Dual-Evaporator Refrigerator Control for Rest-Period Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sequential dual evaporator refrigerator systems face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature control due to variations in rest period lengths and compressor voltage, which can lead to inefficient cooling cycles.
Innovation Solution
A net heat load compensation control method that utilizes a processor to monitor voltage, rest period lengths, and interior temperatures to adjust command input signals to the electric compressor, ensuring that the compressor operates within predetermined voltage ranges and adjusts cooling periods accordingly to maintain efficient temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the compressor operates with fixed cooling cycle timing, then the control system is simple, but temperature stability deteriorates due to rest period variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timing adjustment where the processor modifies cooling cycle parameters (first and second cooling period durations) based on real-time voltage conditions. When voltage varies from nominal levels, the system dynamically recalibrates cycle timing to compensate, transforming a static fixed-timing system into an adaptive dynamic one that maintains temperature stability despite electrical fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors voltage levels during operation and uses this feedback to adjust cooling cycle timing. The processor detects voltage deviations and automatically modifies the cooling period durations accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time conditions to maintain optimal temperature control.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cooling cycle timing is adjusted to compensate for voltage variations, then temperature stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes operational parameters (cooling period durations) based on voltage conditions. The processor adjusts the timing parameters of the cooling cycle dynamically, modifying the first and second cooling period lengths according to detected voltage levels. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain temperature stability without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator and method are provided where the refrigerator includes two or more cooling compartments monitored by temperature sensors and cooled by a plurality of evaporators. The cooling for the evaporators is provided by a compressor operating on a recurring cooling cycle. A processor provides varying levels of voltages to the compressor and sets the recurring cooling cycle. The recurring cooling cycle comprises at least two cooling periods and a rest period. The method includes determines the length of the rest period as compared a predetermined rest period range. When the rest period falls outside the predetermined range, the processor selects the voltage to send to the compressor during a subsequent cooling cycle. The processor selects the voltage based on at least one of the temperature of the first and second compartments and the voltage to the compressor during the cooling cycle.