RU2815864C2 - Method of controlling defrosting process of refrigerating plant and corresponding control device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: refrigerating or freezing equipment.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to the refrigerating plant defrosting process control. Plurality of defrosting modes are determined, which can be selected by the end user, which are not mutually exclusive, and which are based on one or more operating parameters of the refrigerating unit. Said operating parameters are measured using measurement sensors provided in the refrigerating unit, in particular pressure sensors, temperature sensors, timers connected to said compressor and/or said evaporator. Plurality of defrosting modes is stored in an electronic device for controlling the defrosting process. Electronic device can be configured by the end user by means of means configured to select a plurality of defrosting modes. In the electronic device, the operating parameters of the refrigerating plant are selected and adjusted by the end user for each of the defrosting modes stored in the electronic device, in such a way that activation of defrosting modes is carried out individually or in accordance with two or more defrosting modes selected by the end user. Electronic device for control of refrigerating plant defrosting process comprises at least one compressor and at least one evaporator.

EFFECT: increased efficiency of refrigerating plant defrosting process control.

9 cl, 8 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit.

This method is suitable for refrigeration units used for cooling in any field, including industry, commerce, transport, domestic use, or the like. The present invention also relates to an electronic device for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit, suitable for use in this method.

State of the art

It is known that refrigeration units are commonly used in the domestic, industrial and commercial sectors for storing food, beverages or the like, as well as pharmaceutical or other products. Refrigeration units can also be used in vehicles for the temporary storage of food, drinks or the like.

It is known that refrigeration units can periodically form deposits of frost or ice, which tend to accumulate on the walls of the refrigeration unit, in particular in the area where the evaporator is located, that is, the component on the surface of which frost or ice is most likely to form.

Frost formation can cause problems with the operation of the unit and a drop in its cooling capacity or power, which usually decreases as the amount of frost present on the evaporator increases.

In addition, it may cause appearance problems in the case of refrigerators used for sale or display, as well as dripping or pooling of water, which are also unacceptable when installed in public areas.

For this reason, it is necessary to periodically schedule defrosting operations of the refrigeration system, which can be carried out in different ways depending on the type of installation and the different operational requirements placed on the refrigeration system.

The automatic defrost mode, for example, can provide automatic activation of a resistance that heats the evaporator, taking into account a number of parameters of the refrigeration unit. Thus, for example, the resistance can be activated when the evaporator temperature drops below a certain threshold value, in the event of a compressor stop in a refrigeration unit, after a certain period of operation of the refrigeration unit, or in other cases.

Therefore, refrigeration units are usually equipped with probes, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, timers that measure the operating time of the refrigeration unit, for example, daily, or other devices that can be used depending on the defrosting methods used.

Manufacturers of refrigeration units, whether domestic, industrial, commercial, transport or other refrigeration units, or rather even manufacturers of refrigeration control and monitoring systems, install in the control unit that controls the refrigeration unit one or more defrost cycle modes based on end user requirements .

These modes may be based on parameters such as compressor run time, refrigeration unit run time, compressor shutdown, excessive evaporator temperature drop, or other parameters.

Such modes are known to select defrost cycles based on certain operating parameters preset by manufacturers who attempt to predict in what situations a refrigeration unit will require a defrost operation or cycle.

However, the manufacturer or end user is not able to select specific and appropriate defrost modes based on parameters that reflect the specific operating conditions of the refrigeration unit.

This limited choice of defrosting modes that can be activated, in a word, leads to problems with the functioning of the refrigeration system, to limited control capabilities of the refrigeration system, to excessive energy consumption of the refrigeration system, as well as to limited flexibility in the use of the refrigeration system, precisely based on different or changing needs of the end user.

Thus, there is a need for an improved method and electronic device for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit that can eliminate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

US 2015/184920 describes a defrosting method and apparatus in which the defrosting mode may be based alternatively and mutually exclusive on either compressor operating time or heat exchanger temperature.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit, which allows the manufacturer and/or end user of the refrigeration unit to select the most suitable defrosting modes, with the possibility of setting the corresponding parameters independently, and these parameters can be changed according to individual requirements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration system, which allows extremely flexible and efficient use of the refrigeration system in accordance with individual requirements and limits the possible problems of operation, energy consumption and inefficiency caused by the use of defrost cycles that have been preset and are difficult to change.

