KR101837842B1 - Refrigerator and defrosting mehtod thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator and a defrosting method thereof are disclosed. The disclosed invention includes: a defrosting step for defrosting an evaporator; And an emergency cooling step of performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber rises above the set defrost stopping temperature during the defrosting operation in the defrosting step, The defrosting operation in the defrosting stage, which was performed before the cooling operation, is resumed.

Description

REFRIGERATOR AND DEFROSTING MEHTOD THEREOF FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a defrosting method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a function of removing frost on the evaporator and a defrosting method thereof.

Generally, a refrigerator discharges cold air generated by a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and the like to lower the temperature inside the refrigerator to freeze or refrigerate food or the like.

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. So that the food inside the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.

As the cycle is repeatedly performed in such a refrigerator, a frost surrounds the evaporator.

Most of the refrigerators are equipped with a defrost heater to remove the frost casting through the defrosting operation at predetermined intervals.

However, the defrost heater provided for the defrosting operation consumes a considerable amount of energy to generate heat for removing the frost, which causes the energy consumption efficiency of the refrigerator to deteriorate.

Recently, there has been proposed a natural defrosting method in which defrosting operation is performed without a defrost heater in such a manner that air in the refrigerator compartment is circulated to the evaporator side.

Such a natural defrosting method has a merit of not consuming energy for generating heat like a defrost heater and consuming less energy but it takes a long time for defrosting and when food is put into the refrigerator room during defrosting, There is a possibility that the lightness of the entire stored food is lowered.

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can effectively defrost the evaporator without deteriorating the freshness of food stored in the refrigerating chamber, and a defrosting method thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a defrosting method that can effectively suppress an excessive temperature rise of a refrigerating compartment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and its defrosting method that can effectively control the defrosting operation according to an implantation amount.

A defrosting method of a refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a defrosting step of defrosting an evaporator; And an emergency cooling step of performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber is raised to a temperature exceeding the defrost stop setting temperature during the defrosting operation in the defrosting step, , The defrosting operation in the defrosting step performed before the cooling operation is performed is resumed.

The defrosting step may include: a first defrosting step of defrosting the evaporator during a first set time; A second defrosting step of defrosting the evaporator during a second set time; And an intermediate cooling step of performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber between the primary defrosting step and the secondary defrosting step.

The defrosting step may be performed by sequentially performing the primary defrosting step, the intermediate cooling step and the secondary defrosting step, and if the condition for stopping the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step is satisfied, It is preferable that the defrosting operation is resumed so that the defrosting step proceeds from any one of the secondary defrosting steps that is in progress before the emergency cooling step.

Further, in the defrosting step, the primary defrosting step, the intermediate cooling step and the secondary defrosting step are sequentially performed, and if the condition for stopping the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step is satisfied, It is preferable that the defrosting operation is resumed so that the defrosting step proceeds.

Further, the present invention may further include a concealing amount measuring step of measuring an impregnation amount of the evaporator, wherein the defrosting step sequentially performs the primary defrosting step, the intermediate cooling step and the secondary defrosting step, When the condition for stopping the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step is satisfied, the defrosting operation is restarted from the primary defrosting stage to the defrosting stage so that the defrosting operation is started when the evaporation amount of the evaporator exceeds the preset reference value, When the condition for stopping the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step is satisfied, if any of the primary defrosting step and the secondary defrosting step is in progress before the execution of the emergency cooling step, It is preferable to resume the defrosting operation so that the defrosting step proceeds.

Preferably, the emergency cooling step performs a cooling operation on the refrigerating compartment until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the defrosting resumption set temperature lower than the defrost stop set temperature.

Preferably, the emergency cooling step stops the cooling of the refrigerating compartment when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the defrosting resumption set temperature lower than the defrost stop set temperature.

Preferably, the defrost stop set temperature is a temperature in the range of 8 to 10 占 폚, and the defrost resume set temperature is a temperature in the range of 3 to 5 占 폚.

