Refrigerating and freezing device and control method thereof

Abstract

The application relates to a refrigeration-freezing device and a control method thereof, which comprises the following steps: obtaining an evaporator temperature of a freezing evaporator and a room temperature in a freezing room when the refrigeration-freezing device is in a freezing room refrigeration period; obtaining a room humidity in the freezing room through a humidity sensor when the evaporator temperature of the freezing evaporator is less than the room temperature in the freezing room; if the room humidity in the freezing room keeps being a preset maximum humidity within a first preset time length, then the operation frequency of a compressor is increased, and the room humidity in the freezing room is obtained again through the humidity sensor; if the room humidity in the freezing room obtained again is still the preset maximum humidity, then it is determined that the humidity sensor is frozen; and the humidity sensor is unfrozen after the freezing room refrigeration period ends. The application can accurately determine whether the humidity sensor is frozen, reduces or prevents the possibility of misjudgment, unfreezes the humidity sensor in time, and facilitates subsequent humidity control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to refrigeration and freezing technology, and in particular to a refrigeration and freezing apparatus and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] The humidity level within a refrigeration and freezing system affects the rate at which food moisture evaporates, thus impacting food quality. When humidity is too low, food evaporates moisture quickly, leading to weight loss, poor storage performance, and a shorter shelf life. Therefore, maintaining humidity in refrigeration and freezing systems remains a crucial research topic. However, most current refrigeration and freezing systems humidify the refrigerator compartment, paying little attention to the freezer compartment. In reality, air-cooled refrigeration and freezing systems commonly experience significant humidity fluctuations during freezing and refrigeration. These fluctuations and low humidity levels cause food stored in the freezer to lose moisture, affecting its texture and nutrient content, ultimately impacting the user experience.

[0003] Existing technologies commonly employ humidity sensors to detect real-time humidity within freezer rooms for humidification control. However, the extremely low temperatures within freezer rooms cause water vapor to easily condense into ice. If ice forms on the humidity sensor, it negatively impacts its detection performance and accuracy, consequently affecting subsequent humidification control and leading to inaccurate humidity levels. Those skilled in the art are largely unaware of this technical problem and continue to attempt to address inaccurate humidity control through specific humidification strategies, with less than ideal results. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to overcome at least one deficiency of the prior art and to provide a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device that can accurately detect whether a humidity sensor is frozen and thaw the humidity sensor in a timely manner.

[0005] A further objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to avoid the thawing process of the humidity sensor having a significant impact on the temperature of the freezer compartment.

[0006] The second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration and freezing device that can accurately detect whether a humidity sensor is frozen and thaw the humidity sensor in a timely manner.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus comprising a housing and a compression refrigeration system, the housing defining a freezing compartment, the freezing compartment being provided with a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity of the compartment therein, the compression refrigeration system comprising a compressor for compressing refrigerant and a freezing evaporator for providing cooling capacity to the freezing compartment; the control method comprising:

[0008] When the refrigeration and freezing unit is in the freezing compartment cooling period, the evaporator temperature of the freezing evaporator and the compartment temperature inside the freezing compartment are obtained;

[0009] When the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator is lower than the room temperature inside the freezer room, the room humidity inside the freezer room is obtained through a humidity sensor;

[0010] If the humidity in the freezer room remains at the preset maximum humidity for a first preset time period, the operating frequency of the compressor is increased and the humidity in the freezer room is obtained again through the humidity sensor.

[0011] If the humidity level in the freezer room is again measured to be the preset maximum humidity, then the humidity sensor is determined to be frozen; and

[0012] After the refrigeration process in the freezer chamber is completed, the humidity sensor is thawed.

[0013] Optionally, after determining that the humidity sensor is frozen, the control method further includes:

[0014] Lower the shutdown temperature of the refrigeration and freezing unit during the current refrigeration process of the freezing compartment.

[0015] Optionally, the step of defrosting the humidity sensor includes:

[0016] The heating device is activated to release heat to the humidity sensor.

