Refrigerator and ice making method

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator and an ice making method, and the refrigerator comprises a freezing chamber which is provided with a containing space; the variable-frequency refrigerating system is arranged outside the accommodating space; the first temperature sensor is arranged in the accommodating space; the ice making module is arranged in the accommodating space; the processor is electrically connected with the first temperature sensor and the ice making module, and the processor is used for receiving an ice making instruction; controlling a first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection according to the ice making instruction, and obtaining a freezing temperature; when the freezing temperature is larger than or equal to the first preset temperature, the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system is improved till the freezing temperature is smaller than the first preset temperature; when the freezing temperature is smaller than the first preset temperature, the ice making module is controlled to make ice. According to the refrigerator, high-quality and high-transparency ice blocks can be made, and the ice making speed can be remarkably increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and particularly to a refrigerator and an ice-making method. Background Art

[0002] The ice-making systems of existing household refrigerators generally adopt the following working principle: water in the water box of the refrigerating chamber is pumped into the ice-making box in the freezing chamber by a built-in water pump, and then the water in the ice-making box is cooled by the low-temperature environment of the freezing chamber until it freezes. When the ice cubes are made, the ice-making box will perform a flipping action to make the ice cubes slide into the ice receiving drawer below. This process repeats to meet the continuous ice-making needs of users.

[0003] However, although the above ice-making system is widely used in the market, there are still many problems to be solved. User feedback shows that the ice cubes produced often have the phenomena of fragmentation, insufficient transparency, and air bubbles inside the ice cubes, seriously affecting the quality of the ice cubes. In addition, the slow ice-making speed is also one of the common problems reflected by users.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new type of refrigerator to optimize the air supply temperature control, improve the refrigeration efficiency, so as to produce ice cubes with high quality and high transparency, and significantly improve the ice-making speed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator and an ice-making method, which can not only produce ice cubes with high quality and high transparency, but also significantly improve the ice-making speed.

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator, including:

[0007] A freezing compartment, the freezing compartment having an accommodation space;

[0008] A variable-frequency refrigeration system, the variable-frequency refrigeration system being arranged outside the accommodation space, the variable-frequency refrigeration system being used for refrigerating the air in the accommodation space;

[0009] A first temperature sensor, the first temperature sensor being arranged in the accommodation space, the first temperature sensor being used for detecting the freezing temperature in the accommodation space;

[0010] An ice-making module, the ice-making module being arranged in the accommodation space, the ice-making module being used for making ice;

[0011] A processor, the processor being electrically connected to the first temperature sensor and the ice-making module respectively, the processor being used for:

[0012] Receiving an ice-making instruction;

[0013] Controlling the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection according to the ice-making instruction, and obtaining the freezing temperature;

[0014] When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system until the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature;

[0015] When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the ice-making module to make ice.

[0016] In some embodiments, the variable-frequency refrigeration system includes a variable-frequency compressor, and the processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency compressor to operate at a first rotational speed; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency compressor to operate at a second rotational speed, and the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.

[0017] In some embodiments, the variable-frequency refrigeration system further includes a variable-frequency freezing fan, and the processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency freezing fan to operate at a third rotational speed; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency freezing fan to operate at a fourth rotational speed, and the fourth rotational speed is less than the third rotational speed.

[0018] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes an air duct, and the freezing compartment further has a first air outlet, and the air duct communicates with the accommodation space through the first air outlet; the ice-making module is disposed at the first air outlet.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first temperature sensor is disposed at the first air outlet, and the first temperature sensor is used to detect the air supply temperature.

[0020] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a baffle, and the freezing compartment further has a second air outlet, and the air duct communicates with the accommodation space through the second air outlet, and the baffle is correspondingly disposed with the second air outlet, and the baffle is movably disposed at the air outlet; the processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the baffle to rotate to open the second air outlet; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the baffle to rotate to cover the second air outlet.

[0021] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a second temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor is disposed on the ice-making module and is used to detect the temperature of the ice-making module; the processor is configured to: after controlling the ice-making module to make ice, control the second temperature sensor to perform temperature detection and obtain the ice-making temperature; when the ice-making temperature is less than the second preset temperature, reduce the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system.

[0022] In some embodiments, the ice-making module includes an ice-making component and an ice storage component, and the ice-making component is disposed above the ice storage component; the ice-making component includes a housing and an ice tray, the housing has a fixed space, a water inlet, and an ice outlet, the water inlet, the ice outlet, and the fixed space are in communication, and the water inlet and the ice outlet are oppositely disposed; the ice tray is rotatably disposed in the fixed space, and the second temperature sensor is disposed on the ice tray.

[0023] In some embodiments, the ice tray has a rotating shaft that can drive the ice tray to rotate, and the processor is configured to: when the ice-making temperature is less than a second preset temperature, control the rotating shaft to rotate to flip the ice tray so as to release the ice cubes.

[0024] An embodiment of the present application further provides an ice-making method, which is applied to the above-mentioned refrigerator, and the ice-making method includes:

[0025] Receiving an ice-making instruction;

[0026] Controlling the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection according to the ice-making instruction, and obtaining the freezing temperature;

[0027] When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature, increasing the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system until the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature;

[0028] When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, controlling the ice-making module to make ice.

