Air door structure, refrigerator and control method

Abstract

The invention provides an air door structure, a refrigerator and a control method. The air door structure comprises a refrigerating chamber, and a first temperature sensor is arranged in the refrigerating chamber; the refrigerating chamber comprises an air inlet; the air door is used for opening or closing the air inlet; the air supply structure is used for introducing refrigerating airflow into the refrigerating chamber through the air inlet; the second temperature sensor is used for detecting the temperature of the air door; the detection module is in signal connection with the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, the detection module judges whether the air door breaks down or not according to detection values of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and the technical problem that the air door is prone to frosting is solved through the air door structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a damper structure, a refrigerator and a control method. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of modern technology, variable frequency electric control refrigerators are becoming more and more popular, and people's demand for precise temperature control and energy-saving awareness of refrigerators are increasing. Precise temperature control requires high accuracy of temperature collection by sensors and control of the working state of electrical components by the main control board. Traditional air-cooled refrigerators control the temperature of the cold storage room and variable temperature room by controlling the opening and closing of the damper. To ensure the normal operation of the damper, a damper heater is installed at the damper.

[0003] However, the existing damper heater only works for a fixed time when the damper is closed, which only qualitatively reduces the possibility of the damper freezing, and cannot flexibly control the heating time according to the current state of the damper. Therefore, insufficient heating time may cause frosting, or too long heating time may increase the power consumption of the refrigerator.

[0004] Therefore, the prior art needs to be further developed. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above technical deficiencies and provide a damper structure, a refrigerator and a control method to solve the technical problem that the damper is prone to frost in the related art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: a damper structure is provided, including: a cold storage chamber, in which a first temperature sensor is arranged; the cold storage chamber includes an air inlet; a damper, which is used to open or close the air inlet; an air supply structure, which introduces a refrigerating air flow into the cold storage chamber through the air inlet; a second temperature sensor, which is used to detect the temperature at the damper; and a detection module, which is signal-connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and the detection module determines whether the damper is faulty through the detection values ​​of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.

[0007] Furthermore, the damper structure also includes a damper heater, which is arranged on the damper and used to heat the damper. The damper heater is connected to the inspection module signal.

[0008] Furthermore, the damper structure includes: a timer, which is used to record the refrigeration time of the cold storage room; an ambient temperature sensor, which is used to detect the temperature of the external environment of the damper structure; wherein the timer and the ambient temperature sensor are both connected to the inspection module signal; the refrigeration time is the time for the air supply structure to pass cooling airflow into the cold storage room.

[0009] Furthermore, there are multiple refrigerating chambers; there are multiple air doors; and the multiple refrigerating chambers and the multiple air doors are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0010] Furthermore, the air supply structure includes: a heat exchange component for generating cold energy; and a fan component, which is arranged at the heat exchange component to blow the cold energy generated by the heat exchange component to the air inlet.

[0011] A refrigerator comprises a damper structure, wherein the damper structure is the damper structure mentioned above.

[0012] A control method is applicable to the above-mentioned damper structure, and the control method includes: a first temperature sensor detects a first temperature value in the refrigeration chamber; a second temperature sensor detects a second temperature value at the damper; and a detection module determines whether the damper is faulty based on the first temperature value, the second temperature value, and the opening and closing of the damper.

[0013] Furthermore, the control method includes: when the air supply structure introduces cooling airflow into the refrigerated chamber and the damper opens the air inlet of the damper structure, detecting the first temperature value Tc1, and after a first preset time, detecting the first temperature value Tc2 again; judging whether Tc1≤Tc2+X℃; wherein X is a set value; if so, judging that the damper is faulty; if not, judging that the damper is normal.

[0014] Furthermore, the control method includes: before the first temperature sensor detects the first temperature value, detecting the refrigeration time of the refrigeration chamber and the ambient temperature outside the damper structure; comparing the refrigeration time with a refrigeration time threshold corresponding to a preset ambient temperature; if the refrigeration time is greater than the time threshold, determining that the damper is faulty.

[0015] Furthermore, the control method includes: before the first temperature sensor detects the first temperature value, heating the damper and controlling the damper to reset once; when the damper is heated, the damper structure stops cooling the refrigerating chamber.

[0016] Furthermore, the control method includes: when the damper closes the air inlet of the damper structure, detecting the first temperature value Tc1, and after a second preset time, detecting the first temperature value Tc2; judging whether Tc1>Tc2+Y℃; wherein Y is a set value; if so, judging that the damper is faulty; if not, judging that the damper is normal.

