Control method for refrigeration and freezing device and refrigeration and freezing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device, and the refrigeration and freezing device. The refrigeration and freezing device includes a housing defining a cryogenic chamber, a vapor compression refrigeration system, and a Stirling refrigeration system for providing cooling to the cryogenic chamber. The control method includes determining whether the chamber temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to a set cryogenic temperature; if so, controlling the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to alternately provide cooling to the cryogenic chamber, so that both systems are in optimal operating conditions. This not only improves the overall cooling efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing device for the cryogenic chamber, but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing device, extending the service life of the compressor and the Stirling refrigerator.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of "Control method for refrigeration and freezing device and refrigeration and freezing device":

[0002] Filing date of original application: 20191227

[0003] Original application number: 201911380189.0

[0004] The name of the invention originally applied for: Control method for refrigeration and freezing device and refrigeration and freezing device. Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration, and in particular to a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device and the refrigeration and freezing device. Background Art

[0006] As people prioritize health, their household stockpiles of high-end ingredients are increasing. Research has shown that when food is stored below its glass transition temperature (GTT), its properties remain relatively stable, significantly extending its shelf life. The GTT range for food is generally between -80°C and -30°C.

[0007] Existing household refrigerators all use vapor compression refrigeration. Recent developments have used semiconductor and magnetic refrigeration methods, but these have limited efficiency and have prevented temperatures from dropping below -30°C. Stirling refrigeration systems are used in aerospace and medical applications, achieving temperatures below -200°C. Summary of the Invention

[0008] An object of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a control method for a refrigerator / freezer, which can improve the overall refrigeration efficiency of the refrigerator / freezer.

[0009] A further object of the first aspect of the present invention is to avoid undesirable waste of energy.

[0010] Another further object of the first aspect of the present invention is to avoid frequent switching on and off of the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0011] An object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator-freezer.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device is provided, wherein the refrigeration and freezing device includes a housing defining a cryogenic chamber, a vapor compression refrigeration system and a Stirling refrigeration system for providing cooling to the cryogenic chamber, wherein the control method comprises:

[0013] Determining whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature;

[0014] If so, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system are controlled to alternately supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber.

[0015] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0016] Determining whether the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to a preset switching temperature;

[0017] If yes, in each refrigeration cycle, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system are controlled to alternately refrigerate;

[0018] If not, in the first refrigeration cycle, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system are controlled to perform refrigeration alternately.

[0019] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0020] When the set cryogenic temperature is lower than the preset switching temperature, in other refrigeration cycles except the first refrigeration cycle, the Stirling refrigeration system is controlled to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment, and the vapor compression refrigeration system stops supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment.

[0021] Optionally, the housing further defines a general cooling compartment, and the vapor compression refrigeration system is further configured to provide cooling to the general cooling compartment; characterized in that the control method further comprises:

[0022] Determining the cooling time for the compressor refrigeration system to provide cooling to the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle according to the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature of the refrigeration and freezing device; and / or

[0023] The operating speed of the compressor of the vapor compression refrigeration system is determined according to the set deep cooling temperature, the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device.

[0024] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0025] Determining the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator of the Stirling refrigeration system according to the difference between the compartment temperature and the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature of the refrigeration and freezing device; and / or

[0026] The cooling time for the Stirling refrigeration system to provide cooling for the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle is determined according to the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device.

[0027] Optionally, in each refrigeration cycle of the alternating refrigeration, the Stirling refrigeration system first provides cooling for the cryogenic chamber; and / or

[0028] In each alternating refrigeration cycle, the cooling time of the subsequent refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment is greater than or equal to the cooling time of the previous refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment.

[0029] Optionally, a refrigeration fan is provided in the deep cold room, and the control method includes:

[0030] When the vapor compression refrigeration system is supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is determined according to a set cryogenic temperature, and the duty cycle is less than 100%; and / or

[0031] When the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic chamber, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is 100%.

[0032] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0033] Determine whether the compartment temperature is lower than the set cryogenic temperature;

[0034] If so, controlling the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to stop providing cooling to the cryogenic chamber;

[0035] If not, the vapor compression refrigeration system or the Stirling refrigeration system is controlled to continue to provide cooling capacity for the cryogenic chamber.

