KR20090056516A - Refrigerator and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator and a control method are provided to facilitate the correction of the storage temperature through the input of a temperature correction key with visually confirming the set reference temperature correction state. The refrigerator is composed of a power supply unit(110), an input unit(120), a controller(130), first and second temperature sensor units(140,150) and a display unit(160). The first temperature sensor unit is comprised of one or more first temperature sensors. The first temperature sensor senses the temperature of one or more cool air ducts in order to control the operation of a compressor. The second temperature sensor unit is comprised of one or more second temperature sensors. The second temperature sensor senses the temperature inside one or more rooms to correct the operating temperature of a compressor stored in a controller in advance. The input unit has a temperature control key and a temperature correction key. The temperature control key is to control the cooling degree of the storage. The temperature correction key is to correct the operating temperature of the compressor. The controller corrects the operating temperature of the compressor based on the storage temperature according to the temperature of the sensed storage. The display unit displays the correction for temperature state according to the indication of the controller.

Description

Refrigerator and control method

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and a control method for optimally controlling the internal temperature of a refrigerator by correcting a reference temperature which is a control element for controlling a cooling cycle of the refrigerator.

The refrigerator includes a body in which at least one reservoir is formed and a refrigeration system for cooling food stored in the reservoir.

A general refrigeration system includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant at a high temperature and high pressure state compressed by the compressor, and a cooling operation that absorbs latent heat while the refrigerant is evaporated by the refrigerant from the condenser. It includes at least one evaporator for cooling the ambient air.

The reservoir is provided with a blowing fan for blowing air that has passed through the evaporator to the reservoir, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the reservoir.

The refrigerator is provided with a temperature controller and a controller for controlling the load including the compressor and the blower fan according to the temperature level selected by the temperature controller so as to adjust the degree of cooling of each reservoir. Here, the control unit is usually composed of a microcomputer, etc. in which a control program is embedded, and the control unit controls the load of the compressor and the blowing fan based on each temperature sensor and the set temperature level.

On the other hand, because the temperature sensor is installed on the outer wall of the reservoir, and the sensor installed on the rear side wall of the reservoir to control the temperature inside the reservoir, the temperature of the actual space may occur depending on the set characteristics.

In addition, the actual temperature in the store may not reach the temperature level set by the user depending on the ambient temperature conditions or the amount of food stored.

That is, the actual temperature of the store exceeds the upper limit or the lower limit of the temperature value that can be adjusted through the temperature control unit, there is a problem that the food is easily deteriorated due to the overcooling of the stored food occurs or insufficient cooling.

Therefore, if a difference occurs between the indoor temperature of the storage room and the actual temperature of the storage room, the detected indoor temperature value is corrected by replacing a component such as a diode interposed between the temperature sensor and the control unit, or the temperature sensor inside the product. Although the temperature value was corrected by adjusting the variable resistor connected with, the correction method was not very easy because the parts were not easily replaced, and there was also a concern that the resistance value of the variable resistor was changed during the position shift of the refrigerator. In addition, it was difficult to respond when the customer required to modify the storage temperature.

Conventionally, when there is a difference between the indoor temperature of the reservoir and the actual temperature of the reservoir, the temperature value in the reservoir is changed by replacing a component such as a diode interposed between the temperature sensor and the controller or adjusting a variable resistor connected to the temperature sensor. Since it is designed to compensate for temperature, it is not only cumbersome to compensate for temperature, but there is also a concern that the resistance value of the variable resistor may change during the position shift of the refrigerator.

In addition, since the temperature sensor is installed on the outer wall of the reservoir, it is impossible to accurately measure the temperature in the reservoir, which causes a problem that the temperature of the actual space must be slightly scattered.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a control method capable of automatically reducing the internal temperature of the storage to reduce the temperature defects of the storage. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and a control method capable of conveniently correcting the temperature from the outside after completing the product assembly in correcting the storage temperature of the storage.

