KR101878092B1 - Refrigerator comprising water-cultivating-space - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, wherein a refrigerating chamber door part has a door in door (DID) shape to be designed as two spaces, which are a first door part to open/close a storage chamber for storing big food materials with a low use frequency and a second door part to open/close a storage chamber for storing food materials with a high use frequency, such that unnecessary power consumption is reduced by differently supplying electric energy. Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator includes a hydroponic chamber installed in a space separated from the storage chamber. In this case, a light source unit of the hydroponic chamber is operated with only knock-on to enable a user to frequently observe plants cultivated in the hydroponic chamber through the second door unit.

Description

REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING WATER-CULTIVATING-SPACE [0002]

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a hydroponic culture chamber, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a door part in a DID (door in door) form, wherein a hydroponic cultivation room is provided on a shelf of a front door, and an ornamental hydroponic cultivation room capable of observing the inside of the hydroponic cultivation room when the light source unit operates.

The refrigerator is a household appliance that allows food to be stored at low temperature in an internal storage room that is opened and closed by a door. To this end, the refrigerator uses the cool air generated through heat exchange with the circulating refrigerant according to the refrigeration cycle to cool the inside of the storage compartment, thereby storing the stored food in an optimal state.

Generally, a refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door provided on the main body to open and close the storage chamber, and a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and an expansion device provided in the main body.

Recently, a plant growing apparatus or a plant growing apparatus which functions as a so-called " plant plant " capable of growing vegetables and fruits inside the house has become popular. By applying such a plant cultivation apparatus or a plant growing apparatus to a refrigerator, It is being discussed to provide convenience for users.

Inside the storage room, there can be a drawer-shaped special room for storing vegetables or fruit, which keeps the storage temperature and humidity different from other parts of the storage room so that vegetables and fruits are kept fresh .

According to the prior art, a hydroponic culture room for cultivating plants in the storage room is provided, or a hydroponic culture room is provided in the special room by utilizing temperature and humidity of the special room.

However, in case of hydroponic cultivation room installed in the refrigerator, the load capacity of the refrigerator may be reduced and the nutrient for hydroponic cultivation may leak, which may contaminate the food in the special room or the storage room.

In addition, under the low temperature conditions inside the special room or inside the storage room, the kinds of crops that can be cultivated are very limited, and the growth speed is also slow, which makes crops difficult to harvest.

In addition, according to the above-described prior art, the interior space of the hydroponic cultivation chamber can be observed only by opening the door of the hydroponic cultivation chamber.

However, when the door is opened and closed from time to time for observation inside the hydroponic cultivation room, power consumption may increase. In addition, the plants cultivated in the hydroponic cultivation room can be a factor that can invigorate the kitchen space which can be deconstructed. If the hydroponic cultivation room is placed in the storage space of the refrigerator, it can not be seen normally, I can not enjoy the interior effect.

The present invention provides a refrigerator having a hydroponic cultivation room that can increase a loading capacity of a refrigerator and prevent cold air inside the storage compartment from flowing into a hydroponic culture room by providing a hydroponic culture room in a separate housing space from a storage room of a refrigerator cabinet .

Further, since the door of the refrigerator compartment has a DID (door in door) shape, the door unit has a first door portion for opening and closing a storage room of a cabinet for storing the food material having a low frequency of use and a large volume, A second door portion for opening and closing a storage space of the door portion 1 is designed to reduce unnecessary power consumption by reducing the outflow of cold air while a hydroponic culture room is provided in a second door portion which is separated from the storage room, And it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which can minimize the influence of cold air on the temperature of the internal space of the hydroponic culture chamber.

In addition, in order to observe the inside of the hydroponic cultivation room, the light source part of the hydroponic cultivation chamber is operated with only knock-on, and the hydroponic cultivation room for viewing the cultivated plants in the hydroponic cultivation room is provided through the transparent second door part The aim is to provide a refrigerator.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned can be understood by the following description and more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

As described above, conventionally, a hydroponic cultivation room for cultivating plants in the storage room or the special room is provided. As a result, the hydroponic cultivation room takes up the internal space of the refrigerator, reducing the load capacity, and there is a risk of leakage of the nutrient solution for hydroponic cultivation, which may contaminate the stored food.

According to the present invention, in order to solve such a problem, a hydroponic cultivation room provided in a separate housing space from the storage room is installed in the embodiment of the refrigerator. As a result, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be kept clean while improving the loading capacity of the refrigerator.

In the present invention, a first door portion for opening and closing a storage room for storing a food material having a low frequency of use of a refrigerator compartment and a bulky food container, and a DID (door in door) refrigerator door designed for two spaces, By having a portion, the power supply of the two doors is different, and unnecessary power consumption is reduced.

