Refrigerator fan fault detection method and system

Abstract

The present application provides a refrigerator fan fault detection method and system. This application uses refrigerator operating status data from a single data unit as the detection object. The system determines whether a fan fault exists during refrigerator use based on temperature variation characteristics within a specified timeframe, namely, whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature; whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for a first preset time; whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating; and whether the difference between the highest and lowest compartment sensor temperatures is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time. This system provides technical support for prompting users to intervene to prevent food spoilage or further optimizing product design. The present application can effectively exclude heater fault data and door failure data from fault data, significantly improving detection accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, and more specifically to a refrigerator fan fault detection method and system. Background Art

[0002] Smart products are increasingly becoming a major player in the modern home appliance market. These products not only offer more convenient and practical functions but also transmit operational data, such as the temperature of each compartment, the operating status of each refrigerator's electrical components, and ambient temperature, to the cloud. Analysis of this cloud-based operational data reveals the actual operation of the product in the user's home, providing technical support for timely notification, intervention, and product optimization.

[0003] The fan is a core component of a refrigerator. Its function is to circulate air inside the refrigerator, enabling heat exchange between hot and cold air, ultimately lowering the refrigerator compartment temperature. A fan failure can ultimately cause the refrigerator compartment temperature to rise, but this increase in temperature isn't necessarily due to a fan failure. Therefore, determining whether the fan is faulty depends on the refrigerator's specific performance.

[0004] Currently, a method has emerged that uses the operating status data uploaded by the refrigerator to the cloud to detect fan faults. However, practical tests have shown that the fan faults detected by this detection method are mixed with a large amount of data on heater failures and refrigerator doors not closed tightly. Its accuracy rate is very low and has no practical reference value. A more accurate detection method is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the problem that in the above-mentioned method of using the operating status data uploaded by the refrigerator to the cloud to detect fan faults, the detected fan faults are mixed with a large amount of heater faults and refrigerator door not closed tightly data, and the accuracy rate is very low.

[0006] On one hand, the present application provides a refrigerator fan fault detection method, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Obtain a single data unit, wherein the unit is: starting time when any defrost heater starts working and ending time when the defrost heater starts working the next time; the single data unit is: refrigerator operating status data obtained in the unit;

[0008] The data of the refrigerator operation status include: compartment sensor temperature, compartment set temperature, evaporator temperature, heater working status data;

[0009] Detecting whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature after the defrost heater stops working, if not, ending the detection;

[0010] If so, detecting whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for a first preset time; if not, ending the detection;

[0011] If yes, then detect whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating, and if yes, end the detection;

[0012] If not, then detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time, and if so, ending the detection;

[0013] If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

[0014] In a feasible implementation, the compartment sensor temperature includes: a refrigerator compartment sensor temperature and a freezer compartment sensor temperature; the compartment setting temperature includes: a refrigerator compartment setting temperature and a freezer compartment setting temperature;

[0015] Whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature includes: whether the refrigerating compartment sensor temperature is higher than the refrigerating compartment set temperature, and whether the freezing compartment sensor temperature is higher than the freezing compartment set temperature.

[0016] In a feasible implementation, the data of the refrigerator operating status further includes: the temperature of the variable temperature chamber;

[0017] The step of detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature within the second preset time after the defrost heater stops working is greater than a preset first temperature difference value further includes the following steps:

[0018] If not, detecting whether the difference between the highest temperature of the variable temperature chamber and the lowest temperature of the variable temperature chamber is greater than a preset second temperature difference within a third preset time after the defrost heater of the unit stops heating, and if so, ending the detection;

[0019] If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

[0020] In a feasible implementation, the detecting whether the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time further includes:

[0021] After the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time, it is detected whether the difference between the highest value and the lowest value of the refrigeration chamber sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference.

[0022] In a feasible implementation, the first preset time is 5-30 minutes, and the second preset time is 10-60 minutes.

[0023] In a feasible implementation, the preset first temperature difference is 2-10°C.

[0024] In a feasible implementation, the preset second temperature difference is 1-8°C.

[0025] In a feasible implementation, the third preset time is 10-60 minutes.

