DE102011079205A1 - Method for operating compressor in e.g. no-frost household cooling apparatus for cooling wine in catering industry, involves operating compressor at end of switch phase preceding actual switching phase when criterion is satisfied - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves cooling coolable interior chambers (3, 4) of a cooling device i.e. domestic refrigerator (1). The coolable interior chambers are operated at different power levels, and a compressor is activated to operate the compressor in a switching phase. The compressor is operated at beginning stage of the switch phase with preset power and operated at an end of a switch phase preceding an actual switching phase when a criterion is satisfied. A ventilator is operated to convey the cooled air into the interior chamber. An independent claim is also included for a cooling apparatus.

Description

The invention relates to a refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, and a method for operating a compressor of a refrigerant circuit, which is provided to cool a coolable interior of the refrigeration appliance and can be operated with different powers.

Refrigeration appliances, in particular domestic refrigerators, have an inner container with a coolable interior and a refrigerant circuit for cooling the interior space. The refrigerant cycle includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator provided for cooling the internal space. The DE 10 2007 060 828 A1 discloses a refrigeration device whose compressor can be operated with a variable power or different powers. In a rotary driven compressor, this is achieved by the compressor or its motor is operated at different speeds.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for operating a operable with different powers compressor of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration device.

A refrigeration appliance is understood in particular to be a household refrigeration appliance, that is to say a refrigeration appliance which is used for household purposes or possibly also in the gastronomy sector, and in particular for storing food and / or drinks in household quantities at specific temperatures, such as, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer , a fridge freezer, a freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

The object of the invention is achieved by a method for operating a compressor of a refrigerant circuit, which is provided to cool a coolable interior of a refrigerator, in particular a household refrigerator and operated with different powers, comprising turning on the compressor to the compressor in a switch-on operate, wherein the compressor is operated at least at the beginning of the switch-on with the power at which the compressor was operated at the end of the previous switch-on phase preceding switch-on, if at least one criterion is met.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a refrigeration device, comprising an inner container with a coolable interior, a refrigerant circuit provided for cooling the inner space with a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, and a control device which is set up to control the compressor according to the method according to the invention. The refrigerator according to the invention is in particular a household refrigerator. Trained as a household refrigeration appliance refrigeration device according to the invention is in particular a no-frost refrigeration device, ie a refrigeration device, the evaporator is automatically defrosted. The coolable interior can be a freezer compartment that can be cooled by the evaporator to temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, in particular to temperatures of minus 18 degrees Celsius. In particular, the evaporator can be arranged in a chamber which is separated from the coolable interior in a heat-insulating manner and is used e.g. is connected by at least one channel, so that cooled air can get into the interior of the evaporator. In order to promote the cooled air from the chamber into the interior, at least one fan may also be provided.

The coolable interior is preferably cooled by means of a temperature control such that it has approximately a preset target temperature. Due to the temperature control, e.g. the controller suitably turns the compressor on and off. In order to obtain the current temperature of the interior, a suitable temperature sensor may be provided.

According to the method of the invention, the compressor is operated at variable power, i. Depending on the power, the compressor compresses the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit differently, which also varies the refrigerant capacity of the refrigerant circuit. A variable capacity of the compressor is e.g. achieved by the compressor is operated at different speeds.

According to the invention, the compressor is at least at the beginning of a switch-on with that power, optionally speed operated, which had the compressor at the end of the previous switch-on when the at least one criterion is met. As a result, when the at least one criterion is present, the compressor is optionally operated at a higher power than if this criterion is not met. As a result, the cooling capacity of the refrigerant circuit is increased.

If the at least one criterion is not met, according to a variant of the method according to the invention, at least at the beginning of the switch-on phase, the compressor is operated with a power which depends on at least one further criterion.

