Control method for a refrigeration device and refrigeration device

Abstract

This invention provides a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device and the refrigeration and freezing device itself. The refrigeration and freezing device includes a housing defining a cryogenic compartment, a vapor compression refrigeration system for cooling the cryogenic compartment, and a Stirling refrigeration system. The control method includes: when the temperature of the cryogenic compartment is greater than or equal to a set cryogenic temperature, determining whether the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to a preset switching temperature; if yes, controlling the vapor compression refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic compartment and stopping the Stirling refrigeration system from cooling the cryogenic compartment; if no, controlling the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic compartment and stopping the vapor compression refrigeration system from cooling the cryogenic compartment. This not only improves the overall cooling efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing device to the cryogenic compartment but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing device and extends the service life of the Stirling refrigeration unit.

Description

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

[0002] The original application was filed on December 27, 2019.

[0003] The original application number was 201911382785.2.

[0004] The original invention application was titled: "Control method for refrigeration and freezing apparatus and refrigeration and freezing apparatus". Technical Field

[0005] This 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 thereof. Background Technology

[0006] As people place greater emphasis on health, the amount of high-end food items stored in households is also increasing. Studies have shown that storing food below its glass transition temperature results in relatively stable food properties and a significantly extended shelf life. The glass transition temperature of most food items is concentrated between -80℃ and -30℃.

[0007] Current household refrigerators all use vapor compression for refrigeration. Refrigerators using semiconductor and magnetic refrigeration methods have been developed in recent years, but due to limitations in refrigeration efficiency, the internal temperature is difficult to reach below -30°C. Aerospace, medical, and other fields use Stirling refrigeration systems, which can achieve temperatures below -200°C. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus that can improve the overall refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing apparatus.

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

[0010] Another further objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to avoid frequent switching between vapor compression refrigeration systems and Stirling refrigeration systems.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration and freezing apparatus.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus is provided, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus comprising a housing defining a cryogenic compartment, a vapor compression refrigeration system for supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, and a Stirling refrigeration system, characterized in that the control method comprises:

[0013] When the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, determine whether the temperature of the chamber is greater than or equal to a preset switching temperature.

[0014] If so, the vapor compression refrigeration system is controlled to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and the Stirling refrigeration system stops supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber;

[0015] If not, control the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic chamber, and stop the vapor compression refrigeration system from cooling the cryogenic chamber.

[0016] Optionally, the enclosure further defines a general-purpose cooling compartment, and the vapor compression refrigeration system is further configured to supply cooling to the general-purpose cooling compartment; characterized in that the control method further includes:

[0017] The operating speed of the compressor in the vapor compression refrigeration system is determined based on the set cryogenic temperature, the set general cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device.

[0018] Optionally, when the set cryogenic temperature, the set general cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature are all the same, the operating speed of the compressor when the Stirling refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment and the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling to the general cooling compartment is less than or equal to the operating speed of the compressor when the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment.

[0019] Optionally, when the set general cooling temperature and ambient temperature are the same, and the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling for the cryogenic chamber, the operating speed of the compressor when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the operating speed when the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset cryogenic temperature.

[0020] Optionally, a refrigeration fan is installed in the cryogenic chamber, characterized in that,

[0021] When the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is determined according to the set cryogenic temperature, and the duty cycle is less than 100%.

[0022] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0023] The operating power of the Stirling refrigerator in the Stirling refrigeration system is determined based on the difference between the compartment temperature and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing unit.

[0024] Optionally, a refrigeration fan is installed in the cryogenic chamber, characterized in that,

[0025] When the Stirling refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic chamber, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is 100%.

[0026] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0027] Determine whether the temperature of the chamber is lower than the set cryogenic temperature;

[0028] If so, control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber;

[0029] If not, control the vapor compression refrigeration system or the Stirling refrigeration system to continue cooling the cryogenic chamber.

