Refrigerator and ultrasonic auxiliary processing device thereof control method

Abstract

A control method for a refrigerator and its ultrasonic auxiliary processing device. The control method includes the steps of detecting an ultrasonic container using a signal detection device on an ultrasonic base, determining a function type of the ultrasonic container based on the detection result, obtaining ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the function type of the ultrasonic container, and controlling the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device to operate periodically according to the ultrasonic parameters. The present invention can achieve the purpose of making the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device multifunctional and versatile.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a method for controlling a refrigerator and its ultrasonic assisted processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, the evaluation of the storage performance of refrigerators is no longer limited to simply extending the storage time, and some users are also requesting the realization of several auxiliary functions (such as soaking assistance, cleaning assistance, etc.).

[0003] In the prior art, many improvement methods have been proposed, among which the most common is to add an ultrasonic device in the storage compartment of the refrigerator and use the ultrasonic device to assist the processing operation to improve the processing effect and processing efficiency of the food material.

[0004] However, the inherent frequency of the ultrasonic transducer is fixed and cannot be changed by software. Therefore, most ultrasonic devices have only a single purpose, for example, the ultrasonic cleaner is only applicable to cleaning and cannot be applied to other uses with different frequencies. In order to realize ultrasonic soaking assistance, a new device is required, which hinders the purpose of making the ultrasonic device multifunctional and versatile, and there is still room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the first aspect of the present invention is to make the ultrasound assisted processing device multifunctional and versatile.

[0006] Another object of the first aspect of the present invention is to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment of foodstuffs.

[0007] An object of a second aspect of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator.

[0008] In particular, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an ultrasound assisted processing device, comprising: detecting the ultrasonic container using a signal detection device on the ultrasonic base; determining a functional type of the ultrasonic container based on the detection result; obtaining ultrasonic parameters corresponding to a functional type of the ultrasonic vessel; and controlling the ultrasound auxiliary processing device to operate in accordance with the ultrasound parameters.

[0009] Optionally, the function types of the ultrasonic container include an ultrasonic soaking assistant, an ultrasonic cleaning assistant, and an ultrasonic atomizing assistant.

[0010] Optionally, the ultrasonic parameters include a frequency of an ultrasonic generator, and obtaining the ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container includes obtaining a frequency of an ultrasonic transducer corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container, and determining a frequency of the ultrasonic generator based on the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0011] Optionally, the ultrasonic parameters further include an output of the ultrasonic generator, and the step of obtaining the ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container further includes obtaining an output of the ultrasonic generator corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container.

[0012] Optionally, the ultrasonic parameters further include a target activation ratio, and the step of obtaining ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container further includes obtaining a target activation ratio corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container.

[0013] Optionally, prior to the step of detecting the ultrasound container using a signal detection device on the ultrasound base, it is determined whether an ultrasound container is placed on the ultrasound base, and if so, the ultrasound container is detected using the signal detection device on the ultrasound base.

[0014] Optionally, after the step of controlling the ultrasonic assisted processing device to operate according to the ultrasonic parameters, the method further includes a step of determining whether the total processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device has reached a preset processing time, and if so, terminating the processing of the ultrasonic assisted processing device.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: an ultrasonic auxiliary processing device including an ultrasonic base, at least one ultrasonic container adapted for use with the base, and a signal detection device for detecting a functional type of the ultrasonic container; and a controller including a memory and a processor, wherein a control program is stored in the memory, and which, when the control program is executed by the processor, implements any one of the above-mentioned methods for controlling an ultrasonic auxiliary processing device.

[0016] Optionally, the signal detection device includes two Hall sensors provided on the ultrasonic base, and the bottom of the ultrasonic container has a feature, which is configured to be detected and identified by the two Hall sensors to determine a functional type of the ultrasonic container.

[0017] Optionally, the ultrasound container is provided with a label on the housing indicating its functional type.

