Refrigerating and freezing device and control method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to a refrigeration and freezing device and a control method thereof, the refrigeration and freezing device having a refrigeration compartment, a freezing compartment and a variable-temperature compartment, and a first cooling chamber and a second cooling chamber, the refrigeration compartment being communicated with the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber through a same return air pipe, and a return air baffle being arranged in the return air pipe. The control method comprises: when the refrigeration compartment needs to be refrigerated, obtaining the refrigeration states of the freezing compartment and the variable-temperature compartment; when the freezing compartment is in the refrigeration state and the variable-temperature compartment is in a non-refrigeration state, using the first cooling chamber to provide cold energy for the refrigeration compartment, and adjusting the return air baffle to a first state of conducting the return air pipe and the first cooling chamber and blocking the return air pipe and the second cooling chamber; and when the freezing compartment is in the non-refrigeration state and the variable-temperature compartment is in the refrigeration state, using the second cooling chamber to provide cold energy for the refrigeration compartment, and adjusting the return air baffle to a second state of blocking the return air pipe and the first cooling chamber and conducting the return air pipe and the second cooling chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to refrigeration and freezing technology, and in particular to a refrigeration and freezing apparatus and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] In daily life, people mainly use refrigerators to store and preserve items. Common refrigerators in current technology include traditional two-door refrigerators, T-type refrigerators, French door refrigerators, and side-by-side refrigerators. Current refrigerators have a limited number of storage compartments, making it impossible to precisely partition and store different types of food, thus failing to meet diverse user needs. Therefore, to meet users' needs for precise partitioned storage, some existing refrigerators have multiple storage compartments, including refrigeration, freezing, and variable temperature compartments. These multiple compartments are usually cooled by the same evaporator, resulting in low cooling efficiency and difficulty in meeting the cooling requirements of large storage spaces. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to overcome at least one deficiency of the prior art and to provide a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus that has high refrigeration efficiency and is less prone to cross-ventilation between compartments.

[0004] A further objective of the first aspect of the present invention is to improve the utilization rate of cold energy and reduce defrosting energy consumption.

[0005] The second objective of this invention is to provide a refrigeration and freezing device with high refrigeration efficiency and minimal cross-ventilation between compartments.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus having a refrigeration compartment, a freezing compartment, and a variable temperature compartment for storing articles, and a first cooling compartment and a second cooling compartment for cooling airflow flowing through it, wherein the freezing compartment is supplied with cooling capacity by the first cooling compartment, the variable temperature compartment is supplied with cooling capacity by the second cooling compartment, and the refrigeration compartment is selectively supplied with cooling capacity by either the first cooling compartment or the second cooling compartment; the refrigeration compartment is connected to the first cooling compartment and the second cooling compartment respectively through the same return air duct, and the return air duct is provided with a return air baffle; and the control method includes:

[0007] When the refrigeration compartment needs to be refrigerated, the refrigeration status of the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment is obtained;

[0008] When the freezer compartment is in a cooling state and the variable temperature compartment is in a non-cooling state, the first cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the refrigerator compartment, and the return air baffle is adjusted to a first state that connects the return air duct and the first cooling chamber and blocks the return air duct and the second cooling chamber.

[0009] When the freezer compartment is in a non-cooling state and the variable temperature compartment is in a cooling state, the second cooling chamber is used to provide cooling to the refrigerator compartment, and the return air baffle is adjusted to a second state that blocks the return air duct and the first cooling chamber while opening the return air duct and the second cooling chamber.

[0010] Optionally, when both the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment are in a cooling state, the set temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment are obtained;

[0011] If the set temperature of the cold storage room is lower than or equal to the set temperature of the variable temperature room, the first cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, and the return air baffle is adjusted to the first state.

[0012] If the set temperature of the cold storage room is higher than the set temperature of the variable temperature room, then one or both of the first cooling room and the second cooling room are selectively used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room; when the first cooling room is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, the return air damper is adjusted to the first state; when the second cooling room provides cooling capacity to the cold storage room, the return air damper is adjusted to the second state; when the first cooling room and the second cooling room jointly provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, the return air damper is adjusted to the third state of connecting the return air duct and the first cooling room and connecting the return air duct and the second cooling room.

[0013] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0014] When both the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment are in a non-cooling state, the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment is obtained;

[0015] If the set temperature of the cold storage room is greater than the preset temperature value, the second cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, and the return air baffle is adjusted to the second state.

[0016] If the set temperature of the cold storage room is less than or equal to the preset temperature value, then the first cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, and the return air baffle is adjusted to the first state.

[0017] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0018] With both the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment in a non-cooling state, the set temperatures of the variable temperature compartment and the refrigerator compartment are obtained;

[0019] Calculate the temperature difference between the set temperature of the cold storage compartment and the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment;

[0020] If the temperature difference is greater than the first preset temperature difference, the return airflow of the cold storage compartment is used to defrost the second evaporator in the second cooling compartment.

