Mechanical air-cooled refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to a mechanical air-cooled refrigerator and a control method thereof. The mechanical air-cooled refrigerator comprises a refrigeration chamber and a freezing chamber for storing articles. The control method comprises: obtaining an ambient temperature of an ambient space where the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator is located when a compressor and a fan of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator are in a shutdown state; setting a target startup point temperature and a target shutdown point temperature of the refrigeration chamber according to the ambient temperature; the target startup point temperature and the target shutdown point temperature are positively correlated with the ambient temperature; and controlling the start and stop of the compressor and the fan according to the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature in the refrigeration chamber and the target startup point temperature and the target shutdown point temperature. The present application prolongs the running time of the compressor when the ambient temperature is low, thereby effectively avoiding the problem that the freezing temperature cannot meet the freezing requirements when the ambient temperature is low. Moreover, the present application does not make any changes to the structure of the refrigerator and does not increase any cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to refrigeration and freezing technology, and in particular to a mechanical air-cooled refrigerator and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Existing temperature-controlled mechanical air-cooled refrigerators typically include a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, an evaporator, a fan, an air duct assembly, and a compressor. When the refrigerator compressor runs, the fan operates, carrying the cold air from the evaporator to the refrigerator and freezer compartments to achieve a cooling effect. The cooling principle of this type of refrigerator is as follows: the refrigerator control module controls the compressor's operation by sensing the actual temperature of the refrigerator compartment through a temperature sensor; when the refrigerator compartment temperature rises to the compressor's start-up temperature, the compressor starts and the fan runs; when the refrigerator compartment temperature drops to the compressor's stop-down temperature, the compressor stops and the fan stops running.

[0003] In winter, the temperature difference between the outside environment and the refrigerator compartment in a mechanically cooled refrigerator is very small, or even lower than the required temperature of the refrigerator compartment. In this situation, the refrigerator compressor only runs for a short time before the refrigerator compartment reaches its shut-off temperature, or even no cooling is required at all, as the outside temperature is sufficient. Because the compressor runs for such a short time or even no cooling is required, the temperature in the freezer compartment is only slightly lower than, or even the same as, the refrigerator temperature. This prevents the proper storage of food that needs to be frozen in winter, affecting normal user experience.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, existing technologies typically add a compensating heater to the refrigerator compartment. This heater heats the refrigerator compartment when the ambient temperature is low, increasing the compressor's operating rate and ensuring a lower temperature in the freezer compartment. However, this compensating heater introduces additional heat input to the refrigerator, increasing both its cost and energy consumption. Other existing technologies improve compressor operating rates at low ambient temperatures by altering the refrigerator's refrigeration system structure. However, this requires significant structural modifications to the refrigeration system, necessitating redesign and reconfiguration, and remains costly. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to overcome at least one deficiency of the prior art and to provide a control method for a mechanical air-cooled refrigerator that can effectively extend the compressor's operating time at a lower cost.

[0006] A further objective of the first aspect of the invention is to reduce the temperature of the freezer compartment when the refrigerator compartment does not require refrigeration.

[0007] The second aspect of the present invention is to provide a mechanically cooled refrigerator that can effectively extend the running time after the compressor starts.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a control method for a mechanically cooled refrigerator, the mechanically cooled refrigerator including a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment for storing items, the control method comprising:

[0009] When the compressor and fan of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator are in a stopped state, the ambient temperature of the space where the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator is located is obtained;

[0010] The target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment are set according to the ambient temperature; both the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature are positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0011] The compressor and the fan are controlled to start and stop based on the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature inside the refrigerator and the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature.

[0012] Optionally, the step of controlling the start / stop of the compressor and the fan based on the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature inside the refrigerator and the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature includes:

[0013] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is greater than or equal to the target start-up temperature, the compressor is started, and the fan is started after a first preset time delay.

[0014] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is less than or equal to the target shutdown point temperature, the compressor and the fan are stopped.

[0015] Optionally, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature, and when the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is greater than the target shutdown temperature but less than the target startup temperature, the control method further includes:

[0016] The defrost sensor of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator detects the first evaporator temperature when the compressor and the fan have just stopped running, and the second evaporator temperature currently detected by the defrost sensor.

