Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, a door, a compressor, an evaporator, a fan, a fan baffle plate, a refrigerating chamber baffle plate, a variable temperature chamber baffle plate, a variable temperature chamber air return baffle plate and a control part, and the control part is configured to open the refrigerating chamber baffle plate and the variable temperature chamber air return baffle plate and close the fan baffle plate and the variable temperature chamber baffle plate during refrigeration of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber; therefore, cooling gas cooled by the evaporator enters the refrigerating chamber through the refrigerating chamber air supply path, and part of the cooling gas entering the refrigerating chamber returns to the evaporator through the refrigerating chamber air return path. And the other part enters the periphery of the variable-temperature chamber from a gap between the refrigerating chamber and the variable-temperature chamber and returns to the evaporator through a variable-temperature chamber air return path. According to the refrigerator and the control method thereof, the temperature and humidity fluctuation in the compartment can be effectively restrained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In an existing single-system refrigerator, a refrigerating chamber and a variable-temperature chamber are provided at the upper part of the refrigerator, a freezing chamber is provided at the bottom of the refrigerator, an evaporator and a fan are provided in the freezing chamber, the refrigerating chamber, the variable-temperature chamber and the freezing chamber share one evaporator, a freezing chamber air supply duct is communicated with the freezing chamber, a freezing chamber baffle is arranged at the air supply opening of the freezing chamber, a variable-temperature chamber air supply duct is communicated with the variable-temperature chamber, a variable-temperature chamber baffle is arranged at the air supply opening of the variable-temperature chamber, a refrigerating chamber air supply duct is communicated with the refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating chamber baffle is arranged at the air supply opening of the refrigerating chamber, and the freezing chamber, the variable-temperature chamber and the refrigerating chamber respectively have independent return air ducts, and return to the evaporator through their respective return air ducts from each compartment, so as to form independent cooling circulation air ducts for each compartment.

[0003] When the evaporator works, the freezing chamber baffle, the variable-temperature chamber baffle and the refrigerating chamber baffle are all opened, and the fan blows cold air into the refrigerating chamber, the variable-temperature chamber and the freezing chamber to refrigerate each compartment. When the evaporator stops working, the variable-temperature chamber baffle and the refrigerating chamber baffle remain open, and the freezing chamber baffle is closed. The defrosting heater is turned on to defrost the evaporator, and the fan sends the high-humidity gas melted on the evaporator into the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber through the refrigerating chamber air supply duct and the variable-temperature chamber air supply duct, so as to realize humidification. The humidity of the refrigerating chamber and the variable-temperature chamber is adjusted by adjusting the opening and closing time and the opening size of the variable-temperature chamber baffle and the refrigerating chamber baffle. Moreover, the freezing chamber baffle is closed, which can prevent high-humidity air from blowing into the freezing chamber and causing abnormal frosting in the freezing chamber.