[0021] If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first preset temperature difference, the return airflow of the cold storage compartment is used to defrost the first evaporator in the first cooling compartment.

[0022] Optionally, after defrosting the second evaporator in the second cooling chamber using the return airflow from the refrigeration compartment, the control method further includes:

[0023] Obtain the temperature of the second evaporator and the measured temperature inside the variable temperature chamber;

[0024] Calculate the temperature difference between the measured temperature inside the variable temperature chamber and the temperature of the second evaporator;

[0025] If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset temperature difference, then the air defrosting of the second evaporator is stopped, and the return airflow of the cold storage compartment is used to defrost the first evaporator in the first cooling compartment.

[0026] Optionally, after defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber using the return airflow from the refrigeration compartment, the control method further includes:

[0027] Obtain the temperature of the first evaporator and the measured temperature inside the freezer compartment;

[0028] Calculate the temperature difference between the measured temperature inside the freezer room and the temperature of the first evaporator;

[0029] If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the third preset temperature difference, then defrosting the first evaporator with air will be stopped.

[0030] Optionally, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further includes a first refrigeration damper for selectively allowing cooling airflow generated in the first cooling chamber to flow into the refrigeration compartment, a second refrigeration damper for selectively allowing cooling airflow generated in the second cooling chamber to flow into the refrigeration compartment, and a refrigeration fan disposed within the refrigeration compartment; wherein

[0031] The step of defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment includes:

[0032] Open the first refrigeration air door, close the second refrigeration air door, and start the refrigeration fan to drive the return airflow in the refrigeration room into the first cooling chamber;

[0033] The step of defrosting the second evaporator in the second cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment includes:

[0034] Close the first refrigeration air door, open the second refrigeration air door, and start the refrigeration fan to drive the return airflow in the refrigeration room into the second cooling chamber.

[0035] Optionally, after defrosting the second evaporator in the second cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment, or defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment, the control method further includes:

[0036] Obtain the measured temperature inside the cold storage room;

[0037] When the measured temperature inside the cold storage room reaches its set shutdown point temperature, the cold storage fan is stopped.

[0038] Optionally, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further includes a first air supply fan for driving air supply to the freezing compartment and the refrigeration compartment, a second air supply fan for driving air supply to the variable temperature compartment and the refrigeration compartment, and a refrigeration fan disposed in the refrigeration compartment; and

[0039] The control method further includes:

[0040] When the cold storage compartment is in a cooling state, determine whether the preset conditions used to indicate that the cold storage compartment needs to be cooled quickly are met;

[0041] If so, then both the first air supply fan and the refrigeration fan will be in operation.

[0042] If not, the refrigeration fan is controlled to stop, and the first or second air supply fan is controlled to run.

[0043] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention also provides a refrigeration and freezing apparatus, comprising:

[0044] The enclosure includes a refrigerated compartment, a frozen compartment, and a variable-temperature compartment for storing items, as well as a first cooling compartment and a second cooling compartment for cooling the airflow passing through it. The frozen compartment is cooled by the first cooling compartment, the variable-temperature compartment is cooled by the second cooling compartment, and the refrigerated compartment is selectively cooled by either the first cooling compartment or the second cooling compartment. The refrigerated compartment is connected to both the first cooling compartment and the second cooling compartment via the same return air duct.

[0045] A return air damper, disposed within the return air duct, has a first state in which it connects the return air duct and the first cooling chamber while blocking the return air duct and the second cooling chamber, and a second state in which it blocks the return air duct and the first cooling chamber while connecting the return air duct and the second cooling chamber; and

[0046] 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.

[0047] The refrigeration and freezing apparatus of this invention utilizes two cooling chambers to provide cooling capacity to the freezer chamber and the variable-temperature chamber, which have higher cooling requirements, respectively. The freezer chamber can selectively be cooled by the two cooling chambers according to actual needs. Even if the freezer chamber, freezer chamber, and variable-temperature chamber have large spaces, high refrigeration efficiency can be achieved, resulting in a more rational design. Furthermore, the freezer chamber is connected to both cooling chambers via a single return air duct, reducing the number of return air ducts and the space occupied by them, simplifying the process, and lowering costs.

[0048] Furthermore, since the cold storage room is connected to both cooling chambers simultaneously via a return air duct, issues such as cross-flow and mixed air can occur when the cold storage room experiences return air. To address this, the present invention specifically incorporates a return air baffle within the return air duct. When the cold storage room is in the first cooling chamber, the return air baffle is adjusted to a first state that connects the return air duct and the first cooling chamber while blocking the return air duct and the second cooling chamber. In this state, the return air in the cold storage room returns only to the first cooling chamber after passing through the return air duct, and does not return to the second cooling chamber. This achieves normal return airflow in the cold storage room and prevents the return airflow from affecting the second cooling chamber and the variable temperature chamber. When the refrigerator compartment is cooled by the second cooling chamber, the return air damper is adjusted to a second state where the return air duct connects to the second cooling chamber while blocking the return air duct from the first cooling chamber. In this state, the return airflow in the refrigerator compartment returns only to the second cooling chamber after passing through the return air duct, and does not flow to the first cooling chamber. This achieves normal return airflow in the refrigerator compartment and avoids the return airflow in the refrigerator compartment affecting the first cooling chamber and the freezer compartment. Therefore, this invention, by installing a return air damper in the return air duct and controlling it appropriately, can effectively prevent cross-ventilation between the refrigerator compartment, the variable temperature compartment, the freezer compartment, and the two cooling chambers caused by the refrigerator compartment returning air to two different cooling chambers through the same return air duct. This avoids large temperature fluctuations in each compartment and prevents condensation or frost formation in each compartment.

