KR20090025695A - Refrigerator and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator and a control method thereof are provided to maintain uniform temperature in the refrigerator by repeating on/off of the compressor when the temperature in the refrigerator reaches the intermediate target temperature before the final target temperature. A control method of a refrigerator comprises a first operation(302) of turning off a compressor until the inside temperature of the refrigerator reaches the intermediate target temperature, and a second operation(304) of activating the compressor when the inside temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature. The first and second operations are repeated until the inside temperature reaches the final target temperature.

Description

Refrigerator and control method thereof

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and a control method thereof, the temperature of which is variable so that the storage compartment functions as a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment according to a user's needs.

In general, a refrigerator is a device for freshly storing frozen foods and refrigerated foods stored in a storage compartment by circulating cold air generated by a refrigeration cycle to control the temperature of the storage compartment.

Such a refrigeration cycle includes a compressor for compressing a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the compressed high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant by external air, a capillary tube for decompressing and expanding the condensed refrigerant, a refrigerant expanded from the capillary tube, and a high internal air pressure. And an evaporator to heat exchange the groups to produce cold air.

In a conventional refrigerator, a storage compartment is formed therein, and the storage compartment includes an upper first storage compartment and a lower second storage compartment divided up and down by an intermediate wall. In the rear of the first storage compartment, an evaporator for generating cold air, which is connected to the refrigerating cycle and supplied into the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment, a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the first storage compartment or the second storage compartment, and a refrigerator The outside further includes a display device attached to provide information on the refrigerator and to control the refrigerator.

In this case, the refrigerator may be provided with a variable temperature so that the first and second storage compartments function as a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment according to the needs of the user through a display device.

However, in the above-described conventional refrigerator, when the temperature of the storage compartment is to be changed drastically, for example, when the storage compartment serving as the freezer compartment is to be changed into the refrigerating compartment, the temperature of the freezer compartment (-20 degrees) is set to the refrigerator compartment set temperature (2 degrees). Operation of the refrigerator (driving of the compressor) is stopped until

Therefore, when the user opens the storage door or puts a new food with a high temperature, there is a problem that the food is damaged at some locations because the temperature distribution varies for each storage location.

In the case of a refrigerator having a temperature sensor only in one of the first and second storage compartments of the conventional refrigerator, the compressor is driven based on the temperature measured in one storage compartment (freezer). When this stops, a problem arises in that the temperature inside the other storage compartment (the refrigerator compartment) rises above the reference value.

The present invention for achieving the above object in the control method of the refrigerator for changing the high temperature inside the final target temperature, the first operation to turn off the compressor until the high temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature, and the high temperature inside When the intermediate target temperature is reached, includes a second operation for driving the compressor, the first and second operations are repeatedly performed until the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature.

Here, the intermediate target temperature is at least one, and is set to change in stages.

The second operation is to drive the compressor for a set time when the internal temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature.

Here, the intermediate target temperature and the set time are set differently according to the difference between the internal temperature and the final target temperature.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control method of a refrigerator for changing a high internal temperature to a final target temperature, wherein the compressor is turned off until the high internal temperature reaches the final target temperature. Is driven periodically.

Here, the rotation speed of the fan is set differently according to the difference between the internal temperature and the final target temperature.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a refrigerator for changing the high temperature inside the final target temperature, the temperature sensing sensor for detecting the high temperature; And a control unit that performs a first operation of turning off the compressor until the internal temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature, and performs a second operation of driving the compressor when the internal temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature, wherein the controller includes the internal operation. The first and second operations are repeated until the temperature reaches the final target temperature.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a refrigerator for changing the high temperature inside the final target temperature, the temperature sensing sensor for detecting the high temperature; It includes a control unit for turning off the compressor until the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature, the control unit periodically drives the fan when the compressor off.

