Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body and a refrigerating system, one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the refrigerator body is provided with a first side wall space, and the other one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the refrigerator body is provided with a second side wall space; the refrigeration system includes a first evaporator disposed within the first sidewall space and a second evaporator disposed within the second sidewall space. The control method comprises the steps that when a refrigerant flows through only one of a first evaporator and a second evaporator, the current refrigerant temperature at an air suction port of a compressor in the refrigerating system is obtained; judging whether the current refrigerant temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature; if yes, the refrigerating system is controlled to enable the refrigerant flowing out of one evaporator to firstly flow to the other evaporator in the first evaporator and the second evaporator and then flow to the compressor; the other evaporator serves as a liquid storage device of one evaporator, and liquid impact of the compressor is prevented.

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, some refrigerators (especially the T-door or multi-door refrigerators with side-by-side doors) arrange the evaporator at the rear side of the storage compartment. Since the evaporator occupies the space of the refrigerator in the front-back direction, the depth of the storage compartment is small, which affects the user experience.

[0003] In addition, existing refrigerators generally arrange a liquid receiver fluidly connected to the compressor at the end of the evaporator to prevent liquid slugging in the compressor. In this field, liquid slugging is a phenomenon that occurs when liquid refrigerant enters the compressor and collides with the piston, causing damage to the compressor.

[0004] In existing air-cooled refrigerators, the liquid receiver is arranged in the refrigerating compartment together with the evaporator. However, due to the large volume of the liquid receiver, the volume of the refrigerating compartment is also large. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to solve the problem that the depth of the storage compartment of the existing refrigerator is small because the evaporator is arranged at the rear side of the storage compartment.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to solve the problem that the volume of the refrigerating compartment of the existing refrigerator is large because the volume of the liquid receiver in the refrigerating compartment is large.

[0007] To achieve the above object, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a control method for a refrigerator, the refrigerator including a box body and a refrigeration system, one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the box body is provided with a first side wall space, and the other is provided with 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 control method includes:

[0008] When only one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator flows through the refrigerant, obtain the current refrigerant temperature at the suction port of the compressor in the refrigeration system;

[0009] Judge whether the current refrigerant temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature;

[0010] If so, control the refrigeration system to make the refrigerant flowing out of the one evaporator first flow to the other evaporator of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and then flow to the compressor; so that the other evaporator serves as a liquid receiver for the one evaporator to prevent liquid slugging in the compressor.

[0011] Optionally, the first preset temperature is updated in real time through the following formula:

[0012] T1 = (1 - f)·(T 环 - k)

[0013] wherein, T1 is the first preset temperature, f is the current temperature change rate of the refrigerant at the suction port of the compressor, T1 is the ambient temperature, and k is a conventional parameter.

[0014] Optionally, the refrigeration system further includes a third evaporator; the control method includes:

[0015] When the refrigerant flows through the third evaporator, control the refrigeration system so that the refrigerant flowing out of the third evaporator first flows to the first evaporator and then to the compressor.

[0016] Optionally, the box body further defines a first storage compartment refrigerated by the first evaporator, a second storage compartment refrigerated by the second evaporator, and a third storage compartment refrigerated by the third evaporator.

[0017] Optionally, both the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment are freezing compartments, and the third storage compartment is a refrigerating compartment.

[0018] Optionally, the control method further includes:

[0019] When both the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment need refrigeration, obtain the current temperatures of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment;

[0020] Judge whether the current temperatures of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment are both greater than or equal to a second preset temperature;

[0021] If so, control the refrigeration system to make the first evaporator and the second evaporator in parallel, and make the refrigerant flow through both the first evaporator and the second evaporator;

[0022] If not, control the refrigeration system to alternately supply the refrigerant to the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

[0023] Optionally, during the process of controlling the refrigeration system to alternately supply the refrigerant to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, the control method further includes:

[0024] Obtain the cooling rates of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment;

[0025] If the cooling rate of each of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment is less than a preset rate, control the refrigeration system to connect the first evaporator and the second evaporator in parallel and allow refrigerant to flow through both the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

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

[0027] A cabinet, one of its left sidewall and right sidewall is provided with a first sidewall space, the other of the left sidewall and the right sidewall is provided with a second sidewall space, and the cabinet defines at least one storage compartment between the first sidewall space and the second sidewall space;

[0028] A refrigeration system, comprising a first evaporator arranged in the first sidewall space and a second evaporator arranged in the second sidewall space;

[0029] A controller, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a machine-executable program, and when the processor executes the machine-executable program, it can implement the control method described in any one of the first aspect.