[0026] On the other hand, the present application provides a refrigerator fan fault detection system, the system being used to implement any of the refrigerator fan fault detection methods described above, comprising: a data acquisition unit, a detection and judgment unit, and an alarm unit;

[0027] The data acquisition unit is configured to: acquire a single data unit, wherein the unit is: starting time when any defrost heater starts working and ending time when the defrost heater starts working next time, and the single data unit is: data on the refrigerator operation status acquired in the unit;

[0028] The data of the refrigerator operation status include: compartment sensor temperature, compartment set temperature, evaporator temperature, heater working status data;

[0029] The detection and judgment unit is configured to: receive the single data unit, and detect whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature after the defrost heater stops working, and if not, end the detection;

[0030] If so, detecting whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for a first preset time; if not, ending the detection;

[0031] If yes, then detect whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating, and if yes, end the detection;

[0032] If not, then detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time, and if so, ending the detection;

[0033] If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and an alarm signal is sent to the alarm unit;

[0034] The alarm unit is configured to receive the alarm signal and issue an alarm.

[0035] In a feasible implementation, the data of the refrigerator operating status further includes: the temperature of the variable temperature chamber;

[0036] The detection and judgment unit is further configured to: when determining whether the difference between the highest value and the lowest value of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference within the second preset time of detecting that the defrost heater stops working:

[0037] If not, detecting whether the difference between the highest temperature of the variable temperature chamber and the lowest temperature of the variable temperature chamber is greater than a preset second temperature difference within a third preset time after the defrost heater of the unit stops heating, and if so, ending the detection;

[0038] If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

[0039] As can be seen from the above, this application provides a refrigerator fan fault detection method and system. This application uses a single data unit—starting from the start of a defrost heater operation and ending at the next defrost heater operation—as the detection target, taking the refrigerator's operating status data during that period as the detection object. Based on the temperature variation characteristics within a specified time period, this method determines whether the refrigerator has a fan fault during use, providing technical support for prompting users to intervene to prevent food spoilage or further optimize product design. This solution effectively eliminates heater fault data and door failure data from fault data, greatly improving detection accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the implementation of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the implementation of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be derived from these drawings without inventive effort.

[0041] Figure 1 1 is a flow chart of a refrigerator fan fault detection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator fan fault detection system shown in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present invention will be more comprehensive and complete and to fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the implementation of the example embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] The fan is a core component of a refrigerator. Its function is to circulate air inside the refrigerator, enabling heat exchange between hot and cold air, ultimately lowering the refrigerator compartment temperature. A fan failure can ultimately cause the refrigerator compartment temperature to rise, but this increase in temperature isn't necessarily due to a fan failure. Therefore, determining whether the fan is faulty depends on the refrigerator's specific performance.

[0045] In the modern home appliance world, smart refrigerators are capable of transmitting operational status data, such as compartment temperatures, the operating status of each refrigerator's load components, and ambient temperature, to the cloud. Analysis of this cloud-based operational data reveals the actual operating conditions of the product in the user's home, providing technical support for timely notification of user intervention and product optimization. However, current methods for detecting fan faults using this uploaded cloud-based operational data often mix detected fan faults with data from heater failures and cases where the refrigerator door is not fully closed, resulting in a low accuracy rate.

[0046] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator fan fault detection method. Figure 1 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0047] S100: Acquire a single data unit.

[0048] The unit is: the start time is any time the defrost heater starts working, and the end time is the next time the defrost heater starts working. A single data unit is: the data of the refrigerator operation status obtained in the unit; the data of the refrigerator operation status includes: compartment sensor temperature, compartment set temperature, evaporator temperature, and heater operation status data.

[0049] This step defines and obtains a specific data collection period, which starts from the time the defrost heater starts working and ends when the defrost heater starts working. During this period, the refrigerator's operating status data is collected to ensure the consistency and comparability of the collected data, providing a reliable basis for subsequent fault detection.

[0050] S200: After the defrost heater stops working, the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature. If not, the detection is terminated.

