Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator includes an evaporator, a cold storage device, and a housing defining a freezer compartment. The cold storage device can be cooled by the evaporator and can also cool the freezer compartment. The control method comprises: in response to entering a low-power consumption period and the evaporator reaching a defrosting condition, determining a current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device; in response to the current cold storage capacity reaching a first cold storage capacity, determining the remaining time from the current moment to the end of the low-power consumption period; determining a first defrost duration for the evaporator based on the remaining time, historical defrost data for the evaporator, and historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the second cold storage capacity, so that the cold storage device reaches the second cold storage capacity before the end of the low-power consumption period; controlling the refrigerator to defrost the evaporator according to the first defrost duration; and in response to the evaporator completing defrost, controlling the refrigerator to cool the cold storage device. The present invention fully utilizes the electrical energy during the low-power consumption period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and specifically provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Existing refrigerators typically cool storage compartments (such as the freezer, refrigerator, and variable temperature compartments) using their evaporators. As the refrigerator is used, the low temperature of the evaporator causes moisture in the air to condense into frost. After a period of use, this frost can cover the entire evaporator, affecting its heat absorption capacity and, consequently, its cooling capacity. Therefore, the evaporator must be regularly defrosted.

[0003] Some refrigerators are also equipped with a cold storage device. This device stores cold air during off-peak hours, then assists the evaporator in cooling the refrigerator's storage compartment during peak hours. Furthermore, the cold storage device can continuously release cold air to the refrigerator's storage compartment during power outages, allowing the food inside to continue to be refrigerated or frozen.

[0004] However, current refrigerators do not organically combine the defrosting of the evaporator and the use of the cold storage device during periods of low electricity consumption. As a result, the refrigerator often stores cold in the cold storage device while defrosting, resulting in poor defrosting effect of the evaporator, low cold storage efficiency of the cold storage device, and even incomplete cold storage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof so as to organically combine the defrosting of the evaporator with the cold storage of the cold storage device, and enable the refrigerator to complete the defrosting of the evaporator and the cold storage of the cold storage device during the off-peak period of electricity consumption.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a control method for a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising an evaporator, a cold storage device, and a cabinet defining a freezer compartment, the cold storage device being capable of being cooled by the evaporator and of cooling the freezer compartment;

[0007] The control method includes:

[0008] In response to entering a low electricity consumption period and the evaporator reaching a defrost condition, determining a current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device;

[0009] In response to the current cooling capacity reaching the first cooling capacity, determining a remaining time from the current moment to the end moment of the electricity off-peak period;

[0010] determining a first defrost duration for the evaporator based on the remaining time, historical defrost data of the evaporator, and historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage capacity, so that the cold storage device can store cold to the second cold storage capacity before the end of the electricity off-peak period;

[0011] controlling the refrigerator to defrost the evaporator according to the first defrost time;

[0012] In response to the evaporator completing defrosting, the refrigerator is controlled to refrigerate the cold storage device.

[0013] Optionally, determining the first defrost duration of the evaporator according to the remaining time, historical defrost data of the evaporator, and historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage capacity includes:

[0014] Step S1: determining an estimated defrost time when the evaporator is completely defrosted based on historical defrost data of the evaporator;

[0015] Step S2: determining an estimated cold storage time of the cold storage device from the end of defrosting to the storage of cold to a second cold storage amount based on the estimated defrosting time and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device;

[0016] Step S3: Calculate the sum of the estimated defrost time and the estimated cold storage time, and record it as the required time;

[0017] Step S4: Compare the required time with the remaining time;

[0018] Step S5: In response to the required time being greater than the remaining time, the estimated defrost time determined in step S1 is reduced by one unit time, and steps S2 to S5 are re-executed;

[0019] Step S6: In response to the demand time being not greater than the remaining time, the estimated defrost time is determined as the first defrost time of the evaporator.

[0020] Optionally, before determining the first defrost time of the evaporator, the control method further comprises: comparing the remaining time with a preset time;

[0021] The determining of the first defrost duration of the evaporator according to the remaining time, the historical defrost data of the evaporator, and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage capacity includes:

[0022] In response to the remaining time being greater than the preset duration, the first defrost duration of the evaporator is determined according to the remaining time, the historical defrost data of the evaporator, and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage amount.