[0018] In the control method of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device of the present invention, a signal detection device is provided on the base, the signal detection device automatically identifies different functional types of ultrasonic containers, obtains different ultrasonic parameters corresponding to different functional types of ultrasonic containers, and controls the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device to operate according to the ultrasonic parameters. The function type of the ultrasonic container is automatically identified, and the ultrasonic parameters are automatically adjusted according to the function type, so that the function and application of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device are more extensive.

[0019] Furthermore, the control method for the refrigerator and its ultrasonic auxiliary processing device of the present invention accumulates the total processing time of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device, and terminates the processing of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device after the total processing time of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device reaches a preset processing time, thereby preventing over-processing of ingredients and ensuring the processing quality of the ingredients.

[0020] These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are used only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the accompanying drawings.

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic base according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic container according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic diagram of a method for controlling an ultrasonic auxiliary processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling an ultrasound auxiliary processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments herein, but may be embodied in various forms. Rather, these embodiments are provided to more thoroughly understand the present disclosure and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0024] 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator 10 generally includes a body 100, in which one or more storage compartments are formed, and the storage compartments may be refrigerated storage compartments 110, freezer storage compartments 110, temperature-variable storage compartments 110, etc. according to the freezing temperature. Specifically, the number, functions, and layout manner of the storage compartments may be set as required.

[0025] The refrigerator 10 of the present invention may further include an ultrasonic auxiliary processing device 200 (not shown in FIG. 1), which is disposed in the refrigerated storage compartment 110 of the refrigerator 10. Of course, in some cases, the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device may be disposed in the freezer storage compartment 110 or the temperature-variable storage compartment 110. The functions of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device include, but are not limited to, soaking auxiliary, cleaning auxiliary, atomization auxiliary, etc. The ultrasonic auxiliary processing device may be disposed in the refrigerated storage compartment 110 like a drawer, or may be disposed directly in the refrigerated storage compartment 110.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic base according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic container according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic auxiliary processing device of this embodiment includes an ultrasonic base 210, at least one ultrasonic container 220 used in accordance with the ultrasonic base 210, and a signal detection device 230 for detecting the function type of the ultrasonic container. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic base is disposed in a storage chamber, and there can be three ultrasonic containers used in accordance with the ultrasonic base, which can be defined as an ultrasonic soaking container, an ultrasonic cleaning container, and an ultrasonic atomization container, respectively.

[0027] A label may be provided on the housing of the ultrasonic container so that the user can easily identify ultrasonic containers of different function types. For example, a label with a letter indicating soaking may be attached on the housing of the ultrasonic marinating container, a label with a letter indicating cleaning may be attached on the housing of the ultrasonic cleaning container, and a label with a letter indicating atomization may be attached on the housing of the ultrasonic atomization container. When a user wants to marinate food, the user can easily find the ultrasonic marinating container from the label and place the ultrasonic marinating container alone on the ultrasonic base. Similarly, when a user wants to wash or atomize food, the user can find the corresponding ultrasonic cleaning container or ultrasonic atomization container from the label and place the ultrasonic cleaning container or ultrasonic atomization container on the ultrasonic base. Note that only one function type of ultrasonic container can be placed on the ultrasonic base at a time.

[0028] As mentioned above, the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer is fixed (intrinsic frequency) and cannot be changed by software. Therefore, one set of ultrasonic devices can only perform one type of processing operation. For example, an ultrasonic cleaning device is only used to clean food and cannot be used for other purposes. If food is to be soaked using ultrasonic waves, a new set of devices is required. To address this problem, the present invention provides an ultrasonic generator that is compatible with the solution of multiple ultrasonic transducers, thereby realizing the switching of the ultrasonic device in the refrigerator 10 to be multifunctional and multipurpose.

