Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of freezing and refrigeration, and particularly provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, a refrigerating system, a first heating device and a second heating device. A freezing chamber is defined in the refrigerator body. A first side wall space is defined by one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the box body, and a second side wall space is defined by the other one; the refrigerating system comprises a first evaporator arranged in the first side wall space and a second evaporator arranged in the second side wall space, the first heating device is used for heating the first evaporator, and the second heating device is used for heating the second evaporator. The control method comprises the steps that when the refrigerator meets the defrosting condition, the current freezing temperature of a freezing chamber is obtained; and if the current freezing temperature is larger than or equal to the freezing shutdown temperature, the refrigerating system is controlled to refrigerate one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and the first heating device or the second heating device is controlled to work so as to heat the other one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of refrigeration and freezing, and particularly provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] At present, in some refrigerators (especially the double-door T-door or multi-door refrigerators), the evaporator corresponding to the freezing compartment is arranged at the rear side of the freezing compartment. Since the evaporator occupies the space of the refrigerator in the front-back direction, the depth of the freezing compartment is small, which affects the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to solve the problem that the depth of the freezing compartment of the existing refrigerator is small due to the arrangement of the evaporator at the rear side of the freezing compartment.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is how to defrost the first evaporator and the second evaporator when the freezing compartment needs refrigeration.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is how to prevent condensation on the outer surface of the refrigerator when the ambient temperature is low.

[0006] To achieve the above object, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a control method for a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a box body, a refrigeration system, a first heating device and a second heating device. The box body defines a freezing compartment; one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the box body defines a first side wall space, and the other defines a second side wall space; the refrigeration system includes a first evaporator arranged in the first side wall space and a second evaporator arranged in the second side wall space. The first heating device is used to heat the first evaporator, and the second heating device is used to heat the second evaporator. The control method includes:

[0007] When the refrigerator reaches the defrosting condition, obtain the current freezing temperature of the freezing compartment;

[0008] If the current freezing temperature is greater than or equal to a preset freezing shutdown temperature, control the refrigeration system to refrigerate one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and control the first heating device or the second heating device to work to heat the other of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

[0009] Optionally, the controlling the refrigeration system to refrigerate one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and controlling the first heating device or the second heating device to work to heat the other of the first evaporator and the second evaporator includes:

[0010] Control the refrigeration system to refrigerate the first evaporator, and control the second heating device to operate to heat the second evaporator;

[0011] Control the refrigeration system to refrigerate the second evaporator, and control the first heating device to operate to heat the first evaporator.

[0012] Optionally, the refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a reversing valve, a first throttling member, and the first evaporator that are connected end to end in sequence and thus form a circulation loop;

[0013] The refrigeration system further includes a second throttling member and the second evaporator connected in series between an outlet of the reversing valve and an inlet of the compressor;

[0014] The control of the refrigeration system to refrigerate the second evaporator includes: controlling the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the second throttling member.

[0015] Optionally, the control of the refrigeration system to refrigerate the first evaporator includes: controlling the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the first throttling member.

[0016] Optionally, the box body further defines a refrigerating compartment, and the refrigeration system further includes a third throttling member, a third evaporator, and a gas-liquid separator connected in series between another outlet of the reversing valve and an inlet of the first throttling member; the third evaporator is used to refrigerate the refrigerating compartment; wherein, the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the first throttling member, and the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second evaporator;

[0017] The control of the refrigeration system to refrigerate the first evaporator further includes:

[0018] Judge whether the current refrigerating temperature of the refrigerating compartment is greater than or equal to the refrigerating shutdown temperature;

[0019] If so, control the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the third throttling member, so that the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the gas-liquid separator flows to the first evaporator to refrigerate the first evaporator, and make the gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the gas-liquid separator flow to the second evaporator to heat the second evaporator;

[0020] If not, control the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the first throttling member to refrigerate the first evaporator.

[0021] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0022] When the refrigerator does not reach the defrosting condition, obtain the current freezing temperature of the freezing compartment;

[0023] If the current freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the freezing shutdown temperature, obtain the current ambient temperature of the environment;

[0024] If the current ambient temperature is less than the first preset temperature value, control the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it alternately flow to the first throttling member and the second throttling member according to preset conditions, so that the first evaporator and the second evaporator alternately refrigerate.

