CN115111851A

CN115111851A - Refrigerator and method for refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN115111851A
Application number: CN202110307333.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 仲伟; 刘婧; 谢彤
Original assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Current assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2021-03-23
Publication date: 2022-09-27
Also published as: DE102022202340A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for the same. A refrigerator (100) includes: an odor sensor (5) for detecting odor in the refrigerator and an air cleaning device (6) adapted to operate in a first or a second operation mode. The purifying intensity of the air purifying device in the first working mode is higher than that in the second working mode. The refrigerator (100) further includes a controller (16) to obtain a real-time smell intensity and a periodic smell intensity according to a detection signal obtained from the smell sensor, and to control an operation mode of the air cleaning apparatus in conjunction with the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity.

Description

Refrigerator and method for refrigerator

[ technical field ]

The embodiment of the invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for the same.

[ background Art ]

CN111964325A discloses a method for controlling odor removal of a refrigerator, which comprises: acquiring detection parameters of a sensor, wherein the detection parameters comprise temperature and/or humidity and peculiar smell gas concentration; determining a period according to the temperature and/or humidity change in the refrigerator body, and calculating the change rate of the concentration of the odor gas in the period; and comparing the change rate with a preset threshold value, and controlling the odor removal device to work according to the comparison result.

[ summary of the invention ]

An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an improved refrigerator and a method for the same.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can prevent the state of an air purification apparatus from being changed too frequently and can quickly respond to sudden odor.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a refrigerator, including: an odor sensor for detecting odor in the refrigerator; the air purification device is suitable for working in a first working mode or a second working mode, wherein the purification intensity of the air purification device in the first working mode is higher than that in the second working mode; and a controller to obtain a real-time smell intensity and a periodic smell intensity according to a detection signal obtained from the smell sensor, and to control an operation mode of the air cleaning apparatus in combination with the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity.

This is advantageous on the one hand for the sanitary module to react quickly to a sudden increase in odour and on the other hand for avoiding too frequent switching of the air cleaning device.

In a possible embodiment, the controller causes the air cleaning device to enter the first operating mode when the real-time odor intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operating mode or when the periodic odor intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operating mode.

In a possible embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the air cleaning device to exit the first operating mode based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity meets a condition for exiting the first operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity.

In a possible embodiment, the air purification device does not exit the first operation mode due to a change in the real-time odor intensity or a change in the periodic odor intensity until the air purification device operates for a set period of time after entering the first operation mode.

In a possible embodiment, the real-time scent intensity threshold to trigger the first operating mode is lower than the periodic scent intensity threshold to trigger the first operating mode.

In a possible embodiment, the second operating mode is entered only based on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reaches the second operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity; and/or exiting the second operating mode based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reached exiting the second operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity.

In a possible embodiment, the controller is configured to determine an inside-refrigerator smell level according to the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity, operate the air purification apparatus in the first operation mode when the real-time smell intensity is at the first smell level or the periodic smell intensity is at the first smell level, and operate the air purification apparatus in the second operation mode when the periodic smell intensity is at the second smell level.

In a possible embodiment, whether the real-time odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first working mode is judged according to the deviation or deviation rate of the real-time odor value for representing the real-time odor intensity relative to the odor reference value; and/or judging whether the periodic odor intensity reaches the condition for triggering the first working mode according to the deviation or deviation rate of the periodic odor value for representing the periodic odor intensity relative to the odor reference value.

In a possible embodiment, a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor are included to detect the temperature and/or humidity of the environment in which said gas sensor is located, the period being determined as a function of said temperature and/or humidity, or, as a function of the operating period of the refrigeration system of the refrigerator; the periodic odor intensity is a representative value of odor intensity over the period, the representative value comprising one of: maximum value, minimum value, average value, intermediate value and weighted value of the real-time odor intensity in the period.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention relates to a method for a refrigerator, including: detecting odor in the refrigerator through an odor sensor; obtaining real-time gas intensity and periodic odor intensity from detection signals obtained from the odor sensor; and determining an operating mode of the air cleaning device in combination with the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity, wherein the air cleaning device is adapted to operate in a first operating mode or a second operating mode, wherein the cleaning intensity of the air cleaning device in the first operating mode is higher than the cleaning intensity in the second operating mode.

In a possible embodiment, the air cleaning device enters the first operating mode when the real-time odor intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operating mode or when the periodic odor intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operating mode.

