KR100725495B1 - Refrigerator and operating control thereof having supplement storage - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator having a supplement storage chamber and an operation control method thereof are provided to alternatively control chilled air supply for cooling and heater operation for the supplement storage chamber, thereby minimizing unnecessary cooling or heating operation to reduce power consumption and keeping food freshly long with a reduced temperature change range of the supplement storage chamber. An operation control method for a refrigerator having a supplement storage chamber includes the steps of receiving a target set temperature for the supplement storage chamber(S10), and setting highest temperature, a highest limit temperature, a lowest temperature and a lowest limit temperature by a control part according to the set target temperature(S20). After sensing a temperature of the supplement storage chamber, the supplement storage chamber is forcedly heated by a heat supply element until the temperature of the supplement storage chamber reaches the highest limit temperature during the heating, if the sensed temperature is lower than the lowest limit temperature(S100-S130). The supplement storage chamber is forcedly cooled by a chilled air supply element until the temperature of the supplement storage chamber reaches the lowest limit temperature during the cooling if the temperature thereof reaches to the highest limit temperature(S40-S70).

Description

Refrigerator with auxiliary storage and its operation control method {REFRIGERATOR AND OPERATING CONTROL THEREOF HAVING SUPPLEMENT STORAGE}

1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the present invention,

2A is a cross-sectional view of a region of an auxiliary storage compartment of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the area of the secondary storage room shown in FIG. 2A;

Figure 2c is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the secondary storage area for direct cooling;

3 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of the present invention;

4 is a control flowchart according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5A is a state diagram of a first control temperature of the auxiliary storage room according to the present invention;

5B is a state diagram of a second control temperature of the auxiliary storage room according to the present invention;

6 is a control temperature state diagram of an auxiliary storage compartment of a conventional refrigerator;

7 is a control flowchart according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: refrigerator 2: body

7: evaporator 8: cold duct

9: refrigerating chamber 10: control unit

11 compressor 12 blower fan

15: refrigerating chamber temperature detection unit 20: auxiliary storage room

21: storage unit 22: auxiliary storage room temperature detection unit

23: separate casing 24: separate housing

25: auxiliary cold air duct 26: opening for radiant heat transfer

27: memory 28: damper

30: outer casing 40: insulation member

50: heat transfer member 60: heater

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator for controlling a temperature of an auxiliary storage chamber formed separately from a refrigerator compartment in a main body.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device for keeping various foods fresh for a long time by using cold air generated in a refrigeration cycle. Generally, a refrigerator is a freezer compartment for storing frozen foods below freezing temperature, and a refrigerator compartment for storing refrigerated foods above freezing temperature. And a refrigeration cycle for cooling the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

On the other hand, there is also a refrigerator provided with an independent room capable of temperature control separately from the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. Conventional refrigerators, as disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-0049591, a casing forming a temperature conversion chamber, a cold air inlet formed in the casing, communicating with a freezer compartment, a heater operating to increase the internal temperature of the casing, It characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling the heater. As described above, in a refrigerator having an independent room that can be independently temperature-controlled, when the independent room needs to have a higher temperature than the refrigerating room, the heater is operated to raise the temperature of the independent room. If the independent room needs to have a lower temperature than the refrigerator room, operate the blower fan in the refrigerating or freezing room, and use the cold air passing through the evaporator of the refrigerating room or cold air passing through the evaporator of the freezing room or cold inside the freezer room to enter the cold room inlet. It is configured to lower the internal temperature of the independent room.

However, such a conventional refrigerator heats the heater to raise the internal temperature of the independent room, and then immediately operates the cooling fan of the refrigerating or freezing room to continuously cool the interior of the independent room, thereby increasing the internal temperature of the independent room. Since it lowers, there is a problem that the energy efficiency and power consumption efficiency falls.

In addition, in the case of supplying cold air to lower the internal temperature of the independent room, and then again to cool the interior of the independent room, the heater is immediately operated to raise the internal temperature of the independent room, thereby reducing energy efficiency and power consumption efficiency. There is a problem.

In addition, in the heating mode of the auxiliary storage compartment, the cooling state of the refrigerating compartment is not taken into account. When the auxiliary storage compartment is heated in a situation where the refrigerating compartment is forcedly cooled, the cooling of the refrigerating compartment and heating of the auxiliary storage compartment simultaneously generate energy efficiency. There is a falling problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption by minimizing unnecessary cooling operation or heating operation, and to provide a refrigerator and an operation control of the refrigerator having an auxiliary storage room that allows the storage degree of the article to last longer by reducing the temperature change range. To provide a way.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having an auxiliary storage compartment capable of selectively controlling the supply of cold air and the operation of the heater so that the heater is turned off when the cold air is supplied and the supply of cold air is stopped when the heater is operated. To provide a way.

