KR101649633B1 - Apparatus for controlling refrigerator and method the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator control device and a control method are disclosed. The present invention provides a refrigerator having a refrigerator, a refrigerator, a refrigerator, a refrigerator, and a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator, a refrigerator, And it is possible to perform the power saving operation mode corresponding to the peak time zone, thereby inducing a reasonable use of energy. In addition, the present invention receives the type of the external power source and the corresponding GHG index from the external device, calculates a predicted electricity rate and a greenhouse gas emission amount based on the received electricity amount, and performs power saving.

Refrigerator, power saving, peak, defrost

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator control apparatus and a control method that enable a power saving operation of a refrigerator using power information received from an external apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART Generally, a refrigerator is a device used to store freshly stored foods such as foods, drinks, etc. for a long period of time. The refrigerator is stored by being frozen or refrigerated according to the type of the storage object to be stored.

The refrigerator is operated by driving a compressor provided therein. The cold air supplied to the inside of the refrigerator is generated by the heat exchange action of the refrigerant and is continuously supplied to the inside of the refrigerator while repeatedly performing a cycle of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation. It can be uniformly transferred to the inside of the refrigerator and the food inside the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand among refrigerator users for a refrigerator having a large utilization efficiency of the storage space so as to be able to store not only a demand for a conventional cooling efficiency but also a variety of stored contents changed according to the improvement of living standards. , There is an increasing demand for the addition of various functions that improve user convenience.

Since the refrigerator consumes electric energy, the electric power consumption and electric charges are sensitive to the user. In recent years, as the energy consumption has increased, more energy resources and energy development have become necessary. However, as the above-mentioned energy is developed, a large amount of greenhouse gas is emitted, and environmental problems such as global warming are emerging. Alternative energy sources such as wind power, solar power, solar power, intelligence, tidal power, and hydroelectric power are being developed in addition to nuclear power and fuel cells to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. In addition, the next generation power grid, Smart Grid, is introduced, which aims to optimize energy efficiency by exchanging real-time information in both directions between power suppliers and consumers by applying IT technology to existing power grids.

The refrigerator control apparatus and the control method according to the related art have a problem in that the utilization efficiency of the refrigerator is reduced because the refrigerator is not provided with information on power saving and energy saving during the operation of the refrigerator,

In addition, the refrigerator control apparatus and the control method according to the prior art do not take into consideration the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from an energy source that generates energy, thereby failing to cope with environmental problems such as global warming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator control device and a control method for providing power information when a refrigerator is used.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator control device and a control method that can perform rational and efficient refrigerator operation, particularly defrosting operation, by providing electricity rate time zone information periodically or at each time point of time change.

In addition, the present invention provides users or the like with power consumption according to the operation of the refrigerator, estimated greenhouse gas emission amount according to the energy source, or electric fee, Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator control device and a control method capable of considering the power saving.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator control apparatus including an input unit receiving an operation mode of a refrigerator, a communication unit connected to an external device through a wired / wireless communication method to receive power information, And a control unit for operating the refrigerator based on the information. Here, the power information includes a general time zone and an electricity billing time zone information including a peak time zone in which an electricity bill higher than the normal time zone is imposed, and the operation mode is a general operation mode or a power saving operation mode.

A refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention includes a power unit connected to an external power source to supply power into a refrigerator, a detection unit detecting a plurality of states inside and outside the refrigerator, And a driving unit for driving the compressor, the evaporator, and the defrost heater in accordance with the control signal of the control unit. Here, the detection unit includes at least one internal temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature in at least one storage space provided in the refrigerator, and an extreme temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature outside the refrigerator.

In the refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit controls the defrosting operation time of the defrost heater in accordance with the operation mode. Here, the defrosting operation time is divided into a first defrosting operation time and a second defrosting operation time, which are minimum defrosting times required for the refrigerator operation.

In the refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention, the power information may further include a type of the external power source and a corresponding greenhouse gas index, and the control unit may calculate the expected electricity rate and the greenhouse gas emission amount based on the power information can do. At this time, the output unit may display at least one of the type of the external power source, the greenhouse gas index, the estimated electricity rate, and the greenhouse gas emission amount.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator control method comprising: receiving power information including an electricity time zone information including a general time zone and a peak time zone in which an electricity bill is charged higher than the normal time zone from an external device; , And operating the refrigerator in the normal operation mode or the power saving operation mode based on the received power information. The refrigerator control method may further include receiving one of the normal operation mode and the power saving operation mode.