[0030] Optionally, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further includes a detection device for detecting the temperature of the compartment, characterized in that,

[0031] When determining whether the chamber temperature is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, the chamber temperature is the difference between the detected temperature by the detection device and a preset temperature fluctuation value; and / or

[0032] When determining whether the chamber temperature is lower than the set cryogenic temperature, the chamber temperature is the sum of the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value; and / or

[0033] When the vapor compression refrigeration system cools the cryogenic chamber, and when determining whether the chamber temperature is greater than or equal to a preset switching temperature, the chamber temperature is the difference between the detected temperature by the detection device and a preset temperature fluctuation value; and / or

[0034] When the Stirling refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and when determining whether the chamber temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature, the chamber temperature is the sum of the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigeration and freezing apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0036] The enclosure is limited to one cryogenic chamber;

[0037] A vapor compression refrigeration system and a Stirling refrigeration system are used to cool the cryogenic chamber; and

[0038] The controller is configured to perform any of the control methods described above.

[0039] In normal mode, the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature, and then switches to the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature is less than the preset switching temperature. This not only improves the overall refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing unit to the cryogenic compartment, but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing unit and extends the service life of the Stirling refrigeration unit.

[0040] Furthermore, this invention determines the compressor operating speed of the vapor compression refrigeration system based on the set cryogenic temperature, the set general cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device. It also determines the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator in the Stirling refrigeration system based on the difference between the temperature of the cryogenic compartment and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device. This not only enables efficient cooling of the cryogenic compartment without reducing the efficiency of cooling the general cooling compartment, but also ensures that the power of the refrigeration and freezing device is rationally allocated, avoiding unwanted energy waste and improving the user experience.

[0041] Furthermore, by setting a temperature fluctuation value to correct the temperature value detected by the detection device, the present invention avoids frequent switching between the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system, avoids frequent on / off switching of the vapor compression refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber or frequent opening and closing of the Stirling refrigeration system, and further extends the service life of the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0042] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The following sections will describe some specific embodiments of the invention in detail by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or portions. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial rear view of the refrigeration and freezing unit shown;

[0046] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic rear view of the refrigeration and freezing unit shown, in which the unit compartment cover has been removed;

[0047] Figure 4 yes Figure 3The schematic rear view of the refrigeration and freezing unit shown has one half-shell, one flexible foot, and the insulation cover removed;

[0048] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic enlarged view of a portion of the central region A;

[0049] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of a heat exchanger;

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 9 This is a detailed flowchart of the control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic partial rear view of the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 shown; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic rear view of the refrigeration and freezing unit 100 shown, wherein the cover 118 of the device compartment 117 is removed. See also Figures 1 to 3 The refrigeration and freezing device 100 may include a cabinet 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 at least one storage compartment, a vapor compression refrigeration system for cooling at least one storage compartment, and a controller 190 for controlling the operation of the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system. The refrigeration and freezing device 100 may be a refrigerator, freezer, or freezer.

[0054] The enclosure may include an outer casing 111, at least one inner liner disposed within the outer casing 111, and a heat insulation layer 112 disposed between the outer casing 111 and the at least one inner liner. The at least one inner liner defines at least one storage compartment.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the cabinet includes a general-purpose refrigeration liner 113, a general-purpose refrigeration liner 114, a general-purpose refrigeration liner 115, and a cryogenic refrigeration liner 116. The vapor compression refrigeration system can be configured to supply cooling to the refrigerated compartment defined by the general-purpose refrigeration liner 113, the general-purpose refrigeration compartment defined by the general-purpose refrigeration liner 114 and the general-purpose refrigeration liner 115, and the cryogenic compartment defined by the cryogenic refrigeration liner 116. The Stirling refrigeration system can be configured to supply cooling only to the cryogenic compartment defined by the cryogenic refrigeration liner 116.

[0056] For example, the storage temperature of a cold storage room can be 0 to +8℃; the storage temperature of a regular cold storage room can be -14 to -24℃; and the storage temperature of a deep-freeze room can cover that of a regular cold storage room, ranging from -14 to 80℃.

