KR100557438B1 - Refrigerator and method for controlling - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator comprising a main body having at least one storage compartment, a refrigerating device provided in the main body, a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator cooling the storage compartment, and a defrost apparatus provided adjacent to the evaporator to defrost the evaporator. It relates to, the on-off valve provided in the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator; The on-off valve is opened and the compressor is driven in the cooling mode to cool the storage compartment, and the compressor is closed in the defrost mode to defrost the evaporator, and the compressor is closed after a predetermined delay time after the on-off valve is closed. It characterized in that it comprises a control unit for stopping the driving of the control device to operate the defrosting device. As a result, the defrosting efficiency can be improved, the temperature rise of the storage compartment can be prevented, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Description

Refrigerator and its control method {REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING}

1 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a control state diagram of the refrigerator of FIG.

3 is a control flow diagram of the refrigerator of FIG.

4 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: refrigerator

10: main body 11: storage room

20: refrigeration unit 21: compressor

23 condenser 25 capillary tube

27: evaporator 29: refrigerant tube

30: on-off valve 35: defrosting device

40: control unit

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and a control method thereof improved to perform a defrosting operation of an evaporator more efficiently.

Generally, a refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment for storing articles such as food, a door for opening and closing an opening formed in the storage compartment of the main body, and a refrigerating device provided in the main body to cool the storage compartment.

Such a refrigeration apparatus includes a compressor for compressing a gaseous refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure, a condenser for condensing the gaseous refrigerant compressed from the compressor into a liquid state, a capillary tube for converting the liquefied refrigerant into a low temperature low pressure state, and a capillary tube. And an evaporator that cools the surrounding air by absorbing latent heat of evaporation to vaporize the refrigerant liquefied from low temperature to low pressure. Accordingly, the storage compartment may be cooled by supplying the cooled air around the evaporator to the inside of the storage compartment such as the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

Such a freezer may be used in various ways in a heat exchanger such as an air conditioner as well as a refrigerator.

In addition, since the surface temperature of the evaporator provided in the refrigerating device is usually lower than the air temperature of the storage compartment, moisture present in the air in the storage compartment is attached to the surface of the evaporator by frost-like frost. This causes the heat exchange capacity of the evaporator to be reduced, so that a defrost heater such as an electric heater is used to remove the frost generated in the evaporator.

These conventional refrigerators usually drive the defrost heater while stopping the compressor for a predetermined time to remove frost generated in the evaporator.

However, such a conventional refrigerator stops the compressor for a predetermined time and simultaneously drives the defrost heater to operate the defrost heater while a large amount of refrigerant remains in the evaporator tube of the evaporator. Thus, the conventional refrigerator may cause a problem that the defrosting operation is delayed due to the low temperature refrigerant remaining in the evaporator during the defrosting operation, thereby lowering the defrosting efficiency. In the conventional refrigerator, when the defrosting operation is completed and the cooling operation is performed again by increasing the temperature of the refrigerant remaining in the evaporator during the defrosting operation, the refrigerator may increase the temperature of the storage compartment by the refrigerant remaining in the evaporator. In addition, in this case, there is a problem in that a lot of power is consumed to maintain the temperature of the storage compartment at the reference temperature.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof capable of improving the defrosting efficiency, preventing the temperature rise in the storage compartment, and lowering the power consumption.

According to the present invention, the object is, according to the present invention, a main body having at least one storage compartment, a compressor provided in the main body, a refrigeration apparatus having a condenser and an evaporator for cooling the storage compartment, and a defrost provided adjacent to the evaporator to defrost the evaporator. A refrigerator having an apparatus, comprising: an opening / closing valve provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator; The on-off valve is opened and the compressor is driven in the cooling mode to cool the storage compartment, and the compressor is closed in the defrost mode to defrost the evaporator, and the compressor is closed after a predetermined delay time after the on-off valve is closed. It is achieved by the refrigerator characterized in that it comprises a control unit for stopping the driving of the control device to operate the defrosting device.

Here, the refrigerating device further comprises a capillary tube provided between the condenser and the evaporator, the on-off valve is preferably provided in the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the capillary tube.

The refrigerating device further comprises an expansion valve provided between the condenser and the evaporator, the on-off valve is preferably provided in the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the expansion valve.

The on-off valve is preferably formed integrally with the expansion valve.

The predetermined delay time is preferably 10 seconds to 30 seconds.

The control unit preferably drives the compressor after a predetermined idle time has elapsed after the defrosting mode is completed and the defrosting device is stopped.

The predetermined rest time is preferably 5 minutes to 15 minutes.

The storage chamber is provided in a pair in the main body, the evaporator is provided in pairs corresponding to each of the storage chambers, the on-off valve is preferably provided in pairs corresponding to the respective evaporators.