[0049] Furthermore, when both the freezer compartment and the variable-temperature compartment are in a non-cooling state, if the set temperature of the freezer compartment is higher than that of the variable-temperature compartment by a certain degree, the set temperature of the variable-temperature compartment will be lower. Consequently, the temperature of the second evaporator in the second cooling compartment will also be lower, making it more prone to frost formation. Therefore, the return airflow from the freezer compartment can be used to defrost the second evaporator in the second cooling compartment. On the one hand, the higher-temperature return airflow can effectively raise the temperature of the second evaporator, melting at least some of the frost and reducing defrosting energy consumption. On the other hand, the residual cold energy in the second evaporator can be transferred to the freezer compartment, suppressing the temperature rise of the freezer compartment during non-cooling periods, resulting in high cold energy utilization.

[0050] Furthermore, when both the freezer compartment and the variable-temperature compartment are in a non-cooling state, and the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment is slightly higher or even lower than the set temperature of the variable-temperature compartment, the set temperature of the variable-temperature compartment is higher. Consequently, the second evaporator in the second cooling compartment is less prone to frost formation. Therefore, the return airflow in the refrigerator compartment can be used to defrost the first evaporator in the first cooling compartment. On the one hand, the higher temperature return airflow can effectively raise the temperature of the first evaporator, melting at least part of the frost on it and reducing defrosting energy consumption. On the other hand, the residual cold energy in the first evaporator can also be transferred to the refrigerator compartment, suppressing the temperature rise of the refrigerator compartment during non-cooling periods, resulting in high cold energy utilization.

[0051] 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

[0052] 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:

[0053] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 All are schematic top views of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 6This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0059] This invention first provides a control method for a refrigeration and freezing device. Figure 1 This is a schematic front view of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 These are all schematic top views of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. See also Figures 1 to 4 The refrigeration and freezing apparatus 1 of the present invention includes at least a refrigeration compartment 12, a freezing compartment 11, and a variable temperature compartment 13 for storing articles, and a first cooling chamber 151 and a second cooling chamber 152 for cooling the airflow flowing through them. The freezing compartment 11 is cooled by the first cooling chamber 151, the variable temperature compartment 13 is cooled by the second cooling chamber 152, and the refrigeration compartment 12 is selectively cooled by either the first cooling chamber 151 or the second cooling chamber 152. The refrigeration compartment 12 is connected to the first cooling chamber 151 and the second cooling chamber 152 via the same return air duct 20.

[0060] The refrigeration and freezing apparatus 1 of the present invention utilizes two cooling chambers to provide cooling capacity to the freezing chamber 11 and the variable temperature chamber 13, which have higher cooling capacity requirements, respectively. The refrigeration chamber 12 can be selectively cooled by the two cooling chambers according to actual needs. Even if the spaces of the freezing chamber 11, refrigeration chamber 12, and variable temperature chamber 13 are large, high refrigeration efficiency can be achieved, making the design more reasonable. Furthermore, the refrigeration chamber 12 is connected to both cooling chambers through the same return air duct 20, reducing the number of return air ducts 20 and the space occupied by the return air ducts, simplifying the process, and reducing costs.

[0061] Furthermore, a return air baffle 21 is provided inside the return air duct 20, and the return air baffle 21 has multiple different states. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the middle, the return air damper 21 is in different states.

[0062] The control method of the present invention is based on the refrigeration and freezing device 1 having the above-described structure.

[0063] The control method of the present invention includes:

[0064] When the cold storage compartment 12 needs to be refrigerated, the refrigeration status of the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 is obtained;

[0065] When the freezer compartment 11 is in a cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a non-cooling state, the first cooling compartment 151 provides cooling capacity to the refrigerator compartment 12, and the return air damper 21 is adjusted to the first state of connecting the return air duct 20 and the first cooling compartment 151 while blocking the return air duct 20 and the second cooling compartment 152 (see...). Figure 2 );

[0066] When the freezer compartment 11 is in a non-cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a cooling state, the second cooling compartment 152 provides cooling to the refrigerator compartment 12, and the return air damper 21 is adjusted to a second state that blocks the return air duct 20 and the first cooling compartment 151 while opening the return air duct 20 and the second cooling compartment 152 (see...). Figure 3 ).

