A control method for an ice maker and a control method for a vehicle refrigerator
By detecting the ambient and compressor temperatures, the condenser fan speed and ice-making time are dynamically adjusted, solving the problem of uneven defrosting time between the ice maker and the car refrigerator, and achieving a balanced defrosting effect in different environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202310757889.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-26
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Ice makers and car refrigerators are affected by ambient temperature during the defrosting process, resulting in uneven defrosting time, especially in low temperature environments where the defrosting time is too long.
The ambient and compressor temperatures are detected by the ambient temperature detector and compressor temperature probe, and the condenser fan speed and ice-making time are dynamically adjusted. The control strategy of the ice-making and ice-defrosting processes is set according to the ambient temperature and compressor temperature to optimize the power usage of the condenser.
A balanced defrosting time is achieved at different ambient temperatures, ensuring the integrity of the ice and avoiding the problem of long defrosting time in low temperature environments.
Smart Images

Figure CN116907146B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ice making, in particular to a control method for an ice maker and a control method for a vehicle-mounted refrigerator. Background Art
[0002] An ice maker is a device used to make ice cubes, and generally includes a compressor, evaporator, condenser, ice-making assembly, and water tank. By switching the compressor outlet with the evaporator and condenser, the mode can be switched between ice-making mode and ice-defrosting mode. However, during the defrosting process, the compressor power is constant, and the compressor power of a household ice maker is generally small, so the defrosting efficiency is greatly affected by the ambient temperature. During the ice-making process, the cooling capacity of the refrigerant can generally be fully or largely utilized in the early stages, but in the later stages, after part of the ice making is completed, the cooling capacity of the refrigerant can no longer be fully utilized. Therefore, after the refrigerant is cooled by the condenser and then flows to the evaporator for refrigeration, the temperature is still low when it flows back to the compressor. When ice making is completed and the defrosting circuit is switched, the high-temperature refrigerant pumped directly from the compressor flows into the evaporator, thereby melting the surface of the ice cubes at high temperature to achieve the defrosting effect. If the ambient temperature is relatively high, the ambient temperature and the compressor's own power are sufficient to raise the low-temperature refrigerant to a higher temperature, and the defrosting process is relatively quick. However, if the ambient temperature is also relatively low, the compressor and the ambient temperature are insufficient to raise the low-temperature refrigerant to a higher temperature. The refrigerant temperature rise is relatively small, and the low-temperature refrigerant takes longer to melt the surface of the ice, resulting in a longer defrosting time. This problem also exists in car refrigerators equipped with ice-making mechanisms. Summary of the Invention
[0003] To solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a control method for controlling the operating efficiency of the condenser according to the ambient temperature, so that the ice maker and the vehicle refrigerator equipped with an ice making structure can shorten the time during the de-icing process.
[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the problem is: a control method for an ice maker, wherein the ice maker includes an ice making chamber, a water tank, an ice making assembly arranged in the ice making chamber, an ice making evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an ambient temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the external environment, a compressor temperature probe for detecting the temperature of the compressor, a water temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the water tank, and an ice-removing valve for switching between an ice-making circuit and an ice-removing circuit, and includes the following control steps:
[0005] Step 1. Start ice making, and the ambient temperature detector detects whether the ambient temperature is greater than K1. If it is greater than K1, go to step 8; if it is less than K1, go to step 2;
[0006] Step 2. The water pump and compressor start and operate according to the standards. The condenser fan operates at a speed of N1, enters the ice-making circuit, and proceeds to Step 3;
[0007] Step 3. The water temperature detector detects the water temperature. When the water temperature is less than F, proceed to Step 4;
[0008] Step 4. Start the ice-making timing. The environmental temperature is distributed into nodes K1, K2, …… Kn from high to low. Set the ice-making time as D1, D2 …… Dn according to the temperature range where the current environmental temperature falls. When the current environmental temperature falls into the interval (Ka, Ka + 1), the ice-making timing time is Da. The smallest temperature range is the temperature area below Kn, where Da > Da + 1. Proceed to Step 5;
[0009] Step 5. The compressor temperature probe detects the compressor temperature. The compressor temperature is distributed into nodes H1, H2 …… Hn from high to low. Set the time from long to short as F1, F2 …… Fn. When the current environmental temperature falls into the interval (Ka, Ka + 1), select the time Fa. When the compressor temperature is lower than Hn, the condenser fan stops running after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature is greater than H1, the condenser fan still runs at the original speed N1 after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature falls into the interval (Ha, Ha + 1), the condenser fan runs for Fa time and then the fan speed is reduced to Na + 1 for operation, where Na + 1 < Na. After the ice-making time Da ends, proceed to Step 6;
[0010] Step 6. The ice-making is completed. The water pump and condenser fan stop running, and the compressor continues to run. The defrosting valve switches the ice-making circuit to the defrosting circuit for defrosting. After defrosting is completed, proceed to Step 7;
[0011] Step 7. Determine whether this round is the last round of ice-making. If not, return to Step 3. If so, proceed to Step 8;
[0012] Step 8. Stop ice-making.