According to a variant of the method according to the invention, the at least one further criterion is an ambient temperature of the refrigeration device. Consequently is operated in accordance with this variant when not fulfilling the at least one criterion of the compressor, at least at the beginning of the switch-on with a power that depends on the ambient temperature. In this case, it is provided in particular that, at a lower ambient temperature, the compressor is operated at a lower power at least at the beginning of the switch-on phase. Namely, if the ambient temperature is lower, then a lower power of the compressor may be sufficient to achieve a sufficiently fast and reliable cooling of the interior by means of the refrigerant circuit. At a higher ambient temperature, however, the compressor is already at the beginning of the switch-on with a higher power, possibly operated at a higher speed. During this switch-on phase, it is provided, in particular, to increase the power, optionally the speed, of the compressor at predetermined time intervals, so that at the end of the switch-on phase the compressor is operated at a higher power than at the beginning of the switch-on phase.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the at least one further criterion is a difference between the desired temperature and the actual temperature of the interior. In this case, if the at least one criterion is not met, the compressor is operated at least at the beginning of the switch-on phase with a power that depends on the difference between the actual temperature and the setpoint temperature of the interior. In particular, is operated at a lower difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature of the interior of the compressor, at least at the beginning of the switch-on with a lower power. The criterion "difference between actual temperature and setpoint temperature" may be higher than the criterion "ambient temperature".

According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, this is associated with a further criterion of a currently required higher cooling capacity of the refrigerant circuit. Thus, potentially fulfilling the criterion, the compressor is operated at a higher power than when its power is e.g. due to the at least one further criterion would be set.

• – die Zeitdauer zwischen dem Ausschalten und Einschalten des Verdichters unterschreitet einen vorbestimmten Wert,
• – ein zum Schließen des kühlbaren Innenraums vorgesehenes Türblatt wird während einer vorgegebenen Zeitdauer um mehr als eine vorgegebene Anzahl geöffnet.
• – eine Zeitdauer des geöffneten Türblatts überschreitet einen vorgegebenen Wert,
• – der Temperaturgradient der Temperatur des Gefrierraums unterscheidet sich von einem vorgegebenen Wert, und/oder
• – die Laufzeit des Verdichters mit seiner höchsten Leistung übersteigt einen vorgegebenen Wert.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the at least one criterion is at least one of the following:

• The time between switching off and switching on the compressor falls below a predetermined value,
• - A door provided for closing the coolable interior door is opened for a predetermined period of time by more than a predetermined number.
• A duration of the opened door leaf exceeds a predetermined value,
• - The temperature gradient of the temperature of the freezer compartment is different from a predetermined value, and / or
• - The runtime of the compressor with its highest performance exceeds a predetermined value.

Between two switch-on phases, the compressor is switched off (switch-off phase). This increases the temperature of the inner container. If the duration of the switch-off phase falls below the predetermined value, then it is likely that the refrigerant circuit should be operated with a relatively high refrigeration capacity. Therefore, according to the invention, the compressor is operated, at least at the beginning of the current switch-on phase, with the power which it had at the end of the preceding switch-on phase, when e.g. this switch-off phase exceeds the predetermined value. This predetermined is, for example, in the range of 75 minutes.

Even with a heaped opening of the door leaf, e.g. of more than three times in relatively short succession or when the door leaf is opened for a relatively long time, e.g. longer than 90 seconds, it is advantageous to operate the compressor at least at the beginning of the current switch-on phase with the power that it had at the end of the previous switch-on phase.

Also, a deviation of the temperature gradient from a predetermined value, for example, 0.5 Kelvin per minute, or a relatively long compressor run time with its highest performance, for example, longer than 60 minutes suggests the need for increased cooling performance, so it is advantageous then the compressor thereupon at least at the beginning of the current switch-on phase to operate with the power that he had at the end of the previous switch-on.

If the refrigeration appliance according to the invention is a no-frost household refrigeration appliance, then this preferably has at least one ventilator for conveying air cooled by means of an evaporator of the refrigeration cycle into the coolable interior space. According to a variant of the method according to the invention, the fan is operated at a speed corresponding to the power of the compressor.

Due to the method according to the invention thus optionally results in an improved temperature control in refrigerators with a speed-controlled compressor.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a no-frost household refrigeration appliance,

2 a refrigerant circuit of the household refrigerator and

3 a table.