[0025] Optionally, the preset conditions include that when the temperature of the first evaporator or the second evaporator to be refrigerated is lower than the second preset temperature value, control the reversing valve to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant once.

[0026] The present invention provides a refrigerator in a second aspect, including:

[0027] A box body, which internally defines a freezing compartment, and one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the box body defines a first side wall space, and the other defines a second side wall space;

[0028] A refrigeration system, including a compressor, a condenser, a reversing valve, a first throttling member and a first evaporator that are connected end to end in sequence and thus form a circulation loop. The refrigeration system further includes a second throttling member and a second evaporator connected in series between an outlet of the reversing valve and an inlet of the compressor, and a third throttling member, a third evaporator and a gas-liquid separator connected in series between the other outlet of the reversing valve and the inlet of the first throttling member; wherein, the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the first throttling member, and the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second evaporator;

[0029] A first heating device for heating the first evaporator;

[0030] A second heating device for heating the second evaporator;

[0031] A controller, including a processor and a memory, and a machine-executable program is stored on the memory. When the processor executes the machine-executable program, it can implement the control method described in any one of the first aspect.

[0032] Optionally, a circulation air path is formed between each of the first side wall space and the second side wall space and the freezing compartment;

[0033] The refrigerator further includes at least one fan, and the fan is used to drive air to circulate between the first side wall space and / or the second side wall space and the freezing compartment, so as to realize refrigeration of the freezing compartment.

[0034] Optionally, the refrigerator further includes a first air damper and a second air damper. The first air damper is configured to block the circulating air path between the first sidewall space and the freezing compartment, and the second air damper is configured to block the circulating air path between the second sidewall space and the freezing compartment.

[0035] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can understand that in the foregoing technical solution of the present invention, by defining a first sidewall space in one of the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the cabinet, and defining a second sidewall space in the other, arranging a first evaporator in the first sidewall space and arranging a second evaporator in the second sidewall space, it is avoided to arrange the first evaporator and the second evaporator at the rear side of the freezing compartment, and the depth of the freezing compartment is increased.

[0036] Further, when the refrigerator reaches the defrosting condition, by obtaining the current freezing temperature of the freezing compartment; and when the current freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the preset freezing shutdown temperature, controlling the refrigeration system to refrigerate one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and controlling the first heating device or the second heating device to operate to heat the other of the first evaporator and the second evaporator. Therefore, when the freezing compartment of the refrigerator needs refrigeration, the refrigerator of the present invention can alternately defrost the first evaporator and the second evaporator, which not only ensures the refrigeration of the freezing compartment but also realizes the defrosting of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

[0037] Further, when the current ambient temperature is less than the first preset temperature value, by controlling the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow alternately to the first throttling member and the second throttling member according to the preset conditions, so that the first evaporator and the second evaporator refrigerate alternately. Those skilled in the art can understand that by making the first evaporator and the second evaporator refrigerate alternately, the refrigeration efficiency of the freezing compartment is lower and the refrigeration time is prolonged. Therefore, the flowing time of the refrigerant in the anti-condensation pipe on the refrigerator is prolonged, and thus the heating time of the anti-condensation pipe is prolonged, effectively avoiding the condensation on the outer surface of the refrigerator.

[0038] Other beneficial effects of the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings hereinafter, so that those skilled in the art can more clearly understand the improvement objectives, features and advantages of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0039] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, some embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the components or parts denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings are the same or similar; the drawings of the present invention are not necessarily drawn to scale with each other.

[0040] In the drawings:

[0041] Figure 1is a schematic block diagram of the refrigerator part in the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the refrigerator (the door body is hidden) in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in [A-A] direction;

[0044] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in [B-B] direction;

[0045] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in [B1-B1] direction;

[0046] Figure 6 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in [C-C] direction;

[0047] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration system in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of the controller of the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 9 is a main step flowchart of the control method of the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 10 is a step flowchart of defrosting the first evaporator and the second evaporator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 11 is a step flowchart of defrosting the second evaporator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 12 is a partial step flowchart of the control method of the refrigerator in some other embodiments of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 13 is in some other embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator along Figure 4 a cross-sectional view in [B1-B1] direction. Detailed implementation manners

[0054] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described below are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are intended to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Based on the embodiments provided by the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts should still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0055] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms indicating directions or positional relationships such as "center", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. This is only for convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0056] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install", "connect", "couple" 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 directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can also be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations. For example, the terms "install", "connect", "couple" and "fix", without special description, can specifically be any feasible connection forms such as bolt connection, screw connection, welding, plugging, riveting, fusing, snap connection, etc.

