Refrigerator and control method therefor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refrigerator control methods fail to maintain a stable temperature in the refrigerating compartment, leading to increased food spoilage due to temperature fluctuations, and result in inefficient compressor operation and higher power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a refrigerator that alternates the cooling cycles between the refrigerating and freezing compartments by adjusting the output of the cooling fans and the flow of refrigerant, allowing the refrigerating compartment fan to operate intermittently during the freezing cycle to maintain temperature stability and reduce compressor operation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the compressor is stopped after cooling the freezing compartment, then power consumption is reduced, but the temperature of the refrigerating compartment continuously increases causing large temperature variation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor power consumptionVSAvoidrefrigerating compartment temperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The refrigerating compartment fan is operated in advance during the freezing compartment cooling process to pre-cool the refrigerating compartment. This preliminary action ensures that when the compressor stops, the refrigerating compartment temperature does not rise significantly, thereby reducing temperature variation while allowing compressor shutdown for energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The refrigerating compartment fan continues to operate during the freezing compartment cooling cycle, maintaining continuous cooling action in the refrigerating compartment. This ensures uninterrupted temperature control in the refrigerating compartment even when the compressor is not actively cooling it, preventing temperature spikes and maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Temperature

If the refrigerating compartment fan operates continuously to maintain temperature stability, then temperature variation is reduced, but compressor operation time increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefrigerating compartment temperature stabilityVSAvoidcompressor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic alternating operation between freezing compartment cooling and refrigerating compartment cooling cycles. During each freezing compartment cooling cycle, the refrigerating compartment fan operates periodically to maintain temperature, allowing the compressor to cycle on and off rather than running continuously, thus reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 temperature variation in the refrigerating compartment, enhancing food freshness and storage duration while minimizing compressor power consumption by optimizing the operation of the refrigerating compartment fan during the freezing cycle.

Implementation Method 1

an evaporator for a freezing compartment and an evaporator for a refrigerating compartment, which are branched from an outlet side of the condenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a freezing compartment fan for blowing air to the evaporator for the freezing compartment; and a refrigerating compartment fan for blowing air to the evaporator for the refrigerating compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

a compressor compressing a refrigerant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

a condenser condensing a refrigerant discharged from the compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS11067324B2Refrigerator and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A control method for a refrigerator comprises: sensing a temperature of a first storage chamber; increasing an output of a first cooling fan if the temperature reaches a value greater than or equal to a second reference temperature; reducing the output of the first cooling fan if the temperature reaches a value less than or equal to a first reference temperature; increasing the output of the first cooling fan if a first reference time has passed after the temperature has reached the value or if the temperature reaches a first setting temperature between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature; and reducing the output of the first cooling fan if a second reference time has passed after the output of the first cooling fan has been changed, or if the temperature reaches a preset second setting temperature between the first setting temperature and the first reference temperature.