, the controller is further configured to:

[0014] After obtaining the current pressure value, controlling the camera device to turn on;

[0015] Acquire pictures taken by the camera device and perform recognition analysis on the pictures;

[0016] When it is detected that there is a water cup in the picture, the step of adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level is performed.

[0017] As an improvement to the above solution, after adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level, the controller is further configured to:

[0018] When it is detected that the water outlet duration is greater than a preset water outlet duration threshold, determining whether the current pressure value obtained within a preset protection time has changed;

[0019] If so, the water outlet is controlled to continue discharging water; if not, the water outlet is controlled to stop discharging water.

[0020] To achieve the above objectives, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a refrigerator control method applicable to a refrigerator having a water drinking device installed outside the refrigerator body, wherein the water drinking device includes a water valve, a water outlet, a cover plate, and a pressure sensor; wherein the pressure sensor is installed inside the cover plate; the refrigerator control method includes:

[0021] Obtaining a current pressure value detected by the pressure sensor;

[0022] Determining a pressure gear corresponding to the current pressure value; wherein different pressure gears are correspondingly provided with water valve openings, and the water valve opening is in a closed state when the pressure sensor does not detect a pressure value;

[0023] The water valve opening is adjusted according to the pressure level.

[0024] As an improvement of the above solution, the cover plate is a vertical cover plate, which is arranged on the side of the water outlet, and the height of the top of the vertical cover plate is smaller than the height of the water outlet; then, the opening of the water valve is proportional to the pressure level.

[0025] As an improvement of the above-mentioned solution, the cover plate is a horizontal cover plate, and the horizontal cover plate is arranged directly below the water outlet; then, within a preset time period when the pressure value is obtained, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level, and after exceeding the preset time period, the water valve opening is inversely proportional to the pressure level.

[0026] As an improvement to the above solution, the refrigerator further includes a camera device; then, the method further includes:

[0027] After obtaining the current pressure value, controlling the camera device to turn on;

[0028] Acquire pictures taken by the camera device and perform recognition analysis on the pictures;

[0029] When it is detected that there is a water cup in the picture, the step of adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level is performed.

[0030] As an improvement to the above solution, after adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level, the method further includes:

[0031] When it is detected that the water outlet duration is greater than a preset water outlet duration threshold, determining whether the current pressure value obtained within a preset protection time has changed;

[0032] If so, the water outlet is controlled to continue discharging water; if not, the water outlet is controlled to stop discharging water.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the refrigerator and control method thereof disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, by arranging a pressure sensor at the cover position, can obtain pressure information through the pressure sensor. When the user collects water, the water cup will contact the cover. Therefore, by detecting the pressure information of the cover, the user's intention to collect water can be known, and the corresponding pressure level can be determined according to the pressure information, and then the water valve opening can be controlled according to the pressure level. This can avoid the hidden danger of water continuing to fall when the hand is taken away, and can also avoid the problem of water flowing quickly into the water cup and causing water splashing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a horizontal cover plate provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a flow chart of a refrigerator control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a box body 10, which serves as a supporting structure of the refrigerator and has a plurality of storage compartments therein;

[0039] A drinking water device 20 is provided outside the box, comprising a water valve, a water outlet 21, a cover plate 22 and a pressure sensor; wherein the pressure sensor is provided inside the cover plate;

[0040] The controller is configured as:

[0041] Obtaining a current pressure value detected by the pressure sensor;

[0042] Determining a pressure gear corresponding to the current pressure value; wherein different pressure gears are correspondingly provided with water valve openings, and the water valve opening is in a closed state when the pressure sensor does not detect a pressure value;

[0043] The water valve opening is adjusted according to the pressure level.

[0044] Specifically, when a user collects water, the cup contacts the cover plate. Therefore, by detecting the pressure value of the cover plate, the user's intention to collect water can be determined, and the corresponding pressure level can be determined based on the pressure value, and the water valve opening can be controlled accordingly. For example, the pressure levels are preset as R1, R2, R3, and R4, and they satisfy: R1>R2>R3>R4. The water valve openings are K1, K2, K3, and K4, and they satisfy: K1>K2>K3>K4. When the pressure value is 0, the water valve opening is 0, and no water will flow out of the water outlet 21.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the cover plate 22 is a vertical cover plate, such as Figure 1 As shown, the vertical cover plate is arranged on the side of the water outlet 21, and the height of the top of the vertical cover plate is less than the height of the water outlet 21; then, the opening of the water valve is proportional to the pressure level.

