BACKGROUND

Technical Field The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration device technologies, and in particular, to an operating method of a refrigeration device and a refrigeration device.

Related Art

At present, it is known that a refrigerator has multiple storage compartments and temperatures of the storage compartments can be controlled independently. For example, each of the different storage compartments has a respective turn-on temperature and shutdown temperature. The controller determines, based on a detected temperature of a storage compartment and a corresponding turn-on temperature/shut-down temperature, whether to run a compressor in order to cool the corresponding storage compartment. However, because the compartments have different set temperatures and load, the compressor may be frequently turned on and shut down to refrigerate different compartments. For example, the compressor may just stop running for a short period and then needs to run again to refrigerate another compartment. Therefore, the compressor has relatively high power consumption, energy efficiency of the refrigerator is reduced, and a service life of the compressor is affected as well.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved operating method of a refrigeration device and a refrigeration device applied to the operating method.

To achieve the foregoing objective, an aspect of the present invention relates to an operating method of a refrigeration device, characterized by, when a first storage compartment is cooled to a shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment and a temperature of a second storage compartment is lower than a turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment. Because storage compartments of the refrigeration device have different set temperatures and methods for storing and taking foods by opening or closing a door are different, after a storage compartment just reaches a shutdown temperature and the compressor has been shut down for a very short time such as one minute, a temperature of another storage compartment may rise to a turn-on temperature and refrigeration is required; and the compressor is turned on again after a short shut-down time. In this way, the compressor is frequently turned on and shut down due to alternate refrigeration requests of the storage compartments in a short time. In initial three to five minutes, the compressor is started to mainly create a pressure difference between a condenser and an evaporator. Electric energy consumed by the compressor at this stage is not used for refrigeration and therefore is wasted. Then, a normal refrigeration state is entered. Therefore, frequent turn on and shut-down of the compressor increase power consumption and affect a service life of the compressor. Moreover, noise during turn on and shut-down of the compressor is louder than noise during stable running of the compressor, and frequent turn-on and shut-down noise bothers a user.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, after the compressor is turned on to refrigerate the first storage compartment and the storage compartment reaches the shutdown temperature, and when a temperature of the second storage compartment does not reach the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the compressor enters a combination mode to determine whether to continue running the compressor to cool the second storage compartment, rather than being shut down immediately. It can be seen that when the refrigeration of the first storage compartment ends and the temperature of the second storage compartment does not reach the turn-on temperature, the compressor may still continue running based on a purpose of cooling the second storage compartment. For example, the compressor may continue running in order to cool the second storage compartment to the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment, which helps to reduce a probability of frequently turning on and shutting down the compressor in a short time, thereby helping to reduce power consumption, prolonging a service life, and reduce noise of the refrigeration device.

In the present invention, the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment refers to a turn-on temperature limit of the storage compartment. That is, when a temperature of the compressor reaches the temperature limit, a controller may determine that the storage compartment has a refrigeration requirement and the compressor should run to cool the storage compartment. A turn-on temperature of a storage compartment is generally related to a set temperature of the storage compartment. In an embodiment, at a same set temperature, the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment may be constant. In an optional embodiment, the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment may be adjusted based on some conditions. For example, the controller may adjust the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment based on an ambient temperature.

In the present invention, the shutdown temperature of the storage compartment refers to a shutdown temperature limit of the storage compartment. That is, when the storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature limit, the compressor may stop cooling the storage compartment. A shutdown temperature of a storage compartment is generally related to a set temperature of the storage compartment. In an embodiment, at a same set temperature, the shut-down temperature of the storage compartment is constant. In an optional embodiment, the shut-down temperature of the storage compartment may be adjusted based on some conditions. For example, the controller may adjust the shut-down temperature of the storage compartment based on an ambient temperature.

