Control method of air-cooled refrigerator and computer storage medium

Abstract

The application provides a control method of a forced air cooling refrigerator and a computer storage medium. The control method of the forced air cooling refrigerator comprises the following steps: obtaining a set temperature range of drinking water in a water storage container; detecting an actual temperature of the drinking water in the water storage container; judging whether the actual temperature is in the set temperature range; and if not, determining the states of a heater and a first air door according to the actual temperature and the set temperature range, and controlling the heater and the first air door to act according to the determined states. The scheme of the application realizes temperature control of the drinking water in the water storage container of the forced air cooling refrigerator in a simple way, and the structure adopted is not complicated, so that the occupied space is reduced and the production cost is saved; the drinking water in the water storage container is heated or cooled, and different drinking water demands of users are fully met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of home appliance technology, and in particular to a control method for an air-cooled refrigerator and a computer storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] As society develops and people's living standards improve, the pace of life becomes faster and faster. As a result, people are more willing to buy a lot of food and store it in the refrigerator. The refrigerator has become one of the indispensable household appliances in people's daily lives.

[0003] Refrigerators are generally classified into two types based on their cooling method: frost-free refrigerators and direct-cooling refrigerators. Direct-cooling refrigerators cool food using natural air convection. The evaporator in a direct-cooling refrigerator exchanges heat with the surrounding air; the air transfers heat to the evaporator, and the evaporator transfers cold air to the air. The air absorbs cold air, its temperature decreases, its density increases, and it moves downwards. The air in the lower part of the refrigerator exchanges heat with the food inside; the food transfers heat to the air, and the air, having received heat, rises in temperature, its density decreases, and it rises again to the vicinity of the evaporator, transferring heat back to it. This cycle of hot and cold air through natural convection achieves the cooling effect. Frost-free refrigerators have an evaporator installed inside an air duct, and the cold air generated by the evaporator is then distributed to all storage compartments through a fan and air duct. Because the evaporator does not directly contact the food in the storage compartments, defrosting can be achieved by briefly heating the evaporator using a defrosting system, eliminating the need for manual defrosting like in direct-cooling refrigerators, and thus its application is becoming increasingly widespread.

[0004] Furthermore, modern refrigerators offer an increasing number of functions to meet diverse user needs. For example, some refrigerators have automatic water filling functions, where a tap water pipe connects to the refrigerator, and the water flows into the kettle via a valve. Currently, the kettle is placed directly in the refrigerator compartment, and users simply open the refrigerator door to retrieve it. While this method is simple, it has significant drawbacks: it lacks temperature control, meaning users cannot determine the temperature of the water they draw, affecting the quality and effectiveness of drinking water and consequently impacting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to achieve temperature control of drinking water inside the water storage container of an air-cooled refrigerator in a simple manner.

[0006] A further objective of this invention is to precisely control the temperature of drinking water according to user needs, thereby enhancing the user experience.

[0007] Specifically, the present invention provides a control method for a frost-free refrigerator, wherein the frost-free refrigerator includes: a cabinet having an internal storage space, the storage space including at least a refrigeration space; a water storage container disposed on either the left or right side of the refrigeration space; a heater disposed below the water storage container; and a first air damper disposed on the side wall of the refrigeration space on one side of the water storage container, and the control method includes: obtaining a set temperature range of drinking water inside the water storage container; detecting the actual temperature of the drinking water inside the water storage container; determining whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range; and if not, determining the state of the heater and the first air damper based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range, and controlling the heater and the first air damper to operate according to the determined state.

[0008] Optionally, the step of determining the state of the heater and the first damper based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range includes: determining whether the actual temperature is greater than the maximum value in the set temperature range; and if so, controlling the first damper to open and controlling the heater to close; if not, determining that the actual temperature is less than the minimum value in the set temperature range, controlling the heater to open and controlling the first damper to close.

[0009] Optionally, the air-cooled refrigerator further includes: an evaporator configured to provide cooling to the storage space, and the interior of the refrigerator also defines a cooling chamber, wherein the evaporator is located in the cooling chamber; a refrigeration air duct and a second air damper, wherein the second air damper is located on the side of the refrigeration space opposite to the first air damper, one end of the refrigeration air duct connects to the cooling chamber, and the other end is divided into two branches, which connect to the first air damper and the second air damper respectively; and a heat insulation shell located outside the water storage container, wherein the heat insulation shell is provided with an insulation door configured to insulate the heat generated by the heater when closed.

