Refrigerator nitrogen production method, nitrogen production device, refrigerator, and computer device

Abstract

The application relates to a refrigerator nitrogen production method, a nitrogen production device, a refrigerator and a computer device, the method comprising the following steps: connecting an air inlet of a refrigerator with a nitrogen production module; the nitrogen production module comprises a drying unit, a gas pump unit and a nitrogen separation unit which are sequentially connected; the nitrogen production module is used for outputting nitrogen into a target storage space of the refrigerator; the method comprises the following steps: operating the nitrogen production module; obtaining the adsorption capacity of the drying unit according to the refrigeration time length of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen production module and the opening and closing state of the refrigerator door; in the case that the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to a preset adsorption capacity, determining a first time length corresponding to the adsorption capacity of the drying unit according to the ambient temperature; heating the drying unit, and stopping heating the drying unit and operating the nitrogen production module in the case that the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length. The method can solve the problem of short service life of the nitrogen production module of the refrigerator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of nitrogen generation from refrigerators, and in particular to methods for generating nitrogen from refrigerators, nitrogen generation devices, refrigerators, and computer equipment. Background Technology

[0002] To improve the preservation effect of a refrigerator, it is necessary to enhance the oxygen control level of the refrigerator's preservation space. This involves reducing the oxygen content in the preservation space and creating a low-oxygen, high-nitrogen environment. This utilizes the principle that low oxygen inhibits the respiration and metabolism of fruits and vegetables, thereby improving the refrigerator's preservation capabilities. To ensure a large food storage capacity, the nitrogen generation module in a refrigerator is generally small in size, simple in system, and has relatively low performance. Furthermore, the adsorption of moisture and other impurities by the high-performance nitrogen-generating molecular sieve can weaken or even eliminate the performance of the high-performance nitrogen-generating molecules, resulting in a shorter lifespan for the refrigerator's nitrogen generation module.

[0003] There is currently no effective solution to the problem of short service life of the nitrogen generation module in refrigerators in related technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a method, device, refrigerator, and computer equipment for generating nitrogen in a refrigerator that can solve the problem of short service life of the nitrogen generation module in the refrigerator, in order to address the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] Firstly, this embodiment provides a method for generating nitrogen in a refrigerator. The refrigerator's air inlet is connected to a nitrogen generating module, which includes a drying unit, an air pump unit, and a nitrogen separation unit connected in sequence. The nitrogen generating module is used to output nitrogen to the target storage space of the refrigerator. The method includes:

[0006] Run the nitrogen generation module;

[0007] The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening and closing status of the refrigerator door.

[0008] If the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity, a first time length corresponding to the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined according to the ambient temperature, and the nitrogen generation module is stopped.

[0009] The drying unit is heated, and when the heating time of the drying unit reaches a first time length, the heating of the drying unit is stopped, and the nitrogen generation module continues to operate.

[0010] In some embodiments, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the open / closed state of the refrigerator door, including:

[0011] Based on the cooling time, the content of the first water vapor generated during the condensation process is obtained;

[0012] The second water vapor content generated by the exchange of outside air and inside air in the refrigerator is obtained based on the opening time and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened;

[0013] The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the first water vapor content and the second water vapor content.

[0014] In some embodiments, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the open / closed state of the refrigerator door, including:

[0015] The number of cycles in which the nitrogen generation module operates is counted; wherein, each operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module is used to restore the nitrogen concentration to a second nitrogen concentration when the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space drops to a first nitrogen concentration, and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is obtained according to the switch state;

[0016] Obtain a first relationship between the opening and closing state of the refrigerator door and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, and a second relationship between the cooling time and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit;

[0017] Based on the first relationship and the second relationship, determine the number of cycles corresponding to the preset adsorption capacity when the adsorption capacity of the drying unit decreases.

[0018] If the number of cycles the nitrogen generation module operates reaches the target number of cycles, it is determined that the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity.

[0019] In some embodiments, when the heating time of the drying unit reaches a first time length, heating of the drying unit is stopped and the nitrogen generation module continues to operate, including:

[0020] When the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length, the heating of the drying unit is stopped, and after waiting for the second time length, the nitrogen generation module continues to operate.

[0021] In some of these embodiments, operating the nitrogen generation module includes:

[0022] Obtain the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module;

[0023] The nitrogen generation module is stopped after each of the aforementioned operating cycles.

[0024] The nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is obtained based on the duration and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened during the period when the nitrogen generation module is not running.