In the defrosting step, the defrosting operation is performed on the evaporator by circulating air in the refrigerating compartment to the evaporator by operating the fan while the operation of the compressor is stopped.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including: a main body having a refrigerating chamber formed therein; An evaporator provided to generate cold air to be supplied to the refrigerating chamber; A compressor for supplying compressed refrigerant to the evaporator to generate cold air in the evaporator; A fan operable to circulate the air in the refrigerating compartment to the evaporator or to supply cold air generated in the evaporator to the refrigerating compartment; And a control unit for controlling operations of the compressor and the fan so that the defrosting operation is performed on the evaporator, wherein the control unit controls the defrosting unit such that the defrosting operation is performed, The operation of the compressor and the fan is performed so that the defrosting operation of the evaporator, which is performed before the cooling operation is performed, is restarted.

Further, the present invention may further comprise a defrosting sensor for measuring a frosting amount of the evaporator, wherein the control unit determines when the defrosting operation for the evaporator is restarted according to the frosting amount of the evaporator measured by the defrosting sensor desirable.

When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the set defrosting temperature while the defrosting operation is being performed on the evaporator, the control unit continues the operation until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the defrosting- And the operation of the compressor and the fan is controlled so that the cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber is performed.

Further, the present invention may further include a refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit for measuring the temperature of the refrigerating compartment, wherein the controller determines whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is the defrost stop setting temperature or the defrosting temperature, based on the temperature measured by the refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit, It is preferable to determine whether or not it is the resumption set temperature.

According to the refrigerator and the defrosting method of the present invention, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above a proper level during the defrosting process, the defrosting operation in progress is stopped and a cooling operation is performed on the refrigerating compartment, The defrosting is restarted after lowering the temperature of the evaporator, so that the defrosting of the evaporator can be efficiently performed without reducing the freshness of the food stored in the refrigerating chamber.

Further, according to the present invention, when the defrosting operation is interrupted and the cooling operation is performed while the defrosting operation is being performed, the defrosting operation is performed again from the defrosting stage, Can be achieved.

According to the present invention, defrosting operation is resumed at different times according to the measured implantation amount. By performing defrosting, it is possible to prevent defective excessive defrosting and excessive temperature rise of the refrigerating chamber, It is possible to provide a very effective defrosting result.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a first example of a defrosting process according to a defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a second example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a third example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing another example of the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in Fig.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a first example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a second example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a view showing a third example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart showing an example of a defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a refrigerator and a defrosting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of explanation, the thicknesses of the lines and the sizes of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user, the operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view showing a first example of a defrosting process according to a defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a view showing a second example of a defrosting process according to a defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 2 And FIG. 5 is a view showing a third example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, an evaporator 10, a compressor 20, a fan 30, and a control unit 40.

The main body forms an external skeleton of the refrigerator, and a storage space for food storage is formed inside the main body.

The storage space can be separated by the partition, and can be divided into a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment according to the set temperature.

In this embodiment, a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamber is provided in an upper portion of a main body and a freezing chamber is provided in a lower portion is exemplified.

However, the present invention is not limited to this type of refrigerator. The present invention is not limited to this type of refrigerator, but may include a top mounting type in which a freezing chamber is disposed at an upper portion of the refrigerating chamber, a side by side type in which a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are partitioned into left and right sides, And the like can be included in the refrigerator.

The main body is provided with a door so that the front opening of the main body can be opened and closed. The door may be configured to open and close the front portion of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment door, respectively, and the refrigerator compartment door and the freezer compartment door may be variously constructed of a rotatable door rotatably connected to the main body, a drawer type door slidably connected to the main body .

On the rear side of the main body in which the storage space is formed, there are provided a compressor (20) for compressing the refrigerant at a high pressure and a high temperature, and a cool room for generating cool air. An evaporator (10) for evaporating the refrigerant generated in the compressor (20) and generating cold air is installed in the cold room.

The cool air generated by heat exchange with the evaporator 10 flows into the refrigerator compartment through the refrigerator compartment duct or is supplied to the freezer compartment through the freezer compartment duct.

The cold room and the evaporator installed therein may be provided to supply cold air to both the cold storage room and the freezing room or may be separately provided in each of the cold storage room and the freezing room to separately supply cool air to the respective storage spaces.

Hereinafter, a structure in which cool air generated in the cold room is supplied to the cold storage room will be described.

The cold room is provided with an evaporator 10 provided to generate cold air to be supplied to the refrigerating chamber. The compressor 20 supplies compressed refrigerant to the evaporator 10 so that cold air is generated in the evaporator 10.

In the evaporator 10, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 20 is evaporated and heat exchanged with the surrounding air. The air around the evaporator 10 is heat-exchanged as a cool air.