[0010] Optionally, the steps of controlling the opening of the first damper and controlling the closing of the heater also include: controlling the closing of the second damper and controlling the opening of the insulation door; the steps of controlling the opening of the heater and controlling the closing of the first damper also include: controlling the closing of the insulation door and controlling the second damper to operate according to the actual temperature of the refrigerated space.

[0011] Optionally, the air-cooled refrigerator also includes: a door, located on the front surface of the refrigerator body, for sealing the storage space, and a display device on the door, configured to receive user trigger operations to determine the set temperature range, and when the actual temperature is within the set temperature range, control the heater to turn off, control the first air door to close, control the insulation door to close, and control the display device to output prompt information to remind the user to take out the water container for drinking.

[0012] Optionally, the air-cooled refrigerator also includes: a water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to an external water source, and the other end is located above the water inlet of the water storage container, and a water valve is provided on the water inlet pipe.

[0013] Optionally, before obtaining the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container, the method further includes: detecting the actual state of the water storage container; determining whether the actual state meets the preset standard; and if so, controlling the water valve to open so that drinking water from an external water source flows to the storage container through the inlet pipe.

[0014] Optionally, the air-cooled refrigerator also includes: a base, disposed below the water storage container, and a heater disposed on the base, wherein the preset standard is: the water storage container is placed on the base and the actual water level of the drinking water inside is lower than the water level threshold.

[0015] Optionally, after the step of controlling the water valve to open, the method further includes: timing the opening time of the water valve; determining whether the opening time is greater than or equal to a time threshold; and if not, controlling the water valve to remain open until the actual water level reaches the water level threshold, and then controlling the water valve to close.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer storage medium is also provided, wherein a computer program is stored therein, and the computer program, when executed, causes the device in which the computer storage medium is located to perform any of the above-described control methods for an air-cooled refrigerator.

[0017] The control method and computer storage medium of the air-cooled refrigerator of the present invention obtain the set temperature range of drinking water inside the water storage container, detect the actual temperature of the drinking water inside the water storage container, determine whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range, and if the result is not, determine the state of the heater and the first damper according to the actual temperature and the set temperature range, and control the heater and the first damper to operate according to the determined state. It can achieve temperature control of drinking water inside the water storage container of the air-cooled refrigerator in a simple way, and the structure adopted is not complicated, reducing the space occupied and saving production costs; it can make the drinking water inside the water storage container heat up or cool down, fully meeting the different drinking water needs of users.

[0018] Furthermore, the control method of the air-cooled refrigerator of the present invention, along with the computer storage medium, acquires the user's trigger operation through the display device to determine the set temperature range. When it is necessary to cool the drinking water, the first air damper is controlled to open, the heater is controlled to close, the second air damper is controlled to close, and the insulation door is controlled to open. When it is necessary to heat the drinking water, the heater is controlled to open, the first air damper is controlled to close, the insulation door is controlled to close, and the second air damper is controlled to operate according to the actual temperature of the refrigeration space, so that the actual temperature of the drinking water enters the set temperature range. This allows for precise temperature control of the drinking water according to the user's needs, improving the user experience.

[0019] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the invention in detail by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of an air-cooled refrigerator to which the control method of an air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable;

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Internal structure diagram of a wind-cooled refrigerator;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a control method for an air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a detailed flowchart of a control method for an air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a computer storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] This embodiment first provides a control method for an air-cooled refrigerator, which can control the temperature of drinking water inside the water storage container of the air-cooled refrigerator in a simple way. The structure adopted is not complicated, which reduces the space occupied and saves production costs. It can raise or lower the temperature of drinking water inside the water storage container to fully meet the different drinking water needs of users. Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of an air-cooled refrigerator 100 to which the control method of an air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a medium-speed air-cooled refrigerator 100. (See diagram below.) Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 generally includes: a cabinet 110, a water storage container 130, a heater 140, and a first air damper 151.

[0027] The refrigerator body 110 includes a storage space, which at least includes a refrigeration space 111. A water container 130 can be located on either the left or right side of the refrigeration space 111. A heater 140 can be located below the water container 130. A first air vent 151 can be located on the side wall of the refrigeration space 111 on one side of the water container 130. Furthermore, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 may also include a door 120 located on the front surface of the refrigerator body 110 to close the storage space. The heater 140 can be configured to heat the water container 130 when open, thereby increasing the temperature of the drinking water inside the water container 130. The first air vent 151 can be configured to cool the water container 130 when open, thereby decreasing the temperature of the drinking water inside the water container 130.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 may further include: a base 180 disposed below the water storage container 130, and a heater 140 disposed on the base 180. Specifically, the heater 140 may be a heating wire device. More preferably, the area of ​​the heater 140 may be greater than or equal to the bottom area of ​​the water storage container 130, thus ensuring that the entire bottom surface of the water storage container 130 is in contact with the heater 140, improving the heating efficiency of the water storage container 130. Furthermore, in a specific embodiment, the water storage container 130 may be made of 304 stainless steel, ensuring that there are no food safety issues when using the water storage container 130 to hold and heat drinking water, and the excellent heat transfer properties of stainless steel can also effectively improve heating efficiency.

