KR102421650B1 - Refrigerator and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator according to one aspect includes: a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed; a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage compartment; a door opening device including a push rod movable from an initial position to a door opening position to open the refrigerator door, and a motor for providing power to the push rod; and a controller for controlling the motor, wherein the controller controls the motor to reduce the rotational speed of the motor while the push rod moves from the initial position to the door open position to open the refrigerator door. control

Description

Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same.

BACKGROUND ART In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food to be stored at a low temperature in an internal storage room that is shielded by a door.

Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-0040030 (published on April 20, 2011), which is a prior document, discloses a method of opening a refrigerator door.

In the case of the prior art, a door handle is provided on a refrigerator door, and an operation unit is provided on the door handle. In addition, a door opening device is provided in the cabinet forming the storage space. When the user manipulates the operation unit, the push rod constituting the door opening device pushes the door to open the door.

The push rod receives the driving force generated from the driving motor by a plurality of gears and moves linearly.

The push rod may move forward to a set position for opening the door. And, when the position sensing member detects that the push rod has moved to the set position, the driving motor is reversely rotated to return the push rod to the initial position.

According to such a prior document, since the drive motor continuously operates until the push rod moves to the set position, when an external force is applied to the refrigerator door while the drive motor operates, the push rod and the gear may be damaged or the There is a problem in that the driving motor is damaged by the overload of the driving motor.

In addition, since the drive motor continuously operates until the push rod moves to the set position regardless of whether the user opens the door when the push rod moves, the user opens the door while the push rod advances and moves to the set position. When the door is closed after increasing the angle, the rotational force for closing the door is transmitted to a plurality of gears through the push rod, thereby causing a problem in which the push rod and/or the gear are damaged.

An object of the present invention is to transmit power to the push rod and/or the push rod by the action of an external load while the push rod for opening a door is moving to the door opening position or while the push rod is moved to the door opening position An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same in which damage to the gear is prevented.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of maintaining the door open state for a predetermined time while the push rod moves to the door open position, and a method for controlling the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that prevents rattling of the door while the door is opened, and a method for controlling the same.

A refrigerator according to one aspect includes: a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed; a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage compartment; a door opening device including a push rod movable from an initial position to a door opening position to open the refrigerator door, and a motor for providing power to the push rod; and a controller for controlling the motor, wherein the controller controls the motor to reduce the rotational speed of the motor while the push rod moves from the initial position to the door open position to open the refrigerator door. control

The controller may control the motor so that the motor rotates at the first rotational speed, and then control the motor so that the rotational speed of the motor becomes a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed at a specific point in time.

The controller may control the motor so that the rotation speed of the motor is linearly or non-linearly reduced from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed.

When the rotation speed of the motor reaches the second rotation speed, the controller controls the motor so that the rotation speed of the motor is maintained at the second rotation speed until the push rod reaches the door open position. can

Further comprising a motor rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the motor, the motor rotation detection unit outputs a pulse during the rotation of the motor, the specific time point is the number of pulses output from the motor rotation detection unit is the first It may be a time point at which the reference number is reached.

The speed of the motor when the number of pulses output from the motor rotation detection unit reaches a second reference number greater than the first reference number may be the second rotation speed.

The specific time point may be a time point at which the push rod is positioned at a point between a point halving the distance between the initial position and the door open position and the door open position.

A refrigerator according to another aspect includes: a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed; a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage compartment; a door opening device including a push rod movable from an initial position to a door opening position to open the refrigerator door, and a motor for providing power to the push rod; a motor rotation detection unit for detecting rotation of the motor; and a controller for controlling the motor, wherein the motor operates in one direction to open the refrigerator door so that the push rod moves from the initial position to the door opening position, wherein the controller rotates the motor It is determined whether an external load is applied to the refrigerator door in a direction in which the refrigerator door is closed based on the information sensed by the sensing unit, and when it is determined that an external load is applied to the refrigerator door, the push rod is Rotate the motor in the other direction to return to position.

The motor rotation detection unit outputs a pulse during the rotation of the motor, and the controller, when the number of pulses output per unit time from the motor rotation detection unit is less than or equal to the load detection number, the push rod returns to the initial position to rotate the motor in the other direction.

The controller may determine whether an external load acts on the refrigerator door after the motor rotates in one direction and a reference time elapses.

The controller may be configured to stop the motor when the push rod reaches the door open position, and to activate the refrigerator door based on information detected by the motor rotation detection unit while the push rod reaches the door open position. It is determined whether an external load is applied to the refrigerator door in a closing direction, and when it is determined that an external load is applied to the refrigerator door, the motor can be rotated in another direction so that the push rod returns to the initial position. have.

The motor rotation detection unit outputs a pulse during the rotation of the motor, and the controller, when the number of pulses output per unit time from the motor rotation detection unit is equal to or greater than the number of load detections, the push rod returns to the initial position The motor may be rotated in the other direction to do so.