[0017] The temperature rise of the evaporator is calculated based on the temperatures of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

[0018] The compressor and the fan are selectively activated based on the temperature rise of the evaporator.

[0019] Optionally, the step of selectively starting the compressor and the fan based on the temperature rise of the evaporator includes:

[0020] When the temperature rise of the evaporator reaches the target temperature rise that matches the ambient temperature, the compressor is started and controlled to run at the lowest speed; the target temperature rise is positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0021] The fan is started after the compressor has been running for a second preset period of time, and the fan is controlled to operate at a target duty cycle; the target duty cycle is set such that the cooling capacity driven by the fan and flowing into the refrigerator compartment is less than the heat input into the refrigerator compartment; and

[0022] When the evaporator temperature detected by the defrost sensor returns to the first evaporator temperature, the compressor and the fan are stopped.

[0023] Optionally, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and greater than the second preset temperature, the target temperature rise that matches it is the first temperature rise.

[0024] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the corresponding target temperature increase is the second temperature increase; wherein

[0025] The first preset temperature is greater than the second preset temperature, and the first temperature increase is greater than the second temperature increase.

[0026] Optionally, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and greater than the second preset temperature, the target duty cycle of the fan is the first duty cycle;

[0027] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the target duty cycle of the fan is the second duty cycle; wherein

[0028] The first duty cycle is greater than or equal to the second duty cycle.

[0029] Optionally, the target duty cycle is less than or equal to 40%.

[0030] Optionally, the step of setting the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment based on the ambient temperature includes:

[0031] When the ambient temperature is greater than the first preset temperature, the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature are respectively set to the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment at the current setting.

[0032] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the target power-on temperature and the target power-off temperature are respectively set to the difference between the preset power-on temperature and the first temperature value, and the difference between the preset power-off temperature and the first temperature value.

[0033] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and greater than the second preset temperature, the target power-on temperature and the target power-off temperature are respectively set to the difference between the preset power-on temperature and the second temperature value, and the difference between the preset power-off temperature and the second temperature value.

[0034] Wherein, the first preset temperature is greater than the second preset temperature, and the first temperature value is greater than the second temperature value.

[0035] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0036] When defrosting conditions are met, the defrosting procedure is initiated to defrost the evaporator of the mechanically cooled refrigerator; and

[0037] After the evaporator defrosts, the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment are restored to the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature, respectively.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a mechanically cooled refrigerator, comprising a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment for storing items, and further comprising:

[0039] An ambient temperature detection device is used to detect the ambient temperature of the space where the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator is located; a refrigerator temperature detection device is used to detect the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment; and

[0040] A control device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a machine-executable program, and the machine-executable program being executed by the processor to implement the control method described in any of the above schemes.

[0041] The mechanically cooled refrigerator of this invention sets the target start-up and target shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment based on the ambient temperature of the surrounding environment when the compressor and fan are off. Then, it controls the start and stop of the compressor and fan according to the relationship between the ambient temperature, the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment, and the target start-up and shutdown temperatures. In other words, the start-up and shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment are not fixed; both the target start-up and shutdown temperatures are positively correlated with the ambient temperature. In other words, the lower the ambient temperature, the lower the target start-up and shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment, effectively delaying the compressor's shutdown time and extending its operating time. This ensures sufficient cooling input to maintain a lower temperature in the freezer compartment, effectively avoiding the problem of insufficient freezing temperature affecting user experience when the ambient temperature is low. Furthermore, this invention requires no changes to the structure of the mechanically cooled refrigerator and does not increase costs.

[0042] Furthermore, when the measured temperature in the refrigerator compartment is between the target shutdown temperature and the target startup temperature, the compressor and fan are usually off, and the temperatures in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments rise slowly. However, in this invention, when the ambient temperature is low (e.g., below the first preset temperature), the compressor and fan are selectively started based on the temperature rise of the evaporator since the compressor and fan stopped operating. After the compressor starts, the evaporator temperature drops, generating cooling capacity; the fan operates, sending the cooling capacity generated by the evaporator to the freezer compartment, which can effectively suppress the temperature rise in the freezer compartment, thereby further ensuring that the freezer compartment still has a good freezing and storage effect when the ambient temperature is low.

