KR101976422B1 - Refrigerator, diagnostic system and method for the refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a refrigerator diagnostic apparatus and a method thereof. More particularly, a refrigerator stores data during operation and, when a command for performing diagnosis is input, converts the product information and outputs a beep, By diagnosing the condition or failure of the refrigerator based on the data included in the product information by receiving a beep, analyzing the cause thereof, and suggesting a countermeasure for repairing the fault, it is possible to accurately diagnose the fault in the event of a fault of the refrigerator.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, a refrigerator diagnostic apparatus,

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, a refrigerator diagnostic apparatus, and a method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a refrigerator, a refrigerator diagnostic apparatus, and a method for diagnosing a refrigerator based on product information by converting product information into a beep.

In general, if an abnormality occurs during operation of the refrigerator, the user should contact the service center and consult them, and take appropriate measures accordingly to deal with the abnormal symptoms themselves or dispatch service personnel for appropriate measures You will be asked.

However, the above-described countermeasures have a limitation in that the user can not accurately convey the abnormal symptom of the refrigerator to the service center, and accordingly, the service center can not respond appropriately.

In recent years, in order to more accurately convey the abnormal symptom of the refrigerator from the user side to the service center side, a method of converting the symptoms of the refrigerator into a signal of a predetermined pattern and outputting the signal is transmitted to the service center through the telephone. However, the beeps transmitted in this manner contain information on the current state of the refrigerator, but do not contain information on the driving history of the refrigerator. In particular, it is common that a refrigerator always maintains a driving state after power is supplied. In many cases, the cause of an abnormal phenomenon occurring is closely related to the current state of the refrigerator as well as the state in which the refrigerator was operated in recent years. Therefore, the conventional method of outputting only the information on the current state as a signal has a limitation in accurately diagnosing the refrigerator.

The present invention provides a refrigerator, a refrigerator diagnostic apparatus, and a method for accumulating information on a driving history for a predetermined period while a refrigerator is operating, converting product information including the accumulated information into signal sounds, .

In addition, according to the present invention, when the refrigerator is operated, the information about the operation history for a predetermined period is accumulated to convert the product information into a signal tone and output, and the diagnosis device that receives the product information diagnoses the ecology of the refrigerator, And to provide a refrigerator and a refrigerator diagnosis device and a method thereof capable of responding to a failure by deriving a countermeasure against a cause.

The refrigerator includes a memory for storing various information generated according to an operation state of the refrigerator, a selection unit for receiving a diagnosis execution command, a controller for controlling the temperature of the refrigerator, the freezer compartment, And storing various information generated according to the operating state of the refrigerator in the memory during a set period of time, and when a diagnosis execution command is inputted through the selection unit, A control unit for generating product information for fault diagnosis including the operation information, setting information and malfunction information, and an acoustic output unit for outputting a signal sound corresponding to the product information, To be stored in the memory, Characterized in that for updating the stored information. In addition, the refrigerator of the present invention includes a dispenser in which water is taken out during operation of a water pad, an ice maker that generates ice, an auger that moves ice inside the ice maker to remove ice when the ice pad operates, And a flow rate sensor for measuring the amount of water flowing into the ice maker, wherein the controller controls the flow rate of the water to be discharged through the dispenser in accordance with the information of the flow rate sensor, , The feed failure error information, the number of pad presses, the operation time of the auger, the flow rate flowing into the ice maker, and the ice flocculation warning as the operation information.

A method of operating a refrigerator according to the present invention includes the steps of: (d) sensing a temperature of a refrigerator, a freezer or an outside air at a predetermined time interval through a temperature sensor, (A) storing various information generated according to an operation state in a memory during a setup period, (a-1) updating information stored in the memory at predetermined intervals, (B) generating operation information based on the information stored in the step (a), generating product information for fault diagnosis including the operation information, setting information and malfunction information generated in the step (b) And (c) outputting a beep corresponding to the product information generated in the step (b-1), when the step (b-1) The step The predetermined period is updated periodically with respect to the information for the set period stored in the memory, and the temperature values sensed in the step (d) are stored for each period.

The diagnosing apparatus of the present invention may further include a sound receiving unit for receiving a sound signal of the refrigerator through a communication network, an acoustic recording unit for recording the sound signal inputted through the sound receiving unit, A signal processing unit for extracting a plurality of pieces of product information corresponding to a plurality of pieces of data included in the product information, a diagnosis for diagnosing at least one of water extraction of the refrigerator, dispenser state and refrigerator state, And a display unit for outputting a diagnosis result of the diagnosis unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic method for diagnosing a diagnostic device, comprising: receiving a signal output from a refrigerator through a communication network and extracting product information on the refrigerator from the beep; analyzing the product information, And diagnosing at least one of a condition of the refrigerator, a cold state, an icing state, and an abnormality due to ice extraction, and outputting a cause and a countermeasure for the state of the refrigerator as a diagnosis result.

The refrigerator and the refrigerator diagnosis apparatus and method according to the present invention configure product information including accumulated operation information for a predetermined period prior to diagnosis, and output a beep according to the product information. Accordingly, it is possible to grasp the operating state of the refrigerator from the time of the diagnosis through the sound of the beep, so that the abnormal symptoms of the refrigerator can be more accurately diagnosed.

In addition, the signal sound output from the refrigerator of the present invention can transmit information on the refrigerator usage pattern from the time of the diagnosis to the latest, and it is possible to determine whether the current abnormal symptom is due to a component failure, It is possible to grasp the exact cause such as whether it is due to the inappropriate usage pattern of the user or the specificity of the environment around the refrigerator.

Also, at least one of abnormality due to water extraction of the refrigerator, dispenser condition, icing condition of the refrigerator, icing out, temperature abnormality, and defrosting operation state is analyzed and diagnosed and a countermeasure is presented so that it can be repaired Thus, the user can easily determine the state of the refrigerator and the A / S through the service article can be performed more easily, thereby improving the efficiency of the service system and improving the satisfaction of the user.

1 illustrates a diagnostic system including a refrigerator and a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a state where the door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 is opened.
4 is an enlarged view of the hinge portion shown in Fig.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view illustrating a frequency conversion method by a modulator in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 shows a structure of a control signal generated by encoding product information.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a user interface (UI) displayed through the display unit of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a detailed listing of operation information displayed in the operation information display area of FIG.
11 is a flowchart showing a method of outputting a beep of the refrigerator and a diagnostic method performed by the diagnostic apparatus.
FIG. 12 illustrates a method of integrating product information in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates a process in which product information of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is integrated from a power application time point.
14 to 17 show examples of product information generated in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a data storage method for a water extraction amount of a refrigerator. FIG.
19 is a flowchart showing a method for determining whether or not the dispenser is restrained by the refrigerator.
20 is a flowchart showing a method of diagnosing whether or not a dispenser of a refrigerator is malfunctioning in a diagnosis server.
21 is a diagram showing a water pressure level of a refrigerator.
22 is a flowchart showing a method of measuring the hydraulic pressure of the refrigerator.
23 is a diagram showing a dispenser configuration of a refrigerator.
24 is a flowchart showing a method of detecting a water supply failure of a refrigerator.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a diagnostic method for defective water supply to the refrigerator of the diagnosis server.
26 is a flowchart showing a method of storing ice-extraction amount data of a refrigerator.
27 is a flowchart showing a method of storing the ice making amount of the refrigerator.
28 is a flowchart showing a diagnostic method according to the amount of ice making of the diagnostic device.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a method for judging ice coalescence of a refrigerator.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a method of storing temperature data of the refrigerator according to FIG.
31 is a flowchart showing a method of diagnosing a refrigerator according to the temperature of the diagnostic apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

1 illustrates a diagnostic system including a refrigerator and a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, a diagnosis system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator 1 for converting product information into a beep and outputting the beep, a buzzer 2 for receiving a beep outputted from the refrigerator 1 through a communication network, And a diagnostic apparatus 200 (see FIG. 8) for diagnosing the refrigerator 1 based on the extracted product information.

When the refrigerator 1 fails to operate normally due to a failure of the refrigerator 1 or an environmental cause in which the refrigerator 1 is installed or a user's operation is insufficient, a predetermined warning sound is output from the refrigerator 1 S1). The user recognizes this and takes appropriate measures. If necessary, the service center is contacted to inquire about the action (S2). The user describes the abnormal symptom of the refrigerator 1 to the counselor of the service center, and the counselor informs the user of the corresponding action (S3). The user may attempt to take action by operating the refrigerator 1 in accordance with the processing method informed by the agent, but the abnormal symptom of the refrigerator 1 may not be solved only by the processing method provided by the agent. In this case, the user can not accurately notify the counselor of the state of the refrigerator 1, or the cause of the malfunction of the refrigerator 1 can not be accurately diagnosed only by the user's abnormal symptoms.

The user brings the telephone near the sound output unit 150 according to the guidance of the counselor, and operates the refrigerator 1 so that the diagnosis mode is performed. The refrigerator 1 may be provided with a selection unit to allow the user to select a diagnostic mode. The selection unit may include a button, a dial, a tact switch, a touch pad, .

When the user enters the diagnostic mode by operating the selection unit, the refrigerator 1 converts the product information into a predetermined signal sound and outputs it. The sound signal is output through the sound output unit 150 as described above, and is transmitted to the service center through a communication network connected to the telephone. The service center may be provided with a diagnostic device 200 (see FIG. 15) for receiving a signal sound output from the sound output unit 150, connected to a communication network, and analyzing the received sound to perform a diagnosis of the home appliance have. The diagnostic device 200 extracts the product information from the received sound through the communication network and analyzes the product information to diagnose the refrigerator 1.

On the other hand, the diagnosis result can be informed to the repairer S6 to be dispatched to the user's home for repairing the refrigerator 1 (S6). The repairer S6 confirms the diagnosis result notified via the terminal or the like, prepares the necessary parts for repair, and visits the user. The necessary parts can be prepared in advance and it is possible to drastically reduce the possibility that the repairer 93 revisits the user.

2 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state where the door of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 is opened. 2 to 3, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 110 forming an internal space defined by a refrigerating chamber 120 and a freezing chamber 130, A schematic appearance is formed by the refrigerating chamber doors 121 and 122 for opening and closing and the freezing chamber door 131 for opening and closing the freezing chamber 130. [

The refrigerating chamber doors 121 and 122 include a left refrigerating chamber door 121 rotatably connected to the left side of the case 110 and a right refrigerating chamber door 122 rotatably connected to the right side of the case 110.

The freezing chamber door 131 is coupled to slide along the case 110, and can receive food. The freezing chamber door 131 is slid toward the inside of the case 110 and closes the freezing chamber 130 when it is housed and pulled out of the case 110 and opens the freezing chamber 130 when it is pulled out.

A refrigerating chamber 120 is provided at an upper portion of the case 110 and a freezing chamber 130 is provided at an inner lower portion of the case 110 so as to be positioned below the refrigerating chamber so that the refrigerating chamber 120 is opened by three doors, And the freezer compartment 130 are opened and closed. However, the present invention is not limited to the three-door type. For example, a two-door type in which a freezing chamber is formed on one side by dividing the inside of the case into left and right sides, a refrigerating chamber is formed on the other side, and a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are opened / A structure similar to that of the present embodiment, or a four-door type in which one freezing compartment which is opened and closed by a sliding-type door is additionally provided.

On the other hand, the refrigerator compartment doors 121 and 122 are provided with refrigerator compartment door knobs 123 and 124 so that the user can open and close the refrigerator compartment door 121. The freezing compartment door 131 is provided with a freezer compartment A door handle 133 is provided.

On the front side of the refrigerator compartment door 121 is provided a dispenser 125 for allowing the user to take out ice or drinking water and controls the operation of the refrigerator 1 on the upper side of the dispenser 125, And a control panel 140 for outputting a screen and / or a sound through the display unit 141.

The control panel 140 includes a display unit 141 for visualizing and displaying status information or failure information of the refrigerator 1, a buzzer or a speaker, And an input unit 142 implemented by a mechanical button or an electrostatic / static pressure touch button so as to receive various operation commands from a user.

The refrigerator (1) forms a circulation cycle in which the refrigerant circulates along the refrigerant pipe and compresses, expands, evaporates, and condenses. While the refrigerant is exchanged with the surrounding air by the phase change of the refrigerant during the circulation cycle, (Not shown) for expanding the refrigerant, a heat exchanger (not shown) serving as an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant, and a heat exchanger (not shown) for condensing the refrigerant. A heat exchanger (not shown) serving as a condenser is provided.

5) for blowing the cooled air to the refrigerator compartment 120 and a freezer compartment fan 186 (see FIG. 5) for blowing the cooled air to the freezer compartment 130. The freezer compartment fan 186 And a sensing unit 190 (see FIG. 5) that senses an operation state of various components constituting the refrigerator 1.

4 is an enlarged view of the hinge portion shown in Fig. 3 to 4, the hinge unit is configured such that the refrigerating chamber doors 121 and 122 of the refrigerator 1 are rotatably connected to the case 110, and the left refrigerating chamber door 121 is connected to the case 110 And a hinge portion 112 for connecting the right fridge door 122 to the case 110. [ The hinge portion 114 to which the left refrigerating chamber door 121 is connected can be formed in the same structure as the hinge portion 112 to which the right refrigerating chamber door 122 is connected, Only the portion 112 will be described.