A refrigerator according to another aspect includes: a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed; a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage compartment; a door opening device including a push rod movable from an initial position to a door opening position to open the refrigerator door, and a motor for providing power to the push rod; and a controller controlling the motor, wherein the controller rotates the motor in one direction so that the push rod moves from the initial position to the door opening position in order to open the refrigerator door, and the push rod When the door open position is reached, the rotation of the motor is stopped, and a voltage is supplied to the motor to prevent rotation of the motor in the other direction.

Further comprising a motor rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the motor, when the motor rotates, a pulse is output from the motor rotation detection unit, the controller, but control the supply period of the voltage supplied to the motor, The voltage supply period may be controlled so that a pulse is not output from the motor rotation detection unit.

When a predetermined time elapses from the time when the rotation of the motor is stopped, the controller may rotate the motor in the other direction so that the push rod returns to the initial position.

According to another aspect, there is provided a control method of a refrigerator, comprising: operating a motor in one direction to open a door of the refrigerator to move a push rod from an initial position to a door opening position; determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the push rod reaches the door opening position; and operating the motor in another direction so that the push rod returns to the initial position when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, wherein the motor moves from the initial position to the door open position. The rotation speed of the motor is controlled so that the rotation speed in one direction is reduced.

The rotation speed of the motor is controlled so that the rotation speed of the motor in one direction is maintained at the first rotation speed and then decreased for a predetermined time until it reaches a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed.

The step of moving from the initial position to the door open position includes: determining, by a controller, whether an external load acts on the refrigerator door in a direction in which the refrigerator door closes; and determining that an external load acts on the refrigerator door. In this case, the method may include rotating the motor in another direction to return to the initial position even before the push rod reaches the door opening position.

When the push rod reaches the door open position, the controller may supply a voltage to the motor to prevent the motor from rotating in the other direction.

When the push rod reaches the door opening position, the controller determines whether an external load acts on the refrigerator door in a direction in which the refrigerator door closes, and when it is determined that the external load acts on the refrigerator door, The motor may be rotated in another direction so that the push rod returns to the initial position.
A refrigerator according to another aspect includes: a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed; a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage compartment; a door opening device including a push rod movable from an initial position to a door opening position to open the refrigerator door, and a motor for providing power to the push rod; and a controller for controlling the motor, wherein the controller controls the motor so that the motor rotates at a first rotational speed, and at a specific point in time, the rotational speed of the motor is lower than the first rotational speed. reduce the speed of the motor so as to become control the motor to be maintained.
A length of a section in which the rotation speed of the motor decreases from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed is greater than a length of a section in which the motor rotates at the first rotation speed.
The length of the section in which the motor rotates at the second rotation speed is shorter than the length of the section in which the rotation speed of the motor decreases from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed.

According to the proposed invention, when it is sensed that an external load acts on the door in the door closing direction while the push rod moves to open the door, the push rod and the push rod and the motor are controlled to return to the initial position. / or damage to the gear can be prevented, and damage to the motor due to overload of the motor can be prevented.

In addition, as the push rod is moved to the door open position and voltage is supplied to the motor, the load of the door itself, the magnetic force of the magnet provided in the gasket for close contact between the door and the cabinet, and automatic to automatically close the door A phenomenon in which the door is closed by moving the push rod to the initial position by one or more of the closing force by the closing mechanism can be prevented.

In addition, in the process of moving the push rod from the initial position to the door open position, the rotation speed of the motor is reduced, and accordingly, the movement speed of the push rod is reduced. Since it stops at , the rattling phenomenon is prevented in the process of opening the door, and the rotation of the first refrigerator compartment door can be smoothly stopped.

In addition, as the push rod returns to the initial position by detecting that the door is opened by more than a reference angle greater than the opening angle of the door when the push rod moves to the door opening position, the door is opened before the push rod returns to the initial position. It can be prevented that the push rod is broken or gears for transmitting power to the push rod are broken by closing the .

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a door opening device is provided on a door of a first refrigerator compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on a door of a first refrigerator compartment.
6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a graph showing the rotational speed of the motor during the door opening process.
9 is a view showing a state in which the door is opened by moving the push rod to the door opening position according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a view illustrating a state in which a door of a first refrigerator compartment is opened by a reference angle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, or order of the elements are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a door opening device provided in a door of a first refrigerator compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention It is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

1 to 3 , a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a cabinet 11 having a storage compartment therein, and rotatably or slidably connected to a front surface of the cabinet 11 . A refrigerator door 12 for selectively opening and closing the storage compartment may be included.

In detail, the storage compartment may include at least one of a refrigerating compartment 111 and a freezing compartment 112 .

The refrigerating compartment 111 may be opened and closed by the refrigerating compartment door 13 , and the freezing compartment 112 may be selectively opened and closed by the freezing compartment door 16 .

