A multi-zone refrigeration system control apparatus and method for a refrigerator
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610772944.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-06-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-18
AI Technical Summary
[0004]本发明的目的在于提供一种冷柜多区域制冷系统控制装置及方法,以解决上述背景技术中提出的采用独立制冷回路设计,冷藏/冷冻模块与制冰模块无法共享制冷剂,不能依据各区域实时冷量需求动态分配冷媒流量,制冷资源浪费严重,系统整体能效偏低的问题
1.该冷柜多区域制冷系统控制装置及方法中,实现制冷剂动态分配,提升资源利用率,通过多电磁阀协同控制,使冷藏/冷冻、预冷水盒、制冰单元共用一套制冷回路,能够根据各区域实时冷量需求动态切换制冷剂流向,避免传统独立回路造成的制冷资源闲置与浪费,有效降低设备运行能耗,提高制冷系统整体能效。
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Figure CN122590520A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of freezer technology, and more specifically, to a control device and method for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer. Background Technology
[0002] Existing freezer refrigeration equipment mostly adopts an independent partitioned refrigeration architecture. The refrigeration / freezing chambers and ice-making units are usually configured with independent refrigeration circuits, which have limited functionality and low refrigeration resource reuse rate, making it difficult to meet the complex refrigeration needs of multiple scenarios. Relevant prior art can be found in the patent "An Ice Maker with an Ice Supply System" with publication number CN200410031377.X. This patent discloses an ice maker ice supply system that focuses on the transportation and storage of ice blocks after ice making. It can only realize the single ice-making function and cannot take into account the coordinated operation of refrigeration / freezing and ice making, which has significant technical defects.
[0003] The existing patented technology has the following core technical problems: First, it adopts an independent refrigeration circuit design, and the refrigeration / freezing module and the ice-making module cannot share refrigerant. It cannot dynamically allocate refrigerant flow according to the real-time cooling demand of each area, resulting in serious waste of refrigeration resources and low overall system energy efficiency. Second, the defrosting process relies on traditional electric heating or water pump spray defrosting methods, which are slow to respond, inefficient, and have high energy consumption during the heating process, further increasing the operating cost of the equipment. Third, it does not have multi-parameter collaborative control logic, and lacks real-time monitoring and linkage control of key parameters such as refrigeration / freezing temperature, ice-making water temperature, ambient temperature, and ice thickness. It cannot dynamically adjust the refrigeration priority and is difficult to adapt to the differentiated and dynamic refrigeration needs of multiple areas. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a control device and method for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, such as the use of independent refrigeration circuit design, the inability of the refrigeration / freezing module and the ice-making module to share refrigerant, the inability to dynamically allocate refrigerant flow according to the real-time cooling demand of each zone, serious waste of refrigeration resources, and low overall system energy efficiency.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer, comprising a compressor, a condenser, a first solenoid valve, a capillary tube, a second solenoid valve, a third solenoid valve, a fourth solenoid valve, a fifth solenoid valve, an evaporator assembly, and a control system; the compressor is used to generate a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant; the condenser is connected to the compressor and is used to dissipate heat from the refrigerant; the first solenoid valve is located between the compressor and the condenser and controls the on / off state of the main refrigeration circuit; the capillary tube is located downstream of the condenser and is used for throttling and pressure reduction; the second, third, and fourth solenoid valves are connected in parallel downstream of the capillary tube and respectively control the on / off state of the corresponding evaporators in the evaporator assembly.
[0006] This setup constructs a basic refrigeration circuit using a compressor, condenser, solenoid valve, and capillary tube, enabling refrigerant generation, heat dissipation, throttling, and preliminary path control, thus providing a stable refrigeration foundation for multi-zone cooling.
[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the evaporator group includes a refrigerator / freezer, a pre-cooling evaporator, and an ice-making evaporator, respectively corresponding to different refrigeration zones of the freezer. The fifth solenoid valve is connected between the compressor and the ice-making evaporator to introduce high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The control system is electrically connected to each solenoid valve to dynamically switch the refrigerant path according to the zone status, thereby realizing zoned refrigeration and high-temperature de-icing.
[0008] This setup divides the evaporator assembly into different cooling zones and, in conjunction with the fifth solenoid valve, introduces high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant, allowing for precise switching between cooling and de-icing modes, thus balancing zoned cooling with efficient de-icing requirements.