[0029] The air-cooled refrigerator 100 of this embodiment, by setting a first air damper 151 and a heater 140, achieves temperature control of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130 of the air-cooled refrigerator 100 in a simple structure, reducing the space occupied and saving production costs; it enables the drinking water inside the water storage container 130 to be heated or cooled, fully meeting the different drinking water needs of users.

[0030] Specifically, the interior of the cabinet 110 can be limited to multiple storage spaces, and the number and structure of the storage spaces can be configured according to needs. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustration shows two storage spaces arranged from top to bottom, each of which can be configured as a refrigerator space 111, a freezer space 112, a variable temperature space, or a fresh-keeping space. Each storage space can be divided into multiple storage areas by partitions, utilizing shelves or drawers for storage. In this embodiment, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 has two storage spaces arranged from top to bottom: a refrigerator space 111 and a freezer space 112.

[0031] Door 120 can be located on the front side of the refrigerator body 110, allowing users to open or close the storage space of the refrigerator 100. Doors 120 are correspondingly assigned to storage spaces; that is, each storage space has one or more doors 120. The storage spaces can be opened using a pivoting mechanism or a drawer mechanism to achieve drawer-style storage. In one specific embodiment, the door 120 of the refrigeration space 111 is a pivoting door, and the door of the freezer space 112 is a drawer-style door.

[0032] As described above, the water storage container 130 can be installed on either the left or right side of the refrigeration space 111. Figure 2 As shown, the water storage container 130 is located on the right side of the refrigeration space 111, and correspondingly, the first air damper 151 is located on the right side wall of the refrigeration space 111. In a preferred embodiment, the first air damper 151 is positioned precisely on the side wall of the refrigeration space 111 where the water storage container 130 is located. This allows for faster cooling of the water storage container 130 when the first air damper 151 is open, thereby improving the efficiency of cooling drinking water.

[0033] In one specific embodiment, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 further includes an evaporator configured to provide cooling capacity to the storage space, and the interior of the cabinet 110 further defines a cooling chamber, in which the evaporator is disposed. The air-cooled refrigerator 100 may also include a refrigeration air duct and a second air damper 152, wherein the second air damper 152 is disposed on the side of the refrigeration space 111 opposite to the first air damper 151, one end of the refrigeration air duct connects to the cooling chamber, and the other end branches into two branches, respectively connecting to the first air damper 151 and the second air damper 152.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the first air damper 151 is located on the right side wall of the refrigeration space 111, while the second air damper 152 is located on the right side wall of the refrigeration space 111. It should be noted that the specific configurations of the first air damper 151 and the second air damper 152 described above are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the invention. In some other embodiments, the water storage container 130 may be located on the left side of the refrigeration space 111, the first air damper 151 on the left side wall of the refrigeration space 111, and the second air damper 152 on the right side wall of the refrigeration space 111. In summary, the first air damper 151 and the water storage container 130 are located on the same side of the refrigeration space 111, while the second air damper 152 is located on the opposite side.

[0035] Specifically, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 may include a refrigeration system, which can be a refrigeration cycle system consisting of a compressor, condenser, throttling device, evaporator, and fan. The compressor may be installed in a compressor compartment, and the evaporator and fan may be located in a cooling chamber. In another embodiment, the evaporator and fan may also be located in an air supply duct, in which case the air supply duct can be considered as a cooling chamber.

[0036] The air-cooled refrigerator 100 of this embodiment can use a single-system refrigeration, that is, the refrigeration compartment 111 and the freezer compartment 112 are provided with cooling capacity through a single refrigeration system. When the freezer compartment 112 needs additional cooling capacity, an air duct connecting the cooling compartment to the freezer compartment 112 can be connected. When the refrigeration compartment 111 needs additional cooling capacity, an air duct connecting the cooling compartment to the refrigeration compartment 111 can be connected, i.e., a refrigeration air duct.

