EP2369275A1 - Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Kühlschranks mit einem blasenden Lüfter und Verfahren zur Steuerung des Kühlschranks - Google Patents

Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Kühlschranks mit einem blasenden Lüfter und Verfahren zur Steuerung des Kühlschranks Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2369275A1
EP2369275A1 EP10157474A EP10157474A EP2369275A1 EP 2369275 A1 EP2369275 A1 EP 2369275A1 EP 10157474 A EP10157474 A EP 10157474A EP 10157474 A EP10157474 A EP 10157474A EP 2369275 A1 EP2369275 A1 EP 2369275A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
refrigerator
thermal load
amb
fan
evaporator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10157474A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gaetano Paviglianiti
Raffaele Paganini
Mariagrazia D'Auria
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Corp
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whirlpool Corp filed Critical Whirlpool Corp
Priority to EP10157474A priority Critical patent/EP2369275A1/de
Publication of EP2369275A1 publication Critical patent/EP2369275A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/11—Fan speed control
    • F25B2600/112—Fan speed control of evaporator fans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25D2500/04—Calculation of parameters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator having a cavity, a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, a fan inside the refrigerator cavity and a control unit adapted to receive signals indicative of the cooling performances of the cavity set by the user and of the working conditions of the refrigeration circuit.
  • refrigerator we mean any kind of domestic appliance, either fridge or freezer of a combination thereof, in which a cavity is maintained at a predetermined temperature set by the user below the ambient temperature.
  • adjacent referred to the fan we mean a relative position so that the fan can induce an air flow which passes over or impinges the evaporator.
  • control unit adjusts the activation of a compressor (i.e. the duty cycle thereof) or of an electro valve associated to the refrigeration circuit upstream the evaporator in order to maintain the actual temperature in the cavity very close to the value set by the user, such value being either a general value corresponding to a desired cooling performance or a specific food conservation temperature.
  • the control of the fan is usually obtained by means of a manual switch (or fan enabler) that permits the ventilation to operate as to provide a uniform temperature inside the refrigerator cavity.
  • a manual switch or fan enabler
  • the fan will run in correspondence of the cooling phase (compressor in an ON state for single cavity refrigerator like cabinets or multiple cavities without electro valve, or with electro valve in a configuration in which the refrigerator is demanding for combined products in which a single compressor feeds two or more evaporators).
  • This known solution is particularly used in products in which the use of a fan is not requested at normal condition (generally with ambient temperature around 25°C). In case the external temperature is increasing (i.e.
  • the temperature of the cavity set by the user could be difficult to be obtained or high level of condensation can be generated within the cavity, with the undesired effect of water dropping from the walls and from the shelves.
  • the manual activation of the fan is recommended in the instructions for use of the product.
  • One of the main aspects of the present invention is an estimation of the actual thermal load of a refrigerator in all operating conditions, in order to adjust accordingly the air flow generated by a ventilation system.
  • the method according to the present invention is able to discriminate automatically between different conditions, for example normal conditions in which the refrigerator is operating at usual ambient temperatures (below 25-30°C) and with a normal load of food inside the cavity and critical conditions at very high ambient temperatures or with high amount of warm foods loaded into the cavity.
  • the ventilation control is automatically adapting the working conditions of the fan, particularly the running time thereof, in order to optimize the food preservation.
  • the fan can be activated to run for a certain period of time when the cooling phase if OFF (compressor or electro valve switched off), in order to improve the % of relative humidity inside the cavity, or it can by activated for a longer time, also when the cooling phase is ON, to compensate the sudden increase of thermal load caused by a prolonged door opening, by the loading of warm food in the cavity or by an increased external temperature.
  • the estimation of the thermal load can be used for providing the user, through the user interface of the refrigerator, with a value related to the thermal load of the refrigerator, for instance as estimated ambient temperature.
  • a refrigerator having a refrigerating compartment 10a provided with an evaporator 12 embedded in the rear insulated wall 14 and fed by a compressor C with refrigerant fluid downstream a condenser H.
  • the refrigerator 10 comprises a control unit 16 connected to a temperature sensor 18 on the evaporator 12, to the compressor C, to a blowing fan 20 inside the refrigerator cavity 10a and to a device 22 for a manual setting the temperature or the level of cooling inside the compartment.
  • the refrigerator shown in figure 2 is very similar to the one of figure 1 and the same reference numerals are used for indicating similar or identical components or parts.
  • the difference between the refrigerator of figure 1 and the one of figure 2 is that the refrigerator of figure 2 comprises a freezing compartment 10b having and evaporator 13 upstream the evaporator 12 of the refrigerating compartment 10a. Between the two evaporators 13 and 12 it is provided an electro valve EV connected to the control unit 16 and adapted to close or open the passage of refrigerant fluid to the evaporator 12.