In a possible embodiment, the first operating mode is exited only upon a determination that the periodic scent intensity meets a condition for exiting the first operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity.

In a possible embodiment, entering the second operating mode is based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reaches entering the second operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity; and/or exiting the second operating mode based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reaches exiting the second operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity.

In a possible embodiment, whether the real-time odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first working mode is judged according to the deviation or deviation rate of the real-time odor value for representing the real-time odor intensity relative to the odor reference value; and/or judging whether the periodic odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first working mode according to the deviation or deviation rate of the periodic odor value for representing the periodic odor intensity relative to the odor reference value.

In a possible embodiment, the temperature and/or the humidity of the environment in which the gas sensor is located are detected, the period being determined as a function of said temperature and/or humidity; or determining a period according to an operation period of a refrigeration system of the refrigerator, the period smell intensity being a representative value of the smell intensity within the period, the representative value including one of: maximum value, minimum value, average value, intermediate value and weighted value of the real-time odor intensity in the period.

Further features of the invention will appear from the claims, from the drawings and from the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations specified in the above description and/or in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be present not only in the combination specified but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the invention which are not described and are not specifically shown in the drawings but can be conceived from detailed embodiments and derived from a combination of features, are thus to be considered to be included and disclosed.

[ description of the drawings ]

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherein the content of the first and second substances,

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a refrigerator having an air sanitation device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air sanitation device, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a method for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[ detailed description of the invention ]

As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator 100 includes a storage chamber 101 having a front opening 10 and a door 102 for closing the storage chamber 101.

In one embodiment, the top wall 1010 of the storage chamber 101 may be a top wall of a cabinet 1001 of the refrigerator 100. The storage chamber 101 may extend from an upper portion to a lower portion of the housing 1001, or another storage chamber may be further provided at a lower portion of the storage chamber 101. It should be understood that in an alternative embodiment it is also possible to have another storage compartment above the storage compartment 101.

The refrigerator 100 may include an air duct 103 to deliver cooled air to the storage chamber 101. The air duct 103 may be provided at the rear and/or top of the storage chamber 101.

The refrigerator 100 may include a duct fan 104 to form forced air circulation within the storage region of the storage chamber 101 and the duct 103. For example, when the duct fan 104 is operated, air in the duct 103 is discharged into the storage area of the storage chamber 101 through the vent 107, and the air in the storage area of the storage chamber 101 is returned into the duct 103 from the return air inlet 108.

An evaporator 105 may be disposed within the air duct 103. In other embodiments, the cool air from the air duct 103 also comes from another storage compartment.

The refrigerator 100 includes an odor sensor 5 to detect an odor inside the storage chamber 101.

The odor sensor 5 may be configured to detect the intensity of the odor within the storage chamber 101. For example, the intensity of the odor within the storage chamber 101 is determined by detecting the concentration of one or more gas components.

In one embodiment, the odor sensor 5 detects a Total Volatile Organic Concentration (TVOC) within the storage chamber 101.

The odor sensor 5 may be a metal oxide semiconductor type gas sensor including a semiconductor sensing element and a heater to heat the semiconductor sensing element. The odor sensor 5 obtains the resistance value of the sensor by utilizing the change of the total conductivity of the semiconductor material when the gas is adsorbed on the surface of the semiconductor, thereby converting the gas change into a corresponding electric signal.

The refrigerator 100 includes an air cleaning device 6. The air cleaning device 6 may include any one or more of an ultraviolet sterilization device, an ion generation device, an ozone generation device, and the like.

The refrigerator 100 includes a controller 16. The controller 16 is coupled to the odor sensor 5 and the air purification apparatus 6. The controller 16 is arranged to calculate a detection signal obtained from the odour sensor 5 in order to determine the operating mode of the air cleaning device 6.

In one embodiment, the odor sensor 5 and the air cleaning device 6 are installed in the refrigerator 100 after forming one air sanitation module 1. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the air sanitation module 1 includes a housing 2, an air passage 3 in the housing 2, and an odor sensor 5 and an air cleaning device 6 in the air passage 3. The controller 16 may be located within the housing 2.

An air cleaning device 6 may be arranged in the air channel 3 downstream of the odor sensor 5. Thus, the air cleaning device 6 may be located between the odour sensor 5 and the air outlet 32.

In one exemplary embodiment, the air purification apparatus 6 may include an ionizer 61, the ionizer 61 being configured to release ions into the air passage 3. A power supply 63 for supplying power to the ionizer 61 is located inside the housing 2.