[0017] Optionally, the step of defrosting the humidity sensor includes:

[0018] Determine whether the defrosting start conditions for defrosting the refrigeration evaporator have been met;

[0019] If the defrosting start conditions are met, the heating device is immediately activated to release heat to the humidity sensor.

[0020] If the defrosting start condition is not met, then determine whether the time remaining until the defrosting start condition is met is greater than the second preset time.

[0021] If so, the heating device shall be started immediately;

[0022] If not, the heating device will be started only when the defrosting start conditions are met.

[0023] Optionally, the defrosting initiation conditions include any one or more of the following:

[0024] The time interval since the last defrost of the evaporator reaches the preset maximum defrost time;

[0025] The cumulative running time of the compressor reaches the third preset time.

[0026] The cumulative opening time of the freezer door corresponding to the freezer compartment reaches the fourth preset time.

[0027] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0028] Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the room humidity in the freezer room obtained again and the preset maximum humidity is within a first preset range;

[0029] If so, the humidity sensor is considered to be functioning normally;

[0030] If not, the humidity sensor is determined to be faulty.

[0031] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0032] Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the room humidity in the freezer room obtained again and the preset maximum humidity is within a first preset range;

[0033] If so, the humidity sensor is considered to be functioning normally;

[0034] If not, the operating frequency of the compressor is further increased, and the humidity of the freezer room is re-acquired through the humidity sensor. If the absolute value of the difference between the re-acquired humidity of the freezer room and the previously acquired humidity of the freezer room is within a second preset range, the humidity sensor is determined to be normal; otherwise, the humidity sensor is determined to be faulty.

[0035] Optionally, after thawing the humidity sensor, the control method further includes:

[0036] During the next refrigeration cycle of the freezer compartment, the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator and the compartment temperature inside the freezer compartment are obtained;

[0037] When the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator is lower than the room temperature inside the freezer room, the room humidity inside the freezer room is obtained through a humidity sensor;

[0038] If the humidity in the freezer room is still at the preset maximum humidity, then the humidity sensor is determined to be faulty.

[0039] If the humidity in the freezer room is less than the preset maximum humidity, the humidity sensor is considered to be functioning normally.

[0040] Optionally, after determining that the humidity sensor is faulty, the control method further includes:

[0041] An alarm signal is issued to indicate that the humidity sensor has malfunctioned.

[0042] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a refrigeration and freezing apparatus, including a housing and a compression refrigeration system, the housing defining a freezing compartment, the compression refrigeration system including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a freezing evaporator for providing cooling capacity to the freezing compartment, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further including:

[0043] A humidity sensor is used to acquire the humidity of the room within the freezer compartment; and

[0044] A control device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a machine-executable program, and the machine-executable program being executed by the processor to implement the control method described in any of the above schemes.

[0045] The inventors recognized that if icing occurs at the humidity sensor used to acquire the humidity of the freezer compartment, the humidity value acquired by the sensor is actually the humidity of the ice layer condensed on it, thus resulting in a consistently high humidity value. Based on this understanding, this invention, during freezer cooling and when the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator is lower than the freezer compartment temperature, monitors whether the humidity sensor maintains a preset maximum humidity level for a first preset time period to determine if the humidity sensor is likely to freeze. If the humidity sensor is likely to freeze, the compressor's operating frequency is increased to re-evaluate whether the humidity value acquired by the humidity sensor is still at the preset maximum humidity level. If it is still at the preset maximum humidity level, the humidity sensor is determined to be frozen. This is because, during freezer cooling and when the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator is lower than the freezer compartment temperature, moisture in the freezer compartment will condense at the lower-temperature evaporator, and the humidity in the freezer compartment should gradually decrease over a certain period. If the humidity sensor detects that the humidity level in the freezer compartment remains at the preset maximum humidity for a first preset time period, the humidity sensor may be frozen. To verify whether the humidity sensor is indeed frozen, this invention further increases the operating frequency of the compressor. At this time, the temperature of the evaporator becomes lower, and more moisture condenses on the evaporator, causing the humidity level in the freezer compartment to drop even further. If the humidity sensor detects that the humidity level in the freezer compartment is still at the preset maximum humidity, then the humidity sensor is determined to be frozen. Therefore, the control method of this invention monitors and judges the humidity value detected by the humidity sensor at appropriate times, accurately determining whether the humidity sensor is frozen, reducing or preventing the possibility of misjudgment, and enabling timely thawing of the humidity sensor after it has frozen, facilitating subsequent humidity control.