As described above, according to the refrigerator of the present invention and a control method thereof, when the internal temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature before reaching the final target temperature, the compressor is repeatedly turned on and off for a set time, thereby causing rapid internal changes. It is possible to solve the problem of uneven distribution of temperature.

In addition, since the fan is periodically driven while the compressor is turned off, there is an advantage that the internal temperature of the compressor can be uniformly distributed without driving the compressor.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 has a storage compartment 11 and 12 formed therein and includes a main body 10 having an open front surface, and a storage compartment 11 and 12 inside the main body 10. ) Includes an upper first storage chamber 11 and a lower second storage chamber 12 partitioned up and down by an intermediate wall 13. The first storage chamber door 14 and the second storage chamber door 15 for opening and closing the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12 are respectively installed on the front surface of the main body 10.

The main body 10 is provided in an enclosure filled with urethane foam insulation, and the rear of the lower portion is formed with a machine room 16 in which various electric appliances are installed. The machine room 16 includes a compressor 17 of a refrigerating cycle, a condenser (not shown), a electrical equipment box (not shown), and the like that condensate the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 17 in the same way as a conventional refrigerator. Is installed.

The first storage compartment door 14 and the second storage compartment door 15 are provided in front of the first storage compartment 11 and the second storage compartment 12, respectively, to the left of the first storage compartment 11 and the second storage compartment 12. The first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12 are opened and closed by pivoting forwardly around a hinge (not shown) formed at the end or the right end.

The first storage compartment 11 partitioned on the upper part of the main body 10 usually functions as a freezing compartment for storing frozen foods, and the second storage compartment 12 partitioned on the lower part of the main body 10 usually stores refrigerated foods and the like. It functions as a cold room to

In this case, the first storage compartment 11 may be a refrigerating compartment, and the second storage compartment 12 may be a freezing compartment, as well as the first and second storage compartments 11 and 12 may be a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment, depending on a user's needs. The display apparatus 50 for inputting the temperature variable information is further provided to function. As described above, since the technology capable of changing the temperature of the first and second storage compartments 11 and 12 into the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment corresponds to a conventional technique, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The evaporator 20 and the evaporator 20 are connected to a refrigerating cycle at the rear of the first storage chamber 11 provided at the upper side of the main body 10 to generate cold air supplied into the first storage chamber 11. The duct unit 30 for circulating the heat-exchanged cold air into the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12, the defrost heater 21 provided adjacent to the evaporator 20, and the first storage chamber 11. It further comprises a temperature sensor 40 for detecting the temperature of the.

The duct part 30 covers the front of the evaporator 20 and forms a rear surface of the first storage chamber 11.

An inlet (not shown) for introducing cold air of the first storage compartment 11 to the evaporator 20 side is formed below the duct part 30, and the cold air introduced through the inlet port (not shown) is connected to the evaporator 20. Through the heat exchanger, an appropriate number of discharge ports 31 are formed on the front surface of the duct part 30 so as to be evenly distributed and discharged in the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12, and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval in the longitudinal and transverse directions. .

In addition, a fan 32 for forcibly flowing air is provided above the evaporator 20.

2 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 100 includes a signal input unit 110, a temperature sensor 40, a controller 120, and storage. The unit 130 and the driver 140 is included.

The signal input unit 110 receives information for providing information about the refrigerator and controlling the refrigerator. The signal input unit 110 changes the temperature to change the temperature so that the first and second storage compartments 11 and 12 function as a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. Select and enter. If the variable temperature mode is selected, select and enter the final target temperature, which is detailed information for changing the temperature. The final target temperature may be directly input by the user or may be selected and input from one of a plurality of preset final target temperatures.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, since the temperature sensor 40 is installed inside the first storage chamber 11 functioning as the freezing chamber, the first storage chamber 11 is stored in the freezing chamber. Describe a refrigerator that changes temperature to function as a fridge.

The temperature sensor 40 is installed inside the first storage compartment 11 (ie, the interior of the refrigerator) to sense a temperature (ie, interior temperature) in the first storage chamber 11.