It should be understood that, the present invention is applicable to a refrigeration device having multiple storage compartments, such as a refrigeration device having two, three or more storage compartments. In an embodiment, after refrigeration of each storage compartment ends but another storage compartment does not reach a corresponding turn-on temperature, the controller determines whether the another storage compartment should enter a combination mode, that is, whether should continue running the compressor to cool remaining one or more storage compartments. In another embodiment, only when refrigeration of a particular storage compartment (such as a freezing compartment) ends and another storage compartment (such as a storage compartment whose temperature may be set to above zero degrees centigrade) does not reach a turn-on temperature, the controller determines whether the compressor should continue running cool the another storage compartment. It should be understood that the present invention is applicable to a refrigeration device having a single refrigeration cycle system, a dual refrigeration cycle system, or a multiple refrigeration cycle system and two or more storage compartments whose temperatures can be controlled independently.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment includes determining whether the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than or equal to a preset reduced turn-on temperature, where the reduced turn-on temperature is lower than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, and greater than or equal to a shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment.

Therefore, even if the second storage compartment does not reach the turn-on temperature (which may also be referred to as a normal turn-on temperature) of the second storage compartment, in a combination mode, when the temperature of the second storage compartment reaches the reduced turn-on temperature (which may also be referred to as a turn-on temperature of the combination mode), the compressor may continue running based on a purpose of cooling the second storage compartment, which helps to prolong a single running time of the compressor, and reduce turn-on and shut-down frequencies of the compressor. In addition, using the reduced turn-on temperature to determine whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment is easily implemented. Moreover, by setting the reduced turn-on temperature properly, a running mode of the compressor can be adjusted more effectively and more accurately.

In an embodiment, a reduced turn-on temperature is greater than a shutdown temperature. In an optional embodiment, a reduced turn-on temperature of a storage compartment may even be set to be equal to a shutdown temperature of the storage compartment. For example, a reduced turn-on temperature of a refrigeration compartment/a chill compartment/a variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of a freezing compartment (compared with the freezing compartment, an evaporation temperature of a refrigerant in evaporators corresponding to these compartments is higher) may be set to a shutdown temperature thereof. Therefore, when refrigeration of the freezing compartment ends, in most cases, the compressor can continue running to cool the refrigeration compartment/the chill compartment/the variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of the freezing compartment, so that a running time for cooling the refrigeration compartment/the chill compartment/the variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of the freezing compartment can be effectively increased, thereby helping to reduce turn-on and shut-down frequencies of the compressor. In addition, it is found that it helps to improve refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration device having a dual refrigeration cycle system/a multiple refrigeration cycle system. For the dual refrigeration cycle/multiple refrigeration cycle system, an evaporation temperature of a refrigerant in an evaporator of the refrigeration compartment/the chill compartment/the variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of the freezing compartment; therefore it helps to improve energy efficiency.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment includes determining, in association with an ambient temperature, whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment.

The ambient temperature refers to a temperature of an environment in which the refrigeration device is located. High and low ambient temperatures have different impacts on running of the refrigeration device, and different storage compartments of the refrigeration device have different refrigeration requirements at different ambient temperatures. Therefore, using the ambient temperature as one of conditions for determining whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool a storage compartment helps to evaluate a refrigeration requirement of a storage compartment more accurately, and form more precise refrigeration control.

In an embodiment, the step of determining, in association with an ambient temperature, whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment includes: determining whether the ambient temperature is less than a first ambient temperature threshold Tl, and when the ambient temperature is less than the first ambient temperature threshold Tl, not continuing running the compressor based on a purpose of cooling the second storage compartment; and/or determining whether the ambient temperature is greater than a second ambient temperature threshold T2, and when the ambient temperature is greater than the second ambient temperature threshold T2, not continuing running the compressor based on the purpose of cooling the second storage compartment, where the first ambient temperature threshold Tl is less than the second ambient temperature threshold T2.

The first ambient temperature threshold Tl refers to a relatively low preset ambient temperature value. For example, the first ambient temperature threshold Tl may be lower than or equal to or approximate to a set temperature of the second storage compartment. When the first storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment, because an external ambient temperature is relatively low, the temperature of the second storage compartment is easily kept at the set temperature. Therefore, the compressor does not need to continue running in order to refrigerate the second storage compartment.