[0046] Furthermore, during the thawing process of the humidity sensor, heat inevitably transfers to the freezer compartment. Therefore, this invention, upon determining that the humidity sensor is frozen, lowers the shutdown temperature of the freezer compartment during the current cooling process. That is, it lowers the temperature of the freezer compartment before shutdown, thus ensuring that even if some of the heat generated during the thawing process after shutdown is transferred to the freezer compartment, the temperature inside the freezer compartment remains within a reasonable range, preventing excessive temperature rise and ensuring the preservation of the food inside.

[0047] 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

[0048] 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:

[0049] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a compression refrigeration system of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the defrosting process of a humidity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method according to a specific embodiment of the present invention after the humidity sensor has been thawed.

[0054] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0055] This invention first provides a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device. Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a compression refrigeration system of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigeration and freezing apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a housing 10 and a compression refrigeration system 20. The housing 10 defines a freezing compartment 11, and the freezing compartment 11 is equipped with a humidity sensor 31 for detecting the humidity within the compartment. The compression refrigeration system 20 includes a compressor 21 for compressing refrigerant and a refrigeration evaporator 22 for providing cooling capacity to the freezing compartment 11. Further, the compression refrigeration system 20 also includes a refrigeration throttling device 23 and a condenser 29 connected in series with the compressor 21. Specifically, the refrigeration throttling device 23 can be a capillary tube or a throttling valve, etc.

[0057] The control method of the refrigeration and freezing apparatus of the present invention includes:

[0058] When the refrigeration and freezing unit 1 is in the freezing compartment cooling period, the evaporator temperature of the freezing evaporator 22 and the compartment temperature inside the freezing compartment 11 are obtained;

[0059] When the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 is lower than the temperature inside the freezer compartment 11, the humidity inside the freezer compartment 11 is obtained by the humidity sensor 31.

[0060] If the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 remains at the preset maximum humidity for the first preset time period, the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 will be obtained again by the humidity sensor 31 after the operating frequency of the compressor 21 is increased. It is understood that after increasing the operating frequency of the compressor 21, the actual humidity in the freezer compartment 11 will not change significantly for a period of time. Therefore, the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 can be obtained again by the humidity sensor 31 after the operating frequency of the compressor 21 is increased for a period of time.

[0061] If the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 is still at the preset maximum humidity when measured again, it is determined that the humidity sensor 31 is frozen; and

[0062] After the refrigeration of the freezer compartment 11 is completed, the humidity sensor 31 is thawed.

[0063] The inventors recognized that if icing occurs at the humidity sensor 31 used to obtain the humidity of the freezer compartment 11, the humidity obtained by the humidity sensor 31 is actually the humidity of the ice layer condensed on it. Therefore, the obtained humidity value is always relatively high. Based on this understanding, during the cooling process of the freezer compartment and when the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 is lower than the temperature of the freezer compartment 11, the present invention monitors whether the humidity sensor 31 maintains a preset maximum humidity for a first preset time period to determine whether the humidity sensor 31 may be frozen. If the humidity sensor 31 may be frozen, the operating frequency of the compressor 21 is increased to determine whether the humidity obtained by the humidity sensor 31 is still at the preset maximum humidity. If it is still at the preset maximum humidity, the humidity sensor 31 is determined to be frozen. This is because, during the cooling process of the freezer compartment, when the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 is lower than the compartment temperature of the freezer compartment 11, moisture in the freezer compartment 11 will condense at the lower temperature of the freezer evaporator 22. Over a certain period, the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 should gradually decrease. If the humidity sensor 31 detects that the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 remains at the preset maximum humidity for a first preset time period, the humidity sensor 31 may be frozen. To verify whether the humidity sensor 31 is indeed frozen, the present invention further increases the operating frequency of the compressor 21. At this time, the temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 becomes even lower, and more moisture in the freezer compartment 11 condenses on the freezer evaporator 22, so the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 should decrease even further. If the humidity sensor 31 detects that the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 is still at the preset maximum humidity, then it is determined that the humidity sensor 31 is frozen.

