EP2770282A1

EP2770282A1 - Method for controlling a refrigerating appliance

Info

Publication number: EP2770282A1
Application number: EP14155890.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Bertini; Giacomo QUAGLIA
Original assignee: Indesit Co SpA
Current assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Priority date: 2013-02-21
Filing date: 2014-02-20
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-02-20
Also published as: EP2770282B1; ITTO20130143A1

Abstract

A method for controlling a refrigerating appliance, the latter comprising: a refrigerating cell (10) and a freezing cell (20); a refrigerating circuit (30) comprising: at least a first and a second evaporators (E1, E2), respectively associated with said refrigerating cell and with said freezing cell (10, 20); a switching device (EV) drivable between a first operating condition, in which it allows a cooling both of said first evaporator (E1), and of said second evaporator (E2), and a second operating condition, in which it only allows cooling of said second evaporator (E2). The method comprises: detecting a parameter representative of a command of activation of said refrigerating circuit (30); detecting one or more operating parameters representative of operating conditions of said refrigerating cell (10) and/or of said freezing cell (20) and defining an initial situation; based on said operating parameters, determining one condition, between said first and second operating conditions of said switching device (EV), which is suitable for said detected initial situation; carrying out a main verification step in order to verify an anomaly in the cooling provided by said refrigerating circuit (30) after its activation; if said anomaly is detected, sending a main signal (S) to said switching device (EV) in order to switch said switching device (EV) into said suitable condition.

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD]

The object of the present invention is a method of controlling of refrigerating appliance.

[PRIOR ART]

As it is known, refrigerating appliances are available with refrigerating cell and a freezing cell, the latter commonly called "freezer cell".
It is foreseen that each of two cells can be associated to respective evaporator responsible of the cooling of the corresponding cell.
For this type of appliances, two operating modes of refrigerating circuit are implemented: the first operating mode, during which only the evaporator, associated to the freezing cell, is cooled and a the second operating mode during which both evaporators are cooled.
The execution of one or the other refrigerating mode depends on the operation conditions of two cells.
In order to selectively carry out the two operating modes of refrigerating circuit, the latter is typically equipped with a solenoid valve piloted by pulses and drivable between two different configurations.
In this context, the Applicant has noticed that it is not infrequent that noises of different importance cause an unwanted switching of solenoid valve, so as the executed refrigerating operation is not that one expected.
This implies completely negative consequences both on the appliance and on the foods stored inside.

[PURPOSES AND ABSTRACTS OF INVENTION]

The aim of the present invention is to provide, thus, a method for controlling a refrigerating appliance that allows to overcome the drawbacks highlighted above.
In particular, the aim of invention is to provide a method for controlling refrigerating appliance that presents greater reliability in terms of selection and execution of the desired cooling cycles.
This and still other purposes are substantially achieved by a control method for refrigerating appliance according to the attached claims
In particular, according to a first aspect, it is an object of the present invention a method for controlling a refrigerating, the latter comprising:

a refrigerating cell and a freezing cell;
a refrigerating circuit comprising: at least a first and a second evaporators, respectively associated with said refrigerating cell and with said freezing cell; a switching device drivable between a first operating condition, in which it allows cooling both said first evaporator and said second evaporator, and a second operating condition, in which it only allows cooling said second evaporator;

detecting a parameter representative of a command of activation of said refrigerating circuit;
detecting one or more operating parameters representative of operating conditions of said refrigerating cell and/or of said freezing cell and defining an initial situation;
based on said operating parameters, determining one condition, between said first and second operating conditions of said switching device, which is suitable for said detected initial situation;
carrying out a main verification step in order to verify an anomaly in the cooling provided by said refrigerating circuit after its activation;
if said anomaly is detected, sending a main signal to said switching device in order to switch said switching device (EV) into said suitable condition.

