Control method for a refrigeration appliance and refrigeration appliance

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a control method for a refrigeration appliance, wherein the refrigeration appliance comprises a refrigeration system for cooling a space to be cooled (100), the refrigeration system comprising a compressor (1), a condenser (2), an evaporator (3), and a fan (4) for facilitating heat dissipation of the condenser (2), the control method comprising the following steps: S1, obtaining an ambient temperature of an environment in which the refrigeration appliance is located; S2, determining whether the refrigeration system is in a high heat load working condition; and S3, determining an operation strategy of the fan according to the ambient temperature and whether the refrigeration system is in the high heat load working condition. Furthermore, the present application also provides a corresponding refrigeration appliance. According to certain embodiments of the present application, precise matching of the heat dissipation requirement of the condenser can be achieved. This helps to prevent liquid accumulation in the condenser while ensuring refrigeration performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a control method for a refrigeration appliance and a refrigeration appliance. Background Technology

[0002] During the use of refrigeration appliances, the operation of the condenser fan has a significant impact on the overall energy efficiency and refrigeration performance of the appliance.

[0003] CN111795535A discloses a control method for a refrigeration appliance, wherein the fan speed is adjusted based on the change in compressor speed, so that the fan speed is basically matched with the cooling capacity demand of the storage space in real time.

[0004] CN117795273A discloses a refrigeration device comprising: at least one storage compartment accessible through a door; a refrigerant circuit; and a control unit, wherein the refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a forced-draft condenser with a condenser fan, and at least one evaporator. The control unit operates the condenser fan at a first speed in a first operating mode with the door closed, and in a second operating mode initiated after the door is closed, operates the evaporator and operates the condenser fan at a second speed significantly lower than the first speed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of embodiments of this application is to provide an improved control method for a refrigeration appliance and a refrigeration appliance.

[0006] According to a first aspect of this application, embodiments of this application provide a control method for a refrigeration appliance, the refrigeration appliance including a refrigeration system for cooling a space to be cooled, the refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a fan for promoting heat dissipation of the condenser, wherein the control method includes the following steps: S1, obtaining the ambient temperature of the environment where the refrigeration appliance is located; S2, determining whether the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition; and S3, determining the fan's operating strategy based on the ambient temperature and whether the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition.

[0007] Existing refrigeration appliances still have shortcomings in condenser fan control. For example, a simplistic fan control logic may limit the cooling effect of the appliance. Inappropriate fan control can also reduce the reliability of the refrigeration system. Furthermore, existing control methods are poorly adaptable to refrigeration systems with varying operating efficiencies and / or different operating environments.

[0008] According to this application, by combining the ambient temperature and high heat load conditions to determine the fan's operating strategy, precise matching of the condenser's heat dissipation requirements can be achieved. This helps to prevent liquid accumulation inside the condenser while ensuring cooling performance.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of this application, in step S2, whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load is identified based on the compressor speed and / or the temperature of at least one space in the refrigeration appliance to be cooled. This helps reduce the complexity of the control method and improves reliability. The compressor speed and / or the temperature of at least one space in the refrigeration appliance to be cooled can directly and promptly reflect the heat load level of the refrigeration system.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of this application, when the compressor speed is higher than a preset speed value or higher than a reference speed by a preset value, the refrigeration system is determined to be under high heat load conditions. This allows for sensitive and accurate identification of high heat load conditions, providing a reliable basis for determining the fan's operating strategy.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of this application, when the temperature of the space to be cooled is higher than a preset temperature or higher than a reference temperature by a preset temperature difference, the refrigeration system is determined to be under high heat load conditions. This allows for sensitive and accurate identification of high heat load conditions, providing a reliable basis for determining the fan's operating strategy.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the compressor is configured to operate at the reference speed when started due to a cooling demand in at least one space to be cooled, and the compressor speed is adjusted based on the temperature of the space to be cooled during operation.

[0013] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the reference rotational speed is determined based on the ambient temperature and the set temperature of at least one space to be cooled.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of this application, step S3 includes: when the ambient temperature is within at least one ambient temperature range, and it is determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, increasing the fan flow rate level compared to when the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions. For the at least one ambient temperature range, the fan flow rate level can be increased in response to determining that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions. By increasing the fan flow rate level, the cooling efficiency of the refrigeration system can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the refrigeration system operating under high heat load conditions for extended periods.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of this application, step S3 includes: when the ambient temperature is higher than a temperature threshold, if it is determined that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition, the fan flow rate is increased compared to when the refrigeration system is not under a high heat load condition; when the ambient temperature is lower than the temperature threshold, even if it is determined that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition, the fan flow rate is not increased due to the determination that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition. When the ambient temperature is high, the fan flow rate can be increased in response to the identification that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the condenser, thereby ensuring that the refrigeration system has high refrigeration efficiency. When the refrigeration appliance is in a low-temperature environment, if the fan flow rate is increased due to the refrigeration system being under a high heat load condition, the refrigerant may prematurely liquefy in the condenser and form a liquid blockage. If liquid refrigerant accumulates in the condenser (i.e., liquid accumulation occurs), the refrigerant circulation path will be blocked, preventing the evaporator from obtaining sufficient refrigerant to participate in heat exchange. The refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration system will significantly decrease or even completely fail, resulting in a continuous rise in the temperature of the space to be cooled. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is low, even if the refrigeration system is identified as being under high heat load, the fan flow rate will not be increased simply because the refrigeration system is under high heat load.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the control method further includes the step of: detecting whether liquid accumulation has occurred in the condenser; if liquid accumulation is detected, increasing the temperature threshold. Increasing the temperature threshold not only helps alleviate liquid accumulation in the condenser under current conditions, but more importantly, it can prevent liquid accumulation in the condenser under potentially high heat load conditions in the future.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of this application, step S3 includes: -Based on the ambient temperature, determine which of the multiple ambient temperature ranges the ambient temperature belongs to, wherein a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for the fan are respectively assigned to each of the multiple ambient temperature ranges; - Determine the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the ambient temperature range to which the ambient temperature belongs as the current first and second operating strategies, and - When it is determined that the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions, the fan is operated according to the current first operating strategy. When it is determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, the fan is operated according to the one that can achieve a higher flow rate level between the current first operating strategy and the current second operating strategy.

