Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof, and the refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body which is internally provided with an unfreezing cavity for placing food materials to be unfrozen; the probe type temperature sensor is arranged in the unfreezing cavity, provided with a detection end and used for detecting the detection temperature of the part, making contact with the detection end, of the food material, and the detection end is used for being inserted into the food material; the control method comprises the following steps: providing an unfreezing medium for transferring heat to the food materials for the food materials; continuously acquiring a detection temperature through a probe type temperature sensor; judging whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to a preset temperature value; if yes, the unfreezing process of the refrigerator is ended. According to the control method of the refrigerator, the situation that a user cannot cut the food materials or the situation that the food materials are excessively thawed and even cured due to the fact that the unfreezing process of the refrigerator is finished but the hardness of the interior of the food materials is still very high can be effectively avoided, and the user experience is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and particularly to a refrigerator and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the development of science and technology, the living standards of human beings have been continuously improved, and refrigerators have become essential electrical appliances in people's work and life. Moreover, with technological innovation, the functions of refrigerators have become more and more diverse. For example, in addition to the most basic functions of refrigeration and freezing, a thawing function has emerged. Among them, the operation of the thawing function involves obtaining the internal temperature of the ingredients stored in the refrigerator, especially the central temperature of the ingredients, and then the progress of thawing the ingredients can be judged by the internal temperature of the ingredients.

[0003] Currently, for refrigerators in the prior art, the general way to obtain the internal temperature of ingredients is to first obtain parameters such as the surface temperature, weight, and category of the ingredients, and then estimate the internal temperature of the ingredients based on these parameters. However, the data obtained by such an indirect way of obtaining the internal temperature of ingredients is always inaccurate, that is, there is always a deviation between the estimated temperature inside the ingredients and the actual temperature inside the ingredients. As a result, when the refrigerator ends the thawing program, there is also a deviation between the actual temperature of the ingredients and the preset temperature value. If the actual temperature of the ingredients does not rise to the preset temperature value, the inside of the ingredients cannot drop to a hardness that the user can cut and divide, and the user cannot complete the cutting of the ingredients; if the actual temperature of the ingredients has already been higher than the preset temperature value, the ingredients will be over-thawed or even cooked; the above greatly reduces the user experience of using the refrigerator. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof that can solve at least one of the above defects in the prior art.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to effectively avoid the situation where the hardness inside the ingredients is still very high when the thawing process of the refrigerator ends, and the user cannot complete the cutting of the ingredients, or the situation where the ingredients are over-thawed or even cooked, thereby improving the user experience.

[0006] Another further object of the present invention is to avoid the situation of juice loss and a large amount of bacterial growth in the thawed ingredients.

[0007] In particular, the present invention provides a control method for a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator includes:

[0008] A cabinet body, inside which there is a thawing chamber for placing ingredients to be thawed;

[0009] A probe type temperature sensor is disposed in the thawing chamber and has a detection end for detecting the detection temperature of the part of the food material in contact with the detection end, and the detection end is used to insert into the interior of the food material; and,

[0010] The control method includes:

[0011] Providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food material;

[0012] When a force for promoting the insertion of the detection end into the interior of the food material is applied to the probe type temperature sensor or the food material, and the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food material, continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe type temperature sensor;

[0013] Judging whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to a preset temperature value;

[0014] If so, ending the thawing process of the refrigerator.

[0015] Further, the preset temperature value is greater than or equal to -5.5 °C and less than or equal to -4.5 °C; and,

[0016] The step of providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food material includes:

[0017] Providing a thawing medium with a first predetermined value to the food material, the first predetermined value being greater than the freezing temperature value at which the food material starts to freeze, and the freezing temperature value being greater than the preset temperature value.

[0018] Further, before the step of providing a thawing medium with a first predetermined value to the food material, the step of providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food material further includes:

[0019] Obtaining the freezing temperature value;

[0020] Determining the first predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and a first preset relationship.

[0021] Further, before the step of continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe type temperature sensor, the control method further includes:

[0022] When a force for promoting the insertion of the detection end into the interior of the food material is applied to the probe type temperature sensor or the food material, detecting whether the detection end has been inserted into the interior of the food material;

[0023] If so, performing the step of continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe type temperature sensor;

[0024] When the detection temperature is less than the preset temperature value, changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the freezing temperature value.

[0025] Further, before the step of continuously obtaining the detected temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor, the control method further includes:

[0026] When a force for promoting the detection end to insert into the interior of the food material is applied to the probe-type temperature sensor or the food material, obtaining a first outer surface temperature of the outer surface of the food material;

[0027] Judging whether the first outer surface temperature is greater than or equal to a preset temperature value;

[0028] If so, executing the step of continuously obtaining the detected temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor; and,

[0029] When the detected temperature is less than the preset temperature value, changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium to the freezing temperature value.

[0030] Further, after the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium to the freezing temperature value, the control method further includes:

[0031] Obtaining a second outer surface temperature of the outer surface of the food material;

[0032] Judging whether the second outer surface temperature is less than the preset temperature value;

[0033] If so, changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium to a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being greater than the freezing temperature value and less than the first predetermined value.

