Refrigerator and dehumidification control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in effectively controlling humidity in the refrigerating compartment, leading to dewdrop formation due to reduced cooling time and increased humidity when storing watery objects, necessitating an improved dehumidification method.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidification control method that involves detecting outside air temperature to determine if a low-temperature mode is required, using a combination of heating and cooling techniques by operating the refrigerating compartment heater and fan, and controlling the compressor to achieve simultaneous temperature compensation and dehumidification, with overlapping heating and cooling time sections to manage humidity effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cooling time is reduced to reach preset temperature faster, then productivity is improved, but humidity increases causing dewdrop formation
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator performs preliminary dehumidification processing before the cooling cycle to reduce humidity in advance. This prevents dewdrop formation during the subsequent cooling operation, allowing the cooling time to be reduced without causing condensation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between dehumidification mode and cooling mode. During dehumidification, the evaporator operates at specific conditions to remove moisture, then parameters are adjusted for the cooling phase, enabling fast cooling without dewdrop formation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dehumidification is performed by extending cooling time, then humidity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to longer operation time
Solution Approach 1:
Dehumidification is performed as a preliminary action before the main cooling cycle. By removing excess humidity in advance through controlled evaporator operation, the subsequent cooling phase can proceed quickly without being extended for moisture removal, thus maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic dehumidification cycles interspersed with cooling cycles. The evaporator operates periodically to remove moisture, then switches to cooling mode, creating an efficient rhythm that reduces humidity without unnecessarily extending total operation time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heater and fan are operated simultaneously with compressor, then temperature compensation and dehumidification are achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater and fan are operated in a preliminary dehumidification phase before the main cooling operation. This initial dehumidification step uses heating to evaporate moisture, then the system transitions to cooling mode, reducing the need for continuous heater operation and thereby lowering overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating and cooling operations are performed periodically in alternating phases rather than continuously. The heater and fan operate during dehumidification phases, then the compressor takes over for cooling phases, creating an energy-efficient periodic cycle that prevents dewdrops without excessive energy use.
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 method effectively prevents dewdrop formation by maintaining optimal humidity and temperature levels in the refrigerating compartment, ensuring efficient dehumidification and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigerating compartment heater (104a) arranged in the refrigerating compartment (110) to heat air around the refrigerating compartment evaporator (106)
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerating compartment fan (106b) to blow the air around the refrigerating compartment evaporator (106) into the refrigerating compartment (110)
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerating compartment evaporator (106) to cool the refrigerating compartment (110)
Implementation Method 4
a compressor (102) to compress a refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator and a dehumidification control method thereof to effectively perform both temperature compensation and dehumidification so as to prevent formation of dewdrops in a refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator. The control method includes detecting a temperature of outside air around the refrigerator to judge whether or not the detected temperature corresponds to a low-temperature mode requiring dehumidification, heating a refrigerating compartment by operating a refrigerating compartment heater and a refrigerating compartment fan for dehumidification if the low-temperature mode is judged, cooling the refrigerating compartment by operating a compressor while continuously operating the refrigerating compartment fan, and simultaneously cooling and heating the refrigerating compartment to enable simultaneous implementation of temperature compensation by heating of the refrigerating compartment and dehumidification by cooling of the refrigerating compartment.