KR20180061762A - Refrigerator and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control method of a refrigerator, which comprises the following steps of: stopping a refrigerating cycle for cooling a refrigerating compartment and operating a freezer cycle for cooling a freezer compartment; operating the refrigerating cycle when a temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches a reference temperature of a first refrigerating compartment during operation of the freezer cycle; determining whether or not a stop condition of the freezer cycle is satisfied while the freezer cycle is operated; stopping the freezer cycle when the stop condition of the freezer cycle is satisfied; and stopping the refrigerating cycle and operating the freezer cycle when the detected temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches a reference temperature of a second refrigerating compartment lower than that of the first refrigerating compartment.

Description

A refrigerator and a control method thereof

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof.

A refrigerator is a household appliance that stores food at a low temperature. It is essential to keep the storage room at a constant low temperature at all times. At present, in the case of a household refrigerator, the storage room is maintained at a temperature within an upper limit range and a lower limit range based on a set temperature. That is, when the storage room temperature rises to the upper limit temperature, the refrigeration cycle is driven to cool the storage compartment, and when the storage compartment temperature reaches the lower limit temperature, the refrigerator is controlled by stopping the refrigeration cycle.

In recent years, a refrigerator has been developed in which an evaporator and an expansion device are installed in a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, respectively. The refrigerator controls each expansion device to adjust the amount of refrigerant supplied from the compressor to each evaporator, thereby maintaining the internal temperature of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment at the refrigeration temperature and the freezing temperature, respectively.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2016-0011110 (Laid-open date Jan. 2016) discloses a refrigerator and its control method.

In the case of a refrigerator of the prior art, it includes a first refrigeration unit for cooling the freezer compartment and a second refrigeration unit for cooling the refrigerator compartment.

The first refrigeration unit and the second refrigeration unit operate simultaneously to lower the temperature of each of the freezing room and the refrigerating room. When the refrigerator compartment temperature is lower than the desired temperature, the first refrigerator is stopped.

At this time, when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber does not satisfy the desired temperature, the first and second freezing devices are controlled to be continuously operated.

Further, when the freezing compartment temperature is lower than the desired temperature, the second refrigeration apparatus is stopped. At this time, if the temperature of the freezing chamber does not satisfy the desired temperature, the first and second freezing devices are controlled to be continuously operated.

However, according to the prior art, since the first and second freezing devices operate simultaneously until the desired temperature of the refrigerating compartment is satisfied or the desired temperature of the freezing compartment is satisfied, the power consumption is increased.

Also, in the case of the prior art, since the on / off state of each refrigeration device is determined based on the desired temperature of each of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, there is a problem that power consumption is increased because the refrigeration device is frequently turned on and off.

If the first refrigeration unit and the second refrigeration unit are alternately operated in the prior art, the power consumption may be reduced. However, the temperature of each of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber may be maintained at a constant temperature, .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof in which the temperature of the storage chamber can be maintained at a constant temperature.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, in which power consumption due to operation of a cooling cycle for keeping the temperature of the storage chamber at a constant temperature state can be reduced.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which are controlled so as to reduce the possibility that the temperature of the storage compartment deviates from a normal temperature, in order to improve the freshness of the object to be stored.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and its control method capable of solving the defrosting reliability while the temperature of the storage chamber is maintained at a constant temperature.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, in which the power consumption of cold air supply means can be reduced while maintaining the temperature of the storage chamber at a constant temperature.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a refrigerator, including: stopping a refrigeration cycle for cooling a refrigerator compartment and operating a refrigeration cycle for cooling the freezer compartment; During the refrigeration cycle operation, when the refrigerator compartment temperature reaches a first refrigerator compartment reference temperature, operating the refrigeration cycle; Determining whether the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle is operating; Stopping the refrigeration cycle if the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied; And stopping the refrigeration cycle and operating the refrigeration cycle when the sensed refrigeration compartment temperature reaches a second refrigerator compartment reference temperature that is lower than the first refrigerator compartment reference temperature.

