An energy-saving refrigeration control method, cold chain system, device and storage medium

Abstract

The application discloses an energy-saving refrigeration control method, a cold chain system, a device and a storage medium, and comprises the following steps: obtaining a refrigeration target temperature range; obtaining an ambient temperature; when the ambient temperature is higher than an ambient temperature threshold or the real-time time is outside the energy-saving time period, controlling the refrigeration module to operate in a first working mode, adjusting the operation power to control the refrigeration module to continuously operate so that the refrigeration temperature is within the refrigeration target temperature range; when the ambient temperature is lower than the ambient temperature threshold and the real-time time is within the energy-saving time period, controlling the refrigeration module to operate in a second working mode, and the refrigeration module is used to refrigerate the storage cavity so that the refrigeration temperature reaches a lower limit value; when the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower limit value, the refrigeration module is controlled to stop operating; and when the refrigeration temperature rises to an upper limit value, the refrigeration module is controlled to start operating until the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower limit value. While ensuring that the storage cavity provides appropriate refrigeration temperature, the energy consumption is reduced, and the service life of the energy storage module is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cold chain equipment technology, and in particular to an energy-saving refrigeration control method, cold chain system, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Cold chain systems, as core equipment for ensuring the quality of temperature-sensitive materials such as food, pharmaceuticals, and biological agents, are widely used in warehousing and transportation. Their core function is to maintain a low-temperature environment (i.e., refrigeration temperature) within the storage chamber through refrigeration modules to ensure the stability of the stored goods' quality. However, with the continuous rise in energy costs and the advancement of "dual-carbon" goals, the energy consumption optimization problem of cold chain systems is becoming increasingly prominent. Furthermore, for cold chain transportation, the electrical energy storage capacity of energy storage modules is limited. How to reduce the energy consumption of the refrigeration system without affecting the quality of the stored goods has become a key technical problem that the industry urgently needs to solve. Currently, existing cold chain systems mainly have the following shortcomings:

[0003] First, the constant power operation mode can cause the refrigeration temperature in the storage cavity to drop too low over a long period of time, even exceeding the target temperature required for the stored items, which may result in the stored items freezing and being damaged, and also consumes a lot of energy.

[0004] Second, the temperature control method using temperature feedback and start-stop operation first lowers the storage cavity temperature to the target temperature, then pauses the operation of the refrigeration module, using the insulation components inside the cabinet to isolate the transfer of external heat. Once the storage cavity temperature rises and deviates from the target temperature, the refrigeration module is restarted to restore the storage temperature to the target temperature. The intermittent operation of the refrigeration module can save energy to some extent. However, when the outside temperature is relatively high, the temperature inside the storage cavity rises rapidly. The continuous start-stop operation of the refrigeration module in a short period of time will cause some damage to the lifespan of the energy storage module, and will also bring more energy loss during the start-up process, thus failing to achieve the ideal effect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes an energy-saving refrigeration control method, cold chain system, device, and storage medium, which rationally controls the operation of the refrigeration module, ensuring that the storage cavity provides a suitable refrigeration temperature while reducing energy consumption and extending the service life of the energy storage module.

[0006] An energy-saving refrigeration control method according to a first aspect of the present invention is applied to a cold chain system. The cold chain system includes a cabinet, a refrigeration module, an energy storage module, a control module, a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor. The cabinet has a storage cavity and a heat insulation component surrounding the storage cavity. The energy storage module supplies power to the refrigeration module. The refrigeration module has a refrigeration pipe that is wound around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module. The first temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature outside the cabinet, and the second temperature sensor is used to detect the refrigeration temperature of the storage cavity. The control module is connected to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the refrigeration module to execute the energy-saving refrigeration control method. The energy-saving refrigeration control method includes: obtaining a target refrigeration temperature range, wherein the target refrigeration temperature range includes... The system acquires the upper and lower temperature limits. When the ambient temperature exceeds the threshold or the real-time period falls outside the energy-saving time period, the system controls the refrigeration module to operate in a first working mode. In this mode, the operating power is adjusted to continuously run the refrigeration module to cool the storage cavity and dissipate heat from the energy storage module, ensuring that the refrigeration temperature remains within the target temperature range. When the ambient temperature falls below the threshold and the real-time period falls within the energy-saving time period, the system controls the refrigeration module to operate in a second working mode. In this mode, the refrigeration module cools the storage cavity to bring the refrigeration temperature to the lower lower limit. When the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower lower limit, the system stops operating. When the refrigeration temperature rises to the upper temperature limit, the system starts operating the refrigeration module until the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower lower limit.

