Refrigeration appliance and method of controlling the same

Abstract

The application discloses a refrigeration equipment and a control method thereof. The refrigeration equipment comprises an inner container, a door body, a first air duct, a second air duct, an air door assembly and a refrigeration system. The first air duct comprises an air outlet towards a refrigeration chamber. The second air duct comprises an air curtain air outlet. The air curtain air outlet blows air to form an air curtain at the opening. The air door assembly has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the air door assembly closes the second air duct and opens the first air duct. In the second state, the air door assembly closes the first air duct and opens the second air duct. The refrigeration equipment realizes that the air door assembly switches to the second state when the door is opened, the first air duct is closed and the second air duct is opened, the fan blows air to the second air duct to form an air curtain, and the air curtain effectively blocks the external hot and humid air from entering the refrigeration chamber. The hot air generated during defrosting can also be prevented from entering the refrigeration chamber through the first air duct, and the refrigeration equipment has significant technical advantages and application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a refrigeration device, and more particularly to a control method for the refrigeration device. Background Technology

[0002] Frosting in refrigeration equipment is a significant factor affecting user experience and equipment performance. Frosting is primarily caused by the following: When a user opens the door, the freezer is under negative pressure, allowing warm, humid air to quickly enter. This air condenses into frost upon contact with the low-temperature environment, especially on unprotected shelves. This not only affects the freezer's cooling efficiency but also causes frost to form on food surfaces, reducing the user experience.

[0003] In addition, the heat generated during defrosting of refrigeration equipment can cause fluctuations in the temperature inside the refrigeration room, which is not conducive to the preservation and storage of food.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a refrigeration device that can effectively suppress frost formation and minimize the impact of defrosting on food. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problem of poor frost suppression in existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a refrigeration device and its control method that effectively suppresses frost formation.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, one embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigeration device, comprising:

[0007] The inner liner encloses a refrigeration compartment with an opening;

[0008] The door, which closes or opens the opening;

[0009] The first air duct includes an air outlet facing the cooling room;

[0010] The second air duct includes an air curtain vent, wherein the gas blown out of the air curtain vent forms an air curtain at the opening;

[0011] A damper assembly having a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state, the damper assembly closes the second air duct and opens the first air duct, and in the second state, the damper assembly closes the first air duct and opens the second air duct;

[0012] A refrigeration system, comprising a fan that blows airflow toward a first air duct and a second air duct.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the damper assembly includes a drive unit and a damper body. The drive unit drives the damper body to rotate. The damper body is in the first state at a first rotation angle and in the second state at a second rotation angle.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first air duct and the second air duct are arranged side by side, and the first air duct and the second air duct are separated by a partition;

[0015] Both the first and second air ducts extend vertically. The fan discharges air downwards from the first and second air ducts. The air curtain vent is located at the top of the inner liner to form an air curtain from top to bottom. The air curtain vent extends along the width of the opening.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the damper body includes a first baffle and a second baffle, wherein the plane in which the first baffle is located is perpendicular to the plane in which the second baffle is located;

[0017] In the first state, the plane where the second baffle is located is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second air duct, the second baffle closes the second air duct, and the plane where the first baffle is located is parallel to the partition.

[0018] In the second state, the plane where the first baffle is located is perpendicular to the extension direction of the first air duct, the first baffle closes the first air duct, and the plane where the second baffle is located is parallel to the partition.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, the inner liner is provided with multiple shelves from top to bottom, and the air curtain is formed between the shelves and the opening.

[0020] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first air duct is disposed on the side close to the multi-layer shelf, the second air duct is disposed on the side away from the multi-layer shelf, and the first air duct is downstream of the damper assembly, and a plurality of air outlets are disposed thereto facing the multi-layer shelf.

[0021] As a further improvement of the present invention, several layers of drawer assemblies are arranged from top to bottom below the shelf section where the shelf is located, and drawer vents are provided between adjacent drawer assemblies;

[0022] When the damper assembly is in the first state or the second state, the drawer vents all blow air in the direction of the opening.

