A method for controlling the intelligent off-peak power consumption of refrigerators and a refrigerator using this method.

Abstract

This invention provides a control method for intelligent off-peak electricity consumption in a refrigerator and a refrigerator using this control method. The control method includes: in response to receiving an intelligent off-peak electricity consumption command, determining the off-peak operating mode of the refrigerator; in response to the refrigerator being in a single off-peak defrosting mode, determining a first time and a second time based on the off-peak electricity consumption period; in response to the current time reaching the first time, determining the current cumulative number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator and the first historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator between the first time and the second time; determining whether the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the first historical number of door openings and closings reaches a defrosting threshold; in response to reaching the defrosting threshold, determining the second historical number of door openings and closings between the second time and the start time of the off-peak electricity consumption period; determining whether the second historical number of door openings and closings reaches a first delayed defrosting threshold; and in response to the second historical number of door openings and closings reaching the first delayed defrosting threshold, controlling the refrigerator to defrost immediately.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of refrigerator peak-shifting power control technology, specifically providing a control method for intelligent peak-shifting power consumption of refrigerators and a refrigerator using this control method. Background Technology

[0002] Many large and industrial cities often experience power shortages due to electricity scarcity. The main reason for this is that the power grid is limited by power supply and transmission capacity during peak electricity demand periods, resulting in power supply gaps (higher electricity loads) during these periods.

[0003] Therefore, many cities and regions encourage factories, residents, and other organizations to stagger their electricity usage to reduce electricity load during peak hours and ensure the safe operation of the power grid during these periods. This also allows some of the load from peak hours to off-peak hours, making the periodically fluctuating power grid load more balanced. This improves the utilization rate of power generation and supply equipment, reduces investment in its construction, and optimizes the allocation of power resources.

[0004] To achieve peak-hour electricity usage, many refrigerators restrict the operation of energy-intensive functions (such as defrosting and ice making) to off-peak hours. However, in areas without peak-hour electricity policies, refrigerators still force defrosting during off-peak hours, increasing electricity bills. Furthermore, some refrigerators do not consider ice making during defrosting, causing ice to melt and refreeze after defrosting, resulting in ice blocks sticking together. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of this invention is to solve the problem that refrigerators with peak-shaving functions still forcibly start defrosting during off-peak hours when peak-shaving is not needed, thus increasing electricity costs.

[0006] A further objective of this invention is to solve the problem of ice cubes sticking together after defrosting in a refrigerator.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for controlling intelligent off-peak electricity consumption of refrigerators in a first aspect, comprising:

[0008] In response to receiving a smart off-peak electricity consumption command, the off-peak operating mode of the refrigerator is determined;

[0009] In response to the refrigerator being in a single off-peak defrosting mode, a first time and a second time are determined based on the off-peak electricity consumption period; the first time is within the off-peak electricity consumption period, and the second time is later than the off-peak electricity consumption period;

[0010] In response to the arrival of the first time at the current time, the current cumulative number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator and the first historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator between the first time and the second time are determined;

[0011] Determine whether the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the first historical number of door openings and closings has reached the defrosting threshold;

[0012] In response to reaching the defrosting threshold, determine the second historical number of door openings and closings between the second time point and the start time of the off-peak electricity consumption period;

[0013] Determine whether the second historical number of door openings and closings has reached the first delayed defrosting threshold;

[0014] In response to the second historical number of door openings and closings reaching the first delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0015] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0016] In response to the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaching the defrost threshold, and the current time being between the first time and the second time, the number of refrigerator door openings and closings is recounted;

[0017] In response to the recounted number of door openings reaching the second delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0018] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0019] In response to the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaching the defrost threshold, and the current time being between the second time and the start time of the next low electricity consumption period, the number of refrigerator door openings and closings is recounted;

[0020] In response to the recounted number of door openings and closings reaching the third delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0021] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0022] In response to the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaching the defrosting threshold, and the current time being between the start time of the off-peak electricity period and the first time, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0023] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0024] In response to the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaching the defrost threshold, and the current time being between the first time and the start time of the next low electricity consumption period, it is determined whether the refrigerator meets the abnormal defrost protection conditions;

[0025] In response to the fulfillment of the abnormal defrosting protection conditions, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0026] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0027] In response to the failure to meet the abnormal defrosting protection conditions, the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed is recounted;

[0028] In response to the recounted number of door openings and closings reaching the fourth delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0029] Optionally, determining whether the refrigerator meets the abnormal defrosting protection conditions includes:

[0030] Determine whether the humidity of the environment in which the refrigerator is located exceeds the humidity threshold.