[0023] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0024] In response to the remaining time being not greater than the preset duration, determining an estimated amount of frost on the evaporator before a next electricity consumption off-peak period;

[0025] determining whether the estimated frost amount reaches a defrost condition of the evaporator;

[0026] In response to the estimated frost amount reaching the defrost condition, controlling the refrigerator to defrost the evaporator for a second defrost duration, so that the evaporator completes defrosting before the end of the current electricity consumption off-peak period, and the cold storage device stores cold to the second cold storage amount before the end of the electricity consumption off-peak period;

[0027] In response to the evaporator completing defrosting, the refrigerator is controlled to refrigerate the cold storage device.

[0028] Optionally, determining the estimated amount of frost on the evaporator before the next electricity consumption low valley period includes:

[0029] Obtain the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed during this operation cycle, the time of each door opening, and the ambient humidity during each door opening;

[0030] determining a current amount of frost on the evaporator according to the number of door openings and closings, the door opening time, and the ambient humidity;

[0031] Obtaining a historical amount of frost on the evaporator before the next electricity off-peak period;

[0032] An estimated frost amount of the evaporator before a next electricity off-peak period is determined according to the current frost amount and the historical frost amount.

[0033] Optionally, determining the current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device includes:

[0034] determining a current temperature of the cold storage medium in the cold storage device;

[0035] A current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device is determined according to the current temperature.

[0036] Optionally, the first cold storage capacity is less than or equal to the second cold storage capacity; and / or, the cold storage device with the first cold storage capacity can provide sufficient cold capacity for the freezer compartment when the evaporator is defrosted, so as to maintain the freezer compartment in a conventional freezing temperature range; the second cold storage capacity is the rated cold storage capacity of the cold storage device.

[0037] Optionally, before the evaporator defrosts, the control method further includes: in response to the current cold storage capacity not reaching the first cold storage capacity, controlling the refrigerator to continue refrigerating the cold storage device; and / or, during the defrosting process of the evaporator, the control method further includes: controlling the cold storage device to refrigerate the freezer compartment.

[0038] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0039] In response to the current time being the start time of the low electricity consumption period, the refrigerator is controlled to cool the cold storage device.

[0040] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising:

[0041] a cabinet defining a freezing compartment;

[0042] an evaporator for refrigerating the freezing compartment;

[0043] a cold storage device capable of being cooled by the evaporator and capable of cooling the freezing compartment;

[0044] Controller;

[0045] A memory having execution instructions stored thereon, wherein the execution instructions are configured to enable the refrigerator to execute any one of the control methods described in the first aspect when executed by the controller.

[0046] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will understand that, in the aforementioned technical solution of the present invention, when entering the off-peak period of electricity consumption and the evaporator reaches the defrosting condition, the current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device is determined, and when the current cold storage capacity reaches the first cold storage capacity, the remaining time from the current moment to the end of the off-peak period of electricity consumption is determined, and then the first defrost duration of the evaporator is determined based on the remaining time, the historical defrost data of the evaporator, and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrosting to the storage of cold to the second cold storage capacity, so that the cold storage device can store cold to the second cold storage capacity before the end of the off-peak period of electricity consumption, thereby enabling the refrigerator to complete the defrosting of the evaporator and the storage of cold in the cold storage device during the off-peak period of electricity consumption. Finally, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost the evaporator according to the first defrost duration, and at the same time or after the evaporator has finished defrosting, the refrigerator is controlled to refrigerate the cold storage device. Therefore, during periods of low electricity consumption, the refrigerator of the present invention first stores cold in the current storage device to a first cold storage capacity, and then defrosts the evaporator. This allows the cold storage device with the first cold storage capacity to cool the freezer compartment while the evaporator defrosts, preventing the freezer compartment temperature from rising due to the evaporator defrosting, which could affect the preservation of food in the freezer compartment. Furthermore, during periods of low electricity consumption, the refrigerator of the present invention allows the cold storage device to continue storing cold to a second cold storage capacity after the evaporator is defrosted, thereby completing the cold storage device's cold storage capacity, balancing the power load on the grid and reducing users' electricity bills.

[0047] Furthermore, the present invention determines the first defrost time of the evaporator through the aforementioned steps S1 to S6, thereby ensuring that the refrigerator completes the refrigeration of the cold storage device before the end of the electricity off-peak period.