[0007] An energy-saving refrigeration control method according to an embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0008] This invention's energy-saving refrigeration control method considers diurnal temperature variations. During the day, while ambient temperature changes are difficult to predict, they generally show an upward trend. Therefore, when the ambient temperature exceeds the ambient temperature threshold or the real-time period falls outside the energy-saving time frame, the refrigeration module can be continuously operated in the first working mode to cool the storage cavity and dissipate heat from the energy storage module. The operating power of the refrigeration module is adjusted according to changes in the refrigeration temperature. Simultaneously, the heat dissipated by the energy storage module provides a wider modulation range for the refrigeration module, allowing the energy storage module to continuously supply power at a lower output once the refrigeration temperature is within the target range, avoiding frequent start-stop cycles that could lead to significant losses. At night, the ambient temperature tends to decrease, utilizing the ambient temperature and the ambient temperature threshold... The system determines that the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the refrigeration temperature inside the storage cavity is decreasing, and the real-time time falls within the energy-saving period, indicating that the ambient temperature will not rise rapidly. At this point, the refrigeration module can be controlled to operate in the second working mode. For the upper and lower limits of the target refrigeration temperature range, the refrigeration temperature in the storage cavity is first lowered to the lower limit, and then the refrigeration module stops operating. Because the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the refrigeration temperature inside the storage cavity is small, it will take a long time for the refrigeration temperature to rise to the upper limit. The energy storage module can then stop supplying power for an extended period, saving energy and eliminating the need for frequent start-stop cycles. This design effectively controls the operation of the refrigeration module, ensuring a suitable refrigeration temperature in the storage cavity while reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of the energy storage module.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in a first operating mode, the continuous operation of the refrigeration module for cooling the storage cavity and dissipating heat from the energy storage module includes: when the refrigeration temperature is higher than the upper temperature limit, controlling the refrigeration module to operate at a first power; when the refrigeration temperature is lower than the upper temperature limit, controlling the refrigeration module to operate at a second power, wherein the second power is less than the first power, and the refrigeration temperature and the second power are positively correlated.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigeration module further includes a switching valve, the refrigeration pipe includes a first transmission pipe and a second transmission pipe, the refrigeration module includes an output end and a return end, the output end of the refrigeration module is connected to the beginning ends of the first transmission pipe and the second transmission pipe respectively through the switching valve, and the return end of the refrigeration module is connected to the end ends of the first transmission pipe and the second transmission pipe respectively. Along the beginning-end direction of the first transmission pipe, the first transmission pipe is sequentially wound around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module; along the beginning-end direction of the second transmission pipe, the second transmission pipe is sequentially wound around the outer periphery of the energy storage module and the outer wall of the storage cavity. The switching valve has at least a first on / off state and a second on / off state that can be switched between each other. In the first on / off state, the refrigeration module is connected to the first transmission pipe and disconnected from the second transmission pipe. In the second on / off state, the refrigeration module is connected to the second transmission pipe and disconnected from the first transmission pipe. The energy-saving refrigeration control method further includes: when the refrigeration module is running at a first power or in a second operating mode, the switching valve is in the first on / off state; when the refrigeration module is running at a second power, if the second power is greater than the equalization power threshold, the switching valve is in the first on / off state; if the second power is less than the equalization power threshold, the switching valve switches to the second on / off state.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the ambient temperature threshold is obtained based on the sum of a lower temperature limit and a suitable temperature rise value, wherein the suitable temperature rise value is the thermal insulation characteristic constant of the thermal insulation component.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cold chain system further includes a third temperature detection element for detecting the energy storage temperature of the energy storage module. The energy storage module is surrounded by heat exchange pipes and a switching valve disposed on the heat exchange pipes. The heat exchange pipes are used to connect to a heating source. The control module is connected to the switching valve to control the on / off state of the heat exchange pipes. The energy-saving refrigeration control method includes: when the energy storage temperature is lower than the power supply low temperature threshold, controlling the switching valve to open.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, both ends of the heat exchange pipe are connected to the outside, and a heat source interface is provided in the middle of the heat exchange pipe. The heat source interface is used to connect with at least one heating device on the vehicle, and the switching valve is located between the heating device and the pipe section surrounding the energy storage module.

