DE102021212497A1 - Operating a temperature zone in a super cool mode - Google Patents

Abstract

A method (S1-S10) is used to operate at least one individually temperature-controlled temperature zone (2, 4) of a refrigeration appliance (K), in particular a household refrigeration appliance, in which method a temperature (Tfridge,meas, Tfreezer,meas) of the temperature zone (2nd , 4) is measured (S1, S5), a temperature (Tfridge,calc, Tfreezer,calc) of the temperature zone (2, 4) using a physical model (M) of the refrigeration device (K), which describes a thermal behavior of the temperature zone (2 , 4) describes without taking user actions into account, is calculated (S4), a deviation (Δ) between at least one measured temperature (Tfridge,meas, Tfreezer,meas) and at least one temperature calculated at the same time (Tfridge,calc, Tfreezer,calc) is determined (S5) and based on a size of the deviation (Δ) it is automatically decided (S6) whether this temperature zone (2, 4) is switched to a super cooling mode (S10). A refrigeration appliance (K), in particular a household refrigeration appliance, is set up to run the method (S1-S10). The invention can be applied particularly advantageously to household refrigeration appliances with a freezer compartment as the temperature zone.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating at least one individually temperature-controlled temperature zone of a refrigeration appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, in which a temperature of the temperature zone is measured and this temperature zone is automatically switched to a super-cooling mode. The invention also relates to a refrigeration device, having at least one individually temperature-controlled temperature zone, to which at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the temperature zone is assigned, the refrigeration device being set up to determine a deviation in the measured temperature and to make a decision based on a size of the deviation whether to automatically switch to a super cool mode for this temperature zone. The invention can be applied particularly advantageously to household refrigeration appliances with a freezer compartment as the temperature zone.

Modern household refrigerating appliances such as refrigerators and/or freezers have a so-called super cooling mode for their refrigerator and/or freezer compartments. The super cooling mode causes a target compartment (air) temperature set in a normal mode used outside of the super cooling mode to be reduced for a certain period of time, with the result that the refrigeration device increases the cooling capacity for this period of time compared to the normal mode, so that inserted warm Goods are cooled faster than in normal mode. This in turn increases food quality.

For example off JP-H 03137475 A household refrigeration appliances are known in which the super cooling mode has to be activated manually. Household refrigeration appliances are also known which, based on a strongly changing compartment temperature, recognize that larger quantities of warm goods have been inserted and then automatically switch to the super-cooling mode. In both cases, the duration of the super cool mode is limited because the warm goods have then cooled down and the original target compartment temperature is sufficient to keep the goods cold. However, the current methods for automatic load case detection when a super cooling mode should be activated are disadvantageously very error-prone.

JP-H 05203320 A discloses a method of operating a refrigeration compartment in a super cool mode, in which a target temperature in the super cool mode is set depending on how long ago a door of the refrigeration compartment was open.

EP 3 667 209 A1 discloses a household refrigeration appliance comprising a cold air distribution system arranged in a storage room, which has a vertical cold air duct section and a horizontal cold air duct section, the horizontal cold air duct section branching off from the vertical cold air duct section, in the vertical cold air duct section a cold air stream can flow along a rear wall of the interior space in the vertical direction of the interior space and in the horizontal cold air duct section, the cold air flow can flow in the depth direction of the interior, the horizontal cold air duct section forms a cold air duct, in which the cold air flow can flow through the horizontal cold air duct section, between a ceiling panel and a floor panel joined to the ceiling panel, the ceiling panel forming a storage area for stored goods which is formed from a thermally conductive material, the storage area being intended to form a thermal bridge between the stored goods placed on the storage area and the cold air stream flowing in the cold air duct when the horizontal cold air guide section is in operation.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide an operation of a temperature zone with an improved automatic super-cooling mode. This improvement can in particular relate to a start time of an activation of the super cooling mode, an end time of the activated super cooling mode and/or its setpoint temperature.

This object is solved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be found in particular in the dependent claims.