[0048] Furthermore, when the remaining time is no greater than a preset duration, the refrigerator determines the estimated amount of frost on the evaporator before the next low-power consumption period; then determines whether the estimated amount of frost has reached the defrost condition for the evaporator; and when the estimated amount of frost has reached the defrost condition, controls the refrigerator to defrost the evaporator for a second defrost duration, so that the evaporator completes defrosting before the end of the current low-power consumption period and the cold storage device stores cold to the second cold storage capacity before the end of the low-power consumption period; and after the evaporator completes defrosting, controls the refrigerator to cool the cold storage device. Therefore, the present invention also ensures that the refrigerator does not defrost the evaporator during non-low-power consumption periods, that is, the refrigerator of the present invention also ensures that each defrost of the evaporator occurs during a low-power consumption period.

[0049] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts; and the drawings of the present invention are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0051] In the attached figure:

[0052] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of a refrigerator provided according to the purpose of the invention;

[0053] Figure 2.1 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the medium cold storage device (cold storage device stores cold);

[0054] Figure 2.2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the medium cold storage device (cold storage device releases cold);

[0055] Figure 2.3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the medium cold storage device (cold storage device keeps cold);

[0056] Figure 3 is a flowchart of steps of a refrigerator control method in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 4 is a flow chart of steps for determining a first defrost time of an evaporator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 5 is a flow chart of some steps of a refrigerator control method in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 6 is a flow chart of steps for determining an estimated amount of frost on an evaporator in yet other embodiments of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 7 This is another simplified structural diagram of a refrigerator provided according to the purpose of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments of the present invention, and that these embodiments are intended to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the embodiments provided by the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0062] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element described must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0063] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections, electrical connections; direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0064] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms "cold" and "heat" are two descriptions of the same physical state. That is, the higher the "cold" of a target object (such as an evaporator, air, condenser, etc.), the lower the "heat" it has, and the lower the "cold" it has, the higher the "heat" it has. When a target object absorbs "cold", it releases "heat", and when it releases "cold", it absorbs "heat". A target object stores "cold" or "heat" in order to maintain its current temperature. "Refrigeration" and "heat absorption" are two descriptions of the same physical phenomenon, that is, a target object (such as an evaporator) absorbs heat while cooling.

[0065] Refer to the following Figure 1 2 to introduce a refrigerator provided according to the inventive concept of the present invention. It should be noted that, in order to facilitate description and to enable those skilled in the art to quickly understand the technical solution of the present invention, the following text only describes the technical features that are highly related (directly or indirectly related) to the technical problems and / or technical concepts to be solved by the present invention, and will not describe the technical features that are less related to the technical problems and / or technical concepts to be solved by the invention. Since the technical features with a lesser degree of relevance are common knowledge in the field, even if the present invention does not describe the features with a lesser degree of relevance, it will not lead to insufficient disclosure of the present invention.

[0066] like Figure 1As shown, in a refrigerator provided according to the inventive concept of the present invention, refrigerator 100 includes a housing 110, an evaporator 120, a cold storage device 130, and a fan (not shown). The housing 110 defines a refrigerating compartment 111, a freezing compartment 112, and a cooling compartment 113. The evaporator 120 is disposed within the cooling compartment 113, and the fan is used to drive the cold air surrounding the evaporator 120 into the refrigerating compartment 111 and the freezing compartment 112, thereby cooling the food in the refrigerating compartment 111 and the freezing compartment 112. Under the action of the fan, the air in the refrigerating compartment 111 and the freezing compartment 112 flows through the evaporator 120 again, being cooled by the evaporator 120. The cold storage device 130 is configured to be cooled by the evaporator 120 and to cool the freezing compartment 112.

[0067] Optionally, in Figure 1 In some embodiments shown in FIG, a portion of the cold storage device 130 is located in the freezer compartment 112, and another portion of the cold storage device 130 is located in the refrigeration compartment 113. The portion of the cold storage device 130 located in the refrigeration compartment 113 is cooled by the evaporator 120, thereby storing cold in the cold storage device 130; and the portion of the cold storage device 130 located in the freezer compartment 112 cools the freezer compartment 112, thereby releasing cold from the cold storage device 130.

