EP2096391A2

EP2096391A2 - Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

Info

Publication number: EP2096391A2
Application number: EP09153573A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ji Won Sung; Young Jin Kim; Sung Jhee; Jae Yoo Yoo
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2008-02-27
Filing date: 2009-02-25
Publication date: 2009-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-25
Also published as: EP2096391B1; EP2096391A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) and method for controlling the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a configuration and control method for controlling a home bar heater (120).

With the refrigerator (1) and control method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the voltage supplied to the home bar heater (120) can variably be controlled, making it possible to reduce power consumption for driving the home bar heater (120).

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same.
A refrigerator is a home appliance that keeps foods or other products in a refrigerating state or a freezing state.
Recently, various refrigerators were commercially launched on the market. For example, there are a side by side type where a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber are arranged at each of the left side and right side, a bottom freezer type where a refrigerating chamber is arranged on the top of a freezing chamber, and a top mount type where a refrigerating chamber is arranged beneath the bottom of a freezing chamber.
Also, a refrigerator appliance with a home bar structure from which foods and drinks can be withdrawn without opening a freezing chamber door has been launched recently.
In detail, the home bar structure includes a home bar door that is rotatably mounted on the front surface of the refrigerating or freezing chamber and a home bar case that is provided at the rear surface of the refrigerating or freezing chamber.
The home bar structure is very useful to withdraw or introduce foods, in particular, drink from or in the home bar case by having a user open the home bar door when necessary.
However, during the process of opening and closing the home bar door, a phenomenon wherein external air flows in the inside of the refrigerator occurs. In particular, a phenomenon wherein moisture included in the external air is condensed at the edge of the home bar door when the external air contacts a cold air at the edge of the home bar door.
Thus, an insulation may be inserted into the home bar door to prevent heat transfer caused by the temperature difference between the outside and the inside of the refrigerator.
The home bar may include a home bar heater to prevent the condensation of moisture in air around the home bar caused by a temperature difference between the outside and the inside of the home bar.
In the home bar structures in the related art, the operation of a heater is controlled by an on/off switch which can detect an external air temperature surrounding the refrigerator and turn-on/off the heater according to the external air temperature of the refrigerator. The on/off switch is always maintained in the on state when the external air temperature surrounding the refrigerator is above a predetermined temperature.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a heater for a home bar door capable of reducing power consumption by variably controlling the voltage supplied to the heater that is provided at the home bar door and a refrigerator using the control method.
Furthermore, since the home bar door of the refrigerator door has a mounting structure where a lower end of the opening has less insulating capacities, the lower end of the opening generally has a lower temperature than that of other portions of the opening.
Particularly, to obtain a rotating space of the home bar door, less insulation materials are inserted into the lower end of the opening than into other portions. Thus, a large amount of cool air inside the refrigerator tends to be emitted through the lower end of the opening to the outside.
However, the related art home bar heater is adjacent to the home bar door along a predetermined portion of the refrigerator door to supply a constant amount of heat. Thus, a low temperature phenomenon occurs especially in the lower end of the opening among peripheral regions of the opening where the home bar door is installed.
Also, moisture in air in the lower end of the opening is condensed on the refrigerator by a temperature difference between the lower end of the opening and the peripheral regions of the refrigerator.
To increase the temperature in the lower end of the opening, the amount of heat of the home bar heater is increased. In this case, there is a need for additional power, thereby increasing power consumption costs, and temperatures of other portions of the opening, i.e., temperatures of an upper end and of both side ends are also increased, thereby reducing freezing efficiency inside the refrigerator.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is as follows.
A refrigerator including a body that includes at least a chamber, a chamber door that selectively opens and closes the chamber, a home bar door that is rotatably provided on the front of the refrigerating chamber door, wherein the refrigerator further includes a heater that is provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by the home bar door, a heater driver that provides a voltage input to the heater, and a controller that transmits an operating signal to the heater driver.
This refrigerator is characterized by a sensor that detects the opening or closing of the home bar door, and when the heater is activated, the controller and the heater driver are adapted to provide a variable voltage to the heater depending on the opening or closing of the home bar door detected by the sensor.
In one embodiment, the heater driver is a semiconductor switch device that variably control the input voltage.
Advantageously, the heater driver includes a triac or thyristor.
In one embodiment, the voltage provided to the heater driver is changed with respect to an opening time duration of the home bar door.
In one embodiment, the refrigerator comprises a sensor that detects the room temperature of a space in which the refrigerator is located and the controller and the heater driver are adapted to change the voltage provided to the heater driver with respect to the room temperature.
In one embodiment, the heater driver is connected to an alternative voltage source and the refrigerator comprises a detector adapted to detect instants of zero voltage and wherein the controller is adapted to control the voltage provided to the heater by turning on and turning off the heater driver at specific times with regard to the detected instants of zero voltage.
In one embodiment, the controller and the heater driver are adapted to provide a basic input voltage, to determine an additional voltage and to provide both the additional voltage and the basic voltage during a setting time.
The invention also relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator including at least a chamber, a chamber door that selectively opens and closes the chamber, a home bar door that is rotatably mounted on the front of the chamber door, a controller, a heater driver that drives a heater provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by a the home bar door, a controller and a heater driver that drives a heater. This method is characterized in that the refrigerator comprises a sensor that detects an opening or closing of the home bar door and the method includes:

