Refrigerator control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing refrigerator control methods do not consider the ice making device during the defrosting process, leading to increased energy consumption and potential melting of ice cubes due to temperature rises during defrosting.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator control method that detects when the ice bin is full and initiates defrosting of the ice making evaporator in advance, minimizing the impact on the ice making device and reducing energy consumption by ensuring optimal defrosting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If defrosting is started when the evaporator reaches a defrosting cycle, then the refrigerating system can maintain refrigeration effect, but the temperature rise causes ice cubes to melt or ice making cycle to be prolonged, increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting when the ice bin is full and proactively initiating defrosting of the ice making evaporator before the normal defrosting cycle would trigger. This advance defrosting prevents temperature rises that would otherwise melt ice cubes or prolong ice making cycles, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining refrigeration reliability
2Reliability
If defrosting is started when the evaporator reaches a defrosting cycle, then the refrigerating system can maintain refrigeration effect, but ice cubes in the ice bin may melt due to temperature rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent detects full ice bin status and triggers defrosting of the ice making evaporator in advance, before the normal defrosting cycle would cause temperature rises. This preliminary defrosting action prevents the harmful effect of ice cube melting while ensuring the refrigerating system maintains its refrigeration effect
3Device complexity
If the ice making device is not considered in the defrosting process, then the control system remains simple, but the ice making cycle is prolonged and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback by implementing an ice bin full detection mechanism that provides status information to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently determines when to initiate defrosting of the ice making evaporator, optimizing ice making cycle efficiency without significantly increasing control system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary defrosting action when the ice bin is detected to be full, before the normal defrosting cycle would interrupt ice making. This proactive approach prevents ice making cycle prolongation while maintaining manageable control system complexity
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 the negative effects of defrosting on the ice making cycle, minimizes temperature rises in the ice making compartment, and conserves energy by defrosting the ice making evaporator when the ice bin is full, thereby preventing ice cube melting.
Implementation Method 1
defrosting unit configured to defrost the ice making evaporator
Implementation Method 2
refrigerating system for refrigeration comprising an evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator control method comprises: collecting working parameters of an ice making system; when the working parameters meet a preset normal defrosting condition of an ice making evaporator, controlling a defrosting unit corresponding to the ice making evaporator to be started; and when information on an amount of ice in an ice bin is detected to be full ice information, and when the working parameters meet a preset full ice defrosting condition of the ice making evaporator, controlling the defrosting unit corresponding to the ice making evaporator to be started.