[0064] It is evident that the control method of the present invention can reasonably monitor and judge the room humidity value obtained by the humidity sensor 31 at an appropriate time, accurately determine whether the humidity sensor 31 is frozen, reduce or prevent the possibility of misjudgment, and promptly thaw the humidity sensor 31 after it is frozen, so as to facilitate subsequent humidity control.

[0065] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 3 In one specific embodiment, the control method of the present invention includes:

[0066] Step S10: During the refrigeration of the freezer compartment, the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 and the compartment temperature inside the freezer compartment 11 are obtained;

[0067] Step S20: Determine whether the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 is lower than the compartment temperature in the freezer compartment 11. If yes, proceed to step S30; otherwise, return to continue the determination.

[0068] Step S30: Obtain the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 using humidity sensor 31;

[0069] Step S40: Determine whether the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 has been maintained at the preset maximum humidity for the first preset time period. If so, proceed to step S50.

[0070] Step S50: Increase the operating frequency of compressor 21;

[0071] Step S60: After the seventh preset time, the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 is obtained again by the humidity sensor 31;

[0072] Step S70: Determine whether the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 obtained again is still the preset maximum humidity. If so, proceed to step S80.

[0073] Step S80: Determine that the humidity sensor 31 is frozen; and

[0074] Step S90: After the refrigeration of the freezer compartment 11 is completed, the humidity sensor 31 is thawed.

[0075] Specifically, the first preset duration can be any value between 3 and 7 minutes. The preset maximum humidity can be 100% or other relatively high relative humidity values.

[0076] In some embodiments, in the determination step of step S70, if the conclusion is negative, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0077] Step S140: Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 obtained again and the preset maximum humidity is within the first preset range. If yes, proceed to step S150; otherwise, proceed to step S160.

[0078] Step S150: Determine that humidity sensor 31 is normal;

[0079] Step S160: Determine that humidity sensor 31 is faulty.

[0080] In other words, if the absolute value of the difference between the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 and the preset maximum humidity, obtained again after increasing the operating frequency of the compressor 21, is within the first preset range, which is consistent with the actual humidity change in the freezer compartment 11, then the humidity sensor 31 is functioning normally. If the absolute value of the difference between the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 and the preset maximum humidity, obtained again after increasing the operating frequency of the compressor 21, is outside the first preset range, which is contrary to the actual humidity change in the freezer compartment 11, then the humidity sensor 31 has malfunctioned.

[0081] In other embodiments, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0082] Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 obtained again and the preset maximum humidity is within the first preset range;

[0083] If so, then humidity sensor 31 is considered to be normal;

[0084] If not, the operating frequency of compressor 21 is further increased, and the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 is re-acquired through humidity sensor 31. If the absolute value of the difference between the re-acquired humidity in the freezer compartment 11 and the previously acquired humidity in the freezer compartment 11 is within the second preset range, then humidity sensor 31 is determined to be normal; otherwise, humidity sensor 31 is determined to be faulty. It is understood that the second preset range is greater than the first preset range.

