KR20100058813A - Cooling system and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A cooling device and a control method thereof are provided to prevent the degradation of heat exchange performance and to prevent excessive power consumption due to frost generation by accurately detecting the amount the frost from a refrigerant pipe. CONSTITUTION: A cooling device comprises an oscillating wave generator(91), an oscillating wave sensor(92), and a controller. The oscillating wave generator is installed at one side of a refrigerant pipe(51) and generates the oscillating wave. The oscillating wave sensor is installed at the other side of the refrigerant pipe and senses the oscillating wave. The controller decides the amount of the frost formed in the refrigerant pipe based on the waveform variation of the oscillating wave generated by the oscillating wave generator and the oscillating wave detected by the oscillating wave sensor. The waveform variation corresponds to the phase change of the oscillating wave generated by the oscillating wave generator and the oscillating wave detected by the oscillating wave sensor.

Description

Cooling system and method for controlling the same

The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a cooling apparatus and a control method for detecting frost formed on the evaporator by heat exchange.

In general, a cooling device is a device that cools a predetermined space by circulating a refrigerant according to a refrigeration cycle, such a cooling device includes a refrigerator, a kimchi refrigerator, an air conditioner, and the like.

Here, the refrigeration cycle changes the refrigerant into four stages of compression, condensation, expansion, and vaporization. For this purpose, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator should be provided. That is, when the refrigerant in the gaseous state is compressed and sent to the condenser through the operation of the compressor, the compressed refrigerant is heat-exchanged with the surrounding air in the condenser and cooled. At this time, the refrigerant in the liquid state is cooled by adjusting the flow rate in the expansion valve. When it is sprayed on, it rapidly expands and vaporizes, thereby absorbing heat from the surroundings in the evaporator to supply cold air to an internal space such as a storage compartment or a room, thereby cooling the space. The refrigerant in the gaseous state in the evaporator is returned to the compressor and then compressed to become a liquid state, and the above-mentioned refrigeration cycle is repeated.

At this time, the evaporator surface temperature, which cools the internal space through the refrigeration cycle, is relatively low compared to the temperature of the internal space air. As a result, moisture condensed from the air in the internal space, which is relatively hot, adheres to the evaporator surface, resulting in frost. . As a result, the frost formed on the surface of the evaporator becomes thicker with time, resulting in excessive heat dissipation efficiency of the cold air passing through the evaporator, resulting in excessive power consumption.

In order to solve this problem, conventionally, the operation time of the compressor is accumulated, and when the accumulated operation time passes a predetermined time, a defrosting operation is performed to remove frost formed on the evaporator by operating a heating unit installed around the evaporator. However, this defrosting operation is limited based on the operation time of the compressor regardless of the actual amount of frost on the evaporator, thereby limiting the efficiency of frost on the evaporator.

According to one aspect of the invention installed on one side of the refrigerant pipe and a vibration wave generating unit for generating a vibration wave; A vibration wave detection unit installed at the other side of the refrigerant pipe and detecting vibration waves; And a controller configured to determine an amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe based on a change in the waveform of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector.

The change of the waveform is a phase change of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the wave detector.

The change in the waveform is the amplitude change of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the wave detector.

The control unit controls the defrosting operation based on the amount of frost.

The controller determines the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe based on the change in waveform during the defrosting operation, and determines whether the defrosting operation is finished based on the amount of frost remaining.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of vibration wave generators installed in the refrigerant pipe and generating vibration waves; A plurality of vibration wave detection units installed in the refrigerant pipes corresponding to the plurality of vibration wave generation units, respectively, for sensing vibration waves; It includes a control unit for determining the amount of frost for each section of the refrigerant pipe based on the vibration wave generated in the plurality of vibration wave generating unit and the waveform change of the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detection unit corresponding to each vibration wave generating unit.

The plurality of vibration wave generators sequentially generate vibration waves.

The refrigerant pipe is divided into a plurality of sections, the plurality of vibration wave generators are installed at one side of each section, and the plurality of vibration wave detectors are installed at the other side of each section.

The waveform change is a phase change of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector.

The waveform change is a change in amplitude of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector.

The control unit controls the defrosting operation based on the amount of frost for each section.

The controller determines the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe during the defrosting operation, and determines whether the defrosting operation is finished based on the amount of the remaining frost.

The controller controls the defrosting operation when the amount of frost in at least one section of the amount of frost for each section is equal to or greater than a reference amount.

The vibration wave generator generates a vibration wave corresponding to a preset reference waveform, and the vibration wave detector outputs a detection waveform corresponding to the detected vibration wave.