[0057] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms "cooling capacity" and "heat quantity" are two descriptions of the same physical state. That is, the higher the "cooling capacity" of a certain object (such as an evaporator, air, condenser, etc.), the lower the "heat quantity" it has, and the lower the "cooling capacity", the higher the "heat quantity". When a certain object absorbs "cooling capacity", it will release "heat quantity", and when it releases "cooling capacity", it will absorb "heat quantity". A certain object stores "cooling capacity" or "heat quantity" to keep the current temperature of the object. "Refrigeration" and "heat absorption" are two descriptions of the same physical phenomenon, that is, a certain object (such as an evaporator) will absorb heat while refrigerating.

[0058] As Figure 1 shown, in the present invention, the refrigerator includes a cabinet 100 and a refrigeration system 200, wherein the refrigeration system 200 is used to provide cooling capacity for the refrigerator.

[0059] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cabinet 100 defines a freezing compartment 110. One of the left and right side walls of the cabinet 100 defines a first side wall space 121, and the other defines a second side wall space 122.

[0060] Furthermore, the freezing compartment 110 can be located between the first side wall space 121 and the second side wall space 122.

[0061] As Figure 3 shown, the freezing compartment 110 can further include a first freezing space 111 and a second freezing space 112 that are sequentially arranged between the first side wall space 121 and the second side wall space 122. Among them, the first freezing space 111 and the second freezing space 112 can be separated by a partition and communicate with each other, or the first freezing space 111 and the second freezing space 112 can be set as a whole.

[0062] As Figures 3 to 5 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, a circulating air path is formed between each of the first side wall space 121 and the second side wall space 122 and the freezing compartment 110 (such as Figure 5 the 131 and 132 shown). The circulating air path includes a first air path 131 that connects the first side wall space 121 and the first freezing space 111 and a second air path 132 that connects the second side wall space 122 and the second freezing space 112.

[0063] Continuing to refer to Figures 3 to 5 , a first air inlet 1111 communicating with the first side wall space 121 is provided on the rear side wall of the first freezing space 111. A first air return opening 1112 is provided on the side wall between the first freezing space 111 and the first side wall space 121, and the first air return opening 1112 is located in front of the first evaporator 211. That is, the first air return opening 1112 is provided at a position of the first freezing space 111 close to its corresponding door body 340.

[0064] Furthermore, a first air path 131 is formed between the first side wall space 121 and the first freezing space 111, and the first air path 131 is used to connect the first side wall space 121 and the first air inlet 1111.

[0065] Correspondingly, a second air inlet 1121 communicating with the second side wall space 122 is provided on the rear side wall of the second freezing space 112. A second air return opening 1122 is provided on the side wall between the second freezing space 112 and the second side wall space 122, and the second air return opening 1122 is located in front of the second evaporator 212. That is, the second air return opening 1122 is provided at a position of the second freezing space 112 close to its corresponding door body 340.

[0066] Furthermore, correspondingly, a second air duct 132 is formed between the second sidewall space 122 and the second freezing space 112, and the second air duct 132 is used to communicate the second sidewall space 122 with the second air inlet 1121.

[0067] As Figure 4 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, water receiving trays 410 are respectively arranged in the first sidewall space 121 and the second sidewall space 122, and the water receiving trays 410 are used to receive condensed water or defrosting water flowing down from the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212. The water receiving trays 410 are connected with drain pipes 420, and the drain pipes 420 lead to the compressor compartment of the refrigerator away from the water receiving trays 410 to guide the water in the water receiving trays 410 into an evaporating dish in the compressor compartment.

[0068] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator further includes a first air damper 310 for shielding the first air return opening 1112 and a second air damper 320 for shielding the second air return opening 1122. Among them, the first air damper 310 is used to block the first air duct 131, and the second air damper 320 is used to block the second air duct 132.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present invention, both the first air damper 310 and the second air damper 320 can be electric control air dampers, and further can be electric control sliding air dampers or electric control flipping air dampers.

[0070] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator further includes at least one blower 330, and the blower 330 is used to drive air to circulate between the first sidewall space 121 and / or the second sidewall space 122 and the freezing compartment 110 to realize refrigeration of the freezing compartment 110.

