Method and control device for operating a cooling device, cooling device

Abstract

A method for operating a refrigeration unit (100) with an interior (200) having a plurality of zones (205, 210, 215, 220) for storing and cooling goods (270) comprises a step of acquiring a characteristic of a good (270) to be stored in a zone (205), a step of determining a heat signal representing a heat load of the good (270) to be stored in the zone (205), a step of determining a zone signal representing a target temperature of the zone (205), a step of determining a cooling capacity for cooling the zone (205) containing the good (270) using the heat signal and the zone signal, and a step of outputting a cooling signal to output the cooling capacity for the zone (205) in order to operate the refrigeration unit (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a cooling device and a cooling device.

[0002] Refrigerators have an integrated temperature sensor to regulate the desired target temperature. Thus, refrigerators regulate their internal temperature based on the built-in temperature sensor and a derived control logic. In addition to the control logic, food detection for inventory management purposes is also possible.

[0003] The invention aims to create an improved method and an improved device for operating a cooling device and an improved cooling device.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method and a device for operating a cooling device and a cooling device with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0005] The advantages achievable with the invention consist in particular of enabling reliable cooling of a zone in a cooling unit, especially when storing new goods.

[0006] A method is provided for operating a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit has an interior with multiple zones for storing and cooling goods. Cooling may also include freezing. The method comprises a detection step, a determination step, a further determination step, a setting step, and an output step. In the detection step, a characteristic of a product to be stored in a zone is recorded. In the setting step, a heat signal representing the heat load of the product to be stored in the zone is determined using the characteristic. In the setting step, a zone signal is determined, where the zone signal represents the zone containing the product and a target temperature for the zone. In the setting step, a cooling capacity for cooling the zone containing the product is determined using the heat signal and the zone signal.During the output step, a cooling signal is output to specify the cooling capacity for the zone in order to operate the cooling unit.

[0007] The cooling appliance can be a refrigerator, a fridge-freezer, or a freezer. The zones can be defined by different compartments or drawers. Different target temperatures can be assigned to these zones. A user can place goods into any zone of the cooling appliance. For example, the goods could be food. If the user introduces a heat load in the form of food, beverages, or other items, the temperature inside the cooling appliance can rise accordingly, which can be recognized as a temperature deviation from the setpoint. With the approach presented here, the cooling unit of the appliance can adjust its temperature control without waiting for a temperature change within the appliance. The cooling unit can determine the applied heat load and therefore adjust its temperature control proactively and efficiently.When a user introduces a heat load in the form of food, beverages, or other items into a multi-zone refrigeration unit, such as a refrigerator, cold storage unit, or freezer, the system can determine whether one zone needs to be cooled faster than another based on the stored goods, for example, because the food is particularly sensitive. Using the approach presented here, the refrigeration unit can receive information about what the user has stored, how much, the temperature of the stored goods, the temperature difference between each zone, and thus the heat load introduced into each zone, which can also be referred to as a cooling compartment. This approach enables the regulation of refrigeration units based on the stored goods or food items and their heat loads.The approach presented here can therefore also be understood as intelligent heat load-dependent cooling device control.

[0008] In the initial data acquisition step, the product type, volume, and temperature can be recorded as characteristics. In the subsequent calculation step, the heat load can be determined using these characteristics. The heat capacity can then be calculated from the product type. In this way, the energy required to cool the product can be determined based on these characteristics.

[0009] The procedure may include a step of issuing a warning signal. This step can be executed if, during the detection step, the measured heat load exceeds a predetermined threshold. The warning signal can be displayed on the cooling unit's indicator and alert the user that the goods they intend to store in the unit are too hot and that cooling them will require significant energy. The user can then decide whether to allow the goods to cool to room temperature or to store them in the unit anyway.

[0010] In the detection step, further characteristics of additional goods to be stored in another zone can be recorded. In the determination step, an additional heat signal can be determined, which can represent an additional heat load of the additional goods to be stored in the additional zone. In the determination step, an additional zone signal can be determined, which can represent the additional zone containing the additional goods and an additional target temperature for the additional zone. In the determination step, an additional cooling capacity can be determined using the additional heat signal and the additional zone signal. The user can store multiple goods in different zones of the refrigeration unit.