[0029] In the refrigerator and ice-making method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the refrigerator includes multiple key components such as a freezing compartment, a variable-frequency refrigeration system, a first temperature sensor, an ice-making module, and a processor. The freezing compartment, as the main area for ice-making in the refrigerator, has sufficient accommodation space for placing the ice-making module and storing ice cubes. The variable-frequency refrigeration system is located outside the freezing compartment and is responsible for delivering cold air into the freezing compartment to ensure the low-temperature environment required for the ice-making process. The first temperature sensor is precisely installed inside the freezing compartment to continuously monitor and feedback the freezing temperature in the accommodation space, ensuring that the ice-making process proceeds under suitable temperature conditions. The ice-making module is arranged inside the freezing compartment and is used to convert the water pumped by the water pump into ice cubes. When ice-making is required, the ice-making module starts to work. The processor, as the control center of the entire refrigerator system, is electrically connected to the first temperature sensor and the ice-making module. The processor is responsible for receiving the ice-making instruction from the user and accordingly commanding the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection. If the detected freezing temperature reaches or exceeds the preset first temperature threshold, the processor will automatically increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system to lower the temperature inside the freezing compartment. Once the freezing temperature drops below the first temperature threshold, the processor will start the ice-making module to initiate the ice-making process. Through the above design, this refrigerator can efficiently and stably produce high-quality and highly transparent ice cubes, while significantly improving the ice-making speed, providing a more convenient and efficient user experience. Description of the Drawings

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first type of refrigerator provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0032] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the variable-frequency refrigeration system provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0033] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second type of refrigerator provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0034] Figure 4 It is a schematic flow chart of the ice-making method for the refrigerator provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0035] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the ice-making module and the air duct provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0036] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the ice-making module provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of the ice-making component provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0040] The existing ice-making system lacks an effective air supply temperature control mechanism and is difficult to maintain an ideal low-temperature environment during the ice-making process. This not only affects the quality of the ice cubes, but also prolongs the ice-making cycle and reduces the user experience.

[0041] In view of the above deficiencies, the embodiment of the present application proposes a new type of refrigerator and an ice-making method. By optimizing the air supply temperature control and improving the refrigeration efficiency of the variable-frequency refrigeration system, it is ensured that a suitable low temperature is maintained in the freezing compartment during the ice-making process, so as to produce high-quality and highly transparent ice cubes and significantly improve the ice-making speed. The following is a specific description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Please continue to refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 This is the first schematic structural diagram of the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 This is the schematic structural diagram of the variable-frequency refrigeration system provided by the embodiment of the present application, Figure 3 This is the second schematic structural diagram of the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the present application. The embodiment of the present application provides a refrigerator 100, which includes a freezing compartment 10, a variable-frequency refrigeration system 20, a first temperature sensor (not shown in the figure), an ice-making module 30, and a processor.

[0043] The freezing compartment 10 has a receiving space 11. The freezing compartment 10 is the main area in the refrigerator 100 for ice-making and frozen storage. This compartment has a sufficient receiving space 11, which can not only accommodate the ice-making module 30, but also store a large number of made ice cubes, fully meeting the user's daily ice-making and ice-storage needs. In addition, there are multiple drawers inside the freezing compartment 10. The design of these drawers greatly improves the space utilization rate and facilitates the user to classify and store various items that need to be frozen, such as meat, seafood, frozen foods, etc., making the frozen storage more orderly and efficient.

[0044] The variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 is arranged outside the accommodation space 11 and is used to refrigerate the air inside the accommodation space 11. The variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 can automatically adjust the refrigeration intensity according to the temperature requirement inside the refrigerator 100. When the temperature in the freezer compartment 10 rises, the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 will automatically increase the refrigeration power to quickly reduce the temperature; when the temperature drops to the set value, it will reduce the refrigeration power to save energy. This intelligent refrigeration method ensures that a suitable low-temperature environment is always maintained inside the freezer compartment 10, providing stable and efficient refrigeration conditions for ice making and frozen storage.

[0045] The first temperature sensor is arranged inside the accommodation space 11 and is used to detect the freezing temperature inside the accommodation space 11. The first temperature sensor can continuously monitor and feedback the freezing temperature inside the accommodation space 11. By real-time monitoring of the temperature data, the first temperature sensor can ensure that the ice making and frozen storage processes are carried out under the best temperature conditions, thereby making high-quality and highly transparent ice cubes and effectively extending the shelf life of frozen items.

[0046] The ice making module 30 is arranged inside the accommodation space 11 and is used for ice making. The ice making module 30 is a device specially used for ice making in the refrigerator 100, and usually includes components such as an ice making assembly 31, a water pump, and a water pipe. The ice making assembly 31 is used to hold water and freeze it into ice cubes; the water pump is responsible for pumping water from the water box assembly or a water source and transporting it to the ice making assembly 31; the water pipe plays a role in connecting and transporting water. When the processor issues an ice making instruction, the ice making module 30 will start working according to a preset program to complete the ice making process.

[0047] The processor is electrically connected to the first temperature sensor and the ice making module 30 respectively, receives the ice making and frozen storage instructions of the user, and controls the coordinated work of each component according to the instructions. When the first temperature sensor detects that the temperature in the freezer compartment 10 reaches or exceeds the preset first temperature threshold, the processor will automatically increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 to reduce the temperature; once the temperature drops below the threshold, the processor will start the ice making module 30 or maintain the frozen storage state to ensure the normal operation of the refrigerator 100.

