DEFROST CONTROL METHOD IN A REFRIGERATION INSTALLATION AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract

A method to manage defrosting of a refrigeration plant provided with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator, including defining a plurality of defrosting modes, which can be selected by the manufacturer and/or by the end user, which are based on one or more functioning parameters of the refrigeration plant; such functioning parameters are detected by detection probes provided in the refrigeration plant such as pressure switches, thermostats, timing devices or other, associated with the compressor and/or the evaporator, or other; and memorizing the plurality of defrosting modes in an electronic device to manage the defrosting.

Claims

1. A method to manage the defrosting of a refrigeration plant provided with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator, the method comprising: defining a plurality of defrosting modes, which can be selected by the manufacturer and/or by the end user in a non-exclusive manner, which are based on one or more functioning parameters of the refrigeration plant, said functioning parameters being detected by means of detection probes provided in the refrigeration plant comprising at least one of pressure switches, thermostats, and timing devices associated with said compressor and/or said evaporator, or other; and memorizing said plurality of defrosting modes in an electronic device to manage the defrosting.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the functioning parameters of the refrigeration plant are selected and adjustable by the user for each of the defrosting modes memorized in the electronic device.

3. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on the functioning time of the compressor of the refrigeration plant.

4. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on the functioning time of the refrigeration plant.

5. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on the detection of the stoppage of the compressor.

6. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on the functioning time that the compressor has remained always activated.

7. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on the detection of the temperature of the evaporator below a certain set value.

8. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on a temperature range defined by the temperature difference detected by at least two probes in two distinct zones of the refrigeration plant.

9. The method as in claim 1, further comprising the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on time periods or time intervals set by the user.

10. An electronic device to manage defrosting of a refrigeration plant comprising: a compressor; an evaporator; and means to select a plurality of mutually non-exclusive defrosting modes, which can be selected by the manufacturer and/or by the end user, which are based on one or more functioning parameters of the refrigeration plant, said functioning parameters being detected by detection probes provided in the refrigeration plant comprising at least one of pressure switches, thermostats, and timing devices associated with said compressor and/or with said evaporator or other, said defrosting modes able to be activated individually or in a modular manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic device to manage the defrosting of a refrigeration plant according to the present disclosure;

[0040] FIGS. 2 to 8 are tables relating to defrosting modes that can be set individually or in a modulated form by the user, according to the present method to manage the defrosting.

[0041] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the disclosure and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present disclosure shall include all such modifications and variants.

[0043] Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

[0044] With reference to the attached drawings, FIG. 1 schematically shows an electronic device 10 according to the disclosure to manage the defrosting of a refrigeration plant provided with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator.

[0045] The electronic device 10 comprises a box-like body 20 and can be applied directly to a surface of the refrigeration plant in which it is used, advantageously in an easily accessible position, or it can also be installed in a remote position with respect to the refrigeration plant.

[0046] The electronic device 10 comprises a display 11 on which alphanumeric characters 12 can be displayed indicating the modes and functioning parameters of the refrigeration plant. Such display 11 can be for example of the touch-screen or liquid crystal type.

[0047] A series of menus will be shown on such display 11, relating to the various defrosting modes that can be started and chosen by the user by means of the electronic device 10.

[0048] The electronic device 10 also comprises a stand-by button 21 which can have a series of functions: by pressing and releasing this button 21 and assuming that the display 11 shows at that moment a determinate screen or a determinate menu of a certain defrosting mode, it is possible to go back one level from the current screen or menu; this button 21 can also be used to confirm the value of a determinate parameter set; by pressing it for a few seconds, for example 5 s, this button 21 allows to put the electronic device 10 on stand-by, for example.

[0049] The electronic device 10 also comprises a button 22, indicated as “Set”, which also has a series of functions: by pressing and releasing this button 22 it is possible to display possible alarms (if any), access the status menu of the refrigeration plant and confirm the commands; by pressing it for a few seconds, for example 5 s, this button 22 allows to access the programming menu of the electronic device 10.

[0050] The electronic device 10 also comprises a button 23, which also has a series of functions: by pressing and releasing this button 23 it is possible to scroll through the items of a determinate menu of a selected defrosting mode, or increase the values of a determinate parameter; by pressing it for a few seconds, for example 5 s, this button 23 enables a manual defrosting function.

[0051] The electronic device 10 also comprises a button 24, which also has a series of functions: by pressing and releasing this button 24 it is possible to scroll through the items of a determinate menu of a certain defrosting mode, or decrease the values of a determinate parameter; by pressing it for a few seconds, for example 5 s, this button 24 enables functions which can be configured by a user.

