Refrigerator and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerator control methods are unreliable due to temperature sensor errors, leading to inconsistent temperature maintenance in storage compartments despite corrections to the compressor's operating point.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for precisely controlling the storage compartment temperature by determining a representative temperature value from multiple readings using a controller, which adjusts the cool air supply output based on this value, eliminating the need for immediate reliance on individual sensor readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature sensor readings are used directly for control, then the control system is simple, but the temperature control reliability is poor due to sensor errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensor readings (including duct space temperature and storage space temperature) to form a composite temperature value. This merging of multiple data sources improves reliability by compensating for individual sensor errors while maintaining a relatively simple control structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature sensor readings, comparing them against target temperatures, and adjusting the compressor operating point accordingly. This feedback mechanism enhances temperature control reliability by correcting deviations caused by sensor errors or environmental variations.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature readings are processed to determine representative temperature, then temperature control precision improves, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms multiple temperature parameters (duct temperature, storage space temperature, on-point temperature, off-point temperature) into a single representative temperature value through mathematical processing. This parameter transformation improves measurement precision while keeping the control algorithm computationally manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations to determine the representative temperature value before using it for control decisions. By pre-processing the temperature data to extract the most accurate representative value, the system improves measurement precision while organizing the computational complexity into a structured, manageable process.
3Manufacturing precision
If the compressor operating point is corrected based on temperature readings, then temperature control accuracy improves, but the system becomes sensitive to sensor errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation step that processes multiple temperature readings to generate a corrected operating point temperature. This intermediary representative temperature value acts as a mediator between raw sensor data and control actions, improving temperature control accuracy while reducing sensitivity to individual sensor errors through statistical or algorithmic processing.
Data Source
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.