Between the cold room and the cold room, there is provided a cold room duct which forms a passage through which cool air generated in the cold room flows into the cold room.

A fan (30) and a damper can be installed in the refrigerating chamber duct.

The fan 30 generates an air circulation flow for discharging the cold air generated in the cold room to the refrigerator compartment and introducing the air in the refrigerator compartment to the cold room. The damper opens and closes the refrigerator compartment duct by the control operation of the control unit 40, which will be described later.

Therefore, when cool air is to be supplied to the refrigerating compartment, the controller 40 controls the fan 30 to operate by opening the damper while the compressor 20 is operating.

In addition, a refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit 50 for measuring the temperature of the refrigerating compartment may be provided in the refrigerating compartment.

The refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit 50 may include a temperature sensor installed in the refrigerating compartment to measure the temperature of the refrigerating compartment.

The information about the temperature of the refrigerating compartment measured by the refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit 50 is transmitted to the controller 40. The controller 40 calculates the temperature of the refrigerating compartment using the information about the temperature of the refrigerating compartment, The control operation can be performed so as to maintain the temperature designated by the value input by the user in the range of 0 to 5 占 폚.

The control unit 40 controls the fan 30 to operate by opening the damper in a state in which the operation of the compressor 20 is stopped, in order to generate an air flow which simply causes the air in the refrigerating chamber to flow into the cold room.

The evaporator 10, which is operated to generate cold air as described above, performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the air circulating in the storage space including the refrigerating chamber. In this process, condensed water is generated on the surface of the evaporator 10.

This is a phenomenon that occurs because the surface temperature of the evaporator 10 performing the heat exchange in the cold air generation process is lower than the air flowing in the refrigerating chamber.

Thus, the condensed water generated on the surface of the evaporator 10 is frozen on the surface of the evaporator 10, and the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 10 is lowered when the temperature is accumulated on the surface of the evaporator 10 .

Therefore, defrosting is required to remove the build up on the surface of the evaporator 10.

Hereinafter, a defrosting method of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

In order to perform the defrosting according to the defrosting method of the present embodiment, the defrosting operation is performed on the evaporator 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, S20 and the secondary defrosting step S30 are sequentially performed.

That is, according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator of the present embodiment, after the first defrosting step S10 for performing the defrosting operation for the evaporator 10 for the first set time, (S20) for performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating compartment between the primary defrosting step (S10) and the secondary defrosting step (S30) in the secondary defrosting step (S30) for performing the defrosting operation, .

In this embodiment, it is exemplified that the defrosting performed in the primary defrosting step S10 and the secondary defrosting step S30 is a natural defrosting method.

The control unit 40 stops the operation of the compressor 20 and controls the compressor 20 to operate the fan 30 in a state where the operation of the compressor 20 is stopped, And the fan 30, while controlling the operation of the damper such that the refrigerating chamber duct is opened.

This causes the air in the refrigerating compartment to flow into the evaporator 10 in the cold room so that air in the refrigerating compartment (hereinafter referred to as "refrigerating compartment inlet air" ) And the surface of the evaporator (10).

At this time, since the temperature of the refrigerating compartment inflow air is relatively higher than the temperature of the frozen portion on the surface of the evaporator 10, that is, the portion where the impregnation is performed, the refrigerating compartment inflow air is heated The defrosting operation for melting the surface of the evaporator 10 is performed.

In the present embodiment, it is exemplified that the first set time and the second set time are times in the range of about 60 to 90 minutes.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the defrosting of the natural defrosting mode is performed for about 60 to 90 minutes in the primary defrosting step S10, and then the refrigeration is cooled And then defrosting in the natural defrosting mode for about 60 to 90 minutes again in the secondary defrosting step S30.

As another example, at least one of the primary defrosting step (S10) and the secondary defrosting step (S30) may be performed by defrosting the evaporator (10) using a heater. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

Considering that the operation of the compressor 20 is stopped and the refrigerator is not cooled during the defrosting operation, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is raised. If the defrosting time becomes excessively long, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises to an appropriate level or higher So that the freshness of the food stored in the refrigerating chamber may be lowered.

On the contrary, if the defrost time is excessively shortened in order to prevent the excessive increase in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment, the defrost may not be sufficiently performed and the heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 10 may be lowered.