[0048] Specifically, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a schematic flow chart of the ice making method for a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present application, and the processor is used to execute the following steps.

[0049] S1. Receive an ice making instruction. The ice making instruction is a signal sent by the user through the operation interface (such as buttons, touch screens, etc.) of the refrigerator 100 to start the ice making function. When the user needs to use ice cubes, this instruction will be triggered, causing the refrigerator 100 to start the ice making operation.

[0050] When the user needs to use ice cubes, an ice-making instruction will be sent through the operation interface of the refrigerator 100. This instruction will be transmitted to the processor in the form of an electrical signal. After receiving the instruction, the processor will immediately start the control program related to ice-making and prepare to start the ice-making operation. For example, in some smart refrigerators 100, the user only needs to gently click the "Ice-making" button on the touch screen, and the processor can quickly respond and enter the ice-making process.

[0051] S2. Control the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection according to the ice-making instruction and obtain the freezing temperature. The freezing temperature refers to the actual temperature value in the freezing compartment 10 and is an important indicator to measure the refrigeration effect of the refrigerator 100. Different foods and ice-making requirements have certain requirements for the freezing temperature. Usually, the refrigerator 100 will control the freezing temperature within a suitable range to ensure the freshness of the food and the quality of the ice cubes.

[0052] The processor will send a control signal to the first temperature sensor, requiring it to start detecting the temperature in the freezing compartment 10. After receiving the signal, the first temperature sensor will start to work, convert the detected temperature data into an electrical signal, and transmit it back to the processor. The processor processes and analyzes these data to obtain the current freezing temperature. For example, the first temperature sensor may detect the temperature every few seconds and feedback the latest temperature data to the processor in real time so that the processor can timely understand the temperature change situation in the freezing compartment 10.

[0053] S3. When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 until the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature. The first preset temperature is a preset temperature threshold determined according to the ice-making process and the performance requirements of the refrigerator 100. When the freezing temperature reaches or exceeds this threshold, it means that the temperature in the freezing compartment 10 is too high and is not conducive to ice-making, and measures need to be taken to lower the temperature; while when the freezing temperature is lower than this threshold, it is considered that the temperature is appropriate and ice-making operations can be carried out. The first preset temperature can be -20°C, -30°C, -40°C.

[0054] The processor will compare the obtained freezing temperature with the first preset temperature. If the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, it means that the temperature in the freezing compartment 10 is too high and is not conducive to ice-making. At this time, the processor will send a control signal to the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20, requiring it to increase the refrigeration intensity. After receiving the signal, the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 will increase the operating frequency of the compressor, improve the refrigeration power, and thus accelerate the cooling speed of the freezing compartment 10. The processor will continuously monitor the change of the freezing temperature until the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature. For example, if the current freezing temperature is -10°C and the first preset temperature is -30°C, the processor will control the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 to increase the refrigeration intensity so that the freezing temperature drops below -30°C.

[0055] S4. When the freezing temperature is lower than the first preset temperature, the ice-making module 30 is controlled to make ice.

[0056] By adopting the variable frequency refrigeration system 20, the refrigerator 100 can effectively reduce energy consumption while ensuring the refrigeration effect, thereby achieving energy saving and environmental protection. At the same time, the reasonable space layout and drawer design inside the freezing chamber 10 also bring users a more convenient and efficient use experience.

[0057] When the processor detects that the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, it means that the temperature of the freezing chamber 10 has reached the conditions suitable for ice making. At this time, the processor will send an ice making instruction to the ice making module 30 to control it to start the ice making operation. After the ice making module 30 receives the instruction, the water pump will start to extract water from the water box assembly and transport it to the ice making assembly. With the influence of the low temperature environment in the freezing chamber 10, the water in the ice making assembly 31 will gradually freeze into ice cubes. During the entire ice making process, the processor will continuously monitor the working status of the ice making module 30 to ensure its normal operation. For example, the ice making module 30 may complete ice making within a certain period of time. The processor will determine whether ice making is completed based on the preset time parameters or other conditions, and stop the operation of the ice making module 30 in time to avoid wasting energy.

[0058] As described above, the refrigerator 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application has the following effects: (1) Improving ice making quality: the processor accurately controls the ice making temperature, and ice is made only when the freezing temperature reaches below the first preset temperature, avoiding ice crystallization and bubble generation. The ice made is transparent, pure and of high quality, meeting the needs of bars, home-made high-quality drinks, etc.; (2) Accelerating ice making speed: when the freezing temperature is higher than the first preset temperature, the processor increases the intensity of the variable frequency refrigeration system 20 to quickly cool down. Compared with the traditional refrigerator 100, the ice making time is greatly shortened, such as from 2-3 hours to 1-1.5 hours, meeting the user's emergency ice needs; (3) Significant energy saving effect: the variable frequency refrigeration system 20 automatically adjusts the intensity according to the temperature demand, runs at full power at the initial stage of ice making, and reduces the power when it is close to the set value. Compared with the fixed frequency system, it can save 20%-30% energy, save electricity bills and is environmentally friendly; (4) Accurate temperature control to ensure storage: real-time monitoring of temperature, stable low temperature environment is conducive to ice making and frozen food preservation, and extends the shelf life. The 10-drawer design of the freezer compartment facilitates classified storage and meets the temperature requirements of different items. The operation is simple and intelligent, which improves the user experience.