[0085] In other words, if the absolute value of the difference between the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 and the preset maximum humidity obtained after increasing the operating frequency of the compressor 21 is outside the first preset range, the humidity sensor 31 may have malfunctioned. To verify whether the humidity sensor 31 has indeed malfunctioned, the present invention increases the operating frequency of the compressor 21 again and obtains the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 again through the humidity sensor 31. If the absolute value of the difference between the newly obtained humidity in the freezer compartment 11 and the previously obtained humidity is within the second preset range, it indicates that the previous judgment was indeed a misjudgment, and the humidity sensor 31 should be normal; if the absolute value of the difference between the newly obtained humidity in the freezer compartment 11 and the previously obtained humidity is outside the second preset range, it indicates that the humidity sensor 31 has indeed malfunctioned. This embodiment avoids the possibility of misjudgment, and the conclusion is more accurate.

[0086] Similarly, after each increase in the operating frequency of compressor 21, it is necessary to wait for a period of time before obtaining the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 through humidity sensor 31.

[0087] In some embodiments, if the determination result in step S40 is negative, meaning that the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 is not consistently maintained at the preset maximum humidity within the first preset time period, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0088] Step S170: Determine whether the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 has decreased within a first preset time period; if yes, proceed to step S150; if no, proceed to step S160.

[0089] Step S150: Determine that humidity sensor 31 is normal;

[0090] Step S160: Determine that humidity sensor 31 is faulty.

[0091] In other words, if the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 measured within the first preset time period shows a decreasing trend, which is consistent with the actual humidity change trend in the freezer compartment 11, then the humidity sensor 31 is functioning normally. Conversely, if the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 measured within the first preset time period shows an increasing trend, which is opposite to the actual humidity change trend in the freezer compartment 11, then the humidity sensor 31 has malfunctioned.

[0092] In some embodiments, after determining that the humidity sensor 31 is frozen, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0093] Lower the shutdown temperature of the refrigeration and freezing unit 1 during this refrigeration process of the freezing compartment.

[0094] The inventors recognized that during the thawing process of the humidity sensor 31, the heat used for thawing inevitably transfers to the freezer compartment 11. Therefore, this invention, upon determining that the humidity sensor 31 is frozen, first lowers the shutdown point temperature of the freezer compartment during the current cooling process. That is, before shutting down, the temperature inside the freezer compartment 11 is lowered further. Thus, even if some of the heat generated during the thawing process of the humidity sensor 31 is transferred to the freezer compartment 11 after shutdown, the temperature inside the freezer compartment 11 can be balanced within a reasonable range, preventing excessive temperature rise in the freezer compartment 11 and thus affecting the preservation of the food inside.

[0095] In some embodiments, the step of defrosting the humidity sensor 31 may specifically include:

[0096] The heating device is activated, and heat is released to the humidity sensor 31 through the heating device.

[0097] In other words, the humidity sensor 31 can be thawed directly by activating the heating device.

[0098] Figure 4This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the defrosting process of a humidity sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. In other embodiments, the defrosting process of the humidity sensor 31 may specifically include:

[0099] Step S91: Determine whether the defrosting start conditions for defrosting the freeze evaporator 22 have been met; if yes, proceed to step S92; if no, proceed to step S93.

[0100] Step S92: Immediately start the heating device to release heat to the humidity sensor 31 through the heating device;

[0101] Step S93: Determine whether the time remaining until the defrosting start condition is met is greater than the second preset time; if yes, proceed to step S92; otherwise, proceed to step S94.

[0102] Step S94: Wait until the defrosting start conditions are met before starting the heating device.

[0103] Specifically, the second preset duration can be any duration value between 0.5 and 1.5 minutes.

[0104] The inventors recognized that, since the humidity sensor 31 is located inside the freezer compartment 11, directly activating the heating device could significantly impact the temperature of the freezer compartment 11 due to the heat generated. Therefore, this invention activates the heating device immediately when the defrosting start conditions for the evaporator are met, waits until the defrosting start conditions are met before activating the heating device when they are about to be met, and activates the heating device immediately when there is still a considerable amount of time before the defrosting start conditions are met. On the one hand, this allows the time it takes for the heating device to generate heat to match the defrosting phase of the evaporator, which also generates heat, facilitating centralized monitoring and control of the temperature rise in the freezer compartment 11 and reducing the adverse effects of the heating device alone on the freezer compartment 11. On the other hand, it also ensures the timely defrosting of the humidity sensor 31, enabling precise control of the humidity in the freezer compartment 11.

