KR20120012613A - Refrigerator and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator and a control method thereof are provided to prevent explosion due to leakage of refrigerant because flow path of the refrigerant flowing to evaporators of a freezing room and a refrigerating room are blocked in defrosting operation. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises a compressor(210), a condenser(220), evaporators, a valve(230), and a controller. The condenser condenses refrigerant compressed in the compressor. The evaporator vaporizes the condensed refrigerant. The valve opens and closes a passage of the refrigerant. The controller closes the valve at a point of defrosting operation of the evaporator.

Description

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

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof, in which a refrigerator and a freezer compartment can be independently cooled by separately installing an evaporator in a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment.

The refrigerator reduces the temperature inside the storage compartment through a cooling cycle in which the refrigerant is compressed, condensed, expanded, and evaporated, allowing food to be kept fresh at low temperatures for a long time.

In the conventional refrigerator, the evaporator is separately installed in the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment, and a parallel cycle method configured to independently operate the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment using a 3-way valve and the evaporator of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment without the valve means are in series. A series cycle scheme in which the connection is made is disclosed.

In this conventional cycle method, there is a risk of explosion when the refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant pipe during the defrosting operation for the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment evaporator.

In addition, in the conventional cycle method, when the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment are simultaneously cooled, there is a problem that the cooling efficiency of the freezer compartment is lowered and power consumption is increased due to the relatively high evaporation temperature of the refrigerating compartment.

One aspect of the present invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof that prevent explosion by blocking flow paths to a freezer compartment evaporator and a refrigerator compartment evaporator while a defrosting operation is performed.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same, which improves the cooling efficiency of the freezer compartment during simultaneous cooling of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser for condensing a refrigerant compressed in the compressor, an evaporator for evaporating the condensed refrigerant, a valve for opening and closing a flow path of the refrigerant, and a defrosting operation of the evaporator. And a control unit for closing the valve.

On the other hand, the control unit determines whether it is the defrosting operation time of the evaporator, and if it is the defrosting operation time of the evaporator, closes the valve to block the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator side, performs the refrigerant recovery operation, and when the defrosting operation is finished, the closed valve It may be characterized by the opening.

In addition, the refrigerant recovery operation may operate the compressor in a state where the valve is closed to move the refrigerant distributed in the evaporator to the condenser side.

The evaporator may also include a freezer compartment evaporator and a refrigerator compartment evaporator.

The refrigerator control method according to an aspect of the present invention determines whether the defrosting operation time of the evaporator, and if the defrosting operation time of the evaporator, close the valve to block the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator side, perform the refrigerant recovery operation, defrost operation When this ends, the closed valve is opened.

On the other hand, performing the refrigerant recovery operation may operate the compressor in a state where the valve is closed to move the refrigerant distributed in the evaporator to the condenser side.

The evaporator may also include a freezer compartment evaporator and a refrigerator compartment evaporator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment evaporator, a freezer compartment evaporator, a refrigerator compartment fan, and a freezer fan installed independently in each of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and when the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are simultaneously cooled, the rotation speed of the refrigerator compartment fan is reduced. The refrigerator further comprises a control unit, wherein the freezer compartment evaporator is positioned at a front end of the refrigerator compartment evaporator and is connected in series with the refrigerator compartment evaporator.

Refrigerator control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a refrigerator control method for performing independent cooling including a refrigerator compartment evaporator, a freezer compartment evaporator located in front of the refrigerator compartment evaporator and connected in series, a refrigerator compartment fan and a freezer compartment fan. When it is determined whether to cool, and when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are simultaneously cooled, the number of revolutions of the refrigerating compartment fan is reduced to reduce the amount of evaporation in the refrigerating compartment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a first refrigerant circuit and a first evaporator configured to allow refrigerant discharged from a compressor to flow to an inlet side of the compressor via a condenser, a valve, a first expansion device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator; It includes a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the valve in accordance with whether the defrosting operation of the second evaporator.

On the other hand, the control unit determines whether the defrosting operation time of the first evaporator and the second evaporator, and if the defrosting operation time of any one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator closes the valve to the first evaporator and the second evaporator side of the refrigerant. It may be characterized in that the flow is blocked, the refrigerant recovery operation is performed, and the closed valve is opened when the defrosting operation is completed.