[0067] Since the cold storage compartment 12 is connected to both cooling compartments simultaneously through a return air duct 20, problems such as cross-flow and mixed air occur when the cold storage compartment 12 returns air. To address this, the present invention specifically provides a return air baffle 21 inside the return air duct 20. When the cold storage compartment 12 is cooled by the first cooling compartment 151, the return air baffle 21 is adjusted to a first state that connects the return air duct 20 and the first cooling compartment 151 while blocking the return air duct 20 and the second cooling compartment 152. At this time, the return air in the cold storage compartment 12 returns only to the first cooling compartment 151 after passing through the return air duct 20, and does not return to the second cooling compartment 152. This achieves normal return air in the cold storage compartment 12 and avoids the return airflow in the cold storage compartment 12 affecting the second cooling compartment 152 and the variable temperature compartment 13. When the refrigerator compartment 12 is cooled by the second cooling chamber 152, the return air baffle 21 is adjusted to the second state, which connects the return air duct 20 and the second cooling chamber 152 and blocks the return air duct 20 and the first cooling chamber 151. At this time, the return air flow in the refrigerator compartment 12 returns to the second cooling chamber 152 after passing through the return air duct 20, and does not flow to the first cooling chamber 151. This achieves normal return air in the refrigerator compartment 12 and avoids the return air flow in the refrigerator compartment 12 from affecting the first cooling chamber 151 and the freezer compartment 11.

[0068] As can be seen, by setting a return air baffle 21 in the return air duct 20 and controlling it reasonably, the present invention can effectively avoid cross-ventilation between the refrigerator compartment 12, the variable temperature compartment 13, the freezer compartment 11 and the two cooling compartments due to the return air from the refrigerator compartment 12 to the two different cooling compartments through the same return air duct. This avoids large temperature fluctuations in each compartment and makes it less likely for condensation or frost to form in each compartment.

[0069] Specifically, Figure 5This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control method of the present invention may specifically include:

[0070] Step S10: When the refrigerator compartment 12 needs to be refrigerated, obtain the refrigeration status of the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13;

[0071] Step S21: Determine whether the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a cooling state; if the freezer compartment 11 is in a cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a non-cooling state, proceed to step S22; if the freezer compartment 11 is in a non-cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a cooling state, proceed to step S23.

[0072] Step S22: Use the first cooling chamber 151 to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage chamber 12, and adjust the return air baffle 21 to the first state;

[0073] Step S23: Use the second cooling chamber 152 to provide cooling to the cold storage chamber 12, and adjust the return air baffle 21 to the second state.

[0074] The inventors recognized that when the refrigerator compartment 12 requires cooling, and both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a cooling state, the refrigerator compartment 12 can be cooled solely by the first cooling chamber 151, solely by the second cooling chamber 152, or jointly by both the first cooling chamber 151 and the second cooling chamber 152. In this case, the direction of the return airflow within the refrigerator compartment 12 may affect the temperature within the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13.

[0075] Therefore, in some embodiments, the present invention further includes:

[0076] When both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a cooling state, the set temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are obtained;

[0077] If the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12 is lower than or equal to the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13, the first cooling chamber 151 is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage compartment 12, and the return air baffle 21 is adjusted to the first state.

[0078] If the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12 is higher than the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13, then one or both of the first cooling compartment 151 and the second cooling compartment 152 are selectively used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage compartment 12.

[0079] Specifically, when the first cooling chamber 151 provides cooling to the cold storage compartment 12, the return air damper 21 is adjusted to the first state; when the second cooling chamber 152 provides cooling to the cold storage compartment 12, the return air damper 21 is adjusted to the second state; when the first cooling chamber 151 and the second cooling chamber 152 jointly provide cooling to the cold storage compartment 12, the return air damper 21 is adjusted to the third state, which connects the return air duct 20 and the first cooling chamber 151, and also connects the return air duct 20 and the second cooling chamber 152 (see...). Figure 4 ).

[0080] When both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in cooling mode, if the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 is lower than or equal to the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13, it indicates that the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 is higher, and the cooling capacity of the second evaporator 32 in the second cooling compartment 152 is lower. In this case, using the second cooling compartment 152 to provide cooling to the refrigerator compartment 12 is clearly insufficient to meet its cooling requirements. Therefore, it is more reasonable to use the first cooling compartment 151 to provide cooling to the refrigerator compartment 12. Furthermore, at this time, the return air baffle 21 is in its first state, allowing airflow circulation between the first cooling compartment 151 and the refrigerator compartment 12, thus avoiding any impact on the temperature of the second cooling compartment 152 and the variable temperature compartment 13.