[0057] Specifically, the vapor compression refrigeration system may include a compressor 131, a condenser, at least one throttling element, and multiple evaporator tubes 133. The multiple evaporator tubes 133 may be respectively disposed within a general-purpose refrigeration liner 113, a general-purpose refrigeration liner 114, and a cryogenic refrigeration liner 116. A general-purpose refrigeration liner 115 may be connected to a general-purpose refrigeration liner 114 via an air duct.

[0058] A Stirling refrigeration system may include at least one Stirling refrigerator 120, at least one cooling device 150 thermally connected to the cold end of each of the at least one Stirling refrigerator 120, and at least one heat dissipation device 160 thermally connected to the hot end of each of the at least one Stirling refrigerator 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of Stirling refrigerators 120 is one.

[0059] Specifically, each Stirling refrigerator 120 may include a housing, a cylinder, a piston, and a drive mechanism for driving the piston. The housing may consist 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.

[0060] The rear bottom of the outer casing 111 may also define a component chamber 117. In particular, the Stirling refrigerator 120 may be installed in the component chamber 117 to facilitate the installation and maintenance of the Stirling refrigerator 120, improve the stability of the Stirling refrigerator 120, and to a certain extent prevent the vibration generated by the Stirling refrigerator 120 from being transmitted to the casing and causing resonance problems.

[0061] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 may further include a bottom steel frame fixedly connected to the outer casing 111. The bottom steel frame may be disposed at the bottom of the device compartment 117 for supporting the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0062] In some embodiments, the cold end of the Stirling refrigerator 120 may be positioned above its hot end to facilitate the transfer of cooling energy generated at the cold end to the cryogenic chamber.

[0063] In some embodiments, the compressor 131 and condenser 132 may also be housed within the device compartment 117 to make the structure compact, the housing have a large storage space, and facilitate the installation, maintenance and wiring layout of the compressor 131, condenser 132 and Stirling refrigerator 120, thereby reducing production costs.

[0064] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 may further include an insulation cover 175. The insulation cover 175 may be configured to separate the cold end and the hot end of the Stirling refrigerator 120 to its inner and outer sides, so as to avoid the cold end being disturbed by the heat of the hot end, so that most or even all of the cooling capacity generated by the cold end is transferred to the deep cooling compartment, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0065] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing device 100 may further include a housing 170, which covers 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.

[0066] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The schematic rear view of the refrigeration and freezing unit 100 shown shows that one half-shell, one elastic foot, and the insulation cover 175 have been removed. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic enlarged view of a central region A. See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 The casing 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 casing 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 casing 170, as well as the exit of the cold and hot ends of the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0067] The cooling device 150 may include a cold-end adapter that is thermally connected to the cold end of the Stirling refrigerator 120 and a plurality of cooling heat pipes that are thermally connected to the cold-end adapter.

[0068] The cold end adapter can have multiple pipe holes. One end of each of the multiple heat pipes can be installed in one of the multiple pipe holes and thermally connected to the cold end adapter to receive the cold energy from the cold end and export the cold energy.

[0069] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Schematic side view of the intermediate heat exchanger 140. See also Figure 6 The heat exchanger 140 may include a cold plate 142 and a cooling end adapter 141 thermally connected to the cold plate 142.

[0070] The cooling plate 142 may have multiple refrigerant pipe holes, and the evaporator tube 133 may extend in a serpentine manner and pass through multiple refrigerant pipe holes to increase the contact area between the evaporator tube 133 and the cooling plate 142.

[0071] The cooling adapter 141 may have multiple heat pipe holes. The other ends of the multiple heat pipes may be respectively disposed in the multiple heat pipe holes and thermally connected to the cooling adapter 141 to transfer the received cold energy to the cooling plate 142.

[0072] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 may further include at least one electric heating element 180. Each electric heating element 180 may be configured to be partially embedded in the cold guide plate 142 for defrosting the heat exchanger 140.