turning-on the home bar heater;
detecting the opening or closing of the home bar door; and
providing a variable voltage to the home bar heater depending on the opening or closing of the home bar door detected.

With the refrigerator and the method for controlling the same according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the voltage supplied to the home bar heater can variably be controlled, making it possible to reduce power consumption for driving the home bar heater.
In detail, the voltage supplied to the home bar heater can be controlled according to the opening or closing and the opening time of the home bar door, making it possible to minimize power consumption.
In one embodiment, the voltage provided to the home bar heater is changed with respect to the opening time duration of the home bar door.
Advantageously, providing a variable voltage to the home bar heater comprises providing a basic input voltage, determining an additional voltage and providing both the additional voltage and the basic voltage during a setting time.
In one embodiment, when the setting time elapses the value of the input voltage is returned to the basic input voltage.
In one embodiment, when the home bar door is re-opened before the setting time elapses, the method comprises determining a new additional voltage determined by adding newly increased amount in voltage to the present voltage.
Advantageously, when the re-opening of the door is performed before the setting time elapses, the method comprises determining a new setting time for supplying the new voltage by adding a newly setting time to the previous setting time.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

detecting a room temperature near the home bar door by the sensor; and
providing a variable voltage to the home bar heater depending on the detected room temperature.

Advantageously, providing a variable voltage comprises detecting instants of zero voltage in an alternative voltage source connected to the heater driver and turning on and turning off the heater driver at specific times with regard to the detected instants of zero voltage.
The invention also relates to a refrigerator configured to improve the structure of a home bar heater provided to a home bar to form a uniform temperature distribution in a peripheral region of the home bar using the heater and to improve efficiency of the heater.
One embodiment also provides a refrigerator configured to dispose greater portions of a heater in a region having a low temperature near a home bar door to form a uniform temperature distribution in a peripheral region of the home bar door and to reduce a power consumption.
In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body including a cool air storage compartment; at least one rotatable refrigerator door coupled to the main body; and a home bar provided on the refrigerator door, said home bar comprising: a home bar frame defining an opening in the refrigerator door; a home bar door configured to open en close the opening and adapted to be in close contact with the home bar door in a state where the home bar door is closed; and a heater supplying heat to sides of the home bar frame. This refrigerator is characterized in that the heater is adapted to supply a larger amount of heat to a specific side of the home bar frame than to the other sides.
According to the above configuration of the present disclosure, the opening of the refrigerator door provided with the home bar door, for example, the lower end of the opening receives greater portions of the capacitance of the heater, thereby forming a uniform temperature distribution around the home bar.
Thus, the uniform temperature distribution around the home bar can be formed without increasing the whole amount of heat, thereby reducing required power consumption.
In one embodiment, the refrigerator comprises a hinge portion connecting the home bar door and said specific side of the home bar frame.
In one embodiment; the refrigerator comprises insulating material between the home bar frame and the home bar door, said specific side comprising less insulating material than the other sides of the home bar frame.
In one embodiment, the specific side is a lower side of the home bar frame and the home bar frame comprises a heater on an upper side thereof, and the heater on the upper side is smaller than the heater on the lower side of the home bar frame.
In one embodiment, the specific side is a lower side of the home bar frame and the home bar frame comprises a heater on at least one of a left side and a right side thereof, and the heater on the at least one side is smaller than the heater on the lower side of the home bar frame.
In one embodiment, the heater is made of an electrical heating wire arranged with more lines on the specific side than on the other sides of the home bar frame.
Advantageously, the heater comprises a single line on said other sides and a plurality of lines on said specific side.
In one embodiment, the lines are arranged downward in a zigzag shape on said specific side.
In one embodiment, on said specific side, the lines are arranged in a left side and a right side that are laterally symmetrical to each other with respect to a center of the specific side.
In one embodiment, the lines disposed on said specific side are spaced by a predetermined distance from each other.