[0081] When both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in cooling mode, if the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 is higher than that of the variable temperature compartment 13, it indicates that the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 is lower, the cooling capacity of the second evaporator 32 in the second cooling compartment 152 is higher, and the cooling capacity of the first evaporator 31 in the first cooling compartment 151, which provides cooling to the freezer compartment 11, is also relatively high. Therefore, at this time, either the first cooling compartment 151 or the second cooling compartment 152 can cool the refrigerator compartment 12. When the first cooling compartment 151 cools the refrigerator compartment 12, the return air baffle 21 is in the first state, which can realize airflow circulation between the first cooling compartment 151 and the refrigerator compartment 12, avoiding affecting the temperature of the second cooling compartment 152 and the variable temperature compartment 13. When the second cooling chamber 152 is cooling the refrigerator compartment 12, the return air baffle 21 is in its second state, allowing airflow circulation between the second cooling chamber 152 and the refrigerator compartment 12, thus avoiding any impact on the temperature of the first cooling chamber 151 and the freezer compartment 11. When the first cooling chamber 151 and the second cooling chamber 152 are both cooling the refrigerator compartment 12, the return air baffle 21 is in its third state, with some of the return airflow from the refrigerator compartment 12 returning to the first cooling chamber 151 and some returning to the second cooling chamber 152, thus achieving airflow circulation between the first cooling chamber 151 and the refrigerator compartment 12, as well as between the second cooling chamber 152 and the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0082] Specifically, Figure 6This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The control method of the present invention may specifically include:

[0083] Step S10: When the refrigerator compartment 12 needs to be refrigerated, obtain the refrigeration status of the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13;

[0084] Step S21: Determine whether the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a cooling state; if the freezer compartment 11 is in a cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a non-cooling state, proceed to step S22; if the freezer compartment 11 is in a non-cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a cooling state, proceed to step S23; if both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a cooling state, proceed to step S24.

[0085] Step S22: Use the first cooling chamber 151 to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage chamber 12, and adjust the return air baffle 21 to the first state;

[0086] Step S23: Use the second cooling chamber 152 to provide cooling to the cold storage chamber 12, and adjust the return air baffle 21 to the second state;

[0087] Step S24: Obtain the set temperatures of the cold storage compartment 12 and the variable temperature compartment 13;

[0088] Step S25: Determine whether the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12 is lower than or equal to the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13; if yes, proceed to step S26; if no, proceed to step S27.

[0089] Step S26: Use the first cooling chamber 151 to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage chamber 12, and adjust the return air baffle 21 to the first state;

[0090] Step S27, selectively utilize one or both of the first cooling chamber 151 and the second cooling chamber 152 to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage compartment 12.

[0091] In some embodiments, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0092] When both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a non-cooling state, the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 is obtained;

[0093] If the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12 is greater than the preset temperature value, the second cooling chamber 152 is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage compartment 12, and the return air baffle 21 is adjusted to the second state.

[0094] If the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12 is less than or equal to the preset temperature value, the first cooling chamber 151 is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage compartment 12, and the return air baffle 21 is adjusted to the first state.

[0095] Specifically, Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of a control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The control method of the present invention may specifically include:

[0096] Step S10: When the refrigerator compartment 12 needs to be refrigerated, obtain the refrigeration status of the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13;

[0097] Step S21: Determine whether the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a cooling state; if the freezer compartment 11 is in a cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a non-cooling state, proceed to step S22; if the freezer compartment 11 is in a non-cooling state and the variable temperature compartment 13 is in a cooling state, proceed to step S23; if both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a non-cooling state, proceed to step S31.

[0098] Step S31: Obtain the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12;

[0099] Step S32: Determine whether the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12 is greater than the preset temperature value; if yes, proceed to step S33; if no, proceed to step S34.

[0100] Step S33: Use the second cooling chamber 152 to provide cooling to the cold storage chamber 12, and adjust the return air baffle 21 to the second state;

[0101] Step S34: Use the first cooling chamber 151 to provide cooling to the cold storage chamber 12, and adjust the return air baffle 21 to the first state.

[0102] In some embodiments, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0103] With both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 in a non-cooling state, the set temperatures of the variable temperature compartment 13 and the refrigerator compartment 12 are obtained;

[0104] Calculate the temperature difference between the set temperature of the cold storage compartment 12 and the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13;

[0105] If the temperature difference is greater than the first preset temperature difference, the return airflow of the cold storage compartment 12 is used to defrost the second evaporator in the second cooling compartment 152.

[0106] If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first preset temperature difference, the return airflow of the cold storage compartment 12 is used to defrost the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber 151.

[0107] It is understood that the above steps can be performed during the refrigeration period of the cold storage compartment 12, or during the non-refrigeration period of the cold storage compartment 12.

[0108] When both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a non-cooling state, and the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 is higher than that of the variable temperature compartment 13 by a certain degree, the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 is lower. Consequently, the temperature of the second evaporator 32 in the second cooling compartment 152 is also relatively low, making it more prone to frost formation. Therefore, at this time, the return airflow in the refrigerator compartment 12 can be used to defrost the second evaporator 32 in the second cooling compartment 152. On the one hand, the higher temperature return airflow can effectively increase the temperature of the second evaporator 32, melting at least part of the frost on it and reducing defrosting energy consumption. On the other hand, the residual cold energy in the second evaporator 32 can also be transferred to the refrigerator compartment 12, suppressing the temperature rise of the refrigerator compartment 12 during non-cooling periods, resulting in high cold energy utilization.