[0013] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, there is also a Step 9 between Step 2 and Step 3: Detect whether there is enough water in the water tank. If there is, move to Step 3. If not, transfer to Step 10;
[0014] Step 10: Report an error for insufficient water volume, wait for a period of time x, and determine whether water is added to the water tank. If water is added, return to Step 9. If no water is added, proceed to Step 8.
[0015] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, a touch electromagnetic switch is provided in the ice-making chamber below the ice-making assembly. When ice cubes fall, the touch electromagnetic switch can be touched. In step 6, the ice-defrosting time is set to X during the ice-defrosting process. If the electromagnetic switch is touched within the ice-defrosting time X and then reset, it is judged that the ice-defrosting is completed and the process goes directly to step 7. If the touch electromagnetic switch is never touched within the ice-defrosting time X, the ice-defrosting is assumed to be completed after the ice-defrosting time X is completely ended, and then the process goes to step 7.
[0016] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, in step 5, Da-Fa>(Da+1)-(Fa+1).
[0017] A control method for a vehicle refrigerator, wherein the vehicle refrigerator includes an ice-making chamber, a refrigeration chamber, a water tank, an ice-making assembly disposed in the ice-making chamber, an ice-making evaporator, a refrigeration evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an ambient temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the external environment, a compressor temperature probe for detecting the temperature of the compressor, a water temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the water tank, a deicing valve for switching into a deicing circuit, and a switch for switching between the ice-making circuit and the refrigeration circuit. The control method includes the following control steps:
[0018] Step 1. Start the car refrigerator, the compressor starts, the condenser fan starts, and the car refrigerator runs in the refrigeration circuit to cool the refrigeration room. If the ice making mode is started, go to step 2;
[0019] Step 2. Start the ice making mode, and the ambient temperature detector detects whether the ambient temperature is greater than K1. If it is greater than K1, go to step 9; if it is less than K1, go to step 3;
[0020] Step 3. The water pump and compressor start running as per standard, the condenser fan runs at speed N1, the vehicle refrigerator switches to the ice making circuit to make ice in the ice making chamber, and then proceeds to step 4;
[0021] Step 4. The water temperature detector detects the water temperature. If the water temperature is less than 1°F, proceed to step 5.
[0022] Step 5. Start ice making timing. The ambient temperature is distributed from high to low as nodes K1, K2, ... Kn. The ice making time is set to D1, D2, ... Dn according to the temperature range the current ambient temperature falls into. When the current ambient temperature falls into the range (Ka, Ka+1), the ice making time is Da. The minimum temperature range is the temperature range below Kn, where Da>Da+1. Then proceed to step 6.
