阅读说明：本技术 带有真空抽屉的冰箱和真空度控制方法 (Refrigerator with vacuum drawer and vacuum degree control method ) 是由 潘毅广 孙敬龙 许锦潮 刘富明 张海鹏 丁龙辉 齐聪山 于 2020-05-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请提供一种带有真空抽屉的冰箱和真空度控制方法；其中,真空度控制方法通过计算抽屉内达到预设压力阈值后,还需要真空泵继续运行多长时间能够达到另一压力阈值,将计算出的时间作为补偿时间段；从而,将真空泵继续运行补偿时间段后,抽屉内的气压即可达到另一个压力阈值；当抽屉内的气压回升至预设阈值时,真空泵再次启动并运行补偿时间段的时长,抽屉内的气压再次达到另一个压力阈值；从而,将抽屉内的气压维持在理想范围内,无需分别监测抽屉内是否达到了两个压力阈值,设置简单。(The application provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer and a vacuum degree control method; the vacuum degree control method comprises the steps of calculating how long the vacuum pump needs to continuously run to reach another pressure threshold value after the preset pressure threshold value is reached in the drawer, and taking the calculated time as a compensation time period; therefore, after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period, the air pressure in the drawer can reach another pressure threshold value; when the air pressure in the drawer rises to the preset threshold value, the vacuum pump is started again and operates for the duration of the compensation time period, and the air pressure in the drawer reaches another pressure threshold value again; therefore, the air pressure in the drawer is maintained in an ideal range, whether two pressure thresholds are reached in the drawer or not does not need to be monitored respectively, and the setting is simple.)

1. A method of controlling a degree of vacuum, comprising:

starting a vacuum pump;

when the air pressure in the container is reduced to be less than or equal to a preset threshold value, recording the operation time of the vacuum pump as a basic time period;

calculating a compensation time period according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period; wherein the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters;

after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period, closing the vacuum pump;

and when the air pressure in the container rises back to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, operating the vacuum pump for the compensation time period.

2. The vacuum degree control method according to claim 1,

the start vacuum pump includes:

monitoring whether the container changes from an open state to a closed state;

and if the container is changed from the open state to the closed state, starting the vacuum pump.

3. The vacuum control method of claim 1, wherein the calculating a compensation time period from the base time period, a compensation coefficient, and a maximum base time period comprises:

the compensation period is calculated by the following formula:

Δt＝kt+Δtmax-ktmax

where Δ t denotes a compensation time period, k denotes a compensation coefficient, t denotes a base time period, Δ tmax denotes a maximum compensation time period, Δ tmax may be previously measured or calculated in a state where the receptacle is completely empty, tmax denotes a maximum base time period, and tmax may be previously measured in a state where the receptacle is completely empty.

4. The vacuum degree control method according to claim 3, wherein the compensation coefficient is calculated by the following formula:

where Δ tmin represents a minimum compensation time period, Δ tmin being measurable in advance or calculated in a state where the receptacle is full, tmin represents a minimum base time period, and tmin being measurable in advance in a state where the receptacle is full.

5. The vacuum degree control method according to claim 3,

the calculation method of the maximum compensation time period comprises the following steps:

measuring the volume of the container and a maximum base time period;

calculating the maximum compensation time period according to the volume of the container, the maximum base time period and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

6. A refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, comprising:

a refrigerator main body;

a vacuum drawer provided in the refrigerator main body for storing articles;

the air pumping port of the vacuum pump is communicated with the vacuum drawer;

a control device configured to include:

the sensing unit is arranged in the vacuum drawer and used for monitoring the air pressure in the vacuum drawer;

the timing unit is used for counting the running time of the vacuum pump and recording the running time as a basic time period when the air pressure of the vacuum drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to a preset threshold value;

the calculation unit is used for calculating a compensation time period according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period; wherein the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters;

a control unit for controlling, in response to the command,

stopping the vacuum pump after continuing to operate the vacuum pump for the compensation time period;

and when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises to be more than or equal to the preset threshold value, operating the vacuum pump for the compensation time period.

7. The refrigerator with the vacuum drawer according to claim 6, further comprising:

and the switch is in transmission connection with the vacuum drawer and is used for starting the vacuum pump when the vacuum drawer is changed from an open state to a closed state.