[0023] As a further improvement of the present invention, a front return air duct is formed on the side of the drawer assembly near the opening;

[0024] A lower return air duct is provided below the bottommost drawer assembly;

[0025] The air curtain section where the air curtain is located and the shelf section where the shelf is located are connected in sequence to the front return air duct and the lower return air duct;

[0026] The refrigeration system includes an evaporator, and the fan drives the airflow in the front return air duct and the lower return air duct to flow towards the evaporator.

[0027] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objectives, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control method for a refrigeration device, the control method comprising the following steps:

[0028] When the door is detected to be open, the damper assembly switches to the second state;

[0029] When the door is detected to be closed, the damper assembly switches to the first state.

[0030] As a further improvement of the present invention, the control method further includes the following steps:

[0031] When the refrigeration system begins defrosting, the fan is turned off, and the damper assembly switches to the second state;

[0032] When the defrosting time of the refrigeration system reaches the preset time, the fan is turned on and the damper assembly switches to the first state.

[0033] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages: Through innovative duct design and damper assembly, the refrigeration equipment achieves a second state when the door is opened, closing the first duct and opening the second duct. The fan blows airflow into the second duct, forming an air curtain that effectively blocks external humid and hot air from entering the refrigeration compartment. During defrosting, it also prevents defrosting heat from entering the refrigeration compartment through the first duct, allowing only the defrosting heat to enter the second duct. The first and second ducts function independently under different operating conditions. Switching between the first and second ducts requires only a single fan and damper assembly, avoiding the need for additional independent fans or complex duct structures, reducing the internal volume occupied by the freezer, and demonstrating significant technical advantages and application prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first state;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the damper assembly in the first state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second state;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the damper assembly in the second state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5This is a flowchart of a control method during the refrigeration process of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a control method during the defrosting process of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Among them, 10 is the inner liner; 101 is the refrigeration compartment; 11 is the opening; 20 is the door; 30 is the first air duct; 31 is the air outlet; 40 is the second air duct; 41 is the air curtain vent; 410 is the air curtain; 42 is the top air duct; 50 is the damper assembly; 51 is the first baffle; 52 is the second baffle; 61 is the fan; 62 is the evaporator; 70 is the partition; 81 is the shelf; 82 is the drawer assembly; 83 is the drawer vent; 84 is the front return air duct; 85 is the lower return air duct; 90 is the external humid and hot air; S1 is the first state; S2 is the second state. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional modifications made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] It should be understood that terms such as “above,” “over,” “below,” and “under” used herein to indicate spatial relative position are for illustrative purposes to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. The terms “spatial relative position” may be intended to include different orientations of the equipment in use or operation other than those shown in the figures.

[0043] One embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigeration device that solves the problem of frost formation caused by hot and humid air from outside entering the refrigeration room when the door is opened, while ensuring optimized refrigeration performance and user experience.

[0044] The refrigeration equipment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 and 3 As shown, it includes the following main components: inner liner 10, door 20, first air duct 30, second air duct 40, damper assembly 50, and refrigeration system (including fan 61). Through reasonable structural design and coordinated operation, these components achieve the low temperature maintenance of the refrigeration compartment 101 and the defrosting function when the door is opened.

[0045] The inner liner 10 is the basic component of the refrigeration equipment, made of a material that is resistant to low temperatures and has good thermal insulation properties, such as polyurethane foam combined with a high-strength plastic or metal outer shell. The inner liner 10 encloses a refrigeration compartment 101 with an opening 11, which is used to store food, medicine, or other items requiring refrigeration. The opening 11 is typically located on the front of the equipment for easy access by the user. The inner wall of the inner liner 10 is smooth and flat, which helps to evenly distribute cold airflow and is also easy to clean.

[0046] The door 20 is mounted at the opening 11 of the inner liner 10 via a hinge or other rotatable connecting mechanism, allowing it to rotate around the connection point to close or open the opening 11 of the refrigeration compartment 101. The door 20 is typically made of a material matching the inner liner 10, filled with insulation material, and has a rubber or silicone sealing strip on its outer edge. When the door 20 is closed, the sealing strip fits tightly against the edge of the opening 11 of the inner liner 10, effectively preventing cold air leakage and the infiltration of warm, humid air 90 from outside, thereby improving refrigeration efficiency.