• - eine Temperatur der Temperaturzone gemessen wird,
• - eine Temperatur der Temperaturzone anhand eines physikalischen Modells des Kältegeräts, welches ein thermisches Verhalten der Temperaturzone ohne Berücksichtigung einer Warenbeschickung (d.h., einer Einlegung in die und/oder Entnahme von Ware aus der Temperaturzone) beschreibt, berechnet wird,
• - eine Abweichung zwischen der gemessenen Temperatur und der berechneten Temperatur bestimmt wird und
• - anhand einer Größe der Abweichung automatisch entschieden wird, ob für diese Temperaturzone in einen Superkühlmodus geschaltet wird oder nicht.

The object is achieved by a method for operating at least one individually temperature-controlled temperature zone of a refrigerator, in which

• - a temperature of the temperature zone is measured,
• - a temperature of the temperature zone is calculated using a physical model of the refrigeration device, which describes a thermal behavior of the temperature zone without taking into account loading of goods (ie placing goods in and/or removing goods from the temperature zone),
• - a deviation between the measured temperature and the calculated temperature is determined and
• - Based on a size of the deviation, it is automatically decided whether for this temperature zone is switched to a super cool mode or not.

This method achieves the advantage that false triggering for activating the automatic super cooling mode can be avoided, for example when the door is opened for a long time or when inserted goods are positioned in the vicinity of a temperature sensor assigned to the temperature zone. The use of the physical model also enables a more accurate determination and targeted setting of a particularly effective target temperature in the super cool mode, as well as a more accurate determination and targeted setting of a period of time in which the temperature zone is operated in the super cool mode. This in turn enables warm refrigerated goods to be cooled down particularly quickly and efficiently and thus achieves energy savings and a reduction in noise pollution caused by compressor operation of the refrigeration device.

A temperature zone of the refrigeration device can be understood, for example, as a coolable storage space that can be closed by an outer door, such as a cold storage space that can be cooled to temperatures above freezing point or a freezer space that can be cooled to temperatures below freezing point. The super-cooling mode for a refrigerated compartment can be specifically designed to ensure that the associated zone temperature remains above freezing.

However, a temperature zone can also be a compartment housed in a refrigerated space that can be closed by an outer door and separated from it by an (inner) door, e.g. an integrated freezer compartment, cold storage compartment or other special refrigerated compartment. The temperature zone can be a tasting compartment in which an adjustable consumption temperature is to be reached by the refrigerated goods at a specific point in time or as soon as possible.

The refrigeration appliance can be a refrigerator with or without a freezer compartment and/or other special refrigeration compartment such as a tasting compartment, etc., a freezer, a combined fridge/freezer, a chest freezer, etc. However, the refrigeration device can also be a wine cabinet. The refrigeration device is in particular a domestic refrigeration device.

The air temperature of the temperature zone (also referred to as "zone temperature") is measured using at least one temperature sensor assigned to this temperature zone.

The physical model of the refrigeration device corresponds to a mathematical, model-based description of the thermal behavior of the temperature zone when a real refrigeration device is operated below a specific target zone temperature, e.g. based on state descriptions or state equations of the refrigeration device. The physical model can calculate the temperature of the temperature zone in particular as a function of measured values and/or values derived from real operation of device parameters mapped in the model and as a function of device-specific geometries and thermal insulation, a temperature control method used and the ambient temperature of the refrigeration device. The device parameters can be, for example, an electrical power consumption of the refrigeration device and/or just one compressor of a refrigeration circuit, a temperature at an evaporator of the refrigeration circuit, a compressor speed, a position of valves (e.g. expansion valves of the refrigeration circuit) and flaps, speeds of fans, a heating capacity of a heater in defrosting, power consumption of light sources, whether or not a door sensor outputs a sensor signal, and so on. The fact that the physical model describes a thermal behavior of the temperature zone can therefore include, in particular, that the physical model describes the thermal behavior of the temperature zone based on device parameters or values that are actually determined by the refrigeration device (e.g. measured by means of appropriate sensors or derived from real values or states). determined by it.

In particular, the physical model can also take into account the effect of a door opening on the thermal behavior of the temperature zone. In a particularly simple development, it is assumed that when a door is opened, a fixed, predetermined exchange of air volume with the environment takes place. The effect of door opening on the thermal behavior of the temperature zone can be modeled as a function of the ambient temperature. In a further development that describes the real thermal behavior even better, the duration of the door opening can also be taken into account: the longer this is, the larger the exchanged air volume can be assumed to be. It is a refinement that the physical model is a as in EP 3 667 209 A1 conceptually disclosed refrigeration device describes.

