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(11) | EP 4 800 329 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | REFRIGERATOR AND DEHUMIDIFICATION METHOD THEREFOR |
| (57) The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a dehumidification method thereof.
The refrigerator includes a cabinet (1) configured to store articles; a cabinet door
openably and closably disposed on the cabinet (1); a first detection device configured
to detect whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door; a second detection
device configured to detect a target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1);
and an adjustment device in signal connection with the first detection device and
the second detection device, wherein the adjustment device is configured to determine
a humidity adjustment target based on whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet
door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature
inside the cabinet (1) as detected by the second detection device. The present disclosure
can effectively improve the dehumidification effect, reduce frost formation, and enhance
the heat exchange efficiency and operational reliability of the refrigerator. |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure is based on and claims the priority right of a Chinese application No. 202410092271.8 filed on January 22, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of refrigeration, and in particular, to a refrigerator and a dehumidification method thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Currently, for refrigerator products equipped with conventional direct-cooling heat exchange compartments on the market, due to the low temperature of their direct-cooling heat exchange surfaces and the absence of an air circulation system inside the compartment, the humidity inside the compartment may increase after frequent opening and closing of the cabinet door. This tends to cause frost formation due to low temperature of the heat exchange surface and accumulation of water vapor. Long-term accumulation of the frost layer not only affects the cooling and heat exchange effect of the compartment but also causes problems in long-term operation reliability. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the dehumidification effect of the refrigerator and reduce frost formation.
[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the Background Art section of the present disclosure is only intended to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the present disclosure, and shall not be taken as an acknowledgment or any implication that such information constitutes prior art well known to those skilled in the art. The above statements merely provide background art information related to the present application, and do not necessarily constitute prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a refrigerator and a dehumidification method thereof, which can effectively improve the dehumidification effect.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is provided, including:
a cabinet configured to store articles;
a cabinet door openably and closably disposed on the cabinet;
a first detection device configured to detect whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door;
a second detection device configured to detect a target operating temperature inside the cabinet; and
an adjustment device in signal connection with the first detection device and the second detection device, wherein the adjustment device is configured to determine a humidity adjustment target based on whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet as detected by the second detection device.
[0007] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a humidity adjustment structure, wherein the adjustment device is in signal connection with the humidity adjustment structure, and is configured to activate the humidity adjustment structure to perform humidity adjustment after determining the humidity adjustment target.
[0008] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a storage compartment, a cooling air duct and a return air duct all disposed inside the cabinet, wherein the storage compartment is used for storing articles, cooling air in the cooling air duct is used for cooling the articles, and the return air duct is used for discharging the air after cooling the articles.
[0009] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure includes an air damper disposed in the return air duct, and when the air damper is in an open state, water vapor inside the cabinet is allowed to enter the return air duct.
[0010] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure further includes a first driving device, which is drivingly connected to the air damper, and the first driving device is configured to drive the air damper to move relative to the return air duct so as to open or close the air damper.
[0011] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure includes a ventilation hole disposed on a side wall of the cooling air duct, and the ventilation hole communicate the cooling air duct with the storage compartment.
[0012] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure further includes a sealing plate and a second driving device; and the second driving device is drivingly connected to the sealing plate, and is configured to drive the sealing plate to move relative to the cooling air duct, so as to open or seal the ventilation hole.
[0013] In some embodiments, the adjustment device is configured to, when the first detection device detects that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determine the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet.
[0014] In some embodiments, the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is above 0°C above; and the adjustment device is configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is above 0°C, determine the humidity adjustment target as that a humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to a first preset value.
[0015] In some embodiments, the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is 0°C or below; and the adjustment device is configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is 0°C or below, determine the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to a second preset value, wherein the second preset value is a humidity preset value determined according to a temperature overshoot value, and the temperature overshoot value is the sum of a preset temperature value and a temperature inside the cabinet after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0016] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a temperature detection device configured to detect a temperature inside the cabinet; the target operating temperature inside the cabinet ranges from -2°C to 2°C; the adjustment device is configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is within the range of -2°C to 2°C and the temperature inside the cabinet is higher than 0°C, determine the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to the first preset value, and when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is within the range of -2°C to 2°C and the temperature inside the cabinet is less than or equal to 0°C, determine the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to a third preset value, wherein the third preset value is a humidity preset value determined according to a temperature difference between an instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and a temperature inside the cabinet after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0017] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a refrigeration assembly configured to supply cooling air for cooling the articles; the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is 0°C or below, as well as within a range of -2°C to 2°C; and the adjustment device is further configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is 0°C or below, or within the range of -2°C to 2°C, lower the temperature inside the cabinet by 1°C to 2°C upon shutdown of the refrigeration assembly.