[0004] However, in a refrigerator like the above, the refrigerating chamber, the variable temperature chamber and the freezing chamber share an evaporator. When the refrigerating chamber or the variable temperature chamber is refrigerated, the freezing chamber is refrigerated passively. In order to suppress large fluctuations in the temperature of the freezing chamber, it is necessary to lower the refrigeration temperature. The air blown into the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber has a low temperature and low water content, resulting in large temperature fluctuations and low humidity in the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, which is not conducive to the preservation of vegetables and fruits. Therefore, for a long time, there have been many ways to spray and humidify the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber by active humidification. Since the circulating air in the refrigerating chamber or the variable temperature chamber passes through the evaporator, the high-moisture gas in the cabinet will condense on the evaporator, which is likely to cause frost blockage. If the compartment is designed as a closed space and does not participate in the air volume circulation, mildew will grow under the conditions of high humidity and airtightness, resulting in vegetable rot. To solve the above problems, there is also a method of defrosting the evaporator with a defrosting heater and humidifying the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber with the residual water on the surface of the evaporator. Although this method improves the humidity of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber and participates in the air volume circulation to reduce the growth of mildew, and has a certain effect on improving the preservation of vegetables and fruits, but frequent defrosting and humidifying with the defrosting heater will first cause a significant increase in energy consumption, increasing the burden on customers. At the same time, since the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber also need to be refrigerated, the low-temperature and low-humidity air blown out from the evaporator during the refrigeration process will reduce the humidity of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, resulting in large fluctuations in their temperature and humidity. For example, the average humidity of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber is about 60%, the humidity fluctuation is about 40%, and the temperature fluctuation is about 5K, so the preservation effect is affected. In addition, when humidifying with the defrosting heater, since the blown air is all high-humidity and high-temperature air, although there is a baffle in the freezing chamber and it will not affect the freezing chamber, it will enter the air supply duct of the freezing chamber. Due to the large temperature difference between the inside and outside of the freezing chamber and the air supply duct of the freezing chamber, especially when the baffle of the freezing chamber is arranged in the air supply duct of the freezing chamber, frost is likely to form around it, resulting in freezing of the baffle of the freezing chamber, affecting normal opening and closing, and causing problems such as abnormal refrigeration. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and its control method that can effectively suppress the temperature and humidity fluctuations in the compartment.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a cabinet; a door that is openably and closably mounted on the cabinet; a compressor that is disposed within the cabinet; an evaporator that is disposed within the cabinet; a fan that blows the cooling gas cooled by the evaporator into the refrigerating chamber, the variable temperature chamber, and the freezing chamber, respectively; a fan baffle that opens and closes the air supply to the freezing chamber; a refrigerating chamber baffle that is disposed on the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the refrigerating chamber; a variable temperature chamber baffle that is disposed on the air supply path of the variable temperature chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the variable temperature chamber; a variable temperature chamber return air baffle that is disposed on the return air path of the variable temperature chamber and opens and closes the return air from the variable temperature chamber to the evaporator; and a control unit that is configured to, when refrigerating the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, open the refrigerating chamber baffle and the variable temperature chamber return air baffle, and close the fan baffle and the variable temperature chamber baffle, whereby the cooling gas enters the refrigerating chamber via the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber, a part of the cooling gas that has entered the refrigerating chamber returns to the evaporator via the return air path of the refrigerating chamber, and the remaining part enters the outer periphery of the variable temperature chamber through the gap between the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber and returns to the evaporator via the return air path of the variable temperature chamber. Thus, by providing a fan baffle that can independently close the air supply path of the freezing chamber, and providing independent refrigerating chamber baffle and variable temperature chamber baffle on the air supply paths of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, respectively, and opening the variable temperature chamber return air baffle under the condition that the variable temperature chamber baffle is closed to achieve the air volume circulation linkage between the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber can independently form an independent air path circulation with the evaporator, the operating load of the refrigerator is reduced, the evaporation temperature is increased, the refrigeration temperature difference is reduced, and the temperature and humidity fluctuations in the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber are suppressed; in addition, the cooling gas sent into the refrigerating chamber is indirectly refrigerated through the outer periphery of the variable temperature chamber, and a cooling cycle method without blowing air in the variable temperature chamber can be formed, further suppressing the temperature and humidity fluctuations in the variable temperature chamber.

[0007] In the refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention described above, it may further include: a heater that is disposed below the evaporator and defrosts the evaporator through the heater to generate humidifying gas. Thus, the humidifying gas obtained by melting the frost condensate on the evaporator during defrosting of the evaporator can be used to humidify the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, which can further effectively suppress the temperature rise in the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber and improve the indoor humidity at the same time.

[0008] In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the control unit may be configured such that when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches above a preset freezer compartment start temperature, the compressor is started and operates at a high speed, the evaporator starts to cool, the fan is started, the fan baffle is opened, the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle are closed, thereby starting the refrigeration of the freezer compartment; when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches below a preset freezer compartment cut-off temperature, the compressor operates at a low speed, the refrigeration cycle amount is reduced, the evaporation temperature rises, the fan baffle is closed, the refrigerator compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle are opened, the variable temperature compartment baffle is closed, thereby starting the first-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; at the same time, the temperature of the evaporator is accelerated to rise by using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator; when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment reaches below a preset refrigerator compartment cut-off temperature, the compressor is stopped, the fan continues to operate, and the temperature of the evaporator continues to rise by using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator, thereby starting the second-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset first evaporator temperature, the frost remaining on the surface of the evaporator melts, the variable temperature compartment baffle is opened, thereby simultaneously starting the humidification of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the humidity of the refrigerator compartment reaches a preset humidity, the refrigerator compartment baffle is closed; when the humidity of the variable temperature compartment reaches a preset humidity, the variable temperature compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle are closed. In this way, by adopting the method of first refrigerating the freezer compartment and then refrigerating the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment, the cooling cycle amount can be reduced and the temperature of the evaporator can be increased while refrigerating the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment, and the temperature and humidity fluctuations of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment can be reduced. Moreover, when the compressor is stopped, the fan continues to operate, and the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment further exchange heat with the evaporator. When the temperature of the evaporator rises back above the preset first evaporator temperature, the variable temperature compartment baffle is opened, and the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment are humidified simultaneously. Thus, the independent refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment combined with the increase in the temperature of the evaporator suppresses the temperature fluctuation of the refrigerator compartment within 2K, while the average humidity is 60%, and the humidity fluctuation is less than 15%, which is beneficial to the preservation of root vegetables. The average humidity of the variable temperature compartment is 90%, the humidity fluctuation is 5%, and the temperature fluctuation is suppressed within 0.5K, which is beneficial to the preservation of leafy vegetables and is not prone to condensation. Furthermore, by reducing the refrigeration cycle amount and increasing the refrigeration temperature, the refrigeration efficiency can be improved and the energy consumption of the refrigerator can be reduced. Additionally, by heating the evaporator with the heat of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment and then humidifying the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment, the energy consumption of the refrigerator is reduced, and at the same time, the service life of the heater is not affected.