[0071] As Figure 5 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, one blower 330 is respectively arranged in the first sidewall space 121 and the second sidewall space 122. Specifically, one blower 330 is arranged in the first air duct 131, so that under the action of the blower 330 corresponding to the first air duct 131, air circulates between the first sidewall space 121 and the first freezing space 111 to realize refrigeration of the first freezing space 111 by the first evaporator 211. One blower 330 is arranged in the second air duct 132, so that under the action of the blower 330 corresponding to the second air duct 132, air circulates between the second sidewall space 122 and the second freezing space 112 to realize refrigeration of the second freezing space 112 by the second evaporator 212.

[0072] In the present invention, Figure 5The blower 330 shown in the figure can be any feasible blower 330 such as a centrifugal blower 330 or an axial flow blower 330.

[0073] It should be noted that Figure 5 Only the relative positional relationship of the first air duct 131, the second air duct 132 and the blower 330 is schematically shown. Those skilled in the art can appropriately adjust the relevant structures of the first air duct 131, the second air duct 132 and the blower 330 according to the conventional technical means and common technical means in the art. That is, those skilled in the art can determine the specific structures of the first air duct 131, the second air duct 132 and the blower 330 according to the conventional technical means, common technical means, conventional designs, etc. in the art. Therefore, the parts not described in the present invention (as described above as the conventional technical means, common technical means, conventional designs, etc. in the art) will not lead to insufficient disclosure of the present invention.

[0074] From Figures 3 to 5 it can be seen that the first sidewall space 121 and the second sidewall space 122 are each generally in a flat space structure parallel to the vertical direction.

[0075] Furthermore, in the present invention, the first evaporator 211 and / or the second evaporator 212 can be a plate evaporator or an evaporator formed by bending a refrigerant pipe.

[0076] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above structures of the first sidewall space 121, the second sidewall space 122, the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 can make the sidewall space have a smaller thickness. Furthermore, the first sidewall space 121 and the second sidewall space 122 can be defined by the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the existing refrigerator, avoiding making the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the refrigerator too thick. That is, the thicknesses of the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the refrigerator of the present invention defining the sidewall space can be the same as or slightly greater than the thicknesses of the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the existing same-type refrigerator, improving the space utilization rate of the refrigerator.

[0077] As Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cabinet 100 may further define a refrigerating compartment 113. The refrigerator may further include a third evaporator 213 for refrigerating the refrigerating compartment 113.

[0078] Furthermore, the cabinet 100 further defines a refrigerating space 123 located at the rear side of the refrigerating compartment 113. The refrigerating space 123 can be formed on the rear sidewall of the cabinet 100 where the refrigerating compartment 113 is located. The third evaporator 213 and the blower 330 are arranged in the refrigerating space 123.

[0079] As Figure 6As shown, the box body 100 further defines a third air duct 133, which is used to connect the refrigerating compartment 113 and the refrigerating space 123 to form a loop for air to circulate. When the fan 330 in the refrigerating space 123 works, the air can be driven by the fan 330 and circulate between the refrigerating compartment 113 and the refrigerating space 123, thereby realizing the refrigeration of the refrigerating compartment 113.

[0080] As Figure 7 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigeration system 200 includes a compressor 220, a condenser 230, a reversing valve 240, a first throttling member 251, and a first evaporator 211 that are connected end to end in sequence and thus form a circulation loop.

[0081] Further, the refrigeration system 200 further includes a second throttling member 252 and a second evaporator 212 connected in series between an outlet of the reversing valve 240 and an inlet of the compressor 220.

[0082] Further, the refrigeration system 200 may further include a third throttling member 253, a third evaporator 213, and a gas-liquid separator 260 connected in series between another outlet of the reversing valve 240 and an inlet of the first throttling member 251.

[0083] Wherein, the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator 260 is fluidly connected to the inlet of the first throttling member 251, and the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator 260 is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second evaporator 212.

[0084] Wherein, any one of the first throttling member 251, the second throttling member 252, and the third throttling member 253 may be an electronic expansion valve or a capillary tube.

[0085] Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigeration system 200 further includes an anti-condensation tube 270 connected in series between the condenser 230 and the reversing valve 240, and the anti-condensation tube 270 is arranged in at least one of the box body 100 and / or the door body 340 to heat the outer side wall of the box body 100 and / or the door body 340 to prevent condensation on the outer surface of the refrigerator.