[0018] Precise fan control can be achieved by dividing the environment into multiple temperature ranges and assigning two operating strategies to each range. This precise control ensures that a higher flow rate is selected when the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, guaranteeing sufficient heat dissipation from the condenser. Furthermore, the fan operating strategy can be flexibly adjusted to adapt the refrigeration equipment to different appliances, operating environments, and / or energy consumption requirements.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured as follows: for ambient temperature ranges below a temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperature ranges above the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy. Using this configuration, the fan flow rate can be increased in response to the detection of a high heat load condition in the refrigeration system when the ambient temperature is high, ensuring high refrigeration efficiency. Conversely, when the ambient temperature is low, the fan flow rate will not be increased due to the refrigeration system being under a high heat load condition, thereby preventing liquid accumulation in the condenser.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the temperature threshold is higher than 15°C, optionally set between 25°C and 30°C, and optionally set to 28°C.

[0021] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured such that, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy. By allocating the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range in this way, liquid accumulation in the condenser due to excessive fan speed can be avoided.

[0022] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured such that, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy. By allocating the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range in this way, the efficiency of the refrigeration system can be improved, and the refrigeration system can be prevented from operating under high heat load conditions for extended periods.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range are configured such that, for at least two of the plurality of ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy, wherein, in the at least two ambient temperature ranges, the difference between the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy and the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is greater for the ambient temperature range with higher temperature.

[0024] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the control method includes step S0. In step S0, a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for the fan are assigned to each of a plurality of ambient temperature ranges. The parameters (e.g., fan speed) of the first and second operating strategies corresponding to each ambient temperature range can be stored in the control unit of the refrigeration appliance.

[0025] According to an optional embodiment of this application, step S0 includes the following sub-steps: - Obtaining user input; and -Based on user input, select one of the following configuration options to configure the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range: In the first configuration scheme, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy across all ambient temperature ranges. In the second configuration, for ambient temperatures below the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperatures above the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that corresponding to the second operating strategy. In the third configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0026] Therefore, a first and second operating strategy can be allocated based on the user's selection, allowing the refrigeration appliance to adapt to different user needs. For different user needs, only the parameter settings of the first and second operating strategies need to be adjusted to balance the efficiency and reliability of the refrigeration system as much as possible while meeting user requirements.

[0027] According to an optional embodiment of this application, step S0 includes the following sub-steps: - Obtain the energy consumption requirements for refrigeration appliances; and -Based on the energy consumption requirements, select one of the following configuration options to configure a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range: In the first configuration scheme, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy across all ambient temperature ranges. In the second configuration, for ambient temperatures below the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperatures above the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that corresponding to the second operating strategy. In the third configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0028] Therefore, the first and second operating strategies can be allocated according to energy consumption requirements, enabling refrigeration appliances to adapt to different energy consumption requirements.

[0029] According to an optional embodiment of this application, step S0 includes the following steps: obtaining the geographical location of the refrigeration appliance, and configuring a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range based on the geographical location. By selecting different configuration schemes, the fan's operating strategy can be adapted to local climate characteristics, thereby improving the adaptability of the refrigeration appliance to different geographical locations.

[0030] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the relative magnitudes of the flow rate levels of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy and / or the flow rate levels of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy change at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan.

[0031] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy and / or the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy changes at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's usage cycle.

[0032] According to an optional embodiment of this application, in the first stage of the refrigeration appliance's usage cycle, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy; in the second stage of the refrigeration appliance's usage cycle after the first stage, for ambient temperature ranges below the temperature threshold, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy, and for ambient temperature ranges above the temperature threshold, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy; in the third stage of the refrigeration appliance's usage cycle after the second stage, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0033] Over time, refrigeration appliances experience a decrease in condenser heat dissipation efficiency and overall refrigeration system efficiency. By dynamically adjusting the primary and secondary operating strategies of the fan at different stages of the usage cycle, it is possible to ensure that the refrigeration appliance maintains a stable cooling effect throughout its entire usage cycle and prevent condenser buildup.

[0034] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the control method further includes the following steps: detecting whether liquid accumulation occurs in the condenser; if liquid accumulation is detected, adjusting the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy corresponding to the plurality of ambient temperature ranges, such that, compared to before the adjustment, for more ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy. By adjusting the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy corresponding to the plurality of ambient temperature ranges, not only can the liquid accumulation in the condenser be alleviated in the current state, but more importantly, it can prevent liquid accumulation in the condenser under possible high heat load conditions in the future.

[0035] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the control method further includes the following steps: identifying the user's usage habits, and adjusting the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy corresponding to the plurality of ambient temperature ranges according to the user's usage habits.

[0036] According to a second aspect of this application, a refrigeration appliance is provided, the refrigeration appliance including a refrigeration system and a control unit, the refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a fan for promoting heat dissipation of the condenser, the control unit being configured to perform a control method for the refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The principles, features, and advantages of this application will be better understood below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings include: Figure 1 A refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is schematically shown; Figure 2 A partial view of the refrigeration appliance as seen from the rear is shown schematically; Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a control method for a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically. Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating step S3 of the control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically. Figure 5 The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed in each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application are schematically shown; Figure 6 The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed in each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application are schematically shown; Figure 7 The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed in each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application are schematically shown; Figure 8 The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed in each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application are schematically shown; Figure 9 A flowchart of control method step S0 according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically; Figure 10 A flowchart of control method step S0 according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically; Figure 11 A flowchart of control method step S0 according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically; Figure 12 The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed in each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application are schematically shown; Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically; and Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically.

[0038] List of reference numerals Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] To better understand this application, exemplary embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 A refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is illustrated schematically. Figure 2 A partial view of the refrigeration appliance, viewed from the rear, is shown schematically. For clarity, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The insulation material, shelves, and / or rear wall are omitted. Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a control method for a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically. The control method can be applied, for example, to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigeration appliance shown.

