KR20140124222A - Refrigerator and Control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a refrigeration cycle circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator and letting the evaporator refrigerate a freezing chamber and a cooling chamber; a cool storage part exchanging heat with the freezing chamber; a thermal siphon circuit letting the condenser, condensing a working fluid, exchange heat with the cool storage part, letting the evaporator, evaporating the working fluid condensed by the condenser, exchange heat with the cooling chamber and having a thermal siphon valve for controlling the flow of the working fluid; and a controller performing a refrigeration cycle operation closing the thermal siphon valve while switching on or off the refrigeration cycle circuit during refrigeration cycle operation setup time according to a load, and opening the thermal siphon valve while switching off the refrigeration cycle circuit during refrigeration cycle operation setup time. The present invention continues to refrigerate the freezing chamber and the cooling chamber while operating the refrigerator in a low noise mode during a specific period such as the night time, thereby minimizing damage caused by a noise generated during operation of the compressor and conveniently using the refrigerator.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof,

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method of operating the same, and more particularly to a refrigerator having a heat siphon circuit in which a working fluid circulates between a condenser and an evaporator, and a method of operating the refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device for cooling a storage room by using a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and a refrigeration cycle device of an evaporator.

The refrigerator may include a main body having a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and a refrigeration cycle unit installed in the main body to cool the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber.

In the refrigerator, a part of the refrigerant can be installed in a refrigerating compartment, and a part of the refrigerant can be installed in the freezing compartment, and the refrigerant can be exchanged between the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment while circulating the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

KR 10-2013-0011278 A (2013.1.30)

There is a problem that the refrigerator according to the related art transmits the cold air of the freezer compartment to the refrigerating compartment in a situation where the compressor can not be operated as in the case of power failure, and the thermal siphon is used only for emergency use, and the thermal siphon can not be utilized more efficiently.

A refrigeration cycle circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator, the evaporator cooling the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment; A refrigerating unit for heat exchange with the freezing chamber; A condenser portion for condensing the working fluid is heat-exchanged with the condenser portion and a condensing portion for evaporating the working fluid condensed in the condenser portion is heat-exchanged with the refrigerating chamber, and a heat siphon valve A thermal siphon circuit; A refrigeration cycle operation is performed in which the refrigeration cycle circuit is turned on and off in accordance with a load during the refrigeration cycle operation set time and the thermosyphon valve is closed to turn off the refrigeration cycle circuit for the set time period of the thermosiphon operation, And a control section for performing a heat siphon operation for opening the valve.

The refrigerator may further include a timer, and the controller may selectively perform the refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation according to a signal output from the timer.

The control unit may alternately perform the refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation as time elapses.

 And an input unit for inputting the heat siphon operation start time, and the control unit can start the heat siphon operation when the heat siphon operation start time input through the input unit is reached.

And an input unit for inputting the thermal siphon operation set time, and the control unit may perform the thermal siphon operation for the set thermal siphon operation time input through the input unit.

The refrigerator includes a timer; A door sensor for sensing the opening of the door; The refrigerator may further include an illuminance sensor for sensing illuminance around the refrigerator. The controller may perform the refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation according to the signal output from the timer, the detection result of the door sensor, and the detection result of the illuminance sensor. And can be selectively performed.

A method of operating a refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a first step of closing a heat siphon valve provided between a condensing part where a working fluid is condensed and a vaporizing part where a working fluid is evaporated, and turning on and off a refrigeration cycle circuit according to a load; And a second step of turning off the refrigeration cycle circuit and opening the thermosyphon valve when the thermosiphon operation start time comes in the middle of the first step.

When the heat siphon operation start time is input to the input unit, the second step may be performed when the heat siphon operation start time input to the input unit is reached.

 If the second step is carried out during the thermal siphon operation set time, it may be returned to the first step.

If the heat siphon operation set time is input to the input unit, the second step may be performed after the first step and during the set thermal siphon operation set time.

The present invention is advantageous in that the refrigerator can be conveniently used while minimizing the damage caused by the noise generated when the compressor is driven since the refrigerator can be continuously cooled in a low noise mode at a specific time such as at night.

In addition, the refrigeration cycle operation and the heat siphon operation are alternately performed over time, so that it is possible to keep food and the like at a low temperature while minimizing the operation time of the compressor, that is, the total time when noise is generated in the refrigerator.

 In addition, since the user can input the heat siphon operation start time, the user can directly select the low noise mode start time according to the life pattern of the user, and the convenience of use of the refrigerator can be improved.

In addition, the user can input the heat siphon operation setting time so that the user can directly select the time during which the refrigerator is operated in the low noise mode, and the freshness of the food stored in the refrigerator and the power consumption of the refrigerator can be arbitrarily There is an advantage to be able to adjust.

Further, according to the change of the number of times of opening and closing of the door and the illuminance, the operation period in the low noise mode can be automatically adjusted, and convenience of using the refrigerator can be improved.

1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention,
2 is a view illustrating a refrigerant flow when a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a refrigeration cycle operation,
3 is a view showing a working fluid flow when one embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention is a heat siphon operation,
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a heat sink and a heat siphon circuit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention,
6 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention,
7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a refrigerant flow when a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a refrigeration cycle operation. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a heat and siphon circuit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a control block diagram of an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a main body 2 having a freezing chamber F and a refrigerating chamber R, a freezing cycle circuit 4 for cooling the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R, (6); And a heat siphon circuit (8) for cooling the refrigerating chamber (R) by a working fluid whose working fluid has been heat-exchanged with the refrigerating section (6) and heat-exchanged with the refrigerating section (6)

The main body 2 may be provided with a freezing compartment door 12 for opening and closing the freezing compartment R and a refrigerating compartment door 14 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment R. The main body 2 may be provided with a machine room M in which a compressor 41 described later or the like may be installed, separately from the storage room. The main body 2 includes an outer case 16 forming an outer appearance, a freezing room inner case 18 disposed inside the outer case 16 and forming a freezing room F, And a refrigerating compartment inner case 20 forming a refrigerating compartment R. The refrigerator can be provided with the heat insulating material 22 between the outer case 16 and the freezing room inner case 18 and the heat insulating material 22 between the outer case 16 and the inner case 20 of the refrigerating room, The heat insulating material 22 may be disposed between the freezing compartment inner case 18 and the refrigerating compartment inner case 20. [

 The refrigeration cycle circuit 4 includes a compressor 41, a condenser 44, an expansion mechanism 47 and an evaporator 49, and an evaporator 49 cools the freezing room F and the refrigerating room R.