[0034] Further, before the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium to the second predetermined value, the control method further includes:

[0035] Determining the second predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and the second preset relationship; and,

[0036] After the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium to the second predetermined value, executing the step of judging whether the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value; and

[0037] When the second outer surface temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, executing the step of judging whether the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value.

[0038] Particularly, the present invention further provides a refrigerator, including:

[0039] A box body, inside which a thawing chamber for placing food materials to be thawed is provided;

[0040] A probe-type temperature sensor, arranged in the thawing chamber, having a detection end for detecting the detected temperature of the part of the food material in contact with the detection end, and the detection end is used for inserting into the interior of the food material; and,

[0041] A controller, including a memory and a processor, wherein a machine-executable program is stored in the memory, and when the executable program is executed by the processor, it realizes the control method of the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0042] Further, the probe type temperature sensor is arranged at the bottom of the thawing chamber, and the detection end is arranged upward, the food is placed on the detection end, and the acting force is the gravity of the food.

[0043] Further, the refrigerator further includes:

[0044] A telescopic structure is arranged at the top of the thawing chamber, and the probe type temperature sensor is arranged on the telescopic structure, the detection end is located below the telescopic structure and arranged downward, the food is placed at the bottom of the thawing chamber, and the telescopic structure is used to apply an acting force to the probe type temperature sensor.

[0045] For the control method of the refrigerator of the present invention, since the internal temperature of the food can be directly obtained by the probe type temperature sensor during the process of thawing the food, and it can be judged whether to end the defrosting process of the refrigerator by judging whether the actually detected temperature inside the food is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value. Furthermore, compared with the prior art that judges whether to end the defrosting program by estimating the internal temperature of the food, the control method of the refrigerator of the present invention can accurately end the thawing program when the actual temperature inside the food reaches the preset temperature value. Therefore, the control method of the refrigerator of the present invention can effectively avoid the situation that the defrosting process of the refrigerator ends but the hardness inside the food is still very high and the user cannot complete the slicing of the food, or the situation that the food is over-thawed or even cooked, greatly improving the user experience.

[0046] Further, due to the control method of the refrigerator of the present invention, the value range of the preset temperature value is greater than or equal to -5.5 °C and less than or equal to -4.5 °C, and preferably, the preset temperature value is -5 °C. Then when the internal thawing of the food reaches the preset temperature value, the thawing process is ended. At this time, at this temperature detected by the detection end, the whole food will not be over-thawed, and there will be no situation of juice loss and a large amount of bacteria breeding, and at the same time, the hardness of the food center is suitable for the user to slice.

[0047] For the refrigerator of the present invention, since it can realize the above-mentioned control method of the refrigerator, thus the refrigerator of the present invention also has the beneficial technical effects possessed by the above-mentioned control method of the refrigerator.

[0048] From the following detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings, those skilled in the art will be more clear about the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0049] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in an exemplary but not restrictive manner. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 2 is a schematic structural view of a thawing chamber and a probe type temperature sensor in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 3 is one of the schematic structural views of a thawing chamber, a telescopic structure and a probe type temperature sensor in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 4 is another schematic structural view of a thawing chamber, a telescopic structure and a probe type temperature sensor in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 5 is a schematic connection frame view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of a control method of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart of a control method of a refrigerator according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 9 is one of the schematic flow charts of detecting whether a detection end is inserted into the interior of a food material in a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 10 is another schematic flow chart of detecting whether a detection end is inserted into the interior of a food material in a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 11 is still another schematic flow chart of detecting whether a detection end is inserted into the interior of a food material in a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0061] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "lateral", "length", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0062] The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features, that is, include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined. When a certain feature "includes or contains" a certain or certain features it covers, unless otherwise specifically described, this indicates that other features are not excluded and other features may be further included.

[0063] Unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms such as "set", "connected", "connected to" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. Those of ordinary skill in the art should be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to specific circumstances.

[0064] In addition, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but in contact through other features therebetween. That is, in the description of this embodiment, the first feature being "above", "above", and "on top of" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath", or "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0065] Unless otherwise limited, all the terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the description of this embodiment have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs.

[0066] In the description of this embodiment, the descriptions referring to terms such as "this embodiment" and "embodiment mode" mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with this embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0067] The following will Figures 1 to 5 describe the refrigerator of this embodiment in detail. Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a thawing chamber and a probe-type temperature sensor in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is one of the schematic structural diagrams of a thawing chamber, a telescopic structure, and a probe-type temperature sensor in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is another schematic structural diagram of a thawing chamber, a telescopic structure, and a probe-type temperature sensor in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic connection frame diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 includes a box body 110, a probe-type temperature sensor 200, and a controller 500. A thawing chamber 111 for placing the food ingredients 400 to be thawed is provided inside the box body 110; the probe-type temperature sensor 200 is arranged in the thawing chamber 111 and has a detection end. The probe-type temperature sensor 200 is used to detect the detection temperature of the part of the food ingredients 400 in contact with the detection end, and the detection end is used to insert into the interior of the food ingredients 400; the controller 500 includes a memory 520 and a processor 510. Among them, a machine-executable program 521 is stored in the memory 520. When the executable program is executed by the processor 510, the control method of the refrigerator 100 in the following embodiment is realized. Furthermore, the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment also has the beneficial technical effects possessed by the control method of the refrigerator 100 in the following embodiment.

