KR20070106250A - Refrigerator and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator and a control method thereof are provided to reduce power consumption by calculating and displaying a waiting time for hot water supply on a display unit and by enabling a user to utilize the waiting time for hot water supply displayed on the display unit. A refrigerator consists of a main body provided with a storage room, a door for opening and closing the storage room, a dispenser provided on the door, a hot water tank for storing water supplied from the outside and a heater for heating water stored in the hot water tank. A control method of a refrigerator includes the steps of: inputting an amount of water to be supplied; supplying water to the hot water tank to the extent of the inputted amount of hot water; measuring an initial temperature of water supplied to the hot water tank; calculating a waiting time for hot water supply in accordance with the inputted amount of hot water, the measured initial temperature and a set target temperature; driving the heater during the waiting time for hot water supply; and displaying the calculated waiting time for hot water supply.

Description

Refrigerator and its control method {REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the upper hinge portion and the hot water pipe of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of a lower hinge portion and a cold water pipe of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention;

6 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: body 2: storage room

10: water purification unit 11: external connection

13: cold water tank 30: door

40: hinge portion 42: hollow hinge axis

45: hinge shaft coupling portion 50: dispenser portion

51: water lever 52: ice lever

53: input unit 54: display unit

55: alarm unit 70: hot water tank

74: hot water pipe 76: water level sensor

77: temperature sensor 80: heater

81: supply valve 100: control unit

T1: Initial temperature T2: Target temperature

t: waiting time for water supply

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and a control method thereof capable of reducing power consumption and grasping a water supply standby time of hot water.

Recently released refrigerators are equipped with a variety of additional units considering the functionality and convenience in addition to the basic device for keeping food fresh. In accordance with this trend, installation of home bars and dispensers provided in front of the doors is increasing.

Since the dispenser can take out water or ice inside without opening the door, it is possible to prevent cold air inside the refrigerator from leaking out. In addition, recently, a refrigerator having a hot water supply device capable of supplying hot water as well as cold water as a dispenser has been released.

The conventional refrigerator mainly used a method of pre-heating water with a heater to store hot water in a hot water storage tank in order to generate and extract hot water, and then withdraw it from the dispenser when necessary. In the hot water storage tank, the heater is periodically driven to maintain a predetermined amount of water at a predetermined temperature so that the user can take out hot water at any time. The driving of the was controlled.

However, such a conventional refrigerator continuously drives the heater even when the user does not want hot water, and thus there is a problem in that power consumption is wasted.

Thus, the user may apply the structure to drive the heater only when desired, but there is a problem that can not grasp the water supply waiting time for receiving hot water.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which can reduce power consumption and allow a user to grasp a water supply standby time of hot water.

According to the present invention, the main body, the storage compartment is formed, the door for opening and closing the storage compartment, the dispenser portion provided in the door, the hot water tank for storing the water supplied from the outside, the water stored in the hot water tank A control method of a refrigerator having a heater for heating the method, the method comprising: inputting an amount of hot water to be supplied; Supplying water to the hot water tank by the input amount of hot water; Measuring an initial temperature of water supplied to the hot water tank; Calculating a water supply standby time of the hot water based on the input amount of the hot water, the measured initial temperature and the set target temperature; Driving the heater during the water supply waiting time; It is achieved by the control method of the refrigerator comprising the step of displaying the calculated water supply waiting time.

On the other hand, an object of the present invention, the main body is formed with a storage compartment, the door for opening and closing the storage compartment, the dispenser portion provided in the door, a hot water tank for storing the water supplied from the outside, and the water stored in the hot water tank A control method of a refrigerator having a heater for heating, comprising: inputting a target temperature and an amount of hot water to be supplied; Supplying water to the hot water tank by the input amount of hot water; Measuring an initial temperature of water supplied to the hot water tank; Calculating a water supply standby time of hot water based on the input amount of hot water, the measured initial temperature and the target temperature of the input hot water; Driving the heater during the water supply waiting time; It can also be achieved by the control method of the refrigerator comprising the step of displaying the calculated water supply waiting time.