In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator having an ornamental water cultivation room in which a light source part of a hydroponic cultivation room is operated only by knocking on and the inside of the hydroponic cultivation room can be observed through a transparent second door part.

The refrigerator including the hydroponic culture chamber according to the present invention having the above-described structure can view the plants at any time without opening the door part to observe the plants being cultivated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including: a main body having a storage chamber;

A first door portion provided on a front surface of the main body to open and close the storage chamber, a door disposed in front of the first door portion and having a housing space therein, and a second door portion having a window member on a front surface thereof, ; A hinge portion provided at one upper end and lower end of the door portion and connecting the door portion and the main body; A reflecting surface provided on an inner surface of the front glass of the second door portion; And a hydroponic cultivation room provided inside the housing, the hydroponic cultivation room being provided so that plants can be hydroponically cultivated; A water supply unit for supplying water to the hydroponic culture chamber; A temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the hydroponic culture chamber for plant growth by using condensation heat generated in a machine room provided in the main body; And a light source unit for irradiating light having a predetermined wavelength to the hydroponic cultivation chamber.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including: a main body having a storage chamber; A first door portion provided on a front surface of the main body to open and close the storage chamber, a door disposed in front of the first door portion and having a housing space therein, and a second door portion having a window member on a front surface thereof, ; A hinge portion provided at one upper end and lower end of the door portion and connecting the door portion and the main body; A reflecting surface provided on an inner surface of the front glass of the second door portion; And a hydroponic cultivation room provided inside the housing, the hydroponic cultivation room being provided so that plants can be hydroponically cultivated; A water supply unit for supplying water to the hydroponic culture chamber; A temperature control unit; And a light source unit for irradiating light having a predetermined wavelength to the hydroponic culture chamber, wherein the temperature control unit controls the temperature of the hydroponic culture room for plant growth by controlling the amount of water flowing through the water supply pipe constituting the water supply unit, .

According to the present invention, the refrigerator compartment door has a DID (door in door) shape, so that the first door part opens and closes the storage compartment for storing the food material having a low frequency of use and a large volume, The advantage is that it can be designed with two spaces and reduce power consumption by reducing power consumption.

According to the present invention, in the embodiment of the refrigerator, the hydroponic cultivation room is installed in a separate space from the storage room. At this time, the light source of the hydroponic cultivation room is operated only by knocking on, There is an advantage that they can be viewed from time to time.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a hydroponic cultivation chamber according to the present invention;
2 is a side view of a refrigerator showing temperature control in a hydroponic culture room using condensation heat in a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a view showing a state in which the second door portion of the door portion of Fig. 1 is opened. Fig.
4 is a view showing a water supply pipe and a guide portion of a water supply portion penetrating a bracket constituting a hinge portion and a hinge shaft;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a hydroponic cultivation room further including a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
6 shows a process for controlling the growth conditions of a selected plant from the display of Fig. 5; Fig.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the control of the plant growth condition of Fig. 6; Fig.
8 is a flow chart for controlling the plant temperature condition of Fig. 6; Fig.
9 is a flow chart for controlling the operation of the light source section according to the integrated value of roughness;
10 is a flow chart for controlling the operation of the light source section in accordance with the user's knock on.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar elements.

[Refrigerator equipped with hydroponic cultivation room which can control the temperature by utilizing the condensation heat generated in the machine room]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a hydroponic culture chamber according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a refrigerator showing temperature control in a hydroponic culture room using condensation heat in a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a hydroponic cultivation room, which further includes a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state where the display of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for controlling the plant growth conditions of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a flow chart for controlling the plant temperature condition of FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is a flow chart for controlling the operation of the light source section according to the integrated value of the illuminance, and Fig. 10 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of the light source section in accordance with the user's knock on A view showing the tree.

1 to 3, a door unit 110 is provided in front of a main body 100 of a refrigerator as an embodiment of the present invention. The cabinet space inside the main body 100 is a space for storing food by supplying cool air, and the cabinet space of the main body 100 is opened to the front. The opened front portion of the main body 100 is opened and closed by the door portion 110. [ According to the present invention, the door part 110 includes a first door part 111 which opens and closes the space of the main body 100, and a second door part 111 which is openable and closable with respect to the first door part in front of the first door part 110. [ And a second door part 112 installed to the first door part 110 and capable of opening and closing a storage space provided in the first door part 110.

The body 100 may store relatively bulky and less frequently used foods. In the storage portion of the first door portion 111, foods having a relatively high volume, such as water and beverage, are stored.