[0042] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigeration appliance may be, for example, a refrigerator. The refrigerator may have at least one storage compartment 100 for accommodating items to be stored, which may be enclosed by the refrigerator body. The storage compartment 100 may be used as a refrigerator compartment, freezer compartment, or variable temperature compartment, etc. The refrigerator also includes a door for closing the storage compartment 100 from the front.

[0043] A refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system for cooling a space to be cooled. In an embodiment where the refrigeration appliance is a refrigerator, the space to be cooled includes the refrigerator's storage compartment 100. The refrigeration system includes a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an evaporator 3, and a fan 4 for promoting heat dissipation from the condenser 2. The compressor 1, condenser 2, and evaporator 3 may be connected in sequence. Figure 2 As shown, a machine room may be provided in the lower rear section of the refrigeration equipment. The compressor 1, condenser 2, and fan 4 for promoting heat dissipation from the condenser 2 may be arranged within this machine room. An evaporator 3 may be arranged in the storage compartment 100 for cooling the corresponding storage compartment 100. The condenser 2 is particularly a microchannel condenser 2.

[0044] Compressor 1 compresses the low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant enters condenser 2, releases heat to the surrounding environment, and condenses into a liquid state. After being depressurized by a throttling element, it enters evaporator 3. Fan 4 enhances gas flow over the surface of condenser 2, promoting heat dissipation. The refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates in evaporator 3, thus cooling the space to be cooled. The heat dissipation effect of condenser 2 directly affects the condensing pressure and overall energy efficiency of the refrigeration system; therefore, proper control of fan 4, which promotes heat dissipation in condenser 2, is crucial to the performance of the refrigeration appliance.

[0045] The refrigeration appliance also includes a control unit 5. The control unit 5 is configured to execute a control method for the refrigeration appliance. The control unit 5 may include a memory and a processor, the memory storing computer program instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to perform a method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0046] Processors may include, for example, central processing units, general-purpose processors, network processors, microcontrollers, and / or application-specific integrated circuits, etc.

[0047] The memory may include, for example, random access memory, read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory and / or portable read-only memory, etc.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the control method may include at least steps S1, S2 and S3.

[0049] In step S1, the ambient temperature of the environment where the refrigeration appliance is located is obtained. This ambient temperature can be detected, for example, using an ambient temperature sensor of the refrigeration appliance. Optionally, information about the ambient temperature can also be obtained from other devices (e.g., air conditioners, thermometers, hygrometers, smart home control panels, remote servers, etc.) via a network connection.

[0050] In step S2, it is determined whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions.

[0051] In step S3, the operating strategy of fan 4 is determined based on the ambient temperature and whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions.

[0052] Fan 4 can operate at different flow rates depending on the operating strategy, and can change the heat dissipation efficiency of condenser 2. It should be understood that "operating at different flow rates" is not limited to controlling fan 4 with a specific target flow rate value as the control parameter, but can be achieved, for example, by using the fan speed (or the fan start-stop ratio) as the control parameter.

[0053] Using the above control method, the fan 4 for the condenser 2 can operate with an operating strategy that is more adapted to the ambient temperature and the operating conditions of the refrigeration system.

[0054] This prevents the refrigeration system from operating under high heat load conditions for extended periods, and also prevents the refrigerant from prematurely liquefying and forming a liquid blockage in the condenser 2. It ensures smooth refrigerant circulation within the refrigeration system and prevents the evaporator 3 from experiencing reduced cooling capacity or failure due to insufficient liquid. This helps achieve a dynamic balance between energy consumption and operational reliability in refrigeration appliances.

[0055] This control method is particularly advantageous for refrigeration appliances employing microchannel condensers 2. Microchannel condensers 2, relying on their small-aperture parallel flow channels and high-density heat exchange fins, offer advantages such as high heat exchange efficiency and compact structure. However, due to their smaller flow channel cross-section and longer flow path, microchannel condensers 2 are significantly more sensitive to refrigerant phase changes. If the refrigerant completes its gas-liquid phase change prematurely within the condenser 2, the resulting liquid refrigerant can easily cause liquid blockage within the microchannel condenser 2.

[0056] By determining the operating strategy of fan 4 based on the ambient temperature and whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, the heat dissipation efficiency of condenser 2 can be adjusted and the phase change process of refrigerant in condenser 2 can be controlled, the premature liquefaction of refrigerant can be suppressed, local liquid blockage can be avoided, and the refrigerant circulation flow rate in the refrigeration system can be ensured to be stable.

[0057] Optionally, in step S2, the refrigeration system may be identified as being under high heat load conditions based on the rotational speed of compressor 1 and / or the temperature of at least one space of the refrigeration appliance to be cooled.

[0058] For example, when the speed of compressor 1 is higher than the preset speed value, it can be determined that the refrigeration system is in a high heat load condition.

[0059] Alternatively, when the speed of compressor 1 is higher than a reference speed by a preset value (i.e., the speed of compressor 1 is higher than the reference speed, and the difference between the two is greater than or equal to the preset value), it can be determined that the refrigeration system is in a high heat load condition.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment according to this application, compressor 1 is configured to operate at a reference speed when started due to a cooling demand in at least one space to be cooled, and the speed of compressor 1 is adjusted based on the temperature of the space to be cooled during operation.

[0061] Once the refrigeration appliance is started, compressor 1 can initially operate at the aforementioned reference speed. During operation, the speed of compressor 1 can be adjusted according to the target temperature and / or actual temperature of the space to be cooled. For example, when the actual temperature of the space to be cooled is significantly higher than the target temperature, the speed of compressor 1 can be increased.

[0062] The reference speed can be determined, for example, based on the ambient temperature and the target temperature of at least one space to be cooled. The target temperature of the space to be cooled can be a default setting or can be set by the user.

[0063] Optionally, when the temperature of the space to be cooled is higher than the preset temperature, it can be determined that the refrigeration system is in a high heat load condition.