The displaying of the water supply waiting time may include counting the calculated water supply waiting time and displaying the counting process, so that the user may accurately grasp the water supply waiting time.

When the counting of the water supply waiting time is completed by further comprising the step of alerting, it is possible to inform the user of the expiration of the water waiting time.

An object of the present invention is a body formed with a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser portion provided in the door, a hot water tank for storing water supplied from the outside, and a heater for heating the water stored in the hot water tank In the control method of the refrigerator having an input unit for inputting the amount of hot water; A display unit for displaying predetermined information; A temperature sensor measuring a temperature of water stored in the hot water tank; The water supply standby time of the hot water is calculated on the basis of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the amount of hot water input to the input unit, and the set target temperature, the heater is operated during the water supply standby time, and the calculated water supply standby time It can also be achieved by a refrigerator including a control unit for controlling to display on the display unit.

The object includes a main body having a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser unit provided in the door, a hot water tank for storing water supplied from the outside, and a heater for heating the water stored in the hot water tank. A control method of a refrigerator, comprising: an input unit for inputting an amount of hot water and a target temperature; A display unit for displaying predetermined information; A temperature sensor measuring a temperature of water stored in the hot water tank; Calculating a water supply standby time of the hot water based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the amount of hot water input to the input unit, and a target temperature, driving the heater during the water supply standby time, and calculating the calculated water supply standby time. It can also be achieved by a refrigerator including a control unit for controlling to display on the display unit.

A water level sensor for measuring an amount of water stored in the hot water tank, and a valve for selectively supplying or blocking water supplied to the hot water tank; The controller opens the valve when the amount of hot water is input from the input unit, and controls the valve to shut off the valve when the amount of the input hot water is measured by the water level sensor, thereby accurately supplying the desired amount of hot water. I can receive it.

The control unit counts the water supply waiting time, and displays the counting process on the display unit so that the user can accurately grasp the water supply waiting time.

An alarm unit having a notification function; The control unit may activate the alarm unit when the counting of the water supply waiting time is completed, thereby enabling the user to recognize the completion of the water supply waiting time.

A hinge portion having a hollow hinge shaft provided in one of the main body and the door, and a hinge shaft engaging portion provided in the other one of the main body and the door so that the hollow hinge shaft is rotatably coupled; By disposing the hot water tank on the upper portion of the main body, the hot water tank and the storage compartment are spaced apart with the foaming agent therebetween to prevent the heat of the hot water tank from being transferred to the storage compartment.

In addition, by disposing the hot water pipe in the hollow hinge shaft, even if the hot water tank is placed on the upper portion of the body so as not to interfere with the rotation of the door.

Prior to the description, in describing the embodiment of the present invention, a side by side type refrigerator will be described as an example, but the application of the present invention is not limited thereto.

In various embodiments, like reference numerals refer to like elements, and like reference numerals refer to like elements in the first embodiment and may be omitted in other embodiments.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 1 forming a storage compartment, a door 30 opening and closing the storage compartment 2, a dispenser unit 50 provided in the door 30, and an external device. And a hot water tank 70 in which the supplied water is stored, and a heater 80 for heating the water stored in the hot water tank 70. In addition, the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 53, a display unit 54 for displaying predetermined information, a temperature sensor 77 for measuring the temperature of water stored in the hot water tank 70, It includes a control unit 100.

Inside the main body 1, the storage compartment 2 is divided left and right by the intermediate partition 5, and the freezing compartment 3 and the refrigerating compartment 4 which have a front opening are formed. A door 30 for opening and closing the opening is provided in the front opening of each storage chamber 2, and a door guide (not shown) that can accommodate parallel flow or the like is disposed up and down inside the door 30.

An ice maker 6 for ice making is installed in an upper region of the freezer compartment 3, and an ice storage unit 7 is installed in the lower part of the ice maker 6, in which ice iced by the ice maker 6 is iced and stored. . The lower region of the freezer compartment 3 is provided with a shelf (not shown) and a drawer (not shown) to separately store the storage.