The hinge portion 112 is provided at the right upper end of the case 110 so that the right refrigerating chamber door 122 can open and close the refrigerating chamber 120. The hinge portion 112 is provided with a door switch 304 so that an illuminating lamp (not shown) illuminates the refrigerating chamber 120 when the door switch 304 is brought into contact when the right refrigerating chamber door 122 is closed It lights up / flickers. The door switch 304 blinks the illumination lamp when the right refrigerator compartment door 122 is closed and lights the lighting lamp when the right refrigerator compartment door 121 is opened.

The hinge portion 112 includes a hinge housing 303 which forms an outer appearance of the hinge portion 112. The hinge housing 303 is provided with a rotary shaft (not shown) A fastening mount 307 having a fastening hole through which the fastening member such as a screw or bolt is formed is formed. The fastening member is fastened to the case 110 through the fastening hole.

The door switch 304 has a door switch connector 305 fixed to the hinge housing 303 and a door switch connector 305. The door switch connector 305 is provided in the door switch connector 305 so that when the right refrigerator compartment door 122 is closed, When the right refrigerating compartment door 122 is opened, the force to push the right refrigerating compartment door 122 is removed, and again, when the right refrigerating compartment door 122 is opened, And a switching member 306 which is connected to the switching element 306.

The door switch connector 305 electrically connects the control unit 160 and the switching member 306 so that the control unit 160 can detect whether the refrigerator compartment 120 is open or closed according to the switching operation of the switching member 306 do.

On the other hand, the hinge housing 303 is provided with an acoustic output unit 150 for outputting a signal including product information in a diagnostic mode. The sound output unit 150 may include a buzzer or a speaker.

A signal output hole 308 is formed in the hinge housing 303 so that the signal output through the sound output unit 150 can be smoothly emitted to the outside.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5, the refrigerator 1 includes an input unit 142, a display unit 141, an input / output control unit 143, a memory 172, a sensing unit 190, a modulator 182, a compressor 183, The control unit 160 may control the overall operation of the refrigerator and may include a freezer compartment fan 184, a freezer compartment fan 186, a defrost heater 188, a condenser fan 189, an acoustic output unit 150,

The sensing unit 190 may include a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 191 for sensing the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 120 and a freezing compartment temperature sensor 192 for sensing the temperature of the freezing compartment 130, A defrosting fan motor sensor 194 for sensing whether the refrigerator compartment fan 184 is operating normally, a freezer compartment fan motor sensor 194 for detecting whether the refrigerator compartment fan 186 is operating normally, And a condenser fan motor sensor 196 for detecting the normal operation of the condenser fan 189 for generating heat generated from the condenser during heat exchange with the refrigerant.

The control unit 160 analyzes the operation state of the refrigerator 1 based on the information collected through various sensors constituting the sensing unit 190. The input and output control unit 143 analyzes the state information analyzed by the control unit 160 Is displayed through the display unit 141. [0064]

The input and output control unit 143 controls the input unit 142 and the display unit 141 provided in the control unit 160 and the control panel 140. The input and output control unit 143 controls the various controls And / or an icon is displayed on the display unit 141 in response to the input control command, or the information detected by the sensing unit 190 The control unit 160 can display the status information based on the status information through the display unit 141. [

The input unit 142 includes at least one input means for inputting predetermined signals or data to the refrigerator 1 by a user's operation and includes an operation unit 144 for receiving various control commands for operation of the refrigerator 1, And a selection unit 145 for receiving a diagnosis mode entry command for diagnosis of the diagnostic mode 1.

The selection unit 145 includes at least one input means and, when a diagnosis execution command is input, applies a signal output command to the control unit 160 so that a signal sound including product information is output through the sound output unit 150 .

At this time, the selection unit 145 may be configured as a predetermined input means separately from the operation unit 144, but is not limited thereto. For example, the specific input means constituting the operation unit 144 functions as the operation unit 144 in normal operation, but may be operated in accordance with a specific pressing pattern such as being pressed continuously for a predetermined period of time or repeatedly pressed within a predetermined period of time And may be set to perform the role of the selection unit 145.

In the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the input unit 142 is provided with a lock button for performing a key-lock function so that the user can lock the operation unit 144, A freezer temperature setting button for setting the temperature is provided. When the refrigerator compartment door 122 is opened, the user enters the lock mode by pressing the lock button, and enters the diagnostic mode only when the freezer compartment temperature setting button is pressed before the set time elapses. It is possible to prevent unnecessary entry into the diagnostic mode due to the number of operations of the operation unit 144 and to effect the diagnosis mode only when it is clear that the user's intention is to diagnose the refrigerator 1 have.

The memory 172 stores product information. As described above, the product information includes the accumulated operation information sensed through the sensing unit 190 for a predetermined period of time during operation of the refrigerator 1. [

Here, the product information may include at least one of a product ID, configuration information, operation information, and error-detecting information.

The identification information is information for identifying the type of object to be diagnosed through the diagnostic device 200. [ The diagnostic device 200 described below may be configured to perform diagnosis on various home appliances such as a washing machine, an air conditioner, and a cooking appliance as well as a refrigerator, And information about what the object is.

The setting information is information input from the user for setting the function of the refrigerator 1. [ Examples of the setting information include whether or not the rapid freezing, rapid freezing, and special-purpose freezing functions, which are set in order to rapidly lower the freezing room set temperature, the freezing room target temperature, the cold storage room set temperature, the cold storage room target temperature, Whether or not a dispenser is provided so that water or ice can be taken out of the refrigerator, whether an air purification mode is set for purifying the air in the freezer compartment or the freezer compartment, whether a test mode for trial operation of the refrigerator is set, Whether or not the exhibition mode set for the exhibition is set, and the like. More detailed examples of the setting information are shown in the user setting display area 330 in Fig.

The operation information is information on the operation state of the refrigerator 1, and includes time information indicating how long the product information accumulated in the current memory 172 is accumulated for a certain period of time, the number of freezer door openings accumulated during the setup period, The average temperature detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor during the set period, the maximum temperature and / or the minimum temperature, the driving time of the refrigerator compartment fan accumulated during the set period, the number of times the refrigerator compartment door is opened during the set period, The opening time of the refrigerator compartment door accumulated during the setting period, the average temperature, the maximum temperature and / or the minimum temperature sensed by the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor during the set period, the driving time of the refrigerator compartment fan accumulated during the set period, The maximum temperature and / or the minimum temperature, the average temperature sensed by the freezer defrost sensor during the set period, The temperature and / or the minimum temperature, the average temperature, the maximum temperature and / or the minimum temperature sensed by the refrigerator compartment sensor during the set period, the most recently performed freezer compartment defrost time and / A recent freezer room defrosting period, a cumulative driving time of a compressor during a set period, and the like. More detailed examples of the driving information are shown in Fig.

The malfunction information is information on whether or not the various components constituting the refrigerator operate normally. The malfunctioning information may include information on whether the water is normally supplied to the ice maker or whether a water pad or an ice pad provided on the dispenser 125 Whether or not the various sensing units such as the freezer temperature sensor 192, the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 191, the outdoor air temperature sensor 199, the freezer compartment defrosting sensor, and the refrigerating compartment defrosting sensor operate normally, Information on whether or not the vehicle is normally driven, and the like.

The control unit 160 calls the product information stored in the memory 172 to generate a control signal in a predetermined format and applies the signal to the modulator 182. [ Also, the controller 160 controls the sound output unit 150 to operate as the selector 145 is operated.

The control unit 160 controls the flow of data input to or output from the refrigerator and generates a control command according to the data input from the sensing unit 190 to control the refrigerator 1 to operate. And an encoding unit (162) for converting the product information into a control signal of a predetermined format in order to output a sound according to the input of the selection unit (145).

The main control unit 161 outputs a start sound indicating that the diagnostic mode is started through the sound output unit 150 when the selection unit 145 is inputted and enters the diagnostic mode and the diagnostic mode is performed through the display unit 141 To be displayed. At this time, the input / output control unit 143 may be mediated between the main control unit 161 and the display unit 141 as described above.

When the control signal generated by the encoding unit 162 is applied to the modulator 182 and output through the sound output unit 150, the main control unit 161 outputs a predetermined signal And controls the sound output unit 150 so that a notification sound is output. However, the notification sound may be omitted in some cases.

The refrigerator 1 includes a first sound output unit for outputting product information or failure information of the refrigerator 1 when the refrigerator 1 includes two or more sound output units 150, And a second sound output unit for outputting a notification message or a warning sound.

The main control unit 161 can prevent the operation unit 144 except the selection unit 145 and the power button from operating when the diagnostic mode is entered. In this embodiment, as described above, the operation buttons are locked The user enters the diagnostic mode by pressing the freezing room temperature setting button, which is a specific operation key, for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, the operation of the keys other than the freezing room temperature setting button whose function is restricted by the power button and entering the diagnostic mode is limited before the lock button is released .

The encoding unit 162 encodes the product information stored in the memory 172 according to a predetermined method, and adds a preamble and an error check bit to the data signal to generate a control signal in a predetermined format. The encoding unit 162 generates a control signal composed of a plurality of symbols by encoding the product information.

In generating the control signal, the encoding unit 162 divides the control signal into a predetermined size to form a packet with a plurality of frames. In addition, the encoding unit 162 may set an IFS (Inter Frame Space) so that no sound is output for a predetermined period of time between the frames of the control signal, and the reverberation, which affects the next signal conversion due to the charging and discharging principle of the capacitor during signal conversion To remove the effect, you can set the dead time for the symbol in the interval that the value of the data changes.

The length of each symbol is referred to as a symbol time and the basic length of a frequency signal constituting a sound with respect to the sound output through the sound output unit 150 corresponding to the symbol is also referred to as a symbol time , The encoding unit 162 may set a dead time within a symbol time for one symbol. At this time, the dead time is variable in accordance with the length of the symbol time.

Here, the product information is data composed of a combination of 0 or 1 and is a digital signal readable by the control unit 160. [ The control unit 160 classifies the data of the product information, includes specific data for the refrigerator operation, and divides or adds the predetermined data into a predetermined size, generates a control signal of a specified standard, and applies the control signal to the modulator 182.

The controller 160 may change the number of symbols corresponding to the output frequency signal according to the number of carrier frequencies used in the modulator 182.

At this time, the controller 160 changes the number of control signal symbols corresponding to the number of frequency signals according to the number of frequencies used in the modulator 182. That is, when the number of frequencies used is n-th power of 2, the n symbols of the control signal correspond to one frequency signal.

For example, when the modulator 182 controls the sound output unit 150 using two frequencies and outputs a sound, the controller 160 controls the modulator 182 such that one symbol of the control signal is converted into one frequency signal. 182). When four frequencies are used, two control signals correspond to one frequency signal. When eight frequencies are used, three symbols of the control signal correspond to one frequency signal.

At this time, the symbol time can also be changed according to the number of symbols corresponding to one frequency signal.

The modulator 182 applies a predetermined driving signal to the sound output unit 150 and outputs a sound through the sound output unit 150 in response to the control signal applied from the controller 160. [ Thus, the sound outputted in this way includes product information.

The modulator 182 applies a signal to the sound output unit 150 so that, for a symbol constituting the control signal, a frequency signal corresponding to one symbol is output for a symbol time.

At this time, the modulator 182 controls to output sound corresponding to the control signal by using a plurality of frequency signals. In accordance with the setting of the control unit 160, the number of symbols per frequency signal And outputs it.

That is, when two frequencies are used as described above, one frequency signal per symbol is output for a designated time, and when four frequencies are used, one frequency signal per two control signals may be output .

Accordingly, the negative frequency band and the negative length output through the sound output unit 150 are changed in accordance with the number of frequencies used in the modulator 182. Every time the number of frequencies used is increased by 2, the total length of the output sound (the total time the sound is output) is reduced by half.

 The modulator 182 has a frequency oscillation unit (not shown) for generating frequency-dependent oscillation frequencies corresponding to the number of usable frequencies, and outputs a frequency signal corresponding to the control signal through the sound output unit 150 .

The modulator 182 controls the sound output unit 150 to output a sound in response to the control signal of the controller 160. The modulator 182 may be any one of a frequency shift method, Method is used to convert the signal.

Here, the frequency shift method is a method of converting a signal of a predetermined frequency in correspondence with a data value of a control signal, and the amplitude shift method is a method of changing the magnitude of amplitude corresponding to a data value. In addition, the phase shift method is a method of converting signals so that the phases are different according to data values.

In the case of BFSK (Binary Frequency Shift Keying) among the frequency shift methods, the control signal is converted into a first frequency when the data value of the control signal is 0 and the second frequency when the data value is 1. For example, if the data value is 0, the signal is converted to a signal having a frequency of 2.6 kHz, and when the data value is 1, the signal is converted to a signal having a frequency of 2.8 kHz. This is as shown in FIG. 6 to be described later.

