Data validity evaluation method for refrigerator and smell sensor

Abstract

The invention discloses a data validity evaluation method for a refrigerator and a smell sensor, which can prevent the temperature and humidity in a storage chamber from interfering with the detection value of the smell sensor by arranging the smell sensor outside the storage chamber of the refrigerator, and communicate the sensor shell of the smell sensor with the storage chamber through an air pipe. The gas in the storage chamber can be transmitted into the sensor shell through the gas pipe, then the sensor body arranged in the sensor shell can detect the concentration of the gas, and in the process, whether the humidity in the storage chamber and the humidity in the sensor shell are balanced or not is evaluated; the smell concentration value detected by the sensor body at the moment is valid if the smell concentration value is balanced, and the smell concentration value detected by the sensor body at the moment is invalid if the smell concentration value is unbalanced, so that the detection accuracy of the smell sensor can be improved, reliable detection data can be provided for judging the freshness of food, and a misjudgment phenomenon is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a data validity evaluation method for a refrigerator and an odor sensor. Background Art

[0002] An odor sensor is usually installed in the refrigerator compartment, and the odor sensor can be used to detect the odor value in the storage compartment, thereby determining the freshness of the food stored in the storage compartment. The odor sensor commonly used in the prior art is obtained by coating a polymer film called a sensitive film on the vibrator, which can adsorb odor molecules. When the odor molecules are adsorbed on the sensitive film, this type of sensor detects the odor by outputting a frequency change as a signal intensity. In addition, a sensor usually has multiple sensor elements built in, each of which is composed of a vibrator and a sensitive film. Since each of the multiple sensor elements has a different sensitive film, the signal intensity output by each sensor element in response to the odor molecule is different depending on the type of sensitive film. Therefore, in one odor measurement, the signal intensity data of multiple sensor elements can be obtained, which can be used to identify the odor as an odor pattern. Since the odor pattern is different according to the freshness of the food, the freshness of the food can be evaluated by analyzing the differences in these odor patterns.

[0003] However, this polymer film type sensor is susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. If the sensor element is exposed to low temperatures, it will condense and lose its function. Also, if the humidity in the refrigerator changes, the sensor may react even if there is no food in the refrigerator, resulting in a false judgment when determining the freshness of the food based on the signal strength of the sensor. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiment of the present invention is to provide a data validity evaluation method for a refrigerator and an odor sensor, which can prevent the temperature and humidity in the storage room from interfering with the detection value of the odor sensor, improve the detection accuracy of the odor sensor, and further provide reliable detection data for judging the freshness of food to avoid misjudgment.

[0005] To achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0006] a box body, in which at least one storage chamber is formed, and the storage chamber includes at least a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber;

[0007] an odor sensor, arranged outside the storage room, comprising an air pipe, a sensor housing and a sensor body; wherein the air pipe communicates with the storage room and the sensor housing, and is used to transmit the gas in the storage room to the sensor housing; the sensor body is arranged in the sensor housing, and is used to detect the odor concentration value of the gas in the storage room;

[0008] a first humidity sensor, disposed in the storage chamber, for detecting a first humidity value of the storage chamber;

[0009] A second humidity sensor, disposed in the sensor housing, for detecting a second humidity value in the sensor housing;

[0010] The controller is configured as:

[0011] Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times; wherein n is an integer and n≥2;

[0012] Calculate the difference between the first humidity value and the second humidity value detected each time to obtain n first humidity difference values;

[0013] When the n first humidity difference values ​​meet the preset humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is valid; when the n first humidity difference values ​​do not meet the humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is invalid.

[0014] As an improvement of the above solution, after obtaining n first humidity difference values, the controller is further configured as follows:

[0015] Determine a maximum humidity difference value and a minimum humidity difference value from the n first humidity difference values, and calculate a second humidity difference value of the maximum humidity difference value and the minimum humidity difference value;

[0016] When the second humidity difference is within the preset humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences meet the humidity difference balance condition; when the second humidity difference is not within the humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences do not meet the humidity difference balance condition.

[0017] As an improvement of the above solution, the step of obtaining the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times includes:

[0018] Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for a consecutive number of times within a preset first time period;

[0019] The first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor are obtained for b consecutive times within a preset second time period; wherein a and b are both positive integers, and a+b=n, and the first time period and the second time period are separated by a preset fixed time.

[0020] As an improvement of the above solution, the refrigerator further includes:

[0021] A first temperature sensor, disposed in the storage chamber, for detecting a first temperature value of the storage chamber;

[0022] A second temperature sensor, disposed in the sensor housing, for detecting a second temperature value in the sensor housing;

[0023] The controller is also configured to:

[0024] Acquire a first temperature value detected by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature value detected by the second temperature sensor;

[0025] Calculating a temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value;

[0026] When the temperature difference is within a preset temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are relative humidity values; when the temperature difference is not within the temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are absolute humidity values.

