A cooling device and an operation method for cooling devices

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cooling device and an operation method for said cooling device. The cooling device comprises: at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body; at least one door for access into the inner compartment; at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment and having at least one compressor, at least one condenser, at least one evaporator, at least one capillary tube and at least one refrigerant; at least a first temperature sensor of a first resistance type, which is provided at a first position; at least a second temperature sensor of a second resistance type different from the first resistance type, which is provided at a second position; at least one memory unit with a first conversion table for the first resistance type and a second conversion table for the second resistance type; at least one control unit connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor for detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor during the initial operation of the cooling device, thereby determining whether the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, wherein if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, each temperature sensor is used with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory, and if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors are used interchangeably. Further, the operation method comprises the steps of: energizing the cooling device; detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor by means of the control unit; determining whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct based on the detected resistance values; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, using each temperature sensor with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, using the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors interchangeably.

Description

[0001] A COOLING DEVICE AND AN OPERATION METHOD FOR COOLING DEVICES

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a cooling device, such as a refrigerator, and an operation method for said cooling device.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] A cooling device such as a refrigerator comprises at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body for placing the products to be cooled; at least one door for access into the inner compartment; and at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment. Especially in a household cooling device, said cooling system comprises at least one compressor; at least one condenser; at least one evaporator; at least one capillary tube; and at least one refrigerant. Here, the evaporator cools down while the condenser heats up due to the change in the pressure of the refrigerant by the compressor and capillary tube. In other words, the cooling process is carried out by transferring the heat energy at the location of the evaporator to the location of the condenser.

[0006] To control the operation of cooling devices, at least one temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature of the inner compartment. The temperature sensor is connected to a control unit for transmitting the temperature of the inner compartment to the control unit. The control unit controls the compressor’s operation based on the temperature of the inner compartment. Thus, the inner compartment remains at a desired temperature value.

[0007] Temperature sensors used in cooling devices comprise negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistors. Since the resistance value of the temperature sensor changes according to its temperature, the temperature information can be obtained by measuring the resistance value of the temperature sensor. Conversion tables are used to convert the detected resistance value into a temperature value. Therefore, it is easy and reliable to determine which resistance value corresponds to which temperature value. Multiple temperature sensors can be used to detect the temperatures of different components in cooling devices. These temperature sensors can have different resistance values depending on the requirements and can use different conversion tables. However, in such cases, for instance, during manufacturing or after repairs, these temperature sensors may be connected incorrectly to each other. In this case, faulty conversion tables will be used for these temperature sensors, and reliable temperature measurements cannot be made. If such an issue is detected later, the cooling device may either be discarded or require additional labor to repair it.

[0008] Brief Description of the Invention

[0009] The present invention discloses a cooling device and an operation method for said cooling device. The cooling device comprises at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body; at least one door for access into the inner compartment; at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment and having at least one compressor, at least one condenser, at least one evaporator, at least one capillary tube and at least one refrigerant; at least a first temperature sensor of a first resistance type, which is provided at a first position; at least a second temperature sensor of a second resistance type different from the first resistance type, which is provided at a second position; at least one memory unit with a first conversion table for the first resistance type and a second conversion table for the second resistance type; at least one control unit connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor for detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor during the initial operation of the cooling device, thereby determining whether the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, wherein if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, each temperature sensor is used with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory, and if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors are used interchangeably.

[0010] Further, said operation method comprises the steps of: energizing the cooling device; detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor by means of the control unit; determining whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct based on the detected resistance values; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, using each temperature sensor with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, using the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors interchangeably.

[0011] With the cooling device and operation method according to the present invention, even if temperature sensors used in the cooling device are incorrectly connected with the wrong resistance type, the cooling device operates without error. This ensures that the cooling device performs its cooling function flawlessly, thereby meeting user needs accurately. Additionally, by avoiding the need for the cooling device to be discarded or sent for repairs due to incorrect connections, production costs are reduced.

[0012] Object of the Invention

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device and an operation method for said cooling device.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device with temperature sensors of different resistance types, and an operation method for said cooling device.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device for controlling whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct, and an operation method for said cooling device.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that operates without error even if the resistance types of the temperature sensors are incorrect, and an operation method for said cooling device.

[0017] Description of the Invention

[0018] A cooling device such as a refrigerator may comprise temperature sensors with different resistance types. During the production or repair of the cooling device, issues may arise where temperature sensors of different resistance types are connected incorrectly. In such cases, incorrect temperature readings occur due to the use of faulty conversion tables for temperature detection. Therefore, the present invention discloses a cooling device and an operation method for said cooling device that offers a solution to the described problem.

[0019] The cooling device according to the present invention comprises at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body; at least one door for access into the inner compartment; at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment and having at least one compressor, at least one condenser, at least one evaporator, at least one capillary tube and at least one refrigerant; at least a first temperature sensor of a first resistance type, which is provided at a first position, preferably at the inner compartment; at least a second temperature sensor of a second resistance type different from the first resistance type, which is provided at a second position, preferably at the evaporator; at least one memory unit with a first conversion table for the first resistance type and a second conversion table for the second resistance type; at least one control unit connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor for detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor during the initial operation of the cooling device, thereby determining whether said temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, wherein if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, each temperature sensor is used with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory, and if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors are used interchangeably.