The housing 121 of the second door portion 112 is provided with a hydroponic culture chamber. It is preferable that the hydroponic culture chamber maintains a temperature near room temperature rather than the storage space of the refrigerator. Therefore, the door 110 including the second door portion 112 provided with the hydroponic culture chamber is installed in front of the freezer compartment desirable.

In the hydroponic culture room 120 provided in the housing 121, heat generated in the machine room 160 is supplied through the duct 150.

The refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 is a bottom freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamber is disposed at an upper portion of a freezing chamber. However, the configuration and control method of the present invention described below can be applied to all refrigerators having a door arrangement structure different from that of the bottom freeze type. For example, the configuration and control method of the present invention may be applied to a top mount type in which a freezing chamber is disposed at an upper portion and a refrigerating chamber is disposed at a lower portion, or a side-by-side type in which a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are disposed in left- It can also be applied to refrigerators.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the main body 100 is provided with a first door portion 111 for opening / closing a storage room and a second door portion 112 provided at a front of the first door portion and having a housing space , And a hydroponic culture room is provided in the housing space of the second door part.

In this case, the housing is preferably an insulating housing member including a heat insulating layer in order to prevent the cold air flowing through the first door portion 111 from the storage chamber from lowering the temperature of the internal space of the hydroponic culture chamber. The heat insulating housing member may be made of a composite structure of a vacuum insulated panel and a foam insulating material. Generally, the thermal insulation effect can be secured even by the thin insulation thickness of the vacuum insulation panel rather than the foam insulation. However, since the vacuum insulation panel utilizes the ready-made panel, it is possible to use the foam insulation which can function together with the function of firmly supporting the housing as well as the heat insulation effect after the injection foaming, so that the thickness of the insulation layer is made thin, .

In addition, a window member is provided on the front surface of the second door portion 112. That is, the front part of the second door part 112 is a boundary between the inner space and the indoor space of the hydroponic cultivation room, and the inner space of the hydroponic cultivation room is visually exposed to the outside. Particularly, if a hydroponic cultivation room is installed on a door that opens and closes the upper storage room of the refrigerator main body 100, the user can see the inner space of the hydroponic cultivation room at eye level, which is better for ornamental use.

At this time, a reflection surface capable of reflecting light is provided on the inner side surface of the window member. The reflection surface reflects part of the light incident on the surface and transmits part of the light. Therefore, even if the reflecting surface is provided, a part of the light in the indoor space (i.e., the kitchen space in which the refrigerator is installed) is transmitted into the hydroponic culture room. The reflection surface transmits light inside the hydroponic cultivation room to the outside of the hydroponic culture room. Due to such a reflection surface, when the inside of the hydroponic cultivation chamber is brighter than the outside due to the operation of the light source portion, the hydroponic culture chamber can be observed. On the other hand, when the operation of the light portion is interrupted, The window member of the second door portion 112 becomes an opaque mirror.

The refrigerator according to the present invention is provided with a hydroponic cultivation room 120 provided in an internal space of the housing defined by the housing 121 of the second door unit without being communicated with the storage room separately from the main body 100 having the storage room to which cool air is supplied, ).

The refrigerator according to the present invention having the above-described structure can improve refrigerator loading efficiency, which has been lowered by the hydroponic culture chamber provided in the conventional storage room, and can provide convenience to the user in crop harvesting.

Referring to FIG. 2, a lower portion of the main body 100 is provided with a compressor 160 for compressing and condensing the refrigerant, which is a process of generating heat in the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator, and a machine room 160 for operating the condenser. The compression process compresses the gaseous refrigerant mechanically and compresses the refrigerant at a high pressure so that the refrigerant at 1 atm is compressed to about 3 atmospheres, and the temperature of the refrigerant rises along with the refrigerant compression along the isentropic curve. In addition, the condensation process is a process in which the gas refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure is condensed, that is, liquefied and dissipated, and the heat generated in the above two processes of the refrigeration cycle includes the heat absorbed in the storage chamber and the work performed in the compression process. It is sufficient as a heat source for forming a necessary temperature. In this embodiment, by using the condensation heat generated in the machine room 160 provided in the main body 100, that is, the condensation heat generated by the condenser provided in the machine room 160, the temperature control unit controls the hydroponic cultivation room 120 ). ≪ / RTI > As an example, the temperature control unit may be provided in a form including the duct 150, the blowing fan 162, and the temperature sensing sensor.