In the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator performs the defrosting operation according to the normal operation mode or the power saving operation mode. At this time, the defrosting operation time of the defrosting operation is divided into a first defrosting operation time and a second defrosting operation time, which are minimum defrosting times required for refrigerator operation, and the defrosting operation is performed during defrosting operation And a second defrosting operation in which the defrosting operation is performed during the second defrosting operation time.

In the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator may include: performing a first defrosting operation when the start time of the defrosting operation is within the peak time zone; And performing a second defrosting operation when the peak time period is completed.

In the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator may include a first defrosting operation and a second defrosting operation when the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone.

In the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator may include the steps of: performing a first defrosting operation when the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone; Determining whether the peak time zone is started during a second defrost operation, and stopping the second defrost operation when the peak time period starts. The step of operating the refrigerator may further include performing a defrosting operation during a remaining time of the second defrosting operation time when the peak time period ends.

In the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator may include: starting a first defrosting operation if the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone; Determining whether the peak time zone is started; and stopping the driving of the defrost heater after performing the defrosting operation for the remaining time of the first defrosting operation time when the peak time period starts. The operation of the refrigerator may include the steps of starting the second defrosting operation when the first defrosting operation is terminated without starting the peak time period and during the second defrosting operation, And stopping the second defrosting operation when the peak time period starts as a result of the determination. The operation of the refrigerator may further include performing a defrost operation during a remaining time of the second defrost operation time when the peak time period ends.

The refrigerator control device and the control method according to the present invention provide power information during the operation of the refrigerator, particularly during the phase of the refrigerator operation, so that the operation efficiency can be reasonably improved and the power saving can be performed.

Also, the refrigerator control device and the control method according to the present invention are advantageous in that power can be saved by providing electric power information including electric time zone information related to electric use through wired / wireless communication means.

In addition, the refrigerator control apparatus and the control method according to the present invention provide a user with a power consumption according to the operation of the refrigerator, a predicted emission amount of the greenhouse gas according to the input power, , Or to consider saving power in relation to electricity rates.

According to the present invention, the power demand can be dispersed and the peak power can be reduced, contributing to the construction of the smart grid and the total energy savings.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator control device and a control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A refrigerator having a refrigerator control device according to the present invention includes a main body having a storage space therein, a refrigerator having one or more doors, a storage room for storing refrigerated food, and a door, And a freezing chamber for freezing and storing. Further, the refrigerator may include a home bar provided in the refrigerator door according to the type of refrigerator, which can easily take out or store the stored product, and a dispenser provided on the front of the door of the freezer compartment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit 600 receiving an operation mode of a refrigerator, a communication unit 200 connected to an external device through a wired / And a control unit (300) for operating the refrigerator based on the operation mode and the power information.

At this time, the power information includes electric time zone information about a general time zone and a peak time zone. The peak time zone is a time zone in which an electricity bill higher than the normal time zone is imposed. The power supplier sets a peak time zone based on data such as statistical data or in real-time, when the total power consumption increases and the remaining power that can be supplied to each household is reduced below a predetermined value. Thus, the power supplier generally imposes a high electricity bill at the peak time to control the use of power. The general time zone is a time zone other than the peak time zone. The information on the peak time period may be stored in advance in one or more of the above-mentioned external apparatuses, that is, a power-related apparatus installed in a home such as a home server, a smart meter, or the like, or an external power system. In addition, the power supplier may provide information on the peak time zone in real time.

The communication unit 200 is connected to the external device through a wired / wireless communication method to receive the power information. The wired / wireless communication method is a communication method capable of transmitting / receiving data, such as power line communication, wireless LAN, Internet, Zigbee, Both methods are possible. In addition, the communication unit 200 can transmit information such as a power demand of a refrigerator, an electricity rate, and a greenhouse gas emission amount to the outside through the wired / wireless communication system.

