Refrigerator and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator temperature control methods are unreliable due to errors in temperature sensor readings, leading to inconsistent and inefficient cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a controller to determine a representative temperature of the storage compartment by averaging and frequency analysis of temperature values from sensors, allowing precise control of the cool air supply to maintain optimal temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature control is based on sensor readings, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to sensor errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors temperature through multiple sensors and uses feedback control to adjust the cooling system. The controller compares actual temperature readings with target temperature and dynamically adjusts cooling output, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for sensor errors and maintains reliable temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer (the controller) that receives raw sensor data, applies filtering and averaging algorithms, and generates corrected temperature values. This intermediary layer acts as a mediator between the physical sensors and the control system, isolating the impact of sensor errors while preserving temperature monitoring functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple temperature sensors are used, then reliability improves by compensating for sensor errors, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensors into a unified monitoring system where the controller aggregates readings from all sensors. Instead of treating each sensor independently, the system merges their outputs through averaging and frequency analysis, achieving improved reliability while managing complexity through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of temperature measurement from single-point readings to statistical distributions (average temperature, frequency of temperature values). By transforming raw sensor data into derived parameters like mean temperature and temperature frequency, the system extracts more reliable information while keeping the physical sensor configuration manageable.
3Measurement precision
If temperature control is adjusted frequently, then temperature precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic temperature sampling and control adjustments rather than continuous operation. The controller measures temperature at specific intervals and adjusts cooling output periodically based on accumulated data. This periodic action maintains temperature precision by using averaged temperature values while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous high-frequency control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts its response based on the analyzed temperature data. When temperature stability is achieved, the system reduces control activity to conserve energy. When temperature deviations are detected, the system increases control frequency. This dynamic behavior optimizes the balance between temperature precision and energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of controlling a refrigerator includes operating a cool air supply to output cool air for cooling a storage compartment, obtaining a result value based on a temperature value sensed by a temperature sensor during a first reference time interval, obtaining a plurality of result values during a second reference time interval, determining a representative temperature of the storage compartment among the obtained plurality of result values, determining an output of the cool air supply based on the representative temperature, and operating the cool air supply at the determined output.