In consideration of this, the refrigerator defrosting method of the present embodiment includes an intermediate cooling step for performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber between a primary defrosting step (S10) and a secondary defrosting step (S30) in which defrosting for the evaporator (10) The defrosting operation of the evaporator 10 can be effectively performed by allowing the defrosting operation to be performed during a sufficient defrosting time so that the temperature of the refrigerating chamber can be effectively prevented from rising to an appropriate level or higher.

The first set time and the second set time do not include only the time in the range of about 60 to 90 minutes, and the defrosting operation of the evaporator 10 can be effectively performed considering the size of the refrigerating compartment, the performance of the compressor 20, It is needless to say that various other ranges of defrosting times that can maintain the temperature of the refrigerating compartment at an appropriate level range can be selected as the first set time and the second set time.

If the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the defrost stoppage setting temperature during the defrosting operation as described above, the emergency cooling step S40 is performed to perform the cooling operation for the refrigerating compartment.

In the emergency cooling step S40, the cooling operation for cooling the refrigerating compartment is performed as in the intermediate cooling step S20.

The cooling operation in the intermediate cooling step S20 and the emergency cooling step S40 resumes the operation of the compressor 20 so that the compressor 20 compresses the refrigerant and supplies it to the evaporator 10, The operation of the compressor 20 and the fan 30 of the control unit 40 may be controlled such that the compressor 20 and the fan 30 are turned on together. It goes without saying that the operation of the damper is controlled by the control unit 40 so that the refrigerating chamber duct is opened.

The progress of the emergency cooling step S40 is performed when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the defrost stop setting temperature during the defrosting operation in the primary defrosting step S10 or the secondary defrosting step S30 do.

For example, when the food is introduced into the refrigerating compartment during the first defrosting step (S10) or the second defrosting step (S30), the temperature of the refrigerating compartment And the higher the temperature of the foodstuff, the higher the temperature of the refrigerating chamber.

However, since the refrigerator is not cooled during defrosting even when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment may be increased to an appropriate level or higher when the defrosting operation is continued for a long time after the food is introduced. Which causes the freshness of the food stored in the refrigerating chamber to be lowered.

In order to solve such a problem, in this embodiment, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises to the defrost stoppage setting temperature or more due to food input during the defrosting operation in the primary defrosting step (S10) or the secondary defrosting step (S30) , The defrosting operation is stopped and cooling of the refrigerating compartment is performed, thereby preventing the temperature of the refrigerating compartment from rising to an appropriate level or higher even during the defrosting operation.

In this embodiment, it is exemplified that the defrost stop setting temperature is a temperature in the range of 8 to 10 占 폚.

If the proper temperature of the refrigerating compartment is about 4 to 5 占 폚 and the temperature of the actual refrigerating compartment rises to a level higher by 4 to 5 占 폚 than this, the freshness of the food stored in the refrigerating compartment is likely to decrease The defrost stop setting temperature can be set to a temperature in the range of 8 to 10 ° C in consideration of this.

If the defrost stop setting temperature is too low to make a difference from the set temperature of the refrigerating compartment, normal natural defrosting can not be properly performed. In this embodiment, the temperature is set to 8 to 10 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > C, < / RTI >

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the defrost stop setting temperature may be suitably selected as a suitable temperature range that can appropriately harmonize the refrigeration performance and defrost performance of the refrigerator in consideration of the capacity of the refrigerator compartment, the performance of the compressor 20, .

The cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 as described above can be performed until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the defrosting resumption set temperature which is lower than the defrost stop set temperature.

Further, in the emergency cooling step S40, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises to the defrosting-oriented setting temperature or more, the refrigerating compartment is cooled and the cooling of the refrigerating compartment is stopped when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the defrosting- Lt; / RTI >

In this embodiment, the defrost resume set temperature is defined as a reference temperature for suspending the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 and resuming the defrost operation, and the defrost resume set temperature is a temperature in the range of 3 to 5 占 폚 .

When the proper temperature of the refrigerating compartment is about 4 to 5 占 폚, it is preferable that the refrigeration for the refrigerating compartment in the emergency cooling step (S40) is performed to lower the temperature of the refrigerating compartment to an appropriate temperature.

If the refrigerating chamber is cooled too much until the temperature of the refrigerating chamber becomes too low, the temperature of the evaporator 10 where the defrosting has been performed and the temperature around the defrosting unit 10 may be excessively lowered, .

