Method for detecting frost in a refrigerator

Abstract

This invention provides a method for detecting frost in a refrigerator, relating to the field of frost detection, and includes the following detection steps: placing a taut rod within a space between the fins; tapping the rod between adjacent fins to cause it to vibrate and produce sound, and recording the frequency of the sound using a recorder; dripping water onto the rod between adjacent fins to cause the water to condense in the space and adhere tightly to the rod, then tapping the rod again to cause it to vibrate and produce sound, and recording the frequency of the sound again using a recorder; comparing the sound frequencies detected by the recorder before and after, and then, by combining the detected sound frequencies during the tapping process, determining whether there is frost between the fins and identifying the location of the frost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of frost detection, and more particularly to a method for detecting frost in refrigerators. Background Technology

[0002] Extensive frost buildup inside a refrigerator significantly reduces cooling efficiency, leading to increased power consumption and noise levels. Figure 1 As shown, the exposed evaporator inside the refrigerator is a major area prone to frost buildup. Therefore, monitoring the evaporator's condition can help detect frost buildup early and address the problem. Figure 1 The early evaporator shown has several finely spaced fins. Therefore, even the photoelectric sensors currently used can only detect frost problems after ice has overflowed from the fins. By this time, the ice has already solidified within the fins and is already having an adverse effect. Therefore, in conjunction with... Figure 1 The evaporator shown presents a targeted detection method and related detection structure for detecting frost formation between fins. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for detecting frost in a refrigerator, in order to solve the technical problem that the photoelectric sensors currently used can only detect frost after the ice layer has overflowed from the fins. By the time the problem is discovered, the ice layer has already solidified inside the fins and has already caused adverse effects.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] The method for detecting frost in a refrigerator includes the following steps:

[0006] 1) Place the taut rod within the designated interval between the fins;

[0007] 2) Strike the rods set between adjacent fins to make the rods vibrate, thereby producing sound, and record the frequency of the sound through a recorder;

[0008] 3) Drip water onto the rod between adjacent fins, causing the water to condense in the gap and gather tightly at the rod. Then tap the rod again to make it vibrate and produce a sound. Record the frequency of the sound again using a recorder.

[0009] 4) Compare the sound frequencies detected by the recorder before and after, and then, during the tapping process, combine the detected sound frequencies to determine whether there is frost between the fins and to identify the location of the frost.

[0010] Detectors, including:

[0011] The rod is located within the gap between the two fins;

[0012] The brackets are located laterally to the fins, and each bracket has several clips, with each clip clamping the end of the fin.

[0013] The rod extends outward from the gap between the two fins to the bracket;

[0014] Wheel frame, which slides in conjunction with bracket;

[0015] The wheel is rotatably mounted in the wheel frame. The outwardly extending part of the rod is located within the rotation range when the wheel axis rotates. When the wheel frame slides relative to the bracket, the wheel strikes the outwardly extending part of the rod, causing the rod to vibrate and produce sound, thereby determining whether frost has formed between the fins where the rod is located.

[0016] Preferably, the outwardly extending portion of the rod is fixed at two brackets.

[0017] Preferably, the outwardly extending portion of the rod is rotatably positioned at the two brackets.

[0018] Preferably, the wheel includes a rotating wheel and several blades arranged in a ring at the rotating wheel, wherein each blade is obliquely fixed at the rotating wheel to restrict the rotating wheel to rotate in only one direction relative to the wheel frame.

[0019] Preferably, the wheel frame has a second wheel groove for mounting the wheel, wherein the blade extends outward relative to the second wheel groove, so that the second wheel groove constitutes a blocking part when the wheel rotates in the opposite direction.

[0020] Preferably, the blade is elastic.

[0021] Preferably, a first wheel groove is provided between the wheel frame and the bracket, wherein the wheel extends into the first wheel groove so that the wheel frame is engaged in the bracket.

[0022] Preferably, the second wheel groove has a wheel shaft, which is the rotation axis of the wheel.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0024] 1. This invention uses the sound frequency of the rod when it vibrates to determine whether there is frost between the fins, and can identify the frost phenomenon before the fins are about to frost over a large area.

[0025] 2. In the detector, the outward-extending part of the rod is within the rotation range when the wheel axis rotates. Therefore, when the wheel frame slides relative to the bracket, the rod can vibrate and make a sound by hitting the outward-extending part of the rod with the wheel, thereby determining whether there is frost between the fins where the rod is located. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporator structure;

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the evaporator structure after being fitted with a detector;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the detector.