In the step of determining whether or not the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied, it can be determined whether or not the freezer compartment temperature has reached the first freezer compartment reference temperature lower than the target temperature of the freezer compartment.

If it is determined that the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature has reached the stopping reference temperature before the freezing compartment temperature reaches the first freezing compartment reference temperature in the step of determining whether the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied, .

The stop reference temperature may be a temperature between the reference temperature of the first refrigerating chamber and the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber.

Wherein the step of determining whether or not the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied includes determining whether a reference time has elapsed after the start of the refrigeration cycle operation and determining whether the reference time has elapsed after the commencement of the refrigeration cycle operation, .

When the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the refrigeration cycle is operated, when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber reaches the fan-on reference temperature, the refrigerating compartment fan is turned on.

When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches the fan-off reference temperature after the refrigerating compartment fan is turned on, the refrigerating compartment fan is turned off.

The fan-on reference temperature is higher than the fan-off reference temperature, and the fan-off reference temperature is higher than the second reference temperature.

The fan-on reference temperature is higher than the target temperature of the refrigerating compartment and the second refrigerating compartment reference temperature.

In the step of stopping the refrigeration cycle and operating the refrigeration cycle, when the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the first reference time elapses, the refrigerator compartment fan is turned on.

The refrigerating compartment fan is turned on and the refrigerating compartment fan is turned off when the second reference time elapses.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator includes a freezer compartment compressor, the refrigeration cycle being operated to cool the freezer compartment; A refrigeration cycle including a refrigerator compartment compressor and a refrigerator compartment fan, the refrigeration cycle operating for cooling the refrigerator compartment; A freezer compartment temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the freezer compartment; A refrigerating compartment temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the refrigerating compartment; And a controller for controlling the operation of the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle based on the temperatures sensed by the respective temperature sensors.

Wherein the control unit operates the refrigeration cycle when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches a first refrigerating compartment reference temperature higher than the target temperature of the refrigerating compartment and when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lower than a second refrigerating compartment reference temperature lower than the target temperature of the refrigerating compartment , The refrigeration cycle is stopped and the refrigeration cycle is operated.

The control unit stops the refrigeration cycle when the temperature of the freezing chamber reaches a first freezing chamber reference temperature lower than a target temperature of the freezing chamber.

If the detected refrigerator compartment temperature reaches the stop reference temperature before the freezer compartment temperature reaches the first freezer compartment reference temperature, the controller stops the refrigeration cycle.

If the refrigerating compartment fan-on condition is satisfied after the refrigerating cycle is stopped, the refrigerating compartment fan is turned on and then stopped.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a refrigerator comprising: sensing a temperature of a first storage chamber; Increasing the output of the cool air supply means for the first storage chamber when the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value that is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature for the first storage chamber; Reducing or stopping the output of at least one of the cool air supply means for the first storage chamber when the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value below the second reference temperature for the first storage chamber; When a predetermined time has elapsed or the detected temperature of the first storage room reaches a first specified value between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature for the first storage room, at least one of the cold storage devices for the first storage room Increasing the output; And when a predetermined time has elapsed or the sensed temperature of the first storage room reaches a second specified value between the specific value and a second reference temperature for the first storage room, at least one of the cold storage means for the first storage room And reducing or stopping the output.

A method of controlling a refrigerator of the present invention includes: detecting a temperature of a second storage chamber; Increasing the output of the cool air supply means for the second storage chamber when the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value that is lower than a second reference temperature for the first storage chamber; After the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value equal to or higher than the first reference temperature for the first storage chamber, a certain time has elapsed or the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber is lower than the first reference temperature for the first storage chamber and the second reference temperature for the second storage chamber. And reducing or stopping the output of the cold air supply means for the second storage chamber when a predetermined third specified value between the temperatures is reached.

In the present invention, the third specific value may be greater than or equal to the second specific value, and the second specific value may be set greater than the first specific value.

The condenser for the first storage chamber and the condenser for the second storage chamber constitute one heat exchanger, and the refrigerant may flow into two portions.