[0009] In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the control unit may also be configured such that when the evaporator reaches a preset defrosting cycle, the heater is operated to heat the evaporator through the heater, melt the remaining frost on the surface of the evaporator, and close the refrigerating chamber baffle, the variable temperature chamber baffle, the fan baffle, and the variable temperature chamber return air baffle; when the temperature of the evaporator rises above a preset first evaporator temperature, the heater is stopped, the fan is started, the refrigerating chamber baffle, the variable temperature chamber baffle, and the variable temperature chamber return air baffle are opened, and humidification of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber is started; when the humidity of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber reaches a preset humidity, the fan is stopped, the refrigerating chamber baffle, the variable temperature chamber baffle, and the variable temperature chamber return air baffle are closed, the heater is operated, and the defrosting of the evaporator continues; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset second evaporator temperature, the heater is turned off and the defrosting ends.

[0010] In the refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention described above, the control unit may also be configured such that after the defrosting of the evaporator ends, the compressor is operated to perform fan baffle anti-freezing control in which the fan baffle is opened once every predetermined time according to the temperature drop rate of the evaporator until the temperature of the evaporator first reaches below a preset third evaporator temperature or the cumulative number of openings of the fan baffle reaches more than a predetermined number of times. In this way, by adding fan baffle anti-freezing control after defrosting, it is possible to continuously remove the ice layer frozen due to condensation on the surface of the fan baffle, prevent the surface of the fan baffle from being stuck due to the condensation of condensed water caused by rapid temperature drop, effectively prevent abnormal operation of the fan baffle due to the freezing of the remaining condensed water, and ensure the normal refrigeration of the refrigerator.

[0011] A control method for a refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the refrigerator includes: a cabinet; a door that is openably and closably mounted on the cabinet; a compressor that is disposed inside the cabinet; an evaporator that is disposed inside the cabinet; a fan that blows the cooling gas cooled by the evaporator to a refrigerating chamber, a variable-temperature chamber, and a freezing chamber, respectively; a fan damper that opens and closes the air supply to the freezing chamber; a refrigerating chamber damper that is disposed on the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the refrigerating chamber; a variable-temperature chamber damper that is disposed on the air supply path of the variable-temperature chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the variable-temperature chamber; a variable-temperature chamber return air damper that is disposed on the variable-temperature chamber return air path and opens and closes the return air from the variable-temperature chamber to the evaporator; and a control unit, the control method comprising: using the control unit, when refrigerating the refrigerating chamber and the variable-temperature chamber, opening the refrigerating chamber damper and the variable-temperature chamber return air damper, and closing the fan damper and the variable-temperature chamber damper, whereby the cooling gas enters the refrigerating chamber via the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber, a part of the cooling gas that has entered the refrigerating chamber returns to the evaporator via the refrigerating chamber return air path, and the remaining part enters the outer periphery of the variable-temperature chamber through the gap between the refrigerating chamber and the variable-temperature chamber and returns to the evaporator via the variable-temperature chamber return air path.

[0012] In the control method for a refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention described above, it may also be that the refrigerator further includes: a heater that is disposed below the evaporator, and humidifying gas can be generated by defrosting the evaporator through the heater.

[0013] In the control method of the refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention described above, the control method may also include: using the control unit, when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches above a preset freezer compartment opening temperature, starting and running the compressor at a high speed, starting the cooling of the evaporator, starting the fan, opening the fan baffle, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, thereby starting the refrigeration of the freezer compartment; when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches below a preset freezer compartment shutdown temperature, running the compressor at a low speed, reducing the refrigeration cycle amount, raising the evaporation temperature, closing the fan baffle, opening the refrigerator compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, closing the variable temperature compartment baffle, thereby starting the first-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; simultaneously using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator to accelerate the rise of the temperature of the evaporator; when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment reaches below a preset refrigerator compartment shutdown temperature, stopping the compressor, continuing to run the fan, using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator to continue to raise the temperature of the evaporator, thereby starting the second-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset first evaporator temperature, melting the residual frost on the surface of the evaporator, opening the variable temperature compartment baffle, thereby simultaneously starting the humidification of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the humidity of the refrigerator compartment reaches a preset humidity, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle; when the humidity of the variable temperature compartment reaches a preset humidity, closing the variable temperature compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle.