[0043] 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

[0044] 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:

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a mechanically cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the control of compressor and fan start-up and shutdown based on ambient temperature and the relationship between measured temperature inside the refrigerator and target start-up and target shutdown temperatures, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the selective activation of the compressor and fan based on the temperature rise of the evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a mechanically cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The present invention first provides a control method for a mechanically cooled refrigerator, which includes a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment for storing items. Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a mechanically cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 1 The control method for the mechanically cooled refrigerator of the present invention includes:

[0050] Step S10: When the compressor and fan of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator are in a stopped state, obtain the ambient temperature of the space where the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator is located.

[0051] Step S20: Set the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment according to the ambient temperature; wherein, the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment are both positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0052] Step S30: Control the start and stop of the compressor and fan based on the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature inside the refrigerator and the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature.

[0053] Specifically, in step S10, the compressor and fan can be shut down based on the measured temperature inside the refrigerator reaching their target shutdown point temperature. At this time, the ambient temperature of the space where the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator is located can be obtained.

[0054] The mechanically cooled refrigerator of this invention sets the target start-up and target shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment based on the ambient temperature of the surrounding environment when the compressor and fan are off. Then, it controls the start and stop of the compressor and fan based on the relationship between the ambient temperature, the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment, and the target start-up and shutdown temperatures. In other words, the start-up and shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment are not fixed; both the target start-up and shutdown temperatures are positively correlated with the ambient temperature. Specifically, the lower the ambient temperature, the lower the target start-up and shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment, effectively delaying the compressor's shutdown time and extending its operating time. This ensures sufficient cooling input to maintain a lower temperature in the freezer compartment, effectively preventing the problem of insufficient freezing temperature affecting user experience when the ambient temperature is low. Furthermore, this invention requires no changes to the structure of the mechanically cooled refrigerator and does not increase costs. In addition, the present invention replaces the refrigeration compensation heating scheme in the prior art, and will not bring additional heat load to mechanical air-cooled refrigerators, nor will it increase their energy consumption.

[0055] In some embodiments, step S30, which controls the start and stop of the compressor and fan based on the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature inside the refrigerator and the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature, may specifically include:

[0056] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and the actual temperature inside the refrigerator is greater than or equal to the target start-up temperature, the compressor is started, and the fan is started after a first preset time delay.

[0057] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and the actual temperature inside the refrigerator is less than or equal to the target shutdown temperature, the compressor and fan will stop.

[0058] In other words, when the ambient temperature is low, the compressor starts first when the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment reaches its target start-up temperature, allowing the refrigerant to circulate in the refrigeration system. After a first preset time, when the evaporator temperature is sufficiently low, the fan is then started. This ensures that the airflow entering both the refrigerator and freezer compartments is a cooler airflow, resulting in better refrigeration efficiency. When the ambient temperature is low, the compressor and fan stop immediately when the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment reaches the target shutdown temperature to prevent the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment from dropping further.

[0059] It is understandable that when the ambient temperature is higher than the first preset temperature, it means that the ambient temperature is not very low. At this time, the ambient temperature has little impact on the temperature control of the freezer compartment. Mechanical air-cooled refrigerators can control the compressor and fan according to the traditional control logic, which will not be elaborated here.

[0060] In some embodiments, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature, and when the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is greater than the target shutdown point temperature but less than the target startup point temperature, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0061] The defrost sensor of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator detects the first evaporator temperature when the compressor and fan have just stopped running, and the second evaporator temperature currently detected by the defrost sensor.

[0062] Calculate the temperature rise of the evaporator based on the temperatures of the first and second evaporators;

[0063] The compressor and fan are selectively activated based on the temperature rise of the evaporator.

