Patent Description:
At present, people's demand for quality of life is getting higher and higher, and the existing refrigerators generally only have the function of refrigeration. For example, a refrigerating chamber, or a freezing chamber is designed for storing food. With a specific inner temperature, the chambers can keep the food fresh. Some refrigerators are equipped with, for example, a defrosting chamber to defrost food. However, the above-mentioned defrosting chambers provide a room wherein the temperature is only higher than that of the refrigerator or the refrigerating chamber, which cannot meet people's demand for food processing in family life.

Patent application publication <CIT> discloses a refrigeration system that comprises a first condenser and further comprises a second condenser and a first solenoid valve which are connected in series. Patent application publication <CIT> discloses an energy-saving type precise temperature control refrigerator based on double condensers. Patent application publication <CIT> discloses a refrigeration system using a valve to adjust a refrigeration amount. Utility model patent publication <CIT> discloses a variable refrigerant volume parallel 'evaporative cooling type' temperature-adjustable dehumidifier unit suitable for underground engineering, which comprises a compressor, an evaporative condenser, an air-cooled condenser, an evaporator and a throttling device.

The present disclosure mainly aims at providing a refrigeration device capable of processing food, a refrigerator and a control method therefor, a food processing method, a control device and a computer storage medium thereof. The invention is defined by the device according to claim <NUM>, and a method according to claim <NUM>. Additionally a method for food processing which makes use of the device of claim <NUM> and the method of claim <NUM> is defined in claim <NUM>.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration device is provided, including a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device and an evaporator, wherein the compressor, the condenser, the throttling device and the evaporator are connected in a sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop. A connecting pipeline between an exhaust port of the compressor and a refrigerant inlet of the throttling device in the refrigerant circulation loop is a first connecting pipeline, and the condenser is arranged on the first connecting pipeline, and the refrigeration device further includes:
an auxiliary heat exchange branch, where the auxiliary heat exchange branch includes a condensing heater for heating a heating area. The auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline. And a first valve device is further arranged on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and the first valve device controls a refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch according to a temperature requirement in the heating area.

As a refrigerant with higher temperature flows between the exhaust port of the compressor and the refrigerant inlet of the throttling device through the first connecting pipeline, and the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, the refrigerant with higher temperature can be introduced into the condensing heater on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus heating the heating area. The refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled by the first valve device, so that an independent control for the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be realized. As the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, adjusting a working state of the first valve device will not affect the normal operation of the refrigerant circulation loop. By controlling the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch with the first valve device, a temperature in the heating area can be adjusted to meet different temperature requirements on the heating area, so as to meet different requirements of people on food processing.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the first valve device is provided with a first working state and a second working state, wherein:.

The first valve device is provided with the first working state and the second working state, and the first valve device may be switched to the first working state, the second working state or other working states. The first working state corresponds to the state that the opening degree of the first valve device is adjusted to the first opening degree, and a refrigerant flowing through the condensing heater increases the temperature of the heating area. The second working state of the first valve device is used for keeping the temperature of the heating area in the preset heating temperature range.

In an embodiment, the second working state is a state that the first valve device is opened in an intermittent way, so that the temperature in the heating area is fluctuated in the preset heating temperature range. The first valve device is opened in an intermittent way, and the temperature of the heating area is maintained within the preset heating temperature range by a heat of intermittent supplement. Because only the temperature detection on the heating are is needed to control the opening, the first valve device has a simple control mode by the intermittent opening, and there is no need for complex control algorithm and adjustment of the opening degree of the first valve device, so low-cost valve devices and valve driving devices may be selected.

In another embodiment, the second working state is a state that the first valve device is closed, so that the temperature in the heating area reduces slowly from the preset heating temperature. By ensuring a heat-preservation effect of the heating area, for example, the heating area is provided with a heat-preservation layer over an outer wall, so that even if the first valve device is closed, as the temperature of the heating area may be slowly reduced, the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range for a certain duration, so as to meet the requirements of food processing.

In another embodiment, the second working state is a state that the opening degree of the first valve device is adjusted to the second opening degree, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. By adjusting the opening degree of the first valve device to the second opening degree, a refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled, so that heating heat of the condensing heater and dissipation heat of the heating area are dynamically balanced, and the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. This method has high control accuracy and can stabilize the temperature of the heating area in a small change. In one embodiment, the second opening degree is smaller than the first opening degree.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the first valve device switches its working state to the first working state according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, where the opening degree of the first valve device is adjusted to the first opening degree. Once the temperature in the heating area is increased to the preset heating temperature range, the first valve device switches its working state to the second working state to keep the temperature in the heating area in the preset heating temperature range. The preset heating temperature range corresponds to the temperature requirement of the current heating area and is set according to requirements of a user on food processing. The first valve device is arranged to switch between the first working state and the second working state, such that the process of heating and temperature controlling in the heating area can be realized and the heating requirements of the user on food processing is fulfilled.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the first valve device is a three-way valve. The auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor through the three-way valve at a first end, and the auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the condenser at a second end. By connecting the three-way valve to the exhaust port of the compressor, the refrigerant with higher temperature from the exhaust port of the compressor can preferentially enter the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and the heating area can be quickly heated to a temperature high enough to process the food. In addition, since the refrigerant passing through the auxiliary heat exchange branch may pass through the condenser again, the condenser can make full use of the refrigerant passing out of the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus reducing the influence on the refrigeration effect of the refrigeration device itself.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, an incubator is further included, where the heating area is arranged in the incubator. The condensing heater is arranged on the incubator. The heating area is arranged in the incubator, and the condensing heater heats the heating area in the incubator, so that a temperature in the incubator is not easily dissipated, and the heating effect is effectively improved.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the condensing heater includes a condensing heating pipe, and the condensing heating pipe is arranged on the incubator. The heat of the refrigerant with higher temperature in the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be quickly transferred to the incubator through the condensation heating pipe, so that the heating effect is good, complicated heat exchange devices or other heat conducting media are not needed, and the cost is low.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the condensing heating pipe is arranged at a bottom portion of the incubator. Due to the characteristics of hot air floating up and cooled air falling down, arranging the condensing heating pipe at the bottom portion of the incubator is beneficial to transfer heat of the condensing heating pipe to the heating area in the whole incubator, so that the temperature in the heating area is more uniform, which is beneficial to the uniform heating treatment of food.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, an air duct control device for controlling air circulation between the heating area and a refrigeration area of the refrigerator through an air duct, is further included. The heating area includes the air duct used for communicating with the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and the air duct control device used for controlling air circulation through the air duct is arranged on the air duct. When the air duct control device is turned on, air in the air duct flows between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator can be introduced into the heating area to accelerate the temperature reduction for food treatment. The air duct control device can realize air circulation between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator through the air duct, so as to meet the complex processing requirements of food that needs to be heated or cooled.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the air duct control device includes a fan, and/or a damper for controlling the air duct to open. The fan can control an air flow speed between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator can be introduced into the heating area, so as to accelerate the temperature reduction in the heating area. By setting the damper, when the heating area needs to be cooled, the damper can be opened, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator flows into the heating area through the air duct for circulation, thus realizing the cooling of the heating area. In addition, when the heating area is heated, the damper may be closed to ensure that no refrigeration capacity enters the heating area, thus improving the heating effect of the heating area. One of the fan and the damper, or both of which may be arranged on the air duct at the same time according to actual needs.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the first valve device is closed according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, and the air duct control device is turned on according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area is reduced. In order to meet the demand for heat dissipation or cooling processing of heated food with rapid cooling in the heating area, when the heating area needs to be cooled, the first valve device is closed and the air duct control device is turned on, so that the air in the air duct circulates between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator is introduced into the heating area. As the first valve device is closed, the condensing heater is not heated anymore, and at the same time the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator is utilized, thus the temperature of the heating area can be quickly reduced, which can effectively meet the requirements of the user on food processing efficiency and special cooling rate, and can also meet the need of the user on food processing in multi-temperature areas.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, an air duct control device for controlling air circulation between the heating area and a refrigeration area of the refrigerator is further included. As the first valve device is in the second working state for a preset duration, the first valve device is closed according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, and the air duct control device is turned on according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, such that the temperature in the heating area is reduced. As the temperature in the heating area is kept at the preset heating temperature range for a preset duration, the first valve device is closed, and the air duct control device is turned on, so that the air in the air duct circulates between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. When the heating area needs to be cooled, the first valve device is closed to stop the refrigerant with higher temperature from continuously entering the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and the air duct control device is turned on to circulate the air in the air duct between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the refrigeration area of the refrigerator and the heating area can have thermal interaction through the air duct, so that the temperature of the heating area is reduced. As the first valve device is in the second working state for a preset duration, the temperature of the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range for the preset duration at the same time, which meets the requirement of the user on cooling food after heating.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the preset heating temperature range includes an upper heating temperature threshold and a lower heating temperature threshold. The first valve device is capable of switching its working state to the second working state according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept between the upper heating temperature threshold and the lower heating temperature threshold. Thus, the first valve device can be freed from repeatedly switching between the first and second working states, and the reliability of the first valve device is increased.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, two preset heating temperature ranges are included. The first valve device controls the flow of the refrigerant through the auxiliary heat exchange branch according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area may be switched between the two preset heating temperature ranges above. The user may set more than two preset heating temperature ranges according to the requirements of food to be processed. The temperature in the heating area may be controlled to switch to the more than two preset heating temperature ranges by the refrigerant flowing through the auxiliary heat exchange branch by the first valve device, including controlled by manual switching of the user, switching according to a preset program or heating curve, or switching back and forth. Different processing requirements of the user for heated food are met.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, a preset low temperature range is further included. The first valve device controls the flow of the refrigerant through the auxiliary heat exchange branch according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area may be switched between the preset heating temperature range and the preset low temperature range. By closing the first valve device to cut off the heat released from the condensing heater, the heating area may be cooled in this case. When the temperature of the heating area reaches the preset low temperature range, the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled by the first valve device to keep the first valve device in the preset low temperature range, so that the heating area can be switched between the preset heating temperature range and the preset low temperature range, and the requirement of the user on different temperature treatments of food can be met.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, two preset heating temperature ranges are included, where one of the two preset heating temperature ranges is the first preset temperature range, and another one is the second preset temperature range. According to the temperature requirement in the heating area, the first valve device in the first working state enable the temperature in the heating area to increase to the first preset temperature range, and the first valve device switches to the second working state, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept in the first preset temperature range. As the first valve device is in the second working state for a first preset duration, the first valve device is closed to reduce the temperature in the heating area to the preset low temperature range, and the first valve device switches to the first working state to enable the temperature in the heating area to increase to the second preset temperature range, and the first valve device switches to the second working state for a second preset duration. A lower heating temperature threshold of the first preset temperature range is greater than an upper heating temperature threshold of the second preset temperature range.