[0073] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 may further include a refrigeration fan 134 disposed in the deep-cold compartment to make the heat exchange between the hot air and the cold air in the deep-cold compartment more complete.

[0074] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of a controller 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... 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, when executed by the processing unit 191, is used to implement the control method of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] Specifically, the refrigeration and freezing unit 100 is equipped with a normal mode. In normal mode, the controller 190 can be configured to control the vapor compression refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment and control the Stirling refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature and greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature; and to control the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment and control the vapor compression refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment is less than the preset switching temperature and greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0076] In this invention, the cryogenic temperature is set to the user-input or system default storage temperature of the cryogenic chamber. The preset switching temperature can be higher 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 can be -25°C.

[0077] In normal mode, the refrigeration and freezing device 100 of the present invention supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment by a vapor compression refrigeration system when the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to a preset switching temperature, and switches to a Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature is less than the preset switching temperature. This not only improves the overall cooling efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing device 100 to the cryogenic compartment, but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing device 100 and extends the service life of the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0078] 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 temperature of the cryogenic compartment and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the ambient temperature around the refrigeration unit 100. That is, during the refrigeration process, the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 is re-determined in real time based on changes in the temperature difference, so as to save energy while ensuring refrigeration efficiency.

[0079] Under the same ambient temperature, the operating power of the Stirling Refrigeration Unit 120 is approximately positively correlated with the difference between the temperature of the cryogenic chamber and the set cryogenic temperature, that is, the difference between the temperature of the cryogenic chamber and the set cryogenic temperature.

[0080] When the temperature difference between the cryogenic chamber and the set cryogenic temperature is the same, the operating power of the Stirling 120 refrigerator can be roughly positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0081] Table 1 shows the difference between the temperature of different cryogenic compartments and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 corresponding to the ambient temperature around the different refrigeration and freezing devices 100, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 is expressed in watts (W), and the temperature difference and ambient temperature are expressed in degrees Celsius (°C).

[0082] Table 1

[0083]

[0084] The controller 190 can adjust the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 by adjusting the input voltage of the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0085] In some embodiments, the controller 190 may also be configured to determine the operating speed of the compressor 131 based on the set deep-cold temperature, the set general-cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing unit 100, so as to make the power distribution of the refrigeration and freezing unit 100 more reasonable and achieve efficient cooling for the deep-cold room without reducing the efficiency of cooling the general-cooling room.

[0086] In this invention, the general cooling temperature is set to the storage temperature of the general cooling room, which is either input by the user or the system default.

[0087] When the set cryogenic temperature and ambient temperature are the same, the operating speed of compressor 131 can be roughly negatively correlated with the set general cooling temperature.

[0088] When the set cryogenic temperature and the set general cooling temperature are the same, the operating speed of compressor 131 can be roughly positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0089] In some further embodiments, when the set general cooling temperature and ambient temperature are the same and the vapor compression refrigeration system is used to cool the cryogenic room, the compressor's operating speed when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset cryogenic temperature can be greater than or equal to the operating speed when the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset cryogenic temperature, so as to improve the efficiency of cooling the cryogenic room.

[0090] For example, if the preset switching temperature is -25℃ and the preset cryogenic temperature is -21℃, then under the same conditions, when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to -21℃, the compressor's operating speed can be greater than or equal to its operating speed when the set temperature is greater than or equal to -25℃ and less than -21℃.

[0091] Specifically, Table 2 shows the operating speed of the compressor 131 in the normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the compressor 131 supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment and the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset cryogenic temperature, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 is different. The unit of the operating speed of the compressor 131 is revolutions per minute (rpm), and the units of the set cryogenic temperature and the ambient temperature are degrees Celsius (°C).

[0092] Table 2

[0093]

[0094] Table 3 shows the operating speed of compressor 131 in a normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when compressor 131 supplies cooling to the cryogenic compartment and the set cryogenic temperature is lower than the preset cryogenic temperature, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100 is different. The unit of operating speed of compressor 131 is revolutions per minute (rpm), and the unit of set cryogenic temperature and ambient temperature is degrees Celsius (°C).