8. The refrigerator with vacuum drawer according to claim 6, wherein the computing unit comprises:

a calculation module for calculating the compensation time period by the following formula:

Δt＝kt+Δtmax-ktmax

where Δ t denotes a compensation time period, k denotes a compensation coefficient, t denotes a base time period, Δ tmax denotes a maximum compensation time period, Δ tmax may be measured in advance or calculated in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully empty, tmax denotes a maximum base time period, and tmax may be measured in advance in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully empty.

9. The refrigerator with the vacuum drawer according to claim 8, wherein the computing module comprises:

a first calculation submodule for calculating the compensation coefficient by the following formula:

where Δ tmin represents a minimum compensation time period, Δ tmin may be measured in advance or calculated in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully placed, tmin represents a minimum base time period, and tmin may be measured in advance in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully placed.

10. The refrigerator with the vacuum drawer according to claim 8, wherein the computing module comprises:

the second calculation submodule is used for measuring the volume of the vacuum drawer and the maximum basic time period and calculating the maximum compensation time period according to the volume of the vacuum drawer, the maximum basic time period and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of refrigerators, in particular to a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer and a vacuum degree control method.

Background

The air in the drawer of the refrigerator is pumped out, the air pressure in the drawer is reduced, so that the respiration of the food stored in the drawer is weakened, and the storage time of the food is prolonged.

In a related scheme, gas in the drawer is pumped out through the vacuum pump, and the gas pressure in the drawer is monitored in real time. When the air pressure in the drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to the first pressure threshold value, the vacuum pump stops working. Over time, when the air pressure in the drawer rises back to be greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold, the vacuum pump starts the evacuation operation again. The vacuum degree in the drawer is maintained within a certain range by the reciprocating.

Thus, the pressure in the drawer needs to be compared with two pressure thresholds, and two pressure sensing devices need to be correspondingly arranged and respectively used for feeding back corresponding control signals when the air pressure in the drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to the first pressure threshold and greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold; or a pressure sensing device which feeds back different control signals respectively when the air pressure in the drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to a first pressure threshold value and greater than or equal to a second pressure threshold value is arranged, and the arrangement is complicated.

Disclosure of Invention

The vacuum degree control method provided in the first embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of:

starting a vacuum pump;

when the air pressure in the container is reduced to be less than or equal to a preset threshold value, recording the operation time of the vacuum pump as a basic time period;

calculating a compensation time period according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period; wherein the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period, and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters;

stopping the vacuum pump after continuing to operate the vacuum pump for the compensation time period;

and when the air pressure in the container rises back to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, operating the vacuum pump for the compensation time period.

According to the vacuum degree control method provided by the first embodiment of the invention, after the preset pressure threshold value is reached in the drawer, the time for which the vacuum pump continues to operate is calculated to reach another pressure threshold value, and the calculated time is used as a compensation time period; therefore, after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period, the air pressure in the drawer can reach another pressure threshold value; when the air pressure in the drawer rises back to the preset threshold value, the vacuum pump is started again and runs for the length of the compensation time period, the air pressure in the drawer reaches another pressure threshold value again, the operation is circulated, the air pressure in the drawer can be maintained in the ideal range, whether the two pressure threshold values are reached in the drawer is not required to be monitored respectively, and the setting is simple.

In a vacuum degree control method provided in a second embodiment of the present invention, the starting of the vacuum pump includes:

monitoring whether the container changes from an open state to a closed state;

and if the container is changed from the open state to the closed state, starting the vacuum pump.

In the vacuum degree control method provided in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is monitored that the container is changed from the open state to the closed state, the air pressure in the container returns to the standard atmospheric pressure, and in addition, the remaining volume of the articles stored in the container may also be changed by taking and placing the articles, so that the evacuation step is restarted when the container is changed from the open state to the closed state, and the air pressure in the container is ensured to be within the ideal pressure range.

In a vacuum degree control method provided in a third embodiment of the present invention, the calculating a compensation time period according to the base time period, the compensation coefficient, and the maximum base time period includes:

the compensation period is calculated by the following formula:

Δt＝kt+Δtmax-ktmax

where Δ t denotes a compensation time period, k denotes a compensation coefficient, t denotes a base time period, Δ tmax denotes a maximum compensation time period, Δ tmax may be previously measured or calculated in a state where the receptacle is completely empty, tmax denotes a maximum base time period, and tmax may be previously measured in a state where the receptacle is completely empty.