[0014] In the control method of the refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention described above, the control method may also include: using the control unit, when the evaporator reaches a preset defrosting cycle, making the heater work, heating the evaporator through the heater, melting the residual frost on the surface of the evaporator, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, the fan baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle; when the temperature of the evaporator rises back above a preset first evaporator temperature, stopping the heater from working, starting the fan, opening the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, starting the humidification of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the humidity of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment reaches a preset humidity, stopping the fan from working, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, making the heater work, and continuing the defrosting of the evaporator; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset second evaporator temperature, closing the heater, and ending the defrosting.

[0015] In the control method of the refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention described above, the control method may also include: using the control unit to operate the compressor after the defrosting of the evaporator is completed, and performing fan baffle anti-freezing control to open the fan baffle once every predetermined time according to the temperature reduction speed of the evaporator until the temperature of the evaporator first reaches below a preset third evaporator temperature or the cumulative number of openings of the fan baffle reaches more than a specified number of times.

[0016] According to the present invention, there can be provided a refrigerator and its control method capable of effectively suppressing temperature and humidity fluctuations in the compartment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Through the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood, where:

[0018] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to this embodiment when viewed from the side.

[0019] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to this embodiment when viewed from the front.

[0020] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the control method of the refrigerator according to this embodiment in the defrosting mode.

[0021] Figure 4 is a graph of temperature and humidity of the refrigerator according to this embodiment in the defrosting mode.

[0022] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the control method of the refrigerator according to this embodiment in the normal mode.

[0023] Figure 6 is a graph of temperature and humidity of the refrigerator according to this embodiment in the normal mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Here, in the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Moreover, the positional relationships such as up, down, left, and right are based on the positional relationships shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. Moreover, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are not limited to the ratios shown in the drawings except for the drawings.

[0025] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as "including", "comprising", "having", etc. mean the presence of features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to this embodiment when viewed from the side. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator according to this embodiment when viewed from the front. Figure 3 is a flowchart of the control method in the defrosting mode of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a graph of the temperature and humidity in the defrosting mode of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the control method in the normal mode of the refrigerator according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is a graph of the temperature and humidity in the normal mode of the refrigerator according to this embodiment.

[0027] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the refrigerator 1 according to this embodiment includes a cabinet 10, a door 20, a compressor 30, an evaporator 40, a fan 50, a fan baffle 60, a heater 70, a fresh food compartment baffle 111 for opening and closing the air supply to the fresh food compartment 11, a variable temperature compartment baffle 121 for opening and closing the air supply to the variable temperature compartment 12, and a control unit (not shown).

[0028] The door 20 is pivotally mounted on the cabinet 10. The compressor 30 is disposed within the cabinet 10. The evaporator 40 is disposed within the cabinet 10. The fan 50 blows the cooling gas cooled by the evaporator 40 into the fresh food compartment 11, the variable temperature compartment 12, and the freezer compartment 13 of the refrigerator 1 respectively. The fresh food compartment baffle 111 and the variable temperature compartment baffle 121 can be independently opened and closed to control the air supply to the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment.

[0029] In addition, the fresh food compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12 are disposed at the upper part of the refrigerator and are located in the same compartment through an integrated design. Therefore, the fresh food compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12 are not completely independent compartments, and a gap is formed between the fresh food compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12, and the gap forms the following second variable temperature compartment air duct 127. In this embodiment, by disposing the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment in the same compartment through an integrated design, the material cost can be reduced.

[0030] The freezer compartment 13 is disposed at the bottom of the refrigerator 1. The compressor 30 is disposed at the top of the refrigerator 1 and is located behind the fresh food compartment 11. The evaporator 40 and the fan 50 are disposed behind the freezer compartment 13.

[0031] The heater 70 is disposed below the evaporator 40, and the evaporator 40 can be defrosted by the heater 70 to generate humidified gas. Thus, the humidified gas obtained by melting the frost on the evaporator during defrosting of the evaporator can be used to humidify the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment, and the temperature rise of the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment can be further effectively suppressed while increasing the indoor humidity.

[0032] The fan baffle 60 opens and closes the blowing of gas into the freezer compartment 13. Specifically, as Figure 2 shown, at the top of the fan baffle 60, an air outlet 601 is formed in the air supply direction of the refrigerating compartment and the variable temperature compartment, and the rest of the fan baffle 60 is closed. In this way, by forming an air outlet at the top of the fan baffle and not forming an air outlet at the bottom of the fan baffle, when the fan baffle is closed, the blowing of the cooling gas into the freezer compartment can be blocked, and when the fan baffle is opened, the cooling gas can be blown into the freezer compartment. Thus, the opening and closing of the blowing of gas into the freezer compartment can be realized with a simple structure.