[0069] It should be noted that the detection end can be the head of the probe-type temperature sensor 200, and the head has good hardness and sharpness to ensure that the detection end can be inserted into the interior of the food ingredients 400. And the probe-type temperature sensor 200 is electrically connected to the controller 500.

[0070] Referring to Figure 2, in this embodiment, the probe type temperature sensor 200 is disposed at the bottom inside the thawing chamber 111, and the detection end is arranged upward. The food material 400 is placed on the detection end, and the acting force is the gravity of the food material 400.

[0071] It can be understood that the gravity of the food material 400 is the force exerted on the food material 400 due to the attraction of the earth. Through the above settings of the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment, when the gravity of the food material 400 meets the predetermined conditions, and the temperature of the food material 400 rises to a certain value, that is, when the hardness of the food material 400 drops to a certain degree, the gravity of the food material 400 can cause it to be inserted into the detection end of the probe type temperature sensor 200. Particularly, during the process of the refrigerator 100 thawing the food material 400, when the gravity of the food material 400 meets the predetermined conditions (for example, the weight of the food material 400 can be two kilograms, five kilograms, or ten kilograms), as the temperature of different thicknesses inside the food material 400 rises, the hardness of different thicknesses of the food material 400 drops, and the detection end can continuously and gradually insert into the interior of the food material 400.

[0072] In addition, the gravity of the food material 400 can be greater than or equal to one kilogram to ensure meeting the preset conditions.

[0073] Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a telescopic structure 300. The telescopic structure 300 is disposed at the top inside the thawing chamber 111, and the probe type temperature sensor 200 is disposed on the telescopic structure 300. The detection end is located below the telescopic structure 300 and arranged downward. The food material 400 is placed at the bottom inside the thawing chamber 111, and the telescopic structure 300 is used to apply an acting force to the probe type temperature sensor 200.

[0074] It can be understood that through the above settings of the refrigerator 100 in this embodiment, when the acting force applied by the telescopic structure 300 to the probe type temperature sensor 200 meets certain conditions, and the temperature of the food material 400 rises to a certain value, that is, when the hardness of the food material 400 drops to a certain degree, the detection end of the probe type temperature sensor 200 can be inserted into the food material 400. Particularly, during the process of the refrigerator 100 thawing the food material 400, when the acting force applied by the telescopic structure 300 to the probe type temperature sensor 200 meets the preset conditions (for example, the magnitude of the force is twenty Newtons, fifty Newtons, or one hundred Newtons), as the temperature of different thicknesses inside the food material 400 rises, the hardness of different thicknesses of the food material 400 drops, and the detection end can continuously and gradually insert into the interior of the food material 400.

[0075] Refer to Figure 3, in the first embodiment of the telescopic mechanism of this embodiment, the telescopic structure 300 is drivingly connected to the probe type temperature sensor 200. The telescopic structure 300 is used to drive the probe type temperature sensor 200 to move towards the food 400, so as to apply a force to the probe type temperature sensor 200.

[0076] Since the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment has a telescopic structure 300, and through the setting of the telescopic structure 300, the detection end of the probe type temperature sensor 200 can be inserted into the food 400 stored in the thawing chamber 111, which can effectively avoid the situation that in the above embodiment, the gravity of the food 400 does not reach the preset condition and the detection end cannot be inserted into the interior of the food 400. Therefore, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment can ensure the feasibility and stability of directly obtaining the actual temperature inside the food 400.

[0077] Refer to Figure 3 , in this embodiment, the telescopic structure 300 includes a telescopic cavity 310, a driving rack 320 and a driving motor 330. The telescopic cavity 310 is located at the top of the thawing chamber 111, and the telescopic cavity 310 extends upward; the driving rack 320 is arranged on the probe type temperature sensor 200, and the driving rack 320 is arranged in the up and down direction; the driving motor 330 is arranged in the telescopic cavity 310, and a driving gear 340 drivingly connected to the driving rack 320 is arranged on the driving shaft of the driving motor 330. The driving motor 330 is used to drive the probe type temperature sensor 200 to extend downward into the thawing chamber 111 or retract upward into the telescopic cavity 310.

[0078] It can be understood that the telescopic structure 300 can drive the probe type temperature sensor 200 to move downward through the setting of its driving rack 320, driving gear 340 and driving motor 330. Among them, in the process that the telescopic structure 300 drives the probe type temperature sensor 200 to move downward and inserts the detection end into the interior of the food 400, the food 400 can be resisted by the inner bottom wall of the thawing chamber 111, and the detection end of the probe type temperature sensor 200 can be smoothly inserted into the interior of the food 400. And the telescopic cavity 310 can allow the probe type temperature sensor 200 to retract into it, which can avoid the situation that when the user stores the food 400 in the thawing chamber 111, the detection end of the probe type temperature sensor 200 will scratch the user if the probe type temperature sensor 200 has been in the thawing chamber 111 all the time, ensuring the safety of using the refrigerator 100.

[0079] Refer to Figure 3, in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a refrigerating chamber. The refrigerating chamber is disposed within the cabinet 110, and the refrigerating chamber is located above the thawing chamber 111. A plurality of refrigerating drawers 112 arranged in the left-right direction are provided within the refrigerating chamber, and the telescopic chamber 310 is located between any two refrigerating drawers 112. This is to reasonably utilize the space within the refrigerator 100 and ensure the capacity of the storage space for storing foodstuffs 400 inside the refrigerator 100.