[0014] The energy-saving refrigeration control method also includes: when the refrigeration module is operating in the second working mode, if the rate of change of ambient temperature exceeds the rate of change threshold, the refrigeration module is controlled to switch to the first working mode.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cold chain system includes a cabinet, a refrigeration module, an energy storage module, a control module, a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor. The cabinet has a storage cavity and a heat insulation component surrounding the storage cavity. The energy storage module supplies power to the refrigeration module. The refrigeration module has a refrigeration pipe that is wound around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module. The first temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature outside the cabinet, and the second temperature sensor is used to detect the refrigeration temperature of the storage cavity. The control module is connected to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the refrigeration module to execute the energy-saving refrigeration control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments.

[0016] The cold chain system according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The cold chain system of the present invention applies the energy-saving refrigeration control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments to reasonably control the operation of the refrigeration module, thereby reducing energy consumption and extending the service life of the energy storage module while ensuring that the storage cavity provides a suitable refrigeration temperature.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control device includes a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the energy-saving cooling control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, characterized in that, when executed by a processor, the computer program implements the energy-saving cooling control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the principle structure of one embodiment of the cold chain system of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of one embodiment of the energy-saving refrigeration control method of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the control device of the present invention in one embodiment.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] Cooling module 100; energy storage module 200; control module 300; first temperature sensor 410; second temperature sensor 420; switching valve 430; third temperature sensor 440; switching valve 450; processor 610; memory 620; input / output interface 630; communication interface 640; bus 650. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0028] It should be noted that although functional modules are divided in the device schematic diagram and a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described may be performed in a different order than the module division in the device or the order in the flowchart. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and the aforementioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0029] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than", "less than", "exceeding" are understood to exclude the number itself, and "above", "below", "within" are understood to include the number itself.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this application only and is not intended to limit this application.

[0031] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, an energy-saving refrigeration control method according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention is applied to a cold chain system. The cold chain system includes a cabinet, a refrigeration module 100, an energy storage module 200, a control module 300, a first temperature detection element 410, and a second temperature detection element 420. The cabinet has a storage cavity and a heat insulation component surrounding the storage cavity. The energy storage module 200 supplies power to the refrigeration module 100. The refrigeration module 100 has a refrigeration pipe that is arranged around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module 200. The first temperature detection element 410 is used to detect the ambient temperature outside the cabinet, and the second temperature detection element 420 is used to detect the refrigeration temperature of the storage cavity. The control module 300 is connected to the first temperature detection element 410, the second temperature detection element 420, and the refrigeration module 100 to execute the energy-saving refrigeration control method.

[0032] The cold chain system can be mounted on a transport vehicle or fixedly installed in a warehouse. Taking the cold chain system mounted on a transport vehicle as an example, the cabinet can be equipped with an inner liner to form a storage cavity. The refrigeration module 100 can include a conventional compressor, evaporator, and condenser. The refrigeration pipes of the evaporator are arranged around the outer wall of the inner liner and the outer periphery of the energy storage module 200. In some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigeration module 100 can also use a semiconductor refrigeration chip. The heat insulation component can be arranged between the inner wall of the cabinet and the outer wall of the inner liner. Specifically, it can be polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, phenolic foam, rock wool, aerogel felt, aluminum foil polyurethane composite board, etc. The energy storage module 200 may include an energy storage unit and a power modulation unit. The power modulation unit is connected to the energy storage unit to enable charging and discharging of the energy storage unit. The energy storage unit can be selected from conventional batteries. The power modulation unit may include EMI circuits, AC-DC rectifier and filter circuits, inverter power modulation circuits, power control chips, etc., which are set on the circuit board. Heat exchange pipes are arranged around the energy storage module 200 as a whole (which can share the cooling pipes of the cooling module 100). During installation, the energy storage module 200 and the heat exchange pipes can be installed as a whole in the vehicle. The control module 300 may include an MCU or CPU and its auxiliary circuitry. The control module 300 is connected to a power control chip. The control module 300 can issue control commands, and the power control chip adjusts the output voltage and current of the energy storage module 200 according to the control commands, thereby regulating the operating power supplied to the refrigeration module 100. The first temperature sensor 410 and the second temperature sensor 420 can be conventional temperature sensors. The first temperature sensor 410 can be installed outside the cabinet to detect the ambient temperature, while the second temperature sensor 420 is installed inside the storage cavity to detect the refrigeration temperature. The energy-saving refrigeration control method includes:

[0033] S510. Obtain the target temperature range for refrigeration, wherein the target temperature range for refrigeration includes an upper temperature limit and a lower temperature limit;

[0034] S520: Obtain the ambient temperature. When the ambient temperature is higher than the ambient temperature threshold or the real-time time is outside the energy-saving period, control the refrigeration module to operate in the first working mode. In the first working mode, adjust the operating power to control the refrigeration module to continuously run to cool the storage cavity and dissipate heat to the energy storage module, so that the refrigeration temperature is within the refrigeration target temperature range.