[0033] In this embodiment, the refrigerating compartment refrigeration cycle air duct includes a refrigerating compartment air supply duct 112 through which the gas flowing into the refrigerating compartment 11 is circulated, and a refrigerating compartment air return duct 114 through which the gas returning from the refrigerating compartment air return opening 113 to the evaporator 40 is circulated. The variable temperature compartment refrigeration cycle air duct includes a first variable temperature compartment air supply duct 122 through which the gas flowing into the variable temperature compartment 12 is circulated, a second variable temperature compartment air supply duct 127 through which the gas flowing from the refrigerating compartment 11 to the variable temperature compartment 12 is circulated, and a variable temperature compartment air return duct 124 through which the gas returning from the variable temperature compartment air return opening 123 to the evaporator 40 is circulated. A variable temperature compartment air return baffle 125 is provided in the variable temperature compartment air return duct 124.

[0034] Here, the refrigerating compartment air supply duct 112 preferably includes an embedded duct 1121 embedded in the foaming material around the compressor 30. Conventionally, existing refrigerators are designed with a top-mounted compressor, and the depth of the top space of the refrigerating compartment is small. By adopting an embedded design for the top refrigerating compartment air duct and combining with individual refrigeration of the refrigerating compartment, the air volume is increased, and the air volume can be ensured even in the narrow space of the top foaming material. The usable depth of the top of the refrigerating compartment can be increased by more than 30 mm, further improving the overall usable volume of the refrigerator.

[0035] In addition, the refrigerating compartment air return duct 114 and the variable temperature compartment air return duct 124 are independent air ducts from each other. In this way, the refrigerating compartment and the variable temperature compartment can return air separately.

[0036] The refrigerating compartment air return opening 113 and the variable temperature compartment air return opening 123 are located on both sides in the width direction of the refrigerator 1, and the refrigerating compartment air return duct 114 and the variable temperature compartment air return duct 124 are located on both sides in the width direction of the refrigerator 1. Evaporator air return openings 401 are provided on both sides at the bottom of the evaporator 40. In this way, the gas returning from the refrigerating compartment 11 or the variable temperature compartment 12 can return to the evaporator 40 respectively through the evaporator air return openings 401 on both sides.

[0037] In addition, as Figure 1As shown, a refrigerator compartment air supply air duct foam 115 for heat preservation and a variable temperature compartment air supply air duct foam 126 for heat preservation can be respectively provided in the refrigerator compartment air supply air duct 112 and the first variable temperature compartment air supply air duct 122. In this way, abnormal condensation on the surface of the air duct can be avoided.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the control unit is configured such that (in other words, the control method of the refrigerator 1 includes:) when the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12 are refrigerated, the refrigerator compartment baffle 111 and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle 125 are opened, and the fan baffle 60 and the variable temperature compartment baffle 121 are closed, so that the cooling gas enters the refrigerator compartment 11 through the refrigerator compartment air supply air duct 112. A part of the cooling gas entering the refrigerator compartment 11 returns to the evaporator 40 through the refrigerator compartment return air duct 114, and the remaining part enters the outer periphery of the variable temperature compartment 12 through the second variable temperature compartment air supply air duct 127 and returns to the evaporator 40 through the variable temperature compartment return air duct 124.

[0039] That is, when the freezer compartment 13 is refrigerated, the compressor 30 is turned on, the evaporator 40 is refrigerated, the fan 50 operates, and the gas cooled by the evaporator 40 is blown into the freezer compartment 13 through the freezer compartment air duct 131 and is sucked (returned) to the evaporator 40 from the freezer compartment air return opening 132 located at the bottom of the freezer compartment 13, thereby forming a freezer compartment refrigeration cycle air duct. In addition, when the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12 are refrigerated, the fan baffle 60 is closed, the gas cooled by the evaporator 40 does not supply air to the freezer compartment 13, the refrigerator compartment baffle 111 is opened, the variable temperature compartment baffle 121 is closed, and the gas cooled by the evaporator 40 is supplied by the fan 50, enters the refrigerator compartment air duct 112 through the refrigerator compartment baffle 111 and is supplied to the refrigerator compartment 11. A part of the gas is sucked from the refrigerator compartment air return opening 113 after completing the refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment 11, enters the evaporator 40 through the refrigerator compartment return air duct 114 provided on the back of the freezer compartment 13, and the remaining part enters the outer periphery of the variable temperature compartment 12 through the second variable temperature compartment air supply air duct 127 and returns to the evaporator 40 through the variable temperature compartment return air duct 124, thereby forming an interlocked refrigerator compartment refrigeration cycle air duct and variable temperature compartment refrigeration cycle air duct.