[0095] Table 3

[0096]

[0097] In some further embodiments, when the set cryogenic temperature, set general cooling temperature, and ambient temperature are all the same, the operating speed of compressor 131 when the Stirling refrigeration system cools the cryogenic compartment and the vapor compression refrigeration system cools the general cooling compartment can be less than or equal to the operating speed of compressor 131 when the vapor compression refrigeration system cools the cryogenic compartment. That is, the operating speed of compressor 131 when cooling only the cryogenic compartment or simultaneously cooling the cryogenic compartment and at least one other compartment (refrigerated compartment and general cooling compartment) is greater than or equal to its operating speed when it stops cooling the cryogenic compartment and cools at least one other compartment, so as to make the power distribution more reasonable.

[0098] Table 4 shows the operating speed of the compressor 131 in the normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the compressor 131 only supplies cooling to at least one other storage compartment, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing device 100, for different set general cooling temperatures. 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).

[0099] Table 4

[0100]

[0101] In some embodiments, in normal mode, the controller 190 can be configured to determine the duty cycle (ratio of operating speed to rated speed) of the refrigeration fan 134 based on the set cryogenic temperature when the vapor compression refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic chamber. In this case, the duty cycle can be less than 100% to ensure more thorough heat exchange between hot and cold air in the cryogenic chamber, improve refrigeration efficiency, avoid unwanted energy waste, and extend the service life of the refrigeration fan. The duty cycle of the refrigeration fan 134 can be inversely proportional to the set cryogenic temperature.

[0102] Specifically, Table 5 shows the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan 134 corresponding to different set deep-cold temperatures when the compressor 131 supplies cooling to the deep-cold room in the normal mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unit of the set normal-cold temperature is degrees Celsius (°C).

[0103] Table 5

[0104]

[0105] In some further embodiments, in normal mode, the controller 190 may be configured to control the cooling fan 134 to operate at 100% duty cycle when the Stirling refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic room, in order to further improve the cooling efficiency and avoid excessive concentration of cooling capacity, which would reduce the service life of the cooling fan 134.

[0106] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing device 100 may also be provided with a quick-freeze mode. The quick-freeze mode may be activated when a user inputs a quick-freeze mode activation command, or when the refrigeration and freezing device 100 is first powered on (i.e., from the first power-on of the refrigeration and freezing device 100 until the temperature of the deep-freeze compartment is lower than the set deep-freeze temperature) or even the first two power-on cycles, or immediately after the deep-freeze compartment has defrosted, in order to improve the preservation quality of food in the deep-freeze compartment.

[0107] In quick-freeze mode, the controller 190 can be configured to control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber when the chamber temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature and greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature; and to control the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber and control the vapor compression refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber when the chamber temperature of the cryogenic chamber is less than the preset switching temperature and greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, so as to further improve the efficiency of supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber.

[0108] In some further embodiments, when the set general cooling temperature and ambient temperature are the same, the operating speed of compressor 131 when cooling the cryogenic compartment in quick-freeze mode can be greater than or equal to its operating speed when cooling the cryogenic compartment in normal mode, so as to further improve refrigeration efficiency while saving energy.

[0109] Table 6 shows the operating speed of compressor 131 in a quick-freezing mode of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to different set general cooling temperatures and different ambient temperatures around the refrigeration and freezing device 100. The unit of the operating speed of compressor 131 is revolutions per minute (rpm), and the units of set general cooling temperature and ambient temperature are degrees Celsius (°C).

[0110] Table 6

[0111]

[0112]

[0113] In some embodiments, in quick-freezing mode, controller 190 may be configured to control refrigeration fan 134 to operate at 100% duty cycle to further improve refrigeration efficiency and avoid excessive concentration of cold energy, which would reduce the service life of refrigeration fan 134.