[0086] In addition, those skilled in the art can also, according to needs, connect the anti-condensation tube 270 in series between the compressor 220 and the condenser 230.

[0087] Continuing to refer to Figure 7 , in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator may further include a first heating device 510 and a second heating device 520 to heat the first evaporator 211 through the first heating device 510 to melt the frost on the first evaporator 211, and heat the second evaporator 212 through the second heating device 520 to melt the frost on the second evaporator 212.

[0088] Among them, the first heating device 510 and the second heating device 520 can each be an electric heating wire, and are each disposed below the corresponding evaporator or attached to the corresponding evaporator.

[0089] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can also, as needed, configure a heating device for the third evaporator 213 to heat the third evaporator 213 through this heating device to melt the frost on the third evaporator 213.

[0090] In addition, those skilled in the art can also, as needed, omit the refrigerating compartment 113 on the cabinet 100, and omit the third evaporator 213 in the refrigeration system 200 and the components related to the third evaporator 213.

[0091] As Figure 9 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator further includes a controller 600. The controller 600 includes a processor 610 and a memory 620. A machine-executable program 621 is stored on the memory 620. When the processor 610 executes the machine-executable program 621, it can implement the control method described in any of the following embodiments.

[0092] Among them, the memory 620 can include a memory and a non-volatile memory, and provide execution instructions and data to the processor 610. Exemplarily, the memory can be a high-speed random access memory (Random-Access Memory, RAM), and the non-volatile memory can be at least one disk memory.

[0093] Among them, the processor 610 is an integrated circuit chip with the ability to process signals. The processor 610 can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), a network processor (Network Processor, NP), a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, a microprocessor, and any other conventional processor.

[0094] The control method of the refrigerator in the present invention will be described in detail below in combination with the refrigerator described above.

[0095] As Figure 9As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the control method of the refrigerator includes:

[0096] Step S110, when the refrigerator reaches the defrosting condition, obtain the current freezing temperature of the freezing compartment 110.

[0097] Among them, the defrosting condition can be that the refrigerator has been running continuously for a preset duration (such as 72 hours, 84 hours, 100 hours, etc.), or the number of times the refrigerator has been continuously opened and closed reaches a preset number of times (such as 25 times, 30 times, 65 times, 70 times, etc.), or both the preset duration and the preset number of times are reached simultaneously.

[0098] In the present invention, the refrigerator is configured with a temperature sensor for detecting the current temperature of the freezing compartment 110, so as to obtain the current freezing temperature of the freezing compartment 110 through this temperature sensor.

[0099] Step S120, if the current freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the preset freezing shutdown temperature, control the refrigeration system 200 to refrigerate one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212, and control the first heating device 510 or the second heating device 520 to work to heat the other of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212.

[0100] Among them, the freezing shutdown temperature is the end temperature when the refrigeration system 200 refrigerates the freezing compartment 110, so it can be any feasible value, such as -16°C, -18°C, -21°C, -36°C, etc.

[0101] Step S130, if the current freezing temperature is less than the preset freezing shutdown temperature, control the first heating device 510 and the second heating device 520 to work simultaneously to heat the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 simultaneously.

[0102] Those skilled in the art can understand that through steps S110 to S130 of the present invention, the refrigerator can alternately defrost the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 when the freezing compartment 110 needs refrigeration, so that when one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 is defrosting, the other of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 is used to refrigerate the freezing compartment 110. Therefore, the present invention not only ensures the refrigeration of the freezing compartment 110, but also realizes the defrosting of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212.

[0103] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are only a basic embodiment of the present invention. In other embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can also adjust, optimize, and configure the solutions and steps in the above embodiments as needed to achieve further technical effects. Other embodiments of the present invention different from the above embodiments will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Of course, those skilled in the art can also appropriately modify the execution order, operating conditions, and quantity of the steps in the embodiments to be described later according to actual needs. The modified embodiments will not deviate from the technical concept and / or technical principle of the present invention and should still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0104] As Figure 10 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, step S120 may further include:

[0105] Step S121, controlling the refrigeration system 200 to refrigerate the first evaporator 211 and controlling the second heating device 520 to operate to heat the second evaporator 212.