[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration / freezing compartment in the evaporator group is arranged in the left cavity of the freezer, and the pre-cooling evaporator and the ice-making evaporator are integrated in the ice-making unit on the right side of the freezer. The three are independent of each other and share a set of refrigeration circuits, respectively realizing the functions of refrigeration / freezing, water box pre-cooling, and ice-making heat exchange.
[0010] This setup, through the rational layout of the evaporator group, enables functional zoning of the freezer cavity. The shared refrigeration circuit can improve the reuse rate of refrigeration resources, reduce equipment costs, and at the same time ensure independent refrigeration operation in each area.
[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control system integrates an internal temperature sensor and an ambient temperature sensor; the internal temperature sensor collects temperature signals from various locations inside the freezer, and the ambient temperature sensor collects ambient temperature signals from outside the freezer. The data from the two types of sensors are fused together to correct the control timing of the solenoid valve and the timing of the de-icing trigger.
[0012] This feature uses multi-sensor data fusion to monitor the temperature inside and outside the freezer in real time, dynamically adjusts the control strategy, improves the accuracy of solenoid valve control, ensures proper de-icing timing, and avoids energy waste.
[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a one-way valve is installed at the inlet of the evaporator group's refrigerator / freezer, precooling evaporator, and ice-making evaporator.
[0014] This feature prevents refrigerant backflow through a one-way valve, ensuring stable unidirectional refrigerant flow in each evaporator, avoiding refrigerant cross-flow between different refrigeration zones, and guaranteeing the operational stability of the refrigeration system.
[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the output end of the evaporator assembly is further connected to a drying filter, and the output end of the drying filter is connected to the input end of the compressor.
[0016] This feature uses a dryer filter to absorb moisture from the refrigerant, preventing moisture from entering the compressor and causing damage to components. It also ensures that the refrigerant is dry and clean, extending the service life of the refrigeration system.
[0017] The present invention also provides a control method for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer, which is used in a control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer, and includes the following steps: S1, Refrigeration cycle stage: The compressor outputs high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The control system opens the first solenoid valve and closes the fifth solenoid valve. The refrigerant becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure state after being cooled by the condenser and throttled by the capillary tube. S2, Zoned refrigeration stage: The control system selects one or a combination of the second, third and fourth solenoid valves to open according to the temperature of each zone, so that the low-temperature refrigerant enters the corresponding evaporator of the evaporator group to perform refrigeration / freezing, pre-cooling and ice making operations respectively. S3, High-Temperature De-icing Stage: After ice making is completed, the control system closes the first, second, third, and fourth solenoid valves and opens the fifth solenoid valve. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant output by the compressor is directly introduced into the ice-making evaporator. After de-icing is completed, the zoned refrigeration process is restored.
[0018] This setting achieves orderly switching between cooling and de-icing modes by controlling refrigerant circulation, zoned cooling, and high-temperature de-icing in stages. High-temperature de-icing requires no additional heating components, resulting in low energy consumption and high de-icing efficiency.
[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, step S2, the zoned cooling stage, includes two sub-processes: pre-cooling control and ice-making control. The pre-cooling control involves opening the third solenoid valve and closing the second and fourth solenoid valves to cool the pre-cooling water box. The ice-making control involves closing the third solenoid valve and opening the fourth solenoid valve after the pre-cooling water box reaches the set temperature to maintain the low temperature of the ice-making evaporator for continuous ice making. The two sub-processes automatically switch according to the temperature threshold.
[0020] This setup controls the pre-cooling and ice-making processes in separate steps, pre-cooling the water tank before making ice, ensuring a stable ice-making environment, improving ice-making efficiency and ice quality. The automatic switching requires no manual intervention and has a high degree of automation.
[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, step S3, the high-temperature de-icing stage, includes two steps: ice-making completion determination and de-icing end determination. The ice-making completion determination is triggered by both the temperature of the ice-making evaporator and the ice layer thickness. The de-icing end determination is determined by the temperature rise and stabilization time of the ice-making zone, so as to avoid insufficient de-icing or overheating.
[0022] This setting uses dual conditions to determine the completion of ice making and the end of ice removal, precisely controlling the timing of ice removal. This ensures thorough ice removal while avoiding excessive heating and energy consumption, thus improving the reliability and energy efficiency of the ice removal process.