[0080] Referring to Figure 4 , in the second mode of the telescopic mechanism in this embodiment, the telescopic structure 300 is disposed on the first inner wall 1111 of the thawing chamber 111. The telescopic structure 300 is used to clamp the foodstuff 400 between the telescopic structure 300 and the second inner wall 1112 of the thawing chamber 111, and the first inner wall 1111 and the second inner wall 1112 are disposed opposite to each other.

[0081] Referring to Figure 4 , in this embodiment, the telescopic structure 300 includes a first spring 350 and a first clamping plate 360. One end of the first spring 350 is connected to the first inner wall 1111; the other end of the first spring 350 is connected to one side surface of the first clamping plate 360, and the other side surface of the first clamping plate 360 is used to abut against the foodstuff 400. Further, the telescopic structure 300 can clamp the foodstuff 400 between the telescopic structure 300 (the first clamping plate 360) and the second inner wall 1112 of the thawing chamber 111.

[0082] Referring to Figure 4 , in this embodiment, the probe type temperature sensor 200 is disposed on the first clamping plate 360, the detection end protrudes from the side surface of the first clamping plate 360 that contacts the foodstuff 400, and the detection end extends in a direction away from the first clamping plate 360. And in this embodiment, the first inner wall 1111 is the inner top wall of the thawing chamber 111, the second inner wall 1112 is the inner bottom wall of the thawing chamber 111; the first clamping plate 360 is disposed along a horizontal plane.

[0083] It should be understood that by disposing the probe type temperature sensor 200 on the first clamping plate 360, and the detection end protrudes from the side surface of the first clamping plate 360 that contacts the foodstuff 400, and the detection end extends in a direction away from the first clamping plate 360, such a setting can, when the telescopic structure 300 clamps the foodstuff 400 between the telescopic structure 300 and the second inner wall 1112 of the thawing chamber 111, synchronously drive the probe type temperature sensor 200 to move towards the foodstuff 400, and when the detection end of the driven probe type temperature sensor 200 contacts the foodstuff 400, at this time the first spring 350 may be compressed, thereby realizing that the telescopic mechanism applies a force to the probe type temperature sensor 200.

[0084] Moreover, by disposing the telescopic structure 300 on the inner top wall of the thawing chamber 111, when the telescopic structure 300 moves towards the foodstuff 400 and clamps the foodstuff 400 between the telescopic structure 300 and the inner bottom wall of the thawing chamber 111, the inner bottom wall of the thawing chamber 111 will firmly abut against the foodstuff 400 to ensure the stability of the telescopic structure 300 during the process of clamping the foodstuff 400, as well as the stability of the probe-type temperature sensor 200 when inserting the detection end into the foodstuff 400.

[0085] Referring to Figure 4 , in the present embodiment, the telescopic structure 300 further includes a plurality of first positioning thimbles 370. The plurality of first positioning thimbles 370 are disposed on the first clamping plate 360, and each first positioning thimble 370 protrudes from the first clamping plate 360 to abut against the side surface of the foodstuff 400, and each first positioning thimble 370 extends in a direction away from the first clamping plate 360.

[0086] It can be understood that by disposing a plurality of first positioning thimbles 370 on the first clamping plate 360, the friction between the first clamping plate 360 and the foodstuff 400 can be increased to ensure the stability of clamping the foodstuff 400 between the telescopic structure 300 and the second inner wall 1112 of the thawing chamber 111.

[0087] Referring to Figure 4 , in the present embodiment, the materials of the first clamping plate 360 and the first positioning thimbles 370 are both metals.

[0088] It can be understood that by setting the materials of the first clamping plate 360 and the first positioning thimbles 370 to metals, such as copper or copper alloy, aluminum or aluminum alloy, etc., on the one hand, the firmness and durability of the first clamping plate 360 and the first positioning thimbles 370 can be ensured; on the other hand, when the thawing chamber 111 is used to thaw the foodstuff 400 to be thawed and the thawing medium in the following embodiments is gas, the thawing air flow can flow towards the first clamping plate 360. By setting the materials of the first clamping plate 360 and the first positioning thimbles 370 to metals, the first clamping plate 360 and the first positioning thimbles 370 can conduct heat to the foodstuff 400 well, avoid the disturbance of the telescopic structure 300 to the thawing air flow, and ensure the uniformity of the heat received by the foodstuff 400.

[0089] Referring to Figure 4 , in the present embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a refrigerating chamber. The refrigerating chamber is disposed in the cabinet 110, the thawing chamber 111 is located in the refrigerating chamber, a shelf 113 disposed horizontally is arranged in the refrigerating chamber, the shelf 113 is used to open upwards or close downwards the thawing chamber 111, and the first inner wall 1111 is the lower surface of the shelf 113.