[0025] If the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is less than or equal to a preset first nitrogen concentration, the nitrogen generation module is restarted based on the cycle.

[0026] In some embodiments, obtaining the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module includes:

[0027] Obtain a third relationship between the operating time of the nitrogen generation module and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space;

[0028] The second nitrogen concentration is obtained based on the preservation requirements of the target storage space, wherein the first nitrogen concentration is less than the second nitrogen concentration;

[0029] Based on the third relationship, the operating cycle corresponding to the second nitrogen concentration is obtained.

[0030] Secondly, this embodiment provides a nitrogen generator, which is applied to a refrigerator. The nitrogen generator includes a control module and a nitrogen generation module; wherein,

[0031] The control module is used to implement the refrigerator nitrogen generation method described in the first aspect above;

[0032] The nitrogen generation module includes a drying unit, an air pump unit, and a nitrogen separation unit connected in sequence; the drying unit is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerator and is used to dry the air inlet; the air pump unit is used to transfer the dried air to the nitrogen separation unit; the nitrogen separation unit is used to separate the air and output nitrogen to the target storage space of the refrigerator.

[0033] In some embodiments, the nitrogen separation unit includes a molecular sieve tower, a first switching valve, and a second switching valve; the molecular sieve tower separates the air and generates oxygen and nitrogen; the first switching valve controls the output of oxygen; and the second switching valve controls the output of nitrogen.

[0034] When the nitrogen generator is in operation, if the gas pump unit is running, the molecular sieve tower stops running and the first and second switching valves are closed; if the gas pump unit stops running, the molecular sieve tower runs and the first and second switching valves are open.

[0035] Thirdly, this embodiment provides a refrigerator, which includes a cabinet, a refrigeration device, and the nitrogen generator described in the second aspect.

[0036] Fourthly, this embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the refrigerator nitrogen generation method described in the first aspect above.

[0037] The aforementioned refrigerator nitrogen generation method, nitrogen generation device, refrigerator, and computer equipment determine the state of the drying unit based on the refrigerator's operating status. By heating the drying unit for a certain period of time, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is restored in a timely manner, reducing the impact of moisture and impurities in the air on the working life of the nitrogen generation module, thus solving the problem of short working life of the refrigerator's nitrogen generation module. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a hardware structure block diagram of the terminal of the refrigerator nitrogen generation method in one embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a structural block diagram of a nitrogen generation module in one embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a refrigerator nitrogen generation method in one embodiment;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a nitrogen generation device in one embodiment;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a MAP nitrogen generation module in one embodiment;

[0043] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating the control logic of a control unit in one embodiment;

[0044] Figure 7 This is an internal structural diagram of a computer device in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0046] The method embodiments provided in this example can be executed on a terminal, computer, or similar computing device. For example, it can run on a terminal. Figure 1 This is a hardware structure block diagram of the terminal of a refrigerator nitrogen generation method according to an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, a terminal may include one or more ( Figure 1Only one is shown in the diagram. A processor 102 and a memory 104 for storing data are also included. The processor 102 may be, but is not limited to, a microprocessor (MCU) or a programmable logic device (FPGA). The terminal may also include a transmission device 106 for communication functions and an input / output device 108. Those skilled in the art will understand that… Figure 1 The structure shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the structure of the terminal described above. For example, the terminal may also include components that are larger than... Figure 1 The more or fewer components shown, or having the same Figure 1 The different configurations shown are illustrated.

[0047] The memory 104 can be used to store computer programs, such as application software programs and modules, like the computer program corresponding to the refrigerator nitrogen generation method in this embodiment. The processor 102 executes various functional applications and data processing by running the computer programs stored in the memory 104, thereby implementing the above-described method. The memory 104 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or other non-volatile solid-state memory. In some instances, the memory 104 may further include memory remotely located relative to the processor 102, and these remote memories can be connected to the terminal via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, corporate intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0048] The transmission device 106 is used to receive or send data via a network. This network includes a wireless network provided by the terminal's communication provider. In one example, the transmission device 106 includes a Network Interface Controller (NIC), which can connect to other network devices via a base station to communicate with the Internet. In another example, the transmission device 106 can be a Radio Frequency (RF) module used for wireless communication with the Internet.

[0049] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 The diagram shows a nitrogen generation module for use in a refrigerator. The refrigerator's air inlet is connected to the nitrogen generation module, which includes a drying unit, an air pump unit, and a nitrogen separation unit connected in sequence. The nitrogen generation module is used to output nitrogen to the target storage space of the refrigerator.