On the other hand, the object is provided with a main body having at least one storage compartment, a refrigerating apparatus provided in the main body to cool the storage compartment, a condenser and an evaporator, and a defrost apparatus provided adjacent to the evaporator to defrost the evaporator. A control method of a refrigerator, comprising: providing an opening / closing valve provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator; Opening the on-off valve and driving the compressor in a cooling mode of cooling the storage compartment; Closing the on / off valve in the defrost mode of defrosting the evaporator, stopping the driving of the compressor after a predetermined delay time after the on / off valve is closed, and operating the defroster. Achieved by a control method.

Here, it is preferable to include the step of driving the compressor after a predetermined idle time after the defrosting mode is completed to stop the operation of the defrosting device.

Prior to the description, in various embodiments, components having the same configuration will be representatively described in the first embodiment using the same reference numerals, and in other embodiments, only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described. Do.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First embodiment,

1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10 having a storage compartment 11 for storing articles such as food, and a storage compartment of the main body 10. A door (not shown) for opening and closing the opening formed in 11 is provided, and a refrigerating device 20 provided in the main body 10 to cool the storage compartment 11. And, the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided adjacent to the evaporator 27 of the refrigerating apparatus 20, which will be described later, the defrosting apparatus 35 to defrost the evaporator 27, and the freezing apparatus to be described later. The on / off valve 30 provided in the refrigerant pipe 29 connecting the condenser 23 and the evaporator 27 of the 20 and the on / off valve 30 are opened in the cooling mode in which the storage chamber 11 is cooled. And a controller 40 for driving the 21 and closing the on / off valve 30 and stopping the driving of the compressor 21 in the defrost mode of defrosting the evaporator 27.

The refrigerating device 20 includes a compressor 21 for compressing a gaseous refrigerant at a high temperature and high pressure, a condenser 23 for condensing the gaseous refrigerant compressed from the compressor 21 into a liquid state, and a low temperature liquid liquefied refrigerant. A capillary tube 25 for converting to a low pressure state, an evaporator 27 for cooling ambient air by absorbing latent heat of evaporation from ambient air to vaporize a refrigerant liquefied at low temperature and low pressure from the capillary tube 25, and the aforementioned compressor. Refrigerant pipe 29 is connected between components such as 21 and evaporator 27 so that the refrigerant passes therethrough to form a refrigeration cycle. Accordingly, the storage chamber 11 may be cooled by supplying cooled air around the evaporator 27 to the inside of the storage chamber 11 such as the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber.

The defroster 35 is provided adjacent to the evaporator 27 to remove frost around the evaporator 27 generated by the temperature difference. The defroster 35 is preferably a defrost heater such as an electric heater that generates heat by externally supplied power and performs a defrosting operation. However, the defroster 35 uses high temperature heat generated by the compressor 21 and the condenser 23. Of course, it can be configured to perform the defrost operation. The defroster 35 is preferably operated and stopped by the controller 40.

The on-off valve 30 is preferably installed in the refrigerant pipe 29 provided between the condenser 23 and the evaporator 27 to open and close the refrigerant pipe 29 by the control unit 40. And, the on-off valve 30 is more preferably installed in the refrigerant pipe 29 for connecting the condenser 23 and the capillary tube 25. However, if the refrigerating device 20 uses an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the refrigerant instead of the capillary tube 25, the on-off valve 30 is connected to the refrigerant pipe 29 provided between the condenser 23 and the expansion valve. It may be installed to open and close the refrigerant pipe 29 by the control unit 40, the opening and closing valve 30 may be formed integrally with the expansion valve (not shown). That is, the on-off valve 30 and the expansion valve are formed as one valve body to have both an opening and closing function for passing and blocking the refrigerant and an expansion function for expanding the refrigerant when the refrigerant passes. And, the on-off valve 30 is preferably provided between the condenser 23 and the capillary tube 25 or between the condenser 23 and the expansion valve, but between the capillary tube 25 and the evaporator 27 or the expansion valve and the evaporator ( Of course, it may be provided between 27).

The control unit 40 opens the on / off valve 30 in the cooling mode to cool the storage compartment 11 and drives the compressor 21, and closes the on / off valve 30 in the defrost mode to defrost the evaporator 27. After the closing valve 30 is closed, the driving of the compressor 21 is stopped after the predetermined delay time A and the defrosting device 35 is operated. In addition, the controller 40 may drive the compressor 21 after a predetermined idle time B has elapsed after the defrosting mode is completed to stop the operation of the defrosting device 35. In addition, it is preferable that each reference time is set in the controller 40 for switching to the defrost mode and the cooling mode. That is, it is preferable that the controller 40 is provided with a timer to switch to the defrost mode after a predetermined time has elapsed in the cooling mode, and to switch to the cooling mode after another predetermined time has elapsed after switching to the defrost mode. However, the control unit 40 detects the temperature of the evaporator 27 to detect a temperature of the evaporator 27 to determine the defrost mode and the cooling mode based on the temperature of the evaporator 27 (not shown). Of course, it may include.