[0046] For example, when the user receives water, the user can touch the edge of the water cup with the vertical cover plate, and control the water cup to press the vertical cover plate when receiving water. At this time, the pressure sensor detects the pressure value, and the controller obtains the pressure value to determine the pressure level corresponding to the pressure value. For example, when the user wants to receive water quickly, the user can apply greater force to the water cup to press the vertical cover plate. The corresponding controller detects that the pressure level is R1, and the water valve opening is controlled to be K1 at this time, and the water flow is maximum; when the water is almost full, the user can slowly release the pressed vertical cover plate, the pressure sensor return value becomes smaller, and the controller controls the angle of the water valve to open gradually becomes smaller, so that the water flow rate also becomes smaller, and water will not splash out.

[0047] In another preferred embodiment, the cover plate 22 is a horizontal cover plate, such as Figure 2 As shown, the horizontal cover plate is arranged directly below the water outlet 21; then, within the preset time period when the pressure value is obtained, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level, and after exceeding the preset time period, the water valve opening is inversely proportional to the pressure level.

[0048] For example, the preset time period may be 3-4 seconds, which can be adjusted by the user. Alternatively, the average water receiving time can be calculated by collecting the water receiving time of the user each time the user receives water, and then half of the average water receiving time can be taken as the preset time period.

[0049] When receiving water, the user can directly place the cup on the horizontal cover. When the water outlet 21 is not discharging water, the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is the pressure value of the cup. During the preset time period, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level. That is, the greater the detected pressure value, the greater the water valve opening. Therefore, the cup has more capacity to receive water, so the water flow rate of the water outlet 21 can be larger. After the preset time period, the water valve opening is inversely proportional to the pressure level. At this time, the cup may be almost full of water, so it is necessary to reduce the water flow rate of the water outlet 21 to prevent excessive water flow and water overflow.

[0050] It is worth noting that the vertical cover plate and the horizontal cover plate can coexist in the refrigerator. If pressure values ​​are detected on both cover plates, the pressure value of the horizontal cover plate shall prevail.

[0051] Furthermore, the refrigerator further includes a camera device; then, the controller is further configured to:

[0052] After obtaining the current pressure value, controlling the camera device to turn on;

[0053] Acquire pictures taken by the camera device and perform recognition analysis on the pictures;

[0054] When it is detected that there is a water cup in the picture, the step of adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level is performed.

[0055] For example, because the cover plate may be accidentally touched or the pressure sensor may have misdetected, when the pressure sensor detects the pressure value, it is necessary to further analyze the image captured by the camera device. If a water cup is present, it indicates that it was not accidentally touched or the pressure sensor misdetected. In this case, the water valve opening can be adjusted according to the pressure level. If the water cup is not present, the water valve opening is controlled to 0.

[0056] Furthermore, after adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level, the controller is further configured to:

[0057] When it is detected that the water outlet duration is greater than a preset water outlet duration threshold, determining whether the current pressure value obtained within a preset protection time has changed;

[0058] If so, the water outlet is controlled to continue discharging water; if not, the water outlet is controlled to stop discharging water.

[0059] For example, the pressure sensor may be damaged during the user's water collection process. If the water outlet has not stopped discharging water after a long period of time, it is determined whether the pressure value changes within the protection time (for example, 5s). If it has not changed, it indicates that the pressure sensor is damaged. At this time, it is necessary to control the water outlet 21 to stop discharging water.

[0060] Compared with the prior art, the refrigerator disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention is capable of obtaining pressure information by arranging a pressure sensor at the cover position. When the user collects water, the water cup will contact the cover. Therefore, by detecting the pressure information of the cover, the user's intention to collect water can be known, and the corresponding pressure level can be determined according to the pressure information, and then the water valve opening can be controlled according to the pressure level. This can avoid the hidden danger of water continuing to fall when the user takes the hand away, and can also avoid the problem of water flowing quickly into the water cup and causing water splashing.