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the defrosting resumption setting temperature is set to be lower than the predetermined defrosting temperature so that the refrigerating compartment is cooled to a level that returns the temperature of the refrigerating compartment, which has been raised to an appropriate level or higher in the defrosting process, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 5 C. ≪ / RTI >

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the defrost resume set temperature may be suitably selected to a temperature within a suitable range capable of properly balancing the refrigeration performance and the defrost performance of the refrigerator in consideration of the capacity of the refrigerator, .

The start and end of the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 as described above can be performed by the control operation of the control unit 40 using the information about the temperature in the refrigerating chamber measured through the refrigerating chamber temperature measuring unit 50 .

That is, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment measured through the refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit 50 is a temperature within a range corresponding to the defrost stop setting temperature, the controller 40 controls the compressor 20 and the fan 30 so that the compressor 20 and the fan 30 are turned ON together. The operation of the refrigerator 20 and the fan 30 is controlled to cool the refrigerating compartment so that the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 is started.

When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment measured through the refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit 50 is a temperature within a range corresponding to the defrosting resumption set temperature, the controller 40 controls the operation of the compressor 20 such that the compressor 20 is turned off So that the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 is stopped.

If the condition for stopping the cooling operation is satisfied after the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 is performed, that is, if the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the defrosting restarting temperature, in the emergency cooling step S40 The defrosting operation in the defrosting steps (S10, S20, S30) performed before the cooling operation is performed is resumed (S50, S60).

The defrosting operation can be resumed by controlling the operation of the compressor 20 and the refrigerating chamber of the control unit 40 such that the fan 30 is turned ON while the compressor 20 is OFF.

In the present embodiment, the restart of the defrosting operation is performed when the condition for stopping the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 is satisfied, that is, when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber reaches the defrosting resumption set temperature and the cooling in the emergency cooling step S40 When the operation is stopped, the defrosting operation is resumed so that defrosting proceeds from any one of the primary defrosting step S10 and the secondary defrosting step S30, which is in progress before the emergency cooling step S40.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, during the defrosting operation in the primary defrosting step S10, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the defrost- The defrosting operation is resumed from the primary defrosting step S10 again (S50) after the temperature of the refrigerating chamber reaches the defrosting restarting temperature and the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 is stopped.

Then, after the defrosting operation is resumed from the primary defrosting step S10, defrosting operation for the evaporator 10 is performed again in such a manner that the mid-cooling step S20 and the secondary defrosting step S30 are progressed sequentially (S60).

At the time of the initial defrosting step S10 to be resumed at this time, the time at which the defrosting operation has already been performed before the emergency cooling step S40 is performed is subtracted from the first set time set at the total advancing time of the first defrosting step S10 The defrosting time may be set so that the defrosting operation is performed only during the first predetermined time period regardless of how much the defrosting operation is performed before the emergency cooling step S40 is performed. It is exemplified that the defrost time is set so as to be executed.

This is because, when the defrosting operation is continuously performed during the same time, and when the defrosting operation is performed discontinuously due to the cooling operation interposed, the defrosting of the evaporator 10 is less in the latter case than in the former case The results of this study are as follows.

That is, in the defrosting method of the refrigerator of the present embodiment, when the cooling operation by the emergency cooling step S40 is performed during the first defrosting step S10, and the first defrosting step S10 is restarted, The entire defrosting step S10 is started again from the beginning so that the defrosting operation is performed over the entire first set time period so that sufficient defrosting operation time necessary for defrosting can be ensured so that defrosting with respect to the evaporator 10 can be effected effectively .

As another example, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, during the defrosting operation in the secondary defrosting step S30 via the primary defrosting step S10 and the intermediate cooling step S20, After the cooling operation in the emergency cooling step S40 is stopped, the defrosting operation is resumed from the secondary defrosting step S30 once the step S40 is executed.

That is, if the emergency cooling step S40 is performed during the defrosting operation in the secondary defrosting step S30, the defrosting operation is not resumed from the primary defrosting step S10 and only the secondary defrosting step S30 is resumed The defrosting steps S10, S20, and S30 are resumed.

When the second defrosting process is being performed in the state where the first defrosting process is completed in the defrosting process divided into two as in the present embodiment, the first defrosting process, that is, the first defrosting process S10 The defrosting operation of the evaporator 10 is performed to some extent.