In addition, when the refrigerating compartment door 13 that opens and closes the refrigerating compartment 111 is a rotatable door, the refrigerating compartment door 13 is rotatably connected to the front left edge and right edge of the cabinet 11, respectively. A pair of doors 14 and 15 may be included. That is, the refrigerating compartment door 13 may include a first refrigerating compartment door 14 and a second refrigerating compartment door 15 .

When the freezing compartment door 16 that opens and closes the freezing compartment 112 is a rotatable door, the freezing compartment door 16 is a pair of rotatably connected to the front left edge and right edge of the cabinet 11, respectively. It may include doors 17 and 18 .

Alternatively, when the freezing chamber door 16 is a drawer-type door that opens and closes the freezing chamber in a sliding manner, a plurality of freezing chamber doors may be arranged in an up-down direction or a left-right direction.

The refrigerator 10 may further include a door opening device 25 that operates to open the refrigerator door 12 .

Hereinafter, the automatic opening of the door opening device 25 of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 among the refrigerator doors 12 will be described as an example, and other doors other than the first refrigerator compartment door 14 will be described below. It can be opened automatically by the structure and method that is used.

The door opening device 25 may be disposed on a door that needs to be opened. For example, a door opening device may be provided in each of the plurality of refrigerating compartment doors to open each of the plurality of refrigerating compartment doors. Alternatively, when one refrigerator compartment door includes a plurality of doors, one or all of the plurality of doors may be provided with a door opening device.

In addition, it is also possible that the door opening device 25 is provided in the freezing chamber door 16 in order to open the freezing chamber door (16).

As another example, the door opening device 25 may be provided in the cabinet 11 . In this case, the number of door opening devices 25 may be the same as the number of refrigerator doors.

In addition, although the bottom freezer type refrigerator is disclosed in this embodiment, the idea for opening the door is limited to types such as a top mount type refrigerator, a side-by-side type refrigerator, and a refrigerator having only one storage compartment and one door. It should be noted that it can be applied to various refrigerators without

The first refrigerator door 14 may be connected to the cabinet 11 by a hinge assembly 30 . The first refrigerator door 14 may be rotated by a hinge shaft 32 providing a center of rotation. The hinge shaft 32 may be provided in the first refrigerator door 14 and/or the hinge assembly 30 .

The refrigerator 10 includes a position detecting unit 28 for detecting the position of a push rod (refer to 27 in FIG. 4) constituting the door opening device 25, and the push rod (in FIG. 4). 27) based on the information detected by the motor rotation detection unit 290 and the position detection unit 28 and the motor rotation detection unit 290 for detecting the rotation of the motor 261 that generates power for operating Thus, it may further include a controller 20 for controlling the door opening device (25).

In addition, the refrigerator 10 may further include a door open detection unit 40 for detecting that the door is opened more than a reference angle, and the controller 20 detects the door opening detection unit 40 The door opening device 25 may be controlled based on the information.

Control of the door opening device 25 by the controller 20 will be described later.

The refrigerator 10 may further include an input unit 50 for inputting a door open command. The input unit 50 may be a switch turned on by a user's contact, a touch screen receiving a user's command, a sensor sensing a user's gesture, etc., and has a structure for inputting a door opening command in the present invention. and methods are not limited.

Hereinafter, the door opening device 25 will be described in detail.

4 is a view showing a door opening apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which the door opening apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed on the door of the first refrigerator.

4 and 5 , the door opening device 25 may be located on an upper portion of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 . A frame 141 forming a space for accommodating the door opening device 25 may be provided on an upper portion of the first refrigerator door 14 . The frame 141 may divide a space in which an insulating material (not shown) is accommodated in the door 14 of the first refrigerator compartment and a space in which the door opening device 25 is accommodated.

As another example, the door opening device 25 may be located at a lower portion of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 .

The door opening device 25 includes a housing 250 accommodated in the frame 141 , a motor 261 installed in the housing 250 and generating a driving force, and the motor 261 . It may include a push rod 27 that operates by receiving the driving force of the , and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force of the motor 261 to the push rod 27 .

The housing 250 may include, but is not limited to, a first housing 251 and a second housing 252 coupled to the first housing 251 .

The first housing 251 may be provided with a coupling portion 253 to which a buffer portion 254 capable of absorbing shock or vibration is coupled. The buffer part 254 may have a hole 255 , and the frame 141 may include an installation part 142 that can be inserted into the hole 255 of the buffer part 254 .

As the door opening device 25 is coupled to the frame 141 by the buffer 254, vibrations generated when the motor 261 is operated and vibrations generated when the power transmission mechanism is operated are absorbed. Noise can be reduced, and the vibrations of the motor 261 and the power transmission mechanism can be prevented from being transmitted to the first refrigerator door 14 .

The power transmission mechanism may include one or more gears 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , and 266 .