According to another aspect of the present invention to generate a vibration wave by operating the vibration wave generating unit mounted on one side of the refrigerant pipe, the vibration wave sensing unit mounted on the other side of the refrigerant pipe, and detects the vibration wave generated and The amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe is determined based on the waveform change of the vibration wave.

Generating the vibration wave includes generating the vibration wave corresponding to the preset reference waveform.

Sensing the vibration wave further includes outputting a sensing waveform corresponding to the sensed vibration wave.

Based on the change in the waveform includes comparing the sensed vibration wave of the generated vibration wave to calculate a phase difference.

Based on the change in the waveform includes comparing the sensed vibration wave of the generated vibration wave to calculate an amplitude difference.

The method may further include determining a defrosting time point based on the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe.

In the case of the defrosting point, the method may further include performing a defrosting operation, generating a vibration wave, detecting the vibration wave, and determining an amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe, and determining an end point of the defrosting operation based on the amount of frost. .

According to another aspect of the present invention to generate a vibration wave by operating a plurality of vibration wave generating unit, and to detect the vibration wave through the vibration wave detection unit corresponding to each of the plurality of vibration wave generating unit, the generated vibration wave and the detected vibration wave The amount of frost for each section implanted in the refrigerant pipe is determined based on the waveform change of.

Generating the vibration wave includes sequentially operating the plurality of vibration wave generators.

Sensing the vibration wave includes dividing the refrigerant pipe into a plurality of sections and detecting the vibration wave for each section of the refrigerant pipe.

Based on the change in the waveform includes comparing the generated vibration wave with the sensed vibration wave to calculate a phase difference.

Based on the change in the waveform includes comparing the generated vibration wave with the sensed vibration wave to calculate an amplitude difference.

The method may further include determining whether the defrosting time is based on the amount of the frost for each section implanted in the refrigerant pipe.

In the case of the defrosting point, the defrosting operation is performed, the vibration wave is generated and the vibration wave is sensed to determine the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe, and the end point of the defrosting operation is determined based on the amount of frost remaining. Include.

Comparing the amount of frost for each section and the reference amount, and if the amount of frost of at least one section is more than the reference amount further comprises performing a defrosting operation.

Generating the vibration wave is to generate a vibration wave corresponding to a preset reference waveform, and sensing the vibration wave further includes outputting a sensing waveform corresponding to the sensed vibration wave.

According to an aspect of the present invention, by comparing the vibration wave generated from one side of the refrigerant pipe of the evaporator with the vibration wave detected from the other side of the refrigerant pipe to detect the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe, the amount of frost implanted in the refrigerant pipe The detection accuracy can be increased.

According to another aspect of the present invention it is possible to prevent the deterioration of heat exchange performance and excessive power consumption due to the frost of the frost generated during the heat exchange process of the cooling device such as a refrigerator, kimchi refrigerator, air conditioner and the like. In other words, by accurately detecting the amount of frost on the evaporator to determine the appropriate start time and completion time of defrost operation, the defrost operation can be optimized to improve heat exchange performance and increase energy efficiency.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily detect the amount of frost formed by the sections of the refrigerant pipe, so that the defrosting operation may be optimized even when the amount of frost formed by the sections of the refrigerant pipe is different.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

One embodiment and another embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a refrigerator as an example of a cooling device using a refrigeration cycle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator has a main body 10 having a front surface opened and a storage compartment 20 provided inside the main body 10 to store food. This storage compartment is partitioned from side to side with an intermediate bulkhead in between and divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. The freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are open at the front, and the door 30 for shielding the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment from the outside is provided at the front opening portions of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, respectively. A duct 40 through which air flows is formed between the main body 10 and the wall surface of the storage chamber 20, and a plurality of holes are formed in the wall surface of the storage chamber 20, and the storage chamber 20 is formed through the plurality of holes. ) And the air in the duct 40 move to different spaces.

In the duct 40, the evaporator 50, which cools the surrounding air by the cooling action of absorbing the latent heat while evaporating the refrigerant provided from the condenser (not shown), and the air of the storage compartment 20, The fan 60 which sends the air which passed the evaporator 50 to the storage chamber 20, and the heating part 70 which removes the frost formed on the evaporator 50 are provided. In the machine room provided below the main body 10, a compressor 80 compresses a refrigerant and sends the refrigerant to a condenser (not shown), and a condenser (not shown) condensing the refrigerant in a high temperature and high pressure state compressed by the compressor 80 through heat radiation. ) Is installed.