From a different point of view, the object of this invention is a refrigerating appliance comprising:

a refrigerating cell and a freezing cell;
a refrigerating circuit comprising: at least a first and a second evaporators, respectively associated with said refrigerating cell and with said freezing cell; a switching device drivable between a first operating condition, in which it allows cooling both said first evaporator and said second evaporator, and a second operating condition, in which it only allows cooling said second evaporator;
a control unit configured for:
- ➢ detecting a parameter representative of a command of activation of said refrigerating circuit;
- ➢ detecting one or more operating parameters representative of operating conditions of said refrigerating cell and/or of said freezing cell and defining an initial situation;
- ➢ based on said operating parameters, determining one condition, between said first and second operating conditions of said switching device, which is suitable for said detected initial situation;
- ➢ carrying out a main verification step in order to verify an anomaly in the cooling provided by said refrigerating circuit after its activation;
- ➢ if said anomaly is detected, sending a main signal to said switching device in order to switch said switching device into said suitable condition.

According to one or more aspects indicated above, the invention comprises one or more preferred characteristics specified below.
Preferably, said operating parameters are determined as a function of one or more values provided by temperature sensors associated with said refrigerating cell and/or said freezing cell.
Preferably, if said operating parameters are representative of the fact that cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell (10), then the suitable condition determined will be the first operating condition.
Preferably, if said operating parameters are representative of the fact that cold doesn't need to be supplied to said refrigerating cell, but the cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell, then the suitable condition determined will be the second operating condition.
Preferably, it is also performed an initial driving step wherein said switching device is driven into said suitable condition prior to carrying out said main verification.
Preferably, the step of carrying out said verification comprises:

if said suitable condition is the first operating condition, verifying that the temperature of said first evaporator is higher than a first threshold;
if said suitable condition is the second operating condition, verifying that the temperature of said first evaporator is lower than a second threshold.

Preferably, after said operating parameters have been detected, it is verified if cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell and, if not, it is then verified if cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell.
Preferably, waiting that a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the step of determining said suitable condition before carrying out said main verification.
Preferably, at least the steps of waiting for a predetermined time, carrying out the main verification, sending a signal to said switching device for switching said switching device into said suitable condition if the anomaly is detected, are repeated as long as it is detected that said initial situation persists.
Preferably, if the suitable condition is the first operating condition, prior to carrying out said main verification and preferably prior to waiting for said predetermined time, in particular after said initial driving step, has been carried out a further check is performed in order to verify if cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell.
Preferably, if the suitable condition is the second operating condition, prior to carrying out said main verification and preferably prior to waiting for said predetermined time, in particular after said initial driving step has been carried out, a further check is performed in order to verify if cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell.
Preferably, after verifying that the initial situation in which cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell persists, an additional verification is carried out in order to verify if cold is required by said refrigerating cell.
Preferably, if it emerges from said additional verification that cold is required by said refrigerating cell, then the check is re-initialized and the situation in which cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell is set as the initial situation.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS]

Some preferred and advantageous embodiments are described by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a refrigerating appliance, according to the present invention;
figure 2 shows a general flow diagram that represents the method, according to the present invention;
figures 3a-3b show a detailed flow diagram of the method according to the present invention;

[DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION]