[0068] Preferably, the cold storage device 130 is filled with a refrigerant, so that the cold storage device 130 stores cold through the refrigerant therein. Preferably, the freezing point of the refrigerant is lower than the lowest operating temperature of the freezing chamber 112 (e.g., -16°C). Furthermore, the refrigerant can be any suitable refrigerant, such as a sodium chloride solution.

[0069] Alternatively, as Figures 2.1 to 2.3 As shown, a thermal insulation layer 131 is provided on the outside of the cold storage device 130, and the portion of the thermal insulation layer 131 located in the refrigeration compartment 113 is provided with a cold storage port 1311 and a cold storage door plate 132 for controlling the opening and closing of the cold storage port 1311; the portion of the thermal insulation layer 131 located in the freezing compartment 112 is provided with a cooling outlet 1312 and a cooling door plate 133 for controlling the opening and closing of the cooling outlet 1312.

[0070] like Figure 2.1 As shown, when the cold storage device 130 is storing cold, the cold storage door plate 132 opens the cold storage port 1311 , and the cold release door plate 133 closes the cold release port 1312 .

[0071] like Figure 2.2 As shown, when the cold storage device 130 is cooling, the cold storage door plate 132 closes the cold storage port 1311 , and the cooling door plate 133 opens the cooling port 1312 .

[0072] like Figure 2.3As shown, when the cold storage device 130 is keeping warm, the cold storage door plate 132 closes the cold storage port 1311 , and the cold release door plate 133 closes the cold release port 1312 .

[0073] In addition, those skilled in the art may also define the temperature-variable compartment as needed in the box body 110, or define only any two of the refrigeration compartment 111, the freezing compartment 112, and the temperature-variable compartment.

[0074] Refer to the following Figure 3 and Figure 4 Combined with Figures 1 to 2.3 The refrigerator shown in the figure is used to describe in detail the control method of the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator control method includes:

[0076] Step S110 , in response to the current time being the start time of the off-peak period of electricity consumption, controlling the refrigerator 100 to cool the cold storage device 130 .

[0077] In some embodiments of the present invention, the low-power consumption period and the non-low-power consumption period can be input into the refrigerator 100 (specifically, the memory of the refrigerator 100) by the user or the manufacturer, or can be obtained by the refrigerator 100 from the cloud server or the backend server through its own communication module.

[0078] In some embodiments of the present invention, during the operation of the refrigerator 100 , when the time reaches the start time of the low electricity consumption period, the cold storage device 130 is controlled to be refrigerated.

[0079] Alternatively, as Figure 2.1 As shown, the cold storage door plate 132 of the cold storage device 130 opens the cold storage port 1311 , and the cold release door plate 133 of the cold storage device 130 closes the cold release port 1312 .

[0080] In step S120 , in response to entering a low electricity consumption period and the evaporator 120 reaching a defrosting condition, the current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device 130 is determined.

[0081] The defrosting condition for evaporator 120 is that the amount of frost on refrigerator 100 reaches a set amount. When the amount of frost on evaporator 120 reaches this set amount, the cooling efficiency of evaporator 120 is low. In other words, the amount of frost on evaporator 120 is large, which seriously hinders the heat exchange of evaporator 120. Based on this, those skilled in the art can determine the set amount of frost through multiple experiments for different models of refrigerator 100. Since the technical means for determining this set amount of frost are conventional in the art and can be obtained by those skilled in the art through simple experience, they will not be detailed here.

[0082] In some embodiments of the present invention, during a low electricity consumption period, when the amount of frost on the evaporator 120 reaches a set amount of frost, the current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device 130 is determined. If the current cold storage capacity reaches the first cold storage capacity, step S130 is executed; if the current cold storage capacity does not reach the first cold storage capacity, step S170 is executed.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cold storage device 130 having a first cold storage capacity can provide sufficient cold storage capacity to the freezer compartment 112 during the defrosting period of the evaporator 120, thereby maintaining the freezer compartment 112 within a normal freezing temperature range. This freezing temperature range is the normal temperature range of the freezer compartment 112 before the evaporator 120 defrosts. Optionally, when the cold storage device 130 has the first cold storage capacity, the temperature of the refrigerant in the cold storage device 130 is no higher than the minimum operating temperature of the freezer compartment 112.

[0084] Optionally, the cold storage device 130 is provided with a temperature sensor, which is used to detect the temperature of the coolant in the cold storage device 130 .