[0105] In some embodiments, defrosting activation conditions include one or more of the following:

[0106] The time interval between the last defrost of the freezer evaporator 22 reaches the preset maximum defrost time;

[0107] The cumulative running time of compressor 21 reaches the third preset time;

[0108] The cumulative opening time of the freezer door corresponding to freezer compartment 11 reaches the fourth preset time.

[0109] In other embodiments, the defrosting start conditions may also include other suitable conditions that enable defrosting of the freeze evaporator 22.

[0110] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the control method according to a specific embodiment of the present invention after thawing a humidity sensor. In some embodiments, after thawing the humidity sensor 31, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0111] Step S100: During the next refrigeration of the freezer compartment, obtain the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 and the compartment temperature inside the freezer compartment 11;

[0112] Step S110: Determine whether the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator 22 is lower than the compartment temperature in the freezer compartment 11. If yes, proceed to step S120; otherwise, return to continue the determination.

[0113] Step S120: Obtain the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 using the humidity sensor 31;

[0114] Step S130: Determine whether the humidity in the freezer compartment 11 is still at the preset maximum humidity. If yes, proceed to step S160; otherwise, proceed to step S150.

[0115] In other words, if the room humidity obtained by the humidity sensor 31 is still the preset maximum humidity when the room is refrigerated again after the humidity sensor 31 has been thawed, it means that the humidity sensor 31 has malfunctioned; if the room humidity obtained by the humidity sensor 31 is less than the preset maximum humidity, it means that the humidity sensor 31 has returned to normal.

[0116] In some embodiments, after determining that the humidity sensor 31 is faulty, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0117] An alarm signal is issued to indicate that the humidity sensor 31 has malfunctioned, so that the user can be informed of the malfunction of the humidity sensor 31 in a timely manner and replace or repair it in a timely manner.

[0118] After the humidity sensor malfunctions, the humidity of the freezer compartment 11 cannot be accurately obtained through the humidity sensor 31. Therefore, humidity control cannot be performed based on the measured humidity of the freezer compartment 11, and other methods are needed to control the humidity in the freezer compartment 11.

[0119] Therefore, in some embodiments, the housing 10 further defines a refrigeration compartment 12, and the compression refrigeration system 20 also includes a refrigeration throttling device 23, a refrigeration branch connected in parallel with the refrigeration throttling device 23 to provide cooling capacity to the refrigeration compartment 12, and a switching valve 24 for selectively activating the refrigeration throttling device 23 or the refrigeration branch. Specifically, the refrigeration branch may include a refrigeration evaporator 25 and a refrigeration throttling device 26 connected in series, and the refrigeration throttling device 26 may be a capillary tube or a throttling valve, etc.

[0120] In these embodiments, after determining that the humidity sensor 31 is faulty, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0121] When the refrigeration and freezing unit 1 reaches the preset automatic shutdown condition, the control switching valve 24 is switched to the state of conducting the refrigeration branch, and the operating frequency of the compressor 21 is adjusted to the preset frequency. The refrigeration fan used to drive the air supply to the refrigeration compartment 12 is controlled to operate at 45% to 55% of its set duty cycle, and the refrigeration fan used to drive the air supply to the freezing compartment 11 is controlled to operate at 45% to 55% of its set duty cycle.

[0122] After the fifth preset time, the compressor 21, the refrigeration fan and the freezer fan will stop.