With reference to the attached figures, 1 overall indicates a refrigerating appliance wherein the method is carried out according to the present invention.
The refrigerating appliance 1 (Figure 1) comprises first of all a refrigerating cell 10 and a freezing cell 20.
The refrigerating cell 10 is preferably kept at a temperature comprised between +2°C and +8°C.
The freezing cell 20 is preferably kept at a temperature comprised between -18°C and -26°C.
In order to keep the desired temperatures, the appliance 1 comprises a refrigerating circuit 30.
The refrigerating circuit 30 has a first evaporator E1, associated with the refrigerating cell 10, and a second evaporator E2, associated with the freezing cell 20. Hence, the refrigerating appliance 1 is, preferably, the type commonly called "static".
The refrigerating circuit 30 comprises, moreover, a compressor C, that has the function to compress the refrigerating fluid and to bring it to the overheated vapor condition. Below the compressor C there are advantageously provided a warm anti-condensation pipe Z, a condenser x (wherein the refrigerating fluid transfers heat to the external ambient) and one or more capillary tubes Y1, Y2 (wherein the refrigerating fluid is subjected to a sudden decrease of pressure, which allows it to evaporate at a low temperature). Inside the first and second said evaporator E1, E2, the refrigerating fluid can then evaporate, absorbing heat and then cooling the respective cells 10, 20.
Advantageously, the refrigerating circuit 30 comprises, moreover, a switching device EV associated with two evaporators E1, E2.
In particular, the switching device EV is drivable between a first operating condition, during which it allows the cooling of both the first evaporator E1 and the second evaporator E2, and a second operating condition during which it allows the cooling of only the second evaporator E2.
In other words, the switching device EV is made and mounted so that, when it is in the first operating condition, it allows the flowing of a refrigerating fluid in both the evaporators, E1, E2, while, when it is in the second operating condition, it prevents that the refrigerating fluid flows in the first evaporator E1 and allows that such fluid flows only in the second evaporator E2.
Practically, the switching device EV can be made as a properly pulse controlled solenoid valve.
As said, the invention aim is to control the switching device EV reliably, so that it is carried out the desired refrigerating cycle.
According to the invention, the method is represented, in a more general way, inside the flow diagram in Figure 2 and, in a more detailed way, inside the flow diagram of figure 3a-3b.
Initially, it is carried out a step of detecting of a parameter of a command of activation of refrigerating circuit 30. In particular, such command is an activation command of compressor C, that belongs to the refrigerating circuit 30.
The Applicant considers the detecting of this parameter advantageous, because any malfunction, due to a incorrect driving of switching device EV, occurs only if the refrigerating circuit 30, and in particular the compressor C, are active.
Otherwise, if the refrigerating circuit 30, and in particular the compressor C, were not active, even if there is a incorrect driving of the switching device EV, there are not any substantial problems.
Hence, it is carried out a detecting operation of one or more operating parameters representative of operating condition of the refrigerating cell 10 and/or of freezing cell 20 ( blocks 110, 210, 290).
The situation, defined by said operating parameters, will be indicated as "initial situation".
The initial situation is a operating condition of appliance 1, wherein it is necessary to supply cold to the refrigerating cell 10 and/or to freezing cell 20.
In more detail, the initial situation can be defined by two different requests: a cold request from the refrigerating cell 10, an a cold request from freezing cell 20.
The "Cold Requests" are determined according to the operating condition of two cells, that are described by aforesaid operating parameters.
Such operating parameters can comprise, for instance, temperature values detected by appropriate sensors associated with cells.
In particular, the refrigerating cell 10 can be associated with a first sensor 11, placed inside the cell itself in order to detect the temperature inside the cell, and a second sensor 12, placed close to the first evaporator E1 to detect the temperature of the same.
Preferably, the freezing cell 20 is associated with a third sensor 21, that can be mounted close to the second evaporator E2.
For example, an initial situation, wherein it is requested cold from the refrigerating cell, occurs when both the first sensor 11, and the second sensor 12, detect temperatures greater than the respective threshold values.
In the preferred embodiment, detecting the initial situation comprises two different step, carried out in temporal succession:

first, it is verified if it should be supplied cold to the refrigerating cell (block 210);
in negative case, it is successively verified if it should be supplied cold to the freezing cell 20 (block 290).