In one embodiment, the lines are disposed around the home bar frame, and one both ends of the electrical heating wire are connected to a controller controlling the heater.
In one embodiment, the electrical heating wire is longer on said specific side of the home bar frame than on any of the other sides of the home bar frame.
In one embodiment, the lines are disposed in a plurality of layers on a vertical plan on said specific side.
The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a home bar heater according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a home bar heater according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block view showing the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a case where the input voltage is changed stepwise in a system for controlling a home bar heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the home bar heater according to the opening of the home bar door.
Hereinafter, an apparatus for controlling a home bar heater in a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator.
A side-by-side-type refrigerator, including a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment at left and right sides, will be exemplified in FIG. 1. However, positions of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are not limited thereto, and a top-mount-type refrigerator in which a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are vertically arranged, or a bottom freezer-type refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment is disposed on a top side, and the freezer compartment is disposed on a bottom side may be provided according to other embodiments.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10 having a refrigerating chamber 17 and a freezing chamber (not shown) therein, a freezing chamber door 11 that opens and closes the freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber door 12 that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber 17, a machine chamber 20 that is formed on a rear surface of the main body 10, and a compressor 19 that is received in the inside of the machine chamber 20. The rear surface of the main body 10 is mounted with an evaporator 21 so that cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber 17 or the freezing chamber.
In detail, a receiving shelf 18 and a receiving box 22 are provided inside the refrigerating chamber 17. A shelf and other receiving boxes having the same function as the foregoing shelf and receiving box are provided inside the freezing chamber. The rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 12 may be mounted with a plurality of door baskets 131.
Also, a home bar structure 100 is provided at the refrigerating door 12 such that a user can insert or withdraw objects such as drinks in or from the refrigerating chamber without opening the refrigerating chamber door 12. Also, the home bar 100 may be provided on the freezer compartment door 11, or on both the refrigerator compartment door 12 and the freezer compartment door 11.
More particularly, the home bar 100 includes an opening 101, a home bar frame 102, and a home bar door 103. Those elements are combined with a home bar case 152 that is provided at a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 12, and a home bar cover 153 that can selectively open and close the home bar case 152 in a state where the refrigerating chamber door 12 is opened. The opening 101 allows access to good inside the refrigerator. The home bar frame 102 is disposed on a periphery around the opening 101 to form an appearance of the home bar 100. The home bar door 103 is configured to open and close the opening 101.
Although the opening 101 and the home bar frame 102, which are separately referred in function, are included in the home bar 100, the opening 101 and the home bar frame 102 may be considered as portions of the refrigerator compartment door 12.
An inner surface of the home bar door 103 is provided with a home bar door liner 104. The home bar door liner 104 contacts the home bar frame 102 to close an inner space of the refrigerator 1 in the state where the home bar door 103 covers the opening 101.
The home bar door 103 is rotatably mounted at a lower end of the home bar 100, i.e., a hinge portion 107. The hinge portion 107 may be provided to the refrigerator compartment door 12 on both sides of a lower end of the opening 101.
The home bar door 103 includes a latch member 106 in an inner upper portion thereof. The latch member 106 fixes the home bar door 103 covering the opening 101 to the home bar frame 102.
The home bar frame 102 includes a latch assembly 105 that is, when the home bar door 103 is closed, interlocked with the latch member 106.
When the home bar door 103 is closed, the latch member 106 is inserted into the latch assembly 105 and interlocked with the latch assembly 105, to maintain the closing state of the home bar door 103. The home bar door 103 includes a push part (not shown) in a front surface thereof. The push part is configured to perform a push operation for a user to open the home bar door 103. Thus, the latch member 106 with the push part may be one element of an "opening/closing device" for opening/closing the home bar door 103.