[0018] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a humidity detection device configured to detect the humidity inside the cabinet.
[0019] In some embodiments, the adjustment device is in signal connection with the humidity detection device; and the adjustment device is configured to, when the first detection device does not detect that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determine whether to activate humidity adjustment according to a humidity recovery rate inside the cabinet, and if it is determined that humidity adjustment is required, determine the humidity adjustment target based on the target operating temperature inside the cabinet.
[0020] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a dehumidification method based on the above refrigerator is provided, including:
detecting whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door;
detecting the target operating temperature inside the cabinet; and
determining a humidity adjustment target based on whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet as detected by the second detection device.
[0021] In some embodiments, the step of determining a humidity adjustment target based on whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet as detected by the second detection device includes:
when the first detection device detects that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet;
when the first detection device does not detect that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining whether to activate humidity adjustment according to a humidity recovery rate inside the cabinet; and if it is determined that humidity adjustment needs to be activated, determining the humidity adjustment target based on the target operating temperature inside the cabinet.
[0022] In some embodiments, the step of when the first detection device detects that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet includes:
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is above 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to a first preset value;
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is 0°C or below, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to a second preset value, wherein the second preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature overshoot value, which is the sum of a preset temperature value and the temperature inside the cabinet after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0023] In some embodiments, the step of "when the first detection device detects that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet" includes:
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet is within the range of -2°C to 2°C, if the temperature inside the cabinet is higher than 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to a first preset value; if the temperature inside the cabinet is less than or equal to 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet is less than or equal to a third preset value, wherein the third preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature difference between an instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and a temperature inside the cabinet after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0024] Based on the above technical solutions, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the adjustment device determines the humidity adjustment target based on whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet as detected by the second detection device. In this way, the determined humidity adjustment target can be more accurate, which is conducive to adjusting the humidity inside the cabinet in a more accurate and effective manner, achieving a better dehumidification effect, reducing frost formation in the cabinet, solving the problems of frost formation and secondary frost formation caused by accumulation of defrosting water, and improving the heat exchange efficiency and operational reliability of the refrigerator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings described herein are intended to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure and the descriptions thereof are used to explain the present disclosure and shall not constitute an undue limitation thereon. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing partial structures of a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing partial structures of the refrigerator from another perspective according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a dehumidification method of the refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Reference signs in the drawings:
[0026] 1. cabinet; 2. storage compartment; 3. cooling air duct; 4. air damper; 5. ventilation hole; 6. humidity detection device; 7. cold conduction plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of rather than all of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without paying inventive effort shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.
[0028] In the depiction of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the orientational or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center", "transverse", "longitudinal", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like are those based on the accompanying drawings. These terms are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the depiction, and do not indicate or imply that the referred devices or elements must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they shall not be construed as limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, in some embodiments of a refrigerator provided by the present disclosure, the refrigerator includes a cabinet 1, a cabinet door, a first detection device, a second detection device and an adjustment device. The cabinet 1 is used for storing articles, and the cabinet door is openably and closably disposed on the cabinet 1. The first detection device is configured to detect whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door. The second detection device is configured to detect a target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1. The adjustment device is in signal connection with the first detection device and the second detection device, and is configured to determine a humidity adjustment target based on whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 as detected by the second detection device.
[0030] In the above embodiments, the adjustment device determines a humidity adjustment target based on whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 as detected by the second detection device. In this way, the determined humidity adjustment target can be more accurate, which is conducive to adjusting the humidity inside the cabinet 1 in a more accurate and effective manner, achieving a better dehumidification effect, reducing frost formation in the cabinet 1, solving the problems of frost formation and secondary frost formation caused by accumulation of defrosting water, and improving the heat exchange efficiency and operational reliability of the refrigerator.