[0047] The air duct system of the refrigeration equipment includes a first air duct 30 and a second air duct 40, which perform different functions and achieve cooling and defrosting by guiding the cold airflow.

[0048] The first air duct 30 is the core air supply channel of the refrigeration equipment, responsible for delivering cold air to the refrigeration chamber 101 when the door 20 is closed. It has multiple air outlets 31 inside, which face the refrigeration chamber 101 and are typically located on the rear or side walls of the inner liner 10. The number and location of the air outlets 31 are optimized to ensure that the cold air can evenly cover the refrigeration chamber 101, avoiding localized excessively high or low temperatures.

[0049] The air inlet of the first air duct 30 is connected to the fan 61 of the refrigeration system. The fan 61 sends the cooled airflow into the first air duct 30, and then into the refrigeration chamber 101 through the air outlet 31, thereby maintaining the low temperature environment of the refrigeration chamber 101.

[0050] The second air duct 40 is a dedicated channel for forming an air curtain 410. Its main function is to prevent hot and humid air 90 from entering the cooling room 101 when the door 20 is open. The second air duct 40 is equipped with an air curtain vent 41, which is located at the top or side of the opening 11 of the cooling room 101. The airflow from the air curtain vent 41 is parallel to the plane of the opening 11, forming an airflow barrier, which typically covers the entire area of ​​the opening 11 at a vertical or slightly inclined angle.

[0051] The air curtain vent 41 can be designed as a long and narrow strip structure that extends along the width of the opening 11 to ensure that the airflow coverage is wide enough to effectively isolate the air exchange between the inside and outside of the refrigeration room 101.

[0052] The damper assembly 50 is a key control component in the refrigeration equipment, used to switch the on / off state of the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40. The damper assembly 50 has two operating states: a first state S1 and a second state S2, and the airflow guidance under different operating conditions is achieved by switching between the states.

[0053] In the first state S1, as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the damper assembly 50 closes the second air duct 40 while simultaneously opening the first air duct 30. At this time, all the cold air blown out by the fan 61 enters the refrigeration chamber 101 through the first air duct 30 for normal refrigeration cycle. This state typically corresponds to the operating mode when the door 20 is closed, ensuring the temperature of the refrigeration chamber 101 remains stable.

[0054] In the second state S2, as Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the damper assembly 50 closes the first air duct 30 while simultaneously opening the second air duct 40. At this time, the airflow blown by the fan 61 passes through the second air duct 40 and exits from the air curtain vent 41, forming an air curtain 410 at the opening 11 of the cooling room 101. This state typically corresponds to the operating mode when the door 20 is open, preventing hot and humid external air 90 from entering the cooling room 101.

[0055] The damper assembly 50 can be designed as a rotary or sliding baffle, with state switching achieved through mechanical or electric control mechanisms. For example, the damper can be driven to rotate by a motor, or its movement can be controlled by a solenoid valve.

[0056] The refrigeration system is the core functional unit of the refrigeration equipment, responsible for generating cold airflow and distributing it through the air duct system. The refrigeration system includes a fan 61 and other refrigeration components, such as an evaporator 62, a compressor, and a condenser.

[0057] The fan 61 is a key component in the refrigeration system responsible for airflow delivery. The fan 61 can blow the cooled airflow into the first air duct 30 or the second air duct 40, depending on the state of the damper assembly 50. The type of fan 61 can be either an axial fan or a centrifugal fan, and the specific model and power are determined according to the size of the refrigeration equipment and the refrigeration requirements.

[0058] The refrigeration system cools the air through the evaporator 62, and the fan 61 draws in the cooled air and blows it into the air duct system. When the door 20 is closed, the airflow enters the refrigeration chamber 101 through the first air duct 30; when the door 20 is open, the airflow forms an air curtain 410 through the second air duct 40.

[0059] The refrigeration equipment achieves intelligent airflow control in different scenarios through the state switching of the damper assembly 50:

[0060] When the door 20 is closed, the damper assembly 50 is in the first state S1, closing the second air duct 40 and opening the first air duct 30. The fan 61 starts, sending the airflow cooled by the refrigeration system into the first air duct 30, and evenly distributing it to the refrigeration chamber 101 through the air outlet 31. At this time, the refrigeration equipment is in the normal refrigeration mode, maintaining the low temperature environment of the refrigeration chamber 101.