The evaporator 50 has a refrigerant pipe 51 through which a refrigerant flows, and a plurality of refrigerant fins (not shown) mounted on the refrigerant pipe 51 to increase heat exchange efficiency. As the evaporator 50 evaporates the low temperature low pressure refrigerant from low pressure state to low temperature, the air in the high temperature house heats relatively, thereby lowering the inside of the high temperature house. The refrigerant tube 51 and Frost continues to form on the coolant fins. In order to remove the frost formed on the evaporator 50, it is necessary to perform the defrosting operation. In order to perform this defrost operation, it is necessary to know the amount of frost formed on the evaporator.

Accordingly, the vibration wave generator 91 and the vibration wave detector 92 are installed in the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50 to determine the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe 51. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The vibration wave generator 91 is installed at one side of the refrigerant pipe 51 to generate vibration waves, and the vibration wave detector 92 is installed at the other side of the refrigerant pipe 51 to vibrate the refrigerant pipe 51. Detect it. That is, when the refrigerant flows from one side of the refrigerant pipe 51 to the other side, one of the vibration wave generator 91 or the vibration wave detector 92 is installed at one end of the refrigerant pipe 51. , The other end is provided with the other one is not installed at one end.

As the actuator of the vibration wave generator 91, a piezoelectric element or a small motor capable of generating vibration waves is used. In addition, as the actuator of the vibration wave generator 91, various types of actuators capable of generating vibrations may be variously applied.

As the sensor of the vibration wave detection unit 92, a piezoelectric element or an acceleration sensor that detects vibration waves moving along the refrigerant pipe 51 and converts the detected vibration waves into voltage and outputs the corresponding waveform may be output as a waveform corresponding thereto. do. In addition, as the sensor of the vibration wave detection unit 92, various types of sensors capable of converting the vibration wave into voltage may be variously applied.

That is, the vibration wave generator 91 transmits the vibration wave corresponding to the reference waveform having a predetermined frequency and amplitude to the refrigerant pipe 51 according to the instruction of the controller 100, and the vibration wave detector 92 is The vibration wave flowing along the refrigerant pipe 51 is sensed, and the detected vibration wave is converted into a voltage, and the waveform of the voltage is output to the controller 100.

The controller 100 controls cooling and defrosting of the fan 60, the heating unit 70, and the compressor 80 according to the waveform of the vibration wave transmitted from the vibration wave detection unit 92. This control configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a control block diagram of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the vibration wave generator 91, vibration wave detection unit 92, the control unit 100, the storage unit 110, the fan driver 120 ), A heating driver 130 and a compressor driver 140.

The vibration wave generator 91 generates a vibration wave corresponding to a reference waveform having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude at a predetermined time and transmits the vibration wave to the refrigerant pipe 51 according to the instruction of the controller 100.

The vibration wave detection unit 92 detects the vibration wave flowing along the refrigerant pipe 51, converts the detected vibration wave into a voltage, and outputs a waveform (detection waveform) of the voltage to the controller 100.

At this time, the frost formed on the evaporator 50 becomes a resistance element to the movement of the oscillating wave moving along the refrigerant pipe 51, and the shape thereof changes. That is, the oscillating wave depends on the amount of frost implanted on the evaporator 50. The degree of change of the reference waveform corresponding to is changed. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

4 is a reference waveform (a) and a sense waveform (b) of the vibration wave when the amount of frost implanted on the evaporator 50 is small, and FIG. 5 is a vibration wave when the amount of frost implanted on the evaporator 50 is large. Comparing Figs. 4 and 5 with reference waveforms (a) and sensing waveforms (b), the phase difference T1 between the reference waveform (a) and the sensing waveform (b) of the oscillating wave is the reference waveform of the same wave of Fig. 5. The phase difference T2 between (a) and the sense waveform b is smaller, and the amplitude difference is also small. Thus, when the amount of frost implanted on the evaporator 50 is large, the phase difference between the reference waveform and the detection waveform of the vibration wave is larger than when the amount of frost implanted on the evaporator 50 is smaller, and the reference waveform and detection of the vibration wave are larger. It can be seen that the amplitude difference of the waveform is larger and the shape of the sense waveform is distorted much.

That is, as the amount of frost implanted on the evaporator 50 increases, the resistance increases when the vibration wave moves, and the difference in the detection time from which the vibration wave is detected is increased from the generation time of the vibration wave, thereby increasing the phase difference. In addition, the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the reference waveform of the generated vibration wave and the detected waveform of the detected vibration wave increases and the degree of distortion increases.

