Inverter Linear Compressor Stroke Control for Refrigerator Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with inverter linear compressors lack efficient control mechanisms to optimize refrigeration performance and reduce power consumption based on varying temperature demands between the freezer and refrigerator compartments.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system incorporating an inverter linear compressor, a sensor unit for temperature measurement, and a controller that adjusts the compressor's stroke and output based on predefined temperature thresholds to maximize efficiency and minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compressor operates at maximum output continuously, then the refrigeration performance is maintained, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compressor output variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the compressor stroke between minimum and maximum positions based on real-time temperature feedback from the refrigerator compartment, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual cooling needs while maintaining reliable refrigeration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the compressor by varying its stroke position. The controller adjusts the stroke parameter between minimum and maximum positions based on temperature conditions, enabling the compressor to operate at different output levels rather than continuously at maximum output, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining refrigeration effectiveness.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor stroke is varied frequently, then the power consumption is reduced, but the temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the refrigerator compartment temperature and using this information to adjust the compressor stroke. The controller receives temperature feedback and compares it with target temperature ranges, then adjusts the stroke position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that temperature control precision is maintained even as the compressor stroke varies to optimize power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor operates at minimum output, then the power consumption is reduced, but the refrigeration performance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the compressor output based on actual cooling demands. When the refrigerator compartment temperature approaches the upper limit of the target range, the controller increases the stroke toward maximum position to enhance refrigeration performance. When the temperature is well within the target range, the stroke is reduced toward minimum position to save energy, thus dynamically balancing power consumption and refrigeration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the compressor stroke parameter in response to temperature conditions. By adjusting the stroke between minimum and maximum positions based on real-time temperature feedback, the system ensures that refrigeration performance is sufficient when needed while minimizing power consumption when the cooling demand is low, avoiding the trade-off between operating at minimum or maximum output continuously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces power consumption by varying the compressor's output and stroke in response to temperature changes, ensuring optimal refrigeration performance and improved energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor is a mechanical device that receives driving force from a driving force generator such as an electric motor and a turbine to compress the air, refrigerant, or various operation gases and to increase pressure
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator that cools the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment by evaporating a refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator that cools the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment by evaporating a refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a condenser that cools the refrigerant compressed by the compressor
Implementation Method 5
an expansion valve that expands the refrigerant that has passed through the three-way valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There are provided a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same. The method of controlling a refrigerator includes varying stroke of an inverter linear compressor to operate the inverter linear compressor by a maximum output when a temperature of an inside of a freezer compartment or a refrigerator compartment is higher than a maximum output temperature and varying the stroke of the inverter linear compressor at one period interval to operate the inverter linear compressor when the temperature of the inside of the freezer compartment or the refrigerator compartment is no more than the maximum output temperature.