A user or the like can set an operation mode through the input unit 600 and sets one of a normal operation mode and a power saving operation mode. The control unit 300 operates the refrigerator in the normal operation mode when the received power information is in a normal time zone and operates the refrigerator according to the set operation mode when the received power information is in a peak time zone. That is, when the user or the like sets the refrigerator to the normal operation mode, the refrigerator control unit operates the refrigerator in the normal operation mode even if the power information called the peak time zone is received. On the other hand, if the user or the like sets the refrigerator to the power saving operation mode, and the power information called the peak time period is received, the refrigerator control device operates the refrigerator in the power saving operation mode. The operation mode can be set to be automatically converted according to an arbitrary condition when necessary.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention includes a power unit 100 connected to an external power source to supply power into a refrigerator, a detection unit 500 for detecting a plurality of states inside and outside the refrigerator, An output unit (700) for displaying information on at least one of an operation mode input through the input unit, the received power information, and the detected plurality of states; and a compressor (410) The evaporator 420, and the defrost heater 430, as shown in FIG.

The power unit 100 receives the external power, that is, commercial AC power, and outputs a DC voltage for driving a circuit, a unit, and the like that constitute the refrigerator and the refrigerator control apparatus. Generally, the power unit 100 uses a switched-mode power supply (SMPS). Of course, other types of power conversion devices besides SMPS can be used. The switch mode power supply rectifies and smoothes an AC voltage of an external power supply to convert the DC voltage into a DC voltage and generates drive voltages necessary for the refrigerator and the refrigerator control apparatus by using a DC voltage and a transformer unit such as a regulator.

The detection unit 500 may include at least one internal temperature detection unit (not shown) for detecting the temperature in the at least one storage space provided in the refrigerator. The internal temperature detecting unit includes a refrigerating compartment temperature detecting unit for detecting the temperature in the refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment temperature detecting unit for detecting the temperature in the freezing compartment. Further, when there are a plurality of refrigerating compartments or freezing compartments, a plurality of in-compartment temperature detecting units can be provided, respectively, and a plurality of in-compartment temperature detecting units can be provided in the respective refrigerating compartments or freezing compartments. The detection unit 500 may further include an external temperature detection unit (not shown) for detecting a temperature outside the refrigerator, that is, a room temperature.

The output unit 700 includes an operation mode input through the input unit 600, received power information received through the communication unit 200, and a plurality of states detected through the detection unit 500 Lt; / RTI > information. When a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) is used as the output unit 700, the output unit 700 performs color conversion of the display device or "PEAK TIME" It is possible to provide the electricity billing time zone information and display a message such as "during power saving mode running" to provide the operation mode.

The driving unit 400 receives control signals from the control unit 300 and drives loads necessary for the refrigerator operation. For example, the drive unit 400 drives the compressor 410 to supply cool air to the interior of the refrigerator, which is generated by the heat exchange action of the refrigerant, and repeatedly performs the compression-condensation-expansion- And is continuously supplied to the inside of the refrigerator. The refrigerant thus supplied is uniformly transferred to the inside of the refrigerator by the convection so that the food inside the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature. Further, the driving unit 400 drives the evaporator 420 so that the low-pressure and low-temperature liquid refrigerant absorbs the surrounding heat to become the low-pressure, high-temperature gas refrigerant, and the absorbed heat is vaporized.

In the refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit 300 outputs a control signal to the drive unit 400 to control the defrosting operation time of the defrost heater 430 according to the operation mode. Here, the defrosting operation time is divided into a first defrosting operation time and a second defrosting operation time, which are minimum defrosting times required for the refrigerator operation.

The operation of defrosting operation during the power saving operation of the refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.

As shown in Fig. 2 (a), when the time to start the defrosting operation and the total defrosting operation time are included in the peak time zone, the control device, as shown in Fig. 2 (b) The defrosting operation is performed only during the minimum critical defrosting time during the operation time, and then, when the peak time period ends, that is, when the normal time period is entered, the defrosting operation is performed during the remaining defrosting operation time. In other words, the control device divides the total defrosting operation time by the first defrosting operation time and the second defrosting operation time, performs the defrosting operation during the first defrosting operation time within the peak time period, The defrosting operation is performed during the second defrosting operation time within a normal time period after the driving of the defrost heater 430 is stopped. Here, the first defrosting operation time is a minimum defrosting deflation time, which is the minimum defrosting time within a range that does not affect the operation of the refrigerator or the reliability of the refrigerator itself. The first defrosting operation time may be set to a certain rate of the total defrosting operation time, for example, 20%.