[0030] Optionally, the first evaporator and the second evaporator each include a refrigerant inlet pipe, a refrigerant outlet pipe, a liquid storage pipe and a gas guide pipe. The refrigerant inlet pipe, the liquid storage pipe and the refrigerant outlet pipe are connected in sequence, and the liquid storage pipe is located below the refrigerant inlet pipe and the refrigerant outlet pipe; one end of the gas guide pipe is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe, and the other end of the gas guide pipe extends obliquely downward and is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe or the liquid storage pipe.

[0031] Optionally, the diameter of the connecting portion between the refrigerant outlet pipe and the liquid storage pipe is smaller than the diameter of the refrigerant inlet pipe and / or the liquid storage pipe; and / or, the diameter of the gas guide pipe is smaller than the diameter of the refrigerant inlet pipe and / or the liquid storage pipe.

[0032] Based on the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can understand that in the foregoing technical solution of the present invention, by providing a first sidewall space on one of the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the cabinet, and a second sidewall space on the other, and arranging a first evaporator in the first sidewall space and a second evaporator in the second sidewall space, the refrigerator of the present invention can avoid arranging the evaporator at the rear side of the storage compartment by arranging the evaporator in the left sidewall and / or the right sidewall of the cabinet, thereby increasing the depth of the storage compartment.

[0033] In addition, when only one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator has refrigerant flowing through it, obtain the current refrigerant temperature at the suction port of the compressor in the refrigeration system, and determine whether the current refrigerant temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature. If the determination result is yes, control the refrigeration system so that the refrigerant flowing out of the one evaporator first flows to the other evaporator of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and then flows to the compressor; so that the other evaporator serves as a liquid reservoir for the one evaporator to prevent liquid slugging of the compressor.

[0034] Therefore, by using the first evaporator or the second evaporator as a liquid reservoir in the present invention, the refrigerator of the present invention no longer needs to be configured with an additional liquid storage chamber, and further, the first side wall space and / or the second side wall space no longer need to set aside space for the liquid reservoir, so that the first side wall space and the second side wall space can be smaller.

[0035] Other beneficial effects of the present invention will be described in detail in combination with the accompanying 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

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, some embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that the components or parts denoted by the same reference numeral in different drawings are the same or similar; the drawings of the present invention are not necessarily drawn to scale with each other.

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of the partial structure of the refrigerator in the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the refrigerator (the door body is hidden) in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in

[0041] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in

[0042] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in

[0043] Figure 6 is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in

[0044] Figure 7is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration system in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 is an axonometric view of a first evaporator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 9 is a plan view of a first evaporator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a controller of a refrigerator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 11 is a flowchart of steps of a control method of a refrigerator in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 12 is a flowchart of steps of a control method of a refrigerator in still some other embodiments of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0050] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments of the present invention. This part of the embodiments is intended to explain the technical principle of the present invention, rather than 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.

[0051] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, 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 the convenience of description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot 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.

[0052] Furthermore, it should also be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "coupling" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can also be the communication inside two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances. For example, without special description, the terms "installation", "connection", "coupling", and "fixing" can specifically be any feasible connection forms such as bolt connection, screw connection, welding, plug connection, riveting, fusion welding, snap connection, etc.

[0053] In addition, it should also 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 target 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 target object absorbs "cooling capacity", it will release "heat quantity", and when it releases "cooling capacity", it will absorb "heat quantity". A certain target object stores "cooling capacity" or "heat quantity" to keep the current temperature of the target object. "Refrigeration" and "heat absorption" are two descriptions of the same physical phenomenon, that is, a certain target object (such as an evaporator) will absorb heat while refrigerating.