The compressor 41 is connected to a condenser 44 through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 41 is supplied to the compressor 41. The compressor 41 is connected to the compressor 41 through the compressor 41, A compressor discharge passage 43 for guiding the refrigerant to the compressor discharge passage 43 can be connected.

The condenser 44 may be an air-cooled heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 41 with air. The condenser 44 may include a refrigerant condensation tube in which a refrigerant condensation flow path through which the refrigerant is condensed is formed. The condenser 44 may further include a heat dissipation fin in contact with the refrigerant condensation tube. The refrigerator may further include a condensing fan (45) for blowing air to the condenser (44). The air blown by the condensing fan 45 when the condensing fan 45 is driven can absorb the heat of the refrigerant passing through the condenser 44 and the condenser 44 can radiate the heat of the refrigerant in an air- . The condensing fan 45 can be driven when the compressor 41 is driven. The condenser 44 may be connected to an expansion device inlet flow passage 46 through which the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 44 is guided to the expansion device 47.

The expansion mechanism (47) expands the refrigerant condensed in the refrigerant condensation flow path of the condenser (44), and may be constituted by a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve. The expansion mechanism (47) may be connected to an expansion mechanism outlet flow path (48) for guiding the refrigerant expanded by the expansion mechanism (47) to the evaporator (49).

The evaporator 49 includes a refrigerant evaporating tube in which the refrigerant expanded by the expansion mechanism 47 is evaporated while exchanging heat with at least one of the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R and formed with a refrigerant evaporation flow path . The evaporator 49 can be installed on the outer wall of at least one of the freezer inner case 18 and the inner case 20 of the refrigerating compartment. The evaporator 49 is disposed in the heat exchange chamber H formed in the main body 2 so as to communicate with at least one of the freezer compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R and exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the air blown by the evaporation fan 50 It is possible. In this case, the evaporation fan 50 can suck at least one of the freezing room F and the refrigerating compartment R into the evaporator 10 to exchange heat with the evaporator 10, heat exchange with the evaporator 49, The cold air can be blown to at least one of the freezing room (F) and the refrigerating room (R). The evaporation fan 50 can blow the air in the freezer compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R to the evaporator 49 and blow the air cooled by the evaporator 49 to the freezing compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R . The air blown to the evaporator 49 when the evaporation fan 50 is driven can be dissipated to the refrigerant passing through the evaporator 49. [ The evaporation fan 50 can be driven when the compressor 41 is driven. The refrigerator may further include a freezer compartment damper (not shown) for blocking circulation of the air in the freezer compartment F to the evaporator 49. The refrigerator may further include a refrigerating chamber damper 52 for blocking circulation of the air in the refrigerating chamber R to the evaporator 49.

If the temperature of the freezing chamber F is unsatisfactory, the compressor 41 is turned on. If the temperature of the freezing chamber F satisfies the freezing chamber desired temperature, the compressor 41 can be turned off. Here, the condition in which the temperature of the freezing chamber F is unsatisfactory for the freezing chamber desired temperature may be a condition in which the temperature of the freezing chamber F is higher than the freezing chamber desired temperature upper limit, which is higher than the freezing chamber desired temperature by the first predetermined value. The condition in which the temperature of the freezing chamber F satisfies the freezing chamber desired temperature may be a condition in which the temperature of the freezing chamber F is lower than the lower limit of the desired freezing chamber temperature, which is lower than the freezing chamber desired temperature by the second predetermined value. If the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R is unsatisfactory, the refrigerator compartment damper 52 is opened. If the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R satisfies the desired refrigerating compartment temperature, the refrigerator compartment damper 52 may be closed. Here, the condition in which the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R is unsatisfactory with the desired refrigerating compartment temperature may be a condition in which the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R is higher than the refrigerating compartment desired temperature upper limit, which is the third predetermined value higher than the desired refrigerating compartment temperature. The condition that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R satisfies the refrigerator compartment desired temperature may be a condition that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R is lower than the refrigerating compartment desired temperature lower limit which is lower than the refrigerating compartment desired temperature by the fourth predetermined value.

The cold storage unit 6 may include a PCM refrigeration pack 62 having a PCM (Phase Change Material) built therein. The PCM refrigerator pack 62 can heat the PCM with the air in the freezer compartment R so that the cool air in the freezer compartment F can be accumulated in the PCM. Here, the PCM may be composed of an organic material such as tetradecane, octadecane, and nonadecane of a hydrocarbon type composed of carbon and hydrogen, or may be made of an inorganic material such as calcium chloride in the form of a hydrate, or may be water. The cold storage portion 6 may be filled with the PCM material in the outer pack, and the PCM may be heat-exchanged with the cool air in the freezing chamber F through the outer pack. The cold storage portion 6 may include a refrigeration pack cover 64 in which the PCM shaft cooling pack 62 is accommodated. The refrigeration pack cover 64 can protect the PCM shaft cooling pack 62. In the freezing pack cover 64, a through hole 66 through which the cool air of the freezing chamber F can enter and exit can be formed. The cold storage portion 6 can function to transfer the cool air of the freezing chamber F cooled by the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 to the heat siphon circuit 8. [ The heat transferred from the heat siphon circuit 8 to the cold storage portion 6 can be dissipated to the freezing chamber F through the cold storage portion 6. [

The refrigerant circulating through the compressor 41, the condenser 44, the expansion mechanism 47 and the evaporator 49 does not pass through the heat siphon circuit 8 but passes through a separate working fluid different from the refrigerant. Here, the working fluid may be water, methyl alcohol, or the like.