[0031] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0032] In response to the refrigerator being in the off-peak defrosting-ice-making mode, and in response to the current time reaching the first time, the current cumulative number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator and the third historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator during the off-peak electricity consumption period are determined.

[0033] Determine whether the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the third historical number of door openings and closings has reached the defrosting threshold;

[0034] In response to reaching the defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately and make ice after defrosting is completed.

[0035] Optionally, the control method further includes: controlling the refrigerator to make ice in response to the failure to reach the defrost threshold.

[0036] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a refrigerator, including a controller, a memory, and execution instructions stored in the memory, the execution instructions being configured to enable the refrigerator to perform the control method described in any one of the first aspects when executed by the controller.

[0037] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will understand that in the aforementioned technical solution of the present invention, by determining the refrigerator's off-peak operating mode upon receiving the intelligent off-peak electricity usage instruction, users can actively choose whether the refrigerator needs to perform off-peak electricity usage control, thereby overcoming the problem that the refrigerator will still forcibly start defrosting during off-peak hours when off-peak electricity usage is not required, resulting in increased electricity bills.

[0038] Furthermore, the control strategy "in response to the current moment reaching the first moment, determine the current cumulative number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator and the first historical number of door openings and closings between the first moment and the second moment; determine whether the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the first historical number of door openings and closings reaches the defrost threshold; in response to reaching the defrost threshold, determine the second historical number of door openings and closings between the second moment and the start time of the off-peak electricity period; determine whether the second historical number of door openings and closings reaches the first delayed defrost threshold; in response to the second historical number of door openings and closings reaching the first delayed defrost threshold, control the refrigerator to defrost immediately" enables the refrigerator to predict the frost situation during the off-peak electricity period, thereby determining whether the refrigerator will defrost during the non-off-peak electricity period. If it is predicted that the refrigerator will defrost during the non-off-peak electricity period, then the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately during the current off-peak electricity period.

[0039] Furthermore, when the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaches the defrost threshold, and the current time is between the first and second time points, the number of door openings and closings is recounted; and when the recounted number of door openings and closings reaches the second delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately; when the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaches the defrost threshold, and the current time is between the second time point and the start time of the next low-power consumption period, the number of door openings and closings is recounted; and when the recounted number of door openings and closings reaches the third delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately; this avoids the refrigerator from affecting its cooling function due to excessive frost during non-low-power consumption periods, thereby avoiding the waste of energy due to excessive frost.

[0040] Furthermore, by controlling the refrigerator to "respond to the refrigerator being in the off-peak defrosting-ice-making mode, and responding to the current moment reaching the first moment, determine the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the third historical number of door openings and closings during the off-peak electricity consumption period; determine whether the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the third historical number of door openings and closings reaches the defrosting threshold; responding to the reaching of the defrosting threshold, control the refrigerator to defrost immediately and make ice after defrosting", the refrigerator completes defrosting first during the off-peak electricity consumption period and then makes ice, avoiding the ice from melting during defrosting and sticking together after defrosting.

[0041] 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

[0042] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the same reference numerals may indicate the same or similar parts or components in different drawings; the drawings of the present invention are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0043] In the attached image:

[0044] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the steps of the intelligent peak-shifting power control method for refrigerators in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first and second moments on the time axis in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a partial flowchart of the control method in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a partial flowchart of the control method in the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a partial flowchart of the control method in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 6 This is a partial flowchart of the control method in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0050] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described below are merely a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments of the present invention. These partial embodiments are intended to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the embodiments provided by the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," which indicate direction or positional relationships, are based on the direction or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are used merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0052] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can also refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the control method for intelligent peak-shifting power consumption of a refrigerator includes:

[0054] Step S110: In response to receiving the intelligent off-peak power consumption command, determine the off-peak operating mode of the refrigerator.