[0054] As Figure 1 shown, in the present invention, the refrigerator includes a box body 100 and a refrigeration system 200, wherein the refrigeration system 200 is used to provide cooling capacity for the refrigerator.

[0055] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the box body 100 is provided with a first side wall space 121, and the other of the left side wall and the right side wall is provided with a second side wall space 122. The box body 100 defines at least one storage compartment between the first side wall space 121 and the second side wall space 122.

[0056] Continuing to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , at least one storage compartment of the present invention includes a first storage compartment 111 and a second storage compartment 112 arranged in sequence between the first side wall space 121 and the second evaporator 212.

[0057] In addition, in other embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can also, according to needs, omit one of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112, or set the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 as a whole.

[0058] AsFigures 3 to 5 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, a blower is respectively arranged in the first sidewall space 121 and the second sidewall space 122.

[0059] Continue to refer to Figures 3 to 5 , in some embodiments of the present invention, the first storage compartment 111 communicates with the first sidewall space 121 and together forms a first air flow circuit 131 for air to flow. The second storage compartment 112 communicates with the second sidewall space 122 and together forms a second air flow circuit 132 for air to flow. The refrigerator further includes a first blower 311 for driving air to circulate between the first circuits 131 and a second blower 312 for driving air to circulate between the second circuits 132.

[0060] Continue to refer to Figures 3 to 5 , in some embodiments of the present invention, a first evaporator 211 is arranged in the first sidewall space 121, and a second evaporator 212 is arranged in the second sidewall space 122.

[0061] Among them, the first evaporator 211 is used to cool the air in the first sidewall space 121. Under the action of the first blower 311, the cold air flows to the first storage compartment 111 to cool the first storage compartment 111.

[0062] Among them, the second evaporator 212 is used to cool the air in the second sidewall space 122. Under the action of the second blower 312, the cold air flows to the second storage compartment 112 to cool the second storage compartment 112.

[0063] As Figures 3 to 5 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, a first air inlet 1111 communicating with the first sidewall space 121 is provided on the rear sidewall of the first storage compartment 111. A first air return port 1112 is provided on the sidewall between the first storage compartment 111 and the first sidewall space 121, and the first air return port 1112 is located in front of the first evaporator 211. That is, the first air return port 1112 is provided at a position of the first storage compartment 111 close to its corresponding door body 330.

[0064] It can be easily seen from the figure that the first sidewall space 121, the first storage compartment 111, the first air inlet 1111, and the first air return port 1112 together constitute the first circuit 131.

[0065] Correspondingly, a second air inlet 1121 communicating with the second sidewall space 122 is provided on the rear sidewall of the second storage compartment 112. A second air return port 1122 is provided on the sidewall between the second storage compartment 112 and the second sidewall space 122, and the second air return port 1122 is located in front of the second evaporator 212. That is, the second air return port 1122 is provided at a position of the second storage compartment 112 close to its corresponding door body 330.

[0066] As can be easily seen from the figure, the second sidewall space 122, the second storage compartment 112, the second air inlet 1121, and the second air return outlet 1122 together form the second loop 132.

[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. The water receiving trays 410 are used to receive condensed water or defrost water flowing down from the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212. The water receiving trays 410 are connected to drain pipes 420. The drain pipes 420 lead away from the water receiving trays 410 into the compressor compartment of the refrigerator to guide the water in the water receiving trays 410 into the 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 321 for shielding the first air return outlet 1112 and a second air damper 322 for shielding the second air return outlet 1122. Among them, the first air damper 321 is used to block the first loop 131, and the second air damper 322 is used to block the second loop 132.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present invention, both the first air damper 321 and the second air damper 322 can be electric control air dampers. Further, they can be electric control sliding air dampers or electric control flipping air dampers.

[0070] As can be seen from Figures 3 to 5 , the sidewall space as a whole has a flat space structure parallel to the vertical direction. That is, the first sidewall space 121 and the second sidewall space 122 each have a flat space structure parallel to the vertical direction as a whole.

[0071] Further, in the present invention, the first evaporator 211 and / or the second evaporator 212 can be a plate evaporator.