[0027] As an improvement of the above solution, the odor sensor also includes an air pump, which is arranged on the air pipe and is used to extract the gas in the storage chamber so as to flow the gas in the storage chamber into the sensor housing through the air pipe.

[0028] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a data validity evaluation method of an odor sensor, which is applicable to a refrigerator provided with an odor sensor, wherein the odor sensor is provided outside a storage room of the refrigerator, the odor sensor comprises an air pipe, a sensor housing and a sensor body provided in the sensor housing, the air pipe connects a storage room and the sensor housing, a first humidity sensor is provided in the storage room, and a second humidity sensor is provided in the sensor housing; then, the data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor comprises:

[0029] Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times; wherein n is an integer and n≥2;

[0030] Calculate the difference between the first humidity value and the second humidity value detected each time to obtain n first humidity difference values;

[0031] When the n first humidity difference values ​​meet the preset humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is valid; when the n first humidity difference values ​​do not meet the humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is invalid.

[0032] As an improvement of the above solution, after obtaining n first humidity difference values, the method further includes:

[0033] Determine a maximum humidity difference value and a minimum humidity difference value from the n first humidity difference values, and calculate a second humidity difference value of the maximum humidity difference value and the minimum humidity difference value;

[0034] When the second humidity difference is within the preset humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences meet the humidity difference balance condition; when the second humidity difference is not within the humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences do not meet the humidity difference balance condition.

[0035] As an improvement of the above solution, the step of obtaining the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times includes:

[0036] Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for a consecutive number of times within a preset first time period;

[0037] The first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor are obtained for b consecutive times within a preset second time period; wherein a and b are both positive integers, and a+b=n, and the first time period and the second time period are separated by a preset fixed time.

[0038] As an improvement of the above solution, the refrigerator further includes a first temperature sensor disposed in the storage chamber and a second temperature sensor disposed in the sensor housing; then, the method further includes:

[0039] Acquire a first temperature value detected by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature value detected by the second temperature sensor;

[0040] Calculating a temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value;

[0041] When the temperature difference is within a preset temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are relative humidity values; when the temperature difference is not within the temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are absolute humidity values.

[0042] As an improvement of the above solution, the odor sensor also includes an air pump, which is arranged on the air pipe and is used to extract the gas in the storage chamber so as to flow the gas in the storage chamber into the sensor housing through the air pipe.

[0043] Compared with the prior art, the data validity evaluation method for a refrigerator and an odor sensor disclosed in the present invention can avoid interference of the temperature and humidity in the storage room on the detection value of the odor sensor by arranging the odor sensor outside the storage room of the refrigerator. The sensor housing and the storage room of the odor sensor are connected by an air pipe, and the gas in the storage room can be transmitted to the sensor housing through the air pipe, and then the sensor body arranged in the sensor housing can detect the concentration of the gas. In this process, it is evaluated whether the humidity in the storage room and the sensor housing is balanced. If it is balanced, it means that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body at this time is valid. If it is unbalanced, it means that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body at this time is invalid. The detection accuracy of the odor sensor can be improved, and reliable detection data can be provided for judging the freshness of food to avoid misjudgment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 is a structural block diagram of a refrigeration system in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 is a connection relationship diagram of the odor sensor provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the odor sensor provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sensor body provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of multiple sensor bodies provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 7 is a first working flow diagram of a controller in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 8 is a second working flow chart of a controller in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Fig. 9 is a numerical comparison diagram of the first humidity value detection result provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Fig.10 is a third working flow diagram of the controller in the refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Fig.11 is a numerical comparison diagram of the second humidity value detection result provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Fig.12 is a curve diagram of the signal strengths of three odor sensors provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Fig.13 It is a flow chart of a method for evaluating data validity of an odor sensor provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Among them, 100, refrigerator; 200, odor sensor; 300, controller; 11, cold storage room; 12, vegetable room; 13, freezer; 1, compressor; 2, evaporator; 3, capillary; 4, condenser; 10, sensor body; 20, sensor housing; 30, air pipe; 40, air pump; 50, control unit; 121, first humidity sensor; 122, first temperature sensor; 201, second humidity sensor; 202, second temperature sensor; 101, sensitive membrane; 102, vibrator; 103, base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0059] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0060] The terms "first", "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0061] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0062] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the external structure of a refrigerator 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator described in the embodiment of the present invention is an air-cooled refrigerator. The refrigerator 100 described in the embodiment of the present invention is approximately rectangular in shape. The refrigerator includes a box body that defines a storage space and a plurality of door bodies arranged at the opening of the box body, wherein the door body includes a door body shell located outside the box body, a door body liner located inside the box body, an upper end cover, a lower end cover, and an insulation layer located between the door body shell, the door body liner, the upper end cover, and the lower end cover; usually, the insulation layer is filled with foam. The box body is provided with a chamber, wherein the chamber includes a component storage chamber for placing components in the refrigerator, such as a press cabin, etc., and also includes a storage space for storing food, etc. The storage space can be divided into a plurality of storage chambers. The storage chambers can be configured as a refrigerating chamber 11, a vegetable chamber 12, and a freezing chamber 13 according to different uses, and can also include a vacuum drawer, a moisturizing drawer, etc. In the refrigerator 100 shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerating chamber 11 is located above the freezing chamber 13, and the vegetable chamber 12 is located in the middle of the refrigerating chamber 11 and the freezing chamber 12. In other embodiments, the refrigerating chamber 11 may also be located below the freezing chamber 13. Each storage chamber corresponds to one or more doors, for example, Figure 1 In the refrigerator compartment 11 at the upper part, a double-door body is provided. The door body can be pivotally arranged at the opening of the box body, and can also be opened in a drawer-like manner to realize drawer-like storage.