The object of the present invention is a refrigerator having a main body having a refrigerating compartment, a cold air duct for guiding cold air to the refrigerating compartment, and a control unit for controlling operation of the refrigerator, wherein the main body is provided with an auxiliary storage compartment capable of maintaining a temperature separate from the refrigerating compartment. The auxiliary storage chamber includes a damper for opening and closing the supply of cold air from the cold air duct to the auxiliary storage chamber, and a heater for supplying heat to the auxiliary storage chamber, wherein the control unit has an upper limit temperature when the set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input. And setting an upper limit temperature separately and turning off the heater to naturally cool by the cold air atmosphere of the refrigerating compartment when the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment reaches the upper limit temperature in a mode of forcibly heating the auxiliary storage compartment. Achieved by the refrigerator.

The control unit sets a lower limit temperature and a lower limit temperature separately when a set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, and when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally cooled by the cold air atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber after the heater is turned off. The heater can be restarted at the lower temperature.

After the heater is turned off, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally heated to reach the upper limit temperature, the damper may be opened to force cooling the auxiliary storage chamber.

The control unit sets a lower limit temperature and a lower limit temperature separately when the set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, and the control unit sets the damper when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature when the auxiliary storage chamber is forcedly cooled. Can be closed.

After the damper is closed, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally heated to reach the upper limit temperature, the damper may be opened to force cooling the auxiliary storage chamber.

After the damper is closed, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally cooled to reach the lower limit temperature, the heater may be forced to be heated.

On the other hand, the object is a refrigerator having a main body having a refrigerating compartment, a cold air duct for guiding cold air to the refrigerating compartment, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the refrigerator, wherein the main storage unit is maintained at a temperature separate from the refrigerating compartment. The auxiliary storage chamber includes a damper for opening and closing a cold air supply from the cold air duct to the auxiliary storage chamber, and a heater for supplying heat to the auxiliary storage chamber, wherein the control unit is configured to input a set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber. The lower limit temperature and the lower limit temperature are set separately, and the control unit is also achieved by the refrigerator, characterized in that when the auxiliary storage chamber is forcedly cooled, the damper is closed when the temperature reaches the lower limit temperature.

Here, after the damper is closed, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally cooled to reach the lower limit temperature, the heater may be operated to force heating.

The control unit sets an upper limit temperature for turning off the heater and an upper limit temperature for opening the damper separately when the set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, and after closing the damper, the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally heated to When the upper limit temperature is reached, the damper may be opened to forcibly cool the auxiliary storage chamber.

The upper limit temperature may be set to 1 ° C. higher than the upper limit temperature, and the lower limit temperature may be set to 1 ° C. lower than the lower limit temperature.

In addition, the object of the refrigerator in the operation control method of the refrigerator comprising a main body having a refrigerating chamber, and an auxiliary storage chamber installed in the refrigerating chamber and having a cold air supply means and a hot air supply means. Receiving an input; Setting, by the controller, an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature according to the set target temperature; Sensing a temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment; Forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supply means when the detected temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is lower than or equal to a lower limit temperature; And stopping the heating when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature in the forced heating of the auxiliary storage chamber.

The method may further include forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supply means when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature after stopping the heating.

After the step of stopping the heating, if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, it may further comprise the step of forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber by the cold air supply means.

The method may further include stopping the forced cooling when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature in the step of forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber.

After the forced cooling is stopped, if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature, the method may further include forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supply means.

After the forced cooling is stopped, if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, the method may further include forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber by the cold air supply means.

In addition, the object of the refrigerator in the operation control method of the refrigerator comprising a main body having a refrigerating chamber, and an auxiliary storage chamber installed in the refrigerating chamber and having a cold air supply means and a hot air supply means. Receiving an input; Setting, by the controller, an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature according to the set target temperature; Sensing a temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment; Forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber by the cold air supply means when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is equal to or higher than an upper limit temperature; And if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature in the step of forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber, stopping the forced cooling by the operation control method of the refrigerator.

The method may further include forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supplying means when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature after stopping the forced cooling.

After the forced cooling is stopped, if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, the method may further include forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber by the cold air supply means.

The forced heating of the auxiliary storage chamber may include: checking whether cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber when the detected temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is lower than or equal to a lower limit temperature; When the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the auxiliary storage compartment may be forcedly heated by the hot air supply means.

The step of forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber may include: checking whether cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is lower than or equal to a lower limit temperature; When the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the auxiliary storage compartment may be forcedly heated by the hot air supply means.

The forced heating of the auxiliary storage chamber may include: checking whether cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber when the detected temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is lower than or equal to a lower limit temperature; When the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the auxiliary storage compartment may be forcedly heated by the hot air supply means.