[0061] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flow chart of a refrigerator control method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator control method is applicable to a refrigerator having a drinking water device installed outside the refrigerator body. The drinking water device includes a water valve, a water outlet, a cover plate, and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is installed inside the cover plate. The refrigerator control method includes:

[0062] S1. Obtaining the current pressure value detected by the pressure sensor;

[0063] S2. Determine a pressure gear corresponding to the current pressure value according to the current pressure value; wherein different pressure gears are correspondingly provided with water valve openings, and the water valve opening is in a closed state when the pressure sensor does not detect a pressure value;

[0064] S3. Adjust the water valve opening according to the pressure level.

[0065] Specifically, when a user collects water, the cup contacts the cover plate. By detecting the pressure on the cover plate, the user's intention to collect water can be determined, and the corresponding pressure level can be determined based on the pressure level. The water valve opening is then controlled accordingly. For example, the pressure levels are preset as R1, R2, R3, and R4, satisfying the following: R1 > R2 > R3 > R4. The water valve openings are K1, K2, K3, and K4, satisfying the following: K1 > K2 > K3 > K4. When the pressure is 0, the water valve opening is 0, and no water will flow out of the outlet.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the cover plate is a vertical cover plate, such as Figure 1 As shown, the vertical cover plate is arranged on the side of the water outlet, and the height of the top of the vertical cover plate is less than the height of the water outlet; then, the opening of the water valve is proportional to the pressure level.

[0067] For example, when the user receives water, the user can touch the edge of the water cup with the vertical cover plate, and control the water cup to press the vertical cover plate when receiving water. At this time, the pressure sensor detects the pressure value, and the controller obtains the pressure value to determine the pressure level corresponding to the pressure value. For example, when the user wants to receive water quickly, the user can apply greater force to the water cup to press the vertical cover plate. The corresponding controller detects that the pressure level is R1, and the water valve opening is controlled to be K1 at this time, and the water flow is maximum; when the water is almost full, the user can slowly release the pressed vertical cover plate, the pressure sensor return value becomes smaller, and the controller controls the angle of the water valve to open gradually becomes smaller, so that the water flow rate also becomes smaller, and water will not splash out.

[0068] In another preferred embodiment, the cover plate is a horizontal cover plate, such as Figure 2 As shown, the horizontal cover plate is arranged directly below the water outlet; then, within the preset time period when the pressure value is obtained, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level, and after exceeding the preset time period, the water valve opening is inversely proportional to the pressure level.

[0069] For example, the preset time period may be 3-4 seconds, which can be adjusted by the user. Alternatively, the average water receiving time can be calculated by collecting the water receiving time of the user each time the user receives water, and then half of the average water receiving time can be taken as the preset time period.

[0070] When a user receives water, they can directly place the cup on the horizontal cover. When no water is flowing out of the water outlet, the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is the pressure value of the cup. During this time, within the preset time period, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level. That is, the greater the detected pressure value, the greater the water valve opening. As a result, the cup has more capacity to receive water, and the water flow rate from the water outlet can be increased. After the preset time period, the water valve opening becomes inversely proportional to the pressure level. At this time, the cup may be almost full of water, so it is necessary to reduce the water flow rate from the water outlet to prevent excessive water flow and water overflow.

[0071] It is worth noting that the vertical cover plate and the horizontal cover plate can coexist in the refrigerator. If pressure values ​​are detected on both cover plates, the pressure value of the horizontal cover plate shall prevail.

[0072] Furthermore, the refrigerator further includes a camera device; then, the refrigerator control method further includes:

[0073] S21, after obtaining the current pressure value, controlling the camera device to turn on;

[0074] S22, obtaining a picture taken by the camera device, and performing recognition analysis on the picture;

[0075] S23. When it is detected that there is a water cup in the picture, execute step S3.

[0076] For example, because the cover plate may be accidentally touched or the pressure sensor may have misdetected, when the pressure sensor detects the pressure value, it is necessary to further analyze the image captured by the camera device. If a water cup is present, it indicates that it was not accidentally touched or the pressure sensor misdetected. In this case, the water valve opening can be adjusted according to the pressure level. If the water cup is not present, the water valve opening is controlled to 0.

[0077] Furthermore, after adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level in step S3, the refrigerator control method further includes:

[0078] S4. When it is detected that the water outlet duration is greater than a preset water outlet duration threshold, determining whether the current pressure value obtained within a preset protection time has changed;

[0079] S5. If yes, control the water outlet to continue discharging water; if no, control the water outlet to stop discharging water.