[0090] It should be understood that the storage shelf 113 can be pivotally arranged in the refrigerating chamber, and the rotation central axis of the storage shelf 113 is horizontally located at the rear of the refrigerating chamber. Further, the storage shelf 113 can be rotatably opened forward and upward to the thawing chamber 111, so as to facilitate the user to store or take out the foodstuff 400 into or from the thawing chamber 111. After the user stores or takes out the foodstuff 400 into or from the thawing chamber 111, the storage shelf 113 can be rotated downward to close the thawing chamber 111. And when there is a foodstuff 400 placed at a predetermined position in the thawing chamber 111, during the process of rotating the storage shelf 113 downward, it will cause the telescopic structure 300 arranged on the lower surface of the storage shelf 113 to move towards the foodstuff 400, and finally clamp the foodstuff 400 between the telescopic structure 300 and the inner bottom wall of the thawing chamber 111, and cause the probe type temperature sensor 200 to insert the detection end into the foodstuff 400.

[0091] In this embodiment, a thawing medium for transferring heat to the foodstuff 400 is further arranged in the thawing chamber 111. Further, the refrigerator 100 of this embodiment can realize thawing of the foodstuff.

[0092] In this embodiment, the thawing medium includes one or more of gas, liquid, and solid.

[0093] In this embodiment, the thawing medium can be a thawing gas, and an air duct for conveying air flow from the indoor space to the thawing chamber can be arranged in the refrigerator, and a heating element (the hot end of a semiconductor refrigeration sheet, an electric heating wire, or a condenser in the original refrigerator refrigeration system) and a cooling element (the cold end of a semiconductor refrigeration sheet or an evaporator in the original refrigerator refrigeration system) for adjusting the air flow temperature in the air duct are arranged in the air duct. Further, a thawing medium for transferring heat to the foodstuff 400 is provided to the foodstuff.

[0094] In this embodiment, the thawing medium can be a thawing liquid. The refrigerator can further include a liquid storage chamber, and the thawing liquid is stored in the liquid storage chamber. The thawing liquid can be water or light brine. The thawing chamber can be set as a sealed space with good sealing performance. After the foodstuff is placed in the thawing chamber, the thawing liquid in the liquid storage chamber can be conveyed to the thawing chamber through a circulation pipeline connected between the thawing chamber and the liquid storage chamber, and the foodstuff is submerged by the thawing liquid. And a heat exchange device including a heating element (the hot end of a semiconductor refrigeration sheet, an electric heating wire, or a condenser in the original refrigerator refrigeration system) and a cooling element (the cold end of a semiconductor refrigeration sheet or an evaporator in the original refrigerator refrigeration system) is arranged on the circulation pipeline. Further, a thawing medium for transferring heat to the foodstuff 400 is provided to the foodstuff. And when it is necessary to take out the foodstuff, the liquid in the thawing chamber can be pumped back into the liquid storage chamber.

[0095] In this embodiment, the thawing medium can be a thawing solid, such as the first clamping plate without a positioning thimble in the above embodiment, and a heat exchange device including a heating element (the hot end of a thermoelectric cooler, an electric heating wire, or the condenser in the original refrigerator refrigeration system) and a cooling element (the cold end of a thermoelectric cooler or the evaporator in the original refrigerator refrigeration system) is provided on the first clamping plate, and the food is clamped between the first clamping plate and the second inner wall, thereby providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food to the food.

[0096] Referring to Figure 5 , in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 further includes a distance sensor 530 disposed at the top in the thawing chamber 111, and the distance sensor 530 is electrically connected to the controller 500.

[0097] The following will be combined with Figures 6 to 11 to detail the control method of the refrigerator in this embodiment.

[0098] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of the control method of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6 , in this embodiment, the control method of the refrigerator includes:

[0099] Step S602, providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food to the food.

[0100] Step S604, when a probe-type temperature sensor or the food is applied with a force for promoting the detection end to insert into the interior of the food and the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food, continuously obtain the detection temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor.

[0101] Step S606, determining whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to a preset temperature value; if so, execute step S608.

[0102] Step S608, ending the thawing process of the refrigerator.

[0103] Since the control method of the refrigerator in this embodiment can directly obtain the temperature inside the food through the probe-type temperature sensor during the thawing process of the food, and can determine whether to end the defrosting process of the refrigerator by determining whether the actually detected temperature inside the food is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value. Therefore, compared with the prior art that determines whether to end the defrosting program by estimating the temperature inside the food, the control method of the refrigerator in this embodiment can accurately end the thawing program when the actual temperature inside the food reaches the preset temperature value. Therefore, the control method of the refrigerator in this embodiment can effectively avoid the situation where the hardness inside the food is still very high when the thawing process of the refrigerator ends and the user cannot complete the slicing of the food, or the situation where the food is over-thawed or even cooked, greatly improving the user experience.

[0104] In this embodiment, the preset temperature value is greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to -4.5°C.

[0105] Since in the control method of the refrigerator in this embodiment, the value range of the preset temperature value is greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to -4.5°C, and preferably, the preset temperature value is -5°C. Then when the internal thawing of the food material reaches the preset temperature value, the thawing process ends. At this time, at this temperature detected by the detection end, the whole food material will not be over-thawed, and there will be no juice loss or a large amount of bacteria breeding. At the same time, the hardness of the center of the food material is suitable for the user to cut.

[0106] Figure 7 It is a schematic flowchart of the control method of the refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 7 , in this embodiment, the control method of the refrigerator includes:

[0107] Step S702, obtain the freezing temperature value.

[0108] Step S704, determine the first predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and the first preset relationship.

[0109] Step S706, provide a thawing medium with a temperature of the first predetermined value to the food material, and the first predetermined value is greater than the freezing temperature value.