In addition, the refrigerant recovery operation may be characterized by moving the refrigerant distributed in the first evaporator and the second evaporator to the condenser side by operating the compressor while the valve is closed.

The apparatus may further include a second refrigerant circuit configured to flow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the suction side of the compressor via the condenser, the valve, the second expansion device, and the second evaporator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator control method includes a first refrigerant circuit and a first refrigerant circuit configured to allow a refrigerant discharged from a compressor to flow to an inlet side of a compressor through a condenser, a valve, a first expansion device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator. A control method of a refrigerator including a control unit for controlling opening and closing of a valve according to whether an evaporator and a second evaporator perform defrosting operation, and determining whether the first evaporator and the second evaporator are at a defrosting operation time, and determining the first and second evaporators. If any one of the defrosting operation time point, the valve is closed to block the flow of the refrigerant to the first and second evaporator side. The refrigerant recovery operation is performed, and when the defrosting operation is completed, the closed valve is opened.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator control method includes a first refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant discharged from a compressor flows to an inlet side of a compressor through a condenser, a valve, a first expansion device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator. To control the opening and closing of the valve according to whether the second refrigerant circuit and the first evaporator and the second evaporator perform the defrosting operation of the discharged refrigerant flowing through the condenser and the valve, the second expansion device, and the second evaporator to the suction side of the compressor. A control method of a refrigerator including a control unit, the first evaporator and the second evaporator determines whether it is a defrosting operation time, and if the defrosting operation of any one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator closing the valve to the first evaporator and the refrigerant; Block the flow to the second evaporator side, perform the refrigerant recovery operation, open the closed valve when the defrosting operation is finished The.

According to the disclosed refrigerator and its control method, an explosion due to refrigerant leakage can be prevented by blocking a flow path of the refrigerant flowing to the freezer compartment evaporator and the refrigerator compartment evaporator while the defrosting operation is performed.

In addition, it is possible to increase the cooling efficiency of the freezer compartment by reducing the number of revolutions of the refrigerating compartment fan during simultaneous cooling of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment and having a freezer compartment evaporator located in front of the refrigerator compartment evaporator. As a result, the energy saving effect can be achieved as well as the cost reduction effect can be achieved by eliminating the valve means for opening and closing the flow path of the refrigerant.

1 is an external front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front view of the inside of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.
4A is a series refrigerant circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4B is a parallel refrigerant circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating valve control in the refrigerant circuit of FIGS. 4A and 4B.
6 is a refrigerant circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating control when the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are simultaneously cooled in the refrigerant circuit of FIG. 6.
8 is a refrigerant circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a refrigerator and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

1 is an external front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an internal front view of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is hinged to the main body 10 and the main body 10 in which the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 are formed, and the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber are Doors 13 and 15 that open and close 14 are respectively provided.

The freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerating compartment 14 are partitioned from side to side by the partition wall 11 disposed in the main body 10 to prevent cold air of each of the chambers 12 and 14 from flowing to each other, and the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerating compartment ( 14, a freezer compartment evaporator 32 and a refrigerator compartment evaporator 34 for cooling the chambers 12 and 14 are separately installed.

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

Referring to FIG. 3, the controller 110 is connected to the input unit 121, the temperature detector 122, and the defrost detector 123.

The input unit 121 inputs a user control command to the control unit 110, and a plurality of buttons such as a mode selection button for controlling the operation of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment, and a temperature setting button for setting the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment to a desired temperature. It is prepared.

The temperature detector 122 is mounted on sidewalls of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment, and senses the temperatures in the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment to apply the sensed temperature to the controller 110. The applied temperature becomes data for determining operating conditions (simultaneous cooling or individual cooling) of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

On the other hand, the temperature detection by the temperature detection unit 122 may be performed according to the detection command from the control unit 110, or may be independently performed without receiving the detection command.

The defrost detection unit 123 may apply a sensor whose resistance value is changed according to the temperatures of the freezer compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator.

Looking at the specific principle, the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator is generated, such as frost frozen in the surrounding moisture. This is because the freezer compartment evaporator and the refrigerating compartment evaporator perform cooling with the heat of evaporation when the refrigerant evaporates from the surroundings. Thus, the generated resistance changes the resistance value of the sensor. Through this, the control unit 110 receives a voltage or current signal corresponding to the resistance value of the sensor from the defrost detection unit 123 to determine the defrost time.