[0023] Step 6. The compressor temperature probe detects the temperature of the compressor. The nodes of the compressor temperature are distributed from high to low as H1, H2... Hn, and the time is set from long to short as F1, F2... Fn. When the current ambient temperature falls into the interval (Ka, Ka + 1), the time Fa is selected. When the compressor temperature is lower than Hn, the condenser fan stops running after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature is higher than H1, the condenser fan still runs at the original speed N1 after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature falls into the interval (Ha, Ha + 1), the fan speed of the condenser fan decreases to Na + 1 after running for Fa time, where Na + 1 < Na, and Da - Fa > (Da + 1) - (Fa + 1). After the ice-making time Da ends, it transfers to Step 7;
[0024] Step 7. The ice-making is completed, the water pump and the condenser fan stop running, the compressor continues to run, the defrosting valve opens to switch to the defrosting circuit for defrosting, and after the defrosting is completed, it transfers to Step 8;
[0025] Step 8. The defrosting valve closes to switch back to the ice-making circuit, and it is judged whether this round is the last round of ice-making. If not, it returns to Step 4. If so, it transfers to Step 9;
[0026] Step 9. The vehicle-mounted refrigerator switches back to the refrigeration mode and stops ice-making.
[0027] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, there is also Step 10 between Step 3 and Step 4: Detect whether there is enough water in the water tank. If there is, move to Step 4. If not, transfer to Step 11;
[0028] Step 11: Report an error for insufficient water volume, wait for a period of time x, and judge whether the water tank is filled with water. If water is added, return to Step 10. If no water is added, transfer to Step 9.
[0029] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, in Step 6, Da - Fa > (Da + 1) - (Fa + 1).
[0030] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the ambient temperature is distributed in three nodes K1, K2, and K3, so that the ambient temperature interval is distributed as (-∞, K3), (K3, K2), (K2, K1).
[0031] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the compressor temperature is distributed in two nodes H1 and H2, so that the compressor temperature distribution interval is (-∞, H2), (H2, H1), (H1, +∞).
[0032] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, a touch electromagnetic switch is provided in the ice-making chamber below the ice-making assembly. When ice cubes fall, the touch electromagnetic switch can be touched. In step 7, the ice-defrosting time is set to X during the ice-defrosting process. If the electromagnetic switch is touched within the ice-defrosting time X and then reset, it is judged that the ice-defrosting is completed and the process goes directly to step 8. If the touch electromagnetic switch is never touched within the ice-defrosting time X, the ice-defrosting is assumed to be completed after the ice-defrosting time X is completely ended, and then the process goes to step 8.
[0033] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by detecting the ambient temperature and then setting the ice-making time according to the ambient temperature, the ice-making effect can be ensured and the ice cubes produced can be complete. At the same time, the time for the condenser to operate at maximum power is set according to the ambient temperature, and then the condenser is operated at reduced power in the second half of the ice-making time. At the same time, by measuring the compressor temperature and then controlling the amplitude of the condenser power reduction according to the compressor temperature, the lower the compressor temperature, the greater the amplitude of the condenser power reduction, thereby ensuring that in the latter part of the ice-making process, the refrigerant temperature does not drop too low after being cooled by the condenser, so that the refrigerant can still consume a large amount of cooling capacity after passing through the ice-making evaporator, and further ensuring that the temperature of the refrigerant is not too low when it flows back into the compressor. At this time, the refrigerant can still be pumped out of the compressor at a higher temperature under the dual effects of the compressor and the ambient temperature, thereby ensuring that the ice cubes can be de-iced with the refrigerant at a higher temperature during the de-icing process, avoiding the problem of a long de-icing time when the ambient temperature is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.
[0035] Figure 1 This is a principle block diagram of the control method of the vehicle refrigerator in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] This section will describe in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the accompanying drawings is to supplement the description of the text part of the specification with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and the overall technical solution of the present invention, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0037] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.
[0038] In the description of the present invention, "several" means one or more, "many" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.
[0039] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.
[0040] The present invention discloses a control method for an ice maker and a control method for a vehicle refrigerator, wherein the ice maker includes an ice making chamber, a water tank, an ice making assembly disposed in the ice making chamber, an ice making evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an ambient temperature detector for detecting the temperature of an external environment, a compressor temperature probe for detecting the temperature of the compressor, a water temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the water tank, and an ice-removing valve for switching between an ice-making circuit and an ice-removing circuit. The control method for the ice maker includes the following control steps:
[0041] Step 1. Start ice making, and the ambient temperature detector detects whether the ambient temperature is greater than K1. If it is greater than K1, go to step 8; if it is less than K1, go to step 2;
[0042] Step 2. The water pump and compressor start running as per standard. The condenser fan (the power of the condenser depends mainly on the condenser fan speed. The higher the fan speed, the higher the cooling power of the condenser to the refrigerant. Therefore, starting the condenser fan means starting the condenser) runs at speed N1, entering the ice making circuit and proceeding to Step 3.