Technical means of the present invention for achieving the above object is installed on the outside of the reservoir for sensing the temperature of the duct space; A second temperature sensor installed inside the reservoir to sense a temperature of the storage space; And a controller configured to control a temperature correction to correct an operating point temperature of the compressor according to the duct temperature using the sensed temperature of the storage space.

It further includes a display unit for displaying the temperature correction operation.

In addition, the controller performs the temperature correction according to a user's command.

In addition, the second temperature sensor is formed in a jig shape, and is detachable through a connector.

Further, the control unit corrects the duct temperature at the on point of the compressor to the space temperature at the on point of the compressor, and corrects the duct temperature at the off point of the compressor to the space temperature at the off point of the compressor.

The technical method of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises the steps of sensing the temperature of the duct space of the reservoir; Sensing a temperature of a storage space of the storage; And performing a temperature correction to correct an operating point temperature of the compressor according to the duct temperature using the sensed temperature of the storage space.

The correcting step may include determining whether or not the mean temperature of the space temperature detected at the on and off operating points of the compressor coincides with a preset reference temperature; If it does not match according to the determination result, correcting the operating point temperature of the compressor.

In the correcting step, the duct temperature at the on operating point of the compressor is corrected to the space temperature at the on operating point of the compressor, and the duct temperature at the off operating point of the compressor is the space at the off operating point of the compressor. Calibrate with temperature.

According to the present invention, when the user or the manufacturing manager needs to correct the reference temperature even after the product is assembled or during the use of the product, the user can make the correction while visually confirming the reference temperature correction state set by the input of the temperature correction key. have.

In addition, it is easy to adjust the temperature of the reference temperature to control the cooling cycle of the refrigerator or kimchi refrigerator used for a long time, and it is possible to precisely recalibrate the reference temperature according to the space temperature in the storage room, which is the actual temperature in the storage, to store food in the storage. It can increase the reliability.

In addition, the kimchi refrigerator can prevent the food from spoiling or freezing due to a slight temperature difference, thereby greatly improving the quality of the kimchi refrigerator.

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

Figure 1a is a side view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1b is a perspective view of a kimchi refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1A has a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant in a high temperature and high pressure state compressed by the compressor, and a refrigerant from the condenser. At least one evaporator which cools the surrounding air by cooling to absorb the latent heat of the surroundings.

The refrigerator 1 includes at least one reservoir 10, 20, a blower fan that blows air that has passed through the evaporator into the reservoirs 10, 20, and the first, 2 is installed in the cold air duct on the rear wall of the reservoirs 10 and 20 to indirectly detect the temperatures of the first and second reservoirs 10 and 20, that is, to detect the duct temperature of the duct corresponding to the first and second reservoirs, respectively. 1 temperature sensors 11 and 21 are provided.

In addition, the refrigerator 1 is provided with a control unit 130 for controlling a load including a compressor and a blowing fan according to the set temperatures of the storages 10 and 20.

The control unit 130 has a built-in control program for controlling the operation of the compressor on and off according to the cooling cycle, and controls the load of the compressor, blower fan, etc. based on each of the first temperature sensor (11, 21) and the set temperature. do. In addition, the detailed features of the control unit 130 in the present embodiment will be described later.

In addition, the refrigerator 1 is provided with second temperature sensors 12 and 22 for detecting a space temperature in each storage space so as to correct an operating point temperature of the compressor stored in the controller 130.

The second temperature sensors 12 and 22 are installed on any one shelf among the plurality of shelves provided in each of the reservoirs 10 and 20, or installed on one shelf among the plurality of shelves provided in the doors of the respective reservoirs 10 and 20. . In this case, the second temperature sensors 12, 22, 32, and 42 may be wirelessly connected to the controller because the cable connected to the controller may be shorted due to the movement of the shelf.

In addition, as shown in Figures 1c and 1d, the second temperature sensor (12, 22, 32, 42) is formed in a jig form is installed in a specific space of the storage, it is possible to detect the space temperature of the storage more precisely Can be.