Since the thermal fluctuations in the refrigeration device have a much larger time constant than the time required to calculate a zone temperature, a small time difference between reading the values of the device parameters of the model plus the calculation time for calculating the desired zone temperature on the one hand and measuring the zone temperature is practical irrelevant, so the measured temperature and the temperature calculated from the model temperature can be present for practically the same point in time.

The fact that the physical model describes the thermal behavior of the temperature zone without taking into account the loading of goods (which cannot be detected by the device) means in particular that it does not take into account the storage of (typically warm) goods in the temperature zone and no removal of goods from the temperature zone. Rather, the model can include the description of goods with a fixed thermal capacity in the temperature zone, with the thermal capacity not being changed. This is not critical because cold goods that are already in the temperature zone have a comparatively small influence on the temperature calculation.

If warm goods are now placed in the refrigeration device or a temperature zone, this means that the calculated temperature deviates from the measured temperature for a certain period of time until the goods have cooled down sufficiently. The refrigeration appliance can use the size of the deviation to decide whether an increased cooling capacity (implemented by the super cooling mode) is required to effectively cool the goods or not.

The model calculation, the determination of the deviation between the measured temperature and the calculated temperature and/or the decision to switch on or not switch on the super cooling mode can be carried out, for example, by means of a data processing device of the refrigeration appliance, a network server which is data-technically coupled to the refrigeration appliance, a data-technical connection to the refrigeration appliance coupled cloud computer, etc. take place.

In a further development, the zone temperature only needs to be calculated by the physical model when the deviation needs to be determined. This frees up computing capacity outside of these phases and uses less energy. In one configuration, the refrigeration appliance is set up to detect a door opening and closing of a door (outer door and/or inner door) associated with the temperature zone, for example by means of a door sensor such as a magnetic sensor, microswitch, camera, etc., and set up to do so is to start the method when a door opening and/or door closing is detected. The opening and/or closing of the door is taken as an indication of the possible insertion of warm goods.

In a further development, the temperature zone is operated outside of the super cooling mode in a normal mode in which the actual zone temperature for this temperature zone is adjusted to a target zone temperature set by the user or to a target zone temperature that is automatically set higher in this regard.

The fact that a super-cooling mode is switched to for a specific temperature zone includes in particular that the super-cooling mode is activated for this temperature zone. In particular, this can include switching from its normal mode to the super-cool mode for a specific temperature zone. If the super cooling mode ends, you can switch back to normal mode.

The fact that a decision is made automatically on the basis of a size of the deviation as to whether or not a super-cooling mode is switched on for this temperature zone includes in particular the tendency for the super-cooling mode to be activated or switched on to be all the more likely the larger the deviation is. The decision to switch on the super cooling mode can be made, for example, by a data processing device of the refrigeration device, by a network server that is data-linked to the refrigeration device, by a cloud computer that is data-linked to the refrigeration device, etc.

The decision whether to switch to a super cool mode for a certain temperature zone can also be formulated in such a way that it is decided whether to switch to a super cool mode for a certain temperature zone and if the decision is positive, the super cool mode is activated for this temperature zone will, otherwise not.

In one configuration, the system switches to the super-cooling mode when the size of the deviation reaches or exceeds a predefined (“first”) level. The measure can be a threshold value, for example. The first measure can, for example, be determined experimentally and/or via simulations.

In one configuration, the system switches to the super-cooling mode or activates or starts the super-cooling mode when the deviation reaches or exceeds the first measure for a predetermined period of time. In this way, the advantage is achieved that short-term outliers, in particular of the measured zone temperature, do not lead to the activation of the super cooling mode and the susceptibility to errors is therefore reduced even further. For example, can be switched to the super cool mode when a temperature difference between the measured temperature and the calculated temperature is reached or exceeded for x minutes.

In one configuration, the super-cooling mode is ended when a fixed, predefined time period for the super-cooling mode is or has been reached. Such periods of time may typically extend up to, but are not limited to, 20 hours.