[0085] Furthermore, "determining the current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device 130" includes determining the temperature of the cold storage medium using the temperature sensor, and then determining the current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device 130 based on the cold storage medium temperature. Specifically, each temperature value can represent a cold storage capacity. Alternatively, a temperature-cold storage capacity comparison table can be pre-stored in the refrigerator 100. After the refrigerator 100 determines the cold storage medium temperature, the cold storage capacity corresponding to the current temperature can be determined from the temperature-cold storage capacity comparison table.

[0086] Step S130 : In response to the current cooling capacity reaching the first cooling capacity, determining the remaining time from the current moment to the end of the electricity off-peak period.

[0087] In step S140, the first defrost duration of the evaporator 120 is determined based on the remaining time, the historical defrost data of the evaporator 120, and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device 130 from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage capacity, so that the cold storage device 130 can store cold to the second cold storage capacity before the end of the low electricity consumption period.

[0088] The second cold storage capacity is the rated cold storage capacity of cold storage device 130. When cold storage device 130 has reached the rated cold storage capacity, the temperature of the coolant in cold storage device 130 is at or slightly below its freezing temperature, and the coolant is in a solid state. Therefore, the first cold storage capacity is less than or equal to the second cold storage capacity.

[0089] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, step S140 further includes:

[0090] Step S141 : determining an estimated defrost time when the evaporator 120 is completely defrosted based on historical defrost data of the evaporator 120 .

[0091] The historical defrost data are a plurality of defrost data of the evaporator 120 before the present moment, and each defrost data at least includes the defrost time of the evaporator 120 .

[0092] Specifically, the longest defrost time is first determined from historical defrost data as the first estimated defrost time.

[0093] Step S142 , determining an estimated cold storage time of the cold storage device 130 from the end of defrosting to the storage of cold to the second cold storage amount based on the estimated defrosting time and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device 130 .

[0094] The historical cold storage data is a plurality of previous cold storage data of cold storage device 130, each cold storage data corresponding to a different initial cold capacity of cold storage device 130. Each cold storage data includes the cold storage time of cold storage device 130 from the initial cold capacity corresponding to the cold storage data to the second cold storage capacity.

[0095] Specifically, the estimated cooling capacity of the cold storage device 130 during the defrosting period of the evaporator 120 is determined based on the estimated defrosting time. The cold storage capacity of the cold storage device 130 when the evaporator 120 defrosts is complete is then determined based on the estimated cooling capacity and the first cold storage capacity. This cold storage capacity is recorded as the initial cold storage capacity. The initial cold storage capacity and the cold storage duration corresponding to this initial cold storage capacity are then determined from historical cold storage data, serving as the first estimated cold storage duration.

[0096] Step S143: Calculate the sum of the estimated defrost time and the estimated cold storage time, and record it as the required time.

[0097] Step S144: compare the required time with the remaining time. If the required time is greater than the remaining time, proceed to step S145; if the required time is not greater than the remaining time, proceed to step S146.

[0098] In step S145 , in response to the required time being greater than the remaining time, the estimated defrosting time determined in step S141 is reduced by one unit time, and steps S142 to S145 are re-executed.

[0099] The unit time may be any feasible time, such as 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. At least some of the historical cooling storage data have different cooling storage durations, and the difference between the cooling storage durations corresponding to the portion of cooling storage data is an integer multiple of the unit time.

[0100] In step S146 , in response to the demand time being not greater than the remaining time, the estimated defrost time is determined as the first defrost time of the evaporator 120 .

[0101] Optional step S147, recording the first defrost duration determined in step S146, and counting the first defrost duration into the historical defrost data, and updating the historical defrost data.

[0102] Step S150, control the refrigerator 100 to continue defrosting the evaporator 120 for the first defrosting time. At the same time, control the cold storage device 130 to refrigerate the freezing chamber 112, such as Figure 2.2 As shown, the cold storage door plate 132 closes the cold storage port 1311 and the cold release door plate 133 opens the cold release port 1312 to prevent the freezing chamber 112 from increasing in temperature due to defrosting of the evaporator 120 and affecting the preservation effect of the freezing chamber 112 on the food therein.

[0103] In step S160 , in response to the evaporator 120 completing defrosting, the refrigerator 100 is controlled to cool the cold storage device 130 .