[0059] Please continue reading Figure 2 The variable frequency refrigeration system 20 may include a variable frequency compressor 21 and / or a variable frequency refrigeration fan 22 , and the variable frequency refrigeration system 20 is configured to cool the air in the freezing compartment 10 .

[0060] The variable-frequency compressor 21 is one of the core components of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20. It can change the operating frequency according to the refrigeration demand, thereby adjusting the displacement and refrigerating capacity of the compressor. Compared with the traditional fixed-frequency compressor, the variable-frequency compressor 21 can control the refrigeration intensity more precisely, achieving energy conservation and efficient refrigeration.

[0061] The variable-frequency refrigeration fan 22 is mainly used to accelerate the air circulation in the freezing compartment 10, making the cold air evenly distributed in the freezing compartment 10 and improving the refrigeration efficiency. By changing the rotation speed of the fan, the air circulation speed can be adjusted to meet different refrigeration demands.

[0062] The variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 includes a variable-frequency compressor 21. The processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency compressor 21 to operate at the first rotation speed; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency compressor 21 to operate at the second rotation speed, and the second rotation speed is less than the first rotation speed.

[0063] When the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 includes the variable-frequency compressor 21, the processor will precisely control its operating speed according to the temperature condition in the freezing compartment 10. When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, it indicates that the freezing compartment 10 needs more refrigerating capacity to lower the temperature. At this time, the processor will control the variable-frequency compressor 21 to operate at the first rotation speed. The first rotation speed is relatively high, which can enable the compressor to discharge more refrigerant and enhance the refrigeration effect.

[0064] When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, it indicates that the temperature in the freezing compartment 10 has reached a relatively suitable state and does not require excessive refrigerating capacity. At this time, the processor will control the variable-frequency compressor 21 to operate at the second rotation speed, and the second rotation speed is less than the first rotation speed. This can reduce the energy consumption of the compressor while maintaining the low-temperature environment in the freezing compartment 10. For example, when the ambient temperature is low at night and the usage frequency of the refrigerator 100 decreases, the variable-frequency compressor 21 operating at the second rotation speed can not only ensure the refrigeration effect but also save energy.

[0065] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 , the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 further includes an evaporator 23, a condenser 24 and a throttling device 25. The variable-frequency compressor 21, the throttling device 25, the evaporator 23 and the condenser 24 form a closed-loop refrigeration circuit, and the refrigerant continuously circulates in this circuit to achieve the refrigeration function.

[0066] The evaporator 23 is a heat exchange component in the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure absorbs the heat of the air in the freezing compartment 10 in the evaporator 23, reducing the air temperature and thus achieving the refrigeration effect. The condenser 24 is a component that converts the refrigerant from a gaseous state to a liquid state. The refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure releases heat in the condenser 24 and dissipates the heat to the external environment through a heat dissipation device. The throttling device 25 is used to control the flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant, enabling the refrigerant to fully evaporate in the evaporator 23 and ensuring the normal operation of the refrigeration cycle. A closed-loop system composed of components such as the variable-frequency compressor 21, variable-frequency freezing fan 22, evaporator 23, condenser 24, and throttling device 25, the refrigerant continuously circulates in this loop to achieve the refrigeration function.

[0067] The refrigeration logic of the refrigerator 100 is a cyclic heat exchange process, and its core lies in achieving internal cooling through the coordinated operation of key components. When the internal temperature of the refrigerator 100 is higher than the set value, the variable-frequency compressor 21 starts, inhaling and compressing the refrigerant gas at low temperature and low pressure into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and then sending it to the condenser 24. In the condenser 24, the refrigerant transfers heat to the external air through the heat sink, cools itself and condenses into a high-pressure liquid. Then, the high-pressure liquid passes through the throttling device 25 to reduce the pressure and temperature, becoming a low-pressure and low-temperature mist-like refrigerant and entering the evaporator 23. In the evaporator 23, the refrigerant absorbs the heat inside the refrigerator 100 and evaporates into a gas, thereby reducing the internal temperature. The evaporated low-pressure and low-temperature gas is inhaled by the compressor again to start a new cycle. During this process, the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 evenly sends the cold air generated by the evaporator 23 into the refrigerator 100 through the air duct 40 to ensure uniform temperature distribution. The temperature control system continuously monitors the internal temperature and dynamically adjusts the operating frequencies of the compressor and the fan according to the temperature difference to achieve precise temperature control and energy conservation. The entire process continuously transfers the internal heat to the outside to maintain a low-temperature environment inside the refrigerator 100.

[0068] The variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 further includes a variable-frequency freezing fan 22, and the processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 to operate at the third speed; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 to operate at the fourth speed, and the fourth speed is less than the third speed.

[0069] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 , the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 further includes a variable-frequency freezing fan 22, and the processor will also precisely control it according to the freezing temperature. When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, in order to accelerate the circulation of the air in the freezing compartment 10, make the cold air more evenly distributed, and improve the refrigeration efficiency, the processor will control the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 to operate at the third speed. The third speed is relatively high, which can enhance the air flow speed and rapidly reduce the temperature in the freezing compartment 10.