[0051] Specifically, if the compartment sensor temperature remains above its set point after the defrost heater stops working, this may indicate a problem with the refrigerator's refrigeration system, such as a refrigerant leak, compressor failure, or fan failure resulting in insufficient cooling capacity. In particular, if the fan fails, it will not be able to circulate the cold air effectively, resulting in a slow or no temperature drop.

[0052] This step provides a preliminary assessment of whether the refrigerator is operating normally. If the compartment temperature remains above the set point after the defrost heater stops working, this may indicate a refrigeration system problem, not a fan failure, and further testing is required. This eliminates false alarms caused by refrigeration system problems and narrows the scope of fault detection.

[0053] S300: If yes, then detect whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for the first preset time. If not, then end the detection.

[0054] Specifically, after the defrost heater stops heating, the evaporator temperature should gradually decrease. If, after the first preset time, the evaporator temperature is higher than the temperature at the end of the data unit, this may indicate that the frost on the evaporator is too thick, affecting the effective transfer of heat, or that the fan is not working effectively to accelerate heat dissipation. A fan failure may prevent the frost on the evaporator from melting in time, thereby affecting the refrigerator's cooling efficiency.

[0055] This step determines whether the evaporator continues to cool effectively after the defrost heater stops. If the evaporator temperature does not drop, it may indicate a problem with the refrigeration system, requiring further investigation to eliminate false alarms caused by refrigeration system problems. This step indirectly reflects the operating status of the refrigerator's fan by monitoring the temperature changes after the defrost heater stops, as well as the specific trend of evaporator temperature changes. If the evaporator temperature is higher than the temperature at the end of the data unit after the first preset time, it may indicate a fan failure in the refrigerator, requiring further inspection and repair.

[0056] S400: If yes, then detect whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating. If yes, then end the detection.

[0057] This step determines whether the evaporator is overcooled. Overcooling may be caused by a loose door or a fan failure. However, if the evaporator temperature is very low (less than 0°C), it is more likely due to other factors (such as a loose door), and further testing is required. Similarly, false alarms caused by loose doors and other reasons can be eliminated.

[0058] S500: If not, then detect whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time. If so, end the detection.

[0059] Furthermore, this embodiment also needs to determine whether the temperature inside the refrigerator is stable. If the temperature fluctuates greatly, it may mean that there is a problem with the refrigeration system or the fan. However, if the temperature fluctuation is within an acceptable range, it is not a fan failure.

[0060] S600: If not, determine that the refrigerator has a fan failure and perform corresponding alarm processing.

[0061] As can be seen from the above interpretation, if none of the above test steps triggers the end of the test, that is, after all other possible faults have been eliminated, if the temperature fluctuations are abnormal and the evaporator temperature fails to rise normally, it is likely caused by a fan failure. A fan failure can cause poor cold air circulation, which in turn affects the temperature distribution inside the refrigerator and the evaporator temperature. In this case, the refrigerator is diagnosed with a fan failure and the corresponding alarm is triggered.

[0062] The detection method of this embodiment gradually eliminates other possible faults through a series of logical judgments and detection steps, and finally focuses on the judgment of fan failure. Each step is based on specific detection conditions and logical judgments to ensure accurate identification of fan failure. If all other conditions are not met and the temperature fluctuation is abnormal, it is determined to be a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed. It helps to quickly and accurately locate and solve the problem of refrigerator fan failure. This method can accurately identify fan failures and avoid false alarms caused by other factors (such as heater failure, door not closed tightly, etc.), thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of fault detection.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present application, the compartment sensor temperature includes: the refrigerator compartment sensor temperature, the freezer compartment sensor temperature; the compartment set temperature includes: the refrigerator compartment set temperature, the freezer compartment set temperature; whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature includes: whether the refrigerator compartment sensor temperature is higher than the refrigerator compartment set temperature, and whether the freezer compartment sensor temperature is higher than the freezer compartment set temperature.

[0064] By simultaneously considering the sensor temperatures and set temperatures for both the refrigerator and freezer compartments, this embodiment provides a more comprehensive picture of the refrigerator's internal temperature status. This helps identify potential temperature anomalies in different compartments, allowing for more accurate locating of the source of the fault. Relying solely on temperature data from a single compartment can lead to false positives or missed alarms. For example, this can occur when one compartment's temperature is normal while another's is abnormal, or when an anomaly occurs in an unmonitored compartment. By simultaneously monitoring both the refrigerator and freezer compartments, this embodiment reduces the likelihood of such situations.