The heat siphon circuit 8 includes a condenser portion 82 in which the working fluid condenses and an evaporator portion 84 in which the working fluid condensed in the condenser portion 82 is evaporated. The heat siphon circuit 8 is provided with a heat siphon valve 86 for interrupting the working fluid between the condenser 82 and the evaporator 84. The heat siphon circuit 8 can be configured such that the condenser 82, the evaporator 84 and the heat siphon valve 86 can be connected in a closed circuit and the condenser 82 and the evaporator 84 are connected to each other through a plurality of heat siphon connection channels (88) < / RTI > (90). The plurality of heat siphon connecting passages 88 and 90 are connected to the first heat siphon connecting flow path 88 in which the working fluid condensed in the condensing portion 82 flows to the evaporating portion 84, And a second heat siphon connection flow passage 90 through which the working fluid flows to the condensation section 82.

The condensing portion 82 can be heat-exchanged with the cooling portion 6, and the working fluid can be condensed while radiating heat to the cooling portion 6. [ The condenser 82 may include a condenser pipe 82A having a working fluid passage through which the working fluid passes and a condenser plate 82B that contacts the condenser pipe 82A to promote heat transfer of the condenser pipe 82A have. The condensing portion 82 is arranged in contact with the cooling portion 6 at a position inside the freezing chamber F and is directly heat-exchanged with the cooling portion 6. [ The condenser 82 is installed so as to be in heat transfer with the freezer compartment inner case 18 and is capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerating compartment 6 through the freezer compartment inner case 18. The condenser 82 is arranged to be in contact with the inner case 18 of the freezer compartment and the heat of the condenser 82 is transferred to the freezer compartment inner case 18 18 to the cold storage portion 6. In this case, the condenser 82 can be disposed between the freezer compartment inner case 18 and the heat insulator 22. The condenser portion 82B can be disposed so as to be in contact with the refrigerated portion 6 when placed inside the freezer compartment F and can be disposed between the freezer compartment inner case 18 and the heat insulator 22 The condenser plate 82B may be disposed so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the freezer inner case 18. The condensing section 82 can be installed higher than the evaporating section 84. The refrigerator can be formed such that the freezing room F is positioned above the refrigerating compartment R and the condensing part 82 can be installed closer to the freezing compartment F of the freezing compartment R and the refrigerating compartment R, The evaporator 84 may be installed closer to the refrigerator compartment R of the freezer compartment R and the refrigerating compartment R. [ The working fluid condensed in the condensing section 82 can be flowed to the evaporating section 84 by gravity and the working fluid evaporated in the evaporating section 84 can flow to the temperature difference between the condensing section 82 and the evaporating section 84 To the evaporator (84). When the working fluid is condensed in the condensing portion 82 and the working fluid is evaporated in the evaporating portion 84, the working fluid of the evaporating portion 84 absorbs heat of the refrigerating chamber R, And the high-pressure working fluid located in the evaporating portion 84 can flow to the condensing portion 82. The high-

The evaporator 84 can be exchanged with the refrigerating compartment R and the working fluid can be evaporated while absorbing the heat of the refrigerating compartment R. [ The evaporator 84 may include an evaporation pipe 84A having a working fluid flow path through which the working fluid passes and an evaporation plate 84B contacting the evaporation pipe to promote heat transfer of the evaporation pipe. The evaporator 84 is disposed inside the refrigerating compartment R and is directly heat-exchanged with the refrigerating compartment R. [ The evaporator 84 is installed to be heat-transferred to the refrigerating compartment inner case 20 and is heat-exchanged with the refrigerating compartment R through the refrigerating compartment inner case 20. That is, the evaporator 84 is arranged to be in contact with the refrigerating compartment inner case 20, and the heat of the refrigerating compartment R can be transmitted to the evaporator 84 through the refrigerating compartment inner case 20. In this case, the evaporator 84 can be disposed between the refrigerating compartment inner case 20 and the heat insulating material 22, and the evaporator 84 can cool the refrigerating compartment R by direct cooling. When the evaporator 84 is located inside the refrigerator R, the evaporator plate 84B can be disposed in the refrigerator R,

The evaporation plate 84B may be disposed so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the inner case 20 of the refrigerating compartment when the refrigerating compartment is disposed between the inner case 20 and the heat insulating material 22. [

The heat siphon valve 86 can be installed in one of the first heat siphon connecting flow path 88 and the second heat siphon connecting flow path 90 and is connected to the first heat siphon connecting path 88 and the second heat siphon connection And can be installed in the flow path 90, respectively. When the heat siphon valve 86 is opened, the working fluid circulates in the freezing chamber F while circulating the condenser 82, the evaporator 84 and the heat siphon valve 86 to the refrigerating chamber R . When the thermal siphon valve 86 is closed, the working fluid is blocked by the thermal siphon valve 86 and does not circulate through the condenser 82, the thermal siphon valve 86 and the evaporator 84.

The refrigerator includes a control section (100) for controlling the refrigeration cycle circuit (4) and the heat siphon valve (86).

The control unit 100 can control the compressor 41, the condensing fan 45, and the evaporating fan 50 when the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 is controlled. The control unit 100 can circulate or acycle the refrigerant when the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 is controlled. The control unit 100 turns on both the compressor 41 and the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50 or both the compressor 41 and the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50 depending on the load of the refrigerator Off. The control of the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 is not limited to the control for turning on the compressor 41 and both the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50. The control of the compressor 41 and the condensing fan 45, The control for turning on the evaporating fan 50 as well as the control for turning off the compressor 41 and the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50 may be included.

The load can be determined according to the temperature of the freezing chamber (F). If the temperature of the freezer compartment F sensed by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 101 is higher than the upper limit of the freezer compartment set temperature (freezer compartment desired temperature), the controller 100 can determine that there is a load and turn on the compressor 41 The compressor 41 can be driven. If the temperature of the freezer compartment F sensed by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 101 is lower than the lower limit of the freezer compartment set temperature (freezer compartment desired temperature), the controller 100 can determine that there is no load, So that the compressor 41 can be stopped.