[0040] In this way, by providing a fan baffle capable of independently closing the freezer compartment air supply air duct, independently providing a refrigerator compartment baffle and a variable temperature compartment baffle on the refrigerator compartment air supply air duct and the variable temperature compartment air supply air duct respectively, and opening the variable temperature compartment return air baffle under the condition that the variable temperature compartment baffle is closed to realize the air volume circulation linkage between the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment, the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment can independently form an independent air duct cycle with the evaporator, the running load of the refrigerator is reduced, the evaporation temperature is increased, the refrigeration temperature difference is reduced, and the temperature and humidity fluctuations in the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment are suppressed; in addition, the cooling gas sent into the refrigerator compartment is indirectly refrigerated through the outer periphery of the variable temperature compartment, and a non-blowing cooling cycle mode of the variable temperature compartment can be formed, further suppressing the temperature and humidity fluctuations in the variable temperature compartment.

[0041] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the control unit may also be configured as: (in other words, the control method of the refrigerator 1 may also include:) when the temperature of the freezer compartment 13 reaches or exceeds a preset freezer compartment start temperature FC1, starting and operating the compressor 30 at high speed, starting the cooling of the evaporator 40, starting the fan 50, opening the fan baffle 60, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle 111, the variable temperature compartment baffle 121, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle 125, thereby starting the refrigeration of the freezer compartment 11; when the temperature of the freezer compartment 11 reaches or falls below a preset freezer compartment cut-off temperature FC2, operating the compressor 30 at low speed, reducing the refrigeration cycle amount, raising the evaporation temperature, closing the fan baffle 60, opening the refrigerator compartment baffle 111 and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle 125, closing the variable temperature compartment baffle 121, thereby starting the first-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12; simultaneously accelerating the rise of the temperature of the evaporator 40 by using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12 and the evaporator 40; when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches or falls below a preset refrigerator compartment cut-off temperature PC, stopping the compressor 30, continuing to operate the fan 50, and continuing to raise the temperature of the evaporator 40 by using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12 and the evaporator 40, thereby starting the second-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12; when the temperature of the evaporator 40 reaches or exceeds a preset first evaporator temperature Eon1, melting the residual frost on the surface of the evaporator 40, opening the variable temperature compartment baffle 121, thereby simultaneously starting the humidification of the refrigerator compartment 11 and the variable temperature compartment 12; when the humidity of the refrigerator compartment 11 reaches a preset humidity, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle 111; when the humidity of the variable temperature compartment 12 reaches a preset humidity, closing the variable temperature compartment baffle 121 and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle 125.

[0042] In this way, by adopting the method of cooling the freezer first and then the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, the cooling cycle amount can be reduced and the temperature of the evaporator can be increased while the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber are being cooled, and the temperature and humidity fluctuations of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber can be reduced. Moreover, when the compressor stops, the fan continues to operate, and the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber further exchange heat with the evaporator. When the temperature of the evaporator rises above the pre-set first evaporator temperature, the variable temperature chamber baffle is opened, and at the same time, the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber are humidified. Thus, with the independent refrigeration of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber combined with the increase in the evaporator temperature, the temperature fluctuation of the refrigerating chamber is suppressed within 2K, and at the same time, the average humidity is 60%, and the humidity fluctuation is less than 15%, which is beneficial to the preservation of root vegetables. The average humidity of the variable temperature chamber is 90%, the humidity fluctuation is 5%, and the temperature fluctuation is suppressed within 0.5K, which is beneficial to the preservation of leafy vegetables and is not likely to generate condensation. Furthermore, by reducing the refrigeration cycle amount and increasing the refrigeration temperature, the refrigeration efficiency can be improved and the energy consumption of the refrigerator can be reduced. Furthermore, by heating the evaporator with the heat of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber and then humidifying the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, the energy consumption of the refrigerator is reduced, and at the same time, the service life of the heater is not affected. Furthermore, the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber are refrigerated before the temperature of the evaporator reaches the first evaporator temperature Eon1 after the compressor starts and stops, ensuring the required cooling capacity of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber. When the temperature of the evaporator reaches above the first evaporator temperature Eon1, the air volume circulation of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber ensures the humidity of the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber. Furthermore, due to the high temperature of the evaporator, the temperature fluctuation of the refrigerating chamber is small, and the humidity fluctuation is greatly improved compared with the prior art. The temperature and humidity of the variable temperature chamber can be controlled by adjusting the opening and closing of the variable temperature chamber baffle and the variable temperature chamber return air baffle.