[0036] Optionally, the refrigeration and freezing device further comprises a detection device for detecting the temperature of the compartment, characterized in that:

[0037] When determining whether the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, the compartment temperature is the difference between the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value; and / or

[0038] When determining whether the compartment temperature is lower than the set cryogenic temperature, the compartment temperature is the sum of the detection temperature detected by the detection device and a preset temperature fluctuation value.

[0039] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator / freezer comprising:

[0040] The box body defines a deep cold compartment;

[0041] a vapor compression refrigeration system and a Stirling refrigeration system for providing cooling to the cryogenic chamber; and

[0042] A controller configured to execute the control method according to any one of the above claims.

[0043] The present invention enables the Stirling refrigeration system and the vapor compression refrigeration system to operate alternately to supply cold to the cryogenic chamber, so that both systems are in optimal working conditions. This not only improves the refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing device for the cryogenic chamber as a whole, but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing device and extends the service life of the compressor and the Stirling refrigerator.

[0044] Furthermore, the present invention determines the operating speed of the compressor according to the set cryogenic temperature, the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature, determines the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator of the Stirling refrigeration system according to the difference between the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment and the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature, and determines the cooling time for each time the compressor refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment and the cooling time for each time the Stirling refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle according to the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature. This not only can the cryogenic compartment be efficiently cooled without reducing the efficiency of refrigeration for the general cooling compartment, but also the power of the refrigeration and freezing device can be reasonably distributed, thereby avoiding unexpected energy waste and improving user experience.

[0045] Furthermore, the present invention determines the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan when the compressor supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber according to the set cryogenic temperature, which can make the heat exchange between the hot air and the cold air in the cryogenic chamber more sufficient, improve the refrigeration efficiency, avoid unexpected energy waste, and avoid the accumulation of cold energy in the refrigeration fan, thereby extending the service life of the refrigeration fan.

[0046] Furthermore, the present invention corrects the temperature value detected by the detection device by setting a temperature fluctuation value, thereby avoiding frequent switching on and off of the part of the vapor compression refrigeration system that supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber, or even frequent opening and closing of the compressor or the Stirling refrigeration system, further extending the service life of the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0047] 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

[0048] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator-freezer according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial rear view of the refrigerator-freezer shown;

[0051] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 a schematic rear view of the refrigerator-freezer shown with the device compartment cover removed;

[0052] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic rear view of the refrigerator-freezer shown with one half shell, one resilient foot, and the insulation cover removed;

[0053] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic partial enlarged view of the middle area A;

[0054] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of a heat exchanger;

[0055] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 9 is a detailed flow chart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator-freezer 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial rear view of the refrigerator-freezer 100 is shown; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic rear view of the refrigerator-freezer 100 is shown with the cover 118 of the device compartment 117 removed. Figures 1 to 3 Refrigeration and freezing device 100 may include a housing defining at least one storage compartment, at least one door for opening and closing the at least one storage compartment, a Stirling refrigeration system for cooling the at least one storage compartment, a vapor compression refrigeration system for cooling the at least one storage compartment, and a controller 190 for controlling the operation of the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system. Refrigeration and freezing device 100 may be a refrigerator, a freezer, or a deep freezer.

[0059] The box body may include an outer box 111, at least one inner container disposed in the outer box 111, and a heat insulating layer 112 disposed between the outer box 111 and the at least one inner container.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet includes a general cooling liner 113, a general cooling liner 114, a general cooling liner 115, and a cryogenic liner 116. The vapor compression refrigeration system can be configured to provide cooling to the refrigerated compartment defined by general cooling liner 113, the general cooling compartment defined by general cooling liner 114 and general cooling liner 115, and the cryogenic compartment defined by cryogenic liner 116. The Stirling refrigeration system can be configured to provide cooling only to the cryogenic compartment defined by cryogenic liner 116.

[0061] For example, the storage temperature of the cold storage compartment can be 0 to +8°C; the storage temperature of the general cooling compartment can be -14 to -24°C; the storage temperature of the deep cooling compartment can cover the storage temperature of the general cooling compartment, which can be -14 to 80°C.