[0104] Specifically, after the evaporator 120 is defrosted, the cold storage door plate 132 is immediately opened to open the cold storage port 1311 , and the cold release door plate 133 is immediately closed to close the cold release port 1312 .

[0105] Step S170 , in response to the current cold storage capacity not reaching the first cold storage capacity, controlling the refrigerator 100 to continue cooling the cold storage device 130 .

[0106] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that during periods of low electricity consumption, the refrigerator 100 of the present invention first allows the current storage device to store cold to a first cold storage capacity, and then allows the refrigerator 100 to defrost the evaporator 120. This allows the cold storage device 130, which has the first cold storage capacity, to refrigerate the freezer compartment 112 during the defrosting process of the evaporator 120, thereby preventing the temperature in the freezer compartment 112 from rising due to the defrosting of the evaporator 120, thereby affecting the preservation of food in the freezer compartment 112. Furthermore, during periods of low electricity consumption, the present invention allows the cold storage device 130 to continue storing cold to a second cold storage capacity after the evaporator 120 is defrosted, thereby completing the cold storage of the cold storage device 130, balancing the electricity load on the power grid and reducing the user's electricity bills.

[0107] It is also understood by those skilled in the art that since the evaporator 120 may reach the defrosting condition at the end of the electricity consumption valley period, or may reach the defrosting condition at the non-electricity consumption valley period, the refrigerator 100 cannot fully utilize the electricity during the electricity consumption valley period. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Some further embodiments are shown in .

[0108] like Figure 5 As shown, in some further embodiments of the present invention, different from some of the embodiments described above, after step S130, the control method of the refrigerator 100 further includes:

[0109] Step S210: Determine the difference between the remaining time and the preset time. If the remaining time is greater than the preset time, proceed to step S140; if the remaining time is not greater than the preset time, proceed to step S220.

[0110] The preset time includes a first time and a second time. The first time is the time it takes for the evaporator 120 to remove the minimum amount of frost. After the evaporator 120 removes the minimum amount of frost, the refrigerator 100 can maintain normal cooling before the cold storage device 130 next stores cold to the first cold storage capacity. The second time is the time it takes for the cold storage device 130 to store cold to the second cold storage capacity after the evaporator 120 is defrosted.

[0111] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can determine the maximum amount of frost accumulated on the evaporator 120 from the time the cold storage device 130 accumulates cold to the second cold storage capacity after defrosting the evaporator 120, or through multiple experiments. The time required for the evaporator 120 to remove the maximum amount of frost is then determined through multiple experiments. This time is referred to as the first time. The second time is then determined based on the first time and step S142.

[0112] In step S220 , in response to the remaining time being not greater than the preset duration, an estimated amount of frost on the evaporator 120 before the next electricity off-peak period is determined.

[0113] In some further embodiments of the present invention, step S220 further includes:

[0114] Step S221, obtaining the number of times the door of the refrigerator 100 is opened and closed during this operation cycle, the time of each door opening, and the ambient humidity when the door is opened each time.

[0115] The operation cycle refers to a period of time from the start or end of the last defrost to the start or end of the next defrost of the refrigerator 100. The last defrost and the next defrost are two adjacent defrosts.

[0116] The number of door openings and closings refers to the number of times the refrigerator door 100 is opened. If the refrigerator 100 has multiple refrigerator doors 100, it is necessary to count the number of times each refrigerator door 100 is opened, the time each refrigerator door is opened, and the ambient humidity when each refrigerator door is opened.

[0117] The ambient humidity is the air humidity of the environment in which the refrigerator 100 is located. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that air humidity is related to temperature, and the water content in the air is different at different temperatures. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the ambient humidity includes the air humidity corresponding to each temperature.

[0118] Step S222: determining the current frost amount of the evaporator 120 according to the number of door opening and closing times, the door opening time, and the ambient humidity.

[0119] Specifically, each time the refrigerator 100 door is opened and closed, the door opening time and the ambient humidity at the time of door opening are counted. Based on the door opening time and the ambient humidity, the amount of frost on the evaporator 120 of the refrigerator 100 is determined from a pre-stored table of door opening time, ambient humidity, and frost amount. The current frost level of the refrigerator 100 (denoted as S0 for ease of illustration) is then determined by counting all door openings and closings of the refrigerator 100.

