KR20070075674A - Refrigerator and temperature control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided to realize constant optimal temperature characteristics for foods needing the high constant optimal temperature characteristics by respectively setting control methods depending on kinds of the foods in the same storage room, and to minimize power consumption for foods needing the low constant optimal temperature characteristics. A refrigerator having a storage room for storing foods comprises a controller(40), an input unit(20) and a memory unit(80). The controller varies temperature of the storage room depending on kinds of stored foods. The input unit selects kinds of the foods stored in the storage room by order of users. The memory unit stores temperature information about kinds of the selected foods.

Description

Refrigerator and temperature control method

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a typical refrigerator,

2 is a temperature control table of a conventional refrigerator,

3 is a block diagram illustrating a temperature control of a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a temperature control table of the refrigerator according to the present invention;

5 is an operation flowchart of a temperature control method of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

      * Description of symbols on the main parts of the drawings *

      12: freezer 14: refrigerator

16: temperature variable room 20: input unit

30: temperature sensing unit 40: control unit

51 compressor 80 memory unit

The present invention relates to a refrigerator for freezing and refrigerating food, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and a temperature control method thereof capable of realizing optimal thermostatic properties for food.

In general, the refrigerator is applied with a conventional cooling system in which the refrigerant is circulated therein to absorb the ambient heat when the refrigerant in the liquid state vaporizes to supply the generated cool air to the food storage compartment to keep various foods fresh for a long time. In recent years, the kimchi refrigerator for aging and storing kimchi, which is fermented food, has been released and widely used by using such a cooling system and an electric heater.

In addition, a separate storage compartment that requires differentiated storage functions such as meat, fish, vegetables, kimchi, and the like has been applied to the refrigerator according to various lifestyles and preference foods of the user.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator having such a separate storage compartment (temperature-variable chamber).

In FIG. 1, in the refrigerator, the freezing compartment 12 and the refrigerating compartment 14 are arranged in parallel at the upper left and right sides by an intermediate partition vertically disposed on the main body 10 having the front face open, and the freezing compartment 12 and the refrigerating compartment 14. At the bottom of the temperature variable room (16) for storing food (eg, kimchi) that requires a different storage function is provided on each side to store food in each of the storage compartments (12, 14, 16) While maintaining the temperature of the storage compartment (12, 14, 16) at an appropriate temperature to keep the food in a fresh state for a long time storage.

In the refrigerator, as shown in FIG. 2, the temperature of the storage compartments 12, 14, and 16 is maintained at an appropriate temperature. The restart conditions of 12, 14 and 16 are fixed. Restart condition of each chamber 12, 1, 4, 16 means that each chamber 12, 14, 16 performs one cooling operation at the same time when the compressor is turned on. , 14,16) If the temperature rises above the standard value, perform additional cooling operation. The conditions under which such additional cooling operation is performed are referred to as restart conditions of the chambers 12, 14 and 16.

In Figure 2, Tf is the freezer compartment temperature, Tr is the refrigerator compartment temperature, Tcr is the temperature variable room temperature, Tset_on is the set temperature of each room, the number of "4, 6, 1, 2" is the hysteresis range of each room, the refrigerator In the temperature control based on the set temperature (Tset_on) and the hysteresis of each chamber (12, 14, 16) is the fixed compressor on condition for each chamber (12, 14, 16) and restart conditions in the compressor on interval Have

As can be seen in Figure 2, the compressor on is more likely to occur due to the detection of the freezing chamber 12 temperature sensor than the other chambers (14, 16). This is because in the refrigerating chamber 14, the compressor on by the refrigerating chamber 14 does not occur until the temperature becomes Tset_on + 4 ° C in the compressor off section.

Once the compressor is started by any temperature sensor in the freezer compartment 12 or the refrigerating compartment 14, all the chambers 12, 14, 16 start cooling operation at the same time, usually each chamber 12, 14, 16. Even if the temperature of) is less than or equal to the Tset_on point at the time when the compressor is on, it is advantageous to realize a constant cycle operation pattern only when all the chambers 12, 14, and 16 are cooled when the compressor is started. Through this temperature control it is possible to ensure the operation stability of the cycle.

On the other hand, each of the chambers (12, 14, 16) has a restart condition to perform the cooling operation once again in the same compressor on interval after the cooling operation at the compressor on time.

As can be seen in Figure 2, each chamber (12, 14, 16) in one compressor on interval is generally the Tset_on point excluding the freezer compartment 12 because only one cooling operation is the most efficient cycle energy efficiency It is set to restart at a slightly higher temperature.