The 1 shows a household refrigerator 1 as an example of a refrigeration device. The household refrigerator 1 is designed as a no-frost refrigerator and has an inner container 2 with a coolable interior, which in the case of the present embodiment in a freezer compartment 3 and one below the freezer compartment 3 arranged refrigerator 4 is divided. The freezer room 3 For example, it is used for freezing frozen food at, for example, about minus 18 degrees Celsius.

The household refrigerator 1 includes at least one refrigerant circuit for cooling the freezer compartment 3 and the refrigerator 4 , For the fridge 4 and the freezer room 3 may be provided a common refrigerant circuit, for example, one for cooling the refrigerator 4 provided evaporator and one for cooling the freezer compartment 3 provided evaporator includes. The household refrigerator 1 but can also separate refrigerant circuits for the freezer compartment 3 and the fridge 4 exhibit. In the 2 is a refrigerant circuit as an example 20 for cooling the freezer compartment 3 shown.

The household refrigerator 1 has in the case of the present embodiment, two door leaves 5 . 6 for closing the freezer compartment 3 or the refrigerator 4 on. With opened door leaves 5 . 6 are the freezer room 3 and the fridge 4 accessible. At the towards refrigerator 4 directed side of the closing of the refrigerator 4 provided door leaf 6 are in the case of the present embodiment, several door racks 7 arranged for storing refrigerated goods.

In the freezer room 3 is for example a support grid 8th trained shelf and in the refrigerator 4 are several shelves 9 arranged for storing refrigerated goods. In the lower part of the refrigerator 4 is in particular a drawer 10 arranged, can be stored in the refrigerated goods.

The household refrigerator 1 also has a in the 2 illustrated control device 11 on, which is set up, the one or more refrigerant circuits, if necessary, the refrigerant circuit 20 during operation of the household refrigerator 1 such that the freezer room 3 and the fridge 4 have at least approximately predetermined or adjustable target temperatures, as is known in the art in principle. The control device 11 is set up, for example, a suitable temperature control of the freezer compartment 3 and the refrigerator 4 to realize. This includes the household refrigerator 1 eg one with the control device 11 connected temperature sensor 12 which is set, the actual temperature of the freezer compartment 3 to investigate. The temperature sensor 12 of the freezer compartment 3 is in particular set up, the current temperature of the freezer compartment 3 , ie the actual temperature of the freezer compartment 3 directly and in particular is at least partially within the freezer compartment 3 arranged.

In the case of the present embodiment, the refrigerant circuit comprises 20 of the freezer compartment 3 a compressor 21 , one to the compressor 21 downstream condenser 22 , one to the liquefier 22 downstream throttle device 23 , which is designed in particular as a throttle or capillary tube, and an evaporator 24 that is between the throttle device 23 and the compressor 23 is arranged. The compressor 21 is eg in a machine room of the household refrigerator 1 arranged, for example, behind the drawer 10 outside the refrigerator 4 is arranged. The evaporator 24 is especially in one of the freezer compartment 3 and the fridge 4 arranged separate chamber, in particular by means of a thermally insulating wall from the freezer compartment 3 and the fridge 4 is disconnected. This chamber is eg via a channel with the freezer compartment 3 connected, so by means of the evaporator 24 cooled air from the chamber to the freezer compartment 3 can get. In particular, at least one fan 25 be provided, which is controlled by the control device 11 cooled air from the chamber to the freezer compartment 3 promotes.

In the case of the present embodiment, the control device 11 set up the temperature of the freezer compartment 3 to regulate by means of a two-point control, as is known in the art in principle. In a two-point control, the control device switches 3 the compressor 21 one, if the current temperature of the freezer compartment 3 , for example by means of the temperature sensor 12 is determined, one of the target temperature of the freezer compartment 3 exceeds the assigned first temperature value. As a result, the temperature of the freezer compartment drops 3 , Below the current temperature of the freezer compartment 3 one of the desired temperature of the freezer compartment 3 associated second temperature value which is smaller than the first temperature value, then the control device switches 11 the compressor 21 out again. Then the temperature of the freezer increases 3 until it reaches the first temperature value, whereupon the control device 11 the compressor 21 turns back on. Thus, fluctuates in the operation of the household refrigerator 1 the current temperature of the freezer compartment 3 within a predetermined temperature range, the setpoint temperature of the freezer compartment 3 assigned.