[0050] The refrigerator's target storage space needs to create a low-oxygen, high-nitrogen environment. This low-oxygen environment inhibits the respiration and metabolism of fruits and vegetables, thus achieving the refrigerator's preservation function. The refrigerator's air intake is connected to the external environment, or it can be connected to other storage spaces, such as the refrigerator compartment, where oxygen suppression is not required.

[0051] The drying unit removes or adsorbs moisture and impurities from the air, thereby reducing the humidity of the air entering the refrigerator's air inlet. The air pump unit compresses the air entering after being processed by the drying unit using different compression mechanisms such as piston, screw, or centrifugal, thereby increasing the air pressure. During nitrogen generation, the air pressurized by the air pump unit is then guided to the nitrogen separation unit. The nitrogen separation unit includes one or more molecular sieve towers for extracting nitrogen from the air. The molecular sieve towers contain one or more adsorbent materials, which selectively adsorb gaseous components from the air, thus achieving nitrogen separation.

[0052] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, a method for generating nitrogen from a refrigerator is provided, which can be applied to... Figure 1 Taking the terminal in the example, the explanation includes the following steps:

[0053] Step S302: Run the nitrogen generation module.

[0054] When the nitrogen generation module is running, the air pump unit pressurizes the ambient air to a suitable pressure level. The air then passes through the drying unit and the air pump unit in sequence from the air inlet and enters the nitrogen separation unit. The nitrogen separation unit selectively adsorbs small molecule gases such as oxygen and separates and outputs nitrogen, which is then delivered to the target storage space of the refrigerator.

[0055] Step S304: The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is obtained based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening and closing status of the refrigerator door.

[0056] The adsorption capacity of the drying unit refers to its ability to remove moisture from the surrounding environment. The higher the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, the less moisture enters the nitrogen separation unit, which helps extend the lifespan of the nitrogen generation module.

[0057] During nitrogen generator operation, the temperature in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments drops during the cooling process. As the temperature decreases, water vapor in the air reaches its dew point and condenses into liquid water. Therefore, the cooling time of the refrigerator is negatively correlated with the adsorption capacity of the drying unit: the longer the cooling time, the lower the adsorption capacity of the drying unit; the shorter the cooling time, the higher the adsorption capacity. Simultaneously, during nitrogen generator operation, warm, humid outside air rapidly flows into the refrigerator after the door is opened, contacting the cold surfaces inside and causing water vapor to condense into small water droplets. Therefore, the duration the refrigerator door is open is negatively correlated with the adsorption capacity of the drying unit: the longer the door is open, the lower the adsorption capacity; the shorter the door is open, the higher the adsorption capacity. Furthermore, the number of times the refrigerator door is opened is negatively correlated with the adsorption capacity of the drying unit: the more times the door is opened, the lower the adsorption capacity; the fewer times the door is opened, the higher the adsorption capacity.

[0058] Step S306: If the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity, determine the first time length corresponding to the adsorption capacity of the drying unit based on the ambient temperature, and stop the operation of the nitrogen generation module.

[0059] The correlation between cooling time, refrigerator door opening / closing status, and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit can be obtained through experimentation or calculation. Optionally, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit can be calculated based on the cooling time and refrigerator door opening / closing status, and compared with a preset adsorption capacity. Optionally, it can be determined whether one or more of the following conditions are met: cooling time is greater than a specified time, refrigerator door opening time is greater than a specified time, and refrigerator door opening frequency is greater than a specified number of times. If one or more of the above conditions are not met, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined to be less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity.

[0060] The first time length refers to the duration of heating the drying unit. Heating the drying unit regenerates the desiccant, restoring its adsorption capacity. The lower the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, the longer the corresponding first time length; conversely, the higher the adsorption capacity, the shorter the first time length. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is related to the ambient temperature: at higher temperatures, the drying unit can complete the regeneration process more quickly, requiring a shorter first time length; at lower temperatures, the drying unit requires a longer first time length.

[0061] Optionally, if the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity, the target adsorption capacity that the drying unit needs to recover is obtained. The corresponding first time length is obtained based on the difference between the preset adsorption capacity and the target adsorption capacity, the ambient temperature, and the type of desiccant in the drying unit. The first time length can be obtained based on experimental empirical data according to the type of desiccant.

[0062] Step S308: Heat the drying unit, and stop heating the drying unit when the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length, and continue to run the nitrogen generation module.

[0063] When the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length, the drying unit can restore its own adsorption capacity and continue to perform the preservation function of the target storage space by running the nitrogen generation module.