[0037] The refrigeration system provides different amounts of cooling to the refrigeration compartment 111 and the freezing compartment 112, resulting in different temperatures within them. The temperature in the refrigeration compartment 111 is generally between 2°C and 10°C, preferably between 3°C and 8°C. The temperature in the freezing compartment 112 is generally between -22°C and -14°C. Different types of food have different optimal storage temperatures, and therefore require different storage spaces. For example, fruits and vegetables are best stored in the refrigeration compartment 111, while meat is best stored in the freezing compartment 112.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 may further include: an insulation shell 160 disposed outside the water storage container 130, and an insulation door 161 disposed on the insulation shell 160, configured to insulate the heat generated by the heater 140 when closed. When the insulation door 161 is closed, the insulation shell 160 can effectively insulate the heat generated when the heater 140 is turned on, preventing the heat from affecting the temperature of other areas of the refrigerator compartment 111, and ensuring the storage effect of the food inside the refrigerator compartment 111.

[0039] It should be noted that the heat insulation shell 160 and the side wall of the refrigeration space 111 together define a space in which a water storage container 130 is placed. In addition to the side wall of the refrigeration space 111 being surrounded by foam, the heat insulation shell 160 can be wrapped with sealing material. This ensures that when the insulation door 161 is closed, the space where the water storage container 130 is located is a sealed space, and can effectively isolate other areas of the external refrigeration space 111.

[0040] In one specific embodiment, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 may further include a DC motor configured to control the opening and closing state of the insulated door 161. More specifically, the DC motor may be a general-purpose H-bridge forward and reverse DC motor, effectively controlling the opening and closing state of the insulated door 161. Furthermore, in one specific embodiment, the water storage container 130 may have a capacity of 1.5L, and the heater 140 may be a 12W DC heating wire. It should be noted that the specific values ​​of the above parameters are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments, other values ​​may be set according to actual conditions; for example, the capacity of the water storage container 130 may be set according to specific space requirements and drinking water needs.

[0041] In this embodiment, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 has a refrigeration air duct that connects to the cooling chamber at one end and splits into two branches at the other end, connecting to the first air vent 151 and the second air vent 152 respectively. Therefore, regardless of whether the first air vent 151 or the second air vent 152 is open, the cold air generated in the cooling chamber can be transferred to the refrigeration space 111, ensuring that the temperature of the refrigeration space 111 meets the storage requirements.

[0042] It should be noted that when the first air vent 151 is open, the insulation door 161 must also be open. This ensures that the cold air blown out from the first air vent 151 passes through the water storage container 130 and reaches other areas of the refrigerated space 111. Otherwise, if the first air vent 151 is open and the insulation door 161 is closed, the cold air blown out from the first air vent 151 will only reach the interior of the insulation shell 160 and will not reach other areas of the refrigerated space 111. Furthermore, when cooling the water storage container 130, since the cold air is blown from the first air vent 151 through the water storage container 130 to other areas of the external refrigerated space 111, the drinking water temperature inside the water storage container 130 will cool down before the other areas of the refrigerated space 111.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 may further include: a water inlet pipe (not shown), one end of which is connected to an external water source, and the other end is located above the water inlet of the water storage container 130, and a water valve 170 is provided on the water inlet pipe. The water valve 170 can be configured to allow drinking water from an external water source to flow through the water inlet pipe to the storage container when it is open. In a specific embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the water valve 170 can be installed above the water inlet of the water storage container 130, that is, the water valve 170 can be installed at the other end of the water inlet pipe away from the external water source.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the external water source can be a tap water source, and a filter device can be installed in the inlet pipe to filter the tap water into drinking water. In another preferred embodiment, the external water source can be a drinking water source, so that the water flowing into the storage container 130 is directly drinking water without filtration.

[0045] In one specific embodiment, a temperature sensor is installed inside the water storage container 130 to detect the actual temperature of the drinking water inside. This allows for timely and accurate monitoring of the real-time temperature of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130. A water level sensor can also be installed inside the water storage container 130 to accurately obtain the actual water level of the drinking water inside. When the actual water level reaches a threshold, the water valve 170 can be closed promptly to prevent overflow and ensure the storage environment and safety of the refrigerated space 111.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, a display device 121 may be provided on the door 120, configured to receive user trigger operations to determine the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130. The user can set the desired water temperature through the display device 121, and the display device 121 may display an indicator icon. When the actual temperature reaches the set temperature range, the indicator icon can light up, effectively reminding the user to take out the drinking water.