[0011] During the output step, a cooling signal and a second cooling signal can be output. The first cooling signal can be output before the second if the goods in question are more sensitive than those in the second. This allows the system to detect whether sensitive or rapidly chilled goods have been stored and can be prioritized for cooling. This advantageously enables intelligent cooling, as the more sensitive goods can be cooled first and / or with a higher cooling capacity.

[0012] The characteristic acquisition step can be performed using a sensing device. This device can be designed to detect the characteristic without physical contact. For this purpose, the device can include one or more sensors, such as at least one camera and / or at least one thermal imaging camera. Using this device, the characteristic can be acquired reliably and quickly. The device can be installed in or on the refrigeration unit in a space-saving manner. For example, the type and volume of the goods can be acquired using a camera and suitable image processing, and the temperature of the goods can be acquired using a thermal imaging camera or an infrared sensor. In this way, the characteristic can be acquired reliably and quickly.

[0013] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the device / method described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device.

[0014] The approach presented here further creates a device designed to perform, control, and implement the steps of a variant of the method presented here in appropriate facilities. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a device also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0015] The device can be configured to read input signals and, using these input signals, determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the device. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the device. The device can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the device can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as, or comprised of, a discrete component.

[0016] A refrigeration unit for cooling food comprises an interior with multiple zones for storing and cooling goods, an embodiment of a device mentioned herein, and a detection device for detecting the characteristics of goods to be stored or already stored in the refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is, for example, a refrigerator, a fridge-freezer, or a freezer.

[0017] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a cooling device; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a cooling device; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a cooling device; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device; and Fig. 5 a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a cooling device.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling appliance 100. The cooling appliance 100 has a door 105 for closing an interior compartment. The cooling appliance 100 is designed to cool, store, and optionally freeze goods. For this purpose, the cooling appliance 100 is shown, by way of example, as a refrigerator, a fridge-freezer, or a freezer. The cooling appliance 100 is described in more detail in the following figures. In other words, it shows Fig. 1 A basic view of the cooling unit 100 in the closed state.

[0020] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device 100. The cooling device 100 resembles or corresponds to the cooling device from [reference missing]. Fig. 1, except that the refrigerator 100 is shown in a cutaway side view, with one side wall of the refrigerator 100 omitted so that the interior 200 is visible. Additionally, the door is omitted. In other words, it shows Fig. 2 A sectional view in side view without a door, which can also be referred to as a front door.

[0021] The cooling unit 100 has a plurality of zones 205, 210, 215, 220 (four zones are shown here as examples) within its interior 200 for storing, cooling, and / or freezing goods. Zones 205, 210, 215, and 220 can also be referred to as shelves. Additionally, the cooling unit 100 has a control device 225 and a detection device 230, the detection device 230 and the control device 225 being interconnected for signal transmission. The control device 225 can also be referred to as a controller, display, microcontroller, and / or electronics. For example, the control device 225 forms a display unit for showing cooling information.

[0022] The cooling unit 100 is merely an example of a refrigerator designed for storing and cooling goods. For this purpose, the cooling unit 100 has, for example, an evaporator 235 and a rear panel 240, with an air duct 245 formed between the evaporator 235 and the rear panel 240. A fan 250 is also shown on the rear panel 240, for example. The rear panel 240 serves, for instance, as a cover for the air duct 245.

[0023] According to the embodiment shown here, the detection device 230 is arranged in the upper area of ​​the refrigerator body 255 such that a detection area 260 of the detection device 230 covers the area of ​​the door of the refrigerator 100. The detection device 230 is, for example, permanently connected or connected to the control device 225 via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

[0024] According to the embodiment shown here, a user 265 is located within the detection area 260 of the detection device 230, holding a product 270, here for example a food item. The product 270 could also be a dish or a beverage. The user 265 is, for example, facing the interior 200 in order to place the product 270 into any zone of the refrigeration unit 100. For example, the user 265 is shown placing the product 270 into the lowest zone 205.

