Refrigerator and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refrigerators lack an efficient method to determine the optimal time for defrosting the evaporator, leading to increased power consumption and potential inefficiencies in heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system utilizing multiple temperature sensors to measure the evaporator, storage compartment, and air temperatures, with a controller determining the defrosting time based on these readings to accurately assess and manage ice formation, thereby optimizing defrosting and reducing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heater is operated frequently to remove ice from the evaporator, then the ice removal reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature sensors to continuously monitor the evaporator temperature and provides feedback to the controller. When the evaporator temperature reaches a predetermined threshold indicating ice formation, the controller activates the heater for defrosting. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the heater operates only when necessary, maintaining reliable ice removal while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerator system monitors its own operational state through temperature sensors and automatically initiates defrosting when ice formation is detected. The system serves itself by detecting the need for maintenance (ice removal) and executing the appropriate action without external intervention, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.
2Loss of energy
If the heater is operated less frequently to reduce power consumption, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the ice removal reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensors provide continuous monitoring and feedback to the controller, enabling the system to detect ice formation conditions accurately. This ensures the heater is activated at the optimal moment - not too early (wasting energy) and not too late (compromising reliability), thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and ice removal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using multiple temperature sensors to detect specific temperature thresholds that indicate ice formation. This parameter-based control approach allows precise determination of when defrosting is needed, optimizing the balance between energy consumption and defrosting reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are used to accurately determine defrosting time, then the defrosting determination reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature monitoring function is segmented across multiple sensors positioned at different locations (evaporator surface, air passage, storage compartment). Each sensor monitors a specific aspect of the thermal environment, and the controller integrates these segmented measurements to make a comprehensive defrosting determination, improving reliability while keeping each individual sensor simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensors serve multiple functions: monitoring evaporator temperature for defrosting decisions, tracking air passage conditions for airflow optimization, and measuring storage compartment temperature for overall system control. This multi-functionality justifies the use of multiple sensors while maximizing their utility and reducing overall system complexity.
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 allows for precise determination of defrosting times, improving heat exchange efficiency and reducing energy consumption by minimizing unnecessary heater operation.
Implementation Method 1
a chamber having an evaporator configured to cool air... Operation of the evaporator cause heat exchange with the air inside the storage compartment to cool the air inside the storage compartment
Implementation Method 2
a heater configured to supply heat to the evaporator to defrost the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet provided with a storage compartment; a chamber provided with an evaporator for supplying cold air, a discharge duct through which the cold air having gone through a heat exchange by means of the evaporator is supplied to the storage compartment, and an introduction duct guiding the air in the storage compartment to the evaporator; a first temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the evaporator; a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the storage compartment; a third temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the air supplied from the chamber to the storage compartment; and a control unit for determining the time for defrosting the evaporator on the basis of the temperatures measured by the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor and the third temperature sensor.