In addition, the second temperature sensors 12 and 22 are detachably formed through the connector, so that the manufacturing manager can easily correct the compressor operating point temperature during service, and to prevent damage when installed in the interior space of the storage. Only when necessary, it can be electrically connected to the control unit through the connector.

That is, the second degree sensors 12 and 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 130, and when the space temperature sensing control signal is input from the control unit 130, the spaces in the respective reservoirs 10 and 20 according to the input control signal. The temperature is sensed and transmitted to the controller 130.

The kimchi refrigerator 2 illustrated in FIG. 1B is provided with at least one first and second reservoirs 30 and 40 like the refrigerator illustrated in FIG. 1A.

In addition, first temperature sensors 31 and 41 are installed on the outer walls of each of the reservoirs 30 and 40 of the kimchi refrigerator 2 to detect an indirect temperature, that is, a duct temperature, of each reservoir and transmit the same to the controller 130. do.

In addition, the second temperature sensors 32 and 42 are provided in each of the storages 30 and 40 of the kimchi refrigerator 2 to detect the space temperature of the storage which is the actual temperature of each storage.

Each of the second temperature sensors 32 and 42 detects a space temperature in each storage room according to the instructions of the controller 130 and transmits the detected temperature to the controller 130.

2 is a configuration diagram of a temperature control device of a refrigerator according to the present invention, the power supply unit 110, the input unit 120, the control unit 130, the first temperature sensor unit 140, the second temperature sensor unit 150 and The display unit 160 is configured to be described with reference to FIG. 1A.

The power supply unit 110 converts power input from an external commercial power source into power required for operation of each component and supplies the power to the operating power of each component.

The input unit 120 receives an operation from the user and transmits a signal corresponding to the input operation to the controller 130.

Here, the input unit 120 is provided with a temperature control key for adjusting the degree of cooling of each reservoir and a temperature correction key for instructing the temperature correction of the operating point of the compressor.

The controller 130 determines whether a temperature correction instruction signal of at least one reservoir is input from the input unit 120 while operating in a normal cooling cycle according to a preset operating point temperature of the compressor.

In addition, the temperature correction signal input to the control unit 130 is set in the control program built in the control unit 130, it is also possible to automatically correct the temperature at a predetermined period.

In addition, the controller 130 determines the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, and determines whether the detected temperature exceeds the hot point temperature among the operating point temperatures of the compressor, and controls to turn on the compressor when the hot point temperature is exceeded. do.

In addition, the controller 130 determines whether the detected temperature exceeds the off-point temperature among the operating point temperatures of the compressor when the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor is equal to or lower than the on-point temperature. When the temperature is lower than the off point temperature, the compressor is controlled to be off.

In addition, the control unit 130 transmits a temperature detection indication signal to detect the space temperature in the storage room through the second temperature sensor while the compressor is operating, and transmits the space when the space temperature in the storage room is transmitted through the corresponding second temperature sensor. The temperature detected at the time when the compressor is turned on and off is determined.

Here, the temperature detected at the time of on during one cooling cycle of the compressor on and off is the highest temperature of the space temperature detected by the second temperature sensor, and the temperature detected at the time of off is detected by the second temperature sensor. It becomes the lowest temperature among the space temperatures.

That is, the controller 130 determines the highest temperature and the lowest temperature among the space temperatures detected by the second temperature sensor.

In addition, the controller 130 compares whether the maximum temperature determined in the current cooling cycle and the maximum temperature determined in the previous cooling cycle are the same, and also whether the minimum temperature determined in the current cooling cycle and the minimum temperature detected in the previous cooling cycle are the same. Compare.

In addition, the controller 130 controls the compressor on and off to perform the next cooling cycle when the current maximum temperature and the immediately preceding maximum temperature, the current minimum temperature and the immediately preceding minimum temperature are all the same. At this time, it is determined whether the number of cooling cycles in which the minimum temperature and the maximum temperature are equal to each other exceeds a preset number of times.

That is, the controller 130 controls the operation of the compressor to perform the next cooling cycle when less than the set number of times, and calculates the average temperature of the highest temperature and the lowest temperature if the set number is exceeded.