In the case of the amplitude shift method, a signal having a frequency of 2.6 kHz is converted into a signal having a frequency of 2.6 kHz when the amplitude of the control signal is 0, Is 1, it can be converted into a signal having a frequency of 2.6 kHz with an amplitude of 2.

The modulator 182 has been described as an example of using a frequency shift method, but this can be changed. In addition, the frequency band used is also an example and can be changed.

When the dead time is set in the control signal, the modulator 182 stops signal conversion during a period in which the dead time is set. At this time, when the signal is converted using the pulse width modulation (PWM) method, the modulator 182 turns off the oscillation frequency for modulation in the section in which the dead time is set, so that the frequency signal conversion during the dead time is suspended . Accordingly, the sound having the reverberation effect between the symbol and the symbol removed is outputted through the sound output unit 150.

The sound output unit 150 outputs a signal having a predetermined frequency corresponding to the control signal for a designated time under the control of the modulator 182 by turning on and off the operation by the control command of the control unit 160, And outputs a predetermined predetermined sound.

At this time, at least one sound output unit 150 is provided, and preferably two or more sound output units 150 are provided. For example, when two sound output units are provided, a predetermined sound including product information may be output through any one of them, and a warning sound or an effect sound corresponding to the status information of the refrigerator may be output through the other one, A notification sound before or after the sound output can be output.

The sound output unit 150 outputs a control signal in response to the output from the modulator 182 with a predetermined sound and then stops operating when the output is completed. When the selection unit 145 is operated again , And outputs a predetermined sound including product information as it is operated again through the above process.

The sound output unit 150 outputs a start sound informing that the diagnostic mode is started in response to the control command of the main control unit 161 when the diagnostic mode is entered and when the sound output including the product information is started And outputs a predetermined notification sound when it is finished.

The display unit 141 displays information input by the selection unit 145 and the operation unit 144, operation state information of the refrigerator 1, information on the completion of the refrigerator operation, etc., in response to a control command of the main control unit 161 . Further, malfunction information or the like related to malfunction at the time of malfunction of the refrigerator is displayed on the screen.

When the diagnostic mode is started in response to the control command of the main control unit 161, the display unit 141 displays the diagnostic mode. When the sound is output through the sound output unit 150, An image, and a number.

6 is a view illustrating a frequency conversion method by a modulator in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6, the control signal encoded by the encoding unit 162 in a predetermined manner is frequency-converted by the modulator 182 and output as a sound through the sound output unit 150 as described above .

The modulator 182 uses an example of using a frequency shift method and using two frequencies of 2.6 kHz 2.8 kHz. Here, 2.6 kHz and 2.8 kHz are taken in the audible frequency band, especially in the frequency band that can be smoothly transmitted through the telephone network. The modulator 182 causes a frequency of 2.6 kHz to be outputted corresponding to the logical value 0, and a frequency of 2.8 kHz corresponding to the logical value 1 is output.

6A, when the control signal control signal is 010, the modulator 182 converts the signal 21 having a frequency of 2.6 kHz because the value of the first bit is 0, (12), the signal is converted into a signal (22) having a frequency of 2.8 kHz. The third bit 13 is converted to a frequency signal 23 of 2.6 kHz since the value is zero.

In this case, when each bit of the control signal is one symbol, the length of the symbol is symbol time, and one frequency signal is outputted corresponding to one symbol, the length of the basic unit of the frequency signal constituting the outputted sound is represented by symbol Time can be.

7 shows a structure of a control signal generated by encoding product information.

The encoding unit 162 constructs a packet with a plurality of frames, as shown in Fig. 7A. The encoding unit 162 adds a product ID and version information to product information, which is diagnostic data. This is done at the application layer. The size of the entire packet is 60 bytes, the version information is 1 byte, the product number is 7 bytes, and the product information is 52 bytes.

At this time, the version information is a version of the diagnostic algorithm, and is version information for the diagnostic algorithm or the entire diagnostic system, and corresponds to the protocol name information corresponding thereto.

For example, if the version is 0x01 as shown in FIG. 7B, the protocol name means 'Smart Diagnosis for Refrigerator Machine V1.0'. The product number is an identifier for identifying the product, and the diagnostic data is product information for diagnosing the trouble of the refrigerator.

The version and the Prouduct ID are directly input by the control unit 160. On the other hand, the diagnostic data, that is, the product information, is stored in the memory 172. Therefore, when the smart diagnosis is performed, the control unit 160 loads the data stored in the memory 172 and the temporary data as product information, that is, diagnostic data.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8, the diagnostic apparatus 200 includes a display unit 210, a negative reception unit 220, an acoustic recording unit 230, a signal processing unit 240, a diagnosis unit 250, a data storage unit 260, And a server control unit (not shown) for controlling overall operation of the apparatus.

The display unit 210 displays various information including the progress of the diagnosis of the household appliance and / or the diagnosis result so that the agent can recognize the information.

The negative cascade unit 220 receives the beep through the communication network. 1, a signal including product information output from the refrigerator 1 is transmitted through a communication network connected to a telephone and a telephone, and is input to the negative reception unit 220.

The manager of the service center guides the user to the smart diagnosis as described above and operates the input means of the input unit so that the signal sound received through the user's terminal 81 is received by the diagnostic apparatus through the negative reception unit 220 .

The sound recording unit 230 records a sound signal received through the negative reception unit 220. [ The sound recording unit 230 may record a signal received through the negative reception unit 220 in a wave file format. At this time, the diagnostic apparatus 200 may include a recording medium such as a RAM, a hard disk, and a NAND flash memory for recording a sound signal file.

The signal processing unit 240 extracts product information from the sound signal recorded by the sound recording unit 230 inversely. The signal processing unit 240 demodulates the wave file constituting the sound signal, and decodes the signal generated by the demodulation result to extract the product information.

At this time, the signal processor 240 converts the recorded analog sound signal data, stores the bit stream data, detects the preamble, and extracts the product information on the refrigerator based on the detected preamble. In this process, the signal processing unit 240 demodulates the recorded data, and decodes the demodulated data to extract the product information.

The signal conversion in the signal processing unit 240 is an inverse conversion to the signal conversion in the refrigerator 1 so that each of the refrigerator 1 and the diagnostic apparatus 200 converts data through the same signal conversion system . Here, the signal processor 240 may decode the audio signal using a Viterbi decoding algorithm in accordance with the encoding scheme of the refrigerator. The signal processing unit 240 converts an analog signal of a predetermined frequency band into a digital signal through an inverse conversion using a frequency shift method, an amplitude shift method, or a phase shift method.

In addition, when a signal sound is recorded in the sound recording unit 230, the signal processing unit 240 detects an error generated during reception of the signal sound through the communication network or an error generated in the recording process, and determines whether the signal is a normal signal.

At this time, the signal processing unit 240 analyzes the recorded data to check whether the beep sound is normally recorded or whether the beep sound is normal. The signal processor 240 performs a predetermined correction process for correcting the error when it detects an error. However, even if the correction process is performed in some cases, it may be difficult to restore normal data.

When the recorded signal is not a normal signal, the signal processing unit 240 outputs a signal indicating that the signal recording is not completed through the display unit 210 and requests the refrigerator to output the signal sound again. At this time, the agent of the service center can confirm the output contents of the display unit 210 and request the user of the refrigerator to output the beep again through the terminal 81.

If the signal is a normal signal, the signal processing unit 240 displays a message indicating that the recording is completed and the recording is normally completed through the display unit 210.

The diagnosis unit 250 analyzes the product information extracted from the signal processing unit 240 and performs diagnosis of the refrigerator 1 based on the analyzed product information. The diagnosis unit 250 performs diagnosis in connection with the data storage unit 260.

The diagnosis unit 250 analyzes each data item included in the product information and diagnoses the refrigerator according to an inter-relationship between the data items as a large amount of product information is included in the signal sound output from the refrigerator 1. [

The data storage unit 260 stores diagnostic logic and diagnostic data items. The data structure stored in the data storage unit 260 includes a table storing at least one diagnostic logic (hereinafter, referred to as a 'diagnostic logic table') and a table storing at least one diagnostic data item , &Quot; diagnostic data table "). The diagnostic logic table and the diagnostic data table can be managed separately for each type according to the diagnosis target.

For example, the diagnosis device 200 may not necessarily be configured to diagnose only the refrigerator, but may be configured to diagnose household appliances other than the refrigerator. In this case, the diagnosis logic table may include a washing machine diagnosis logic And refrigerator diagnosis logic for refrigerator diagnosis can be separately stored. Similarly, data items necessary for washing machine diagnosis and data items necessary for refrigerator diagnosis can be separately stored in the diagnosis data table.

Since the signal sound output from the refrigerator 1 may include product identification information, the type of the diagnosis object can be identified through the product information extracted through the signal processing unit 240. Accordingly, Diagnosis can be performed by calling the data items used for the diagnosis logic and the refrigerator diagnosis from the data storage unit 260.

FIG. 9 shows a user interface (UI) displayed through the display unit of FIG. FIG. 10 is a detailed listing of operation information displayed in the operation information display area of FIG.

9, the user interface displayed through the display unit 210 of the diagnostic apparatus includes a product identification information display area 310, a diagnostic progress status display area 320, a user setting display area 330, (340).

In the product identification information display area 310, the type of the household appliance to be diagnosed can be displayed. The diagnosis unit 250 grasps the type of product to be diagnosed from the identification information included in the product information extracted by the signal processing unit 240 and displays the result in the product identification information display area 310. [ In the present embodiment, a refrigerator to be diagnosed is exemplified by a double-door refrigerator in which a door for opening and closing a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment is opened to both the left and right sides.

The diagnostic progress status display area 330 includes a category selection area 321, a recording start selection area 322, a recording stop selection area 323, a recording progress status display area 324, a waveform display area 325, A selection region 326 and a diagnostic success rate display region 327. [

The category selection area 321 is used to select a home appliance to be diagnosed. The category selection area 321 is automatically selected by the diagnosis unit 250 based on the product information extracted from the signal processing unit 240, .

The recording start selection area 322 is selected by an agent. When a predetermined start signal constituting the beginning of a signal sound output from the refrigerator 1 is confirmed in a state where a call is made with the user, the recording start selection area 322 Select. When the recording start selection region 322 is selected, the sound recording section 230 starts recording the received sound through the negative reception section 220. [

When the recording stop selection area 323 is selected, the current ongoing recording is stopped. The sound recording section 230 stops the recording currently in progress.

In the recording progress state display area 324, the recording progress state of the sound recording unit 230 is displayed. In this embodiment, a bar whose length increases according to the progress of recording is taken as an example.

In the waveform display area 325, the waveform of the signal sound input to the negative reception unit 220 is displayed as an image. When the user decides that re-recording is necessary due to a serious loss or distortion of a sound signal, the recording stop selection region 323 and the recording start selection region 323 are selected. Can take appropriate action.

When the diagnosis start selection area 326 is selected, the diagnosis is performed through the sound signal analysis recorded by the sound recording unit 230. At this time, the signal processing unit 240 extracts the product information from the sound signal recorded by the sound recording unit 230, and the diagnosis unit 250 performs the diagnosis based on the product information extracted through the sound recording unit 230. A detailed description of the process of making a diagnosis through the sound recording unit 230 and the diagnosis unit 250 will be omitted.

In the user setting display area 330, at least one of configuration information and operation information included in the product information extracted through the signal processing unit 240 is displayed.

More specifically, the user setting display area 330 includes a setting information display area 331 for displaying setting information, a mode setting display area 332 for indicating whether the refrigerator 1 to be diagnosed is currently set to the exhibition mode And an operation information display area 333 in which operation information is displayed.

The setting information is displayed in the setting information display area 331 based on the product information extracted through the signal processing unit 240 and the display mode setting whether or not the display mode setting May be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the operation information is displayed in the operation information display area 333 in detail.

And is output to the operation information display area 333. The operation information extracted from the product information and numerical values thereof are displayed.

The diagnosis result display area 340 may include at least one of a malfunction information display area 341, a trouble diagnosis result display area 342, and a measure item display area 343.

The malfunction information display area 341 displays malfunction information when the product information extracted through the signal processor includes malfunction information.

In the fault diagnosis result display area 342, whether or not the refrigerator 1 is detected as a diagnosis result of the diagnosis unit 250 is displayed.

In the measure item display area 343, the symptom of the refrigerator 1, the cause of the symptom, and a countermeasure for healing the symptom may be displayed. The agent can check the action item display area 343, inform the user of the action to be taken, or inform the person of the response.

11 is a flowchart showing a method of outputting a beep of the refrigerator and a diagnostic method performed by the diagnostic apparatus. Referring to FIG. 11, when the product information is converted into a predetermined beep in the refrigerator 1, the user is transmitted to the service center through a communication network connected to the service center.

The controller 1 or the input / output controller 143 outputs an error in accordance with the occurrence of an abnormality to the display unit 141 by the controller 160 or the input / output controller 143 (S430). And may be output in the form of a warning lamp or an error message to the display unit 141 provided on the front surface of the refrigerator 1. [

On the other hand, if the smart diagnosis is selected by the selection unit 145 or the plurality of operation units 144, the controller 160 allows the refrigerator to enter the diagnostic mode even if an abnormality occurs or an abnormality does not occur.