[0065] It's understandable that different users may have different preferences or requirements for refrigerator and freezer temperatures. This embodiment allows users to set the temperatures for the refrigerator and freezer separately, thereby improving the solution's applicability and flexibility. When a temperature anomaly is detected, separate troubleshooting can be performed based on the temperature data for the refrigerator and freezer, helping to quickly locate the problem and improve repair efficiency.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present application, the data on the operating status of the refrigerator also includes: the temperature of the variable temperature chamber.

[0067] In step S500, it is detected whether the difference between the highest value and the lowest value of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than the preset first temperature difference within the second preset time when the defrost heater stops working, and the steps of:

[0068] S510: If not, detect whether the difference between the highest temperature of the variable temperature chamber and the lowest temperature of the variable temperature chamber is greater than the preset second temperature difference within the third preset time after the defrost heater of this unit stops heating. If so, end the detection.

[0069] This step further detects the temperature change of the refrigerator's variable temperature chamber after the defrost heater stops heating. If the temperature difference between the variable temperature chambers is greater than the preset second temperature difference, it indicates that the temperature change of the variable temperature chamber is abnormal, which may be caused by other factors, and the detection process ends.

[0070] S520: If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

[0071] If the temperature difference between the cooling chamber and the cooling chamber is not greater than the preset second temperature difference, the refrigerator is judged to have a fan failure and an alarm is triggered. Based on the test results of the first two steps, if the changes in the compartment temperature and the cooling chamber temperature do not exceed the preset temperature difference, it can be inferred that the refrigerator fan may be faulty. A fan failure can lead to poor air circulation inside the refrigerator, affecting temperature distribution and cooling performance. Therefore, an alarm is triggered to ensure timely repair.

[0072] This embodiment introduces the detection of the variable temperature chamber temperature, combined with the detection of the compartment temperature, to more comprehensively monitor the operating status of the refrigerator. This method not only takes into account the temperature changes in the main compartments of the refrigerator (such as the refrigerator and freezer), but also takes into account the temperature changes in the special area of ​​the variable temperature chamber. By comparing the temperature differences in different time periods and different areas, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the refrigerator has a fault, especially a fan fault. This embodiment provides a more reliable and accurate detection method by comprehensively detecting changes in the compartment temperature and the variable temperature chamber temperature. This method not only improves the accuracy of detection, but also reduces the false alarm rate, helping to promptly discover and repair refrigerator faults, ensuring the normal operation of the refrigerator and the preservation quality of food.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present application, in step S500, detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the second preset time when the defrost heater stops heating, further includes: detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the refrigeration compartment sensor temperature is greater than the preset first temperature difference after the second preset time when the defrost heater stops heating.

[0074] This embodiment focuses on the temperature fluctuations in the refrigerator compartment after the defrost heater stops heating. By detecting the difference between the highest and lowest temperature values ​​of the refrigerator compartment sensor and comparing it with a preset first temperature difference, the temperature stability of the refrigerator compartment after the defrost cycle can be determined. If the temperature fluctuation exceeds the preset value, it may indicate a problem with the temperature control in the refrigerator compartment, which may be related to a fan failure, reduced refrigeration system efficiency, or other factors.

[0075] By focusing on the temperature fluctuations in the cold storage room, this embodiment can more accurately capture temperature anomalies related to fan failures. As a commonly used storage area in refrigerators, the temperature stability of the cold storage room is crucial for the preservation of food. Therefore, careful monitoring of the temperature in the cold storage room helps to detect potential fan failures in a timely manner. Furthermore, by detecting the temperature fluctuations in the cold storage room, this embodiment not only helps to determine whether there is a fan failure, but also provides information on fault location to a certain extent. For example, if the temperature fluctuations in the cold storage room are abnormal and accompanied by other related symptoms (such as decreased cooling effect, increased noise, etc.), the possibility of fan failure and its location can be more accurately inferred.