[0109] When both the freezer compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 13 are in a non-cooling state, and the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 is slightly higher or even lower than the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13, the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment 13 is higher. Consequently, the second evaporator 32 in the second cooling compartment 152 is less prone to frost formation. Therefore, the return airflow in the refrigerator compartment 12 can be used to defrost the first evaporator 31 in the first cooling compartment 151. On the one hand, the higher temperature return airflow can effectively increase the temperature of the first evaporator 31, melting at least part of the frost on it and reducing defrosting energy consumption. On the other hand, the residual cold energy in the first evaporator 31 can also be transferred to the refrigerator compartment 12, suppressing the temperature rise of the refrigerator compartment 12 during non-cooling periods, resulting in high cold energy utilization.

[0110] In some embodiments, after defrosting the second evaporator 32 in the second cooling chamber 152 using the return airflow of the cold storage chamber 12, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0111] Obtain the temperature of the second evaporator 32 and the measured temperature inside the variable temperature chamber 13;

[0112] Calculate the temperature difference between the measured temperature in the variable temperature chamber 13 and the temperature of the second evaporator 32;

[0113] If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset temperature difference, the defrosting of the second evaporator 32 is stopped, and the return airflow of the cold storage compartment 12 is used to defrost the first evaporator 31 in the first cooling compartment 151.

[0114] When the temperature of the second evaporator 32 rises to a level not much different from the measured temperature of the variable temperature chamber 13, continuing to defrost the second evaporator 32 may cause the temperature of the variable temperature chamber 13 to rise. Therefore, stopping the defrosting of the second evaporator 32 at this time can avoid large temperature fluctuations in the variable temperature chamber 13 caused by defrosting, and the first evaporator 31 in the first cooling chamber 151 can continue to be defrosted.

[0115] In some embodiments, after defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber 151 using the return airflow of the cold storage chamber 12, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0116] Obtain the temperature of the first evaporator 31 and the measured temperature inside the freezer compartment 11;

[0117] Calculate the temperature difference between the measured temperature inside the freezer compartment 11 and the temperature of the first evaporator 31;

[0118] If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the third preset temperature difference, then defrosting of the first evaporator 31 will be stopped.

[0119] When the temperature of the first evaporator 31 rises to a level not much different from the measured temperature of the freezer compartment 11, continuing to defrost the first evaporator 31 may cause the temperature of the freezer compartment 11 to rise. Therefore, stopping the defrosting of the first evaporator 31 at this time can avoid large temperature fluctuations in the freezer compartment 11 caused by defrosting.

[0120] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus 1 further includes a first refrigeration air damper 61 for selectively allowing cooling airflow generated by the first cooling chamber 151 to flow into the refrigeration compartment 12, a second refrigeration air damper 62 for selectively allowing cooling airflow generated by the second cooling chamber 152 to flow into the refrigeration compartment 12, and a refrigeration fan 51 disposed in the refrigeration compartment 12.

[0121] In these embodiments, the step of defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber 151 using the return airflow of the cold storage compartment 12 includes:

[0122] Open the first refrigeration air door 61, close the second refrigeration air door 62, and start the refrigeration fan 51 to drive the return airflow in the refrigeration compartment 12 into the first cooling chamber 151;

[0123] In these embodiments, the step of defrosting the second evaporator in the second cooling chamber 152 using the return airflow of the cold storage chamber 12 includes:

[0124] Close the first refrigeration air door 61, open the second refrigeration air door 62, and start the refrigeration fan 51 to drive the return airflow in the refrigeration compartment 12 into the second cooling compartment 152.

[0125] Specifically, the refrigeration and freezing unit 1 further includes a refrigeration duct assembly 41 for conveying the cooling airflow generated by the first evaporator 31, a variable temperature duct assembly 42 for conveying the cooling airflow generated by the second evaporator 32, a first refrigeration air supply duct 43 connecting the refrigeration duct assembly 41 and the refrigeration compartment 12, and a second refrigeration air supply duct 44 connecting the variable temperature duct assembly 42 and the refrigeration compartment 12. The first refrigeration damper 61 is disposed within the first refrigeration air supply duct 43, and the second refrigeration damper 62 is disposed within the second refrigeration air supply duct 44.

[0126] In some embodiments, after defrosting the second evaporator 32 in the second cooling chamber 152 using the return airflow of the refrigeration chamber 12, or defrosting the first evaporator 31 in the first cooling chamber 151 using the return airflow of the refrigeration chamber 12, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0127] Obtain the measured temperature inside the cold storage compartment 12;

[0128] When the measured temperature inside the cold storage compartment 12 reaches its set shutdown temperature, the cold storage fan 51 is stopped.