A further object of the present invention is to improve the method of controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration system so that it allows for "modular" control of the defrosting process, ie, the ability to activate the defrosting process in accordance with operating modes selected by the user.

It is yet another object to provide an effective and practical electronic device for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit, which can implement the above control method.

Applicant has developed, tested and practiced the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to achieve these and other objects and advantages.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention is set out and characterized in the independent claims. Dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variations of the basic idea of the invention.

In accordance with the above objectives, the invention relates to a method for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit equipped with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator, said method comprising:

determination of a plurality of defrosting modes, which can be selected by the manufacturer and/or the end user in a mutually non-exclusive manner, and which are based on the relevant operating parameters of the refrigeration unit, wherein the operating parameters are measured using measurement sensors provided in the refrigeration unit, in particular pressure sensors, temperature sensors , timers or other sensors, preferably associated with the compressor and/or evaporator and/or with other plant components;

storing said plurality of defrosting modes in an electronic device to control the defrosting process.

This method of controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit preferably allows the manufacturer and/or end user of the refrigeration unit to select two or more defrost modes that are not mutually exclusive, with the possibility of independently setting the corresponding parameters, which can be changed according to individual requirements.

With this method of controlling the defrosting process, it is also possible to use the refrigeration system extremely flexibly and efficiently in accordance with individual requirements and limit possible operational problems, energy losses, etc. This method preferably also allows the defrosting process to be carried out in "modular form", i.e. activate it according to two or more operating modes selected by the manufacturer and/or user.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the operating parameters of the refrigeration unit can be selected and adjusted by the user for each of the defrost modes stored in the electronic device.

This method of controlling the defrosting process can and does include, for example, selecting at least one defrosting mode based on the operating time of the compressor of the refrigeration unit.

Alternatively, or in desired combination, the method may comprise selecting at least one defrost mode based on the operating time of the refrigeration unit.

Alternatively, or in desired combination, the method may comprise selecting at least one defrosting mode based on detection of compressor failure.

Alternatively, or in desired combination, the method may comprise selecting at least one defrost mode based on the amount of time the compressor has remained continuously on, ie, the compressor has been continuously "ON".

Alternatively, or in desired combination, the method may comprise selecting at least one defrost mode based on detection of an evaporator temperature below a certain set point.

In addition, the method may comprise selecting at least one defrosting mode based on a temperature range determined by a temperature difference measured by at least two sensors in two different zones of the refrigeration unit.

The method may also provide selection of at least one defrosting mode based on time periods or time intervals set by the user.

The invention also relates to an electronic device for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit equipped with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator. This electronic device in some embodiments comprises means for selecting a plurality of defrost modes based on one or more operating parameters of the refrigeration unit, such operating parameters being measured by measurement sensors provided in the refrigeration unit, in particular pressure sensors, temperature sensors, timers or other sensors associated with the compressor and/or evaporator or other components, whereby the defrosting modes can be activated individually or in modular form.

The selection means, such as buttons, that the electronic device contains preferably allow for quick and convenient selection of two or more desired defrosting modes that are not mutually exclusive. Such selection means may be virtual buttons depicted on a touchscreen display or actual buttons located on the box-shaped housing of the electronic device.

Brief description of drawings

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of certain embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic device for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 2-8 are tables of defrosting modes that can be set by the user individually or in a modular form in accordance with the defrosting control method of the present invention.

For ease of understanding, identical reference numerals are used whenever possible when identifying identical common elements in the drawings. It should be understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment may be freely incorporated into other embodiments without further explanation.

Carrying out the invention

The following is a detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Each example is presented as an illustration of the invention and should not be construed as limiting it. Thus, for example, features shown or described to the extent that they are part of one embodiment may be used in other embodiments or in combination with other embodiments to produce yet another embodiment. It should be understood that the present invention includes all such modifications and variations.

Before describing these embodiments, it should be made clear that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components disclosed in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may provide other embodiments and may be implemented or carried out in various other ways. It should also be made clear that phraseology and terminology are used here for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limitation.

In FIG. 1 schematically shows an electronic device 10 according to the invention, which is designed to control the defrosting process of a refrigeration system comprising at least one compressor and at least one evaporator.