[0106] Specifically, control the first air door 310 to open and the second air door 320 to close. Control the compressor 220 and the fan 330 corresponding to the first evaporator 211 to operate, and control the reversing valve 240 to change to a position where the refrigerant flowing through it flows through the first throttling member 251. The refrigerant expands after throttling through the first throttling member 251 and enters the first evaporator 211, where it absorbs the heat of the first evaporator 211, thereby refrigerating the first evaporator 211. The fan 330 drives the cold air in the first sidewall space 121 into the first freezing space 111 to refrigerate the first freezing space 111. The air in the first freezing space 111 re-enters the first sidewall space 121 through the first air return port 1112. At the same time, the second heating device 520 heats the second evaporator 212 to melt the frost on the second evaporator 212, and the defrosting water drops onto the water receiving tray 410 and is discharged into the evaporation dish in the compressor compartment through the drain pipe 420.

[0107] As described above, since the first freezing space 111 and the second freezing space 112 are connected to each other or are set as a whole, the second freezing space 112 can receive cold from the first freezing space 111 during this process.

[0108] Step S122, controlling the refrigeration system 200 to refrigerate the second evaporator 212 and controlling the first heating device 510 to operate to heat the first evaporator 211.

[0109] Specifically, control the first air damper 310 to close and the second air damper 320 to open. Control the compressor 220 and the second evaporator 212 to operate corresponding to the fan 330, and control the reversing valve 240 to change to a position where the refrigerant flowing through it only flows to the second throttling member 252. The refrigerant expands after being throttled by the second throttling member 252 and enters the second evaporator 212, absorbing the heat of the second evaporator 212, thereby refrigerating the second evaporator 212. The fan 330 drives the cold air in the second side wall space 122 into the second freezing space 112 to refrigerate the second freezing space 112. The air in the second freezing space 112 re-enters the second side wall space 122 through the second air return opening 1122. At the same time, the first heating device 510 heats the first evaporator 211 to melt the frost on the first evaporator 211. The defrost water drops onto the water receiving tray 410 and is discharged into the evaporation dish in the compressor compartment through the drain pipe 420.

[0110] As described above, since the first freezing space 111 and the second freezing space 112 communicate with each other or are set as a whole, the first freezing space 111 can receive cold from the second freezing space 112 during this process.

[0111] As Figure 11 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, step S121 may further include:

[0112] Step S1211, determine whether the current refrigeration temperature of the refrigerating compartment 113 is greater than or equal to the refrigeration shutdown temperature.

[0113] Wherein, the refrigeration shutdown temperature is the end temperature when the refrigeration system 200 refrigerates the refrigerating compartment 113, so it can be any feasible value, such as -3°C, -1°C, 0°C, 3°C, etc.

[0114] In the present invention, the refrigerator is equipped with a temperature sensor for detecting the current temperature of the refrigerating compartment 113 to obtain the current refrigeration temperature of the refrigerating compartment 113 through this temperature sensor, thereby determining whether the current refrigeration temperature of the refrigerating compartment 113 is greater than or equal to the refrigeration shutdown temperature.

[0115] Step S1212, if so, control the reversing valve 240 to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the third throttling member 253, so that the refrigerant first flows to the third evaporator 213 to refrigerate the refrigerating compartment 113. Then make the refrigerant flow to the gas-liquid separator 260 and be separated into liquid and gas by the gas-liquid separator 260. Subsequently, the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the gas-liquid separator 260 flows to the first evaporator 211 to refrigerate the first evaporator 211, and the gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the gas-liquid separator 260 flows to the second evaporator 212 to heat the second evaporator 212.

[0116] Those skilled in the art can understand that step S1212 can achieve the triple utilization of the refrigerant, that is, the refrigerant cools the third evaporator 213 (and thus cools the refrigerated compartment 113), the refrigerant cools the first evaporator 211 (and thus cools the freezer compartment 110), and the refrigerant heats the second evaporator 212.

[0117] Step S1213, if not, control the reversing valve 240 to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the first throttling member 251 to cool the first evaporator 211.

[0118] In addition, those skilled in the art can also, as needed, make step S121 include: controlling the reversing valve 240 to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the first throttling member 251.

[0119] Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, in order to avoid the temperature rise in the first freezing space 111 and the second freezing space 112 during the defrosting process of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212, those skilled in the art can also, as needed, respectively set a damper at the first air inlet 1111 and the second air inlet 1121. Or, respectively set a damper at the air inlets and outlets of the first side wall space 121 and the second side wall space 122.

