Refrigerator and method and device for controlling refrigeration thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators with ice machines experience low ice-making efficiency and high energy consumption due to the lack of synchronization between the refrigeration period of the refrigerating compartment and the ice-making period of the ice machine.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control the opening and closing of the ice-making damper and refrigerating damper based on the current ice-making stage and temperature to match the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerating compartment with the ice-making cycle, delaying the refrigeration starting time of the refrigerating compartment to align with the heating-deicing stage of the ice-making mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the refrigerating compartment performs refrigeration at any time during ice-making, then the refrigeration function is maintained, but the ice-making efficiency decreases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic control of the refrigerating compartment's refrigeration cycles to synchronize with the ice-making cycles. The control method divides the ice-making process into distinct stages (heating-deicing stage and ice-making stage) and selectively activates refrigeration only during appropriate periods, creating a periodic pattern that matches the ice-maker's operational rhythm. This resolves the contradiction by preventing continuous refrigeration that would interfere with ice-making, thereby improving ice-making efficiency while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the refrigeration control strategy based on the real-time operational stage of the ice-maker. The system transitions between different control states: allowing refrigeration during the heating-deicing stage when the ice-maker needs warmth, and preventing refrigeration during the ice-making stage when cold temperatures are required. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize both ice-making efficiency and energy consumption according to varying operational conditions.
2Productivity
If the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerating compartment is independent of the ice-making cycle, then the refrigerating function is flexible, but the ice-making efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the ice-maker's operational state and using this information to adjust the refrigerating compartment's refrigeration cycles. The control system receives feedback about whether the ice-maker is in the heating-deicing stage or ice-making stage, and accordingly enables or disables refrigeration in the refrigerating compartment. This feedback mechanism ensures that the refrigeration function adapts to the ice-making requirements, improving ice-making efficiency while maintaining reasonable refrigeration flexibility through intelligent control.
3Productivity
If refrigeration is delayed to match the heating-deicing stage, then the ice-making efficiency improves, but the refrigerating compartment temperature control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service control mechanism where the refrigerating compartment's refrigeration cycles automatically adjust themselves based on the ice-maker's operational stage without requiring complex external coordination. The control system simply needs to detect the ice-maker's stage (heating-deicing or ice-making) and automatically enables or disables refrigeration accordingly. This self-adjusting approach improves ice-making efficiency while keeping the control system relatively simple, as it relies on straightforward conditional logic rather than complex multi-variable control algorithms.
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
Improves ice-making efficiency and reduces energy consumption by synchronizing the refrigeration cycles, thereby enhancing the ice-making process and minimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator configured to refrigerate a refrigerating compartment
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator configured to refrigerate a refrigerating compartment and make an ice in an ice machine
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a refrigerator and a method and device for controlling refrigeration of the refrigerator. A refrigeration system of the refrigerator includes an evaporator configured to refrigerate a refrigerating compartment and make ice in an ice machine, an ice-making damper and a refrigerating damper. The method includes recognizing a current ice-making stage of the ice machine, acquiring a current temperature of an ice-making compartment in the refrigerator, and controlling opening and closing of the ice-making damper and the refrigerating damper according to the current ice-making stage and the current temperature. Through controlling the refrigeration period of the refrigerating compartment and delaying the refrigeration starting time of the refrigerating compartment, the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerating compartment matches the ice-making cycle of the ice-making compartment, thus improving the ice-making efficiency of the ice machine and the ice-making amount, shortening the ice-making cycle, and reducing the energy consumption of the refrigerator.