The second ambient temperature threshold T2 refers to a relatively high preset ambient temperature value. At the relatively high ambient temperature, the refrigeration device has relatively heavy operating load, and the first storage compartment set as a freezing compartment generally needs a relatively long cooling time to reach the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment. In a cooling process of the first storage compartment, the compressor also responds to a refrigeration requirement of the second storage compartment set as a refrigeration compartment/a chill compartment/a variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of a freezing compartment, and cools the second storage compartment multiple times on the basis of determining that the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than the reduced turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, to cause an average temperature of the second storage compartment to be lower than the set temperature. Therefore, when the first storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature, the compressor does not need to continue running in order to refrigerate the second storage compartment, thereby avoiding causing the temperature of the second storage compartment to be excessively low. In an embodiment, the determining, in association with an ambient temperature, whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment includes: determining whether the ambient temperature is between a first ambient temperature threshold Tl and a second ambient temperature threshold T2 to determine whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment, and when the ambient temperature is between the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2, continuing running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment.

In an embodiment, the first storage compartment is a freezing compartment, the temperature of the second storage compartment may be set to be higher than or equal to zero degrees centigrade, and the step of determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment includes determining whether an ambient temperature is between a first ambient temperature threshold Tl and a second ambient temperature threshold T2 to determine whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment, and when the ambient temperature is between the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2, continuing running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment.

Experiments show that in an ambient temperature range between the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2, after the first storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment, even if the temperature of the second storage compartment does not reach the turn-on temperature, when the compressor still continues running in order to cool the second storage compartment, a cooling capacity of the compressor running in the combination mode can not only cool the second storage compartment to the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment, but also replenish a loss of a cooling capacity of the first storage compartment set as the freezing compartment and keep the first storage compartment at the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment, which can effectively reduce turn-on and shut-down frequencies of the compressor, and help to improve refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration device.

The first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 may be preset by the refrigeration device.

In an embodiment, the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 may be respectively the same as or approximate to high and low thresholds of a middle ambient temperate range set by a manufacturer. In another embodiment, at least one of the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 is in the middle ambient temperate range. For example, the first ambient temperature threshold Tl may be between 19 °C to 21 °C, and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 may be between 34 °C to 36 °C.

In an embodiment, the determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment includes: determining whether a running time of the compressor is greater than or equal to a first runtime value T3, and if the running time of the compressor is greater than or equal to the first runtime value T3, not continuing running the compressor based on a purpose of cooling the second storage compartment; and/or determining whether a cooling time of the first storage compartment is greater than or equal to a first cooling time value T4, and when the cooling time of the first storage compartment is greater than or equal to the first cooling time value T4, not continuing running the compressor based on the purpose of cooling the second storage compartment. Using the first cooling time value T4 or the first running time value T3 as a condition or one of conditions for determining whether the compressor continues running in order to cool the second storage compartment helps to avoid, on the one hand, a service life of the compressor from being affected because the compressor keeps working for a long time (such as because of heavy load). On the other hand, in the foregoing first cooling time T4 or the first running time T3, the compressor also responds to a refrigeration requirement of the second storage compartment, and cools the second storage compartment multiple times on the basis of determining that the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than the reduced turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, to cause an average temperature of the second storage compartment to be lower than the set temperature. Except the first cooling time T4 or the first running time T3, the compressor does not continue cooling the second storage compartment on the basis of determining that the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than the reduced turn-on temperature, which helps to avoid an average temperature of the second storage compartment from being lower than the set temperature for an excessively time.

In an embodiment, the step of determining whether a running time of the compressor is greater than or equal to a first runtime value T3 and/or determining whether a cooling time of the first storage compartment is greater than or equal to a first cooling time value T4 is earlier than the step of determining whether the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than or equal to a preset reduced turn-on temperature.

In an embodiment, the determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment includes: determining whether the refrigeration device is set to be in a quick-freeze mode, and if the refrigeration device is set to be in the quick-freeze mode, not continuing running the compressor based on the purpose of cooling the second storage compartment.

