RU2362949C2 - Refrigerating device and method of control thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: refrigerating equipment. ^ SUBSTANCE: invention relates to refrigerating equipment. The proposed refrigerating equipment comprises the compressor to compress refrigerant and circulate it in refrigeration cycle, one or more chambers to keep foodstuffs to be cooled down and/or frozen, at least, one evaporator to transfer heat from the chamber to refrigerant flow, at least, one fan to generate air flow inside the said chamber forced in, at least, two different directions. Note here that it comprises also, at least, two pickups arranged at different points of the chamber to measure inside temperature, and control unit to set up airflow direction, proceeding from temperature values measured by aforesaid pickups. The control unit also controls the fan so that air, passed through evaporator, reaches, first, the high-temperature point inside the chamber on passing from the point with relatively high temperature to that with relatively low temperature. ^ EFFECT: efficient distribution of heat inside chamber, faster cooling. ^ 11 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device in which air circulation is improved, and a method for controlling it.

In the state of the art, air in the refrigeration and / or freezer is circulated inside the chamber by a fan to maintain an even distribution of heat. Air preferably passes through an evaporator. Air that reaches its lowest temperature immediately after passing through the evaporator is heated when it circulates inside the chamber. As a result, food products with which the air first comes into contact after leaving the evaporator are 3-4 ° C colder than food products with which the air contacts in the end. Therefore, in order to cool food products that are at a distance from the air outlet, for example, to -18 ° C, food products on a closer shelf should be cooled to -22 ° C. Because of this, efficiency is reduced by increasing cooling time, and energy consumption is increasing.

At the present level of technology, as a solution to this problem, a change in the direction of the air flow in the chamber has been proposed. For example, US Pat. No. 4,7365,992 describes how the air in a container is set in motion for a period of time in one direction and then in the opposite direction. The shutters are controlled by a timer or a temperature sensor.

In another example, in the cooling device described in European patent EP0862878, the air flow direction is reversed for some periods. This cooling device uses a bi-directional fan to change the direction of the air flow.

In modern devices, changing the direction of the air flow in accordance with time periods or values read by means of temperature sensors located at any point is not enough to make the heat distribution uniform. For example, if in a cooling device having a pressurized fan located in the upper part of the chamber, hot food products are placed on the lower shelf, then the temperature of the lower shelf will be higher compared to the upper shelf. In this state, the upper shelves will be cooled more due to air that blows from the upper part to the lower part, while the necessary cooling of the hot food on the lower shelf will be delayed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device and a method for controlling it, in which the heat distribution inside the chamber is more efficiently controlled and a quick cooling process is achieved.

A cooling device designed to fulfill the purpose of the present invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a cooling device.

Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a cooling device.

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a cooling device in another embodiment.

4 is a schematic front view of a cooling device in yet another embodiment.

5 is a flowchart of a control method.

6 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a control method.

7 is a flowchart of an additional embodiment of a control method.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a control method.

The elements shown in the figures have the following reference position:

1. Cooling device

2. Camera

3. Evaporator

4. Compressor

5.500 Fan

6. 600 Sensor

7. The control unit

8. Channel

9.900 Hole

The cooling device (1) according to the present invention contains

a compressor (4) compressing the liquid refrigerant and causing it to circulate in the refrigeration cycle,

one or more chambers (2) where food products are stored for cooling and / or freezing,

at least one evaporator (3) that transfers heat from the medium to the refrigerant,

at least one fan (5), which allows air to circulate within the chamber (2) in at least two different directions,

at least two sensors (6, 600) measuring temperature values (SLT, TV) at different points (A, B) in the chamber (2), and

a control unit (7) that determines the direction of the air flow (F1, F2) by evaluating the temperature values (SLT, TV) measured by the sensors (6, 600), and controls the fan (5) in accordance with this choice (Fig. 1 )

The control unit (7) compares the temperature values (SLT, TV) measured by the sensors (6, 600) and ensures the direction of the air flow (F1, F2) so that the air after passing through the evaporator (3) first reaches a point with a higher temperature inside the chamber (2), flowing from a point with a relatively high temperature to a point with a low temperature (clockwise or counterclockwise between points A and B). The control unit (7) collects information on the temperature values (SLT, TV) measured by sensors (6, 600), and, if necessary, on whether the compressor (4) is working, and in accordance with this controls the fan (5) . For this, the control unit (7) is electrically connected to the compressor (4), sensors (6, 600) and the fan (5).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the chamber (2) comprises a channel (8) in which an evaporator (3) and a fan (5) are located, and at least two openings (9, 900) in order to allow air to enter into this channel (8) and exit from it. Air flow (F1, F2) enters the channel (8) through one hole (9), flows through the evaporator (3) and leaves the channel (8) through another hole (900).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the change in airflow direction (F1, F2) is provided by a fan (5) placed in the chamber (2), preferably in the channel (8), which can cause air to circulate clockwise (F1) and in the opposite direction (F2) within the chamber (2) (figure 2).

