Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

This invention provides a refrigerator and its control method. The refrigerator's interior defines a storage compartment and an air duct located on the back side of the storage compartment. The storage compartment forms multiple local spaces along its longitudinal direction, each local space having an air outlet connected to the air duct. The control method includes: acquiring the internal temperature of each local space; determining whether each local space has a cooling requirement based on the internal temperature; and if so, cooling the local space with the cooling requirement. The advantage of this invention is that it can reduce the temperature difference between different local spaces within the storage compartment, achieving constant temperature control of the storage compartment.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] As living standards improve, users' demands for refrigerator performance are also increasing. Existing frost-free refrigerators have a large temperature fluctuation range in the refrigerator compartment. For example, when a user sets the refrigerator compartment temperature to 3℃, the temperature range between different areas of the compartment is [2℃, 4℃], meaning the lowest temperature is 2℃, the highest is 4℃, and the average is 3℃. This can damage items that require strict temperature control. Furthermore, when a lot of food is placed in the refrigerator compartment, if the food blocks the air vents or the cooling sensor, it can cause poor air circulation and abnormal temperature sensing, leading to some areas reaching temperatures higher than the set temperature, creating cooling dead zones. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One objective of the first aspect of this invention is to reduce the temperature fluctuation range of the storage room and improve the uniformity of the temperature distribution in the storage room.

[0004] A further objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to achieve rapid cooling of each local space.

[0005] The second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator.

[0006] Specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a control method for a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator body defines a storage compartment and an air supply duct located on the back side of the storage compartment, the storage compartment forming a plurality of partial spaces along the longitudinal direction, each partial space having an air outlet communicating with the air supply duct, the control method comprising:

[0007] Obtain the internal temperature of each local space;

[0008] Determine whether each local space requires cooling based on the internal temperature;

[0009] If so, cool the local space that requires cooling.

[0010] Optionally, the steps for determining whether each local space requires cooling based on its internal temperature include:

[0011] The internal temperature of each local space was compared with the start-up temperature of the storage room;

[0012] If the internal temperature of a local space is greater than or equal to the start-up temperature of the storage room, then it is determined that the local space has a cooling requirement.

[0013] Optionally, a movable air supply component is installed within the air supply duct, and the steps for cooling a local space with cooling needs include:

[0014] The mobile air supply unit is controlled to sequentially supply cooling airflow to local spaces with cooling needs.

[0015] Optionally, the air outlets are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the storage room, and the movable air supply assembly includes a track arranged along the longitudinal direction of the storage room, a fan installed on the track, and a motor that drives the fan to move up and down along the track.

[0016] The steps of controlling the mobile air supply assembly to sequentially supply cooling airflow to local spaces with cooling needs include:

[0017] Determine the location of each air outlet corresponding to the local space with cooling needs;

[0018] The motor drives the fan to stop at each air outlet in sequence, and the fan blows the cooling air from the air outlet to the local space.

[0019] Optionally, the step of using a fan to blow the cooling airflow from the air outlet to the local space further includes:

[0020] Adjust the fan speed according to the cooling needs of the local space.

[0021] Optionally, after cooling the local space requiring cooling, the process may further include:

[0022] Reacquire the internal temperature of the local space;

[0023] The reacquired internal temperature is compared with the shutdown temperature of the storage compartment;

[0024] If the internal temperature is lower than the shutdown temperature of the storage room, cooling of that area will stop.

[0025] Optionally, a temperature sensor is installed below each air outlet, and the steps for obtaining the internal temperature of each local space include:

[0026] The temperature detection values ​​of each temperature sensor are obtained, and these temperature detection values ​​are used as the internal temperature of the corresponding local space.

[0027] Alternatively, the storage compartment may be the refrigerator compartment or the variable temperature compartment of the refrigerator.

[0028] Optionally, each local space is connected to the air supply duct through two air outlets, and the two air outlets are arranged opposite each other on the left and right sides of the storage room along the lateral direction of the storage room.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator is provided, comprising:

[0030] The enclosure includes a storage compartment and an air duct located at the rear of the storage compartment. The storage compartment forms multiple local spaces along the longitudinal direction, each local space having an air outlet connected to the air duct; and

[0031] The controller includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a control program, which is executed by the processor for any of the control methods described above.

[0032] The refrigerator and its control method of the present invention, after obtaining the internal temperature of each local space, can determine whether each local space has a cooling demand, and then only cools the local space with a cooling demand, so that the temperature of each local space tends to be consistent after cooling, thereby reducing the temperature difference between different local spaces in the storage room and realizing constant temperature control of the storage room.