[0064] Alternatively, when the temperature of the space to be cooled is higher than a reference temperature by a preset temperature difference (i.e., the temperature of the space to be cooled is higher than the reference temperature, and the difference between the two is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference), it can be determined that the refrigeration system is in a high heat load condition.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, step S3 may include: when the ambient temperature is within at least one ambient temperature range, and when it is determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, increasing the flow rate of fan 4 compared to when the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions.

[0066] When the ambient temperature is within at least one of the aforementioned ambient temperature ranges, and the refrigeration system is operating under high heat load conditions, increasing the flow rate of fan 4 can improve the heat dissipation efficiency of condenser 2. This prevents the refrigeration system from operating under high heat load conditions for extended periods. This helps improve the cooling performance of the refrigeration appliance, delays the aging of the refrigeration system, and reduces the failure rate.

[0067] In one embodiment, step S3 may include: when the ambient temperature is higher than a temperature threshold, if it is determined that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition, increasing the flow rate of fan 4 compared to when the refrigeration system is not under a high heat load condition; when the ambient temperature is lower than the temperature threshold, even if it is determined that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition, not increasing the flow rate of fan 4 due to the determination that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition. The temperature threshold may in particular be higher than 15°C. Optionally, the temperature threshold may be set between 25°C and 30°C. For example, the temperature threshold may be set to 28°C.

[0068] The inventors discovered in practice that if the fan 4 rotates too fast, the refrigerant liquefies prematurely in the condenser 2. This liquid refrigerant easily accumulates in the condenser 2, causing blockages. This directly leads to a contraction of the flow channel area, a significant increase in circulation resistance, and consequently, a decrease in refrigerant circulation flow and an increase in condensing pressure. Especially at low ambient temperatures, excessively high heat dissipation efficiency in the condenser 2 can easily cause liquid blockage. Liquid blockage in the condenser 2 results in insufficient refrigerant supply to the evaporator 3. In cases of severe refrigerant shortage, the evaporator 3 may even lose its cooling function, accompanied by malfunctions such as excessively high suction superheat in the compressor 1 and poor oil return, exacerbating component wear and increasing energy consumption.

[0069] In this situation, the temperature of the space to be cooled will not only fail to decrease but will continue to rise. If the liquid blockage fault is not detected, the control unit can determine that the heat load condition has not been eliminated based on the temperature of the space to be cooled. The compressor needs to maintain high speed continuously. This will create a vicious cycle of high energy consumption but ineffective cooling of the refrigeration system, resulting in serious energy loss.

[0070] If the refrigeration system operates in the above-mentioned abnormal state for a long time, it will not only aggravate the mechanical wear of the compressor, but may also shorten the life of components due to pressure imbalance in the refrigeration system, thus reducing the overall operational reliability of the refrigeration appliance.

[0071] According to embodiments of this application, when the refrigeration appliance is in an environment above 28°C, if the refrigeration system is identified as being under a high heat load, the flow rate of fan 4 can be increased to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of condenser 2, thereby ensuring that the refrigeration system has high refrigeration efficiency. When the refrigeration appliance is in a low-temperature environment, if the flow rate of fan 4 is increased due to the refrigeration system being under a high heat load, the refrigerant may prematurely liquefy in condenser 2 and form a liquid blockage. If liquid refrigerant accumulates prematurely in condenser 2, the refrigerant circulation path will be blocked, preventing evaporator 3 from obtaining sufficient refrigerant for heat exchange. The refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration system will significantly decrease or even fail completely, resulting in a continuous rise in the temperature of the space to be cooled. Therefore, when the refrigeration appliance is in an environment below 28°C, even if the refrigeration system is identified as being under a high heat load, the flow rate of fan 4 will not be increased due to the determination that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load. This prevents refrigerant from accumulating in condenser 2 and forming a liquid blockage.

[0072] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, the control method may further include the following steps: detecting whether liquid accumulation occurs in the condenser; if liquid accumulation is detected, increasing the temperature threshold.

[0073] For example, a level sensor, differential pressure sensor, and / or temperature sensor can be installed at the outlet or bottom of the condenser to determine the accumulation state of liquid refrigerant within the condenser. As an example, liquid accumulation in the condenser can be determined when the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the condenser exceeds the normal operating range, or when the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet exceeds a predetermined deviation. In response to the detection of liquid accumulation in the condenser, the temperature threshold can be increased.

[0074] By increasing the temperature threshold, liquid buildup in the condenser can be mitigated under current conditions. More importantly, the increased temperature threshold will serve as the new control benchmark. This prevents liquid buildup in the condenser under potential high heat loads in the future, thus preventing liquid blockage. For some refrigeration systems and / or their operating environments, the initially set temperature threshold may not be suitable. Alternatively, although the temperature threshold may initially fit the refrigeration system and its environment, the performance of the refrigeration system or its operating environment may change. Adjusting the temperature threshold based on liquid buildup detection during use ensures that the fan operation strategy remains compatible with the refrigeration system and its operating environment over extended periods.

[0075] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating step S3 of the control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically.

[0076] Step S3 may include sub-steps S31, S32, S33, S34, and S35.

[0077] In sub-step S31, based on the ambient temperature, it is determined which of a plurality of ambient temperature ranges the ambient temperature belongs to. A first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for the fan are assigned to each of the plurality of ambient temperature ranges. Parameters and / or instructions regarding the first and second operating strategies can be stored in the control unit of the refrigeration appliance.

[0078] As an example, the multiple ambient temperature ranges can be set to include the following ranges: below 13℃, 13℃-20℃, 20℃-28℃, 28℃-36℃, and above 36℃.

[0079] In sub-step S32, the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the ambient temperature range to which the ambient temperature belongs are determined as the current first and second operating strategies.

[0080] In sub-step S33, it is determined whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions. If the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions, sub-step S34 is executed; if the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, sub-step S35 is executed.

[0081] In sub-step S34, the fan is made to run according to the current first operating strategy.

