Patent Application
20190086144
The present disclosure relates to a household appliances technology, and more particularly relates to a method for controlling a cold water temperature of a refrigerating device and a refrigerating device.
Related refrigerating devices mostly control a temperature of cold water via a temperature controller. The temperature controller includes a pressure type thermometer and a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) electronic temperature controller. A related temperature controller has a precision of temperature control ranging from 1.5 degree centigrade to 2 degree centigrade. However, the temperature of the cold water generally fluctuates from 3 degree centigrade to 5 degree centigrade, such that the temperature controller with the precision of temperature control is hard to realize a high precision control on the cold water. Moreover, it is difficult to improve the precision of temperature control of the temperature controller, such that it is difficult to improve the precision of controlling by the related refrigerating device the cold water.
Thus, the related art needs to advance.
Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to solve at least one of the problems existing in the related art to at least some extent. Accordingly, an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a method for controlling a cold water temperature of a refrigerating device, which may control the temperature of cold water more precisely, thus avoiding influence of the temperature control precision of the temperature controller.
Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerating device.
Embodiments of an aspect of the present disclosure provide a method for controlling a cold water temperature of a refrigerating device. The method includes: controlling the refrigerating device to enter into a thermal insulation state; detecting a water temperature in a water tank of the refrigerating device; controlling the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation for a predetermined time period when the water temperature is greater than a first predetermined temperature, so as to enable the water temperature to be less than a second predetermined temperature, in which the second predetermined temperature is less than or equal to the first predetermined temperature; and controlling the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation after the predetermined time period.
With the method for controlling a cold water temperature of a refrigerating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is under the thermal insulation state, if the water temperature in the water tank is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to perform a refrigeration operation for the first predetermined time period to enable the water temperature to be less than or equal to the second predetermined temperature. In this way, the control on the water temperature may be realized after the predetermined time period, such that the water temperature of cold water may be controlled more precisely, and energy consumption may be reduced, thus avoiding influence of the temperature control precision of the temperature controller.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is operating for a first time, before controlling the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state, the method further includes: controlling the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation; detecting the water temperature in the water tank; and controlling the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation when the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is operating for a first time, before controlling the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state, the method further includes: detecting an initial water temperature in the water tank of the refrigerating device; and determining an initial operating time according to the initial water temperature, and controlling the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation for the initial operating time, so as to enable the water temperature in the water tank to be less than the second predetermined temperature.
In detail, determining an initial operating time according to the initial water temperature includes: determining the initial operating time according to a difference between the initial water temperature and the second predetermined temperature.
Further, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device enters into a water usage state, the method further includes: detecting the water temperature in the water tank; controlling the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation when the water temperature in the water tank is greater than a third predetermined temperature; determining whether the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, if yes, controlling the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation and controlling the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state; in which the third predetermined temperature is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.
Embodiments of another aspect of the present disclosure provide a refrigerating device. The refrigerating device includes: a water tank; a temperature detector, configured to detect a water temperature in the water tank; and a controller configured to: control the refrigerating device to enter into a thermal insulation state; acquire the water temperature in the water tank; control the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation for a predetermined time period when the water temperature is greater than a first predetermined temperature, so as to enable the water temperature to be less than a second predetermined temperature, in which the second predetermined temperature is less than or equal to the first predetermined temperature; and control the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation after the predetermined time period.
With the refrigerating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is under the thermal insulation state, if the water temperature in the water tank is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled by the controller to perform a refrigeration operation for the first predetermined time period to enable the water temperature to be less than or equal to the second predetermined temperature. In this way, the control on the water temperature may be realized after the predetermined time period, such that the water temperature of cold water may be controlled more precisely, and energy consumption may be reduced, thus avoiding influence of the temperature control precision of the temperature controller.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is operating for a first time, before controlling the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state, the controller is further configured to: control the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation; detect the water temperature in the water tank; and control the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation when the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is operating for a first time, before controlling the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state, the controller is further configured to: acquire an initial water temperature in the water tank; determine an initial operating time according to the initial water temperature; and control the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation for the initial operating time, so as to enable the water temperature in the water tank to be less than the second predetermined temperature.