[0064] When the measured temperature in the refrigerator compartment is between the target shutdown temperature and the target startup temperature, i.e., before reaching the target startup temperature, the compressor and fan are usually off, and the temperatures in both the refrigerator and freezer compartments rise slowly. However, in this invention, when the ambient temperature is low (e.g., below the first preset temperature), the compressor and fan are selectively started based on the temperature rise of the evaporator since the compressor and fan stopped running. After the compressor starts, the evaporator temperature drops, generating cooling capacity; the fan runs, sending the cooling capacity generated by the evaporator to the freezer compartment, effectively suppressing the temperature rise in the freezer compartment, thereby further ensuring that the freezer compartment still has a good freezing storage effect when the ambient temperature is low. Furthermore, the defrost sensor is an existing structure in mechanical air-cooled refrigerators. This invention further utilizes the existing structural features of mechanical air-cooled refrigerators and designs ingenious control logic to further reduce the freezer compartment temperature at low ambient temperatures, further ensuring the freezing storage effect of the freezer compartment.

[0065] Specifically, Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the control of compressor and fan start-up and shutdown based on ambient temperature and the relationship between measured temperature inside the refrigerator and target start-up and target shutdown temperatures, according to an embodiment of the present invention. (See attached diagram.) Figure 2 The step S30, which controls the start and stop of the compressor and fan based on the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature inside the refrigerator and the target start-up and target shutdown temperatures, may specifically include:

[0066] Step S31: Determine whether the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature; if so, proceed to step S32.

[0067] Step S32: Determine whether the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment is greater than or equal to the target start-up temperature; if yes, proceed to step S33; if no, proceed to step S34.

[0068] Step S33: Start the compressor and then start the fan after a first preset time delay;

[0069] Step S34: Determine whether the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is less than or equal to the target shutdown temperature; if not, proceed to step S351; if yes, proceed to step S36.

[0070] Step S351: Obtain the first evaporator temperature detected by the defrost sensor of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator when the compressor and fan have just stopped running, and the second evaporator temperature currently detected by the defrost sensor;

[0071] Step S352: Calculate the temperature rise of the evaporator based on the temperature of the first evaporator and the temperature of the second evaporator.

[0072] Step S353: Selectively start the compressor and fan according to the temperature rise of the evaporator;

[0073] Step S36: Stop the compressor and fan.

[0074] Specifically, during the period when the compressor and fan are not running, the temperature of the evaporator rises slowly. Therefore, in step S352, the difference between the temperature of the second evaporator and the temperature of the first evaporator is the amount of temperature rise of the evaporator.

[0075] In some embodiments, step S353, which involves selectively starting the compressor and fan based on the temperature rise of the evaporator, may specifically include:

[0076] When the temperature rise of the evaporator reaches the target temperature rise that matches the ambient temperature, the compressor is started and controlled to run at the lowest speed; the target temperature rise is positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0077] The fan is started after a second preset time since the compressor began operation, and the fan is controlled to operate at a target duty cycle; the target duty cycle is set such that the cooling capacity driven by the fan and flowing into the refrigerator compartment is less than the heat input into the refrigerator compartment; and

[0078] When the evaporator temperature detected by the defrost sensor returns to the first evaporator temperature, the compressor and fan stop.

[0079] During the compressor and fan shutdown period, the evaporator temperature rises slowly. When the evaporator temperature rises to the target temperature increase, the compressor starts running at its lowest speed to allow the evaporator temperature to drop slowly. After the compressor has been running for a second preset time, the evaporator temperature has dropped sufficiently, at which point the fan starts, generating a sufficiently cool airflow. Furthermore, the fan operates at its target duty cycle, meaning the amount of cooling air flowing into the refrigerator compartment is less than the amount of heat input, and the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment continues to rise slowly. In other words, the fan's target duty cycle is small enough that most of the fan-driven cooling airflow flows into the freezer compartment, which is closer to the fan, with very little or no cooling airflow flowing into the refrigerator compartment, which is farther from the fan. It's understandable that the heat input into the refrigerator compartment can come from the external environment or from the food inside. For example, outside air can enter the refrigerator compartment through the door seal, and the heat carried by that air also enters the refrigerator compartment.

[0080] However, since the fan is close to the freezer compartment, even with a small target duty cycle, it can still effectively promote the flow of cooling air into the freezer compartment, thereby reducing the temperature inside the freezer compartment. Therefore, this invention, by controlling the fan duty cycle, ensures both the compressor's operating rate and effectively reduces the temperature inside the freezer compartment, demonstrating a highly ingenious design.