[0120] Among them, the door opening time-ambient humidity-frost amount table is a data mapping table determined by repeated multiple tests for the corresponding model of refrigerator 100. Since obtaining the data mapping table through experiments is a conventional technical means in this field, and can be obtained by those skilled in the art with simple experience, it will not be described here in detail. Those skilled in the art will understand that since the refrigerator 100 drives the air flow when opening and closing the door, thereby promoting the exchange of cold air in the refrigerator 100 room with the air in the environment, it is more likely to cause high-temperature and high-humidity air in the environment (relative to the air in the refrigerator 100 room) to enter the refrigerator 100 room, increasing the amount of frost in the refrigerator 100. In order to make the current frosting condition of the present invention closer to the actual frosting condition of the refrigerator 100, in some embodiments of the present invention, preferably, the number of door opening and closing times is recorded as n, the cumulative door opening time of all door opening and closing times is recorded as L, and the final current frosting condition is recorded as S, then

[0121]

[0122] In addition, those skilled in the art can also modify the comparison base "1 time / minute" in the formula to any other feasible value as needed, such as 0.8 times / minute, 1.2 times / minute, 1.3 times / minute, 1.5 times / minute, 2 times / minute, 3 times / minute, etc.

[0123] Step S223 , obtaining the historical frost amount of the evaporator 120 before the next electricity off-peak period.

[0124] In some other embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator 100 retains the frost data of the evaporator 120 for at least the previous day, so that the refrigerator 100 can obtain the historical frost amount corresponding to the current moment to the next electricity low period from its stored frost data.

[0125] Further preferably, the refrigerator 100 obtains a historical amount of frost on the evaporator 120 before the cold storage device 130 stores cold to the first cold storage amount next time.

[0126] Step S224 : determining an estimated frost amount of the evaporator 120 before the next electricity off-peak period based on the current frost amount and the historical frost amount.

[0127] The sum of the current frost amount obtained in step S222 and the historical frost amount obtained in step S223 is determined as the estimated frost amount of the evaporator 120 .

[0128] Step S230 , determining whether the estimated frost amount reaches the defrosting condition of the evaporator 120 .

[0129] Specifically, it is determined whether the amount of frost on the evaporator 120 has reached the set amount. If the amount of frost on the evaporator 120 has reached the set amount, step S240 is executed; if the amount of frost on the evaporator 120 has not reached the set amount, the refrigerator 100 continues to operate according to the current control strategy.

[0130] In step S240, in response to the estimated frost amount reaching the defrost condition, the refrigerator 100 is controlled to defrost the evaporator 120 with a second defrost time, so that the evaporator 120 completes defrosting before the end of the current electricity low period, and the cold storage device 130 stores cold to the second cold storage amount before the end of the electricity low period.

[0131] The second defrost time is the first time described in step S210.

[0132] In step S250 , in response to the evaporator 120 completing defrosting, the refrigerator 100 is controlled to cool the cold storage device 130 .

[0133] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in some other embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator 100 performs each defrosting of the evaporator 120 and each cold storage of the cold storage device 130 during a period of low electricity consumption.

[0134] Further, in Figure 7 In some embodiments shown in , the refrigerator 100 further includes a memory 140 and a controller 150. The memory 140 stores execution instructions; the controller 150 is used to execute the execution instructions stored in the memory 140, so that the refrigerator 100 executes the control method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0135] The memory 140 is used to store execution instructions, which are specifically executable computer programs. Furthermore, the memory 140 may include internal memory and non-volatile memory, and provide execution instructions and data to the controller 150. For example, the internal memory may be a high-speed random access memory (RAM), and the non-volatile memory may be at least one disk storage.

[0136] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-mentioned control method can be applied to the controller 150, or can be implemented with the help of the controller 150. For example, the controller 150 is an integrated circuit chip with the ability to process signals. In the process of the controller 150 executing the above-mentioned control method, each step of the above-mentioned control method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit in the form of hardware or an instruction in the form of software in the controller 150. Furthermore, the above-mentioned controller 150 can be a general controller, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, microprocessors and any other conventional processors.