[0035] S530: When the ambient temperature is lower than the ambient temperature threshold and the real-time is within the energy-saving period, the refrigeration module is controlled to operate in the second working mode. In the second working mode, the refrigeration module cools the storage cavity to make the refrigeration temperature reach the lower limit value. When the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower limit value, the refrigeration module is controlled to stop operating. When the refrigeration temperature rises to the upper limit value, the refrigeration module is controlled to start operating until the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower limit value.

[0036] It is understandable that different items require different storage temperatures. Therefore, after placing the items in the storage cavity, staff can input the target refrigeration temperature range. The refrigeration temperature cannot be lower than the lower limit or higher than the upper limit.

[0037] It should be noted that in the first working mode, the cooling module 100 operates continuously. If it continuously cools the storage cavity, when the refrigeration temperature in the storage cavity drops to the target refrigeration temperature range, but the ambient temperature is higher than the ambient temperature threshold or the real-time is outside the energy-saving period, the cooling module 100 still needs to maintain operation at a lower power, and the energy storage module 200 maintains a reasonably low energy consumption. However, the temperature in the storage cavity may still drop further at this time. Therefore, this design utilizes the heat generated during the operation of the energy storage module 200. The refrigerant output by the cooling module 100 cools the storage cavity while also dissipating heat for the energy storage module 200. This allows the cooling module 100 to operate at a lower power, with the refrigerant temperature being raised by the heat dissipated by the energy storage module 200, without excessively cooling the storage cavity, while still maintaining the energy storage module 200 with a lower power output.

[0038] Generally speaking, the energy-saving period can be set by staff. For example, the ambient temperature is generally low between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM, so the energy-saving period can be set between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Staff can also adjust the energy-saving period according to the temperature at the destination to which the transport vehicle is going.

[0039] In the second operating mode, ideally, the ambient temperature remains constant. The refrigeration module stops operating once the refrigeration temperature drops to its lower limit. The time t required for the refrigeration temperature to rise to its upper limit is:

[0040] ;

[0041] in, For the mass of the object (storage cavity), The specific heat capacity of the object (storage cavity), and Both can be set to approximate ideal parameter values. The thermal conductivity coefficient, For ambient temperature, This is the lower limit of the temperature. This represents the upper limit of the temperature range.

[0042] Therefore, The smaller the value, the longer the time t. Therefore, in the second working mode, this design first raises the refrigeration temperature to the lower limit, then stops the refrigeration module, and then controls the refrigeration module to start running again when the refrigeration temperature rises to the upper limit. This extends the time when the energy storage module stops supplying power and reduces the start-stop frequency without affecting the storage effect of the items.

[0043] This invention's energy-saving refrigeration control method considers diurnal temperature variations. During the day, while ambient temperature changes are difficult to predict, they generally show an upward trend. Therefore, when the ambient temperature exceeds the ambient temperature threshold or the real-time period falls outside the energy-saving time frame, the refrigeration module can be continuously operated in the first working mode to cool the storage cavity and dissipate heat from the energy storage module. The operating power of the refrigeration module is adjusted according to changes in the refrigeration temperature. Simultaneously, the heat dissipated by the energy storage module provides a wider modulation range for the refrigeration module, allowing the energy storage module to continuously supply power at a lower output once the refrigeration temperature is within the target range, avoiding frequent start-stop cycles that could lead to significant losses. At night, the ambient temperature tends to decrease, utilizing the ambient temperature and the ambient temperature threshold... The system determines that the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the refrigeration temperature inside the storage cavity is decreasing, and the real-time time falls within the energy-saving period, indicating that the ambient temperature will not rise rapidly. At this point, the refrigeration module can be controlled to operate in the second working mode. For the upper and lower limits of the target refrigeration temperature range, the refrigeration temperature in the storage cavity is first lowered to the lower limit, and then the refrigeration module stops operating. Because the temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the refrigeration temperature inside the storage cavity is small, it will take a long time for the refrigeration temperature to rise to the upper limit. The energy storage module can then stop supplying power for an extended period, saving energy and eliminating the need for frequent start-stop cycles. This design effectively controls the operation of the refrigeration module, ensuring a suitable refrigeration temperature in the storage cavity while reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of the energy storage module.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, in a first operating mode, the continuous operation of the cooling module 100 for cooling the storage cavity and dissipating heat from the energy storage module 200 includes:

[0045] When the refrigeration temperature is higher than the upper temperature limit, the refrigeration module 100 is controlled to operate at the first power.