The heat generated during operation of the refrigeration cycle in the machine room 160 provided in the lower portion of the main body is generated in the form of heated air flowing by the blowing fan 162 along the duct 150 disposed on the side portion of the main body 100 Flow. The duct 150 disposed on the side portion of the main body can be embedded in a space between the outer case and the inner case constituting the main body of the refrigerator (a space into which the foam insulating material is injected). The air having flowed through the duct can be supplied into the hydroponic culture room through the discharge port 151 and the vent hole 152.

The discharge port 151 of the duct is connected to a duct disposed at a side surface of the main body 100 and is opened forward from the front side of the main body 100. When the second door portion 112 is closed, The condensation heat flowing through the duct 150 when the discharge port 151 and the vent hole 152 are connected to each other is transferred to the inside of the hydroponic culture chamber 120 Can be supplied.

The temperature in the hydroponic culture room raised by the supplied heat can be detected intermittently or continuously by the temperature sensor. The temperature of the hydroponic cultivation room is controlled so as to maintain a temperature suitable for the growth conditions of the hydroponic plant.

The optimum temperature for growth of each plant is different, and the optimum growth temperature of each plant is controlled by a control unit that controls the internal temperature of the hydroponic culture room. The control section of the hydroponic cultivation room can be operated by a microcomputer, and the optimum growth temperature is stored in the microcomputer corresponding to each plant.

The user can select the kind of plants that are currently vegetated through a control panel such as a touch display provided in the storage room of the refrigerator or the hydroponic culture room or directly input the optimal growth temperature for plant growth. Then, the optimum growth temperature of the plant, that is, the target value of temperature control, is loaded in the microcomputer.

The microcomputer is provided with information on the output of the temperature sensor, that is, the measured temperature. When the temperature of the supplied hydroponic cultivation chamber is lower than the target value, the warmth of the machine room is continuously introduced into the hydroponic culture chamber . Conversely, when the temperature of the hydroponic culture chamber exceeds the target value, control is performed so that the warm air is supplied to the machine room.

The control of whether or not to supply warmth can be performed by the operation of the blowing fan 162. The control and operation of the duct will be described with reference to the structure of a duct to be described later. In addition, when the temperature of the internal space of the hydroponic culture chamber is higher than the target value, the temperature of the internal space of the hydroponic culture chamber is lowered by operating the damper 153 for communicating the cool air in the storage chamber, can do. The control and operation thereof will also be described later.

Referring to FIG. 2, the refrigeration cycle in the machine room includes a compressor 161 for compressing refrigerant, a condenser 163 for condensing the refrigerant, and a blower fan 162 for cooling the heat generated in the condenser . The air blowing fan presses the air so as to generate an air flow in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig.

The air pressurized by the air blowing fan 162 flows in front of the blowing fan to absorb the heat of the condenser 163 and also absorbs the heat generated by the compressor through the compressor 161. [ In other words, unlike the conventional ventilation fan structure, the installation position of the ventilation fan according to the present invention not only facilitates the heat radiation of the condenser, but also absorbs the heat of the compressor, thereby producing higher temperature air. The heat absorbed air flows into the duct 150.

2 shows a structure in which the discharge surface of the blowing fan discharges air toward the condenser. However, since the suction surface of the blowing fan is directed to the condenser, the heated air passes through the condenser, It goes without saying that it may be discharged from the fan and passed through the compressor.

2, the duct 150 is disposed at a side portion of the main body 100, extends to a portion overlapping the machine room at a lower portion, and extends to a lower portion of the housing 121 of the second door portion at an upper portion .

At least a part of one side of the duct 150 is opposed to the machine room, and a portion of the duct 150 facing the machine room is provided with an inlet through which heat generated in the machine room can flow. The discharge port of the duct 150 is open at the side of the front of the main body and faces the housing 121 where the hydroponic culture room is located. When the second door part is closed, a vent hole 152 is provided on the surface of the housing 121 facing the discharge port 151, so that heat that has flowed through the duct 150 can be introduced into the hydroponic culture room .

Referring to FIG. 3, the damper 153 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 121 to move in a position to open / close the cool air in the storage chamber.

When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor of the hydroponic culture room is lower than the target temperature, the control unit described above operates the blowing fan 162 of FIG. 2 to absorb the heat radiated from the condenser and the compressor, So that it can flow. The damper 153 shown in FIG. 3 is located at a position where it can shield the space between the housing 121 and the storage compartment, so that cool air in the storage compartment flows into the hydroponic culture compartment, Lt; / RTI > Thus, the warm air introduced from the machine room 160 through the vent hole 152 flows into the hydroponic culture room 120 to cool the air inside the hydroponic culture room, and does not enter the storage room.