In the quick-freeze mode, the refrigeration device has relatively heavy operating load, and a freezing compartment set to be in the quick-freeze mode generally needs to a relatively long cooling time to reach a shutdown temperature of the freezing compartment. In a cooling process of the freezing compartment, the compressor also responds to a refrigeration requirement of another compartment (such as a refrigeration compartment or a chill compartment or a variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of a freezing compartment), and cools the another compartment multiple times on the basis of determining whether a temperature of the another compartment is greater than a reduced turn-on temperature of the another compartment, to cause an average temperature of the another compartment to be lower than a set temperature for a relatively long time.

In an embodiment, a temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is constant. In an embodiment, the temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than or equal to 0.5 °C and less than or equal to 1 °C.

In an embodiment, the reduced turn-on temperature is variable and is associated with an ambient temperature. In an embodiment, a temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is variable and is associated with an ambient temperature. In an embodiment, the first storage compartment is a freezing compartment, the second storage compartment may be set within a temperature range of above zero degrees centigrade, and when an ambient temperature is between a first ambient temperature threshold Tl and a second ambient temperature threshold T2, a temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than a temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment, where the first ambient temperature threshold Tl is less than the second ambient temperature threshold T2.

In an embodiment, the reduced turn-on temperature is equal to or approximate to the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment.

In an embodiment, when the ambient temperature is less than the first ambient temperature threshold Tl, the temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment; and/or when the ambient temperature is greater than the second ambient temperature threshold T2, the temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment.

In an embodiment, the reduced turn-on temperature is less than and approximate to the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment. In an embodiment, the method includes: when the second storage compartment reaches the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment and the temperature of the first storage compartment is less than the turn-on temperature of the first storage compartment, determining, based on whether the temperature of the first storage compartment is greater than a reduced turn-on temperature of the first storage compartment, whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the first storage compartment.

In an embodiment, the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 are respectively a low limit of a middle ambient temperate range and a high limit of the middle ambient temperate range.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigeration device, including a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, and a controller for controlling the refrigeration system, where the controller is set to control the refrigeration system according to any one of the foregoing methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an operating method of a refrigeration device according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool a second storage compartment;

FIG. 3 is a second embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool a second storage compartment;

FIG. 4 is a third embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool a second storage compartment;

FIG. 5 is a fourth embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool a second storage compartment; and

FIG. 6 is a fifth embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool a second storage compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The present invention is applicable to a refrigeration device having a single refrigeration cycle system, a dual refrigeration cycle system, or a multiple refrigeration cycle system and two or more storage compartments whose temperatures can be controlled independently.

The refrigeration device includes a case body having internal space, and the internal space of the case body is constructed to accommodate foods. The internal space may be separated by a separation panel into different storage compartments, so as to place different foods. For example, the internal space may be separated into two, three or more storage compartments, and temperatures of the different storage compartments can be controlled independently. The internal space may be closed by a door body. In addition, the refrigeration device includes a refrigeration loop, and corresponding temperature adjustment may be performed in the internal space by means of the refrigeration loop. Therefore, the refrigeration loop specially includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and a corresponding connection pipe, and a refrigerant is cycled in the connection pipe.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an operating method of a refrigeration device according to an aspect of the present invention. An initial state of the refrigeration device is set to a shut-down state of a compressor. A controller of the refrigeration device first determines whether a temperature of an arbitrary storage compartment, such as a first storage compartment is greater than a first turn-on temperature of the storage compartment. If the temperature of the first storage compartment is greater than the first turn-on temperature of the storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device controls, in response to a refrigeration requirement of the first storage compartment, the compressor to be turned on to refrigerate the first storage compartment. When the first storage compartment reaches a shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device then determines whether a temperature of a next arbitrary storage compartment, such as a second storage compartment, reaches a turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment as well. If the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device controls, in response to a refrigeration requirement of the second storage compartment, the compressor to be turned on to refrigerate the second storage compartment. The compressor can be shut down until each storage compartment of the refrigeration device reaches a shutdown temperature of the storage compartment. If the temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the refrigeration device enters a combination mode, that is, whether should continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment. It can be seen that when the refrigeration of the first storage compartment ends and the temperature of the second storage compartment does not reach the turn-on temperature, the compressor may still continue running based on a purpose of cooling the second storage compartment. For example, the compressor may continue running in order to cool the second storage compartment to a shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment, which helps to reduce a probability of frequently turning on and shutting down the compressor in a short time, thereby helping to reduce power consumption, prolonging a service life, and reduce noise of the refrigeration device.