The home bar frame 102 includes a gasket 108 in a front surface thereof. The gasket 108, in the state where the home bar door 103 is closed, contacts the inner surface of the home bar door 103 to close the inner space of the refrigerator 1, thereby preventing the leakage of cool air in the refrigerator 1.
The home bar frame 102 includes a home bar heater 120 therein. The home bar heater 120 heats the periphery of the opening 101 to prevent wet air, i.e., moisture in air from being condensed by a temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the refrigerator 1.
Hereinafter, configuration of the home bar heater 120 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 3, the home bar heater 120 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be disposed inside the home bar frame 102. The home bar frame 102 may include an insulation material inserted into the home bar frame 102 to thermally insulate the inside and the outside of the refrigerator 1 from each other.
Particularly, the home bar heater 120 is disposed around the opening 101. The home bar heater 120 includes an upper end 121 disposed on an upper side of the opening 101, a first side end 122 extending from the upper end 121 and disposed on at least one of left and right sides of the opening 101, a lower end 123 extending from the first side end 122 and disposed on a lower side of the opening 101, and a second side end 124 extending from the lower end 123 and disposed on at least another side of the left and right sides of the opening 101.
The second side end 124 may be opposite to the first side end 122 with respect to the opening 101.
The upper end 121 and the side ends 122 and 124 may include a heater formed of an electrical heating wire disposed in a single line. On the other hand, the lower end 123 may include a heater disposed in a plurality of lines, i.e., a multi-stage. That is, in the lower end 123 the electrical heating wire may be disposed in a zigzag shape downward from the lower side of the opening 101.
This is because a lower portion of the home bar frame 102 has less insulating capacities than the other portions.
Particularly, the home bar door 103 is hinged to the lower portion of the home bar frame 102. A relatively small amount of the insulation material is inserted into the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 to obtain a space allowing rotation of the home bar door 103.
Thus, a large amount of cool air in the refrigerator 1 tends to be emitted through the lower portion of the home bar frame 102. Accordingly, the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 has a lower temperature than those of the other portions. As a result, in the lower portion of the home bar frame 102, the possibility of condensing moisture in air is increased.
To sum up, the home bar heater 120 may be provided in a plurality of lines in the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 to supply a larger amount of heat to the lower portion of the home bar frame 102. That is, more and longer portions of the home bar heater 120 may be disposed on the lower side of the home bar frame 102 than on the other sides.
More particularly, the lower end 123 of the home bar heater 120 includes the heater having a plurality of layers.
The lower end 123 is disposed in a horizontal direction in a zigzag shape, and includes a plurality of bent portions 123a in at least one portion of the lower end 123 such that the heater is disposed in the plurality of lines. The respective lines of the heater may be spaced from each other by a predetermined distance.
As described above, since the heater of the lower end 123 is disposed in a plurality of lines, the heater produces a large quantity of heat, and thus greatly heats the refrigerator door. As a result, a relatively low temperature of the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 increases to temperatures of the other portions, i.e., upper and side portions of the home bar frame 102.
The number of the lines of the heater arranged in the lower end 123 may be determined based on differences between a lower temperature of the home bar frame 102 and temperatures of the other portions of the home bar frame 102.
One side of the lower end 123 is connected to one side of the first side end 122, and the other side of the lower end 123 is connected to one side of the second side end 124. That is, the side ends 122 and 124 may be integrally formed with the lower end 123.
Although the side ends 122 and 124, and the upper end 121 are disposed in a single line as illustrated in FIG. 3, the number of the lines is not limited thereto, provided that the number is less than that of the lower end 123.
That is, the number of arranged heater lines in the side ends 122 and 124, and the upper end 121 may be less than that of the lower end 123.
The home bar heater 120 may be connected to a controller (not shown) configured to control operation of the home bar heater 120. Particularly, one side of the upper end 121 and one side of the second side end 124 may be connected to the controller.
On applying refrigerator power, the power may be supplied to the home bar heater 120.
Alternately, the refrigerator 1 may include a temperature sensor therein, which is configured to measure an inner temperature of the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 may also have a configuration where a temperature measured by the temperature sensor is compared with an outer temperature of the refrigerator 1, and when the measured temperature is greater than a predetermined value, the home bar heater 120 is operated.