At this time, the control unit 160 constructs and stores product information including operation information, usage information, and failure information through the data stored in the memory 172 (S450).

At this time, the data included in the product information are data set in the refrigerator, data measured or generated during operation, data stored recently, data stored recently, accumulated data, data storing the number of times and average data Data may be used. For example, the average data of the last two days is used as the temperature data.

The product information added with the version information and the product number is encrypted by the encoding unit 162 and modulated by the modulator 182 in step S460 and output as a sound through the sound output unit 150 ).

On the other hand, if the user of the refrigerator does not indicate an error or does not generate an error in the refrigerator, if it is determined that there is an abnormality, the user contacts the service center, and the service center receives the fault (S520).

At this time, the user operates the selection unit 145 or the operation unit 144 according to the guidance of the service center during the call to allow the refrigerator to enter the smart diagnostic mode. When a signal is output, the telephone or the portable terminal is output to the sound output (150) so that a beep is transmitted to the service center as a sound signal.

Even if the refrigerator 1 enters the smart diagnostic mode, the operation of the compressor or the like is normally performed, and the functions such as refrigerator-specific refrigeration and freezing are maintained while functions such as setting the refrigerator function and changing the temperature are locked.

The output signal is transmitted to the service center through the terminal 81 of the user, that is, the telephone or the portable terminal (S510).

The manager of the service center guides the user to the smart diagnosis as described above and operates the input means of the input unit so that the signal sound received through the user's terminal 81 is received by the diagnostic apparatus through the negative reception unit 220 .

The sound signal received through the negative cascade unit 220 is recorded by the sound recording unit 230 (S530).

When a signal sound is recorded in the sound recording unit 230, the signal processing unit 240 detects an error generated during the reception of the signal sound through the communication network or an error generated in the recording process, and determines whether the signal is a normal signal (S540).

At this time, the signal processing unit 240 analyzes the recorded data to check whether the beep sound is normally recorded or whether the beep sound is normal. The signal processor 240 performs a predetermined correction process for correcting the error when it detects an error. However, even if the correction process is performed in some cases, it may be difficult to restore normal data.

If the recorded signal is not a normal signal, the signal processing unit 240 outputs a signal indicating that the signal recording is not completed through the display unit 210 and requests the refrigerator to output the signal sound again (S515). At this time, the administrator of the service center can confirm the output contents of the display unit and request the user of the refrigerator to output the sound again through the terminal 81. [

The refrigerator 1 determines that the beep is not normally output in response to the re-output request (S480). And outputs a beep through the sound output unit 150 again using the modulated data (S470).

The output signal is transmitted to the service center through the communication network by the terminal 81 in operation S510, and the diagnostic unit of the service center re-records the received signal in operation S530.

If the signal is a normal signal, the signal processing unit 240 displays the content on the display unit 210 indicating that the recording is normally completed (S550).

If a separate re-output request is not received or is set to be completed by the user, the refrigerator determines that the signal is output normally and releases the diagnostic mode and performs the normal operation again (S500).

On the other hand, when the signal processing unit 240 of the service center diagnoses a signal sound normally, the signal processing unit 240 analyzes the data, converts the data, and converts the data into a readable state (S560).

At this time, the signal processor 240 converts the recorded analog sound signal data, stores the bit stream data, detects the preamble, and extracts the product information on the refrigerator based on the detected preamble. In this process, the signal processing unit 240 demodulates the recorded data, and decodes the demodulated data to extract product information.

At this time, the signal conversion in the signal processing unit 240 is an inverse conversion to the signal conversion in the refrigerator 1, so that each of the refrigerator 1 and the diagnostic apparatus 200 converts the data through the same signal conversion system . Here, the signal processor 240 may decode the audio signal using a Viterbi decoding algorithm in accordance with the encoding scheme of the refrigerator. The signal processing unit 240 converts an analog signal of a predetermined frequency band into a digital signal through an inverse conversion using a frequency shift method, an amplitude shift method, or a phase shift method.

The product information of the refrigerator detected by the signal processing unit 240 is transmitted to the diagnosis unit 250. The diagnosis unit 250 compares the data stored in the data storage unit 260 with the product information of the refrigerator, (S570).

Upon completion of the diagnosis, the signal processing unit 240 outputs the diagnosis result to the display unit 210 (S580).

At this time, based on the product information of the refrigerator, the diagnosis unit 250 displays at least one of the basic information, the setting information, and the driving information of the refrigerator on one area of the refrigerator, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, And displays at least one cause of the failure in the other area of the display unit 210. [

If one of the causes of the failure is selected, a detailed description and a countermeasure for each cause of the failure are displayed on another area of the display unit 210 (S590).

The server control unit stores the diagnosis result in the data storage unit 260 and transmits diagnosis result data to any one of the terminal of the user terminal 810, the refrigerator 1 and the repairer 93 according to circumstances (S600) .

 FIG. 12 illustrates a method of integrating product information in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, after power is applied to the refrigerator 1, data is stored in the memory 172 in units of a predetermined period (TO). The data stored in the memory 172 is updated every predetermined period (TO).

For example, when the amount of data that can be stored in the memory 172 is set to the product information for a maximum of 5TO, as shown in FIG. 12, the starting point of the ongoing diagnosis mode is referred to as TS, The control unit 160 deletes the data before the period A among the values stored in the memory 172 and stores data for the period E through the period TR from the time TR to the memory 172. [ (172). Therefore, the signal sound output through the sound output unit 150 includes product information in the A, B, C, D, and E sections.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process in which product information of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is integrated from a power application time point. 13, when the diagnosis mode is performed before the set period (for example, five cycles (TO)) elapses from when the power is applied to the refrigerator 1, the product information stored in the memory 172 All the product information stored from the power application time TG to the diagnosis execution time TS when the power is applied to the refrigerator 1 is included in the signal sound output through the sound output unit 150 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the diagnostic execution time TS is a time point in the B section, the signal output through the sound output unit 150 is divided into the section A (TG to TG + TO) , And product information in the section between TG + TO and TS is included in the section B.

The sound signal output from the refrigerator 1 while the diagnosis mode is entered in the diagnostic mode includes information for a predetermined period before the diagnosis execution time TS. In this embodiment, the product information accumulated during the maximum 5TO period . ≪ / RTI >

On the other hand, the product information accumulated in the memory 172 may include the number of door openings accumulated during the most recent setting period from the diagnostic execution point (TS), and the number of door openings accumulated in the corresponding period in each cycle is stored in the memory 172 ).

The controller 160 can detect whether the door is opened or closed according to a signal from a door switch (see FIG. 4) operated when the door is closed.

Referring again to FIG. 12, in the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment, the number of door openings accumulated during the last one cycle before the section A at the data update time TR is deleted, and the diagnosis is started from the data update time TR The number of door openings accumulated up to the time point TS is additionally stored.

The control unit 160 generates driving information by adding all door opening times accumulated and accumulated for each cycle at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, the number of door openings accumulated in the entire sections A, B, C, D and E is included in the operation information.

13, when the memory 172 has not yet been updated after the power application time TG, the number of door openings accumulated from the power application time TG to the diagnosis execution time TS The operation information will be generated.

9 to 10, the values accumulated in the memory 172 are stored in the operation information display area 333 for the number of times of the door opening of the freezing room door for the last two days, the cumulative door opening time (min) (Min), the number of door openings of the refrigerator door for the last 2 days, the accumulated opening time (min) of the refrigerator door for the last 2 days, the driving time (min) of the fridge fan for the last 2 days, The compressor (compressor) can be displayed in driving time (min).

Here, the values displayed in the operation information display area 333 are used for the past two days from the latest data update time TR and from the data update time TR Up to the point of implementation (TS). Therefore, the 'last two days' displayed in the driving information display area 333 should be understood as at least the past two days from the time of performing the diagnosis (TS). Of course, in this case, it is exemplified that 48 hours have elapsed from the power application time (TG) when the diagnosis execution time (TS) has been taken as an example.

14 to 17 show examples of product information generated in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the memory 172 may store average values of values sensed by the sensing unit 190 during each cycle (TO). After power is applied to the refrigerator 1, the average value of the values sensed by the sensing unit 190 is stored in the memory 172 every cycle (TO). The average values stored in the memory 172 are renewed at regular intervals (TO).

Since the sensing unit 190 has been described with reference to FIG. 5, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the sensing unit 190 will be taken as an example of the freezer room temperature sensor 192.

The freezer room temperature sensor 192 senses the temperature of the freezer room at predetermined time intervals. Hereinafter, the freezer room temperature sensor 192 detects the temperature of the freezer room at intervals of TO / 240.

Based on the sensed values of the freezer room temperature sensor 192, the controller 160 calculates an average temperature for each cycle. 14, the temperature average values of the sections A, B, C, and D are denoted by m1, m2, m3, and m4, respectively.

Each of the average values is obtained by averaging the 240 temperature values sensed by the freezer room temperature sensor 192 during the corresponding period TO, and the average value Mt in the entire sections A, B, C, D and E is below Can be obtained by the following equation (1). Here, the section E is from the TR point of time until one cycle (TO) elapses. In the section E, the sum T of the temperature values sensed n times (the number of samples) is obtained by the freezer temperature sensor 192, and divided by n to obtain an average value.

The control unit 160 generates the operation information including the mean value Mt of the freezer compartment temperature in the sections A to E obtained in the above manner and outputs the entire product information including the operation information to the sound output unit 150 .

9 to 10, the average value of the sensed values of the sensing unit 190 is calculated by multiplying the average temperature of the freezer room temperature sensor during the last two days, the average of the refrigerator room temperature sensor during the last two days, Temperature, the average temperature of the ambient air temperature sensor over the last two days, the average temperature of the freezer defrost sensor during the last two days, and the average temperature of the refrigerating chamber defrost sensor during the last two days.

Here, the values displayed in the operation information display area 333 are diagnosed from the latest data update time (TR) for the past two days and from the data update time (TR) when one cycle (TO) is set to 12 hours And is an average value of values sensed through the sensing unit 190 until the time point TS. In addition, the refrigerator (1) is provided with two evaporators for the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, and a refrigerator compartment defrost sensor and a freezer compartment defroster sensor for sensing the surface temperature of each of the evaporators are separately provided.

 Referring to FIG. 15, the maximum value or the minimum value of the temperature value sensed by the temperature sensor during each period (TO) may be stored in the memory 172. The temperature sensor may be any one of the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 191, the freezer compartment temperature sensor 192, the defrost sensor 193, the frosting temperature sensor 198 and the outdoor air temperature sensor 199 shown in FIG. The process of storing the maximum temperature value using the temperature sensor 192 as an example will be described.

The freezer room temperature sensor 192 senses the temperature of the freezer room at predetermined time intervals. Hereinafter, the freezer room temperature sensor 192 detects the temperature of the freezer room at intervals of TO / 240.

Based on the sensed values of the freezer room temperature sensor 192, the controller 160 stores the maximum value for each cycle in the memory 172. For example, the memory 172 stores a maximum value H1 among values sensed through the freezer compartment temperature sensor 192 in a section A, a maximum value H2 among values sensed through the freezer compartment temperature sensor 192 in a section B, The maximum value H3 of the values detected through the freezer compartment temperature sensor 192 in the section C and the maximum value H4 of the values sensed through the freezer compartment temperature sensor 192 in the section D may be stored.

The maximum values H1, H2, H3 and H4 in the sections A, B, C and D and the maximum value H5 in the section E are stored in the memory 172 at the time of diagnosis execution Ts. Here, H1, H2, H3 and H4 are respectively obtained at TR-4TO, TR-3TO, TR-2TO and TR-TO, which are the end points of the respective sections and data update timings, and H5 is obtained at the diagnosis execution time TS. Here, the section E is exemplified as long as one cycle (TO) elapses from the TR point.

On the other hand, the operation information includes the largest value among the maximum values H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5 in each section of A to E. The control unit 160 generates the operation information including the maximum value of the freezer compartment temperature in the entirety of the sections A to E obtained in the above manner and outputs the entire product information including the operation information to the sound output unit 150 And is output as a beep.

15, the minimum values (L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5) of the temperature values sensed by the freezer room temperature sensor 192 in the respective sections A to E are shown. The method for obtaining these is the same as the method for obtaining the maximum temperature value described above except that the minimum value is obtained instead of the maximum value among the temperature values sensed by the freezer room temperature sensor 192. [ Therefore, in this case, the operation information includes the smallest value among the minimum values L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 for each section of A to E. The control unit 160 generates the operation information including the minimum value of the freezer compartment temperature in the entirety of the sections A to E obtained in the above manner and outputs all the product information including the operation information to the sound output unit 150 through the sound output unit 150. [ .

9 to 10, the maximum value or the minimum value of the sensed values of the sensing unit 190 may be stored in the operation information display area 333 for a maximum temperature of the freezer room temperature sensor for the last two days, The minimum temperature of the sensor during the last 2 days, the maximum temperature of the refrigerator room temperature sensor during the last 2 days, the lowest temperature of the refrigerator room temperature sensor during the last 2 days, the maximum temperature of the ambient air temperature sensor during the last 2 days, The highest temperature of the freezer defrost sensor during the 2 days, the lowest temperature of the freezer defrost sensor during the last 2 days, the highest temperature of the fridge defrost sensor during the last 2 days, and the lowest temperature of the fridge defrost sensor.