In the present invention, there is no limit to the number of gears as long as the power transmission mechanism can transmit the power of the motor 261 to the push rod 27. that is shown

The push rod 27 may include a rack gear 272 . The rack gear 272 may mesh with a last gear among the plurality of gears 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , and 266 .

The rack gear 272 may be formed in a curved shape so that the length of the push rod 27 is reduced. Of course, it is also possible that the push rod 27 is formed in a straight shape.

As the motor 261 rotates in one direction, the plurality of gears 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , and 266 rotate in the forward direction, and accordingly, the push rod 27 moves the first gear to open the door. It can move in a direction in which it is withdrawn from the refrigerating compartment door 14 .

On the other hand, as the motor 261 rotates in the other direction, the plurality of gears 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , and 266 rotate in the reverse direction, and the push rod 27 moves the first refrigerator door 14 . can be introduced into

Meanwhile, the position detecting unit 28 may include a first position sensor 281 and a second position sensor 282 . The first position sensor 281 and the second position sensor 282 may be disposed, for example, in the housing 250 .

In addition, a magnet 275 may be provided on the push rod 27 . The first position sensor 281 and the second position sensor 282 may be magnetic sensors for detecting the magnetism of the magnet 275 .

In this specification, the position of the push rod 27 when the first position sensor 281 detects the magnet 275 or when the first position sensor 281 faces the magnet 275 The position of the push rod 27 may be referred to as an initial position.

The position of the push rod 27 when the second position sensor 282 senses the magnet 275 or the push rod when the second position sensor 282 faces the magnet 275 The position of (27) may be referred to as the door open position (or final position).

In the present embodiment, the first refrigerator compartment door 14 may be opened while the push rod 27 moves from the initial position to the door open position.

As used herein, the opening of the “door” means that the storage compartment opened and closed by the door communicates with the outside of the refrigerator.

The controller 20 may control the motor 261 based on information sensed by each of the position sensors 281,282 . For example, the controller 20 may rotate the motor 261 in one direction, and when it is sensed that the push rod 27 has moved to the door open position, the motor 261 may be set.

The controller 20 moves the push rod 27 to the door open position so that when a predetermined time elapses while the motor 261 is stopped, the push rod 27 returns to the initial position. 261 can be rotated in the other direction.

According to the present embodiment, the reason for rotating the motor 261 in the other direction after a predetermined time has elapsed after the motor 261 is stopped is to keep the first refrigerator compartment door 14 open. to be.

That is, when the push rod 27 moves to the door open position and immediately returns to the initial position without maintaining a stopped state, the load of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 itself, the first refrigerator compartment door 14 Magnetic force of a magnet provided in a gasket (not shown) for close contact with the cabinet 11, and a closing force provided in the hinge assembly 30 and an automatic closing mechanism (not shown) for automatically closing the door The first refrigerating chamber door 14 is immediately closed by one or more of the above.

However, as in the present invention, when the motor 261 is rotated in the other direction after a predetermined time elapses after the motor 261 is stopped, the first refrigerator door 14 is opened for the predetermined time. can be maintained, so that the user can easily increase the opening angle of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 manually.

As another example, the first position sensor 281 and the second position sensor 282 may be optical sensors. In addition, the push rod 27 may be provided with a groove or a protrusion, and each of the position sensors 281 and 282 may detect the groove or protrusion. It should be noted that there is no limitation on the configuration for detecting the position of the push rod 27 in this embodiment.

Meanwhile, the door open detection unit 40 includes a magnet 420 provided in any one of the first refrigerator door 14 and the hinge assembly 30 , the first refrigerator door 14 and the hinge It is provided in the other one of the assembly 30 and may include a detection sensor 410 for detecting the magnetism of the magnet 420 .

FIG. 5 shows, for example, that the detection sensor 410 is disposed on the hinge assembly 30 .

When the detection sensor 410 is provided in the hinge assembly 30 , assembly and service of the detection sensor 410 may be easy. That is, the detection sensor 410 may be accessed by removing the hinge assembly 30 without removing the first refrigerator door 14 .

The detection sensor 410 and the magnet 420 may be disposed adjacent to the hinge shaft 32 . Accordingly, the detection sensor 410 can directly sense the magnetism of the magnet 420 of the first refrigerator door 14 during the rotation of the first refrigerator door 14, so that the first refrigerator door 14 ) can accurately detect the rotation by the reference angle.

In addition, as the detection sensor 410 and the magnet 420 are positioned adjacent to the hinge shaft 32, it is possible to detect the door opening without interfering with other surrounding configurations.

When the magnet 420 is positioned below the detection sensor 410 in the process of opening the first refrigerator door 14, the detection sensor 410 detects the magnetism of the magnet 420, and the The controller 20 may control the motor 261 so that the push rod 27 returns to an initial position.

Meanwhile, the motor rotation detection unit 290 may detect the rotation of the shaft of the motor 261 . For example, a rotating plate may be connected to the shaft of the motor 261 . A plurality of slits may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the rotating plate.