Hereinafter, configuration of home bar heaters 220 and 320 according to other embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The home bar heaters 220 and 320 of these embodiments are the same as that of the previous embodiment except for the shape and the structure thereof. Thus, the difference will be mainly described, and the same parts will be described using the same numerical reference and the description of the previous embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the home bar heater 220 according to one embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 4, the home bar heater 220 may be disposed inside the home bar frame 102.
Particularly, the home bar heater 220 is disposed around the opening 101. The home bar heater 220 includes an upper end 221 disposed on an upper side of the opening 101, a first side end 222 extending from the upper end 221 and disposed on at least one of left and right sides of the opening 101, a lower end 223 extending from the first side end 222 and disposed on a lower side of the opening 101, and a second side end 224 extending from the lower end 223 and disposed on at least another side of the left and right sides of the opening 101.
The second side end 224 may be opposite to the first side end 222 with respect to the opening 101.
The upper end 221 and the side ends 222 and 224 may include a heater disposed in a single line. On the other hand, the lower end 223 may include a heater disposed in a plurality of lines. Thus, the heater supplies a larger amount of heat to the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 than to the other portions.
More particularly, the home bar heater 220 includes a left side 223a and a right side 223b in the lower end 223, which are laterally symmetrical to each other with respect to a center of the lower end 223. Respective lines of the heater disposed on the left side 223a and the right side 223b may be spaced from each other by a predetermined distance.
In this case, a large amount of heat can be supplied and simultaneously the length of the heater can be reduced.
Also, since the heater of the lower end 223 is disposed in a plurality of lines, the heater produces a large amount of heat, and thus greatly heats the refrigerator door. As a result, a relatively low temperature in the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 increases to temperatures of the other portions.
The number of the lines of the heater arranged in the lower end 223 may be determined based on differences between the temperature of the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 and the temperatures of the other portions of the home bar frame 102.
The home bar heater 220 may be connected to a controller (not shown) configured to control operation of the home bar heater 220. Particularly, one side of the upper end 221 and one side of the second side end 224 may be connected to the controller.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the home bar heater 320 according to another embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 5, the home bar heater 320 may be disposed inside the home bar frame 102.
Particularly, the home bar heater 320 is disposed around the opening 101. The home bar heater 320 includes a first side end 321 disposed on a right side of the opening 101, an upper end 322 extending from the first side end 321 and disposed on an upper side of the opening 101, a second side end 323 extending from the upper end 322 and disposed on a left side of the opening 101, and a lower end 324 extending from the second side end 323 and disposed on the lower side of the opening 101.
One side of the first side end 321 is connected to a controller controlling the home bar heater 320. One side of the lower end 324 is also connected to the controller. That is, the home bar heater 320 may be connected to the controller through the side of the first side end 321, and extended from the first side end 321 to the lower end 324, and then connected again to the controller through the side of the lower end 324.
The side of the first side end 321 and the side of the lower end 324 may connected to the controller through wires (not shown).
The lower end 324 includes a heater disposed in a plurality of lines.
That is, the upper end 322 and the side ends 321 and 323 may include a heater disposed in a single line. On the other hand, the lower end 324 may include the heater disposed in the plurality of lines. Thus, the heater supplies the larger amount of heat to the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 than to the other portions.
As a matter of course, the upper end 322 and the side ends 321 and 323 may also have a heater having a plurality of lines, provided that the heater of the lower end 324 has more lines than that of the upper end 322 and the side ends 321 and 323.
Thus, since the heater of the lower end 324 is disposed in the plurality of lines, the heater produces the large amount of heat, and thus greatly heats the refrigerator door. As a result, a relatively low temperature in the lower portion of the home bar frame 102 increases to temperatures of the other portions.