In the case of the present embodiment, it is provided that the compressor 21 can be operated so that it has different compression ratings. This is achieved for example by the fact that the compressor 21 or whose electric motor can be operated at different speeds. This will change the compressor 21 provided power depending on the speed. The control device 11 is eg set up the compressor 21 operate so that it runs during its switch-on with a speed that is dependent on the ambient temperature. To the ambient temperature of the household refrigerator 1 to determine this includes, for example, one with the control device 11 connected, suitable for household refrigeration appliance 1 arranged another temperature sensor 26 ,

In the case of the present embodiment, it is provided the compressor 21 in a first operating mode, after being switched on, first to operate at a speed n dependent on the ambient temperature T. Is the compressor running? 21 for a predetermined time, then the controller controls it 11 such that it is operated at the next higher speed. Is the compressor running? 21 again for a given time, then the compressor 21 in turn switched to the next higher speed. This is repeated until either the determined temperature of the freezer compartment 3 reached the first temperature value and thus turned off or until the compressor 21 is running at its highest speed. In particular, it is provided that at a lower ambient temperature of the compressor 21 when starting at a lower speed starts to run than at a higher ambient temperature.

The 3 shows, for example, speeds n and corresponding ambient temperatures T. For example, when starting the compressor 21 at an ambient temperature T of less than 16 ° C, first with a speed n of 1200 1 / min, at an ambient temperature T between 16 ° C and 22 ° C, first with a speed n of 1400 1 / min, at an ambient temperature T between 17 ° C to 28 ° C first with a speed n of 1600 1 / min, at an ambient temperature T between 29 ° C to 34 ° C, first with a speed n of 2000 1 / min, and at an ambient temperature T between greater than 34 ° C initially with a speed n of 2500 1 / min to run.

It may also be provided that in the first operating mode, the initial speed of the compressor 21 depending on the difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature of the freezer compartment 3 is set.

In the case of the present embodiment, it is also provided, the value of the speed of the compressor 21 with which it was operated before switching off, for example in a memory of the control device 11 save.

The household refrigerator 1 or the control device 11 is further configured in the case of the present embodiment such that in a second operating mode when the compressor is switched on again 21 This initially does not start at a speed that depends on the outside temperature of the household refrigerator 1 or the difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature of the freezer compartment 3 but with the speed at which the compressor 21 was operated before the last shutdown. In the case of the present embodiment, the household refrigerator 1 operated based on at least one predetermined criterion in its second operating mode. This criterion is in particular a currently required higher cooling capacity of the refrigerant circuit 20 assigned.

• – Die Ausschaltphase des Verdichters 21 unterschreitet einen vorbestimmten Wert von z.B. 20 Minuten,
• – das zum Schließen des Gefrierraums 3 vorgesehene Türblatt 5 wird während einer vorgegebenen Zeitdauer um mehr als eine vorgegebene Anzahl, z. B. drei, geöffnet.
• – die Zeitdauer des geöffneten Türblatts 5 überschreitet einen vorgegebenen Wert von z. B. 90 Sekunden,
• – der Temperaturgradient der mittels des Temperatursensors 12 des Gefrierraums 3 ermittelten aktuellen Temperatur unterscheidet sich von einem vorgegebenen Wert, beispielsweise 0,5 Kelvin pro Minute,
• – die Laufzeit des Verdichters 21 mit seiner höchsten Drehzahl übersteigt einen vorgegebenen Wert von beispielsweise 60 Minuten.

In the case of the present embodiment, the household refrigerator 1 operated in its second mode of operation if at least one of the following criteria is met:

• - The switch-off phase of the compressor 21 falls below a predetermined value of eg 20 minutes,
• - The closing of the freezer compartment 3 provided door leaf 5 is increased by more than a predetermined number, e.g. B. three, opened.
• - the duration of the opened door leaf 5 exceeds a predetermined value of z. 90 seconds,
• - The temperature gradient of the means of the temperature sensor 12 of the freezer compartment 3 determined actual temperature differs from a predetermined value, for example, 0.5 Kelvin per minute,
• - the running time of the compressor 21 at its highest speed exceeds a predetermined value of, for example, 60 minutes.