The motor rotation detection unit 290 may include, for example, a light emitting unit positioned at one side of the rotating plate and a light receiving unit positioned at the other side of the rotating plate.

Accordingly, when the rotating plate is rotated together with the rotation of the motor 261 , the motor rotation detecting unit 290 may detect the number of slits when the rotating plate is rotated. That is, the motor rotation detection unit 290 outputs a pulse whenever a slit is detected, and the controller 20 rotates the motor 261 based on the pulse output from the motor rotation detection unit 290 . The speed (rpm) can be grasped, and the movement distance of the push rod 27 can be determined.

Hereinafter, the operation of the door opening device will be described.

6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the door opening device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a graph showing the rotational speed of the motor during the door opening process, and FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the present invention It is a view showing a state in which the door is opened by moving the push rod to the door opening position according to the example, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the door of the first refrigerator is opened by a reference angle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 9, the power of the refrigerator 10 is turned on (S1).

When the power of the refrigerator 10 is turned on, the controller 20 determines whether the push rod 27 is located at an initial position (S2).

If it is determined in step S2 that the push rod 27 is not located at the initial position, the controller 20 operates the motor 261 to move the push rod 27 to the initial position (S3). .

When the push rod 27 is positioned at the initial position, the first position sensor 281 detects the magnet 275 of the push rod 27 .

In a state in which the push rod 27 is positioned at the initial position, the controller 20 determines whether a door open signal is input through the input unit 50 (S4).

As a result of determination in step S4, if it is determined that the door open signal is input, in order to move the push rod 27 from the initial position to the door open position, the controller 20 causes the motor 261 to rotate in one direction. The motor 261 is controlled (S5).

When the motor 261 rotates in one direction, the plurality of gears 262 , 263 , 264 , 265 , and 266 rotate in the forward direction so that the push rod 27 pushes the cabinet 11 and reacts thereto. As a result, the first refrigerator door 14 rotates.

While the motor 261 rotates in one direction, the controller 20 determines whether an external load is applied to the first refrigerator door 14 in a direction in which the first refrigerator door 14 closes ( S6).

Specifically, when the motor 261 rotates, a pulse is output from the motor rotation detection unit 290 . At this time, when an external load acts on the first refrigerator door 14, the rotation speed of the motor 261 is reduced, and accordingly, the number of pulses per unit time output from the motor rotation detection unit 290 is reduced. do.

Accordingly, when the number of pulses output for a unit time is equal to or less than the first load sensed number, the controller 20 determines that the external load acts as the first refrigerator door.

However, in the initial operation of the motor 261, since the number of pulses per unit time output from the motor rotation detection unit 290 may be less than or equal to the first load detection number, the determination of whether an external load is detected is determined by the motor 261 It can be performed after the operation in one direction and the reference time has elapsed.

If the motor 261 continues to operate in a state that the number of pulses output for a unit time from the motor rotation detection unit 290 is less than or equal to the first load detection number, the push rod and/or gear may be damaged or the The motor 261 may be damaged by an overload of the motor 261 .

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that an external load acts on the first refrigerator door 14 , the controller 20 drives the motor 261 to return the push rod 27 to the initial position. direction (S14).

Meanwhile, if it is determined in step S6 that no external load is detected, the controller 20 determines whether the door open detection unit 40 detects the door open (S7).

In the present specification, when the door open detection unit 40 detects the door open while the motor 261 is rotated in one direction, the user selects the first refrigerator in the direction in which the first refrigerator door 14 is opened. This is a case where the refrigerator compartment door 14 is rotated.

At this time, the opening angle θ2 of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 when the door open detection unit 40 detects the door open is the second when the push rod 27 moves to the door open position. 1 It is larger than the opening angle θ1 of the refrigerator door 14 .

When the first refrigerator door 14 is rotated more than the reference angle while it is being rotated for opening, the door open detection unit 40 may detect the door opening.

While the motor 261 is rotated in one direction, the protrusion length of the push rod 27 from the first refrigerator door 14 is increased. If the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is closed after the opening angle of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is increased while the push rod 27 protrudes from the first refrigerator compartment door 14, the push There is a problem in that the rod 27 collides with the cabinet 11 , and the push rod 27 is damaged or gears constituting the power transmission mechanism are damaged.

In this case, the greater the opening angle of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is, the greater the impact force applied to the push rod 27 when the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is closed. In addition, as the length of the push rod 27 protruding from the first refrigerator door 14 increases, the possibility of breakage of the push rod 27 increases.

In this embodiment, the push rod 27 and/or the power transmission mechanism are configured by closing the first refrigerator door 14 after opening and closing by the user while the motor 261 rotates in one direction. In order to prevent the gears from being damaged, when the door open detection unit 40 detects the door open, the controller 20 operates the motor 261 to return the push rod 27 to the initial position. Rotate in the other direction (S14).