[0047] To avoid affecting the original storage of items in the refrigeration space 111 during the heating and cooling process of the water storage container 130, the start-up and shutdown temperatures of the water storage container 130 are within the range of +10℃ to -3℃ of the current start-up and shutdown temperatures of the refrigeration space 111, and the shutdown temperature of the water storage container 130 is ensured to be above 0℃. For example, if the start-up temperature of the refrigeration space 111 is 8℃ and the shutdown temperature is 6℃, then the start-up temperature of the water storage container 130 is 18℃ and the shutdown temperature is 3℃. When the user sets the temperature range to 18℃ to 3℃ via the display device 121, their needs can be met, and heating or cooling can be performed according to the actual temperature of the drinking water. However, if the user sets the temperature range to a range other than 18℃ to 3℃ via the display device 121, the setting cannot be made, and the display device 121 can output a prompt message to remind the user that the set temperature range cannot be achieved.

[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a control method for a frost-free refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. This control method for a frost-free refrigerator can be applied to the frost-free refrigerator 100 of any of the above embodiments. Figure 3 As shown, the control method for this air-cooled refrigerator can perform the following steps:

[0049] Step S302: Obtain the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130;

[0050] Step S304: Detect the actual temperature of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130;

[0051] Step S306: Determine whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range. If not, proceed to step S308.

[0052] Step S308: Determine the state of heater 140 and first damper 151 based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range, and control heater 140 and first damper 151 to operate according to the determined state.

[0053] In the above steps, step S302 obtains the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130. Specifically, the set temperature range can be determined by the user's trigger operation obtained through the display device 121 on the door 120. For example, the user can input 5°C to 10°C as the set temperature range through the display device 121, indicating that the user needs drinking water within this temperature range. In a particular embodiment, the user can input a single numerical value, that is, set the temperature range as a single numerical value. This can also be achieved, indicating that the user needs drinking water at a precise temperature.

[0054] A temperature sensor can be installed inside the water storage container 130. Therefore, step S304 can use the temperature sensor to detect the actual temperature of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130. In step S306, it is determined whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range. If the result is no, it means that the current actual temperature of the drinking water is not within the user's desired set temperature range, and it needs to be heated or cooled to reach the set temperature range and meet the user's needs. Therefore, step S308 can be executed to determine the state of the heater 140 and the first damper 151 based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range, and control the heater 140 and the first damper 151 to operate according to the determined state. Based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range, it can be determined whether the drinking water needs to be heated or cooled, and thus the state of the heater 140 and the first damper 151 is determined.

[0055] Specifically, the steps for determining the state of heater 140 and first damper 151 based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range may include: determining whether the actual temperature is greater than the maximum value in the set temperature range; and if so, controlling the first damper 151 to open and controlling the heater 140 to close; if not, determining that the actual temperature is less than the minimum value in the set temperature range, controlling the heater 140 to open and controlling the first damper 151 to close.

[0056] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, when the air-cooled refrigerator 100 is equipped with a second air damper 152 and an insulated door 161, the steps of controlling the opening of the first air damper 151 and controlling the closing of the heater 140 may also include: controlling the closing of the second air damper 152 and controlling the opening of the insulated door 161. The steps of controlling the opening of the heater 140 and controlling the closing of the first air damper 151 may also include: controlling the closing of the insulated door 161 and controlling the second air damper 152 to operate according to the actual temperature of the refrigerated compartment 111.

[0057] In step S306, if the actual temperature is within the set temperature range, and the result is yes, that is, the actual temperature of the drinking water is within the set temperature range desired by the user, there is no need to heat or cool it. At this time, the heater 140 can be turned off, the first air damper 151 can be turned off, the insulation door 161 can be turned off, and the display device 121 can be controlled to output prompt information to remind the user to take out the water storage container 130 for drinking.

[0058] The control method of the air-cooled refrigerator in this embodiment can control the temperature of drinking water inside the water storage container 130 of the air-cooled refrigerator 100 in a simple way, and the structure adopted is not complicated, which reduces the space occupied and saves production costs; it can raise or lower the temperature of drinking water inside the water storage container 130 to fully meet the different drinking water needs of users.

[0059] In some optional embodiments, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 can achieve higher technical effects through further optimization and configuration of the above steps. The following describes the control method of the air-cooled refrigerator in this embodiment in detail with reference to an optional execution flow of this embodiment. This embodiment is only an example of the execution flow. In specific implementation, the execution order and operating conditions of some steps can be modified according to specific implementation requirements. Figure 4 This is a detailed flowchart of a control method for an air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control method for the air-cooled refrigerator includes the following steps:

[0060] Step S402: Obtain the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130;

[0061] Step S404: Detect the actual temperature of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130;

[0062] Step S406: Determine whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range. If yes, proceed to step S408; otherwise, proceed to step S410.