[0064] In the aforementioned refrigerator nitrogen generation method, a drying unit is added to the nitrogen generation module. This drying unit can adsorb moisture and impurities from the air, reducing the impact of moisture and impurities on the working life of the nitrogen separation unit. Based on the refrigerator's operating status during nitrogen generation module operation, such as cooling and door opening / closing, it is determined whether the adsorption capacity of the drying unit in the nitrogen generation module has decreased to a preset adsorption capacity. If the adsorption capacity of the drying unit decreases, it is heated for a specific time based on the ambient temperature to restore its adsorption capacity, thereby extending the working life of the entire nitrogen generation module.

[0065] In one embodiment, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is obtained based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening and closing status of the refrigerator door, including: obtaining the first water vapor content generated by condensation during the cooling process based on the cooling duration; obtaining the second water vapor content generated by the exchange of external air and internal air of the refrigerator based on the opening duration and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened; and determining the adsorption capacity of the drying unit based on the first water vapor content and the second water vapor content.

[0066] During the operation of the nitrogen generation module, the longer the refrigerator's cooling time, the higher the content of the first water vapor produced by condensation during the cooling process; conversely, the shorter the cooling time, the lower the content of the first water vapor produced by condensation. The duration of the refrigerator door being opened is positively correlated with the content of the second water vapor: the longer the door is opened, the higher the content of the second water vapor; the shorter the door is opened, the lower the content of the second water vapor. The number of times the refrigerator door is opened is also positively correlated with the content of the second water vapor: the more times the door is opened, the higher the content of the second water vapor; the fewer times the door is opened, the lower the content of the second water vapor.

[0067] Optionally, the relative humidity in the air is determined based on the first water vapor content and the second water vapor content. The relationship between the adsorption capacity of the desiccant material and the relative humidity in the air is obtained, and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the current relative humidity in the air and the type of desiccant material in the drying unit.

[0068] In this embodiment, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit can be accurately determined based on the cooling time, door opening time, and / or number of door openings, thereby achieving the effect of timely heating of the drying unit and improving the working life of the nitrogen generation module.

[0069] In one embodiment, the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is obtained based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening / closing status of the refrigerator door. This includes: counting the number of cycles in which the nitrogen generation module operates; wherein each operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module is used to restore the nitrogen concentration to a second nitrogen concentration when the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space drops to a first nitrogen concentration, and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is obtained based on the opening / closing status; obtaining a first relationship between the opening / closing status of the refrigerator door and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, and a second relationship between the cooling duration and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit; determining the target number of cycles in which the adsorption capacity of the drying unit drops to a preset adsorption capacity based on the first and second relationships; and determining that the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity when the number of cycles in which the nitrogen generation module operates reaches the target number of cycles.

[0070] Optionally, the relationship between the refrigerator door's open / closed state and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space can be obtained. Based on the refrigerator door's open / closed state, such as the opening time and number of times the door is opened, the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is obtained. When the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space drops to a first nitrogen concentration, the nitrogen generator module runs for one operating cycle, causing the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space to rise to a second nitrogen concentration. Since the cooling duration and open / closed state of the nitrogen generator module during operation are related to the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, and the operation of the nitrogen generator module is related to the open / closed state of the refrigerator door, the first and second relationships can be determined experimentally, thereby obtaining the target number of cycles corresponding to the drying unit's adsorption capacity decreasing to a preset adsorption capacity.

[0071] In this embodiment, the target number of cycles is determined by the first relationship between the opening and closing state of the refrigerator door and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, and the second relationship between the cooling time and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit. The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is then directly judged based on the number of cycles. This method is simple and can reduce energy consumption while improving the working life of the refrigerator nitrogen generation module.

[0072] In one embodiment, stopping the heating of the drying unit and continuing to operate the nitrogen generation module when the heating time of the drying unit reaches a first time length includes: stopping the heating of the drying unit when the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length, and continuing to operate the nitrogen generation module after waiting for a second time length.

[0073] The second time length is related to the temperature of the drying unit after heating and the ambient temperature at which the drying unit needs to cool down. By waiting for the second time length, the heated drying unit can be cooled down to the ambient temperature. In this embodiment, because excessively high drying unit temperature will affect the adsorption performance of the drying unit, waiting for the second time length before running the nitrogen generation module can improve the adsorption capacity of the drying unit.