[0137] So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the above multiple embodiments. However, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art may split and combine the technical solutions in the above various embodiments, and may also make equivalent changes or replacements to the relevant technical features. Any changes, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the technical concept and / or technical principles of the present invention will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising an evaporator, a cold storage device, and a cabinet defining a freezer compartment, wherein the cold storage device can be cooled by the evaporator and can cool the freezer compartment; The control method includes: In response to entering a low electricity consumption period and the evaporator reaching a defrost condition, determining a current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device; In response to the current cold storage capacity reaching a first cold storage capacity, determining a remaining time from the current moment to the end of the low-power consumption period; wherein the first cold storage capacity enables the cold storage device to provide sufficient cold capacity for the freezer compartment when the evaporator is defrosted, so as to maintain the freezer compartment in a normal freezing temperature range; determining a first defrost duration for the evaporator based on the remaining time, historical defrost data of the evaporator, and historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the point where cold storage reaches a second cold storage capacity, so that the cold storage device can store cold to the second cold storage capacity before the end of the electricity off-peak period; wherein the second cold storage capacity is the rated cold storage capacity of the cold storage device; controlling the refrigerator to defrost the evaporator according to the first defrost time; In response to the evaporator completing defrosting, controlling the refrigerator to refrigerate the cold storage device; The determining of the first defrost duration of the evaporator according to the remaining time, the historical defrost data of the evaporator, and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage capacity includes: Step S1: determining an estimated defrost time when the evaporator is completely defrosted based on historical defrost data of the evaporator; Step S2: determining an estimated cold storage time of the cold storage device from the end of defrosting to the storage of cold to a second cold storage amount based on the estimated defrosting time and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device; Step S3: Calculate the sum of the estimated defrost time and the estimated cold storage time, and record it as the required time; Step S4: Compare the required time with the remaining time; Step S5: In response to the required time being greater than the remaining time, the estimated defrost time determined in step S1 is reduced by one unit time, and steps S2 to S5 are re-executed; Step S6: In response to the demand time being not greater than the remaining time, the estimated defrost time is determined as the first defrost time of the evaporator.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: Before determining the first defrosting time of the evaporator, the control method further includes: comparing the remaining time with a preset time; The determining of the first defrost duration of the evaporator according to the remaining time, the historical defrost data of the evaporator, and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage capacity includes: In response to the remaining time being greater than the preset duration, the first defrost duration of the evaporator is determined according to the remaining time, the historical defrost data of the evaporator, and the historical cold storage data of the cold storage device from the end of defrost to the storage of cold to the second cold storage amount.

3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein: The control method further includes: In response to the remaining time being not greater than the preset duration, determining an estimated amount of frost on the evaporator before a next electricity consumption off-peak period; determining whether the estimated frost amount reaches a defrost condition of the evaporator; In response to the estimated frost amount reaching the defrost condition, controlling the refrigerator to defrost the evaporator for a second defrost duration, so that the evaporator completes defrosting before the end of the current electricity consumption off-peak period, and the cold storage device stores cold to the second cold storage amount before the end of the electricity consumption off-peak period; In response to the evaporator completing defrosting, the refrigerator is controlled to refrigerate the cold storage device.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein: The determining of the estimated frost amount of the evaporator before the next electricity consumption low valley period includes: Obtain the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed during this operation cycle, the time of each door opening, and the ambient humidity during each door opening; determining a current amount of frost on the evaporator according to the number of door openings and closings, the door opening time, and the ambient humidity; Obtaining a historical amount of frost on the evaporator before the next electricity off-peak period; An estimated frost amount of the evaporator before a next electricity off-peak period is determined according to the current frost amount and the historical frost amount.

5. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Determining the current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device includes: determining a current temperature of the cold storage medium in the cold storage device; A current cold storage capacity of the cold storage device is determined according to the current temperature.

6. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first cold storage capacity is less than or equal to the second cold storage capacity.

7. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Before the evaporator defrosts, the control method further includes: in response to the current cold storage capacity not reaching the first cold storage capacity, controlling the refrigerator to continue refrigerating the cold storage device; and / or, During the defrosting process of the evaporator, the control method further includes: controlling the cold storage device to cool the freezing compartment.

8. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The control method further includes: In response to the current time being the start time of the low electricity consumption period, the refrigerator is controlled to cool the cold storage device.

9. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a freezing compartment; an evaporator for refrigerating the freezing compartment; a cold storage device capable of being cooled by the evaporator and capable of cooling the freezing compartment; Controller; A memory having execution instructions stored thereon, wherein the execution instructions are configured to enable the refrigerator to execute the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when executed by the controller.

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