[0072] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above structures of the sidewall space and the evaporator can make the sidewall space have a smaller thickness. Furthermore, the sidewall space can be defined by the left sidewall and / or the right sidewall of the existing refrigerator, avoiding making the left sidewall and / or the right sidewall of the refrigerator too thick. That is, the thickness of the left sidewall or the right sidewall of the refrigerator of the present invention defining the sidewall space can be the same as or slightly greater than the thickness of the left sidewall and the right sidewall of the existing same type of refrigerator, improving the space utilization rate of the refrigerator.

[0073] As Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cabinet 100 further defines a third storage compartment 113 located above or below the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112. The cabinet 100 further defines a refrigeration space 123 located at the rear side of the third storage compartment 113, and the refrigeration space 123 can be formed within the rear side wall of the cabinet 100 where the third storage compartment 113 is located. A third evaporator 213 and a third blower 313 are arranged within the refrigeration space 123.

[0074] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are freezer compartments, and the third storage compartment 113 is a refrigerated compartment.

[0075] As Figure 6 shown, the cabinet 100 further defines a third circuit 133, and the third circuit 133 is used to connect the third storage compartment 113 and the refrigeration space 123 to form a circuit for air circulation. When the third blower 313 within the refrigeration space 123 operates, air can be driven by the third blower 313 and circulate between the third storage compartment 113 and the refrigeration space 123, thereby realizing the refrigeration of the third storage compartment 113.

[0076] As Figure 7 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigeration system 200 is configured to selectively use the first evaporator 211 or the second evaporator 212 as a liquid reservoir. Specifically, the refrigeration system 200 includes a compressor 220, a condenser 230, a first control valve 241, a first throttling member 251, a first evaporator 211, and a second control valve 242 that are connected end to end in sequence and thus form a circuit.

[0077] Continuing to refer to Figure 7 , the refrigeration system 200 further includes a second throttling member 252, a second evaporator 212, and a third control valve 243 connected in series between the first control valve 241 and the compressor 220.

[0078] Wherein, one outlet of the second control valve 242 is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second evaporator 212, and one outlet of the third control valve 243 is fluidly connected to the inlet of the first evaporator 211.

[0079] Wherein, the first control valve 241, the second control valve 242, and the third control valve 243 together enable any one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 to be selectively used as a liquid reservoir.

[0080] Continuing to refer to Figure 7, the refrigeration system 200 further includes a third throttling member 253, a third evaporator 213, and a fourth control valve 244 connected in series between the first control valve 241 and the compressor 220. The fourth control valve 244 is fluidly connected to the second control valve 242, the first evaporator 211, and the third control valve 243 respectively.

[0081] It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention, the first control valve 241, the second control valve 242, the third control valve 243, and the fourth control valve 244 may each be an electronically controlled multi-way reversing valve, or may be a plurality of two-way valves or stop valves connected in parallel. The first throttling member 251, the second throttling member 252, and the third throttling member 253 may each be a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve.

[0082] Continuing to refer to Figure 7 , the refrigerator further includes a first heating device 510 for heating the first evaporator 211 and a second heating device 520 for heating the second evaporator 212. When the first evaporator 211 is defrosted, the first evaporator 211 is heated by the first heating device 510; when the second evaporator 212 is defrosted, the second evaporator 212 is heated by the second heating device 520.

[0083] Continuing to refer to Figure 7 , the refrigerator further includes a temperature sensor 260 for detecting the temperature of the refrigerant at the suction port of the compressor 220.

[0084] Further, in order to prevent the compressor 220 from experiencing liquid slugging, when one of the first evaporator 211, the second evaporator 212, and the third evaporator 213 needs to be refrigerated, one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 that is not participating in refrigeration needs to be used as a liquid storage device. Here, the liquid storage device is used as a gas-liquid separator to store the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator and prevent the liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor 220.

[0085] For example, when only the third storage compartment 113 needs to be refrigerated, the first control valve 241 is controlled to make the refrigerant flowing through it flow to the third throttling member 253, and the fourth control valve 244 is controlled to connect the third evaporator 213 to the first evaporator 211, so that the refrigerant flows through the third evaporator 213 and the first evaporator 211 in sequence and then flows to the compressor 220. Further, when the temperature sensor 260 detects that the temperature of the refrigerant is too low, the refrigerant from the first evaporator 211 can also be made to flow through the second control valve 242, the second evaporator 212, and the third control valve 243 first, and then flow to the compressor 220.