According to the present embodiment, when the door open detection unit 40 detects the door open while the motor 261 operates in one direction and the push rod 27 moves from the initial position to the door open position , by rotating the motor 261 in the other direction even before the push rod 27 moves to the door open position, the push rod 27 can return to its initial position.

Therefore, the push rod 27 and the cabinet ( 11) damage to the push rod and the gears due to the collision can be prevented.

On the other hand, as a result of determination in step S7, if the door open detection unit 40 does not detect the door open while the motor 261 rotates in one direction, the controller 20 determines that the push rod 27 is It may be determined whether the door open position has been reached (S8).

That is, when the motor 261 rotates in one direction while the push rod 27 is located at the initial position, the push rod 27 moves, and in this process, the first position sensor 281 The magnet 275 of the push rod 27 is not sensed. And, when the magnet 275 of the push rod 27 is sensed by the second position sensor 282 during the movement of the push rod 27, the controller 20 causes the push rod 27 to open the door. It can be determined that the open position has been reached.

As a result of the determination in step S8, when it is determined that the push rod 27 has reached the door open position, the controller 20 stops the motor 261 (S9).

When the motor 261 rotates in one direction and the rotation speed of the motor 261 is constant when the push rod 27 moves from the initial position to the door open position, the push rod 27 moves to the door open position. In the process in which the motor 261 is stopped at the time of arrival, the first refrigerating chamber door 14 does not stop smoothly and rattles. In this case, a user's emotional dissatisfaction may be caused.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the motor 261 is rotated in one direction so that the rotation speed of the motor 261 is varied while the push rod 27 moves from the initial position to the door open position.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 8 , the controller 20 causes the motor 261 to operate at a first reference speed until the number of pulses detected by the motor rotation detection unit 290 reaches a first reference number. The motor 261 may be controlled to rotate.

And, when the number of pulses detected by the motor rotation detection unit 290 reaches the first reference number, the controller 20 determines that the number of pulses detected by the motor rotation detection unit 290 reaches the second reference number. The motor 261 may be controlled to reduce the rotation speed of the motor 261 until the

In this case, the controller 261 may control the rotation speed of the motor 261 so that the rotation speed of the motor 261 is linearly or non-linearly reduced.

And, when the rotation speed of the motor 261 reaches the second reference speed, the controller 261 may control the motor 261 so that the rotation speed of the motor 261 is maintained at the second reference speed. have. And, when the second position sensor 182 detects the magnet 275 of the push rod 27 while the motor 261 is maintained at the second reference speed, the controller 20 controls the motor 261 ) can be stopped.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, in the process of moving the push rod 20 from the initial position to the door opening position, the moving speed of the push rod 20 is reduced, and since it stops at the door opening position in the reduced speed state, A rattling phenomenon may be prevented during the opening process of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 , and the first refrigerator compartment door 14 may be smoothly stopped.

At this time, the point at which the number of pulses output from the motor rotation detection unit 290 reaches the first reference number is a point between the door open position and the point at which the distance between the initial position of the push rod and the door open position is halved. can

As the rotation speed of the motor 261 increases, the door opening time may be reduced.

As in the present invention, the point at which the number of pulses output from the motor rotation detection unit 290 reaches the first reference number is one between the point at which the distance between the initial position of the push rod and the door opening position is halved and the door opening position. In this case, the high-speed rotation time of the motor 261 can be sufficiently secured, so that the increase in the door opening time is minimized and rattling of the door can be prevented when the door is opened.

On the other hand, when the push rod 27 reaches the door opening position, at least a portion of the rear surface 14c of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is positioned in front of the front surface 15a of the second refrigerator compartment door 15 . may be positioned, and accordingly, a gap of a certain distance may be formed between one end of the rear surface 14c of the first refrigerating chamber door 14 and one end of the front surface 15a of the second refrigerating chamber door 15. have.

The gap may be set to such a degree that the user's elbow or foot can be inserted when the user's both hands are not free.

Accordingly, the opening angle of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 may be manually increased by inserting an elbow or a foot into the gap while the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ1 .

Meanwhile, in a state in which the push rod 27 has reached the door open position and the motor 261 is stopped, the controller 20 maintains the push rod 27 in a stopped state in the door open position. A voltage is supplied to (261) (S10).

As described above, the load of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 itself, the magnetic force of a magnet provided in a gasket (not shown) for close contact between the first refrigerator compartment door 14 and the cabinet 11, and the hinge assembly ( 30), the push rod 27 is pushed toward the initial position by one or more of the closing forces generated by an automatic closing mechanism (not shown) for automatically closing the door so that the motor 261 is driven. A phenomenon of rotation in the direction may occur.

However, according to the present embodiment, since a voltage is supplied to the motor 261 to keep the push rod 27 in a stopped state at the door open position, the push rod 27 does not move and maintains a stopped state. and thus, rotation of the motor 261 in the other direction is prevented.