[0123] In other words, the present invention delays the shutdown of the refrigeration and freezing device 1 when it reaches the automatic shutdown condition, and continues to cool the refrigeration compartment 12 by switching to the refrigeration branch. The operating frequency of the compressor 21 is set to a lower preset frequency, and the refrigeration fan and the freezing fan are adjusted to operate at 45% to 55% of their respective set duty cycles. On the one hand, cooling airflow can be delivered to the refrigeration compartment 12 in advance, and the temperature of the refrigeration compartment 12 can be appropriately reduced. On the other hand, the evaporator temperature of the freezing evaporator 22 can be effectively increased, making it higher than the compartment temperature of the freezing compartment 11. As a result, the moisture in the freezing compartment 11 and the moisture generated by the sublimation of frost on the freezing evaporator 22 will accumulate in the freezing compartment 11, thereby achieving the purpose of humidifying the freezing compartment 11.

[0124] In some embodiments, the housing 10 further defines a variable temperature compartment 13, and the compression refrigeration system 20 also includes a variable temperature branch connected in parallel with the refrigeration throttling device 23 to provide cooling capacity to the variable temperature compartment 13. A switching valve 24 is used to selectively activate one of the refrigeration throttling device 23, the refrigeration branch, and the variable temperature branch. Specifically, the variable temperature branch may include a variable temperature evaporator 27 and a variable temperature throttling device 28 connected in series. The variable temperature throttling device 28 may specifically be a capillary tube or a throttling valve, etc.

[0125] In these embodiments, after determining that the humidity sensor 31 is faulty, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0126] After the refrigeration unit 1 switches to the refrigeration state of the refrigeration compartment for the sixth preset time, the refrigeration fan is controlled to operate at 45% to 55% of its set duty cycle; and / or

[0127] After the refrigeration and freezing unit 1 switches to the variable temperature compartment refrigeration state, the refrigeration fan is controlled to operate at 65% to 75% of its set duty cycle.

[0128] The present invention controls the refrigeration fan to operate at 45%–55% and 65%–75% of its set duty cycle during the refrigeration of the cold storage compartment and the refrigeration of the variable temperature compartment, respectively, so as to deliver a cooling airflow with a lower temperature to the freezer compartment 11, thereby suppressing the temperature rise of the freezer compartment 11 during the refrigeration of the cold storage compartment and the refrigeration of the variable temperature compartment.

[0129] The present invention also provides a refrigeration and freezing apparatus. Figure 6 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 The refrigeration and freezing apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a housing 10 and a compression refrigeration system 20. The housing 10 defines a freezing compartment 11. The compression refrigeration system 20 includes a compressor 21 for compressing refrigerant and a freezing evaporator 22 for providing cooling capacity to the freezing compartment 11.

[0130] Specifically, the refrigeration and freezing unit 1 also includes a humidity sensor 31 and a control device 40. The humidity sensor 31 is used to acquire the humidity of the freezer compartment 11. The control device 40 includes a processor 41 and a memory 42, the memory 42 storing a machine-executable program 43, and the machine-executable program 43 is executed by the processor 41 to implement the control method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0131] Specifically, both the compressor 21 and the humidity sensor 31 are connected to the control device 40.

[0132] Specifically, processor 41 can be a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital processing unit, etc. Processor 41 sends and receives data via a communication interface. Memory 42 is used to store the program executed by processor 41. Memory 42 can be any medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer; it can also be a combination of multiple memories. The aforementioned machine-executable program 43 can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to the corresponding computing / processing device or via a network (e.g., the Internet, local area network, wide area network, and / or wireless network) to a computer or external storage device.

[0133] The refrigeration and freezing device 1 of the present invention can reasonably monitor and judge the humidity value of the compartment obtained by the humidity sensor 31 at an appropriate time, and can accurately conclude whether the humidity sensor 31 is frozen, reducing or preventing the possibility of misjudgment. It can also thaw the humidity sensor 31 in a timely manner after it is frozen, so as to facilitate subsequent humidity control.

[0134] Those skilled in the art will understand that the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to [specific type]. Figure 1 The three-door refrigerator shown can also be a single-door refrigerator, a double-door refrigerator, or other refrigerators with a freezer compartment.