As shown in Fig. 3 (a), when the defrosting operation start time is within the normal time zone but the entire defrosting operation time spans the normal time zone and the peak time zone, As described above, when the defrosting operation which can be performed within the normal time zone is performed, the driving of the defrost heater is stopped during the peak time period, and the peak time period is ended and the normal time zone starts again, . That is, the control device divides the total defrosting operation time by the first defrosting operation time and the second defrosting operation time, and if the defrosting operation can be performed within the normal time period during the first defrosting operation time, The defrosting operation is performed for a time that can be performed in the normal time zone during the second defrost operation time. Then, the control device performs the defrosting operation for the defrosting operation time which is not performed when the peak time period ends and the normal time period starts again.

As shown in Fig. 4 (a), when the defrosting operation start time is within the normal time zone but the first defrosting operation time spans the normal time zone and the peak time zone, As shown in the figure, after the defrosting operation is performed during the first defrosting operation time, the driving of the defrost heater is stopped. Then, when the peak time period ends and the normal time zone starts again, the control device performs the defrosting operation for the second defrost operation time.

In the refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention, the power information further includes a type of the external power source and a corresponding GHG index. At this time, the control unit 300 can calculate the expected electricity bill and the greenhouse gas emission amount based on the power information. The output unit 700 further displays at least one of the type of the external power source, the greenhouse gas index, the expected electricity rate, and the greenhouse gas emission amount. Also, the control unit 300 may calculate the estimated greenhouse gas emission amount of the energy source supplied to the refrigerator based on the calculated estimated power consumption. For example, the estimated carbon dioxide emission amount can be calculated by multiplying the carbon dioxide index according to the energy source by the calculated estimated power consumption. As the energy sources, alternative energy sources such as fossil fuels such as oil and gas, sunlight, solar heat, wind power, tidal power, hydroelectric power, and intelligent power, nuclear power, and fuel cells can be used. An index, for example a carbon dioxide index, can be set through experiments and the like.

5, a method of controlling a refrigerator according to the present invention includes receiving electric power information including electric time zone information including a general time zone and a peak time zone in which a higher electric rate is charged than an ordinary time zone, from an external device (S200), and operating the refrigerator in the normal operation mode or the power saving operation mode based on the received power information (S500 to S700). In addition, the refrigerator control method may further include a step (S300) of receiving one of the normal operation mode and the power saving operation mode.

At this time, the power information includes electric time zone information about a general time zone and a peak time zone. The peak time zone is a time zone in which an electricity bill higher than the normal time zone is imposed. The power supplier sets a peak time zone based on data such as statistical data or in real-time, when the total power consumption increases and the remaining power that can be supplied to each household is reduced below a predetermined value. Thus, the power supplier generally imposes a high electricity bill at the peak time to control the use of power. The general time zone is a time zone other than the peak time zone. The information on the peak time period may be stored in advance in one or more of the above-mentioned external apparatuses, that is, a power-related apparatus installed in a home such as a home server, a smart meter, or the like, or an external power system. In addition, the power supplier may provide information on the peak time zone in real time.

The control method is connected to the external device through a wired / wireless communication method to receive the power information. The wired / wireless communication method includes both a power line communication, a wireless LAN, an Internet, a Zigbee, a serial communication, It is possible. In addition, the control method may transmit information such as a power demand of a refrigerator, an electricity rate, and a greenhouse gas emission amount to the outside through the wired / wireless communication system.

The user can set the operation mode, which sets one of the normal operation mode and the power saving operation mode. The control method operates the refrigerator in the normal operation mode when the received power information is in a normal time zone and operates the refrigerator according to the set operation mode when the received power information is in a peak time zone. That is, when the user or the like sets the refrigerator to the normal operation mode, the refrigerator control unit operates the refrigerator in the normal operation mode even if the power information called the peak time zone is received. On the other hand, if the user or the like sets the refrigerator to the power saving operation mode, and the power information called the peak time period is received, the refrigerator control device operates the refrigerator in the power saving operation mode. The operation mode can be set to be automatically converted according to an arbitrary condition when necessary.