[0043] Step 9: Check whether there is enough water in the water tank. If so, move to step 3. If not, move to step 10. Step 9 is performed before step 2 is transferred to step 3.
[0044] Step 10: Report an error message indicating insufficient water, wait for a period of time x, and determine whether water has been added to the water tank. If water has been added, go back to step 9; if not, go to step 8.
[0045] Step 3. The water temperature detector detects the water temperature. If the water temperature is less than 1°F, proceed to step 4.
[0046] Step 4. Start the ice-making timing. Distribute nodes for the ambient temperature from high to low as K1, K2, …… Kn. Set the ice-making time as D1, D2……Dn according to the temperature range where the current ambient temperature falls. When the current ambient temperature falls into the temperature range (Ka, Ka+1), the ice-making timing is Da. The smallest temperature range is the temperature area below Kn, where Da > Da+1. Then proceed to Step 5;
[0047] Step 5. The compressor temperature probe detects the compressor temperature. Distribute nodes for the compressor temperature from high to low as H1, H2……Hn. Set the time from long to short as F1, F2……Fn. When the current ambient temperature falls into the temperature range (Ka, Ka+1), select the time Fa. When the compressor temperature is lower than Hn, the condenser fan runs for Fa time and then stops. When the compressor temperature is higher than H1, the condenser fan runs for Fa time and still maintains the original speed N1. When the compressor temperature falls into the temperature range (Ha, Ha+1), after the condenser fan runs for Fa time, the fan speed decreases to Na+1. Here, Na+1 < Na, and Da - Fa > (Da+1) - (Fa+1). After the ice-making time Da ends, proceed to Step 6;
[0048] Step 6. The ice-making is completed. The water pump and the condenser fan stop running, and the compressor continues to run. The defrosting valve switches the ice-making circuit to the defrosting circuit for defrosting. After defrosting is completed, proceed to Step 7;
[0049] Step 7. Determine whether this round is the last round of ice-making. If not, return to Step 3. If so, proceed to Step 8;
[0050] Step 8. Stop ice-making.
[0051] During the defrosting process, a touch electromagnetic switch is arranged below the ice-making component in the ice-making chamber. When the ice cubes fall, the touch electromagnetic switch can be triggered. In Step 6, set the defrosting time as X during the defrosting process. If the electromagnetic switch is touched and then reset within the defrosting time X, it is determined that the defrosting is completed, and directly proceed to Step 7. If the touch electromagnetic switch is never touched within the defrosting time X, wait until the defrosting time X ends completely and default that the defrosting is completed, and then proceed to Step 7.
[0052] Similarly, the vehicle-mounted refrigerator includes an ice-making chamber, a refrigerating chamber, a water tank, an ice-making component arranged in the ice-making chamber, an ice-making evaporator, a refrigerating evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an ambient temperature detector for detecting the outside ambient temperature, a compressor temperature probe for detecting the compressor temperature, a water temperature detector for detecting the water temperature in the water tank, a defrosting valve for switching to the defrosting circuit, and a switcher for switching the ice-making circuit and the refrigerating circuit. The control method of the vehicle-mounted refrigerator includes the following control steps:
[0053] Step 1. Start the in-vehicle refrigerator. The compressor starts, the condenser fan starts, and the in-vehicle refrigerator operates in a refrigeration circuit to cool the refrigeration chamber. If the ice-making mode is started, go to Step 2;
[0054] Step 2. Start the ice-making mode. The ambient temperature detector detects whether the ambient temperature is greater than K1. If it is greater than K1, go to Step 9. If it is less than K1, go to Step 3;
[0055] Step 3. The water pump and the compressor start and run according to the standard. The condenser fan runs at a speed of N1. The in-vehicle refrigerator switches to the ice-making circuit to perform ice-making work in the ice-making chamber, and go to Step 4;
[0056] Step 4. The water temperature detector detects the water temperature. When the water temperature is less than F, go to Step 5;