[0055] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator's off-peak operating modes include a single off-peak defrosting mode and an off-peak defrosting-ice-making mode. In the single off-peak defrosting mode, the refrigerator only controls off-peak electricity consumption for defrosting to ensure that the defrosting program runs as close to off-peak hours as possible. In the off-peak defrosting-ice-making mode, the refrigerator performs integrated control over defrosting and ice-making to ensure that both programs run during off-peak hours and to prevent the ice cubes from sticking together.

[0056] As an example, the refrigerator has function buttons. For instance, the refrigerator's display screen can show these function buttons. Users can access and activate the function button representing the "intelligent peak-shifting electricity usage command" by operating the refrigerator's display screen, thus enabling the refrigerator to receive the intelligent peak-shifting electricity usage command. Alternatively, the refrigerator may have a physical function button representing the "intelligent peak-shifting electricity usage command," which users can activate to enable the refrigerator to receive the command.

[0057] As an example two, the refrigerator is equipped with a wireless communication module, which allows it to communicate and connect with mobile terminal devices (such as mobile phones, tablets, etc.). Users can trigger a function button on the mobile terminal device that represents a "smart peak-shifting electricity usage command" to send the command to the refrigerator.

[0058] Step S120: In response to the refrigerator being in single-peak defrosting mode, determine the first time and the second time based on the off-peak electricity consumption period.

[0059] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the first moment is within the off-peak electricity consumption period, and the second moment is later than the off-peak electricity consumption period.

[0060] like Figure 2As shown, time a represents the start time of the off-peak electricity consumption period, and time b represents the end time of the off-peak electricity consumption period. Time period ab represents the off-peak electricity consumption period, and time period ba represents the non-off-peak electricity consumption period.

[0061] Preferably, the first time point T1 = bn, and the second time point T2 = b + n, where n can be any feasible duration such as 30 minutes, 50 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 2.5 hours, 3 hours, etc.

[0062] In a first embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator is able to complete defrosting within a time period T1-b. Further optionally, the refrigerator is able to complete both defrosting and ice making within a time period T1-b.

[0063] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator determines whether it is in a single-peak defrosting mode or a peak-defrosting-ice-making mode by detecting whether its ice maker needs to make ice.

[0064] When the refrigerator detects that its ice maker does not need to make ice, it determines that the refrigerator is currently in a single off-peak defrosting mode and determines the first time point T1 and the second time point T2 based on pre-stored or internet-obtained off-peak electricity usage periods. That is, the first time point T1 is obtained by setting time point bn, and the second time point T2 is obtained by setting time point b+n. When the refrigerator detects that its ice maker needs to make ice, it determines that the refrigerator is currently in an off-peak defrosting-ice-making mode.

[0065] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, detecting whether the ice maker needs to make ice includes detecting whether the ice maker is in an on or standby state.

[0066] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker can be installed on the refrigerator body or on the refrigerator door.

[0067] Step S130: In response to the arrival of the first time T1 at the current time, determine the current cumulative number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator and the first historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator between the first time T1 and the second time T2.

[0068] Specifically, the current time is obtained in real time. When the current time is the first time T1, the number of times the refrigerator door has been opened and closed since the end of the last defrosting is recorded as the current cumulative number of door openings and closings.

[0069] Furthermore, the number of times the refrigerator door was opened and closed between the previous first time point T1 and the previous second time point T2 is obtained and recorded as the first historical door opening and closing count. For example, if the current time is... Figure 2 The T1 on the right side of the diagram represents the number of times the refrigerator door was opened and closed between T1 and T2 on the left side.

[0070] Alternatively, those skilled in the art can, as needed, obtain the average number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed between the first time point T1 and the second time point T2, and record it as the first historical number of door opening and closing times. This average number of door opening and closing times is the average number of door opening and closing times between the most recent N times T1 and T2. Here, N is a natural number not less than 2.

[0071] Step S140: Determine whether the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the first historical number of door openings and closings has reached the defrosting threshold.

[0072] The defrost threshold is the number of times the refrigerator door needs to be opened and closed to reach the defrost condition, which can be obtained by conducting multiple tests on the refrigerator.

[0073] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the defrosting threshold can be any feasible value, such as 10 times, 15 times, 30 times, 32 times, etc., which is pre-stored on the refrigerator.