[0063] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2The schematic diagram of the structure of the refrigeration system in the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration system includes a compressor 1, an evaporator 2, a drying filter (not shown in the figure), a capillary tube 3, a condenser 4 and a gas-liquid separator (not shown in the figure). The working process of the refrigeration system includes a compression process, a condensation process, a throttling process and an evaporation process. The compression process is: plug in the power cord of the refrigerator, when the contacts of the thermostat are connected, the compressor 1 starts to work, and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 1, and is compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure superheated gas in the cylinder of the compressor 1 and then discharged into the condenser 4; the condensation process is: the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas dissipates heat through the condenser 4, the temperature continues to drop, and is gradually cooled to a saturated vapor of normal temperature and high pressure, and is further cooled to a saturated liquid, and the temperature no longer drops. The temperature at this time is called the condensation temperature, and the pressure of the refrigerant remains almost unchanged during the entire condensation process; the throttling process is as follows ... The process is as follows: the condensed refrigerant saturated liquid is filtered through a drying filter to remove moisture and impurities and then flows into the capillary 3, through which it is throttled and depressurized, and the refrigerant becomes wet steam at room temperature and low pressure; the evaporation process is as follows: the wet steam at room temperature and low pressure begins to absorb heat and vaporize in the evaporator 2, which not only reduces the temperature of the evaporator 2 and its surroundings, but also turns the refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas. The refrigerant coming out of the evaporator 2 passes through the gas-liquid separator and returns to the compressor 1 again, repeating the above process to transfer the heat in the refrigerator to the air outside the box, thereby achieving the purpose of refrigeration.

[0064] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 : is a connection diagram of the odor sensor 200 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The odor sensor 200 is arranged outside the storage room, and includes an air pipe 30, a sensor housing 20 and a sensor body 10; wherein the air pipe 30 connects the storage room and the sensor housing 20, and is used to transmit the gas in the storage room to the sensor housing 20, and the sensor body 10 is arranged in the sensor housing 20, and is used to detect the odor concentration value of the gas in the storage room. Further, the odor sensor 200 also includes an air pump 40 and a control unit 50, and the air pump 40 is arranged on the air pipe 30, and is used to extract the gas in the storage room, so as to merge the gas in the storage room into the sensor housing 20 through the air pipe 30.

[0065] Exemplarily, assuming that the air pipe 30 of the odor sensor 200 is connected to the vegetable chamber 12 (it may also be connected to the refrigerator chamber 11 or the freezer chamber 13, and the vegetable chamber 12 is taken as an example in the embodiment of the present invention), the sensor body 10 cooperates with the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 is connected to the controller 300. The controller 300 receives multiple signals output by the sensor body 10 and identifies them as odor patterns, thereby obtaining the odor concentration value of the vegetable chamber 12. The air pump 40 is a pump for introducing the gas in the vegetable chamber 12 as a detection gas into the sensor housing 20, and the air pipe 30 is a pipe for introducing the detection gas. The air pump 40 is connected to the controller 300, and its opening and closing operations are controlled by the controller 300. When it is necessary to detect the odor concentration value of the vegetable chamber 12, the controller controls the air pump 40 to start, so that the gas in the vegetable chamber 12 is transmitted to the sensor housing 20 through the air pipe 30 under the action of the air pump 40, and contacts the sensor body 10, so that the sensor body 10 measures the odor concentration value.

