Refrigerator Dual-Cycle Control for Stable Compartment Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator control methods cause greater temperature variation in the refrigerating compartment, leading to reduced freshness of stored foods due to inadequate cooling control when the compressor is stopped, despite continued temperature decrease in the freezing compartment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling a refrigerator that alternates between freezing and refrigerating cycles, with continuous operation of the compressor and fan management to maintain temperature stability, using a switching valve to direct refrigerant flow between evaporators and adjusting compressor cooling power based on sensed temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the freezing compartment fan operates to reduce temperature through latent heat of evaporation, then the freezing compartment is over-cooled, but the refrigerating compartment temperature becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback principle by using temperature sensors to continuously monitor both the freezing compartment and refrigerating compartment temperatures. The controller receives temperature information from both compartments and adjusts the operation of the compressor and fans accordingly, ensuring that the freezing compartment achieves desired temperature reduction while the refrigerating compartment maintains stable temperature through real-time feedback control
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 maintains consistent temperatures in both compartments, enhancing food freshness and reducing power consumption by preventing over-cooling and ensuring rapid temperature recovery when deviations occur.
Implementation Method 1
a first evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the compressor and generating cool air for cooling a first storage compartment, a second evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the compressor and generating cool air for cooling a second storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
a compressor for compressing a refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a first evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the compressor and generating cool air for cooling a first storage compartment
Data Source
AI summary
The method for controlling the refrigerator includes operating a first cooling cycle for cooling the first storage compartment to operate the compressor and operating a first fan for the first storage compartment, and switching the first cooling cycle to a second cooling cycle for cooling the second storage compartment to operate the compressor and operating a second fan when a stop condition of the first cooling cycle is satisfied. A temperature of each storage compartment is sensed at sampling time intervals in each cooling cycle. Further, a cooling power of the compressor is determined for each sampling time based on a sensed current temperature of the storage compartment, and the compressor is operated at the determined cooling power.