By setting two preset heating temperature ranges, the food can be further processed, and the device may be used for processing starchy food. Taking rice processing as an example, a mixture of rice and water is put into the heating area, the first valve device in the first working state enable the temperature in the heating area to increase to the first preset temperature range, and the first valve device switches to the second working state to keep the temperature in the heating area in the first preset temperature range for the first preset duration, so that the rice is gelatinized. As the first valve device is closed, and the temperature in the heating area is reduced to the preset low temperature range, the mixture of rice and water is frozen and thawed. As the first valve device switches to the first working state to make the temperature in the heating area increase to the second preset temperature range, the first valve device switches to the second working state to keep the temperature in the heating area within the second preset temperature range, thus realizing retrogradetion of the mixture of rice and water. Through the above treatments, amylose dissolved in the water can be converted into resistant starch which is not easily digested by a human body, and the rice can be physically modified, so that a content of the resistant starch in the rice can be significantly increased, and a purpose of lowering sugar in the rice can be achieved, so that the transformation of the sugar in food in the human body can be controlled, and the demand of people for food processing can be met.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, an air duct control device for controlling air circulation between the heating area and a refrigeration area of the refrigerator through an air duct, is further included. As the first valve device switches to the first working state to make the temperature in the heating area increase to the first preset temperature range, the air duct control device is turned on according to the temperature requirement in the heating area; and as the temperature in the heating area reduces to the preset low temperature range, turning off the air duct control device. Through the air duct control device, the air can be circulate along the air duct between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator flows into the heating area through the air duct for circulation, thus realizing the cooling of the heating area, enhancing the cooling efficiency of the heating area, and meeting a timeliness requirement of the user on cooling food.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, a preset preservation temperature range is further included. As the first valve device is kept in the second working state according to the temperature requirement in the heating area for a second preset duration, the first valve device is turned off, and the air duct control device is turned on according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area is reduced to the preset preservation temperature range. After the food is processed, the first valve device is turned off, and the air duct control device is turned on, so that the temperature of the heating area is reduced to the preset preservation temperature range, and the food is stored in the preset preservation temperature range, so that the processed food can be directly kept fresh in the heating area without being additionally taken out and stored by the user.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is provided, including the refrigeration device of any one of embodiments according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a control method for a refrigeration device is provided, where the refrigeration device includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device and an evaporator. The compressor, the condenser, the throttling device and the evaporator are connected in a sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop. A first connecting pipeline is defined as the connecting pipeline between an exhaust port of the compressor and a refrigerant inlet of the throttling device in the refrigerant circulation loop, and the condenser is arranged on the first connecting pipeline. The refrigeration device further includes a heating area and an auxiliary heat exchange branch. The auxiliary heat exchange branch comprises a condensing heater for heating a heating area. The auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline. And a first valve device used to control a flow of a refrigerant through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is further arranged on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and the control method includes the following steps of:.

As a refrigerant with higher temperature flows between the exhaust port of the compressor and the refrigerant inlet of the throttling device through the first connecting pipeline, and the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, the refrigerant with higher temperature can be introduced into the condensing heater on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus heating the heating area. The flow of the refrigerant through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled by the first valve device, so that an independent control of the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be realized. As the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, adjusting a working state of the first valve device will not affect the normal operation of the refrigerant circulation loop. By controlling the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch with the first valve device, a temperature in the heating area can be adjusted to meet different temperature requirements on the heating area, so as to meet different requirements of people on food processing.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the controlling the working state of the first valve device according to the temperature requirement of the heating area includes:.

By controlling the first valve device to switch to the first working state, the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is adjusted, so that the temperature in the heating area increases until reaching the preset heating temperature range. Then, the working state of the first valve device is controlled to the second working state, and the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is adjusted to keep the temperature in the heating area in the preset heating temperature range. The preset heating temperature range corresponds to a current temperature requirement of the heating area and is set according to the requirements of the user on food processing, and the process of increasing and controlling the temperature of the heating area is realized by switching the first valve device between the first working state and the second working state, thereby meeting the heating requirements of the user on food.

The controlling the working state of the first valve device to switch the second working state, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range, includes one of the following steps of:.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the temperature in the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range through the three methods above.

The first method is to control the first valve device to be opened in an intermittent way, and to maintain the temperature of the heating area in the preset heating temperature range by a heat of intermittent supplement. Because only the temperature detection on the heating are is needed to control the opening, the first valve device has a simple control mode by the intermittent opening, and there is no need for complex control algorithm and adjustment of the opening degree of the first valve device, so low-cost valve devices and valve driving devices may be selected.

The second method is to close the first valve device, making the temperature in the heating area be slowly reduced within the preset heating temperature. By ensuring a heat-preservation effect of the heating area, for example, an outer wall of the heating area is provided with a heat-preservation layer, so that even if the first valve device is closed, as the temperature of the heating area may be slowly reduced, the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range for a certain duration, so as to meet the requirements of food processing.