[0070] When the freezing temperature is lower than the first preset temperature, the processor controls the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 to operate at the fourth speed, and the fourth speed is lower than the third speed. This can reduce the energy consumption of the fan and avoid excessive temperature fluctuations in the freezing compartment 10 due to too fast air circulation. For example, after ice making is completed, the freezing compartment 10 only needs to maintain a low temperature state. At this time, the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 operating at the fourth speed can not only ensure normal air circulation but also reduce energy consumption.

[0071] Through the precise control of the processor over the variable-frequency compressor 21 and the variable-frequency freezing fan 22, the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 can flexibly adjust the refrigeration intensity and air circulation speed according to the temperature requirements of the freezing compartment 10, achieving an efficient and energy-saving refrigeration effect and providing a better user experience.

[0072] In some scenarios, the user goes to the location where the refrigerator 100 is located. On the operation panel of the refrigerator 100, the user gently clicks the "Ice Making" button with a finger. After the operation is completed, the processor of the refrigerator 100 quickly receives this ice-making instruction. Immediately afterwards, the first temperature sensor starts the precise working mode and begins to obtain the freezing temperature data in the freezing compartment 10 in real time. After detection, the current temperature of the freezing compartment 10 is displayed as -25°C. Based on the preset judgment criteria, the processor determines that this temperature is greater than or equal to -30°C, and then immediately sends control instructions to the variable-frequency compressor 21 and the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 to increase their speeds. After receiving the instruction, the variable-frequency compressor 21 speeds up its operation, thereby increasing the phase change speed of the refrigerant. The variable-frequency freezing fan 22 also rotates at an increased speed accordingly, prompting the air in the freezing compartment 10 to circulate rapidly, significantly increasing the refrigeration capacity, and the temperature of the freezing compartment 10 also begins to drop rapidly. As time goes by, the temperature of the freezing compartment 10 gradually drops to -31°C. The processor continuously monitors the temperature. When it detects that the temperature is lower than -30°C, it immediately starts the ice-making module 30. At this time, the water pump starts to work, pumping water from the water box assembly and delivering it to the ice-making assembly. In the low-temperature environment of the freezing compartment 10, the water gradually freezes into ice cubes. At the same time, the ice box rotating shaft also starts to operate, rotating at a slow and stable speed, gently flipping the made ice cubes to ensure that the ice cubes can smoothly fall off from the ice-making assembly 31 and be collected in the specially set ice storage assembly 32.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 , Figure 5This is a schematic structural diagram of the ice-making module and the air duct provided by the embodiments of the present application. The refrigerator 100 further includes an air duct 40. The freezing compartment 10 also has a first air outlet 12. The air duct 40 communicates with the accommodation space 11 through the first air outlet 12. The air duct 40 is a passage inside the refrigerator 100 for conveying air, guiding the cold air generated by the refrigeration system to the freezing compartment 10 to keep the freezing compartment 10 in a low-temperature state. The air in the air duct 40 enters the accommodation space 11 of the freezing compartment 10 through the first air outlet 12, playing a role in regulating the temperature of the freezing compartment 10 and circulating the air.

[0074] The ice-making module 30 is arranged at the first air outlet 12, making full use of the relatively low air temperature at the first air outlet 12. When the ice-making instruction is issued, the water pump will extract water from the water tank assembly 33 and transport it to the ice-making assembly 31. Since the air temperature at the first air outlet 12 is low, the water in the ice-making assembly 31 can quickly freeze into ice cubes, greatly improving the ice-making efficiency. For example, under the same environmental conditions, setting the ice-making module 30 at the first air outlet 12 can shorten the ice-making time by 20% to 30% compared with setting it at other positions.

[0075] The first temperature sensor is arranged at the first air outlet 12 and is used to detect the air supply temperature. There is a temperature sensor installation position at the air outlet of the freezing compartment 10, and the first temperature sensor is fixed to the temperature sensor installation position. The temperature sensor installation position is a specially designed position at the air outlet of the freezing compartment 10 for fixing the first temperature sensor, ensuring that the sensor can accurately and stably detect the air supply temperature. By accurately detecting the air supply temperature, the first temperature sensor can provide key temperature data for the processor.

[0076] For example, when the air supply temperature is too high, it may mean that the working efficiency of the refrigeration system has decreased. The processor can timely adjust the operating speeds of the variable-frequency compressor 21 and the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 according to this data to ensure that the temperature of the freezing compartment 10 is stably within the range suitable for ice-making.

[0077] The refrigerator 100 further includes a baffle. The freezing compartment 10 also has a second air outlet. The air duct 40 communicates with the accommodation space 11 through the second air outlet. The baffle is correspondingly arranged with the second air outlet. The baffle is movably arranged at the air outlet and can rotate according to the instruction of the processor, used to open or cover the second air outlet, thereby adjusting the air flow rate entering the freezing compartment 10.

[0078] When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, it indicates that the freezing compartment 10 requires more cold air to lower the temperature. The processor is used to control the baffle to rotate to open the second air outlet, so that more cold air enters the freezing compartment 10 from the air duct 40 through the second air outlet, enhancing the refrigeration effect. The second air outlet is another opening where the freezing compartment 10 communicates with the air duct 40, and together with the first air outlet 12, it provides a cold air circulation channel for the freezing compartment 10. For example, in summer when the ambient temperature is high and the refrigerator 100 is frequently opened, resulting in an increase in the temperature of the freezing compartment 10, or when the gap between the freezing temperature and the first preset temperature is large, opening the second air outlet can accelerate the cooling speed of the freezing compartment 10.