[0017] Furthermore, the control method includes: before the first temperature sensor detects the first temperature value, the second temperature sensor detects the second temperature value Tx1; if the second temperature value Tx1 is less than the temperature threshold, the damper is judged to be normal; if the second temperature value Tx1 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, the damper is heated.

[0018] Furthermore, the control method includes: after the damper is heated for a third preset time, the second temperature sensor detects the second temperature value Tx2; if the second temperature value Tx2 is less than the temperature threshold, the damper is judged to be normal; if the second temperature value Tx2 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, the damper is reset once, and then the first temperature sensor detects the first temperature value.

[0019] Beneficial effects:

[0020] The damper structure of the present invention includes a cold storage room, in which a first temperature sensor is arranged; the cold storage room includes an air inlet; a damper, which is used to open or close the air inlet; an air supply structure, in which the air supply structure introduces a refrigeration airflow into the cold storage room through the air inlet; a second temperature sensor, which is used to detect the temperature at the damper; and a detection module, in which the detection module is signal-connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, and the detection module determines whether the damper is faulty through the detection values ​​of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. With the above arrangement, a second temperature sensor is added to the damper, and the damper heater is turned on and off by a controller according to the working state of the damper and the ambient temperature feedback, and a reasonable damper heater working control rule is formulated, and the damper is judged to be faulty according to the opening and closing state of the damper combined with the temperature values ​​of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, thereby eliminating the fault condition and solving the technical problem that the damper is easy to frost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a damper structure used in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the control structure of the damper structure used in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a control method when a damper of the damper structure adopted in an embodiment of the present invention is opened;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a flow chart of a control method when the damper of the damper structure adopted in an embodiment of the present invention is closed.

[0025] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0026] 1. Refrigeration room; 11. First temperature sensor; 2. Air door; 21. Air door heater; 3. Air supply structure; 4. Second temperature sensor; 5. Inspection module; 6. Timer; 7. Fan component; 8. Ambient temperature sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0028] See also Figures 1 to 4 According to an embodiment of the present invention, a damper structure is provided, comprising: a refrigerating chamber 1, in which a first temperature sensor 11 is arranged; the refrigerating chamber 1 comprises an air inlet; a damper 2, which is used to open or close the air inlet; an air supply structure 3, in which the air supply structure 3 introduces a refrigerating airflow into the refrigerating chamber 1 through the air inlet; a second temperature sensor 4, which is used to detect the temperature at the damper 2; and a testing module 5, in which the testing module 5 is signal-connected to both the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 4, and the testing module 5 determines whether the damper 2 is faulty through the detection values ​​of the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 4. With the above configuration, the second temperature sensor 4 is added to the damper 2, and the damper heater is controlled to be turned on and off through a controller according to the working state of the damper 2 and the ambient temperature feedback, and a reasonable damper heater working control rule is formulated, and the damper 2 is determined to be faulty according to the opening and closing state of the damper 2 combined with the temperature values ​​of the first temperature sensor 11 and the second temperature sensor 4, thereby eliminating the fault condition and solving the technical problem that the damper is easy to frost.

[0029] In the damper structure of this embodiment, see Figure 2 The damper structure further includes a damper heater 21, which is arranged on the damper 2 and used to heat the damper 2. The damper heater 21 is connected to the inspection module 5 by signal. In this way, when it is determined that the damper 2 is blocked by frost, the damper heater 21 can be used to heat the damper to eliminate the fault. The damper heater 21 can also cooperate with the temperature sensor to determine what kind of fault the damper 2 has encountered, thereby ensuring that the damper 2 is troubleshooting.

[0030] See also Figure 2 In the damper structure of the present embodiment, the damper structure includes: a timer 6, which is used to record the refrigeration time of the refrigeration chamber 1; an ambient temperature sensor 8, which is used to detect the temperature of the external environment of the damper structure; wherein the timer 6 and the ambient temperature sensor 8 are both connected to the detection module 5 signal; the refrigeration time is the time for the air supply structure to pass the cooling airflow into the refrigeration chamber 1.

[0031] Specifically, when the actual refrigeration time is greater than the time threshold, it means that the refrigeration process is affected. At this time, the damper 2 may be blocked by frost. Through the above settings, the above abnormal situation can be accurately discovered, thereby troubleshooting.