Accordingly, if the defrosting process is interrupted while the second defrosting process is resumed, if the defrosting operation is resumed from the first defrosting step S10, unnecessary excess defrosting can be performed. As the defrosting time increases excessively There is a possibility that the temperature of the refrigerating chamber may rise to an appropriate level or higher.

In view of this, in the present embodiment, when the defrosting operation is stopped in the primary defrosting step S10, the defrosting operation is performed again from the primary defrosting step S10, and the defrosting is stopped in the secondary defrosting step S30 The defrosting steps S10, S20, and S30 are resumed in such a manner that the defrosting operation is performed again from the secondary defrosting step S30. Thus, efficient defrosting can be achieved while suppressing unnecessary excess defrosting and excessive temperature rise of the refrigerating chamber .

According to the refrigerator and the defrosting method of the present invention as described above, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above a proper level during the defrosting process, the defrosting operation in progress is stopped and the refrigerating compartment is cooled, The defrosting operation is restarted after the temperature of the evaporator 10 is lowered to an appropriate level. Thus, defrosting of the evaporator 10 can be efficiently performed without reducing the freshness of the food stored in the refrigerating chamber.

Further, in the refrigerator and the defrosting method of the present embodiment, when the defrosting operation is stopped and the cooling operation is performed while the defrosting operation is being performed, the defrosting operation is carried out again from the defrosting stage, So that an effective defrosting can be achieved while suppressing the rise.

On the other hand, the refrigerator having the above-described structure and the control method thereof are merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and there can be various alternative embodiments to replace them.

 FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing another example of the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a first example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a view showing a second example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a third example of the defrosting process according to the defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG. . FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a defrosting method of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 6 to 11. Fig.

Here, the same reference numerals as those shown in the drawings denote the same members having the same function, and a duplicate description will be omitted here.

In this embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, while the defrosting progresses sequentially in the order of the primary defrosting step S10, the intermediate cooling step S20 and the secondary defrosting step S30 The defrosting operation is stopped when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above a proper level and the defrosting is resumed after the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to an appropriate level by performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating compartment, .

However, in the present embodiment, unlike in the above-described embodiment, when the defrosting operation is interrupted and the cooling operation is performed while the defrosting operation is being performed, the defrosting operation is not performed again from the defrosting stage that was stopped, , S20, and S30) are repeated again.

That is, not only when the defrosting operation is stopped and then restarted in the primary defrosting step S10 (see FIG. 8) but also when the defrosting operation is interrupted and restarted in the secondary defrosting step S30 (see FIG. 9) , The defrosting operation is started again from the first defrosting step S10 (S50).

If the defrosting operation is resumed in this manner, the defrosting time may increase and the temperature of the refrigerating chamber may rise. However, defrosting may be performed for a sufficient period of time to ensure a reliable defrosting effect. The defrosting time of each defrosting stage is appropriately adjusted in consideration of the degree of increase in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment relative to the degree of the defrosting, so that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment can be prevented from being excessively increased.

Particularly, when a very thick film is formed on the surface of the evaporator 10 repeatedly after implantation and defrosting for a long period of time, or when a deflection phase in which a thick film is formed in only a part of the defective film 10 occurs in some portion It is possible to expect a highly effective defrosting result.

10 and 11, the refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a defrost sensor 60 for measuring an implantation amount of the evaporator 10.

In this way, in the refrigerator including the defrosting sensor 60, the control unit 40 judges whether the defrosting operation to the evaporator 10 is resumed according to the frosting amount of the evaporator 10 measured by the defrosting sensor 60 do.

Hereinafter, a defrosting method of the refrigerator having the above-described structure will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the defrosting progresses in the order of the primary defrosting step S10, the intermediate cooling step S20 and the secondary defrosting step S30 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

At this time, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is measured by the refrigerating compartment temperature measuring part 50 in the refrigerating compartment, and the impregnation amount of the evaporator 10 is measured by the defrosting sensor 60 in the cold compartment.

For example, the defrost sensor 60 may include a temperature sensor installed on the surface of the evaporator 10 to measure the temperature of the surface of the evaporator 10, The evaporation amount of the evaporator 10 can be indirectly measured based on the information about the temperature transmitted from the evaporator 10 (60).

For example, when the temperature measured by the defrosting sensor 60 is low, the amount of fusing of the evaporator 10 is small, and the temperature measured by the defrosting sensor 60 is high, It is possible to determine the implantation amount of the evaporator 10 by many.