The forced heating of the auxiliary storage chamber may include: checking whether cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber when the detected temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is lower than or equal to a lower limit temperature; When the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the auxiliary storage compartment may be forcedly heated by the hot air supply means.

In addition, the object of the refrigerator in the operation control method of the refrigerator comprising a main body having a refrigerating chamber, and an auxiliary storage chamber installed in the refrigerating chamber and having a cold air supply means and a hot air supply means. Receiving an input; Setting, by the controller, an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature according to the set target temperature; Sensing a temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment; Checking whether the cold air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is lower than the lower limit temperature; It is also achieved by the operation control method of the refrigerator, comprising the step of forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supply means when the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating chamber.

Here, the step of checking whether or not the cold air supply to the refrigerating chamber may be performed: by checking whether the compressor is driven or by checking whether the refrigerating chamber blowing fan is operated.

Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings for a side by side refrigerator.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to the present invention, Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of the region of the secondary storage compartment of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1, Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the region of the secondary storage compartment shown in Figure 2a 2C is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the secondary storage area for direct cooling, FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 5A is a first control temperature state diagram of the auxiliary storage chamber according to the present invention, FIG. 5B is a second control temperature state diagram of the auxiliary storage chamber according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a control temperature state diagram of the auxiliary storage chamber of the conventional refrigerator. to be.

As shown in these figures, the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention includes a main body 2 forming an appearance, a machine room 6 accommodated in the main body 2, and an evaporator 7 partitioned from the machine room 6. ), A cold air duct 8 through which cold air generated in the evaporator 7 flows, a blow fan 12 for blowing cold air to the cold air duct 8, and cold air is supplied and circulated by the blow fan 12. It comprises a freezer compartment (not shown) and the refrigerating chamber (9), and the auxiliary storage chamber 20 formed insulated from the inside of the refrigerating chamber (9).

The auxiliary storage chamber 20 includes a separating accommodating part 24 having an opening 26 for radiant heat transfer, a heat transferring member 50 for heat transfer into the separating accommodating part 24 through the radiating heat transfer opening 26, and cold air. The auxiliary cold air duct 25 which transfers the cold air of the duct 8 to the heat transfer member 50, the heater 60 which heat transfers to the heat transfer member 50, and the separation accommodating part 24 with respect to the refrigerator compartment 9 And a separating casing 23 which surrounds to be insulated.

The main body 2 forms an outer cabinet 4 made of metal provided to form the exterior of the main body 2, and a foam space in which the outer cabinet 4 and the foaming material 5 are filled, and the freezer compartment and the refrigerating chamber 9 Inner cabinet (3) of plastic material to form a).

The foam material 5 is formed by filling in a space formed between the outer cabinet 4 and the inner cabinet 3.

The machine room 6 includes a compressor 11 for compressing a refrigerant into gaseous refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure, and a condenser (not shown) for condensing the high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant introduced from the compressor 11. The machine room 6 is partitioned from the evaporator 7 so that the high temperature heat generated by the operation of the compressor 11 and the condenser does not affect the evaporator 7.

The evaporator 7 cools the surrounding air while evaporating using the latent heat of evaporation of the liquid refrigerant condensed from the condenser. The evaporator 7 includes a coolant tube (not shown) through which a coolant flows, and a cooling fin (not shown) inserted into the coolant tube to have a maximum contact area with the surrounding air.

The cold air duct 8 is formed with a passage for guiding cold air generated in the evaporator 7 to be supplied to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment 9. A blowing fan 12 is provided inside the cold air duct 8 to supply cold air to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment 9.

The blowing fan 12 is provided in the cold air duct 8 forming the cold air flow path. The blowing fan 12 operates to supply cold air to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment 9. However, the blower fan 12 may be operable to remove frost on the surface area of the evaporator 7 while stopping the supply of the refrigerant to the evaporator 7 after stopping the operation of the compressor 11.

The refrigerating compartment 9 is provided to store food at a relatively high temperature than the freezing compartment which is stored below the freezing point. The refrigerating compartment 9 has a shelf 14 partitioning the refrigerating compartment 9 so as to store food more easily, an auxiliary storage compartment 20 to be described later independently installed in the refrigerating compartment 9, and an auxiliary refrigerating compartment for storing other foods. (13) and a guide (not shown) for storing food such as eggs. The refrigerating chamber 9 is provided with a refrigerating chamber temperature detecting unit 15 for detecting a temperature change in the refrigerating chamber 9 so as to maintain a predetermined temperature.

The auxiliary storage compartment 20 is separately installed in one region of the refrigerating compartment 9, and is temperature controlled to be relatively higher or lower than the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 9. The secondary storage room 20 stores vegetables and fruits to be stored at a relatively high temperature, and may be formed to store fermented foods.