[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, step S2, the zoned cooling stage, further includes a dynamic allocation process of cooling capacity; the control system calculates the proportion of cooling capacity demand in the refrigeration / freezing zone, the precooling zone, and the ice-making zone in real time, and dynamically allocates the opening duration of the second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve, and the fourth solenoid valve within a single control cycle, so as to realize the on-demand allocation of cooling capacity in multiple zones and improve the overall energy efficiency of the system.
[0024] This setting calculates the cooling demand of each area in real time and dynamically allocates the opening time of the solenoid valve to achieve on-demand distribution of refrigerant flow, avoids cooling waste, maximizes the overall energy efficiency of the refrigeration system, and adapts to the dynamic cooling needs of multiple areas.
[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. In the multi-zone refrigeration system control device and method of this freezer, the refrigerant is dynamically allocated, improving resource utilization. Through the coordinated control of multiple solenoid valves, the refrigeration / freezing, pre-cooling water box and ice making unit share a set of refrigeration circuits. The refrigerant flow direction can be dynamically switched according to the real-time cooling demand of each zone, avoiding the idle and wasteful refrigeration resources caused by traditional independent circuits, effectively reducing equipment operating energy consumption and improving the overall energy efficiency of the refrigeration system.
[0026] 2. In the control device and method of the multi-zone refrigeration system of the freezer, high-temperature and high-pressure gas is used for direct de-icing, which is highly efficient and energy-saving. It abandons the traditional electric heating or water pump spray de-icing method, and uses the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas output by the compressor to be directly introduced into the ice evaporator for de-icing. The de-icing response is fast and the time is short, and the de-icing efficiency is significantly improved. At the same time, the energy consumption of the de-icing process is greatly reduced, and the equipment operating cost is reduced.
[0027] 3. In the control device and method of the multi-zone refrigeration system of the freezer, multi-sensor fusion control is used, which is precise and stable. Key parameters are collected in real time by internal temperature sensors and ambient temperature sensors to realize the linkage regulation of temperature and environmental conditions in multiple zones. The control timing of solenoid valves and the triggering time of ice removal can be dynamically corrected to avoid control deviation caused by single parameter control and improve the stability and reliability of the refrigeration and ice removal process.
[0028] 4. In the multi-zone refrigeration system control device and method of this freezer, the zone functions are reasonably arranged to adapt to the composite refrigeration needs. The refrigeration / freezing zone, pre-cooling water box and ice making unit are zoned independently but share a common refrigeration circuit. The structure is compact and reasonable, which can simultaneously meet the composite refrigeration needs of multiple scenarios such as refrigeration, freezing, pre-cooling and ice making. The equipment has a high degree of functional integration and a wider range of applications.
[0029] 5. In the control device and method for the multi-zone refrigeration system of this freezer, a one-way valve and a dryer filter are installed to ensure stable system operation. A one-way valve is installed at the input end of each evaporator to prevent refrigerant backflow and crossflow, ensuring independent and stable refrigeration in each zone. A dryer filter is installed at the output end of the evaporator to remove moisture from the refrigerant, preventing moisture from entering the compressor and causing damage to components, effectively extending the service life of the refrigeration system and reducing the failure rate.
[0030] 6. In the multi-zone refrigeration system control device and method of this freezer, the cooling capacity is dynamically allocated on demand to adapt to dynamic load changes. The proportion of cooling capacity demand in each zone is calculated in real time, and the opening time of each solenoid valve is dynamically allocated to achieve precise distribution of refrigerant flow. It can adapt to the dynamic changes in the refrigeration load of multiple zones of the freezer, avoid excess or insufficient cooling capacity, further improve system energy efficiency, and reduce energy consumption. Attached Figure Description
[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the module structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporator assembly in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cabinet structure in this invention; The meanings of the labels in the diagram are as follows: 1. Compressor; 2. Condenser; 3. First solenoid valve; 4. Capillary tube; 5. Second solenoid valve; 6. Third solenoid valve; 7. Fourth solenoid valve; 8. Fifth solenoid valve; 9. Evaporator assembly; 91. Refrigerator / freezer; 92. Pre-cooling evaporator; 93. Ice-making evaporator; 94. Check valve; 95. Dryer filter; 10. Control system. Detailed Implementation
[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0033] This invention provides a control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer, such as... Figure 1 - Figure 3 As shown, including Compressor 1 is fixedly installed in the frame position inside the freezer, and is used to generate high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant and maintain the circulation of the refrigeration circuit. Condenser 2, first solenoid valve 3, capillary tube 4, second solenoid valve 5, third solenoid valve 6, fourth solenoid valve 7 and fifth solenoid valve 8 are used to complete refrigerant heat dissipation, throttling and pressure reduction and flow direction switching control. Evaporator assembly 9 and dryer filter 95. Evaporator assembly 9 includes refrigerator / freezer 91, precooling evaporator 92, ice-making evaporator 93 and one-way valve 94, which are used to complete the refrigeration and heat exchange of different areas of the freezer and control the refrigerant backflow. The control system 10 is used to control the opening and closing of each solenoid valve, receive sensor data, and switch the cooling mode.