[0031] Moreover, determining different humidity adjustment targets according to whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door and the difference in target operating temperatures inside the cabinet 1 enables humidity adjustment to correspond to different adjustment targets under different conditions, such that the humidity adjustment can adapt to the current operating state of the refrigerator, thereby improving the humidity adaptability, optimizing the humidity adjustment effect, and meeting different demands in different scenarios.
[0032] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a humidity adjustment structure. The adjustment device is in signal connection with the humidity adjustment structure, and is configured to activate the humidity adjustment structure for humidity adjustment after determining the humidity adjustment target.
[0033] With arrangement of the humidity adjustment structure, humidity adjustment can be achieved by activating the humidity adjustment structure once the humidity adjustment target is determined.
[0035] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a storage compartment 2, a cooling air duct 3 and a return air duct all disposed inside the cabinet 1. The storage compartment 2 is used for storing articles, cooling air in the cooling air duct 3 is configured to cool the articles, and the return air duct is used to discharge the air after cooling the articles.
[0036] Cooling air flows through the cooling air duct 3 to cool the articles inside the storage compartment 2, and the air after cooling is discharged through the return air duct.
[0037] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a refrigeration assembly configured to cool air, and the cooled air flows into the cooling air duct 3.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator further includes a cold conduction plate 7 disposed between the cooling air duct 3 and the storage compartment 2. The cooling air is blown toward the cold conduction plate 7, and after the cold conduction plate 7 is cooled, heat exchange occurs between the cold conduction plate 7 and the articles inside the storage compartment 2 to achieve the effect of cooling the articles.
[0039] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure includes an air damper 4 disposed in the return air duct. When the air damper 4 is in an open state, water vapor inside the cabinet 1 enters the return air duct.
[0040] By arrangement of the air damper 4 in the return air duct, when the air damper 4 is opened, rapid flow of the return air in the return air duct may create a negative pressure inside the return air duct, such that water vapor inside the cabinet 1 can diffuse into the return air duct under the pressure difference, thereby achieving the effect of dehumidifying the cabinet 1.
[0041] In some embodiments, the temperature of the return air inside the return air duct is lower than the temperature of the air inside the cabinet 1, which can enhance the dehumidification effect.
[0042] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure further includes a first driving device. The first driving device is drivingly connected to the air damper 4, and is configured to drive the air damper 4 to move relative to the return air duct to open or close the air damper 4.
[0043] By providing the first driving device, the air damper 4 can be driven to move relative to the return air duct, thereby achieving opening or closing of the air damper 4.
[0044] In some embodiments, the first driving device may be configured to drive the air damper 4 to rotate relative to the return air duct, so as to open or close the air damper 4 by means of rotation.
[0045] In other embodiments, the first driving device may be configured to drive the air damper 4 to translate relative to the return air duct, so as to open or close the air damper 4 by means of vertical or horizontal translation.
[0046] The first driving device may be a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric motor, or the like.
[0047] By providing the first driving device, the adjustment device can achieve the opening and closing of the air damper 4 by adjusting the first driving device.
[0048] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure includes a ventilation hole 5 disposed on a side wall of the cooling air duct 3, and the ventilation hole 5 communicates the cooling air duct 3 with the storage compartment 2.
[0049] By providing ventilation hole 5 on the side wall of the cooling air duct 3, when the ventilation hole 5 is opened, the cooling air duct 3 can be communicated with the storage compartment 2, so that the cooling air in the cooling air duct 3 can enter the storage compartment 2 through the ventilation hole 5 to reduce the humidity inside the storage compartment 2.
[0050] By providing the ventilation hole 5 to introduce cooling air into the storage compartment 2, the effect of ejector dehumidification is achieved.
[0051] In some embodiments, the humidity adjustment structure further includes a sealing plate and a second driving device. The second driving device is drivingly connected to the sealing plate, and is configured to drive the sealing plate to move relative to the cooling air duct 3 to open or seal the ventilation hole 5.
[0052] By providing the sealing plate and the second driving device, the sealing plate can be driven to move by the second driving device, thereby achieving opening or closing of the ventilation hole 5.
[0053] In some embodiments, the second driving device may be configured to drive the sealing plate to rotate relative to the cooling air duct 3, so as to open or close the ventilation hole 5 by means of rotation.
[0054] In other embodiments, the second driving device may be configured to drive the sealing plate to translate relative to the cooling air duct 3, so as to open or close the ventilation hole 5 by means of vertical or horizontal translation.