[0110] Step S708, when the probe type temperature sensor or the food material is applied with a force to prompt the detection end to insert into the interior of the food material, detect whether the detection end has inserted into the interior of the food material; if so, that is, when the detection end inserts into the interior of the food material, execute step S710, if not, return to execute this step S708 to detect whether the detection end has inserted into the interior of the food material.

[0111] Step S710, continuously obtain the detection temperature through the probe type temperature sensor.

[0112] Step S712, determine whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value; if so, execute step S722; if not, that is, when the detection temperature is less than the preset temperature value, execute step S714.

[0113] Step S714, change or maintain the temperature of the thawing medium at the freezing temperature value.

[0114] Step S716, obtain the second outer surface temperature of the outer surface of the food material.

[0115] Step S718: Determine whether the temperature of the second outer surface is less than a preset temperature value. If so, execute Step S720. If not, that is, when the temperature of the second outer surface is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, execute the step of determining whether the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, that is, execute Step S712.

[0116] Step S720: Determine a second predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and the second preset relationship.

[0117] Step S722: Change or maintain the temperature of the thawing medium at the second predetermined value. The second predetermined value is greater than the freezing temperature value and less than the first predetermined value. And after the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the second predetermined value, that is, after this Step S722 is executed, execute the step of determining whether the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, that is, execute Step S712.

[0118] Step S724: End the thawing process of the refrigerator.

[0119] It should be noted that since the thawing medium provided to the food ingredients is the first predetermined value greater than the freezing temperature value, the outer surface of the food ingredients can be thawed quickly.

[0120] Moreover, during the thawing process from Step S708 to Step S724, due to the effect of the thawing medium, the outer surface of the food ingredients thaws first, the temperature of the outer surface of the food ingredients rises, and the hardness decreases. Then, under the action of the force, the detection end can penetrate through the outer surface of the food ingredients and insert into the interior.

[0121] Furthermore, as the thawing process progresses, the internal temperature of the food ingredients gradually rises. If the volume of the food ingredients is small, the central temperature of the food ingredients may have been greater than the preset temperature value, that is, the overall hardness of the food ingredients has been reduced to the extent that the user can perform slicing, that is, the thawing program of the refrigerator can end. At this time, under the action of the force and the progress of the thawing process, the detection end of the probe-type temperature sensor can never touch the unfrozen and non-hardness-reduced thickness layer of the food ingredients, and the temperature of the part of the food ingredients in contact with the detection end is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value. If the volume of the food ingredients is large, the time required for the thawing process is longer. The temperature of the outer surface of the food ingredients rises, but the internal temperature is still lower than the preset temperature value. Therefore, the food ingredients still need to be thawed. At this time, as long as the food ingredients still need to be thawed, under the action of the force and the progress of the thawing process, the detection end will always touch the unfrozen and non-hardness-reduced thickness layer of the food ingredients. Therefore, the temperature detected by the probe-type temperature sensor is still lower than the preset temperature value. Therefore, it can be judged whether to end or continue the thawing of the food ingredients through Step S712.

[0122] Further, when the food ingredient is meat and needs to be further thawed, if the thawing medium with the first predetermined value is continuously provided, it is easy to form a phase change layer with a temperature between the freezing temperature value and -5°C between the unfrozen thickness layer with unchanged hardness and the already thawed outer surface inside the food ingredient. The meat in the phase change layer is on the verge of melting. For the meat to further melt, it needs to absorb a large amount of heat and overcome the latent heat of phase change to increase the temperature, so as to transfer heat to the unfrozen and hardness-unchanged part inside the food ingredient. Otherwise, the temperature of the phase change layer of the meat remains between the freezing temperature value and -5°C and does not change, thereby restricting the increase in temperature and thawing of the unfrozen and hardness-unchanged part of the food ingredient. Therefore, the temperature of the thawing medium can be reduced to the freezing temperature value through step S714. At this time, the internal temperature of the food ingredient no longer rises, but the cold in the center will be transferred to the outer surface, so that the temperature of the already thawed and hardness-reduced part of the food ingredient will decrease and the hardness will increase, so as to avoid the generation of the internal phase change layer of the food ingredient.

[0123] In order to ensure that the temperature of most of the food ingredient drops to a certain level and the hardness increases to a certain level to effectively avoid the generation of the phase change layer, step S718 can be used to make the second outer surface temperature less than or equal to the preset temperature value. It can be understood that when the surface temperature is lower than the preset temperature value (such as -5°C), more than 80% of the meat is frozen and shows a relatively high hardness, thereby effectively avoiding the generation of the phase change layer.

[0124] After ensuring that there is no phase change layer in the food ingredient, if the food ingredient is to be further thawed, the temperature of the thawing medium can be changed to a second predetermined value greater than the freezing temperature value and less than the first predetermined value to keep the food ingredient in a solid state. Moreover, since the thermal conductivity of water is 0.5 W / (m·K) and the thermal conductivity of ice is 2.33 W / (m·K), the heat of the thawing medium at the second predetermined value will continuously and rapidly transfer from the outer surface of the food ingredient to the center of the food ingredient, so that the center of the food ingredient can be quickly heated and thawed.

[0125] Moreover, by continuously looping through step S712 to step S722, the generation of the phase change layer inside the food ingredient can be further avoided, and at the same time, the rapid increase inside the food ingredient can be promoted until it is determined through step S712 that the overall temperature of the food ingredient is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, then the thawing ends.