The third method is to control the opening degree of the first valve device be adjusted to the second opening degree, making the temperature in the heating area be kept in the preset heating temperature range. By adjusting the opening degree of the first valve device to the second opening degree, the flow of the refrigerant through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled, so that heating heat of the condensing heater and dissipation heat of the heating area are dynamically balanced, and the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. This method has high control accuracy and can stabilize the temperature of the heating area in a small change.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the following step is further included:
as the first valve device is kept in the second working state for a preset duration, controlling the first valve device to be closed, and making the temperature in the heating area be reduced to a preset low temperature range.

By closing the first valve device to cut off the heat released from the condensing heater, and the heating area may be cooled in this case. When the temperature of the heating area reaches the preset low temperature range, the working state of the first valve device is controlled to keep the first valve device in the preset low temperature range, so that the heating area can be switched between the preset heating temperature range and the preset low temperature range, and the requirement of the user on different temperature treatments of food can be met.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating area includes an air duct for communicating with a refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and an air duct control device for controlling air circulation through the air duct is arranged on the air duct; and the making the temperature in the heating area be reduced to the preset low temperature range includes:
controlling the first valve device to turn on to make air circulate in the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the temperature in the heating area is reduced to the preset low temperature range.

In order to meet the demand for heat dissipation or cooling processing of heated food with rapid cooling in the heating area, when the heating area needs to be cooled, the air duct control device is controlled to turn on, so that the air in the air duct circulates between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator is introduced into the heating area. As the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator is utilized, the temperature of the heating area can be quickly reduced, which can effectively meet the requirements of the user on food processing efficiency and special cooling rate, and can also meet the need of the user on food processing in multi-temperature areas.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a food processing method applicable to a refrigeration device is provided, where the refrigeration device includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device and an evaporator. The compressor, the condenser, the throttling device and the evaporator are connected in a sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop. A first connecting pipeline is defined as the connecting pipeline between an exhaust port of the compressor and a refrigerant inlet of the throttling device in the refrigerant circulation loop. The condenser is arranged on the first connecting pipeline. And the refrigeration device further includes a heating area and an auxiliary heat exchange branch. The auxiliary heat exchange branch comprises a condensing heater for heating a heating area. The auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline. And a first valve device which controls a refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is further arranged on the auxiliary heat exchange branch. The heating area comprises an air duct for communicating with a refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and an air duct control device for controlling air circulation through the air duct is arranged on the air duct is arranged on the air duct; and the food processing method further includes the following steps of:.

By setting two preset heating temperature ranges, the food can be further processed. The device may be used for processing starchy food. Taking rice processing as an example, a mixture of rice and water is put into the heating area, by controlling the first valve device to switch to the first working state, the temperature in the heating area is increased to the first preset temperature range, and by controlling the first valve device to switch to the second working state, the temperature in the heating area is kept in the first preset temperature range for a first preset duration, so that the rice is gelatinized. The first valve device is closed, and after the temperature in the heating area is reduced to the preset low temperature range, the mixture of rice and water is frozen and thawed. After the first valve device switches to the first working state to make the temperature in the heating area increase to the second preset temperature range, the first valve device switches to the second working state to keep the temperature in the heating area in the second preset temperature range, thus realizing retrogradation of the mixture of rice and water. Through the above treatment, amylose dissolved in the water can be converted into resistant starch which is not easily digested by a human body, and the rice can be physically modified, so that a content of the resistant starch in the rice can be significantly increased, and a purpose of lowering sugar in the rice can be achieved, so that the transformation of the sugar in food in the human body can be controlled, and the demand of people for food processing can be met.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the following step is further included: controlling the first valve device to close, turning on the air duct control device, so that the air circulates in the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and the temperature in the heating area is reduced to a preset preservation temperature range. After the food is processed, the first valve device is closed, and the air duct control device is turned on, so that the temperature of the heating area is reduced to the preset preservation temperature range, and the food is stored in the preset preservation temperature range, so that the processed food can be directly kept fresh in the heating area without being additionally taken out and stored by the user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a control device is provided, including: a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, where when executing the computer program, the processor realizes the control method for the refrigeration device according to any one of embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure or the food processing method according to any one of embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a sixth of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is provided, including the control device of any one of embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer storage medium storing a computer-executable instruction, where the computer-executable instruction is used for executing the control method for the refrigeration device according to any one of embodiments of the third aspect the present disclosure or the food processing method according to any one of embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

One of the foregoing technical solutions of the present disclosure at least has one of the following advantages or beneficial effects:
the auxiliary heat exchange branch arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline can introduce the refrigerant with higher temperature to the condensing heater on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus heating the heating area. The refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled by the first valve device, so that an independent control of the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be realized. As the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, adjusting a working state of the first valve device will not affect the normal operation of the refrigerant circulation loop. By controlling the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch with the first valve device, a temperature in the heating area can be adjusted to meet different temperature requirements on the heating area, so as to meet different requirements of people on food processing.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in detail, illustrations of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, where identical or similar reference numerals denote identical or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

Moreover, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, but cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that unless otherwise specified and limited, the term "connection" should be understood broadly, for example, the connection may be fixed connection or removable connection, and may also be detachable connection or non-detachable connection or integral connection; may be mechanical connection, and may also be electric connection or may be mutual communication; may be direct connection, may also be indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and may also be internal communication and indirect communication of two elements or interaction relationship of two elements.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the "first end" and "second end" of each element in the refrigeration device or refrigerator of the present disclosure are only used to indicate an input end or output end of the element, and the uniform naming rule is that a refrigerant input end of the refrigeration device is the "first end" and a refrigerant output end of the refrigeration device is the "second end", which cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or implicitly indicating the function of the indicated technical features.

The following disclosure provides multiple different embodiments or examples to realize different solutions of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, which show a refrigeration device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure. The refrigeration device is a core component of refrigerator equipment, and is used to provide refrigeration for a refrigeration area of the refrigerator. The refrigeration area of the refrigerator includes a refrigeration area and a freezing area, where a temperature of the refrigeration area is <NUM> to <NUM> and a temperature of the freezing area is -<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, which shows a refrigeration device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, including a compressor <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, a throttling device <NUM> and an evaporator <NUM>, where the compressor <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, the throttling device <NUM> and the evaporator <NUM> are connected in a sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop for providing refrigeration for the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and an arrow in <FIG> indicates a flow direction of the refrigerant. A connecting pipeline between an exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> and a refrigerant inlet of the throttling device <NUM> in the refrigerant circulation loop is a first connecting pipeline <NUM>, the condenser <NUM> is arranged on the first connecting pipeline <NUM>, and the first connecting pipeline <NUM> is used for providing the condenser <NUM> with a refrigerant of higher temperature provided by the compressor <NUM>. A connecting pipeline between a refrigerant outlet of the throttling device <NUM> and an air return port of the compressor <NUM> in the refrigerant circulation loop is a second connecting pipeline <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM> is arranged on the second connecting pipeline <NUM>, and the second connecting pipeline <NUM> is used for providing the evaporator <NUM> with a refrigerant of lower temperature. Specifically, a gaseous refrigerant with highr temperature output from the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> enters the condenser <NUM> through a first end of the condenser <NUM>. In the condenser <NUM>, the gaseous refrigerant with higher temperature releases heat and condenses into a liquid refrigerant of higher temperature. The refrigerant is discharged from a second end of the condenser <NUM>, enters a first end of the throttling device <NUM> through the refrigerant circulation loop, and is cooled in the throttling device <NUM> to form a liquid refrigerant of lower temperature. The refrigerant is output from a second end of the throttling device <NUM>, and enters from a first end of the evaporator <NUM>. The refrigerant in the evaporator <NUM> absorbs the heat of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator to form a gaseous refrigerant of lower temperature, and then enters an air inlet of the compressor <NUM> again. The throttling device <NUM> above may be a capillary tube, an electronic expansion valve, a thermal expansion valve, or a throttling short pipe. The capillary tube has the advantages of simple structure, convenient manufacture, low price, no moving parts, and is not easy to produce faults and leakage, and it has the characteristics of automatic compensation to meet the requirements of refrigeration load change on flow rate. The electronic expansion valve has strong adaptability to the quantitative change of the refrigerant, which enhances the comfort of the refrigeration device. The thermal expansion valve has a wide applicable temperature range, and can quickly balance high and low pressures of the system when the device is stopped.