As another example, the defrost sensor 60 may include a differential pressure sensor for measuring the pressure difference around the evaporator 10, and the control unit 40 may control the defrosting of the evaporator 10 based on the information about the pressure transmitted from the defrost sensor 60 The irrigation amount of the evaporator 10 can be indirectly measured.

For example, when the pressure difference measured by the defrost sensor 60 is small, the amount of fusing of the evaporator 10 is small, and the pressure difference measured by the defrosting sensor 60 is large, It is possible to determine the conception amount of the evaporator 10.

In addition, the defrost sensor 60 may be formed in a form including a light sensor or a vision system capable of measuring the thickness of the foam, and various kinds of sensors may be applied to the defrost sensor 60.

According to the present embodiment, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the defrost stop setting temperature, an emergency cooling step S40 for performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating compartment is performed. In the emergency cooling step S40, cooling for cooling the refrigerating compartment The process of measuring the amount of impregnation of the evaporator 10 is performed before and after the emergency cooling step S40 (S70).

The conceptional amount measurement can be made by indirectly calculating the concealment amount of the evaporator 10 based on the information related to the temperature, pressure, etc., measured by the defrost sensor 60 and transmitted to the control unit 40 .

Then, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the conception amount measured as described above is greater than or equal to the reference value.

As a result of normally proceeding the defrosting steps S10, S20, and S30 in which the primary defrosting step S10, the intermediate cooling step S20, and the secondary defrosting step S30 are sequentially performed, The maximum value of the implantation amount at which defrosting results can be obtained, or a value close thereto.

The defrosting steps S10, S20, and S30, in which the primary defrosting step S10, the intermediate cooling step S20, and the secondary defrosting step S30 are sequentially performed when the measured implantation amount exceeds the preset reference value, ), It is highly likely that the implantation is performed with a thickness that prevents defrosting as much as the purpose, or it is in a state of flossing.

Thus, the control unit 40 determines that the congestion amount measured in this way exceeds the predetermined reference value as the over-congestion state or the flocking state, and when the measured congestion amount is equal to or less than the predetermined reference value, .

When the measured implantation amount is equal to or less than the preset reference value, that is, when it is judged that the state is not conceptional or fusiform with the discrimination result of the control unit 40, the resumption of the defrost operation is performed as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, The defrosting operation is resumed so that defrosting proceeds from any one of the defrosting step S10 and the secondary defrosting step S30, which is in progress before the emergency cooling step S40.

It is highly possible to obtain the desired defrosting result even if the initial defrosting step (S10) and the secondary defrosting step (S30) proceed only once, when the implantation amount measurement result and the implantation or non-implantation are not performed.

Therefore, in this case, the defrosting operation is resumed so that defrosting proceeds from any one of the first defrosting step S10 and the second defrosting step S30, which is in progress before the emergency cooling step S40, So that the defrosting can be efficiently performed.

On the other hand, when the measured conception amount exceeds the predetermined reference value, that is, when it is judged that the conceptional state or the conjunctive state with the discrimination result of the control unit 40, the resumption of the defrost operation is as shown in Figs. 6 to 9, The defrosting operation is resumed so that defrosting proceeds from any one of the primary defrosting step S10 and the secondary defrosting step S30, which is in progress before the emergency cooling step S40.

It is difficult to obtain a sufficient defrosting result as much as desired only if the primary defrosting step S10 and the secondary defrosting step S30 are performed only once in the case of the implantation or deposition Especially when the emergency cooling step S40 is performed during the defrosting process.

Therefore, in this case, the defrosting operation is resumed in such a manner that the defrosting steps S10, S20, and S30 are repeated all over again without performing the defrosting operation again from the defrosting step that has been interrupted, Even if you can expect very effective defrost results.

According to the refrigerator and the defrosting method of the present invention as described above, the defrosting operation is restarted differently according to the measured frosting amount, and the defrosting is performed, thereby suppressing unnecessary excessive defrosting and excessive temperature rise of the refrigerating chamber It is possible to provide a highly effective defrosting result even in the case where over-implantation or flaking is generated while efficient defrosting is performed.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. I will understand. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the following claims.