[0086] When only the first storage chamber 111 needs refrigeration, control the first control valve 241, the second control valve 242, the third control valve 243, and the fourth control valve 244 to make the refrigerant circulate along the following path: compressor 220 → condenser 230 → first control valve 241 → first throttling member 251 → fourth control valve 244 → first evaporator 211 → second control valve 242 → second evaporator 212 → third control valve 243 → compressor 220.

[0087] When only the second storage chamber 112 needs refrigeration, control the first control valve 241, the second control valve 242, the third control valve 243, and the fourth control valve 244 to make the refrigerant circulate along the following path: compressor 220 → condenser 230 → first control valve 241 → second throttling member 252 → second evaporator 212 → third control valve 243 → fourth control valve 244 → first evaporator 211 → second control valve 242 → compressor 220.

[0088] The following refers to Figure 8 and Figure 9 Taking the first evaporator 211 as an example, the structures of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 will be described in detail.

[0089] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 respectively include a refrigerant inlet pipe 2111, a refrigerant outlet pipe 2112, a liquid storage pipe 2113, and a gas guide pipe 2114.

[0090] Furthermore, the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111, the liquid storage pipe 2113, and the refrigerant outlet pipe 2112 are sequentially fluid-connected, and the liquid storage pipe 2113 is located below the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111 and the refrigerant outlet pipe 2112 to ensure that the liquid refrigerant can flow into the liquid storage pipe 2113 under the action of gravity.

[0091] Furthermore, one end of the gas guide pipe 2114 is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111, and the other end of the gas guide pipe 2114 extends obliquely downward and is connected to the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111 or the liquid storage pipe 2113, so that while the gas guide pipe 2114 guides the gaseous refrigerant to flow through, a small amount of refrigerant inside it can also flow to the liquid storage pipe 2113 under the action of gravity, effectively reducing the liquid refrigerant flowing out of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212.

[0092] Those skilled in the art can also understand that, since the liquid refrigerant has a greater density and inertia than the gaseous refrigerant, the above structure of the air guide tube 2114 can also prevent the refrigerant with a larger gravity from flowing into the air guide tube 2114 as much as possible. That is, under the action of inertia, the liquid refrigerant will enter the liquid storage tube 2113 along the refrigerant introduction tube 2111, and will not flow into the air guide tube 2114 in the opposite direction of its flow direction.

[0093] from Figure 8 and Figure 9 It can also be seen that the diameter of the connecting portion of the refrigerant outlet pipe 2112 and the liquid storage pipe 2113 is smaller than the diameter of the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111 and / or the liquid storage pipe 2113. In addition, the diameter of the air guide pipe 2114 is smaller than the diameter of the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111 and / or the liquid storage pipe 2113.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the diameters of the pipelines in the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 are such that refrigerant can flow through each pipeline.

[0095] like Figure 9 As shown, the arrows in the figure represent gaseous refrigerants, and the water droplets represent liquid refrigerants. When the refrigerant in the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111 flows through the inlet of the air guide pipe 2114, the liquid refrigerant continues to flow in the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111 due to inertia, and the gaseous refrigerant can enter the air guide pipe 2114 due to its smaller inertia, thereby achieving gas-liquid separation.

[0096] like Figure 10 As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator also includes a controller 600, which includes a processor 610 and a memory 620, and a machine executable program 621 is stored in 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.

[0097] The memory 620 may include a memory and a non-volatile memory, and provide execution instructions and data to the processor 610. For example, the memory may be a high-speed random access memory (RAM), and the non-volatile memory may be at least one disk storage.

[0098] 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 (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, microprocessors, and any other conventional processors.

[0099] The control method of the refrigerator in the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the refrigerator described above.

[0100] As Figure 11 shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the control method of the refrigerator includes:

[0101] Step S110, when only one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 has refrigerant flowing through it, obtain the current refrigerant temperature at the suction port of the compressor 220 in the refrigeration system 200.

[0102] Step S120, determine whether the current refrigerant temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature.