The refrigerating chamber 4 has a water purification unit 10 for purifying the water supplied from the outside, a cold water tank 13 for storing the purified water in the water purification unit 10 at low temperature, and a shelf provided to separate and store the storage. City) and a drawer (not shown).

The water purification unit 10 is provided in the refrigerating chamber 4 to purify the water supplied from the outside. The water purification unit 10 is preferably provided as a water filter to remove impurities of water introduced into the chamber through the external connection unit 11. The water purification unit 10 is preferably provided detachably so that it can be replaced periodically. Although the water purifying unit 10 is provided in the refrigerating chamber 4, it may be provided anywhere in the main body.

In the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, after water is introduced into the refrigerator through the external connection part 11, impurities are removed from the water purification unit 10, the ice maker 6, the cold water tank 13, and the hot water tank 70 Branch valves 20 for branching so that each is supplied to a.

The external connection portion 11 is connected to the water supply 12 or a water purifier, which can supply water such as an external water supply 12 or a water purifier (not shown), so that water is introduced into the air from the outside, and the other end is introduced. It is connected to the water purification unit 10 for removing impurities in the water.

The branch valve 20 includes a first branch valve 21 and a second branch valve 26. The first branch valve 21 is provided as a three-prong valve. The first branch valve 21 has an inlet 22 through which water is introduced from the purified water part, a first outlet 23 connected to a pipe connected to an ice maker 6 and a hot water tank 70, and a cold water tank 13. And a second outlet 24 connected to the pipe connected to the pipe. Here, the water passing through the first outlet 23 is introduced into the second branch valve 26.

The second branch valve 26 is provided as a three-pronged valve, and is connected to the inlet port 27 through which the water passing through the first outlet port 23 of the first branch valve 21 flows in and the ice maker 6. And a first outlet 28 connected to the outlet, and a second outlet 29 connected to a pipe connected to the hot water tank 70.

Here, the first branch valve 21 selectively opens or shuts off the first outlet 23 and the second outlet 24 by the controller 100, and the second branch valve 26 is connected to the controller 100. The first outlet 28 and the second outlet 29 is selectively opened or blocked.

The door 30 is provided to open and close the front openings of the freezing compartment 3 and the refrigerating compartment 4. The door 30 includes a freezer compartment door 31 for opening and closing the front opening of the freezer compartment 3 and a refrigerating compartment door 33 for opening and closing the front opening of the refrigerator compartment 4. The front surface of the freezer compartment 31 is provided with a dispenser 50 capable of supplying ice and water iced by the ice maker 6. The front of the refrigerating compartment door 33 may be provided with a home bar (not shown) or a home pad (not shown) having a TV or Internet function.

The refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a hinge portion 40 provided to allow the door 30 to be rotatably coupled to the main body 1. The hinge portion 40 includes a door 30 and an upper hinge portion 41 disposed above the main body 1 and a lower hinge portion 41a disposed below.

The upper hinge portion 41 includes a hollow hinge shaft 42 provided on the main body 1 and a hinge shaft coupling portion 45 provided on the door 30.

The hollow hinge shaft 42 includes a hollow portion 43 penetrated to accommodate the hot water pipe 74 to be described later, and a hinge shaft support portion 44 coupled to the main body. Here, the hot water pipe 74 to be described later is disposed inside the hollow hinge shaft 42 of the upper hinge portion 41. In addition, an electric wire 8 for supplying power to the dispenser 50 is disposed inside the hollow hinge shaft 42 of the upper hinge portion 41.

Hinge shaft coupling portion 45 is a hinge axis receiving portion 47 is formed so that the hollow hinge shaft 42 is rotatably coupled, the screw is coupled to the upper surface of the door (30). The hinge shaft coupling part 45 is embedded in the foam space inside the door 30.

Meanwhile, the hinge shaft coupling part 45 is provided in the door 30 and the hollow hinge shaft 42 is provided in the main body 1, but the hinge shaft coupling part 45 is provided in the main body 1. And the hollow hinge shaft 42 may be provided in the door (30).