With reference to <FIG>, a reservoir <NUM> is arranged between a second end of the evaporator <NUM> and the air inlet of the compressor <NUM>, and is used to store an unvaporized liquid refrigerant. In addition, an air return and heat exchange pipe <NUM> may also be arranged between the reservoir <NUM> and the compressor <NUM> to absorb the heat released by the throttling device <NUM>, so as to increase a temperature of the refrigerant entering the air inlet of the compressor <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the refrigeration device further includes:.

The first valve device is controlled by a controller of the refrigerator, and the controller sends a control instruction to the first valve device according to the temperature requirement in the heating area to control a working state of the first valve device, so that the refrigerant flow into the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be controlled. When the refrigerant flow into the auxiliary heat exchange branch is high, the condensing heater <NUM> releases more heat, and the temperature in the heating area will increase. When the first valve device is closed, the heat released from condensing heater <NUM> is cut off. If the heating area has an excellent effect on heat-preservation (for example, an outer wall of the heating area is provided with a heat-preservation layer), the temperature of the heating area is reduced slowly. And if the heating area has a good effect on heat-dissipation (without insulation measures or an air duct and an air duct control device as described below), the temperature of the heating area may be reduced rapidly. The working state of the first valve device relates to an opening degree of the first valve device or a change of the opening degree. When the opening degree of the first valve device is the biggest, the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is the highest. When the opening degree of the first valve device is zero, the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is zero. The opening degree of the first valve device may also be adjusted between zero and the biggest opening degree, for example, an adjustable valve device, either a stepped or stepless one, may be adopted as the first valve device.

As a refrigerant with higher temperature flows between the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> and the refrigerant inlet of the throttling device <NUM> through the first connecting pipeline <NUM>, the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline <NUM>, so that the high temperature refrigerant can be introduced into the condensing heater <NUM> on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus heating the heating area. The refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled by the first valve device, so that an independent control of the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be realized. As the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, adjusting a working state of the first valve device will not affect the normal operation of the refrigerant circulation loop. By controlling the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch through the first valve device, a temperature in the heating area can be adjusted to meet different temperature requirements on the heating area, so as to meet different requirements of people on food processing.

In order to allow the refrigerant to flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation loop needs to flow and circulate while the first valve device is opened, and the compressor <NUM> also needs to work synchronously. That is, the compressor <NUM> needs to operate simultaneously when the first valve device is in other working states except being closed.

An operation principle of the compressor <NUM> is as follows: when the heating area needs heating, it is determined whether there is a refrigerating demand in the current refrigeration area of the refrigerator. If there is a refrigerating demand in the current refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and the refrigerant circulation loop is already in a refrigerating state, the compressor <NUM> is kept running. If there is no refrigerating demand in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, it means that the compressor <NUM> is in a shut-off state, and it is necessary to start the compressor <NUM>.

When the compressor <NUM> is running, the refrigerant may flow through the condenser <NUM>, which may reduce the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. If there is no refrigerating demand in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be lower than a set temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. In order to avoid affecting the normal temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a second valve device may be arranged between the condenser <NUM> and a second end of the auxiliary heat exchange branch. When there is no refrigerating demand in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator but there is a heating requirement in the heating area, the first valve device is opened and the second valve device is closed, and the refrigerant completely enters the refrigerant circulation loop through the auxiliary heat exchange branch. Because there is no refrigerant flowing through the condenser <NUM>, the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may not be reduced. Meanwhile, a heating effect of the heating area is better in a case that all of refrigerant flows through the condensing heater <NUM> on the auxiliary heat exchange branch.

In another embodiment, there is no need to set a second valve device. If the compressor <NUM> is started when there is no refrigerating demand in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be reduced in this case. However, since the heating area may release heat to the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, the compressor <NUM> may work with the first valve device to cool the refrigeration area of the refrigerator by the evaporator, and the whole refrigerator system may keep a dynamic balance. This requires a heat transfer efficiency between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first valve device is provided with a first working state and a second working state, and the first valve device may switch to the first working state, the second working state or other working states.

An opening degree of the first valve device corresponding to the first working state is a first opening degree, and when the opening degree of the first valve device is the first opening degree, the refrigerant flowing through the condensing heater <NUM> increases the temperature of the heating area. The first opening degree of the first valve device may be set according to a heat-preservation performance of the heating area, a heat conversion efficiency of the condensing heater <NUM> and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the condensing heater <NUM>. In order to make the temperature of the heating area reach a preset heating temperature range as soon as possible, in one embodiment, the first opening degree is adjusted to a maximum opening degree of the first valve device.

The second working state of the first valve device is used for keeping the temperature of the heating area in the preset heating temperature range. In an embodiment, the second working state is that the first valve device is opened in an intermittent way, so that the temperature in the heating area is fluctuated in the preset heating temperature range. The first valve device is intermittently opened, and the temperature of the heating area is maintained at the preset heating temperature range by a heat of intermittent supplement. Because only the temperature detection on the heating are is needed to control the opening, the first valve device has a simple control mode by the intermittent opening, and there is no need for complex control algorithm and adjustment of the opening degree of the first valve device, so low-cost valve devices and valve driving devices may be selected.

In another embodiment, the second working state is that the first valve device is closed, so that the temperature in the heating area is slowly reduced within the preset heating temperature. By ensuring a heat-preservation effect of the heating area, for example, an outer wall of the heating area is provided with a heat-preservation layer, so that even if the first valve device is closed, as the temperature of the heating area may be slowly reduced, the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range for a certain duration, so as to meet the requirements of food processing.

In another embodiment, the second working state is that the opening degree of the first valve device is adjusted to the second opening degree, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. By adjusting the opening degree of the first valve device to the second opening degree, the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled, so that heating heat of the condensing heater <NUM> and dissipation heat of the heating area are dynamically balanced, and the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. This method has high control accuracy and can stabilize the temperature of the heating area in a small change. The second opening degree is smaller than the first opening degree. For example, if the first opening degree is the maximum opening degree of the first valve device, the second opening degree may be opened <NUM>% of the first opening degree. The above value is just one of the possible examples, and a specific value to be set is based on a heat dissipation situation of the heating area and the heating heat of the condensing heater <NUM>. By setting the second opening degree, the temperature in the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller controls the first valve device to switch to the first working state according to the temperature requirement in the heating area. As adjusted to the first opening degree, so that the temperature in the heating area is increased to the preset heating temperature range, the controller controls the first valve device to switch to the second working state to keep the temperature in the heating area in the preset heating temperature range. The preset heating temperature range corresponds to the temperature requirement of the current heating area and is set according to requirements of a user on food processing, and the first valve device switches between the first working state and the second working state, thus realizing the process of heating and controlling the temperature in the heating area and meeting the heating requirements of the user on food processing.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, more than two preset heating temperature ranges above are further included. The controller controls the working state of the first valve device according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area may be switched between the more than two preset heating temperature ranges above. For example, the temperature is switched from the preset heating temperature range to a second preset heating temperature range. The preset heating temperature range may be set according to a heating curve of the food to be processed. For example, if there are three heating procedures with different temperature ranges in the heating curve of the food, three preset heating temperature ranges are set. In addition, a number and a scope of the preset heating temperature range may be set by user input, and may also be automatically adapted according to a weight of the food and the processing method. The temperature may also be switched back and forth between different preset heating temperature ranges. By setting different preset heating temperature ranges, different processing requirements of the user on different food can be met.