In the present invention, the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment refers to a turn-on temperature limit of the storage compartment. That is, when a temperature of the compressor reaches the temperature limit, the controller of the refrigeration device may determine that the storage compartment has a refrigeration requirement and the compressor should run to cool the storage compartment. A turn-on temperature of a storage compartment is generally related to a set temperature of the storage compartment. In an embodiment, at a same set temperature, the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment may be constant. In an optional embodiment, the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment may be adjusted based on some conditions. For example, the controller may adjust the turn-on temperature of the storage compartment based on an ambient temperature.

In the present invention, the shutdown temperature of the storage compartment refers to a shutdown temperature limit of the storage compartment. That is, when the storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature limit, the compressor may stop cooling the storage compartment. A shutdown temperature of a storage compartment is generally related to a set temperature of the storage compartment. In an embodiment, at a same set temperature, the shut-down temperature of the storage compartment is constant. In an optional embodiment, the shut-down temperature of the storage compartment may be adjusted based on some conditions. For example, the controller of the refrigeration device may adjust the shut-down temperature of the storage compartment based on an ambient temperature.

In an embodiment, a temperature difference between a reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment constant. For example, the temperature difference is greater than or equal to 0.5 °C and less than or equal to 1 °C. In an embodiment, a reduced turn-on temperature is variable and is associated with an ambient temperature, or a temperature difference between a reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is variable and is associated with an ambient temperature.

FIG. 2 is a first embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment. With reference to FIG. 1, when the temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device continues determining whether the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than or equal to the reduced turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment. The reduced turn-on temperature is lower than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, and greater than or equal to a shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment. If the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than or equal to the reduced turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the refrigeration device enters a combination mode, and the compressor is not shut down and continues running in order to cool the second storage compartment. The compressor may stop running until the second storage compartment reaches the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment. If the temperature of the second storage compartment is not greater than the reduced turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the refrigeration device does not enter a combination mode, and the compressor may stop working. Therefore, even if the second storage compartment does not reach the turn-on temperature (which may also be referred to as a normal turn-on temperature) of the second storage compartment, in a combination mode, when the temperature of the second storage compartment reaches the reduced turn-on temperature, the compressor may continue running based on a purpose of cooling the second storage compartment, which helps to prolong a single running time of the compressor, and reduce turn-on and shut-down frequencies of the compressor. In addition, using the reduced turn-on temperature to determine whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment is easily implemented. Moreover, by setting the reduced turn-on temperature properly, a running mode of the compressor can be adjusted more effectively and more accurately.

In an embodiment, a reduced turn-on temperature is greater than a shutdown temperature. In an optional embodiment, a reduced turn-on temperature of a storage compartment may even be set to be equal to a shutdown temperature of the storage compartment. For example, a reduced turn-on temperature of a refrigeration compartment/a chill compartment/a variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of a freezing compartment (compared with the freezing compartment, an evaporation temperature of a refrigerant in evaporators corresponding to these compartments is higher) may be set to a shutdown temperature thereof. Therefore, when refrigeration of the freezing compartment ends, in most cases, the compressor can continue running to cool the refrigeration compartment/the chill compartment/the variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of the freezing compartment, so that a running time for cooling the refrigeration compartment/the chill compartment/the variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of the freezing compartment can be effectively increased, thereby helping to reduce turn-on and shut-down frequencies of the compressor. In addition, it is found that it helps to improve refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration device having a dual refrigeration cycle system/a multiple refrigeration cycle system. For the dual refrigeration cycle/multiple refrigeration cycle system, an evaporation temperature of a refrigerant in an evaporator of the refrigeration compartment/the chill compartment/the variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of the freezing compartment; therefore it helps to improve energy efficiency of the refrigeration device.