However, the supply period of the voltage supplied to the motor 261 may be set based on the magnitude of the external force acting on the push rod 27 .

That is, even when a voltage is supplied to the motor 261 , the rotation shaft of the motor 261 is not rotated by an external force acting on the push rod 27 , and the push rod 27 can be maintained in a stopped state. . Accordingly, even when a voltage is supplied to the motor 261 , a pulse is not output from the rotation detection unit 290 .

In the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the motor 261 may be varied according to the duty of the voltage supplied to the motor 261 . A voltage of a certain magnitude may be periodically supplied to the motor 261, and the shorter the supply period of the voltage supplied to the motor 261 (or the greater the duty), the faster the rotation speed of the motor 261 is. can

In this embodiment, when the push rod 27 reaches the door open position than the supply period of the voltage supplied to the motor 261 when the motor 261 maintains the second reference speed ( 261) has a long supply cycle.

When the motor 261 is stopped, the controller 20 determines whether an external load acting as the first refrigerator door 14 in the closing direction of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is sensed (S11) ).

Specifically, when the motor 261 is stopped, a pulse is not output from the motor rotation detection unit 290 . However, when an external load is applied to the first refrigerator door 14 , the motor 261 rotates in the other direction, so that a pulse is output from the motor rotation detecting unit 290 .

Accordingly, when the number of pulses output for a unit time is equal to or greater than the second load sensed number, the controller 20 determines that the external load acts as the first refrigerator door 14 . When the user forcibly closes the first refrigerator compartment door 14 while the motor 261 is stopped, the push rod and/or the gear may be damaged.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that an external load acts on the first refrigerator compartment door 14 while the push rod is stopped at the door open position, the controller 20 determines that the push rod 27 The motor 261 is rotated in the other direction to return to the initial position (S14).

Meanwhile, if it is determined in step S11 that no external load is applied, the controller 20 determines whether the door open detection unit 40 detects the door open (S12).

When the push rod 27 reaches the door open position and the door open detection unit 40 detects the door open, the user increases the opening angle of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 . .

As described above, when the push rod 27 reaches the door opening position, the opening angle θ1 of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 is determined by the door open detection unit 40 at the first refrigerator compartment door ( 14) is smaller than the opening angle θ2 of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 when the opening is sensed.

Accordingly, when the opening angle of the first refrigerator compartment door 14 increases while the push rod 27 reaches the door opening position, the door open detection unit 40 detects the door opening.

As a result of the determination in step S12, if it is determined that the door open detection unit 40 detects the door opening, the controller 20 moves the motor 261 in the other direction so that the push rod 27 returns to the initial position. can be rotated to (S12).

Even when the push rod 27 is rotated to close again after the first refrigerator door 14 is rotated beyond the reference angle while the push rod 27 is stopped at the door opening position, the push rod 27 and/or The gears may be damaged.

According to the present embodiment, if it is determined that the door open is detected by the door open detection unit 40 even before a predetermined time elapses while the push rod 27 is positioned at the door open position, the controller As the 20 rotates the motor 261 in the other direction so that the push rod 27 returns to the initial position, damage to the push rod 27 and/or the gears can be prevented.

As a result of the determination in step S12, if it is determined that the door open detection unit 40 does not detect the door opening, the controller 20 controls the push rod 27 after the push rod 27 reaches the door open position or the motor 261 ) can be determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the stop (S13).

When a predetermined time has elapsed after the push rod 27 reaches the door open position, the controller 20 causes the motor 261 to rotate in the other direction in order to return the push rod 27 to the initial position. The motor 261 can be controlled (S14).

While the motor 261 is rotating in the other direction, the controller 20 may determine whether the push rod 27 has reached an initial position (S15).

When it is determined that the push rod 27 has reached the initial position, the controller 20 may stop the motor 261 (S16).

In the above embodiment, the door open detection unit has been described as including a magnetic sensor and a magnet, but otherwise, the door open detection unit may include an optical sensor.

For example, the optical sensor may include a light emitting unit provided in one of the hinge assembly and the first refrigerator door and a light receiving unit provided in the other one, and when the first refrigerator door is rotated by a reference angle, the light emitting unit The light irradiated from the can be made to reach the light receiving unit. In addition, when light reaches the light receiving unit, the controller may control the motor so that the push rod returns to an initial position.

Alternatively, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit may be provided in one of the hinge assembly and the first refrigerator door, and a reflector may be provided in the other. In addition, when the first refrigerator door is rotated by a reference angle, the light irradiated from the light emitting unit may be reflected by the reflecting plate to reach the light receiving unit. And, when the light reaches the light receiving unit, the controller may control the motor to return the push rod to the initial position.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the position of the push rod is sensed using the position sensing unit and the motor is controlled based on this, but unlike this, the operation of the motor may be controlled based on the operating time of the motor. For example, when the motor is operated for door opening and the first reference time has elapsed, the motor may be set. In addition, when the motor is operated to return the push rod to the initial position and the second reference time has elapsed, the motor may be stopped.