[0046] When the refrigeration temperature is lower than the upper limit, the refrigeration module 100 is controlled to operate at the second power, where the second power is less than the first power, and the refrigeration temperature and the second power are positively correlated.

[0047] When the refrigeration temperature has not reached the upper limit, the control module 300 needs to increase the operating power applied to the refrigeration module 100. The refrigeration module 100 quickly cools the storage cavity to rapidly reduce the refrigeration temperature of the storage cavity. When the refrigeration temperature is lower than the upper limit, it is necessary to maintain the refrigeration temperature within the target refrigeration temperature range. Therefore, a second power lower than the first power is applied to the refrigeration module 100. The second power is adjusted according to the refrigeration temperature. Specifically, the refrigeration temperature and the second power can be linearly positively correlated. The lower the refrigeration temperature, the lower the second power, and the higher the refrigeration temperature, the higher the second power.

[0048] For destinations spanning large areas where temperatures may be higher than at the origin, and temperatures continuously rise during transport, in order to ensure the refrigeration effect of the goods, in some embodiments of the present invention, the energy-saving refrigeration control method further includes:

[0049] When the cooling module 100 is operating in the second working mode, if the rate of change of ambient temperature exceeds the rate of change threshold, the cooling module 100 is switched to the first working mode.

[0050] When the rate of change of ambient temperature exceeds the rate of increase threshold, the surface ambient temperature rises rapidly. At this time, although the refrigeration temperature in the storage cavity may be temporarily within the target refrigeration temperature range, the subsequent ambient temperature may be too high. When the refrigeration module 100 starts running, the exhaust gas cannot quickly reduce the refrigeration temperature, resulting in the refrigeration temperature exceeding the upper limit of the temperature. This affects the storage effect of the items. Therefore, this design adopts a strategy of pre-starting the refrigeration module 100. The refrigeration module 100 switches from the second working mode to the first working mode, and the operating power of the refrigeration module 100 is modulated according to the refrigeration temperature.

[0051] It should be noted that a delay threshold can be set here, such as 15 minutes, 20 minutes or 30 minutes. After the cooling module 100 switches from the second working mode to the first working mode, if the ambient temperature does not continue to rise after the delay threshold, the ambient temperature is lower than the ambient temperature threshold and the real time is within the energy-saving period, then the cooling module 100 switches from the first working mode to the second working mode.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigeration module 100 further includes a switching valve 430, the refrigeration pipe includes a first transmission pipe and a second transmission pipe (not shown in the figure), the refrigeration module 100 includes an output end and a return end, the output end of the refrigeration module 100 is connected to the beginning end of the first transmission pipe and the beginning end of the second transmission pipe respectively through the switching valve 430, and the return end of the refrigeration module 100 is connected to the end end of the first transmission pipe and the end end of the second transmission pipe respectively. Along the beginning-end direction of the first transmission pipe, the first transmission pipe... The second transmission pipe is sequentially wound around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module 200. Along the beginning and end direction of the second transmission pipe, the second transmission pipe is sequentially wound around the outer periphery of the energy storage module 200 and the outer wall of the storage cavity. The switching valve 430 has at least a first on-off state and a second on-off state that can be switched between each other. In the first on-off state, the refrigeration module 100 is connected to the first transmission pipe and disconnected from the second transmission pipe. In the second on-off state, the refrigeration module 100 is connected to the second transmission pipe and disconnected from the first transmission pipe.

[0053] Understandably, both the first and second transmission pipes can be used to transmit refrigerant. The refrigeration module 100 can cool the refrigerant, and then the cooled refrigerant is output from the output end of the refrigeration module 100. After passing through the storage chamber and energy storage module 200, the refrigerant absorbs heat and rises in temperature, and then flows back to the return end of the refrigeration module 100. The switching valve 430 can be selected from conventional valves. The switching valve 430 has an input end, a first output end, and a second output end. The output end of the refrigeration module 100 is connected to the input end of the switching valve 430. The first output end of the switching valve 430 is connected to the beginning end of the first transmission pipe, and the second output end of the switching valve 430 is connected to the beginning end of the second transmission pipe. In the first on / off state, the refrigerant first passes through the outer wall of the storage cavity to cool the storage cavity, and then dissipates heat for the energy storage module 200. Unlike the first on / off state, in the second on / off state, the refrigerant first passes through the energy storage module 200 to dissipate heat for the energy storage module 200. After that, the temperature of the refrigerant rises, and then it cools the storage cavity. The cooling effect on the storage cavity is significantly reduced.