[0120] As Figure 12 shown, different from some of the embodiments described above, in some other embodiments of the present invention, the control method of the refrigerator further includes:

[0121] Step S210, when the refrigerator does not reach the defrosting condition, obtain the current freezing temperature of the freezer compartment 110.

[0122] Step S220, if the current freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the freezing shutdown temperature, obtain the current ambient temperature of the environment.

[0123] In some other embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator can be configured with a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature to detect the current ambient temperature of the environment through this temperature sensor.

[0124] Step S230, if the current ambient temperature is less than the first preset temperature value, control the reversing valve 240 to make the refrigerant flowing through it alternately flow to the first throttling member 251 and the second throttling member 252 according to preset conditions, so that the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 alternately cool.

[0125] It should be noted that for an ordinary refrigerator, when the current ambient temperature is less than the first preset temperature value, condensation begins to appear or has already appeared on the surface of the refrigerator. For this purpose, the first preset temperature value can be any feasible value such as 20°C, 15°C, 10°C, 8°C, 7°C, etc.

[0126] Among them, the preset conditions include that when the temperature of the first evaporator 211 or the second evaporator 212 to be refrigerated is lower than the second preset temperature value, the reversing valve 240 is controlled to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant once, so as to prevent the first evaporator 211 or the second evaporator 212 from being supercooled due to too long refrigerant flow time, and to make the temperature of the freezing compartment 110 more uniform. That is, during the refrigeration process of the first evaporator 211, when the temperature of the first evaporator 211 is lower than the second preset temperature value, the reversing valve 240 is controlled to make the refrigerant flowing through it no longer flow to the first evaporator 211 but to the second evaporator 212. Correspondingly, during the refrigeration process of the second evaporator 212, when the temperature of the second evaporator 212 is lower than the second preset temperature value, the reversing valve 240 is controlled to make the refrigerant flowing through it no longer flow to the second evaporator 212 but to the first evaporator 211.

[0127] Among them, the second preset temperature value is lower than the refrigeration stop temperature, and specifically, it can be -25°C, -24°C, -23°C, -20°C, -17°C, etc.

[0128] Alternatively, those skilled in the art can also, according to needs, make the preset conditions include that after one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 refrigerates for a preset time (such as 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.), then the other refrigerates for a preset time, and so on in a cycle.

[0129] Those skilled in the art can understand that in some other embodiments of the present invention, by alternately refrigerating the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212, the refrigeration efficiency of the freezing compartment 110 is low and the refrigeration time is prolonged. Therefore, the flow time of the refrigerant in the anti-condensation pipe 270 of the refrigerator is prolonged, thereby prolonging the heating time of the anti-condensation pipe 270, effectively avoiding condensation on the outer surface of the refrigerator.

[0130] Furthermore, when the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 alternately refrigerate, in order to realize simultaneous refrigeration of the first freezing space 111 and the second freezing space 112, in addition to making the first freezing space 111 communicate with the second freezing space 112 as described above, or setting the first freezing space 111 and the second freezing space 112 as a whole, those skilled in the art can also Figure 13 as shown, make the first air duct 131 and the second air duct 132 intersect, and set a fan 330 at the intersection of the first air duct 131 and the second air duct 132. When the fan 330 works, it can mix the cold air from the first side wall space 121 and the second side wall space 122, and then convey the mixed air to the first air inlet 1111 and the second air inlet 1121.

[0131] So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in combination with multiple embodiments in the foregoing text. However, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the technical principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art can split and combine the technical solutions in the above-mentioned various embodiments, and can also make equivalent changes or substitutions to relevant technical features. Any changes, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the technical concept and / or technical principle of the present invention will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0132] Finally, it should be noted that the refrigerator of the present invention is a refrigerator in a broad sense, which includes not only the commonly referred to refrigerator in a narrow sense, but also preservation equipment with refrigeration and / or freezing functions, such as refrigerated cabinets, freezers, etc.

[0133] In the present invention, the term "communicate" means to communicate to allow a fluid (such as air, liquid) to flow between two things that communicate with each other. And this "communication" can be such that the fluid flows between two things that communicate with each other without leakage, or can be such that the fluid flows between two things that communicate with each other with a little leakage.