[0055] The second driving device may be a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, an electric motor, or the like.
[0056] By providing the second driving device, the adjustment device can achieve the opening and closing of the ventilation hole 5 by regulating the second driving device.
[0058] The flow area of the ventilation hole 5 is configured to adjust the humidity inside the cabinet 1 without affecting the moisture content of the articles inside the cabinet 1, and to prevent the cooling air from taking away moisture on the surface of the articles and thus affecting quality of the articles.
[0059] In some embodiments, the adjustment device is configured to, when the first detection device detects that an opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determine the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1.
[0060] In some embodiments, the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is above 0°C. In such cases, the cabinet 1 may be used for storing fruit and vegetable articles. The adjustment device is configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is above 0°C, determine the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a first preset value.
[0061] In some embodiments, the first preset value may be 70%. Controlling the humidity of fruit and vegetable articles within 70% can effectively maintain the freshness of fruit and vegetable articles, ensure the moisture content thereof, and meanwhile effectively reduce frost formation inside the cabinet 1, so as to improve the heat exchange efficiency and operational reliability of the refrigerator.
[0062] In some embodiments, the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is 0°C or below, and in such cases the cabinet 1 can be used for storing fresh meat articles. The adjustment device is configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is 0°C or below, determine the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a second preset value, wherein the second preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature overshoot value, and the temperature overshoot value is the sum of a preset temperature value and the temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0063] By setting the second preset value as the humidity preset value determined based on the temperature overshoot value, the humidity adjustment target value can be appropriately lowered, thereby effectively avoiding secondary frost formation or refreezing and guaranteeing the freezing quality of meat articles.
[0064] There are a variety of optional specific implementations for determining the second preset value according to the temperature overshoot value.
[0065] In some embodiments, the preset temperature value ranges from 5°C to 7°C, such as 5°C, 6°C and 7°C.
[0066] In some embodiments, the corresponding relationship between the temperature overshoot value and the second preset value is set as follows:
when the temperature overshoot value T1 satisfies 0°C<T1≤1.5°C, the second preset value is 70%;
when the temperature overshoot value T1 satisfies 1.5°C<T1≤2.5°C, the second preset value is 60%;
when the temperature overshoot value T1 satisfies 2.5°C<T1≤6°C, the second preset value is 50%;
when the temperature rise value T1 satisfies T1>6°C, the second preset value is 40%.
[0067] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a temperature detection device configured to detect the temperature inside the cabinet 1. The target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 includes a fluctuation above and below 0°C (e.g., from -2°C to 2°C), and in this case, the cabinet 1 is used for storing seafood articles. The adjustment device is configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is centered about 0°C (e.g., ranges from -2°C to 2°C) and the temperature inside the cabinet 1 is higher than 0°C, determine the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a first preset value; and when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is centered about 0°C (e.g., ranges from -2°C to 2°C) and the temperature inside the cabinet 1 is lower than or equal to 0°C, determine the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a third preset value. The third preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature difference between an instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and a temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0068] In this embodiment, the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 includes a fluctuation above and below 0°C (e.g., from -1°C to 1°C, or from -2°C to 2°C), and two humidity adjusting modes are adopted according to whether the actual temperature inside the cabinet 1 is higher than 0°C, capable of enabling more accurate and targeted humidity adjustment and achieving better effects.
[0070] By setting the third preset value as a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature difference between an instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and a temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed, a more accurate humidity adjustment target adapted to the actual operating conditions inside cabinet 1 can be determined. Accordingly, the dehumidification effect can be effectively improved, and the refrigeration quality of seafood articles can be guaranteed.
[0071] There are multiple optional specific implementations for determining the third preset value based on a temperature difference between an instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and a temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0072] In some embodiments, the corresponding relationship between the temperature difference T2 (between an instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and a temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed) and the third preset value is set as follows:
when the temperature difference T2 satisfies 0°C < T2≤.5°C, the third preset value is 70%;
when the temperature difference T2 satisfies 0.5°C < T2≤1.5°C, the third preset value is 60%;
when the temperature difference T2 satisfies 1.5°C < T2≤5°C, the third preset value is 50%;
when the temperature difference T2 satisfies T2 > 5°C, the third preset value is 40%;
wherein
in which Tclosed denotes the temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed, and Topened denotes the instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door.