[0029] Specifically, the ultrasonic container 220 includes a container body 221 and an ultrasonic transducer 222, and the ultrasonic transducer is fixed to the bottom of the container body. The ultrasonic base 210 includes a base body 211 and an ultrasonic generator 212, and the ultrasonic generator is fixed to the top of the base body. By appropriately designing the structures of the ultrasonic container and the ultrasonic base, when the ultrasonic container is placed on the ultrasonic base, the conductive path between the ultrasonic generator and the ultrasonic transducer is directly conductive, and the driving signal generated by the ultrasonic generator is transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer through the conductive path to vibrate the ultrasonic transducer.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the signal detection device 230 may include two Hall sensors 231, which are embedded in the top of the base body and have probes protruding upward from the top surface of the base body. The bottom of the ultrasonic container is provided with a feature, which is configured to be detected and identified by the two Hall sensors to determine the functional type of the ultrasonic container.

[0031] In one specific embodiment, the two Hall sensors are arranged opposite each other in the longitudinal direction of the base body. The characteristic part of the container body can be identified by whether or not a magnet 241 is arranged. For example, one side of the container body in the longitudinal direction is defined as the first side, and the other side of the container body in the longitudinal direction is defined as the second side. In the case of an ultrasonic immersion container, the characteristic part of the container body may be that no magnets are arranged on both sides, in which case, when the ultrasonic immersion container is placed on the ultrasonic base, the two Hall sensors output low voltages, and (0,0) is indicated. In the case of an ultrasonic cleaning container, the characteristic part of the container body may be that no magnet is arranged on the first side adjacent to the container body, and a magnet is arranged on the second side adjacent to the container body, in which case, when the ultrasonic cleaning container is placed on the ultrasonic base, the Hall sensor adjacent to the first side of the container body outputs a low voltage, and the Hall sensor adjacent to the second side of the container body outputs a high voltage, and (0,1) is indicated. In the case of an ultrasonic atomization container, the characteristic part of the container body may be that a magnet is arranged on a first side adjacent to the container body, and a magnet is not arranged on a second side adjacent to the container body, in which case, when the ultrasonic atomization container is placed on the ultrasonic base, the Hall sensor adjacent to the first side of the container body outputs a high voltage, and the Hall sensor adjacent to the second side of the container body outputs a low voltage, indicating (1,0). This makes it relatively easy to distinguish the function type of the ultrasonic container.

[0032] 4 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 may further include a controller 300 and a timing device 330.

[0033] The controller 300 includes a memory 320 and a processor 310. A control program 321 is stored in the memory 320. When the control program is executed by the processor, the control method of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device of this embodiment is implemented. The controller is signal-connected to the ultrasonic generator and the signal detection device, and supplies a control signal to the ultrasonic generator according to the detection result of the signal detection device, and adjusts the output of the ultrasonic generator, the frequency of the ultrasonic generator, and the on / off of the ultrasonic generator. The controller may be integrated on the main control board of the refrigerator 10, or may be provided separately adjacent to the ultrasonic generator. The controller may further be signal-connected to the main control device of the refrigerator 10, and is used to provide the operating state of the ultrasonic generator to the main control device and receive control commands from the main control device.

[0034] The controller may be implemented by a variety of devices having certain data processing capabilities, and in one typical arrangement, the controller may include a memory, a processor, input / output interfaces, etc.

[0035] The timing device may be a timer, which is used to accumulate the total processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device, and terminate the processing of the ultrasonic assisted processing device when the total processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device reaches a preset processing time, thereby avoiding failure of food processing due to over-processing.

[0036] 5 is a schematic diagram of a control method for an ultrasonic auxiliary processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes at least the following steps S102 to S108.

[0037] Step S102: Detect the ultrasonic container using a signal detection device on the ultrasonic base.

[0038] Step S104: Determine the function type of the ultrasonic container based on the detection result. In this step, there may be multiple ultrasonic containers that are used in accordance with the ultrasonic base, and each ultrasonic container may have a different function type to realize different food processing functions.

