Fan control device for energy saving

Abstract

A fan control device for energy saving in a refrigerator is provided. The fan control device comprises an evaporator fan, an evaporator thermometer, and an evaporator fan controller. The evaporator fan is configured for circulating air around the evaporator and across the storage space. The evaporator thermometer is disposed in a vicinity of the evaporator, configured for detecting temperature of the evaporator, and outputting the temperature of the evaporator. The evaporator fan controller is configured for receiving the temperature of the evaporator and controlling the evaporator fan based on the temperature of the evaporator. The evaporator fan controller is configured to control the evaporator fan to stop operation when the compressor starts operation. The evaporator fan controller is configured to control the evaporator fan to start operation when the temperature of the evaporator falls below a first predetermined value.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fan control device for energy saving in a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator includes a storage space that is cooled by refrigerant flowing through an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser, the fan control device comprising:
 an evaporator fan configured for circulating air around the evaporator and across the storage space;   an evaporator thermometer disposed in a vicinity of the evaporator, configured for detecting temperature of the evaporator, and outputting the temperature of the evaporator; and   an evaporator fan controller configured for receiving the temperature of the evaporator and controlling the evaporator fan based on the temperature of the evaporator,   wherein the evaporator fan controller is configured to control the evaporator fan to stop operation when the compressor starts operation, and   wherein the evaporator fan controller is configured to control the evaporator fan to start operation when the temperature of the evaporator falls below a first predetermined value.   
     
     
         2 . The fan control device of  claim 1 , further comprises a compressor controller configured for controlling the compressor to start when temperature in the storage space goes up beyond a second predetermined value. 
     
     
         3 . The fan control device of  claim 2 , wherein the compressor controller is configured for controlling the compressor to stop when temperature in the storage space falls down below a third predetermined value. 
     
     
         4 . The fan control device of  claim 3 , wherein the third predetermined value is lower than the second predetermined value. 
     
     
         5 . The fan control device of  claim 4 , wherein the third predetermined value is substantially same as the first predetermined value. 
     
     
         7 . The fan control device of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator fan controller is further configured to control the evaporator fan to stop operation when a door to the storage space is opened. 
     
     
         8 . The fan control device of  claim 1 , further comprising an evaporator fan motor configured for driving the evaporator. 
     
     
         9 . The fan control device of  claim 8 , wherein the evaporator fan controller is configured to control the evaporator fan by controlling the evaporator fan motor. 
     
     
         10 . The fan control device of  claim 9 , wherein the evaporator fan controller is configured to control the evaporator fan motor to stop operation while the compressor is in operation.