[0063] In step S408, control the heater 140 to turn off, control the first damper 151 to turn off, control the door insulation 161 to turn off, and control the display device 121 to output a prompt message to remind the user to take out the water storage container 130 for drinking.

[0064] Step S410: Determine whether the actual temperature is greater than the maximum value in the set temperature range. If yes, proceed to step S414; otherwise, proceed to step S412.

[0065] Step S412: If the actual temperature is less than the minimum value in the set temperature range, control the heater 140 to turn on, control the first damper 151 to close, control the insulation door 161 to close, and control the second damper 152 to operate according to the actual temperature of the refrigeration space 111.

[0066] Step S414: Control the first damper 151 to open, control the heater 140 to close, control the second damper 152 to close, and control the insulation door 161 to open.

[0067] It should be noted that the control method for the air-cooled refrigerator in this embodiment is applicable to air-cooled refrigerators 100 equipped with an insulated door 161 and a second air vent 152, because these also need to be controlled accordingly, in conjunction with the first air vent 151 and the heater 140, to achieve better heating or cooling effects for drinking water. In step S406, it is determined whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range. If the result is negative, that is, the actual temperature is not within the set temperature range, either the actual temperature is greater than the maximum value or less than the minimum value within the set temperature range. Since there are only these two cases, step S410 is executed: determining whether the actual temperature is greater than the maximum value within the set temperature range. If the result is negative, step S412 can be directly executed: determining that the actual temperature is less than the minimum value within the set temperature range.

[0068] In step S410, it is determined whether the actual temperature is greater than the maximum value in the set temperature range. If the result is yes, it is determined that the drinking water needs to be cooled, and step S414 is executed: the first damper 151 is opened, the heater 140 is closed, the second damper 152 is closed, and the insulation door 161 is opened. At this time, the first damper 151 and the insulation door 161 are open, and the cold air from the cold air duct can pass through the first damper 151 and the insulation door 161 in sequence and be blown out to other areas of the refrigerated space 111 to meet normal storage needs. Because the first damper 151 can deliver air, the second damper 152 is closed to avoid excessive cooling and affecting the temperature of the refrigerated space 111. Furthermore, since the cooling is for drinking water, there is no need to turn on the heater 140, so the heater 140 is turned off.

[0069] In step S412, if the actual temperature is determined to be lower than the minimum value in the set temperature range, it can be determined that the drinking water needs to be heated. At this time, the heater 140 is turned on, the first damper 151 is closed, the insulation door 161 is closed, and the second damper 152 operates according to the actual temperature of the refrigeration space 111. The heater 140 heats the water storage container 130, and the first damper 151 and the insulation door 161 are closed, making the space where the water storage container 130 is located a sealed space, preventing the heat generated by the heater 140 from being conducted to other areas of the refrigeration space 111 and affecting the storage effect. Furthermore, the second damper 152 operates according to the actual temperature of the refrigeration space 111. That is, the second damper 152 operates according to the normal start-up and shutdown temperatures of the refrigeration space 111; when the temperature of the refrigeration space 111 reaches the start-up temperature, the second damper 152 opens, and when the temperature of the refrigeration space 111 reaches the shutdown temperature, the second damper 152 closes.

[0070] The temperature of the cold storage space 111 can be detected by a compartment temperature sensor installed inside the cold storage space 111. The compartment temperature sensor can be installed on the back side of the cold storage space 111, close to the second air vent 152 and far away from the first air vent 151, so as to ensure that the detection results are not affected by the heating or cooling of the drinking water.

[0071] It should be noted that regardless of whether the first damper 151 or the second damper 152 is open, the compressor and fan also start operating simultaneously. This synchronized operation of the compressor and fan is necessary for the evaporator to generate cooling capacity, allowing the fan to effectively deliver the cooling capacity to the refrigerated compartment 111 through either damper 151 or damper 152. In a preferred embodiment, the first damper 151 and the second damper 152 can be of the same type, meaning they have identical air delivery capabilities. This ensures precise temperature control of drinking water while maintaining the normal storage capacity of the refrigerated compartment 111.