[0054] The energy-saving refrigeration control method further includes:

[0055] When the refrigeration module 100 is operating at the first power or in the second operating mode, the switching valve 430 is in the first on / off state.

[0056] When the refrigeration module 100 is running at the second power, if the second power is greater than the equalization power threshold, the switching valve 430 is in the first on / off state; if the second power is less than the equalization power threshold, the switching valve 430 switches to the second on / off state.

[0057] Whether the refrigeration module 100 is operating at the first power or in the second working mode, the switching valve 430 is in the first on / off state. The refrigerant output by the refrigeration module 100 first cools the storage cavity, and then dissipates heat through the energy storage module 200.

[0058] In the initial stage of operation of the refrigeration module 100 at its second power, when the refrigeration temperature is slightly below the upper temperature limit, the refrigerant output by the refrigeration module 100 still prioritizes cooling the storage cavity to prevent the refrigeration temperature from exceeding the upper temperature limit. As the refrigeration temperature gradually decreases, the second power also gradually decreases, but the refrigeration temperature continues to drop. At this point, it is necessary to prevent the refrigeration temperature from falling below the lower temperature limit, which could cause the items to freeze. The second power also decreases accordingly. When the second power drops to the equilibrium power threshold, it indicates that the energy storage module 200 must continue to supply power. Furthermore, with the refrigeration module 100 running continuously, it is difficult to limit the drop in refrigeration temperature. The switching valve 430 then switches to the second on / off state. The refrigerant output by the refrigeration module 100 first passes through the energy storage module 200, where it is heated by the heat output from the energy storage module 200 before passing through the storage cavity. This limits the cooling effect, and the refrigeration temperature will not drop further. Specifically, the equalization power threshold can be set by the operator based on the actual parameters of the refrigeration module 100. It is understandable that in actual applications, the time for the switching valve 430 to switch to the second on / off state will not be too long.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ambient temperature threshold is derived from the sum of a lower temperature limit and a suitable temperature rise value, wherein the suitable temperature rise value is the thermal insulation characteristic constant of the thermal insulation component.

[0060] Understandably, insulation components can isolate external heat from entering the storage cavity. Insulation components have basic insulation characteristics. For example, for a certain type of insulation component, the insulation characteristic constant is 30℃. When the temperature difference between the two sides of the insulation component is within 30℃, the insulation component exhibits a good insulation effect, and the heat needs a longer time to be transferred through the insulation component. However, when the temperature difference between the two sides of the insulation component is above 30℃, the insulation effect of the insulation component decreases, and the temperature difference between the two sides of the insulation component will be reduced to within 30℃ in a relatively short time. Specifically, the appropriate temperature rise value for different cold chain systems can be set by the staff according to the insulation characteristic constant of the specific insulation component used.

[0061] The ambient temperature threshold is derived from the sum of the lower limit of the temperature and the appropriate temperature rise. The real-time time is within the energy-saving period. During the energy-saving period, the ambient temperature is likely to decrease and the temperature fluctuation is small. The sum of the lower limit of the temperature and the appropriate temperature rise determines the ambient temperature threshold. This indicates that as long as the ambient temperature does not rise excessively within the target refrigeration temperature range, the temperature difference on both sides of the insulation component can be guaranteed within the insulation characteristic constant of the insulation component. This ensures that the time t required for the refrigeration temperature to rise to the upper limit of the temperature is long enough.

[0062] When a transport vehicle travels to a low-temperature area, the temperature of the energy storage module 200 will decrease due to environmental factors after power supply is stopped. When the temperature drops to the low-temperature threshold for power supply, the energy storage module 200 may be damaged when power is supplied again. In some embodiments of the present invention, the cold chain system further includes a third temperature detection element 440, which is used to detect the energy storage temperature of the energy storage module 200. The energy storage module 200 is surrounded by heat exchange pipes and a switching valve 450 disposed on the heat exchange pipes. The heat exchange pipes are used to connect to a heating source. The control module 300 is connected to the switching valve 450 to control the on / off state of the heat exchange pipes. The energy-saving refrigeration control method includes: when the energy storage temperature is lower than the low-temperature threshold for power supply, controlling the switching valve 450 to open.

[0063] Understandably, if the energy storage temperature is lower than the power supply low-temperature threshold, the switching valve 450 will be turned on, allowing the heat output from the heating source to be transferred to the energy storage module 200 via the medium within the heat exchange pipes, ensuring the basic temperature requirements of the energy storage module 200 when it supplies power. However, after the energy storage module 200 supplies power, it generates its own heat, and once the energy storage temperature exceeds the power supply low-temperature threshold, the switching valve 450 can be turned off to prevent overheating of the energy storage module 200.