[0062] Specifically, the vapor compression refrigeration system may include a compressor 131, a condenser, at least one throttling element, and multiple evaporation tubes 133. The multiple evaporation tubes 133 may be respectively disposed in the general cooling liner 113, the general cooling liner 114, and the cryogenic cooling liner 116. The general cooling liner 115 may be connected to the general cooling liner 114 via an air duct.

[0063] The Stirling refrigeration system may include at least one Stirling refrigerator 120, at least one cooling device 150 thermally connected to the cold end of the at least one Stirling refrigerator 120, and at least one heat sink 160 thermally connected to the hot end of the at least one Stirling refrigerator 120. In the illustrated embodiment, there is one Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0064] Specifically, each Stirling refrigerator 120 may include a housing, a cylinder, a piston, and a drive mechanism for driving the piston. The housing may be composed of a main body 121 and a cylindrical portion 122. The drive mechanism may be disposed within the main body 121. The piston may be configured to reciprocate within the cylindrical portion 122 to form a cold end and a hot end.

[0065] The rear bottom of the outer box 111 may further define a device chamber 117. Specifically, the Stirling refrigerator 120 may be disposed within the device chamber 117 to facilitate installation and maintenance of the Stirling refrigerator 120, improve the stability of the Stirling refrigerator 120, and, to a certain extent, prevent vibrations generated by the Stirling refrigerator 120 from being transmitted to the box body and causing resonance problems.

[0066] In some embodiments, the refrigerator-freezer 100 may further include a bottom steel fixedly connected to the outer box 111. The bottom steel may be disposed at the bottom of the device chamber 117 to support the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0067] In some embodiments, the cold end of the Stirling cooler 120 may be disposed above the hot end thereof to facilitate transfer of the cold energy generated by the cold end to the cryogenic chamber.

[0068] In some embodiments, the compressor 131 and the condenser 132 can also be arranged in the device chamber 117 to make the structure compact and the box body have a larger storage space. It is also beneficial to the installation, maintenance and line layout of the compressor 131, condenser 132 and Stirling refrigerator 120, thereby reducing production costs.

[0069] In some embodiments, the refrigerator-freezer 100 may further include a heat-insulating cover 175. The heat-insulating cover 175 may be configured to separate the cold end and the hot end of the Stirling refrigerator 120 into an inner side and an outer side thereof, thereby preventing the cold end from being disturbed by the heat of the hot end. This allows most or even all of the cold energy generated by the cold end to be transferred to the cryogenic chamber, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0070] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing device 100 may further include a cover 170, which is arranged on the outside of the main body 121 of the Stirling refrigerator 120 to prevent the heat generated by the compressor 131 from affecting the working efficiency of the Stirling refrigerator 120, and to shield the vibration noise generated by the Stirling refrigerator 120, thereby reducing the noise transmitted to the surrounding environment and improving the user experience.

[0071] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic rear view of the refrigerator-freezer 100 is shown with one half shell, one resilient foot, and the insulation cover 175 removed; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic partial enlarged view of area A in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The housing 170 may be composed of two half-shells that are mirror-symmetrical about the longitudinal central symmetry plane of the Stirling refrigerator 120. That is, the two half-shells of the housing 170 may be mirror-symmetrical about a plane coplanar with the piston movement direction of the Stirling refrigerator 120, so as to facilitate the assembly of the Stirling refrigerator 120 and the housing 170, as well as the extraction of the cold end and the hot end of the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0072] The cooling device 150 may include a cold end adapter thermally connected to the cold end of the Stirling refrigerator 120 and a plurality of heat pipes thermally connected to the cold end adapter.

[0073] The cold end adapter may be provided with a plurality of tube holes. One end of a plurality of heat and cold conducting tubes may be respectively disposed in the plurality of tube holes and thermally connected to the cold end adapter to receive the cold energy from the cold end and conduct the cold energy out.

[0074] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Schematic side view of the heat exchanger 140. Figure 6 The heat exchanger 140 may include a cold conduction plate 142 and a cold end adapter 141 thermally connected to the cold conduction plate 142 .