[0074] In one embodiment, operating the nitrogen generation module includes: obtaining the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module; stopping the operation of the nitrogen generation module each time it completes an operating cycle; obtaining the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space based on the duration and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened during the period when the nitrogen generation module is not operating; and restarting the nitrogen generation module based on the cycle if the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is less than or equal to a preset first nitrogen concentration.

[0075] The opening of the refrigerator door during the period when the nitrogen generator module is not running will change the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space. Optionally, the relationship between the refrigerator door opening duration and / or the number of openings and the nitrogen concentration can be obtained to calculate the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space. Alternatively, if the door opening duration reaches a specified duration and / or the number of openings reaches a specified number, it can be determined that the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is less than or equal to a preset first nitrogen concentration. Optionally, after the nitrogen generator module is restarted based on a cycle, the nitrogen generator module runs for another cycle to increase the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space, and the steps of stopping the nitrogen generator module are repeated.

[0076] In this embodiment, by adjusting the duration and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened during the period when the nitrogen generation module is not running, the operation of the nitrogen generation module can be adjusted, which can reduce the energy consumption required for nitrogen generation in the refrigerator while ensuring that the target storage space of the refrigerator maintains its freshness preservation ability.

[0077] Further, in one embodiment, obtaining the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module includes: obtaining a third relationship between the operating time of the nitrogen generation module and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space; obtaining a second nitrogen concentration based on the preservation requirements of the target storage space, wherein the first nitrogen concentration is less than the second nitrogen concentration; and obtaining the operating cycle corresponding to the second nitrogen concentration based on the third relationship.

[0078] Nitrogen is an inert gas that inhibits microbial growth and slows food oxidation, thereby extending shelf life. The preservation effect can be optimized by controlling the nitrogen concentration. Different secondary nitrogen concentrations correspond to different preservation requirements of the target storage space; appropriately increasing the nitrogen concentration can significantly extend the food's shelf life. Optionally, the nitrogen concentration can be maintained within a specific range (e.g., 90%-95%) to inhibit bacteria and slow oxidation. The higher the secondary nitrogen concentration, the longer the nitrogen generation module operates; conversely, the lower the concentration, the longer the operating time. Furthermore, the operating time of the nitrogen generation module is also related to the size of the target storage space; the larger the target storage space, the longer the operating time required to reach the secondary nitrogen concentration, and vice versa.

[0079] In this embodiment, the operating cycle length of the nitrogen generation module is obtained based on the preservation requirements of the target storage space. This can extend the preservation time of the target storage space in the refrigerator, reduce nutrient loss, and facilitate the stable execution of the refrigerator's preservation function.

[0080] In one embodiment, based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a nitrogen generating device for implementing the refrigerator nitrogen generating method described above. The solution provided by this device is similar to the solution described in the above method; therefore, the specific limitations in one or more nitrogen generating device embodiments provided below can be found in the limitations of the refrigerator nitrogen generating method described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] In one embodiment, Figure 4 A nitrogen generation device is provided, such as Figure 4 As shown, the nitrogen generator is used in a refrigerator. The nitrogen generator includes a control module and a nitrogen generation module; wherein, the control module is used to implement the steps in the above method embodiments. The nitrogen generation module includes a drying unit, an air pump unit, and a nitrogen separation unit connected in sequence; the drying unit is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerator and is used to dry the air inlet; the air pump unit is used to transmit the dried air to the nitrogen separation unit; the nitrogen separation unit is used to separate the air and output nitrogen to the target storage space of the refrigerator.

[0082] By adding a drying unit after the air inlet, moisture and other impurities in the air can be adsorbed from the air inlet. Optionally, activated carbon can be used as the drying unit. Activated carbon's strong adsorption capacity allows it to adsorb moisture, impurities, odors, and harmful substances from the air. Furthermore, granular activated carbon typically has a heat resistance of around 400℃, is non-flammable, and has good chemical stability, further extending the lifespan of the nitrogen generator module.

[0083] In one embodiment, the nitrogen separation unit includes a molecular sieve tower, a first switching valve, and a second switching valve; the molecular sieve tower is used to separate air and generate oxygen and nitrogen; the first switching valve is used to control the output of oxygen; and the second switching valve is used to control the output of nitrogen; wherein, when the nitrogen generator is in operation, if the gas pump unit is running, the molecular sieve tower stops running and the first and second switching valves are closed; if the gas pump unit stops running, the molecular sieve tower runs and the first and second switching valves are open.