In the vacuum degree control method provided in the third embodiment of the present invention, a specific calculation formula for calculating the compensation time period according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period, and the maximum compensation time period is provided, and the compensation time period can be automatically calculated according to the statistical basic time period by using the calculation formula.

In a vacuum degree control method provided in a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the compensation coefficient is calculated by the following formula:

where Δ tmin represents a minimum compensation time period, Δ tmin being measurable in advance or calculated in a state where the receptacle is full, tmin represents a minimum base time period, and tmin being measurable in advance in a state where the receptacle is full.

In the vacuum degree control method provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a calculation formula of a compensation coefficient is given, and the compensation coefficient is calculated in advance before use as a constant for calculating the compensation time period.

In a vacuum degree control method provided in a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the method of calculating the maximum compensation period includes:

measuring the volume of the container and a maximum base time period;

calculating the maximum compensation time period according to the volume of the container, the maximum base time period and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

The vacuum degree control method provided in the fifth embodiment of the present invention provides a method of calculating the maximum compensation period from the volume of the container, the maximum base period, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump, thereby obtaining the maximum compensation period through calculation.

The invention provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer in a sixth embodiment, which comprises a refrigerator main body, the vacuum drawer, a vacuum pump and a control device, wherein the vacuum drawer is arranged on the refrigerator main body;

the vacuum drawer is arranged on the refrigerator main body and used for storing articles;

the air pumping port of the vacuum pump is communicated with the vacuum drawer;

the control device is configured to include: the sensing unit is arranged in the vacuum drawer and used for monitoring the air pressure in the vacuum drawer; the timing unit is used for counting the running time of the vacuum pump and recording the running time as a basic time period when the air pressure of the vacuum drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to a preset threshold value; the calculation unit is used for calculating a compensation time period according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period; wherein the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters; the control unit is used for stopping the vacuum pump after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period; the control unit is also used for operating the vacuum pump for the compensation time period when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value.

In a seventh embodiment, the present invention provides a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, further comprising a switch, which is in transmission connection with the vacuum drawer, and is configured to start the vacuum pump when the vacuum drawer is changed from an open state to a closed state.

In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, the computing unit including: a calculation module for calculating the compensation time period by the following formula:

Δt＝kt+Δtmax-ktmax

where Δ t denotes a compensation time period, k denotes a compensation coefficient, t denotes a base time period, Δ tmax denotes a maximum compensation time period, Δ tmax may be measured in advance or calculated in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully empty, tmax denotes a maximum base time period, and tmax may be measured in advance in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully empty.

In a ninth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer, wherein the calculation module comprises a first calculation submodule for calculating the compensation factor according to the following formula:

where Δ tmin represents a minimum compensation time period, Δ tmin may be measured in advance or calculated in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully placed, tmin represents a minimum base time period, and tmin may be measured in advance in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully placed.

In a tenth embodiment of the present application, a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer is provided, where the computing module includes a second computing sub-module, configured to measure a volume of the vacuum drawer and a maximum basic time period, and compute the maximum compensation time period according to the volume of the vacuum drawer, the maximum basic time period, and a pumping rate of the vacuum pump; wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps of a vacuum control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps of starting the vacuum pump to start the evacuation operation according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a relationship between a base time period and a compensation time period in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a logic diagram illustrating the control of the vacuum level of the vacuum drawer according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments that embody features and advantages of the present application will be described in detail in the following description. It is to be understood that the present application is capable of various modifications in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the application, and that the description and drawings are to be taken as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," and the like are used in the orientations and positional relationships indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the present application and for simplicity in description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed in a particular orientation, and be operated in a particular manner, and are not to be construed as limiting the present application. Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

Thus, a feature indicated in this specification will serve to explain one of the features of one embodiment of the disclosure, and does not imply that every embodiment of the disclosure must have the stated feature. Further, it should be noted that this specification describes many features. Although some features may be combined to show a possible system design, these features may also be used in other combinations not explicitly described. Thus, the combinations illustrated are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, directional references (such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear) are used to explain the structure and movement of the various elements of the present application not absolutely, but relatively. These descriptions are appropriate when the elements are in the positions shown in the drawings. If the description of the positions of these elements changes, the indication of these directions changes accordingly.

The preferred embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the present specification.

The air in the drawer of the refrigerator is pumped out, the air pressure in the drawer is reduced, so that the respiration of the food stored in the drawer is weakened, and the storage time of the food is prolonged.

