Refrigerator and control method of refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frost formation on the evaporator surface of refrigerators reduces heat exchange efficiency and increases power consumption due to decreased cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system that includes a defrost heater and a controller to efficiently identify and operate the defrost heater based on temperature and operational data, using a processor to analyze temperature differences and operational conditions to determine when defrosting is necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the defrost heater is operated frequently to remove frost on the evaporator, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control method uses feedback from temperature sensors and operational data to dynamically determine when defrosting is needed. The processor monitors evaporator temperature, storage compartment temperature, compressor operation time, and fan operation status to calculate an index value that triggers defrosting only when necessary, avoiding both excessive and insufficient defrost operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (defrost timing and duration) based on monitored conditions. By calculating an index value from temperature differences and operational data, the system adjusts the defrost heater operation parameters dynamically, operating the heater only when the index exceeds a threshold, thereby optimizing the balance between heat exchange efficiency and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the defrost heater is operated minimally to reduce power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but frost accumulates on the evaporator reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors multiple parameters including evaporator temperature, storage compartment temperature, compressor operation duration, and fan operation status. This feedback mechanism ensures that defrosting is triggered only when actual conditions indicate frost accumulation is affecting performance, preventing unnecessary defrost cycles while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and calculation of an index value based on temperature differences and operational data before initiating defrosting. By analyzing compressor operation time and temperature trends in advance, the system predicts when defrosting will be needed and prepares to activate the heater at the optimal moment, preventing frost accumulation before it significantly impacts cooling efficiency.
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 removes frost on the evaporator, maintaining heat exchange efficiency and reducing power consumption by optimizing defrost operations.
Implementation Method 1
a defrost heater provided around the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a storage compartment, an evaporator, a defrost heater provided around the evaporator, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant discharged from the evaporator, and a fan configured to supply air cooled by the evaporator to the storage compartment. The refrigerator identifies an index value for detecting a defrost condition based on temperature information of the storage compartment and temperature information of the evaporator recorded at a first time point, and temperature information oaf the storage compartment and temperature information of the evaporator recorded at a second time point, and identifies whether the defrost condition is satisfied based on the index value, the operation information of the compressor, and the operation information of the fan; and operate the defrost heater based on identifying that the defrost condition is satisfied.