As described in Table 1, the secondary storage room 20 is installed to control the temperature according to the optimum storage temperature of each food.

TABLE 1

Temperature Detail type 2 ℃ Broccoli, lettuce, strawberry, tangerine 5 ℃ Watermelon, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Zucchini 10 ℃ Sweet Potato and Banana

Secondary storage room 20 is an example of the present invention, as shown in Table 1, food such as broccoli is preferably temperature controlled so that food such as banana is stored at 10 ℃ at 2 ℃.

Therefore, it is preferable to control the secondary storage chamber 20 so that the temperature is higher or lower than the refrigerator compartment 9 so as to store at a temperature suitable for each food.

In the following embodiment, the cold storage or radiant heat is not directly introduced into the auxiliary storage chamber 20, but the radiation cooling or radiant heating is described as an example, the operation control method of the present invention, as shown in Figure 2c, It is also applicable to the secondary storage room 120 of the structure directly introduced into the secondary storage room 120.

Hereinafter, a structure in which the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is radiatively cooled or radiantly heated is described, for example.

The secondary storage chamber 20 has a separate accommodating portion 24 having a radiating heat transfer opening 26 formed to indirectly cool by radiant heat transfer to cold storage or indirect heating by radiant heat transfer to a storage space, and a separate accommodating portion 24. The heat transfer member 50 which transfers heat into the separation accommodating part 24 through the radiant heat transfer opening 26, and the cold air guided by the cold air duct 8 are transferred to the heat transfer member 50 so that the cooling heat is conducted. The auxiliary cold air duct 25 and the separation housing 24 surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the heat-receiving portion 24 and the heat transfer member 50 are insulated from the refrigerating chamber 9. . The auxiliary storage chamber 20 is provided with a heater 60 for heating to increase the temperature inside.

As an example of the present invention, the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is configured to include a storage unit 21 that slides in a drawer shape, but as shown in FIG. 2B, as another embodiment, the auxiliary storage compartment door 100 is provided at the front side. It may also be provided in a variety of configurations, such as the door opening and closing type that is opened and closed including the hinge portion 110. One auxiliary storage room 20 is provided in the lower region of the refrigerating chamber 9, but may be provided so that more than one auxiliary storage room 20 according to the capacity of the refrigerator (1). The auxiliary storage compartment 20 is provided with a secondary storage compartment temperature sensing unit 22 to sense the internal temperature.

The separation accommodating part 24 forms a space in which the storage part 21 to be described later is inserted, and forms an opening 26 for radiant heat transfer to radiate cooling heat generated from the heat transfer member 50 to be described later. Separation accommodating part 24 includes a storage part 21 that slides in and out to store food.

The radiant heat transfer openings 26 are open in pairs in the longitudinal direction in the direction in which the storage portion 21 slides in the separating accommodation portion 24 as one example of the present invention. However, the radiant heat transfer opening 26 may be opened only on one surface, and may be provided not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the transverse direction in the direction in which the storage unit 21 slides.

The storage unit 21 is provided to store various foods such as vegetables, fruits, and fermented foods. Storage unit 21 is an example of the present invention, is provided in a drawer type that is slidingly inserted into the separation receiving portion 24 and open. However, as shown in FIG. 2B, the storage unit 21 is not a separate separate component, but as another embodiment, the storage compartment door 100 that opens and closes the separate accommodation unit 124. It may also be provided in the form of storing food in the separate accommodating portion 124 itself.

The heat transfer member 50 is cooled or heated by the heat delivered from the cold air in which the cold air of the cold air duct 8 flows into the auxiliary cold air duct 25 or the heater 60 installed below the heat transfer member 50, and is cooled. Or cold or hot air of the heated heat transfer member 50 is configured to cool or heat the separating accommodating portion 24 into which the storage portion 21 is slid inserted through radiation. In this case, since the radiating heat transfer opening 26 is formed in the separation accommodating part 24, indirect cooling or indirect heating of the heat transfer member 50, that is, cooling and heating through radiation is efficiently performed.

The separating casing 23 forms an auxiliary cold air duct 25 provided to transfer the cold air of the cold air duct 8 to the heat transfer member 50, and surrounds the separating accommodating portion 24 to be insulated from the refrigerating chamber 9. . The separate casing 23 includes an outer casing 30 forming the exterior of the auxiliary storage chamber 20, and a heat insulating member 40 to insulate the auxiliary storage chamber 20 from the refrigerating chamber 9. The separate casing 23 includes an input unit 33 for inputting a set temperature value. The separation casing 23 is spaced apart from the heat transfer member 50 described above to form an auxiliary cold air duct 25 through which cold air from the cold air duct 8 flows into and flows through.