[0076] In some embodiments of the present application, the first preset time is 5-30 minutes, and the second preset time is 10-60 minutes.

[0077] The first preset time is primarily used to observe changes in the evaporator temperature to confirm whether the evaporator can effectively dissipate heat after the defrost heater stops working. If the evaporator temperature does not rise significantly, it may mean that the fan is not working properly, resulting in ineffective heat dissipation. This range is 5 to 30 minutes. This range can be adjusted based on the specific model of the refrigerator, the size of the evaporator, and the overall design of the refrigerator. A shorter time may not be enough to reflect the actual temperature changes, while a longer time may make the detection process too lengthy.

[0078] The second preset time is used to observe changes in the compartment sensor temperature to determine whether the compartment temperature will fluctuate abnormally in the event of a fan failure. The range of 10 minutes to 60 minutes can be adjusted according to the specific situation of the refrigerator. If the compartment temperature fluctuates slightly during this period, it may mean that the fan is working properly; if the fluctuation is large, it may indicate a fan failure.

[0079] In some embodiments of the present application, the first temperature difference is preset to be 2-10°C. This difference is used to determine whether the fluctuation range of the compartment sensor temperature within the second preset time exceeds the normal range. If the fluctuation is too large, it may mean that the temperature control inside the refrigerator is affected, which may be caused by a fan failure. The difference range of 2°C to 10°C can cover most temperature fluctuation issues. If a smaller difference is set, it may be too sensitive and cause false alarms; setting a larger difference may not detect fan failure in time.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present application, the preset second temperature difference is 1-8°C.

[0081] It's understood that the preset second temperature differential can be adjusted based on the refrigerator's configuration, for example, between 1°C and 3°C. This range may be suitable for refrigerators with strict temperature control requirements, particularly those designed to store sensitive foods or pharmaceuticals. A smaller differential can minimize temperature fluctuations, thereby reducing the risk of food spoilage. However, this range may be overly sensitive and prone to false alarms, especially in situations with large ambient temperature fluctuations.

[0082] Alternatively, set the temperature to 3°C to 6°C. This range is suitable for most home refrigerators and provides a reasonable balance of temperature control. Within this range, the refrigerator can cope with a certain degree of ambient temperature variation while ensuring that food remains within a safe temperature range. This range also reduces the possibility of false alarms while still being able to detect obvious temperature anomalies.

[0083] When the preset second temperature difference is 6°C to 8°C, this range may be suitable for refrigerators with lower temperature control requirements or those designed to store less sensitive foods. A larger difference can tolerate larger ambient temperature variations, but may not detect smaller temperature anomalies in a timely manner. Therefore, this range may not be suitable for applications requiring high-precision temperature control.

[0084] In some embodiments of the present application, the third preset time is 10-60 minutes.

[0085] Specifically, variable temperature chambers are often used to store foods with specific temperature requirements, such as meat and dairy products. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the detection time is long enough to capture the thermal effects that may occur when these foods change temperature. Users may open the refrigerator door frequently, which will affect the temperature stability inside the refrigerator. The third preset time should be long enough to offset such temperature fluctuations caused by user behavior. At the same time, the longer the detection time, the greater the possibility of capturing temperature fluctuations, but it will also increase the complexity and time cost of the detection process. Therefore, it is necessary to find a balance between accuracy and real-time performance.

[0086] It is understood that the setting of the third preset time should maintain a certain logical relationship and consistency with the first preset time and the second preset time. For example, if the first preset time and the second preset time are relatively short, then the third preset time should not be too long, so as to avoid the detection process being too lengthy. Conversely, if the first preset time and the second preset time are already long enough, then the third preset time can be shortened accordingly.

[0087] Another aspect of the present application provides a refrigerator fan fault detection system. Figure 2 As shown, the system is used to implement any refrigerator fan fault detection method as described in the above embodiments, including: a data acquisition unit, a detection and judgment unit, and an alarm unit.

[0088] The data acquisition unit is configured to acquire a single data unit, wherein the unit is configured to start at the time when the defrost heater starts operating and end at the time when the defrost heater starts operating. The single data unit is configured to acquire refrigerator operating status data acquired in the unit. The refrigerator operating status data includes compartment sensor temperature, compartment set temperature, evaporator temperature, and heater operating status data.