[0064] Specifically, both ends of the heat exchange pipe are connected to the outside, and a heat source interface is provided in the middle of the heat exchange pipe. The heat source interface is used to connect to at least one heating device on the vehicle. The switching valve 450 is located between the heating device and the pipe section surrounding the energy storage module 200. The heating device can be the outer wall of the vehicle's exhaust pipe, the outer wall of the engine, etc. Since both ends of the heat exchange pipe are connected to the outside, air can enter the heat exchange pipe. The air carries the heat released by the heating device through the energy storage module 200, causing the temperature of the energy storage module 200 to rise.

[0065] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cold chain system includes a cabinet, a refrigeration module 100, an energy storage module 200, a control module 300, a first temperature sensor 410, and a second temperature sensor 420. The cabinet has a storage cavity and a heat insulation component surrounding the storage cavity. The energy storage module 200 supplies power to the refrigeration module 100. The refrigeration module 100 has a refrigeration pipe that surrounds the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module 200. The first temperature sensor 410 is used to detect the ambient temperature outside the cabinet, and the second temperature sensor 420 is used to detect the refrigeration temperature of the storage cavity. The control module 300 is connected to the first temperature sensor 410, the second temperature sensor 420, and the refrigeration module 100 to execute the energy-saving refrigeration control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments. The cold chain system has already been proposed in the above-described devices for implementing the energy-saving refrigeration control method, and will not be repeated here.

[0066] The cold chain system of the present invention applies the energy-saving refrigeration control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments to reasonably control the operation of the refrigeration module 100, thereby reducing energy consumption and extending the service life of the energy storage module 200 while ensuring that the storage cavity provides a suitable refrigeration temperature.

[0067] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control device includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the energy-saving cooling control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments.

[0068] The control device can be any intelligent terminal, including a central computer, a remote equipment terminal computer, or any other intelligent terminal.

[0069] like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 The hardware structure of a control device according to another embodiment is also illustrated. The control device includes:

[0070] The processor 610 can be implemented using a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor 610, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits, and is used to execute relevant programs to implement the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0071] The memory 620 can be implemented as a read-only memory (ROM), a static storage device, a dynamic storage device, or a random access memory (RAM). The memory 620 can store the operating system and other applications. When the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this specification are implemented through software or firmware, the relevant program code is stored in the memory 620 and is called and executed by the processor 610 using the energy-saving cooling control method of the embodiments of this application.

[0072] The input / output interface 630 is used to realize information input and output;

[0073] The communication interface 640 is used to enable communication and interaction between this device and other devices. Communication can be achieved through wired means (such as USB, network cable, etc.) or wireless means (such as mobile network, WIFI, Bluetooth, etc.).

[0074] The bus 650 transmits information between various components of the device (such as processor 610, memory 620, input / output interface 630 and communication interface 640), and can also be connected to the smart Internet of Things.

[0075] The processor 610, memory 620, input / output interface 630 and communication interface 640 are connected to each other within the device via bus 650.

[0076] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, characterized in that, when executed by a processor, the computer program implements the energy-saving cooling control method disclosed in any of the above embodiments.

[0077] Memory, as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, can be used to store non-transitory software programs and non-transitory computer-executable programs. Furthermore, memory may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-transitory memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-transitory solid-state storage device. In some embodiments, memory may optionally include memory remotely located relative to the processor, and these remote memories can be connected to the processor via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0078] The embodiments described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of technology and the emergence of new application scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0079] Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical solutions shown in the figures do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application, and may include more or fewer steps than shown, or combine certain steps, or different steps.

[0080] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0081] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or some of the steps in the methods disclosed above, as well as the functional modules / units in the systems and devices, can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, or suitable combinations thereof.

[0082] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0083] The preferred embodiments of the present application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this does not limit the scope of the claims of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and substance of the embodiments of the present application shall be within the scope of the claims of the present application.