The controller 110 is connected to the compressor driver 131, the fan driver 132, the valve driver 133, the defrost heater driver 134, and the display 135.

The compressor driver 131 drives the compressor according to the drive control signal of the controller 110. Meanwhile, when the compressor is a linear compressor, the compressor driver 131 performs generation and application of a PWM signal for applying a driving voltage according to the command of the controller 110.

The fan driver 132 is a means for driving the refrigerating chamber fan 132a, the freezing chamber fan 132b, and the condensation fan 132c according to the drive control signal of the controller 110. Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the fan driving unit 132 may be formed by one means, or a plurality of fan driving units 132 may be provided to correspond to the fans 132a and 132b and the condensation fan 132c of each refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.

In particular, the fan driving unit 132 according to the present embodiment reduces the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 132a when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are simultaneously cooled. As a result, since the amount of evaporation of the refrigerating compartment evaporator is reduced, an increase in the freezing compartment evaporation temperature can be prevented.

The valve driver 133 opens and closes the valve according to the drive control signal of the controller 110. On the other hand, the valve may be provided as a three-way valve or an on-off valve.

In particular, the valve driving unit 133 according to the present embodiment, when any one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment performs the defrosting operation, closes the valve to close the flow path to the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment evaporator. In addition, when the defrosting operation is completed, the valve driving unit 133 opens the valve again to flow the refrigerant. The opening / closing of the valve according to whether the valve driving unit 133 is in defrosting operation may prevent explosion due to leakage of the refrigerant pipe generated during the defrosting operation.

The defrost heater driving unit 134 drives the defrost heater provided in the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. The defrost heater driver 134 supplies heat to the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator according to the drive control signal of the controller 110. This supply of heat removes the frost formed on the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator.

The display unit 135 displays an operation state of the refrigerator, various set values, temperature, and the like.

The memory unit 140 stores the control value of the temperature and the defrost condition according to the operating conditions of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment determined by the controller 110. In addition, the control factor for the operation of controlling the valve to block the flow path to the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment evaporator during the defrosting operation is stored in the memory unit 140. In addition, when the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment are simultaneously cooled, a control factor for an operation of reducing the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan is stored in the memory unit 140.

The controller 110 compares the internal temperatures of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment sensed by the temperature detector 122 with the set temperatures stored in the memory unit 140 to determine whether the refrigerator starts.

When the refrigerator internal temperature of the freezer compartment or the refrigerating compartment is higher than the predetermined temperature by a predetermined temperature or more, the refrigerator starts operation after calculating the load in each refrigerator according to the temperature difference.

In addition, the controller 110 receives the defrost signal detected by the defrost detection unit 123 and compares the defrost condition stored in the memory unit 140. The controller 110 performs defrosting on the evaporator that satisfies the defrosting condition. The defrost condition may be assumed to be a reference voltage value or a reference current value.

In particular, the controller 110 according to the present embodiment transmits a control signal for closing the valve to the valve driver 133 when it is determined that the defrosting operation of one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. In addition, the control unit 110 opens the valve again when the defrosting operation is completed so that the refrigerant flows to the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator.

In addition, the control unit 110 according to the present embodiment controls to reduce the number of revolutions of the refrigerating compartment fan when simultaneously cooling the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment.

4A is a series refrigerant circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4A, the series refrigerant circuit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 210, a condenser 220, a valve 230, an expansion device 240, a refrigerator compartment evaporator 250, and a freezer compartment evaporator 260. It includes.

The compressor 210 compresses a refrigerant in a low temperature low pressure gas state to be sucked and discharges the high temperature high pressure gas state.

The condenser 220 is connected to the high pressure side discharge pipe of the compressor 210 to heat-exchange the refrigerant in the high-temperature, high-pressure gas state compressed by the compressor 210 with ambient air to condense it into a liquid state.

The valve 230 opens and closes the flow path of the refrigerant passing through the condenser 220 and is configured as an on / off valve.

In particular, the valve 230 according to the present embodiment opens and closes the flow path to the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator according to whether the refrigerator is defrosted.

The expansion device 240 expands and decompresses a refrigerant in a room temperature and high pressure liquid state condensed in the condenser 220 through a valve 230 as a low temperature and low pressure into a two phase refrigerant in which a liquid component and a gas component are mixed. It consists of an expansion valve.