On the other hand, the load may be determined according to the temperature of the freezing chamber F and the temperature of the refrigerating chamber R. [ The controller 100 determines whether the temperature of the freezing compartment F detected by the freezing compartment temperature sensor 101 is higher than the upper limit of the freezing compartment set temperature (freezing compartment desired temperature) and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R sensed by the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 102 If it is higher than the upper limit of the refrigerating compartment set temperature (refrigerator compartment desired temperature), it can be determined that there is a load, and the compressor 41 can be turned on to drive the compressor 41. [ The controller 100 determines that the temperature of the freezing compartment F detected by the freezing compartment temperature sensor 101 is lower than the lower limit of the freezing compartment set temperature (freezing compartment desired temperature) and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R sensed by the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 102 If it is lower than the lower limit value of the refrigerating compartment set temperature (refrigerating compartment desired temperature), it can be judged that there is no load, and the compressor 41 can be turned off to stop the compressor 41.

The control unit 100 can turn on the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50 to drive the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50 respectively when the compressor 41 is driven, It is possible to stop the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50 by turning off the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50, respectively.

 The control section 100 can circulate or acircuit the working fluid under the control of the heat siphon valve 86. [

The control section 100 may close the thermal siphon valve 86 for a period of time to control the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 and may not control the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 during the time when the thermal siphon valve 86 is open have.

The control unit 100 may perform the refrigeration cycle operation for the refrigeration cycle operation set time. The refrigeration cycle circuit 4 can be turned on and off according to the load and the thermal siphon valve 86 can be closed during the refrigeration cycle operation. The refrigeration cycle operation set time Tc is a time during which the refrigerant can cool the freezing room F and the refrigerating compartment R and the refrigerating unit 6 is capable of chilling the cold air in the freezing compartment F, The refrigeration cycle circuit 4 is turned on and off during the operation set time Tc to temporarily stop the cooling or cooling of the freezing room F and the refrigerating room R.

The control unit 100 can perform the thermal siphon operation during the thermal siphon operation set time. During the thermal siphon operation, the control unit 100 turns off the refrigeration cycle circuit 2 and opens the thermal siphon valve 86. [ The siphon operation setting time is a time during which the refrigerant is not cooled by the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R but is cooled by the refrigerating chamber and the heat siphon circuit 6, The cycle circuit 4 may be in the off state regardless of the load and the working fluid of the thermal siphon circuit 6 may be repeatedly condensed and evaporated while circulating through the thermal siphon circuit 6. [

  24 hours can be divided into a refrigeration cycle operation set time (Tc) and a heat siphon operation set time (Th), and the refrigerator can be divided into a refrigeration cycle operation set time (Tc) And the operation set time Th can be operated in different control patterns. For example, when the time from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm is set as the refrigeration cycle operation set time (Tc), the time from 9:00 pm to 8:00 am the next day is set as the thermal siphon operation set time (Th) . As another example, when the time from 6:00 pm to 8:00 am the next day is set as the refrigeration cycle operation set time (Tc), the time from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on the same day is set as the heat siphon operation set time Th It is possible. The refrigeration cycle operation set time Tc and the thermal siphon operation set time Th can be variously set and are not limited to the above time.

The refrigerator performs the refrigeration cycle operation during the refrigeration cycle operation set time (Tc), and when the refrigeration cycle operation set time (Tc) elapses, the refrigeration cycle operation is completed and the heat siphon operation can be started. The refrigerator can continue the thermal siphon operation for the thermal siphon operation setting time (Th) after the thermal siphon operation is started, and when the thermal siphon operation set time (Th) has elapsed after the thermal siphon operation is started, the thermal siphon operation is terminated . The refrigerator may start the refrigeration cycle operation at the end of the heat siphon operation. The control unit 100 can alternately perform the refrigeration cycle operation and the heat siphon operation as time elapses and the refrigerator can be operated in the refrigeration cycle operation and the heat siphon operation alternately.

 Here, the start time of the refrigeration cycle operation and the start time of the heat siphon operation may be a fixed time, respectively, and may be a time varying depending on the circumstance around the refrigerator.

In addition, the refrigeration cycle operation set time Tc and the thermal siphon operation set time Th may be a fixed time, and may be a time varying depending on the situation around the refrigerator.

Further, the end time of the refrigeration cycle operation and the end time of the heat siphon operation may be a fixed time, and may be a time varying depending on the circumstance around the refrigerator.

The refrigerator may further include a timer 104. The controller 100 may selectively perform the refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation according to the signal output from the timer 104. [ The timer 104 can output a signal for the current time to the control unit 100. [ The timer 104 can output a signal according to the standard time of the area where the refrigerator is installed to the control unit 100. The refrigerator receives information on the time through the input unit 106 at the time when power is applied from the outside and the timer 104 counts the time from the time when the time inputted through the input unit 106 is inputted, 100). Of course, the refrigerator can receive the current time from the outside through the communication means in real time, and the control unit 100 can also control the refrigerator based on the time when it is input in real time. Hereinafter, the controller 100 will be described as an example in which the refrigerator is controlled according to the signal output from the timer 104. [ When the current time corresponding to the signal output from the timer 104 is at the time of the refrigeration cycle operation, the control unit 100 performs the refrigeration cycle operation accordingly, and the current time according to the signal output from the timer 104, Thermal siphon operation can be performed if it is during the thermal siphon operation period. For example, when the heat siphon operation start time is 9:00 PM and the heat siphon operation set time Th is 11 hours, the heat siphon operation end time and the refrigeration cycle operation start time are 8:00 am, The time Th can be 13 hours. The control unit 100 can perform the thermal siphon operation when the current time according to the signal outputted from the timer 104 is from 9 pm to 8 am and the current time according to the signal output from the timer 104 If it is from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, the refrigeration cycle operation can be carried out.