In a related scheme, gas in the drawer is pumped out through the vacuum pump, and the gas pressure in the drawer is monitored in real time. When the air pressure in the drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to the first pressure threshold value, the vacuum pump stops working. Over time, when the air pressure in the drawer rises back to be greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold, the vacuum pump starts the evacuation operation again. The vacuum degree in the drawer is maintained within a certain range by the reciprocating.

Thus, the pressure in the drawer needs to be compared with two pressure thresholds, and two pressure sensing devices need to be correspondingly arranged and respectively used for feeding back corresponding control signals when the air pressure in the drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to the first pressure threshold and greater than or equal to the second pressure threshold; or a pressure sensing device which feeds back different control signals respectively when the air pressure in the drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to a first pressure threshold value and greater than or equal to a second pressure threshold value is arranged, and the arrangement is complicated.

Referring to fig. 1, a schematic diagram of a vacuum degree control method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The embodiment of the application provides a vacuum degree control method, which aims to solve the problems that whether two pressure thresholds are reached in a drawer to be monitored respectively at present, the setting is complex and the like, and the method comprises the following steps:

step S1, starting a vacuum pump;

step S2, recording the operation time of the vacuum pump as a basic time period when the air pressure in the container is reduced to be less than or equal to a preset threshold value;

step S3, calculating a compensation time period according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period; wherein the compensation coefficient, the maximum base time period and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters;

step S4, after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period, the vacuum pump is closed;

and step S5, when the air pressure in the container rises to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, operating the vacuum pump for the compensation time period.

As described in step S1, the vacuum pump is first activated to start the evacuation of air from the container, and the air pressure in the container starts to decrease.

In this embodiment, the container is in a normally sealed state. The normal sealed state of the container means that the sealing of the container is not absolute and there may be a small amount of leakage of gas which is not easy to observe.

In a specific implementation, the container may be a vacuum drawer of a refrigerator.

As described in step S2, when the air pressure in the container is reduced to be less than or equal to the preset threshold, the operation time of the vacuum pump is counted and recorded as the basic time period. For example, if the preset threshold value is a, when the pressure inside the container is decreased to a, the time period from the start of the vacuum pump in step S1 to the time when the pressure inside the container is decreased to a is counted, and the counted time period is used as the basic time period.

The preset threshold may be an upper limit of an ideal pressure threshold range, for example, if the ideal pressure threshold range in the container is 0.08Mpa to 0.06Mpa, 0.08Mpa may be used as the preset threshold.

It should be noted that the preset threshold is a critical point of whether to count the operation time of the vacuum pump. In the actual control, the air pressure in the container can be monitored in real time, the air pressure in the container is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the air pressure in the container is monitored to be lower than the preset threshold value, the running time of the vacuum pump is counted and recorded as a basic time period. And when the air pressure in the container is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, taking no next action.

As described in step S3, the compensation time period is calculated according to the statistical basic time period and the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period, and is used in the following steps.

The compensation time period is the time length for which the vacuum pump needs to continue to operate on the basis of the operation of the basic time period. The vacuum pump can theoretically bring the gas pressure in the container to the lower limit of the desired pressure threshold range after continuously operating the above-mentioned basic period and the compensation period.

In particular, in the application of the refrigerator with the vacuum drawer, the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range may be the air pressure corresponding to the maximum vacuum degree that the vacuum pump can achieve in the vacuum drawer.

The compensation factor, the maximum base period and the maximum compensation period are known parameters obtained by testing or calculation before installation, and are constant for the same container and a working assembly consisting of a vacuum pump working together with the container.

After the compensation period is calculated in step S4, the vacuum pump continues to operate the compensation period after the basic period has been operated. Thus, the pressure of the gas in the container is theoretically brought to the lower limit of the desired pressure threshold range. And stopping the operation of the vacuum pump after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period. The vessel enters a pressure holding stage.

For example, if the basic time period for the operation of the vacuum pump is counted as 30 seconds in the step S2, and the compensation time period is calculated as 15 seconds in the step S3, the vacuum pump needs to be operated for 15 seconds after the operation time of 30 seconds reaches the preset threshold. That is, the vacuum pump needs to be operated for a total of 45 seconds from the start to the end of this step.

As described in step S5, in the pressure maintaining stage, the vacuum pump is stopped, and the pressure in the container is gradually increased due to the sealing performance of the container and the release of gas from the container. And when the air pressure in the container rises to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, operating the vacuum pump for the duration of the compensation time period.