[0066] Furthermore, the refrigerator 100 further includes:

[0067] A first humidity sensor 121 is provided in the storage chamber (such as the vegetable chamber 12) and is used to detect a first humidity value of the storage chamber;

[0068] A first temperature sensor 122, disposed in the storage chamber (such as the vegetable chamber 12), for detecting a first temperature value of the storage chamber;

[0069] A second humidity sensor 201 is disposed in the sensor housing 20 and is used to detect a second humidity value in the sensor housing 20;

[0070] The second temperature sensor 202 is disposed in the sensor housing 20 and is used to detect a second temperature value in the sensor housing 20 .

[0071] Exemplarily, the first humidity sensor 121, the first temperature sensor 122, the second humidity sensor 201 and the second temperature sensor 202 are all connected to the controller 300, and furthermore, they can be connected to the controller 300 wirelessly or by wire. The first humidity sensor 121 and the first temperature sensor 122 can also be installed in the refrigerating chamber 11 and the freezing chamber 13.

[0072] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the installation position of the odor sensor 200 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The odor sensor 200 is installed outside the storage compartment of the refrigerator for storing food. Figure 4In the embodiment, the odor sensor 200 is used to detect the odor concentration value of the vegetable chamber 12, and the sensor housing 20 (with the built-in sensor body 10 and the control unit 50) is installed above the compressor 1 at the bottom of the back of the refrigerator 100. The sensor housing 20 is connected to the air pump 40, the air pipe 30 and the controller 300 to measure the odor concentration value in the vegetable chamber 12.

[0073] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sensor body 10 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the sensor body 10 includes a sensitive film 101 and a vibrator 102, wherein the vibrator 102 is made of a material that can vibrate at a constant frequency when a voltage is applied. As the material of the vibrator 102, a crystal vibrator or a piezoelectric material can be preferably used. The vibrator 102 is connected to a control unit 50 and a controller 300. The control unit 50 applies a voltage to vibrate the vibrator 102 and detects the frequency of the vibration. When odor molecules are adsorbed onto the sensitive film 101, the weight of the sensitive film 101 changes, and the change in weight changes the frequency of the vibrator 102. The control unit 50 identifies the odor by detecting the change in the vibration frequency of the vibrator 102, and outputs the change as a signal intensity, as an odor concentration value. The sensitive film 101 is a polymer film, and there is no restriction on the type of polymer and the thickness of the film. The sensitive film 101 can be made by selecting from the perspectives of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity and the type of functional group.

[0074] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 1 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of sensor bodies 10 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a base 103 is used to mount each sensor body 10, and examples of the material of the base 103 include but are not limited to a silicon substrate, a ceramic substrate, a resin substrate, and the like. The sensor bodies 10 mounted on the base 103 are each connected to the control unit 50, so that the change in the vibration frequency of the vibrator 102 can be detected independently. In the embodiment of the present invention, the number of sensor bodies 10 mounted on the base 103 is not specifically limited. If the odor in the detected gas is relatively complex, a detailed analysis can be performed by increasing the number of sensor bodies 10. However, increasing the number of components will increase the overall size of the sensor, making it difficult to install in a refrigerator. Therefore, the upper limit of the number of sensor bodies 10 is less than 40, preferably less than 20. On the other hand, if the number of sensor bodies 10 is too small, it is difficult to distinguish the type of odor based on the odor pattern. Therefore, it is recommended that the lower limit of the number of sensor bodies 10 is 4 or more.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present invention, when measuring gas, the humidity values ​​of two humidity sensors are measured simultaneously and the humidity difference is calculated. Odor measurement usually involves detecting odors multiple times in one measurement. When such odor detection is performed a predetermined number of times, only the measurement data whose fluctuation of the humidity difference falls within the specified range is used as valid measurement data for subsequent odor analysis.

[0076] Specifically, the controller is configured to: obtain the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times; wherein n is an integer and n≥2; calculate the difference between the first humidity value and the second humidity value detected each time to obtain n first humidity difference values; when the n first humidity difference values ​​meet a preset humidity difference balance condition, determine that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is valid; when the n first humidity difference values ​​do not meet the humidity difference balance condition, determine that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is invalid.