[0061] When the door 20 is opened, the damper assembly 50 switches to the second state S2, closing the first air duct 30 and opening the second air duct 40. The fan 61 continues to operate, sending airflow into the second air duct 40 and blowing it out through the air curtain vent 41, forming a stable air curtain 410 at the opening 11. The air curtain 410 prevents hot and humid external air 90 from entering the cooling room 101, reducing cooling loss and frost formation.

[0062] In this way, when the door 20 is opened, the second air duct 40 effectively blocks the entry of external hot and humid air 90 into the refrigeration chamber 101 through the airflow barrier formed by the air curtain vent 41, significantly reducing the amount of frost on the inner walls and the surfaces of items. Especially in high humidity environments, this design can effectively extend the service life of the refrigeration equipment and reduce the frequency of defrosting.

[0063] When the door 20 is closed, the first air duct 30 evenly delivers cold air into the cooling chamber 101 to ensure temperature stability and cooling efficiency.

[0064] This invention utilizes a single fan 61 and damper assembly 50 to achieve switching control between two air ducts, eliminating the need for complex additional equipment, reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance difficulty, while optimizing the utilization rate of the internal space of the equipment.

[0065] Furthermore, the damper assembly 50 includes a drive unit and a damper body. The drive unit drives the damper body to rotate. The damper body is in a first state S1 at a first rotation angle and in a second state S2 at a second rotation angle.

[0066] The drive unit can be a motor, a solenoid valve, or other device capable of providing rotational power. The drive unit is connected to the damper body, and by controlling the movement of the drive unit, the damper body can be rotated between different angles.

[0067] The damper body is a rotatable structure, typically made of lightweight and durable materials such as plastic or metal. It features baffles or blades to block or guide airflow.

[0068] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, at the first rotation angle, the damper body is in the first state S1. At this time, the baffle or blade closes the second air duct 40 and opens the first air duct 30, allowing the airflow to enter the refrigeration chamber 101 through the first air duct 30.

[0069] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, at the second rotation angle, the damper body is in the second state S2. At this time, the baffle or blade closes the first air duct 30 and opens the second air duct 40, so that the airflow passes through the second air duct 40 and blows out from the air curtain vent 41 to form an air curtain 410.

[0070] By controlling the rotation of the damper body through the drive unit, the damper assembly 50 can be quickly switched between the first state S1 and the second state S2, thereby adapting to different working modes.

[0071] Furthermore, the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40 are arranged side by side, and the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40 are separated by a partition 70.

[0072] The gap between the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40 can be a partition 70. The partition 70 can be made of the same material as the inner liner 10 and can also have good thermal insulation performance.

[0073] The first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40 are both arranged to extend in the vertical direction. The fan 61 discharges air in the lower direction of the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40. The air curtain vent 41 is located at the top of the inner liner 10 so that an air curtain 410 is formed from top to bottom. The air curtain vent 41 extends in the width direction of the opening 11.

[0074] The fan 61 is installed below the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40, usually near the evaporator 62 of the refrigeration system. The fan 61 blows the cooled airflow from below to above, into the first air duct 30 or the second air duct 40.

[0075] The second air duct 40 forms a top air duct 42 at the top, which extends from back to front, all the way to the frontmost opening 11. Thus, the air curtain vent 41 is located at the top of the inner liner 10, specifically at the upper edge of the opening 11. The air curtain vent 41 is designed as a long and narrow strip, extending along the width of the opening 11 to ensure that the air curtain 410 covers the entire area of ​​the opening 11.

[0076] like Figure 3 As shown, when the damper assembly 50 is in the second state S2, the airflow reaches the air curtain vent 41 through the second air duct 40 and blows out from top to bottom, forming a vertical air curtain 410. This air curtain 410 can effectively block the external hot and humid air 90 from entering the cooling room 101, reducing frost formation.

[0077] Furthermore, the damper body includes a first baffle 51 and a second baffle 52, with the plane of the first baffle 51 being perpendicular to the plane of the second baffle 52.

[0078] The damper body adopts a double baffle design. The first baffle 51 and the second baffle 52 are fixedly connected or integrally formed, forming a 90-degree angle, that is, the plane where the first baffle 51 is located is perpendicular to the plane where the second baffle 52 is located.