[0103] Step S130, if so, control the refrigeration system 200 to make the refrigerant flowing out of one evaporator first flow to the other one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212, and then flow to the compressor 220; so that the other evaporator serves as a liquid storage device for one evaporator to prevent the compressor 220 from experiencing liquid slugging.

[0104] Further, in step S110, when only the first storage compartment 111 or the second storage compartment 112 needs refrigeration, or when there is also a third storage compartment 113 that needs refrigeration, the temperature sensor 260 is used to detect the current refrigerant temperature at the suction port of the compressor 220.

[0105] Exemplarily, the refrigerant can circulate along one of the following paths:

[0106] Path 1: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → First throttling member 251 → Fourth control valve 244 → First evaporator 211 → Second control valve 242 → Compressor 220.

[0107] Path 2: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → Second throttling member 252 → Second evaporator 212 → Third control valve 243 → Compressor 220.

[0108] Path 3: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → Third throttling member 253 → Third evaporator 213 → Fourth control valve 244 → First evaporator 211 → Second control valve 242 → Compressor 220.

[0109] Further, in step S120, the first preset temperature can be any feasible temperature, such as 1°C, 2°C, 3°C, etc. lower than the ambient temperature. The first preset temperature can also be updated in real time through the following formula:

[0110] T1 = (1 - f)·(T 环 - k)

[0111] where T1 is the first preset temperature, f is the current temperature change rate of the refrigerant at the suction port of the compressor 220, T1 is the ambient temperature, and k is a conventional parameter.

[0112] Further, the current temperature change rate f can be determined in the following way: Detect the current refrigerant temperature at the suction port of the compressor 220 once every certain period (such as any feasible period of 10S, 30S, 1.5min, 3min, etc.) through the temperature sensor 260, and then divide the difference between the two previous and subsequent temperature values by this certain period to obtain the current temperature change rate f.

[0113] Further, k can be any value such as 1, 2, 5, etc., and it can be determined through experiments.

[0114] Further, in step S130, when the current refrigerant temperature is less than or equal to the first preset temperature, it means that the temperature of the refrigerant at the suction port of the compressor 220 is relatively low, that is, supercooled. There is liquid refrigerant at the suction port of the compressor 220. At this time, by connecting another evaporator in series at the rear end of the current evaporator, the other evaporator can perform gas-liquid separation on the refrigerant through the refrigerant inlet pipe 2111, refrigerant outlet pipe 2112, liquid storage pipe 2113, and gas guide pipe 2114, so that the liquid refrigerant stays in the liquid storage pipe 2113 due to its own inertia and gravity, and the gaseous refrigerant can be separated from the liquid refrigerant via the gas guide pipe 2114. At the same time, the other evaporator can continue to provide heat for the refrigerant to turn more liquid refrigerant into gas.

[0115] Exemplarily, the refrigerant can circulate along one of the following paths:

[0116] Path a: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → First throttling member 251 → Fourth control valve 244 → First evaporator 211 → Second control valve 242 → Second evaporator 212 → Third control valve 243 → Compressor 220.

[0117] Path b: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → Second throttling member 252 → Second evaporator 212 → Third control valve 243 → Fourth control valve 244 → First evaporator 211 → Second control valve 242 → Compressor 220.

[0118] Therefore, in some embodiments of the present invention, another evaporator can be used as a liquid reservoir, so that the refrigerator of the present invention does not need to be additionally configured with a liquid storage chamber, and further, the first sidewall space and / or the second sidewall space do not need to reserve space for the liquid reservoir, thereby enabling the first sidewall space and the second sidewall space to be smaller.

[0119] 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-mentioned embodiments according to needs to achieve further technical effects. Other embodiments of the present invention different from the above-mentioned embodiments will be described later in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Of course, those skilled in the art can also appropriately modify the execution order, operating conditions, and quantities 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.

[0120] As Figure 12 shown, in still some other embodiments of the present invention, the control method of the refrigerator may further include:

[0121] Step S210, when both the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 need refrigeration, obtain the current temperatures of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112;

[0122] Step S220, determine whether the current temperatures of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are both greater than or equal to the second preset temperature;

[0123] Step S230, if so, control the refrigeration system 200 to make the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 in parallel, and make refrigerant flow through both the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212;

[0124] Step S240, if not, control the refrigeration system 200 to alternately supply refrigerant to the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212;

[0125] Step S250: Obtain the cooling rates of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112.