The control unit 100 transmits a reference waveform having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude to the vibration wave generator 91 at a predetermined time, and when the detection waveform is input from the vibration wave detection unit 92, the control unit 100 converts the reference waveform and the detection waveform. In comparison, the amount of frost formed on the evaporator 50 is determined, and the defrosting operation is performed at the optimum defrosting time according to the determination result.

At this time, the control unit 100 compares the phase difference between the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator 91 and the phase of the detection waveform of the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector 92 and the vibration wave. The amount of frost formed on the coolant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50 is measured based on at least one of the amplitude difference obtained by comparing the amplitude of the reference waveform with the amplitude of the sense waveform.

In more detail, when the amount of frost is determined using the phase difference of the waveform, the controller 100 calculates the phase difference by comparing the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave and the phase of the sensing waveform of the vibration wave. The amount of frost is determined by comparing the calculated phase difference with the phase difference data stored in the storage 110.

When determining the amount of frost by using the amplitude difference of the waveform, the controller 100 compares the amplitude of the reference waveform of the vibration wave with the amplitude of the sensed waveform, calculates the amplitude difference, and calculates the amplitude difference and the storage 110. The amount of frost is determined by comparing the amplitude difference data stored in the.

When the amount of frost is determined by using the phase difference and the amplitude difference of the waveform, the controller 100 compares the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave with the phase of the detection waveform to calculate a phase difference and detects the phase of the vibration wave. The amplitude difference is calculated by comparing amplitudes of the detected waveforms of the vibration waves, matching the calculated phase difference and amplitude difference, and comparing the phase difference data and amplitude difference matching data stored in the storage unit 110 to determine the amount of frost.

In addition, the controller 100 compares the determined amount of frost with the amount of reference frost to determine whether it is a defrosting point, and when the defrosting point is determined, controls the operation of the heating unit 70 to perform defrosting operation.

The controller 100 determines whether the time at which the defrosting operation is performed reaches a preset reference time, and controls the operation of the heating unit 70 to be stopped when it is determined that the defrosting operation time reaches the reference time.

Alternatively, the controller 100 determines the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50 by controlling the operation of the frost amount measuring unit 90 during the defrosting operation, and determines the end point of the defrosting according to the determination result. It is determined whether the operation of the heating unit 70 is stopped. The determination of the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe 51 by controlling the operation of the frost amount measuring unit 90 controls the operation of the frost amount measuring unit 90 to control the operation of the frost amount measuring unit 90. It is the same as judging the quantity.

As described above, the defrosting operation may be performed at an appropriate time and the defrosting operation may be stopped at an appropriate time to save power consumed in the defrosting operation.

The storage unit 110 stores the amount of frost data corresponding to the phase difference data of the reference waveform and the detection waveform of the vibration wave, and the amount of frost data corresponding to the amplitude difference data of the reference waveform and the detection waveform of the vibration wave. It is. In addition, the storage unit 110 stores frost amount data corresponding to the phase difference data and the amplitude difference matching data. In addition, the storage 110 stores the amount of reference frost.

The fan driver 120 rotates the fan 60 at a preset rotation speed according to the operation mode of the refrigerator, and the heating driver 130 reaches the amount of the reference frost set in advance on the evaporator 50. In one case, the heating unit 70 is operated according to the command of the control unit 100, and the operation of the heating unit 70 is stopped according to the command of the control unit 100, and the compressor driving unit 140 is based on the operation mode of the refrigerator. The furnace 80 is turned on and off so that the temperature in the storage compartment is maintained at the set temperature corresponding to the operation mode, and during the defrosting operation, the refrigerant compression operation of the compressor 80 is stopped according to the command of the controller 100. A control procedure of such a cooling device will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

6 is a control flowchart of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The compressor 80 is driven on and off by a refrigeration cycle corresponding to the operation mode operated by the user, and the rotation of the fan 60 is controlled to maintain the storage compartment at the set temperature. Then, the operation of the frost amount measuring unit 90 is periodically controlled to determine the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50.

In detail, the vibration wave generating unit 91 of the frost amount measuring unit 90 is operated to generate a vibration wave corresponding to a reference waveform having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude (301) and to generate a refrigerant pipe (51). To pass. Then, the vibration wave moves through the refrigerant pipe 51, and the vibration wave is detected 302 by the vibration wave detection unit 92 of the frost amount measuring unit 90. The vibration wave detection unit 92 converts the detected vibration wave into a voltage and outputs a waveform of this voltage.

At this time, the vibration wave moving along the refrigerant pipe 51 is a form of the vibration wave, ie, the amplitude of the reference waveform is reduced and distorted by the frost formed on the refrigerant pipe 51 when moving along the refrigerant pipe 51. Change. That is, the reference waveform and the sense waveform of the vibration wave differ in their form. In addition, the time (that is, phase) until the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator 91 is detected by the vibration wave detector 92 depends on the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe 51. .