Here, the values displayed in the operation information display area 333 are diagnosed from the latest data update time (TR) for the past two days and from the data update time (TR) when one cycle (TO) is set to 12 hours Is the maximum value or the minimum value among the values sensed through the sensing unit 190 until the time point TS.

In addition, the refrigerator (1) is provided with two evaporators for the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, and a refrigerator compartment defrost sensor and a freezer compartment defroster sensor for sensing the surface temperature of each of the evaporators are separately provided.

Referring to FIG. 16, when the water pad of the dispenser is operated and water is taken out as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the flow sensor is operated as shown in FIG. 16 (b) The pulse is sensed and the accumulated water quantity is counted accordingly.

At this time, the flow sensor operates not only when water is taken out by the water pad, but also when water is supplied to the eye strainer. Therefore, except for the amount of water supplied to the ice maker's ice storer, the water takeout amount is calculated only for the flow rate measured at the water take-off, that is, at the flow sensor when the water pad is operated.

When the water take-out is completed as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the pulse value of the flow sensor at the water take-out end point is stored, and then the value is counted from the pulse value stored at the time of taking out the next water. For example, when the pulse value of the flow sensor measured at the time of taking out the primary water is 200 pulses, 200 pulses are stored, and then the amount is counted from 200 pulses at the next secondary water take-out.

16, the measured value of the flow sensor is counted once in units of 489 pulses. That is, when the flow rate measured by the flow sensor is 489 pulses, the count is incremented once, and the cumulative water count is continuously accumulated.

At this time, the count value of 489 pulses for the accumulated water amount is the pulse value of the flow sensor corresponding to 100 g of water. That is, when the number is 1, it means that 100 g (or less than 100 g and less than 200 g) is taken out.

In this way, the water extraction amount is stored based on the pulse value measured by the flow sensor and the count value for the accumulated water amount. The water extraction amount is initialized at intervals of 12 hours with 12 hours being one interval, .

Further, the data on the water extraction amount in one section (12 hours) stores the cumulative water supply number as the value. Cumulative water supply 1 corresponds to 489 pulses of the flow sensor as described above, which can be converted to about 100 g of water. Therefore, the cumulative water supply 250 is calculated to be about 25 liters per 100 g count.

The data on the amount of water taken out in one section (12 hours) is stored up to the cumulative watering amount of 250 (number of times), and in the case of watering more than 250 times in one section, Save as maximum setting value.

That is, when water is taken out to 25 liters or less for one section (12 hours), the count value of the cumulative water supply amount corresponding to the extracted amount, that is, the pulse value sensed by the flow rate sensor, is stored as a water extraction amount of 1 to 250, When the water is extracted, the maximum set value is set to 252 and the water discharge amount is stored.

The amount of water taken out from the refrigerator is 12 hours for one section, and the data for the maximum 48 hours is stored for each of the four sections for each section. When the water discharge amount for one section is stored, the measurement value of the flow sensor and the number of times of cumulative water supply for the water discharge are initialized and counted from 0 again.

If the water discharge amount is stored up to 4 intervals for 48 hours, the data of the oldest interval is deleted at the time of storing the next one interval data.

The refrigerator 1 stores data for 48 hours in units of 12 hours, and outputs a stored water discharge amount to the product information when the smart diagnosis mode is entered. Therefore, the diagnostic apparatus receives information on the amount of water discharged in the refrigerator for the last two days.

Referring to FIG. 17, in the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 160 obtains the latest defrosting operation period from the diagnosis execution time TS and outputs operation information including the defrosting operation period . The operation information including the defrost operation cycle is included in the entire product information, and the sound output unit 150 outputs a beep according to the product information.

The operation information may include a defrosting operation cycle most recently made from the time of diagnosis (TS). Here, the defrosting operation cycle can be obtained from the difference between the start time T3 of the defrosting operation most recently performed from the diagnosis execution time Ts and the ending time T2 of the defrosting operation performed before that time.

As is well known, when the refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator of the refrigerator, the refrigerator is cooled by the evaporation heat taken from the surroundings. At this time, the evaporator is frozen due to the surrounding water being frozen, which is a major factor that greatly reduces the efficiency of the evaporator. Therefore, the refrigerator is provided with a defrost heater that generates electricity to dissolve the glow attached to the evaporator, and means for appropriately controlling the defrost heater. Here, the evaporator is in a trend to be installed exclusively in the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber in order to improve the cooling performance of the refrigerator, and accordingly, the defrost heater is also separated from the freezing chamber defrosting heater and the refrigerating chamber defrosting heater .

Therefore, the defrosting operation may be performed to remove the gas stuck to the evaporator of the refrigerator compartment, or may be performed to remove the impurities adhered to the freezer compartment evaporator. The evaporator mentioned below may be either the refrigerator compartment evaporator or the freezer compartment evaporator . 5) for detecting a temperature state of each evaporator, and the controller 160 may control the temperature detected by each of the defrost sensors to a predetermined value for performing a defrost operation of the corresponding evaporator It is determined whether or not the defrosting operation is performed by comparing with the setting conditions.

Alternatively, the control unit 160 may control the defrosting operation to be performed in accordance with the operation time of the compressor 183. The controller 160 controls the defrost heater 188 to operate when the cumulative operation time of the compressor 183 continuously operated is longer than a predetermined set time. The defrost heater 188 may be provided in each evaporator, and the defrosted air introduced into the evaporator is removed by heating the defrost heater. While the defrosting operation is being performed, the controller 160 preferably controls the operation of the compressor 183 to be stopped.

On the other hand, the ending point of the defrosting operation can be determined in accordance with the operating time of the defrost heater 188. In this case, when the operation time of the defrost heater 188 is equal to or longer than the predetermined set time, the defrost operation ends. The controller 160 may stop the operation of the defrost heater 188 to terminate the defrost operation.

Alternatively, the ending point of the defrosting operation may be determined according to the temperature value sensed by the defrost sensor 193. In this case, when the temperature value sensed by the defrost sensor 193 during the defrosting operation is equal to or higher than the predetermined set temperature, the defrosting operation is terminated. The control unit 160 may stop the operation of the defrost heater 188 when the temperature detected by the defrost sensor 193 is equal to or higher than a predetermined set temperature during the defrost operation, thereby terminating the defrost operation.

Referring again to FIG. 17, in the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first defrost operation is performed in the [T1, T2] and the second defrost operation is performed in the [T3, T4] Information about the end point (T2) of the first defrost operation and the start point (T3) of the second defrost operation is stored in the memory (172). The controller 160 calculates the defrosting operation period T3-T2 through the difference between the start point of time T3 of the second defrosting operation and the end point T2 of the first defrosting operation.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 10, the operation information may be displayed in the operation information display area 333 at the time of executing the diagnostic operation (The latest R defrosting time (min)) from the execution time (latest F defrosting time (min)) of the most recent freezer compartment defrosting operation and the diagnosis execution time (Ts) .

On the other hand, in the case of controlling the defrosting operation according to the operating time of the compressor, the second defrosting operation may be performed under the condition that the compressor continuously operates for a predetermined set time or more after the first defrosting operation. In this case, the operation information may include an operation time of the compressor recently driven from the second defrost operation as well as the defrost operation cycle.

The operation information configured as described above transmits information on the operation time of the compressor together with the defrost operation cycle to the diagnostic apparatus 200 side, and the diagnosis unit 250 can perform a more accurate diagnosis through the operation information.

For example, when the user frequently opens the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment door, the defrosting cycle is generally short. If the defrost cycle detected through the operation information is excessively short and the compressor operation time is relatively long, The controller 250 may provide the user with a diagnostic result to confirm whether the refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door is not properly closed or to check whether the refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door has been opened too frequently recently. In addition, as described above, the operation information may include the number of opening times or the opening time of the door. In this case, the diagnosis unit 250 comprehensively compares the defrosting operation period, the compressor operating time, the door opening times, It is possible to diagnose the refrigerator 1 more accurately.

On the other hand, in Figs. 12 to 17, after the diagnostic execution time Ts, a signal is output through the sound output unit 150, and when the predetermined reset setting time elapses, the information stored in the memory 172 may be deleted . In this case, if the diagnosis execution command is re-applied again through the selection unit 145 before the reset setting time elapses, the controller 160 generates product information including the operation information generated at the time of diagnosis do. Therefore, the sound output unit 150 outputs a signal sound that is the same as the signal sound output at the time of diagnosis.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a data storage method for a water extraction amount of a refrigerator. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 18, in operation 650, the refrigerator 1 stores data for 48 days, that is, 2 days, with 12 hours as one section with respect to the water discharge amount. When the data of the new section is stored, the time count and the related data are initialized and then the time count is started (S655).

The water discharge amount counts and stores the amount of the cumulative water amount measured by the flow rate sensor when the water pad is operated. As described above, when the water pad of the dispenser is operated and the water is taken out as shown in FIG. 16 (a), the flow sensor is operated as shown in FIG. 16 (b) And counts the accumulated water quantity accordingly.

At this time, the flow sensor operates not only when water is taken out by the water pad, but also when water is supplied to the eye strainer. Therefore, except for the amount of water supplied to the ice maker's ice storer, the water takeout amount is calculated only for the flow rate measured at the water take-off, that is, at the flow sensor when the water pad is operated.

When the water pad is operated, that is, when the water pad is turned on (S660), the measured value by the flow rate sensor is stored (S675). If there is the stored flow rate sensor value (S665) The flow sensor value is then measured from the value (S675).

When the flow rate sensor is turned off (S680), the flow rate is calculated based on the measured value of the flow rate sensor up to the off-time until the water pad is turned off.

At this time, although the flow sensor can operate even if the water pad is turned off, it can not be regarded as the water discharge amount, so the water discharge amount is calculated only by the measured value during the operation of the water pad.

If the measured flow rate is less than the reference flow rate while the water pad is operating, the flow sensor value is stored (S690). At this time, the count according to the accumulated water amount is stored as the water extraction amount, and if the reference water amount is less than the reference water amount, the existing count is maintained (S695).

When the water extraction is completed as shown in FIG. 16B, the pulse value of the flow sensor at the end of the water extraction is stored, and then the value is counted from the pulse value stored at the time of taking out the next water.

For example, when the pulse value of the flow sensor measured at the time of taking out the primary water is 200 pulses, 200 pulses are stored, and then the amount is counted from 200 pulses at the next secondary water take-out.

On the other hand, if the measured flow rate reaches or exceeds the reference flow rate, the cumulative water supply amount according to the reference flow amount is incremented by one, and the count for the cumulative water supply amount is accumulated and stored as the water discharge amount (S695).

At this time, the reference flow rate corresponds to the pulse value of 498 pulses of the flow sensor, which is 100 g of the drug. However, these values may be changed depending on the type and the manufacturer of the flow sensor, and thus the reference flow rate may also be changed.

That is, when the water discharge amount reaches 100 g, the accumulated water amount is increased by one.

As shown in FIG. 16 (c), when the flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor is 489 pulses, the count is incremented once, and the accumulated water quantity is continuously accumulated and stored.

That is, when the number is 1, it means that 100 g (or less than 100 g and less than 200 g) is taken out.

Until the counted time reaches the first reference time (S700), the amount of water extracted during the water pad operation is counted (S660 to S700).

On the other hand, when the first reference time is reached, the controller 160 stores the count for the cumulative accumulated water amount as an interval value.

Here, the first reference time is about 12 hours corresponding to one interval. That is, 12 hours as one section, stores the water discharge amount measured by the flow rate sensor, initializes it, and stores it again.

Thus, the water discharge amount is stored based on the pulse value measured by the flow rate sensor and the count value for the accumulated water supply amount.

At this time, the water discharge amount per one section (12 hours) is stored as the count value of the accumulated water amount. If the count value is 250 or less, the corresponding count value is stored as the interval value. Here, the cumulative water supply amount of 250 is about 25 liters because the count is one time per 100 g of water.

When the water is taken out at a rate of 25 liters or less for one section (12 hours), the count value of the cumulative water supply amount corresponding to the extracted amount, that is, the pulse value sensed by the flow rate sensor, is stored as a water discharge amount of 1 to 250, , The maximum set value is set to 252 and the water discharge amount is stored.

That is, if the water discharge amount is less than 25 liters in one section, the corresponding value is stored as a section value, and in the case of 25 liters or more, the section value is stored as the maximum value 252, which means 25 liters or more.

If the second reference time is less than the second reference time and the smart diagnosis is not started in step S730, the flow sensor value stored during the first reference time and the accumulated water amount Counts, and counts for the first reference time (S715, S720) and stores data for the new section (S660 to S705).

When the water extraction amount is stored for each section and the second reference time is reached (S710), the oldest section value is deleted (S725). Here, the second reference time is about 48 hours and corresponds to four intervals.

In the case of storing a new interval value while storing the water extraction amount for four intervals, the oldest interval value is deleted, and only the data for the last 48 hours is stored and stored.