In detail, the controller is configured to determine the initial operating time according to a difference between the initial water temperature and the second predetermined temperature.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device enters into a water usage state, the controller is further configured to: acquire the water temperature in the water tank; control the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation when the water temperature in the water tank is greater than a third predetermined temperature; determine whether the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, if yes, control the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation and control the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state; in which the third predetermined temperature is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.
Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, where the same or similar elements and the elements having same or similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the descriptions. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and used to generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure.
Factors influencing the precision of temperature control of the temperature controller will be briefly described below.
The precision of temperature control of the temperature controller is influenced by production materials, manufacturing techniques, assembly techniques or the like. In detail, the precision of temperature control of the temperature controller is influenced by the following factors.
1, Production Materials
Take the production materials of a pressure type temperature controller as an example. The pressure type temperature detector is made based on a principle of “Thermal Expansion and Contraction”, a contact of which is controlled to be switched on or off via an action of an internal level so as to realize controlling temperature. Thus, mechanical property of the production material of each element in the pressure type temperature detector is directly related to the precision of temperature control. However, when the material property is improved to a certain extent, the precision of temperature control is hard to improve.
Take the production materials of an NTC electronic temperature controller as an example. The NTC electronic temperature controller is made based on a principle of a thermistor. Thus, the precision of temperature control of the NTC electronic temperature controller is directly affected by material of the thermistor.
2, Manufacturing Techniques
Take the manufacturing technique of the pressure type temperature controller as an example. The mechanical work principle of the pressure type temperature controller decides that, the precision of temperature control is influenced by level of processing during the manufacture. If each element in the pressure type temperature controller has a high level of processing, then the mechanical elements work smoothly, such that the pressure type temperature controller has a high precision of temperature control, or else, the pressure type temperature controller has a low precision of temperature control.
3, Assembly Techniques
A compactness of contact between a detecting head of the temperature controller and a product structure controlled by the temperature controller may influence the precision of temperature control, such that the precision of temperature control is related to the assembly techniques of workers.
Therefore, limited to the production materials, the precision of temperature control of the pressure type temperature controller is hard to improve, and limited to errors in the assembly techniques, the precision of temperature control of the NTC electronic temperature controller is hard to improve, such that the precision of temperature control of the temperature controller is hard to improve, thus it is hard to improve the precision of temperature control on the cold water of the related refrigerating device.
On this basis, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling a cold water temperature of a refrigerating device and a refrigerating device.
In the following, the method for controlling a cold water temperature of a refrigerating device and the refrigerating device will be described with reference to
At block S1, the refrigerating device is controlled to enter into a thermal insulation state.
At block S2, a water temperature in a water tank of the refrigerating device is detected.
At block S3, when the water temperature is greater than a first predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to perform a refrigeration operation for a predetermined time period so as to enable the water temperature to be less than a second predetermined temperature, and the refrigerating device is controlled to stop the refrigeration operation after the predetermined time period. The second predetermined temperature is less than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.
In other words, after the refrigerating device enters into the thermal insulation state, if nobody uses water, the refrigerating device is controlled to operate within a predetermined temperature range, i.e., the water temperature in the water tank is controlled to change between a first predetermined temperature and the second predetermined temperature.
It should be noted that, according to a principle of conservation of energy, the energy change generated due to the temperature change is converted to the energy change generated due to the time change. In this way, a required refrigerating time is certain when the refrigerating device reaches a same predetermined temperature in a same refrigerating environment. Thus, an operating time for refrigeration operation may be set when the product is developed. By setting the operating time for refrigeration operation, the water temperature in the water tank may reach the predetermined temperature, thus preventing the precision of temperature control from influences of various factors of the temperature controller.
