Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerators with ice makers face issues of continuous noise and increased power consumption due to constant ice production, and lack active control over ice making performance, leading to potential supercooling and weak cooling in compartments.
Innovation Solution
A method to control the ice making operation based on user ice usage patterns, switching between general, high-speed, low-speed, and prohibition modes by detecting ice making duct opening times to optimize ice production according to use and non-use times, using sensors and a controller to manage the ice making fan speed and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the ice maker continuously produces ice to ensure sufficient ice supply, then the ice availability is improved, but power consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives signals from the ice quantity detection unit to monitor ice bank status and adjusts ice making operation accordingly, creating a feedback loop that prevents continuous operation and reduces unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The ice making operation dynamically adjusts between different modes (general, high-speed, low-speed, prohibition) based on real-time ice quantity detection and usage patterns, optimizing power consumption while ensuring adequate ice supply
2Productivity
If the ice maker operates at high speed to quickly produce ice, then ice production efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases and other compartments may experience supercooling or weak cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different ice making speeds (general, high-speed, low-speed modes) based on ice bank status and usage patterns, allowing high-speed operation only when necessary while maintaining temperature stability in other compartments
Solution Approach 2:
The ice making fan speed parameter is changed based on detected conditions, allowing the system to optimize ice production speed while preventing excessive cooling that would cause supercooling or weak cooling in other compartments
3Ease of operation
If manual input is used to set ice making parameters, then user control is simplified, but the system cannot actively adapt to changing ice usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects ice usage patterns through the ice quantity detection unit and autonomously adjusts ice making parameters without requiring manual user input, enabling active adaptation to changing conditions while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors ice bank status through detection signals and automatically adjusts ice making operation accordingly, providing adaptability without complex manual controls
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 reduces power consumption, minimizes noise, and enhances ice making performance by adapting to user needs, ensuring efficient operation and user convenience by dynamically adjusting ice production based on usage patterns.
Implementation Method 1
an ice making fan (40) for enabling air which has passed through the evaporator to flow into the ice making compartment
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator for allowing refrigerant to absorb latent heat therearound and to evaporate
Implementation Method 3
a compressor for compressing refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a condenser for condensing refrigerant by radiating heat
Implementation Method 5
an expansion device for decompression-expanding refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are a refrigerator and a method of controlling a refrigerator. The method includes detecting opening/closing of an ice making duct, through which ice is taken out, and storing an opening time of the ice making duct per unit time. Each unit time is classified as a use time when the opening time of the ice making duct is equal to or greater than a reference time and each unit time is classified as a non-use time when the opening time of the ice making duct is less than the reference time. A determination as to whether ice needs to be made is made, and, when ice needs to be made, any one of a plurality of ice making modes is performed according to classification of the use time and the non-use time.