On the other hand, when the temperature of the hydroponic culture room is the optimum temperature corresponding to the plant growth condition of the plant and the temperature of the hydroponic culture room is higher than the set temperature loaded on the microcomputer, . This control interrupts the operation of the blowing fan 162 to prevent the heat of the condenser and the compressor from being absorbed and flowed and allows the damper 153 to move to a position where it opens between the housing 121 and the storage compartment, So that cool air in the storage chamber can be introduced into the hydroponic culture chamber.

The positions of the inlet, outlet, vent, and damper are not limited to the positions shown in the drawings. Air introduced into the duct through the inlet may be supplied to the hydroponic culture chamber, and the housing may be shielded If you can do it, you can change it to any other location.

In the ceiling portion of the hydroponic cultivation room, there is a light source portion 122 for irradiating the plant with light having a predetermined wavelength.

The light source unit emits light having at least two peak wavelength regions, and an LED capable of adjusting the peak wavelength region can be used as the light source unit. That is, a plurality of LEDs for emitting light having different peak wavelengths are provided as an aggregate, and an LED for irradiating light having a peak wavelength more favorable for the growth of plants currently hydroponically cultivated can be selectively lighted.

 Here, the light source portion includes an LED capable of emitting light having a peak wavelength of at least 500 to 580 nm, for example, green light. And the plurality of light sources are individually on and off controlled.

In addition, in order for the light emitted from the light source unit 122 provided at the ceiling portion to reach the plants below the hydroponic culture chamber, a tray of a light transmitting material may be provided in the hydroponic culture chamber, As shown in FIG. When the tray is made of a light transmitting material and the wall surface in the hydroponic culture room is constituted by a reflecting surface capable of reflecting light, the amount of light reaching the plant among the light irradiated from the light source can be further increased. According to this structure, even if a light source is installed only on the top ceiling of the hydroponic cultivation room without installing a light source directly on each tray, light can be uniformly irradiated to all the plants in the hydroponic cultivation room.

5 to 7, the user can select the type of vegetation that is currently vegetated through a control panel such as a touch display 140 provided in the storage room of the refrigerator or the hydroponic culture room, The illuminance can be entered directly. Then, the optimum growth condition of the plant, that is, the target value of the illumination control, is loaded in the microcomputer.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 10, the integrated value of the illuminance can be sensed by the integrated illuminance sensor. In addition, the light source unit may further include an illuminance sensor capable of sensing the illuminance of the irradiated light source, and the illuminance in the hydroponic culture chamber is controlled to maintain a reference value and a reference illuminance suitable for the growth conditions of the hydroponic plant .

The optimal light intensity required for growth of each plant is different, and the optimal light intensity of each plant is controlled by a control unit that controls the internal illumination of the hydroponic culture room. The control section of the hydroponic cultivation room can be operated by a microcomputer, and the optimum growth illuminance is stored in the microcomputer corresponding to each plant.

9, the microcomputer is provided with information on the output of the integrated illuminance sensor, that is, the integrated value of the measured illuminance, and stops the operation of the light source unit in the hydroponic culture room when the provided integrated value exceeds the reference value. . Conversely, when the integrated value does not reach the reference value, the microcomputer is provided with information on the current indoor illuminance measured from the output of the illuminance sensor.

If the current indoor illuminance thus provided exceeds the reference illuminance, the control unit controls the power supply of the light source unit to be stopped, while if the indoor illuminance does not fall within the reference illuminance, the power supply to the light source unit is controlled to be maintained.

That is, the control of the light source unit according to the present invention not only controls how much light the plant is exposed to, but also has an additional feature in controlling the illuminance so that the optimum illuminance required for photosynthesis is generated by the plant.

Meanwhile, the control process for the light source unit of the control unit may be implemented even when the knock on sensor detects the user's knock on. That is, when the user wants to see the inside of the hydroponic culture chamber, he / she knocks a window member provided in front of the hydroponic culture chamber. When the knocking sensor senses it, the control unit turns on the light source unit to control the hydroponic culture chamber .

However, even if the user tries to turn on the light source through the knock-on, the light source unit may not be turned on in a state where a sufficient amount of light is irradiated to the plant.

Referring to FIG. 10, in order for the user to corroborate the inside of the hydroponic culture room, the knocking sensor senses the user's knocking on the front window member of the second door, and when the knock on is detected, The integrated value of the illuminance is provided, and when the value exceeds the reference value, the operation of the light source unit is stopped. On the contrary, if the integrated value does not reach the reference value, the control unit controls the light source unit to operate only for a predetermined time period provided from the data storage unit.