 The refrigerator may further include an input unit 106 through which a user or a service provider (hereinafter, referred to as a user) can input various operation commands of the refrigerator. The user can input desired temperature of the freezing room, Temperature and so on.

The input unit 106 can be constituted by a touch panel such as a TFT-LCD. It is possible to include a plurality of input mechanisms such as a push-button switch or a rotary switch in which the switch is switched when the button is pressed.

The input unit 106 can input at least one of a heat siphon operation start time and a refrigeration cycle operation start time. Hereinafter, description will be mainly given as an example of inputting the heat siphon operation start time. When the input unit 106 is a touch panel such as a TFT-LCD, the input unit 106 can display a display screen displaying a time input icon for bringing up a heat siphon operation start time input screen. When the user clicks the visual input icon, the input unit 106 can display the heat siphon operation start time input screen. When a user or a service provider (hereinafter referred to as a user) enters a desired siphon operation start time on the heat siphon operation start time input screen, the control unit 100 stores the siphon operation start time in a memory unit (not shown) Lt; / RTI > When the pushbutton switch is a switch for inputting the heat siphon operation start time, the heat siphon operation start time can be determined according to the number of times the user presses the pushbutton switch, and the control unit 100 stores the heat siphon operation start time in the memory Not shown). In the case where the rotary switch is a switch for inputting the heat siphon operation start time, the heat siphon operation start time can be determined according to the angle at which the user rotates the rotary switch, Time). The input unit 106 can receive the heat siphon operation start time in a food recognizing manner. Needless to say, the refrigerator can receive a thermosiphon operation start time through a remote control device capable of remotely operating a refrigerator or a portable terminal using wireless communication. When the user inputs a new siphon operation start time through the input unit 106, the remote controller, and the portable terminal, the refrigerator can start the siphon operation at the time of the start of the newly entered siphon operation.

 The input unit 106 may input at least one of a heat siphon operation setting time and a refrigeration cycle operation setting time. Hereinafter, a description will be mainly given as an example of inputting a heat siphon operation setting time. The control unit 100 can perform the thermal siphon operation for the set time of the thermal siphon operation input through the input unit 106. [ The user can input the thermosiphon operation set time through the input unit 106. When the refrigerator reaches the thermosphonon operation set time inputted after the thermosiphon operation is started, the thermosiphon operation is terminated and the refrigeration cycle operation . When the input unit 106 is a touch panel such as a TFT-LCD, the input unit 106 can display a display screen that displays a time input icon for bringing up a heat siphon operation setting time input screen. When the user clicks the visual input icon, the input unit 106 can display the heat siphon operation setting time input screen. When the user inputs a desired siphon operation time by looking at the heat siphon operation setup time screen, the controller 100 can store the heat siphon operation setup time in a memory unit (not shown). In the case where the push button switch is a switch for inputting the heat siphon operation set time, the heat siphon operation set time can be determined according to the number of times the user presses the push button switch, and the controller 100 sets the heat siphon operation set time to the memory Not shown). In the case where the rotary switch is a switch for inputting the heat siphon operation set time, the thermal siphon operation set time can be determined according to the rotation angle of the rotary switch by the user, and the controller 100 sets the thermal siphon operation set time to the memory part Time). The input unit 106 can receive the heat siphon operation set time by the food recognizing method. It is also possible that the refrigerator can receive the thermosiphon operation setting time through a remote control device capable of remotely operating the refrigerator or a portable terminal using wireless communication. When the user inputs a new siphon operation set time through the input unit 106, the remote controller, and the portable terminal, the refrigerator can terminate the siphon operation when the set siphon operation time after the siphon operation starts.

The refrigerator includes a timer 104; A door sensor 108 for detecting the opening of the door; The control unit 100 may include a signal output from the timer 104 and a detection result of the door sensor 108 and a detection result of the illuminance sensor 110 The refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation can be selectively performed.

The door sensor 108 may be a freezer door switch for sensing the opening of the freezer compartment door 12 or a refrigerator compartment door closing switch for sensing the opening of the refrigerator compartment door 14. [ The control unit 100 may use the detection result of at least one of the freezing compartment door switch and the refrigerating compartment door open / close switch.

The illuminance sensor 110 senses the brightness of a room (for example, a kitchen) in which a refrigerator is mainly installed in order to estimate a time zone in which the door of the refrigerator is mainly opened and a time when the door is mainly opened. And the refrigerator door 14, as shown in FIG.

 The refrigerator performs the heat siphon operation and the time to perform the refrigeration cycle operation by using the number of times the door sensor 108 senses the door closing and the illuminance around the refrigerator sensed by the illuminance sensor 110 You can select the time.

The refrigerator can detect the number of openings and illuminance of the door by time zone, and the refrigerator has a small number of door openings during the 24 hours, a low number of door openings from the low illuminance first time, And the refrigeration cycle operation can be performed from the second time in the 24 hours to the third time when the door is opened many times and the illuminance is high. In this case, when the door is opened more than once for one hour, it can be judged that the number of openings of the door is large. If the door is opened less than two times, it can be judged that the number of openings of the door is small have. If the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 110 is higher than the setting illuminance, the illuminance can be determined to be higher. If the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 110 is less than the setting illuminance, . Here, the setting illuminance can be set such that the door of the refrigerator can be easily recognized by the naked eye without illuminating the room with the refrigerator. The setting illuminance can be set to one of various illuminances by the manufacturer of the refrigerator.