Table 1

Classification	Related art home bar heater		Embodiment of FIG. 3		Embodiment of FIG. 4		Embodiment of FIG. 5
Freezer compartment home bar	1,110 mm	0.0050 W/mm	1,700 mm	0.0027 W/mm	1,465 mm	0.0031 W/mm	1,390 mm	0.0033 W/mm
Refrigerator compartment home bar	1,280 mm	0.0059 W/mm	2,020 mm	0.0021 W/mm	1,855 mm	0.0023 W/mm	1,680 mm	0.0025 W/mm

The above table 1 shows a required length of the heater and a consumed amount of heat per unit length in the arrangement of the heaters in both a related art and the above embodiments.
In the case of the related art home bar heaters, the freezer compartment home bar includes a heater of about 1,110 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0050 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 5.5 W, and the refrigerator compartment home bar includes a heater of about 1,280 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0059 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 7.6 W.
On the other hand, in the case of the arrangement of the heater according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, the freezer compartment home bar includes a heater of about 1,700 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0027 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 4.6 W. The refrigerator compartment home bar includes a heater of about 2,020 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0021 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 4.2 W.
Also, in the case of the arrangement of the heater according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the freezer compartment home bar includes a heater of about 1,465 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0031 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 4.6 W. The refrigerator compartment home bar includes a heater of about 1,855 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0023 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 4.2 W.
Also, in the case of the arrangement of the heater according to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the freezer compartment home bar includes a heater of about 1,390 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0033 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 4.6 W. The refrigerator compartment home bar includes a heater of about 1,680 mm, and the amount of heat per unit length is about 0.0025 W/mm, and thus the total amount of heat consumed is about 4.2 W.
As described above, the total amount of heat consumed, i.e., a power consumption of the heaters arranged according to the above embodiments is less than that of the related art home bar heaters.
That is, while the related art heater needs a great amount of heat per unit length to raise a temperature of a lower end of a home bar frame to a required level, the heater of the present disclosure needs less amount of heat per length unit to supply a greater amount of heat to the lower end since the lower end requiring the greater amount of heat includes the plurality of lines.
Independently of the shape of the heater; there can be used several method for driving said heater.
In one embodiment, the home bar heater 120 is operated according to a chamber temperature of a space in which the refrigerator 1 is installed or according to the opening and closing of the home bar door 103. To this effect, the voltage (or current) applied to the home bar heater 120 can be variably controlled by the controller.
An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of the home bar heater 120 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block view showing the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 6, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a power supply unit 1200 that receives power from an AC source (not shown), a zero voltage detector 1100 that detects zero voltage of power supplied from the power supply unit 1200, a controller 1000 that receives a detect signal from the zero voltage detector 1100, a room temperature sensor 1300 that detects the temperature of a space in which the refrigerator 1 is installed; a home bar door opening sensor 1600 that detects the opening and closing of the home bar door 15, a heater driver 1500 that controls the home bar heater 120, and a memory 1400 that is connected to the controller 1000 and stores data such as a voltage value to be applied according to the a room temperature.
In detail, the controller 1000 receives the zero voltage detecting signals transmitted from the zero voltage detector 1100 and controls the voltage to be input to the heater driver 1500 after a predetermined time elapses from a point in time of the zero voltage. The controller 1000 receives from the memory 1400 the required input voltage corresponding to the temperature value that is transmitted from the room temperature sensor 1300. Thereafter, the controller 1000 controls the voltage to be input to the heater driver 1500.
In detail, the controller 1000 receives the detecting signal transmitted from the home bar door opening sensor 1600 to transmit the input voltage value according to the opening or closing and the opening time of the home bar door 15 to the heater driver 1500. The heater driver 1500 controls a turn-on time of the home bar heater 120 to determine the input voltage.
Also, the heater driver 1500 uses a simple relay unit. Such units usually perform an on/off operation, but the described embodiment of the present invention uses a semiconductor switch device that performs a function of providing variably the voltage to the home bar heater 120 together with an on/off switch function . The heater driver 1500 corresponding to the semiconductor switch device as described above includes a triac or a thyristor, etc. In other words, in the case where the semiconductor switch device is used, the amount of voltage applied can be changed according to the room temperature. The point in time when the voltage is applied varies through the zero voltage detector 1100, making it possible to change the voltage value input to the home bar heater 120.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a case where the input voltage is changed stepwise in a system for controlling a home bar heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 7, a commercial alternative voltage of 220V is applied through the power supply unit 1200.