The lower hinge portion 41a includes a hollow hinge shaft 42a provided in the main body 1 and a hinge shaft coupling portion 45a provided in the door 30.

The hollow hinge shaft 43a includes a hollow portion 43a penetrated to accommodate the cold water pipe 15 to be described later, and a hinge shaft support portion 44a coupled to the main body 1. Here, the cold water pipe 15 to be described later is disposed inside the hollow hinge shaft 42a of the lower hinge portion 41a.

The dispenser unit 50 is provided with a water lever 51 for supplying water, an ice lever 52 for supplying ice, and a user to input the type of cold / hot water, the amount of hot water, and the target temperature of the hot water. And an input unit 53. The dispenser unit 50 further includes a display unit 54 that displays information input from the input unit 53, a water supply waiting time of the hot water, and an operation state of the refrigerator, and an alarm unit 55.

The water lever 51 communicates with the cold water tank 13 and the hot water tank 70. The water lever 51 may be provided in various ways. For example, as shown in Figure 1, provided in the form of a lever is provided with cold water or hot water when pressurizing the water lever 51, the supply of cold water or hot water is stopped when the pressure of the water lever 51 is released. do. The water lever 51 may also be provided as a button or a touch screen provided in the input unit 53.

The water lever 51 may be provided in two as the cold water lever and the hot water lever, but as shown in FIG. 1, the water lever 51 may be provided as one lever connected to the hot water tank 70 and the cold water tank 13.

The ice lever 52 communicates with the ice storage unit 7 in which the ice generated by the ice maker 6 is stored. The ice lever 52 may be provided in various ways. For example, as shown in Figure 1, provided in the form of a lever is pressed to the ice lever 52, the ice is supplied, the release of the ice lever 52 is provided to stop the supply of ice. The ice lever 52 may also be provided as a button or a touch screen provided in the input unit 53.

The input unit 53 is provided to input ice and water, selection of cold water and hot water, quantity of hot water m, and target temperature T2 of hot water by a user's selection. The input unit 53 may be provided in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it may be provided as a mechanical button or may be provided as a reed switch or a touch screen.

The display unit 54 is provided as a display to display the information input from the input unit 53, the amount of hot water to be taken out, the temperature of the hot water, and the operating state of the refrigerator. When the input unit 53 is provided as a touch screen, the display unit 54 is provided to have a function of the input unit 53. The display unit 54 displays the counting process of the water supply waiting time t and the water supply waiting time t which will be described later, so that the user can recognize the time until receiving the hot water under the control of the control unit 100.

The alarm unit 55 transmits the expiration of the water supply standby time t, that is, the completion of heating of the hot water so that the user can recognize it. The alarm unit 55 may include one or more of an acoustic alarm device for stimulating the user's hearing to transmit information, a visual alarm device for stimulating the user's vision, and an olfactory alarm device for stimulating the user's sense of smell. Include. Here, the sound alarm device may be provided as a buzzer, may be provided as a siren, or may be provided to output a voice input in advance. The visual alarm device may be provided as a display constituting the above-described display unit, or may be provided with a separate lamp to blink.

Meanwhile, as described above, the input unit 53, the display unit 54, and the alarm unit 55 may be included in the dispenser unit 50, but may be provided in separate configurations from the dispenser unit 50. Of course.

The hot water tank 70 is provided between the purified water unit 10 and the dispenser 50. Hot water tank 70 is preferably provided on the upper portion of the body (1). The hot water tank 70 includes an inlet through which water purified by the water purification unit 10 is introduced, a storage unit in which water introduced into the inlet is stored, and an outlet through which water stored in the storage unit is discharged to the outside of the hot water tank 70. do.

The refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a hot water pipe 74 connecting the outlet of the hot water tank 70 and the dispenser unit 50. 1, the hot water pipe 74 is preferably disposed inside the hollow hinge shaft 42 of the upper hinge portion 41 described above. Here, the hot water pipe 74 passing through the inside of the hollow hinge shaft 42 is embedded in the heat insulating space of the door 30.