In one configuration, the super-cooling mode is ended when a duration of the super-cooling mode that is dependent on the size of the deviation has expired. This allows a particularly efficient cooling effect in the super cooling mode. In this case, a longer cooling duration tends to be specified in particular with a larger deviation. In a further development, different time durations are preset in stages depending on the reaching of different values of the size of the deviation above the first dimension, or depending on the reaching of further, even higher threshold values. The period of time can tend to become longer the further the deviation exceeds the first dimension. The different periods of time can be 3 hours, 10 hours, 20 hours, etc., for example.

In one configuration, the super-cooling mode is ended when the size of the deviation falls below a predefined (“second”) level. In this way, the advantage is achieved that the super cooling mode can be ended at precisely that point in time at which the prerequisites for a return to a normal mode are first met again. In contrast to a fixed predetermined period of time, a particularly effective cooling effect is achieved by means of the super cooling mode. The second dimension can correspond to the first dimension or can deviate from it ("hysteresis"), e.g. be above or below the first dimension.

It is a configuration that a target zone temperature in the super cool mode is set depending on the magnitude of the deviation. This gives an additional or alternative possibility to the determination of the duration of the super cooling mode, of adapting the super cooling mode to a particularly effective cooling. The target temperature can tend to be set lower, for example, the greater the deviation.

In one configuration, the deviation is determined using a function which includes the temperature difference between the measured temperature and the calculated temperature for a specific point in time. This advantageously enables the super cooling mode to be activated particularly quickly. In a development, this function can be the temperature difference as such. If the temperature difference then reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the system switches to super cooling mode. In another development, this function can include the temperature difference linked to other parameters, e.g. the temperature difference multiplied by one or more specific factors and/or added to one or more specific summands.

In one configuration, the deviation is determined using a function which links temperature differences between the measured temperature and the calculated temperature for a number of points in time. This can also be referred to as the "time-integrated" temperature difference. With this configuration, the super cooling mode can be automatically set particularly error-free and effectively. The deviation calculated according to this embodiment is in particular a value composed of an addition of temperature differences determined at at least two different points in time.

In a further development, the time-integrated temperature difference includes the temperature differences added up within a—in particular concurrent—time window.

berechnet werden.In a further development, the time-integrated temperature difference corresponds to an addition of temperature differences ΔT (t _i ) between the measured temperature T _meas (t _i ) and the calculated temperature T _calc (1i) recorded at predetermined time intervals t _i after the door is opened or closed. In particular, these temperature differences ΔT (t _i ) can be weighted with individual weights γ _i . The weights γ _i can be determined experimentally, for example. The predetermined time intervals t _i correspond, in particular, to time intervals that are greater than the temporal measurement steps or the sampling rate. For example, the time intervals can be 3 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and so on. They can be equidistant from each other, but they don't have to be. The deviation can be adjusted accordingly $$\Delta ={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^n{g}_i\cdot \Delta T\left(t_i\right)}$$

be calculated.

This function can include the time-integrated temperature difference or its individual temperature differences generally linked to other parameters, for example the time-integrated temperature difference and/or individual temperature differences thereof multiplied by one or more specific factors and/or added to one or several specific summands. For example, the time-integrated temperature difference can also be a temperature difference averaged over a period of time and/or over a number of the individual temperature differences added up.

In a development, the duration of the super-cooling mode and/or a target zone temperature in the super-cooling mode is defined as a function of the duration between door opening and/or door closing. An air mass exchange between cool air in the temperature zone and ambient air, which is dependent on the duration between door opening and/or door closing, can thus advantageously be taken into account.

The object is also achieved by a refrigeration device, in particular a household refrigeration device, which is set up to run the above method. The refrigeration device can be designed analogously to the method and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

In particular, the refrigeration appliance can have: at least one individually temperature-controlled temperature zone, to which at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the temperature zone is assigned, a data processing device that is set up to create a physical model of the refrigeration appliance, which describes a thermal behavior of the temperature zone without taking user actions into account , to run and to calculate a temperature of the temperature zone therefrom and a device controller that is set up to determine a deviation between the measured temperature and the calculated temperature and to decide based on a size of the deviation whether to switch to a super cooling mode for this temperature zone becomes.