[0033] Furthermore, in the process of blowing the cooling airflow from the air outlet to the local space using a fan, the speed of the fan can be adjusted according to the cooling demand of the local space, thereby achieving rapid cooling of each local space, shortening the cooling time required, and improving cooling efficiency.

[0034] 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

[0035] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile air supply assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a refrigerator control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0043] The present invention first provides a refrigerator 10, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile air supply assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The refrigerator 10 can be a side-by-side single-system air-cooled refrigerator 10, which generally includes a cabinet 100. The cabinet 100 defines a storage compartment 110 and an air supply duct 120 located on the back side of the storage compartment 110. The storage compartment 110 has multiple local spaces in the longitudinal direction. Each local space has an air outlet 130 connected to the air supply duct 120. Cooling air can be supplied to each local space in a targeted manner through the air outlet 130, so that the temperature of each local space can be kept basically consistent, thereby improving the uniformity of temperature distribution in the storage compartment 110.

[0045] It is understandable that in a side-by-side frost-free refrigerator 10, the storage compartment 110 is narrow and long, and when the storage compartment 110 is full of items, the airflow is relatively poor. If items block the air inlet, it will be difficult for the cooling airflow to be delivered, making the temperature distribution inside the storage compartment 110 more uneven, and thus creating cooling dead zones.

[0046] In this embodiment, the air outlets 130 can be spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the storage room 110, so that cooling air can be supplied into the storage room 110 from different height positions, thereby alleviating the problem of excessive temperature difference at different heights caused by poor air flow inside the storage room 110.

[0047] Furthermore, a movable air supply assembly 200 is also provided in the air supply duct 120. The movable air supply assembly 200 includes at least a track 210, a fan 220 and a motor 230. The track 210 is arranged longitudinally in the air supply duct 120. The fan 220 is an axial flow fan 220 installed on the track 210. The motor 230 is a linear motor 230 installed at one end of the track 210, which is used to drive the fan 220 to move back and forth along the track 210. During the movement, the fan 220 can pass through each air outlet 130.

[0048] In practical applications, the internal temperature of each local space in the storage compartment 110 is detected. If the internal temperature of a local space is greater than or equal to the start-up temperature of the storage compartment 110, it indicates that the local space has a cooling requirement. If the internal temperature of a local space is less than the start-up temperature of the storage compartment 110, it indicates that the local space does not have a cooling requirement. During cooling, the main air damper at the bottom of the air supply duct 120 is first opened to allow the cooling airflow into the air supply duct 120. For local spaces requiring cooling, the fan 220 is first moved to a position directly opposite its air inlet, then the air inlet is opened, and the fan 220 is started to quickly and accurately blow the cooling airflow from the air supply duct 120 into the local space, thereby regulating the internal temperature of the local space.

[0049] In an optional embodiment, each local space is connected to the air supply duct 120 through only one air outlet 130. A temperature sensor 140 is provided below each air outlet 130, which can detect the internal temperature of each local space relatively accurately.

[0050] In another embodiment, each local space can also be connected to the air supply duct 120 through two air outlets 130. The two air outlets 130 are arranged opposite each other on the left and right sides of the storage room 110 along the lateral direction of the storage room, and temperature sensors 140 are only installed below each air outlet 130 on the left or right side.

[0051] The storage compartment 110 in this embodiment can be configured as a refrigerator compartment or a variable temperature compartment of the refrigerator 10 according to the refrigeration temperature, and can achieve good constant temperature control for both the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

[0052] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 4The refrigerator 10 may also include a controller 300. The controller 300 may include a memory 320 and a processor 310. The memory 320 stores a control program 321, which, when executed by the processor 310, is used to implement the control method of the refrigerator 10 in this embodiment. The controller 300 is signal-connected to the motor 230 and the fan 220, and is used to control the start and stop of the motor 230 and the fan 220. The controller 300 may be integrated into the main control board of the refrigerator 10 or may be set up separately. The controller 300 may further be signal-connected to the main control device of the refrigerator 10, providing the main control device with the operating status of the motor 230 and the fan 220, and receiving control commands from the main control device.

[0053] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a control method for a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 5 The control method includes at least the following steps S102 to S106.

[0054] Step S102: Obtain the internal temperature of each local space.

[0055] Step S104: Determine whether each local space has a cooling requirement based on the internal temperature.