In detail, when using the relay in manner similar to the related art, when the relay is turn-on, the commercial voltage of 220V is continuously input and when the relay is turn off, the application of voltage stops.
With the heater driver 1500 in the semiconductor switch form according to the present invention, the duty time of the heater driver is properly controlled according to the room temperature, making it possible to change the applied voltage.
Further, in the case where there is no change in the room temperature, the duty time of the heater driver is properly controlled according to the opening or closing and opening time of the home bar door 15, making it possible to change the applied voltage.
In detail, when the voltage application point in time is before the point in time of zero voltage detected by the zero voltage detector, the turn-on time or duration (duty II) of the heater driver is long. If the voltage application point in time is delayed, the turn-on time (duty I) of the heater driver is short. In other words, the input power is increased and decreased by ΔV according to the increase or decrease of the turn-on time.
As described above, the driving of the home bar heater can be controlled according to the room temperature or the opening or closing of the home bar door 15 through the control of the turn-on time of the heater driver 1500, making it possible to prevent the edge part of the home bar door 15 from being damped.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the home bar heater according to the opening of the home bar door.
Referring to FIG. 8, if power is applied to the refrigerator 1, a basic input voltage is applied to the home bar heater, such that the home bar heater 120 is turned-on (S11). Herein, the basic input voltage is a voltage that is reduced while the commercial voltage of 220V passes through a transformer (or inverter).
In detail, in the state where the refrigerator 1 is driven, the controller 1000 detects the opening or closing of the home bar door 15 (S12). In other words, the opening or closing of the home bar door 15 is detected by receiving the detecting signal transmitted from the home bar door opening sensor 1600. The time is counted from an instant when the home bar door 15 is opened (S13). Latter, a closing of the home bar door 15 is also detected (S14). If it is judged that the home bar door 15 is closed, the time count stops (S15).
Meanwhile, an increased amount of voltage (ΔV) is determined according to the opening or closing and opening time of the home bar door 15 and is added to the basic input voltage (V) (S16).
Herein, the increased amount of voltage (ΔV) can be tabled in the memory 1400, and the controller 1000 can read in the data stored in the memory 1400 to compare and judge each numerical value.
The increased amount in voltage having a predetermined amount may be added whenever the home bar door 1 is opened or closed. The increased amount in voltage can be set according to the time when the home bar door 15 is opened. Also, the increased amount in voltage may be added according to the opened time by counting how long the home bar door 15 was open.
Also, in order to increase the input voltage, the turn-on time of the heater driver 1500 can properly be controlled as shown in FIG. 7
Meanwhile, after the heater input voltage is increased, the count, which has increased until the home bar door 15 is closed, is initialized to zero(S17).
After, the controller 1000 judges whether the increased input voltage has reached the upper limit voltage (S18). In other words, the maximum voltage which can be input to the home bar heater 120 is a commercial voltage of 220V and the minimum value is OV. Therefore, when the value corresponding to the increased amount in voltage added to the previous input voltage value, is above the commercial voltage of 220V, the input voltage is maintained to the upper value (S19). After a setting time elapses (S20), the input voltage value is returned to the basic input voltage (S23). When the setting time does not elapse, it is judged whether the home bar door 15 is re-opened in the controller 1000 (S21).
In detail, when the home bar door is re-opened in the state where the setting time was not reached; the processes S13 to S18 are repeatedly performed. The time during which the increased voltage must be provided becomes the previous setting time to which the newly setting time is added (S25). In contrast, when the home bar door is not re-opened, the home bar heater 120 is driven with the increased input voltage (S22).
When the voltage is returned to the basic input voltage due to the lapsing of the setting time, it is judged whether a power off signal of the refrigerator 1 is input in the controller 1000 (S26). If it is judged that the refrigerator 1 is still driven, that is to say still operated, the processes (processes after S12) are repeatedly performed.
With the control method as described above, the voltage supplied to the home bar heater 120 according to the room temperature of the refrigerator is controlled variably and even when the room temperature is constant, the input voltage is changed according to the opening or closing of the home bar door 15, making it possible to minimized power consumption according to the driving of the home bar heater 120.Accordingly, the phenomenon wherein the edge part of the home bar door 15 becomes damp can be effectively be prevented while minimizing power consumption.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) including a body (10) that includes at least a cool air chamber (17), a chamber door (11, 12) that selectively opens and closes the chamber and a home bar door (103) that is rotatably mounted on the front of the chamber door, wherein the refrigerator further includes:
a heater (120) that is provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by the home bar door;