On the other hand, if smart diagnosis is started during the storage of the water discharge amount at intervals of 12 hours as described above (S730), product information is generated including stored interval values, i.e., four interval values for the last 48 hours (S735) . At this time, the product information also includes water pressure information related to the water discharge amount. The refrigerator 1 converts the product information and outputs it as a signal sound through the sound output unit 150 (S740).

Therefore, when the smart diagnostic mode is started, the refrigerator 1 outputs the data of the water discharge amount of the last 48 hours stored for each section on the basis of the corresponding point in the product information as a beep sound.

The diagnosis unit of the service center extracts product information by receiving a beep, and diagnoses the state of the refrigerator according to the amount of water discharged from the refrigerator by using data on the water discharge amount in the last 48 hours included in the product information do.

19 is a sequence diagram showing a method for judging whether or not a dispenser is restrained by a refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 19, in operation (S750), the refrigerator 1 senses whether or not the dispenser to which water is taken out is restrained.

In operation S755, the control unit 160 measures the time during which the water pad is maintained in the ON state when the water pad is turned on and the water is taken out (S760).

At this time, if the measurement time of the ON state of the water pad is more than the reference value (S765), it is determined that the water pad is restrained and the water pad ON state is maintained (S770). When the water pad is restrained, the water pad is kept ON, so water is continuously drawn out through the dispenser.

On the other hand, if the ice pad is in operation (S775), the controller 160 measures the time during which the water pad is kept ON (S780).

If the measured time for the ON state of the ice pad is more than the reference value (S785), it is determined that the ice pad is restrained and the ice pad is kept ON (S790). When the ice pad is restrained, the ice pad is kept on because the ice pad is kept on. However, depending on the amount of stored ice, a state in which nothing can be released after the ice is extracted for a certain time may be maintained.

The control unit 160 stores the state value when the constraint of the water pad or the constraint of the ice pad is detected (S795). For example, data is stored as 0 in the constrained state for each of the water pad and the ice pad, and 0 for the normal state.

At this time, if the measurement time for the ON state of the water pad or the ice pad is less than the reference value, it is determined that the user has operated for a long time and is in a normal state (S800).

If the water pad or the ice pad of the dispenser is operated while the display is locked or the door is opened (S805), the controller 160 measures the number of times the pad is pressed and stores the number of times the pad is pressed (S810).

The control unit 160 stores whether or not the water pad is restrained, restrains the ice pad, and the number of times the pad is pressed under the above-described conditions. The diagnostic device then diagnoses the condition of the refrigerator based on this data.

20 is a flowchart showing a method of diagnosing whether or not the dispenser of the refrigerator is faulty in the diagnostic apparatus.

18 and the dispenser restraint or pad pressing count of FIG. 20 are included in the product information and output as a beep, the diagnostic device of the service center receives the beep and records the beep.

The diagnosis unit of the service sensor analyzes the recorded sound signal in response to the user's diagnosis request, and diagnoses the state of the refrigerator 1 based on the extracted product information.

The diagnosis unit 250 of the diagnostic apparatus first determines whether the water pad is in the constrained state or the ice pad is in the constrained state based on the data on the dispenser constraint included in the product information (S820). At this time, if each data value is 1, it is a constraint state and if it is 0, it is determined as a normal state.

If any one of the water pad or the ice pad is in a restrained state according to the data included in the product information, the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses the failure that the dispenser is in the constrained state (S825) and describes a method of releasing the restraint of the dispenser And outputs a corresponding draft (S830).

 If the number of times the pad is pressed is greater than or equal to the reference number, the cause of the failure is diagnosed as the normal operation of the refrigerator due to insufficient operation of the user (S840).

Herein, the number of times the pad is depressed is determined by the number of times the pad of the refrigerator is locked or the number of times the water pad or the ice pad of the dispenser is pressed by the door in the open state, The dispenser formed in the door of the refrigerator is operated. Therefore, the user should be guided through the refrigerator characteristics and the refrigerator operating instructions such that the display of the refrigerator is locked or the dispenser is not operated normally when the door is opened.

If the amount of water to be extracted is equal to or larger than the set value, the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses that the refrigerator is in an excessive water extraction state and outputs a countermeasure for guiding the diagnosis (S855). In particular, if the user who has requested the diagnosis complains that the temperature of the cold water is too high, explain that the phenomenon is caused by excessive water.

In this way, the diagnosis device diagnoses the state of the dispenser and diagnoses the state of the dispenser, diagnoses the refrigerator against the fact that the user does not know a simple mistake or how to use the dispenser, and outputs a corresponding answer as a diagnosis result to solve the complaint of the user.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a water pressure level of a refrigerator, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a water pressure measuring method of a refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 21A, the refrigerator 1 measures the water pressure in accordance with the measured value of the flow sensor at intervals of 1 second while the water pad is operating (ON).

The controller 160 measures the hydraulic pressures A, B, and C for each one second of the operation of the water pad. When the new hydraulic pressure is measured until the water pad is turned off, the existing hydraulic pressure is deleted and the newly measured hydraulic pressure Update. Accordingly, when the water pad is turned off, the water pressure C, which is the last measured water pressure, is stored.

When the controller 160 enters the smart diagnostic mode, the control unit 160 sets the water pressure level according to the preset water pressure table, and outputs the water pressure level as a signal sound in the product information.

As shown in Fig. 21 (b), the water pressure is divided into seven levels and divided into low water pressure, normal water pressure, and high water pressure.

Since the water pressure is related to the water extraction of the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator 1 level-up and updates the water pressure measured and updated in units of one second in the operation of the water pad, and the diagnosis information includes the water pressure information And is used as auxiliary information for determining whether the water is taken out or the dispenser is restrained.

For example, at the time of diagnosing the refrigerator due to the fault reception that the amount of water to be taken out is too small at the time of taking out the water, the water level of the water pressure is outputted together with the diagnosis of the dispenser restraint or the water extraction amount, And whether or not the water pressure is abnormal.

As shown in FIG. 22, the refrigerator 1 is in operation (S860), and when the water pad is operated (S865), the water is taken out and the flow sensor is operated in accordance with the water flow, (S870).

The control unit 160 updates the measured value of the flow sensor in units of one second and stores the updated value in units of one second (S875).

The control unit 160 repeats the flow measurement and updating by the flow rate sensor during operation of the water pad, that is, until the water pad is turned off (S880) (S870 to S880).

When the water pad is turned off (S880), the controller 160 selects the water pressure level according to the flow sensor value for the last one second, i.e., the last measured flow rate sensor value. At this time, the water pressure level is divided into seven levels according to the water pressure, as shown in FIG. 21B, and the water pressure level is divided into low water pressure, normal water pressure and high water pressure.

During the operation of the water pad, the water pressure corresponding to the measured value of the flow sensor is repeatedly updated (S865 to S890) until the smart diagnosis is started.

When the smart diagnosis is started (S890), the controller 160 generates product information including the water pressure level corresponding to the last stored water pressure (S895), converts the product information, and outputs the product information as a beep sound (S900).

Fig. 23 is a diagram showing the water extraction configuration of the refrigerator. Fig. 23, the control unit 160 of the refrigerator includes a control circuit 164 for controlling the ice maker, a main control circuit 163 for controlling the refrigerator operation, and a display control circuit 164). At this time, the display control circuit 165 may correspond to the input / output control unit 143 of FIG.

The structure for extracting water from the refrigerator includes a pilot valve 51 installed in a main pipe through which water flows to control the flow of water, a flow sensor 52 for sensing the amount of water flowing through the pilot valve 51, A refrigerator compartment door (RR door) including a water valve and an ice valve provided in each water pipe branching at a second point (Joint 2) after the water filter, and a dispenser (56) And an eye stray 57, as shown in FIG.

At this time, the operation of the pilot valve and the ice valve is controlled by the control circuit 164 of the ice maker, and the measured value of the flow sensor is fed back to the ice maker control circuit 164. In addition, the water valve 54 is controlled by the display control circuit 165.

When the water pad is operated, the pilot valve 51 and the water valve 54 are opened and water is taken out to the dispenser 56, and the flow rate sensor 52 measures the flow rate according to the water flow.

Further, when the ice of the ice tray is unloaded in accordance with the ice making operation of the ice maker, the pilot valve 51 and the ice valve 55 are opened to supply water to the ice tray. At this time, the flow sensor is operated, but the amount of water supplied to the ice tray is not calculated when calculating the water discharge amount.

In such a water taking-out structure, when water or ice is not taken out even when the water pad is operated or the ice pad is operated, there may be an abnormality in the water supply itself or in a valve provided. Therefore, State, and whether the flow rate is measured or not.

For example, the controller 160 determines that the error is 1 (ERROR1) for the abnormality of the dispenser 56 or the water valve 54 and the error 2 (ERROR2) for the abnormality of the ice valve 55 or the icestray 57 do. However, the problem of the dispenser restraint and the like can be judged separately as described above, and with respect to the ice tray, it is possible to separately judge the trouble by the diagnosis of ice-making.

The diagnostic device receives this data and diagnoses the condition of the refrigerator.

24 is a flowchart showing a method of detecting a water supply failure of a refrigerator.

In the case where any one of the water supply structures is constructed as described above, problems may arise in taking out water and extracting ice. The refrigerator (1) senses defects related to water supply and stores the information.

In operation S910, the controller 160 determines whether the water pad and the ice pad operate at the same time to detect water supply failure (S915). In the case of operating the water pad and the ice pad at the same time, it is not possible to determine an error with respect to the valve during the feed water failure, so that the water feed failure condition is excluded (S980).

When the water pad is operated (S920), the controller 160 determines whether the flow rate is sensed based on the measured value of the flow sensor 52 (S925).

At this time, if the flow rate is not detected during the operation of the water pad, the controller 160 records that the error 2 has occurred (S930).

In operation S935, the control unit 160 determines whether the flow rate is sensed based on the measured value of the flow rate sensor 52 in operation S940.

If the flow rate is not detected at this time, the controller 160 records an error 1 (S945).

On the other hand, when the flow rate is detected during the operation of the water pad or when the flow rate is detected during operation of the ice pad, the controller 160 calculates the water supply amount per hour for the measured flow rate, and determines whether the water supply amount per hour is less than the reference amount S950).

If the amount of water per hour is equal to or greater than the reference amount, the controller 160 determines that the water supply is in a normal state (S970). If the water supply amount per hour is less than the reference amount, the controller 160 determines that water supply is defective and records both errors 1 and 2 (S960). Here, the control unit 160 stores the water pressure measurement and the water pressure level information for the water pressure measurement as described above.

The refrigerator 1 stores an error value for the generated error 1 or error 2 (S975). When entering the smart diagnostic mode, the refrigerator 1 outputs the beeps by including each error value in the product information.

Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing a diagnostic method for defective water supply to the refrigerator of the diagnostic device.

25, the signal processing unit 240 of the diagnostic apparatus extracts the product information from the beep, and the diagnosis unit 250 includes the product information in the product information (step S1000) And the diagnosis of the refrigerator is started (S1010).

The diagnosis unit 250 determines whether or not a water supply related error has occurred (S1020). If the water supply related error does not occur, the water supply state is determined to be normal to diagnose another fault (S1120).

When a water-related error occurs, the diagnosis unit 250 determines whether both of the error 1 and the error 2 have occurred (S1030). If all the errors 1 and 2 have occurred, the cause of the water- It is diagnosed that the abnormality is caused by at least one of the valves, the abnormality due to no water filter, the water supply abnormality, and the abnormality of the water supply passage (S1040).

On the other hand, when the error 1 occurs in the water-related error (S1050), the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses that the water supply fault has occurred due to an error in the ice valve or freezing of the water supply pipe (S1060).

If an error 2 occurs in the water-related error (S1070), the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses that water supply failure has occurred due to an abnormality in the water valve (S1080).

Accordingly, the diagnosis unit 250 outputs a diagnosis result to the display unit 210 (S1090), in which the user checks each item regarding the water supply failure or draws a countermeasure so that a service engineer is dispatched.

Accordingly, the service center instructs the user to check items according to the diagnosis result output to the display unit 210, and dispatches the service engineer (S1110).

26 is a flowchart showing a method of storing ice-extraction amount data of a refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 26, the refrigerator 1 periodically stores the ice discharge amount during operation (S1120), and counts the time accordingly (S1125). The data for 48 days, that is, two days, is stored with the interval of 12 hours being one section with respect to the amount of ice discharge.

When the ice pad operates (S1130), the controller 160 determines whether an auger provided in the ice maker operates (S1135). At this time, the auger is a device for pushing the ice during the operation of the ice pad inside the ice maker, so that the ice is taken out to the outside. The auger operates according to the drive of the connected motor.

When the ice pad and the auger operate, the operation time is measured until the auger stops (S1140). When the auger stops (S1145), the operating time of the auger is cumulatively stored (S1150). At this time, the auger operation time is measured and stored in seconds.

Until the counted time reaches the first reference time (S1155), the auger operation time according to the ice pad and the auger operation is measured and accumulated (S1125 to S1155).

When the first reference time is reached (S1155), the controller 160 stores the cumulative stored auger operation time as an interval value (S1160).