However, in the conventional method of controlling the temperature of the refrigerator, the compressor on condition and the restart condition of each chamber 12, 14, and 16 are fixed in a certain operating pattern regardless of the type of food stored in the specific storage compartments 14 and 16. Therefore, when the compressor on and restart conditions of the chambers 14 and 16 except for the freezer compartment 12 are set to be strong (for example, when the refrigerator compartment on condition is Tr> Tset_on + X, the larger X becomes a stronger condition). By reducing the compressor operation rate and preventing the two stage cooling operation, the cycle stability and energy efficiency are relatively high, but the temperature stability (load sensitivity) of the specific storage chambers 14 and 16 is lowered. Has

On the contrary, when the compressor on and restart conditions of each of the chambers 14 and 16 except for the freezing chamber 12 are set weakly (for example, when the refrigerator compressor on condition is Tr> Tset_on + X, the weaker condition is X. Temperature of the specific storage compartments 14 and 16 is improved, but energy efficiency and operational stability are deteriorated.

As described above, the fixed temperature control method of the conventional refrigerator has a problem in that the control specification is determined at a proper compromise between the above two aspects, but there is a problem in that the user does not maintain the optimum temperature for the desired function and the characteristics of the food.

For example, if a user wants to use a specific storage room 14, 16 for kimchi storage, the need to store kimchi longer and longer will be stronger even if the electricity cost is a little higher, and the fruit is relatively less sensitive to the temperature. Energy efficiency should be considered more important than constant temperature when storing them. However, the conventional temperature control method provides only one operation pattern for all stored foods in the same storage room (14, 16). In addition to the temperature, it was not possible to realize the optimal temperature conditions for foods that are particularly important for securing high temperature, such as kimchi or slush.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the conventional problems as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and its temperature control method that can implement the optimum temperature stability according to the type of food. It is.

Another object of the present invention, by setting different control specifications (compressor temperature and restart conditions and hysteresis, etc.) that affects the temperature control according to the type of food in the same storage compartment, as well as providing the optimal temperature for the stored food It is to provide a refrigerator and its temperature control method that can maximize cycle operation efficiency.

Still another object of the present invention is a refrigerator and a thermostat capable of minimizing temperature change of the storage compartment by reducing cycle time by reducing the freezer hysteresis in addition to the control specification of the storage compartment for foods of particular importance such as kimchi or slush. To provide a way.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a refrigerator having a storage room for storing food, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for varying the temperature initiative of the storage room according to the type of food stored.

The refrigerator further includes an input unit for selecting a type of food stored in the storage compartment by a user's command; The controller may vary the temperature initiative of the storage compartment based on the selected food type.

In addition, the refrigerator further comprises a memory unit for storing temperature initiative information on the type of food; The controller may control the temperature of the storage compartment based on the stored temperature initiative information.

The controller may set different compressor on conditions and restart conditions in the storage compartment based on a temperature initiative variable according to the type of food.

In addition, the control unit is characterized in that the hysteresis of the storage compartment is set differently on the basis of the temperature initiative variable according to the type of food.

In addition, the storage chamber is characterized in that the temperature variable room.

In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator using a storage compartment as a freezer compartment, a refrigerating compartment and a specific compartment, comprising: an input unit for selecting a type of food stored in the specific compartment by a user's command; A memory unit which stores temperature initiative information on the type of food selected; And a controller configured to vary the temperature initiative of the specific room based on the stored temperature initiative information.

The controller may vary the temperature initiative of the specific chamber in preference to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment when the type of selected food is slush.

In addition, the present invention provides a temperature control method of a refrigerator having a storage compartment for storing food, the method comprising: selecting a type of food stored in the storage compartment; Reading temperature initiative information for the type of food selected; And varying the temperature initiative of the storage compartment based on the read temperature initiative information.

In addition, the step of varying the temperature initiative, characterized in that for setting the temperature control criteria of the storage compartment differently based on the type of food selected.

In addition, setting the temperature control criteria differently may include setting different compressor on conditions of the storage compartment and restart conditions in the compressor on period according to the type of food; Setting the hysteresis of the storage compartment differently depending on the type of food; Setting a different set temperature of the storage compartment according to the type of food; Setting the hysteresis of the freezer compartment differently according to the type of food; It is characterized in that at least one of.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The temperature control of the refrigerator according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the temperature variable chamber 16 is provided in each of the lower sides of the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14, as well as the temperature variable chamber 16 is a refrigerator compartment ( It is applicable to any SBS (Side By Side) refrigerator having any structure, such as a structure provided only at the bottom of 14) or a structure provided integrally at the bottom of the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerating compartment 14.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a temperature control of a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an input unit 20 for inputting a control command, a temperature sensing unit 30, a control unit 40, a compressor driving unit 50, and a fan driving unit. 60, a display unit 70 and a memory unit 80 for displaying the operation state of the refrigerator.