Accordingly, the reference waveform of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator 91 is compared with the detection waveform detected by the vibration wave detector 92 to form frost on the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50. Determine the amount of (304). That is, the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50 is determined based on at least one of the phase difference between the reference waveform and the detection waveform of the vibration wave and the amplitude difference between the reference waveform and the detection waveform of the vibration wave. .

In more detail, first, when the amount of frost is determined using the phase difference of the waveform, the phase difference is calculated by comparing the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave and the phase of the sensing waveform, and calculating the phase difference. The amount of frost is determined by comparing the phase difference data stored in the storage unit 110.

Secondly, when the amount of frost is determined by using the amplitude difference of the waveform, the amplitude difference is calculated by comparing the amplitude of the reference waveform of the vibration wave with the amplitude of the sensed waveform, and the calculated amplitude difference and the storage unit 110 are calculated. The amount of frost is determined by comparing the stored amplitude difference data.

Third, when the amount of frost is judged using the phase difference and amplitude difference of the waveform, the phase difference is calculated by comparing the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave and the phase of the detection waveform, and calculating the amplitude and detection waveform of the reference waveform of the vibration wave. The amplitude difference is calculated by comparing the amplitudes of the waveforms, and the amount of frost is determined by comparing the calculated phase difference and amplitude difference with the matching data of the phase difference data and the amplitude difference data stored in the storage 110.

The amount of frost determined by the above method and the amount of reference frost are compared to determine whether the defrosting operation time is 305. That is, if the amount of frost formed on the coolant pipe 51 is equal to or greater than the amount of reference frost, it is determined that the defrosting operation is performed, and the heating unit 70 is operated to perform the sacrificial operation 306.

And counting the time the defrosting operation is performed and compared with the preset reference time, it is determined whether the defrosting operation time has reached the reference time, and when it is determined that the defrosting operation time has reached the reference time, the operation of the heating unit 70 is stopped. Control as possible.

Alternatively, during the defrosting operation, the operation of the vibration wave generator 91 and the vibration wave detector 92 is controlled to determine the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50, and according to the determination result, the heating unit ( It is determined whether the operation of 70) is stopped. Here, the method of controlling the operation of the vibration wave generator 91 and the vibration wave detector 92 to determine the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe 51 may include the vibration wave generator 91 and the vibration wave detector ( The operation of 92 is the same as the method of determining the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe 51.

As described above, the defrosting operation may be performed at an appropriate time and the defrosting operation may be stopped at an appropriate time to save power consumed in the defrosting operation.

7 is a detailed configuration diagram of a cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a control configuration diagram of a cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As the refrigerant flows along the refrigerant pipe 51, the pressure and temperature change, and thus, the amount of frost formed in each section of the refrigerant pipe 51 is changed. Accordingly, in order to measure the amount of frost formed in each section of the refrigerant pipe 51, the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50 is divided into a plurality of sections, and the frost amount measuring unit 90 is installed in each of the plurality of sections. Measure the amount of frost implanted in each section through.

That is, the vibration wave generator 93 and the vibration wave detector 94 are provided in pairs in the plurality of sections of the refrigerant pipe 51, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7, either one of the vibration wave generator 93 and the vibration wave detector 94 is installed at one end of each section, and the other one not installed at one end is provided at the other end. Is installed.

The plurality of vibration wave generators 93 transmits vibration waves corresponding to a reference waveform having a predetermined frequency and amplitude, which are preset in advance, to the refrigerant pipe 51 according to the instructions of the controller 200, and detects a plurality of vibration waves. The unit 94 detects a vibration wave moving in a section of the corresponding refrigerant pipe 51 where it is located, converts the detected vibration wave into a voltage, and outputs a waveform (detection waveform) of the voltage to the controller 200.

Herein, the control unit 200 controls cooling and defrosting of the fan 60, the heating unit 70, and the compressor 80 according to the waveform change of the plurality of vibration waves transmitted from the plurality of vibration wave detection units 94. . This control configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

8 is a control block diagram of a cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of vibration wave generating unit 93, vibration wave detection unit 94, control unit 200, storage unit 210, fan drive unit 220, a heating driver 230, and a compressor driver 240.