Here, the first reference time is about 12 hours corresponding to one interval. In other words, the auger operation time is stored with 12 hours as one section, and the auger operation is the time when the ice is taken out.

Therefore, the ice discharge amount can be calculated based on the accumulated auger operation time. The amount of ice taken out varies depending on the product, but the amount of ice taken out is calculated on the basis that about 19.4 g is taken out per second. At this time, the maximum ice-making amount of the ice maker for 2.5 days is about 4950 g, which is about 100 g of ice from the ice tray at the time of one ice-break, and about 35 to 50 times of ice-

After storing the interval value, it is determined whether the second reference time has elapsed (S1165). If it is less than the second reference time and the smart diagnosis is not started (S1175), the auger operation time stored during the first reference time and the first reference time (S1180, S1185) and stores the data for the new section (S1125 to S1175).

If the second reference time is reached (S1165), the oldest interval value is deleted (S1170). Here, the second reference time is about 48 hours and corresponds to four intervals.

If a new interval value is stored while the auger operation time of four intervals is stored, the oldest interval value is deleted and only the data of the last 48 hours is stored and stored.

Meanwhile, if the Smart Diagnosis is started while storing the auger operation time at intervals of 12 hours as described above (S1175), the product information is generated including the stored interval values, i.e., the four interval values for the last 48 hours (S1190) .

The refrigerator 1 converts the product information and outputs it as a signal through the sound output unit 150 (S1195).

Therefore, when the smart diagnostic mode starts, the refrigerator 1 outputs data on the auger operation time (ice extraction time) of the last 48 hours stored for each section based on the corresponding point in the product information as a beep sound.

The diagnosis unit of the service center receives the signal tone, extracts the product information, calculates the ice extraction amount in the refrigerator using the data on the auger operation time (ice extraction time) for the last 48 hours included in the product information Thereby diagnosing the condition of the refrigerator accordingly.

27 is a flowchart showing a method of storing the ice making amount of the refrigerator.

As shown in FIG. 27, when the water is taken out by the operation of the water pad or the ice maker enters the ice making operation, the flow sensor senses the flow rate (S1200).

The measured value of the flow sensor measured while the water pad is not operating is referred to as a flow rate flowing into the ice maker, and the flow rate is measured (S1205). The measured flow rates are accumulated and stored (S1210).

After the initial flow rate is cumulatively stored, until the first reference time is reached (S1215), the flow rate introduced into the ice maker is measured and accumulated (S1200 to S1215).

When the first reference time is reached (S1215), the controller 160 stores the cumulative stored ice-maker inflow flow rate as the interval value (S1220).

As described above, the first reference time is about 12 hours corresponding to one interval. That is, 12 hours are divided into one section, and the flow quantity accumulated in the ice maker is accumulated and stored for up to 48 hours in each section.

At this time, the water flowing into the ice maker becomes ice in the ice maker, the ice is released, and is taken out in the operation of the ice pad as described above.

Therefore, the ice making amount is calculated from the flow rate flowing into the ice maker.

After storing the interval value, it is determined whether the second reference time has elapsed (S1225). If it is less than the second reference time and the smart diagnosis is not started (S1235), the flow rate stored during the first reference time and the first reference time The count is initialized (S1240) and data for the new section is stored (S1200 to S1235).

In this manner, the flow rate introduced into the ice maker for calculating the ice-making amount is measured and stored for each section, and when the second reference time is reached (S1225), the oldest section value is deleted (S1230). Here, the second reference time is about 48 hours and corresponds to four intervals.

When storing the flow rate of the ice maker for four intervals, if the new interval value is stored, the oldest interval value is deleted and only the data for the last 48 hours is stored and stored.

Meanwhile, when the smart diagnosis is started during the averaging operation time at intervals of 12 hours as described above (S1235), the stored interval values, i.e., the four interval values for the last 48 hours, are summed and converted into predetermined units (S1245) .

For example, the pulse value of the summed flow rate is converted into about 98 pulse units. Since the flow rate of 98 pulses corresponds to about 20 g of ice, it is converted into 98 pulse units.

Before generating the converted value as the product information, the controller 160 determines whether the number of times of ice-washing is one or more times (S1250). If ice making is completed in the ice maker but no ice making is performed, it means that no ice is used. Therefore, the ice maker inflow flow rate is set to 0 (S1255). That is, it is assumed that the ice-making amount is 0 in this case.

If the number of times of ice-making is one or more times, the control unit 160 generates the converted value of the ice-maker inflow flow rate as product information (S1265). At this time, the water pressure affects the ice making, so the water pressure level is also included in the product information.

Therefore, when the smart diagnostic mode starts, the refrigerator 1 outputs the accumulation amount of the flow of the ice maker inflow for the last 48 hours, which is stored for each section on the basis of the corresponding point in time, as a beep in the product information.

28 is a flowchart showing a method of diagnosing a refrigerator in accordance with defective ice extraction of the diagnostic device. 28, when the diagnostic apparatus receives the signal sound of the refrigerator 1, it extracts the product information from the beep, analyzes the data included in the product information, and starts diagnosis of the refrigerator.

The diagnosis unit 250 analyzes the data (S1270), and calculates the ice making amount of the refrigerator based on the ice straw water supply amount for the last two days, that is, the converted value of the ice maker inflow flow rate (S1275).

At this time, the flow rate of the ice maker is calculated by converting the flow rate in units of 98 pulses. Since the flow rate of 98 pulses corresponds to approximately 20 g of ice, the converted value of the flow rate included in the product information is multiplied by about 20 (20.0409) . That is, by dividing the flow rate of the ice maker measured by the pulse unit by 98 and multiplying by 20.409, it becomes the ice-making amount.

In addition, the diagnosis unit 250 converts the ice discharge amount by using the auger operation time (ice extraction time) for the last two days (S1280).

The amount of ice taken out may vary depending on the product, but the amount of ice taken out can be calculated in accordance with the auger operation time on the basis that about 19.4 g is taken out per second. At this time, the maximum ice-making amount of the ice maker for 2.5 days is about 4950 g, which is about 100 g of ice from the ice tray at the time of one ice-break, and about 35 to 50 times of ice-

The diagnosis unit compares the amount of ice for the last two days with the amount of ice for the last two days (S1285). If the amount of ice in the last two days is equal to or less than the amount of ice for the last two days, the diagnosis unit diagnoses that there is no ice (S1290) A countermeasure is drawn to guide that the ice is not taken out (S1295).

On the other hand, if the ice making amount in the last two days is larger than the ice taking out amount in the last two days, ice is present in the refrigerator (S1300), and the refrigerator is diagnosed as normal operation with respect to the ice taking out (S1305).

The diagnosis unit 250 outputs the diagnosis result to the display unit 210 (S1310).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a method for judging ice coalescence of a refrigerator. Referring to FIG. 29, in operation S1320, the refrigerator 1 determines whether the ice maker is in the full ice state (S1325).

The controller 160 determines whether the full ice level is maintained for a basic time or more (S1330).

At this time, if the full ice level is maintained and the full ice level is maintained for more than the basic time, the control unit 160 recognizes the full ice level, and detects whether the ice pad is operated and the ice is taken out (S1335).

If the ice is taken longer than the preset time, the full ice state is sensed again, and it is determined whether or not the full ice state is maintained over the basic time (S1340).

If the full ice level is maintained above the basic time even after the full ice level is maintained for more than a predetermined time, the controller 160 outputs and stores an ice float warning (S1345).

On the other hand, if the ice-making state is canceled after ice extraction, it is determined that ice is normally taken out from the ice maker (S1350).

The controller 160 stores the ice filling warning when the full ice level is maintained for a predetermined time, generates product information at the time of smart diagnosis, and outputs the product information as a beep sound.

Accordingly, the diagnostic apparatus can detect whether or not the ice information is generated when the ice information is set in the product information, for example, when there is a problem related to the ice information, such as the above-described error, It is possible to diagnose the ice extraction problem.

Accordingly, the refrigerator stores data on ice-making and ice-taking and outputs it as a product sound. The diagnosis device diagnoses the state of the refrigerator for ice-making and ice-making based on the data included in the product information, . Accordingly, the diagnosis of the refrigerator is easy and it is possible to cope with a failure.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a method of storing temperature data of the refrigerator according to FIG.

The refrigerator 1 includes a plurality of temperature sensors such as a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 191, a freezing compartment temperature sensor 192, an ice tray temperature sensor 198 and an ice maker flow path temperature sensor 197 provided inside the refrigerator, The temperature data measured by the sensor is stored and included in the product information during smart diagnosis and output as a beep sound.

At this time, the refrigerator 1 stores and maintains data for about 48 hours at intervals of 12 hours with 12 hours as one section with respect to the temperature data.

Referring to FIG. 30, during operation of the refrigerator 1 (S1360), temperatures are periodically measured from a plurality of temperature sensors provided inside and outside the refrigerator, and temperature data is input for each sensor (S1365).

The control unit 160 stores the temperature data samples for the first reference time of 12 hours for each temperature sensor, calculates the average temperature for the temperature data samples at the first reference time (S1370) (S1375 ), And stores the calculated average temperature as the interval value (S1380).

The controller 160 of the refrigerator 1 calculates the average temperature of the inputted temperature data when the temperature data is measured and input from the respective temperature sensors at predetermined time intervals. At this time, the controller 160 calculates the average temperature for one section.

That is, the average temperature is calculated for the temperature data inputted at predetermined time intervals during the first reference time of 12 hours, and the calculated average value is stored as the interval value. When temperature data is input in about 3 minutes, 240 temperature data are inputted in one interval.

After storing the interval value, the input temperature data sample is deleted.

If the time has not reached the second reference time (1385) or the smart diagnosis has not started (1400), the temperature sample is initialized (S1405) and the average of the temperature data samples The process of storing the temperature as the interval value is repeated (S1365 to S1405).

 On the other hand, if the second reference time has elapsed, the oldest interval data is deleted (S1390). However, as described with reference to FIG. 14, when the interval value for the data of the fifth interval is stored, the data of the oldest interval is deleted and the data of the first interval is stored until the interval value for the fifth interval is stored .

That is, the temperature data average temperature calculation is performed for four intervals of 48 hours, and the data of intervals longer than 48 is deleted and the interval values for new data are stored.

As shown in FIG. 14, the average temperature m1 for the temperature data measured for 12 hours in the first interval A is calculated and stored as the interval value for the first interval A, as shown in FIG. When the interval value for the first interval is stored, the temperature data for the first interval is deleted and the temperature data for the second interval B is newly processed. The average temperature m2 is calculated in accordance with the temperature data of the second section B, the temperature is stored as the interval value, and the temperature data are all deleted.

After storing the average temperature m4 for the fourth section D in this manner, the temperature data for the new fifth section E is processed.

At this time, the data for the first section A is maintained until the interval value for the fifth section is calculated, and the first interval A, which is the data 48 hours before the time for storing the average temperature of the fifth section, Quot;

When the smart diagnosis is started (S1400) while storing the average temperature for the temperature data as the interval value, the controller 160 sets a new interval until the start of the smart diagnosis, i.e., the fifth interval described above, And the number of samples of the temperature data.

The control unit 160 divides the average temperature for each section and the sum of the temperatures of the fifth section by the total number of samples, calculates the average temperature for the last two days for each temperature sensor, and stores the average temperature in the product information at step S1410.

At this time, before calculating the interval value for the fifth section, when the smart diagnosis is started, the controller calculates the temperature sum T for the temperature data up to the start point of the smart diagnosis for the fifth section, The number n of data is counted.

The controller 160 calculates the average temperature for the sum of the temperature of the fifth section and the interval of the fourth section from the first section to the fourth section and stores the average temperature in the product information as the average temperature for the last two days for each temperature sensor.

Here, the average temperature for the last two days is calculated by adding the sum of m1 to m4, which are interval values of the first to fourth sections, and the temperature sum T of the fifth section, and then adding the sum of the temperatures to the total number of samples for the first to fifth sections .

Since the average temperature of each interval is an average value by 240 pieces of temperature data and the temperature sum T of the fifth section is a temperature sum of n pieces of temperature data, the average temperature of the last two days is 960 divided by + n.

The product information is output as a signal through the sound output unit 150 through a predetermined conversion process (S1415).

At this time, the controller 160 does not delete the data after outputting the beep sound, but retains the data of the average temperature for the last two days during the set time (S1420) (S1425). This keeps the last data for a predetermined time because an error may occur during transmission of the output sound signal.

After the set time, all the data are initialized (S1430), and the average temperature for the new temperature data is calculated and stored.

31 is a flowchart showing a method of diagnosing a refrigerator according to the temperature of the diagnostic apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 31, the diagnosis device extracts product information from the received beep to diagnose the state of the refrigerator.

The diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses the refrigerator based on a plurality of data items included in the product information, and determines whether the refrigerator has a demonstration mode or a test mode according to the mode setting value (S1450, S1455).

If the demonstration mode or the test mode is set in the refrigerator, the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses the abnormality of the refrigerator due to the refrigerator mode setting problem (S1460) and derives a countermeasure to guide the mode changing method (S1465).