As described above, according to the present invention, the light source unit required for plant growth is controlled together with the light source unit according to the knock-on. That is, when the plant is supplied with the amount of light necessary for plant growth, the light source unit is not lit even when knock-on is detected, so that plant growth can be further promoted.

[A refrigerator equipped with a hydroponic cultivation room capable of temperature control using water flowing through a water supply pipe]

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a hydroponic culture chamber, which further includes a bracket constituting the hinge portion and a water supply pipe and a guide portion of the water supply portion penetrating the hinge shaft, and FIG. Fig. 6 is a view showing a process for controlling the growth conditions of a selected plant from the display of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a flowchart for controlling the plant growth conditions of Fig. 6, Fig. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of the light source section according to the integrated value of roughness, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of the light source section in accordance with the user's knock on FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, the refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention can control the temperature of the hydroponic culture room by utilizing the temperature of the water flowing through the water pipe passing through the hinge unit constituting the water supply unit. In the present embodiment, it is exemplified that the temperature control unit adjusts the temperature of the hydroponic cultivation room for plant growth by adjusting the amount of water flowing through the water supply pipe 133. As an example, the temperature control section may be provided in a form including a water supply section and a temperature detection sensor.

The water supply part of the refrigerator according to the present invention includes a water tank part provided in the machine room of the main body 100; A hinge part 130 installed at one upper end and lower end of the door part and connecting the door part 110 to the main body 100; A water supply pipe 133 for supplying water from the water tank part to the water culture cultivation room 120 via the main body 100 and the hinge 130; And a hinge shaft 131 coupled to the hinge 130 and including a tubular body through which the water supply pipe 133 can pass. And a supply pump for supplying the water in the water tank portion to the hydroponic culture room 120 through the water supply pipe 133.

The water tank part is provided in the machine room located in the lower part of the main body, and the distilled water collected in the machine room generated in the evaporator can be utilized as the water source. The dehydrated water stored in the machine room is heated by the heat of the condenser and the compressor and becomes a relatively high temperature state. In addition, the water tank portion may be filled again after water returned to the hydroponic culture chamber is filtered by a filter or the like.

The water supply pipe 133 is connected to an inlet conduit through which the water flows from the water tank to the hydroponic culture chamber 120 through the upper hinge 130, And a discharge conduit through which water flows into the tank portion. Additionally, a filter may be installed in the discharge conduit.

At this time, the water supply pipe 133 is drawn out from the machine room to the rear of the main body 100, and buried along the rear and upper surfaces of the main body 100. The embedded water supply pipe 133 is drawn out to the outside of the main body 100 adjacent to the hinge portion 130 at the upper portion of the door portion 110. The drawn-out water supply pipe is connected to each tray in the hydroponic cultivation room 120 through a hinge part 130 provided on the door part 110.

The hinge unit 130 rotatably couples the main body 100 and the door unit 110. The hinge unit 130 includes a hinge bracket 132 coupled to the main body 100 and a hinge shaft 131 installed on the door unit 110.

The hinge shaft 131 includes a tubular member for allowing the water supply pipe 133 to pass therethrough. The hinge shaft 131 is inserted into the door unit 110 to pivotally support the door unit 110, . The penetrated water supply pipe 133 is connected to each tray of the hydroponic cultivation room 120.

At this time, a guiding portion 137 having an elliptical cross section and a gentle slope may be further embedded in the upper foam material filling region of the housing 121 where the hydroponic culture chamber is located.

The water supply pipe 133 may be connected to the hydroponic cultivation room 120 by flowing into the hinge shaft 131 with a gentle slope along the guide part 137.

The hinge cover improves the appearance by covering the hinge bracket 132, the hinge shaft 131 and the drawn water supply pipe 133 so as not to be exposed to the outside.

The water in the water tank is supplied to the hydroponic culture chamber 120 through an inlet conduit, which is a water supply pipe 133 located at the upper hinge portion. At this time, water supplied through the inlet conduit of the water supply pipe 133 flows into the interior The high temperature water is supplied to the tray of the hydroponic culture chamber 120 to supply heat to the inside of the hydroponic culture chamber 120 because the water passes through the main body 110 and the hinge 130 from the water tank portion located in the hydroponic culture chamber 120 have.

 There is a faucet at the top of the hydroponic cultivation room to supply water from the conduit to the tray at the top of the hydroponic cultivation room. The water supplied to the uppermost tray is supplied to the tray immediately below the uppermost tray when the uppermost tray is filled. In this way, the water is sequentially supplied from the uppermost stage to the lowermost tray, and then returned to the water tank.

Since the height of the water tank is lower than the height of the tray, the water in the water tank is pressurized by the supply pump and supplied to the tray.