[0020] The operation method according to the present invention is suitable for use in a cooling device comprising at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body; at least one door for access into the inner compartment; at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment and having at least one compressor, at least one condenser, at least one evaporator, at least one capillary tube and at least one refrigerant; at least a first temperature sensor of a first resistance type, which is provided at a first position; at least a second temperature sensor of a second resistance type different from the first resistance type, which is provided at a second position; at least one memory unit with a first conversion table for the first resistance type and a second conversion table for the second resistance type; at least one control unit connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, the operation method comprising the steps of: energizing the cooling device; detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor by means of the control unit; determining whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct based on the detected resistance values; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, using each temperature sensor with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, using the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors interchangeably.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the cooling device is a household refrigerator. During the production or repair process of the cooling device, a first temperature sensor placed in a first position, which could be the inner compartment, and a second temperature sensor placed in a second position, which could be the evaporator, may be connected incorrectly, using the wrong resistance types instead of one another. In such a case, since incorrect conversion tables are used when converting the detected resistance values of the temperature sensors into temperature values, accurate temperature readings cannot be obtained. As a result, because the temperature of the interior compartment is not correctly detected, the operation of the cooling device cannot be properly controlled. Therefore, with the cooling device and operation method according to the present invention, for instance, during the initial operation of the cooling device, it is determined whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct. In this case, the resistance values of the temperature sensors are used to determine whether they are of the correct resistance type. If the temperature sensors are used with the correct resistance type, the cooling device operates normally. For example, the first temperature sensor placed in the first position is used with the first conversion table stored in memory, while the second temperature sensor placed in the second position is used with the second conversion table. If the temperature sensors are not of the correct resistance type (in other words, if the temperature sensors are connected incorrectly), in this case, the temperature sensors use the conversion tables stored in memory interchangeably. In other words, the temperature sensor connected to the first position is used with the second conversion table stored in memory, while the temperature sensor connected to the second position is used with the first conversion table. Thus, even when the temperature sensors are used with incorrect resistance types, the cooling device operates without errors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of energizing the cooling device is carried out during the production of the cooling device (before the cooling device leaves the production line). This way, even if there is an incorrect connection, the error can be corrected before the cooling device leaves the production line.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of determining whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct based on the detected resistance values comprises the steps of: determining a resistance ratio value by dividing the resistance value of the first temperature sensor placed in the first position by the resistance value of the second temperature sensor placed in the second position; comparing the determined resistance ratio value with a threshold value (e.g., a value like 1); if the determined resistance ratio value is above the threshold value, determining that the resistance type of the temperature sensors is correct; and if the determined resistance ratio value is not above the threshold value, determining that the resistance type of the temperature sensors is incorrect. Although the resistance values of the temperature sensors change according to temperature, the ratio of this change is relatively consistent. Therefore, for example, when the ambient temperature is 5°C or 20°C, the ratio of the resistance values of the temperature sensors remains nearly the same. For this reason, in this embodiment, the ratio of the resistance values of the temperature sensors is used to determine whether they are connected with the correct resistance type, independent of the ambient temperature. This increases the reliability of the method.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of energizing the cooling device is repeated each time the cooling device is connected to a power source (e.g., an electrical outlet). In this embodiment, the resistance types of the temperature sensors are checked during each re-energization of the cooling device. Thus, for instance, if a connection error occurred after a repair, it is corrected during the first operation after the repair. Additionally, in cases such as a sudden power outage, the control unit may lose track of which conversion table is being used by which temperature sensor. In such a case, when the power is restored and the cooling device is re-energized, any connection error in the temperature sensors can be corrected by repeating the aforementioned method steps. With the cooling device and operation method according to the present invention, even if temperature sensors used in the cooling device are incorrectly connected with the wrong resistance type, the cooling device operates without error. This ensures that the cooling device performs its cooling function flawlessly, thereby meeting user needs accurately. Additionally, by avoiding the need for the cooling device to be discarded or sent for repairs due to incorrect connections, production costs are reduced.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cooling device comprising at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body; at least one door for access into the inner compartment; at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment and having at least one compressor, at least one condenser, at least one evaporator, at least one capillary tube and at least one refrigerant; at least a first temperature sensor of a first resistance type, which is provided at a first position; at least a second temperature sensor of a second resistance type different from the first resistance type, which is provided at a second position; at least one memory unit with a first conversion table for the first resistance type and a second conversion table for the second resistance type; characterized by comprising at least one control unit connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor for detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor during the initial operation of the cooling device, thereby determining whether the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, wherein if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, each temperature sensor is used with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory, and if the control unit determines that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors are used interchangeably.

2. A cooling device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said first position is the inner compartment.

3. A cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said second position is the evaporator.

4. An operation method suitable for use in a cooling device comprising at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body; at least one door for access into the inner compartment; at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment and having at least one compressor, at least one condenser, at least one evaporator, at least one capillary tube and at least one refrigerant; at least a first temperature sensor of a first resistance type, which is provided at afirst position; at least a second temperature sensor of a second resistance type different from the first resistance type, which is provided at a second position; at least one memory unit with a first conversion table for the first resistance type and a second conversion table for the second resistance type; at least one control unit connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, the operation method characterized by comprising the steps of: energizing the cooling device; detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor by means of the control unit; determining whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct based on the detected resistance values; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of the correct resistance type, using each temperature sensor with its corresponding conversion table stored in memory; if it is determined that the temperature sensors are of incorrect resistance type, using the conversion tables stored in memory for the temperature sensors interchangeably.

5. An operation method according to claim 4, characterized in that the step of determining whether the resistance types of the temperature sensors are correct based on the detected resistance values comprises the steps of: determining a resistance ratio value by dividing the resistance value of the first temperature sensor placed in the first position by the resistance value of the second temperature sensor placed in the second position; comparing the determined resistance ratio value with a threshold value; if the determined resistance ratio value is above the threshold value, determining that the resistance type of the temperature sensors is correct; and if the determined resistance ratio value is not above the threshold value, determining that the resistance type of the temperature sensors is incorrect.

6. An operation method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the step of energizing the cooling device is carried out during the production of the cooling device.An operation method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the step of energizing the cooling device is repeated each time the cooling device is connected to a power source.