In addition, the controller 130 compares the calculated average temperature with a preset reference temperature, and if the average temperature and the reference temperature are the same, the calibration is terminated and then operated in a normal cooling cycle. The on point temperature and the off point temperature, which are point temperatures, are corrected based on the error between the average temperature and the reference temperature.

Here, the preset reference temperature is an average value of the off point temperature and the hot point temperature which are operating points of the compressor in the current cooling cycle.

In addition, the controller 130 replaces the highest temperature detected in the previous cooling cycle with the highest temperature detected in the current cooling cycle if at least one of the highest temperature and the lowest temperature is not equal to the maximum and minimum temperatures of the previous cooling cycle. It also replaces the lowest temperature detected in the previous cooling cycle with the lowest temperature detected in the current cooling cycle.

In addition, the controller 130 determines whether the number of times of replacing the highest temperature and the lowest temperature exceeds a preset number of times, and if exceeded, notifies the user and the administrator of the end of correction and the correction error, and performs the next cooling cycle if it is below. Control the operation of the compressor.

The first temperature sensor unit 140 is composed of at least one first temperature sensor (11, 21) for detecting the indirect temperature of each reservoir, that is, the temperature of the cold air duct to control the operation of the compressor.

The second temperature sensor unit 150 is composed of at least one first temperature sensor 12, 22 for detecting the space temperature in the at least one storage in order to correct the operating point temperature of the compressor stored in advance in the control unit 130. .

The second temperature sensor unit 150 drives the second temperature sensor of the store according to the instruction of the controller 130 to detect the space temperature of the store and transmits the detected space temperature to the control unit 130.

In addition, the sensed signal detected by each sensor is the A / D converter (not shown) amplified into a predetermined electrical signal by the amplifier (not shown) by the post-A / D conversion, that is, by sampling the analog signal at a predetermined frequency The digital data is converted into the corresponding digital data and transmitted to the controller. Here, the amplifying unit and the A / D conversion unit may be a control unit that is separate from the control unit or has a function of amplification and A / D conversion.

The display unit 160 indicates that the temperature is being corrected according to the instruction of the controller 130, displays the temperature correction error, displays the temperature correction completion, and displays the normal cycle operation.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator temperature in the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2.

When the degree of cooling of each reservoir 10 or 20 is adjusted through the input unit 120 and the temperature correction instruction signal is input 310 from the user or the manufacturing manager during the operation control by the cooling cycle according to the adjusted degree of cooling, the display unit 160 The temperature is corrected through), and the controller 130 determines the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.

In this case, it is determined whether the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensors 11 and 21 exceeds a hot point temperature which is a driving point of the compressor, and when the temperature exceeds the hot point temperature, the compressor is turned on 312 and the first temperature is increased. If the temperature detected by the sensors 11 and 21 is equal to or lower than the on-point temperature, it is determined whether the detected temperature exceeds the off-point temperature among the operating points of the compressor (321).

At this time, when the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensors 11 and 21 exceeds the off point temperature, the compressor is continuously operated to continue the cooling cycle, and when the temperature is less than the off point temperature, the compressor is turned off (322). .

In this way, if the temperature sensing indication signal is transmitted to detect the space temperature in the storage room through the second temperature sensors 12 and 22 during the cooling cycle, the second temperature sensor detects the space temperature in the storage room. Send to the controller.

At this time, the controller 130 determines the temperature detected at the time when the compressor is turned on and off among the space temperatures transmitted through the second temperature sensors 12 and 22 (313).

Here, the temperature detected at the time of turning on the compressor during the one cooling cycle while the compressor is turned on and off is the highest temperature among the space temperatures detected by the second temperature sensor, and the temperature detected at the time of turning off the compressor is the second temperature. It is the lowest temperature among the space temperatures detected by the temperature sensor.

That is, the highest temperature and the lowest temperature among the space temperatures detected by the second temperature sensors 12 and 22 are determined.