[0075] The cooling plate 142 may be provided with a plurality of refrigerant pipe holes, and the evaporation tube 133 may extend in a serpentine shape and pass through the plurality of refrigerant pipe holes, so as to increase the contact area between the evaporation tube 133 and the cooling plate 142 .

[0076] The cooling end adapter 141 may be provided with a plurality of heat pipe holes. The other ends of the plurality of heat pipes may be respectively disposed in the plurality of heat pipe holes and thermally connected to the cooling end adapter 141 to transfer the received cooling energy to the cooling plate 142 .

[0077] In some embodiments, the refrigerator / freezer 100 may further include at least one electric heating tube 180 . Each electric heating tube 180 may be configured to be partially embedded in the cold conducting plate 142 to defrost the heat exchanger 140 .

[0078] In some embodiments, the refrigerator-freezer 100 may further include a cooling fan 134 disposed in the cryogenic chamber to more effectively exchange heat between hot air and cold air in the cryogenic chamber.

[0079] Figure 7 FIG is a schematic structural diagram of a controller 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The controller 190 may include a processing unit 191 and a storage unit 192. The storage unit 192 stores a computer program 193, which is used to implement the control method of the embodiment of the present invention when executed by the processing unit 191.

[0080] In particular, the refrigerator-freezer 100 is provided with a normal mode. In the normal mode, Figure 7 FIG is a schematic structural diagram of a controller 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The controller 190 may include a processing unit 191 and a storage unit 192. The storage unit 192 stores a computer program 193, which is used to implement the control method of the embodiment of the present invention when executed by the processing unit 191.

[0081] In particular, the refrigerator / freezer 100 is provided with a normal mode. In the normal mode, the controller 190 can be configured to control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to alternately cool the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0082] In the present invention, the set cryogenic temperature is the set preservation temperature of the cryogenic chamber input by the user or set by the system default.

[0083] The refrigeration and freezing device 100 of the present invention operates the two systems, starting with the Stirling refrigeration system and alternating with the vapor compression refrigeration system, to supply cold air to the cryogenic chamber, so that both systems are in optimal working conditions. This not only improves the overall cooling efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing device 100 for the cryogenic chamber, but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing device 100 and extends the service life of the compressor 131 and the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0084] In each alternating cooling cycle, the Stirling refrigeration system may first provide cooling for the cryogenic compartment, thereby keeping both systems in optimal working condition and further improving the overall cooling efficiency of the refrigerator-freezer 100 for the cryogenic compartment.

[0085] In some embodiments, the controller 190 can be configured to control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to alternately cool in each refrigeration cycle when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature; when the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset switching temperature, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system are controlled to alternately cool only in the first refrigeration cycle, so as to improve the refrigeration efficiency while meeting the user's usage needs.

[0086] In the present invention, a refrigeration cycle refers to the period from when the vapor compression refrigeration system and / or the Stirling refrigeration system begins supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment until the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system cease supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, i.e., the period from when cooling is supplied to the cryogenic compartment until refrigeration is complete. The first refrigeration cycle in which the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset switching temperature refers to the first refrigeration cycle in which the set cryogenic temperature is adjusted from greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature to less than the preset switching temperature. The preset switching temperature may be greater than the minimum cooling temperature of the vapor compression refrigeration system. For example, if the minimum cooling temperature of the vapor compression refrigeration system is 40°C, the switching temperature may be -25°C.

[0087] The controller 190 may be configured to, when the set cryogenic temperature is lower than the preset switching temperature, control the vapor compression refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment and the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment in refrigeration cycles other than the first refrigeration cycle, so that the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment drops quickly to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0088] In some embodiments, the controller 190 may be configured to determine the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 based on the difference between the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the ambient temperature around the refrigerator-freezer 100. That is, during the refrigeration process, the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 is re-determined in real time based on the change in the temperature difference, thereby conserving energy while ensuring refrigeration efficiency.

[0089] Under the same ambient temperature, the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 may be positively correlated with the difference between the chamber temperature of the cryogenic chamber and the set cryogenic temperature, that is, the difference between the chamber temperature of the cryogenic chamber and the set cryogenic temperature.