[0032] See also Figure 1 In the damper structure of this embodiment, there are multiple refrigerating chambers 1; there are multiple dampers 2; and the multiple refrigerating chambers 1 are arranged one-to-one with the multiple dampers 2. In this way, by arranging multiple refrigerating chambers 1, the storage capacity of the damper structure can be improved. Accordingly, by arranging multiple dampers 2, different refrigerating chambers 1 can be controlled differently.

[0033] Specifically, in the refrigerator of this embodiment, the air door 2 is located between the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber 1 or between the freezing chamber and the temperature-changing chamber.

[0034] See also Figure 1 In the refrigerator of this embodiment, the air supply structure includes: a heat exchange component for generating cold energy; and a fan component 7, wherein the fan component 7 is arranged at the heat exchange component to blow the cold energy generated by the heat exchange component to the air inlet.

[0035] Specifically, the fan component 7 is in the evaporator chamber. If the damper 2 fails, the fan component 7 will blow the cold air on the evaporator to the refrigerating chamber after operation, causing the temperature of the refrigerating chamber to drop, thereby judging that the damper 2 fails.

[0036] The refrigerator of this embodiment includes a damper structure, and the damper structure is the damper structure mentioned above.

[0037] By adopting the above-mentioned damper structure, the working state and time of the damper 2 and the damper heater 21 can be accurately controlled according to the temperature around the damper 2, so as to prevent the refrigerator damper 2 from frosting and achieve energy saving effect.

[0038] The control method of this embodiment is applicable to the above-mentioned damper structure, and the control method includes: a first temperature sensor 11 detects a first temperature value in the refrigerating chamber 1; a second temperature sensor 4 detects a second temperature value at the damper 2; and a detection module 5 determines whether the damper 2 is faulty based on the first temperature value, the second temperature value, and the opening and closing of the damper 2.

[0039] By adopting the above method, under different temperatures and working conditions of the damper 2, the opening and closing of the damper 2 and the surface temperature, and the working state of the damper heater 21 in the operation state of the refrigerator are controlled through the connection of the control device and the temperature sensor, the damper 2 motor, and the damper heater 21.

[0040] In the control method of this embodiment, see Figure 3 , Figure 4The control method includes: when the air supply structure introduces cooling airflow into the refrigerating chamber 1 and the damper 2 opens the air inlet of the damper structure, detecting the first temperature value Tc1, and after a first preset time, detecting the first temperature value Tc2 again; judging whether Tc1≤Tc2+X℃; wherein X is a set value; if so, judging that the damper 2 is faulty; if not, judging that the damper 2 is normal.

[0041] Specifically, cold air enters the cold storage room 1 through the damper 2, and the damper 2 should be open in normal state. If the damper fails and is in a frosted or closed state, the operation of the fan component 7 will cause the cold air to be unable to enter the cold storage room, and the temperature of the cold storage room will rise, thereby judging that the damper is faulty.

[0042] In the control method of this embodiment, see Figure 3 , Figure 4 The control method includes: before the first temperature sensor 11 detects the first temperature value, detecting the refrigeration time of the refrigeration chamber 1 and the ambient temperature outside the damper structure; comparing the refrigeration time with the refrigeration time threshold corresponding to the preset ambient temperature; if the refrigeration time is greater than the time threshold, it is determined that the damper 2 is faulty.

[0043] When the actual refrigeration time is greater than the time threshold, it means that the refrigeration process is affected. At this time, the damper 2 may be blocked by frost. Through the above settings, the above abnormal situation can be accurately discovered, so as to perform troubleshooting.

[0044] See also Figure 3 , Figure 4 In the control method of this embodiment, the control method includes: before the first temperature sensor 11 detects the first temperature value, heating the damper 2 and controlling the damper 2 to reset once; when the damper 2 is heated, the damper structure stops cooling the refrigerating chamber 1.

[0045] Specifically, after the refrigeration is finished, the damper 2 is closed. At this time, the temperature around the damper 2 is still relatively low, and there is a temperature difference on both sides of the damper 2, which may cause condensation or even frost. At this time, turning on the damper heater 21 can avoid this situation.

[0046] In the control method of this embodiment, see Figure 3 , Figure 4 The control method includes: when the damper 2 closes the air inlet of the damper structure, detecting the first temperature value Tc1, and after a second preset time, detecting the first temperature value Tc2; judging whether Tc1>Tc2+Y℃; wherein Y is a set value; if so, judging that the damper 2 is faulty; if not, judging that the damper 2 is normal.