The air cleaning device 6 may further comprise an air filter 62. The air filter 62 may be a physical and/or chemical filter, such as an adsorption filter, a catalytic enzyme filter (e.g., a Pt filter), or the like.

In an exemplary example, as shown in fig. 2, air of the outside (e.g., the storage chamber 101) may enter the air passage 3 through the air inlet 31 and be discharged out of the air passage 3 through the air outlet 32. An air inlet 31 and an air outlet 32 may be formed at the case 2.

The air cleaning device 6 may further include a fan 4 in the air passage 3 to force external air into the air passage 3 and to be discharged outside the housing 2 after passing through the odor sensor 5 and the ionizer 61 and the air filter 62. The direction of flow of air in the air channel 3 can be illustrated as arrow a.

The controller 16 may be operatively connected to the fan 4. The fan 4 may be operated or stopped based on instructions from the controller 16.

The controller 16 is configured to receive data from the odor sensor 5 and calculate detection data obtained from the odor sensor 5 to determine the odor intensity. The odor sensor 5 may send odor data to the controller 16 at predetermined intervals, whereby the controller 16 obtains real-time odor data of the storage chamber 101 to obtain real-time odor intensity of the storage chamber 101.

In one embodiment, the real-time smell value for representing the real-time smell intensity may be a value compensated by the smell detection value using the temperature and/or humidity of the storage chamber 101, so as to reduce the influence of humidity on the detection result of the smell sensor 5.

The temperature of the storage chamber 101 generally fluctuates within a preset range. For example, when the storage chamber 101 is cooled by the refrigeration system, the temperature of the storage chamber 101 drops until the temperature of the storage chamber 101 reaches the stop refrigeration temperature threshold. When the temperature of the storage chamber 101 rises back to the start cooling temperature threshold, the refrigeration system starts cooling the storage chamber 101 again. So circulated, the temperature and humidity inside the storage chamber 101 fluctuate according to the refrigeration cycle. Since humidity may have an effect on the odor sensor 5, for example, odors of the same intensity may exhibit different detection values under different humidity conditions. When the real-time odor intensity is near a certain critical point, it may cause the controller 16 to frequently change the operation mode of the air cleaning device 6.

In an embodiment, the controller 16 determines the periods and calculates a period scent value to characterize the period scent intensity for each period. The period may be determined by a temperature period or a humidity period of the storage chamber 101. For example, the cycle of the storage chamber 101 is determined by two adjacent valleys of temperature or humidity or two adjacent peaks of temperature or humidity. In another embodiment, the above-described period may be determined according to an operation period of the refrigeration system, for example, a period established between the storage compartment 101 generating a refrigeration demand and satisfying the refrigeration demand; as another example, the refrigeration system is established as one cycle from when the storage chamber 101 starts to be cooled to when the cooling is finished.

The controller 16 calculates the scent intensity for each cycle to obtain a cycle scent intensity. The periodic odour values characterizing the periodic odour intensity can for example be selected from: maximum value, minimum value, average value, intermediate value, weighted value, real-time odor intensity corresponding to the peak of the temperature/humidity cycle, real-time odor intensity corresponding to the trough of the temperature/humidity cycle, and the like of the real-time odor intensity in one cycle.

The controller 16 is used to calculate the detection signal obtained from the odor sensor 5 and to control the air cleaning device 6 to operate in different operation modes.

In one embodiment, the air cleaning device 6 may be selectively operated in a first operation mode or a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the air cleaning device 6 removes the bad smell inside the storage chamber 101 with stronger cleaning strength. In the second operating mode, the air cleaning device 6 is operated with a lower cleaning intensity than in the first operating mode.

At least one of ionizer 61 and fan 4 in the first mode of operation operates at a greater power and/or duty cycle than in the second mode of operation.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 16 determines the level of the odor intensity in the storage chamber 101 and puts the air cleaning device 6 in the corresponding operation mode according to the level.

In an exemplary embodiment, the odor levels within the storage chamber 101 may be as follows:

TABLE 1

When the controller 16 confirms that the intensity of the smell inside the storage chamber 101 reaches the level corresponding to the first operation mode, the air cleaning device 6 enters the first operation mode. For example, when the representative value of the odor in the storage chamber 101 is at level 1 ("poor"), the air cleaning device 6 enters the first operation mode.

When the controller 16 confirms that the intensity of the smell inside the storage chamber 101 is at the level corresponding to the second operation mode, the air cleaning device 6 enters the second operation mode. For example, when the representative value of the odor within the storage chamber 101 is at level 2 ("difference"), the air cleaning device 6 enters the second operation mode.