The heat insulating member 40 is provided to insulate the cooling heat conducted to the heat transfer member 50. The heat insulating member 40 has a cold air inlet (not shown) formed to guide the cold air to the auxiliary cold air duct 25 to be described later, and a cold air outlet (not shown) so that the warmed air flows out through the auxiliary cold air duct 25. Is formed. Insulating member 40 is an example of the present invention, each one of the cold air inlet and the cold air outlet is formed, the number may be formed in plurality corresponding to each of the cold air inlet and the cold air outlet.

The auxiliary cold air duct 25 is formed such that cold air distributed from the cold air duct 8 is transferred to the heat transfer member 50 through the cold air inlet of the heat insulating member 40. The auxiliary cold air duct 25 is formed between the heat transfer member 50 and the separation casing 23. The auxiliary cold air duct 25 is formed to cool and heat conduct the heat transfer member 50 while the cold air flows.

The heater 60 increases the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 by heating. As an example of the present invention, the heater 60 is installed between the heat transfer member 50 and the separation casing 23. However, the position of the heater 60 may vary depending on the structure of the heat insulating member 40 and the heat transfer member 50. Heater 60 is an example of the present invention, but is provided in the shape of a plate, it may be provided in various shapes such as a coil.

The auxiliary storage room 20 is provided with an input unit 33 for inputting a temperature to be set by the consumer. As an example of the present invention, the input unit 33 is installed in the separation casing 23, but may be installed in one region of the door 16. The input unit 33 transmits the set temperature value input by the consumer to the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 transmits and stores it to the memory 27 as necessary. The controller 10 sets an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature, which will be described later, within a predetermined range from the set temperature input by the consumer, and the damper 28 is turned on / off based on the respective temperatures. (60) On / off and the like are controlled.

Hereinafter, an operation control method according to the first embodiment of controlling the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 in the refrigerator 1 having the auxiliary storage chamber 20 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The controller 10 sets the upper limit temperature, the upper limit temperature, the lower limit temperature, and the lower limit temperature based on the set temperature input by the consumer. Here, the upper limit temperature is a temperature at which the heater 60 is turned off when the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is heated by operating the heater 60 in the forced heating mode. The upper limit temperature is a temperature at which the auxiliary storage chamber 20 rises by the natural heating mode when the heater 60 is turned off, and at the upper limit temperature, the cold air duct 8 cools the auxiliary storage chamber 20 in a forced cooling mode. Open the damper 28 on the side. In addition, the lower limit temperature is a temperature at which the heater 60 is turned on in the natural cooling mode in which the auxiliary storage chamber 20 does not reach the upper limit temperature in the natural heating mode and is naturally cooled. 28) is the temperature to close. The lower limit temperature is a temperature which is reached when the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is naturally cooled after the damper 28 is closed in the forced cooling mode and continues to fall, and the heater 60 is turned on. Temperature.
On the other hand, the upper limit temperature is set higher than the upper limit temperature, and the lower limit temperature is set lower than the lower limit temperature. It is preferable that the upper limit temperature, the upper limit temperature, the lower limit temperature, and the lower limit temperature are set at a difference of 1 degree each. The reason for setting the upper limit temperature, the upper limit temperature, the lower limit temperature and the lower limit temperature is divided into a forced heating mode, a natural heating mode, a forced cooling mode, and a natural cooling mode to control the operation of the damper 28 and the heater 60. will be.

Here, the natural cooling mode is, for example, the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is higher than the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 9 so that the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is naturally lowered by the cold atmosphere (atmosphere) of the refrigerating compartment 9 Refers to the operation mode. In the forced cooling mode, for example, the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is lower than the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 9, so that natural cooling by the cold air atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber 9 is impossible, thereby forcibly supplying cold air through the evaporator 7 or the like. Refers to the operation mode.

Similarly, the natural heating mode refers to an operation mode in which the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is lower than the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber 9 so that the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 naturally rises by heat exchange with the refrigerating chamber 9. The forced heating mode is an operation mode in which the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is higher than the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 9, so that natural heating is impossible due to heat exchange with the refrigerating chamber 9, thereby forcibly turning on the heater 60 to supply heat. Say.

The controller 10 controls the operation of the heater 60 and the damper 28 on the basis of the temperature sensed by the auxiliary storage temperature sensor 22 in response to the above-described set temperature. A detailed control method will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The target temperature is input from the consumer (S10).

The controller 10 sets an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature on the basis of the set temperature (S20).

The controller 10 detects a current temperature of the auxiliary storage room 20 to detect whether the upper limit temperature is above or below the lower limit temperature (S30). It is determined whether the current temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 rises above the upper limit temperature (S40), and when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is higher than the upper limit temperature, the damper 28 of the cold air duct 8 is opened. The cold air is circulated in the auxiliary cold air duct 25 so that the inside of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is forcedly cooled through the heat transfer member 50 (S50).