[0084] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0085] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An energy-saving refrigeration control method applied to a cold chain system, the cold chain system comprising a cabinet, a refrigeration module, an energy storage module, a control module, a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor, wherein the cabinet has a storage cavity and a heat insulation component surrounding the storage cavity, the energy storage module supplies power to the refrigeration module, the refrigeration module has refrigeration pipes, the refrigeration pipes are arranged around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module, the first temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature outside the cabinet, the second temperature sensor is used to detect the refrigeration temperature of the storage cavity, and the control module is connected to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the refrigeration module respectively to execute the energy-saving refrigeration control method, characterized in that... Energy-saving refrigeration control methods include: Obtain the target temperature range for refrigeration, which includes an upper temperature limit and a lower temperature limit. The ambient temperature is obtained. When the ambient temperature is higher than the ambient temperature threshold or the real time is outside the energy-saving period, the refrigeration module is controlled to operate in the first working mode. In the first working mode, the operating power is adjusted to control the refrigeration module to continue to run to cool the storage cavity and dissipate heat to the energy storage module, so that the refrigeration temperature is within the target refrigeration temperature range. When the ambient temperature is below the ambient temperature threshold and the real-time is within the energy-saving period, the refrigeration module is controlled to operate in the second working mode. In the second working mode, the refrigeration module cools the storage cavity to make the refrigeration temperature reach the lower limit value. When the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower limit value, the refrigeration module is controlled to stop operating. When the refrigeration temperature rises to the upper limit value, the refrigeration module is controlled to start operating until the refrigeration temperature reaches the lower limit value. In the first operating mode, the cooling module continuously operates to cool the storage cavity and dissipate heat from the energy storage module, including: When the refrigeration temperature is higher than the upper temperature limit, the refrigeration module is controlled to operate at the first power. When the refrigeration temperature is lower than the upper limit, the refrigeration module is controlled to operate at the second power, where the second power is less than the first power, and the refrigeration temperature and the second power are positively correlated. The refrigeration module further includes a switching valve. The refrigeration pipe includes a first transmission pipe and a second transmission pipe. The refrigeration module includes an output end and a return end. The output end of the refrigeration module is connected to the beginning ends of the first and second transmission pipes respectively through the switching valve. The return end of the refrigeration module is connected to the end ends of the first and second transmission pipes respectively. Along the beginning-end direction of the first transmission pipe, the first transmission pipe is sequentially wound around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module. Along the beginning-end direction of the second transmission pipe, the second transmission pipe is sequentially wound around the outer periphery of the energy storage module and the outer wall of the storage cavity. The switching valve has at least a first on / off state and a second on / off state that can be switched between each other. In the first on / off state, the refrigeration module is connected to the first transmission pipe and disconnected from the second transmission pipe. In the second on / off state, the refrigeration module is connected to the second transmission pipe and disconnected from the first transmission pipe. The energy-saving refrigeration control method further includes: When the refrigeration module is operating at the first power or in the second operating mode, the switching valve is in the first on / off state. When the refrigeration module is running at the second power, if the second power is greater than the equalization power threshold, the switching valve is in the first on / off state; if the second power is less than the equalization power threshold, the switching valve switches to the second on / off state.

2. The energy-saving refrigeration control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ambient temperature threshold is derived from the sum of the lower limit of the temperature and the appropriate temperature rise value, wherein the appropriate temperature rise value is the thermal insulation characteristic constant of the thermal insulation component.

3. The energy-saving refrigeration control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold chain system also includes a third temperature sensor for detecting the energy storage temperature of the energy storage module. The energy storage module is surrounded by heat exchange pipes and a switching valve located on the heat exchange pipes. The heat exchange pipes are used to connect to a heating source. The control module is connected to the switching valve to control the on / off state of the heat exchange pipes. The energy-saving refrigeration control method includes: When the energy storage temperature is lower than the low temperature threshold for power supply, the control switch valve is turned on.

4. The energy-saving refrigeration control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both ends of the heat exchange pipe are connected to the outside. A heat source interface is provided in the middle of the heat exchange pipe. The heat source interface is used to connect to at least one heating device on the vehicle. The switching valve is located between the heating device and the pipe section surrounding the energy storage module.

5. The energy-saving refrigeration control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: When the cooling module is operating in the second working mode, if the rate of change of ambient temperature exceeds the temperature rise rate threshold, the cooling module is controlled to switch to the first working mode.

6. A cold chain system, characterized in that, The device includes a cabinet, a refrigeration module, an energy storage module, a control module, a first temperature sensor, and a second temperature sensor. The cabinet contains a storage cavity and a heat insulation component surrounding the storage cavity. The energy storage module supplies power to the refrigeration module. The refrigeration module has refrigeration pipes that are arranged around the outer wall of the storage cavity and the outer periphery of the energy storage module. The first temperature sensor is used to detect the ambient temperature outside the cabinet, and the second temperature sensor is used to detect the refrigeration temperature of the storage cavity. The control module is connected to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the refrigeration module to execute the energy-saving refrigeration control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A control device, characterized in that, The control device includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement an energy-saving cooling control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements an energy-saving cooling control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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