[0034] Compressor 1 can stably generate high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to ensure continuous circulation of the refrigeration circuit; each valve group has a clear division of labor and can simultaneously complete refrigerant heat dissipation, throttling and path switching, while realizing multi-zone heat exchange and mode control, improving the continuity and efficiency of the freezer's refrigeration operation.
[0035] In this embodiment, the condenser 2, the first solenoid valve 3, and the capillary tube 4 are connected in series at the output end of the compressor 1. The second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, and the fourth solenoid valve 7 are connected in parallel downstream of the capillary tube 4. The fifth solenoid valve 8 is connected across the compressor 1 and the ice-making evaporator 93. The refrigerator / freezer 91 in the evaporator group 9 is arranged in the left cavity of the freezer. The pre-cooling evaporator 92 and the ice-making evaporator 93 are integrated in the ice-making unit on the right side of the freezer. The dryer filter 95 is connected between the output end of the evaporator group 9 and the input end of the compressor 1.
[0036] In this embodiment, the condenser 2, the first solenoid valve 3, and the capillary tube 4 are connected in series to stably complete refrigerant heat dissipation and throttling pressure reduction; the second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, and the fourth solenoid valve 7 are connected in parallel to flexibly switch the refrigerant flow to different heat exchange areas; the fifth solenoid valve 8 is connected across the circuit to directly introduce high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the ice-making evaporator 93 for rapid de-icing; the evaporator group 9 is arranged in zones to accommodate multiple functions such as refrigeration / freezing, pre-cooling, and ice making, and the shared refrigeration circuit improves resource utilization; the dryer filter 95 is connected in series at the end of the circuit to remove moisture from the refrigerant and ensure stable operation of the compressor 1.
[0037] Specifically, the first solenoid valve 3 is located between the compressor 1 and the condenser 2. It is a main refrigeration circuit on / off control component, adopts an electromagnetic opening and closing structure, and works with a sealed valve core to achieve precise control of refrigerant flow.
[0038] Specifically, the first solenoid valve 3 is located between the compressor 1 and the condenser 2. As a component for switching on and off the main refrigeration circuit, the electromagnetic opening and closing structure responds quickly, and the sealing valve core has good sealing performance. It can accurately control the entry of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant into the condenser 2, avoid refrigerant leakage, and ensure the reliability of switching on and off the main refrigeration circuit.
[0039] Furthermore, the capillary tube 4 is located downstream of the condenser 2 and serves as a refrigerant throttling and pressure-reducing component. It adopts a slender tubular structure with uniformly contracted internal channels, which can convert high-pressure refrigerant into a low-temperature and low-pressure state.
[0040] Furthermore, the capillary tube 4 is located downstream of the condenser 2. Its slender tubular structure, combined with the uniformly contracting internal channel, can stably throttle and reduce the pressure of the refrigerant after heat dissipation, forming a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. This provides a low-temperature refrigerant for subsequent refrigeration and heat exchange in various zones, ensuring stable refrigeration performance.
[0041] Furthermore, the second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, and the fourth solenoid valve 7 are connected in parallel downstream of the capillary tube 4, and are respectively set for the refrigerator / freezer 91, the precooling evaporator 92, and the ice-making evaporator 93. They all adopt independent electromagnetic control structures, do not interfere with each other, and can be opened and closed independently.
[0042] Furthermore, the second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, and the fourth solenoid valve 7 are connected in parallel and independently electromagnetically controlled. They can be opened and closed individually according to the cooling needs of each area, accurately distributing low-temperature refrigerant to the corresponding heat exchange components, realizing independent or combined operation of refrigeration / freezing, pre-cooling, and ice-making modes, with flexible control and no mutual interference.