[0072] In step S406, it is determined whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range. If the result is yes, step S408 is executed: the heater 140 is turned off, the first damper 151 is turned off, the door insulation 161 is turned off, and the display device 121 outputs a prompt message to remind the user to take out the water container 130 for drinking. Since the actual temperature is within the set temperature range, it means that no temperature adjustment of the drinking water is required and it can be taken out directly for consumption. Therefore, the heater 140 is turned off, eliminating the need for heating. The first damper 151 and the door insulation 161 are closed, ensuring that the refrigerated space 111 is not affected by the space containing the water container 130, and there is no need to open the first damper 151 and the door insulation 161 at this time. The second damper 152 can then operate normally according to the actual temperature of the refrigerated space 111. The display device 121 outputs a prompt message, which promptly and intuitively reminds the user that the water container 130 can be taken out directly for drinking.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, regardless of whether the drinking water is heated or cooled to reach a set temperature range, or whether the drinking water was originally within the set temperature range, the specific process for the user to take out the water storage container 130 can be as follows: after opening the door 121 of the refrigeration space 111, the insulation door 161 automatically opens, and the user can take out the water storage container 130 through the opened insulation door 161, which effectively improves the level of intelligence and greatly enhances the user experience.

[0074] As described above, the air-cooled refrigerator 100 may also include a water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to an external water source, and the other end is located above the water inlet of the water storage container 130, and a water valve 170 is provided on the water inlet pipe. Before step S402 of obtaining the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container 130, the system may further include: detecting the actual state of the water storage container 130; determining whether the actual state meets the preset standard; and if so, controlling the water valve 170 to open so that drinking water from the external water source flows to the storage container through the water inlet pipe.

[0075] The preset standard is that the water storage container 130 is placed on the base 180 and the actual water level of the drinking water inside is lower than the water level threshold. That is, the system first checks whether the water storage container 130 is placed on the base 180 and whether the actual water level of the drinking water inside is lower than the water level threshold. Only when both conditions are met will the water valve 170 be opened. The water level threshold can be the maximum water level in the water storage container 130; exceeding this level may pose a risk of overflow. This is because if the water storage container 130 is not placed on the base 180 or the actual water level is equal to or higher than the water level threshold, after the water valve 170 is opened, the drinking water may flow directly into the heater 140 and the base 180, and even other areas of the refrigeration space 111, affecting normal storage and safe use. A water level sensor can be installed inside the water storage container 130 to detect the actual water level. If the actual state of the water storage container 130 does not meet the preset standard, that is, the water storage container 130 is not placed on the base 180, or the actual water level of the drinking water inside is equal to or higher than the water level threshold, then the control water valve 170 remains closed.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, after the step of controlling the water valve 170 to open, the method may further include: timing the opening time of the water valve 170; determining whether the opening time is greater than or equal to a time threshold; and if not, controlling the water valve 170 to remain open until the actual water level reaches the water level threshold, and then controlling the water valve 170 to close. If the opening time is greater than or equal to the time threshold, the water valve 170 can be forcibly closed. Setting a time threshold can be seen as a protective measure to prevent the water level sensor from malfunctioning. Because if the water level sensor malfunctions and cannot accurately detect the actual water level, the water valve 170 may remain open for an extended period, leading to drinking water overflow. This protective measure further ensures the storage effect and safety of the refrigerated space 111.

[0077] Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that, to avoid affecting the original storage of items in the refrigeration space 111 during the heating and cooling process of the water storage container 130, the start-up and shutdown temperatures of the water storage container 130 are within the range of +10°C to -3°C of the current start-up and shutdown temperatures of the refrigeration space 111, and the shutdown temperature of the water storage container 130 is ensured to be above 0°C. For example, if the start-up temperature of the refrigeration space 111 is 8°C and the shutdown temperature is 6°C, then the start-up temperature of the water storage container 130 is 18°C ​​and the shutdown temperature is 3°C. When the user sets the temperature range to 18°C ​​to 3°C via the display device 121, their needs can be met, and heating or cooling can be performed according to the actual temperature of the drinking water. However, if the user sets the temperature range to a range other than 18°C ​​to 3°C via the display device 121, the setting cannot be made, and the display device 121 can output a prompt message to remind the user that the set temperature range cannot be achieved.

[0078] The control method of the air-cooled refrigerator in this embodiment obtains the user's trigger operation through the display device 121 to determine the set temperature range. When it is necessary to cool the drinking water, the first air damper 151 is controlled to open, the heater 140 is controlled to close, the second air damper 152 is controlled to close, and the insulation door 161 is controlled to open. When it is necessary to heat the drinking water, the heater 140 is controlled to open, the first air damper 151 is controlled to close, the insulation door 161 is controlled to close, and the second air damper 152 is controlled to operate according to the actual temperature of the refrigeration space 111, so that the actual temperature of the drinking water enters the set temperature range. This method can accurately control the temperature of drinking water according to the user's needs and improve the user experience.