[0084] Optionally, the nitrogen generation unit operates on a cycle basis. Within one cycle, the gas pump unit and the molecular sieve unit operate alternately, and the alternation time can be set according to requirements. Optionally, the nitrogen separation unit includes at least one molecular sieve tower, and each molecular sieve tower is respectively equipped with a first switching valve and a second switching valve; each molecular sieve tower is connected to the corresponding first switching valve and second switching valve.

[0085] In one embodiment, the nitrogen generation module further includes a silencing unit, one end of which is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerator, and the other end of which is connected to the drying unit.

[0086] In one embodiment, the silencing unit in the nitrogen generation module is an intake muffler.

[0087] Each module in the aforementioned nitrogen generator can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in a computer device, or stored in the computer device's memory as software, so that the processor can call and execute the corresponding operations of each module.

[0088] In one embodiment, taking the MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) nitrogen generator module currently used in refrigerators as an example, the performance of the nitrogen-generating molecular sieve is weakened or even lost due to the adsorption of moisture and other impurities, resulting in a shortened lifespan of the entire MAP nitrogen generator module. Related technologies involve adding a linkage logic between the refrigerator door opening / closing and the cooling function, but this method generally has limited effect on increasing the lifespan of the MAP nitrogen generator. Therefore, Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a MAP nitrogen generation module is given, as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the first switching valve is an exhaust solenoid valve, the second switching valve is a check valve, and the air pump unit consists of an air pump assembly. The intake muffler, drying unit, air pump assembly, and molecular sieve tower are connected in sequence. The output end of the molecular sieve tower is connected to the exhaust solenoid valve and the check valve, respectively.

[0089] The drying unit includes a desiccant and a heating wire. Optionally, the desiccant in the drying unit is activated carbon. By adding a heating wire to the desiccant, the desiccant can be heated, thereby causing the moisture in the activated carbon to be discharged, solving the problem of activated carbon regeneration, and greatly extending the lifespan of the entire MAP nitrogen generation module.

[0090] Optionally, the refrigerator includes at least one oxygen-controlled preservation space for storing food. A one-way valve is used to output nitrogen gas to the oxygen-controlled preservation space, i.e., the target storage space in the above embodiment. High-concentration nitrogen gas produced by the nitrogen generator is injected into the target storage space, replacing the normal air inside to the outside, thereby creating a high-nitrogen, low-oxygen food preservation environment within the space. After the nitrogen generator reduces the oxygen in the preservation space, to maintain a low-oxygen state in the space for a long period, the target storage space has good sealing properties; that is, unless opened by the user, the target storage space will only have slow air exchange with the outside, or even no air exchange at all.

[0091] Optionally, the molecular sieve tower is filled with a high-performance nitrogen-generating molecular sieve. When outside air is introduced, the molecular sieve can selectively and preferentially adsorb and intercept oxygen, while preferentially releasing nitrogen, thus achieving nitrogen generation efficiency. In this process, the molecular sieve also preferentially and significantly adsorbs moisture in the air.

[0092] Optionally, the air pump assembly is used to introduce air from outside the refrigerator or freezer into the molecular sieve tower, causing the high-performance molecular sieve to begin nitrogen production. During the nitrogen production process, the gas pressure inside the molecular sieve tower increases, and the nitrogen-producing molecular sieve selectively adsorbs oxygen. The air pump assembly may include a pump body, a motor, a pressure regulator, and other components.

[0093] Optionally, the nitrogen generation module should have at least one solenoid valve located at the oxygen venting end of the molecular sieve tower. When the solenoid valve opens, the molecular sieve tower is connected to the outside via the solenoid valve, the gas pressure inside the tower decreases, the oxygen-rich gas adsorbed by the molecular sieve is released, and discharged to the outside via the solenoid valve. During this process, the gas pressure inside the tower decreases to the same level as the outside. Simultaneously, the nitrogen generation module should have at least one one-way valve located at the nitrogen venting end of the molecular sieve tower.

[0094] based on Figure 5 The device, Figure 6 A control logic for a control unit is provided, such as Figure 6 As shown, it includes:

[0095] Step S601: Determine whether the nitrogen production cycle has reached the target number of cycles. If yes, proceed to step S602; otherwise, repeat step S601. Optionally, the target number of cycles can be set to 8. It is understood that the target number of cycles can be modified according to requirements.

[0096] Step S602: Close the air pump assembly, exhaust solenoid valve, and check valve; heat the drying module. After closing the air pump assembly, exhaust solenoid valve, and check valve, the nitrogen generation module stops operating.

[0097] Step S603: Determine whether the heating time has reached N minutes. Here, N minutes is the first time length in the above embodiment.