The delay time A represents a time interval for continuously driving the compressor 21 until the control unit 40 closes the open / close valve 30 in the defrost mode and stops driving the compressor 21. During the delay time A, the compressor 21 continues to be driven while the on-off valve 30 is closed, so that refrigerant does not flow into the evaporator 27 and suction the refrigerant in the evaporator 27 into the compressor 21. Thus, the refrigerant is kept in the evaporator 27 in a minimum amount. Therefore, even when the defrosting device 35 is operated, the defrosting efficiency is increased because the refrigerant is kept in the minimum amount in the evaporator 27, and the temperature of the refrigerant is increased or power consumption is increased by minimizing the increase of the temperature of the refrigerant according to the defrosting operation. Can be prevented. And, the delay time (A) is a value that can be set differently according to the size of the refrigerating device, the amount of defrosting, etc. In one embodiment of the home refrigerator is about 20 seconds, but preferably 10 to 30 seconds. . However, the delay time A may be set to about 5 to 10 seconds, and may be set to about 30 to several hundred seconds.

The idle time B is a time during which the control unit 40 does not drive the compressor 21 until the compressor 21 is driven by switching to the defrost mode after stopping the operation of the defrosting device 35 upon completion of the defrost mode. Indicates an interval. That is, the pause time B is a time interval set between the defrost mode and the cooling mode. Then, when the defrosting mode is completed and the defrosting device 35 stops the operation and the rest time B starts, it is preferable that the open / close valve 30 is opened. In addition, during the rest time B, the defrosting device 35 is stopped and the opening / closing valve 30 is opened to cool the refrigerant heated by the defrosting device 35 to maintain a stable state. Defrost water formed by melting frost can flow down without freezing again. As a result, the coolant is switched to the cooling mode from the stable state by the idle time B, thereby preventing the temperature of the storage compartment from rising or increasing the power consumption, and preventing defrosting water from freezing again. And, the idle time (B) is a value that can be set differently according to the size or defrosting time of the refrigerating device 20 in one embodiment of the home refrigerator is about 10 minutes, but about 5 to 20 minutes It is preferable. However, the rest time (B) may be set to about 5 to 10 minutes, of course, may be set to 20 to 60 minutes.

The control process for the defrost of the evaporator 27 provided in the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention by this configuration will be described with reference to the control flow diagram of FIG. 3.

First, the refrigerator 1 switches from the cooling mode to the defrost mode by the control unit 40 (S1). Then, the on-off valve 30 is closed by the controller 40, and the drive is maintained when the compressor 21 is driven or driven (S3). This state is maintained for the set delay time A (S5). That is, if the set delay time is 20 seconds, the compressor 21 is driven for 20 seconds while the on-off valve 30 is closed to discharge the refrigerant in the evaporator 27. Thus, even when the defrosting device 35 is operated, the refrigerant is discharged in the evaporator 27, thereby increasing the defrosting efficiency, minimizing the increase in the temperature of the refrigerant according to the defrosting operation, and increasing the temperature of the storage compartment or increasing the power consumption. You can prevent it. Then, the control unit 40 stops the drive of the compressor 21 after the delay time has elapsed, and operates the defrosting device 35 (S7). Then, when the state of the defrost mode has elapsed for a predetermined time, the control unit 40 stops the operation of the defrosting device 35, and opens the on-off valve 30 (S9). Then, this state is maintained for the set idle time B (S11). That is, if the set delay time is 10 minutes, the on-off valve 30 is opened in the state in which the operation of the defrosting device 35 is stopped, and the refrigerant heated by the defrosting operation is cooled and stabilized. Thus, by switching to the cooling mode in the state of cooling the elevated temperature of the refrigerant again by the defrosting process, it is possible to prevent the increase in power consumption due to the rise of the temperature of the storage compartment 11 and the temperature rise of the storage compartment 11, The defrost water can be prevented from freezing again. Then, the controller 40 drives the compressor 21 after the idle time B has elapsed to perform the cooling mode (S13).

Thus, the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an on-off valve 30 provided in the refrigerant pipe 29 connecting the condenser 23 and the evaporator 27, and the on-off valve 30 in the cooling mode. ), The compressor 21 is driven, the defrosting mode 30 is closed, the on / off valve 30 is closed, and the compressor 21 is stopped after a predetermined delay time after the on / off valve 30 is closed. Including the control unit 40 to control the operation 35, it is possible to improve the defrosting efficiency, to prevent the temperature rise of the storage chamber 11, and to lower the power consumption.