[0025] The detection device 230 is designed to detect the product 270, or more precisely, a characteristic of the product 270, during the loading process. This includes detecting the type of product 270 (here, for example, an aubergine), its volume, and its temperature. For this purpose, the detection device 230 includes, for example, at least one camera with AI for detecting the type of product 270, a sensor device for sensing the volume of product 270, and at least one thermal imaging camera (also known as an IR camera) for detecting the temperature of product 270. A sensor signal 275 for volume detection and a temperature signal 280 for temperature detection are shown, but only as examples. The sensor device includes, for example, a time-of-flight sensor, whereby the volume is detected, for example, using the time-of-flight sensor and / or image AI data analysis.The temperature is determined using infrared and a surface temperature measurement. Using this recorded characteristic, the heat load of the product 270 is calculated. This calculation is performed only as an example while the user 265 places the product 270 into the interior 200 of the cooling unit 100.

[0026] User 265 places the item 270, for example, into zone 205. This is detected, for example, by the detection device 230. Additionally, a target temperature for zone 205 is recorded. The cooling unit 100 now knows that the item 270 is located in zone 205. Using the heat load and the target temperature of zone 205, a cooling capacity for cooling zone 205 is determined, and zone 205 is cooled using this cooling capacity.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the user 265 is warned if the detected heat load of the goods 270 exceeds a predetermined heat load, i.e., if the goods 270 are very hot. The warning is issued, for example, via a display device on the control device 225. The user 265 is informed that the goods 270 are very hot and should be placed in zone 205. The user 265 can then decide whether to store the goods 270 in the cooling unit 100 anyway or to allow the goods 270 to cool down outside the cooling unit 270.

[0028] According to one embodiment, user 265 or another user places another item of goods into the cooling unit 100, for example, into another zone 210. The heat load of the additional item and the target temperature of the additional zone 210 are also determined in order to determine the cooling capacity for the additional zone 210. During operation of the cooling unit 100, it is then taken into account, for example, which of the items is more sensitive, and accordingly, the zone containing the more sensitive item is preferentially cooled.

[0029] In other words, the goods or foodstuffs to be stored are identified by means of one or more built-in detection devices 230, which can also be referred to as cameras, and AI support. Fig. Figure 2 symbolically represents only one detection device 230 at an arbitrary location. The exact positioning and number of detection devices 230 are to be determined according to the application. Optionally, so-called 3D Time-of-Flight sensors / cameras, or 3D-TOF for short, are used as additional detection devices 230. This sensor technology is capable of generating a depth profile image and thus an approximate volume image of the product 270 or foodstuff. The refrigeration unit 100 now knows which product 270, with its corresponding volume, is being stored. Using further sensors in the form of one or more thermal imaging cameras, the temperature of the foodstuff(s) or product 270 is determined, and thus the heat load to be stored is calculated. Through user interaction, it is then verified where which product 270, with its heat capacity, has been stored.Depending on the target storage zone and the resulting temperature difference and volume-dependent heat capacity, the cooling unit 100 determines the most efficient, fastest, or best cooling logic. The cooling requirement of the refrigeration unit's control system is determined based on the volume to be stored, the heat capacity, and the target temperature of the zone, which can also be referred to as the storage zone. Furthermore, an AI system, for example, checks whether the product 270 is very hot and informs the user, for instance, in the case of a networked device, about the resulting high energy demand for cooling. The user then decides whether to pre-cool the product 270 to room temperature.To specify the term "target storage zone": depending on the refrigerator (model 100), it has different zones (205, 210, 215, 220) with varying temperatures. See also the IEC standard for storage temperatures. For example, three storage zones with corresponding temperature differences: a refrigerator compartment at, say, five degrees Celsius, a cold storage compartment at zero degrees Celsius, and a freezer compartment at minus 18 degrees Celsius. When multiple items are stored, the cooling logic is prioritized, so that perishable goods are cooled with a higher cooling capacity.