[0082] In sub-step S35, the current first operating strategy is compared with the current second operating strategy. If, compared to the current second operating strategy, the fan has a higher flow rate when operating according to the current first operating strategy, then step S34 is executed to make the fan operate according to the current first operating strategy. If, compared to the current second operating strategy, the fan has a lower flow rate when operating according to the current first operating strategy, then step S36 is executed. In sub-step S36, the fan is made to operate according to the current second operating strategy.

[0083] Therefore, when it is determined that the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions, the fan can be operated according to the current first operating strategy. When it is determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, the fan can be operated according to the one that can achieve a higher flow rate level between the current first operating strategy and the current second operating strategy.

[0084] As mentioned above, in low ambient temperatures, excessively high fan speeds may lead to excessive heat dissipation in the condenser, potentially causing liquid refrigerant blockage within the condenser. Whether liquid blockage is prone to form in the condenser is influenced by the refrigeration performance of the appliance and / or the operating environment.

[0085] By utilizing the first and second operating strategies assigned to the multiple ambient temperature ranges, and by operating the fan according to the current first and second operating strategies that can achieve a higher flow rate level when the refrigeration system is operating under high heat load conditions, the adaptability of the control method to different refrigeration appliances and different working environments can be improved.

[0086] For example, different refrigeration appliances may have different cooling performances due to differences in compressor rated power, condenser heat exchange area, and / or refrigerant charge. By utilizing a first and second operating strategy for the fan, tailored to different ambient temperature ranges, the fan operating logic can be adapted to different refrigeration appliances in a convenient and efficient manner. This ensures cooling performance while preventing liquid buildup in the condenser across various appliances. This can be achieved without customizing and debugging a complete set of control parameters and logic for each individual refrigeration appliance.

[0087] In addition, for different working environments, the first and second operating strategies of the fan, which are allocated for each ambient temperature range, can be used to make the fan's operating logic adapt to the current environment of the refrigeration appliance in a convenient and efficient way.

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment according to this application, the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range can be set such that, for each ambient temperature range, the fan flow rate achievable by the first operating strategy is lower than the fan flow rate achievable by the second operating strategy. In this case, step S35 can be omitted. Accordingly, if it is determined in sub-step S33 that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition, then sub-step S36 is executed to make the fan operate according to the current second operating strategy.

[0089] A fan's flow rate represents the volume of air a fan can deliver per unit of time. For example, the flow rate can be adjusted by changing the fan's rotational speed. Alternatively or additionally, the flow rate can be adjusted by changing the fan's on / off ratio.

[0090] The following text uses the example of different operating strategies that achieve different fan flow rates by changing the fan speed to illustrate this point.

[0091] Figure 5 The diagram schematically illustrates a first fan reference speed and a second fan reference speed for each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of this application, wherein the horizontal axis represents the ambient temperature T_Amb, the vertical axis represents the fan speed R, the dashed line represents the first fan reference speed, and the solid line represents the second fan reference speed. The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed represent the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy of the fan, respectively.

[0092] In Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of ambient temperature ranges includes five ranges: below 13°C, 13°C-20°C, 20°C-28°C, 28°C-36°C, and above 36°C. The first fan reference speed can be different for each ambient temperature range. Therefore, in a refrigeration appliance operating under non-heat load conditions, the fan can operate at the first fan reference speed, which can vary with the ambient temperature. The first fan reference speed and / or the second fan reference speed can be set to be positively correlated with the ambient temperature.

[0093] Optionally, the first fan reference speed may be at least partially the same for each ambient temperature range.

[0094] like Figure 5As shown, the first and second fan reference speeds for each ambient temperature range can be configured as follows: for ambient temperature ranges below the temperature threshold, the first fan reference speed is greater than the second fan reference speed, and correspondingly, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperature ranges above the temperature threshold, the first fan reference speed is less than the second fan reference speed, and correspondingly, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0095] The temperature threshold can be set between 25°C and 30°C, for example, 28°C.

[0096] Therefore, for the three ambient temperature ranges below 13℃, 13℃-20℃, and 20℃-28℃, the reference speed of the first fan is greater than that of the second fan. For the two ambient temperature ranges of 28℃-36℃ and above 36℃, the reference speed of the first fan is less than that of the second fan.

[0097] As an example, if the ambient temperature of the environment where the cooling appliance is located is 10°C, then the ambient temperature sensor of the cooling appliance can detect that the ambient temperature is 10°C. Therefore, it can be determined that the current ambient temperature falls within the range of 13°C or lower. Then, for example, by looking up a table, the first and second fan reference speeds assigned to this ambient temperature range can be determined.

[0098] If the difference between the compressor speed and the reference speed of the refrigeration appliance is less than a preset value, it can be determined that the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions. In this case, the fan can operate at the first fan reference speed. If the difference between the compressor speed and the reference speed of the refrigeration appliance is greater than a preset value, it can be determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions. In this case, the first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed assigned to the ambient temperature range below 13°C can be compared so that the fan operates at the larger of the first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed. Figure 5 As shown, the reference speed of the first fan is greater than the reference speed of the second fan. Therefore, the fan operates at the reference speed of the first fan. In other words, even though the refrigeration system is identified as being under high heat load, the fan flow rate is not increased due to this determination. This helps prevent liquid buildup in the condenser.

[0099] In contrast, if the ambient temperature of the environment where the cooling appliance is located is 32°C, then the ambient temperature sensor of the cooling appliance can detect that the ambient temperature is 32°C. Therefore, it can be determined that the current ambient temperature falls within the range of 28°C to 36°C. Then, for example, by looking up a table, the first and second fan reference speeds assigned to this ambient temperature range can be determined.

[0100] If the difference between the compressor speed and the reference speed of the refrigeration appliance is less than a preset value, it can be determined that the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions. In this case, the fan can operate at the first fan reference speed. If the difference between the compressor speed and the reference speed of the refrigeration appliance is greater than a preset value, it can be determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions. In this case, the first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed assigned to the ambient temperature range of 28℃-36℃ can be compared so that the fan operates at the larger of the first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed. Figure 5 As shown, the reference speed of the first fan is lower than the reference speed of the second fan. Therefore, the fan operates at the reference speed of the second fan. In other words, in this situation, if the refrigeration system is determined to be under high heat load, the fan flow rate is increased compared to when the refrigeration system is not under high heat load.