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the detector structure in the middle section;

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0031] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. First bracket; 2. Clamping plate; 3. Fin; 4. Rotor; 5. Wheel frame; 6. Connecting rod; 7. Tube; 8. Second bracket; 9. Rod; 10. First rotor groove; 11. Second rotor groove; 12. Blade; 13. Rotor shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the technical means, creative features, achieved objectives, and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention is further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this invention and not all embodiments. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments described herein without creative effort are all within the protection scope of this invention.

[0033] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] This embodiment proposes a method for detecting frost in a refrigerator, including the following detection steps:

[0036] 1) Place the taut rod within the designated interval between the fins;

[0037] 2) Strike the rods set between adjacent fins to make the rods vibrate, thereby producing sound, and record the frequency of the sound through a recorder;

[0038] 3) Drip water onto the rod between adjacent fins, causing the water to condense in the gap and gather tightly at the rod. Then tap the rod again to make it vibrate and produce a sound. Record the frequency of the sound again using a recorder.

[0039] 4) Compare the sound frequencies detected by the recorder before and after, and then, during the tapping process, combine the detected sound frequencies to determine whether there is frost between the fins and to identify the location of the frost.

[0040] Example 2

[0041] 1) Place the taut rod within the designated interval between the fins;

[0042] 2) Drip water onto the rod between adjacent fins, causing the water to condense in the gap and gather tightly at the rod. Then tap the rod again to make it vibrate and produce a sound. Record the frequency of the sound again using a recorder.

[0043] 3) Gradually expand the dripping area and record the sound frequency emitted by the rod when the water condenses within different ranges;

[0044] 4) Compare the sound frequencies detected by the recorder, and then, during the tapping process, combine the detected sound frequencies to determine the frost area inside the fins.

[0045] Example 3

[0046] This embodiment proposes a detector for detecting frost in a refrigerator, such as... Figures 2-5 As shown, the main body of the detector includes a rod 9 placed between fins 3, and a first bracket 1 and a second bracket 8 located on both sides of the rod 9. The first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8 have several clips 2, and each clip 2 is at the end of the fin 3, so that the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8 are firmly fixed to the end side of the fin 3.

[0047] The rod 9 needs to be fixed. For this purpose, the rod 9 extends outward from the gap between the fins 3 to the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the two ends of the rod 9 are fixed to the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8, respectively.

[0048] In conjunction with the detection methods proposed in Embodiments 1 and 2, for the rod 9, an external force needs to be applied to the rod 9 to force the rod 9 to vibrate and thus produce sound. For this purpose, wheel frames 5 are respectively provided at the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8 to slide and cooperate with the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8.

[0049] For the wheel frame 5, a wheel is installed inside for rotation. It should be noted that the outwardly protruding part of the rod 9 is within the rotation range when the wheel axis rotates. When the wheel frame 5 slides relative to the bracket, the wheel hits the outwardly protruding part of the rod 9, causing the rod 9 to vibrate and make a sound, thereby determining whether frost has formed between the fins where the rod 9 is located.

[0050] Example 4

[0051] This embodiment proposes a detector for detecting frost in a refrigerator, such as... Figures 2-5As shown, the main body of the detector includes a rod 9 placed between fins 3, and a first bracket 1 and a second bracket 8 located on both sides of the rod 9. The first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8 have several clips 2, and each clip 2 is at the end of the fin 3, so that the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8 are firmly fixed to the end side of the fin 3.

[0052] Rod 9 needs to be fixed. For this purpose, rod 9 extends outward from the gap between fins 3 to the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8.

[0053] Unlike embodiment 3, in this embodiment, the two ends of the rod 9 are rotated to the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8, respectively.

[0054] In conjunction with the detection methods proposed in Embodiments 1 and 2, for the rod 9, an external force needs to be applied to the rod 9 to force the rod 9 to vibrate and thus produce sound. For this purpose, wheel frames 5 are respectively provided at the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8 to slide and cooperate with the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8.

[0055] Unlike Example 3, as Figure 5 As shown, the wheel frame 5 has a wheel 4 and a number of blades 12 arranged in a ring at the wheel 4, wherein each blade 12 is obliquely fixed at the wheel 4 (the blade 12 is elastic).

[0056] In addition, the wheel frame 5 has a related design, namely, the wheel frame 5 has a second wheel groove 11 for mounting the wheel 4, and the second wheel groove 11 has a wheel shaft 13, which is the rotation shaft of the wheel 4.