[0056] Step S106: If so, cool the local space that requires cooling.

[0057] The control method of the refrigerator 10 in this embodiment of the invention can determine whether each local space has a cooling demand after obtaining the internal temperature of each local space, and then only cool the local space with the cooling demand, so that the temperature of each local space tends to be consistent after cooling, thereby reducing the temperature difference between different local spaces in the storage room 110 and realizing constant temperature control of the storage room 110.

[0058] In step S104 above, the step of determining whether each local space has a cooling requirement based on the internal temperature can be to compare the internal temperature of each local space with the start-up temperature of the storage room 110. If the internal temperature of the local space is greater than or equal to the start-up temperature of the storage room 110, then it is determined that the local space has a cooling requirement; otherwise, it is considered that the local space has no cooling requirement.

[0059] In step S106 above, the step of cooling the local space with cooling needs can be to control the mobile air supply component 200 to supply cooling airflow to the local space with cooling needs in sequence, thereby adjusting the internal temperature of each local space one by one, so that the internal temperature of each local space meets the requirements.

[0060] Specifically, the step of controlling the mobile air supply assembly 200 to supply cooling airflow to the local space with cooling demand in sequence can be to first determine the location of each air outlet 130 corresponding to the local space with cooling demand, and then control the motor 230 to drive the fan 220 to stop at each air outlet 130 in sequence, and use the fan 220 to blow the cooling airflow from the air outlet 130 to the local space during the stop.

[0061] After determining that a local space has a cooling demand, it can be further determined whether the difference between the internal temperature of the local space and the start-up temperature of the storage room 110 is greater than a preset threshold. If so, the local space is considered to have a large cooling demand; otherwise, it is considered to have a small cooling demand. During the process of using the fan 220 to blow cooling air from the air outlet 130 to the local space, the speed of the fan 220 can be adjusted according to the cooling demand of the local space, thereby achieving rapid cooling of the local space.

[0062] After cooling the local space that requires cooling, the internal temperature of the local space can be re-acquired. Then, the re-acquired internal temperature is compared with the shutdown point temperature of the storage room 110. If the internal temperature is lower than the shutdown point temperature of the storage room 110, the cooling of the local space is stopped.

[0063] It should be noted that each air outlet 130 in this embodiment is equipped with a damper, and the opening and closing of each damper is controllable, so that when there is a cooling demand in a local space, the damper can be opened to supply cooling airflow to the local space, and the damper can be closed after the cooling is finished.

[0064] Since each air outlet 130 is equipped with a temperature sensor 140 below it, the step of obtaining the internal temperature of each local space can be to obtain the temperature detection value of each temperature sensor 140 and use the temperature detection value as the internal temperature of the corresponding local space.

[0065] In one specific implementation, the storage room 110 can form three local spaces along the longitudinal direction. Each local space is connected to the air supply duct 120 through an air outlet 130. The air outlets 130 are defined from top to bottom as the first air outlet 130, the second air outlet 130, and the third air outlet 130. A first temperature sensor 140 is provided below the first air outlet 130, a second temperature sensor 140 is provided below the second air outlet 130, and a third temperature sensor 140 is provided below the third air outlet 130, so as to detect the internal temperature of the three local spaces respectively using the first temperature sensor 140, the second temperature sensor 140, and the third temperature sensor 140.

[0066] Figure 6This is a flowchart of a control method for a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 6 The control method includes at least the following steps S202 to S240.

[0067] Step S202: Open the main air damper at the bottom of the air supply duct 120.

[0068] Step S204: Obtain the first temperature detection value of the first temperature sensor 140.

[0069] Step S206: Determine whether the first temperature detection value is greater than or equal to the start-up temperature of the storage room 110. If yes, proceed to step S208; otherwise, proceed to step S216.

[0070] Step S208: Move the fan 220 to the first air outlet 130, open the first air outlet 130, and start the fan 220.

[0071] Step S210: Reacquire the first temperature detection value of the first temperature sensor 140.

[0072] Step S212: Determine whether the newly acquired first temperature detection value is less than the shutdown point temperature of the storage room 110. If so, proceed to step S214.

[0073] Step S214: Turn off the fan 220 and close the first air outlet 130.

[0074] Step S216: Obtain the second temperature detection value of the second temperature sensor 140.

[0075] Step S218: Determine whether the second temperature detection value is greater than or equal to the start-up temperature of the storage room 110. If yes, proceed to step S220; otherwise, proceed to step S228.