In other terms, a major priority is given to the fact that the refrigerating cell 10 needs to be cooled.
The Applicant considers this particular advantageous aspect because, while the freezing cell 20 is still subjected to a cooling every time in which the refrigerating circuit 30 is activated, the refrigerating cell 10 is cooled only when the switching device EV is in the first operating condition.
Then it is determined which is, between the first and the second operating condition of switching device EV, the suitable condition to respond to initial detected situation (blocks 120, 220, 300).
In more detail, if cold needs to be supplied to the refrigerating cell 10, then the suitable determined condition will be the first operating condition (block 220).
Differently, if cold needs to be supplied to the freezing cell 20, then the suitable determined condition is the second operating condition (block 300).
In this way the switching device EV can be driven in order to respond in a suitable manner to the initial situation detected.
In practice, an initial step of driving is preferably carried out, during which the switching device EV is driven in the suitable determined condition ( blocks 130, 230, 310).
Preferably, after an activation of refrigerating circuit 30, it waits for a predetermined time before proceeding with further steps of method (cycle set with counter T initialized at blocks 140, 240, 320, and progressively incremented at blocks 160, 260, 350; at blocks, 170, 270, 360 it is verified if the waiting is exhausted or not).
During such waiting it is verified, in a preferably periodic manner, that the detected initial situation persists: it is verified that the first and/or the second cell 10, 20 need to be cooled ( blocks 150, 250, 330, and 340).
For instance, the determined time can be equal to 30 minutes in case the request is received by the refrigerating cell 10, and equal to 30 minutes in case the request is received by freezing cell 20.
In this way it is assured that the control is performed referring to the real conditions wherein the appliance 1 is operating.
As above said, it is preferably given higher priority to the cold request coming from the refrigerating cell 10. For this purpose, in the preferred embodiment, after verified that it persists the initial situation wherein cold needs to be supplied to the freezing cell 20, it is performed an additional verification in order to verify if it is requested cold from refrigerating cell 10 (block 340).
Therefore, if during the additional verification it emerges that it is required cold from the refrigerating cell 10, the check is re-initialized, and the situation in which cold needs to be supplied to refrigerating cell 10 is set as the initial situation.
As said, after the activation of the refrigerating circuit 30, it waits a predetermined time, for example with a suitable management of counter T, showed, as example, in the blocks 140, 240, 320 (initialization), 160, 260, 350 (progressive increment) and 170, 270, 360 (exhausting of predetermined time).
During such waiting, the verifications above described, are performed.
When it is verified that the determined waiting time has elapsed, a main verification is performed, as above said, in order to verify a possible anomaly during the refrigeration carried out by the refrigerating circuit 30 ( blocks 180, 280, 370).
The detected anomaly can be different depending on the type of request that has caused the activation of the cooling cycle.
In particular, if the condition, that is considered suitable for the switching device EV, is the first operating condition, it occurs if the temperature of first evaporator E1 is higher than a first threshold (block 280).
If it is true, an anomaly has been verified: the switching device EV, in the first operating condition, should have caused a cooling of the first evaporator E1; if this has not verified, that is if the temperature of first evaporator E1 is higher than a first threshold, then an anomaly has been verified.
Differently, if the condition, that is considered suitable for the switching device EV is the second operating condition, it is verified if the temperature of the first evaporator E1 is lower than a second threshold (block 370). If so, an anomaly has been verified: the switching device EV in the second operating condition should have to cause a cooling of the only second evaporator E2; if the first evaporator E1, has been also cooled, that is the temperature of the first evaporator E1 is lower than second threshold, then an anomaly has been verified.
In the face of the detecting of the anomaly, a main signal S is sent to the switching device EV, in order to drive the switching device EV itself in the suitable condition.
In practice, it can be deduced that the anomaly is due that the switching device EV is in the operating condition. So, the main signal S is generated and sent to remedy to this situation, driving the switching of device EV from the operating condition to suitable operating condition.
Preferably, at least the steps of waiting for predetermined time, carrying out the main verification, sending a driving signal to the switching device EV for switching the device itself to the suitable condition if the anomaly is detected, are repeated as long as it is detected that the initial situation persists.
In this way, the control cycle does not end itself until the refrigerating circuit 30, and in particular the first evaporator E1, is not in the desired thermal condition.
Note that the control operations above described are preferably carried out by a control unit U, that belongs to a part of refrigerating appliance 1 and properly programmed/configured so that to operate as described. In particular, the control unit U is connected in a suitable manner to the first, to the second and to the third sensor 11, 12, 21, as well as to the refrigeration circuit 30.
Following, they are described, with more details, the flow diagrams of the figures 2. 3a-3b.
Referring to the figure 2, to the block 100, the algorithm is initialized.