A protective member 75 may be provided on an outer circumferential surface of the hot water pipe 74 accommodated in the hollow hinge shaft 42 to be spaced apart from the wire 8. The protection member 75 may be provided with a spring or elastic material to wrap the bent portion to protect the bent portion of the hot water pipe (74).

The hot water tank 70 includes a heater 80 for heating the water stored in the storage unit, a water level sensor 76 for measuring the amount of water stored in the storage unit, and a temperature sensor 77 for measuring the temperature of the water stored in the storage unit. Is provided.

The heater 80 is provided in the hot water tank 70 to heat the water stored in the hot water tank 70. The heater 80 may be provided in various ways. For example, the heater 80 may be disposed inside the hot water tank, may be provided buried in the hot water tank 70, or may be mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the hot water tank 70.

The water level sensor 76 measures the amount of water stored in the hot water tank 70. The water level sensor 76 transmits the measured amount of water in the hot water tank 70 to the controller 100.

The temperature sensor 77 measures the temperature of the water stored in the hot water tank 70. The temperature sensor 77 transmits the measured temperature of the water in the hot water tank 70 to the controller 100.

On the other hand, the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a supply valve 81 for selectively supplying and blocking the water supplied to the hot water tank (70). The supply valve 81 is disposed between the purified water unit 10 and the hot water tank 70. That is, the supply valve 81 is intermittently provided so as to supply or block the purified water from the purified water unit 10 to the hot water tank 70. Here, the supply valve 81 of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided in the pipe connected to the inlet of the hot water tank 70, as shown in FIG. Here, the second branch valve 26 to be described later may serve as the supply valve 81. In other words, by opening and closing the second outlet port 29 of the second branch valve 26, water is selectively supplied and blocked to the hot water tank 70.

When the user inputs the amount of hot water and the target temperature from the input unit 53, the controller 100 opens the supply valve 81 to supply water to the hot water tank 70. When the amount of water input from the water level sensor 76 is measured, the controller 100 shuts off the supply valve 81. The control unit 100 is based on the initial temperature (T1) of the water in the hot water tank 70 measured by the temperature sensor 77, the input target temperature (T2) and the input water amount (m) Calculate time t.

Here, look at how to calculate the water supply waiting time (t) in detail as follows.

(t: waiting time for water supply, T2: target temperature, T1: initial temperature, C: specific heat of water, m: mass of water, W: power of heater)

First, the temperature difference ΔT = T2-T1 between the target temperature T2 and the initial temperature T1 is calculated. Then, the calculated heat difference Q is multiplied by the specific heat of water (1 kW / kg 占 폚) and the mass of water input (m) to find the amount of heat Q required to heat the water to the target temperature. Then, the calculated amount of heat Q is divided by the power W of the heater to calculate the water supply waiting time t.

Here, a method of calculating the water supply waiting time t will be described as follows.

The user inputs 1 liter of hot water at the input unit, inputs a target temperature at 90 ° C, assumes that the initial temperature of the water supplied to the hot water tank is 10 ° C, and the power of the heater is 2 kW.

That is, since the temperature difference ΔT between the target temperature T2 and the initial temperature T1 is 80 ° C, a heat quantity of 80 kW is required. Since the water heater is 2 kW, 2 / 4.2 kW of heat is supplied per second. Therefore, the water supply waiting time t required to heat 10 degreeC water to 90 degreeC is computed as 168 second.

The control unit 100 displays the calculated water supply waiting time t on the display unit 54 and drives the heater 80. The water supply waiting time t is counted, and the counting process of the water supply waiting time t is displayed on the display unit 54. Here, when counting of the water supply waiting time t is completed, driving of the heater 80 is stopped. Then, the alarm unit 55 is operated.

On the other hand, the control unit 100 determines whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 77 reaches the target temperature after the counting of the water supply waiting time t is completed, and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 77 is the target temperature T2. ) Is determined to stop the drive of the heater, if it is determined that it does not reach the water supply waiting time (t) again may be further driven while the heater 80 during the counting. When it is determined that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 77 reaches the target temperature T2, the alarm unit 55 is operated after stopping the driving of the heater 80.