The electronic device 10 comprises a box-like housing 20 and may be mounted directly on the surface of the refrigeration unit in which it is used, preferably in an easily accessible location, or may also be mounted in a position remote from the refrigeration unit.

The electronic device 10 includes a display 11 on which alphanumeric characters 12 indicating modes and operating parameters of the refrigeration unit can be displayed. Such a display 11 may be, for example, a touch or liquid crystal display type.

Said display 11 displays a series of menus associated with various defrosting modes that can be initiated and selected by the user using the electronic device 10.

The electronic device 10 also includes a standby button 21, which can perform several functions: for example, by pressing and releasing this button 21, if the display 11 is currently displaying a preset screen or a preset menu of a certain defrost mode, it can move back one level from the current screen or current menu; this button 21 can also be used to confirm the value of a given set of parameters; When pressed for a few seconds, for example 5 s, this button 21 allows you to set the electronic device 10 to standby mode.

The electronic device 10 also contains a button 22, designated "Set", which also performs several functions: by pressing and releasing this button 22, possible alarms (if any) can be displayed, access to the refrigeration unit status menu install and confirm commands; When pressed for a few seconds, for example 5 s, this button 22 allows access to the programming menu of the electronic device 10.

The electronic device 10 also contains a button 23, which also performs several functions: by pressing and releasing this button 23, you can scroll through the items of a given menu of the selected defrosting mode or increase the value of a given parameter; when pressed for a few seconds, for example 5 s, this button 23 activates the manual defrost function.

The electronic device 10 also contains a button 24, which also performs several functions: by pressing and releasing this button 24, you can scroll through the items of a given menu of a certain defrosting mode or reduce the value of a given parameter; when pressed for a few seconds, for example 5 seconds, this button 24 enables functions that can be configured by the user.

Electronic device 10 may also include one or more additional buttons, such as button 25, which, when pressed for, for example, 5 seconds, can activate or enable functions that can be configured by the user.

The electronic device 10 may also include a button 26 that, when pressed for a few seconds, for example 5 seconds, enables functions that can be configured by the user.

Buttons that the electronic device 10 contains, such as buttons 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, may be mounted on the box housing 20, as shown in FIG. 1, or they may be virtual commands or buttons shown on the display 11, or a combination of both. In all cases, these buttons 21, 22, 23, 24, 24 and 26 may be configured as a means of selecting one or more defrost modes.

Using the electronic device 10, the user can select and activate two or more defrost modes that are not mutually exclusive, for example, defrost modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5 and d9, in particular using the buttons described above.

The electronic device 10 automatically checks whether the defrosting conditions of the enabled modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5 and d9 are satisfied, i.e., whether the corresponding operating parameters are satisfied, and if at least one mode is satisfied, the defrosting process is activated in accordance with this regime.

As will be understood later in the description of some examples of defrosting modes, defrosting conditions refer to a number of operating parameters that are specific to each defrosting mode, and which may take on certain values, be contained within certain intervals, or the like.

The user can in any case activate the defrosting process using a button that triggers manual defrosting. For this purpose, one of the buttons described above, for example one of the buttons 25 or 26, may be associated with starting a manual defrost. In particular, there are seven defrost modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5 and d9 presented herein, which can be activated by the user individually or in combination with each other.

The first defrosting mode d0 may be, for example, a defrosting mode in which the defrosting process is activated after a certain operating time of the refrigeration compressor, see also FIG. 2.

Essentially, parameter d00 refers to the cumulative time for activation of defrost mode d0 and can be a variable value between 0 and 250, with a value of "0" indicating that defrost mode d0 is disabled. The preset value of this parameter d00 may already be entered by the manufacturer, or it may be selected by the user between 0 and 250. Parameter d01 refers to the unit of parameter d00, so it can be, for example, hours - value "0", minutes - value "1" or seconds - value "2".

The second defrosting mode d1 may be, for example, a defrosting mode that is activated after a certain operating time of the refrigeration unit, see also FIG. 3. Essentially, parameter d10 refers to the operating time of the refrigeration unit and can be a variable value between 0 and 250, with a value of "0" indicating that defrost mode d1 is disabled. Parameter d11 refers to the unit of parameter d10, so it can be, for example, hours - value "0", minutes - value "1" or seconds - value "2".