  • the function of the valve EV of the refrigerator shown in figure 2 is similar to the function of the compressor C in the embodiment of figure 1 , since both such components feed are able to feed the evaporator 12 with refrigerant fluid.
  • T AMB DC % K 1 - K 2 K 1 * T SET - K 3 K 1 * f CC - K 0 K 1
  • T AMB a * DC % + b * T SET + c * f CC + d
  • T AMB is a value which is not necessarily linked to the external temperature only, but it is a general estimation of the actual thermal load of the refrigerator (such thermal load including the external temperature and comprising other factors, for instance the temperature of the food loaded in the compartment).
  • T AMB such parameter
  • T AMB provides information on other actual components of the overall thermal load.
  • the above equation shows that a linear regression can provide an estimation of the thermal load in term of an "equivalent external temperature" assessment.
  • the above equation is only one example of how T AMB can be assessed, and other terms can be added as well in order to increase the control accuracy. For instance, it is possible to add another term based on the % working time (i.e.
  • FIG. 3 it is shown a basic algorithm scheme according to the present invention.
  • a signal from the compressor C or from the electro valve EV which in block 24 is converted in a duty cycle value DC%.
  • the control logic block 28 needs to know the state of the cooling phase (compressor C state, or the state of the valve EV position responsible for cooling the refrigerator cavity 10a).
  • the DC% block 24 computes the time OFF respect the time ON and feed this value to a filter block 26.
  • the "filter” block computes an average of last samples of the DC% (for instance the last three DC% values) to evaluate a consistent and robust computation. This computation causes a certain delay (d in figure 6 ) of the thermal load estimation response, but the filter 26 allows eliminating certain disturbances, for instance due to a short opening of the door.
  • a door status signal D is indicating if the door (not shown) of the refrigerator is open or close and this information can be used to compensate the estimation of the thermal load.
  • compartment set point as the temperature (or cooling degree) set by the user.
  • the ambient temperature estimator logic block 28 operates according the above last equation, issuing a value T AMB .
  • the temperature and humidity level control block 32 uses a reference value T (evaporator temperature of the refrigerator) from temperature sensor 18 to decide the best condition for driving the blowing fan 20 in order to adjust humidity inside the compartment (i.e. to extract humidity from the evaporator).
  • T evaporator temperature of the refrigerator
  • the temperature sensor 18 on the evaporator is normally used in all refrigerators and therefore does not increase the overall cost of the appliance.
  • the sensor 18 is used in the known control logic of the refrigerator (working condition of the compressor or of the electro valve dependent on the temperature of the evaporator) on which the blowing fan control logic according to the present invention is added.
  • Upstream the block 32 there is an optional comparison temperature logic block 30 which represents a simplified logic to discriminate between two significant conditions i.e. Winter or Summer condition.
  • the T AMB (i.e. extimated external temperature or thermal load) value will be compared to a reference value R (i.e. 32°C) and the block 30 provides a digital logic value F (critical condition flag: f cc ).
  • F critical condition flag: f cc
  • This information will be then used by the temperature and humidity level control block 32 to operate accordingly in order to adjust the blowing fan operating functions.
  • the F value f cc is also an input that might be useful as a feedback to the ambient temperature estimator logic block 28 because the DC% can be significantly affected by the different use of the fan 20.
  • the F value f cc can also be used to indicate on the user interface different external conditions.
  • the humidity level control block 32 provides driving signals P, Q and V to compressor C, blowing fan 20 and electro valve EV respectively.
  • FIG 4 is shown an example in which two reference evaporator temperature values T have been identified to run the blowing fan 20 (F cycle) in opposition to the electro-valve EV (E cycle) in a normal condition that is when the thermal load is considered in normal operating condition (i.e. T_external ⁇ 30°C). In this case the blowing fan 20 is switched off before the cooling phase E is started.
  • FIG 5 it is shown a second example in which the fan 20 is operating also during the cooling phase E. In this case the fan 20 is switched off at the end of the cooling phase E because the refrigerator is operating at very high thermal load condition, i.e.
  • T_external >40°C.
  • the ON cycle F of the fan 20 can be also longer than the ON cycle E of the valve EV or compressor C.
  • control of the fan is an ON/OFF one
  • the method according to the invention can also be used by controlling the fan having a variable speed motor, therefore adjusting gradually the air flow rate among a plurality of values.
  • thermodynamic control optimization in critical conditions, particularly when ambient temperature is high or when warm heavy loads are put in the refrigeration compartment. According to the invention, it is also obtained an automatic elimination of visible condensation on the refrigerator shelves.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
EP10157474A 2010-03-24 2010-03-24 Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Kühlschranks mit einem blasenden Lüfter und Verfahren zur Steuerung des Kühlschranks Withdrawn EP2369275A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10157474A EP2369275A1 (de) 2010-03-24 2010-03-24 Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Kühlschranks mit einem blasenden Lüfter und Verfahren zur Steuerung des Kühlschranks