The process of supplying ice, cold water and hot water of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

First, the process of supplying ice to the dispenser unit 50 will be described.

Water introduced into the chamber through the external connection part 11 is free of impurities in the water purification part 10. Water purified by the water purification unit 10 is introduced into the inlet port 22 of the first branch valve 21. Water passing through the first outlet port 23 of the first branch valve 21 flows into the inlet port 27 of the second branch valve 26, and opens the first outlet port 28 of the second branch valve 26. The water passed through moves to the ice maker 6. The water supplied to the ice maker 6 is iced in the ice maker 6. Ice iced in the ice maker 6 is iced and stored in the ice storage unit 7. Here, the controller 100 controls the first branch valve 21 or the second branch valve 26 to supply water to the ice maker 6 in order to maintain a predetermined amount of ice in the ice storage unit 7. When the user presses the ice lever 52, the ice is supplied from the ice storage unit 7 to the dispenser unit 50.

Next, a process of supplying cold water to the dispenser unit 50 will be described.

Water introduced into the chamber through the external connection part 11 is free of impurities in the water purification part 10. Water purified by the water purification unit 10 is introduced into the inlet port 22 of the first branch valve 21. Water passing through the second outlet 24 of the first branch valve 21 moves to the cold water tank 13 disposed in the storage chamber 2. Here, when the user pressurizes the water lever 51, water stored at a low temperature in the cold water tank 13 is supplied to the dispenser unit 50 through the cold water pipe 15. Here, the cold water pipe 15 is disposed inside the hollow hinge shaft 42a of the lower hinge portion 41a. Meanwhile, a pump may be provided in one region of the cold water pipe 15.

Next, a process of supplying hot water to the dispenser unit 50 will be described.

Water introduced into the chamber through the external connection part 11 is free of impurities in the water purification part 10. Water purified by the water purification unit 10 is introduced into the inlet port 22 of the first branch valve 21. Water passing through the first outlet port 23 of the first branch valve 21 flows into the inlet port 27 of the second branch valve 26. When the user inputs the amount m of hot water and the target temperature T2 at the input unit 53, the controller 100 opens the supply valve 81. When the amount m of hot water input from the water level sensor 76 is measured, the supply valve 81 is shut off. The controller 100 calculates and displays the water supply waiting time t on the display unit 54 and drives the heater 80. Then, the counting process of the water supply waiting time (t) is continuously displayed. When the counting of the water supply waiting time t is completed and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 77 reaches the target temperature T2, the driving of the heater 80 is stopped. Then, the alarm unit 55 is operated. When the user pressurizes the water lever 51, the water stored in the hot water tank 70 is supplied to the dispenser 50.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is modified by the structure of branching to the ice maker 6, the cold water tank 13 and the hot water tank 70 in the water purification unit 10 of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment described above, respectively. will be.

In the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, after the impurities introduced from the water purification unit 10 are removed from the water through the external connection part 11, the ice maker 6, the cold water tank 13, and the hot water tank 70 Branch valves 20a are branched to be supplied to the furnaces respectively.

The branch valve 20a is provided with a four ball valve. The branch valve 20a is an inlet 22a through which water is introduced from the purified water part, a first outlet 23a connected to a pipe connected to the ice maker 6, and a pipe connected to a pipe connected to the hot water tank 70. The second outlet 24a and the third outlet 25a connected to the pipe connected to the cold water tank 13 are included.

Here, the first branch valve 21 selectively opens or shuts off the first outlet 23a, the second outlet 24a, and the third outlet 25a by the controller 100.

Here, the supply valve 81 of the second embodiment of the present invention is provided in the pipe connected to the inlet of the hot water tank 70, as shown in FIG. However, the branch valve 20a may serve as the supply valve 81. In other words, by opening and closing the second outlet 24a of the branch valve 20a, the hot water tank 70 is selectively supplied and shut off.