The third defrost mode d2 may be, for example, a defrost mode that is activated whenever the compressor of the refrigeration system stops operating, see also FIG. 4. Essentially, parameter d20 refers to enabling defrost mode d2 whenever the compressor stops running, so it can have a value of "0" which represents deactivation of defrost mode d2, or a value of "1" which represents activation of defrost mode d2.

The fourth defrosting mode d3 may be, for example, a defrosting mode based on compressor operating time, ie, when the compressor is constantly on, see FIG. 5. Essentially, parameter d30 refers to the length of time that the compressor is constantly on and can be a variable value between 0 and 250, with a value of "0" indicating that defrost mode d3 is disabled. Parameter d31 is the unit of parameter d10, so it can be, for example, hours - value "0", minutes - value "1" or seconds - value "2".

The fifth defrosting mode d4 may, for example, involve measuring the evaporator temperature using a special sensor PB1, PB2 ... PBX and activation if the evaporator temperature drops below a certain set value, which means there is an excessive amount of frost or ice on the evaporator, see, for example, FIG. . 6.

Parameter d40 refers to the possibility of selecting the PB1 ... PBX sensor for measuring the evaporator temperature. Parameter d41 refers to setting the threshold value for activating defrost, for example, with a value contained between -55°C and 110°C. Parameter d42 allows you to set the time interval below the threshold value after which defrost is activated, the specified value being, for example, from 0 to 250 minutes. Parameter d43 refers to the mode of counting the specified time interval below the threshold value. This parameter d43 can have four: the value “0”, at which the count is made regardless of the state of the refrigeration compressor; value "1", at which the countdown is carried out when the compressor is turned on (if the compressor is turned off, the countdown starts over); value "2", at which the counting is independent of the compressor state and stops when a certain threshold value is exceeded; value "3", at which the countdown is carried out when the compressor is on and stops when a certain threshold value is exceeded. Parameter d44 refers to the control mode of the threshold value d41, i.e., with a value of "0" the threshold value is considered an absolute value, and with a value of "1" the threshold value is considered as an offset relative to the measurement result of the d40 sensor at the end of the first temperature sensor control cycle , which follows the defrost cycle.

The sixth defrosting mode d5 can be based, for example, on the temperature range between at least two sensors PB1 ... PBX, which can measure the temperature in at least two zones of the refrigeration unit. Parameter d50 refers to the selection of the first sensor, while parameter d51 refers to the selection of the second sensor. Parameter d52 refers to setting the threshold value for activating the defrosting process at a value contained, for example, between 0.1°C and 110°C, wherein the specified difference has an absolute value and is the temperature value measured by sensor d51 minus the temperature value measured by sensor d52.

Parameter d53 refers to the time interval set above or below the threshold and can range from 0 to 250 minutes.

Parameter d54 refers to the timing mode exceeding the threshold value. This parameter d54 can have, for example, four values: the value "0", at which the count is independent of the compressor state; value "1", at which the countdown is carried out when the compressor is turned on (if the compressor is turned off, the countdown starts over); value "2" at which the counting is independent of the compressor state and stops for values beyond the threshold value; value "3" at which the counting is performed when the compressor is turned on and stops for values beyond the threshold value, or when the compressor is turned off.

Parameter d55 refers to the control mode of the threshold value d42, i.e., with a value of "0" the threshold value is considered absolute, and with a value of "1" the threshold value is considered as an offset relative to the value taken as the difference in absolute value between the temperature measurement results of the sensor d51 and sensor d52 at the end of the first temperature sensor control cycle that follows the defrost cycle.

The seventh defrosting mode d9 may relate to the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on time periods or time intervals, and is set by the user. In this case, it is assumed that the refrigeration unit is equipped with a timer or real time clock (RTC, English Real Time Clock).

Parameter d90 refers to the RTC defrost mode and can take various values from "0" to "x". So, for example, this parameter d90 can take the following values: value "0" for locked mode; value "1", in which the defrost mode with RTC is expressed in time periods; value "2", in which the mode is associated with fixed time intervals, see also the next parameter d91; value "3" at which the mode with RTC is periodic, see also the next parameter d94.