Claims

1. A control method for a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising a box body, a refrigeration system, a first heating device and a second heating device, the box body defining a freezing compartment; one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the box body defining a first side wall space, and the other defining a second side wall space; the refrigeration system comprising a first evaporator disposed in the first side wall space and a second evaporator disposed in the second side wall space, the first heating device being configured to heat the first evaporator, and the second heating device being configured to heat the second evaporator; the control method comprising: When the refrigerator reaches the defrosting condition, obtain the current freezing temperature of the freezing compartment; If the current freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the preset freezing shutdown temperature, control the refrigeration system to refrigerate one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and control the first heating device or the second heating device to operate to heat the other of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The controlling the refrigeration system to refrigerate one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and controlling the first heating device or the second heating device to operate to heat the other of the first evaporator and the second evaporator includes: Control the refrigeration system to refrigerate the first evaporator, and control the second heating device to operate to heat the second evaporator; Control the refrigeration system to refrigerate the second evaporator, and control the first heating device to operate to heat the first evaporator.

3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein, The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a reversing valve, a first throttling member and the first evaporator that are connected end to end in sequence and thus form a circulation loop; The refrigeration system further includes a second throttling member and the second evaporator connected in series between an outlet of the reversing valve and an inlet of the compressor; The controlling the refrigeration system to refrigerate the second evaporator includes: controlling the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the second throttling member.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein, The controlling the refrigeration system to refrigerate the first evaporator includes: controlling the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the first throttling member.

5. The control method according to claim 3, wherein, The cabinet further defines a refrigerating compartment, The refrigeration system further includes a third throttling member, a third evaporator and a gas-liquid separator connected in series between the other outlet of the reversing valve and the inlet of the first throttling member; the third evaporator is used to refrigerate the refrigerating compartment; Wherein, the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the first throttling member, and the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second evaporator; The controlling the refrigeration system to refrigerate the first evaporator further includes: Judge whether the current refrigerating temperature of the refrigerating compartment is greater than or equal to the refrigerating shutdown temperature; If so, control the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the third throttling member, so that the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the gas-liquid separator flows to the first evaporator to refrigerate the first evaporator, and the gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the gas-liquid separator flows to the second evaporator to heat the second evaporator; If not, control the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the first throttling member to refrigerate the first evaporator.

6. The control method according to claim 5, further comprising: When the refrigerator does not reach the defrosting condition, obtain the current freezing temperature of the freezing compartment; If the current freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the freezing shutdown temperature, obtain the current ambient temperature of the environment; If the current ambient temperature is less than the first preset temperature value, control the reversing valve to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the first throttling member and the second throttling member alternately according to preset conditions, so that the first evaporator and the second evaporator refrigerate alternately.

7. The control method according to claim 6, wherein, The preset condition includes that when the temperature of the first evaporator or the second evaporator to be refrigerated is lower than a second preset temperature value, controlling the reversing valve to switch the flow direction of the refrigerant once.

8. A refrigerator, comprising: A cabinet, internally defining a freezing compartment, one of the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the cabinet defines a first sidewall space, and the other defines a second sidewall space; A refrigeration system, including a compressor, a condenser, a reversing valve, a first throttling member and a first evaporator that are connected end to end in sequence and thus form a circulation loop. The refrigeration system further includes a second throttling member and the second evaporator connected in series between an outlet of the reversing valve and an inlet of the compressor, and a third throttling member, a third evaporator and a gas-liquid separator connected in series between the other outlet of the reversing valve and an inlet of the first throttling member; wherein, a liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to an inlet of the first throttling member, and a gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator is fluidly connected to an inlet of the second evaporator; A first heating device for heating the first evaporator; A second heating device for heating the second evaporator; A controller, including a processor and a memory, wherein a machine-executable program is stored on the memory, and when the processor executes the machine-executable program, it can implement the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, A circulation air path is formed between each of the first sidewall space and the second sidewall space and the freezing compartment; The refrigerator further includes at least one blower, and the blower is used to drive air to circulate between the first sidewall space and / or the second sidewall space and the freezing compartment to realize refrigeration of the freezing compartment.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein, The refrigerator further includes a first air damper and a second air damper, The first air damper is used to block the circulation air path between the first sidewall space and the freezing compartment, and the second air damper is used to block the circulation air path between the second sidewall space and the freezing compartment.

Images