[0077] For example, see Figure 7 , Figure 7It is the first working flow chart of the controller in the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the present invention. The controller is configured to execute steps S11 to S19. In the embodiment of the present invention, the detected gas is measured once and the validity of the obtained data is verified. Assuming that n=5 at this time, when the humidity measurement is started, five odor detections are performed in one measurement. For each sensor body 10, the control unit 50 will obtain five signal strength information from the sensor body 10, and the output signal strength is sent to the controller 300 and recorded. The controller 300 records the signal strength information output by the sensor body 10, as well as the first humidity value HA of the refrigerator storage room and the second humidity value HB in the sensor housing. In addition, each time the controller collects the first humidity value HA and the second humidity value HB, it calculates the difference between HA and HB to obtain the first humidity difference HC, HC (=HB-HA). For example, if the odor is detected five times, five HC values ​​are obtained, and it is determined whether these five HC values ​​meet the humidity difference balance condition, which is used to evaluate whether the humidity difference between the two different environments (storage room and sensor housing) obtained each time is within a certain range. If the difference is within a certain range, the humidity difference balance condition is met, indicating that the humidity environment of the sensor body and the storage room is not much different. At this time, it can be determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is accurate. If it does not meet the humidity difference balance condition, it means that the humidity environment of the sensor body and the storage room is greatly different. At this time, it can be determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is inaccurate, and the controller 300 will issue a warning message that the measurement result may be wrong. Alternatively, if an attempt is made to use data that may contain errors in the measurement result to analyze the odor, a warning is given that data that may contain errors is being used.

[0078] Further, after determining that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is accurate, the signal strength from multiple sensor bodies is used to form an odor pattern, and principal component analysis or cluster analysis is performed, and a method for comparing and verifying odor types based on the pattern is used. Regarding the judgment of freshness, the controller can record the odor pattern of foods with known freshness and compare it with the food odor pattern obtained by measurement to evaluate the freshness of the food. The freshness results analyzed by the controller can be displayed on the built-in display of the refrigerator, or the freshness results can be sent and displayed on the user's smart terminal (such as a mobile phone, computer, etc.).

[0079] Specifically, the controller is also configured to: obtain the first temperature value detected by the first temperature sensor 122 and the second temperature value detected by the second temperature sensor 202; calculate the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value; when the temperature difference is within a preset temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are relative humidity values; when the temperature difference is not within the temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are absolute humidity values.

[0080] Exemplarily, relative humidity, whose value varies with temperature; absolute humidity, whose value does not vary with temperature. Generally, the relative humidity value is the exact value displayed by the humidity sensor. The controller can record the value and use it in the data processing method of the present invention. On the other hand, the absolute humidity value is calculated by specifying the amount of saturated water vapor according to the measured temperature value and using the value. By recording the amount of saturated water vapor at each temperature on the controller, the absolute humidity can be calculated using the temperature and relative humidity values ​​measured by the temperature sensor. In the data processing method of the present invention, either of these two types of humidity can be used. If the temperature changes greatly during odor measurement, that is, the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value is not within the temperature difference range, it is recommended to use the absolute humidity value; if the temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value is within the temperature difference range, it is easier to process the data using the relative humidity value, and the temperature difference range is within ±3°C.

[0081] Specifically, after obtaining n first humidity difference values, the controller is also configured to: determine a maximum humidity difference value and a minimum humidity difference value from the n first humidity difference values, and calculate a second humidity difference value of the maximum humidity difference value and the minimum humidity difference value; when the second humidity difference value is within a preset humidity difference range, determine that the n first humidity difference values ​​meet the humidity difference balance condition; when the second humidity difference value is not within the humidity difference range, determine that the n first humidity differences do not meet the humidity difference balance condition.

[0082] For example, see Figure 8 , Figure 8is a second working flow chart of the controller in the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the present invention. After executing step S16, the controller is further configured to execute steps S161 to S165, and then after executing step S165, continue to execute step S17. After obtaining n first humidity difference values ​​HC, the maximum humidity difference value HCmax and the minimum humidity difference value HCmin are determined from the n first humidity difference values, and the second humidity difference value HD between the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated, HD=HCmax-HCmin, and it is determined whether the second humidity difference value HD is within the humidity difference range. If the HD value is not within the humidity difference range, it means that the n HC values ​​do not meet the humidity difference balance condition, and it can be determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is inaccurate. If the HD value is within the humidity difference range, it means that the n HC values ​​meet the humidity difference balance condition, and it can be determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is inaccurate.

[0083] Further, when relative humidity (i.e., the first humidity value and the second humidity value are relative humidity) is used to analyze the smell of food stored in the refrigerator, the humidity difference range is 5.0% or less, preferably 3.0% or less. When absolute humidity value (i.e., the first humidity value and the second humidity value are absolute humidity) is used, the humidity difference range is less than 1.5 g / m3, preferably less than 1.0 g / m3.

[0084] Embodiment 1: The embodiment of steps S11 to S16 of the present invention is described below through a specific embodiment, which can be measured in a laboratory.

