Control system and control method for refrigerator

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Solution Overview

Problem

When a refrigerator is embedded in a cupboard, the hot air discharged from the compressor compartment blends with cold air and re-enters, leading to poor heat dissipation efficiency due to the reduced space between the refrigerator and the cupboard, affecting the performance of the compressor and increasing energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a baffle to close the first air port and adjust the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan, along with a driving mechanism to automatically control the baffle's position based on the refrigerator's embedding, ensuring efficient heat dissipation by preventing hot air from re-entering the compressor compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the refrigerator is embedded into the cupboard to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates due to hot air re-entering the compressor compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The air port is divided into a first air port and a second air port. The first air port is specifically used for discharging hot air, while the second air port is used for other air exchange functions. This segmentation allows selective control of the first air port to prevent hot air re-entry while maintaining necessary air exchange through the second air port, thus resolving the contradiction between space-saving embedding and heat dissipation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system proactively detects when the refrigerator is embedded in a cupboard (when surrounding space is less than the preset threshold) and automatically closes the first air port in advance. This preliminary action prevents hot air from re-entering the compressor compartment before the problem can occur, ensuring continuous efficient heat dissipation while maintaining the space-saving embedded installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the first air port is closed to prevent hot air re-entry, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but air exchange between compressor compartment and external environment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidair exchange capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the air port into first and second air ports with distinct functions, the system can close the first air port for hot air discharge while keeping the second air port open for general air exchange. This segmentation maintains necessary air exchange capability while preventing hot air re-entry, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation efficiency and air exchange capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second air port serves as an intermediary that maintains air exchange between the compressor compartment and the external environment even when the first air port is closed. This intermediary structure ensures that the closure of the first air port for heat dissipation purposes does not completely block necessary air exchange functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If the refrigerator is installed with 100mm space reserve for ventilation, then heat dissipation is improved, but the space arrangement flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidspace arrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the state of the first air port based on the installation environment. When the refrigerator is embedded (surrounding space < preset value), the first air port is automatically closed. When installed with sufficient space, the first air port remains open. This dynamic adaptation allows the refrigerator to maintain efficient heat dissipation regardless of whether it is embedded or installed with space reserve, thereby providing versatility for different installation scenarios without requiring fixed 100mm space reserves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system effectively prevents hot air from mixing with cold air, improving heat dissipation efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and maintaining compressor performance by altering the air path and adjusting fan speed, thus achieving intelligent and automatic control.

Implementation Method 1

a heat dissipation fan 13, a compressor 14 and an evaporator 15 disposed in the built-in space 11

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a baffle 16 movably disposed at the first air port 123

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4130619B1Control system and control method for refrigerator
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 QINDAO HAIER REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
  • EP4130619B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4130619B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4130619B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present invention discloses a control system and a control method of a refrigerator. The control system comprises a collection unit and a fan control unit, and the fan control unit controls a heat dissipation fan to operate at different rotation speeds according to a power-on signal of the refrigerator, a closing signal and an opening signal of the first air port collected by the collection unit. The present invention solves the problem that the hot air discharged out of the compressor compartment blends with cold air and re-enters the compressor compartment, and the problem of poor heat dissipation of the refrigerator when the refrigerator is embedded in the cupboard.