[0079] When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, the baffle is controlled to rotate to cover the second air outlet. When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, it indicates that the temperature of the freezing compartment 10 has reached a relatively appropriate state and does not require excessive cold air to enter. At this time, the processor will control the baffle to rotate to cover the second air outlet, reducing the inflow of cold air, avoiding the temperature of the freezing compartment 10 from being too low, and also saving energy.

[0080] The refrigerator 100 further includes a second temperature sensor, which is arranged on the ice-making module 30 and is used to detect the temperature of the ice-making module 30. The processor is used to control the second temperature sensor to perform temperature detection and obtain the ice-making temperature after controlling the ice-making module 30 to make ice; when the ice-making temperature is less than the second preset temperature, when the ice-making temperature is less than the second preset temperature, it indicates that the temperature of the ice-making module 30 is already relatively low. Continuing to maintain a high refrigeration intensity is not only unnecessary but also causes waste of energy. At this time, the processor will reduce the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20. For example, in the initial stage of ice-making, the temperature of the ice-making module 30 is high, and a large refrigeration intensity is required to quickly freeze the water; when the temperature drops to close to the temperature required for ice formation, the processor will appropriately reduce the operating speeds of the variable-frequency compressor 21 and the variable-frequency freezing fan 22 according to the feedback of the second temperature sensor, reducing the refrigeration capacity, thereby saving energy.

[0081] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is a schematic structural diagram of the ice-making module provided by the embodiment of the present application. The ice-making module 30 includes an ice-making component 31 and an ice storage component 32. The ice-making component 31 is arranged above the ice storage component 32 and is the component that directly contacts the water and freezes it into ice during the ice-making process. It usually has a certain shape and structure to ensure the quality of ice formation.

[0082] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7The structural schematic diagram of the ice-making component provided by the embodiment of the present application. The ice-making component 31 includes a housing 311 and an ice tray 312. The housing 311 has a fixed space, a water inlet, and an ice outlet. The water inlet, the ice outlet, and the fixed space are communicated, and the water inlet and the ice outlet are oppositely arranged. Water enters the ice tray 312 through the water inlet and freezes into ice cubes in a low-temperature environment. The ice tray 312 can rotate to facilitate the shedding and collection of ice cubes. The ice tray 312 is rotatably arranged in the fixed space, and the second temperature sensor is arranged on the ice tray 312.

[0083] After the processor controls the ice-making module 30 to make ice, it will control the second temperature sensor to perform temperature detection and obtain the ice-making temperature. For example, when the ice-making instruction is issued, the ice-making module 30 starts to work, and water is conveyed to the ice tray 312. At this time, the second temperature sensor starts to monitor the temperature change of the ice tray 312 in real time. Through precise temperature detection, the processor can master the temperature dynamics during the ice-making process.

[0084] The ice tray 312 has a rotating shaft that can drive the ice tray 312 to rotate. The processor is used to: when the ice-making temperature is less than the second preset temperature, control the rotating shaft to rotate to flip the ice tray 312 to release the ice cubes. The second preset temperature can be -10°C, -20°C, etc.

[0085] When the second temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the ice-making component 31 ≤ -20°C, control the rotating ice-flipping shaft to flip to release the ice cubes. In the actual ice-making process, when the water in the ice tray 312 is completely frozen into ice cubes and the temperature reaches -20°C, it means that the ice cubes have been made. At this time, the processor timely controls the rotating ice-flipping shaft to flip to ensure that the ice cubes can be smoothly released from the ice tray 312, avoiding the ice cubes from sticking to other ice cubes due to staying in the ice tray 312 for a long time, which affects the quality and use of the ice cubes.

[0086] Please continue to refer to Figure 5 , the ice-making module 30 further includes a water box assembly 33, and the water box assembly 33 is communicated with the ice-making component 31 through a water pump. The water box assembly 33 is used to store the water required for ice-making. When the ice-making instruction is issued, the water pump pumps the water from the water box assembly 33 and conveys it to the ice-making component 31. This design ensures a stable water source supply during the ice-making process, enabling the ice-making to proceed smoothly. For example, the water box assembly 33 can store a certain amount of water to meet the needs of multiple ice-makings. Users only need to add water to the water box assembly 33 regularly, without manually adding water every time they make ice, improving the convenience of use.

[0087] Please continue to refer to Figure 4 , the embodiment of the present application further provides an ice-making method. The ice-making method is applied to the above-mentioned refrigerator 100, and the ice-making method includes the following steps.

[0088] S1. Receive an ice-making instruction.

[0089] The start of the ice-making process stems from receiving an ice-making instruction. In a modern smart home environment, users can send ice-making instructions to the refrigerator 100 in various ways. For example, the refrigerator 100 is equipped with a smart touch panel, and users only need to gently click the "Ice-making" button on the panel, and the instruction will be quickly received by the refrigerator 100. In addition, with the development of Internet of Things technology, users can also remotely control the refrigerator 100 through a mobile phone APP. By selecting the ice-making function on the APP, the instruction will be transmitted to the refrigerator 100 through a wireless network. This diverse way of receiving instructions greatly improves the convenience of user operation and meets the usage habits of different users.