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the control unit can also be configured as follows: (In other words, the control method of the refrigerator 1 can also include:) When the evaporator 40 reaches a preset defrosting cycle, the heater 70 is operated to heat the evaporator 40 through the heater 70, melting the residual frost on the surface of the evaporator 40, and closing the refrigerating chamber baffle 111, the variable-temperature chamber baffle 121, the fan baffle 60, and the variable-temperature chamber return air baffle 125; When the temperature of the evaporator 40 rises to above a preset first evaporator temperature Eon1, the heater 70 is stopped, the fan 50 is started, the refrigerating chamber baffle 111, the variable-temperature chamber baffle 121, and the variable-temperature chamber return air baffle 125 are opened, and humidification of the refrigerating chamber 11 and the variable-temperature chamber 12 is started; When the humidity of the refrigerating chamber 11 and the variable-temperature chamber 12 reaches a preset humidity, the fan 50 is stopped, the refrigerating chamber baffle 111, the variable-temperature chamber baffle 121, and the variable-temperature chamber return air baffle 125 are closed, the heater 70 is operated, and the defrosting of the evaporator 40 continues; When the temperature of the evaporator 40 reaches above a preset second evaporator temperature Eon2, the heater 70 is turned off and the defrosting ends.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, the control unit can also be configured as follows: (In other words, the control method of the refrigerator 1 can also include:) After the defrosting of the evaporator 40 ends, the compressor 30 is operated, and fan baffle anti-freezing control is performed to open the fan baffle 60 once every specified time according to the temperature drop rate of the evaporator 40 until the temperature of the evaporator 40 first reaches below a preset third evaporator temperature Eon3 or the cumulative number of openings of the fan baffle 60 reaches more than a specified number of times. Here, the specified time is preferably 3 to 5 minutes.

[0045] Specifically, as an example, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, when the temperature drop rate of the evaporator 40 is greater than or equal to K1, for example, the fan baffle 60 opens → closes → opens once every 3 minutes, and when the temperature drop rate of the evaporator 40 is less than K1, for example, the fan baffle 60 opens → closes → opens once every 5 minutes. When the temperature of the evaporator 40 first reaches below the third evaporator temperature Eon3 or the cumulative operation of the fan baffle 60 reaches more than FK times, the fan baffle anti-freezing control ends.

[0046] In this way, by adding fan baffle anti-freezing control after defrosting, the ice layer frozen due to condensation can be continuously removed from the surface of the fan baffle, preventing the surface of the fan baffle from being stuck due to the condensation of condensed water caused by rapid temperature drop, effectively preventing abnormal operation of the fan baffle due to the freezing of residual condensed water, and ensuring the normal refrigeration of the refrigerator.

[0047] According to the present invention, a refrigerator and its control method capable of effectively suppressing the temperature and humidity fluctuations in the compartment can be provided.

[0048] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can modify and vary the present invention as needed without departing from the essential spirit and scope of the present invention. These modifications and variations all fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Comprising: A cabinet; A door, which is openably and closably mounted on the cabinet; A compressor, which is arranged in the cabinet; An evaporator, which is arranged in the cabinet; A fan, which sends the cooling gas cooled by the evaporator to the refrigerating chamber, the variable temperature chamber and the freezing chamber respectively; A fan baffle, which opens and closes the air supply to the freezing chamber; A refrigerating chamber baffle, which is arranged on the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the refrigerating chamber; A variable temperature chamber baffle, which is arranged on the air supply path of the variable temperature chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the variable temperature chamber; A variable temperature chamber return air baffle, which is arranged on the return air path of the variable temperature chamber and opens and closes the return air from the variable temperature chamber to the evaporator; and A control unit, which is configured to, when refrigerating the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, open the refrigerating chamber baffle and the variable temperature chamber return air baffle, and close the fan baffle and the variable temperature chamber baffle, so that the cooling gas enters the refrigerating chamber through the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber, a part of the cooling gas after entering the refrigerating chamber returns to the evaporator through the return air path of the refrigerating chamber, and the remaining part enters the outer periphery of the variable temperature chamber through the gap between the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber and returns to the evaporator through the return air path of the variable temperature chamber.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further comprising: A heater, which is arranged below the evaporator, Defrosting the evaporator through the heater to be able to generate humidifying gas.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control unit is configured such that when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches above a preset freezer compartment start temperature, it starts the compressor and operates it at high speed, starts cooling of the evaporator, starts the fan, opens the fan baffle, closes the fresh food compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, thereby starting refrigeration of the freezer compartment; when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches below a preset freezer compartment shutdown temperature, it operates the compressor at low speed, reduces the refrigeration cycle amount, raises the evaporation temperature, closes the fan baffle, opens the fresh food compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, closes the variable temperature compartment baffle, thereby starting the first-stage refrigeration of the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment; at the same time, it accelerates the rise of the temperature of the evaporator by using the heat exchange between the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator; when the temperature of the fresh food compartment reaches below a preset fresh food compartment shutdown temperature, it stops the compressor, continues to operate the fan, and continues to raise the temperature of the evaporator by using the heat exchange between the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator, thereby starting the second-stage refrigeration of the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset first evaporator temperature, the residual frost on the surface of the evaporator melts, opens the variable temperature compartment baffle, thereby simultaneously starting humidification of the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the humidity of the fresh food compartment reaches a preset humidity, it closes the fresh food compartment baffle; when the humidity of the variable temperature compartment reaches a preset humidity, it closes the variable temperature compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured such that when the evaporator reaches a preset defrosting cycle, it operates the heater, heats the evaporator through the heater, melts the residual frost on the surface of the evaporator, closes the fresh food compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, the fan baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle; when the temperature of the evaporator rises back above a preset first evaporator temperature, it stops operating the heater, starts the fan, opens the fresh food compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, and starts humidification of the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the humidity of the fresh food compartment and the variable temperature compartment reaches a preset humidity, it stops operating the fan, closes the fresh food compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, operates the heater, and continues defrosting of the evaporator; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset second evaporator temperature, it closes the heater and the defrosting ends.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The control unit is configured to, after the defrosting of the evaporator ends, operate the compressor and perform fan baffle anti-freezing control to open the fan baffle once every predetermined time according to the temperature reduction rate of the evaporator until the temperature of the evaporator first reaches below a preset third evaporator temperature or the cumulative number of openings of the fan baffle reaches a predetermined number or more.