[0076] Step S220: Move the fan 220 to the second air outlet 130, open the second air outlet 130, and start the fan 220.

[0077] Step S222: Reacquire the second temperature detection value of the second temperature sensor 140.

[0078] Step S224: Determine whether the newly acquired second temperature detection value is less than the shutdown point temperature of the storage room 110. If so, proceed to step S226.

[0079] Step S226: Turn off the fan 220 and close the second air outlet 130.

[0080] Step S228: Obtain the third temperature detection value from the third temperature sensor 140.

[0081] Step S230: Determine whether the third temperature detection value is greater than or equal to the start-up temperature of the storage room 110. If yes, proceed to step S232; otherwise, proceed to step S240.

[0082] Step S232: Move the fan 220 to the third air outlet 130, open the third air outlet 130, and start the fan 220.

[0083] Step S234: Reacquire the third temperature detection value of the third temperature sensor 140.

[0084] Step S236: Determine whether the newly acquired third temperature detection value is less than the shutdown point temperature of storage room 110. If so, proceed to step S238.

[0085] Step S238: Turn off the fan 220 and close the third air outlet 130.

[0086] Step S240: Close the main damper at the bottom of the air supply duct 120.

[0087] According to any one or a combination of the above optional embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0088] The refrigerator 10 and its control method of the present invention can determine whether each local space has a cooling demand after obtaining the internal temperature of each local space, and then only cool the local space with the cooling demand, so that the temperature of each local space tends to be consistent after cooling, thereby reducing the temperature difference between different local spaces in the storage room 110 and realizing constant temperature control of the storage room 110.

[0089] Furthermore, in the process of blowing the cooling airflow from the air outlet 130 to the local space using the fan 220, the speed of the fan 220 can be adjusted according to the cooling demand of the local space, thereby achieving rapid cooling of each local space, shortening the cooling time required, and improving cooling efficiency.

[0090] 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 refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator body defines a storage compartment and an air supply duct located on the back side of the storage compartment, the storage compartment forming a plurality of partial spaces along a longitudinal direction, each partial space having an air outlet communicating with the air supply duct, the control method comprising: Obtain the internal temperature of each local space; Determine whether each local space requires cooling based on the internal temperature. If so, cool the local space that has the aforementioned cooling requirement; The step of installing a movable air supply component within the air supply duct to cool the local space with the cooling requirement includes: The mobile air supply assembly is controlled to sequentially supply cooling airflow to local spaces with cooling needs; The air outlets are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the storage room. The mobile air supply assembly includes a track arranged along the longitudinal direction of the storage room, a fan installed on the track, and a motor that drives the fan to move up and down along the track. The steps of controlling the mobile air supply assembly to sequentially supply cooling airflow to local spaces with cooling needs include: Determine the location of each air outlet corresponding to the local space with the aforementioned cooling requirements; The motor is controlled to drive the fan to stop sequentially at each air outlet location, and the fan blows the cooling air from the air outlet to the local space.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The steps for determining whether each local space requires cooling based on the internal temperature include: The internal temperature of each local space is compared with the start-up temperature of the storage room; If the internal temperature of the local space is greater than or equal to the start-up temperature of the storage room, then it is determined that the local space has a cooling requirement.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The step of using the fan to blow the cooling airflow from the air outlet to the local space further includes: The fan speed is adjusted according to the cooling demand of the local space.

4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, After cooling the local space with the aforementioned cooling requirement, the method further includes: Reacquire the internal temperature of the local space; The reacquired internal temperature is compared with the shutdown point temperature of the storage compartment; If the internal temperature is lower than the shutdown temperature of the storage room, then cooling of the local space will stop.

5. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, A temperature sensor is installed below each of the air outlets. The steps for obtaining the internal temperature of each local space include: The temperature detection values ​​of each temperature sensor are obtained, and these temperature detection values ​​are used as the internal temperature of the corresponding local space.

6. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The storage compartment is the refrigerator compartment or the variable temperature compartment of the refrigerator.

7. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, Each local space is connected to the air supply duct through two air outlets, and the two air outlets are arranged opposite each other on the left and right sides of the storage room along the lateral direction of the storage room.

8. A refrigerator, comprising: A housing, which internally defines a storage compartment and an air supply duct located on the rear side of the storage compartment, wherein the storage compartment forms multiple partial spaces along the longitudinal direction, and each partial space has an air outlet connected to the air supply duct; and A controller includes a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a control program, which, when executed by the processor, is used to implement the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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