For example, the vacuum pump is stopped, the pressure in the container is increased back to the preset threshold value after 2 hours of the pressure maintaining stage, and if the compensation time period calculated in the above step is 15 seconds, the vacuum pump is operated for 15 seconds in the present step, so that the pressure in the container is restored to the lower limit of the ideal pressure range.

And circulating the steps, and operating the vacuum pump for the duration of the compensation time period when the air pressure in the container rises to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, so that the air pressure in the container is always maintained in the ideal pressure range.

In this step, the predetermined threshold is a critical point of whether to activate the vacuum pump. In actual control, the air pressure in the container can be monitored in real time, the air pressure in the container is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the air pressure in the container is monitored to rise back to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, the vacuum pump is operated for the duration of the compensation time period. And when the air pressure in the container is smaller than a preset threshold value, the pressure is kept continuously.

It is understood that the preset threshold is a reference value. If the pressure in the container is less than the preset threshold as the basis for counting the basic time period in step S2, the pressure in the container may be greater than or equal to the preset threshold as the basis for counting the basic time period in step S5; if the pressure in the container is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold as the basis for counting the basic time period in step S2, the pressure in the container may be greater than the predetermined threshold as the basis for running the vacuum pump for the compensation time period in step S5.

In this embodiment, the operation time of the vacuum pump when the air pressure in the container is reduced to the preset threshold is counted as the basic time period, and then the compensation time period can be calculated according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period, so that the time period of the basic time period in which the vacuum pump is continuously operated can theoretically reach another pressure threshold, and the range of the two pressure thresholds is the range of the ideal vacuum degree in the container. And after the vacuum pump stops working, when the air pressure in the container rises to a preset threshold value, the vacuum pump is operated again for a compensation time period, and the operation is circulated in such a way, so that the air pressure in the container is maintained in an ideal vacuum degree range. Therefore, the purpose can be achieved by monitoring whether the air pressure in the drawer reaches a pressure threshold value or not, and the setting is simpler.

Referring to fig. 2, the steps for starting the vacuum pump to start the evacuation operation in one embodiment of the application are schematically illustrated. In some embodiments, the step S1 of starting the vacuum pump includes:

step S11, monitoring whether the container is changed from an open state to a closed state;

and step S12, if the container is changed from the open state to the closed state, starting the vacuum pump.

As described above in steps S11 and S12, the condition of the container is monitored prior to the start of the operation. If the container is changed from the open state to the closed state, the air pressure in the container is the same as the external air pressure, and the remaining volume in the container is changed at the beginning of the loading or unloading of the articles into or from the container, so that the vacuum operation in the above embodiment is started or restarted at step S12.

For example, if it is monitored that the container is changed from an open state to a closed state, the vacuum pump is started, and when the air pressure in the container is reduced to a preset threshold value, the operation time length of the vacuum pump is counted and recorded as a basic time period, and then the compensation time period is calculated and the compensation time period of the vacuum pump is continuously operated.

In some embodiments, the step S3 of calculating the compensation time period according to the base time period, the compensation factor and the maximum base time period includes:

step S31, calculating a compensation period by the following formula:

Δt＝kt+Δtmax-ktmax

where Δ t denotes a compensation time period, k denotes a compensation coefficient, t denotes a base time period, Δ tmax denotes a maximum compensation time period, Δ tmax may be previously measured or calculated in a state where the receptacle is completely empty, tmax denotes a maximum base time period, and tmax may be previously measured in a state where the receptacle is completely empty.

As described in the above step S31, the compensation period is calculated by the following equation:

Δt＝kt+Δtmax-ktmax

where Δ t denotes a compensation period, k denotes a compensation coefficient, t denotes a base period, Δ tmax denotes a maximum compensation period, and tmax denotes a maximum base period.

For a container and a vacuum pump which are matched, the basic time period t is changed under the influence of the space occupied by articles stored in the container. The compensation coefficient k, the maximum base period tmax and the maximum compensation period Δ tmax are constant. Therefore, in this step, the compensation period Δ t can be calculated by substituting the statistical base period t and the known parameters k, Δ tmax, and tmax into the above equation.