[0052] The electronic device 10 could also comprise one or more additional buttons, for example a button 25, which pressed, for example for 5 s, can activate or enable functions which can be configured by a user.

[0053] The electronic device 10 could also comprise a button 26, which pressed for a few seconds, for example 5 s, enables functions which can be configured by a user.

[0054] The buttons with which the electronic device 10 is provided, therefore for example the buttons 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, can be made on the box-like body 20, as in FIG. 1, or they could be virtual commands or buttons provided on the display 11, or a combination of both solutions. In all cases these buttons 21, 22, 23, 24, 24 and 26 can be configured as means for selecting one or more of the defrosting modes.

[0055] Through the electronic device 10 the user can choose and enable two or more defrosting modes, not mutually exclusive, for example the defrosting modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5 and d9, for example by means of the buttons described above.

[0056] The electronic device 10 automatically checks whether the defrosting conditions of the enabled modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5 and d9 are met, that is, if the corresponding functioning parameters are satisfied, and, if at least one mode is satisfied, activates the defrosting according to that mode.

[0057] As we will see hereafter with the description of some examples of defrosting modes, the defrosting conditions refer to a series of functioning parameters, specific to each defrosting mode, and which can take determinate values, be comprised within determinate intervals, or other.

[0058] The user can in any case activate a defrosting by means of a button, which is called manual defrosting. For this purpose, one of the buttons described above, for example one of the buttons 25 or 26, can be associated with the start of a manual defrosting. In particular, in the present description we refer to seven defrosting modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5 and d9 which can be activated by the user individually or in combination with each other.

[0059] The first defrosting mode d0 can be, for example, a defrosting mode in which the defrosting is activated after a certain functioning time of the compressor of the refrigeration plant, see also FIG. 2.

[0060] Substantially, the parameter d00 concerns the cumulative time for the activation of the defrosting mode d0 and can be variable between 0 and 250, where the value “0” indicates the defrosting mode d0 is disabled. This parameter d00 can be already entered by the manufacturer at a predeterminate value, or it can be chosen by the user at a value comprised between 0 and 250. The parameter d01 concerns the unit of measurement of the parameter d00, therefore it can be for example hours, value “0”, minutes, value “1”, or seconds, value “2”.

[0061] The second defrosting mode d1 can be, for example, a defrosting mode that is activated after a certain functioning time of the refrigeration plant, see also FIG. 3. Substantially, the parameter d10 concerns the functioning time of the refrigeration plant and can be variable between 0 and 250, where the value “0” indicates the defrosting mode d1 is disabled. The parameter d11 represents the unit of measurement of the parameter d00, therefore it can be for example hours, value “0”, minutes, value “1”, or seconds, value “2”.

[0062] The third defrosting mode d2 can be, for example, a defrosting mode that is activated at each stoppage of the compressor of the refrigeration plant, see also FIG. 4. Substantially, the parameter d20 concerns the enabling of the defrosting mode d2 at each stoppage of the compressor, therefore it can have a value “0” which represents the defrosting mode d2 deactivated, or a value “1” which represents the defrosting mode d2 activated.

[0063] The fourth defrosting mode d3 can be, for example, a defrosting mode based on the amount of time the compressor is always on, that is, based on the compressor always being “ON”, see FIG. 5. Substantially, the parameter d30 concerns the amount of time that the compressor is always on and can be variable between 0 and 250, where the value “0” indicates the defrosting mode d3 is disabled. The parameter d31 represents the unit of measurement of the parameter d30, therefore it can be for example hours, value “0”, minutes, value “1”, or seconds, value “2”.

[0064] The fifth defrosting mode d4 can for example provide to detect the temperature of the evaporator by means of a specific probe PB1, PB2 . . . PBX and to activate it when the temperature of the evaporator drops below a certain set value, which means the presence of an excessive amount of frost or ice on the evaporator, see for example FIG. 6.