During the operation of the refrigerating device under the thermal insulation state, the water temperature in the water tank may be detected in real time, when the water temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to switched from a refrigerating stop state to a refrigerating state, such that the refrigerating device enters into a fixed time control mode. After the refrigerating device operates for the predetermined time period, the refrigerating device is controlled to stop the refrigeration operation, such that the water temperature in the water tank is less than the second predetermined temperature. In detail, when the temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature, a compressor is started, such that the refrigerating device starts to perform the refrigeration operation. The compressor is controlled to operate a predetermined time period. After the predetermined time period, the compressor is closed, such that the refrigerating device stops the refrigeration operation.
In this way, when the refrigerating device is in the thermal insulation state, the water temperature in the water tank maintains at the second predetermined temperature. The second predetermined temperature may be less than the first predetermined temperature, such that the compressor can be prevented from being started and closed frequently by setting a return difference (the return difference is the first predetermined temperature minus the second predetermined temperature). However, the second predetermined temperature may also be equal to the first predetermined temperature.
With the method for controlling a cold water temperature of a refrigerating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is under the thermal insulation state, if the water temperature in the water tank is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to perform the refrigeration operation for the first predetermined time period to enable the water temperature to be less than or equal to the second predetermined temperature. In this way, the control on the water temperature may be realized after the predetermined time period, such that the water temperature of cold water may be controlled more precisely, and energy consumption may be reduced, thus avoiding influence of the temperature control precision of the temperature controller.
According to an embodiment, as illustrated in
At block S10, the refrigerating device is controlled to perform the refrigeration operation.
At block S20, the water temperature in the water tank is detected.
At block S30, when the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to stop the refrigeration operation.
In other words, when the refrigerating device is energized for the first time, the refrigerating device is controlled to refrigerate. In detail, the compressor may be started, and water temperature in the water tank is detected in real time. In this case, it is unnecessary to consider the time. When the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to stop the refrigeration operation, for example, the compressor may be closed, and the refrigerating device is controlled to enter into the thermal insulation state.
According to another embodiment, as illustrated in
At block S100, an initial water temperature in the water tank of the refrigerating device is detected.
At block S200, an initial operating time is determined according to the initial water temperature, and the refrigerating device is controlled to perform the refrigeration operation for the initial operating time so as to enable the water temperature in the water tank to be less than the second predetermined temperature.
In other words, when the refrigerating device is energized for the first time, firstly the water temperature in the water tank is detected to acquire the initial water temperature, and then the operating time for the refrigeration operation for the first time (i.e., the initial operating time) is determined according to the initial water temperature, lastly the refrigerating device is controlled to perform the refrigeration operation. After the refrigerating device operates for the initial operating time, the refrigerating device is controlled to stop the refrigeration operation. And at this time, the water temperature in the water tank is less than the second predetermined temperature. In detail, the compressor may be started, and the compressor is controlled to operate for the initial operating time. The compressor may be closed after the initial operating time, such that the refrigerating device stops the refrigeration operation and then the refrigerating device is controlled to enter into the thermal insulation state.
In detail, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, determining an initial operating time according to the initial water temperature includes: determining the initial operating time according to a difference between the initial water temperature and the second predetermined temperature.
It should be noted that, when the second predetermined temperature is fixed, the initial operating time may be determined only according to the initial water temperature. Different initial water temperatures correspond respectively to different initial operating times. A relation table of the initial water temperatures and the initial operating times may be stored in the refrigerating device in advance. When the second predetermined temperature is set by a user, the initial operating time may be determined only according to a difference. Different differences correspond respectively to different initial operating times. A relation table of the initial operating times and differences between the initial water temperatures and the second predetermined temperatures may be stored in the refrigerating device in advance.
Further, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
At block S4, the water temperature in the water tank is detected.
At block S5, when the water temperature in the water tank is greater than a third predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to perform the refrigeration operation, and it is further determined whether the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, if yes, the refrigerating device is controlled to stop the refrigeration operation, and the refrigerating device is controlled to enter into the thermal insulation state. The third predetermined temperature is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.