The process of supplying hot water to the dispenser unit 50 of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

Water introduced into the chamber through the external connection part 11 is free of impurities in the water purification part 10. Water purified by the water purification unit 10 is introduced into the inlet port 22a of the branch valve 20a. When the user inputs the amount m of hot water and the target temperature T2 at the input unit 53, the controller 100 opens the supply valve 81. When the amount m of hot water input from the water level sensor 76 is measured, the supply valve 81 is shut off. The controller 100 calculates and displays the water supply waiting time t on the display unit 54 and drives the heater 80. Then, the counting process of the water supply waiting time (t) is continuously displayed. When the counting of the water supply waiting time t is completed and the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 77 reaches the target temperature T2, the driving of the heater 80 is stopped. Then, the alarm unit 55 is operated. When the user pressurizes the water lever 51, the water stored in the hot water tank 70 is supplied to the dispenser 50.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention may be modified in various ways to diverge from the water purification unit 10 to the ice maker 6, the cold water tank 13 and the hot water tank 70, respectively.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a refrigerator according to first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, the input unit 53 determines whether the amount of hot water m and the target temperature T2 are input (S1). Here, when it is determined that there is an input of the amount m of hot water and the target temperature T2, the supply valve 81 is opened (S3). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the amount m of hot water and the target temperature T2 are not input, the control ends.

In step S3, the supply valve 81 is opened to determine whether the amount of water measured by the water level sensor 76 reaches the amount m of input hot water (S5). Here, if it is determined that the amount of water measured by the water level sensor 76 has reached the amount of hot water input (m), the supply valve 81 is blocked (S7). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the amount of water measured by the water level sensor 76 does not reach the amount of hot water input (m), the flow moves to step S3.

After blocking the supply valve 81 in step S7 the temperature sensor 77 measures the initial temperature (T1) of the water stored in the hot water tank (70) (S9).

Next, the control unit 100 calculates the water supply waiting time t (S11).

Next, the heater 80 is driven (S13).

Next, the water supply waiting time t is displayed on the display unit 54, and the counting process of the water supply waiting time t is continuously displayed on the display unit 54 (S15).

Here, step S13 and step S15 may be performed simultaneously or in no priority.

Then, it is determined whether the counting of the water supply waiting time t is completed (S17). Here, when it is determined that counting of the water supply waiting time t is completed, it is determined whether the measured temperature of the temperature sensor 77 reaches the target temperature T2 (S19). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the counting of the water supply waiting time (t) is not completed, go to step S15.

If it is determined in step S19 that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 77 reaches the target temperature T2, the driving of the heater 80 is stopped (S21). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 77 does not reach the target temperature (T2), the flow moves to step S9.

In operation S21, the alarm unit 55 is operated at the same time or sequentially while the driving of the heater 80 is stopped (S23).

Of course, step S19 of the control method of the refrigerator according to the present invention described above may be omitted.

In addition, if the user does not take out hot water even after a certain time after operating the alarm unit 55 in step S23, the heater 80 is periodically maintained to maintain a constant temperature of hot water until the user takes out hot water. Of course, you can drive more.

In operation S23, the alarm unit 55 may be operated only once for a predetermined time, may be operated at a predetermined cycle, or may be continuously operated until the user takes out hot water.

In addition, the control unit 100 calculates the water supply waiting time t based on the input target temperature T2 when the target temperature T2 of the hot water is input from the input unit 53, but the predetermined target temperature is set. Of course, the water supply waiting time t may be calculated based on the target temperature set in advance.

As such, by disposing the hot water tank 70 on the upper portion of the main body 1, the hot water tank 70 and the storage compartment 2 are spaced apart from each other with a blowing agent therebetween so that the heat of the hot water tank 70 is transferred into the storage compartment. Can be prevented. Accordingly, power consumption can be reduced and reliability of the storage compartment can be improved.

And, by disposing the hot water pipe 74 in the hollow hinge shaft 42, even if the hot water tank 70 is disposed on the upper portion of the main body 1 can be prevented from interfering with the rotation of the door (30).

