Refrigerator and method of controlling a refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing refrigerator control methods, the temperature variation in the refrigerating compartment is not effectively managed, leading to reduced food freshness due to continuous temperature increase when the compressor is stopped, which results in deteriorated storage conditions.
Innovation Solution
A control method that alternates the refrigerant flow between the freezing and refrigerating compartments using a switching valve, allowing for selective operation of the refrigerating and freezing cycles to maintain temperature stability and minimize temperature variation in the refrigerating compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor is stopped after cooling the freezing compartment, then energy consumption is reduced, but the temperature of the refrigerating compartment continuously increases leading to deteriorated food freshness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating the operation between freezing and refrigerating cycles. The controller switches between freezing compartment cooling and refrigerating compartment cooling in periodic intervals, ensuring that the refrigerating compartment receives periodic cooling pulses that prevent continuous temperature rise and maintain food freshness while allowing the compressor to rest between cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by utilizing the cold air generated in the freezing compartment and redirecting it to the refrigerating compartment during the refrigerating cycle. The controller opens the fourth valve to allow cold air from the freezing compartment to flow into the refrigerating compartment, recovering the cooling effect and preventing temperature rise without requiring continuous compressor operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the compressor operates continuously to maintain refrigerating compartment temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling functions of both compartments by allowing the refrigerating cycle to utilize cold air from the freezing compartment through the fourth valve. This combination enables the system to maintain temperature stability in the refrigerating compartment by combining the cooling effects from both compartments rather than relying solely on continuous compressor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing alternating cooling cycles that prevent temperature rise in the refrigerating compartment. The controller switches between freezing and refrigerating cycles in a manner that maintains continuous cooling coverage, ensuring that the refrigerating compartment receives periodic cooling pulses that prevent temperature instability without requiring the compressor to run continuously at full capacity.
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 stabilizes the refrigerant cycle, reduces temperature fluctuations in the refrigerating compartment, and enhances food freshness by ensuring consistent cooling, thereby increasing the storage period of foods.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator which receives the refrigerant from the compressor to generate cold air
Implementation Method 2
a fan for supplying the cold air into the storage compartment
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a refrigerator includes determining whether an ice bin accommodated in an ice making compartment that receives cold air from the first storage compartment is full of stored ice, determining, by a controller, whether an algorithm that prevents the ice stored in the ice bin from melting needs to be performed upon determining that the ice bin is full, and performing the algorithm.