In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, a preset low temperature range is further included, and the controller controls the working state of the first valve device according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area may be switched between the preset heating temperature range and the preset low temperature range. By closing the first valve device, the condensing heater is stopped to release heat, and the heating area may be cooled in this case. When the temperature of the heating area reaches the preset low temperature range, the working state of the first valve device is controlled by the controller to keep the first valve device in the preset low temperature range, so that the heating area can be switched between the preset heating temperature range and the preset low temperature range, and the requirement of the user on different temperature treatments of food can be met.

Regarding the working state of the first valve device is the first working state, in an embodiment, the first opening degree is the maximum opening degree of the first valve device, so that the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be maximized, the heat released by the condensing heater <NUM> can be the highest, the heating area can be increased to the preset heating temperature range faster, and the time for heating the food can be saved. In another embodiment, the first opening degree can increase the temperature of the heating area. In other words, the heat released by the condensing heater <NUM> is greater than the dissipation heat of the heating area, which can gradually increase the temperature of the heating area. This will reduce the heating efficiency of the heating area, but has little impact on the refrigerant circulation loop. In addition, the opening degree of the first valve device may also be adjusted according to a state of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the opening degree can meet the heating demand of the heating area and reduce the impact on the refrigeration area of the refrigerator.

Regarding the second working state of the first valve device, the making the temperature in the heating area be kept in the preset heating temperature range, may include one of the following three methods.

The first method is to control the first valve device to open in an intermittent way, and to maintain the temperature of the heating area in the preset heating temperature range by a heat of intermittent supplement. Because only the temperature detection on the heating are is needed to control the opening, the first valve device has a simple control mode by the intermittent opening, and there is no need for complex control algorithm and adjustment of the opening degree of the first valve device, so low-cost valve devices and valve driving devices may be selected.

The second method is to close the first valve device to make the temperature in the heating area be slowly reduced within the preset heating temperature. By ensuring a heat-preservation effect of the heating area, so that even if the first valve device is closed, as the temperature of the heating area may be slowly reduced, the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range for a certain duration, so as to meet the requirements of food processing. The heat-preservation effect of the heating area can be ensured by arranging a heat-preservation layer over an outer wall of the heating area.

The third method is to control an opening degree of the first valve device, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. By adjusting the opening degree of the first valve device, the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled, so that heating heat of the condensing heater and dissipation heat of the heating area are dynamically balanced, and the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. This method has high control accuracy and can stabilize the temperature of the heating area in a small change.

Referring to <FIG>, showing a refrigeration device of a second embodiment of the present disclosure, which is a further improvement of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The first valve device is a three-way valve <NUM>. A first end of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> through the three-way valve <NUM>, and a second end of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected to a refrigerant inlet of the condenser <NUM>. By connecting the three-way valve <NUM> to the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM>, the refrigerant with higher temperature from the exhaust port of the compressor can enter the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and the heating area can be quickly heated to a temperature high enough to process the food. In addition, since the refrigerant passing through the auxiliary heat exchange branch may pass through the condenser again, the condenser can make full use of the refrigerant flowing out of the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus reducing the influence on the refrigeration effect of the refrigeration device itself.

Referring to <FIG>, showing a refrigeration device of a third embodiment of the present disclosure, which is different from the second embodiment above in that the first valve device is a three-way valve <NUM>, the auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected to a refrigerant outlet of the condenser <NUM> through the three-way valve <NUM> at a first end, and the auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected to the refrigerant circulation loop between the three-way valve <NUM> and the throttling device <NUM> at a second end. When the three-way valve <NUM> is opened, the refrigerant flows to the throttling device <NUM> after passing through the auxiliary heat exchange branch. By connecting the three-way valve <NUM> to the refrigerant outlet of the condenser <NUM>, residual heat of the condenser <NUM> may be used to provide heat for the condensing heater <NUM> without using additional heating parts, which not only helps to save the cost, but also releases heat from the refrigerant through the condensing heater <NUM>, which can reduce the temperature of the refrigerant entering the throttling device <NUM>, reduce a load of the evaporator <NUM>, and make the evaporator <NUM> refrigerate better. Since the refrigerant all passes through the condenser <NUM> and then through the condensing heater <NUM>, the refrigeration effect of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may not be affected, and the influence on the overall operation of the refrigerator is less than that of the refrigeration device according to the second embodiment above.

Referring to <FIG>, showing a refrigeration device of a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, which is different from the third embodiment above in that the auxiliary heat exchange branch is in parallel connection with the condenser <NUM> at two ends, that is, the first end of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected between the exhaust port of the compressor and the first end of the condenser through the three-way valve <NUM>, and the second end of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is connected with a refrigerant input end of the throttling device <NUM>. Since the auxiliary heat exchange branch is in parallel connection with the condenser <NUM> at two ends, portion of the refrigerant with higher temperature discharged from the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> enters the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and other portion flows through the condenser <NUM>. Different from the second embodiment and the third embodiment above, the temperatures of the refrigerant flowing through the condenser <NUM> and the refrigerant flowing through the condensing heater <NUM> are the same, ensuring a good heating effect, and the influence on the overall operation of the refrigerator is less.

In the above-mentioned second to fourth embodiments, other on-off valves besides the three-way valve <NUM> may be used as the first valve device. For example, a two-way valve may be arranged in the auxiliary heat exchange branch to control the refrigerant flow in the auxiliary heat exchange branch independently.

In addition, the technical solutions of the second to fourth embodiments may also be combined. For example, two auxiliary heat exchange branches may be arranged at the same time, where one auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged between the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> and a refrigerant inlet of the condensing heater <NUM>, as in the second embodiment, to introduce the high temperature refrigerant at the exhaust port of the compressor, and has a higher heating temperature. Meanwhile, the other auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged between a refrigerant outlet of the condensing heater <NUM> and the refrigerant inlet of the throttling device <NUM>, as in the third embodiment, to introduce the refrigerant output by the condensing heater <NUM>, and has a lower heating temperature. In this way, an appropriate condensing heater <NUM> may be selected to work according to the need. For example, condensing heaters <NUM> respectively corresponding to two heating areas may be set, and in this case a user may select a suitable heating area for use. Otherwise, two condensing heaters <NUM> corresponding to one heating area may be set, and in this case the user may select a suitable heating mode for use.

The preset heating temperature range includes an upper heating temperature threshold and a lower heating temperature threshold, and the controller controls the working state of the first valve device to switch to the second working state according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept between the upper heating temperature threshold and the lower heating temperature threshold, thus avoiding repeated switching of the first valve device between the first and second working states and increasing the reliability of the first valve device.

In addition, when the second working state of the first valve device is in an intermittent opening mode, a temperature and a fluctuation range of the heating temperature range can be conveniently determined by setting the upper heating temperature threshold and the lower heating temperature threshold.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating area is arranged in an incubator <NUM>. The incubator <NUM> may be an independent chamber in the refrigerator or an incubator <NUM> built into the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and the condensing heater is arranged on the incubator <NUM>. The heating area is arranged in the incubator, and the condensing heater heats the heating area in the incubator, so that a temperature in the incubator is not easily dissipated, and the heating effect is effectively improved.

Referring to <FIG>, the condensing heater <NUM> includes a condensing heating pipe <NUM>, and the condensing heating pipe <NUM> is arranged at a bottom portion of the incubator <NUM>. The heat of the high temperature refrigerant in the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be quickly transferred to the incubator through the condensation heating pipe, so that the heating effect is good, complicated heat exchange devices or other heat conducting media are not needed, and the cost is low. Due to the characteristics of hot air floating up and cooled air falling down, arranging the condensing heating pipe <NUM> at the bottom portion of the incubator <NUM> is beneficial to transfer heat in the whole incubator space, so that the temperature in the heating area is more uniform, which is beneficial to the uniform heating treatment of food. Certainly, those skilled in the art may also set an arrangement position of the condensing heating pipe <NUM> according to the need, such as arranging the condensing heating pipe <NUM> at the bottom portion and top portion of the incubator <NUM> or arranging the condensing heating pipe <NUM> at a side wall of the incubator <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating area includes an air duct <NUM> for communicating with the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. The air duct <NUM> communicates the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. Through the air duct <NUM>, the cooled air from the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be introduced into the heating area, so as to realize the refrigeration and temperature reduction for food, thus being capable of meeting the complex processing requirements of food that needs to be heated and cooled.