The controller 120 is a microcomputer that controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. When the final target temperature desired by the user is input, the controller 120 compares the first storage chamber temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 with the final target temperature, and based on the comparison result. The intermediate target temperature and the set time stored in the storage unit 130 are received.

Here, the intermediate target temperature is at least one configured to be reached in advance before the first storage chamber temperature reaches the final target temperature, and is set to change in stages. In addition, the set time means a time at which the compressor 30 is driven to maintain the first storage chamber temperature at an intermediate target temperature.

In addition, the controller 120 drives the drive unit 130 to turn off the compressor 30 until the first storage temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 reaches the first intermediate target temperature.

In addition, when the first storage compartment temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50 reaches the first intermediate target temperature, the controller 120 drives the driving unit 130 to drive the compressor 30 during the first set time.

In addition, the controller 120 drives the drive unit 130 so that the compressor 30 is turned off until the first storage compartment temperature reaches the second intermediate target temperature when the first set time elapses. 2 When the intermediate target temperature is reached, the driving unit 130 is driven to drive the compressor 30 during the second set time.

As described above, the control unit 120 operates the compressor 30 to turn off the first storage room temperature and the first storage room temperature until the first storage room temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature until the first storage room temperature reaches the final target temperature. When the intermediate target temperature is reached, the operation of driving the compressor is repeatedly performed.

Meanwhile, the controller 120 drives the drive unit 130 to turn off the compressor 30 until the first storage temperature reaches the final target temperature, and the fan 32 periodically operates while the compressor 30 is turned off. The driving unit 130 is driven to be driven.

At this time, the rotation speed of the fan 32 is preferably controlled differently according to the difference between the first storage chamber temperature and the final target temperature. For example, when the difference between the first storage compartment temperature and the final target temperature is greater than the reference, it is preferable to increase the rotational speed of the fan 32 than the reference rotational speed so as to rapidly circulate the air in the first storage compartment.

The storage unit 130 stores at least one intermediate target temperature and a set time according to the difference between the first storage chamber temperature and the final target temperature. For example, when the temperature difference is +22 degrees, the storage unit 130 stores the first intermediate target temperature: -10 degrees / set time: 3 hours and the second intermediate target temperature: -5 degrees / set time: 2 hours. do.

In addition, the storage unit 130 stores the rotation speed of the fan 32 according to the difference between the first storage chamber temperature and the final target temperature. For example, the storage unit 130, the temperature difference: +22, the rotation speed of the fan is 150rpm, the temperature difference: +15, the rotation speed of the fan: 100rpm is stored.

The driver 130 drives the compressor 30, the fan 32, and the like according to the drive control signal of the controller 120.

Hereinafter will be described the control process of the refrigerator configured as described above.

3 is a control flow diagram illustrating a control process of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a user selects a variable temperature change mode 300 and a user selects a final target temperature. When inputting 301, the input final target temperature is input to the controller 120 through the signal input unit 110.

An embodiment of the present invention will also be described with respect to a refrigerator having a temperature change so that the first storage compartment 11 functions as a refrigerating compartment in a freezing compartment.

The controller 120 compares the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40 by the internal processing (that is, the temperature of the first storage chamber) with the input final target temperature and stores the storage 130 on the basis of the comparison result. The intermediate target temperature and set time saved in advance are received. Here, the intermediate target temperature is composed of the first and second intermediate target temperatures, and the set temperature is composed of the first and second set temperatures.

For example, when the temperature of the first storage chamber is -20 degrees and the final target temperature is +2 degrees, the control unit 120 has a first intermediate target temperature of -10 degrees, a set time of 3 hours, and a second intermediate target. The temperature is -5 degrees and the set time is input for 2 hours. This intermediate target temperature is composed of at least one, and is set to rise in stages.

Next, the compressor 30 is turned off by the control signal of the controller 120 (302).