In one embodiment, the representative value of the odor may be a deviation value or a deviation rate of the intensity of the odor of the storage chamber 101 with respect to the reference value of the odor sensor 5. For example, the odor representative value is (odor intensity-odor reference value)/odor reference value. The odor state in the storage chamber 101 is determined by judging the level of the deviation rate of the odor intensity from the odor reference value of the storage chamber 101, and the operation mode of the air cleaning device 6 is determined.

In another embodiment, the odor level of the storage chamber 101 may also be determined by directly comparing the odor intensity of the storage chamber 101 to a corresponding odor intensity threshold.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 16 controls the operation mode of the air cleaning device 6 in accordance with the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity from the detection signal obtained from the odor sensor 5 in combination with the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity.

When the intensity of the real-time smell inside the storage chamber 101 reaches the trigger condition for entering the first operation mode, or when the intensity of the periodic smell inside the storage chamber 101 reaches the trigger condition for entering the first operation mode, the controller 16 causes the air cleaning device 6 to enter the first operation mode. Thus, as long as one of the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity reaches the trigger condition of the first operation mode, the air cleaning device 6 can enter the operation mode of high cleaning intensity to operate.

For example, as shown in the following table, when the real-time smell representative value is (real-time smell intensity-smell reference value)/smell reference value > C, or when the periodic smell representative value is (periodic smell intensity-smell reference value)/smell reference value > B, the air cleaning device 6 enters the first operation mode.

TABLE 2

In one embodiment, as shown in table 2, the real-time scent threshold C to trigger the first mode of operation is lower than the periodic scent threshold B used to trigger the first mode of operation. Thus, the air sanitation device 1 can respond quickly when the smell inside the storage chamber 101 suddenly increases.

In one embodiment, of the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity, the first operating mode is exited based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity meets a condition for exiting the first operating mode. Thus, the real-time odor intensity is only used as a trigger for entering the first operation mode, not for exiting the first operation mode, which is advantageous for preventing the air cleaning device 6 from frequently changing the operation mode, or turning on/off.

In one embodiment, the air purification apparatus 6 does not exit the first operation mode due to a change in the intensity of real-time smell or a change in the intensity of periodic smell until the air purification apparatus operates for a set period of time after entering the first operation mode. That is, after entering the first operating mode, the air cleaning device 6 is only operated for a preset period of time before exiting based on the periodic and/or real-time reduction in odor intensity. This is advantageous in preventing the air cleaning device 6 from frequently changing the operation mode.

The controller 16 may determine the odor level within the storage chamber 101 based on the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity, and operate the air cleaning apparatus in the first operation mode when one of the real-time odor intensity or the periodic odor intensity is at the first odor level.

In an embodiment, the second operation mode may be entered based only on a determination that the intensity of the periodic scent reaches the second operation mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity. For example, when the periodic odor intensity is at a second odor level, the air cleaning device 6 operates in a second mode of operation.

Similarly, of the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity, the second operating mode may be exited based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reaches exit from the second operating mode.

In this way, the real-time odour intensity is only used to trigger the first mode of operation, independently of the second mode of operation, so that the air cleaning device 6 can quickly cope with sudden odours while avoiding too frequent and unnecessary changes of state.

In an embodiment, the controller 16 may determine whether the real-time odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first operation mode according to a deviation or a deviation rate of the real-time odor value representing the real-time odor intensity from the odor reference value. For example, when the deviation ratio of the real-time smell value from the smell reference value is greater than a first threshold value, it is determined that the real-time smell intensity meets the condition for triggering the first operation mode, and the controller 16 controls the air sanitation device 1 to enter the first operation mode.

The controller 16 may also determine whether the periodic scent intensity meets the condition for triggering the first operation mode according to a deviation or a deviation rate of the periodic scent value from the scent reference value, which is used to characterize the periodic scent intensity. For example, when the rate of deviation of the periodic odor value from the odor reference value is greater than a second threshold value, it is determined that the periodic odor intensity is increased, and the controller 16 controls the air sanitation device 1 to enter the first operation mode or to remain in the first operation mode.

The first threshold value may be smaller than the second threshold value so that the air cleaning device 6 can respond quickly to an increase in real-time smell.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the controller 16 obtains a result that the real-time odor deviation rate is greater than the first threshold value C (where the real-time odor deviation rate is (real-time odor value-odor reference value)/odor reference value), it is determined that the real-time odor intensity meets the condition that triggers the first operation mode.