10: Evaporator
20: Compressor
30: Fans
40:
50: Refrigerator room temperature measuring unit
60: defrost sensor

Claims (13)

A defrosting step for defrosting the evaporator;
An emergency cooling step of performing a cooling operation on the refrigerating compartment when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the defrost stoppage setting temperature during the defrosting operation in the defrosting step; And
And a cone-shaped amount measurement step of measuring the cone-shaped amount of the evaporator,
Wherein, in the defrosting step,
A first defrosting step of defrosting the evaporator during a first set time;
A second defrosting step of defrosting the evaporator during a second set time; And
And an intermediate cooling step of performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber between the primary defrosting step and the secondary defrosting step,
Wherein the defrosting step sequentially performs the primary defrosting step, the intermediate cooling step and the secondary defrosting step,
When the condition for terminating the progress of the emergency cooling step is satisfied, the defrosting operation is resumed so that the defrosting phase starts from the primary defrosting stage to the defrosting stage again when the measured frosting amount of the evaporator exceeds a predetermined reference value,
Wherein when the condition for terminating the progress of the emergency cooling step is satisfied, if the measured amount of the evaporator is equal to or less than a preset reference value, if the emergency cooling step is performed during the execution of the first stage defrosting step, The defrosting operation is resumed so that the defrosting operation is resumed from the second defrosting stage to the second defrosting stage, and when the emergency cooling stage is performed during the second defrosting stage, Of defrosting.
delete delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the emergency cooling step performs a cooling operation on the refrigerating compartment until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to a defrosting resumption set temperature lower than the defrost stop set temperature.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the emergency cooling step stops cooling of the refrigerating compartment when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the defrosting resumption set temperature lower than the defrost stop set temperature.
8. The method of claim 7,
The defrost stop set temperature is a temperature in the range of 8 to 10 DEG C,
Wherein the defrosting resumption setting temperature is a temperature in a range of 3 to 5 占 폚.
The method according to any one of claims 1, 6, 7, and 8,
Wherein the defrosting operation is performed by operating the fan while the operation of the compressor is stopped to circulate air in the refrigerating compartment toward the evaporator, thereby performing the defrosting operation on the evaporator.
A main body having a refrigerating chamber formed therein;
An evaporator provided to generate cold air to be supplied to the refrigerating chamber;
A compressor for supplying compressed refrigerant to the evaporator to generate cold air in the evaporator;
A fan operable to circulate the air in the refrigerating compartment to the evaporator or to supply cold air generated in the evaporator to the refrigerating compartment;
A defrost sensor for measuring an impregnation amount of the evaporator; And
And a controller for controlling the operation of the compressor and the fan such that a defrosting step in which the defrosting operation is performed is performed,
Wherein when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the set defrosting temperature during the defrosting step, the controller causes the emergency cooling step to perform the cooling operation for the refrigerating compartment instead of the defrosting step, And controlling the operation of the compressor and the fan so that the defrosting operation for the evaporator, which was performed before the emergency cooling step, is resumed,
Wherein, in the defrosting step,
A first defrosting step of defrosting the evaporator during a first set time;
A second defrosting step of defrosting the evaporator during a second set time; And
And an intermediate cooling step of performing a cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber between the primary defrosting step and the secondary defrosting step,
Wherein the control unit controls operations of the compressor and the fan such that the primary defrosting step, the intermediate cooling step, and the secondary defrosting step are sequentially performed in the defrosting step,
Wherein the control unit causes the defrosting step to be restarted from the primary defrost phase to the defrosting phase when the condition for terminating the progress of the emergency cooling phase is satisfied, The defrosting operation is resumed,
Wherein when the condition for terminating the progress of the emergency cooling step is satisfied and the amount of fogging of the evaporator measured by the defrosting sensor is less than a preset reference value, The defrosting operation is restarted from the primary defrosting stage to the defrosting stage again, and if the emergency cooling stage is performed during the secondary defrosting stage, the defrosting stage is restarted from the secondary defrost stage to the The refrigerator resumes defrosting operation to proceed.
delete 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the control unit controls the evaporator so that the defrosting operation is performed until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises above the defrost stop set point while the defrosting operation is being performed, And controls operation of the compressor and the fan such that a cooling operation for the refrigerating chamber is performed.
13. The method of claim 12,
And a refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit for measuring a temperature of the refrigerating compartment,
Wherein the control unit determines whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is the defrost stop set temperature or the defrost resume set temperature based on the temperature measured by the refrigerating compartment temperature measuring unit.

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