In order to control the air duct <NUM>, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, an air duct control device for controlling air circulation through the air duct <NUM> is arranged on the air duct. By turning on the air duct control device, the air between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator in the air duct may circulate, and the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be introduced into the heating area, so as to accelerate the cooling treatment of the food. When the air duct control device is turned off, the air between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator in the air duct does not circulate or is not easy to circulate, thus reducing a degree of thermal interaction between the refrigeration area of the refrigerator and the heating area. Through the air duct control device, the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator can flow into the heating area through the air duct for circulation, thus realizing the cooling of the heating area, thus being capable of meeting the complex processing requirements of food that needs to be heated and cooled.

One embodiment of the air duct control device is that a fan is arranged right to the air duct, and a blowing direction of the fan is toward an inlet of the air duct <NUM>. By starting the fan, the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be introduced into the heating area, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator flows into the heating area through the air duct for circulation, thus realizing the cooling operation of the heating area. Moreover, a cooling efficiency of the heating area can be improved by introducing the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator into the heating area.

Another embodiment of the air duct control device is that the air duct <NUM> is provided with a damper for controlling the air duct to open. When the heating area needs to be cooled, the air duct between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator is communicated by opening the damper, so that the air in the air duct between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may circulate, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may enter the heating area to cool the heating area. When the heating area needs to be heated, the controller controls the damper to close, so as to prevent the refrigeration capacity from entering the heating area and improve the heating effect of the heating area.

Certainly, in some embodiments, the air door and the fan can be set on the air duct at the same time, that is, when the heating area is heated, the controller controls the air door to close to achieve the best heating effect. When the heating area needs to be cooled, the air door is opened and the fan is turned on at the same time, so as to accelerate the introduction of cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator into the heating area.

In addition, in some embodiments, the air duct may not be provided at all, and the heat can be dissipated to the refrigeration area of the refrigerator through a shell of the incubator <NUM>.

The incubator <NUM> is provided with a condensing heating pipe <NUM> and an air duct control device. The refrigerant with higher temperature on the first connecting pipe <NUM> is introduced through the condensing heating pipe <NUM>, so that the heating area in the incubator <NUM> can be heated and insulated. The air duct control device enables the air to circulate between the heating area in the incubator <NUM> and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the cooled air from the refrigeration area of the refrigerator can enter the incubator <NUM>, and the temperature of the heating area in the incubator <NUM> can be reduced.

On this basis, when the temperature of the heating area is required to cool down, the first valve device is closed according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, and the air duct control device is turned off according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the air in the air duct circulates between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be introduced into the heating area. As the first valve device is closed, the condensing heater is not heated anymore, and the temperature of the heating area is quickly reduced, which can effectively meet the requirements of the user on heat dissipation or cooling of the heated food. Meanwhile, due to the utilization of the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, the temperature in the heating area can be quickly reduced without setting an additional heat dissipation device, which can effectively meet the requirements of the user on food processing efficiency and special cooling rate, and can also meet the need of the user on food processing in multi-temperature areas.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the food may be processed by heated first and then frozen. That is, normal-temperature or frozen food is put into the heating area, and the controller controls the first valve device to switch to the first working state to allow the refrigerant of high temperature to enter the condensing heater <NUM>. After the temperature in the heating area is heated to the preset heating temperature range, the controller controls the first valve device to switch to the second working state to keep the temperature in the heating area within the preset heating temperature range. After the food is heated for a certain period of time, the controller controls the first valve device to close, and stops the refrigerant of high temperature from continuing to enter the auxiliary heat exchange branch. The refrigeration area of the refrigerator and the heating area exchange heat through the air duct <NUM>, so that the temperature of the heating area is reduced, thus realizing the processing of heating the food first and then cooling the food.

Besides being heated first and then cooled down, the food can also be heated and cooled down in various sections and times by setting different preset heating temperature ranges.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, showing a refrigeration device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes two preset heating temperature ranges, where one preset heating temperature range is a first preset temperature range △T1, and the other preset heating temperature range is a second preset temperature range △T2. When the refrigerant circulation loop is in a refrigerating state, the compressor <NUM> keeps running, the controller controls the first valve device to switch to the first working state to increase the temperature in the heating area to the first preset temperature range △T1. The controller controls the first valve device to switch to the second working state, and the first valve device is opened in an intermittent way. That is, when the temperature in the heating area is increased to a first upper heating temperature threshold T2, the first valve device is closed and the temperature in the heating area is reduced. When the temperature is reduced to a first lower heating temperature threshold T1, the first valve device is opened. The temperature in the heating area is controlled to fluctuate within the first preset temperature range △T1. When the refrigerant circulation loop is in a heat preservation state, the compressor <NUM> is operated as long as the first valve device opens. When the refrigerant circulation loop is in a refrigerating state, the compressor <NUM> is kept working. A first preset duration △t1 of the temperature in the heating area fluctuating in the first preset temperature range △T1 may be set according to the actual situation. After the temperature is maintained to fluctuate at the first preset duration △t1, the first valve device is closed, and the compressor <NUM> determines whether to close according to the situation of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. After the first valve device is closed, the temperature in the heating area is reduced, which may be achieved by natural cooling or blowing cooled air into the heating area through the fan. After the temperature in the heating area is reduced to a preset low temperature range T3, the first valve device is adjusted to increase the temperature in the heating area to the second preset temperature range △T2, and the first valve device is intermittently opened to make the temperature in the heating area fluctuate within the second preset temperature range △T2 (i.e. between T4 and T5 in <FIG>) and last for a second preset duration △t2. The lower heating temperature threshold T1 of the first preset temperature range △T1 is greater than the upper heating temperature threshold T5 of the second preset temperature range △T2.

By setting two preset heating temperature ranges, the food can be further processed, and for example, the device in the foregoing embodiments may be used for processing starchy food. Taking rice processing as an example, a mixture rice and water is put into the heating area, the first valve device is adjusted to make the temperature in the heating area be increased to the first preset temperature range △T1, and the first valve device is intermittently opened to make the temperature in the heating area fluctuate in the first preset temperature range △T1 and last for the first preset duration △t1, so that the rice is gelatinized. The first valve device is closed, and after the temperature in the heating area is reduced to the preset low temperature range T3, the mixture of rice and water is frozen and thawed. After the first valve device is adjusted to make the temperature in the heating area be increased to the second preset temperature range △T2, the first valve device is intermittently opened to make the temperature in the heating area fluctuate in the second preset temperature range △T2 for the second preset duration △t2, thus realizing retrogradation of the mixture of rice and water. Through the above treatment, amylose dissolved in the water can be converted into resistant starch which is not easily digested by a human body, and the rice can be physically modified, so that a content of the resistant starch in the rice can be significantly increased, and a purpose of lowering sugar in the rice can be achieved, so that the transformation of the sugar in food in the human body can be controlled, the processed food is healthier, and the demand of people for food processing can be met.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the temperature in the heating area fluctuates in the second preset temperature range △T2 for a second preset duration △t2, the first valve device is closed and the air duct control device is turned on, so that the temperature in the heating area is reduced to a preset preservation temperature range T6. The food is stored in the preset preservation temperature range, so that the processed food can be directly kept fresh in the heating area without being additionally taken out and stored by the user.