When the controller 16 obtains a result that the periodic odor deviation ratio is greater than the second threshold value B, where the periodic odor deviation (periodic odor value-odor reference value)/odor reference value, it is determined that the periodic odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first operation mode. Wherein the first threshold C may be smaller than the second threshold B.

The odor reference value may be preset or variable, for example, it may be updated based on the calculation of the detection signal of the odor sensor 5.

The refrigerator 100 may include a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. The temperature sensor and the humidity sensor may be integrated in the air detection device 5. The temperature sensor and the humidity sensor detect the temperature and humidity inside the storage chamber 101.

In an embodiment, the controller 16 may determine the period based on the measured temperature and/or humidity. Alternatively, the controller 16 determines the period according to the cooling operation period. The odor intensity of each cycle is a representative value of the odor intensity in the corresponding cycle, and the cycle odor intensity representative value may include one of: maximum value, minimum value, average value, intermediate value and weighted value of the real-time smell intensity in the period.

A method for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to fig. 3. As shown in fig. 3, in step S1, the intensity of the smell in the refrigerator is detected by the smell sensor 5.

In step S2, the controller 16 calculates the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity obtained from the detection signal obtained from the odor sensor 5.

In step S3, the controller 16 determines the operation mode of the air cleaning device 6 in combination with the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity. Wherein the air cleaning device 6 is adapted to operate in a first operation mode or a second operation mode, and the cleaning intensity of the air cleaning device 6 in the first operation mode is higher than that in the second operation mode.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, in step S11, the air cleaning device 6 enters the first operation mode when the real-time odor intensity reaches the trigger condition for entering the first operation mode or when the periodic odor intensity reaches the trigger condition for entering the first operation mode.

In step S12, when the periodic odor value reaches the exit first operation mode condition, the air cleaning device 6 exits the first operation mode. That is, the first operation mode is exited only based on a judgment that the periodic odor intensity meets a condition for exiting the first operation mode, among the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, step S21 may be the same as S11 in the above embodiment. Unlike the above embodiment, as shown in step S22, if the periodic odor intensity reaches the condition of exiting the first operation mode after the first operation mode is operated for the preset time, the air cleaning device 6 exits the first operation mode. The air cleaning device 6 does not exit the first operation mode due to a change in the intensity of the smell until the operation period of the first operation mode is ensured. This allows the air cleaning device 6 to have a guaranteed operating time in the first mode of operation as soon as it enters the first mode of operation.

In steps S11 and S21, the real-time scent intensity threshold used to trigger the first operating mode may be lower than the periodic scent intensity threshold used to trigger the first operating mode. This may be achieved by the first threshold value being compared to the deviation or rate of deviation of the real-time smell value from the smell reference value being lower than the second threshold value being compared to the deviation or rate of deviation of the periodic smell value from the smell reference value.

For example, the controller 16 triggers the first mode of operation of the air cleaning device 6 when the real-time deviation ratio of the odour value from the odour reference value reaches C (C may be selected from 8% -15% for example.) when the periodic deviation ratio of the odour value from the odour reference value reaches B (B may be selected from 15% -20% for example), the controller 16 triggers the first mode of operation of the air cleaning device 6, so that the air cleaning device 6 can react quickly when the odour intensity increases suddenly.

In an embodiment, the controller 16 may determine the period based on the measured temperature and/or humidity. Alternatively, the controller 16 determines the period according to the cooling operation period. The odor intensity of each cycle is a representative value of the odor intensity over the corresponding cycle, and the cycle odor intensity representative value may include one of: maximum value, minimum value, average value, intermediate value and weighted value of the real-time odor intensity in the period.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4, in step S11, the first operation mode is operated when the real-time smell intensity reaches the condition of entering the first operation mode or when the periodic smell intensity reaches the condition of entering the first operation mode. In step S21, when the periodic odor intensity reaches the condition of exiting the first operation mode, the first operation mode is exited.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 5, in step S21, the first operation mode is operated when the real-time smell intensity reaches the condition of entering the first operation mode or when the periodic smell intensity reaches the condition of entering the first operation mode. In step S22, after the first operation mode is operated for a first preset time, if the periodic odor intensity reaches the condition of exiting the first operation mode, the first operation mode is exited. When the first operation mode does not reach the first preset time, the odor intensity in the storage chamber 101 is not used as a basis for the air purification apparatus 6 to exit the first operation mode.