Referring to FIG. 5, the hydroponic culture room 120 includes a display unit 140 disposed below the door unit. The display unit includes a display unit 143, an upper control button 142a and a lower control button 142b, a mode display button 142c for displaying a plurality of cultivated plants having different growth conditions, A selection button 142d for selecting any one of the plants may be formed.

The temperature in the hydroponic culture room can be intermittently or continuously detected by the temperature sensor. Referring to FIG. 6, the temperature of the hydroponic culture room is controlled so as to maintain a level suitable for the growth conditions of the hydroponic plant.

The temperature in the hydroponic culture room raised by the heat supplied from the inflow conduit of the water supply pipe 133 can be intermittently or continuously detected by the temperature sensor. The temperature of the hydroponic cultivation room is controlled so as to maintain a temperature suitable for the growth conditions of the hydroponic plant.

The optimum temperature for growth of each plant is different, and the optimum growth temperature of each plant is controlled by a control unit that controls the internal temperature of the hydroponic culture room. The control section of the hydroponic cultivation room can be operated by a microcomputer, and the optimum growth temperature is stored in the microcomputer corresponding to each plant.

5 to 7, the user can select the kind of plants that are currently vegetated through a control panel such as a touch display provided in the storage room of the refrigerator or the hydroponic culture room, Can be input. Then, the optimum growth temperature of the plant, that is, the target value of temperature control, is loaded in the microcomputer.

The microcomputer is provided with information on the output of the temperature sensor, that is, the measured temperature. When the temperature of the supplied hydroponic cultivation chamber is lower than the target value, the warmth of the machine room is continuously introduced into the hydroponic culture chamber . Conversely, when the temperature of the hydroponic culture chamber exceeds the target value, control is performed so that the warm air is supplied to the machine room.

8, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor of the hydroponic culture chamber is lower than the target temperature, the control unit operates the supply pump so that the high-temperature water existing in the water tank portion flows into the water supply pipe 133 And controls the damper 153 of FIG. 3 to be located at a position where the damper 153 shields the housing 121 to prevent the cool air from flowing into the hydroponic culture chamber.

On the other hand, when the temperature of the hydroponic cultivation room is the optimum temperature corresponding to the plant growth condition of the plant and the temperature of the hydroponic cultivation room rises higher than the set temperature loaded on the microcomputer, Control to shut down. This control interrupts the operation of the supply pump to block the movement of hot water in the water supply pipe 133 and allows the damper 153 to move to the position where the housing 121 is opened, So that it can flow into the hydroponic cultivation room.

The position of the above-described damper is not limited to the position shown in the drawing, but can be changed to any other position as long as the housing can be shielded from the cold air flowing in the storage chamber.

In addition, the water supply unit may further include a culture liquid supply unit connected to the water tank unit to supply the culture liquid to the water tank unit. The water in the water tank is replenished constantly by replenishing defrost water, circulating water and, if necessary, the dispenser side water of the refrigerator, but the culture liquid is absorbed by the plant and its concentration becomes weaker or decreased in amount. Therefore, unlike water, the user must constantly care for and replenish the culture. Therefore, the culture liquid supply unit is disposed in a space accessible from the front of the refrigerator, so that it is possible to always supply the culture liquid to the hydroponic culture chamber.

The container in which the culture medium is stored may be provided with a sensor for detecting the lack of the culture medium, so that the user can visually or audibly inform the user whether the culture medium is replenished.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, But the present invention is not limited thereto.

100: refrigerator body
110: Door part
111: first door part
112: second door part
120: Hydroponic cultivation room
121: Housing
122:
130: Hinge section
131: Hinge shaft
132: Hinge bracket
133: Water supply pipe
137: guide portion
140:
141: Adjustment button
142a: Upper adjustment button
142b: Lower adjustment button
142c: Mode display button
142d: Select button
143:
150: Duct
151:
152: Ventilation holes
153: Damper
160: Machine room
161: Compressor
162: blowing fan
163: Condenser

Claims (17)