In addition, the refrigerator control method may further include a step (S400) of calculating a predicted power consumption according to an operation mode and a predicted electricity rate based on the power information based on the power information. For example, when the defrosting operation is performed, the defrosting operation mode is set to the normal operation mode and the defrosting operation is performed in the normal time zone, the peak time zone, the normal time zone and the peak time zone, The estimated power consumption can be calculated for the case of performing the defrosting operation while avoiding the time zone, and the estimated electricity charge can be calculated accordingly.

6 to 8, in the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator performs a defrosting operation according to the normal operation mode or the power saving operation mode. At this time, the defrosting operation time of the defrosting operation is divided into a first defrosting operation time and a second defrosting operation time which are the minimum defrosting time necessary for cold storage operation, And a second defrosting operation in which the defrosting operation is performed during the second defrosting operation time.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator may include a step (S611) of performing a first defrosting operation if the start time of the defrosting operation is within the peak time period, (S612, S613) of stopping the driving of the defrost heater until the end of the peak time period, and performing a second defrosting operation (S614) when the peak time period ends. The step of operating the refrigerator may further include a step (S615) of performing a first defrosting operation and a second defrosting operation if the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone.

The refrigerator control method shown in Fig. 6 will be described with reference to Fig.

As shown in Fig. 2 (a), when the time to start the defrosting operation and the total defrosting operation time are included in the peak time zone, the control method is such that, as shown in Fig. 2 (b) The defrosting operation is performed only during the minimum critical defrosting time during the operation time, and the defrosting operation is performed during the remaining defrosting operation time when the peak time period ends, that is, when the normal time period is entered. That is, the control method divides the total defrosting operation time by the first defrosting operation time and the second defrosting operation time, performs the defrosting operation during the first defrosting operation time within the peak time period (S611) (S612, S613), the defrosting operation is performed during the second defrosting operation time within the normal time period (S614). Here, the first defrosting operation time is a minimum defrosting deflation time, which is the minimum defrosting time within a range that does not affect the operation of the refrigerator or the reliability of the refrigerator itself. The first defrosting operation time may be set to a certain rate of the total defrosting operation time, for example, 20%.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator includes the steps of performing a first defrosting operation (S621) if the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone, (S622) of starting the execution of the second defrosting operation (S622); determining whether the peak time period is started during the second defrost operation (S624); and if it is determined that the peak time period is started And stopping the second defrosting operation (S625). Further, the step of operating the refrigerator may further include a step (S627) of performing a defrosting operation for the remaining time of the second defrosting operation time when the peak time period ends (S626).

Referring to Fig. 3, the refrigerator control method shown in Fig. 7 will be described.

As shown in Fig. 3 (a), when the defrosting operation start time is within the normal time zone but the entire defrosting operation time spans the normal time zone and the peak time zone, As described above, when the defrosting operation which can be performed within the normal time zone is performed, the driving of the defrost heater is stopped during the peak time period, and the peak time period is ended and the normal time zone starts again, . That is, the control method divides the total defrosting operation time by the first defrosting operation time and the second defrosting operation time, and if the defrosting operation can be performed within the normal time period during the first defrosting operation time, S621), defrosting operation is performed for a time period that can be performed in the normal time zone during the second defrost operation time (S622). Then, the control method stops the driving of the defrost heater to stop the second defrosting operation (S625) when the peak time period starts during the second defrosting operation (S624) The defrosting operation is performed when the peak time period ends (S626) and the normal time zone starts again (S627). In the refrigerator control method, if the defrost operation start time is within the peak time zone, defrosting operation is performed during the first defrosting operation time within the peak time period (S611), and driving of the defrost heater is performed until the end of the peak time period (S612, S613), and the defrosting operation is performed during the second defrosting operation time within the normal time zone (S614).

Referring to FIG. 8, in the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the step of operating the refrigerator may include a step (S631) of starting a first defrosting operation if the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone, (S640); determining whether the peak time period is started during the first defrosting operation (S639); performing a defrosting operation for the remaining time of the first defrosting operation time when the peak time period starts (S640) And stopping the driving of the defrost heater (S612). The operation of the refrigerator may include a step (S633) of starting execution of a second defrosting operation when the peak time period does not start and the first defrosting operation is terminated, (S635) of determining whether the peak time period is started; and stopping the second defrosting operation when the peak time period starts as a result of the determination (S636). In addition, the step of operating the refrigerator may further include performing defrost operation during the remaining time of the second defrosting operation time (S638) when the peak time period ends.

