Refrigerator and control method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in minimizing power consumption while maintaining a consistent temperature in refrigerating and freezing chambers, as existing control methods often require frequent temperature sensing and adjustments, leading to increased energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system that includes a damper and controller to selectively communicate between the freezing and refrigerating chambers, allowing controlled cold air supply and compressor operation to delay temperature increases, reduce power consumption, and optimize cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the temperature change width over time is controlled to be small based on the temperature set by the user, then the temperature fluctuation of the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber is reduced, but the interval of the alternating operation of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber is shortened, increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary cooling of the freezing chamber before the refrigerating chamber temperature rises significantly. By pre-cooling the freezing chamber when the refrigerating chamber is being cooled, the system stores cold energy in advance, which can be transferred to the refrigerating chamber later to maintain its temperature without requiring frequent compressor operations, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining small temperature fluctuations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cold air of the freezing chamber is supplied to the refrigerating chamber to delay temperature increase, then the temperature stability of the refrigerating chamber is improved, but the compressor may need to run longer to re-cool the freezing chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic alternating operation between the refrigerating chamber and freezing chamber cooling. Instead of continuously cooling both chambers or one chamber indefinitely, the system periodically switches which chamber receives cooling priority. This periodic action allows the freezing chamber to be re-cooled in intervals rather than continuously, reducing overall compressor running time while still maintaining temperature stability in the refrigerating chamber through timed cold air supply.
3Temperature
If the damper is controlled for a predetermined damper opening time when the freezing chamber reaches the freezing satisfaction temperature, then the temperature increase of the refrigerating chamber is delayed, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from temperature sensors in both the refrigerating chamber and freezing chamber to dynamically adjust damper opening time and compressor operation. The system continuously monitors the freezing chamber temperature and automatically determines when to open the damper and for how long based on whether the freezing satisfaction temperature is reached. This feedback mechanism automates the control process, reducing manual intervention complexity while achieving precise temperature control in the refrigerating chamber.
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 reduces temperature fluctuations and extends the driving interval of the cooling unit, minimizing power consumption while maintaining a stable temperature, by utilizing the damper to supply cold air and adjusting compressor load and fan speed based on temperature thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator cooling ambient air through a cooling operation that ambient latent heat is absorbed as the refrigerant provided from the condenser is evaporated
Implementation Method 2
cooling ambient air through a cooling operation that ambient latent heat is absorbed as the refrigerant provided from the condenser is evaporated
Implementation Method 3
a condenser condensing the compressed refrigerant in a high-temperature and high-pressure state from the compressor through heat dissipation
Implementation Method 4
a compressor compressing refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
A capillary or an expansion valve is provided between the condenser and the evaporator to increase a flow rate of the refrigerant and lower pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a refrigerator including a main body forming a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber each including a temperature sensor, a cooling unit having a compressor and an evaporator accommodated inside the main body and driven to circulate a refrigerant in the compressor and the evaporator to generate cold air around the evaporator, a fan positioned inside the main body to supply the cold air to the freezing chamber, a damper positioned between the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber and opened and closed to allow the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber to selectively communicate with each other, and a controller controlling the damper for a predetermined damper opening time when a temperature of the freezing chamber reaches a freezing satisfaction temperature according to driving of the cooling unit. A temperature change of the refrigerating chamber over time may be reduced and power consumption may be improved.