At block 110 it is verified if a cold request has been generated.
In negative case, the cycle closes and returns to the block 100.
In affirmative case, at blocks 120 and 130 it is set the switching device EV in the suitable condition for receiving cold request.
At block 140 it is initialized a counter T, that can be useful to determine the frequency with which to perform the checking of the execution of the cooling operation.
At block 150 it is verified if the initial situation, relating to the reception of a cold request, persists.
In negative case, the cycle ends.
In affirmative case, the counter T is incremented by a DT quantity (block 160) ant it is verified if a threshold T1 (block 170) has been reached by counter T itself.
Note that the threshold T1 corresponds to the said predetermined time .
If the counter T has not reached the threshold T1 yet, it is again verified that the initial situation of cold request persists, and the counter T is further incremented.
When the counter T reaches the threshold T1, it is performed a verification on the possible anomaly (block 180).
If the cooling proceeds as foreseen, no particular action is performed and the control cycle is brought back to the block 140, in which the counter T is reset. So it starts a new cycle, until the cold request is not satisfied.
Differently, if an anomaly is detected, the control cycle is returned back to the block 130, in which a new driving signal is sent to the switching device, in order to bring (or bring again) the switching device itself in the considered suitable situation.
Regarding the figures 3a, 3b, the control is initialized at block 200.
At block 210 it is verified if the refrigerating cell needs to be cooled.
In negative case, you proceed with the necessary verifications relating the freezing cell 20 (figure 3b, will be described in detail below).
In affirmative case, the switching device EV is set in the first operating condition (block 220, 230).
Therefore, the counter T is initialized at value equal to "zero" (block 240).
Before performing other operations and incrementing the counter T, it is verified if the cold request from the refrigerating cell 10 is still "true" (block 250).
In negative case, you exit from this first part of cycle and, as in the case of the block 210, you pass to the second part of algorithm, performing the due verifications on the freezing cell 20.
In affirmative case, at block 260 the counter T is incremented by a predetermined quantity DT and, then, it is verified if the counter has reached the threshold value equal to T1.
In negative case you returns to block 250, verifying the persistence of the cold request from the refrigerating cell 10, and incrementing further the counter T.
When the counter T reaches the value T1, at block 280 the main verification is carried out: if the temperature of the first evaporator E1 is lower than a threshold TEMPmax, then you return to block 240, resetting the counter T and verifying if the cold request from the refrigerating cell 10 remains.
If the temperature of the first evaporator E1 is, instead, higher than the threshold TEMPmax, it means that it has been verified an anomaly in the operation of switching device EV; the control cycle returns, then, to the block 230, in which a driving signal is sent again to the switching device EV in order to switch it to the correct operating condition (that is the aforesaid "suitable condition").
As we said, if the cold request does not come from the refrigerating cell 10, the blocks 210 and 250 refer to the second part of control algorithm, showed in figure 3b.
In particular, the blocks 210, and 250 refer to the block 290, in which it is verified if a cold request come from the freezing cell 20.
In negative case, the cycle essentially ends and it is referred to the block "start" (block 200).
In affirmative case, the switching device EV is set in the second operating condition (blocks 300, 310).
At block 320 the counter is initialized, setting it at a value equal to zero.
At block 330 it is verified that the cold request coming from the freezing cell 20 persists.
In negative case, the control ends and it is referred to the initial block 200.
In affirmative case, at block 340 it is verified if there is, at same time, a cold request coming from the refrigerating cell.
In affirmative case, the control returns to the initial block 200, so that the cold request from refrigerating cell 10 is suitably carried out.
In negative case, the control proceeds based on the cold request coming from the freezing cell 20.
At block 350 the counter T is incremented by a predetermined quantity DT, and at block 360 it is verified if the counter T has reached the reference value T2.
In negative case, the cycle returns to the block 330 to verify that the cold request from the freezing cell 20 is still true, and if there is a probable cold request from the refrigerating cell 10 (blocks 330, 340).
In affirmative case, at block 370 the main verification is carried out.
Since the reference condition (that is the "suitable" condition) of switching device EV is, in this case, the second operating condition, it is verified if the temperature of the first evaporator E1 is lower than a minimum reference value TEMPmin.
In negative case, the system is working in suitable manner; the cycle returns, therefore, to the block 330 for a resetting of the counter and for the next verifications on the cold requests.
In affirmative case, the switching device EV needs to be set again: the control returns, then, to the block 310, in which a driving signal is sent to the switching device in order to switch it to the suitable condition.
The invention obtains important advantages.
First of all, the refrigerating appliance and the relating method of controlling, according to the invention, present an high reliability in terms of selection and execution of the desired refrigerating cycles.
Therefore, the control cycles carried out by appliance and by the method according to the invention, need very limited hardware-software resources and can be, then, implemented at low costs.