[0089] The data acquisition unit is used to collect data related to the refrigerator's operating status during operation, based on the defrost heater's operating cycle. This data includes compartment sensor temperature, compartment set temperature, evaporator temperature, and heater operating status. The data acquisition unit ensures that each data unit contains complete data from the start of the defrost heater operation to the next start, providing a reliable basis for subsequent detection and judgment.

[0090] The detection and judgment unit is configured to receive a single data unit and detect whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature after the defrost heater stops working, and if not, end the detection.

[0091] If so, it is detected whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for the first preset time. If not, the detection is terminated.

[0092] If so, the test is performed to see whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating. If so, the test is terminated.

[0093] If not, then detect whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than the preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time. If so, end the detection.

[0094] If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and an alarm signal is sent to the alarm unit.

[0095] The detection and judgment unit receives the data unit transmitted by the data acquisition unit, and first determines whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature after the defrost heater stops working. If not, it indicates that the current operation status of the refrigerator is normal and no further detection is required. If the compartment temperature is higher than the set temperature, a series of in-depth tests are performed, including the change in the evaporator temperature, whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C, and whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than the preset temperature difference. If all detection conditions are not met, the refrigerator is judged to have a fan failure and an alarm signal is sent to the alarm unit. The detection and judgment unit can accurately identify fan failures through logical judgment and condition screening to avoid false alarms and missed alarms.

[0096] The alarm unit is configured to receive an alarm signal and issue an alarm.

[0097] The alarm unit can ensure that users or maintenance personnel respond quickly through timely alarm prompts, reduce refrigerator downtime caused by fan failure, and ensure the preservation quality of food.

[0098] In some embodiments of the present application, the data on the operating status of the refrigerator also includes: the temperature of the variable temperature chamber; when the detection and judgment unit detects whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than the preset first temperature difference within the second preset time when the defrost heater stops working, the detection and judgment unit is also configured to: if not, detect whether the difference between the highest temperature of the variable temperature chamber and the lowest temperature of the variable temperature chamber is greater than the preset second temperature difference within the third preset time after the defrost heater of this unit stops heating. If so, the detection is ended; if not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

[0099] The detection and judgment unit receives refrigerator operating status data from the data acquisition unit. This data now includes not only the compartment sensor temperature, the compartment set temperature, the evaporator temperature, and the heater operating status, but also the variable temperature chamber temperature. Within the second preset time when the defrost heater stops working, the detection and judgment unit first checks whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference.

[0100] If the compartment temperature fluctuation is within the normal range (i.e., the difference is not greater than the preset value), the detection and judgment unit will further analyze the change of the variable temperature chamber temperature. Within the third preset time after the defrost heater stops heating, the detection and judgment unit will check whether the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures of the variable temperature chamber is greater than the preset second temperature difference.

[0101] This step is intended to more fully assess the temperature stability inside the refrigerator, especially considering that the variable temperature chamber may be set to different temperatures due to special storage needs.

[0102] If the fluctuations in either the compartment temperature or the variable temperature chamber temperature do not exceed a preset difference within the two time periods, the detection and judgment unit will determine that the refrigerator may have a fan failure. In this case, the detection and judgment unit will send an alarm signal to the alarm unit to promptly notify the user or maintenance personnel for resolution. By incorporating the variable temperature chamber temperature detection, the detection and judgment unit can more comprehensively assess the refrigerator's operating status, thereby improving the accuracy of fan failure detection. This helps reduce false alarms or missed alarms caused by single temperature detection.

[0103] The detection and judgment unit can ensure timely alarm when there is indeed a fault in the fan through comprehensive analysis and judgment, thereby enhancing the reliability of the entire refrigerator fan fault detection system.

[0104] The present application provides a refrigerator fan fault detection method and system. This application uses refrigerator operating status data from a single data unit as the detection object. The system determines whether a fan fault exists during refrigerator use based on temperature variation characteristics within a specified timeframe, namely, whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature; whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for a first preset time; whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating; and whether the difference between the highest and lowest compartment sensor temperatures is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time. This system provides technical support for prompting users to intervene to prevent food spoilage or further optimizing product design. The present application can effectively exclude heater fault data and door failure data from fault data, significantly improving detection accuracy.