[0129] It is understandable that during the defrosting process, the residual cold energy from the first evaporator 31 and the second evaporator 32 entering the refrigerator compartment 12 may cause the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 12 to drop. When the measured temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 12 drops to its set shutdown point temperature, stopping the refrigerator fan 51, i.e., stopping the defrosting process, can prevent the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 12 from dropping further.

[0130] In some embodiments, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus further includes a first air supply fan 52 for driving air supply to the freezer compartment 11 and the refrigerator compartment 12, a second air supply fan 53 for driving air supply to the variable temperature compartment 13 and the refrigerator compartment 12, and a refrigeration fan 51 disposed in the refrigerator compartment 12.

[0131] In these embodiments, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0132] When the cold storage compartment 12 is in a cooling state, determine whether the preset conditions used to indicate that the cold storage compartment 12 needs to be cooled quickly are met;

[0133] If so, then both the first air supply fan 52 and the refrigeration fan 51 will be in operation.

[0134] If not, the refrigeration fan 51 is stopped, and the first air supply fan 52 or the second air supply fan 53 is started.

[0135] In other words, when the cold storage compartment 12 requires rapid cooling, the refrigeration fan 51 and the first air supply fan 52 can be activated to drive the lower-temperature cooling airflow from the refrigeration air duct assembly 41 into the cold storage compartment 12 more quickly and in greater quantities, thereby achieving rapid cooling of the cold storage compartment 12. When the cold storage compartment 12 does not require rapid cooling, the first air supply fan 52 or the second air supply fan 53, which is in operation, can drive a portion of the cooling airflow to the cold storage compartment 12 to meet the normal cooling needs of the cold storage compartment 12.

[0136] The present invention also provides a refrigeration and freezing device 1. Figure 8 This is a schematic structural block diagram of a refrigeration and freezing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigeration and freezing apparatus 1 includes a housing 10, a return air baffle 21, and a control device 90 electrically connected to the baffle 21.

[0137] The enclosure 10 defines a refrigerated compartment 12, a freezer compartment 11, and a variable temperature compartment 13 for storing items, as well as a first cooling chamber 151 and a second cooling chamber 152 for cooling the airflow passing through it. The freezer compartment 11 is cooled by the first cooling chamber 151, the variable temperature compartment 13 is cooled by the second cooling chamber 152, and the refrigerated compartment 12 is selectively cooled by either the first cooling chamber 151 or the second cooling chamber 152. The refrigerated compartment 12 is connected to the first cooling chamber 151 and the second cooling chamber 152 through the same return air duct 20.

[0138] The return air baffle 21 is disposed inside the return air duct 20 and has a first state in which the return air duct 20 and the first cooling chamber 151 are connected and the return air duct 20 and the second cooling chamber 152 are blocked, and a second state in which the return air duct 20 and the first cooling chamber 151 are blocked and the return air duct 20 and the second cooling chamber 152 are connected.

[0139] The control device 90 includes a processor 91 and a memory 92. The memory 92 stores a machine-executable program 93, and when the machine-executable program 93 is executed by the processor 91, it is used to implement the control method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0140] By installing a return air baffle 21 inside the return air duct 20 and controlling it reasonably, the present invention can effectively avoid cross-ventilation between the refrigerator compartment 12, the variable temperature compartment 13, the freezer compartment 11, and the two cooling compartments due to the return air from the refrigerator compartment 12 to the two different cooling compartments through the same return air duct. This avoids large temperature fluctuations in each compartment and makes it less likely for condensation or frost to form in each compartment.

[0141] 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.

[0142] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” and “outer,” which indicate direction or positional relationship, are based on the actual use of the refrigeration and freezing device 1. They are used only for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0143] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" 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 direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

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

Claims

1. A control method for a refrigeration and freezing apparatus, the refrigeration and freezing apparatus having a refrigeration compartment, a freezing compartment and a variable temperature compartment for storing articles, and a first cooling compartment and a second cooling compartment for cooling an airflow flowing through it, wherein the freezing compartment is provided with cooling capacity by the first cooling compartment, the variable temperature compartment is provided with cooling capacity by the second cooling compartment, and the refrigeration compartment is selectively provided with cooling capacity by either the first cooling compartment or the second cooling compartment; The cold storage compartment is connected to both the first cooling chamber and the second cooling chamber via a common return air duct, and the return air duct is equipped with a return air baffle; and The control method includes: When the refrigeration compartment needs to be refrigerated, the refrigeration status of the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment is obtained; When the freezer compartment is in a cooling state and the variable temperature compartment is in a non-cooling state, the first cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the refrigerator compartment, and the return air baffle is adjusted to a first state that connects the return air duct and the first cooling chamber and blocks the return air duct and the second cooling chamber. When the freezer compartment is in a non-cooling state and the variable temperature compartment is in a cooling state, the second cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the refrigerator compartment, and the return air baffle is adjusted to a second state that blocks the return air duct and the first cooling chamber while opening the return air duct and the second cooling chamber. When both the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment are in a cooling state, the set temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment are obtained; If the set temperature of the cold storage room is lower than or equal to the set temperature of the variable temperature room, the first cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, and the return air baffle is adjusted to the first state. If the set temperature of the cold storage room is higher than the set temperature of the variable temperature room, then one or both of the first cooling room and the second cooling room are selectively used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room; when the first cooling room is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, the return air damper is adjusted to the first state; when the second cooling room provides cooling capacity to the cold storage room, the return air damper is adjusted to the second state; when the first cooling room and the second cooling room jointly provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, the return air damper is adjusted to the third state of connecting the return air duct and the first cooling room and connecting the return air duct and the second cooling room.