It is determined whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is cooled to the lower limit temperature during the forced cooling step S50 (S60), and when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is cooled to the lower limit temperature, the damper 28 is closed (S70).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is cooled below the lower limit temperature (S80), and when the temperature is lowered below the lower limit temperature, the damper 28 is closed and the heater 60 is turned on (S110).

When the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is not cooled below the lower limit temperature in step S80 of determining whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is cooled below the lower limit temperature, the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is exchanged with the refrigerating compartment 9. It is determined that the natural heating, without forcibly supplying heat through the heater 60, and enters the step (S140) described later.

If it is determined that the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is less than the upper limit temperature in step S40 of determining whether the temperature is above the upper limit temperature, it is determined whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is cooled below the lower limit temperature (S100). When cooled below the lower limit temperature, the forced heating mode is closed to close the damper 28 and turn on the heater 60 (S110). When the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 rises by heating, it is determined whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 reaches the upper limit temperature (S120), and when the upper limit temperature is reached, the heater 60 is turned off (S130). ).

After the heater 60 is turned off, it is necessary to determine whether it is naturally cooled by the cold air atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber 9 and whether forced cooling is necessary. Therefore, it is determined whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 has risen above the upper limit temperature (S140), and if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 rises above the upper limit temperature, the forced cooling mode is entered (S50). Here, when it is determined that the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is less than the upper limit temperature in the step (S140) of determining whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 rises above the upper limit temperature, it is natural by the cold air atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber 9. It is determined that the case is cooled, and it is determined whether the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is cooled below the lower limit temperature in the natural cooling state (S150). When the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is cooled to below the lower limit temperature, the storage unit 20 enters the forced heating mode (S110).

According to the control as described above, the temperature change width of the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is much smaller than the conventional simple heating, simple cooling, not only can preserve the food in the auxiliary storage compartment 20 longer, but also unnecessary forced cooling and forced By eliminating the heating operation, power consumption can be prevented.

5A and 5B show a temperature change diagram of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows a temperature change diagram of a conventional auxiliary storage chamber 20. Here, the difference between the upper limit temperature and the upper limit temperature and the difference between the lower limit temperature and the lower limit temperature are set to 1 ° C, respectively.

As shown in the first control temperature state diagram of FIG. 5A, a section 'a' through 'b' is a process of forcibly cooling the damper 28 by opening the damper 28 when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is higher than the upper limit temperature in the initial state. 'B' to 'c' section is a process in which the secondary storage compartment 20 is naturally heated without additional heat supply by heat exchange with the refrigerating compartment 9 after closing the damper 28 in 'b', The section 'd' is a process of naturally cooling by the cold atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber (9). Natural heating or natural cooling of the secondary storage compartment 20 may include various reasons such as a change in the heat source inside the refrigerating compartment 9, introduction of an external heat source by opening the refrigerating compartment door, and supply of cold air from the cold air duct 8 to the refrigerating compartment 9. This may occur as the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 9 changes. 'd' in the 'e' section is a step of raising the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 by forcibly heating the heater 60 when the temperature reaches the lower limit during the natural cooling process, the 'f' section in the 'e' After the heater 60 is turned off in the 'e' step, the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is naturally cooled. As such, when the pattern of turning off the heater 60 at the upper limit temperature and turning on the heater 60 at the lower limit temperature is repeated, the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is controlled within the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature range. Temperature control of the secondary storage compartment 20 is possible within a smaller temperature range.

As shown in the second control temperature state diagram of FIG. 5B, the section 'g' through 'h' is a process of forcibly cooling the damper 28 by opening the damper 28 when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is higher than the upper limit temperature in the initial state. , 'h' to 'i' section is a process in which the secondary storage compartment 20 is cooled to the lower limit temperature by the cold air atmosphere after the auxiliary storage compartment 20 is not naturally heated after closing the damper 28 in the 'h' , 'j' section is the process of turning off the heater 60 when the heater reaches the upper limit temperature after turning on the heater 60 to enter the forced heating mode, 'j' section 'k' is the heater (60) After turning off), it is a process in which the temperature of the secondary storage compartment 20 is naturally cooled by the cold air atmosphere of the refrigerating compartment 9 without raising the temperature up to the upper limit temperature, and the section 'k' to 'l' reaches the lower limit temperature again. Forcibly heating by turning on 60 and turning off the heater 60 when the upper limit temperature is reached , 'l' to 'm' section is a process in which the temperature of the secondary storage compartment 20 is naturally heated up to the upper limit temperature without turning off the heater (60) after turning off the heater 60, the section 'n' Is the process of forced cooling by opening the damper 28 at 'm'.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the temperature change diagram of the conventional auxiliary storage chamber (not shown) shows the temperature change to cool by forced cooling after stopping the heating at the upper limit temperature by heating at the lower limit temperature. It can be seen that the temperature change range is considerably larger than the control of the present invention. In addition, since natural cooling and natural heating do not require a separate cold air supply or hot air supply by a separate heater, waste of power consumption due to forced cooling or forced heating can be prevented.