[0073] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a refrigeration assembly configured to supply cooling air for cooling articles. The target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is 0 °C or below, as well as within the range of -2 °C to 2 °C. The adjustment device is further configured to, when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is 0 °C or below, or within the range of -2 °C to 2 °C, lower the temperature inside the cabinet 1 by 1 °C to 2 °C upon shutdown of the refrigeration assembly.
[0074] By lowering the temperature inside the cabinet 1 upon shutdown of the refrigeration assembly, the temperature inside the cabinet 1 can be kept lower during the shutdown period of the refrigeration assembly, which is conducive to the adjustment of humidity. In addition, after the shutdown temperature of the refrigeration assembly is lowered, the cooling duration of the refrigeration assembly can be extended, which is more beneficial to the dehumidification effect.
[0075] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes a humidity detection device 6 configured to detect the humidity inside the cabinet 1.
[0076] The provision of the humidity detection device 6 enables real-time detection of the humidity inside the cabinet 1, thereby allowing an appropriate adjustment target to be determined based on the detected humidity.
[0077] In some embodiments, the humidity detection device 6 is disposed at a position close to the air damper 4, which is conductive to improving the accuracy of humidity detection. A temperature detection device may also be disposed at a position adjacent to the air damper 4.
[0078] In some embodiments, the adjustment device is in signal connection with the humidity detection device 6. The adjustment device is configured to, when the first detection device does not detect that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determine whether to activate humidity adjustment according to the humidity recovery rate inside the cabinet 1, and if it is determined that humidity adjustment is required, determine the humidity adjustment target based on the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1.
[0079] When no opening action occurs to the cabinet door, i.e., when the cabinet door is kept closed, whether to activate humidity adjustment is determined by detecting the humidity recovery rate inside the cabinet 1. If it is determined that humidity adjustment needs to be activated, the adjustment device determines the humidity adjustment target based on the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1. If it is determined that humidity adjustment is not required, the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5 remain closed.
[0080] The specific operation for determining whether to activate humidity adjustment may be: determining whether the humidity recovery rate D inside the cabinet 1 is greater than or equal to a preset rate D1; if D≥D1, determining that humidity adjustment needs to be activated; if D<D1, determining that humidity adjustment is not required.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, based on the refrigerator in the above embodiments, the present disclosure further provides a dehumidification method, including the following steps:
detecting whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door;
detecting the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1;
determining the humidity adjustment target based on whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 as detected by the second detection device.
[0082] In some embodiments, the step of determining a humidity adjustment target based on whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 as detected by the second detection device includes:
when the first detection device detects that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1;
when the first detection device does not detect that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining whether to activate humidity adjustment according to the humidity recovery rate inside the cabinet 1; and if it is determined that humidity adjustment needs to be activated, determining the humidity adjustment target based on the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1.
[0083] In some embodiments, the step of when the first detection device detects that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 includes:
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is above 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a first preset value;
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is 0°C or below, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a second preset value, wherein the second preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature overshoot value, which is the sum of a preset temperature value and the temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed, where the preset temperature value ranges from 5 °C to 7 °C.