[0057] Step 5. Start the ice-making timing. The ambient temperature is distributed from high to low into nodes K1, K2, …… Kn. The ice-making time is set as D1, D2 …… Dn according to the temperature range where the current ambient temperature falls. When the current ambient temperature falls into the temperature range (Ka, Ka + 1), the ice-making timing time is Da. The smallest temperature range is the temperature area below Kn, where Da > Da + 1. Go to Step 6;
[0058] Step 6. The compressor temperature probe detects the compressor temperature. The compressor temperature is distributed from high to low into nodes H1, H2 …… Hn. The time is set from long to short as F1, F2 …… Fn. When the current ambient temperature falls into the temperature range (Ka, Ka + 1), select the time Fa. When the compressor temperature is lower than Hn, the condenser fan stops running after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature is greater than H1, the condenser fan still runs at the original speed N1 after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature falls into the temperature range (Ha, Ha + 1), the condenser fan runs for Fa time and then the fan speed is reduced to Na + 1 for running, where Na + 1 < Na, and Da - Fa > (Da + 1) - (Fa + 1). After the ice-making time Da ends, go to Step 7;
[0059] Step 7. Ice-making is completed. The water pump and the condenser fan stop running. The compressor continues to run. The defrosting valve opens to switch to the defrosting circuit for defrosting. After defrosting is completed, go to Step 8;
[0060] Step 8. The defrosting valve closes to switch back to the ice-making circuit. Determine whether this round is the last round of ice-making. If not, go back to Step 4. If so, go to Step 9;
[0061] Step 9. The in-vehicle refrigerator switches back to the refrigeration mode and stops ice-making.
[0062] Considering that the water tank may be short of water during the continuous ice making process of the car refrigerator, there is a step 10 between step 3 and step 4: checking whether there is enough water in the water tank. If so, move to step 4; if not, transfer to step 11;
[0063] Step 11: Report an error message indicating insufficient water, wait for a period of time x, and determine whether water has been added to the water tank. If water has been added, go back to step 10; if water has not been added, go to step 9.
[0064] In this scheme, the purpose of Da-Fa>(Da+1)-(Fa+1) is to increase the time of the condenser's reduced power operation as the ambient temperature increases. Combined with the previous fact that the time of the condenser's maximum power operation also increases with the increase of the ambient temperature, the condenser operation process is more scientific and the condenser's burden is more balanced.
[0065] Similarly, it is preferred that a touch electromagnetic switch located below the ice-making assembly is provided in the ice-making chamber, and the touch electromagnetic switch can be touched when ice cubes fall. In step 7, the ice-defrosting time is set to X during the ice-defrosting process. If the electromagnetic switch is touched within the ice-defrosting time X and then reset, it is determined that the ice-defrosting is completed and the process goes directly to step 8. If the touch electromagnetic switch is never touched within the ice-defrosting time X, the ice-defrosting is deemed to be completed after the ice-defrosting time X is completely over, and the process then goes to step 8.
[0066] The deicing time X is preferably 5 minutes. In other embodiments, it may be 6 minutes, 8 minutes, or other times.
[0067] In this solution, the ambient temperature is preferably distributed among three nodes, K1, K2, and K3, resulting in an ambient temperature interval distribution of (k1, k2), (k2, k3), and (k3, -∞). Considering that the temperature zone at the front is higher than the temperature zone at the rear in this temperature distribution, which differs from the conventional small-to-large displacement method, this is adjusted to the conventional small-to-large arrangement, namely (-∞, K3), (K3, K2), and (K2, K1). This three-node arrangement also facilitates condenser control.
[0068] In this scheme, preferably K1 = 45°C, K2 = 35°C, K3 = 25°C, D1 = 18 min, D2 = 15 min, D3 = 12 min, F1 = 9 min, F2 = 8 min, F3 = 6 min.
[0069] In other embodiments, the above data may also be adjusted, for example, K1 = 40°C, K2 = 30°C, K3 = 20°C, D1 = 16 min, D2 = 14 min, D3 = 12 min, F1 = 8 min, F2 = 7 min, F3 = 6 min.