Next, a comparison is made between a maximum temperature determined in a current cooling cycle and a maximum temperature determined in a previous cooling cycle being the same, and also a comparison 314 whether the lowest temperature currently determined is equal to the lowest temperature detected in a previous cooling cycle.

If the next highest current temperature and the immediately preceding maximum temperature and the current lowest temperature and the immediately previous lowest temperature are all the same, the operation of the compressor is controlled to perform the next cooling cycle.

At this time, it is determined whether the number of cycles in which the lowest temperature and the highest temperature are equal to each other exceeds a preset number n (315, 316).

That is, when the set number n or less, the drive of the compressor is controlled to perform the next cooling cycle, and when the set number n is exceeded, the average temperature T2avg of the highest temperature and the lowest temperature is calculated.

Next, the calculated average temperature (T2avg) and the reference temperature are compared (317). If the average temperature (T2avg) and the reference temperature are the same, the calibration is terminated (318) and then operated in a normal cooling cycle (319). If the temperature is not the same, the on point temperature T1on and the off point temperature T1off, which are driving points of the compressor, are corrected (320).

Here, the reference temperature is an average value of the off point temperature and the hot point temperature which are operating points of the compressor in the present cooling cycle.

If at least one of the highest and lowest temperatures is not equal to the highest and lowest temperatures of the previous cooling cycle in step 314 of comparing the highest and lowest temperatures, the highest temperature detected in the immediately preceding cooling cycle is present. It replaces with the highest temperature detected in the cooling cycle and also replaces (323) the lowest temperature detected in the immediately preceding cooling cycle with the lowest temperature detected in the current cooling cycle.

It is determined whether the number of cooling cycles for substituting the next highest temperature and the lowest temperature exceeds the preset set number S (324). If the set number S is exceeded, the temperature correction end and the correction error are displayed on the display unit. By generating an indication and an alarm, the user and administrator are informed (326), and if so, the operation of the compressor is controlled to perform the next cooling cycle.

1A is a side view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

1B is a perspective view of a kimchi refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

1C is a side view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

1D is a perspective view of a kimchi refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a control block diagram of a temperature control device of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a temperature control method of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

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

1: refrigerator 2: kimchi refrigerator

10, 30: first reservoir 20, 40: second reservoir

11, 21, 31, 41: first temperature sensor

12, 22, 32, 42: second temperature sensor

110: power supply unit 120: input unit

130: control unit 140: first temperature sensor unit

150: second temperature sensor unit 160: display unit

Claims (8)

A first temperature sensor installed outside the reservoir to sense a temperature of the duct space; A second temperature sensor installed inside the reservoir to sense a temperature of the storage space; And a controller configured to perform temperature correction for correcting an operating point temperature of the compressor according to the duct temperature using the sensed temperature of the storage space. The method of claim 1, And a display unit for displaying the temperature correction operation. The method of claim 1, And the control unit performs the temperature correction according to a user's command. The method of claim 1, The second temperature sensor is a refrigerator, characterized in that detachable to the connector formed inside the reservoir. The method of claim 1, The control unit corrects the duct temperature at the on operating point of the compressor to the space temperature at the on operating point of the compressor, and the duct temperature at the off operating point of the compressor to the space temperature at the off operating point of the compressor. Refrigerator, characterized in that the correction. Sensing the temperature of the duct space of the reservoir; Sensing a temperature of a storage space of the storage; And controlling the operating point temperature of the compressor according to the duct temperature based on the sensed temperature of the storage space. The method of claim 6, The correcting step may include determining whether or not the average temperature of the space temperature detected at the on and off operating points of the compressor coincides with a preset reference temperature; If it does not match according to the determination result, the control method of the refrigerator comprising the step of correcting the operating point temperature of the compressor. The method of claim 7, wherein In the correcting step, the duct temperature at the on operating point of the compressor is corrected to the space temperature at the on operating point of the compressor, and the duct temperature at the off operating point of the compressor is the space at the off operating point of the compressor. Refrigerator control method characterized in that the correction by the temperature.

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