When the compressor 30 is turned off as described above, the internal temperature of the compressor is gradually increased. At this time, it is determined whether the internal temperature reaches the first intermediate target temperature (303).

If the internal temperature reaches the first intermediate target temperature, the compressor is driven 304 to keep the internal temperature constant at the first intermediate target temperature. Here, the driving of the compressor 30 is a driving for maintaining the first storage chamber temperature at the first intermediate target temperature constantly. For example, when the first intermediate target temperature is -10 degrees, the first storage chamber temperature is -9 degrees. When the compressor 30 is turned on, the first storage compartment temperature is lowered to -10 degrees, and when the first storage compartment temperature is -11 degrees, the compressor 30 is turned off.

If the internal temperature does not reach the first intermediate target temperature in step 303, the compressor 30 is continuously turned off.

On the other hand, after performing step 304, it is determined whether the first set time has elapsed (305), and when the first set time has elapsed, the compressor 30 is turned off again (306).

If the first set time has not elapsed in step 305, the compressor is driven until the first set time has elapsed (304).

As such, when the compressor 30 is turned off, the internal temperature of the compressor is gradually increased, and the controller 120 determines whether the increased internal temperature reaches the second intermediate target temperature (307).

If the internal temperature reaches the second intermediate target temperature, the compressor is driven to keep the internal temperature constant at the second intermediate target temperature (308).

After performing step 308, it is determined whether the second set time has elapsed (309). When the second set time has elapsed, the compressor 30 is turned off again (310).

After performing the above process, it is determined whether the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature (311), and when the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature, the compressor 30 is driven (312) to operate the refrigerator normally.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart illustrating a control process of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a user selects a 400-temperature variable mode, and a user selects a final target temperature. When the input 410 is input, the input final target temperature is input to the controller 120 through the signal input unit 110.

Next, the compressor 30 is turned off 420 by the control signal of the controller 120, and when the compressor 30 is turned off, the fan 32 is periodically driven 420.

After performing the above process, it is determined whether the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature (430), and when the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature, the compressor 30 is operated to operate the refrigerator normally (440).

If the internal temperature does not reach the final target temperature, the fan 32 is periodically driven while the compressor 30 is turned off until the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature (420).

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a control flowchart illustrating a control process of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a control flowchart illustrating a control process of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

30 ... Compressor 32 ... Fan

40 Temperature sensor 100 Refrigerator

110 ... signal input 120 ... controller

130 storage ... 140 driving unit

Claims (8)

In the control method of the refrigerator for changing the high temperature inside the final target temperature, A first operation of turning off the compressor until the internal temperature reaches an intermediate target temperature; A second operation of driving the compressor when the internal temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature; And the first and second operations are repeatedly performed until the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate target temperature, At least one, the control method of the refrigerator is set to change in stages. The method of claim 2, wherein the second operation, And controlling the compressor for a preset time when the internal temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature. The method of claim 3, wherein the intermediate target temperature and the set time, And a control method of the refrigerator set differently according to the difference between the internal temperature and the final target temperature. In the control method of the refrigerator for changing the high temperature inside the final target temperature, Turn off the compressor until the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature, The control method of the refrigerator for periodically driving the fan when the compressor off. The method of claim 5, wherein the rotation speed of the fan, And a control method of the refrigerator set differently according to the difference between the internal temperature and the final target temperature. In the refrigerator for changing the temperature in the high temperature to the final target temperature, A temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature; And a controller configured to perform a first operation of turning off the compressor until the internal temperature reaches an intermediate target temperature, and performing a second operation of driving the compressor when the internal temperature reaches the intermediate target temperature. , The control unit repeats the first and second operations until the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature. In the refrigerator for changing the temperature in the high temperature to the final target temperature, A temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature; It includes a control unit for turning off the compressor until the internal temperature reaches the final target temperature, The control unit periodically drives the fan when the compressor is off.

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