2. The control method according to claim 1 further includes: When both the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment are in a non-cooling state, the set temperature of the refrigerator compartment is obtained; If the set temperature of the cold storage room is greater than the preset temperature value, the second cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, and the return air baffle is adjusted to the second state. If the set temperature of the cold storage room is less than or equal to the preset temperature value, then the first cooling chamber is used to provide cooling capacity to the cold storage room, and the return air baffle is adjusted to the first state.

3. The control method according to claim 1 further includes: With both the freezer compartment and the variable temperature compartment in a non-cooling state, the set temperatures of the variable temperature compartment and the refrigerator compartment are obtained; Calculate the temperature difference between the set temperature of the cold storage compartment and the set temperature of the variable temperature compartment; If the temperature difference is greater than the first preset temperature difference, the return airflow of the cold storage compartment is used to defrost the second evaporator in the second cooling compartment. If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the first preset temperature difference, the return airflow of the cold storage compartment is used to defrost the first evaporator in the first cooling compartment.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein After defrosting the second evaporator in the second cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment, the control method further includes: Obtain the temperature of the second evaporator and the measured temperature inside the variable temperature chamber; Calculate the temperature difference between the measured temperature inside the variable temperature chamber and the temperature of the second evaporator; If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the second preset temperature difference, then the air defrosting of the second evaporator is stopped, and the return airflow of the cold storage compartment is used to defrost the first evaporator in the first cooling compartment.

5. The control method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein After defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment, the control method further includes: Obtain the temperature of the first evaporator and the measured temperature inside the freezer compartment; Calculate the temperature difference between the measured temperature inside the freezer room and the temperature of the first evaporator; If the temperature difference is less than or equal to the third preset temperature difference, then defrosting the first evaporator with air will be stopped.

6. The control method according to claim 3, wherein The refrigeration and freezing apparatus further includes a first refrigeration damper for selectively allowing cooling airflow generated in the first cooling chamber to flow into the refrigeration compartment, a second refrigeration damper for selectively allowing cooling airflow generated in the second cooling chamber to flow into the refrigeration compartment, and a refrigeration fan disposed in the refrigeration compartment; in The step of defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment includes: Open the first refrigeration air door, close the second refrigeration air door, and start the refrigeration fan to drive the return airflow in the refrigeration room into the first cooling chamber; The step of defrosting the second evaporator in the second cooling chamber using the return airflow from the cold storage compartment includes: Close the first refrigeration air door, open the second refrigeration air door, and start the refrigeration fan to drive the return airflow in the refrigeration room into the second cooling chamber.

7. The control method according to claim 6, wherein After defrosting the second evaporator in the second cooling chamber using the return airflow of the cold storage compartment, or defrosting the first evaporator in the first cooling chamber using the return airflow of the cold storage compartment, the control method further includes: Obtain the measured temperature inside the cold storage room; When the measured temperature inside the cold storage room reaches its set shutdown point temperature, the cold storage fan is stopped.

8. The control method according to claim 1, wherein The refrigeration and freezing device further includes a first air supply fan for driving air supply to the freezing compartment and the refrigeration compartment, a second air supply fan for driving air supply to the variable temperature compartment and the refrigeration compartment, and a refrigeration fan disposed in the refrigeration compartment. and The control method further includes: When the cold storage compartment is in a cooling state, determine whether the preset conditions used to indicate that the cold storage compartment needs to be cooled quickly are met; If so, then both the first air supply fan and the refrigeration fan will be in operation. If not, the refrigeration fan is controlled to be stopped, and the first or second air supply fan is controlled to be running.

9. A refrigeration and freezing apparatus, comprising: The enclosure includes a refrigerated compartment, a frozen compartment, and a variable-temperature compartment for storing items, as well as a first cooling compartment and a second cooling compartment for cooling the airflow passing through it. The frozen compartment is cooled by the first cooling compartment, the variable-temperature compartment is cooled by the second cooling compartment, and the refrigerated compartment is selectively cooled by either the first cooling compartment or the second cooling compartment. The refrigerated compartment is connected to both the first cooling compartment and the second cooling compartment via the same return air duct. A return air baffle is disposed inside the return air duct and has a first state in which the return air duct and the first cooling chamber are connected and the return air duct and the second cooling chamber are blocked, and a second state in which the return air duct and the first cooling chamber are blocked and the return air duct and the second cooling chamber are connected. 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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