[0043] Furthermore, the fifth solenoid valve 8 is connected between the compressor 1 and the ice-making evaporator 93. It is a high-temperature de-icing control component and adopts a high-temperature resistant solenoid valve core structure, which can withstand the impact of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant output from the compressor 1.
[0044] Furthermore, the fifth solenoid valve 8 is bridging the gap, and the high-temperature resistant solenoid valve core structure can withstand the impact of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. When opening and closing, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant output by the compressor 1 can be directly introduced into the ice-making evaporator 93, achieving efficient de-icing without additional heating components and reducing de-icing energy consumption.
[0045] Furthermore, the refrigeration / freezing box 91, the pre-cooling evaporator 92 and the ice-making evaporator 93 of the evaporator group 9 are all equipped with one-way valves 94. The one-way valves 94 adopt a one-way valve core structure, which only allows refrigerant to flow into each evaporator in one direction and prevents refrigerant from flowing back in reverse.
[0046] Furthermore, one-way valves 94 are installed at the input ends of the refrigerator / freezer 91, precooling evaporator 92 and ice-making evaporator 93 of the evaporator group 9. The one-way valve core structure can ensure the stable one-way flow of refrigerant, prevent refrigerant cross-flow and backflow between evaporators in different areas, avoid pressure disturbance in the refrigeration circuit, and ensure the independence and stability of refrigeration operation in each area.
[0047] Furthermore, the dryer filter 95 is connected between the output end of the evaporator group 9 and the input end of the compressor 1. It adopts a moisture-absorbing heat exchange structure and is filled with a moisture-absorbing medium to absorb residual moisture in the refrigerant.
[0048] Furthermore, the dryer filter 95 is connected in series at the end of the circuit. The moisture-absorbing heat exchange structure, together with the internal moisture-absorbing medium, can effectively absorb residual moisture in the refrigerant, prevent moisture from entering the compressor 1 and causing component corrosion or damage, extend the service life of the compressor 1, and ensure the long-term stable operation of the refrigeration circuit.
[0049] Furthermore, the control system 10 integrates an internal temperature sensor and an ambient temperature sensor. The internal temperature sensor is set for the refrigerator / freezer 91, the pre-cooling evaporator 92, and the ice-making evaporator 93, respectively, while the ambient temperature sensor is fixed on the non-heat dissipation area outside the freezer.
[0050] Furthermore, the control system 10 integrates multiple types of sensors. The internal temperature sensor accurately collects the temperature of each cooling zone, and the ambient temperature sensor monitors the external ambient temperature in real time. After the multi-source temperature data is fused, the control timing of the solenoid valve and the timing of the de-icing trigger can be corrected, thereby improving the control accuracy.
[0051] Furthermore, the control system 10 is electrically connected to each solenoid valve through a control line. The control line adopts a shielded cable structure, which has the ability to resist electromagnetic interference and ensures stable transmission of control signals.
[0052] Furthermore, the control system 10 is connected to each solenoid valve via shielded cables, which have strong anti-electromagnetic interference capabilities. This can prevent electromagnetic signals inside the freezer from interfering with the transmission of control commands, ensuring that each solenoid valve responds promptly and operates precisely, and guaranteeing the reliability of refrigeration mode switching and de-icing control.
[0053] When using the multi-zone refrigeration system control device for the freezer of the present invention, the equipment is first installed and deployed as follows: the compressor 1, condenser 2, and capillary tube 4 are fixed in the preset frame position inside the freezer to complete the installation of the refrigeration cycle components; the first solenoid valve 3 is installed between the compressor 1 and the condenser 2, the second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, and the fourth solenoid valve 7 are installed in parallel downstream of the capillary tube 4, and the fifth solenoid valve 8 is installed across the compressor 1 and the ice-making evaporator 93 to complete the installation of the multi-pass valve assembly; the refrigerator / freezer 91 is arranged in the left cavity of the freezer, the pre-cooling evaporator 92 and the ice-making evaporator 93 are integrated in the ice-making unit on the right side of the freezer, a one-way valve 94 is installed at the input end of each evaporator, and the dryer filter 95 is connected to the output end of the evaporator assembly 9 and the input end of the compressor 1 to complete the installation of the multi-zone heat exchange assembly; the control system 10 is fixed inside the control panel of the freezer, and the control lines of each solenoid valve and the sensor lines are connected to complete the installation of the control power supply assembly.