In other words, when the user uses water, the cold water in the water tank may flow out a water outlet of the refrigerating device, and the refrigerating device enters into a water usage state. The water temperature in the water tank increases at a fast speed. When the water temperature in the water tank increases to the third predetermined temperature, the compressor may be started, and the refrigerating device is controlled to perform the refrigeration operation. The water temperature in the water tank is detected in real time. There is no time limit to the refrigeration operation. When the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, the refrigerating device is controlled to stop the refrigeration operation, the compressor is closed, and the refrigerating device is controlled to enter into the thermal insulation state. Certainly, when the user finishes using water, the water temperature in the water tank does not increase to the third predetermined temperature, and then the refrigerating device is controlled to enter into the thermal insulation state.
In order to implement the above embodiments, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a refrigerating device.
The temperature detector 20 is configured to detect a water temperature of the tank 10. The controller 30 is coupled to the temperature detector, and configured to control the refrigerating device to enter into a thermal insulation state, to acquire the water temperature in the water tank 10. When the water temperature is greater than a first predetermined temperature, the controller 30 is configured to control the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation for a predetermined time period so as to enable the water temperature to be less than a second predetermined temperature, and to control the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation after the predetermined time period. The second predetermined temperature is less than or equal to the first predetermined temperature. In other words, after the refrigerating device enters into the thermal insulation state, if nobody uses water, the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to operate within a predetermined temperature range, i.e., the water temperature in the water tank is controlled to change between a first predetermined temperature and the second predetermined temperature.
It should be noted that, according to a principle of conservation of energy, the energy change generated due to the temperature change is converted to the energy change generated due to the time change. In this way, a required refrigerating time is certain when the refrigerating device reaches a same predetermined temperature in a same refrigerating environment. Thus, an operating time for the refrigeration operation may be set when the product is developed. By setting the operating time for refrigeration operation, the water temperature in the water tank may reach the predetermined temperature, thus preventing the precision of temperature control from influences of various factors of the temperature controller.
During the operation of the refrigerating device, when the refrigerating device is under the thermal insulation state, the controller 30 may acquire the water temperature in the water tank 10. When the water temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to switch from a refrigerating stop state to a refrigerating state, such that the refrigerating device enters into a fixed time control mode. After the refrigerating device operates for the predetermined time period, the controller 30 is controlled to stop refrigerating, such that the water temperature in the water tank is less than the second predetermined temperature. In detail, when the temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the controller 30 may start a compressor, such that the refrigerating device starts to perform the refrigeration operation, and the compressor is controlled to operate a predetermined time period. After the predetermined time period, the controller 30 may close the compressor, such that the refrigerating device stops the refrigeration operation.
In this way, when the refrigerating device is in the thermal insulation state, the water temperature in the water tank maintains at the second predetermined temperature. The second predetermined temperature may be less than the first predetermined temperature, such that the compressor can be prevented from being started and closed frequently by setting a return difference (the return difference is the first predetermined temperature minus the second predetermined temperature). However, the second predetermined temperature may also be equal to the first predetermined temperature.
With the refrigerating device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is under the thermal insulation state, if the water temperature in the water tank 10 is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to perform the refrigeration operation for the first predetermined time period to enable the water temperature to be less than or equal to the second predetermined temperature. In this way, the control on the water temperature may be realized after the predetermined time period, such that the water temperature of cold water may be controlled more precisely, and energy consumption may be reduced, thus avoiding influence of the temperature control precision of the temperature controller.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is operating for a first time, before controlling the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state, the controller 30 is further configured to: control the refrigerating device to perform the refrigeration operation; detect the water temperature in the water tank 10; and control the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation when the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature.
In other words, when the refrigerating device is energized for the first time, the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to perform the refrigeration operation. In detail, the compressor may be started, and water temperature in the water tank 10 is detected in real time. In this case, it is unnecessary to consider the time. When the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation, for example, close the compressor, and controls the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device is operating for a first time, before controlling the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state, the controller 30 is further configured to: acquire an initial water temperature in the water tank 10; determine an initial operating time according to the initial water temperature; and control the refrigerating device to perform a refrigeration operation for the initial operating time, so as to enable the water temperature in the water tank 10 to be less than the second predetermined temperature.