[0030] In other words, current refrigerators can only react to a temperature change once it has already occurred. They then increase their cooling capacity. However, all food items in the compartment absorb heat from the newly added food, which can negatively impact the shelf life of all stored items. Furthermore, today's refrigerators lack information about the type and quantity of food stored and the actual cooling requirements, thus preventing intelligent temperature control.

[0031] The approach presented here creates a cooling unit 100 that recognizes the goods 270, determines their volume, and uses a thermal imaging camera to calculate the resulting heat load. Finally, it calculates the temperature difference between storage zones to determine the cooling requirement of each zone. Based on this information, the cooling unit 100 then predictively calculates the most efficient cooling control logic to maintain the target temperature for each zone or to reach it again as quickly as possible. For example, colder zones are prioritized to prevent excessive warming of particularly sensitive goods 270. When storing multiple different types of goods 270, it is necessary to record the heat loads of all goods as described above.Storing food in different zones and controlling their temperature separately offers the following advantage: The refrigerator 100 is able to identify particularly sensitive items and prioritize cooling them based on temperature differences. This results in generally lower energy consumption, a more stable cooling system, and fewer temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, a warning signal triggered by the storage of excessively hot food prompts its removal, further reducing energy consumption. This approach can be implemented in all refrigerators and freezers.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device 100. The cooling device 100 resembles or corresponds to the cooling device from Fig. 2, except that the door 105 of the cooling appliance 100 is shown, with the door 105 being shown in a closed state.

[0033] For example, a vegetable drawer 300 is located below zone 205.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooling device 100. The cooling device 100 is similar to or corresponds to the cooling device from one of the figures described above, except that the cooling device 100 is shown in a front view with the door 105 open.

[0035] Fig. Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 500 for operating a cooling device. The method 500 is designed to operate the cooling device from one of the figures described above or a similar cooling device.

[0036] Procedure 500 comprises a step 505 for data acquisition, a step 510 for data determination, a further step 515 for data determination, a step 520 for data calculation, and a step 525 for output. Optionally, procedure 500 includes a step 530 for output.

[0037] In step 505 of the acquisition process, a characteristic of goods to be stored in a zone is acquired using a suitable acquisition device, which may include one or more sensor devices, for example, for image acquisition and temperature measurement. For example, the characteristic acquired might be the type, volume, and temperature of the goods. In step 510 of the determination process, a heat signal representing the heat load of the goods to be stored in the zone is determined using the characteristic. For example, the heat load is determined using the type, volume, and temperature. In step 515 of the determination process, a zone signal is acquired, where the zone signal represents the zone containing the goods and a target temperature for that zone. In step 520 of the determination process, a cooling capacity for cooling the zone containing the goods is determined using the heat signal and the zone signal.In step 525 of the output process, a cooling signal is output to specify the cooling capacity for the zone in order to operate the cooling unit.

[0038] According to one embodiment, method 500 is designed to determine a further heat load of another product and a further target temperature of another zone. For this purpose, in step 505 of the acquisition phase, a further characteristic of the additional product to be stored in the further zone is acquired. In step 510 of the determination phase, a further heat signal is then determined, which represents the further heat load of the additional product to be stored in the further zone. In step 515 of the determination phase, a further zone signal is then determined, which represents the further zone containing the additional product and the further target temperature of the further zone. In step 520 of the determination phase, a further cooling capacity is then determined using the further heat signal and the further zone signal. According to one embodiment, in step 525 of the output phase, the cooling signal and a further cooling signal are then output.The cooling signal is only issued as an example before the subsequent cooling signal if the characteristics of the goods are more sensitive than those of the subsequent goods.

[0039] According to another embodiment, in step 530 of the output process, a warning signal is issued if, in step 510 of the determination process, the detected heat load exceeds a predetermined heat load. The warning signal is, for example, sent to a display device of the cooling unit to inform the user that the goods are very hot. The user can then decide whether to store the goods in the cooling unit anyway or to allow them to cool down outside of it.

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