[0054] After the equipment is installed, the control power supply components are started for debugging: the control system 10 is turned on, and the internal temperature sensor and ambient temperature sensor are started synchronously to collect the temperature data of each area and the ambient temperature in real time; the control system 10 outputs control signals to trigger the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve 3, the second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, the fourth solenoid valve 7, and the fifth solenoid valve 8 in sequence to verify that the action response of each solenoid valve is normal; the compressor 1 is started, the refrigeration circuit is established, and the refrigerant flow is checked to be smooth and without leakage. After debugging, it enters the refrigeration preparation state.
[0055] Upon entering the formal cooling stage, the freezer starts operating according to the set mode: In refrigeration / freezing mode, the control system 10 opens the first solenoid valve 3 and the second solenoid valve 5, and closes the third solenoid valve 6, the fourth solenoid valve 7, and the fifth solenoid valve 8. The compressor 1 outputs high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, which, after being cooled by the condenser 2 and throttled by the capillary tube 4, enters the refrigeration / freezing compartment 91 to complete the cooling of the refrigeration / freezing area; In pre-cooling mode, the control system 10 opens the first solenoid valve 3 and the third solenoid valve 6, and closes the second solenoid valve 5, the fourth solenoid valve 7, and the fifth solenoid valve 8. The low-temperature refrigerant enters the pre-cooling evaporator 92 to complete the cooling of the pre-cooling water box; In ice-making mode, the control system 10 opens the first solenoid valve 3 and the fourth solenoid valve 7, and closes the second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, and the fifth solenoid valve 8. The low-temperature refrigerant enters the ice-making evaporator 93 to continuously complete the ice-making operation.
[0056] After ice making is completed, the system enters the high-temperature de-icing stage. The control system 10 closes the first solenoid valve 3, the second solenoid valve 5, the third solenoid valve 6, and the fourth solenoid valve 7, and opens the fifth solenoid valve 8. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant output by the compressor 1 is directly introduced into the ice evaporator 93, and the ice layer on the surface of the ice evaporator 93 is quickly melted by the high-temperature and high-pressure heat. The control system 10 monitors the temperature of the ice making area in real time. After the temperature rises to the set value and remains stable for a certain period of time, it determines that the de-icing is complete, closes the fifth solenoid valve 8, and reopens the first solenoid valve 3 and the corresponding working mode solenoid valve to restore the normal refrigeration cycle.
[0057] During refrigeration operation, the control system 10 receives data from the internal temperature sensor and the ambient temperature sensor in real time, dynamically adjusts the opening and closing time of each solenoid valve, and allocates the refrigerant flow as needed; the one-way valve 94 prevents refrigerant backflow and crossflow, and the dryer filter 95 continuously removes moisture from the refrigerant to ensure stable operation of the refrigeration circuit; until the entire process of refrigeration, ice making, and de-icing is completed, the power supply to the compressor 1 and the control system 10 is turned off, the connection lines of each component are disconnected, the equipment is shut down, and the entire equipment operation process ends.
[0058] Finally, it should be noted that the electronic components in the compressor 1, condenser 2 and other components in this embodiment are all general standard parts or parts known to those skilled in the art. Their structure and principle can be learned by those skilled in the art through technical manuals or conventional experimental methods. In the idle part of this device, all the above-mentioned electrical components are connected by wires. The specific connection method should refer to the working order between the electrical components in the above working principle to complete the electrical connection. All of these are technologies known in the art.
[0059] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer, characterized in that: Includes a compressor (1), a condenser (2), a first solenoid valve (3), a capillary tube (4), a second solenoid valve (5), a third solenoid valve (6), a fourth solenoid valve (7), a fifth solenoid valve (8), an evaporator assembly (9), and a control system (10). The compressor (1) is used to generate a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant; The condenser (2) is connected to the compressor (1) and is used to dissipate heat from the refrigerant; The first solenoid valve (3) is located between the compressor (1) and the condenser (2) to control the opening and closing of the main refrigeration circuit; the capillary tube (4) is located downstream of the condenser (2) for throttling and pressure reduction; The second solenoid valve (5), the third solenoid valve (6), and the fourth solenoid valve (7) are connected in parallel downstream of the capillary tube (4) to control the on / off state of the corresponding evaporator in the evaporator group (9).