Claims

A method for controlling a refrigerating appliance, the latter comprising:
- a refrigerating cell (10) and a freezing cell (20);

- a refrigerating circuit (30) comprising: at least a first and a second evaporators (E1, E2), respectively associated with said refrigerating cell and with said freezing cell (10, 20); a switching device (EV) drivable between a first operating condition, in which it allows cooling both said first evaporator (E1) and said second evaporator (E2), and a second operating condition, in which it only allows cooling said second evaporator (E2);
wherein said method comprises:
- detecting a parameter representative of a command of activation of said refrigerating circuit (30);

- detecting one or more operating parameters representative of operating conditions of said refrigerating cell (10) and/or of said freezing cell (20) and defining an initial situation;

- based on said operating parameters, determining one condition, between said first and second operating conditions of said switching device (EV), which is suitable for said detected initial situation;

- carrying out a main verification step in order to verify an anomaly in the cooling provided by said refrigerating circuit (30) after its activation;

- if said anomaly is detected, sending a main signal (S) to said switching device (EV) in order to switch said switching device (EV) into said suitable condition.
A method according to claim 1, wherein said operating parameters are determined as a function of one or more values provided by temperature sensors associated with said refrigerating cell (10) and/or said freezing cell (20).
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if said operating parameters are representative of the fact that cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell (10), then the suitable condition determined will be the first operating condition.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if said operating parameters are representative of the fact that cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell (20), then the suitable condition determined will be the second operating condition.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an initial driving step wherein said switching device (EV) is driven into said suitable condition prior to carrying out said main verification.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein carrying out said verification comprises:
- if said suitable condition is the first operating condition, verifying that the temperature of said first evaporator (E1) is higher than a first threshold;

- if said suitable condition is the second operating condition, verifying that the temperature of said first evaporator (E1) is lower than a second threshold.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, after said operating parameters have been detected, it is verified if cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell (10) and, if not, it is then verified if cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell (20).
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising waiting that a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the step of determining said suitable condition before carrying out said main verification.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the steps of waiting for a predetermined time, carrying out the main verification, sending a signal to said switching device for switching said switching device (EV) into said suitable condition if the anomaly is detected, are repeated as long as it is detected that said initial situation persists.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if the suitable condition is the first operating condition, prior to carrying out said main verification and preferably prior to waiting for said predetermined time, in particular after said initial driving step has been carried out, a further check is performed in order to verify if cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell (10).
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, if the suitable condition is the second operating condition, prior to carrying out said main verification and preferably prior to waiting for said predetermined time, in particular after said initial driving step has been carried out, a further check is performed in order to verify if cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell (20).
A method according to claim 12, wherein, after verifying that the initial situation in which cold needs to be supplied to said freezing cell (20) persists, an additional verification is carried out in order to verify if cold is required by said refrigerating cell (10).
A method according to claim 13, wherein, if it emerges from said additional verification that cold is required by said refrigerating cell (10), then the check is re-initialized and the situation in which cold needs to be supplied to said refrigerating cell (10) is set as the initial situation.
A refrigerating appliance comprising:
- a refrigerating cell (10) and a freezing cell (20);

- a refrigerating circuit (30) comprising: at least a first and a second evaporators (E1, E2), respectively associated with said refrigerating cell and with said freezing cell (10, 20); a switching device (EV) drivable between a first operating condition, in which it allows cooling both said first evaporator (E1) and said second evaporator (E2), and a second operating condition, in which it only allows cooling said second evaporator (E2);

- a control unit (U) configured for:
➢ detecting a parameter representative of a command of activation of said refrigerating circuit (30);

➢ detecting one or more operating parameters representative of operating conditions of said refrigerating cell (10) and/or of said freezing cell (20) and defining an initial situation;

➢ based on said operating parameters, determining one condition, between said first and second operating conditions of said switching device (EV), which is suitable for said detected initial situation;

➢ carrying out a main verification step in order to verify an anomaly in the cooling provided by said refrigerating circuit (30) after its activation;

➢ if said anomaly is detected, sending a main signal (S) to said switching device (EV) in order to switch said switching device (EV) into said suitable condition.