[0047] Specifically, cold air enters the cold storage room 1 through the damper 2. At this time, the damper 2 should be closed in a normal state. If the damper fails and is in an open or loosely closed state, the fan will cause cold air to enter the cold storage room after running, and the temperature of the cold storage room will drop, thereby judging that the damper is faulty.

[0048] See also Figure 3 , Figure 4 In the control method of this embodiment, the control method includes: before the first temperature sensor 11 detects the first temperature value, the second temperature sensor 4 detects the second temperature value Tx1; if the second temperature value Tx1 is less than the temperature threshold, it is judged that the damper 2 is normal; if the second temperature value Tx1 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, the damper 2 is heated.

[0049] In this way, whether the damper 2 is faulty is first determined by collecting the temperature near the damper 2. When the second temperature value eliminates the fault condition of the damper 2, the above-mentioned first temperature value is determined, thereby being able to more quickly determine the fault condition of the damper 2 and improving the speed of troubleshooting.

[0050] In the control method of this embodiment, see Figure 3 , Figure 4 The control method includes: after heating the damper 2 for a third preset time, the second temperature sensor 4 detects the second temperature value Tx2; if the second temperature value Tx2 is less than the temperature threshold, the damper 2 is judged to be normal; if the second temperature value Tx2 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, the damper 2 is reset once, and the first temperature sensor 11 detects the first temperature value. In this way, when it is judged that there is an abnormality, the damper heater 21 is first used to try to eliminate the fault. If the fault is successfully eliminated, the damper 2 operates normally. If the fault is not eliminated, the next step of judgment is entered.

[0051] Embodiment 1

[0052] When the refrigerator compartment 1 is cooled, the damper 2 is opened, the fan component 7 is running, and the damper 2 is judged according to the temperature of the ambient temperature sensor 8 and the cooling time of the refrigerator compartment 1:

[0053]

[0054] When the refrigeration time of the refrigerator compartment 1 exceeds the temperature threshold value described in the above table, the damper 2 is judged to be faulty, and the damper 2 is heated for 10 minutes, the damper 2 is reset once, and then the current temperature Tc1 of the first temperature sensor 11 is immediately collected, the fan component 7 runs for 5 minutes, and 5 minutes later the temperature Tc2 of the first temperature sensor 11 is collected again. If Tc1>Tc2+1℃, the damper 2 is judged to be normal. If Tc1≤Tc2+1℃, the damper 2 is judged to be blocked by frost, and the display panel displays the damper 2 fault code.

[0055] When the damper 2 is open, in order to prevent the damper 2 and the damper heater 21 from working at the same time and affecting the normal cooling, the damper heater 21 needs to be forced to stop working when the damper 2 is opened. When the cooling is stopped and the damper 2 is closed, the damper heater 21 needs to be turned on for 10 minutes.

[0056] The second temperature sensor 4 and the damper heater 21 installed on the surface of the damper 2 must be well insulated to avoid other safety accidents caused by water drops on the surface of the damper 2.

[0057] Embodiment 2:

[0058] When the damper 2 is closed, the temperature near the damper 2 is collected. When the temperature near the damper 2 is ≤ the first preset temperature Tx1, the software is written to the main control board to drive the damper heater 21 to start heating for 10 minutes, so that the surface temperature of the damper 2 is increased. If the temperature of the damper 2 is increased to above the second preset temperature Tx2 at this time, the damper heater 21 stops working and the damper 2 is reset once. If the temperature of the damper 2 does not rise to above Tx2, the damper heater 21 continues to work for 10 minutes.

[0059] If the temperature of the damper 2 reaches above Tx2 during the second heating, the damper heater 21 stops working and the damper 2 is reset once. If the temperature is still not reached, the damper 2 is reset once, and then the current first temperature sensor temperature Tc1 is immediately collected, the fan component 7 runs for 5 minutes, and after 5 minutes, the first temperature sensor 11 temperature Tc2 is collected again. If Tc1>Tc2+1℃, the damper 2 is judged to be blocked by frost, and the display panel displays the damper 2 fault code. If Tc1≤Tc2+1℃, the damper 2 is judged to be normal.