[0070] Or K1=48℃, K2=36℃, K3=24℃, D1=20min, D2=15min, D3=10min, F1=11min, F2=8min, F3=5min.
[0071] Similarly, it is preferred that the compressor temperature distribution is divided into two nodes, H1 and H2, so that the compressor temperature distribution range is (+∞, H1), (H1, H2), (H2, -∞). Considering that in this temperature distribution range, the temperature zone on the front side is higher than the temperature zone on the rear side, there is a certain difference from the conventional domain displacement from small to large, and it is adjusted to the conventional arrangement from small to large, that is, (-∞, H2), (H2, H1), (H1, +∞).
[0072] In this embodiment, preferably H1 = 40°C, H2 = 30°C, N1 = 3500Rpm, and N2 = 2000Rpm.
[0073] In other implementations, other implementation data such as H1=42°C, H2=28°C, N1=4000Rpm, N2=1800Rpm may also be selected.
[0074] In this embodiment, the water temperature F is preferably 1°C. In other embodiments, it can also be set to other values such as 0.5°C or 2°C.
[0075] In combination with the above data, an example implementation method of the vehicle refrigerator control method is as follows:
[0076] Start the car refrigerator and turn on the ice-making mode. The ambient temperature detector detects whether the ambient temperature is greater than 45°C. If it is greater than 45°C, the switching valve switches back to the refrigeration circuit to stop ice making. If it is not greater than 45°C, the water pump and compressor run at standard power, and the condenser runs at a maximum speed of 3500Rpm. The car refrigerator switches to the ice-making circuit to make ice. During this process, the evaporator continues to cool the water. When the water temperature drops to 1°C, the ice-making preparation is completed and the ice-making timing is entered. The ice-making time is then determined based on the real-time ambient temperature. If the ambient temperature is less than 25°C, the ice-making timing is 12 minutes. If the ambient temperature is between 25 and 35°C, the ice-making timing is 15 minutes. If the ambient temperature is between 35 and 45°C, the ice-making timing is 18 minutes.
[0077] Then, the degree of condenser power reduction is set according to the compressor temperature. When the ambient temperature is less than 25°C, making the ice making timer for 12 minutes, if the compressor temperature is less than 30°C, the condenser fan will run at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 6 minutes, and then the condenser fan will stop running for 6 minutes. If the compressor temperature is between 30°C and 40°C, the condenser fan will run at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 6 minutes, and then the condenser fan will run at a low power of 2000Rpm for the next 6 minutes. If the compressor temperature is at 40°C, the condenser fan will run at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 6 minutes and the next 6 minutes. If the ambient temperature is between 25 and 35°C, making the ice making timer for 15 minutes, if the compressor temperature is less than 30°C, the condenser fan will run at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 8 minutes, and then the condenser fan will stop running for 7 minutes. If the compressor temperature is between 30 ℃ to 40 ℃, the condenser fan runs at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 8 minutes, and then runs at a low power of 2000Rpm for the next 7 minutes. If the compressor temperature is at 40 ℃, the condenser fan runs at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 8 minutes and the last 7 minutes. When the ambient temperature is between 35 and 45 ℃, making the ice making timer 18 minutes, if the compressor temperature is less than 30 ℃, the condenser fan runs at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 9 minutes, and then the condenser fan stops running for 9 minutes. If the compressor temperature is between 30 ℃ and 40 ℃, the condenser fan runs at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 9 minutes, and then runs at a low power of 2000Rpm for the next 9 minutes. If the compressor temperature is at 40 ℃, the condenser fan runs at a maximum power of 3500Rpm for the first 9 minutes and the last 9 minutes.
[0078] This solution detects the ambient temperature and sets the ice-making time accordingly, thereby ensuring effective ice-making and ensuring complete ice cubes. The solution also sets the time the condenser operates at maximum power according to the ambient temperature, and then reduces the condenser power in the second half of the ice-making time. Furthermore, the solution measures the compressor temperature and controls the extent of the condenser power reduction based on the compressor temperature. The lower the compressor temperature, the greater the condenser power reduction. This ensures that the refrigerant temperature does not drop too low after cooling through the condenser in the latter part of the ice-making process, allowing the refrigerant to still consume a large amount of cooling capacity after passing through the ice-making evaporator. Furthermore, the refrigerant temperature does not drop too low when it returns to the compressor. At this time, the refrigerant, under the dual effects of the compressor and the ambient temperature, can still be pumped out of the compressor at a higher temperature, ensuring that the ice cubes are defrosted with a higher temperature refrigerant during the defrosting process, avoiding the problem of long defrosting times when the ambient temperature is low.