[0114] In some embodiments, in normal mode and quick-freeze mode, controller 190 may be configured to control the vapor compression refrigeration system and Stirling refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic room when the room temperature is lower than the set cryogenic temperature.

[0115] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 may further include a detection device for detecting the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment.

[0116] In normal mode and quick-freeze mode, the controller 190 can be configured to use the difference between the detected temperature and the preset temperature fluctuation value as the room temperature of the cryogenic room when determining whether the room temperature is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature; and to use the sum of the detected temperature and the preset temperature fluctuation value as the room temperature of the cryogenic room when determining whether the room temperature is less than the set cryogenic temperature, so as to avoid frequent switching on and off of the part of the vapor compression refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic room or frequent opening and closing of the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0117] In this invention, the temperature fluctuation value can be any value between 1 and 3°C, for example, 1°C, 2°C, or 3°C.

[0118] In normal mode and quick-freeze mode, the controller 190 can also be configured to, when the vapor compression refrigeration system is supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, determine whether the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature, and use the difference between the detected temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value as the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment; when the Stirling refrigeration system is supplying cooling to the cryogenic compartment, determine whether the compartment temperature is less than the preset switching temperature, and use the sum of the detected temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value as the compartment temperature of the cryogenic compartment, so as to avoid frequent switching between the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0119] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 8 (In this invention, "Y" in the accompanying drawings represents "yes" and "N" represents "no"), the control method for the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 executed by the controller 190 of any of the above embodiments of the present invention may include the following steps:

[0120] Step S802: When the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, determine whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature. If yes, proceed to step S804; if no, proceed to step S806.

[0121] Step S804: Control the vapor compression refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and stop the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber.

[0122] Step S806: Control the Stirling refrigeration system to provide cooling for the cryogenic chamber, and stop the vapor compression refrigeration system from providing cooling for the cryogenic chamber.

[0123] The control method of the present invention enables the vapor compression refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature in normal mode, and then switches to the Stirling refrigeration system to supply cooling to the cryogenic compartment when the compartment temperature is less than the preset switching temperature. This not only improves the overall refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration and freezing unit 100 to the cryogenic compartment, but also reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration and freezing unit 100 and extends the service life of the Stirling refrigerator 120.

[0124] In some embodiments, the operating speed of the compressor 131 can be determined based on the set deep-cold temperature, the set general-cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing unit 100, so as to make the power distribution of the refrigeration and freezing unit 100 more reasonable and achieve efficient cooling for the deep-cold room without reducing the efficiency of cooling the general-cooling room.

[0125] When the set cryogenic temperature and ambient temperature are the same, the operating speed of compressor 131 can be roughly negatively correlated with the set general cooling temperature.

[0126] When the set cryogenic temperature and the set general cooling temperature are the same, the operating speed of compressor 131 can be roughly positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0127] In some further embodiments, when the set general cooling temperature and ambient temperature are the same and the vapor compression refrigeration system is used to cool the cryogenic room, the compressor's operating speed when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset cryogenic temperature can be greater than or equal to the operating speed when the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset cryogenic temperature, so as to improve the efficiency of cooling the cryogenic room.

[0128] In some further embodiments, when the set cryogenic temperature, the set general cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature are all the same, the operating speed of the compressor 131 when the Stirling refrigeration system cools the cryogenic compartment and the vapor compression refrigeration system cools the general cooling compartment can be less than or equal to the operating speed of the compressor 131 when the vapor compression refrigeration system cools the cryogenic compartment, so as to make the power distribution more reasonable.

[0129] In some embodiments, the operating power of the Stirling refrigerator 120 can be determined based on the difference between the temperature of the cryogenic compartment and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing unit 100, so as to save energy while ensuring refrigeration efficiency.

[0130] In some embodiments, when the vapor compression refrigeration system cools the cryogenic room in normal mode, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan 134 can be determined according to the set cryogenic temperature. In this case, the duty cycle can be less than 100% so that the heat exchange between the hot air and the cold air in the cryogenic room is more sufficient, thereby improving the refrigeration efficiency, avoiding unwanted energy waste, and extending the service life of the refrigeration fan.