The input unit 20 includes a start button for starting temperature control of a specific storage chamber 14 and 16 (a refrigerator compartment or a temperature variable chamber, hereinafter referred to as a specific chamber) for storing food, and a specific chamber 14 for storing food. 16) temperature setting button to set the temperature and the type of food to be stored (general beverage, kimchi, specialty, vegetable, fruit, meat, fish, slush (supercooled beverage completely frozen or not dissolved)]. Many buttons are provided, such as a food type selection button for selection.

The temperature detection unit 30 is for detecting the temperature inside the chamber 12, 14, 16 of storing the food, the freezer compartment temperature sensor 32, the refrigerating compartment 14 temperature sensing the temperature of the freezer compartment 12 The refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 34 to detect the temperature, the variable temperature chamber 16 includes a temperature variable room temperature sensor 36 for detecting the temperature.

The controller 40 is a microcomputer that controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The controller 40 grasps the internal temperature of each chamber 12, 14, and 16 corresponding to the voltage value input from the temperature sensing unit 30, and compares it with the set temperature. The on / off control of the compressor 51 and the fan 61 is controlled according to the comparison result.

In addition, the control unit 40, the temperature control of the specific chamber (14, 16) for storing a specific food, depending on the type of food, the set temperature, the restart condition in the compressor 51 on and the compressor 51 on interval, The hysteresis of the specific chambers 14 and 16 are set differently, and the freezer 12 hysteresis which affects the cycle time of the entire refrigerator is changed together to realize the optimal temperature for food and maximize the cycle operation efficiency. In order to perform the temperature control differentiated according to the type of food, the optimal control specification suitable for the food is coded and stored in advance on the ROM table as shown in FIG. 4.

The compressor driver 50 controls the on / off operation of the compressor 51 according to the compressor control signal of the controller 40, and the fan driver 60 controls each chamber 12 according to the fan control signal of the controller 40. To control the fan 61 on / off operation.

The memory unit 80 stores temperature initiative information on the type of food selected as shown in FIG. 4, and the temperature initiative information is controlled by the temperature of the specific rooms 14 and 16 based on the selected food type. Is to set the criteria differently.

At this time, the temperature control criteria set differently include the compressor on condition and the restart condition in the compressor on period, the hysteresis of the specific chambers 14 and 16, the set temperature of the specific chambers 14 and 16, and the hysteresis of the freezing chamber 12. And so on.

Hereinafter, the operation process and the effect of the refrigerator and the temperature control method configured as described above will be described.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a temperature of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

First, put foods (general beverages, kimchi, specialties, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, slush (supercooled beverages that are completely frozen or unmelted)) that the user wants to store (S100). ), And selects the type of food stored by operating the food type selection button provided in the input unit (20).

Therefore, the controller 40 determines whether a food type selection signal is input from the input unit 20 (S110), and when the food type selection button is input, according to the type of food selected, as shown in FIG. 4, the memory unit 80. Read the differentiated control specification stored in the (S120).

In Fig. 4, T is the internal temperature of the specific chambers 14 and 16 storing foods, and Tset_on is the set temperature of the specific chambers 14 and 16 storing foods. In controlling the temperature based on the set temperature (Tset_on) and hysteresis of 14,16, the temperature initiative (set temperature, compressor on and restart) affecting temperature control according to the type of food in the same specific room (14,16) It can be seen that the conditions, the specific room hysteresis control specification) are set differently.

In addition, the temperature control of the refrigerator according to the present invention also changes the freezer compartment 12 hysteresis that affects the cycle time of the entire refrigerator, so that the foods of particular importance such as kimchi or slush are particularly important in addition to the control specifications of the specific rooms 14 and 16. By controlling the freezer compartment 12 hysteresis, the temperature initiative is variably controlled to minimize the temperature change of the specific chambers 14 and 16.

As can be seen in Figure 4, when a food that requires high temperature, such as kimchi or slush (supercooled water) is selected, the restart conditions in the compressor 51 on and the compressor 51 on interval is weakly set (for example For example, when the specific storage compartment compressor on condition is T> Tset_on + X, the smaller X becomes weaker condition, and the energy efficiency or cycle stability is reduced by reducing the hysteresis of the specific chambers 14 and 16 and the hysteresis of the freezing chamber 12. Rather than focusing on maintaining calmness.

Specifically, the temperature rise of the specific chambers 14 and 16 allowed in the off section of the compressor 51 is reduced when the compressor 51 is turned on, and the compressor 51 is turned on when the restart condition is relaxed. As a result of reducing the temperature rise of the specific chambers 14 and 16 allowed in the section, it is possible to maintain a high temperature in any condition.

In addition, by further reducing the hysteresis of the specific chamber (14, 16) and the freezing chamber (12), it is possible to further implement the effect of improving the quietness by reducing the cycle time.