[0105] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the disclosure herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator fan fault detection method, characterized in that: The steps include: Obtain a single data unit, wherein the unit is: starting time when any defrost heater starts working and ending time when the defrost heater starts working the next time; the single data unit is: refrigerator operating status data obtained in the unit; The data of the refrigerator operation status include: compartment sensor temperature, compartment set temperature, evaporator temperature, heater working status data; Detecting whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature after the defrost heater stops working, if not, ending the detection; If so, detecting whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for a first preset time; if not, ending the detection; If yes, then detect whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating, and if yes, end the detection; If not, then detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time, and if so, ending the detection; If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

2. A refrigerator fan fault detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The compartment sensor temperature includes: refrigerator compartment sensor temperature, freezer compartment sensor temperature; the compartment setting temperature includes: refrigerator compartment setting temperature, freezer compartment setting temperature; Whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature includes: whether the refrigerating compartment sensor temperature is higher than the refrigerating compartment set temperature, and whether the freezing compartment sensor temperature is higher than the freezing compartment set temperature.

3. The refrigerator fan fault detection method according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator operating status data further includes: Changing room temperature; The step of detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature within the second preset time after the defrost heater stops working is greater than a preset first temperature difference value further includes the following steps: If not, detecting whether the difference between the highest temperature of the variable temperature chamber and the lowest temperature of the variable temperature chamber is greater than a preset second temperature difference within a third preset time after the defrost heater of the unit stops heating, and if so, ending the detection; If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

4. A refrigerator fan fault detection method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: detecting whether the difference between the highest value and the lowest value of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time; After the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time, it is detected whether the difference between the highest value and the lowest value of the refrigeration chamber sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference.

5. A refrigerator fan fault detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first preset time is 5-30 minutes, and the second preset time is 10-60 minutes.

6. A refrigerator fan fault detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preset first temperature difference is 2-10°C.

7. A refrigerator fan fault detection method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The preset second temperature difference is 1-8°C.

8. A refrigerator fan fault detection method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third preset time is 10-60 minutes.

9. A refrigerator fan fault detection system, characterized in that: The system is used to implement the refrigerator fan fault detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: a data acquisition unit, a detection and judgment unit, and an alarm unit; The data acquisition unit is configured to: acquire a single data unit, wherein the unit is: starting time when any defrost heater starts working and ending time when the defrost heater starts working next time, and the single data unit is: data on the refrigerator operation status acquired in the unit; The data of the refrigerator operation status include: compartment sensor temperature, compartment set temperature, evaporator temperature, heater working status data; The detection and judgment unit is configured to: receive the single data unit, and detect whether the compartment sensor temperature is higher than the compartment set temperature after the defrost heater stops working, and if not, end the detection; If so, detecting whether the evaporator temperature is higher than the evaporator temperature at the end of the unit after the defrost heater stops heating for a first preset time; if not, ending the detection; If yes, then detect whether the evaporator temperature is less than 0°C when the defrost heater stops heating, and if yes, end the detection; If not, then detecting whether the difference between the highest and lowest values ​​of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference after the defrost heater stops heating for a second preset time, and if so, ending the detection; If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and an alarm signal is sent to the alarm unit; The alarm unit is configured to receive the alarm signal and issue an alarm.

10. A refrigerator fan fault detection system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The data of the refrigerator operation status also includes: the temperature of the variable temperature chamber; The detection and judgment unit is further configured to: when determining whether the difference between the highest value and the lowest value of the compartment sensor temperature is greater than a preset first temperature difference within the second preset time of detecting that the defrost heater stops working: If not, detecting whether the difference between the highest temperature of the variable temperature chamber and the lowest temperature of the variable temperature chamber is greater than a preset second temperature difference within a third preset time after the defrost heater of the unit stops heating, and if so, ending the detection; If not, it is determined that the refrigerator has a fan failure and corresponding alarm processing is performed.

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