Parameter d91 refers to the number of daily defrosts and can be set if d90 is set to "2". This parameter d91 is a variable value, for example ranging from 1 to 255.

Parameter d92 refers to the possibility of setting the first official day off, so it can take eight values - from "0" to "7", while in the case of a value of "7" the mode is disabled, while values from "0" to "6 ", respectively, refer to the days of the week from Sunday to Saturday.

Parameter d93 refers to the possibility of setting a second official day off, so it can take eight values - from “0” to “7”, while in the case of a value of “7” the mode is disabled, while values from “0” to “6” ", respectively, refer to the days of the week from Sunday to Saturday.

Parameter d94 refers to the duration of intervals during periodic defrosting and can vary from 1 to 7 days.

According to the present invention, a method for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit equipped with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator comprises:

defining a plurality of defrost modes, for example the defrost modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9 described above, which are based on one or more operating parameters of the refrigeration unit; such operating parameters are measured using measurement sensors provided in the refrigeration unit, in particular pressure sensors, temperature sensors, timers or other sensors associated with the compressor and/or evaporator or with other components;

storing a plurality of defrosting modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9 in the electronic device 10 to control the defrosting process.

Thus, this method of controlling the defrosting process allows the user to select two or even more defrosting modes, not mutually exclusive, depending on the requirements of the refrigeration installation.

In addition, the operating parameters of the refrigeration unit can be selected and adjusted by the user for each of the defrost modes stored in the electronic device.

It is obvious that the above-described method and electronic device for controlling the defrosting process can be modified and/or supplemented in terms of details and/or operations without deviating from the scope and scope of the present invention, which are defined by the claims.

It will also be apparent that, although the present invention has been described with reference to certain specific examples, those skilled in the art can make many other equivalent forms of method and electronic device having the characteristics disclosed in the claims and therefore falling within the scope of protection defined herein. invention.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the parenthetical references is to facilitate reading: they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection claimed in the specific claims.

Claims (9)

1. A method for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit equipped with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator, wherein said method comprises: defining a plurality of defrosting modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9) that can be selected by the end user, which are not mutually exclusive, and which are based on one or more operating parameters of the refrigeration unit, said operating parameters being measured using measurement sensors provided in the refrigeration unit, in particular pressure sensors, temperature sensors, timers, associated with said compressor and/or said evaporator; storing the specified set of defrosting modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9) in the electronic device (10) to control the defrosting process, and it is possible to configure the specified electronic device (10) by the end user through means (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), made with the ability to select the specified set of defrosting modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9), while in the electronic device the operating parameters of the refrigeration unit are selected and adjusted by the end user for each of defrosting modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9) stored in the electronic device (10), such that the activation of the specified defrosting modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9) is carried out individually or according to two or more defrosting modes selected by the end user. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selecting at least one defrosting mode (d0) based on the operating time of the refrigeration unit compressor. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selecting at least one defrosting mode (d1) based on the operating time of the refrigeration unit. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selecting at least one defrosting mode (d2) based on detection of the compressor stopping operation. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selecting at least one defrosting mode (d3) based on the operating time during which the compressor remains constantly on. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selecting at least one defrosting mode (d4) based on the result of measuring the evaporator temperature below a certain set value. 7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selecting at least one defrosting mode (d5) based on a temperature range determined by the temperature difference measured by at least two sensors in two different zones of the refrigeration unit. 8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises selecting at least one defrosting mode (d9) based on time periods or time intervals specified by the user. 9. An electronic device for controlling the defrosting process of a refrigeration unit containing at least one compressor and at least one evaporator, wherein said electronic device is characterized in that it contains configuration means (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) electronic device and a selection of multiple defrost modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9) that can be selected by the end user, which are not mutually exclusive and which are based on one or more operating parameters of the refrigeration unit, while providing the possibility measurement of the specified operating parameters by measuring sensors provided in the refrigeration unit, in particular pressure sensors, temperature sensors, timers associated with the specified compressor and/or with the specified evaporator, while activating the specified modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9) defrosting is carried out by the end user individually or in accordance with two or more defrosting modes selected by the end user, and the operating parameters of the refrigeration unit are selected and adjusted by the end user for each of the modes (d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9) defrosting stored in the electronic device (10).

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