The freezer compartment evaporator 260 and the refrigerator compartment evaporator 250 supply cold air by evaporating the refrigerant of the low temperature and low pressure liquid state expanded in the expansion device 240 to a gas state, and the series configured to independently operate the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment operation. Has a cyclical manner.

Therefore, the refrigerant in the series refrigerant circuit 200 is the compressor 210 → condenser 220 → valve means 230 → expansion device 240 → refrigerator evaporator 250 → freezer evaporator 260 → compressor 210 Cycles in this order.

In addition, the condenser 220 is further provided with a condenser fan motor 222 for driving the condenser fan 221 and the condenser fan. In addition, the refrigerating compartment evaporator 250 and the freezing compartment evaporator 260 include a refrigerating compartment fan 252 and a freezing compartment fan 262 for blowing cold air generated in each of the evaporators 250 and 260. In addition, the refrigerator compartment fan motor 253 and the freezer compartment fan motor 263 which respectively drive the refrigerator compartment fan 252 and the freezer compartment fan 262 are included. In addition, defrost heaters 251 and 261 are respectively provided to remove frost formed on the refrigerating chamber evaporator 250 and the freezing chamber evaporator 260.

4B is a parallel refrigerant circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4B, the parallel refrigerant circuit 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 310, a condenser 320, a valve 330, a first expansion device 341, a second expansion device 342, and a refrigerating chamber. An evaporator 350 and a freezer compartment evaporator 360.

The valve 330 selects and switches a flow path of the refrigerant passing through the condenser 320 according to an operation mode (freezer compartment operation or simultaneous operation), and has a three-way valve having one inlet and two outlets. Is made of. One inlet is connected to the discharge pipe of the condenser 320, and two outlets are connected to the first expansion device 341 and the second expansion device 342, respectively.

In particular, the valve 330 according to the present embodiment opens and closes flow paths to the refrigerating chamber evaporator 350 and the freezing chamber evaporator 360 depending on whether the refrigerator is defrosted.

Therefore, the refrigerant in the parallel refrigerant circuit 300 is a compressor 310 → condenser 320 → valve 330 → first expansion device 341 → refrigerator evaporator 350 → freezer evaporator 360 → compressor ( 310 or the compressor 310 → condenser 320 → valve 330 → second expansion device 342 → freezer evaporator 360 → compressor 310.

The rest of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 4A, and a description thereof will be replaced with FIG. 4A.

Hereinafter, a method and effects of controlling the refrigerant circuit configured as described above will be described.

In the conventional refrigerant circuit control, there is a risk of explosion during the defrosting operation by the defrost heater. If the explosive refrigerant leaks while the defrost heater is being driven, the temperature may rise above the ignition point of the leaked refrigerant and an explosion may occur. Therefore, the refrigerant circuit control according to the present embodiment for solving the problems of the conventional refrigerant circuit control as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing valve control in the refrigerant circuit of FIGS. 4A and 4B.

First, when power is input to the refrigerator, the defrost detector detects a resistance value that changes according to the temperature of the refrigerator evaporator, and transmits a voltage or current signal corresponding to the resistance value to the controller. The control unit compares the voltage or current signal transmitted by the defrost detection unit with the set defrosting condition and determines whether it is the defrosting operation time of the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator (410).

If it is determined that the defrosting time of the refrigerating compartment evaporator or the freezing compartment evaporator, the control unit closes the valve before the defrosting operation is performed in the corresponding evaporator (420). Therefore, the flow of the refrigerant to the refrigerating compartment evaporator and the freezing compartment evaporator may be blocked before the defrosting operation is performed.

After closing the valve (420), the control unit performs a refrigerant recovery operation for recovering the refrigerant distributed in the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment evaporator side (430).

The refrigerant recovery operation 430 is an operation of closing the valve and turning on the compressor to move the refrigerant distributed in the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator to the condenser side. Through the refrigerant recovery operation 430, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from being present in the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator.

When the refrigerant recovery operation 430 ends, the defrosting operation is performed 440 in the refrigerator compartment evaporator or the freezer compartment evaporator, and the operation of the compressor is stopped.

