Refrigerator and method for controlling constant temperature thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators with dual evaporators cannot simultaneously maintain constant temperatures in both the refrigerating and freezing compartments, leading to significant temperature deviations and reduced freshness of stored goods due to alternating cooling patterns that stop cooling in one compartment while the other is being cooled.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design with two evaporators connected to a single compressor and a three-way valve, along with temperature measuring units and fans, allows for alternating cooling operations between the refrigerating and freezing compartments, optimizing the compressor and fan usage to maintain set temperatures within a narrow range, reducing energy consumption and temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If alternating cooling operation is performed between refrigerating and freezing compartments, then both compartments can be cooled by a single compressor, but temperature deviation in the refrigerating compartment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the refrigerating compartment before switching to cool the freezing compartment. This ensures the refrigerating compartment reaches its target temperature in advance, preventing excessive temperature rise during the alternating cooling cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor both compartments and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the cooling cycle timing and duration based on real-time temperature data, optimizing the alternating cooling pattern to maintain temperature stability in the refrigerating compartment.
2Temperature
If continuous cooling is performed in the refrigerating compartment, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic alternating cooling cycles instead of continuous cooling, switching between refrigerating and freezing compartment cooling to distribute the energy load and reduce overall power consumption while maintaining acceptable temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers coldness by switching cooling capacity between compartments based on their respective temperature needs, effectively utilizing the cooling capacity of the freezing compartment cooling cycle to benefit the refrigerating compartment during its cooling phase.
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 effectively maintains a consistent temperature in the refrigerating compartment with minimal deviation, improving freshness and reducing power consumption by optimizing cooling cycles and fan operations based on temperature measurements and environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant is expanded by the expansion device and changed into a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous state and is sent to the compressor again after being heat-exchanged with outside air by the evaporator
Data Source
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AI summary
Refrigerator and method for controlling a constant temperature of a refrigerating compartment of a refrigerator. The method for controlling a constant temperature of a refrigerating compartment of a refrigerator includes performing cooling for the refrigerating compartment and cooling for the freezing compartment so that a refrigerating compartment cooling operation for cooling the refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment cooling operation for cooling the freezing compartment are alternately performed, wherein a time point at which the refrigerating compartment cooling operation and the freezing compartment cooling operation are alternated is dependent on a temperature of the refrigerating compartment.