FIG. 3 is a second embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment. With reference to FIG. 1, when the temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device continues determining whether an ambient temperature is less than a first ambient temperature threshold Tl and/or whether an ambient temperature is greater than a second ambient temperature threshold T2. If the ambient temperature is less than the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and/or the ambient temperature is greater than the second ambient temperature threshold T2, the refrigeration device controls the compressor to be shut down and not to continue cooling the second storage compartment; otherwise, the compressor may continue running in order to cool the second storage compartment.

The ambient temperature refers to a temperature of an environment in which the refrigeration device is located. High and low ambient temperatures have different impacts on running of the refrigeration device, and different storage compartments of the refrigeration device have different refrigeration requirements at different ambient temperatures. Therefore, using the ambient temperature as one of conditions for determining whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool a storage compartment helps to evaluate a refrigeration requirement of a storage compartment more accurately, and form more precise refrigeration control.

The first ambient temperature threshold Tl refers to a relatively low preset ambient temperature value. For example, the first ambient temperature threshold Tl may be lower than or equal to or approximate to a set temperature of the second storage compartment. When the first storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment, because an external ambient temperature is relatively low, the temperature of the second storage compartment is easily kept at the set temperature. Therefore, the compressor does not need to continue running in order to refrigerate the second storage compartment.

The second ambient temperature threshold T2 refers to a relatively high preset ambient temperature value. At the relatively high ambient temperature, the refrigeration device has relatively heavy operating load, and the first storage compartment set as a freezing compartment generally needs a relatively long cooling time to reach the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment. In a cooling process of the first storage compartment, the compressor also responds to a refrigeration requirement of the second storage compartment set as a refrigeration compartment/a chill compartment/a variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of a freezing compartment, and cools the second storage compartment multiple times on the basis of determining that the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than the reduced turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, to cause an average temperature of the second storage compartment to be lower than the set temperature. Therefore, when the first storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature, the compressor does not need to continue running in order to refrigerate the second storage compartment, thereby avoiding causing the temperature of the second storage compartment to be excessively low. In the embodiment, preferably, a temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is less than a temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and a shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment. The reduced turn-on temperature is less than and approximate to the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment.

FIG. 4 is a third embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment. With reference to FIG. 1, when the temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device continues determining whether an ambient temperature is between a first ambient temperature threshold Tl and a second ambient temperature threshold T2. When the ambient temperature is between the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2, the compressor continues running in order to cool the second storage compartment.

Especially preferably, in this embodiment, the first storage compartment is a freezing compartment, and the temperature of the second storage compartment may be set to be higher than or equal to zero degrees centigrade. A temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than a temperature difference between the reduced turn-on temperature and a shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment. The reduced turn-on temperature is equal to or approximate to the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment, where the first ambient temperature threshold Tl is less than the second ambient temperature threshold T2. Experiments show that in an ambient temperature range between the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2, after the first storage compartment is cooled to the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment, even if the temperature of the second storage compartment does not reach the turn-on temperature, when the refrigeration device enters a combination mode and the compressor still continues running in order to cool the second storage compartment, a cooling capacity of the compressor running in the combination mode can not only cool the second storage compartment to the shutdown temperature of the second storage compartment, but also replenish a loss of a cooling capacity of the first storage compartment set as the freezing compartment and keep the first storage compartment at the shutdown temperature of the first storage compartment, which can effectively reduce turn-on and shut-down frequencies of the compressor, and help to improve refrigeration efficiency of the refrigeration device.

The first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 may be preset by the refrigeration device. In an embodiment, the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 may be respectively the same as or approximate to high and low thresholds of a middle ambient temperate range set by a manufacturer. In another embodiment, at least one of the first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 is in the middle ambient temperate range. The first ambient temperature threshold Tl and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 are respectively a low limit of a middle ambient temperate range and a high limit of the middle ambient temperate range. For example, the first ambient temperature threshold Tl may be between 19 °C to 21 °C, and the second ambient temperature threshold T2 may be between 34 °C to 36 °C.