The controller determines whether the defrosting operation ends after performing the defrosting operation 440 (450). As a result of determination, when the defrost in the evaporator is finished, the closed valve is opened again (460), and the compressor is restarted.

Accordingly, the valve control of the refrigerant circuit illustrated in FIG. 5 prevents the refrigerant from being distributed in the refrigerator compartment evaporator and the freezer compartment evaporator while the defrosting operation is performed, thereby preventing explosion due to refrigerant leakage.

On the other hand, in the conventional refrigerant circuit and its control method, when the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment are simultaneously cooled, there is a problem that the cooling effect of the freezer compartment is halved because the internal temperature of the refrigerating compartment is higher than that of the freezer compartment. This causes problems such as a decrease in freshness of food stored in the refrigerator and an increase in power consumption.

Therefore, the refrigerant circuit and the control method for solving the problems of the conventional refrigerant circuit and the control method as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

6 is a refrigerant circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, the refrigerant circuit 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 510, a condenser 520, an expansion device 530, a freezer compartment evaporator 540, and a refrigerator compartment evaporator 550.

In particular, in the refrigerant circuit 500 according to the present embodiment, the freezer compartment evaporator 540 is positioned at the front end of the refrigerator compartment evaporator 550 and connected in series with the refrigerator compartment evaporator 550. Therefore, the refrigerant circulates in the order of the compressor 510 → condenser 520 → expansion device 530 → freezer evaporator 540 → freezer evaporator 550 → compressor 510. That is, as the refrigerant is first supplied to the freezer compartment evaporator 540 and then supplied to the refrigerator compartment evaporator 550, the cooling efficiency of the freezer compartment due to the high evaporation heat of the refrigerator compartment evaporator 550 may be prevented.

In addition, since the refrigerant circuit 500 according to the present embodiment can eliminate the valve, cost reduction can be achieved.

The rest of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 4A, and a description thereof will be replaced with FIG. 4A.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating fan control when the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are simultaneously operated in the refrigerant circuit of FIG. 6.

First, it is determined whether the compressor is driven (610). If the compressor is stopped as a result of the determination, both the freezer compartment fan and the refrigerating compartment fan are stopped (630). In this case, each refrigerator internal temperature is below the set temperature.

On the other hand, if the compressor is running is checked whether the freezer compartment cooling (620). If cooling of the freezer compartment is being performed, it is checked whether the refrigerator compartment is cooled (640).

When the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment are simultaneously cooled, a control to reduce the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan is performed (660). In this case, the temperature inside each refrigerator of the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

On the other hand, if only one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment is being cooled (640, 650), each fan rotation speed is maintained normally (670).

When the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment are simultaneously cooled, the cooling efficiency of the freezer compartment can be improved by reducing the amount of evaporation of the refrigerating compartment evaporator through the control of reducing the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan.

8 is a refrigerant circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the compressor 710, the condenser 720, the valve 730, the expansion device 740, the freezer compartment evaporator 750, and the refrigerating compartment evaporator 760 are connected through a refrigerant pipe, thereby closing one closed loop refrigerant. The circuit is prepared. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 4A, and a description thereof will be replaced with FIG. 4A.

In order to prevent the explosion risk due to leakage of the refrigerant pipe during the defrosting process, the present embodiment configures the valve 730 as an on-off valve. The valve 730 is closed before the defrost is performed in the evaporator when any one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is defrosted. In addition, the valve 730 is opened again when the defrosting in the evaporator is completed to allow the refrigerant to flow.

In addition, the freezer compartment evaporator 750 is positioned at the front end of the refrigerator compartment evaporator 760 and connected in series so that the refrigerant is first supplied to the freezer compartment evaporator 750. In addition, when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are operated at the same time, control is performed to reduce the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 762 in order to lower the temperature rise in the freezer compartment. Therefore, the amount of evaporation in the refrigerating compartment evaporator 760 is reduced, and the increase in the evaporation temperature of the freezing compartment and the suction temperature of the compressor is suppressed, thereby providing an advantage of improving the efficiency of freezing compartment cooling and improving the power consumption of the refrigerator.

So far, the refrigerator and its control method have been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments. In one embodiment, the side by side type provided in the refrigerating compartment and the freezer compartment is not limited to this, but the top mount type located in the upper side of the freezer compartment as well as the three door bottom freeze (3 Door Bottom) It can be applied to all freeze type refrigerators.