A main body having a storage chamber;
A door provided on a front surface of the main body to open and close the storage room and a second door part provided in front of the first door part and having a housing space as a storage space, part;
A hinge portion provided at one upper end and lower end of the door portion and connecting the door portion and the main body;
A reflecting surface provided on an inner surface of the front glass of the second door portion;
A hydroponic cultivation room provided inside the housing, the hydroponic cultivation room being adapted to hydroponically grow the plant;
A water supply unit for supplying water to the hydroponic culture chamber;
A temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the hydroponic culture chamber for plant growth by using condensation heat generated in a machine room provided in the main body; And
And a light source unit for irradiating light having a predetermined wavelength to the hydroponic culture chamber,
The water supply unit,
A water tank provided in the machine room of the main body;
A water supply pipe for supplying water from the water tank part to the water culture cultivation room via the main body and the hinge part;
A hinge shaft coupled to the hinge portion and including a tubular member provided to allow the water supply pipe to pass therethrough;
A control unit controlling the growth conditions by controlling the water supply unit, the temperature control unit, and the light source unit; And
And a detection sensor for detecting a knock on the window member,
Wherein the control unit operates the light source unit so as to see the inside space of the hydroponic culture room when the detection sensor senses a knock,
Refrigerator.
A main body having a storage chamber;
A first door portion provided on a front surface of the main body to open and close the storage chamber and a second door portion provided in front of the first door portion and having a housing as a storage space inside and a second door portion having a window member on the front side, ;
A hinge portion provided at one upper end and lower end of the door portion and connecting the door portion and the main body;
A reflecting surface provided on an inner surface of the front glass of the second door portion;
A hydroponic cultivation room provided inside the housing, the hydroponic cultivation room being adapted to hydroponically grow the plant;
A water supply unit for supplying water to the hydroponic culture chamber;
A temperature control unit for controlling the temperature of the hydroponic culture room for plant growth; And
And a light source unit for irradiating light having a predetermined wavelength to the hydroponic culture chamber,
The water supply unit,
A water tank provided in the machine room of the main body;
A water supply pipe for supplying water from the water tank part to the water culture cultivation room via the main body and the hinge part;
A hinge shaft coupled to the hinge portion and including a tubular member provided to allow the water supply pipe to pass therethrough;
A control unit controlling the growth conditions by controlling the water supply unit, the temperature control unit, and the light source unit; And
And a detection sensor for detecting a knock on the window member,
Wherein the temperature control unit adjusts the temperature of the hydroponic culture room for plant growth by adjusting the amount of water flowing through the water supply pipe,
Wherein the control unit operates the light source unit so as to see the inside space of the hydroponic culture room when the detection sensor senses a knock,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the control unit operates the light source unit so that the inside space of the hydroponic culture room can be viewed for a predetermined reference time only when the detection sensor senses knocking,
Refrigerator
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the housing provided in the second door portion includes a heat insulating layer,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The water supply unit,
And a supply pump for supplying water in the water tank portion to the hydroponic culture chamber through the water supply pipe,
Wherein the water supply pipe includes an inlet conduit through which water flows from the water tank portion to the hydroponic culture chamber and a drain conduit through which water flows from the hydroponic culture chamber to the water tank portion,
Refrigerator.
6. The method of claim 5,
The exhaust conduit is equipped with a filter,
Refrigerator.
5. The method of claim 4,
The water supply unit,
Further comprising: a culture liquid supply section for supplying a culture liquid to the water tank section;
Refrigerator. The method according to claim 1,
The temperature control unit includes:
A duct connecting the space in which the condenser and the compressor are installed and the space in the hydroponic culture room so as to communicate with each other;
A blowing fan for introducing the condensation heat generated in the condenser and the compressor into the hydroponic cultivation chamber through the duct;
And a temperature sensing sensor for sensing the temperature of the hydroponic culture chamber,
Refrigerator.
9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the duct is disposed on a side portion of the main body,
Refrigerator.
9. The method of claim 8,
The discharge port of the duct is opened forward from the front side of the main body,
Wherein the second door portion is provided with a vent hole communicating with the inside of the hydroponic cultivation chamber at a position facing the discharge port in a state where the second door portion is closed,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the light source unit emits light having at least two peak wavelength regions,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the light source unit emits light having a peak wavelength between 500 and 580 nm,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the light source unit is disposed at a ceiling portion of the hydroponic culture room,
Further comprising an integrated illuminance sensor for measuring a total integrated value of the irradiated light,
And the light source unit is operated only when the integrated value detected by the integrated luminance sensor is less than or equal to a reference value,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The light source unit may further include an illuminance sensor for measuring an indoor illuminance,
And the light source unit is operated only when the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor is lower than the reference illuminance,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
A display disposed at a lower end of the second door and capable of selecting plants;
A set temperature of the hydroponic culture room is inputted through the display,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The hinge unit includes:
Further comprising a guide portion having an elliptical cross section for allowing the water supply pipe to flow in a gentle slope toward the hinge shaft,
Refrigerator.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The temperature control unit includes:
Further comprising a damper provided on an upper surface of the housing to allow cool air flowing from the storage chamber to communicate with the hydroponic culture chamber,
Refrigerator.

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