[0090] S2. Control the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection according to the ice-making instruction and obtain the freezing temperature.

[0091] Once the ice-making instruction is received, the refrigerator 100 will immediately control the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection. The first temperature sensor is precisely installed at the first air outlet 12 and can obtain the freezing temperature in the freezing compartment 10 in real time and accurately. Its working principle is based on high-precision temperature sensing technology, which can convert the temperature signal into an electrical signal and transmit it to the refrigerator 100. For example, in an actual test scenario, when the refrigerator 100 is in different ambient temperatures and usage states, the first temperature sensor can stably detect the temperature of the freezing compartment 10, and its detection accuracy can reach ±0.5°C. Obtaining the accurate freezing temperature is the key basis for the subsequent ice-making process. By mastering the current temperature situation, the refrigeration intensity and the ice-making module 30 can be reasonably adjusted subsequently.

[0092] S3. When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 until the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature.

[0093] Compare the obtained freezing temperature with the first preset temperature. The first preset temperature is a key temperature value set according to the ice-making process and the performance of the refrigerator 100, usually set between -25°C and -30°C. When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, it means that the temperature in the freezing compartment 10 is not yet sufficient to meet the requirements of rapid ice-making. At this time, it is necessary to increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20.

[0094] The variable - frequency refrigeration system 20 is composed of components such as a variable - frequency compressor 21, a variable - frequency freezer fan 22, an evaporator 23, a condenser 24, and a throttling device 25. The refrigerator 100 will control the variable - frequency compressor 21 to operate at a higher speed, increasing the circulation volume of the refrigerant, thereby improving the refrigeration capacity. At the same time, the variable - frequency freezer fan 22 will also increase its speed, enhancing the air circulation in the freezer compartment 10 and making the cold air more evenly distributed. For example, in summer when the ambient temperature is relatively high and the refrigerator 100 is frequently opened, resulting in the temperature of the freezer compartment 10 rising to - 20 °C, the refrigerator 100 will control the variable - frequency compressor 21 and the variable - frequency freezer fan 22 to increase their speeds, and the refrigeration intensity will increase rapidly. After running for a period of time, the temperature of the freezer compartment 10 will gradually decrease until it is less than the first preset temperature. Actual tests show that by this way of dynamically adjusting the refrigeration intensity, the temperature of the freezer compartment 10 can reach the suitable range for ice - making in a short time. Compared with the traditional fixed - frequency refrigeration system, the refrigeration speed is increased by 30% to 40%.

[0095] S4. When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the ice - making module 30 to make ice.

[0096] When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, it indicates that the freezer compartment 10 already has the low - temperature environment required for ice - making. At this time, the refrigerator 100 will control the ice - making module 30 to make ice. The ice - making module 30 includes a housing 311 and an ice tray 312. The water box assembly 33 is connected to the ice - making assembly 31 through a water pump. The water pump extracts water from the water box assembly 33 and transports it to the ice tray 312. Since the ice tray 312 is in a low - temperature environment, the water will quickly freeze into ice cubes.

[0097] During the ice - making process, the second temperature sensor is installed on the ice tray 312 to monitor the temperature of the ice tray 312 in real time. For example, when the temperature of the ice tray 312 drops to - 15 °C, the water begins to gradually freeze; as the temperature further decreases, the ice cubes gradually form. The refrigerator 100 will precisely control the ice - making time and quality according to the feedback of the second temperature sensor. When the ice cubes reach the preset size and shape, the refrigerator 100 will control the rotating ice - flipping shaft to flip, so that the ice cubes fall off from the ice tray 312 and are collected in the ice storage assembly 32.

[0098] In summary, the ice - making method of the embodiment of the present application realizes an efficient and precise ice - making process through a series of steps such as receiving an ice - making instruction, precisely detecting the temperature, dynamically adjusting the refrigeration intensity, and precisely controlling the ice - making module 30, providing high - quality ice cubes for users.

[0099] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8It is a block diagram of the structure of the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the present application. The refrigerator 100 may further include a processor 50 having one or more processing cores, a memory 60 having one or more computer-readable storage media, and a computer program stored on the memory 60 and executable on the processor 50. Among them, the processor 50 is electrically connected to the memory 60. Those skilled in the art can understand that the structure of the washing machine shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the refrigerator 100, and it may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine some components, or have different component arrangements.

[0100] The processor 50 is the control center of the refrigerator 100, connecting various parts of the entire refrigerator 100 through various interfaces and lines. By running or loading software programs and / or modules stored in the memory 60, and calling data stored in the memory 60, it executes various functions of the refrigerator 100 and processes data, thereby monitoring the refrigerator 100 as a whole.

[0101] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor 50 in the refrigerator 100 will load the instructions corresponding to the processes of one or more application programs into the memory 60 according to the following steps, and the processor 50 will run the application programs stored in the memory 60 to implement the following steps.

[0102] Receive an ice-making instruction;

[0103] According to the ice-making instruction, control the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection and obtain the freezing temperature;

[0104] When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 until the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature;

[0105] When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the ice-making module 30 to make ice.

[0106] For the specific implementation of each of the above operations, reference can be made to the previous embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0107] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps in the various methods of the above embodiments can be completed by instructions, or by instructions controlling relevant hardware. The instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium and loaded and executed by the processor 50.