[0074] In step S150, in response to reaching the defrosting threshold, the second historical number of door openings and closings between the second time T2 and the start time a of the low electricity consumption period is determined.

[0075] In the first embodiment of the present invention, if the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the first historical number of door openings and closings is greater than or equal to the defrosting threshold, then the number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator between the previous second time point T2 and the start time a of the current low electricity consumption period is obtained and recorded as the second historical number of door openings and closings. For example, if the current time is... Figure 2 T1 on the right side of the diagram represents the number of times the refrigerator door was opened and closed between T2 on the left side and the starting time a on the right side.

[0076] Alternatively, those skilled in the art can, as needed, obtain the average number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed between the second time point T2 and the start time a of the off-peak electricity period, and record this as the second historical door opening and closing count. This average number of door opening and closing counts is the average number of door opening and closing counts between the most recent M second times T2 and the start time a of the off-peak electricity period. Here, M is a natural number not less than 2.

[0077] Step S160: Determine whether the second historical number of door opening and closing times has reached the first delayed defrosting threshold.

[0078] In the first embodiment of the present invention, if the number of door openings and closings between the first time T1 and the second time T2 just reaches the defrost threshold, and the number of door openings and closings is further increased by the first delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator will be unable to cool the internal compartments, or its cooling efficiency will be low. To avoid this situation and to enable the refrigerator to cool during off-peak electricity hours, the second historical number of door openings and closings between the second time T2 and the start time a of the next off-peak electricity hour needs to be less than the first delayed defrost threshold.

[0079] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the first delayed defrosting threshold can be any feasible number of times, such as 10 times, 15 times, 23 times, 31 times, etc. This first delayed defrosting threshold can be obtained by conducting multiple tests on the refrigerator.

[0080] In step S170, in response to the second historical door opening and closing count reaching the first delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0081] In the first embodiment of the present invention, if the second historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator is greater than or equal to the first delayed defrosting threshold, it indicates that if the refrigerator does not defrost, it will be unable to cool the internal compartments or will have low cooling efficiency during non-off-peak electricity usage periods. Therefore, when the second historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator reaches the first delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately at the current moment (i.e., the first moment T1).

[0082] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will understand that the first embodiment of the present invention allows users to actively choose whether the refrigerator needs to perform peak-shaving power control, thereby overcoming the problem that the refrigerator will still forcibly start defrosting during off-peak hours when peak-shaving is not required, resulting in increased electricity bills. The first embodiment of the present invention also enables the refrigerator to predict the frost situation during off-peak hours, thereby determining whether the refrigerator will defrost during non-off-peak hours. If it is predicted that the refrigerator will defrost during non-off-peak hours, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately during the current off-peak hour.

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, compared with the first embodiment, the control method in the second embodiment of the present invention further includes the following after step S110:

[0084] Step S210: In response to the refrigerator being in the off-peak defrosting-ice-making mode and in response to the current time entering the off-peak electricity consumption period, determine the current cumulative number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator and the third historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator during the off-peak electricity consumption period.

[0085] In a second embodiment of the present invention, when the refrigerator detects that its ice maker needs to make ice (e.g., detects that the ice maker is on or in standby mode), it determines that the refrigerator is currently in a staggered defrosting-ice making mode.

[0086] Furthermore, the current time is obtained in real time. When the current time is the start time 'a' of the off-peak electricity consumption period, the number of times the refrigerator door has been opened and closed since the end of the last defrosting period is counted and recorded as the current cumulative number of door openings and closings.

[0087] Furthermore, the number of times the refrigerator door was opened and closed during the previous low-electricity period is obtained and recorded as the third historical number of door openings and closings.

[0088] Alternatively, those skilled in the art may, as needed, obtain the average number of times the refrigerator door was opened and closed during several previous off-peak electricity consumption periods, and record this as the third historical door opening and closing count. This average number of door opening and closing counts is the average number of door opening and closing counts during the most recent I off-peak electricity consumption periods. Where I is a natural number not less than 2.

[0089] Step S220: Determine whether the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the third historical number of door openings and closings has reached the defrosting threshold.

[0090] In step S230, in response to reaching the defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately and make ice after defrosting is completed.