In addition, it can still be provided that the fan 25 can also be operated at a variable speed. The speed of the fan 25 in particular, is controlled by the control device 11 operated at a lower speed when the compressor 21 operated at a lower speed. The speeds of the fan 25 and the compressor 21 thus correspond.

Even if the first and the second mode of operation for the cooling of the freezer compartment 3 described, so can the household refrigerator 1 Also be designed such that the for the refrigerator 4 provided refrigerant circuit corresponding to that for cooling the freezer compartment 3 provided coolant circuit 20 is operated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Household refrigerator

2

 inner container

3

 freezer

4

 refrigerator

5, 6

 door leaf

7

 door racks

8th

 support grid

9

 shelves

10

 drawer

11

 control device

12

 temperature sensor

20

 Refrigerant circulation

21

 compressor

22

 condenser

23

 throttling device

24

 Evaporator

25

 fan

26

 temperature sensor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007060828 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Method for operating a compressor ( 21 ) of a refrigerant circuit ( 20 ), which is provided, a coolable interior ( 3 . 4 ) of a refrigerating appliance, in particular a household refrigerating appliance ( 1 ) and operated at different capacities, comprising switching on the compressor ( 21 ) to the compressor ( 21 ) in a switch-on phase, wherein the compressor ( 21 ) is operated at least at the beginning of the switch-on with the power at which the compressor ( 21 ) was operated at the end of a switch-on phase preceding the current switch-on phase, if at least one criterion has been met. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compressor ( 21 ) is operated at different rates by the compressor ( 21 ) is operated at different speeds. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least at the beginning of the switch-on of the compressor ( 21 ) is operated with a power that depends on at least one further criterion, if the at least one criterion is not met. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one further criterion an ambient temperature of the refrigeration device ( 1 ), and the compressor ( 21 ) is operated at least at the beginning of the switch-on phase with a power which depends on the ambient temperature, in particular the compressor ( 21 ) is operated at a lower ambient temperature, at least at the beginning of the switch-on with a lower power. A method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one further criterion a difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature of the interior ( 3 . 4 ), and the compressor ( 21 ) is operated at least at the beginning of the switch-on with a power that depends on this difference, in particular that with a smaller difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature of the interior ( 3 . 4 ) of the compressor ( 21 ) is operated at least at the beginning of the switch-on with a lower power. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one criterion of a currently required higher cooling capacity of the refrigerant circuit ( 20 ) assigned. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one criterion is at least one of the following: - the period of time between switching off and switching on the compressor ( 21 ) falls below a predetermined value, which is in particular in the range of 75 minutes, - one for closing the coolable interior ( 3 . 4 ) provided door leaf ( 5 . 6 ) is opened for a predetermined period of time by more than a predetermined number of particular greater than three, - a period of the open door leaf ( 5 . 6 ) exceeds a predetermined value, which is in particular in the range of 90 seconds, - the temperature gradient of the temperature of the freezer compartment ( 3 . 4 ) differs from a predetermined value, which is in particular in the range of 0.5 Kelvin per minute, and / or - the running time of the compressor ( 21 ) with its highest power exceeds a predetermined value, which is in particular in the range of 60 minutes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by operating a fan ( 25 ), which is set up by means of the evaporator ( 24 ) cooled air into the coolable interior ( 3 . 4 ) at a speed corresponding to the capacity of the compressor ( 21 ). Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance, having an inner container ( 2 ) with a coolable interior ( 3 . 4 ), one for cooling the interior ( 3 . 4 ) provided refrigerant circuit ( 20 ) with a compressor ( 21 ), a liquefier ( 22 ) and an evaporator ( 24 ), and a control device ( 11 ), characterized in that the control device ( 11 ), the compressor ( 21 ) according to the method of one of claims 1 to 7. Refrigerating appliance according to claim 8, characterized by a with the control device ( 11 ) speed-controlled fan ( 25 ), which is set up by means of the evaporator ( 24 ) cooled air into the coolable interior ( 3 . 4 ), and the control device ( 11 ), the speed of the fan ( 25 ) according to the capacity of the compressor ( 21 ).

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