[0085] Three types of odor sensors are provided, each of which contains 20 sensor bodies made of lead zirconate titanate vibrators coated with a polymer film. Let the individual odor sensors be sensors A, B, and C. The odor sensor measures the odor of 50 grams of fresh perilla leaves placed in the vegetable drawer of a refrigerator and obtains the odor pattern. The first measurement is performed in the order of odor sensors A, B, and C, and one hour later, the second measurement is performed in the same order of sensors A, B, and C. The 20 signal intensities obtained during the measurement are recorded on a computer, and the computer records the odor measurement results as well as the temperature and relative humidity in the vegetable room and the temperature and relative humidity around the sensor. The upper threshold of the humidity difference range is 5%, and if the HD value is less than this value, the measurement is considered valid. Fig. 9 The HD values ​​of the relative humidity obtained when the odor detection is performed five times using the method shown in the above steps S11 to S16 are given, and 5 HC values ​​of each sensor are obtained in two measurements. Since the HD values ​​obtained in the two measurements are both less than 5% of the specified value, the individual measurement data are valid. In this case, the computer will not issue any warning on the display screen.

[0086] It is worth noting that the above steps S11 to S19 provide an implementation method for measuring the detected gas once and verifying the validity of the obtained data. In addition to the above-mentioned one-time measurement verification method, the embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for measuring the detected gas multiple times at intervals and verifying the validity of the obtained data.

[0087] Specifically, the obtaining of the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times includes: obtaining the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for a consecutive time within a preset first time period; obtaining the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for b consecutive times within a preset second time period; wherein a and b are both positive integers, and a+b=n, and the first time period and the second time period are separated by a preset fixed time.

[0088] For example, see Fig.10 , Fig.10 This is the third work flow chart of the controller in the refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In order to ensure the accurate calculation of the two measurement data, at this time, the sum a and b are both greater than or equal to 2, and n is greater than or equal to 4. The controller is configured to execute steps S21 to S35. When measuring the odor, the same detection gas can be measured multiple times at different time intervals to compare and verify the changes in the odor. In this case, if the humidity changes over time during the measurement, the signal strength output by the sensor will contain fluctuations in the baseline, and accurate comparison and verification may not be possible. For example, consider a situation where five odor detections are performed in the first measurement, and then a second measurement is performed after a fixed interval (or even a third measurement is further performed). In this case, since each sensor body obtains 5×2=10 HC values ​​in two measurements, it is necessary to determine whether these 10 HC values ​​meet the humidity difference balance condition. The method for determining whether the humidity difference balance condition is met can refer to steps S161 to S165, which will not be repeated here. If the humidity difference balance condition is met, it means that the humidity environment of the sensor body is not much different from that of the storage room, and the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body can be determined to be accurate. If the humidity difference balance condition is not met, it means that the humidity environment of the sensor body is greatly different from that of the storage room, and the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body can be determined to be inaccurate, and the controller 300 will issue a warning message that the measurement result may be wrong. Alternatively, if an attempt is made to use data that may contain errors in the measurement result to analyze the odor, a warning that data that may contain errors is being used is given.

[0089] Embodiment 2: The embodiment of steps S21 to S35 of the present invention is described below through a specific embodiment, which can be measured in a laboratory.

[0090] Three types of odor sensors are provided, each of which contains 20 sensor bodies made of lead zirconate titanate vibrators coated with a polymer film. Let the individual odor sensors be sensors A, B, and C. The odor sensor measures the odor of 50 grams of fresh perilla leaves placed in the vegetable drawer of a refrigerator and obtains the odor pattern. The first measurement is performed in the order of odor sensors A, B, and C, and one hour (fixed time) later, the second measurement is performed in the same order of sensors A, B, and C. The 20 signal intensities obtained during the measurement are recorded on a computer, and the computer records the odor measurement results as well as the temperature and relative humidity in the vegetable room and the temperature and relative humidity around the sensor. The upper threshold of the humidity difference range is 5%, and if the HD value is less than this value, the measurement is considered valid. Fig.11 The HD values ​​of relative humidity obtained when five odor detections are performed using the method shown in steps S21 to S35 above are given. In order to compare the data obtained from the first measurement and the second measurement of each sensor A, B and C, the results are shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, the HD value is calculated based on the HCmax and HCmin values ​​obtained in the first and second measurements. The HD values ​​of sensor A and sensor B exceed 5% of the specified value. In this case, if you try to analyze the odor pattern by principal component analysis using these data, a warning will be issued, for example, "Due to the large change in humidity between the first and second measurements, there may be an error in the analysis result." A warning will appear on the refrigerator display. On the other hand, the HD value measured by sensor C is less than 5% of the specified value. In this case, the computer will not issue a warning even if the odor pattern is analyzed.