• 1 zeigt als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht eine Skizze eines Haushalts-Kältegeräts;
• 2 zeigt eine Skizze von Eingangs- und Ausgangsgrößen eines physikalischen Modells eines Haushalts-Kältegeräts;
• 3 zeigt skizzenhaft Funktionskomponenten eines Haushalts-Kältegeräts unter Nutzung des physikalischen Modells aus 2;
• 4 zeigt ein mögliches Ablaufdiagramm zum Durchführen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens; und
• 5 zeigt eine Auftragung einer berechneten und einer gemessenen Temperatur eines Gefrierfachs vor und nach Einlegen warmer Ware in das Gefrierfach gegen die Zeit.

The characteristics, features and advantages of this invention described above, and the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an exemplary embodiment, which will be explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

• 1 shows a sketch of a household refrigeration appliance as a sectional side view;
• 2 shows a sketch of input and output variables of a physical model of a household refrigeration appliance;
• 3 shows a sketch of the functional components of a household refrigeration appliance using the physical model 2 ;
• 4 shows a possible flow chart for carrying out the method according to the invention; and
• 5 shows a plot of a calculated and a measured temperature of a freezer before and after placing warm goods in the freezer against time.

1 shows a sectional side view of a sketch of a household refrigeration appliance K in the form of a combined refrigerator/freezer. For this purpose, the refrigeration appliance K has a first temperature zone in the form of a refrigerated space (also referred to as refrigerated compartment 2) which can be closed with a door 1 and which can be cooled down to a temperature above freezing, for example down to +2°C. The refrigerating appliance K also has a second temperature zone in the form of a freezer compartment (hereinafter referred to as the freezer compartment 4) which can be closed with a door 3 and which is arranged below the cooling compartment 2 and is largely thermally insulated therefrom. The refrigerator compartment temperature T _fridge,meas of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,meas of the freezer compartment 4 can be regulated individually via a device controller 5, for which purpose a corresponding temperature sensor 6 is assigned to the refrigerator compartment 2 and a corresponding temperature sensor 7 to the freezer compartment 4. The refrigerated compartment 2 and/or the freezer compartment 4 can also be operated independently of one another in their normal mode in a respective super-cooling mode.

The refrigeration device K, in particular its device control 5, is also set up, e.g. programmed, to run a physical model M of the refrigeration device K, which describes a thermal behavior of the refrigerator compartment 2 and/or the freezer compartment 4 without taking user actions into account, and model-based from it to calculate a fridge compartment temperature T _fridge,calc of the fridge compartment 2 and a freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc of the freezer compartment 4. Furthermore, the refrigeration appliance K is set up to determine the deviation Δ between the measured refrigerator compartment temperature T _fridge,meas and/or the measured freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,meas on the one hand and the calculated refrigerator compartment temperature T _fridge,calc or the calculated freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc and to decide on the basis of a magnitude of the deviation Δ whether or not the super-cooling mode should be activated for the cooling compartment 2 or the freezing compartment 4 .

In a further development, the physical model M can be run, the deviation Δ calculated and the decision made as to whether the super cooling mode should be activated while the refrigeration appliance K is in operation. A computing capacity and energy-saving training consists in starting these processes for the refrigerated compartment 2 or the refrigerated compartment 4 only when a door opening and/or a door closing of door 1 or door 3 has been detected, because only then can warm goods have been inserted. A door sensor 8 is provided for noticing a door opening and/or closing of the door 1 of the refrigerator compartment 2 and a door sensor 9 is provided for noticing a door opening and/or a door closing of the door 3 of the freezer compartment 4, for example a microswitch or a magnetic switch.

In order to run the physical model M, the device controller 5 can be connected in terms of data technology to an ambient temperature sensor 10, for example, which measures an ambient temperature T _amb , etc.