For example, if the number of door openings is less than 2 times for each hour from 10:00 am to 6:00 am, and the illuminance for each hour is less than the setting illuminance, the time from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am will be the siphon driving The control unit 100 may store the time from 10 PM to 6 AM in the memory as the heat siphon operation time. Meanwhile, the controller 100 may store the time from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm in the memory as the refrigeration cycle operation time. The control unit 100 may selectively perform the refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation according to at least one of the heat siphon operation period and the refrigeration cycle operation period stored in the memory and the signal output from the timer 104. [ For example, when the current time output from the timer 104 is 10:00 PM, the control unit 100 can start the heat siphon operation and the current time output from the timer 104 from 10:00 PM is 6:00 AM You can continue to operate the thermal siphon until it is. When the time output from the timer 104 is 6:00 am, the control unit 100 can terminate the thermal siphon operation and start the refrigeration cycle operation. The control unit 100 can continue the refrigeration cycle operation until the current time outputted from the timer 104 from 6 am to 10 pm. If the time output from the timer 104 is 10 pm, the control unit 10 can terminate the refrigeration cycle operation and resume the thermal siphon operation. Thereafter, the control unit 10 can alternately perform the heat siphon operation and the refrigeration cycle operation.

 While the heat siphon operation and the refrigeration cycle operation are alternately performed as described above, the refrigerator can detect the number of openings and the illuminance of the door for each time period, and the user can change the life pattern of the door from 11:00 am to 9:00 am The number of door openings by time of day is less than 2 times, the illuminance of each time zone may be less than the setting illuminance, and the refrigerator may be operated by the heat siphon from 11:00 pm to 9:00 am and from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm The refrigeration cycle operation can be performed.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a refrigerator according to the present invention.

 The operation method of the refrigerator is to close the heat siphon valve 86 provided between the condenser 82 where the working fluid is condensed and the evaporator 84 where the working fluid evaporates and the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 is turned on , A first step (S1 to S8) of turning off; And a second step (S9 to S10) for turning off the refrigerating cycle circuit (4) and opening the thermosyphon valve (86) when the thermosiphon operation start time comes in the middle of the first step.

The first step S1 to S8 is a step of performing a refrigeration cycle operation for cooling the freezer compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R using a refrigerant and cooling the freezing compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R while circulating the refrigerant A coolant circulation process, and a coolant non-recirculation process that waits for cooling of the freezer compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R while the coolant is not circulated. Here, the refrigerant circulation process is a process of turning on the refrigeration cycle circuit 4, and the refrigerant non-circulation process is a process of turning off the refrigeration cycle circuit 4. [ The first step (S1 to S8) may be performed during the refrigeration cycle operation set time, wherein the refrigerant circulation process and the refrigerant non-recirculation process can be alternately performed, and the refrigerant circulation process and the refrigerant non- It can be carried out at least once. The first step (S1-S8) is a step in which the working fluid does not transfer the cool air of the refrigerating section 6 to the refrigerating chamber R, the working fluid is clogged by the heat siphon valve 86, (84).

The first step (S1 to S8) may be performed during the refrigeration cycle operation set time when the refrigeration cycle operation start time is reached. The first step (S1 to S8) may be carried out irrespective of the predetermined refrigeration cycle operation start time if power is applied to the refrigerator while the power source applied to the refrigerator is shut off. ), The second stage (S9 to S10) is performed once, and thereafter, it can be performed when the refrigeration cycle operation start time arrives. In the first stage (S1 to S8), if power is applied to the refrigerator while the power source applied to the refrigerator is cut off, it is preferentially performed irrespective of the predetermined refrigeration cycle operation start time and predetermined siphon operation start time . That is, if the time when the power is applied to the refrigerator is the predetermined refrigeration cycle operation period, the first stage (S1 to S8) can be implemented from the time when power is applied to the refrigerator, and when the power is applied to the refrigerator, Even in the operation period, the first step (S1 to S8) can be performed in preference to the second step (S1 to S8). In this case, the first step (S1 to S8) may be continued until the next heat siphon operation period.

The first step S1 to S8 may close the thermal siphon valve 86 when the current time according to the signal output from the timer 104 is the start time of the refrigeration cycle operation. (S1 to S8) can control the thermal siphon valve 86 to close the thermal siphon valve 86 when the thermal siphon valve 86 is open at the start of the first steps S1 to S8 , The thermal siphon valve 86 can be kept closed when the thermal siphon valve 86 is closed at the start of the first steps S1 to S8. (S3) (S4) Here, the refrigerant circulation process is performed by turning on the compressor 41, and the refrigerant circulation process is started Can be started by driving the compressor (41). In the first step S1 to S8, the thermosyphon valve 86 is firstly closed regardless of the freezer compartment temperature. If the freezer compartment temperature is unsatisfactory, the compressor 41 can be turned on later. It is possible to close the heat siphon valve 86 first and turn on the compressor 41 at the same time. In the first step (S1 to S8), when the freezing room temperature is unsatisfactory at the start time of the refrigeration cycle operation, the thermal siphon valve 86 can be closed and the compressor 41 can be turned on at the same time. It goes without saying that one control may be performed with a predetermined time difference.

2, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 41 is passed through the condenser 44, the expansion mechanism 47 and the evaporator 49 in sequence, and then flows back to the compressor 41, Lt; / RTI > When the compressor 41 is turned on, the condensing fan 45 and the evaporating fan 50 can be turned on together with the compressor 41. The refrigeration cycle circuit 2 can cool the air that has flowed in the freezing room F and can cool the air that has flowed in the freezing room R. [ The air cooled by the evaporator 49 can flow into the freezer compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R while the freezing compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R can be cooled while the compressor 41 is on. The cool air that has been cooled in the evaporator 49 and then flows into the freezing chamber F can be heat-exchanged with the cold storage portion 6 in the freezing chamber R and the cold storage portion 6 can accumulate the cool air. On the other hand, the working fluid of the heat siphon circuit 8 can be partially flowed while being radiated to the refrigerating section 6, but the condensing section 82 and the evaporating section 84 The freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R are cooled so that the refrigerating portion 6 can be cooled. The refrigerator compartment damper 52 can be closed when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R satisfies the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R as time elapses and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment R satisfies the refrigerating compartment temperature. ) When the refrigerating compartment damper 52 is closed, the air in the refrigerating compartment R can not flow to the evaporator 49, and the cooling of the refrigerating compartment R is temporarily stopped. That is, in the refrigerator, the freezing chamber F can be continuously cooled, and the cold storage portion 6 can be cooled. The temperature of the freezer compartment F can be satisfied with the lapse of time and the compressor 41 can be turned off when the temperature of the freezer compartment F satisfies the freezer compartment temperature and the compressor 41 is stopped (S7) (S8) When the compressor 41 is turned off, the condenser fan 45 is stopped and the evaporation fan 50 can be stopped. When the compressor 41 is turned off, the refrigerant no longer circulates the compressor 41, the condenser 44, the expansion mechanism 47 and the evaporator 49, and the first step S1 to S8 is the refrigerant circulation process And the refrigerant non-recirculation process can be started. The refrigerator can be kept in a state in which the refrigerant and the working fluid are not circulated, and the refrigerant non-recirculation process can be continued until the temperature of the freezing room F reaches the freezing room temperature unsatisfactory temperature again. During the refrigerant non-recirculation process, the temperature of the freezing chamber F may gradually increase, and when the temperature of the freezing compartment R reaches the freezing room temperature unsatisfactory temperature, the refrigerant non-recirculation process is terminated and the refrigerant circulation process can be resumed. Here, the refrigerant circulation process can be performed at the time of restarting, with the heat siphon valve 86 closed, and the compressor 41 can be turned on again. The refrigerant circulation process and the refrigerant non-recirculation process can be alternately performed in accordance with satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the temperature of the freezing compartment R as described above, and during the first stage (S1 to S8) , And when the heat siphon operation start time comes, the first step (S1 to S8) can be ended.

The second step S9 to S10 is a step of cooling the refrigerating compartment R by using the working fluid. The second step (S9 to S10) is a step in which the cold storage portion (6) can cool the freezing chamber (F). The second step (S9 to S10) is a step in which the refrigerant does not cool the freezing room (F) and the refrigerating room (R). The second step S9 to S10 may include a refrigerant non-recirculation process in which the refrigerant is not circulated through the refrigeration cycle circuit 4 and the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R wait for cooling by the refrigerant. Here, the refrigerant non-recirculation process is a process of turning off the refrigeration cycle circuit 4.

The second step (S9 to S10) may be started when the heat siphon operation start time comes, and may be performed during the heat siphon operation set time. The second step S9 to S10 is a step of delivering the cool air of the refrigerating unit 6 to the refrigerating chamber R by the working fluid. The working fluid passes through the heat siphon valve 86 to be supplied to the condensing unit 82, (84). In the second step (S9 to S10), only the refrigerant non-recirculation process of the refrigeration cycle circuit (4) can be performed during the heat siphon operation setting time. In the second step (S9 to S10), the compressor (41) is turned off during the heat siphon operation set time after the heat siphon operation start time, and the noise generated by the drive of the compressor (41) is no longer generated. In the second step S9 to S10, the condenser fan 45 and the evaporator fan 50 may be off together with the compressor 41 being turned off, and the noise generated by the condenser fan 45 and the evaporator fan 50 Is no longer generated. It is preferable that the second step (S9 to S10) is performed mainly at night or at a specific time input by the user. In the second step (S9 to S10), the refrigerator may be in the quiet mode, and the user's satisfaction with the refrigerator may be increased.

The second step (S9 to S10) can be performed during the heat siphon operation set time when the heat siphon operation start time comes. The second step (S9 to S10) may be performed after the first step (S1 to S8) is performed, and may be performed after the first step (S1 to S8) (S1-S8) according to the first step.

The second step S9 to S10 may open the thermal siphon valve 86 when the current time according to the signal output from the timer 104 is the heat siphon operation start time. The thermal siphon valve 86 may be closed and the second step S9 to S10 may switch the closed state of the thermal siphon valve 86 to the open state. The compressor 41 is in the off state at the completion of the first steps S1 to S9 and may be kept in the off state continuously during the heat siphon operation set time in the second step S9 to S10. The refrigerant does not further cool the freezing room (F) and the refrigerating chamber (R) during the heat siphon operation set time from the heat siphon operation start time. In the second step S9 to S10, the working fluid can circulate through the condenser 82 and the evaporator 84 from the start time of the heat siphon operation, and the working fluid is the refrigerant in the refrigerating chamber R, So that the refrigerating chamber R can be cooled. In the second step (S9 to S10), the freezing chamber (6) can cool the freezing chamber (F). In the second step S9 to S10, since the cold air is not supplied any more by the evaporator 49, the freezing chamber F may be heated over time. At this time, the freezing chamber 6, The temperature of the freezing chamber (F) can be prevented from rising while absorbing the heat of the freezing chamber (F). That is, the second step S9 to S10 may be a step in which the cooling section 6 cools the freezing chamber F and the working fluid cools the freezing chamber R in a state where the cooling by the cooling medium is stopped. During the second stage (S9 to S10), the cold storage portion 6 can take some cold air as the working fluid, and the remaining cold air can be taken to the freezing chamber F. [

 The second step (S9 to S10) may be terminated when the heat siphon operation start time elapses from the heat siphon operation start time, and the first step (S1 to S9) may be repeated again with the end of the second step (S9 to S10) Can be resumed. That is, the operation method of the refrigerator can be returned to the first step (S1 to S8) when the second step (S9 to S10) is performed for the thermosiphon operation set time, and the first step (S1 to S8) Steps S1 to S8 may be alternately performed over time.

 When the power source applied to the refrigerator is shut off when the refrigerator is in the middle of the first step (S9 to S10) or during the second step (S9 to S10), the step that has been performed may be terminated and the refrigerator The first stage (S1 to S8) and the second stage (S9 to S10) are not alternately performed.