[0091] See also Fig.12 , Fig.12is a graph of the signal intensity obtained by the measurement of sensors A, B, and C. The vertical axis represents the signal intensity, and the horizontal axis represents the number of 20 sensitive membranes built into sensors A, B, and C. The solid line and the dotted line represent the signal intensity of the first and second measurements, respectively. In the case where the signal intensity has a negative value, the odor of the same large leaf is measured in the first and second measurements, and therefore, the resulting signal intensity should match. However, there is a separation between the signal intensities obtained by sensors A and B, and the sum of the absolute values ​​of the signal intensity differences obtained in the first and second measurements is 1876 points for sensor A and 794 points for sensor B. On the other hand, for sensor C, the sum of the absolute values ​​of the signal intensity differences obtained between the first and second measurements is 555 points, and the separation is smaller than that of sensors A and B. The reason for this difference between sensors A, B, and sensor C is believed to be mainly due to the difference in the amplitude of humidity fluctuations during the odor measurement as described above.

[0092] Compared with the prior art, the refrigerator disclosed in the present invention can avoid the interference of the temperature and humidity in the storage room on the detection value of the odor sensor by arranging the odor sensor outside the refrigerator storage room. The sensor housing and the storage room of the odor sensor are connected by an air pipe, and the gas in the storage room can be transmitted to the sensor housing through the air pipe, and then the sensor body arranged in the sensor housing can detect the concentration of the gas. In this process, it is evaluated whether the humidity in the storage room and the sensor housing is balanced. If it is balanced, it means that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body at this time is valid. If it is unbalanced, it means that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body at this time is invalid. The detection accuracy of the odor sensor can be improved, and reliable detection data can be provided for judging the freshness of food to avoid misjudgment.

[0093] See also Fig.13 , Fig.13 The present invention provides a flowchart of a method for evaluating the data validity of an odor sensor provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method for evaluating the data validity of the odor sensor is applicable to a refrigerator provided with an odor sensor, wherein the odor sensor is provided outside a storage room of the refrigerator, the odor sensor comprises an air pipe, a sensor housing and a sensor body provided in the sensor housing, the air pipe connects a storage room and the sensor housing, a first humidity sensor is provided in the storage room, and a second humidity sensor is provided in the sensor housing; the method for evaluating the data validity of the odor sensor comprises:

[0094] S1. Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times; wherein n is an integer and n≥2;

[0095] S2, calculating the difference between the first humidity value and the second humidity value detected each time, to obtain n first humidity difference values;

[0096] S3. When the n first humidity difference values ​​meet the preset humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is valid; when the n first humidity difference values ​​do not meet the humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is invalid.

[0097] Specifically, after obtaining n first humidity difference values, the method further includes:

[0098] Determine a maximum humidity difference value and a minimum humidity difference value from the n first humidity difference values, and calculate a second humidity difference value of the maximum humidity difference value and the minimum humidity difference value;

[0099] When the second humidity difference is within the preset humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences meet the humidity difference balance condition; when the second humidity difference is not within the humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences do not meet the humidity difference balance condition.

[0100] Specifically, the acquiring the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times includes:

[0101] Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for a consecutive number of times within a preset first time period;

[0102] The first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor are obtained for b consecutive times within a preset second time period; wherein a and b are both positive integers, and a+b=n, and the first time period and the second time period are separated by a preset fixed time.

[0103] Specifically, the refrigerator further includes a first temperature sensor disposed in the storage chamber and a second temperature sensor disposed in the sensor housing; then, the method further includes:

[0104] Acquire a first temperature value detected by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature value detected by the second temperature sensor;

[0105] Calculating a temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value;

[0106] When the temperature difference is within a preset temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are relative humidity values; when the temperature difference is not within the temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are absolute humidity values.

[0107] Specifically, the odor sensor further includes an air pump, which is disposed on the air pipe and is used to extract the gas in the storage chamber so as to flow the gas in the storage chamber into the sensor housing through the air pipe.

[0108] It is worth noting that the specific working process of the data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor described in the embodiment of the present invention can refer to the working process of the controller in the refrigerator described in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0109] Compared with the prior art, the data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor disclosed in the present invention can avoid the temperature and humidity in the storage room from interfering with the detection value of the odor sensor by arranging the odor sensor outside the refrigerator storage chamber. The sensor housing and the storage chamber of the odor sensor are connected by an air pipe, and the gas in the storage chamber can be transmitted to the sensor housing through the air pipe, and then the sensor body arranged in the sensor housing can detect the concentration of the gas. In this process, it is evaluated whether the humidity in the storage chamber and the sensor housing is balanced. If it is balanced, it means that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body at this time is valid. If it is unbalanced, it means that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body at this time is invalid. The detection accuracy of the odor sensor can be improved, and reliable detection data can be provided for judging the freshness of food to avoid misjudgment.