Values of T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 may be set according to the need. In this embodiment, T1 is <NUM>, T2 is <NUM>, T3 is <NUM> -<NUM>, T4 is <NUM>, T5 is <NUM> and T6 is <NUM> -<NUM>. The processing of the rice in the above embodiment is only exemplified, and the refrigeration device of the embodiment of the present disclosure may also be used to process other food, such as meat or dairy products.

In the foregoing embodiment, the first valve device is opened in an intermittent way, so that the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range for the preset duration. In addition, the first valve device may be closed or the opening degree of the first valve device may be controlled to keep the temperature in the heating area in the preset heating temperature range for the preset duration. The specific implementation method and principle have been described in detail in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

Referring to <FIG>, showing a circuitry block diagram of the refrigeration device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, which includes a controller, a compressor, a three-way valve, a fan, a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor, where the first temperature sensor is arranged in the heating area, such as the incubator, for detecting the temperature in the heating area so as to control the operation of the three-way valve or the compressor according to the temperature in the heating area. And the second temperature sensor is arranged in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator for detecting the temperature in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator so as to control the operation of the compressor according to the temperature in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. The controller is electrically connected to the controller, the compressor, the three-way valve, the fan, the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor respectively, and the controller controls the compressor, the three-way valve, the fan, the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to realize the control process of the above embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, showing the refrigerator according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, this is a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the refrigeration device in any one of the first to fifth embodiments above is included. Since the refrigeration device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has the technical effects of any of the first to fourth embodiments above, the refrigerator according to this embodiment also has the above-mentioned technical effects. As refrigerant with higher temperature flows between the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> and the throttling device <NUM> through the refrigerant circulation loop, the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged between the exhaust port of the compressor <NUM> and the throttling device <NUM> in parallel, the refrigerant with higher temperature can be introduced into the condensing heater on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus heating the heating area. The opening and closing of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled by the first valve device to realize an independent control of the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and the opening and closing of the first valve device does not affect the normal operation of the refrigerant circulation loop. By controlling the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch with the first valve device, the temperature in the heating area can be adjusted to meet different temperature requirements on the heating area, so as to meet different requirements of people on food processing.

The following is the control method for the refrigeration device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the following description is only an illustration, but not a specific limitation of the present disclosure.

The control method for the refrigeration device according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure is applicable to control the refrigeration devices shown in <FIG>. The control method for the refrigeration device in this embodiment may be executed by the control device of the refrigeration device proposed by the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the control device of the refrigeration device may be configured in the refrigeration device to realize the control of the refrigeration device.

Structures shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are described in the first to fifth embodiments, which will not be repeated here. Referring to <FIG>, the control method for the refrigeration system in this embodiment includes the following steps of:.

As refrigerant with higher temperature circuits between the exhaust port of the compressor and the refrigerant inlet of the throttling device through the first connecting pipeline, and the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, the refrigerant with higher temperature can be introduced into the condensing heater on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, thus heating the heating area. The refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch is controlled by the first valve device, so that the independent control of the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be realized. As the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline, adjusting a working state of the first valve device will not affect the normal operation of the refrigerant circulation loop. By controlling the flow of the refrigerant through the auxiliary heat exchange branch with the first valve device, a temperature in the heating area can be adjusted to meet different temperature requirements on the heating area, so as to meet different requirements of people on food processing.

Referring to <FIG>, the step <NUM> includes the following steps.

At step <NUM>, the working state of the first valve device is controlled to switch to a first working state, and a temperature in the heating area is increased to a preset heating temperature range.

By controlling the first valve device to switch to the first working state, the refrigerant flow through the auxiliary heat exchange branch is adjusted, so that the temperature in the heating area is increased until reaching the preset heating temperature range.

At step <NUM>, the working state of the first valve device is controlled to switch to the second working state, and the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range.

The preset heating temperature range corresponds to the temperature requirement of the current heating area and is set according to requirements of a user on food processing, and the first valve device switches between the first working state and the second working state, thus realizing the process of heating and controlling the temperature in the heating area and meeting the heating requirements of the user on food processing.

When the compressor <NUM> is running, the refrigerant may flow through the condenser <NUM>, which may reduce the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. If there is no refrigerating demand in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be lower than a set temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator. In order to avoid affecting the normal temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a second valve device may be arranged between the condenser <NUM> and a second end of the auxiliary heat exchange branch. When there is no refrigerating demand in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator but there is a heating requirement in the heating area, the first valve device is opened and the second valve device is closed, and all of the refrigerant enters the refrigerant circulation loop through the auxiliary heat exchange branch. Because there is no refrigerant flowing through the condenser <NUM>, the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may not be reduced. Meanwhile, a heating effect of the heating area is better in a case that all of the refrigerant flows through the condensing heater <NUM> on the auxiliary heat exchange branch.

In another embodiment, there is no need to set the second valve device. If the compressor <NUM> is operated when there is no refrigerating demand in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, the temperature of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator may be reduced in this case. However, since the heating area may release heat to the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, the compressor <NUM> may work with the first valve device to cool the refrigeration area of the refrigerator through the evaporator, and the whole refrigerator system may keep a dynamic balance. This requires a heat transfer efficiency between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator.

The first working state of the first valve device is to open the first valve device to the first opening degree, so that the temperature in the heating area is increased. In an embodiment, the first opening degree is the maximum opening degree of the first valve device. In this way, the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch can be maximized, the heat released by the condensing heater <NUM> can be the highest, and the temperature in the heating area can be increased to the preset heating temperature range faster, thus saving the time for heating food. In another embodiment, the first opening degree is an opening degree that can increase the temperature of the heating area. In other words, the heat released by the condensing heater <NUM> is greater than the dissipation heat of the heating area in this case, which can also gradually increase the temperature of the heating area. Although this will reduce the heating efficiency of the heating area, the impact on the refrigerant circulation loop is less. In addition, the opening degree of the first valve device may also be adjusted according to the state of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator to meet the heating demand of the heating area and reduce the impact on the refrigeration area of the refrigerator at the same time.

Referring to <FIG>, which shows a control method for a refrigeration device in an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure. The preset heating temperature range includes an upper heating temperature threshold and a lower heating temperature threshold, and the above step <NUM> includes:.

By setting the upper heating temperature threshold and the lower heating temperature threshold, the temperature and fluctuation range of the heating temperature range can be determined. The temperature in the heating area is kept between the upper heating temperature threshold and the lower heating temperature threshold, which prevents the first valve device from repeatedly switching between the first and second working states and increases the reliability thereof. Moreover, only the temperature detection on the heating are is needed to control the opening, the first valve device has a simple control mode by the intermittent opening, and there is no need for complex control algorithm and adjustment of the opening degree of the first valve device, so low-cost valve devices and valve driving devices may be selected.

Referring to <FIG>, which shows a control method for a refrigeration device in a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure. The preset heating temperature range includes an upper heating temperature threshold and a lower heating temperature threshold, and the above step <NUM> includes:
step <NUM>: as the temperature in the heating area is heated to the preset heating temperature range, closing the first valve device to make the temperature in the heating area be slowly reduced in the preset heating temperature.

By ensuring a heat-preservation effect of the heating area, for example, an outer wall of the heating area is provided with a heat-preservation layer, so that even if the first valve device is closed, as the temperature of the heating area may be slowly reduced, the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range for a certain duration, so as to meet the requirements of food processing.

Referring to <FIG>, it shows a control method for a refrigeration device in a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure. The preset heating temperature range includes an upper heating temperature threshold and a lower heating temperature threshold, and the above step <NUM> includes:
step <NUM>: as the temperature in the heating area is heated to the preset heating temperature range, controlling the opening degree of the first valve device to keep the temperature in the heating area in the preset heating temperature range.