[0039] Step S106: Obtain ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the function type of the ultrasonic container.

[0040] Step S108: Control the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device to operate according to the ultrasonic parameters.

[0041] In the control method of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device of the present invention, a signal detection device is arranged on the base, and the signal detection device automatically identifies different functional types of ultrasonic containers, obtains different ultrasonic parameters corresponding to different functional types of ultrasonic containers, and controls the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device to operate according to the ultrasonic parameters. The function type of the ultrasonic container can be automatically identified, and the ultrasonic parameters can be automatically adjusted according to the function type, so that the function and application of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device are more extensive.

[0042] In this embodiment, the function types of the ultrasonic container may include ultrasonic soaking assistant, ultrasonic cleaning assistant, ultrasonic atomization assistant, etc. In addition, without being limited thereto, for example, ultrasonic freezing assistant may be further included.

[0043] The ultrasonic parameters include a frequency of the ultrasonic generator. The step of obtaining ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container may be obtaining a frequency of an ultrasonic transducer corresponding to the functional type of the ultrasonic container, and determining a frequency of the ultrasonic generator based on the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. Since the frequencies of the ultrasonic transducers at the bottoms of ultrasonic containers of different functional types are different, it is necessary to match the output of the ultrasonic generator with the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer so that the ultrasonic generator transmits a driving signal suitable for the ultrasonic transducer.

[0044] Further, the ultrasonic parameters further include the output of the ultrasonic generator. The step of obtaining ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the function type of the ultrasonic container further includes the step of obtaining the output of the ultrasonic generator corresponding to the function type of the ultrasonic container. For example, when using the ultrasonic container to wash food, the output of the ultrasonic generator is made relatively large to increase the washing speed. When using the ultrasonic container to marinate food, the output of the ultrasonic generator is made relatively small to ensure the marinating effect.

[0045] Furthermore, the ultrasonic parameters further include a target activation ratio, and the step of obtaining the ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the function type of the ultrasonic container further includes a step of obtaining a target activation ratio corresponding to the function type of the ultrasonic container. When the ultrasonic transducer vibrates continuously, a large amount of heat is generated, and when the heat is transferred to the container body, the food processing temperature becomes too high. By controlling the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device to operate at the target activation ratio, the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device can be cooled in a timely manner to avoid the temperature of the container body becoming too high.

[0046] When an ultrasonic immersion container is placed on the ultrasonic base, considering the case where the ultrasonic container is not placed on the ultrasonic base, both of the Hall sensors output a low level signal, i.e., (0,0). Therefore, in order to avoid mistaking the ultrasonic container not being placed on the base for the ultrasonic immersion container being placed on the base, in this embodiment, before the step of detecting the ultrasonic container using the signal detection device on the ultrasonic base, it may be determined whether the ultrasonic container is placed on the ultrasonic base, and after the ultrasonic container is placed in a predetermined position, the ultrasonic container may be detected using the signal detection device on the ultrasonic base.

[0047] The preset processing time of different food materials is different, for example, chicken needs to be processed for 30 minutes, pork needs to be processed for 40 minutes, and beef needs to be processed for 60 minutes. Therefore, in this embodiment, after the step of controlling the ultrasonic assisted processing device to operate periodically according to ultrasonic parameters, it is judged whether the total processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device reaches the preset processing time, and if so, the processing of the ultrasonic assisted processing device is terminated. If not, the operation of the ultrasonic assisted processing device may be continued.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a control method for an ultrasonic auxiliary processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control method includes at least the following steps S202 to S220.

[0049] Step S202: Determine whether an ultrasound container is placed on the ultrasound base; if so, execute step S204.

[0050] Step S204: Detect the placed ultrasonic container using two Hall sensors on the ultrasonic base.

[0051] Step S206: Determine whether the detection results of the two Hall sensors are (0,0); if so, execute step S208; if not, execute step S210.