The various embodiments described in connection with fig. 1-5 may be combined with each other in any given way to achieve the advantages of the invention. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and other means than those shown may be generally used as long as the same effects are obtained.

Claims

1. A refrigerator (100) comprising:

an odor sensor (5) for detecting odor in the refrigerator;

the air purification device (6) is suitable for working in a first working mode or a second working mode, wherein the purification intensity of the air purification device in the first working mode is higher than that in the second working mode; and

and a controller (16) for obtaining the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity according to the detection signal obtained from the smell sensor, and controlling the operation mode of the air purification device by combining the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the controller causes the air cleaning device to enter the first operation mode when the real-time smell intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operation mode or when the periodic smell intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operation mode.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is configured to cause the air cleaning device to exit the first operation mode based only on a judgment that the periodic odor intensity meets a condition for exiting the first operation mode, among the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the air cleaning device does not exit the first operation mode due to a change in real-time smell intensity or a change in periodic smell intensity until the air cleaning device is operated for a set period of time after entering the first operation mode.

5. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a real-time scent intensity threshold to trigger the first mode of operation is lower than a periodic scent intensity threshold to trigger the first mode of operation.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second operation mode is entered based only on a judgment that the periodic smell intensity reaches the second operation mode, among the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity; and/or exiting the second operating mode based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reached exiting the second operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to determine the odor level within the refrigerator based on the real-time odor intensity and the periodic odor intensity, the air purification apparatus operating in the first mode of operation when the real-time odor intensity is at the first odor level or the periodic odor intensity is at the first odor level, and the air purification apparatus operating in the second mode of operation when the periodic odor intensity is at the second odor level.

8. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein whether the real-time smell intensity meets the condition for triggering the first operation mode is judged according to a deviation or a deviation ratio of a real-time smell value for representing the real-time smell intensity relative to a smell reference value; and/or judging whether the periodic odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first working mode according to the deviation or deviation rate of the periodic odor value for representing the periodic odor intensity relative to the odor reference value.

9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor to detect a temperature and/or a humidity of an environment in which the gas sensor is located, the period being determined according to the temperature and/or the humidity, or the period being determined according to an operation period of a refrigeration system of the refrigerator; the periodic odor intensity is a representative value of odor intensity over the period, the representative value comprising one of: maximum value, minimum value, average value, intermediate value and weighted value of the real-time odor intensity in the period.

10. A method for a refrigerator, comprising:

detecting an odor in the refrigerator by an odor sensor (5);

obtaining real-time gas intensity and periodic odor intensity from a detection signal obtained from the odor sensor; and

the controller (16) determines an operation mode of the air cleaning device (6) in combination with the real-time smell intensity and the periodic smell intensity, wherein the air cleaning device is adapted to operate in a first operation mode or a second operation mode, wherein the cleaning intensity of the air cleaning device in the first operation mode is higher than the cleaning intensity in the second operation mode.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the air purification apparatus enters the first operation mode when the real-time odor intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operation mode or when the periodic odor intensity reaches a trigger condition for entering the first operation mode.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein exiting the first operating mode is based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity meets a condition for exiting the first operating mode, in the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the air purification apparatus does not exit the first mode of operation due to a change in real-time odor intensity or a change in periodic odor intensity until the air purification apparatus operates for a set period of time after entering the first mode of operation.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the real-time scent intensity threshold used to trigger the first mode of operation is lower than the periodic scent intensity threshold used to trigger the first mode of operation.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the second operating mode is entered only based on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reaches the second operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity; and/or exiting the second operating mode based only on a determination that the periodic scent intensity reached exiting the second operating mode, among the real-time scent intensity and the periodic scent intensity.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein determining whether the real-time odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first operation mode is performed according to a deviation or a deviation ratio of a real-time odor value representing the real-time odor intensity from an odor reference value; and/or judging whether the periodic odor intensity meets the condition for triggering the first working mode according to the deviation or deviation rate of the periodic odor value for representing the periodic odor intensity relative to the odor reference value.

17. A method according to claim 10, characterized by detecting the temperature and/or humidity of the environment in which the gas sensor is located, determining a period from said temperature and/or humidity; or determining a period according to an operation period of a refrigeration system of the refrigerator, the period smell intensity being a representative value of the smell intensity within the period, the representative value including one of: maximum value, minimum value, average value, intermediate value and weighted value of the real-time odor intensity in the period.