[0090] When the difference between the chamber temperature of the cryogenic chamber and the set cryogenic temperature is the same, the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 may be substantially positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0091] Table 1 shows the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 corresponding to the difference between the compartment temperature of different cryogenic compartments and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The unit of the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 is watt (W), and the unit of the temperature difference and the ambient temperature is degrees Celsius (°C).

[0092] Table 1

[0093]

[0094] The controller 190 may adjust the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 by adjusting the input voltage of the Stirling refrigerator 120 .

[0095] In some embodiments, the controller 190 can also be configured to determine the operating speed of the compressor 131 based on the set deep cooling temperature, the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100, so as to make the power distribution of the refrigeration and freezing device 100 more reasonable, and achieve efficient cooling for the deep cooling compartment without reducing the efficiency of supplying cold to the general cooling compartment.

[0096] In the present invention, the set general cooling temperature is the set storage temperature of the general cooling compartment input by the user or the system default.

[0097] When the set deep cooling temperature and the ambient temperature are the same, the operating speed of the compressor 131 may be roughly negatively correlated with the set general cooling temperature.

[0098] When the set cryogenic temperature and the set general cooling temperature are the same, the operating speed of the compressor 131 may be roughly positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0099] When the general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature are set to the same, when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset cryogenic temperature, the operating speed of the compressor 131 can be greater than or equal to its operating speed when the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset cryogenic temperature, so as to improve the cooling efficiency.

[0100] For example, the preset cryogenic temperature is -21°C. Under the same other conditions, when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to -21°C, the operating speed of the compressor may be greater than or equal to the operating speed when the set temperature is less than -21°C.

[0101] Specifically, Table 2 shows the operating speed of the compressor 131 corresponding to different set general cooling temperatures and different ambient temperatures around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 when the compressor 131 provides cooling for the cryogenic compartment in normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset cryogenic temperature, wherein the unit of the operating speed of the compressor 131 is revolutions per minute (rpm), and the units of the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature are degrees Celsius (°C).

[0102] Table 2

[0103]

[0104] Table 3 shows the operating speed of the compressor 131 corresponding to different set general cooling temperatures and different ambient temperatures around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 when the compressor 131 provides cooling for the cryogenic compartment in normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and the set cryogenic temperature is lower than the preset cryogenic temperature. The unit of the operating speed of the compressor 131 is revolutions per minute (rpm), and the units of the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature are degrees Celsius (°C).

[0105] Table 3

[0106]

[0107] In some embodiments, the controller 190 can be configured to determine the cooling time for each time the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic compartment and the cooling time for each time the compressor refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle based on the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 to avoid unwanted energy waste.

[0108] Under the same ambient temperature, the cooling time for each time the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic compartment and the cooling time for each time the compressor refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle may be roughly inversely proportional to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0109] Under the condition that the set cryogenic temperature is the same, the cooling time of each time the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling to the cryogenic compartment and the cooling time of each time the compressor refrigeration system provides cooling to the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle may be approximately proportional to the ambient temperature.

[0110] Table 4 shows the cooling time of the compressor refrigeration system for the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle corresponding to different set general cooling temperatures and different ambient temperatures around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 when the compressor 131 provides cooling for the cryogenic compartment in normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unit of the working time of the compressor 131 is minutes (min), and the unit of the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature is degrees Celsius (℃).

[0111] Table 4

[0112]

[0113] In some embodiments, in each alternating cooling cycle, the cooling time of the subsequent refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment may be greater than or equal to the cooling time of the previous refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, so as to avoid frequent switching between the two refrigeration systems while ensuring the performance of the two refrigeration systems.

[0114] For a refrigerator in which the minimum refrigeration temperature of the vapor compression refrigeration system is lower than the minimum refrigeration temperature of the Stirling refrigeration system, the cooling time of the two refrigeration systems can be set so that the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling to the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment lower than the set cryogenic temperature when the set cryogenic temperature is lower than the minimum refrigeration temperature of the vapor compression refrigeration system.