[0101] Figure 6 The diagram schematically illustrates a first fan reference speed and a second fan reference speed for each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of this application, wherein the horizontal axis represents the ambient temperature T_Amb, the vertical axis represents the fan speed R, the dashed line represents the first fan reference speed, and the solid line represents the second fan reference speed. The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed represent the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy of the fan, respectively.

[0102] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured such that, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0103] In this embodiment, regardless of the ambient temperature range, when the refrigeration system is identified as being under high heat load, the larger of the two reference speeds (first fan speed and second fan speed) can be determined as the first fan speed.

[0104] By allocating the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range in this way, liquid accumulation in the condenser due to excessive fan speed can be avoided.

[0105] Figure 7The diagram schematically illustrates a first fan reference speed and a second fan reference speed for each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of this application, wherein the horizontal axis represents the ambient temperature T_Amb, the vertical axis represents the fan speed R, the dashed line represents the first fan reference speed, and the solid line represents the second fan reference speed. The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed represent the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy of the fan, respectively.

[0106] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured such that, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0107] In this embodiment, regardless of the ambient temperature range, when the refrigeration system is identified as being under high heat load, the larger of the two reference speeds (first and second fan speeds) can be determined as the second fan reference speed.

[0108] By allocating the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range in this way, the efficiency of the refrigeration system can be improved, preventing the refrigeration system from operating under high heat load conditions for extended periods. This helps improve the cooling performance of refrigeration appliances, delays the aging of the refrigeration system, and reduces the failure rate.

[0109] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range are configured such that, for at least two of the plurality of ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy, wherein, among the at least two ambient temperature ranges, the difference between the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy and the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is greater for the ambient temperature range with higher temperatures. In other words, among those ambient temperature ranges where the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy, the difference between the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy and the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is greater for the ambient temperature range with higher temperatures.

[0110] Figure 8 The diagram schematically illustrates a first fan reference speed and a second fan reference speed for each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of this application, wherein the horizontal axis represents the ambient temperature T_Amb, the vertical axis represents the fan speed R, the dashed line represents the first fan reference speed, and the solid line represents the second fan reference speed. The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed represent the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy of the fan, respectively.

[0111] In this embodiment, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy. Furthermore, the higher the ambient temperature range, the greater the difference between the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy and the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy.

[0112] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, the control method includes step S0. In step S0, a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for the fan are respectively assigned for each of a plurality of ambient temperature ranges.

[0113] Figure 9 A flowchart of control method step S0 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown schematically.

[0114] In this embodiment, step S0 may include sub-step S901 and sub-step S902.

[0115] In sub-step S901, user input can be obtained. For example, the user can perform the user input by operating on the touch screen of the refrigeration appliance. Alternatively, the user can also perform the user input by operating on a terminal device (e.g., a mobile phone) associated with the refrigeration appliance.

[0116] In sub-step S902, based on user input, one of several selectable configuration schemes is chosen to configure a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range. Parameters of the multiple configuration schemes (e.g., fan speed values) can be preset and stored in the control unit. The multiple configuration schemes may include: a first configuration scheme, a second configuration scheme, and a third configuration scheme.

[0117] According to the first configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0118] According to the second configuration scheme, for ambient temperature ranges below the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperature ranges above the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0119] According to the third configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0120] In one example, multiple operating modes for the refrigeration appliance can be provided for the user to choose from. In response to the user's selection of an operating mode, a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy can be configured for each ambient temperature range using a configuration scheme corresponding to the selected operating mode. For example, if the user selects "Energy Saving Mode" or "Silent Mode," the first configuration scheme can be used; if the user selects "Balanced Mode," the second configuration scheme can be used; and if the user selects "High-Efficiency Cooling Mode," the third configuration scheme can be used.

[0121] Figure 10 A flowchart of step S0 of the control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown schematically.

[0122] In this embodiment, step S0 may include sub-step S1001 and sub-step S1002.

[0123] In sub-step S1001, the energy consumption requirements for the cooling appliance can be obtained. These requirements can be determined, for example, based on the peak and off-peak periods of the power grid. If the power grid is in peak demand, the energy-saving requirements for the cooling appliance are higher; if the power grid is in off-peak demand, the energy-saving requirements are lower. The cooling appliance can obtain its energy consumption requirements, for example, from a remote server with which it is communicatively connected. In another example, the energy consumption requirements for the cooling appliance can also be set by the user.

[0124] In sub-step S1002, based on the energy consumption requirements, one of multiple configuration schemes is selected to configure a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range. The multiple configuration schemes may include: a first configuration scheme, a second configuration scheme, and a third configuration scheme.

[0125] According to the first configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0126] According to the second configuration scheme, for ambient temperature ranges below the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperature ranges above the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0127] According to the third configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0128] For example, if the energy consumption requirements for refrigeration appliances are relatively high, the first configuration option can be selected; if the energy consumption requirements for refrigeration appliances are relatively low, the third configuration option can be selected; in other cases, the second configuration option can be selected.

[0129] Figure 11 A flowchart of step S0 of the control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown schematically.

[0130] In this embodiment, step S0 may include sub-step S1101 and sub-step S1102.

[0131] In sub-step S1101, the geographical location of the refrigeration appliance can be obtained. For example, the refrigeration appliance may be equipped with a satellite positioning module to obtain its geographical location. Alternatively or additionally, the refrigeration appliance may be connected to a wired or wireless network and the corresponding geographical location may be matched based on the IP address. Furthermore, the user can input their location on the touchscreen of the refrigeration appliance or on a terminal device associated with the refrigeration appliance.

[0132] In sub-step S1102, a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy are configured for each ambient temperature range based on the geographical location. For example, the first and second operating strategies can be configured for each ambient temperature range by selecting one of a first configuration scheme, a second configuration scheme, and a third configuration scheme based on the geographical location of the refrigeration appliance.