[0079] This embodiment also provides a computer storage medium 200. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a computer storage medium 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computer storage medium 200 stores a computer program 201, and when the computer program 201 is executed, it causes the device where the computer storage medium 200 is located to execute the control method of the air-cooled refrigerator of any of the above embodiments. The device where the computer storage medium 200 is located is the air-cooled refrigerator 100, and the air-cooled refrigerator 100 can execute the control method of the air-cooled refrigerator of any of the above embodiments.

[0080] The computer storage medium 200 of this embodiment may be an electronic memory such as flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM, hard disk, or ROM. The computer storage medium 200 has storage space for a computer program 201 for performing any of the method steps described above. These computer programs 201 can be read from or written to one or more computer program products. These computer program products include program code carriers such as hard disks, CDs, memory cards, or floppy disks. When the device containing the computer storage medium 200 runs the computer program 201, it can perform the various steps of the methods described above.

[0081] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A control method for a frost-free refrigerator, wherein the frost-free refrigerator comprises: The cabinet has an internal storage space, which includes at least a refrigeration space; a water storage container is located on either the left or right side of the refrigeration space; and a heater is located below the water storage container. And a first air damper, disposed on the side wall of the refrigeration space on one side of the water storage container, and the control method includes: Obtain the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container; The actual temperature of the drinking water inside the water storage container is detected; Determine whether the actual temperature is within the set temperature range; and If not, determine the state of the heater and the first damper based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range, and control the heater and the first damper to operate according to the determined state; The step of determining the state of the heater and the first damper based on the actual temperature and the set temperature range includes: determining whether the actual temperature is greater than the maximum value in the set temperature range; and if so, controlling the first damper to open and controlling the heater to close; if not, determining that the actual temperature is less than the minimum value in the set temperature range, controlling the heater to open and controlling the first damper to close. The air-cooled refrigerator further includes: an evaporator configured to provide cooling capacity to the storage space, and the interior of the refrigerator body further defines a cooling chamber, wherein the evaporator is disposed in the cooling chamber; a refrigeration air duct and a second air damper, wherein the second air damper is disposed on the side of the refrigeration space opposite to the first air damper, one end of the refrigeration air duct is connected to the cooling chamber, and the other end is divided into two branches, which are respectively connected to the first air damper and the second air damper; and a heat insulation shell disposed outside the water storage container, wherein the heat insulation shell is provided with an insulation door configured to insulate the heat generated by the heater when closed; The steps of controlling the opening of the first damper and controlling the closing of the heater also include: controlling the closing of the second damper and controlling the opening of the insulation door; the steps of controlling the opening of the heater and controlling the closing of the first damper also include: controlling the closing of the insulation door and controlling the second damper to operate according to the actual temperature of the refrigeration space.

2. The control method for a frost-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The air-cooled refrigerator further includes: a door, disposed on the front surface of the refrigerator body to enclose the storage space; the door is equipped with a display device configured to receive user trigger operations to determine the set temperature range. When the actual temperature is within the set temperature range, the heater is controlled to turn off, the first damper is controlled to close, the insulated door is controlled to close, and the display device is controlled to output a prompt message to remind the user to take out the water storage container for drinking.

3. The control method for a frost-cooled refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The air-cooled refrigerator also includes a water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to an external water source, and the other end is located above the water inlet of the water storage container, and a water valve is provided on the water inlet pipe.

4. The control method for a frost-free refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein before the step of obtaining the set temperature range of the drinking water inside the water storage container, the method further includes: Inspect the actual condition of the water storage container; Determine whether the actual state meets the preset standard; as well as If so, control the water valve to open so that drinking water from the external water source flows through the water inlet pipe to the water storage container.

5. The control method for a frost-cooled refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein, The air-cooled refrigerator further includes: a base disposed below the water storage container, and a heater disposed on the base. The preset standard is: the water storage container is placed on the base and the actual water level of the drinking water inside is lower than the water level threshold.

6. The control method for a frost-free refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein after the step of controlling the water valve to open, it further includes: The opening time of the water valve is timed; Determine whether the opening time is greater than or equal to the time threshold; as well as If not, control the water valve to remain open until the actual water level reaches the water level threshold, then control the water valve to close.

7. A computer storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed, causes the device in which the computer storage medium is located to perform the control method for a frost-free refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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