In other words, when the refrigerating device is energized for the first time, firstly the controller 30 acquires the water temperature in the water tank to acquire the initial water temperature, and then determines the operating time for refrigerating for the first time (i.e., the initial operating time) according to the initial water temperature, lastly controls the refrigerating device to perform the refrigeration operation. After the refrigerating device operates for the initial operating time, the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation. And at this time, the water temperature in the water tank is less than the second predetermined temperature. In detail, the controller 30 may start the compressor, and controls the compressor to operate for the initial operating time. The controller 30 may close the compressor after the compressor operates for the initial operating time, such that the refrigerating device stops the refrigeration operation and then the refrigerating device is controlled to enter into the thermal insulation state.
In detail, according to embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 30 is configured to determine the initial operating time according to a difference between the initial water temperature and the second predetermined temperature.
It should be noted that, when the second predetermined temperature is fixed, the initial operating time may be determined only according to the initial water temperature. Different initial water temperatures correspond respectively to different initial operating times. A relation table of the initial water temperatures and the initial operating times may be stored in the controller 30 in advance. When the second predetermined temperature is set by a user, the initial operating time may be determined only according to a difference. Different differences correspond respectively to different initial operating times. A relation table of the initial operating times and differences between the initial water temperatures and the second predetermined temperatures may be stored in the controller 30 in advance.
Further, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when the refrigerating device enters into a water usage state, the controller is further configured to acquire the water temperature in the water tank 10, to control the refrigerating device to perform the refrigeration operation when the water temperature in the water tank 10 is greater than a third predetermined temperature, further to determine whether the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, and to control the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation and control the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state when the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature. The third predetermined temperature is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.
In other words, when the user uses water, the cold water in the water tank 10 may flow out a water outlet of the refrigerating device, and the refrigerating device enters into a water usage state. The water temperature in the water tank increases at a fast speed. When the water temperature in the water tank increases to the third predetermined temperature, the controller 30 may start the compressor, and control the refrigerating device to perform the refrigeration operation. The water temperature in the water tank is detected in real time. There is no time limit to the refrigeration operation. When the water temperature is less than the second predetermined temperature, the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to stop the refrigeration operation, and closes the compressor, and controls the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state. Certainly, when the user finishes using water, the water temperature in the water tank does not increase to the third predetermined temperature, and then the controller 30 controls the refrigerating device to enter into the thermal insulation state.
In the specification, it is to be understood that terms such as “central,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise”, “axial”, “radial” and “circumferential” should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the present invention be constructed or operated in a particular orientation.
In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance or to imply the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the feature defined with “first” and “second” may comprise one or more of this feature. In the description of the present invention, “a plurality of” means two or more than two, unless specified otherwise.
In the present invention, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “coupled,” “fixed” and the like are used broadly, and may be, for example, fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical or electrical connections; may also be direct connections or indirect connections via intervening structures; may also be inner communications of two elements, which can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations.
In the present invention, unless specified or limited otherwise, a structure in which a first feature is “on” or “below” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and may also include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are not in direct contact with each other, but are contacted via an additional feature formed therebetween. Furthermore, a first feature “on,” “above,” or “on top of” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely “on,” “above,” or “on top of” the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height higher than that of the second feature; while a first feature “below,” “under,” or “on bottom of” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely “below,” “under,” or “on bottom of” the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height lower than that of the second feature.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment”, “another example,” “an example,” “a specific example,” or “some examples,” means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “in another example,” “in an example,” “in a specific example,” or “in some examples,” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments cannot be construed to limit the present disclosure, and changes, alternatives, and modifications can be made in the embodiments without departing from spirit, principles and scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201410781209.6 | Dec 2014 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2015/078095 | 4/30/2015 | WO | 00 |