Hereinafter, the operation control method according to the second embodiment of controlling the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 in the refrigerator 1 having the auxiliary storage chamber 20 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

The operation control method according to the second embodiment determines whether the refrigerating chamber 9 is in a forced cooling state before entering the mode in which the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is forcedly heated by the heater 60 and accordingly operates the heater 60. Determining whether or not is different from the operation control method according to the first embodiment, and otherwise the same as the control method of the first embodiment, detailed description of the same control method as the operation control method according to the first embodiment will be omitted. .

If the initial temperature of the secondary storage compartment 20 is above the upper limit temperature (S40), the cooling in the forced cooling mode (S50), if the lower than the lower limit temperature in step (S80) step immediately without entering the forced heating mode step It enters (S160). In addition, when the initial temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is lower than the lower limit temperature (S100), the step of entering the step (S160) immediately without entering the forced heating mode to check whether the refrigeration chamber (9) is forced cooling. When the secondary storage compartment 20 reaches the lower limit temperature in the natural cooling mode, the step S150 does not immediately enter the forced heating mode even when forced heating occurs at step S150 to check whether the refrigeration chamber 9 is forcedly cooled. do.

That is, it is determined whether the compressor 11 is in operation (S160), and if the compressor 11 is not in operation, it enters the forced heating mode (S110) regardless of whether the refrigeration chamber blowing fan 12 is operated. When the compressor 11 is inactive, even if the blower fan 12 is operated for defrosting the heat exchanger, the air is not supplied to the refrigerating chamber 9, so the heater 60 of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is operated. Even if it does not reduce energy efficiency. On the other hand, when the compressor 11 is in operation, it is determined whether the refrigerating chamber blowing fan 12 operates (S170). Even when the refrigerating chamber blowing fan 12 does not operate, the heater 60 of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is operated to enter the forced heating mode (S110). When the compressor 11 is in operation and the refrigerator fan for the refrigerating chamber is in operation, the cool air is being supplied to the refrigerating chamber 9, so that the heater 60 of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 is not operated. When the cold air supply to the refrigerating chamber 9 is stopped, the heating unit enters the forced heating mode to heat the auxiliary storage chamber 20. According to such control, since the supply of cold air to the refrigerating chamber 9 and the heater 60 of the auxiliary storage chamber 20 do not operate at the same time, it is possible to prevent a decrease in energy efficiency.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention sets a suitable temperature corresponding to the food to be stored, and according to the set temperature, the control unit operates the heater to raise the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment or to the heat exchange with the refrigerating chamber. Natural heating is possible, and the cooling fan is stopped when the damper is closed in the process that requires cooling, and the natural cooling is performed by the difference between the refrigerating chamber temperature and the auxiliary storage room temperature, and the blower fan is operated when the temperature rises above the upper limit temperature. Forced cooling to supply cold air by opening the damper. Accordingly, when controlling individual temperatures of the refrigerating compartment and the auxiliary storage compartment, unnecessary cooling operation or heating operation can be minimized to reduce power consumption. In addition, since the heater of the auxiliary storage chamber is not operated during operation in which cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber, efficient energy use can be achieved.

Furthermore, according to the temperature control method according to the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator capable of keeping the food in a circular shape much longer by reducing the temperature change range.

Claims (26)

