Refrigerator and method for controlling same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators struggle to quickly adjust cooling apparatus output in response to rapid temperature changes and maintain a constant storage space temperature, leading to inefficiencies and potential loss of freshness and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system that adjusts cooling apparatus output based on the difference between previous and current storage space temperatures, using proportional (P) and integral (I) control gains to dynamically adjust cooling capacity and sensing intervals, ensuring rapid restoration to a constant temperature state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a fixed predetermined time interval is used for temperature sensing, then the cooling apparatus output is not quickly adjusted in response to rapid temperature changes, but the system maintains stable operation and avoids excessive adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sensing time interval variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the time interval between temperature measurements based on the current temperature difference from the setpoint. When the temperature deviates significantly, sensing occurs more frequently, enabling rapid response. When temperature is stable, sensing frequency reduces, maintaining system reliability and avoiding unnecessary adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sensing time interval based on temperature conditions. The controller modifies this parameter dynamically: decreasing the time interval when temperature difference is large to enable quick response, and increasing it when temperature is stable to maintain reliability and reduce system activity.
2Reliability
If temperature sensing frequency is increased to quickly restore constant temperature state, then power consumption of cooling apparatus increases, but temperature stability is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameter of sensing time interval to balance temperature stability and power consumption. By adjusting this parameter dynamically based on temperature deviation, the system increases sensing frequency only when necessary to restore constant temperature, rather than maintaining high frequency continuously, thus reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode: when temperature stability is compromised, it transitions to high-frequency sensing and active cooling; when temperature is stable, it transitions to low-frequency sensing and reduced cooling activity, optimizing energy usage while maintaining reliability.
3Speed
If cooling apparatus output is quickly adjusted in response to temperature changes, then temperature constant state is restored faster, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies control complexity by dynamically changing only one key parameter - the sensing time interval - rather than implementing complex control algorithms. This single parameter adjustment enables the system to adapt its response speed to temperature conditions without requiring sophisticated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from temperature sensing to adjust the sensing interval and cooling output. The controller continuously monitors temperature and uses this feedback to dynamically modify the sensing frequency and cooling apparatus operation, enabling automatic adaptation without complex external control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator of the present embodiment includes: a cabinet having a storage compartment; a cooling apparatus which operates to cool the storage compartment; a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the storage space at a set time interval; and a controller for controlling the cooling apparatus, wherein the controller adjusts an output of the cooling apparatus on the basis of at least one of a first factor which is a difference value between a previous temperature of the storage compartment and a current temperature of the storage compartment and a second factor which is a difference value between a predetermined set temperature and a current temperature of the storage compartment, and adjusts the set time interval on the basis of at least one of the first factor and the second factor.