The plurality of vibration wave generators 93-1 to 93-n generate a vibration wave corresponding to a reference waveform having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude sequentially at a predetermined time according to the instruction of the controller 200 to generate a refrigerant pipe. And a plurality of vibration wave detection units 94-1 to 94-n to detect the vibration wave transmitted to the section of the refrigerant pipe 51, convert the detected vibration wave into a voltage, and convert the detected vibration wave into a voltage. The waveform (detection waveform) is output to the control unit 200.

In this case, the predetermined frequencies generated by the plurality of vibration wave generators 93-1 to 93-n are set differently, and the detection frequencies detected by the plurality of vibration wave detectors 94-1 through 94-n are corresponding to each other. It is also possible to make the vibration wave generation time of the plurality of vibration wave generators 93-1 to 93-n the same by setting it to a constant frequency of the vibration wave generators 93-1 to 93-n provided at the same.

When the vibration wave generated in any one section moves along the refrigerant pipe 51, the frost formed on the refrigerant pipe 51 becomes a resistance element when the vibration wave moves, and its shape changes. Depending on the amount of frost, the travel time of the vibration wave varies.

The controller 200 sequentially transmits a reference waveform having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude to the vibration wave generators 93-1 to 93-n of the frost amount measuring unit 90, and then detects the vibration wave 94 When the detection waveform of each section is input from -1 to 94-n), the amount of frost formed in each section is determined based on the waveform change of the vibration wave of each section. At this time, the controller 200 measures the amount of frost formed in each section based on at least one of the phase difference between the reference waveform and the detection waveform of the vibration wave for each section, and the amplitude difference between the reference waveform and the detection waveform of the vibration wave.

In more detail, when the amount of frost is first determined using the phase difference of the waveform, the controller 200 calculates the phase difference by comparing the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave for each section with the phase of the detected waveform. The amount of frost for each section is determined by comparing the calculated phase difference with the phase difference data stored in the storage unit 210.

Secondly, when determining the amount of frost by using the amplitude difference of the waveform, the controller 200 calculates an amplitude difference by comparing the amplitude of the reference waveform of the vibration wave for each section with the amplitude of the sensed waveform, and calculates the amplitude difference. And the amount of frost for each section is determined by comparing the amplitude difference data stored in the storage unit 210.

Third, when determining the amount of frost by matching the phase difference and the amplitude difference of the waveform, the controller 200 compares the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave for each section with the phase of the detected waveform to calculate the phase difference, and the vibration wave Amplitude difference is calculated by comparing the amplitude of the reference waveform and the detected waveform of the waveform, and the amount of frost for each section is compared by matching the calculated phase difference and amplitude difference with matching data of phase difference data and amplitude difference stored in the storage unit 210. To judge.

In addition, the controller 200 compares the amount of frost for each section with the amount of reference frost, and determines whether it is a defrosting point. If the defrosting point is determined, the controller 200 controls the operation of the heating unit 70 to perform defrosting operation. At this time, if the amount of frost implanted in at least one section is equal to or greater than the amount of reference frost, the controller 200 determines that it is a defrosting time.

The controller 200 determines whether the time when the defrosting operation is performed reaches a preset reference time, and controls the operation of the heating unit 70 to stop when the defrosting operation time reaches the reference time.

Alternatively, the control unit 200 determines the amount of frost remaining for each section of the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50 by controlling the operation of the vibration wave generator 93 and the vibration wave detector 94 during the defrosting operation. In accordance with the determination result, it is determined whether the defrosting end point is determined whether the operation of the heating unit 70 is stopped. Here, controlling the operation of the vibration wave generator 93 and the vibration wave detector 94 to determine the amount of frost remaining for each section of the refrigerant pipe 51, the vibration wave generator 93 and the vibration wave detector It is the same as controlling the operation of 94 to determine the amount of frost formed by the sections of the refrigerant pipe 51.

As described above, the defrosting operation may be performed at an appropriate time and the defrosting operation may be stopped at an appropriate time to save power consumed in the defrosting operation.

The storage unit 210 detects the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generators 93-1 to 93-n and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detectors 94-1 to 94-n. The amount of frost data corresponding to the phase difference data comparing the phases of the waveforms is stored, and the amplitude of the reference waveform of the vibration wave generated in the vibration wave generators 93-1 to 93-n and the vibration wave detector 94 The amount of frost data corresponding to the amplitude difference data obtained by comparing the amplitudes of the sensed waveforms of the vibration waves sensed by -1 to 94-n) is stored. In addition, the storage unit 210 stores frost amount data corresponding to matching of the phase difference data and the amplitude difference data. The storage unit 210 stores the amount of reference frost.