[0110] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that a person skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: a box body, in which at least one storage chamber is formed; an odor sensor, arranged outside the storage room, comprising an air pipe, a sensor housing and a sensor body; wherein the air pipe communicates with the storage room and the sensor housing, and is used to transmit the gas in the storage room to the sensor housing; the sensor body is arranged in the sensor housing, and is used to detect the odor concentration value of the gas in the storage room; a first humidity sensor, disposed in the storage chamber, for detecting a first humidity value of the storage chamber; A second humidity sensor, disposed in the sensor housing, for detecting a second humidity value in the sensor housing; The controller is configured as: Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times; wherein n is an integer and n≥2; Calculate the difference between the first humidity value and the second humidity value detected each time to obtain n first humidity difference values; When the n first humidity difference values ​​meet the preset humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is valid; when the n first humidity difference values ​​do not meet the humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is invalid.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: After obtaining n first humidity difference values, the controller is further configured to: Determine a maximum humidity difference value and a minimum humidity difference value from the n first humidity difference values, and calculate a second humidity difference value of the maximum humidity difference value and the minimum humidity difference value; When the second humidity difference is within the preset humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences meet the humidity difference balance condition; when the second humidity difference is not within the humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences do not meet the humidity difference balance condition.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The acquiring the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times comprises: Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for a consecutive number of times within a preset first time period; The first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor are obtained for b consecutive times within a preset second time period; wherein a and b are both positive integers, and a+b=n, and the first time period and the second time period are separated by a preset fixed time.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigerator further comprises: A first temperature sensor, disposed in the storage chamber, for detecting a first temperature value of the storage chamber; A second temperature sensor, disposed in the sensor housing, for detecting a second temperature value in the sensor housing; The controller is also configured to: Acquire a first temperature value detected by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature value detected by the second temperature sensor; Calculating a temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value; When the temperature difference is within a preset temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are relative humidity values; when the temperature difference is not within the temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are absolute humidity values.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The odor sensor also includes an air pump, which is arranged on the air pipe and is used to extract the gas in the storage chamber so as to flow the gas in the storage chamber into the sensor housing through the air pipe.

6. A method for evaluating the data validity of an odor sensor, characterized in that: Applicable to a refrigerator provided with an odor sensor, the odor sensor is provided outside the storage room of the refrigerator, the odor sensor comprises an air pipe, a sensor housing and a sensor body provided in the sensor housing, the air pipe connects the storage room and the sensor housing, a first humidity sensor is provided in the storage room, and a second humidity sensor is provided in the sensor housing; then, the data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor comprises: Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times; wherein n is an integer and n≥2; Calculate the difference between the first humidity value and the second humidity value detected each time to obtain n first humidity difference values; When the n first humidity difference values ​​meet the preset humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is valid; when the n first humidity difference values ​​do not meet the humidity difference balance condition, it is determined that the odor concentration value detected by the sensor body is invalid.

7. The data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that: After obtaining n first humidity difference values, the method further includes: Determine a maximum humidity difference value and a minimum humidity difference value from the n first humidity difference values, and calculate a second humidity difference value of the maximum humidity difference value and the minimum humidity difference value; When the second humidity difference is within the preset humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences meet the humidity difference balance condition; when the second humidity difference is not within the humidity difference range, it is determined that the n first humidity differences do not meet the humidity difference balance condition.

8. The data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that: The acquiring the first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for n consecutive times comprises: Acquire a first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and a second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor for a consecutive number of times within a preset first time period; The first humidity value detected by the first humidity sensor and the second humidity value detected by the second humidity sensor are obtained for b consecutive times within a preset second time period; wherein a and b are both positive integers, and a+b=n, and the first time period and the second time period are separated by a preset fixed time.

9. The data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that: The refrigerator further includes a first temperature sensor disposed in the storage chamber and a second temperature sensor disposed in the sensor housing; then, the method further includes: Acquire a first temperature value detected by the first temperature sensor and a second temperature value detected by the second temperature sensor; Calculating a temperature difference between the first temperature value and the second temperature value; When the temperature difference is within a preset temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are relative humidity values; when the temperature difference is not within the temperature difference range, the first humidity value and the second humidity value are absolute humidity values.

10. The data validity evaluation method of the odor sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that: The odor sensor also includes an air pump, which is arranged on the air pipe and is used to extract the gas in the storage chamber so as to flow the gas in the storage chamber into the sensor housing through the air pipe.

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