In addition, since the heater 80 is driven only when the user wants to take out hot water, power consumption can be reduced.

In addition, by calculating the water supply waiting time (t) of the hot water, and by controlling the display unit 54 to display the calculated water supply waiting time (t), the user can determine the water supply waiting time (t) of the hot water, Time t can be utilized.

In addition, since the user supplies water to the hot water tank 70 only when the user wants to take out hot water, the hot water tank 70 is emptied after the user takes out the hot water. Thus, compared to the case where the hot water is always stagnant in the hot water tank 70, it may be sanitary.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption, it is possible to provide a refrigerator in which the user can grasp the water supply standby time of hot water and utilize it.

Claims (10)

Control of a refrigerator having a body having a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser portion provided in the door, a hot water tank for storing water supplied from the outside, and a heater for heating the water stored in the hot water tank. In the method, Inputting an amount of hot water to be supplied; Supplying water to the hot water tank by the input amount of hot water; Measuring an initial temperature of water supplied to the hot water tank; Calculating a water supply standby time of the hot water based on the input amount of the hot water, the measured initial temperature and the set target temperature; Driving the heater during the water supply standby time; And displaying the calculated water supply waiting time. Control of a refrigerator having a body having a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser portion provided in the door, a hot water tank for storing water supplied from the outside, and a heater for heating the water stored in the hot water tank. In the method, Inputting a target temperature and amount of hot water to be supplied; Supplying water to the hot water tank by the input amount of hot water; Measuring an initial temperature of water supplied to the hot water tank; Calculating a water supply standby time of hot water based on the input amount of hot water, the measured initial temperature, and the input target temperature; Driving the heater during the water supply standby time; And displaying the calculated water supply waiting time. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The displaying of the water supply waiting time includes counting the calculated water waiting time, and displaying the counting process. The method of claim 3, The control method of the refrigerator further comprising the step of alarming when the counting of the water supply waiting time is completed. Control of a refrigerator having a body having a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser portion provided in the door, a hot water tank for storing water supplied from the outside, and a heater for heating the water stored in the hot water tank. In the method, An input unit for inputting an amount of hot water; A display unit for displaying predetermined information; A temperature sensor measuring a temperature of water stored in the hot water tank; The water supply standby time of the hot water is calculated on the basis of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the amount of hot water input to the input unit, and the set target temperature, driving the heater during the calculated water supply standby time, and the calculated water supply And a control unit which controls to display the waiting time on the display unit. Control of a refrigerator having a body having a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, a dispenser portion provided in the door, a hot water tank for storing water supplied from the outside, and a heater for heating the water stored in the hot water tank. In the method, An input unit for inputting an amount of hot water and a target temperature; A display unit for displaying predetermined information; A temperature sensor measuring a temperature of water stored in the hot water tank; Calculating a water supply standby time of the hot water based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the amount of hot water input to the input unit, and a target temperature, driving the heater during the calculated water supply standby time, and the calculated water supply standby time. And a control unit controlling to display time on the display unit. The method according to claim 5 or 6, A water level sensor for measuring an amount of water stored in the hot water tank, and a valve for selectively supplying or blocking water supplied to the hot water tank; The controller opens the valve when the amount of hot water is input from the input unit, and blocks the valve when the amount of the input hot water is measured by the water level sensor. The method of claim 7, wherein The control unit counts the water supply waiting time and the refrigerator, characterized in that to display the counting process on the display. The method of claim 8, An alarm unit having a notification function; The control unit is a refrigerator, characterized in that to operate the alarm unit when the counting of the water supply waiting time is completed. The method according to claim 5 or 6, A hinge portion having a hollow hinge shaft provided at any one of the main body and the door and a hinge shaft coupling portion provided at the other one of the main body and the door so that the hollow hinge shaft is rotatably coupled, and the hot water tank and the dispenser part. It further comprises a hot water pipe for connecting; The hot water tank is located in the upper portion of the main body, the hot water pipe is characterized in that the refrigerator is disposed inside the hollow hinge shaft.

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