[0108] Therefore, the embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which multiple computer programs are stored. These computer programs can be loaded by the processor 50 to execute the steps in any ice-making method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0109] Among them, the storage medium may include various media capable of storing program codes, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

[0110] Since the computer program stored in the storage medium can execute the steps in any of the ice-making methods provided by the embodiments of the present application, the beneficial effects achievable by any of the ice-making methods provided by the embodiments of the present application can be realized. For details, refer to the previous embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0111] In the refrigerator 100 and the ice-making method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the refrigerator 100 includes multiple key components such as a freezing compartment 10, a variable-frequency refrigeration system 20, a first temperature sensor, an ice-making module 30, and a processor. The freezing compartment 10, as the main area for ice-making in the refrigerator 100, has a sufficient accommodation space 11 for placing the ice-making module 30 and storing ice cubes. The variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 is located outside the freezing compartment 10 and is responsible for delivering cold air into the freezing compartment 10 to ensure the low-temperature environment required for the ice-making process. The first temperature sensor is accurately installed inside the freezing compartment 10 to continuously monitor and feedback the freezing temperature inside the accommodation space 11 to ensure that the ice-making process is carried out under suitable temperature conditions. The ice-making module 30 is arranged inside the freezing compartment 10 and is used to convert the pumped water into ice cubes. When ice-making is required, the ice-making module 30 starts to work. The processor, as the control center of the entire refrigerator 100 system, is electrically connected to the first temperature sensor and the ice-making module 30. The processor is responsible for receiving the ice-making instruction from the user and accordingly instructing the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection. If the detected freezing temperature reaches or exceeds the preset first temperature threshold, the processor will automatically increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system 20 to lower the temperature inside the freezing compartment 10. Once the freezing temperature drops below the first temperature threshold, the processor will start the ice-making module 30 to start the ice-making process. Through the above design, the refrigerator 100 can efficiently and stably produce high-quality and highly transparent ice cubes, while significantly improving the ice-making speed, providing a more convenient and efficient user experience.

[0112] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the various embodiments have their own focuses. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0113] In the description of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features.

[0114] The above has introduced in detail the refrigerator and the ice-making method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Specific examples are used herein to elaborate on the principle and implementation manner of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the present application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation manner and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Comprising: A freezing compartment having an accommodation space; A variable-frequency refrigeration system disposed outside the accommodation space for refrigerating the air within the accommodation space; A first temperature sensor disposed within the accommodation space for detecting the freezing temperature within the accommodation space; An ice-making module disposed within the accommodation space for making ice; A processor electrically connected to the first temperature sensor and the ice-making module respectively, and the processor is configured to: Receive an ice-making instruction; Control the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection according to the ice-making instruction and obtain the freezing temperature; When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature, increase the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system until the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature; When the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the ice-making module to make ice.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The variable-frequency refrigeration system includes a variable-frequency compressor, and the processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency compressor to operate at a first rotational speed; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency compressor to operate at a second rotational speed, and the second rotational speed is less than the first rotational speed.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The variable-frequency refrigeration system further includes a variable-frequency freezing fan, and the processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency freezing fan to operate at a third rotational speed; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the variable-frequency freezing fan to operate at a fourth rotational speed, and the fourth rotational speed is less than the third rotational speed.

4. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The refrigerator further includes an air duct, and the freezing compartment further has a first air outlet, and the air duct communicates with the accommodation space through the first air outlet; the ice-making module is disposed at the first air outlet.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first temperature sensor is disposed at the first air outlet for detecting the air supply temperature.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, It further includes a baffle, and the freezing compartment further has a second air outlet, and the air duct communicates with the accommodation space through the second air outlet. The baffle is correspondingly disposed with the second air outlet and is movably disposed at the air outlet; the processor is configured to: when the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, control the baffle to rotate to open the second air outlet; when the freezing temperature is less than the first preset temperature, control the baffle to rotate to cover the second air outlet.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It further includes a second temperature sensor disposed on the ice-making module for detecting the temperature of the ice-making module; the processor is configured to: after controlling the ice-making module to make ice, control the second temperature sensor to perform temperature detection and obtain the ice-making temperature; when the ice-making temperature is less than a second preset temperature, reduce the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ice-making module includes an ice-making component and an ice storage component, and the ice-making component is arranged above the ice storage component; the ice-making component includes a housing and an ice tray, the housing has a fixed space, a water inlet and an ice outlet, the water inlet, the ice outlet and the fixed space are communicated, and the water inlet and the ice outlet are oppositely arranged; the ice tray is rotatably arranged in the fixed space, and the second temperature sensor is arranged on the ice tray.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, The ice tray has a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft can drive the ice tray to rotate, and the processor is configured to: when the ice-making temperature is lower than a second preset temperature, control the rotating shaft to rotate to flip the ice tray so as to release the ice cubes.

10. A method for making ice, characterized in that, The ice-making method is applied to the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the ice-making method includes: Receiving an ice-making instruction; Controlling the first temperature sensor to perform temperature detection according to the ice-making instruction, and obtaining the freezing temperature; When the freezing temperature is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature, increasing the refrigeration intensity of the variable-frequency refrigeration system until the freezing temperature is lower than the first preset temperature; When the freezing temperature is lower than the first preset temperature, controlling the ice-making module to make ice.

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