[0057] The blade 12 extends outward relative to the second wheel groove 11, so that the second wheel groove 11 constitutes a blocking part when the wheel 4 rotates in the opposite direction, which restricts the wheel 4 to rotate only in one direction relative to the wheel frame 5.

[0058] Please use Figure 5 For reference, in this embodiment, the rotor 4 with blades 12 is in Figure 5 From the viewpoint shown, it can rotate clockwise relative to the second wheel groove 11; however, when rotating counterclockwise, the wheel 4 with blades 12... Figure 5 From the perspective shown, because the blade 12 is stuck on the edge of the second wheel groove 11, the wheel 4 cannot rotate counterclockwise relative to the second wheel groove 11.

[0059] In accordance with the above description, when the wheel frame 5 slides forward relative to the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8, the rod 9 is struck by the rotating wheel 4, which can rotate clockwise relative to the second rotating wheel groove 11 (the rotating wheel 9, which has a rotating function, can dissipate the torque generated during the impact through its own rotation, so that the rod 9 remains as still as possible), causing the rod 9 to vibrate and produce sound.

[0060] When the wheel frame 5 slides in the forward direction relative to the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8 and then slides in the reverse direction, the rotating wheel 4, which cannot rotate counterclockwise relative to the second rotating wheel groove 11, hits the rod 9, driving the rod 9 to rotate relative to the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8, thereby breaking the frost that may exist between the fins 3.

[0061] The following points need to be explained in Examples 3 and 4:

[0062] ① A first rotating groove 10 is provided between the wheel frame 5 and the bracket, wherein the rotating wheel 4 extends into the first rotating groove 10, so that the wheel frame 5 is locked in the bracket.

[0063] ② Examples 3 and 4 can be performed as follows Figure 2 and Figure 3 The double-layer design shown involves several fins 3 fixed side-by-side via tubes 7. Therefore, the fins 3 on both sides of tube 7 can be designed as follows: Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The dual-layer detector shown can be further reinforced by adding a connecting rod 6 between the two detectors.

[0064] ③ Regarding how the wheel frame 5 slides at the first bracket 1 and the second bracket 8, the force generated when the refrigerator door is opened and closed can be used to drive the wheel frame 5 to slide.

[0065] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0066] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for detecting frost formation in a refrigerator, characterized in that, The following testing steps are included: 1) Place the taut rod within the designated interval between the fins; 2) Strike the rods set between adjacent fins to make the rods vibrate, thereby producing sound, and record the frequency of the sound through a recorder; 3) Drip water onto the rod between adjacent fins, causing the water to condense in the gap and gather tightly at the rod. Then tap the rod again to make it vibrate and produce a sound. Record the frequency of the sound again using a recorder. 4) Compare the sound frequencies detected by the recorder before and after, and then, during the tapping process, combine the detected sound frequencies to determine whether there is frost between the fins and to identify the location of the frost. And a detector for implementing the method, the detector comprising: The rod is located within the gap between the two fins; The brackets are located laterally to the fins, and each bracket has several clips, with each clip clamping the end of the fin. The rod extends outward from the gap between the two fins to the bracket; Wheel frame, which slides in conjunction with bracket; A wheel is rotatably mounted in a wheel frame. The outwardly extending portion of a rod is located within the rotational range of the wheel's axial rotation. When the wheel frame slides relative to a bracket, the wheel strikes the outwardly extending portion of the rod, causing the rod to vibrate and produce sound, thus indicating whether frost has formed between the fins where the rod is located. The outwardly extending portion of the rod is rotatably mounted at two brackets. The wheel includes a rotating wheel and several blades arranged in a ring at the rotating wheel. Each blade is obliquely fixed at the rotating wheel to restrict the rotating wheel to rotate in only one direction relative to the wheel frame. The wheel frame has a second rotating wheel groove for mounting the rotating wheel. The blades extend outward relative to the second rotating wheel groove, making the second rotating wheel groove a blocking part when the rotating wheel rotates in the opposite direction. The blade is elastic; the second impeller groove has an impeller shaft, which is the rotation axis of the impeller.

2. The refrigerator frost detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outward-extending portion of the rod is fixed to two brackets.

3. The refrigerator frost detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wheel frame and the bracket have a first wheel groove, wherein the wheel extends into the first wheel groove, so that the wheel frame is engaged in the bracket.

Images