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the airflow direction (F1, F2) is provided by two fans (5, 500) located side by side, one of the fans causing air to circulate only in the (F1) direction clockwise and the other only in the direction (F2) counterclockwise (figure 3). The air passing through the evaporator (3), for example, first reaches point A (direction F1) when only the first fan (5) is running, and first reaches point B (direction F2) when only the second fan (500) is running. Two fans (5, 500) do not work simultaneously, so that the air flow (F1, F2) creates circulation inside the chamber (2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, two fans (5, 500) are placed at different points within the chamber (2), one of the fans causes air to circulate only in the (F1) direction clockwise, and the other in the (F2) direction counterclockwise arrows (figure 4). For example, if the upper fan (5) can cause air to circulate in the (F1) direction clockwise, and the lower fan (500) can make air circulate in the direction (F2) counterclockwise, the air that passes through the evaporator (3), first reaches point A (direction F1) when only the first fan (5) is running, and first reaches point B (direction F2) when only the second fan (500) is running.

The control unit (7) of the cooling device (1) of the present invention operates in accordance with the method below:

compare (step 101) the temperature values (TA, TV) measured at two different points (A, B);

control (steps 102, 103) the fan (s) (5, 500) so that the air flows in the direction (F1, F2), and the air first reaches a point that is warmer (from point A to point B or from point B to point A) after passing through the evaporator (3).

In this embodiment of method (100) of the present invention, if the temperature (TA) at point A is greater than or equal to the temperature (TB) at point B (TA ≥ TB), air is forced to circulate (step 102) from point A to point B. However, if the temperature (TB) at point B is greater than the temperature (TA) at point A (TB> TA), the air is forced to circulate (step 103) from point B to point A (FIG. 5).

In another embodiment of the present invention, before comparing (step 101) the temperature values (TA, TV), it is checked (step 105) whether the compressor (4) is working, if it is not working, the air flow (F1, F2) is stopped (step 106) and the stage at which temperature values (TA, TV) are compared (step 101) is performed only after the compressor (4) starts to operate (Fig. 6).

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, if the cooling device (1) is operating for the first time, the first air flow direction (F1, F2) after the compressor (4) starts to operate is the direction that the manufacturer has set, for example from point A to point B. But if the cooling device (1) is not operating for the first time, the first direction of the air flow (F1, F2) after the compressor (4) starts to work is the same direction as the direction when the compressor (4) last worked .

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, after comparing (step 101) the temperature values (TA, TB), it is checked (steps 107 and 108) whether their difference (| TA-TB |) exceeds the value (DT1 or DT2) set by the manufacturer, and the air flow direction is not changed (step 104) until this value is exceeded. For example, if the temperature (TA) at point A is higher than the temperature (TB) at point B (TA> TB), check (step 107) whether the difference in the values of these two temperatures (TA-TB) exceeds the value (DT1) set manufacturer. The air flow direction does not change (step 104) until this value (DT1) is exceeded, and the air flow direction changes after this value (DT1) is exceeded (Fig. 7). If the temperature (TA) at point A is lower than the temperature (TB) at point B (TA <TB), the difference between the two temperatures (TB-TA) is calculated. This difference is compared (step 108) with the value (DT2) set by the manufacturer. As long as the mentioned difference is below this value (DT2), the direction of the air flow does not change (step 104). If said difference is above this value (DT2), the flow direction changes (step 102) to the opposite. The values of DT1 and DT2 may be equal to or different from each other.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a threshold value (TAC, TBC) is assigned to each sensor (6, 600), and the read values are compared (step 109, 110) not with each other, but with these values, if these threshold values are exceeded, the air the flow after the evaporator (3) is directed so that it first reaches the point where the threshold value is exceeded. For example, if the temperature value (TA) read by the first sensor (6) exceeds the threshold value (TAC) assigned to this sensor (6) (TA ≥ TAC), the air flow direction is set from point A to point B (F1). But if it is lower than this value (TA <TAC), it is checked whether the temperature value (TB) measured by another sensor (600) exceeds the threshold value (TBC) of this sensor (600). If it is exceeded (TB ≥ TBC), set (step 103) the air circulation (F2) from point B to point A, otherwise set (step 102) the direction of circulation from point A to point B (Fig. 8).