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10157474A EP2369275A1 (de) 2010-03-24 2010-03-24 Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Kühlschranks mit einem blasenden Lüfter und Verfahren zur Steuerung des Kühlschranks

Publications (1)

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EP2369275A1 true EP2369275A1 (de) 2011-09-28

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EP10157474A Withdrawn EP2369275A1 (de) 2010-03-24 2010-03-24 Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Kühlschranks mit einem blasenden Lüfter und Verfahren zur Steuerung des Kühlschranks

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105276913A (zh) * 2015-04-13 2016-01-27 Tcl智能科技（合肥）有限公司 风冷冰箱风机转速调整方法及风冷冰箱

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5735134A (en) * 1996-05-30 1998-04-07 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Set point optimization in vapor compression cycles
US20040050084A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-03-18 Shigenobu Fukumi Vehicle air conditioner with variable displacement compressor
EP1790925A2 (de) * 2005-11-23 2007-05-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Kühlschrank und Steuerungsverfahren dafür
WO2007137382A2 (en) * 2006-06-01 2007-12-06 Whirlpool S.A. Control system and method for operating a cooling system
EP1878986A1 (de) * 2005-04-27 2008-01-16 Fukushima Kogyo Co., Ltd. Kühlvorrichtung
US20090277201A1 (en) * 2006-08-29 2009-11-12 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerate Gmbh Refrigerator with forced-ventilation evaporator

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5735134A (en) * 1996-05-30 1998-04-07 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Set point optimization in vapor compression cycles
US20040050084A1 (en) * 2002-09-18 2004-03-18 Shigenobu Fukumi Vehicle air conditioner with variable displacement compressor
EP1878986A1 (de) * 2005-04-27 2008-01-16 Fukushima Kogyo Co., Ltd. Kühlvorrichtung
EP1790925A2 (de) * 2005-11-23 2007-05-30 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Kühlschrank und Steuerungsverfahren dafür
WO2007137382A2 (en) * 2006-06-01 2007-12-06 Whirlpool S.A. Control system and method for operating a cooling system
US20090277201A1 (en) * 2006-08-29 2009-11-12 Bsh Bosch Und Siemens Hausgerate Gmbh Refrigerator with forced-ventilation evaporator

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105276913A (zh) * 2015-04-13 2016-01-27 Tcl智能科技（合肥）有限公司 风冷冰箱风机转速调整方法及风冷冰箱
CN105276913B (zh) * 2015-04-13 2018-01-30 Tcl智能科技（合肥）有限公司 风冷冰箱风机转速调整方法及风冷冰箱

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