Refrigerator Compressor Load Matching Using Temperature-Rate Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerators require separate cooling capacity maps for each model, leading to inefficient refrigerant collection and excessive power consumption due to fixed cooling capacity settings that do not account for varying compressor functionalities and heat loads.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system with a temperature sensor and controller that adjusts the compressor's cooling capacity based on the internal temperature's rate of change, allowing for dynamic adjustments in cooling capacity during refrigerating and freezing operations, and storing information for optimized restart settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed cooling capacity map is used for each refrigerator model, then the load match operation can be executed, but power consumption increases due to inability to adapt to varying heat loads and compressor functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed cooling capacity map to a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The controller continuously monitors the internal temperature and its rate of change, then dynamically adjusts the compressor's cooling capacity in real-time based on actual heat load conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying operational requirements without being constrained by pre-set fixed values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the temperature sensor to continuously monitor the internal temperature and feed this information back to the controller. The controller calculates the rate of change of the internal temperature and uses this feedback signal to adjust the compressor's cooling capacity, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes power consumption while maintaining reliable load match operation.
2Reliability
If separate cooling capacity maps are designed for each refrigerator model, then cooling performance can be optimized for specific models, but device complexity increases and refrigerant collection becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single, model-independent control strategy that can be applied across different refrigerator models. Instead of requiring separate cooling capacity maps for each model, the system uses a universal approach where the controller adjusts cooling capacity based on real-time temperature and its rate of change, making the system adaptable to various models without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by shifting from fixed cooling capacity parameters (specific to each model) to dynamic parameters based on temperature and its rate of change. This allows the system to maintain optimized cooling performance across different models by adjusting operational parameters in real-time rather than relying on pre-configured model-specific maps.
3Reliability
If cooling capacity is increased to prevent insufficient cooling, then cooling reliability improves, but excessive cooling occurs leading to wasted energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial or excessive action by using the rate of change of temperature as a leading indicator to adjust cooling capacity before the actual temperature deviation occurs. By detecting rapid temperature changes, the system can proactively increase cooling capacity to prevent insufficient cooling, while avoiding excessive cooling by modulating the response based on the magnitude and direction of the temperature change rate.
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 enables optimized load match operations, reducing power consumption and enhancing operational efficiency by adapting to changing heat loads, thus preventing insufficient or excessive cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor capable of sensing an internal temperature of the refrigerator, to which cold air is supplied, at a specific period
Implementation Method 2
a controller capable of calculating a rate of change in the internal temperature using the sensed internal temperature, and controlling the cooling capacity of the compressor based on the calculated rate of change in the internal temperature
Implementation Method 3
a compressor capable of generating cooling capacity for executing at least one of a refrigerating operation and a freezing operation
Implementation Method 4
air around the evaporator changes into cold air of low temperature due to heat-exchange with the refrigerant of the low temperature flowing through the inside of the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a refrigerator which includes a compressor capable of generating cooling capacity for executing at least one of a refrigerating operation and a freezing operation, a temperature sensor capable of sensing an internal temperature of the refrigerator, to which cold air is supplied, at a specific period, in response to at least one of the freezing operation and the refrigerating operation, and a controller capable of calculating a rate of change in the internal temperature using the sensed internal temperature, and controlling the cooling capacity of the compressor based on the calculated rate of change in the internal temperature.