[0098] Step S604: If the heating time reaches N minutes, turn off the heating and wait for M minutes. Here, M minutes is the second time length in the above embodiment.

[0099] Step S605: The nitrogen generation module starts running.

[0100] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the embodiments described above are shown sequentially according to the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the embodiments described above may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages of other steps.

[0101] In one embodiment, a refrigerator is also provided, the refrigerator including a cabinet, a refrigeration unit and a nitrogen generator as described in the above-described device embodiments.

[0102] In one embodiment, a nitrogen generator is applied to a refrigerator. The nitrogen generator includes a control module and a nitrogen generator module. The nitrogen generator module includes a drying unit, an air pump unit, and a nitrogen separation unit connected in sequence. The drying unit is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerator and is used to dry the air inlet. The air pump unit is used to transfer the dried air to the nitrogen separation unit. The nitrogen separation unit is used to separate the air and output nitrogen to the target storage space of the refrigerator.

[0103] The control module is used to implement the steps in the above-described embodiments of the refrigerator nitrogen generation method. In one embodiment, the control module is used to operate the nitrogen generation module; obtain the adsorption capacity of the drying unit based on the cooling time of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening and closing status of the refrigerator door; determine a first time length corresponding to the adsorption capacity of the drying unit based on the ambient temperature when the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity; heat the drying unit, and stop heating the drying unit and operate the nitrogen generation module when the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length.

[0104] Optionally, the control module obtains the adsorption capacity of the drying unit based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening and closing status of the refrigerator door, including: obtaining the first water vapor content generated by condensation during the cooling process based on the cooling duration; obtaining the second water vapor content generated by the exchange of external air and internal air of the refrigerator based on the opening duration and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened; and determining the adsorption capacity of the drying unit based on the first water vapor content and the second water vapor content.

[0105] Optionally, the control module determines the adsorption capacity of the drying unit based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening / closing status of the refrigerator door. This includes: counting the number of cycles the nitrogen generation module operates; wherein each operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module is used to restore the nitrogen concentration to a second nitrogen concentration when the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space drops to a first nitrogen concentration, and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is obtained based on the opening / closing status; acquiring a first relationship between the opening / closing status of the refrigerator door and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, and a second relationship between the cooling duration and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit; determining the target number of cycles corresponding to the adsorption capacity of the drying unit dropping to a preset adsorption capacity based on the first and second relationships; and determining that the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity when the number of cycles the nitrogen generation module operates reaches the target number of cycles.

[0106] Optionally, the control module stops heating the drying unit and runs the nitrogen generation module when the heating time of the drying unit reaches a first time length, including: stopping heating the drying unit when the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length, and running the nitrogen generation module after waiting for a second time length.

[0107] Optionally, the control module operates the nitrogen generation module by: acquiring the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module; stopping the operation of the nitrogen generation module each time it completes an operating cycle; obtaining the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space based on the door opening duration and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened during the period when the nitrogen generation module is not operating; and restarting the nitrogen generation module based on the cycle if the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is less than or equal to a preset first nitrogen concentration.

[0108] The process of obtaining the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module includes: obtaining a third relationship between the operating time of the nitrogen generation module and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space; obtaining a second nitrogen concentration based on the preservation requirements of the target storage space, wherein the first nitrogen concentration is less than the second nitrogen concentration; and obtaining the operating cycle corresponding to the second nitrogen concentration based on the third relationship.

[0109] In one embodiment, the nitrogen separation unit includes a molecular sieve tower, a first switching valve, and a second switching valve; the molecular sieve tower is used to separate air and generate oxygen and nitrogen; the first switching valve is used to control the output of oxygen; and the second switching valve is used to control the output of nitrogen; wherein, when the nitrogen generator is in operation, if the gas pump unit is running, the molecular sieve tower stops running and the first and second switching valves are closed; if the gas pump unit stops running, the molecular sieve tower runs and the first and second switching valves are open.

[0110] In one embodiment, a computer device is provided, which may be a server, and its internal structure diagram may be as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the computer device includes a processor, memory, input / output (I / O) interfaces, and a communication interface. The processor, memory, and I / O interfaces are connected via a system bus, and the communication interface is also connected to the system bus via the I / O interfaces. The processor provides computational and control capabilities. The memory includes non-volatile storage media and internal memory. The non-volatile storage media stores the operating system, computer programs, and a database. The internal memory provides the environment for the operating system and computer programs stored in the non-volatile storage media. The database stores data such as the adsorption capacity and initial time length of the drying unit. The I / O interfaces are used for information exchange between the processor and external devices. The communication interface is used for communication with external terminals via a network connection. When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements a method for nitrogen generation in a refrigerator.