[0052] Step S208: After obtaining the ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the ultrasonic immersion function, execute step S216.

[0053] Step S210: Determine whether the detection results of the two Hall sensors are (0,1); if so, execute step S212; if not, execute step S214.

[0054] Step S212: After obtaining ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the ultrasonic cleaning function, execute step S216.

[0055] Step S214: After obtaining the ultrasonic parameters corresponding to the ultrasonic atomization function, execute step S216.

[0056] Step S216: The ultrasonic auxiliary processing device is controlled to operate according to the acquired ultrasonic parameters.

[0057] Step S218: Determine whether the total processing time of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device has reached the preset processing time, and if so, execute step S220; if not, return to step S216.

[0058] Step S220: The processing of the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device is terminated.

[0059] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail and comprehensively herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other variations or modifications conforming to the principles of the present invention can be directly determined or inferred based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A step of detecting an ultrasonic container including an ultrasonic transducer that vibrates in electrical communication with the ultrasonic generator when placed on the ultrasonic base, using a signal detection device on an ultrasonic base that includes an ultrasonic generator and is arranged in a storage compartment of a refrigerator so that an ultrasonic container can be placed on the ultrasonic base; determining a functional type of the ultrasound container based on the detection result; obtaining ultrasound parameters corresponding to a functional type of the ultrasound container; and controlling the ultrasonic auxiliary processing device to operate in accordance with the ultrasonic parameters.

2. The functional type of the ultrasonic container is: The method of claim 1 , comprising ultrasonic soaking assistance, ultrasonic cleaning assistance, and ultrasonic atomization assistance.

3. the ultrasonic parameters include a frequency of the ultrasonic generator; The step of obtaining ultrasound parameters corresponding to a functional type of the ultrasound container includes: The method for controlling an ultrasonic assisted processing device of claim 1 , comprising the steps of obtaining a frequency of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to a functional type of the ultrasonic container, and determining a frequency of the ultrasonic generator based on the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer.

4. The ultrasonic parameters further include a power output of the ultrasonic generator; The step of obtaining ultrasound parameters corresponding to a functional type of the ultrasound container includes: The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of obtaining an output of the ultrasonic generator corresponding to a functional type of the ultrasonic container.

5. The ultrasonic parameters further include a target activation ratio; The step of obtaining ultrasound parameters corresponding to a functional type of the ultrasound container includes: The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of obtaining a target activation ratio corresponding to a function type of the ultrasonic container.

6. Prior to the step of detecting the ultrasonic container using a signal detection device on the ultrasonic base, The method for controlling an ultrasonic assisted processing device according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining whether an ultrasonic container is placed on the ultrasonic base, and if so, performing a step of detecting the ultrasonic container using a signal detection device on the ultrasonic base.

7. After the step of controlling the ultrasound auxiliary processing device to operate according to the ultrasound parameters, The method for controlling an ultrasonic assisted processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining whether a total processing time of the ultrasonic assisted processing device has reached a preset processing time, and if so, terminating the processing of the ultrasonic assisted processing device.

8. An ultrasonic auxiliary processing device including an ultrasonic base including an ultrasonic generator and arranged in a storage compartment of a refrigerator so that an ultrasonic container can be placed thereon, at least one ultrasonic container that is adapted for use with the ultrasonic base and includes an ultrasonic transducer that vibrates in electrical communication with the ultrasonic generator when placed on the ultrasonic base, and a signal detection device for detecting a functional type of the ultrasonic container; A controller including a memory and a processor, a control program stored in the memory, and a controller that, when the control program is executed by the processor, performs the control method for the ultrasonic assisted processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the signal detection device includes two Hall sensors disposed on the ultrasonic base and has a feature at the bottom of the ultrasonic container, the feature being configured to be detected and identified by the two Hall sensors to determine a functional type of the ultrasonic container.

10. 9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the housing of the ultrasonic container is provided with a label to indicate its functional type.

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