[0126] Step S260: Determine whether the cooling rates of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are both less than a preset rate.

[0127] Furthermore, in the present invention, the refrigerator is respectively equipped with temperature sensors for the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112, so that the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 can detect the temperature through their respective temperature sensors.

[0128] In still some other embodiments of the present invention, when the current temperatures of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are both greater than or equal to a second preset temperature, it indicates that the current temperatures of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are relatively high, and more cooling capacity is required to reduce them to a suitable storage temperature.

[0129] For example, the suitable storage temperatures of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are -21°C to -16°C, and the current temperature of the first storage compartment 111 is -5°C, and the current temperature of the second storage compartment 112 is -12°C.

[0130] For this purpose, the second preset temperature can be any feasible temperature, such as -12°C, -14°C, 15°C, or any feasible temperature that is 1°C, 3°C, 5°C, etc. higher than the highest or lowest suitable storage temperature of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112.

[0131] In this embodiment, when the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 are connected in parallel and there is refrigerant flowing through both, the heat absorbed by the refrigerant through the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 is sufficient, and the amount of liquid refrigerant in the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212 is small enough to be completely stored in the liquid storage pipes 2113 in the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212. The liquid refrigerant will not flow to the compressor 220, or the amount flowing to the compressor 220 is very small, and the liquid hammer caused to the compressor 220 can be ignored.

[0132] Exemplarily, the refrigerant can simultaneously circulate along the following paths C1 and C2:

[0133] Path C1: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → First throttling member 251 → Fourth control valve 244 → First evaporator 211 → Second control valve 242 → Compressor 220.

[0134] Path C2: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → Second throttling member 252 → Second evaporator 212 → Third control valve 243 → Compressor 220.

[0135] In this embodiment, step S240 may further include: controlling the refrigeration system 200 to alternately supply refrigerant to the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212, and when the refrigeration system 200 supplies refrigerant to the first evaporator 211, the refrigerant circulates along the following path: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → First throttling member 251 → Fourth control valve 244 → First evaporator 211 → Second control valve 242 → Second evaporator 212 → Third control valve 243 → Compressor 220. When the refrigeration system 200 supplies refrigerant to the second evaporator 212, the refrigerant circulates along the following path: Compressor 220 → Condenser 230 → First control valve 241 → Second throttling member 252 → Second evaporator 212 → Third control valve 243 → Fourth control valve 244 → First evaporator 211 → Second control valve 242 → Compressor 220.

[0136] That is, when controlling the refrigeration system 200 to supply refrigerant to one of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212, the other evaporator is connected in series behind this one evaporator.

[0137] In step S250 of this embodiment, the specific manner of obtaining the cooling rates of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 may refer to the description of the current temperature change rate f at the suction port of the compressor 220 in the previous text. It may also be obtained by any other feasible manner.

[0138] In this embodiment, when the cooling rates of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are less than the preset rate, it indicates that the cooling speeds of the first storage compartment 111 and the second storage compartment 112 are relatively slow, which may affect the freshness preservation of food materials in the refrigerator. To overcome this problem, it is necessary to increase the refrigeration efficiency of the first evaporator 211 and the second evaporator 212.

[0139] For this purpose, the preset rate may be any feasible value, such as 1 °C / 1 min, 1 °C / 3 min, 2 °C / 5 min, etc.

[0140] Those skilled in the art can understand that Figure 11 and Figure 12 the control methods shown in

[0141] Further, although not shown in the figures, in some other embodiments of the present invention, the control method of the refrigerator may further include: when the refrigerant flows through the third evaporator 213, controlling the refrigeration system 200 to make the refrigerant flowing out of the third evaporator 213 first flow to the first evaporator 211 and then to the compressor 220, so that the first evaporator 211 serves as a liquid storage device for the third evaporator 213.

[0142] At this time, the flow path of the refrigerant is as follows: compressor 220 → condenser 230 → first control valve 241 → third throttling member 253 → third evaporator 213 → fourth control valve 244 → first evaporator 211 → second control valve 242 → compressor 220.

