Multi-Display Refrigerator Control for Overlapping Cooling Cycles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerator system control methods result in high energy consumption, frequent compressor startups, and wear on mechanical and electronic components, leading to increased operational costs and potential quality issues in food preservation.
Innovation Solution
A method that synchronizes the operation of refrigeration units across multiple refrigerated displays by calculating virtual and real times for cooling steps, allowing for overlapping cooling cycles and reducing the number of compressor startups, thereby optimizing energy use and extending the lifespan of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each refrigerated display is cooled independently based on its own temperature sensor signals, then each display maintains its temperature within the required interval, but the compressors are continuously turned on and off causing high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple refrigerated displays into a single centralized control system. Instead of each display operating independently, the control unit aggregates temperature data from all displays and coordinates compressor operation to serve multiple displays simultaneously, reducing the frequency of compressor on/off cycles while maintaining temperature reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit calculates virtual cooling times in advance based on current temperatures and cooling speeds, predicting when each display will reach its target temperature. This allows the system to plan compressor operation proactively, avoiding frequent reactive on/off cycles and reducing energy consumption from repeated startup surges.
2Productivity
If multiple compressors are turned on simultaneously to cool multiple refrigerated displays, then all displays can be cooled, but heavy electrical system components are required to avoid black-outs
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary calculations of virtual cooling times for each display and uses this information to stagger compressor start times. By anticipating when each display will reach its target temperature, the system schedules compressor operations to avoid simultaneous startups, thereby maintaining adequate cooling capacity while reducing the need for oversized electrical infrastructure.
3Reliability
If the refrigeration unit operates continuously to ensure all refrigerated displays remain within temperature intervals, then food preservation quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates virtual cooling times in advance based on current temperatures, cooling speeds, and target temperatures for each display. This predictive approach allows the system to determine the minimum necessary operating duration, enabling the refrigeration unit to operate continuously but efficiently at optimized power levels rather than undergoing frequent full-power on/off cycles, thus preserving food quality while reducing energy consumption.
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
This approach reduces energy consumption, minimizes compressor wear, and ensures consistent food preservation by optimizing the cooling process, allowing for reduced operational costs and improved system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigeration unit is connected to the refrigerated displays and comprises one or more compressors arranged for cooling a cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
The refrigeration unit is connected to the refrigerated displays and comprises one or more compressors arranged for cooling a cooling fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Method for controlling a refrigerator system comprising a first and a second refrigerated display and a logic control unit, and such method provides for the execution of a first step of cooling the first refrigerated display and a control step. In the control step, the logic control unit calculates a first virtual time (tv1), in which the first internal temperature (Ti1) of the first refrigerated display reaches a first objective temperature (Tobb1), calculates a second virtual time (tv2), in which the second internal temperature (Ti2) of the second refrigerated display reaches the second maximum threshold temperature (Tmax2), calculates the time interval (Δt) that lies between the first virtual time (tv1) and the second virtual time (tv2) and sets a first real time (tr1), at which the first step of cooling the first refrigerated display terminates, and a second real time (tr2), at which a second step of cooling the second refrigerated display starts. The first real time (tr1) is subsequent to the second real time (tr2) in order to at least partially overlap the first cooling step and the second cooling step.