[0081] When the compressor starts, the evaporator temperature gradually decreases. When the evaporator temperature returns to the initial evaporator temperature (i.e., the evaporator temperature when the compressor and fan just started to stop), the compressor and fan stop. This cycle ensures that the measured temperature in the refrigerator compartment is between the target shutdown point temperature and the target startup point temperature, allowing the measured temperature in the refrigerator compartment to rise slowly without affecting the normal operation of the compressor. At the same time, the intermittent operation of the compressor and fan ensures a lower temperature in the freezer compartment.

[0082] Understandably, the target duty cycle can be obtained through extensive testing, ensuring that the temperature inside the refrigerator rises slowly when the fan operates at this target duty cycle.

[0083] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the selective activation of the compressor and fan based on the temperature rise of the evaporator according to one embodiment of the present invention. See also: [link to relevant documentation] Figure 3 Step S353, which involves selectively starting the compressor and fan based on the temperature rise of the evaporator, may specifically include:

[0084] Step S3531: Obtain the target temperature rise that matches the ambient temperature;

[0085] Step S3532: Determine whether the temperature rise of the evaporator reaches the target temperature rise mentioned above; if so, proceed to step S3533.

[0086] Step S3533: Start the compressor and control it to run at the lowest speed;

[0087] Step S3534: After the compressor has been running for a second preset time, start the fan and control the fan to operate at the target duty cycle; and

[0088] Step S3535: Determine whether the evaporator temperature detected by the defrost sensor has returned to the first evaporator temperature; if so, proceed to step S3536.

[0089] Step S3536: Stop the compressor and fan.

[0090] In some embodiments, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature and greater than a second preset temperature, the corresponding target temperature increase is a first temperature increase; when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the corresponding target temperature increase is a second temperature increase. Wherein, the first preset temperature is greater than the second preset temperature, and the first temperature increase is greater than the second temperature increase.

[0091] In other words, when the ambient temperature is low, it can be further divided into two levels: one between the first and second preset temperatures, and the other below the second preset temperature, each with a corresponding target temperature rise. The lower the ambient temperature, the lower the target temperature rise. That is, the lower the ambient temperature, the smaller the evaporator temperature rise, and the compressor starts at its lowest speed. In other words, the lower the ambient temperature, the less cooling demand the refrigerator compartment requires, and the more frequently the compressor starts at its lowest speed. This allows for more cooling capacity to be provided to the freezer compartment at extremely low ambient temperatures, ensuring a lower temperature inside the freezer.

[0092] Specifically, the first preset temperature can be any temperature value between 12 and 14°C. The second preset temperature can be any temperature value between 4 and 6°C.

[0093] In some embodiments, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature and greater than a second preset temperature, the target duty cycle of the fan is the first duty cycle; when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the target duty cycle of the fan is the second duty cycle. The first duty cycle is greater than or equal to the second duty cycle.

[0094] In other words, when the ambient temperature is low, it can be further divided into two levels: one between the first and second preset temperatures, and the other below the second preset temperature, with a corresponding target duty cycle for the fan. Within a certain range, the lower the ambient temperature, the smaller the heat load of the freezer compartment, and the smaller the target duty cycle of the fan. This means that the fan can drive less cooling airflow into the freezer compartment to effectively reduce the temperature inside the freezer compartment to a reasonable range.

[0095] Of course, when the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature, the fan can also operate at the same target duty cycle.

[0096] Furthermore, the target duty cycle of the fan can be less than or equal to 40%. Through numerous experiments, the inventors discovered that when the fan's operating duty cycle is less than or equal to 40%, most of the cooling airflow driven by the fan flows into the freezer compartment, while very little or no cooling airflow flows into the refrigerator compartment. This perfectly meets the requirement for the target duty cycle of the fan.

[0097] Preferably, within a range of 40% or less, the target duty cycle of the fan can be appropriately adjusted according to the ambient temperature.

[0098] In some embodiments, step S20, which sets the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment based on the ambient temperature, may specifically include:

[0099] When the ambient temperature is higher than the first preset temperature, the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature are set to the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment at the current setting, respectively.

[0100] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the target power-on temperature and the target power-off temperature are set to the difference between the preset power-on temperature and the first temperature value, and the difference between the preset power-off temperature and the first temperature value, respectively.