[0115] In some further embodiments, the controller 190 may be configured to determine the duty cycle (the ratio of the operating speed to the rated speed) of the cooling fan 134 based on the set cryogenic temperature when the vapor compression refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic compartment. In this case, the duty cycle may be less than 100% to ensure more efficient heat exchange between the hot air and the cold air in the cryogenic compartment, improve cooling efficiency, avoid undesirable energy waste, and extend the service life of the cooling fan. The duty cycle of the cooling fan 134 may be inversely proportional to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0116] Specifically, Table 5 shows the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan 134 corresponding to different set cryogenic temperatures when the compressor 131 provides cooling for the cryogenic chamber in normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unit of the set cryogenic temperature is degrees Celsius (°C).

[0117] Table 5

[0118]

[0119] In some further embodiments, the controller 190 may be configured to control the cooling fan 134 to operate at a 100% duty cycle when the Stirling refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic chamber, so as to further improve the cooling efficiency and avoid excessive concentration of cooling energy that reduces the service life of the cooling fan 134.

[0120] In some embodiments, the refrigerator-freezer 100 may also be provided with a quick freezing mode. The quick freezing mode may be activated upon receiving a quick freezing mode activation command input by a user, or upon the first power-on of the refrigerator-freezer 100 (i.e., from the first power-on of the refrigerator-freezer 100 to the time when the temperature of the deep freezing compartment is lower than the set deep freezing temperature), or even upon the first two power-ons, or immediately after defrosting of the deep freezing compartment is completed, to improve the preservation quality of food in the deep freezing compartment.

[0121] In the quick freezing mode, the controller 190 can be configured to control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to provide cooling for the cryogenic compartment in each refrigeration cycle when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature; when the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset switching temperature, only in the first refrigeration cycle, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system are controlled to cool the cryogenic compartment for a preset time. If the compartment temperature is still greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature after the preset time, the Stirling refrigeration system is controlled to cool the cryogenic compartment, and the vapor compression refrigeration system stops cooling the cryogenic compartment, so as to further improve the efficiency of cooling the cryogenic compartment.

[0122] The controller 190 may be configured to control the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic compartment and the vapor compression refrigeration system to stop cooling the cryogenic compartment in other refrigeration cycles except the first refrigeration cycle when the set cryogenic temperature is lower than the preset switching temperature.

[0123] Specifically, Table 6 shows the operating speed of the compressor 131 corresponding to different set general cooling temperatures and different ambient temperatures around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 when the compressor 131 provides cooling for the deep freezing chamber in the quick freezing mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unit of the operating speed of the compressor 131 is revolutions per minute (rpm), and the units of the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature are degrees Celsius (°C).

[0124] Table 6

[0125]

[0126] In some embodiments, in the quick-freeze mode, the controller 190 may be configured to control the refrigeration fan 134 to operate at a 100% duty cycle to further improve the refrigeration efficiency and avoid excessive concentration of cooling energy that reduces the service life of the refrigeration fan 134 .

[0127] In some embodiments, in normal mode and quick freezing mode, the controller 190 may be configured to control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to stop providing cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature is lower than the set cryogenic temperature.

[0128] In some embodiments, the refrigerator-freezer 100 may further include a detection device for detecting the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment.

[0129] In the normal mode and the quick freezing mode, the controller 190 can be configured to, when judging whether the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, use the difference between the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value as the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment; when judging whether the compartment temperature is less than the set cryogenic temperature, use the sum of the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value as the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment to avoid frequent switching on and off of the vapor compression refrigeration system that supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment or frequent opening and closing of the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0130] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 (In the present invention, "Y" in the accompanying drawings represents "yes" and "N" represents "no"). The control method for the refrigerator-freezer 100 of the present invention executed by the controller 190 of any of the above embodiments may include the following steps:

[0131] Step S802: determining whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0132] Step S804: If yes, control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to alternately provide cooling for the cryogenic chamber.

[0133] The control method of the present invention enables the two systems to operate alternately, starting with the Stirling refrigeration system and the vapor compression refrigeration system, to supply cold air to the cryogenic chamber, so that both systems are in optimal working conditions. This not only improves the overall refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing device supplying cold air to the cryogenic chamber, but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing device and extends the service life of the compressor and the Stirling refrigerator.