[0079] It can be seen that this solution comprehensively adjusts the power reduction amplitude and operating time of the condenser based on the ambient temperature and the temperature of the compressor, which is more scientific.
[0080] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made based on the contents of the present invention's description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method for controlling an ice maker, wherein the ice maker comprises an ice making chamber, a water tank, an ice making assembly disposed in the ice making chamber, an ice making evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an ambient temperature detector for detecting the temperature of an external environment, a compressor temperature probe for detecting the temperature of the compressor, a water temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the water tank, and an ice-removing valve for switching between an ice-making circuit and an ice-removing circuit, characterized in that It includes the following control steps: Step 1. Start ice making. The ambient temperature detector detects whether the ambient temperature is greater than K1. If it is greater than K1, go to Step 8. If it is less than K1, go to Step 2; Step 2. The water pump and compressor start and run according to the standard. The condenser fan runs at a speed of N1, enters the ice-making circuit, and goes to Step 3; Step 3. The water temperature detector detects the water temperature. When the water temperature is less than F, go to Step 4; Step 4. Start ice-making timing. The ambient temperature is distributed into nodes K1, K2, …… Kn from high to low. The ice-making time is set as D1, D2 …… Dn according to the temperature range where the current ambient temperature falls. When the current ambient temperature falls into the interval (Ka, Ka + 1), the ice-making timing time is Da. The smallest temperature range is the temperature area below Kn, where Da > Da + 1. Go to Step 5; Step 5. The compressor temperature probe detects the compressor temperature. The compressor temperature is distributed into nodes H1, H2 …… Hn from high to low. The time is set from long to short as F1, F2 …… Fn. When the current ambient temperature falls into the interval (Ka, Ka + 1), select the time Fa. When the compressor temperature is lower than Hn, the condenser fan stops running after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature is greater than H1, the condenser fan still runs at the original speed N1 after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature falls into the interval (Ha, Ha + 1), the condenser fan runs for Fa time and then the fan speed is reduced to Na + 1 for running, where Na + 1 < Na. After the ice-making time Da ends, go to Step 6; Step 6. Ice making ends. The water pump and condenser fan stop running. The compressor continues to run. The defrosting valve switches the ice-making circuit to the defrosting circuit for defrosting. After defrosting is completed, go to Step 7; Step 7. Judge whether this round is the last round of ice making. If not, return to Step 3. If so, go to Step 8; Step 8. Stop ice making.
2. A control method for an ice maker as claimed in claim 1, wherein: There is also Step 9 between Step 2 and Step 3: Detect whether there is enough water in the water tank. If there is, move to Step 3. If not, transfer to Step 10; Step 10: Report an error for insufficient water volume, wait for a period of time x, and judge whether the water tank is refilled. If it is refilled, return to Step 9. If it is not refilled, go to Step 8.
3. A control method for an ice maker as claimed in claim 1, wherein: A touch electromagnetic switch is provided below the ice-making component in the ice-making chamber. When the ice cubes fall, the touch electromagnetic switch can be triggered. In Step 6, during the defrosting process, set the defrosting time as X. If the electromagnetic switch is triggered and then reset within the defrosting time X, it is judged that defrosting is completed and directly go to Step 7. If the touch electromagnetic switch is never triggered within the defrosting time X, wait until the defrosting time X ends completely and default that defrosting is completed, and then go to Step 7.