[0079] In the first state S1, the plane where the second baffle 52 is located is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second air duct 40, the second baffle 52 closes the second air duct 40, and the plane where the first baffle 51 is located is parallel to the partition 70.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, at this time, the first baffle 51 is parallel to the partition 70 and does not block the passage of the first air duct 30, so the airflow can pass smoothly through the first air duct 30.

[0081] In the second state S2, the plane where the first baffle 51 is located is perpendicular to the extension direction of the first air duct 30, the first baffle 51 closes the first air duct 30, and the plane where the second baffle 52 is located is parallel to the partition 70.

[0082] like Figure 4 As shown, at this time, the damper body rotates to another angle, so that the first baffle 51 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the first air duct 30, thereby closing the first air duct 30. The second baffle 52 is parallel to the partition 70 and does not block the passage of the second air duct 40, so that the airflow can pass smoothly through the second air duct 40.

[0083] This dual-baffle design is simple and efficient. The opening and closing of the two air ducts can be achieved with a single rotation action, which reduces the complexity of the mechanical structure and improves reliability.

[0084] Furthermore, multiple shelves 81 are arranged from top to bottom inside the inner liner 10, and an air curtain 410 is formed between the shelves 81 and the opening 11.

[0085] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, the multi-layer shelf 81 is used to place food or other items. The shelf 81 is arranged in layers from top to bottom, with a certain height space between each layer to store items of different sizes.

[0086] An air curtain 410 is formed between the shelf 81 and the opening 11. Specifically, the air curtain 410 is located in front of the shelf 81, near the side of the opening 11. In this way, when the door 20 is opened, the air curtain 410 can directly block outside air from entering the shelf 81 area, protecting the items on the shelf 81 from the effects of hot and humid air. Especially in the unobstructed area of ​​the shelf 81, this effectively improves the performance of the refrigeration equipment and the user experience.

[0087] The first air duct 30 is located on the side close to the multi-layer shelf 81, and the second air duct 40 is located on the side away from the multi-layer shelf 81.

[0088] The first air duct 30 is located inside the refrigeration compartment 101, near the side of the multi-layer shelf 81, usually on the rear wall of the inner liner 10. This design allows the cold airflow to blow directly onto the shelf 81, improving refrigeration efficiency.

[0089] The second air duct 40 is located on the outside of the refrigeration chamber 101, away from the multi-layer shelf 81, behind the first air duct 30. This allows the second air duct 40 to be as far away from the refrigeration chamber 101 as possible, facilitating thermal insulation during defrosting.

[0090] Downstream of the first air duct 30, after the damper assembly 50, there are multiple air outlets 31. These air outlets 31 face the multi-layer shelf 81 and are distributed at different heights to correspond to different shelf layers 81, so that each shelf layer 81 can receive sufficient cold airflow to achieve uniform cooling.

[0091] Furthermore, several drawer assemblies 82 are arranged from top to bottom below the shelf 81 section where the shelf 81 is located, and drawer vents 83 are provided between adjacent drawer assemblies 82.

[0092] Drawer assembly 82 is typically used to store items that require better sealing and organization, such as vegetables and fruits.

[0093] The drawer assembly 82 is arranged in layers from top to bottom, and each drawer can be pulled out and pushed in via slide rails. The drawers are made of a similar material to the shelf 81, and have good low-temperature resistance.

[0094] Drawer vents 83 are provided between adjacent drawer assemblies 82. These vents are located at the front of the drawer, facing the opening 11. The drawer vents 83 are connected to the air ducts of the refrigeration system and can deliver cold air.

[0095] When the damper assembly 50 is in the first state S1 or the second state S2, the drawer vent 83 blows air towards the opening 11.

[0096] In other words, regardless of whether the damper assembly 50 is in the first state S1 (door 20 closed) or the second state S2 (door 20 open), the drawer vent 83 continuously supplies air towards the opening 11.

[0097] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, compared to the complete exposure of the shelf area 81, the drawer area is covered by the front surface of the drawer, making it difficult for external hot and humid air 90 to enter, and the continuous air supply of the drawer vent 83 further blocks the intrusion of hot air.