[0135] Those skilled in the art should also understand that the refrigeration and freezing device 1 of the present invention includes not only refrigerators, but also freezers, freezers or other refrigeration and freezing devices with at least freezing function.

[0136] 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 refrigeration and freezing device, the refrigeration and freezing device comprising a housing and a compression refrigeration system, the housing defining a freezing compartment, the freezing compartment being equipped with a humidity sensor for detecting the humidity within the compartment, the compression refrigeration system comprising a compressor for compressing refrigerant and a refrigeration evaporator for providing cooling capacity to the freezing compartment; the control method comprising: When the refrigeration and freezing unit is in the freezing compartment cooling period, the evaporator temperature of the freezing evaporator and the compartment temperature inside the freezing compartment are obtained; When the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator is lower than the room temperature inside the freezer room, the room humidity inside the freezer room is obtained through the humidity sensor; If the humidity in the freezer room remains at the preset maximum humidity for a first preset time period, the operating frequency of the compressor is increased and the humidity in the freezer room is obtained again through the humidity sensor. If the humidity level in the freezer room is again measured to be the preset maximum humidity, then the humidity sensor is determined to be frozen; and After the refrigeration process in the freezer chamber is completed, the humidity sensor is thawed.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, After determining that the humidity sensor is frozen, the control method further includes: Lower the shutdown temperature of the refrigeration and freezing unit during the current refrigeration process of the freezing compartment.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The steps for defrosting the humidity sensor include: The heating device is activated to release heat to the humidity sensor.

4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The steps for defrosting the humidity sensor include: Determine whether the defrosting start conditions for defrosting the refrigeration evaporator have been met; If the defrosting start conditions are met, the heating device is immediately activated to release heat to the humidity sensor. If the defrosting start condition is not met, then determine whether the time remaining until the defrosting start condition is met is greater than the second preset time. If so, the heating device shall be started immediately; If not, the heating device will be started only when the defrosting start conditions are met.

5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein, The defrosting activation conditions include any one or more of the following: The time interval since the last defrost of the evaporator reaches the preset maximum defrost time; The cumulative running time of the compressor reaches the third preset time. The cumulative opening time of the freezer door corresponding to the freezer room reaches the fourth preset time.

6. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising: Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the room humidity obtained again and the preset maximum humidity is within a first preset range; If so, the humidity sensor is considered to be functioning normally; If not, the humidity sensor is determined to be faulty.

7. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising: Determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the room humidity obtained again and the preset maximum humidity is within a first preset range; If so, the humidity sensor is considered to be functioning normally; If not, the operating frequency of the compressor is further increased, and the humidity of the freezer room is re-acquired through the humidity sensor. If the absolute value of the difference between the re-acquired humidity of the freezer room and the previously acquired humidity of the freezer room is within the second preset range, the humidity sensor is determined to be normal. Conversely, the humidity sensor is determined to be faulty.

8. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising, after thawing the humidity sensor: During the next refrigeration cycle of the freezer compartment, the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator and the compartment temperature inside the freezer compartment are obtained; When the evaporator temperature of the freezer evaporator is lower than the room temperature inside the freezer room, the room humidity inside the freezer room is obtained through a humidity sensor; If the humidity in the freezer room is still at the preset maximum humidity, then the humidity sensor is determined to be faulty. If the humidity in the freezer room is less than the preset maximum humidity, the humidity sensor is considered to be functioning normally.

9. The control method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising, after determining that the humidity sensor is faulty: An alarm signal is issued to indicate that the humidity sensor has malfunctioned.

10. A refrigeration and freezing apparatus, comprising a housing and a compression refrigeration system, the housing defining a freezing compartment, the compression refrigeration system comprising a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a refrigeration evaporator for providing cooling capacity to the freezing compartment, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further comprising: A humidity sensor is used to acquire the humidity of the room inside the freezer room; as well as A control device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a machine-executable program, which, when executed by the processor, is used to implement the control method according to any one of claims 1-9.

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