[0091] If the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the third historical number of door openings and closings is greater than or equal to the defrost threshold, the refrigerator will be controlled to defrost immediately.

[0092] Furthermore, after the refrigerator has finished defrosting and the compartments (freezer compartment, refrigerator compartment and / or variable temperature compartment) have re-established a stable freezing / refrigeration environment, the refrigerator is then controlled to make ice.

[0093] Those skilled in the art will understand that by having the refrigerator defrost first during off-peak electricity hours and then make ice, the problem of ice melting during defrosting and sticking together after defrosting is avoided. This also ensures that both defrosting and ice making are completed during off-peak electricity hours.

[0094] In step S240, in response to the failure to reach the defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to make ice.

[0095] If the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the third historical number of door openings and closings is less than the defrosting threshold, the refrigerator will immediately start making ice.

[0096] like Figure 4 As shown, compared with the first or second embodiment, the control method in the third embodiment of the present invention further includes, after step S140 and / or step S160:

[0097] Step S310: In response to the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaching the defrost threshold, and the current time being between the first time T1 and the second time T2, the number of refrigerator door openings and closings is recounted.

[0098] In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the execution result of step S140 is that when the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the first historical number of door openings and closings is less than the defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to continue operating according to the current control strategy. The execution result of step S160 is that when the second historical number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator is less than the first delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to continue operating according to the current control strategy.

[0099] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the execution step S310 specifically includes: during the operation of the refrigerator, when the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaches the defrosting threshold, and the current time is between the first time T1 and the second time T2, the number of door openings and closings of the refrigerator is recounted.

[0100] In step S320, in response to the recounted number of door openings and closings reaching the second delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0101] In a third embodiment of the present invention, the second delayed defrosting threshold can be any feasible number of times, such as 10 times, 15 times, 23 times, 31 times, etc. This second delayed defrosting threshold can be obtained by conducting multiple tests on the refrigerator.

[0102] Furthermore, if the number of door openings and closings counted again is greater than or equal to the second delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately to ensure that the refrigerator can effectively cool the compartments before the next low electricity consumption period.

[0103] Correspondingly, if the number of door openings and closings counted again is less than the second delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator will continue to operate according to the current control strategy.

[0104] It should be noted that in the third embodiment of the present invention, when the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed reaches the defrost threshold between the first time T1 and the second time T2, and when the number of times the door is opened and closed again reaches the second delayed defrost threshold, regardless of how many times the refrigerator door is opened and closed before the next low-power consumption period, the refrigerator's cooling efficiency will be low or its power consumption will be high, making it impossible to ensure that the refrigerator effectively cools the internal compartments. Controlling the refrigerator to defrost immediately at this time can ensure the refrigerator's cooling efficiency and save energy.

[0105] like Figure 5 As shown, compared with the first or second embodiment, the control method in the fourth embodiment of the present invention further includes, after step S140 and / or step S160:

[0106] Step S410: In response to the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaching the defrost threshold, and the current time being between the second time T2 and the start time of the next low electricity consumption period, the number of refrigerator door openings and closings is recounted.

[0107] In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, if the result of step S140 is that the sum of the current cumulative number of door openings and closings and the first historical number of door openings and closings is less than the defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to continue operating according to the current control strategy. If the result of step S160 is that the second historical number of door openings and closings is less than the first delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to continue operating according to the current control strategy.

[0108] In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the execution step S410 specifically includes: during the operation of the refrigerator, when the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaches the defrosting threshold, and the current time is between the second time T2 and the start time of the next low electricity consumption period, the number of refrigerator door openings and closings is recounted.

[0109] In step S420, in response to the re-counted number of door openings and closings reaching the third delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0110] In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the third delayed defrosting threshold can be any feasible number of times, such as 8, 9, 16, 27 times, etc. This third delayed defrosting threshold can be obtained by conducting multiple tests on the refrigerator.

[0111] Preferably, the third delayed defrosting threshold is less than the third delayed defrosting threshold.

[0112] Furthermore, if the number of door openings and closings counted again is greater than or equal to the third delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately to ensure that the refrigerator can effectively cool the compartments before the next low electricity consumption period.

[0113] Correspondingly, if the number of door openings and closings counted again is less than the third delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator will continue to operate according to the current control strategy.