[0126] As above, during the thawing process of the food ingredient in the refrigerator, through the detection end of the probe-type temperature sensor being inserted into different depths of the food ingredient and the change of the internal temperature of the food ingredient to cooperate with the implementation of the thawing steps, the thawing process can be controlled, so that the food ingredient can be quickly and of high quality thawed, greatly improving the user experience.

[0127] In addition, the preset value of the magnitude of the acting force can be configured such that when the temperature of the food ingredient is the preset temperature value, the detection end of the probe-type temperature sensor can penetrate into the interior of the food ingredient; and the preset value of the magnitude of the acting force is configured such that when the temperature of the food ingredient is the preset temperature value and the probe-type temperature sensor penetrates into the food ingredient, it can cause the probe-type temperature sensor to move a preset length, and the preset length can be one-half of the length of the thawing chamber in the moving direction of the probe-type temperature sensor. Specifically, the weight of the food ingredient, the current value of the drive motor of the telescopic structure, or the spring force coefficient of the first spring of the telescopic structure can be configured to achieve this. Moreover, when the refrigerator includes a telescopic structure, before step S708 of detecting whether the detection end has inserted into the interior of the food ingredient, the control method of this embodiment may further include: controlling the telescopic structure to apply an acting force towards the food ingredient to the probe-type temperature sensor.

[0128] It should also be noted that in step S704, the first preset relationship between the first predetermined value and the freezing temperature value may be:

[0129] T = A + (5°C to 10°C)

[0130] where T represents the first predetermined value and A represents the freezing temperature value.

[0131] In the first preset relationship, the first predetermined value is 5 to 10 degrees higher than the freezing temperature, thereby ensuring that while the outer surface of the food ingredient is quickly thawed, it will not be cooked by the heat transferred by the thawing medium.

[0132] In step S720, the second preset relationship between the second predetermined value and the freezing temperature value may be:

[0133] C = A + (0°C to 5°C)

[0134] where C represents the second predetermined value and A represents the freezing temperature value.

[0135] In the second preset relationship, the second predetermined value is 0 to 5°C higher than the freezing temperature, thereby enabling the internal temperature of the food ingredient to the central temperature to rise while avoiding the generation of a phase change layer inside the food ingredient.

[0136] Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart of the control method of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 8 , in this embodiment, the control method of the refrigerator includes:

[0137] Step S802, obtaining the freezing temperature value.

[0138] Step S804, determining the first predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and the first preset relationship.

[0139] Step S806: Provide a thawing medium at a first predetermined value to the food material, where the first predetermined value is greater than the freezing temperature value.

[0140] Step S808: When a probe-type temperature sensor or the food material is applied with a force to prompt the detection end to insert into the interior of the food material, obtain the first outer surface of the food material.

[0141] Step S810: Determine whether the first outer surface temperature is greater than or equal to a preset temperature value; if so, execute Step S812; if not, execute Step S808 to obtain the first outer surface of the food material.

[0142] Step S812: Continuously obtain the detection temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor.

[0143] Step S814: Determine whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value; if so, execute Step S824, if not, that is, when the detection temperature is less than the preset temperature value, execute Step S816.

[0144] Step S816: Change or maintain the temperature of the thawing medium at the freezing temperature value.

[0145] Step S818: Obtain the second outer surface temperature of the food material.

[0146] Step S820: Determine whether the second outer surface temperature is less than the preset temperature value; if so, execute Step S822; if not, that is, when the second outer surface temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, execute the step of determining whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, that is, execute Step S814.

[0147] Step S822: Determine a second predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and a second preset relationship.

[0148] Step S824: Change or maintain the temperature of the thawing medium at the second predetermined value; the second predetermined value is greater than the freezing temperature value and less than the first predetermined value; and after the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the second predetermined value, that is, after this Step S824 is executed, execute the step of determining whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, that is, execute Step S814.

[0149] Step S826: End the thawing process of the refrigerator.

[0150] It should be understood that step S708 in the foregoing embodiments, which detects whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient, may be replaced by steps S808 to S810 in this embodiment. And it can be understood that when the surface temperature is lower than a preset temperature value (for example, -5°C), more than 80% of the meat is frozen and presents a relatively high hardness, and the probe cannot be inserted due to the acting force. Therefore, when a probe-type temperature sensor or the food ingredient is applied with an acting force for promoting the detection end to insert into the interior of the food ingredient, and the outer surface temperature of the food ingredient is higher than the preset temperature value, the detection end can penetrate through the outer surface of the food ingredient and insert into the interior.

[0151] Figure 9 is one of the flow diagrams for detecting whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient in the control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 9 , in this embodiment, when the detection device is arranged at the bottom of the thawing chamber and the detection end is arranged upward, the food ingredient is placed on the detection end, and the acting force is the gravity of the food ingredient, step S708, which detects whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient, includes:

[0152] Step S902, when providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food ingredient, detect the distance between the food ingredient and the top of the thawing chamber (or the distance sensor) multiple times at a preset time interval.

[0153] Step S904, compare whether there is a difference between the distances detected twice adjacent to each other; if so, execute step S906; if not, execute step S908.

[0154] Step S906, determine that the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient.