2. The control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The evaporator group (9) includes a refrigerator / freezer (91), a pre-cooling evaporator (92), and an ice-making evaporator (93), which correspond to different refrigeration zones of the freezer. The fifth solenoid valve (8) is connected between the compressor (1) and the ice-making evaporator (93) to introduce high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The control system (10) is electrically connected to each solenoid valve to dynamically switch the refrigerant path according to the zone status, so as to realize zoned refrigeration and high-temperature de-icing.
3. The control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The evaporator group (9) has a refrigerator / freezer (91) arranged in the left cavity of the freezer. The pre-cooling evaporator (92) and the ice-making evaporator (93) are integrated in the ice-making unit on the right side of the freezer. The three are independent of each other and share a set of refrigeration circuits, respectively realizing the functions of refrigeration / freezing, water box pre-cooling, and ice-making heat exchange.
4. The control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system (10) integrates an internal temperature sensor and an ambient temperature sensor; the internal temperature sensor collects temperature signals from various locations inside the freezer, and the ambient temperature sensor collects ambient temperature signals from outside the freezer. The data from the two types of sensors are fused together to correct the control timing of the solenoid valve and the timing of the ice removal trigger.
5. The control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer according to claim 2, characterized in that: A one-way valve (94) is installed at the inlet of the refrigerator / freezer (91), the precooling evaporator (92) and the ice-making evaporator (93) of the evaporator group (9).
6. The control device for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the evaporator assembly (9) is also connected to a dryer filter (95), and the output end of the dryer filter (95) is connected to the input end of the compressor (1).
7. A method for controlling a multi-zone refrigeration system for a freezer, used in the multi-zone refrigeration system control device for a freezer as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1, refrigeration cycle stage, compressor (1) outputs high temperature and high pressure refrigerant, control system (10) opens the first solenoid valve (3) and closes the fifth solenoid valve (8), the refrigerant becomes low temperature and low pressure state after being saturated by condenser (2) and throttled by capillary tube (4); S2, in the dynamic distribution stage of cooling capacity in each zone, the control system (10) calculates the proportion of cooling capacity demand in each zone according to the temperature of each zone, dynamically adjusts the opening time of the solenoid valve, and selects one or a combination to open the second solenoid valve (5), the third solenoid valve (6), and the fourth solenoid valve (7) so that the low-temperature refrigerant enters the evaporator group (9) corresponding to the evaporator and performs refrigeration / freezing, precooling, and ice making operations respectively. S3. High-temperature de-icing stage: After ice making is completed, the control system (10) closes the first solenoid valve (3), the second solenoid valve (5), the third solenoid valve (6), and the fourth solenoid valve (7), and opens the fifth solenoid valve (8). The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant output by the compressor (1) is directly fed into the ice evaporator (93) to complete the de-icing and restore the zoned refrigeration process.
8. The control method for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The S2 partitioned cooling stage includes two sub-processes: pre-cooling control and ice-making control. The pre-cooling control involves opening the third solenoid valve (6), closing the second solenoid valve (5) and the fourth solenoid valve (7) to cool the pre-cooled water box. The ice-making control involves closing the third solenoid valve (6) and opening the fourth solenoid valve (7) after the pre-cooled water box reaches the set temperature to maintain the low temperature of the ice-making evaporator (93) for continuous ice making. The two sub-processes automatically switch according to the temperature threshold.
9. The control method for a multi-zone refrigeration system of a freezer according to claim 7, characterized in that: Step S3, the high-temperature de-icing stage, includes two steps: ice-making completion determination and de-icing end determination. The ice-making completion determination is triggered by both the temperature of the ice-making evaporator (93) and the ice layer thickness. The de-icing end determination is determined by the temperature rise and stabilization time of the ice-making zone, so as to avoid insufficient de-icing or overheating.
10. The method for controlling a multi-zone refrigeration system for a freezer according to claim 7, characterized in that: Step S2, the zoned cooling stage, also includes a dynamic allocation process of cooling capacity; the control system (10) calculates the proportion of cooling capacity demand in the refrigeration / freezing zone, the precooling zone, and the ice-making zone in real time, and dynamically allocates the opening time of the second solenoid valve (5), the third solenoid valve (6), and the fourth solenoid valve (7) within a single control cycle, so as to realize the on-demand allocation of cooling capacity in multiple zones and improve the overall energy efficiency of the system.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Ice supply system
CN100383480C