[0098] Furthermore, a front return air duct 84 is formed on the side of the drawer assembly 82 near the opening 11, typically below the front of the drawer. The front return air duct 84 can be a gap at the bottom of the drawer or a specially designed channel for collecting airflow within the refrigeration compartment 101.

[0099] Below the bottom drawer assembly 82 is a lower return air duct 85, which is usually located at the bottom of the refrigeration compartment 101 and connected to the evaporator 62 of the refrigeration system.

[0100] The air curtain 410 section where the air curtain 410 is located and the shelf 81 section where the shelf 81 is located are connected to the front return air duct 84 and the lower return air duct 85 in sequence. The airflow in the air curtain 410 section (i.e., at the opening 11) where the air curtain 410 is located and the shelf 81 section where the shelf 81 is located will enter the drawer area through the front return air duct 84 and then flow to the lower return air duct 85 below.

[0101] When the door 20 is opened, the air curtain 410 blocks the hot and humid air 90 from outside, while the airflow in the cooling chamber 101 flows back to the evaporator 62 through the front return air duct 84 and the lower return air duct 85, forming a circulation.

[0102] When the door 20 is closed, the airflow in the refrigeration compartment 101 enters through the air outlet 31 of the first air duct 30, passes through the shelf 81 and drawer area, and then flows back to the evaporator 62 through the front return air duct 84 and the lower return air duct 85.

[0103] The refrigeration system includes an evaporator 62, and a fan 61 drives the airflow in the front return air duct 84 and the lower return air duct 85 to flow to the evaporator 62.

[0104] The fan 61 drives the airflow from the front return air duct 84 and the lower return air duct 85 to the evaporator 62, and after cooling, it is sent back to the refrigeration room 101 through the first air duct 30 or the second air duct 40.

[0105] This return air duct design ensures smooth airflow circulation, improves cooling efficiency, and helps maintain temperature uniformity in the cooling room 101.

[0106] To accurately detect the open / closed state of the door 20, the refrigeration equipment is equipped with a door switch sensor. This sensor is typically installed at the contact point between the door 20 and the inner liner 10, and can sense the closed or open state of the door 20. Common types of door switch sensors include mechanical switches, magnetic switches, or photoelectric sensors. In this embodiment, a magnetic switch is used as the door switch sensor, consisting of a magnet mounted on the door 20 and a Hall element mounted on the inner liner 10. When the door 20 is closed, the magnet approaches the Hall element, generating a closing signal; when the door 20 is open, the magnet moves away from the Hall element, generating an opening signal. The sensor transmits the detected door 20 status signal to the controller of the refrigeration equipment in real time.

[0107] After receiving the status signal from the door 20, the controller of the refrigeration equipment controls the drive unit of the damper assembly 50 according to the preset control logic, thereby switching the status of the damper body. The specific control flow is as follows:

[0108] When door 20 is open: When the controller receives the signal that door 20 is open, it immediately sends a command to the drive unit of damper assembly 50 to drive the damper body to rotate to the second rotation angle, so that damper assembly 50 switches to the second state S2. At this time, damper assembly 50 closes the first air duct 30 and opens the second air duct 40. The airflow blown by fan 61 passes through the second air duct 40 and is blown out from the air curtain vent 41, forming an air curtain 410 at the opening 11 of the refrigeration chamber 101.

[0109] Control methods during the normal cooling process of refrigeration equipment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the details are as follows:

[0110] When door 20 is closed: When the controller receives a signal that door 20 is closed, it immediately sends a command to the drive unit of damper assembly 50 to drive the damper body to rotate to the first rotation angle, causing damper assembly 50 to switch to the first state S1. At this time, damper assembly 50 closes the second air duct 40 and opens the first air duct 30. The airflow blown out by fan 61 enters the refrigeration chamber 101 through the first air duct 30 to carry out normal refrigeration cycle.

[0111] The switching speed of the damper assembly 50 should be fast enough to ensure that an air curtain 410 is formed the instant the door 20 opens, preventing hot and humid outside air 90 from rapidly entering the cooling room 101. The motor of the drive unit is usually a high-response stepper motor or servo motor to achieve fast and precise rotation control.