6. A control method for a refrigerator, characterized in that: The refrigerator includes: a box body; a door that is openably and closably installed on the box body; a compressor that is disposed inside the box body; an evaporator that is disposed inside the box body; a fan that blows the cooling gas cooled by the evaporator to the refrigerating chamber, the variable temperature chamber, and the freezing chamber respectively; a fan baffle that opens and closes the air supply to the freezing chamber; a refrigerating chamber baffle that is disposed on the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the refrigerating chamber; a variable temperature chamber baffle that is disposed on the air supply path of the variable temperature chamber and opens and closes the air supply to the variable temperature chamber; a variable temperature chamber return air baffle that is disposed on the return air path of the variable temperature chamber and opens and closes the return air from the variable temperature chamber to the evaporator; and a control unit. The control method includes: using the control unit, when refrigerating the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber, opening the refrigerating chamber baffle and the variable temperature chamber return air baffle, and closing the fan baffle and the variable temperature chamber baffle, so that the cooling gas enters the refrigerating chamber through the air supply path of the refrigerating chamber, a part of the cooling gas that enters the refrigerating chamber returns to the evaporator through the refrigerating chamber return air path, and the remaining part enters the outer periphery of the variable temperature chamber through the gap between the refrigerating chamber and the variable temperature chamber and returns to the evaporator through the variable temperature chamber return air path.

7. The control method for a refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The refrigerator further includes: a heater that is disposed below the evaporator. The evaporator is defrosted by the heater to be able to generate humid gas.

8. The control method for a refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The control method includes: using the control unit, when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches above a preset freezer compartment start temperature, starting and operating the compressor at a high speed, starting the cooling of the evaporator, starting the fan, opening the fan baffle, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, thereby starting the refrigeration of the freezer compartment; when the temperature of the freezer compartment reaches below a preset freezer compartment shutdown temperature, operating the compressor at a low speed, reducing the refrigeration cycle amount, raising the evaporation temperature, closing the fan baffle, opening the refrigerator compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, closing the variable temperature compartment baffle, thereby starting the first-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; at the same time, accelerating the rise of the temperature of the evaporator by using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator; when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment reaches below a preset refrigerator compartment shutdown temperature, stopping the compressor, continuing to operate the fan, and continuing to raise the temperature of the evaporator by using the heat exchange between the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment and the evaporator, thereby starting the second-stage refrigeration of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset first evaporator temperature, the frost remaining on the surface of the evaporator melts, opening the variable temperature compartment baffle, thereby simultaneously starting the humidification of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the humidity of the refrigerator compartment reaches a preset humidity, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle; when the humidity of the variable temperature compartment reaches a preset humidity, closing the variable temperature compartment baffle and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle.

9. The control method of the refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein The control method includes: using the control unit, when the evaporator reaches a preset defrosting cycle, making the heater work, heating the evaporator through the heater, melting the frost remaining on the surface of the evaporator, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, the fan baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle; when the temperature of the evaporator rises back above a preset first evaporator temperature, stopping the heater from working, starting the fan, opening the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, and starting the humidification of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment; when the humidity of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment reaches a preset humidity, stopping the fan from working, closing the refrigerator compartment baffle, the variable temperature compartment baffle, and the variable temperature compartment return air baffle, making the heater work, and continuing the defrosting of the evaporator; when the temperature of the evaporator reaches above a preset second evaporator temperature, closing the heater, and ending the defrosting.

10. The control method of the refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7, wherein The control method includes: using the control unit to operate the compressor after the defrosting of the evaporator is completed, and performing fan baffle anti-freezing control to open the fan baffle once every predetermined time according to the temperature reduction rate of the evaporator until the temperature of the evaporator first reaches below a preset third evaporator temperature or the cumulative number of times the fan baffle is opened reaches more than a specified number of times.

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