When the refrigerator is operating in the normal mode, the diagnosis unit 250 compares the average temperature of the refrigerator compartment with the average temperature of the freezer compartment, and determines whether the refrigerator is cold or not.

If the average temperature of the refrigerating compartment is greater than the first reference temperature, the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses that the refrigerator is relatively cold due to the high outside temperature (S1475) . At this time, the average temperature of the fridge is the average temperature of the fridge during the last two days.

In addition, the diagnosis unit 250 compares the average temperature of the refrigerating compartment with the second reference temperature (S1480), and if the refrigerating compartment average temperature is lower than the second reference temperature, the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses the refrigerator undercooling condition due to low outside temperature (S1485).

On the other hand, the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses that the refrigerator is in the relatively cold state due to the high outside air temperature or the refrigerator is in the relatively subcooled state due to the low outside air temperature, compared with the third and fourth reference temperatures predetermined for the freezing room average temperature .

At this time, the diagnosis unit 250 compares the outside air temperature with a preset temperature range, and diagnoses the cold or supercooling of the refrigerator due to the outside temperature as described above when the outside air temperature is not included in the temperature range.

On the other hand, if the product information is set to the cold storage state and the freezing chamber in the cold storage state (S1490), the diagnosis unit 250 diagnoses the cycle or the door sealing abnormality of the refrigerator 1 (S1495). In this case, a countermeasure is drawn to dispatch a service engineer (S1500).

The diagnosis unit 250 outputs the diagnosis result to the display unit 210 (S1505).

Accordingly, the service center notifies the user of the diagnosis results and notifies the user of the necessary information, and dispatches the service engineer to the home to repair the refrigerator according to the diagnosis.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof are included in the scope of the present invention Should be interpreted.

Claims (74)

In a refrigerator that operates continuously,
A memory for storing various information generated according to an operation state of the refrigerator;
An input unit for receiving a diagnostic execution command;
A temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the refrigerator, the freezer or the outside air;
And accumulating various information generated according to the operation state of the refrigerator in the memory during a setup period and generating operation information based on the information stored in the memory when a diagnostic execution command is inputted through the input unit, A controller for generating product information for fault diagnosis including operation information, setting information, and malfunction information; And
And an acoustic output unit for outputting a beep in response to the product information,
Wherein the controller updates the information stored in the memory at intervals of a predetermined period,
When the diagnostic execution command is input after the power is applied and before the set period is reached, the operation information is generated based on the information from the power application time point to the input of the diagnosis execution command,
When the diagnostic execution command is input before reaching the set period and before the memory information reaches the predetermined period from the last update time, And generates the driving information. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit first updates the information in the memory when the setting period is reached for the first time after power is applied,
And the information about the latest predetermined period is stored in the order of the old information in units of the predetermined period. delete 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the control unit deletes information on one cycle of the first predetermined period from the power application time point. delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit calculates an average value of the temperature values sensed by the temperature sensor during the predetermined period and stores the average value in the memory for each period,
Wherein the operation information is generated by calculating an average temperature for the set period based on the average values per cycle. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the controller reflects a new average value for the predetermined period when the predetermined period has elapsed, and shakes the average temperature. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not the diagnostic execution command is input based on the average values of the period previously stored in the memory and the temperature values stored up to the time of the diagnosis after the last update time, And the average temperature is calculated. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit stores the maximum value of the temperature values sensed by the temperature sensor during the predetermined period in the memory for each period,
And calculates the maximum temperature for the set period based on the maximum values per cycle to generate the operation information. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the control unit stores the new maximum value for the predetermined period in the memory when the predetermined period has elapsed and reflects the new maximum value to ship the maximum temperature. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not the diagnostic execution command is input based on the maximum values per cycle preliminarily stored in the memory and the temperature values stored until the diagnosis is performed after the last update time, And the maximum temperature is calculated. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller stores the minimum temperature value detected by the temperature sensor in the memory for each predetermined period of time,
And generates the operation information by calculating a minimum temperature for the set period based on the minimum values for each cycle. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the controller stores the new minimum value for the predetermined period in the memory when the predetermined period has elapsed, and reflects the minimum temperature by reflecting the new minimum value. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not the diagnostic execution command is input based on the minimum values of the period previously stored in the memory and the temperature values stored up to the time of the diagnosis after the last update time, And the lowest temperature is calculated. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the controller calculates and stores information for each period on a predetermined period basis for the set period according to the type of information and accumulates the number of times of operation or the operation time for the predetermined period on a per cycle basis, . 16. The method of claim 15,
The memory accumulates and stores the number of door openings of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment or the door open time, the operation time of the compressor, and the drive time of the fan during the setting period, and the controller stores the number of door openings, the door open time, Wherein the operation information includes an operating time and a driving time of the fan. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit waits for a reset setting time after the diagnostic command is input and a signal is output through the sound output unit,
And to output a beep according to the product information including the generated operation information when the diagnostic execution command is re-input before the reset set time elapses. delete The method according to claim 1,
A dispenser in which water is taken out during operation of the water pad;
Ice maker to produce ice;
An auger which moves the ice inside the ice maker when the ice pad is operated to take out the ice to the outside;
And a flow sensor for measuring an amount of water flowing into the dispenser or the ice maker,
The control unit controls the water dispenser according to information of the flow rate sensor, such as a water discharge amount taken out through the dispenser, restraint information of the water pad or the ice pad, water supply error information, number of pad presses, And an ice accumulation warning is stored as the operation information. 20. The method of claim 19,
The control unit
Wherein the control unit receives and stores a flow rate measured from a flow rate sensor that senses a water flow rate when the water pad operates, and increases the accumulated water flow rate when the flow rate reaches a reference value. 21. The method of claim 20,
The control unit stores the flow rate information when the water pad stops before the flow rate reaches the reference value and controls the flow rate sensor to measure the flow rate after the flow rate sensor stores the flow rate information at the next operation of the water pad Refrigerator. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the control unit
Wherein the control unit stores the accumulated flow amount and the cumulative water amount by intervals, and initializes data on the flow amount and the cumulative water amount when the predetermined time is reached, and stores data on a new section. 21. The method of claim 20,
Wherein the control unit stores the cumulative value of the cumulative water supply amount in the product information as the water discharge amount when the diagnostic execution command is input. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the control unit
The cumulative water quantity of the cumulative water quantity for at least four periods is stored as the operation information, and the cumulative water quantity for at least four periods is stored as the operation information, And the refrigerator is stored in the refrigerator. 20. The method of claim 19,
The controller sets an error 2 for water supply failure when the flow rate sensor does not detect the flow rate while the water pad is operating,
Wherein when the flow rate is not detected by the flow sensor when water is supplied to the ice maker, an error 1 for the water supply failure is set and stored as the water supply failure error information. 26. The method of claim 25,
Wherein when the flow rate is detected by the flow rate sensor during operation of the water pad or while supplying water to the ice maker,
And sets the error 1 and the error 2 for the water supply failure if the water supply amount per hour is less than the reference amount, and stores the water supply error information as the water supply error information if the water supply amount per hour is equal to or greater than the reference amount. 20. The method of claim 19,
When the operation time of the water pad or the ice pad is equal to or greater than the reference value, the controller determines that the water pad or the ice pad is in the restricted state
And the restraint information for the water pad or the ice pad is stored. 28. The method of claim 27,
Wherein when the water pad or the ice pad is operated, it is determined whether the display is locked or opened, and the number of presses is counted and stored as the number of presses of the pad. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the control unit accumulates the operation time of the auger at predetermined intervals during the operation of the ice pad,
Wherein the accumulation time of the operation time of the auger is included in the product information as data for calculating an ice extraction amount when the diagnosis execution command is input. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the control unit receives the flow rate introduced into the ice maker from the flow rate sensor and stores the flow rate at predetermined time intervals,
Wherein when the diagnosis execution command is input, the cumulative value of the flow rate introduced into the ice maker is converted into data for calculating the ice-making amount and stored in the product information. 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the control unit stores the operation time of the auger and the flow rate of the ice into the ice maker for each section at predetermined time intervals, and when the diagnostic execution command is input, stores the cumulative value for at least four sections in the product information . 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the controller is configured to initialize data, store data for a new section, and delete data prior to the 4 section, when storing the operation time of the auger and the interval value for the flow rate introduced into the ice maker, . 20. The method of claim 19,
Wherein the control unit sets the ice-fill-up warning when the ice-maker is kept in the full ice state for more than the reference time and the ice-making state of the ice-maker is maintained over the reference time even after the ice- Refrigerator. 1. A method of operating a refrigerator that operates continuously,
(D) sensing the temperature of the refrigerator compartment, the freezer compartment, or the outside air through the temperature sensor;
(A) storing various kinds of information generated according to an operation state of the refrigerator in a memory during a set period during a continuous operation;
(A-1) updating information stored in the memory with a period of a predetermined period;
(B) generating operation information based on the information stored in the step (a) when a diagnostic execution command is input;
(B-1) generating product information for fault diagnosis including the operation information, setting information and malfunction information generated in the step (b); And
And (c) outputting a beep corresponding to the product information generated in the step (b-1)
In the step (a-1), the predetermined period is periodically updated with information for the set period stored in the memory, and the temperature values sensed in the step (d)
The step (b) may include generating the operation information based on the information from the power application time point to the input of the diagnosis execution command, if the diagnosis execution command is input before the setting period after the power is applied and,
In the step (a-1), if the diagnosis execution command is input before the predetermined period after the last update, the operation information is updated based on the period information stored in the memory and the information stored after the last update To the refrigerator. 35. The method of claim 34,
Wherein the step (b) comprises generating the operation information based on the information updated in the step (a-1). 35. The method of claim 34,
The step (a-1)
When the setting period is reached for the first time after power-on, the information of the memory is updated for the first time,
And the information about the latest predetermined period is stored in the order of the old information in the order of the predetermined period. delete delete 35. The method of claim 34,
Wherein the step (a-1) deletes information on one cycle of the first predetermined period from the power application time point. 35. The method of claim 34,
The step (a)
Wherein the average value of the temperature values detected in the step (d) is calculated and stored during the predetermined period, and the step (b)
Calculating the average temperature of the set period based on the average values per cycle, and generating the operation information including the average temperature. 41. The method of claim 40,
The step (a)
When the predetermined period elapses, updating the average values for each cycle,
Wherein the operation information is generated by re-calculating the average temperature by reflecting a new average value for the predetermined time period in the step (b). 41. The method of claim 40,
In the step (b), when the diagnostic execution command is input,
The average temperature for the set period is calculated based on the average values of the period previously stored in the memory and the temperature values stored up to the time of the diagnosis after the last update time on the basis of the last update time to generate the operation information Wherein the refrigerator is a refrigerator. 35. The method of claim 34,
The step (a)
Wherein the controller stores a maximum value per cycle of the temperature values sensed in the step (d) during the predetermined period, and the step (b)
Calculating a maximum temperature for the set period based on the maximum values per cycle, and generating the operation information including the maximum temperature. 44. The method of claim 43,
The step (a)
Calculating a new maximum value for the predetermined period and storing the new maximum value when the predetermined period has elapsed,
Wherein the operation information is generated by recalculating the maximum temperature for the set period by reflecting the new maximum value in the step (b). 44. The method of claim 43,
In the step (b), when the diagnostic execution command is input,
The maximum temperature for the set period is calculated on the basis of the last update time point and the maximum values per cycle previously stored in the memory and the temperature values stored up to the time of diagnosis after the last update time, Wherein the refrigerator is a refrigerator. 35. The method of claim 34,
The step (a)
Storing the minimum value of the temperature values detected in the step (d) for the predetermined period,
The step (b)
And generating the operation information by calculating a lowest temperature of the temperature value sensed during the setting period based on the minimum values per cycle. 47. The method of claim 46,
The step (a)
When the predetermined period elapses, a new minimum value for the predetermined period is calculated and stored,
Wherein the operation information is generated by recalculating the minimum temperature for the set period by reflecting the new minimum value in the step (b). 47. The method of claim 46,
In the step (b), when the diagnostic execution command is input,
The minimum temperature for the set period is calculated based on the minimum values of the period previously stored in the memory and the temperature values stored up to the time of the diagnosis after the last update time on the basis of the last update time to generate the operation information Wherein the refrigerator is a refrigerator. 35. The method of claim 34,
Accumulating and storing an operation time or a number of operations during the predetermined period;
Storing the operation time or the operation frequency in the memory when the predetermined period is reached; And
Initializing the operation time and the number of operations and accumulating and storing the operation time again for the predetermined period; And
Further comprising the step of updating the operation time or the operation frequency in units of the predetermined period during the setting period,
Wherein the number of times of opening the door of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, the door opening time, the operation time of the compressor, and the driving time of the fan are accumulated and stored. 35. The method of claim 34,
Further comprising the step of deleting information accumulated in the step (a) when a predetermined reset setting time elapses after a signal is output according to the diagnostic execution command in the step (c). 51. The method of claim 50,
If the diagnosis execution command is re-input before the reset setting time elapses after the signal is output according to the diagnosis execution command in the step (c), the product generated in the step (b-1) Further comprising the step of re-outputting the beep according to the information. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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