[0080] For example, the pressure sensor may be damaged during the user's water collection process. If the water outlet has not stopped discharging water after a long period of time, it is determined whether the pressure value changes within the protection time (for example, 5s). If it has not changed, it indicates that the pressure sensor is damaged, and the water outlet needs to be controlled to stop discharging water.

[0081] Compared with the prior art, the refrigerator control method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can obtain pressure information through the pressure sensor by setting a pressure sensor at the cover position. When the user collects water, the water cup will contact the cover. Therefore, by detecting the pressure information of the cover, the user's intention to collect water can be known, and the corresponding pressure level can be determined according to the pressure information, and then the water valve opening can be controlled according to the pressure level. This can avoid the hidden danger of water continuing to fall when the hand is taken away, and can also avoid the problem of water flowing quickly into the water cup and causing water splashing.

[0082] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: The box body, which serves as the supporting structure of the refrigerator and has several storage compartments inside; A drinking water device, which is arranged outside the box, comprises a water valve, a water outlet, a cover plate and a pressure sensor; wherein the pressure sensor is arranged inside the cover plate; The controller is configured as: Obtaining a current pressure value detected by the pressure sensor; Determining a pressure gear corresponding to the current pressure value; wherein different pressure gears are correspondingly provided with water valve openings, and the water valve opening is in a closed state when the pressure sensor does not detect a pressure value; adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level; Wherein, the cover plate is a horizontal cover plate or a vertical cover plate; When the cover plate is a horizontal cover plate, the horizontal cover plate is arranged directly below the water outlet; then, within a preset time period when the pressure value is obtained, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level, and after exceeding the preset time period, the water valve opening is inversely proportional to the pressure level.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein When the cover plate is a vertical cover plate, the vertical cover plate is arranged on the side of the water outlet, and the height of the top of the vertical cover plate is smaller than the height of the water outlet; then, the opening of the water valve is proportional to the pressure level.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The refrigerator further includes a camera device; then, the controller is further configured to: After obtaining the current pressure value, controlling the camera device to turn on; Acquire pictures taken by the camera device and perform recognition analysis on the pictures; When it is detected that there is a water cup in the picture, the step of adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level is performed.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein After adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level, the controller is further configured to: When it is detected that the water outlet duration is greater than a preset water outlet duration threshold, determining whether the current pressure value obtained within a preset protection time has changed; If so, the water outlet is controlled to continue discharging water; if not, the water outlet is controlled to stop discharging water.

5. A refrigerator control method, characterized in that: A refrigerator is applicable to a refrigerator having a drinking water device provided outside the refrigerator body, wherein the drinking water device includes a water valve, a water outlet, a cover plate, and a pressure sensor; wherein the pressure sensor is provided inside the cover plate; and the refrigerator control method includes: Obtaining a current pressure value detected by the pressure sensor; Determining a pressure gear corresponding to the current pressure value; wherein different pressure gears are correspondingly provided with water valve openings, and the water valve opening is in a closed state when the pressure sensor does not detect a pressure value; adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level; Wherein, the cover plate is a horizontal cover plate or a vertical cover plate; When the cover plate is a horizontal cover plate, the horizontal cover plate is arranged directly below the water outlet; then, within a preset time period when the pressure value is obtained, the water valve opening is directly proportional to the pressure level, and after exceeding the preset time period, the water valve opening is inversely proportional to the pressure level.

6. The refrigerator control method according to claim 5, wherein: When the cover plate is a vertical cover plate, the vertical cover plate is arranged on the side of the water outlet, and the height of the top of the vertical cover plate is smaller than the height of the water outlet; then, the opening of the water valve is proportional to the pressure level.

7. The refrigerator control method according to claim 5, wherein: The refrigerator further includes a camera device; then, the method further includes: After obtaining the current pressure value, controlling the camera device to turn on; Acquire pictures taken by the camera device and perform recognition analysis on the pictures; When it is detected that there is a water cup in the picture, the step of adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level is performed.

8. The refrigerator control method according to claim 5, wherein: After adjusting the water valve opening according to the pressure level, the method further includes: When it is detected that the water outlet duration is greater than a preset water outlet duration threshold, determining whether the current pressure value obtained within a preset protection time has changed; If so, the water outlet is controlled to continue discharging water; if not, the water outlet is controlled to stop discharging water.

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