a heater driver (1500) that provides a voltage input to the heater; and

a controller (1000) that transmits an operating signal to the heater driver,

characterized in that the refrigerator further comprises a sensor (1600) that detects the opening or closing of the home bar door, and when the heater is activated, the controller and the heater driver are adapted to provide a variable voltage to the heater depending on the opening or closing of the home bar door detected by the sensor.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heater is adapted to supply a larger amount of heat to a specific side (123) of the home bar frame than to the other sides.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, comprising a hinge portion (107) connecting the home bar door and said specific side of the home bar frame.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 and 3, comprising insulating material between the home bar frame and the home bar door, said specific side comprising less insulating material than the other sides of the home bar frame.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the heater is made of an electrical heating wire arranged with more lines on the specific side than on the other sides (121, 122, 124) of the home bar frame.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the voltage provided to the heater driver is changed with respect to an opening time duration of the home bar door.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the refrigerator comprises a sensor (1300) that detects the room temperature of a space in which the refrigerator is located and the controller and the heater driver are adapted to change the voltage provided to the heater driver with respect to the room temperature.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heater driver is connected to an alternative voltage source (1200) and the refrigerator comprises a detector (1100) adapted to detect instants of zero voltage and wherein the controller is adapted to control the voltage provided to the heater by turning on and turning off the heater driver at specific times with regard to the detected instants of zero voltage.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller and the heater driver are adapted to provide a basic input voltage (V), to determine an additional voltage (ΔV) and to provide both the additional voltage and the basic voltage during a setting time (Duty II).
A method for controlling a refrigerator including at least a chamber, a chamber door that selectively opens and closes the chamber, a home bar door that is rotatably mounted on the front of the chamber door, a controller and a heater driver that drives a heater provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by a the home bar door, characterized in that the refrigerator comprises a sensor that detects an opening or closing of the home bar door and in that the method includes:
turning-on (S11) the home bar heater;

detecting (S12) the opening or closing of the home bar door; and

providing (S18, S22), a variable voltage to the home bar heater depending on the opening or closing of the home bar door detected.
The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein the voltage provided to the home bar heater is changed with respect to the opening time duration of the home bar door.
The method for controlling a refrigerator according to any one of claims 10 and 11, wherein providing a variable voltage to the home bar heater comprises providing a basic input voltage (V), determining an additional voltage (ΔV) and providing both the additional voltage and the basic voltage during a setting time.
The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein when the home bar door is re-opened (S21) before the setting time elapses, the method comprises determining a new additional voltage (S24) determined by adding newly increased amount in voltage to the present voltage.
The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein when the re-opening of the door is performed before the setting time elapses, the method comprises determining a new setting time (S25) for supplying the new voltage by adding a newly setting time to the previous setting time.
The method for controlling a refrigerator according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein providing a variable voltage comprises detecting instants of zero voltage in an alternative voltage source (1200) connected to the heater driver and turning on and turning off the heater driver at specific times with regard to the detected instants of zero voltage.