[0084] In some embodiments, the step of "when the first detection device detects that an opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1" includes:
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is within the range of -2°C to 2°C, if the temperature inside the cabinet 1 is higher than 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a first preset value; and if the temperature inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to a third preset value, wherein the third preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature difference between the instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and the temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the dehumidification steps of the refrigerator include:
when it is detected that an opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the current functional control mode inside the cabinet 1 immediately; if the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is above 0 °C, determining the functional area inside the cabinet 1 as a fruit-and-vegetable article storage area Q1; if the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is 0°C or below, determining the functional area inside the cabinet 1 as a fresh meat article storage area Q2; if the target operating temperature inside the cabinet 1 is centered about 0°C (e.g., from -1°C to 1°C, or from -2°C to 2°C), determining the functional area inside the cabinet 1 as a seafood article storage area Q3;
when the functional area inside the cabinet 1 is Q1, opening the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5 until the current humidity inside the cabinet 1 satisfies d≤d1, and then closing the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5;
when the functional area inside the cabinet 1 is Q2, detecting a temperature value T1 (T1 = the temperature inside the cabinet 1 after the cabinet door is closed + 6 °C), determining a second preset value d2 according to T1; opening the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5, lowering the shutdown temperature of the refrigeration assembly by 1 °C to 2 °C, and performing refrigeration operation until the current humidity inside the cabinet 1 satisfies d≤d2; and then closing the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5, and switching the temperature control point inside the cabinet 1 to the original set value to control operation;
when the functional area inside the cabinet 1 is Q3, if the current temperature T inside the cabinet 1 is higher than 0°C, opening the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5 until the current humidity inside the cabinet 1 satisfies d≤d1, and then closing the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5; if the current temperature T inside the cabinet 1 is less than or equal to 0°C, detecting the temperature difference T2 between the instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and the temperature after the cabinet door is opened and then closed, determining a third preset value d3 according to T2; opening the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5, lowering the shutdown temperature of the refrigeration assembly by 1 °C to 2 °C, and performing refrigeration operation until the current humidity inside the cabinet 1 satisfies d≤d3, and then closing the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5, and switching the temperature control point inside the cabinet 1 to the original set value to control operation;
when it is detected that no opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining whether the humidity recovery rate D inside the cabinet 1 satisfies D≥D1; if satisfied, proceeding to the foregoing humidity adjustment procedure; if not satisfied, keeping the air damper 4 and the ventilation hole 5 in a closed state until an opening action occurs to the cabinet door of the refrigerator or the humidity recovery rate changes.
[0086] By detecting the opening and closing condition of the cabinet door and the operating condition inside the cabinet, and opening the air damper and the ventilation hole according to the temperature and humidity variations inside the cabinet to keep the humidity in the cabinet below a preset value, the embodiments of the present disclosure achieve a low-temperature ejector dehumidification effect, solve the problems of excessive humidity inside the cabinet and easy frost formation on the wall surface caused by frequent opening and closing of the cabinet door, and improve the heat exchange efficiency and operational reliability of the refrigerator.
[0087] The foregoing description of various embodiments tends to emphasize the differences therebetween, while the same or similar features may be referred to each other. For the sake of brevity, further elaboration is omitted herein.
[0088] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in the above methods of the specific embodiments, the order in which the steps are written does not imply a strict order of execution nor constitute any limitation on the implementation process. The specific order of execution of the steps should be determined by their functions and possible inherent logic.
[0089] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only intended to illustrate rather than restrict the technical solutions of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that modifications may still be made to the specific embodiments of the present disclosure or equivalent substitutions may be made to some of the technical features without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Such modifications and equivalent substitutions shall all fall within the scope of the technical solutions claimed by the present disclosure.
a cabinet (1) configured to store articles;
a cabinet door openably and closably disposed on the cabinet (1);
a first detection device configured to detect whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door;
a second detection device configured to detect a target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1); and
an adjustment device in signal connection with the first detection device and the second detection device, wherein the adjustment device is configured to determine a humidity adjustment target based on whether an opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1) as detected by the second detection device.
detecting whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door;
detecting the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1); and
determining a humidity adjustment target based on whether the opening action occurs to the cabinet door as detected by the first detection device and the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1) as detected by the second detection device.
when the first detection device detects that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining the humidity adjustment target according to the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1);
when the first detection device does not detect that the opening action occurs to the cabinet door, determining whether to activate humidity adjustment according to a humidity recovery rate inside the cabinet (1); and if it is determined that humidity adjustment needs to be activated, determining the humidity adjustment target based on the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1).
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1) is above 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet (1) is less than or equal to a first preset value;
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1) is 0°C or below, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet (1) is less than or equal to a second preset value, wherein the second preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature overshoot value, which is the sum of a preset temperature value and the temperature inside the cabinet (1) after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
when the target operating temperature inside the cabinet (1) is within the range of -2°C to 2°C, if the temperature inside the cabinet (1) is higher than 0 °C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet (1) is less than or equal to a first preset value; if the temperature inside the cabinet (1) is less than or equal to 0°C, determining the humidity adjustment target as that the humidity inside the cabinet (1) is less than or equal to a third preset value, wherein the third preset value is a humidity preset value determined based on a temperature difference between an instantaneous temperature upon opening of the cabinet door and a temperature inside the cabinet (1) after the cabinet door is opened and then closed.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description