10: Body
12: freezer
14: refrigerator
32: freezer evaporator
34: refrigerator compartment evaporator

Claims (15)

compressor;
A condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor;
An evaporator for evaporating the condensed refrigerant;
A valve for opening and closing the flow path of the refrigerant; And
And a control unit for closing the valve when the defrosting operation of the evaporator starts.
The method of claim 1,
The control unit
Determining whether it is a defrosting operation time of the evaporator;
When the defrosting operation of the evaporator, closing the valve to block the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator side;
Perform a refrigerant recovery operation;
And closing the valve when the defrosting operation is completed.
The method of claim 2,
The refrigerant recovery operation
And a compressor configured to move the refrigerant distributed in the evaporator to the condenser by operating the compressor while the valve is closed.
The method of claim 1,
The evaporator
A refrigerator comprising a freezer compartment evaporator and a refrigerator compartment evaporator.
In the refrigerator control method comprising a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a valve,
Determining whether it is a defrosting operation time of the evaporator;
When the defrosting operation of the evaporator, closing the valve to block the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator side;
Perform a refrigerant recovery operation;
And controlling the refrigerator to open the closed valve when the defrosting operation is completed.
6. The method of claim 5,
Performing the refrigerant recovery operation
And operating the compressor while the valve is closed to move the refrigerant distributed in the evaporator to the condenser side.
6. The method of claim 5,
The evaporator
Refrigerator control method comprising a freezer compartment evaporator and a refrigerator compartment evaporator.
A refrigerator comprising a refrigerator compartment evaporator and a freezer compartment evaporator, a refrigerator compartment fan, and a freezer compartment fan each independently installed in a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment,
A control unit for reducing the number of revolutions of the refrigerating compartment fan when simultaneously cooling the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment;
The freezer compartment evaporator is located in front of the refrigerator compartment evaporator, characterized in that connected to the refrigerator compartment evaporator in series.
In the refrigerator control method for performing independent cooling, including a refrigerator compartment evaporator, a freezer compartment evaporator located in front of the refrigerator compartment evaporator and connected in series, a refrigerator compartment fan and a freezer compartment fan.
Determining whether the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are simultaneously cooled;
And when the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are simultaneously cooled, reducing the number of revolutions of the refrigerating compartment fan to reduce the amount of evaporation in the refrigerating compartment.
A first refrigerant circuit configured to flow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to an inlet side of the compressor through a condenser, a valve, a first expansion device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator; And
And a controller configured to control opening and closing of the valve according to whether defrosting of the first and second evaporators is performed.
The method of claim 10,
The control unit
Determining whether it is a defrosting operation time of the first and second evaporators;
Closing the valve to block flow of the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators when the defrosting operation of one of the first and second evaporators is performed;
Perform a refrigerant recovery operation;
And closing the valve when the defrosting operation is completed.
12. The method of claim 11,
The refrigerant recovery operation
And operating the compressor while the valve is closed to move the refrigerant distributed in the first and second evaporators to the condenser side.
The method of claim 10,
And a second refrigerant circuit configured to flow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the suction side of the compressor via a condenser, a valve, a second expansion device, and a second evaporator.
A first refrigerant circuit configured to flow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to an inlet side of the compressor through a condenser, a valve, a first expansion device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator; And
In the control method of the refrigerator comprising: a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the valve in accordance with whether defrosting operation of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.
Determining whether it is a defrosting operation time of the first and second evaporators;
Closing the valve to block flow of the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators when the defrosting operation of one of the first and second evaporators is performed;
Perform a refrigerant recovery operation;
And controlling the refrigerator to open the closed valve when the defrosting operation is completed.
A first refrigerant circuit configured to flow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to an inlet side of the compressor through a condenser, a valve, a first expansion device, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator;
A second refrigerant circuit configured to flow the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the suction side of the compressor via a condenser, a valve, a second expansion device, and a second evaporator; And
In the control method of the refrigerator comprising: a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the valve in accordance with whether defrosting operation of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.
Determining whether it is a defrosting operation time of the first and second evaporators;
Closing the valve to block flow of the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators when the defrosting operation of one of the first and second evaporators is performed;
Perform a refrigerant recovery operation;
And controlling the refrigerator to open the closed valve when the defrosting operation is completed.

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