[0112] Furthermore, the control method also includes a control method during the defrosting process, aimed at reducing the impact of defrosting on the temperature of the refrigeration compartment 101 and preventing water vapor generated during defrosting from entering the refrigeration compartment 101. The following is a detailed description of a specific implementation of this control method.

[0113] The defrosting process of refrigeration equipment is typically triggered based on preset time intervals or frost thickness. Common triggering methods include:

[0114] Timed defrosting: The defrosting program is automatically started according to the set time cycle (such as once every 24 hours).

[0115] Intelligent defrosting: The frost layer thickness is monitored in real time by a frost layer sensor installed on the evaporator 62, and defrosting is triggered when the frost layer reaches a certain thickness.

[0116] In this embodiment, an intelligent sensing defrosting method is adopted to more accurately control the defrosting timing and improve energy efficiency. The frost sensor can be a temperature sensor or an optical sensor, which determines the frost thickness by detecting temperature changes on the surface of the evaporator 62 or the frost layer blocking light.

[0117] When the refrigeration system begins defrosting, the controller executes control methods such as... Figure 6 As shown, the following control actions are included:

[0118] Shutting down fan 61: To prevent hot air and water vapor generated during the defrosting process from entering the refrigeration room 101 through the air duct, the controller first shuts down fan 61 to stop the airflow.

[0119] Switching the damper assembly 50 to the second state S2: Simultaneously, the controller sends a command to the drive unit of the damper assembly 50 to rotate the damper body to the second rotation angle, causing the damper assembly 50 to switch to the second state S2. At this time, the second air duct 40 is open, and the first air duct 30 is closed. Even if the fan 61 stops running, this state of the damper assembly 50 helps to guide the hot air and water vapor generated during the defrosting process to the second air duct 40. The defrosting hot air is stored in the second air duct 40, greatly reducing the possibility of water vapor generated during evaporator defrosting flowing into the refrigeration compartment 101 and forming a temperature rise and frost layer.

[0120] Once the defrosting time reaches the preset time, the controller performs the following actions:

[0121] Turn on fan 61: The controller restarts fan 61 to restore it to normal operation.

[0122] Switching the damper assembly 50 to the first state S1: Simultaneously, the controller sends a command to the drive unit of the damper assembly 50 to rotate the damper body to the first rotation angle, causing the damper assembly 50 to switch back to the first state S1. At this time, the first air duct 30 opens, the second air duct 40 closes, and the airflow blown out by the fan 61 enters the refrigeration chamber 101 through the first air duct 30, restoring the normal refrigeration cycle.

[0123] The duration of the defrosting process (i.e., the preset time) is set according to the specific design of the refrigeration equipment and the defrosting requirements. The preset time can be determined based on the size and type of the evaporator 62, the thickness of the frost layer, the defrosting method, etc.

[0124] In this embodiment, the preset time can be determined through experimentation or simulation calculation and stored in the controller's program. The controller starts timing after defrosting is initiated, and ends the defrosting process when the preset time is reached.

[0125] This control method achieves the following technical effects during the defrosting process:

[0126] Reduced temperature rise: By shutting off the fan 61 and switching the damper assembly 50 to the second state S2, the hot air generated during defrosting is effectively prevented from entering the refrigeration chamber 101, reducing interference with the temperature of the refrigeration chamber 101 and maintaining temperature stability.

[0127] Preventing moisture from entering: The evaporated water vapor generated during the defrosting process is directed to the second air duct 40, which prevents the water vapor from condensing into frost in the refrigeration chamber 101 and reduces the risk of frost formation.

[0128] Improved cooling efficiency: After defrosting, the system quickly resumes normal cooling mode, ensuring that the temperature of the cooling room 101 drops rapidly to the set value, thus improving the overall efficiency of the refrigeration equipment.

[0129] Compared with commonly used technologies, this embodiment has the following advantages:

[0130] This refrigeration equipment, through its innovative air duct design and damper assembly 50, enables the damper assembly 50 to switch to the second state S2 when the door is opened, closing the first air duct 30 and opening the second air duct 40. The fan 61 blows airflow into the second air duct 40, forming an air curtain 410, effectively blocking external hot and humid air 90 from entering the refrigeration chamber 101. During defrosting, it also prevents defrosting heat from entering the refrigeration chamber 101 through the first air duct 30. The first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40 function separately under different operating conditions. Only a single fan 61 and damper assembly 50 are needed to switch between the first air duct 30 and the second air duct 40, avoiding the need for an additional independent fan 61 or a complex air duct structure, reducing the volume occupied inside the freezer, and demonstrating significant technical advantages and application prospects.