• - eine Umgebungstemperatur T_amb,
• - eine Drehzahl n_compr eines Kompressors eines Kältekreislaufs,
• - eine Drehzahl n_fan eines Lüfters, z.B. Kühlfachlüfters,
• - eine Stellung φ_flap einer Klappe, z.B. eines Ventils, beispielsweise eines Expansionsventils des Kältekreislaufs, oder eine Luftklappe,
• - ob eine Entfrostung („defr“) durchgeführt wird oder nicht, ggf. mit einer in eine dazu verwendete Heizung eingebrachten Heizleistung,
• - ob der Türsensor 8 ein Sensorsignal ausgibt oder nicht,
• - ob der Türsensor 9 ein Sensorsignal ausgibt oder nicht,
• - usw.

2 shows a sketch of the input and output variables of a general physical model M of the household refrigeration appliance K. The model M includes a mathematical-physical description of the thermal behavior of the refrigeration appliance K as a function of several input variables, including here, for example:

• - an ambient temperature T _amb ,
• - a speed n _compr of a compressor of a refrigeration circuit,
• - a speed n _fan of a fan, e.g. cooling compartment fan,
• - a position φ _flap of a flap, e.g. a valve, for example an expansion valve of the refrigeration circuit, or an air flap,
• - whether defrosting ("defr") is carried out or not, possibly with a heat output brought into a heater used for this purpose,
• - whether the door sensor 8 outputs a sensor signal or not,
• - whether the door sensor 9 outputs a sensor signal or not,
• - etc.

If these input variables are actually determined by the refrigeration appliance K (e.g. measured by means of appropriate sensors or derived from real values or states), the model M can be used, for example, to calculate the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc , the refrigerator compartment temperature T _fridge,calc and/or an evaporator temperature T _{evap ,calc} on an evaporator of the refrigeration circuit can be calculated as output variables.

It is optionally possible not to calculate at least one of the above output variables but to use it as a measured input variable. Thus, in one development, the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc can also be calculated taking into account a measured fridge compartment temperature T _fridge,meas and/or a measured evaporator temperature T _evap,meas .

3 shows a sketch of the functional components of the household refrigeration appliance K using the physical model M 2 for calculating the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,meas . The physical model M runs - for example through appropriate programming - on a first data processing device DV1 and uses the 2 described input variables, optionally including the measured refrigerator compartment temperature T _fridge,meas and/or the measured evaporator temperature T _evap,meas in order to calculate the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc and the deviation Δ from it (also referred to as residual) to the measured freezer compartment temperature T _freezer, to calculate _meas .

The size or the value of the deviation Δ or the residue is used, for example, by a second data processing device DV2 to automatically decide whether a super cooling mode should be activated for the freezer compartment 4 or not. The second data processing device DV2 can also be set up to use the size of the deviation Δ to calculate parameters of the super cooling mode, such as its duration and/or a target freezer compartment temperature. The target freezer compartment temperature can be transferred to the device controller 5, which adjusts the freezer compartment temperature to the target freezer compartment temperature for the duration of the super cooling mode.

The first data processing device DV1 can correspond to the second data processing device DV2 or be a different device. The first data processing device DV1 and/or the second data processing device DV2 can correspond to the device control 5 of the refrigeration device K. In particular, the device controller 5 can take over all or part of the functions of the first data processing device DV1 and/or the second data processing device DV2.

4 shows a possible flow chart for carrying out the method according to the invention for activating a super cooling mode of a freezer compartment of a household refrigeration appliance, for example the freezer compartment 4 of the household refrigeration appliance K.

In a step S1, the freezer compartment 4 is operated in its normal mode. In this case, the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,meas is measured continuously or quasi-continuously (eg at regular time intervals) by means of the temperature sensor 7 .

In a step S2, the door sensor 10 is used to monitor whether the door 3 of the freezer compartment 4 has been opened and then closed. if this is not the case (“N”), the process branches back to step S1. However, if the door has been actuated ("Y"), the model calculation based on the physical model M is started in a step S3.

In a step S4, the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc is calculated using the physical model M.