[0133] Different geographical locations typically have different climate characteristics, such as temperature and humidity. By selecting different configuration schemes, the operating strategy of the fan can be adapted to local climate characteristics, thereby improving the adaptability of refrigeration appliances in different geographical locations.

[0134] Figure 12 The first fan reference speed and the second fan reference speed in each ambient temperature range according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application are schematically shown, wherein the dashed line shows the first fan reference speed and the solid line shows the second fan reference speed.

[0135] Figure 12 As shown in this embodiment, the usage cycle of the refrigeration appliance may include multiple stages, such as a first stage P1, a second stage P2, and a third stage P3.

[0136] The reference speeds of the first and / or second fans may vary at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan. That is, the flow rate levels of the fans corresponding to the first and / or second operating strategies may vary at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan.

[0137] The flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy and / or the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy varies at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan. Optionally, for at least some ambient temperature ranges (e.g., two relatively high ambient temperature ranges), the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy may increase with the duration of use.

[0138] In particular, the relative magnitudes of the fan flow rates corresponding to the first and second operating strategies change at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan. This relative relationship determines whether to increase the fan speed when the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions. Figure 12 As shown, the relative magnitudes of the first fan reference speed and / or the second fan reference speed change at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan.

[0139] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, in the first stage of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan, for all ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy. In the first stage of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan, the condenser's heat dissipation efficiency and the refrigeration system's cooling efficiency are generally high. Therefore, for all ambient temperature ranges, even if it is determined that the refrigeration system is under a high heat load condition, the fan flow rate is not increased due to this determination.

[0140] By adjusting the first and second operating strategies assigned to each ambient temperature range (e.g., adjusting the first and second fan reference speeds assigned to each ambient temperature range), the fan operating strategy can be flexibly and conveniently adapted to each stage of the refrigeration appliance's lifecycle.

[0141] In the second stage of the refrigeration appliance's lifespan, following the first stage, for ambient temperatures below the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy. Conversely, for ambient temperatures above the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that corresponding to the second operating strategy. As usage time increases, dust or lint accumulates on the condenser surface, and oil films adhere to the condenser's inner wall, leading to a decrease in condenser heat dissipation efficiency. Furthermore, the overall refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration system also decreases. Therefore, in the second stage, the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range can be adjusted as described above. Thus, in the second stage, when the ambient temperature is high, if the refrigeration system is determined to be under high heat load, the fan flow rate is increased compared to when the refrigeration system is not under high heat load; when the ambient temperature is low, even if the refrigeration system is determined to be under high heat load, the fan flow rate is not increased due to this determination.

[0142] In the third stage of the refrigeration appliance's lifecycle, following the second stage, the fan flow rate of the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy for all ambient temperature ranges.

[0143] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically.

[0144] The control method may include at least steps S1, S2 and S3.

[0145] In step S1, the ambient temperature of the environment where the refrigeration appliance is located is obtained.

[0146] In step S2, it is determined whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions.

[0147] In step S3, the fan operation strategy is determined based on the ambient temperature and whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions.

[0148] exist Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, the control method may further include step S4. In step S4, it is detected whether liquid accumulation occurs in the condenser. If liquid accumulation is detected, the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy corresponding to the plurality of ambient temperature ranges are adjusted so that, compared with before the adjustment, for more ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

[0149] In one example, before adjustment, across all five ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy was higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy only for the two lowest ambient temperature ranges, while the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy was less than or equal to that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy for the three higher ambient temperature ranges. In response to the detection of liquid accumulation in the condenser in step S4, the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the plurality of ambient temperature ranges can be adjusted such that for the three lowest ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy. After adjustment, over a wider range of low temperatures, the fan flow rate is not increased due to the determination that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions.

[0150] Then, steps S2 and S3 can be executed. In step S3, the fan's operating strategy can be determined based on the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the adjusted multiple ambient temperature ranges.

[0151] If no liquid accumulation is detected in the condenser in step S4, the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the multiple ambient temperature ranges will not be adjusted based on the liquid accumulation situation.

[0152] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown schematically.

[0153] and Figure 1 and Figure 13 Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, the control method may include at least steps S1, S2, and S3. Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the control method may further include step S5.

[0154] In step S5, the user's usage habits are identified, and the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the multiple ambient temperature ranges are adjusted according to the user's usage habits.

[0155] User habits can include factors such as the frequency and duration of door opening, and the temperature of items placed in the refrigeration appliance. For example, some users frequently place hot items in the refrigeration appliance at night. Conversely, some users use the refrigeration appliance very infrequently during the cold winter months. By learning and adapting to user habits and dynamically adjusting the fan's operating strategy, the refrigeration appliance can become more user-friendly.

[0156] In another embodiment, the refrigeration appliance may also be an ice maker, wine cooler, air conditioner, etc.

[0157] In embodiments where the refrigeration appliance is an air conditioner, the space to be cooled may include the space towards which the air outlet of the air conditioner faces. The ambient temperature of the environment where the refrigeration appliance is located may refer to the ambient temperature of the environment where the condenser of the air conditioner is located.

[0158] According to this application, the control method for refrigeration appliances can be implemented by software or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0159] This application also relates to a computer program product comprising computer program instructions, wherein the computer program instructions, when executed by one or more processors, enable the one or more processors to perform the control method according to an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0160] The computer program product may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Such a medium may include, for example, various media capable of storing program code, such as read-only memory, random access memory, hard disk, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0161] It should be understood that, in describing exemplary embodiments, the specification may describe the control method in a specific order of steps, or the flowchart may present the control method in a specific order of steps. However, where the control method does not depend on the specific order of steps described herein, the control method should not be limited to the steps in that specific order. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, other orders of steps are also possible. Therefore, the specific order of steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as a limitation on the claims. Furthermore, the claims concerning the control method should not be limited to the steps performed in the order they are written, and those skilled in the art will readily understand that these orders can be varied and still fall within the scope of this application.

[0162] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this application, even when only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The feature examples provided in this application are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, unless otherwise stated. In practice, multiple features may be combined with each other as needed and where technically feasible. In particular, features from different embodiments may also be combined with each other. Various substitutions, modifications, and alterations are conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of this application.