The refrigerator control method shown in Fig. 8 will be described with reference to Fig.

As shown in Fig. 4 (a), when the defrosting operation start time is within the normal time zone but the first defrosting operation time spans the normal time zone and the peak time zone, As shown in the figure, after the defrosting operation is performed during the first defrosting operation time, the driving of the defrost heater is stopped. Then, when the peak time period ends and the normal time zone starts again, the control device performs the defrosting operation for the second defrost operation time. If the defrosting operation start time is within the normal time zone, the first defrosting operation is started (S631). If the defrosting operation start time is within the normal time zone, the first defrosting operation is started (S631) , The driving of the defrost heater is stopped (S612). The refrigerator control method starts the execution of the second defrosting operation (S633) if it does not enter the peak time zone until the end of the first defrosting operation, and judges whether or not it enters the peak time period during the execution of the second defrosting operation (S635). When the peak time period starts during the execution of the second defrosting operation, the refrigerator control method stops driving the defrost heater to stop performing the second defrosting operation (S636). When the peak time period ends, 2 Defrosting operation is performed during the defrosting operation time (S638).

In the refrigerator control method according to the present invention, the power information may further include a type of the external power source and a corresponding GHG index. The control method may further include a step (not shown) of calculating an expected electricity rate and a greenhouse gas emission amount based on the electric power information, wherein the type of the external electric power source, the greenhouse gas index, (Not shown) for outputting at least one of the greenhouse gas emission amount. Further, the control method may calculate the estimated greenhouse gas emission amount of the energy source supplied to the refrigerator based on the calculated estimated power consumption. For example, the estimated carbon dioxide emission amount can be calculated by multiplying the carbon dioxide index according to the energy source by the calculated estimated power consumption. As the energy sources, alternative energy sources such as fossil fuels such as oil and gas, sunlight, solar heat, wind power, tidal power, hydroelectric power, and intelligent power, nuclear power, and fuel cells can be used. An index, for example a carbon dioxide index, can be set through experiments and the like.

As described above, the refrigerator control apparatus and the control method according to the present invention apply power to a refrigerator, start a refrigerator by driving a compressor, receive information on an electricity bill time zone from an external device through an internal communication unit, Output unit to provide a reasonable selection for power saving, and it is possible to perform a power saving operation mode in response to a peak time period, thereby inducing a reasonable use of energy. Also, the refrigerator control device and the control method according to the present invention receive the type of external power source and the corresponding GHG index from the external device, and calculate a predicted electricity rate and a greenhouse gas emission amount based on the external power source, thereby performing power saving . In other words, the refrigerator control apparatus and the control method according to the present invention can voluntarily induce energy saving by enabling real-time checking of the electric power usage state and electric use of the refrigerator, can reduce the peak power nationwide, Generation power network of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerator control apparatus according to the present invention;

2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining an operation of performing a defrost operation in a power saving operation mode in a refrigerator control apparatus and a control method according to the present invention;

5 is a flow chart schematically illustrating a refrigerator control method according to the present invention;

6 to 8 are flowcharts schematically illustrating embodiments of the power saving mode operation in the refrigerator control method according to the present invention.

Claims (25)