On the other hand, when a food that does not have a significant temperature like a general beverage is selected, the restart conditions in the compressor 51 on and compressor 51 on intervals are strongly set (for example, unlike kimchi or slush control specifications). When the specific chamber compressor ON condition is T> Tset_on + X, the larger X becomes stronger condition. Focus on stability

Specifically, when the on condition of the compressor 51 is enhanced, the compressor 51 is suppressed by the specific chambers 14 and 16 and the two cooling operations in one cycle are consequently suppressed. By lowering the operation rate of the unit and at the same time increasing the cooling operation effect of the unit compressor (51) on time to achieve the effect of energy saving and cycle stability. The reason why the cooling operation effect per unit compressor 51 on time is increased is that if more chambers are simultaneously cooled on average in the on-compressor 51 section, the cooling effect per unit input is increased by reducing the compression ratio.

A factor influencing such a control specification is a food set temperature (Tset_on) as shown in FIG. 4 in addition to the temperature required for each food. In the case of the set temperature, it is preferable to set the control specification in consideration of this factor because it is a factor for changing the heat load of the specific chambers 14 and 16. For example, if the set temperature is low, the heat load is large, so the temperature rise in the non-cooling operation section is relatively large. Therefore, in this case, even when the same temperature is required, it is preferable to somewhat suppress the compressor 51 on and restart by the specific chambers 14 and 16, and these control specifications are basically determined by reflecting the characteristics of the food. will be.

As described above, after the control specification differentiated according to the type of food is read, the controller 40 determines whether a cooling start signal is input through the start button provided in the input unit 20 (S130), and when the start button is input, the controller 40 controls the compressor 51, the fan 61, etc. according to the read control specification so that the temperature of the specific chamber 14, 16 is maintained in accordance with the control specification of the selected food (S140).

As described above, according to the refrigerator and the temperature control method according to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to implement the optimum temperature stability according to the type of food.

In addition, the present invention is optimal temperature stability for foods that require high temperature by setting different control specifications (compressor temperature and restart conditions and hysteresis, etc.) that affect the temperature control according to the type of food in the same storage compartment It can be implemented, and for foods that require a relatively low temperature can minimize the unnecessary energy consumption to maximize the operating efficiency.

In addition, the present invention can minimize the temperature change of the specific storage room by reducing the cycle time by reducing the freezer hysteresis in addition to the control specification of the specific room for foods of particular importance such as kimchi or slush.

What has been described above is just one embodiment for implementing the refrigerator and the temperature control method according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, it is within the technical spirit of the present invention Of course, various modifications are possible by those who have knowledge.

Claims (11)

In the refrigerator having a storage room for storing food, And a control unit for varying a temperature initiative of the storage compartment according to the type of food stored. The method of claim 1, The refrigerator further includes an input unit for selecting a type of food stored in the storage compartment by a user command; And the controller is configured to vary the temperature initiative of the storage compartment based on the selected food type. The method of claim 2, The refrigerator further includes a memory unit for storing temperature initiative information on the type of food; And the controller controls the temperature of the storage compartment based on the stored temperature initiative information. The method of claim 2, And the control unit sets different compressor on conditions of the storage compartment and restart conditions in the compressor on period based on a temperature initiative variable according to the type of food. The method of claim 2, And the control unit sets the hysteresis of the storage compartment differently based on a temperature initiative variable according to the type of food. The method of claim 1, The refrigerator characterized in that the storage room is a temperature variable room. In the refrigerator using the storage compartment as a freezer compartment, a refrigerating compartment and a specific compartment, An input unit for selecting a type of food stored in the specific room by a user's command; A memory unit which stores temperature initiative information on the type of food selected; And A control unit for varying the temperature initiative of the specific room based on the stored temperature initiative information Refrigerator comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein The control unit, when the type of the selected food is slush, the refrigerator, characterized in that the temperature initiative of the particular room is changed in priority to the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment. In the temperature control method of the refrigerator having a storage compartment for storing food, Selecting a type of food stored in the storage compartment; Reading temperature initiative information for the type of food selected; And Varying the temperature initiative of the storage compartment based on the read temperature initiative information. Temperature control method of the refrigerator comprising a. The method of claim 9, The step of varying the temperature initiative, And a temperature control standard for the storage compartment is set differently based on the type of food selected. The method of claim 10, To set the temperature control criteria differently, Setting the compressor on condition and the restart condition in the compressor on period differently depending on the type of food; Setting the hysteresis of the storage compartment differently depending on the type of food; Setting the set temperature of the storage compartment differently according to the type of food; Setting the hysteresis of the freezer compartment differently according to the type of food; medium At least one temperature control method of the refrigerator, characterized in that.

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