[0131] In some embodiments, when the Stirling refrigeration system is supplying cooling to a cryogenic room in normal mode, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan 134 can be 100% to further improve refrigeration efficiency and avoid excessive concentration of cooling capacity, which would reduce the service life of the refrigeration fan 134.

[0132] Figure 9 This is a detailed flowchart of the control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 according to the present invention. See also Figure 9 The control method for the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 100 of the present invention may specifically include the following steps:

[0133] Step S902: Determine whether a quick-freeze mode activation command has been received, or whether the refrigerator / freezer unit 100 has been powered on for the first time, or whether defrosting of the deep-freeze compartment has been completed. If yes, proceed to step S904 to start running the quick-freeze mode; if no, determine that a normal mode activation command has been received, and proceed to step S912 to start running the normal mode.

[0134] Step S904: Determine whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature. If yes, proceed to step S906; if no, proceed to step S920. In some embodiments, during each quick-freeze mode operation cycle, when step S904 is run for the first time, it is to determine whether the cryogenic chamber needs cooling. At this time, the temperature of the cryogenic chamber can be the difference between the detected temperature by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value. When step S904 is run again, it is to determine whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is less than the set cryogenic temperature, that is, to determine whether the cooling of the cryogenic chamber has been completed. At this time, the temperature of the cryogenic chamber can be the sum of the detected temperature by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value, so as to avoid frequent switching on and off of the part of the vapor compression refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber or frequent opening and closing of the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0135] Step S906: Determine whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature. If yes, proceed to step S908; if no, proceed to step S910. In some embodiments, during each quick-freezing mode operation cycle, when step S906 is run for the first time, the temperature of the cryogenic chamber can be the detection temperature detected by the detection device at that moment.

[0136] Step S908: Control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic chamber. Then return to step S902. In some embodiments, when running step S906 after running step S908, the cryogenic chamber temperature can be the difference between the detected temperature detected by the detection device and a preset temperature fluctuation value, so as to avoid frequent switching between the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0137] Step S910: Control the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic chamber, and stop the vapor compression refrigeration system from cooling the cryogenic chamber. Then return to step S902. In some embodiments, when running step S906 after running step S910, the cryogenic chamber temperature can be the sum of the detected temperature by the detection device and a preset temperature fluctuation value, so as to avoid frequent switching between the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0138] Step S912: Determine whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature. If yes, proceed to step S914; if no, proceed to step S920. In some embodiments, during each normal mode operation cycle, when step S912 is run for the first time, it is to determine whether the cryogenic chamber needs cooling. At this time, the temperature of the cryogenic chamber can be the difference between the detected temperature by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value. When step S912 is run again, it is to determine whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is less than the set cryogenic temperature, that is, to determine whether the cooling of the cryogenic chamber has been completed. At this time, the temperature of the cryogenic chamber can be the sum of the detected temperature by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value, so as to avoid frequent switching on and off of the part of the vapor compression refrigeration system supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber or frequent opening and closing of the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0139] Step S914: Determine whether the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature. If yes, proceed to step S916; if no, proceed to step S918. In some embodiments, during each normal mode operation cycle, when step S914 is run for the first time, the temperature of the cryogenic chamber can be the detection temperature detected by the detection device at that moment.

[0140] Step S916: Control the vapor compression refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic chamber, and stop the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic chamber. Then return to step S902. In some embodiments, when running step S914 after running step S916, the cryogenic chamber temperature can be the difference between the detected temperature by the detection device and a preset temperature fluctuation value, so as to avoid frequent switching between the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system.

[0141] Step S918: Control the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic chamber, and stop the vapor compression refrigeration system from cooling the cryogenic chamber. Then return to step S902.

[0142] Step S920: Control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to stop cooling the cryogenic chamber. Then return to step S902.