[0101] When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and greater than the second preset temperature, the target power-on temperature and the target power-off temperature are set to the difference between the preset power-on temperature and the second temperature value, and the difference between the preset power-off temperature and the second temperature value, respectively.

[0102] The first preset temperature is greater than the second preset temperature, and the first temperature value is greater than the second temperature value.

[0103] Specifically, the refrigerator compartment has a system default preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature for each setting. When the ambient temperature is high, such as above the first preset temperature, the ambient temperature has little impact on the compressor's operating rate. In this case, the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment are set to the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment at the current setting, respectively, and the control is performed according to the normal control logic.

[0104] When the ambient temperature is extremely low, such as less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the target start-up and target shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment are lowered by a first value based on the preset start-up and preset shutdown temperatures, respectively. When the ambient temperature is low, such as between the second and first preset temperatures, the target start-up and target shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment are lowered by a second value based on the preset start-up and preset shutdown temperatures, respectively. The lower the ambient temperature, the greater the reduction in the target start-up and target shutdown temperatures of the refrigerator compartment, and the longer the compressor shutdown delay time, which is equivalent to a longer compressor operating time, better meeting the cooling needs of the freezer compartment.

[0105] In some embodiments, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0106] When defrosting conditions are met, the defrosting program is initiated to defrost the evaporator of the mechanically cooled refrigerator; and

[0107] After the evaporator defrosts, restore the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment to the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature, respectively.

[0108] During evaporator defrosting, the temperature inside the entire mechanical air-cooled refrigerator rises, and the temperature in the refrigerator compartment will inevitably reach the target start-up temperature that will trigger the compressor to start. In other words, after the evaporator defrosts, the compressor will inevitably start, and the freezer compartment will inevitably receive cooling. Restoring the target start-up temperature and target stop-up temperature of the refrigerator compartment to the preset start-up temperature and preset stop-up temperature at this time can prevent the temperature in the refrigerator compartment from becoming too low and freezing the food. When the evaporator temperature reaches the preset stop-up temperature, the compressor and fan stop, and the process proceeds to the control program in step S10 of this invention.

[0109] It can be seen that when the ambient temperature is low, in a complete defrosting cycle, the compressor only starts and stops for the first time after the evaporator defrosts, based on the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment. All other starts and stops are based on the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment, as well as the special start-up and shutdown conditions described in the above embodiments of the present invention.

[0110] The present invention also provides a mechanically cooled refrigerator 1, which includes a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment for storing items. The refrigerator compartment has a refrigerated storage environment, and the freezer compartment has a frozen storage environment, wherein the temperature inside the freezer compartment is lower than the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment.

[0111] In particular, Figure 4 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a mechanically cooled air-cooled refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 4 The mechanically cooled refrigerator 1 also includes an ambient temperature detection device 10, a refrigerator temperature detection device 20, and a control device 30 connected to the ambient temperature detection device 10 and the refrigerator temperature detection device 20. The ambient temperature detection device 10 is used to detect the ambient temperature of the space where the mechanically cooled refrigerator 1 is located. The refrigerator temperature detection device 20 is used to detect the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment. The control device 30 includes a processor 31 and a memory 32. The memory 32 stores a machine-executable program 33, and when the machine-executable program 33 is executed by the processor 31, it is used to implement the control method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0112] Specifically, both the environmental monitoring device 10 and the refrigeration temperature monitoring device 20 can be temperature sensors, temperature sensors, or other devices capable of acquiring temperature values.

[0113] Specifically, processor 31 can be a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital processing unit, etc. Processor 31 sends and receives data via a communication interface. Memory 32 is used to store the program executed by processor 31. Memory 32 can be any medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer; it can also be a combination of multiple memories. The aforementioned machine-executable program 33 can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to the corresponding computing / processing device or via a network (e.g., the Internet, local area network, wide area network, and / or wireless network) to a computer or external storage device.

[0114] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described above are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are intended to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Based on the embodiments provided by the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0115] 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.