The compensation coefficient k may be calculated in advance.

tmax can be pre-measured when the container is completely empty. The specific method may be that, in a state where the container is completely empty, a vacuum pump is used to evacuate the container, and when the air pressure in the container is reduced to a preset threshold value, the operation duration of the vacuum pump is counted as the maximum basic time period tmax.

Δ tmax may be measured in advance or calculated in the state where the container is completely empty. The method may specifically include, in a state where the container is completely empty, continuing to evacuate the container by using the vacuum pump after the air pressure in the container is reduced to a preset threshold value, so that the air pressure in the container reaches a lower limit of an ideal pressure threshold value range, and counting an operation time period of the vacuum pump from when the air pressure in the container reaches the preset threshold value to when the air pressure in the container reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold value range, which is the maximum compensation time period Δ tmax.

Referring to fig. 3, in the present embodiment, the basic time period t and the compensation time period Δ t are in a linear relationship, and the evacuation time is compensated by a gain, so that the phenomenon that the container is under evacuated or over evacuated under different load conditions is avoided.

In some embodiments, the maximum compensation time period may also be calculated according to parameters such as the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

In some embodiments, the method for calculating the maximum compensation time period includes:

step S311, measuring the volume of the container and the maximum basic time period;

step S312, calculating the maximum compensation time period according to the volume of the container, the maximum base time period, and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump. Wherein the pumping rate of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

As described in the above steps S311 and S312, the volume of the container is measured and the maximum base period tmax is measured according to the method in the above embodiment, and then the maximum compensation period Δ tmax is calculated based on the measured volume, the maximum base period tmax and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

In some embodiments, the compensation coefficient k is calculated by the following formula:

where Δ tmin denotes a minimum compensation period and tmin denotes a minimum basic period.

tmin may be pre-measured in the state where the container is full. The specific method may be that, in a state where the container is full, a vacuum pump is used to evacuate the container, and when the air pressure in the container reaches a preset threshold value, the operation duration of the vacuum pump is counted as the minimum basic time period tmin.

Δ tmin may be measured in advance or calculated in a state where the container is filled. The method may specifically include, in a state where the container is full, continuing to evacuate the container by using the vacuum pump after the air pressure in the container is reduced to a preset threshold value, so that the air pressure in the container reaches a lower limit of an ideal pressure threshold value range, and counting an operation time period from when the air pressure in the container reaches the preset threshold value to when the air pressure in the container reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold value range, which is the minimum compensation time period Δ tmin.

In which the container is filled, which in the case of normal use is to be understood as: the interior of the container is filled with items that would ordinarily be more likely to be stored therein, rather than having absolutely no space left. For example, the container is a vacuum drawer of a refrigerator, and in order to test the minimum base time period tmin and the minimum compensation time period Δ tmin, an item simulating food, such as a box, etc., which is closed inside and whose outer case is not easily deformed by air pressure, may be placed in the vacuum drawer.

In the ideal case, the container is full, but it is also understood that the container has no remaining space at all.

In some embodiments, Δ tmin may also be calculated based on parameters such as pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

Referring to fig. 4, a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator with a vacuum drawer according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The application also provides a refrigerator with the vacuum drawer, which comprises a refrigerator main body, the vacuum drawer, a vacuum pump and a control device.

The vacuum drawer is arranged on the refrigerator main body and used for storing articles. The extraction opening of the vacuum pump is communicated with the vacuum drawer and is used for evacuating the vacuum drawer. When the vacuum drawer starts to work, the vacuum drawer is in a conventional sealing state after being closed, and the phenomenon of air leakage which is not obvious is difficult to avoid.

The control device is configured to include a sensing unit, a timing unit, a calculation unit, and a control unit.

The sensing unit is arranged in the vacuum drawer and is used for monitoring the air pressure in the vacuum drawer and feeding back when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer reaches or exceeds a preset threshold value. The sensing unit may be specifically an air pressure sensor or an air pressure sensing switch.

For example, if the preset threshold is a, when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is reduced to a, the air pressure sensor sends a feedback signal, or the air pressure sensing switch is closed.

The preset threshold may be an upper limit of an ideal pressure threshold range, for example, if the ideal vacuum drawer internal pressure threshold range is 0.08Mpa to 0.06Mpa, 0.08Mpa may be used as the preset threshold.

The preset threshold is a critical point for whether to count the operation time of the vacuum pump. In the actual control, the air pressure in the vacuum drawer can be monitored in real time, the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is monitored to be reduced to be smaller than the preset threshold value, the running time of the vacuum pump is counted and recorded as a basic time period. And when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, taking no next action.