[0155] Step S908, determine that the detection end is not inserted into the interior of the food ingredient.

[0156] Among them, step S902 can be implemented by a distance sensor.

[0157] Figure 10 is the second of the flow diagrams for detecting whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient in the control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 10 , in this embodiment, when the refrigerator includes a telescopic structure and the telescopic thawing structure includes a driving motor, step S708, which detects whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient, includes:

[0158] Step S1002, when providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food ingredient, record the rotation angle of the driving motor multiple times at a preset time interval.

[0159] Step S1004, compare whether there is a difference in the rotation angles recorded twice adjacent to each other; if so, execute Step S1006; if not, execute Step S1008.

[0160] Step S1006, determine that the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient.

[0161] Step S1008, determine that the detection end is not inserted into the interior of the food ingredient.

[0162] Figure 11 FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of detecting whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient in the control method of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Refer to Figure 11 , in this embodiment, when the refrigerator includes a telescopic structure and the telescopic structure includes a first clamping plate, Step S708 of detecting whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient includes:

[0163] Step S1102, when providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the food ingredient to the food ingredient, detect the distance between the first clamping plate and the top (or the distance sensor) in the thawing cavity at a preset time interval.

[0164] Step S1104, compare whether there is a difference in the distances detected twice adjacent to each other; if so, execute Step S1106; if not, execute Step S1108.

[0165] Step S1106, determine that the detection end is inserted into the interior of the food ingredient.

[0166] Step S1108, determine that the detection end is not inserted into the interior of the food ingredient.

[0167] Up to this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived from the content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and determined to cover all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A control method for a refrigerator, wherein, the refrigerator includes: a cabinet, inside which there is a thawing chamber for placing ingredients to be thawed; a probe-type temperature sensor, disposed in the thawing chamber, having a detection end for detecting the detection temperature of the part of the ingredient in contact with the detection end, and the detection end is used to insert into the interior of the ingredient; and, the control method includes: providing a thawing medium for transferring heat to the ingredient; when a force for urging the detection end to insert into the interior of the ingredient is applied to the probe-type temperature sensor or the ingredient, and the detection end is inserted into the interior of the ingredient, continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor; judging whether the detection temperature is greater than or equal to a preset temperature value; if so, ending the thawing process of the refrigerator.

2. The control method for a refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, the preset temperature value is greater than or equal to -5.5°C and less than or equal to -4.5°C; and, the step of providing the thawing medium for transferring heat to the ingredient includes: providing the thawing medium at a first predetermined value, the first predetermined value being greater than the freezing temperature value at which the ingredient starts to freeze, and the freezing temperature value being greater than the preset temperature value.

3. The control method for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein, before the step of providing the thawing medium at a first predetermined value to the ingredient, the step of providing the thawing medium for transferring heat to the ingredient further includes: obtaining the freezing temperature value; determining the first predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and a first preset relationship.

4. The control method for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein, before the step of continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor, the control method further includes: when a force for urging the detection end to insert into the interior of the ingredient is applied to the probe-type temperature sensor or the ingredient, detecting whether the detection end is inserted into the interior of the ingredient; if so, performing the step of continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor; when the detection temperature is less than the preset temperature value, changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the freezing temperature value.

5. The control method for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein, before the step of continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor, the control method further includes: when a force for urging the detection end to insert into the interior of the ingredient is applied to the probe-type temperature sensor or the ingredient, obtaining the first outer surface temperature of the ingredient; judging whether the first outer surface temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value; if so, performing the step of continuously obtaining the detection temperature through the probe-type temperature sensor; and, when the detection temperature is less than the preset temperature value, changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the freezing temperature value.

6. The control method of the refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, after the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the freezing temperature value, the control method further includes: obtaining a second outer surface temperature of the outer surface of the food ingredient; judging whether the second outer surface temperature is less than a preset temperature value; if so, changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being greater than the freezing temperature value and less than the first predetermined value.

7. The control method of the refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein, before the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the second predetermined value, the control method further includes: determining the second predetermined value according to the freezing temperature value and a second preset relationship; and, after the step of changing or maintaining the temperature of the thawing medium at the second predetermined value, performing the step of judging whether the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value; and when the second outer surface temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value, performing the step of judging whether the detected temperature is greater than or equal to the preset temperature value.

8. A refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet, inside which there is a thawing chamber for placing food ingredients to be thawed; a probe type temperature sensor, disposed in the thawing chamber, having a detection end for detecting a detected temperature of a portion of the food ingredient in contact with the detection end, and the detection end is used for inserting into the interior of the food ingredient; and, a controller, including a memory and a processor, wherein a machine executable program is stored in the memory, and when the executable program is executed by the processor, it realizes the control method of the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, the probe type temperature sensor is disposed at the bottom of the thawing chamber, and the detection end is disposed upward, the food ingredient is placed on the detection end, and the acting force is the gravity of the food ingredient.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, the refrigerator further includes: a telescopic structure, disposed at the top of the thawing chamber, and the probe type temperature sensor is disposed on the telescopic structure, the detection end is located below the telescopic structure and is disposed downward, the food ingredient is placed at the bottom of the thawing chamber, and the telescopic structure is used for applying the acting force to the probe type temperature sensor.

Images