In step <NUM>, the controlling the opening degree of the first valve device includes: controlling the opening degree of the first valve device to switch to the second opening degree, and controlling the refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch by adjusting the opening degree of the first valve device to the second opening degree, so that the heating heat of the condensing heater is dynamically balanced with the dissipation heat of the heating area, and the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range. This method has high control accuracy, and can stabilize the temperature in the heating area in a smaller scope. The second opening degree is smaller than the first opening degree. For example, if the first opening degree is the maximum opening degree of the first valve device, the second opening degree may be <NUM>% of the first opening degree. The above value is just an example, and the specific value to be set is based on a heat dissipation situation of the heating area and the heating heat of the condensing heater. By setting the second opening degree, the temperature in the heating area may be kept in the preset heating temperature range.

Referring to <FIG>, it shows a control method for a refrigeration device in an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure. The step <NUM> further includes the following step:
step <NUM>: controlling the first valve device to close, so that the temperature in the heating area is reduced to the preset low temperature range.

To be specific, the above-mentioned step <NUM> includes: controlling the air duct control device to turn on to make air circulate in the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and make the temperature in the heating area be reduced to the preset low temperature range.

The air in the air duct can circulate between the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator by the air duct control device. When the heating area needs to be cooled, the first valve device is controlled to be closed and the air duct control device is turned on, so that the cooled air in the refrigeration area of the refrigerator flows into the heating area through the air duct for circulation, thus realizing the cooling of the heating area. As the first valve device is closed, the condensing heater is not heated anymore, and the refrigeration capacity of the refrigeration area of the refrigerator is utilized at the same time. The temperature of the heating area can be quickly reduced, which can effectively meet the requirements of the user on food processing efficiency and special cooling rate, and can also meet the need of the user for food processing in multi-temperature areas. Therefore, the complex processing requirements of food that needs to be heated and cooled can be met.

The fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a food processing method, which is applicable to control the refrigeration devices shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The control method for the refrigeration device in this embodiment may be executed by the control device of the refrigeration device proposed by the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the control device of the refrigeration device may be configured in the refrigeration device to realize the control of the refrigeration device. The structures shown in <FIG> are described in the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment, which are not repeated here. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, as a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure, the food processing method of this embodiment includes the following steps of:.

By setting two preset heating temperature ranges, the food can be further processed. For example, the device in the foregoing embodiments may be used for processing starchy food. Taking rice processing as an example, a mixture rice and water is put into the heating area, by controlling the first valve device to switch to the first working state, the temperature in the heating area increases to the first preset temperature range △T1, and by controlling the first valve device to switch to the second working state, the temperature in the heating area is kept in the first preset temperature range △T1 and lasts for the first preset duration △t1, so that the rice is gelatinized. The first valve device is closed, and after the temperature in the heating area is reduced to the preset low temperature range T3, the mixture of rice and water is frozen and thawed. After the first valve device is controlled to switch to the first working state to make the temperature in the heating area be increased to the second preset temperature range △T2, the first valve device is controlled to switch to the second working state to keep the temperature in the heating area in the second preset temperature range △T2 for the second preset duration △t2, thus realizing retrogradation of the mixture of rice and water. Through the above treatment, amylose dissolved in the water can be converted into resistant starch which is not easily digested by a human body, and the rice can be physically modified, so that a content of the resistant starch in the rice can be significantly increased, and a purpose of lowering sugar in the rice can be achieved, so that the transformation of the sugar in food in the human body can be controlled, the processed food is healthier, and the demand of people for food processing can be met.

Referring to <FIG>, it shows a food processing method in a thirteenth embodiment of the present disclosure, further including the following step of:
step <NUM>: controlling the first valve device to close, and turning on the air duct control device, so that the air is circulated in the heating area and the refrigeration area of the refrigerator, and the temperature in the heating area is reduced to a preset preservation temperature range T6. The food is stored in the preset preservation temperature range, so that the processed food can be directly kept fresh in the heating area without being additionally taken out and stored by the user.

In the twelfth and thirteenth embodiments of the present disclosure, the working state of the first valve device is controlled to switch to the first working state. As in the above embodiments, the first valve device may be adjusted to the maximum opening degree, or the opening degree of the first valve device can increase the temperature in the heating area. The working state of the first valve device is controlled to the second working state. As in the above embodiment, the first valve device may be intermittently adjusted to keep the temperature in the heating area in the preset heating temperature range for the preset duration. The valve device may also be closed or the opening degree of the first valve device may be controlled to keep the temperature in the heating area in the preset heating temperature range for the preset duration. The specific implementation method and principle have been described in detail in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

Referring to <FIG>, it shows a control device according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure. The control device may be a control module of any type, such as a control panel, a control box, a control chip, and the like.

Specifically, the control device includes: one or more processors and a memory. In <FIG>, one processor and one memory are taken as an example. The processor and the memory may be connected by a bus or other ways. A bus connection is taken as an example in <FIG>.

As a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the memory may be used to store non-transitory software programs and non-transitory computer-executable programs, such as the control method for the refrigeration device in the embodiment of the third aspect of the present disclosure or the food processing method of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure. The processor runs the non-transient software programs and instructions stored in the memory, so as to realize the above-mentioned control method for the refrigeration device in the embodiment of the third aspect of the present disclosure or the food processing method of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

The memory may include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store an operating system and an application needed by at least one function. The storage data area may store data and the like needed to execute the control method for the refrigeration device in the embodiment of the third aspect above. In addition, the memory may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-transitory memory, such as at least one disk memory device, a flash memory device, or other non-transitory solid state memory device. In some embodiments, the memory may optionally include remote memories relative to the processor, and these remote memories may be connected to the terminal via networks. Examples of the above networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, enterprise intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

The non-transient software programs and instructions needed for realizing the control method for the refrigeration device in the embodiment of the third aspect of the present disclosure or the food processing method of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure are stored in the memory, and when executed by one or more processors, execute the above-mentioned control method for the refrigeration device in the embodiment of the third aspect of the present disclosure or the food processing method of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, execute the above-described method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method step <NUM> in <FIG>, method step <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, or method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, it shows a refrigerator according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, which includes the control device of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.

A seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer-executable instruction, and the computer-executable instruction is executed by one or more control processors, for example, by one processor in <FIG>, which can cause the above-mentioned one or more processors to execute the control method for the refrigeration device in the foregoing embodiment according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, or the food processing method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, to execute the above-described method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method step <NUM> in <FIG>, method step <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>, and method steps <NUM> to <NUM> in <FIG>.

The device embodiments described above are only exemplary, where the units that are described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, i.e., may be located in one place or distributed over multiple of network units. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to realize the purpose of the technical solution of the embodiment.

Claim 1:
A refrigeration device, comprising a compressor (<NUM>), a condenser (<NUM>), a throttling device (<NUM>) and an evaporator (<NUM>), wherein the compressor (<NUM>), the condenser (<NUM>), the throttling device (<NUM>) and the evaporator (<NUM>) are connected in a sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop, wherein a connecting pipeline between an exhaust port of the compressor (<NUM>) and a refrigerant inlet of the throttling device (<NUM>) in the refrigerant circulation loop is a first connecting pipeline (<NUM>), and the condenser (<NUM>) is arranged on the first connecting pipeline (<NUM>), characterized by:
an auxiliary heat exchange branch, wherein the auxiliary heat exchange branch comprises a condensing heater (<NUM>) for heating a heating area used for storing food to be processed, the auxiliary heat exchange branch is arranged in parallel connection with the first connecting pipeline (<NUM>); and a first valve device (<NUM>) is further arranged on the auxiliary heat exchange branch, and the first valve device controls a refrigerant flow of the auxiliary heat exchange branch according to a temperature requirement in the heating area, wherein the first valve device (<NUM>) is provided with a first working state and a second working state, wherein the first working state is a state where a temperature in the heating area is increased to a preset heating temperature range, and the second working state is a state where the temperature in the heating area is kept in the preset heating temperature range; and
an air duct control device for controlling air circulation between the heating area and a refrigeration area of the refrigerator through an air duct (<NUM>), wherein the first valve device is closed according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, and the air duct control device is turned on according to the temperature requirement in the heating area, so that the temperature in the heating area is reduced.