[0143] Further, although not shown in the figures, in other embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art may also omit the setting of the fourth control valve 244 according to needs.

[0144] So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in combination with multiple foregoing embodiments. 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 replacements to the relevant technical features. Any changes, equivalent replacements, 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.

[0145] 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 fresh-keeping devices with refrigeration and / or freezing functions, such as refrigerated cabinets, freezers, etc.

[0146] In the present invention, the term "communicate" means fluid communication 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 it 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 cabinet and a refrigeration system, wherein one of the left side wall and the right side wall of the cabinet is provided with a first side wall space, and the other is provided with a second side wall space; the refrigeration system includes a first evaporator disposed in the first side wall space and a second evaporator disposed in the second side wall space; The control method includes: When only one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator has refrigerant flowing through it, obtaining the current refrigerant temperature at the suction port of the compressor in the refrigeration system; Judging whether the current refrigerant temperature is less than or equal to a first preset temperature; If so, controlling the refrigeration system to make the refrigerant flowing out of the one evaporator first flow to the other evaporator of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and then flow to the compressor; so that the other evaporator serves as a liquid storage device for the one evaporator to prevent liquid slugging of the compressor.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The first preset temperature is updated in real time by the following formula: T1 = (1 - f)·(T 环 - k) wherein, T1 is the first preset temperature, f is the current temperature change rate of the refrigerant at the suction port of the compressor, T1 is the ambient temperature, and k is a conventional parameter.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, The refrigeration system further includes a third evaporator; the control method includes: When the third evaporator has refrigerant flowing through it, controlling the refrigeration system to make the refrigerant flowing out of the third evaporator first flow to the first evaporator and then flow to the compressor.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein, The box body further defines a first storage compartment cooled by the first evaporator, a second storage compartment cooled by the second evaporator, and a third storage compartment cooled by the third evaporator.

5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein, Both the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment are freezer compartments, and the third storage compartment is a refrigerating compartment.

6. The control method according to claim 5 further includes: When both the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment need to be cooled, obtaining the current temperatures of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment; Judging whether the current temperatures of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment are both greater than or equal to a second preset temperature; If so, controlling the refrigeration system to make the first evaporator and the second evaporator in parallel, and making refrigerant flow through both the first evaporator and the second evaporator; If not, controlling the refrigeration system to alternately supply refrigerant to the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

7. The control method according to claim 6, wherein, During the process of controlling the refrigeration system to alternately supply refrigerant to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, the control method further includes: Obtaining the cooling rates of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment; If the cooling rates of the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment are both less than a preset rate, controlling the refrigeration system to make the first evaporator and the second evaporator in parallel, and making refrigerant flow through both the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

8. A refrigerator, comprising: A box body, one of its left side wall and right side wall is provided with a first side wall space, the other of the left side wall and the right side wall is provided with a second side wall space, and the box body defines at least one storage compartment between the first side wall space and the second side wall space; A refrigeration system, comprising a first evaporator disposed in the first sidewall space and a second evaporator disposed in the second sidewall space; A controller, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein a machine-executable program is stored on the memory, and when the processor executes the machine-executable program, the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 can be implemented.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, The first evaporator and the second evaporator respectively comprise a refrigerant inlet pipe, a refrigerant outlet pipe, a liquid storage pipe and a gas guide pipe, The refrigerant inlet pipe, the liquid storage pipe and the refrigerant outlet pipe are sequentially communicated, and the liquid storage pipe is located below the refrigerant inlet pipe and the refrigerant outlet pipe; One end of the gas guide pipe is communicated with the refrigerant inlet pipe, and the other end of the gas guide pipe extends obliquely downward and is communicated with the refrigerant inlet pipe or the liquid storage pipe.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein, The diameter of the connection part between the refrigerant outlet pipe and the liquid storage pipe is smaller than the diameter of the refrigerant inlet pipe and / or the liquid storage pipe; and / or, The diameter of the gas guide pipe is smaller than the diameter of the refrigerant inlet pipe and / or the liquid storage pipe.

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