[0143] Furthermore, the controller 190 can be configured to gradually increase the input voltage of the Stirling refrigerator 120 each time it starts at full power to prevent the Stirling refrigerator 120 from colliding with the cylinder. For example, after the Stirling refrigerator 120 is turned on, it can increase the voltage from 0 volts (V) to the rated voltage at preset time intervals in preset steps.

[0144] Therefore, those skilled in the art should recognize that although numerous exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be understood and construed as covering all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus comprising a housing defining a cryogenic compartment and a general-purpose cooling compartment, a Stirling refrigeration system for cooling the cryogenic compartment, and a vapor compression refrigeration system for cooling the cryogenic compartment and / or the general-purpose cooling compartment, characterized in that, The control method includes: When the temperature of the cryogenic chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, the Stirling refrigeration system or the vapor compression refrigeration system is controlled to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber; and The operating speed of the compressor in the vapor compression refrigeration system is determined based on the set cryogenic temperature, the set general cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature surrounding the refrigeration and freezing unit; wherein... When the set general cooling temperature and ambient temperature are the same, and the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber, the operating speed of the compressor when the set cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the preset cryogenic temperature is greater than or equal to the operating speed when the set cryogenic temperature is less than the preset cryogenic temperature.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the set cryogenic temperature, the set general cooling temperature, and the ambient temperature are all the same, the operating speed of the compressor when the Stirling refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic compartment and the vapor compression refrigeration system is cooling the general cooling compartment is less than or equal to the operating speed of the compressor when the vapor compression refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic compartment.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein a refrigeration fan is provided in the cryogenic chamber, characterized in that, When the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is determined according to the set cryogenic temperature, and the duty cycle is less than 100%.

4. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The operating power of the Stirling refrigerator in the Stirling refrigeration system is determined based on the difference between the compartment temperature and the set cryogenic temperature, as well as the ambient temperature around the refrigeration and freezing unit.

5. The control method according to claim 1, wherein a refrigeration fan is provided in the cryogenic chamber, characterized in that, When the Stirling refrigeration system is cooling the cryogenic chamber, the duty cycle of the refrigeration fan is 100%.

6. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Determine whether the temperature of the chamber is lower than the set cryogenic temperature; If so, control the vapor compression refrigeration system and the Stirling refrigeration system to stop supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber; If not, control the vapor compression refrigeration system or the Stirling refrigeration system to continue cooling the cryogenic chamber.

7. The control method according to claim 6, wherein the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further comprises a detection device for detecting the temperature of the compartment, characterized in that, When determining whether the temperature of the chamber is greater than or equal to the set cryogenic temperature, the temperature of the chamber is the difference between the detected temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value. and / or When determining whether the temperature of the chamber is lower than the set cryogenic temperature, the temperature of the chamber is the sum of the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value.

8. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps for cooling the cryogenic chamber include: Determine whether the temperature of the compartment is greater than or equal to a preset switching temperature; If so, the vapor compression refrigeration system is controlled to supply cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and the Stirling refrigeration system stops supplying cooling to the cryogenic chamber; If not, control the Stirling refrigeration system to cool the cryogenic chamber, and stop the vapor compression refrigeration system from cooling the cryogenic chamber.

9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further comprises a detection device for detecting the temperature of the compartment, characterized in that, When the vapor compression refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and when determining whether the chamber temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature, the chamber temperature is the difference between the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value. and / or When the Stirling refrigeration system supplies cooling to the cryogenic chamber, and when determining whether the chamber temperature is greater than or equal to the preset switching temperature, the chamber temperature is the sum of the detection temperature detected by the detection device and the preset temperature fluctuation value.

10. A refrigeration and freezing apparatus, comprising: The enclosure is limited to one cryogenic chamber; A vapor compression refrigeration system and a Stirling refrigeration system are used to cool the cryogenic chamber; as well as A controller configured to perform the control method according to any one of claims 1-9.

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