[0134] In step S804, in each alternating cooling cycle, the Stirling refrigeration system may first provide cooling for the cryogenic compartment, so as to keep both systems in optimal working condition and further improve the overall cooling efficiency of the refrigerator-freezer 100 for the cryogenic compartment.

[0135] In some embodiments, after step S802, the following steps may also be included:

[0136] Determine whether the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature;

[0137] If so, in each cooling cycle, step S804 is executed;

[0138] If not, in the first refrigeration cycle, execute step S804; in other refrigeration cycles except the first refrigeration cycle, control the vapor compression refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber, so as to improve the refrigeration efficiency while meeting the user's usage needs.

[0139] In some embodiments, the operating speed of the compressor 131 can be determined based on the set deep cooling temperature, the set general cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100, so as to make the power distribution of the refrigeration and freezing device 100 more reasonable, and achieve efficient cooling for the deep cooling compartment without reducing the efficiency of supplying cooling to the general cooling compartment.

[0140] In some embodiments, the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 can be determined based on the difference between the cryogenic compartment temperature and the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature of the refrigerator / freezer 100 , so as to save energy while ensuring refrigeration efficiency.

[0141] In each alternating refrigeration cycle, the cooling time for the vapor compression refrigeration system and the cooling time for the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic compartment can be determined according to the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 to avoid unwanted energy waste.

[0142] In each alternating refrigeration cycle, the cooling time of the latter refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment can be greater than or equal to the cooling time of the former refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, so as to avoid frequent switching between the two refrigeration systems while ensuring the performance of the two refrigeration systems.

[0143] In some embodiments, the duty cycle (the ratio of operating speed to rated speed) of cooling fan 134 can be determined based on the set cryogenic temperature when the vapor compression refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic compartment. The duty cycle can be less than 100% to ensure more efficient heat exchange between hot and cold air within the cryogenic compartment, improve cooling efficiency, avoid undesirable energy waste, and extend the service life of the cooling fan. The duty cycle of cooling fan 134 can be inversely proportional to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0144] When the Stirling refrigeration system is supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber, the cooling fan 134 may operate at a 100% duty cycle to further improve the cooling efficiency and avoid excessive concentration of cooling energy that would reduce the service life of the cooling fan 134 .

[0145] Figure 9 is a detailed flow chart of the control method for the refrigeration and freezing device 100 according to the present invention. Figure 9 The control method for the refrigeration and freezing device 100 of the present invention may specifically include the following steps:

[0146] Step S902: Determine whether a quick-freeze mode activation command has been received, the refrigerator-freezer 100 has been powered on for the first time, or defrosting of the deep freeze compartment has been completed. If so, execute step S904 to start the quick-freeze mode. If not, determine that a normal mode activation command has been received, execute step S912 to start the normal mode.

[0147] Step S904: Determine whether the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature. If so, execute step S906; if not, execute step S920. In some embodiments, during each quick-freeze mode operation cycle, when step S904 is first executed, to determine whether the cryogenic compartment requires cooling, the cryogenic compartment temperature may be the difference between the detected temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value. When step S904 is executed again, to determine whether the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment is less than the set cryogenic temperature, that is, to determine whether cooling of the cryogenic compartment has been completed, the cryogenic compartment temperature may be the sum of the detected temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value, to avoid frequent switching on and off of the portion of the vapor compression refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment or frequent opening and closing of the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0148] Step S906: Determine whether the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature. If so, execute step S908; if not, execute step S910.

[0149] Step S908: Control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to provide cooling for the cryogenic chamber to improve refrigeration efficiency, and return to step S902.

[0150] Step S910: During the first cooling cycle, the vapor compression cooling system and the Stirling cooling system provide cooling to the cryogenic chamber for a preset time. After the preset time, the vapor compression cooling system stops cooling the cryogenic chamber, and the Stirling cooling system continues to cool the cryogenic chamber. During subsequent cooling cycles, only the Stirling cooling system provides cooling to the cryogenic chamber. The process then returns to step S902.