When the heat siphon operation start time is input to the input unit 106, the second step (S9 to S10) can be performed when the heat siphon operation start time input to the input unit is reached. The heat siphon operation start time set by the manufacturer or the heat siphon operation start time input by the previous input of the input unit 106 can be changed to the heat siphon operation start time newly input by the user through the input unit 106, The refrigerator can alternately perform the first stage (S1 to S8) and the second stage (S9 to S10) on the basis of the heat siphon operation start time newly input by the user. If the user inputs a new siphon operation start time in the middle of the first step (S1 to S8), the first step (S1 to S8) is completed early or further after completion of the newly inputted siphon operation start time, . If the heat siphon operation start time inputted by the user is earlier than the existing heat siphon operation start time, the first step (S1 to S8) is performed for a shorter time than the first step (S1 to S8) . If the heat siphon operation start time inputted by the user is later than the existing heat siphon operation start time, the first step (S1 to S8) is performed for a longer time than the first step (S1 to S8) . If the user inputs a new siphon operation start time in the middle of the second step (S9 to S10), the second step (S9 to S10) can be completed after completion of the existing siphon operation set time. If the user enters a new siphon operation start time in the middle of the second step (S9 to S10), the second step (S9 to S10) is set to the early siphon operation start time May be completed or additionally performed and then completed. If the heat siphon operation start time input by the user is earlier than the existing heat siphon operation start time, the second step (S9 to S10) is performed for a shorter time than the second step (S9 to S10) . If the heat siphon operation start time input by the user is later than the existing heat siphon operation start time, the second step (S9 to S10) is performed for a longer time than the second step (S9 to S10) .

The operation method of the refrigerator may be such that, after the first sophisticated operation time is input to the input unit 106, the second step (S9 to S10) may be performed during the set siphon operation time after the first step (S1 to S8) . The heat siphon operation set time set by the manufacturer or the heat siphon operation set time input by the previous input of the input unit 106 can be changed to the heat siphon operation set time newly input by the user through the input unit 106, The refrigerator can alternately perform the first stage (S1 to S8) and the second stage (S9 to S10) on the basis of the heat siphon operation set time newly input by the user. If the user inputs a new siphon operation time during the first step (S1 to S8), the first step (S1 to S8) is completed early or additionally according to the newly inputted siphon operation time, . If the heat siphon operation set time input by the user becomes shorter than the existing heat siphon operation set time, the first step (S 1 to S 8) is set to be longer than the first step (S 1 to S 8) Lt; / RTI > If the heat siphon operation set time input by the user is longer than the existing heat siphon operation set time, the first step (S1 to S8) is performed for a shorter time than the first step (S1 to S8) . If the user inputs a new siphon operation time during the second step (S9 to S10), the second step (S9 to S10) is completed after completion of the existing siphon operation set time, (S9 to S10), it is possible to perform the operation based on the newly changed sothern sotherm operation set time. If the user inputs a new siphon operation time in the second step (S9 to S10), the second step (S9 to S10) is set to the early siphon operation time May be completed or additionally performed and then completed. If the thermal siphon operation set time input by the user is shorter than the existing thermal siphon operation set time, the second step (S9 to S10) is performed for a shorter time than the second step (S9 to S10) . If the heat siphon operation set time inputted by the user is longer than the existing heat siphon operation set time, the second step (S9 to S10) is performed for a longer time than the second step (S9 to S10) .

The operation of the refrigerator may be either during the execution of the refrigeration cycle operation or during the heat siphon operation, if the power applied from the outside of the refrigerator is cut off or if the operation stop command is inputted through the input unit 106, Can be terminated. The operation method of the refrigerator can close the thermal siphon valve 86 so that it can be executed from the refrigeration cycle operation when the operation of the refrigerator is resumed after the heat siphoning operation is completed.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

2: Main body 4: Refrigeration cycle circuit
6: Cryogenic part 8: Thermal siphon circuit
41: compressor 44: condenser
45: condensing fan 47: expansion mechanism
49: Evaporator 50: Evaporation fan
62: PCM refrigeration pack 64: refrigeration pack cover
82: condenser part 84: evaporator part
86: heat siphon valve 100:
104: Timer 106: Input
108: door sensor 110: illuminance sensor

Claims (10)

A refrigeration cycle circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism and an evaporator, the evaporator cooling the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment;
A refrigerating unit for heat exchange with the freezing chamber;
A condenser portion for condensing the working fluid is heat-exchanged with the condenser portion and a condensing portion for evaporating the working fluid condensed in the condenser portion is heat-exchanged with the refrigerating chamber, and a heat siphon valve A thermal siphon circuit;
A refrigeration cycle operation is performed in which the refrigeration cycle circuit is turned on and off in accordance with a load during the refrigeration cycle operation set time and the thermosyphon valve is closed to turn off the refrigeration cycle circuit for the set time period of the thermosiphon operation, And a controller for performing a heat siphon operation for opening the valve. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a timer,
Wherein the controller selectively performs the refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation according to a signal output from the timer. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the controller alternately performs refrigeration cycle operation and thermal siphon operation over time. The method according to claim 1,
And an input unit for inputting the heat siphon operation start time,
Wherein the control unit starts the thermal siphon operation when the thermosiphon operation start time input through the input unit is reached. The method according to claim 1,
And an input unit for inputting the thermal siphon operation setting time,
Wherein the controller performs the thermal siphon operation for the set time of the thermal siphon operation input through the input unit. The method according to claim 1,
A timer;
A door sensor for sensing the opening of the door;
Further comprising an illuminance sensor for sensing illuminance around the refrigerator,
Wherein the controller selectively performs the refrigeration cycle operation and the thermal siphon operation according to the signal output from the timer, the detection result of the door sensor, and the detection result of the illuminance sensor. A first step of closing a heat siphon valve provided between a condensing part for condensing the working fluid and an evaporating part for evaporating the working fluid, and turning on / off the refrigeration cycle circuit according to the load;
And a second step of turning off the refrigeration cycle circuit and opening the heat siphon valve when the thermosiphon operation start time comes in the middle of the first step. 8. The method of claim 7,
When the heat siphon operation start time is input to the input section,
Wherein the second step is performed when the heat siphon operation start time input to the input unit is reached. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the second step is returned to the first step when the second step is performed during the heat siphon operation setting time. 10. The method of claim 9,
When the thermal siphon operation set time is input to the input unit,
Wherein the second step is performed during the thermal siphon operation set time input to the input unit after the first step.

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