[0060] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0061] Optionally, the specific examples in this embodiment may refer to the examples described in the above embodiments, and this embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0062] The serial numbers of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application are for description only and do not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the embodiments.

[0063] In the above embodiments of the present application, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0064] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A damper structure, characterized in that: include: A refrigerating chamber (1), wherein a first temperature sensor (11) is arranged in the refrigerating chamber (1); the refrigerating chamber (1) comprises an air inlet; A damper (2), the damper (2) being used to open or close the air inlet; An air supply structure (3), wherein the air supply structure (3) introduces a refrigeration airflow into the refrigerating chamber (1) through the air inlet; a second temperature sensor (4), the second temperature sensor (4) being used to detect the temperature at the damper (2); A testing module (5), the testing module (5) being signal-connected to both the first temperature sensor (11) and the second temperature sensor (4), the testing module (5) judging whether the damper (2) is faulty based on the detection values ​​of the first temperature sensor (11) and the second temperature sensor (4).

2. The damper structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The damper structure further comprises a damper heater (21), wherein the damper heater (21) is arranged on the damper (2), and the damper heater (21) is used to heat the damper (2), and the damper heater (21) is signal-connected to the inspection module (5).

3. The damper structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The damper structure comprises: A timer (6), the timer (6) being used to record the refrigeration time of the refrigeration chamber (1); An ambient temperature sensor (8), the ambient temperature sensor (8) being used to detect the temperature of the external environment of the damper structure; Wherein, the timer (6) and the ambient temperature sensor (8) are both connected to the detection module (5) by signal; the refrigeration time is the time during which the air supply structure introduces cooling airflow into the refrigeration chamber (1).

4. The damper structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are a plurality of refrigerating chambers (1); there are a plurality of dampers (2); and the plurality of refrigerating chambers (1) and the plurality of dampers (2) are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

5. The damper structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air supply structure comprises: Heat exchange components, used to generate cold; A fan component (7) is arranged at the heat exchange component to blow the cold energy generated by the heat exchange component to the air inlet.

6. A refrigerator, comprising a damper structure, characterized in that: The damper structure is the damper structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A control method, applicable to the damper structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The control method comprises: A first temperature sensor (11) detects a first temperature value in the refrigerating chamber (1); The second temperature sensor (4) detects a second temperature value at the air door (2); The inspection module (5) determines whether the damper (2) is faulty based on the first temperature value, the second temperature value, and the opening and closing of the damper (2).

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The control method comprises: When the air supply structure introduces cooling air into the refrigerating chamber (1), and the damper (2) opens the air inlet of the damper structure, the first temperature value Tc1 is detected, and after a first preset time, the first temperature value Tc2 is detected again; Determine whether Tc1≤Tc2+X℃; where X is the set value; If yes, it is determined that the damper (2) is faulty; If not, it is determined that the damper (2) is normal.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control method comprises: Before the first temperature sensor (11) detects the first temperature value, detecting the refrigeration time of the refrigerating chamber (1) and the ambient temperature outside the damper structure; Comparing the cooling time with a preset cooling time threshold corresponding to the ambient temperature; If the cooling time is greater than the time threshold, it is determined that the damper (2) is faulty.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control method comprises: Before the first temperature sensor (11) detects the first temperature value, the damper (2) is heated and the damper (2) is controlled to reset once; When the damper (2) is heated, the damper structure stops refrigerating the refrigerating chamber (1).

11. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The control method comprises: When the damper (2) closes the air inlet of the damper structure, a first temperature value Tc1 is detected, and after a second preset time, the first temperature value Tc2 is detected; Determine whether Tc1>Tc2+Y℃; where Y is the set value; If yes, it is determined that the damper (2) is faulty; If not, it is determined that the damper (2) is normal.

12. The control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The control method comprises: Before the first temperature sensor (11) detects the first temperature value, the second temperature sensor (4) detects a second temperature value Tx1; If the second temperature value Tx1 is less than the temperature threshold, it is determined that the damper (2) is normal; If the second temperature value Tx1 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, the damper (2) is heated.

13. The control method according to claim 12, characterized in that: The control method comprises: After heating the damper (2) for a third preset time, the second temperature sensor (4) detects a second temperature value Tx2; If the second temperature value Tx2 is less than the temperature threshold, it is determined that the damper (2) is normal; If the second temperature value Tx2 is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, the first temperature sensor (11) detects the first temperature value after the damper (2) is reset once.

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