In the above, even though all components constituting the embodiment of the present invention have been described as being combined or operated in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment. That is, within the scope of the object of the present invention, all the components may operate by selectively combining one or more. In addition, terms such as "comprises", "comprises" or "have" described above mean that the corresponding component may be inherent unless otherwise stated, so excluding other components Rather, it should be construed as being able to further include other components. All terms including technical and scientific terms have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. Terms commonly used, such as those defined in the dictionary, should be interpreted as being consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to illustrate, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

11: Cabinet 12: Refrigerator Door
20: controller 25: door opening device
27: push rod 28: position detection unit
40: door open detection unit 261: motor
290: motor rotation detection unit

Claims (20)

cabinet in which the storage room is formed;
a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage compartment;
a door opening device including a push rod movable from an initial position to a door opening position to open the refrigerator door, and a motor for providing power to the push rod; and
A controller for controlling the motor,
The controller, while controlling the motor so that the motor rotates at the first rotational speed, reduces the speed of the motor so that the rotational speed of the motor becomes a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed at a specific point in time,
When the rotation speed of the motor reaches the second rotation speed, the refrigerator controls the motor so that the rotation speed of the motor is maintained at the second rotation speed until the push rod reaches the door open position.
The method of claim 1,
The length of the section in which the rotation speed of the motor decreases from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed is greater than the length of the section in which the motor rotates at the first rotation speed.
The method of claim 1,
The controller controls the motor such that the rotation speed of the motor is linearly or non-linearly reduced from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed.
The method of claim 1,
The length of the section in which the motor rotates at the second rotation speed is shorter than the length of the section in which the rotation speed of the motor decreases from the first rotation speed to the second rotation speed.
The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a motor rotation sensor for detecting the rotation of the motor,
The motor rotation detection unit outputs a pulse during the rotation of the motor,
The specific time is a time when the number of pulses output from the motor rotation sensor reaches a first reference number.
6. The method of claim 5,
The refrigerator in which the speed of the motor is the second rotation speed when the number of pulses output from the motor rotation detection unit reaches a second reference number greater than the first reference number.
The method of claim 1,
The specific time point is a time point at which the push rod is positioned at a point between a point bisecting the distance between the initial position and the door open position and the door open position.
delete delete delete delete delete cabinet in which the storage room is formed;
a refrigerator door for opening and closing the storage compartment;
a door opening device including a push rod movable from an initial position to a door opening position to open the refrigerator door, and a motor for providing power to the push rod; and
A controller for controlling the motor,
the controller rotates the motor in one direction so that the push rod moves from the initial position to the door opening position to open the refrigerator door;
When the push rod reaches the door opening position, the motor stops rotation, and a voltage is supplied to the motor to prevent the motor from rotating in the other direction so that the refrigerator door is maintained in an open state.
14. The method of claim 13,
Further comprising a motor rotation sensor for detecting the rotation of the motor,
When the motor rotates, a pulse is output from the motor rotation detection unit,
The controller may control a cycle of the voltage supplied to the motor, but control the cycle of the voltage so that a pulse is not output from the motor rotation sensing unit.
14. The method of claim 13,
When a predetermined time elapses from the time when the rotation of the motor is stopped, the controller rotates the motor in another direction so that the push rod returns to the initial position.
moving the push rod from the initial position to the door opening position by operating a motor in one direction to open the refrigerator door;
determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed after the push rod reaches the door opening position; and
When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the step of operating the motor in the other direction so that the push rod returns to the initial position,
While the motor rotates at the first rotational speed, the rotational speed of the motor at a specific point in time is reduced to a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed,
When the rotation speed of the motor reaches the second rotation speed, the rotation speed of the motor is maintained at the second rotation speed until the push rod reaches the door open position.
17. The method of claim 16,
A method for controlling a refrigerator in which a length of a section in which the rotation speed of the motor decreases from a first rotation speed to a second rotation speed is greater than a length of a section in which the motor rotates at the first rotation speed.
17. The method of claim 16,
The step of moving from the initial position to the door open position includes: determining, by a controller, whether an external load acts on the refrigerator door in a direction in which the refrigerator door closes;
and rotating the motor in another direction to return to the initial position even before the push rod reaches the door open position when it is determined that an external load acts on the refrigerator door.
17. The method of claim 16,
When the push rod reaches the door opening position, the controller supplies a voltage to the motor to prevent the motor from rotating in the other direction so that the refrigerator door is maintained in an open state.
17. The method of claim 16,
When the push rod reaches the door opening position, the controller determines whether an external load acts on the refrigerator door in a direction in which the refrigerator door closes;
When it is determined that an external load is acting on the refrigerator door, the control method of the refrigerator rotates the motor in another direction so that the push rod returns to the initial position.

Images