[0111] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 7 The structure shown is merely a block diagram of a portion of the structure related to the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the computer device to which the present application is applied. Specific computer devices may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0112] In one embodiment, a computer device is also provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0113] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0114] In one embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0115] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Any references to memory, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can take many forms, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). The databases involved in the embodiments provided in this application may include at least one type of relational database and non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, blockchain-based distributed databases. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in this application may be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, quantum computing-based data processing logic devices, etc., and are not limited to these.

[0116] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0117] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for generating nitrogen from a refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator's air inlet is connected to a nitrogen generation module, which includes a drying unit, an air pump unit, and a nitrogen separation unit connected in sequence. The nitrogen generation module is used to output nitrogen to the target storage space of the refrigerator. The method includes: Run the nitrogen generation module; The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening and closing status of the refrigerator door. If the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity, a first time length corresponding to the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined according to the ambient temperature, and the nitrogen generation module is stopped. The drying unit is heated, and when the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length, the heating of the drying unit is stopped, and the nitrogen generation module continues to operate.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening / closing status of the refrigerator door, including: Based on the cooling time, the content of the first water vapor generated during the condensation process is obtained; The second water vapor content generated by the exchange of outside air and inside air in the refrigerator is obtained based on the opening time and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened; The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the first water vapor content and the second water vapor content.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adsorption capacity of the drying unit is determined based on the cooling duration of the refrigerator during the operation of the nitrogen generation module and the opening / closing status of the refrigerator door, including: The number of cycles in which the nitrogen generation module operates is counted; wherein, each operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module is used to restore the nitrogen concentration to a second nitrogen concentration when the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space drops to a first nitrogen concentration, and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is obtained according to the switch state; Obtain a first relationship between the opening and closing state of the refrigerator door and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit, and a second relationship between the cooling time and the adsorption capacity of the drying unit; Based on the first relationship and the second relationship, determine the number of cycles corresponding to the preset adsorption capacity when the adsorption capacity of the drying unit decreases. If the number of cycles the nitrogen generation module operates reaches the target number of cycles, it is determined that the adsorption capacity of the drying unit is less than or equal to the preset adsorption capacity.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the heating time of the drying unit reaches a first time length, stopping the heating of the drying unit and continuing to operate the nitrogen generation module includes: When the heating time of the drying unit reaches the first time length, the heating of the drying unit is stopped, and after waiting for the second time length, the nitrogen generation module continues to operate.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Operating the nitrogen generation module includes: Obtain the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module; The nitrogen generation module is stopped after each of the aforementioned operating cycles. The nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is obtained based on the duration and / or number of times the refrigerator door is opened during the period when the nitrogen generation module is not running. If the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space is less than or equal to a preset first nitrogen concentration, the nitrogen generation module is restarted based on the cycle.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Obtaining the operating cycle of the nitrogen generation module includes: Obtain a third relationship between the operating time of the nitrogen generation module and the nitrogen concentration in the target storage space; The second nitrogen concentration is obtained based on the preservation requirements of the target storage space, wherein the first nitrogen concentration is less than the second nitrogen concentration; Based on the third relationship, the operating cycle corresponding to the second nitrogen concentration is obtained.

7. A nitrogen generator, characterized in that, The nitrogen generator is used in a refrigerator, and includes a control module and a nitrogen generation module; wherein... The control module is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The nitrogen generation module includes a drying unit, an air pump unit, and a nitrogen separation unit connected in sequence; the drying unit is connected to the air inlet of the refrigerator and is used to dry the air inlet; the air pump unit is used to transfer the dried air to the nitrogen separation unit; the nitrogen separation unit is used to separate the air and output nitrogen to the target storage space of the refrigerator.

8. The nitrogen generator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The nitrogen separation unit includes a molecular sieve tower, a first switching valve, and a second switching valve; the molecular sieve tower separates the air and generates oxygen and nitrogen; the first switching valve controls the output of oxygen; and the second switching valve controls the output of nitrogen. When the nitrogen generator is in operation, if the gas pump unit is running, the molecular sieve tower stops running and the first and second switching valves are closed; if the gas pump unit stops running, the molecular sieve tower runs and the first and second switching valves are open.

9. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a refrigeration unit, and a nitrogen generator as described in claim 7 or 8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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