FIG. 5 is a fourth embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment. With reference to FIG. 1, when the temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device continues determining whether a running time of the compressor is greater than or equal to a first runtime value T3, and/or whether a cooling time of the first storage compartment is greater than or equal to a first cooling time value T4. When the running time of the compressor is greater than or equal to the first running time value T3 or the cooling time of the first storage compartment is greater than or equal to the first cooling time value T4, the refrigeration device controls the compressor to be shut down and not continue cooling the second storage compartment. Alternatively, only when the running time of the compressor is greater than or equal to the first running time value T3 and the cooling time of the first storage compartment is greater than or equal to the first cooling time value T4, the refrigeration device controls the compressor to be shut down and not continue cooling the second storage compartment; otherwise, the compressor may continue running in order to cool the second storage compartment.

Using the first cooling time value T4 or the first running time value T3 as a condition or one of conditions for determining whether the compressor continues running in order to cool the second storage compartment helps to avoid, on the one hand, a service life of the compressor from being affected because the compressor keeps working for a long time (such as because of heavy load). On the other hand, in the foregoing first cooling time T4 or the first running time T3, the compressor also responds to a refrigeration requirement of the second storage compartment, and cools the second storage compartment multiple times on the basis of determining that the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than the reduced turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, to cause an average temperature of the second storage compartment to be lower than the set temperature. Except the first cooling time T4 or the first running time T3, the compressor does not continue cooling the second storage compartment on the basis of determining that the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than the reduced turn-on temperature, which helps to avoid an average temperature of the second storage compartment from being lower than the set temperature for an excessively time.

Certainly, the fourth embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined to form another new embodiment, and In the embodiment, the step of determining whether a running time of the compressor is greater than or equal to a first runtime value T3 and/or determining whether a cooling time of the first storage compartment is greater than or equal to a first cooling time value T4 is earlier than the step of determining whether the temperature of the second storage compartment is greater than or equal to a preset reduced turn-on temperature.

FIG. 6 is a fifth embodiment in FIG. 1 of determining whether to continue running the compressor in order to cool the second storage compartment. With reference to FIG. 1, when the temperature of the second storage compartment is less than the turn-on temperature of the second storage compartment, the controller of the refrigeration device continues determining whether the refrigeration device is set to be in a quick-freeze mode. When the refrigeration device is set to be in the quick-freeze mode, the compressor does not continue running based on a purpose of cooling the second storage compartment.

In the quick-freeze mode, the refrigeration device has relatively heavy operating load, and a freezing compartment set to the quick-freeze mode generally needs to a relatively long cooling time to reach a shutdown temperature of the freezing compartment. In a cooling process of the freezing compartment, the compressor also responds to a refrigeration requirement of another compartment (such as a refrigeration compartment or a chill compartment or a variable-temperature compartment whose temperature is higher than that of a freezing compartment), and cools the another compartment multiple times on the basis of determining whether a temperature of the another compartment is greater than a reduced turn-on temperature of the another compartment, to cause an average temperature of the another compartment to be lower than a set temperature for a relatively long time. Therefore, in the quick-freeze mode, it is better not to use a combination mode.

In addition, arbitrarily combining two or more of the foregoing five embodiments to form a new embodiment of determining whether to continue running a compressor in order to cool a second storage compartment can be conceived by and is obvious to a person skilled in the art, and no example is provided herein for description.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigeration device, including a first storage compartment, a second storage compartment, a refrigeration system including a compressor, and a controller for controlling the refrigeration system, where the controller is set to control the refrigeration system according to any one of the foregoing methods.

Based on the description of the embodiments, persons skilled in the art can implement or apply the present invention. Various modifications of the embodiments are apparent to persons skilled in the art, and general principles defined in the specification can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments in the specification, but intends to cover the most extensive scope consistent with the principle and the novel features disclosed in the specification.