And the timing unit is used for counting the running time of the vacuum pump as a basic time period according to the feedback of the induction unit when the air pressure of the vacuum drawer is reduced to be less than or equal to a preset threshold value.

For example, if the preset threshold is a, the time duration from the start of the vacuum pump to the time when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is reduced to a is counted, and the counted time duration is used as the basic time period.

The calculation unit is used for calculating the compensation time period according to the basic time period, the compensation coefficient, the maximum basic time period and the maximum compensation time period so as to be used in the subsequent steps.

The compensation time period is the time length for which the vacuum pump needs to continue to operate on the basis of the operated basic time period. After the continuous operation of the vacuum pump for the base period and the compensation period, the air pressure in the vacuum drawer can theoretically reach the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range.

In a specific application, the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold range may be an air pressure corresponding to a maximum vacuum degree that the vacuum pump can achieve in the vacuum drawer.

The compensation factor, the maximum base time period and the maximum compensation time period are known parameters obtained through testing or calculation before installation, and are constant for the same vacuum drawer and a working assembly consisting of a vacuum pump working together with the vacuum drawer.

And the control unit is used for controlling the vacuum pump to stop working after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period. After the calculating unit calculates the compensation time period, the control unit controls the vacuum pump to continue to operate the compensation time period on the basis of the operated basic time period. Thus, the air pressure within the vacuum drawer is theoretically brought to the lower end of the desired pressure threshold range. And stopping the operation of the vacuum pump after the vacuum pump continues to operate for the compensation time period. The vacuum drawer enters a pressure maintaining stage.

The control unit is also used for controlling the operation compensation time period of the vacuum pump according to the feedback signal of the induction unit when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises back to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value.

In the pressure maintaining stage, the vacuum pump is in a stop state, and the air pressure in the vacuum drawer can slowly rise due to the sealing performance of the vacuum drawer, the release of gas from the articles in the vacuum drawer and the like. And when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises back to be more than or equal to the preset threshold value, operating the vacuum pump for the duration of the compensation time period.

For example, after the vacuum pump is stopped for 2 hours, the pressure level in the vacuum drawer rises back to the preset threshold, and if the compensation time period calculated in the above step is 15 seconds, the vacuum pump is operated for 15 seconds in the present step, so that the pressure level in the vacuum drawer is restored to the lower limit of the ideal pressure range again.

And circulating in this way, when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, operating the vacuum pump for the duration of the compensation time period, so that the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is always maintained in the ideal pressure range.

The predetermined threshold is a critical point of whether or not to activate the vacuum pump. In actual control, the air pressure in the vacuum drawer can be monitored in real time, the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is monitored to rise back to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value, the vacuum pump is operated for the duration of the compensation time period. And when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is smaller than a preset threshold value, the pressure is kept continuously.

In some embodiments, the refrigerator with the vacuum drawer further comprises a switch in communication with the vacuum drawer. The vacuum drawer is changed from the open state to the closed state to drive the switch to act. When the vacuum drawer is changed from the open state to the closed state, the switch conducts the control circuit, and then the vacuum pump is started to perform evacuation operation on the vacuum drawer.

If the vacuum drawer is changed from the open state to the closed state, the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is the same as the external air pressure at the moment, and the residual volume in the vacuum drawer is also changed when articles are just put in or taken out from the vacuum drawer, so that the control circuit is switched on through the switch, and the drawer is pumped out.

Referring to FIG. 5, a logic diagram for controlling the vacuum level of the vacuum drawer in one embodiment is shown. The control process of the reaction is roughly as follows:

the vacuum drawer is changed from an open state to a closed state, the switch is driven to be closed, the control circuit is further conducted, and the vacuum pump starts to work. If the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is reduced to be smaller than the preset threshold value, the timing unit counts the running time of the vacuum pump and records the running time as a basic time period, and the computing unit computes a compensation time period according to the basic time period and the known parameters. And then, controlling the vacuum pump to continue to operate for the compensation time period and then stopping, so that the vacuum drawer enters a pressure maintaining stage. And if the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is monitored to rise back to be larger than or equal to the preset threshold value at a certain moment, repeating the step of controlling the vacuum pump to operate for a compensation time period in the previous step. And repeating the steps, and making the vacuum pump run for a compensation time period as long as the air pressure in the vacuum drawer rises to be greater than or equal to the preset threshold value in the pressure maintaining stage, so that the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is always in the ideal pressure threshold value range.