The fan driver 220 rotates the fan 60 at a preset rotation speed according to the operation mode of the refrigerator, and the heating driver 230 reaches the amount of the reference frost set in advance by the amount of frost implanted on the evaporator 50. In one case, the heating unit 70 is operated according to the command of the control unit 200, and the operation of the heating unit 70 is stopped according to the command of the control unit 200, and the compressor driving unit 240 is based on the operation mode of the refrigerator. The compressor 80 is turned on and off so that the temperature in the storage compartment is maintained at the set temperature corresponding to the operation mode, and during the defrosting operation, the refrigerant compression operation of the compressor 80 is stopped according to the command of the controller 200. A control procedure of such a cooling device will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

9 is a control flowchart of a cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The compressor 80 is driven on and off by a refrigeration cycle corresponding to the operation mode operated by the user, and the rotation of the fan 60 is controlled to maintain the storage compartment at the set temperature. In addition, the operation of the plurality of frost amount measuring unit 90 is periodically controlled to determine the amount of frost formed by each section of the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50.

In detail, the plurality of vibration wave generators 93 are sequentially operated to generate 401 vibration waves corresponding to reference waveforms having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude, and transmit the vibration waves to the refrigerant pipe 51. At this time, the vibration wave is sequentially moved for each section of the refrigerant pipe 51, the vibration wave is detected 402 by the vibration wave detector 94 installed in the corresponding section, the plurality of vibration wave detector 94 The detected vibration wave is converted into a voltage and the waveform of the voltage (detection waveform) is output.

At this time, depending on the amount of frost formed in each section of the refrigerant pipe 51, the detection waveform for each section appears in a different form, such as the amplitude and distortion of the waveform. In addition, the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator 93 and the detection waveform of the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector 94 according to the amount of frost formed by the section of the refrigerant pipe 51. The phase difference appears differently.

The reference waveform and the detected waveform of the vibration wave are compared (403), and the amount of frost formed in each section is determined based on the waveform change of the two vibration waves. That is, the evaporator 50 is based on at least one of a phase difference comparing the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave for each section and the phase of the sensing waveform, and an amplitude difference comparing the amplitude of the reference waveform of the vibration wave and the amplitude of the sensing waveform. The amount of frost conceived for each section of the refrigerant pipe 51 is determined (404).

In more detail, first, when the amount of frost is determined using the phase difference of the waveform, the phase difference is calculated by comparing the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave for each section with the phase of the detected waveform, and calculating the phase difference. And the amount of frost is determined by comparing the phase difference data stored in the storage unit 210.

Second, when the amount of frost is determined by using the amplitude difference of the waveform, the amplitude difference is calculated by comparing the amplitude of the reference waveform of the vibration wave for each section with the amplitude of the detected waveform and calculating the amplitude difference and the storage unit 210. The amount of frost is determined by comparing the amplitude difference data stored in the.

Third, when the amount of frost is determined using the phase difference and amplitude difference of the waveform, the phase difference is calculated by comparing the phase of the reference waveform of the vibration wave for each section with the phase of the sensing waveform. The amplitude difference is calculated by comparing the amplitude of the detected waveform, and the amount of frost for each section is compared by matching the phase difference and amplitude difference calculated for each section and matching the matching data of the phase difference data and the amplitude difference data stored in the storage unit 210. To judge.

At this time, the amount of frost formed by each section and the amount of reference frost are compared (405), respectively, and it is determined whether the defrosting operation time (406). That is, when the amount of frost implanted in at least one section is equal to or greater than the amount of reference frost, it is determined that the defrosting operation is performed, and the heating unit 70 is operated to perform defrosting operation (407).

And counting the time the defrosting operation is performed and compared with the preset reference time, it is determined whether the defrosting operation time has reached the reference time, and when it is determined that the defrosting operation time has reached the reference time, the operation of the heating unit 70 is stopped. Control as possible.

Alternatively, during the defrosting operation, the operation of the at least one vibration wave generating unit 93 and the vibration wave detecting unit 94 is controlled to determine the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe 51 of the evaporator 50, and according to the determination result. It is determined whether the operation of the heating unit 70 is stopped. Here, the at least one vibration wave generator 93 and the vibration wave detector 94 are frost amount measuring units installed in a section in which it is determined that an amount of frost larger than the amount of reference frost is implanted.

As described above, the defrosting operation may be performed at an appropriate time and the defrosting operation may be stopped at an appropriate time to save power consumed in the defrosting operation.