[0114] It should be noted that in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed reaches the defrost threshold between the second time T2 and the start time of the next low-electricity consumption period, and when the re-counted number of door openings and closings reaches the third delayed defrost threshold, regardless of how many times the refrigerator door is opened and closed before the next low-electricity consumption period, the refrigerator's cooling efficiency will be low or its power consumption will be high, failing to ensure that the refrigerator effectively cools the internal compartments. Controlling the refrigerator to defrost immediately at this time can ensure the refrigerator's cooling efficiency and save energy.

[0115] like Figure 6 As shown, compared with any of the embodiments described above, the control method in the fifth embodiment of the present invention further includes, after step S120 and / or step S140 and / or step S160:

[0116] Step S510: In response to the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaching the defrosting threshold, and the current time being between the first time T1 and the start time of the next low-power period, determine whether the refrigerator meets the abnormal defrosting protection conditions.

[0117] Specifically, during the operation of the refrigerator, if the current cumulative number of door openings and closings reaches the defrosting threshold, and the current time is between the first time T1 and the start time of the next low-power period, it is determined whether the refrigerator meets the abnormal defrosting protection conditions.

[0118] In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, determining whether the refrigerator meets the abnormal defrosting protection conditions includes: determining whether the humidity of the environment in which the refrigerator is located exceeds a humidity threshold. Specifically, when the humidity of the environment in which the refrigerator is located exceeds the humidity threshold, it indicates that the air humidity is high and the refrigerator is severely frosted; when the humidity of the environment in which the refrigerator is located does not exceed the humidity threshold, it indicates that the air humidity is low and the refrigerator is frosting normally.

[0119] The humidity threshold can be any feasible value, such as 60%, 75%, or 80% of the water content in the air.

[0120] Step S520: In response to the fulfillment of abnormal defrosting protection conditions, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0121] Specifically, when the humidity of the environment in which the refrigerator is located is greater than or equal to the humidity threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0122] Step S530: In response to the failure to meet the abnormal defrosting protection conditions, the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed is recounted.

[0123] Specifically, when the humidity of the environment where the refrigerator is located is less than the humidity threshold, the number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed is recounted.

[0124] In step S540, in response to the recounted number of door openings and closings reaching the fourth delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately.

[0125] In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the fourth delayed defrosting threshold can be any feasible number of defrosting cycles, such as 8, 12, 19, 25, 36, etc. This fourth delayed defrosting threshold can be obtained by conducting multiple tests on the refrigerator.

[0126] Furthermore, if the number of door openings and closings counted again is greater than or equal to the fourth delayed defrost threshold, the refrigerator is controlled to defrost immediately to ensure that the refrigerator can effectively cool the compartments before the next low electricity consumption period.

[0127] Correspondingly, if the number of door openings and closings counted again is less than the fourth delayed defrosting threshold, the refrigerator will continue to operate according to the current control strategy.

[0128] Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, compared with any of the embodiments described above, the control method in the sixth embodiment of the present invention further includes, between step S110 and step S130: in response to the current cumulative number of door opening and closing reaching the defrosting threshold, and the current time being between the start time a of the low electricity consumption period and the first time T1, controlling the refrigerator to defrost immediately.

[0129] In short, between time a and T1, if the current cumulative number of times the refrigerator door is opened and closed reaches the defrost threshold, the refrigerator will be controlled to defrost directly.

[0130] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, the present invention also provides a refrigerator including an ice maker, a controller, and a memory. The memory stores execution instructions, specifically executable computer programs. Furthermore, the execution instructions stored in the memory are configured to enable the refrigerator to perform the control methods described in any of the preceding embodiments when executed by the controller.

[0131] In this embodiment, the memory may include main memory and non-volatile memory, and provides execution instructions and data to the controller. For example, the main memory may be high-speed random-access memory (RAM), and the non-volatile memory may be at least one disk storage device.

[0132] In this embodiment, the controller is an integrated circuit chip with the ability to process signals. The controller can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), network processor (NP), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, microprocessor, and any other conventional processor.