[0065] The parameter d40 concerns the possibility of choosing the probe PB1 . . . PBX to detect the temperature of the evaporator. The parameter d41 concerns the setting of the threshold for the activation of the defrosting, at a value comprised for example between −55° C. and 110° C. The parameter d42 allows to set the amount of time spent below the threshold, before the defrosting is activated, at a value comprised, for example, between 0 and 250 minutes. The parameter d43 concerns the mode for counting the amount of time spent below the threshold. This parameter d43 can have four values: a value “0” at which the count is independent of the state of the compressor of the refrigeration plant; a value “1” at which the count is performed with the compressor switched on (if the compressor is off the count is re-started); a value “2” at which the count is independent of the state of the compressor and is suspended above a certain threshold; a value “3” at which the count occurs with the compressor switched on and is suspended above a certain threshold. The parameter d44 concerns the mode for managing the threshold d41, that is, at a value “0” the threshold is considered as an absolute value and at a value “1” the threshold is considered as offset with respect to the value reached by the probe d40 at the end of the first thermostat control cycle that follows a defrosting cycle.

[0066] The sixth defrosting mode d5 can be based, for example, on a temperature range between at least two probes PB1 . . . PBX which are able to detect the temperature in at least two zones of the refrigeration plant. The parameter d50 concerns the selection of the first probe, while the parameter d51 concerns the selection of the second probe. The parameter d52 concerns the setting of the threshold for the activation of the defrosting, at a value comprised, for example, between 0.1° C. and 110° C., which is the difference, in absolute value, between the temperature value of the probe d51 minus the temperature value of the probe d52.

[0067] The parameter d53 concerns the amount of time spent above or below the threshold, and can be set at between 0 and 250 minutes.

[0068] The parameter d54 concerns the mode for counting the amount of time spent above the threshold. This parameter d54 can have, for example, four values: a value “0” at which the count is independent of the status of the compressor; a value “1” at which the count occurs with the compressor on (if the compressor switches off, the count is re-started); a value “2” at which the count is independent of the status of the compressor, which is suspended for values that are outside the threshold; a value “3” at which the count occurs with the compressor switched on, which is suspended for values that are outside the threshold or if the compressor switches off.

[0069] The parameter d55 concerns the mode for managing the threshold d42, that is, at a value “0” the threshold is considered as an absolute value and at a value “1” the threshold is considered as an offset with respect to the value taken by the difference, in absolute value, between the temperature of probe d51 minus the temperature taken by the probe d52, at the end of the first thermostat control cycle that follows a defrosting cycle.

[0070] The seventh defrosting mode d9 can concern the selection of at least one defrosting mode based on time periods or time intervals and set by the user. In this case, it is assumed that the refrigeration plant is equipped with a timing device or RTC (Real Time Clock).

[0071] The parameter d90 concerns the defrosting mode by means of RTC and can take different values from “0” to “x”. For example, this parameter d90 can take the following values: a value “0” for a disabled mode; a value “1” in which the defrosting mode with RTC is in time periods; a value “2” in which the mode is at fixed intervals, see also the following parameter d91; a value “3” in which the mode with RTC is periodic, see also the following parameter d94.

[0072] The parameter d91 concerns the number of daily defrostings that can be set, when d90 is set to the value “2”. This parameter d91 is variable, for example in a range from 1 to 255.

[0073] The parameter d92 concerns the possibility of setting the first public holiday, therefore it can take eight values from “0” to “7”, where with “7” the mode is disabled while the values from “0” to “6” respectively concern the days of the week from Sunday to Saturday.

[0074] The parameter d93 concerns the possibility of setting the second public holiday, therefore it can take eight values from “0” to “7”, where with “7” the mode is disabled while the values from “0” to “6” respectively concern the days of the week from Sunday to Saturday.

[0075] The parameter d94 concerns the setting of the duration of the interval of periodic defrosting and can vary from 1 to 7 days.

[0076] According to the present disclosure, a method to manage the defrosting of a refrigeration plant provided with at least one compressor and at least one evaporator comprises:

[0077] defining a plurality of defrosting modes, for example the defrosting modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9 described previously, which are based on one or more functioning parameters of the refrigeration plant; such functioning parameters are detected by means of detection probes provided in the refrigeration plant such as pressure switches, thermostats, timing devices or other, associated with the compressor and/or the evaporator, or other;

[0078] memorizing the plurality of defrosting modes d0, d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d9 in the electronic device 10 to manage the defrosting.

[0079] The present method to manage the defrosting therefore allows the user to select even two or more defrosting modes, not mutually exclusive, as a function of the requirements of the refrigeration plant.

[0080] In addition, the functioning parameters of the refrigeration plant can be chosen and adjusted by the user for each of the defrosting modes memorized in the electronic device.

[0081] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts and/or steps may be made to the method and electronic device to manage the defrosting as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims.

[0082] It is also clear that, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of method and electronic device, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0083] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.