A refrigerator having a body having a refrigerating compartment, a cold air duct for guiding cold air to the refrigerating compartment, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the refrigerator, The main body forms an auxiliary storage chamber that can be maintained at a temperature separate from the refrigerating chamber, and the auxiliary storage chamber includes a damper for opening and closing a cold air supply from the cold air duct to the auxiliary storage chamber, and a heater for supplying heat to the auxiliary storage chamber. , The control unit sets an upper limit temperature and an upper limit temperature separately when a set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, and turns off the heater when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature in a mode of forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber. Refrigerator characterized in that the natural cooling by the cold atmosphere of the refrigerator compartment. The method of claim 1, The control unit sets the lower limit temperature and the lower limit temperature separately when the set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, and when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally cooled by the cold air atmosphere of the refrigerating chamber after turning off the heater, the lower limit temperature. Refrigerator, characterized in that to restart the heater. The method of claim 1, And after the heater is turned off, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is naturally heated to reach the upper limit temperature, the damper is opened to forcibly cool the auxiliary storage compartment. The method of claim 3, The control unit sets a lower limit temperature and a lower limit temperature separately when the set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, and the controller closes the damper when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature when the auxiliary storage chamber is forcedly cooled. Refrigerator characterized in that. The method of claim 4, wherein And after the damper is closed, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally heated to reach the upper limit temperature, the damper is opened to forcibly cool the auxiliary storage chamber. The method of claim 4, wherein And after the damper is closed, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is naturally cooled to reach the lower limit temperature, the refrigerator is operated by forcibly heating the heater. A refrigerator having a main body having a refrigerating compartment, a control unit for controlling the operation of a refrigerating duct and a cold air duct for guiding cold air to the refrigerating compartment, The main body forms an auxiliary storage chamber that can be maintained at a temperature separate from the refrigerating chamber, and the auxiliary storage chamber includes a damper for opening and closing a cold air supply from the cold air duct to the auxiliary storage chamber, and a heater for supplying heat to the auxiliary storage chamber. , The controller sets the lower limit temperature and the lower limit temperature separately when the set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, and the controller closes the damper when the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature when the auxiliary storage chamber is forcedly cooled. Refrigerator characterized in that. The method of claim 7, wherein And after the damper is closed, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is naturally cooled to reach the lower limit temperature, the refrigerator is operated by forcibly heating the heater. The method of claim 7, wherein The control unit separately sets the upper limit temperature for turning off the heater and the upper limit temperature for opening the damper when the set temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is input, And after the damper is closed, when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is naturally heated to reach the upper limit temperature, the damper is opened to forcibly cool the auxiliary storage chamber. The method of claim 1, And the upper limit temperature is set 1 ° C. higher than the upper limit temperature. The method of claim 2, And the lower limit temperature is set to 1 ° C. lower than the lower limit temperature. In the operation control method of the refrigerator comprising a main body having a refrigerating compartment, and an auxiliary storage compartment installed inside the refrigerating compartment and having a cold air supply means and a hot air supply means, Receiving a target set temperature of the auxiliary storage room; Setting, by the controller, an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature according to the set target temperature; Sensing a temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment; Forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supply means when the detected temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is lower than or equal to a lower limit temperature; And And stopping the heating when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature in the forced heating of the auxiliary storage chamber. The method of claim 12, And heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supply means when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature after the heating is stopped. The method of claim 12, And cooling the auxiliary storage compartment by the cold air supply means when the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature after stopping the heating. The method of claim 14, And stopping the forced cooling if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature in the step of forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber. The method of claim 15, And if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature after stopping the forced cooling, further comprising forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supplying means. The method of claim 15, And after the forced cooling is stopped, if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber by the cold air supply means. In the operation control method of the refrigerator comprising a main body having a refrigerating compartment, and an auxiliary storage compartment installed in the refrigerating compartment and having a cold air supply means and a hot air supply means, Receiving a target set temperature of the auxiliary storage room; Setting, by the controller, an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature according to the set target temperature; Sensing a temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment; Forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber by the cold air supply means when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber is equal to or higher than an upper limit temperature; And And stopping the forced cooling if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature in the step of forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber. The method of claim 18, And after the forced cooling is stopped, if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature, forcibly heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot air supply means. The method of claim 18, And after the forced cooling is stopped, if the temperature of the auxiliary storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, forcibly cooling the auxiliary storage chamber by the cold air supply means. The method of claim 12, Forcibly heating the secondary storage room: Checking whether the cold air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is lower than the lower limit temperature; And heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot supply means when the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating chamber. The method of claim 13, Forcibly heating the secondary storage room: Checking whether the cold air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is lower than the lower limit temperature; And heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot supply means when the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating chamber. The method of claim 16, Forcibly heating the secondary storage room: Checking whether the cold air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is lower than the lower limit temperature; And heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot supply means when the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating chamber. The method of claim 19, Forcibly heating the secondary storage room: Checking whether the cold air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is lower than the lower limit temperature; And heating the auxiliary storage chamber by the hot supply means when the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating chamber. In the operation control method of the refrigerator comprising a main body having a refrigerating compartment, and an auxiliary storage compartment installed inside the refrigerating compartment and having a cold air supply means and a hot air supply means, Receiving a target set temperature of the auxiliary storage room; Setting, by the controller, an upper limit temperature, an upper limit temperature, a lower limit temperature, and a lower limit temperature according to the set target temperature; Sensing a temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment; Checking whether the cold air is supplied to the refrigerating compartment when the sensed temperature of the auxiliary storage compartment is lower than the lower limit temperature; And forcibly heating the auxiliary storage compartment by the hot air supply means when the cold air is not supplied to the refrigerating compartment. The method of claim 25, Checking whether the cold air supply to the refrigerating chamber is: The operation control method of the refrigerator, characterized in that the operation of the compressor or check the operation of the cooling fan blower.

Images