In some embodiments, the calculation unit comprises a calculation module for calculating the compensation time period by the following formula:

Δt＝kt+Δtmax-ktmax

where Δ t denotes a compensation time period, k denotes a compensation coefficient, t denotes a base time period, Δ tmax denotes a maximum compensation time period, Δ tmax may be measured in advance or calculated in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully empty, tmax denotes a maximum base time period, and tmax may be measured in advance in a state where the vacuum drawer is fully empty.

For a vacuum drawer and a vacuum pump which are matched and arranged, the basic time period t is changed under the influence of the space occupied by the articles stored in the vacuum drawer. The compensation coefficient k, the maximum base period tmax and the maximum compensation period Δ tmax are constant. Therefore, in this step, the compensation period Δ t can be calculated by substituting the statistical base period t and the known parameters k, Δ tmax, and tmax into the above equation.

The compensation coefficient k may be calculated in advance.

tmax can be pre-measured when the vacuum drawer is fully empty. The specific method may be that, in a state that the vacuum drawer is fully empty, a vacuum pump is used for evacuating the vacuum drawer, and when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is reduced to a preset threshold value, the running time of the vacuum pump is counted to be the maximum basic time period tmax.

Δ tmax can be measured beforehand or calculated in the state in which the vacuum drawer is completely empty. The method for measuring the pressure inside the vacuum drawer in the full-empty state of the vacuum drawer comprises the following steps that when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer is reduced to a preset threshold value, a vacuum pump is used for continuing evacuation operation on the vacuum drawer, the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the lower limit of an ideal pressure threshold value range, and the operation time of the vacuum pump from the time when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the preset threshold value to the time when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold value range is counted to be the maximum compensation time period delta tmax.

In the scheme, the basic time period t and the compensation time period delta t are in a linear relation, and the phenomenon that the vacuum drawer is insufficiently evacuated or excessively evacuated in different load states is avoided by performing gain compensation on the evacuation time.

In some embodiments, Δ tmax may also be calculated based on parameters such as the pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

In some embodiments, the calculation module comprises a first calculation submodule for calculating the compensation factor by the following formula:

where Δ tmin denotes a minimum compensation period and tmin denotes a minimum basic period.

tmax and Δ tmax can be measured or calculated according to the method in the above embodiment.

tmin may be pre-measured with the vacuum drawer fully loaded. The specific method may be that, in a state that the vacuum drawer is full, a vacuum pump is used to evacuate the vacuum drawer, and when the air pressure in the vacuum drawer is reduced to a preset threshold value, the running time of the vacuum pump is counted to be the minimum basic time period tmin.

Wherein the vacuum drawer is full, which can be understood in the general case as: under normal use condition, the vacuum drawer is filled with articles which are likely to be stored in the vacuum drawer in normal use, such as food, and the like, but does not have any residual space. In order to test the minimum base time period tmin and the minimum compensation time period Δ tmin, an item simulating food, such as a box or the like, which is internally closed and whose outer casing is not easily deformed by air pressure, may be placed in the vacuum drawer.

In the ideal case, the vacuum drawer is full, which is also understood to mean that the vacuum drawer has no space left at all.

Δ tmin can be measured in advance or calculated in the state in which the vacuum drawer is full. The method for measuring the pressure inside the vacuum drawer comprises the following steps that in the state that the vacuum drawer is fully filled, after the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer is reduced to a preset threshold value, a vacuum pump is used for continuing evacuation operation on the vacuum drawer, the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the lower limit of an ideal pressure threshold value range, and the operation time length of the vacuum pump from the time when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the preset threshold value to the time when the air pressure inside the vacuum drawer reaches the lower limit of the ideal pressure threshold value range is counted to be the minimum compensation time period delta tmin.

In some embodiments, Δ tmin may also be calculated based on parameters such as pumping rate of the vacuum pump.

In some embodiments, the calculation module comprises a second calculation submodule for calculating the maximum compensation time period Δ tmax from the volume of the vacuum drawer, the maximum base time period tmax and the pumping rate of the vacuum pump. Wherein the volume of the vacuum drawer and the maximum base time period tmax can be measured in advance, and the pumping speed of the vacuum pump is a known parameter.

While the present application has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description and illustration, rather than of limitation. As the present application may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.