Second embodiment,

4 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the refrigerator 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with a pair of storage compartments 111 in the main body 110, a pair of evaporators (corresponding to each storage compartment 111) ( 127 is provided, a pair of on-off valve 130 corresponding to each evaporator 127 is different from the first embodiment.

The pair of storage compartments 111 is preferably a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment. In addition, one pair of evaporators 127 may be provided to correspond to the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, respectively, but one of the evaporators 127 may cool the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.

The pair of open / close valves 130 are separated from each other by the refrigerant pipe 29 connected to the condenser 23. In addition, since the on-off valve 130 is similar to the case of the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Capillary tube 125 is also preferably provided in pairs. In addition, an expansion valve may be used instead of the capillary tube 125 to expand the refrigerant. And each capillary tube 125 is connected to each evaporator 127. In addition, the pair of evaporators 127 may be connected to the compressor 21, respectively, one of the evaporators 127 may be connected to the other, and the other may be connected to the compressor 21 and the refrigerant pipe. to be.

Defroster 135 is also preferably provided in pairs corresponding to each evaporator 127. However, it is of course possible to defrost the pair of evaporators 127 with one defroster 135.

The controller 140 controls the pair of on / off valves 130, the pair of defrosting devices 135, and the compressor 21. In addition, the control process of the controller 140 may defrost all of the pair of evaporators 127 and may defrost each evaporator 127 individually. In addition, since the control process of the control unit 140 to defrost each evaporator 127 is similar to the first embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Thus, the refrigerating according to the second embodiment of the present invention also opens a pair of defrosting devices, a pair of on / off valves and at least one on / off valve in the cooling mode to drive the compressor, And a control unit for closing the open on-off valve, stopping the driving of the compressor after a predetermined delay time after the on-off valve is closed, and controlling to operate the at least one defrosting device, thereby improving the defrosting efficiency and storing the storage chamber 11 ) To prevent the temperature rise and lower the power consumption.

However, unlike the above-described embodiments, three or more storage compartments may be provided in the main body, three or more evaporators may be provided corresponding to each storage compartment, and three or more open / close valves may also be provided corresponding to each evaporator. Of course.

As described above, according to the present invention, the defrosting efficiency can be improved, the temperature rise of the storage compartment can be prevented, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Claims (10)

A refrigerator having a main body having at least one storage compartment formed therein, a refrigerating apparatus provided in the main body to cool the storage compartment and having a condenser and an evaporator, and a defrost apparatus provided adjacent to the evaporator to defrost the evaporator. An on / off valve provided in the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator; The on-off valve is opened and the compressor is driven in the cooling mode to cool the storage compartment, and the compressor is closed in the defrost mode to defrost the evaporator, and the compressor is closed after a predetermined delay time after the on-off valve is closed. Refrigerator comprising a control unit for stopping the driving of the control device to operate the defrosting device. The method of claim 1, The refrigeration apparatus further comprises a capillary tube provided between the condenser and the evaporator, The opening and closing valve is a refrigerator, characterized in that provided in the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the capillary. The method of claim 1, The refrigerating device further includes an expansion valve provided between the condenser and the evaporator, The opening and closing valve is a refrigerator, characterized in that provided in the refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the expansion valve. The method of claim 3, And the open / close valve is formed integrally with the expansion valve. The method of claim 1, The predetermined delay time is a refrigerator, characterized in that 10 seconds to 30 seconds. The method of claim 1, The control unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that for driving the compressor after a predetermined idle time after the operation of the defrosting device is completed and the defrosting device is stopped. The method of claim 6, The predetermined idle time is a refrigerator, characterized in that 5 to 15 minutes. The method of claim 1, The storage compartment is provided in a pair in the main body, the evaporator is provided in pairs corresponding to each of the storage compartments, the refrigerator is characterized in that the pair is provided in pairs corresponding to each of the evaporator. A control method of a refrigerator having a main body having at least one storage compartment, a refrigeration apparatus provided in the main body, the compressor, a condenser and an evaporator cooling the storage compartment, and a defrost apparatus provided adjacent to the evaporator to defrost the evaporator. In Providing an on / off valve provided in a refrigerant pipe connecting the condenser and the evaporator; Opening the on-off valve and driving the compressor in a cooling mode of cooling the storage compartment; Closing the on / off valve in the defrost mode of defrosting the evaporator, stopping the driving of the compressor after a predetermined delay time after the on / off valve is closed, and operating the defroster. Control method. The method of claim 9, And driving the compressor after a predetermined idle time elapses after the defrost mode is completed and the defrosting device is stopped.

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