When hot food products are placed on the upper shelf in the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the value (TA) measured by the sensor (6) on the upper shelf will be higher than the value (TB) measured by the sensor (600) on the lower shelf (TA) > TB). In this case, the control unit (7) controls the upper fan (5), which can cause air to circulate both clockwise and counterclockwise (figure 2) so that the air flow is from point A to point B (F1). Hot foods on the top shelf will cool quickly, as the air passing through the evaporator reaches the top shelf first. But if hot food products are placed on the lower shelf, then the value (TV) measured by the sensor (600) on the lower shelf will be higher than the value (TA) measured by the sensor (6) on the upper shelf (TA <TB), and the unit control (7) will cause air to circulate from point B to point A (F2), food on the lower shelf will cool because cold air will first flow through the lower shelf.

In the cooling device (1) according to the present invention, the temperature of the chamber (2) is checked at more points by placing the sensors (6, 600) and the fan (s) (5, 500) appropriately, creating an air flow that ensures that cold air first reaches the required zone. As a result, the speed and efficiency of cooling increases, and energy consumption decreases.

Claims (11)

1. A cooling device (1) comprising
a compressor (4) compressing the refrigerant and causing it to circulate in the refrigeration cycle,
one or more chambers (2) in which food products are stored for cooling and / or freezing,
at least one evaporator (3) that transfers heat from the chamber (2) to the refrigerant fluid,
at least one fan (5, 500), which provides for the creation of an air flow (F1, F2) inside the chamber (2) in at least two different directions,
characterized in that it contains at least two sensors (6, 600) located at different points (A, B) in the chamber (2) for measuring temperature values (TA, TV), and a control unit (7) that determines direction of the air flow (F1, F2), evaluating the temperature values (SLT, TV) measured by the sensors (6, 600), and controls the fan (s) (5, 500), respectively, so that the air after passing through the evaporator (3) first reaches a point with a high temperature inside the chamber (2), flowing from a point with a relatively high temperature to a point with a lower temperature (clockwise or counterclockwise between points A and B). 2. A cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber (2) comprises a channel (8) in which an evaporator (3) and a fan (5, 500) are located, and at least two openings (9, 900 ) so that air enters and exits this channel (8). 3. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fan (5) is located in the chamber (2) and is configured to circulate air inside the chamber (2) both in the direction (F1) clockwise and in the direction ( F2) counterclockwise. 4. A cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it contains two fans (5, 500) located adjacent to the chamber (2), one of the fans being configured to circulate air only in the direction (F1) clockwise and the other only in the (F2) direction counterclockwise to allow for a change in air flow direction. 5. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two fans (5, 500) located at different points in the chamber (2), one of the fans being configured to circulate air only in the (F1) direction clockwise and the other only counterclockwise in the (F2) direction to allow for a change in air flow direction. 6. The method of controlling the cooling device (1) according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 5, according to which temperature values (TA, TV) are compared (step 101), measured at different points (A, B), and controlled (steps 102 , 103) by fan (s) (5, 500) so that the air flow (F1, F2) is directed from the hotter point to another point (from point A to point B or from point B to point A). 7. The method according to claim 6, according to which before comparing the temperature values (SLT, TV) (step 101), check whether the compressor (4) is working or not, while if it does not work, stop the fan (s) (5) , 500) (step 106) and air flows (F1, F2) and compare the temperature values (TA, TV) (step 101) only after the compressor (4) starts to work. 8. The method according to claim 7, according to which, if the cooling device (1) is operating for the first time, then the first direction of the air flow (F1, F2) after the compressor (4) starts to work, is set by the manufacturer. 9. The method according to claim 7, according to which, if the cooling device (1) is not working for the first time, then the air flow direction (F1, F2) is set to the same as the previous direction. 10. The method according to claim 6, according to which, after comparing the temperature values (TA, TV) (step 101), they check (steps 107 and 108) whether their difference (| TA-TV |) exceeds the value (DT1 or DT2) set by the manufacturer, and the airflow direction is not changed (step 104) until this value is exceeded. 11. The method according to claim 6, whereby a threshold temperature value (TAC, FA) is set for each of the sensors (6, 600) and the fan (s) (5, 500) are controlled (steps 102 and 103) so that, if the threshold values are exceeded, the air flow after passing through the evaporator (3) is directed so that it first reaches the point where the threshold value is exceeded.

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