4. A control method for an ice maker as claimed in claim 1, wherein: In Step 5, Da - Fa > (Da + 1) - (Fa + 1).
5. A method for controlling a vehicle refrigerator, wherein the vehicle refrigerator comprises an ice-making chamber, a refrigeration chamber, a water tank, an ice-making assembly disposed in the ice-making chamber, an ice-making evaporator, a refrigeration evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an ambient temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the external environment, a compressor temperature probe for detecting the temperature of the compressor, a water temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the water tank, a deicing valve for switching into a deicing circuit, and a switch for switching between the ice-making circuit and the refrigeration circuit, characterized in that It includes the following control steps: Step 1. Start the in-vehicle refrigerator. The compressor starts, the condenser fan starts, and the in-vehicle refrigerator operates in the refrigeration circuit to cool the refrigeration chamber. If the ice-making mode is started, go to Step 2; Step 2. Start the ice-making mode. The ambient temperature detector detects whether the ambient temperature is greater than K1. If it is greater than K1, go to Step 9. If it is less than K1, go to Step 3; Step 3. The water pump and the compressor start and operate according to the standard. The condenser fan operates at a speed of N1. The in-vehicle refrigerator switches to the ice-making circuit to perform ice-making work in the ice-making chamber, and go to Step 4; Step 4. The water temperature detector detects the water temperature. When the water temperature is less than F, go to Step 5; Step 5. Start the ice-making timing. The ambient temperature is distributed into nodes K1, K2, …… Kn from high to low. The ice-making time is set to D1, D2 …… Dn according to the temperature range where the current ambient temperature falls. When the current ambient temperature falls into the interval (Ka, Ka + 1), the ice-making timing time is Da. The smallest temperature range is the temperature area below Kn, where Da > Da + 1, and go to Step 6; Step 6. The compressor temperature probe detects the compressor temperature. The compressor temperature is distributed into nodes H1, H2 …… Hn from high to low. The time is set from long to short as F1, F2 …… Fn. When the current ambient temperature falls into the interval (Ka, Ka + 1), select the time Fa. When the compressor temperature is lower than Hn, the condenser fan stops running after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature is greater than H1, the condenser fan still runs at the original speed N1 after running for Fa time. When the compressor temperature falls into the interval (Ha, Ha + 1), the condenser fan runs for Fa time and then the fan speed decreases to Na + 1 for operation, where Na + 1 < Na, and Da - Fa > (Da + 1) - (Fa + 1). After the ice-making time Da ends, go to Step 7; Step 7. Ice-making is completed. The water pump and the condenser fan stop running. The compressor continues to run. The defrosting valve opens to switch to the defrosting circuit for defrosting. After defrosting is completed, go to Step 8; Step 8. The defrosting valve closes to switch back to the ice-making circuit. Determine whether this round is the last round of ice-making. If not, go back to Step 4. If so, go to Step 9; Step 9. The in-vehicle refrigerator switches back to the refrigeration mode and stops ice-making.
6. A control method for an in-vehicle refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein: There is also a Step 10 between Step 3 and Step 4: Detect whether there is enough water in the water tank. If there is, move to Step 4. If not, transfer to Step 11; Step 11: Report an error for insufficient water volume, wait for a period of time x, and determine whether the water tank is refilled. If refilled, go back to Step 10. If not refilled, go to Step 9.
7. A control method for an in-vehicle refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein: In Step 6, Da - Fa > (Da + 1) - (Fa + 1).
8. A control method for an in-vehicle refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein: The ambient temperature is distributed at three nodes, K1, K2, and K3, so that the ambient temperature interval distribution is (-∞, K3), (K3, K2), and (K2, K1).
9. The control method of a vehicle refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein: The compressor temperature distribution is divided into two nodes H1 and H2, so that the compressor temperature distribution range is (-∞, H2), (H2, H1), and (H1, +∞).
10. The control method of a vehicle refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ice-making chamber is provided with a touch electromagnetic switch located below the ice-making assembly. When ice cubes fall, the touch electromagnetic switch can be touched. In step 7, the ice-defrosting time is set to X during the ice-defrosting process. If the electromagnetic switch is touched within the ice-defrosting time X and then reset, it is determined that the ice-defrosting is completed and the process directly proceeds to step 8. If the touch electromagnetic switch is never touched within the ice-defrosting time X, the ice-defrosting is deemed to be completed after the ice-defrosting time X is completely over, and the process then proceeds to step 8.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Ice making apparatus
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Icemaker
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