Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator control methods struggle to achieve rapid cooling of both the freezing and refrigerating compartments simultaneously, leading to delayed cooling and excessive noise generation during initial start-up and when high temperatures are reached.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system utilizing two compressors and two evaporators, controlled by a control unit that operates both compressors concurrently at low fan speeds when both compartments are above their respective concurrent cooling temperatures, and switches to single compressor operation when temperatures drop below the cooling release temperature, reducing noise and enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single compressor and two evaporators with a changeover valve are used to cool freezing and refrigerating compartments, then device complexity is reduced, but rapid cooling of both compartments simultaneously cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigeration system into two independent cooling circuits: a freezing compartment cooling circuit with a freezing compressor and freezing evaporator, and a refrigerating compartment cooling circuit with a refrigerating compressor and refrigerating evaporator. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate independently and simultaneously cool its respective compartment, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and cooling speed by accepting increased system complexity in exchange for the ability to achieve rapid simultaneous cooling of both compartments.
2Device complexity
If the changeover valve alternately opens toward two evaporators during initial start-up, then a single compressor serves both compartments, but rapid cooling is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is configured to simultaneously drive both the freezing compressor and refrigerating compressor during initial start-up when both compartments require cooling. This preliminary simultaneous action allows both compartments to begin cooling at the same time rather than alternating, significantly reducing the total cooling time and eliminating the time loss associated with sequential operation.
3Productivity
If cooling is initiated from a freezing compartment during initial start-up, then the freezing compartment is cooled first, but cooling of the refrigerating compartment is excessively delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts compressor operation based on real-time temperature conditions of both compartments. During initial start-up, when both compartments are above their respective concurrent cooling temperatures, both compressors operate simultaneously. When one compartment reaches its cooling release temperature, the control unit dynamically switches to single compressor operation, selecting which compressor to run based on current temperature conditions. This dynamic control ensures both compartments are cooled efficiently without excessive delay to either.
4Productivity
If both compressors are driven simultaneously when both compartments are above concurrent cooling temperatures, then rapid cooling of both compartments is achieved, but noise and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic monitoring of compartment temperatures and adjusts compressor operation accordingly. When both compartments are above their concurrent cooling temperatures, both compressors operate simultaneously to provide rapid cooling. When one compartment reaches its cooling release temperature, the control unit periodically switches to single compressor operation to reduce noise and energy consumption. This periodic adjustment of compressor operation based on temperature conditions resolves the contradiction between cooling speed and noise generation.
5Object-generated harmful factors
If fan speed is reduced during concurrent compressor operation, then noise and energy consumption are minimized, but cooling efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically changes fan speed parameters based on operating conditions. During concurrent compressor operation when both compressors run simultaneously, the control unit reduces fan speed to minimize noise and energy consumption. The system monitors temperature conditions and adjusts fan speed accordingly, ensuring that cooling efficiency is maintained while minimizing harmful noise factors. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between noise reduction and cooling efficiency.
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
Enables rapid cooling of both compartments while minimizing noise and energy consumption by optimizing compressor and fan operation based on temperature conditions, ensuring efficient cooling and reduced noise levels.
Implementation Method 1
The cool air supplied into the storage compartment is generated through heat exchange of a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
The cool air supplied into the storage compartment is uniformly distributed in the storage compartment by convection
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A refrigerator including a refrigerator body including a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment cooling circuit including a refrigerating compartment compressor for compressing refrigerant, a refrigerating compartment condenser, a refrigerating compartment expansion unit, and a refrigerating compartment evaporator for causing the refrigerant to exchange heat with the refrigerating compartment; a freezing compartment cooling circuit including a freezing compartment compressor for compressing refrigerant, a freezing compartment condenser, a freezing compartment expansion unit, and a freezing compartment evaporator; a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor; a freezing compartment temperature sensor; and a control unit for controlling the refrigerating compartment compressor and the freezing compartment compressor to be concurrently operated so as to proceed to a concurrent operation mode when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are under a concurrent cooling condition, and for controlling one or both of the refrigerating compartment compressor and the freezing compartment compressor to be operated so as to proceed to a selective operation mode in consideration of a previous operation state when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are under a selective cooling condition.