[0131] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0132] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigeration device, characterized in that, include: The inner liner (10) encloses a refrigeration chamber (101) with an opening (11); The door (20) closes or opens the opening (11); A first air duct (30) includes an air outlet (31) facing the cooling room (101); The second air duct (40) includes an air curtain vent (41), and the gas blown out by the air curtain vent (41) forms an air curtain (410) at the opening (11); A damper assembly (50) has a first state (S1) and a second state (S2). In the first state (S1), the damper assembly (50) closes the second air duct (40) and opens the first air duct (30). In the second state (S2), the damper assembly (50) closes the first air duct (30) and opens the second air duct (40). The refrigeration system includes a fan (61) that blows airflow toward the first duct (30) and the second duct (40).

2. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The damper assembly (50) includes a drive unit and a damper body. The drive unit drives the damper body to rotate. The damper body is in the first state (S1) at a first rotation angle and in the second state (S2) at a second rotation angle.

3. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first air duct (30) and the second air duct (40) are arranged side by side, and the first air duct (30) and the second air duct (40) are separated by a partition (70); The first air duct (30) and the second air duct (40) are both arranged to extend in the vertical direction. The fan (61) discharges air in the lower direction of the first air duct (30) and the second air duct (40). The air curtain vent (41) is located at the top of the inner liner (10) so that the air curtain (410) is formed from top to bottom. The air curtain vent (41) extends in the width direction of the opening (11).

4. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The damper body includes a first baffle (51) and a second baffle (52), wherein the plane of the first baffle (51) is perpendicular to the plane of the second baffle (52); In the first state (S1), the plane where the second baffle (52) is located is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second air duct (40), the second baffle (52) closes the second air duct (40), and the plane where the first baffle (51) is located is parallel to the partition (70). In the second state (S2), the plane where the first baffle (51) is located is perpendicular to the extension direction of the first air duct (30), the first baffle (51) closes the first air duct (30), and the plane where the second baffle (52) is located is parallel to the partition (70).

5. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner liner (10) has multiple shelves (81) arranged from top to bottom, and the air curtain (410) is formed between the shelves (81) and the opening (11).

6. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first air duct (30) is located on the side close to the multi-layer shelf (81), and the second air duct (40) is located on the side away from the multi-layer shelf (81). The first air duct (30) is located downstream of the damper assembly (50) and has a plurality of air outlets (31) facing the multi-layer shelf (81).

7. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, Several drawer assemblies (82) are arranged from top to bottom below the shelf (81) section where the shelf (81) is located, and drawer vents (83) are provided between adjacent drawer assemblies (82); When the damper assembly (50) is in the first state (S1) or the second state (S2), the drawer vent (83) blows air toward the opening (11).

8. The refrigeration equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drawer assembly (82) forms a front return air duct (84) on the side near the opening (11); A lower return air duct (85) is provided below the bottom drawer assembly (82); The air curtain (410) section where the air curtain (410) is located and the shelf (81) section where the shelf (81) is located are connected to the front return air duct (84) and the lower return air duct (85) in sequence; The refrigeration system includes an evaporator (62), and the fan (61) drives the airflow in the front return air duct (84) and the lower return air duct (85) to flow to the evaporator (62).

9. A control method for a refrigeration device, characterized in that, The refrigeration equipment is as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and the control method includes the following steps: When the door (20) is detected to be open, the damper assembly (50) switches to the second state (S2); When the door (20) is detected to be closed, the damper assembly (50) switches to the first state (S1).

10. The control method for the refrigeration equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The control method further includes the following steps: When the refrigeration system begins defrosting, the fan (61) is turned off, and the damper assembly (50) switches to the second state (S2); When the defrosting time of the refrigeration system reaches the preset time, the fan (61) is turned on and the damper assembly (50) is switched to the first state (S1).

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