Claims

1. A control method for refrigeration appliances, wherein, The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system for cooling the space to be cooled (100), the refrigeration system including a compressor (1), a condenser (2), an evaporator (3), and a fan (4) for promoting heat dissipation of the condenser (2), and the control method includes the following steps: -S1, obtain the ambient temperature of the environment where the refrigeration appliance is located; -S2, determines whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions; and -S3, determine the fan's operating strategy based on the ambient temperature and whether the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions.

2. The control method for refrigeration appliances according to claim 1, wherein, In step S2, the refrigeration system is identified as being under high heat load conditions based on the rotational speed of the compressor (1) and / or the temperature of at least one space (100) of the refrigeration appliance to be cooled.

3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein, When the speed of compressor (1) is higher than the preset speed value or the speed of compressor (1) is higher than a reference speed by the preset value, it is determined that the refrigeration system is in a high heat load condition; and / or When the temperature of the space to be cooled (100) is higher than the preset temperature or the temperature of the space to be cooled (100) is higher than a reference temperature by a preset temperature difference, the refrigeration system is determined to be in a high heat load condition.

4. The control method according to claim 3, wherein, The compressor (1) is configured to operate at the reference speed when it is started due to a cooling demand in at least one space (100) to be cooled, and the speed of the compressor (1) is adjusted based on the temperature of the space (100) to be cooled during operation; and / or The reference speed is determined based on the ambient temperature and the target temperature of at least one space (100) to be cooled.

5. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, Step S3 includes: when the ambient temperature is within at least one ambient temperature range, and when it is determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, increasing the fan flow rate level compared to when the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions.

6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein Step S3 includes: When the ambient temperature is higher than the temperature threshold, if the refrigeration system is determined to be under high heat load, the fan flow rate should be increased compared to when the refrigeration system is not under high heat load. When the ambient temperature is lower than the temperature threshold, even if the refrigeration system is determined to be under high heat load, the fan flow rate should not be increased.

7. The control method for refrigeration appliances according to claim 6, wherein, The control method further includes the following steps: Detect whether liquid accumulation occurs in the condenser (2). If liquid accumulation is detected, increase the temperature threshold.

8. The control method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, Step S3 includes: -Based on the ambient temperature, determine which of the multiple ambient temperature ranges the ambient temperature belongs to, wherein a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for the fan are respectively assigned to each of the multiple ambient temperature ranges; - Determine the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the ambient temperature range to which the ambient temperature belongs as the current first and second operating strategies, and - When it is determined that the refrigeration system is not under high heat load conditions, the fan (4) is operated according to the current first operating strategy. When it is determined that the refrigeration system is under high heat load conditions, the fan (4) is operated according to the one that can achieve a higher flow rate level between the current first operating strategy and the current second operating strategy.

9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein, The first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured as follows: For ambient temperatures below the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy. For ambient temperatures exceeding the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

10. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 9, wherein, The temperature threshold is higher than 15°C, and can be optionally set between 25°C and 30°C, or optionally set to 28°C.

11. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 8, wherein, The first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured as follows: For all ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy; or For all ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy.

12. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 8, wherein, The first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range are configured as follows: For at least two of the plurality of ambient temperature ranges, the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy. In particular, among the at least two ambient temperature ranges, the difference between the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy and the flow rate level of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is greater for the ambient temperature range with higher temperature.

13. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 8, wherein, The control method includes step S0, in which a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for the fan are respectively assigned for each of the multiple ambient temperature ranges.

14. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 13, wherein, Step S0 includes the following sub-steps: - Obtaining user input; and -Based on user input, select one of the following configuration options to configure the first and second operating strategies for each ambient temperature range: In the first configuration scheme, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy across all ambient temperature ranges. In the second configuration, for ambient temperatures below the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperatures above the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that corresponding to the second operating strategy. In the third configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy.

15. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 13, wherein, Step S0 includes the following sub-steps: - Obtain the energy consumption requirements for refrigeration appliances; and -Based on the energy consumption requirements, select one of the following configuration options to configure a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range: In the first configuration scheme, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy across all ambient temperature ranges. In the second configuration, for ambient temperatures below the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperatures above the temperature threshold, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that corresponding to the second operating strategy. In the third configuration scheme, for all ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy.

16. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 13, wherein, Step S0 includes the following steps: Obtain the geographical location of the refrigeration equipment, and Based on the geographical location, configure a first operating strategy and a second operating strategy for each ambient temperature range.

17. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 8-16, wherein, The relative magnitudes of the fan flow rate levels corresponding to the first operating strategy and the second operating strategy change at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifecycle. and / or The flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy and / or the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy changes at different stages of the refrigeration appliance's lifecycle.

18. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to claim 17, wherein, In the first stage of the refrigeration appliance's service life, for all ambient temperature ranges, the fan flow rate corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the fan flow rate corresponding to the second operating strategy. In the second stage after the first stage of the refrigeration appliance's usage cycle, for ambient temperature ranges below the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy; for ambient temperature ranges above the temperature threshold, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy. In the third stage of the refrigeration appliance's lifecycle, following the second stage, the fan flow rate of the first operating strategy is lower than that of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy for all ambient temperature ranges.

19. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 8-18, wherein, The control method further includes the following steps: Detect whether liquid accumulation occurs in the condenser (2). If liquid accumulation is detected, adjust the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the multiple ambient temperature ranges so that, compared with before the adjustment, the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the first operating strategy is higher than the flow rate of the fan corresponding to the second operating strategy for more ambient temperature ranges.

20. The control method for a refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 8-19, wherein, The control method further includes the following steps: Identify user habits and adjust the first and second operating strategies corresponding to the multiple ambient temperature ranges based on user habits.

21. A refrigeration appliance, wherein, The refrigeration appliance includes a refrigeration system and a control unit (5), the refrigeration system including a compressor (1), a condenser (2), an evaporator (3) and a fan (4) for promoting heat dissipation of the condenser (2), and the control unit (5) is configured to perform a control method for the refrigeration appliance according to any one of claims 1-20.

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