[0151] Step S912: Determine whether the cryogenic compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature. If so, execute step S914; if not, execute step S920. In some embodiments, during each normal mode operation cycle, when step S912 is first executed, to determine whether the cryogenic compartment requires cooling, the cryogenic compartment temperature may be the difference between the detected temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value. When step S912 is executed again, to determine whether the cryogenic compartment temperature is less than the set cryogenic temperature, that is, to determine whether cooling of the cryogenic compartment has been completed, the cryogenic compartment temperature may be the sum of the detected temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value, to avoid frequent switching on and off of the vapor compression refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment or frequent opening and closing of the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0152] Step S914: Determine whether the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature. If so, execute step S916; if not, execute step S918.

[0153] Step S916: Control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to perform refrigeration alternately, and return to step S902.

[0154] Step S918: In the first refrigeration cycle, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system alternately provide refrigeration; in other refrigeration cycles, only the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic chamber. Then, the process returns to step S902.

[0155] Step S920: Control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and return to step S902.

[0156] Furthermore, the controller 190 may be configured to gradually increase the input voltage of the Stirling refrigerator 120 each time the Stirling refrigerator 120 is fully powered on, to prevent the Stirling refrigerator 120 from crashing. For example, after the Stirling refrigerator 120 is powered on, the input voltage may be increased from 0 volts (V) to the rated voltage at a predetermined step size at each predetermined time interval.

[0157] At this point, those skilled in the art will recognize that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the present invention may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A control method for a refrigeration and freezing device, the refrigeration and freezing device comprising a housing defining a cryogenic chamber, a vapor compression refrigeration system and a Stirling refrigeration system for providing cooling to the cryogenic chamber, wherein: The control method includes: Determining whether the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment is greater than or equal to a set cryogenic temperature, where the set cryogenic temperature is a set storage temperature of the cryogenic compartment input by a user or a default setting of the system; If yes, control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to alternately supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber; wherein, In each refrigeration cycle of alternating refrigeration, the Stirling refrigeration system first provides cooling for the cryogenic chamber. The refrigeration cycle is a period from when the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic chamber to when both the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system stop providing cooling for the cryogenic chamber.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Determining whether the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to a preset switching temperature; If yes, in each refrigeration cycle, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system are controlled to alternately refrigerate; If not, in the first refrigeration cycle, the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system are controlled to perform refrigeration alternately.

3. The control method according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also includes: When the set cryogenic temperature is lower than the preset switching temperature, in other refrigeration cycles except the first refrigeration cycle, the Stirling refrigeration system is controlled to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment, and the vapor compression refrigeration system stops supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment.

4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the housing further defines a general cooling compartment, and the vapor compression refrigeration system is further configured to provide cooling to the general cooling compartment; The control method further includes: Determining the cooling time for the compressor refrigeration system to provide cooling to the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle according to the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature of the refrigeration and freezing device; and / or The operating speed of the compressor of the vapor compression refrigeration system is determined according to the set deep cooling temperature, the set general cooling temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device.

5. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: determining the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator of the Stirling refrigeration system according to the difference between the compartment temperature and the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device; and / or The cooling time for the Stirling refrigeration system to provide cooling for the cryogenic compartment in each alternating refrigeration cycle is determined according to the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device.

6. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The deep cold room is provided with a refrigeration fan, and the control method includes: When the vapor compression refrigeration system is supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is determined according to a set cryogenic temperature, and the duty cycle is less than 100%; and / or When the Stirling refrigeration system provides cooling for the cryogenic chamber, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is 100%.

7. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Determine whether the compartment temperature is lower than the set cryogenic temperature; If so, controlling the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to stop providing cooling to the cryogenic chamber; If not, the vapor compression refrigeration system or the Stirling refrigeration system is controlled to continue to provide cooling capacity for the cryogenic chamber.

8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein the refrigerator-freezer further comprises a detection device for detecting the temperature of the compartment, wherein: When determining whether the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, the compartment temperature is the difference between the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value; and / or When determining whether the compartment temperature is lower than the set cryogenic temperature, the compartment temperature is the sum of the detection temperature detected by the detection device and a preset temperature fluctuation value.

9. A refrigeration and freezing device comprising: The box body defines a deep cold compartment; A vapor compression refrigeration system and a Stirling refrigeration system for providing cooling to the cryogenic chamber; as well as A controller configured to execute the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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