In a step S5, the difference ΔT(t _i )=T _freezer,meas −T _{freezer,calc ,} in particular in absolute terms, is determined between the calculated freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc and a freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,meas measured practically simultaneously at a point in time t _i .

für verschiedene Zeitpunkte t_i nach Beendigung des Türöffnungsvorgangs berechnet, kann nach Schritt S5 in einem Schritt S6 überprüft werden, ob alle diese Zeitschritte t_i = t₁, ... t_n bereits durchlaufen worden sind. Ist dies nicht der Fall („N“), wird zu entsprechenden Zeitpunkten t_i zu Schritt S4 zurückverzweigt.If the deviation Δ according to $$\Delta ={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^n{g}_i}\cdot \Delta T\left(t_i\right)$$

calculated for different points in time t _i after the end of the door opening process, it can be checked after step S5 in a step S6 whether all these time steps t _i =t ₁ , . . . t _n have already been run through. If this is not the case (“N”), a branch is made back to step S4 at the corresponding points in time t _i .

However, if this is the case (“Y”), in a step S7 the deviation Δ is calculated and in a step S8 it is checked whether the size of the deviation Δ, in particular in terms of amount, meets a predetermined criterion (“Y”) or not (“ N"), e.g. reaches or exceeds a predetermined first measure such as a threshold value. if this is not the case (“N”), no super cooling mode is triggered, but a branch is made back to step S1.

On the other hand, if the criterion is met in step S8 (“Y”), a duration Δt _sc and/or a target freezer compartment temperature of the super cooling mode can then be specified in an optional step S9 depending on the size of the deviation Δ, e.g. step by step using even larger threshold values . Alternatively, these parameters can be fixed, for example the duration Δt _sc can be fixed at 20 hours.

In a step S10, the super cooling mode is started or activated. The freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,meas can continue to be measured continuously or quasi-continuously. The model calculation can also be continued in parallel, but this is not necessary. After the end of the super cooling mode, it is possible to branch back to step S1, for example.

5 shows a plot of the freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,calc calculated from the physical model M and the measured freezer compartment temperature T _freezer,meas before and after placing warm goods in the freezer compartment 4 against the time t in 10 ⁵ _s Temperatures T _freezer,calc and T _freezer,meas are plotted for the case of a still undisturbed freezer compartment 4 which is operated in a normal mode. A match between the two temperatures T _freezer,calc and T _freezer,meas is very high and their temperature difference ΔT is very small.

If the door 3 of the freezer compartment 4 is opened, warm goods are inserted and the door 3 is then closed again at a point in time t _D , the temperature difference ΔT increases considerably. The temperature difference ΔT (t i ) can be determined at specified times after _{t D} , here: at times t _i = t ₁ , t ₂ and t ₃ , as indicated here using the temperature difference ΔT (t ₃ ), and thus also the Deviation Δ, eg according to $$\Delta ={\displaystyle \sum _{i=1}^3{g}_i}\cdot \Delta T\left(t_i\right)$$

If the size of the deviation Δ reaches a predetermined first measure, eg a corresponding threshold value, the super cooling mode for the freezer compartment 4 is started immediately, here purely by way of example with a fixed predetermined time period Δt _sc of approximately 20 h. After the time Δt _sc has elapsed, the super cooling mode for the freezer compartment 4 is terminated and switched back to the normal mode.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

In addition or as an alternative, the method described above can also be used to monitor whether the cooling compartment 2 should be switched to a super cooling mode or not. The super-cooling mode for the refrigeration compartment 2 can be specially designed in such a way that it is ensured that the refrigeration compartment temperature remains above the freezing point.

In general, "a", "an" etc. can be understood as a singular or a plural number, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more" etc., as long as this is not explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly a" etc.

A numerical specification can also include exactly the specified number as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

Reference List

1

door

2

cooling compartment

3

door

4

freezer

5

device control

6

temperature sensor

7

temperature sensor

8th

door sensor

9

door sensor

10

ambient temperature sensor

def

defrost mode

DV1

First data processing device

DV2

Second data processing device

K

household refrigeration appliance

M

physical model

S1-S10

process steps

ncompr

speed of a compressor

nfan

speed of a fan

t

Time

ti

evaluation times

tD

Time of a door opening or door closing

Tamb

ambient temperature

Tevap,calc

Calculated evaporator temperature

Tfreezer,calc

Calculated freezer compartment temperature

Tfeezer,meas

Measured freezer compartment temperature

Tfridge,calc

Calculated fridge compartment temperature

Tfridge,meas

Measured fridge compartment temperature

Δ

deviation

Δtsc

Duration of super cool mode

φflap

Position of a flap

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• JP H03137475 A [0003]
• JP H05203320A [0004]
• EP 3667209 A1 [0005, 0015]