[0116] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the description of this invention, each functional module can be a physical module composed of multiple structures, components, or electronic devices, or a virtual module composed of multiple programs; each functional module can be an independent module or a module divided from a whole module according to its function. Those skilled in the art should understand that, provided the technical solution described in this invention can be implemented, any changes in the configuration, implementation, or positional relationship of the functional modules will not deviate from the technical principles of this invention, and therefore should all fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0117] 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 mechanically cooled refrigerator, the mechanically cooled refrigerator comprising a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment for storing items, the control method comprising: When the compressor and fan of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator are in a stopped state, the ambient temperature of the space where the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator is located is obtained; The target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment are set according to the ambient temperature; both the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature are positively correlated with the ambient temperature. The compressor and the fan are controlled to start and stop based on the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature inside the refrigerator and the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature. When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature, and the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is greater than the target shutdown temperature but less than the target startup temperature, the control method further includes: The defrost sensor of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator detects the first evaporator temperature when the compressor and the fan have just stopped running, and the second evaporator temperature currently detected by the defrost sensor. The temperature rise of the evaporator is calculated based on the temperatures of the first evaporator and the second evaporator. The compressor and the fan are selectively activated based on the temperature rise of the evaporator.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein The steps for controlling the start and stop of the compressor and the fan based on the ambient temperature and the relationship between the measured temperature inside the refrigerator and the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature include: When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is greater than or equal to the target start-up temperature, the compressor is started, and the fan is started after a first preset time delay. When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and the measured temperature inside the refrigerator is less than or equal to the target shutdown point temperature, the compressor and the fan are stopped.

3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein The step of selectively starting the compressor and the fan based on the temperature rise of the evaporator includes: When the temperature rise of the evaporator reaches the target temperature rise that matches the ambient temperature, the compressor is started and controlled to run at the lowest speed. The target temperature increase is positively correlated with the ambient temperature. The fan is started after the compressor has been running for a second preset period of time, and the fan is controlled to run at a target duty cycle; the target duty cycle is set such that the amount of cold energy driven by the fan and flowing into the refrigerator compartment is less than the amount of heat input into the refrigerator compartment. as well as When the evaporator temperature detected by the defrost sensor returns to the first evaporator temperature, the compressor and the fan are stopped.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and greater than the second preset temperature, the target temperature rise that matches it is the first temperature rise. When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the corresponding target temperature increase is the second temperature increase; wherein The first preset temperature is greater than the second preset temperature, and the first temperature increase is greater than the second temperature increase.

5. The control method according to claim 3, wherein When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and greater than the second preset temperature, the target duty cycle of the fan is the first duty cycle; When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the target duty cycle of the fan is the second duty cycle; in The first duty cycle is greater than or equal to the second duty cycle.

6. The control method according to claim 3, wherein The target duty cycle is less than or equal to 40%.

7. The control method according to claim 1, wherein The steps for setting the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment based on the ambient temperature include: When the ambient temperature is greater than the first preset temperature, the target start-up temperature and the target shutdown temperature are respectively set to the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment at the current setting. When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the second preset temperature, the target power-on temperature and the target power-off temperature are respectively set to the difference between the preset power-on temperature and the first temperature value, and the difference between the preset power-off temperature and the first temperature value. When the ambient temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature and greater than the second preset temperature, the target power-on temperature and the target power-off temperature are respectively set to the difference between the preset power-on temperature and the second temperature value, and the difference between the preset power-off temperature and the second temperature value. Wherein, the first preset temperature is greater than the second preset temperature, and the first temperature value is greater than the second temperature value.

8. The control method according to claim 7, further comprising: When the defrosting conditions are met, the defrosting procedure is initiated to defrost the evaporator of the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator; as well as After the evaporator defrosts, the target start-up temperature and target shutdown temperature of the refrigerator compartment are restored to the preset start-up temperature and preset shutdown temperature, respectively.

9. A mechanically cooled refrigerator, comprising a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment for storing items, and further comprising: An ambient temperature detection device is used to detect the ambient temperature of the space in which the mechanical air-cooled refrigerator is located; A refrigeration temperature detection device is used to detect the actual temperature inside the refrigeration compartment; as well as A control device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a machine-executable program, and the machine-executable program being executed by the processor to implement the control method according to any one of claims 1-8.

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