[0133] Finally, it should be noted that in the description of this invention, "a certain moment and another moment" refers to two moments that appear sequentially in chronological order. For example, moment a and moment T1 are two moments that appear sequentially within the same low electricity consumption period; moment T1 and moment T2 are two moments that are adjacent to each other on the time axis, with moment T1 earlier than moment T2; moment T2 and moment T1 are two moments that are adjacent to each other on the time axis, with moment T2 earlier than moment T1; moment T2 and moment a are two moments that are adjacent to each other on the time axis, with moment T2 earlier than moment a; moment T1 and moment a are two moments that are adjacent to each other on the time axis, with moment T1 earlier than moment a.

[0134] The technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with several embodiments above. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can disassemble and combine the technical solutions in the above embodiments, and can also make equivalent changes or substitutions to related technical features. Any changes, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the technical concept and / or technical principles of the present invention will fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for intelligent peak-shifting power consumption of a refrigerator, comprising: in response to receiving an intelligent peak-shifting power consumption instruction, determining a peak-shifting operation mode of the refrigerator; in response to the refrigerator being in a single peak-shifting defrosting mode, determining a first time and a second time according to the power consumption valley period; the first time is in the power consumption valley period, and the second time is later than the power consumption valley period; in response to a current time reaching the first time, determining a current cumulative door opening and closing number of the refrigerator and a first historical door opening and closing number of the refrigerator between a previous first time and a previous second time; wherein the current cumulative door opening and closing number is a door opening and closing number of the refrigerator from a previous defrosting end to the current time; determining whether a sum of the current cumulative door opening and closing number and the first historical door opening and closing number reaches a defrosting threshold; in response to the defrosting threshold being reached, determining a second historical door opening and closing number between the previous second time and a start time of the current power consumption valley period; determining whether the second historical door opening and closing number reaches a first delayed defrosting threshold; in response to the second historical door opening and closing number reaching the first delayed defrosting threshold, controlling the refrigerator to immediately defrost. 2.The control method of claim 1, wherein the control method further comprises: in response to the current cumulative door opening and closing number reaching the defrosting threshold and the current time being between the first time and the second time, re-counting the door opening and closing number of the refrigerator; in response to the re-counted door opening and closing number reaching a second delayed defrosting threshold, controlling the refrigerator to immediately defrost. 3.The control method of claim 1, wherein the control method further comprises: in response to the current cumulative door opening and closing number reaching the defrosting threshold and the current time being between the second time and a start time of a next power consumption valley period, re-counting the door opening and closing number of the refrigerator; in response to the re-counted door opening and closing number reaching a third delayed defrosting threshold, controlling the refrigerator to immediately defrost. 4.The control method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control method further comprises: in response to the current cumulative door opening and closing number reaching the defrosting threshold and the current time being between a start time of the power consumption valley period and the first time, controlling the refrigerator to immediately defrost. 5.The control method of claim 1, wherein the control method further comprises: in response to the current cumulative door opening and closing number reaching the defrosting threshold and the current time being between the first time and a start time of a next power consumption valley period, determining whether the refrigerator satisfies an abnormal defrosting protection condition; in response to the abnormal defrosting protection condition being satisfied, controlling the refrigerator to immediately defrost. 6.The control method of claim 5, wherein the control method further comprises: in response to the abnormal defrosting protection condition not being satisfied, re-counting the door opening and closing number of the refrigerator; in response to the re-counted door opening and closing number reaching a fourth delayed defrosting threshold, controlling the refrigerator to immediately defrost. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 7. The control method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the determining whether the refrigerator meets the defrost protection condition comprises: determining whether humidity of an environment in which the refrigerator is located exceeds a humidity threshold.

8. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the control method further comprises: in response to the refrigerator being in the off-peak defrost-ice making mode, and in response to a current time entering a power consumption valley period, determining a current accumulated door opening and closing times of the refrigerator and a third historical door opening and closing times of the refrigerator in the power consumption valley period; determining whether a sum of the current accumulated door opening and closing times and the third historical door opening and closing times reaches a defrost threshold; in response to the defrost threshold being reached, controlling the refrigerator to immediately defrost and make ice after the defrosting ends.

9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the control method further comprises: in response to the defrost threshold not being reached, controlling the refrigerator to make ice.

10. A refrigerator comprising a controller, a memory, and execution instructions stored on the memory, the execution instructions being arranged to enable the refrigerator to perform the control method of any one of claims 1 to 9 when executed by the controller.

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