Claims (14)

Method (S1-S10) for operating at least one individually temperature-controlled temperature zone (2, 4) of a refrigeration appliance (K), in particular a household refrigeration appliance, in which - a temperature (T _fridge,meas , T _freezer,meas ) of the temperature zone (2, 4) is measured (S1, S5), - a temperature (T _fridge,calc , T _freezer,calc ) of the temperature zone (2, 4) using a physical model (M) of the refrigerator (K), which a thermal behavior of the temperature zone (2, 4) describes without considering a load of goods, is calculated (S4), - a deviation (Δ) between at least one measured temperature (T _fridge,meas , T _freezer,meas ) and at least one temperature calculated at the same time (T _fridge,calc , T _freezer,calc ) is determined (S7) and - based on a size of the deviation (Δ) it is automatically decided (S8) whether this temperature zone (2, 4) is switched to a super cooling mode (S10). Procedure (S1-S10) according to claim 1 , in which the super cooling mode is switched to when the size of the deviation (Δ) reaches or exceeds a predetermined first level (S8). Procedure (S1-S10) according to claim 2 , which switches to the super cool mode when the deviation (Δ) reaches or exceeds the first measure for a predetermined period of time. Method (S1-S10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the super-cooling mode is ended when a fixed, predefined duration (Δt _sc ) of the super-cooling mode has expired (S10). Process (S1-S10) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , in which the super-cooling mode is ended when a duration (Δt _sc ) of the super-cooling mode that depends on the size of the deviation (Δ) has expired. Method (S1-S10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the super-cooling mode is ended when the size of the deviation (Δ) falls below a predetermined second level. Method (S1-S10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a target zone temperature in the super-cooling mode is defined as a function of the size of the deviation (Δ) (S9). Method (S1-S10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the deviation (Δ) based on a function which represents the temperature difference between the measured temperature (T _fridge,meas , T _freezer,meas ) and the calculated temperature at a specific point in time (T _fridge,calc , T _freezer,calc ) is determined. Process (S1-S10) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 , in which the deviation (Δ) based on a function which for several times (t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ ) present temperature differences ( _ΔT (t ₃ )), between the measured temperature (T _{fridge, meas} , T _{freezer ,meas} ) and the calculated temperature (T _fridge,calc , T _freezer,calc ) is determined (S6, S7). Procedure (S1-S10) according to claim 9 , in which the deviation (Δ) corresponds to an addition, in particular a weighted addition, of temperature differences (ΔT (t ₃ )) recorded at predetermined time intervals (t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ ) after a door has been opened or closed (t _D ) (S7 ). Method (S1-S10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the method (S1-S10) is started when a door opening and/or a door closing (t _D ) of a door (1, 3) belonging to the temperature zone is detected ( S2). Procedure (S1-S10) according to claim 11 , in which the duration (Δt _sc ) of the super cooling mode and/or a target zone temperature in the super cooling mode is determined as a function of a duration between door opening and/or door closing (t _D ). Method (S1-S10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one temperature zone (2, 4) comprises a refrigerated compartment (2) and/or a freezer compartment (4). Refrigeration appliance (K), in particular household refrigeration appliance (K), having - at least one individually temperature-controlled temperature zone (2, 4), which has at least one temperature sensor (6, 7) for measuring a temperature (T _fridge,meas , T _freezer,meas ) is assigned to the temperature zone (2, 4), - the refrigeration device is set up to run a physical model (M) of the refrigeration device (K), which describes a thermal behavior of the temperature zone (2, 4) without taking actions on the part of the user into account, and to calculate a temperature (T _fridge,calc , T _freezer,calc ) of the temperature zone (2, 4) therefrom and - the refrigeration device (K) is set up to calculate a deviation (Δ) between at least one measured temperature (T _fridge,meas , T _freezer,meas ) and at least one simultaneously calculated temperature (T _fridge,calc , T _freezer,calc ) and to decide on the basis of a size of the deviation (Δ) whether to switch to a super cooling mode for this temperature zone (2, 4). .

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