An input unit for receiving an operation mode of the refrigerator; A communication unit connected to an external device via a wired / wireless communication scheme to receive power information; And And a control unit for operating the refrigerator based on the operation mode and the power information, Wherein the control unit controls the defrosting operation time of the defrost heater in accordance with the operation mode, Wherein the power information includes an electricity time zone information including a general time zone and a peak time zone in which an electricity bill higher than the normal time zone is imposed, The defrosting operation time is formed by a sum of a first defrosting operation time, which is a minimum defrosting time required for the refrigerator operation, and a second defrosting operation time, which is an additional defrosting time, The control unit Comparing the information related to the defrost operation time with the electricity price time zone information to determine whether the defrost start time is included in the normal time zone, Wherein when the defrost start time is included in the normal time zone, the defrost heater is driven until the defrost start time reaches the peak time period or the first defrost operation time elapses, and after the peak time period ends, The defrost heater is driven by the operation time When the defrost start time is included in the peak time zone, drives the defrost heater by the first defrost operation time from the defrost start time and drives the defrost heater by the second defrost operation time after the peak time period ends And the refrigerator control device. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the refrigerator is a normal operation mode or a power saving operation mode. The method of claim 3, A power unit connected to an external power source to supply power into the refrigerator; A detection unit for detecting a plurality of states inside and outside the refrigerator; An output unit for displaying at least one of an operation mode inputted through the input unit, the received power information, and the detected plurality of states; And And a driving unit for driving the compressor, the evaporator, and the defrost heater according to a control signal of the control unit. The apparatus according to claim 4, At least one internal temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature in at least one storage space provided in the refrigerator; And And an extreme temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature outside the refrigerator. delete delete 5. The method of claim 4, Further comprising a type of the external power source and a corresponding GHG index. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, And calculates a predicted electricity rate and a greenhouse gas emission amount based on the power information. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, Wherein the control unit further displays information on at least one of the type of the external power source, the greenhouse gas index, the estimated electricity rate, and the greenhouse gas emission amount. The apparatus according to claim 1, A home server, a smart meter, and an external power system. The method of claim 1, wherein the wired / Wherein the control unit is one of a power line communication, a wireless LAN, an Internet, a Zigbee, and a serial communication. Receiving an operation mode of one of a normal operation mode and a power saving operation mode; Receiving power information including an electricity time zone information configured from a general time zone and a peak time zone in which an electricity bill higher than the normal time zone is imposed from an external device; And And operating the refrigerator to perform the defrosting operation according to the normal operation mode or the power saving operation mode based on the received power information, Wherein the defrosting operation time of the defrosting operation is formed by a sum of a first defrosting operation time which is a minimum defrosting time required for refrigerator operation and a second defrosting operation time which is an additional defrosting time, Wherein the defrosting operation is divided into a first defrosting operation for defrosting operation during the first defrosting operation time and a second defrosting operation for defrosting operation during the second defrosting operation time, The step of operating the refrigerator includes: Determining whether a defrost start time is included in a normal time zone by comparing information related to the defrost operation time with the electricity price time zone information; Wherein when the defrost start time is included in the normal time zone, the defrost heater is driven until it enters the peak time zone from the defrost start time or the first defrost operation time elapses, and after the peak time period ends, A process of driving the defrost heater by a time period and When the defrost start time is included in the peak time zone, drives the defrost heater by the first defrost operation time from the defrost start time and drives the defrost heater by the second defrost operation time after the peak time period ends The refrigerator control method comprising the steps of: delete delete delete 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of operating the refrigerator comprises: Performing a first defrost operation if the start time of the defrost operation is within the peak time zone; Stopping the driving of the defrost heater until the end of the peak time period; And And performing a second defrosting operation when the peak time period ends. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of operating the refrigerator comprises: And performing the first defrosting operation and the second defrosting operation when the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of operating the refrigerator comprises: Performing the first defrost operation if the start time of the defrost operation is within the normal time zone; Starting the execution of the second defrost operation; Determining whether the peak time period is started during the second defrost operation; And And stopping the second defrosting operation when the peak time period starts as a result of the determination. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein operating the refrigerator comprises: And performing a defrosting operation for a remaining time of the second defrosting operation time when the peak time period ends. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of operating the refrigerator comprises: Starting the first defrosting operation if the start time of the defrosting operation is within the normal time zone; Determining whether the peak time zone is started during the first defrost operation; And And stopping the driving of the defrost heater after performing the defrosting operation for the remaining time of the first defrosting operation time when the peak time period starts. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein operating the refrigerator comprises: Starting the execution of the second defrosting operation when the first defrosting operation ends without the peak time period beginning; Determining whether the peak time period is started during the second defrost operation; And And stopping the second defrosting operation when the peak time period starts as a result of the determination. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein operating the refrigerator comprises: And performing a defrosting operation for a remaining time of the second defrosting operation time when the peak time period ends. 14. The method of claim 13, Further comprising a type of an external power source supplying electric power to the refrigerator and a corresponding greenhouse gas index. 25. The method of claim 24, And calculating an estimated greenhouse gas emission amount of the external power source.

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