1 is an exemplary view of a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a detailed illustration of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a control block diagram of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 5 are waveform diagrams of a cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a control flowchart of a cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a detailed illustration of a cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a control block diagram of a cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a control flowchart of a cooling apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

10: main body 20: storage compartment

30: door 40: duct

50: evaporator 60: fan

70: heating part 80: compressor

90: frost amount measuring unit 100: control unit

110: storage unit

Claims (26)

A vibration wave generator installed at one side of the refrigerant pipe and generating vibration waves; A vibration wave detection unit installed at the other side of the refrigerant pipe and sensing the vibration wave; And a controller configured to determine an amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe based on a change in the waveform of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector. The method of claim 1, wherein the change of the waveform, And a phase change of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the wave detector. The method of claim 1, wherein the change of the waveform, Cooling device that is the amplitude change of the vibration wave generated in the vibration wave generating unit and the vibration wave detected by the wave detection unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, Cooling apparatus for controlling the defrosting operation based on the amount of frost. The method of claim 4, wherein the control unit Cooling apparatus for determining the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe on the basis of the change of the waveform during the defrosting operation, and whether or not the defrosting operation is finished based on the amount of the remaining frost. A plurality of vibration wave generators installed in the refrigerant pipe and generating vibration waves; A plurality of vibration wave detection units installed in the refrigerant pipes corresponding to the plurality of vibration wave generation units, respectively, for sensing the vibration waves; And a controller configured to determine the amount of frost for each section of the refrigerant pipe based on a change in the waveform of the vibration wave generated by the plurality of vibration wave generators and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector corresponding to each vibration wave generator. Cooling system. The method of claim 6, And a plurality of vibration wave generators sequentially generate vibration waves. The method of claim 6, The refrigerant pipe is divided into a plurality of sections, The plurality of vibration wave generators are provided on one side of each section, the plurality of vibration wave detection unit is installed on the other side of each section. The method of claim 6, wherein the waveform change, And a phase change of the vibration wave generated by the vibration wave generator and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detector. The method of claim 6, wherein the waveform change, Cooling device that is the amplitude change of the vibration wave generated in the vibration wave generating unit and the vibration wave detected by the vibration wave detection unit. The method of claim 6, wherein the control unit, Cooling apparatus for controlling the defrosting operation based on the amount of frost for each section. The method of claim 11, wherein the control unit Cooling apparatus for determining the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe during the defrosting operation, and determines whether the defrosting operation is finished based on the amount of the remaining frost. The method of claim 6, wherein the control unit, And the defrosting operation is controlled when the amount of frost in at least one section of the amount of frost for each section is equal to or greater than a reference amount. To generate the vibration wave by operating the vibration wave generator mounted on one side of the refrigerant pipe, The vibration wave detection unit mounted on the other side of the refrigerant pipe detects the vibration wave, And controlling the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the waveform of the generated vibration wave and the detected vibration wave. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein based on the change of the waveform, And calculating a phase difference by comparing the sensed vibration wave of the generated vibration wave. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein based on the change of the waveform, And calculating an amplitude difference by comparing the sensed vibration wave of the generated vibration wave. The method of claim 14, And determining the defrosting time point based on the amount of frost formed on the refrigerant pipe. The method of claim 17, In the case of the defrost time, defrosting operation is performed, Generating the vibration wave and sensing the vibration wave to determine the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe, And determining an end point of the defrosting operation based on the amount of frost. Generate a vibration wave by operating a plurality of vibration wave generators, Detecting the vibration wave through a vibration wave detection unit corresponding to each of the plurality of vibration wave generation units, And controlling the amount of frost for each section implanted in the refrigerant pipe on the basis of the change in the waveform of the generated vibration wave and the detected vibration wave. The method of claim 19, wherein generating the vibration wave, And controlling the plurality of vibration wave generators sequentially. The method of claim 19, wherein the sensing of the vibration wave, The refrigerant pipe is divided into a plurality of sections, Control method of the cooling device comprising detecting the vibration wave for each section of the refrigerant pipe. The method of claim 19, wherein based on the change of the waveform, And calculating a phase difference by comparing the generated vibration wave with the sensed vibration wave. The method of claim 19, wherein based on the change of the waveform, And calculating an amplitude difference by comparing the generated vibration wave with the sensed vibration wave. The method of claim 19, And determining whether it is a defrosting time point based on the amount of frost for each section implanted in the refrigerant pipe. The method of claim 24, In the case of the defrost time, defrosting operation is performed, Generating the vibration wave and sensing the vibration wave to determine the amount of frost remaining in the refrigerant pipe, And determining an end point of the defrosting operation based on the remaining amount of frost. The method of claim 19, Compare the amount of frost and the reference amount of each section, And performing defrosting if the amount of frost in at least one section is equal to or greater than the reference amount.

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