The refrigerant for cooling the first storage chamber flows through the first portion of the condenser and the refrigerant for cooling the second storage chamber may flow to the second portion of the condenser.

The condenser pin for the first part and the condenser pin for the second part may be threaded.

According to the present invention, not only the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is maintained within the refrigerating compartment set temperature range, but the temperature of the freezing compartment can be maintained within the freezing compartment set temperature range.

Therefore, the storage period of the food stored in the refrigerating chamber can be increased. That is, there is an advantage that the phenomenon that the food stored in the refrigerating chamber is subcooled or seized can be eliminated.

In addition, the time during which both the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle operate simultaneously during the constant temperature maintenance of each of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment can be reduced, so that power consumption can be reduced.

Further, since the off cycle of the cooling cycle for cooling the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber can be prolonged, the number of on / off times of the cold supplying means can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
2 is a block diagram of a refrigerator of the present invention.
3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a temperature change of a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment and an operation state of a cooling cycle according to a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
5 is a graph showing a storage period according to a temperature deviation between a first reference temperature and a second reference temperature.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that, in adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference symbols as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the difference that the embodiments of the present invention are not conclusive.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected. &Quot;

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a refrigerator of the present invention.

1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to the present invention includes a cabinet 10 in which a freezing chamber 111 and a refrigerating chamber 112 are formed, And a door (not shown) that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber 112 and the refrigerating chamber 112, respectively.

The freezer compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 may store stored items such as food.

The freezer compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 may be partitioned in the lateral direction or the vertical direction within the cabinet 10 by the partition wall 113.

The refrigerator 1 may include a cooling cycle for cooling the freezing chamber 111 and the refrigerating chamber 112, respectively.

The cooling cycle may include a refrigeration cycle for cooling the freezing chamber 111 and a refrigeration cycle for cooling the refrigerating chamber 112.

The refrigeration cycle includes a freezer compartment compressor 11 (or a first compressor), a condenser 13, a first expansion member 14, a first evaporator 16, and a freezer compartment fan 18 . The freezer compartment fan 18 may blow air toward the first evaporator 16 for circulating cool air in the freezer compartment 111.

In the present invention, the freezer compartment compressor 11 and the freezer compartment fan 18 may be referred to as a " freezing compartment cooler supply means " for supplying cold air to the freezing compartment 111.

The refrigeration cycle includes a refrigerator compartment compressor 12 (or a second compressor), a condenser 13, a second expansion member 15, a second evaporator 17, and a refrigerating compartment fan 19 . The refrigerating compartment fan 19 may blow air toward the second evaporator 17 for circulating cool air in the refrigerating compartment 112.

In the present invention, the refrigerator compartment compressor 12 and the refrigerating compartment fan 19 may be referred to as "cold refrigerating appliance for refrigerating room" which operates to supply cold air to the refrigerating compartment 112.

At this time, the condenser 13 constitutes one heat exchanger and can be divided into two parts to allow the refrigerant to flow. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the first compressor 11 can flow through the first portion 131 of the condenser 13 and the refrigerant discharged from the second compressor 12 flows into the second portion 131 of the condenser 13, The portion 132 can flow. A condenser pin for the first portion 131 and a condenser pin for the second portion 132 may be connected to increase the condensing efficiency of the condenser.

There is an advantage that the efficiency of condensing of the condenser can be increased while reducing the installation space of the condenser as compared with installing two separate condensers in the machine room. Accordingly, the first portion 131 may be referred to as a first condenser, and the second portion 132 may be referred to as a second condenser.

The refrigerator 1 further includes a freezer compartment temperature sensor 31 (or a first temperature sensor) for sensing a temperature of the freezing compartment 111, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 31 for sensing a temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112, An input unit 33 for inputting a target temperature (or a desired temperature) of each of the freezing chamber 111 and the refrigerating chamber 112 and an input target temperature and temperature sensor 31 , 33) for controlling the cooling cycle based on the sensed temperature.

In the present specification, a temperature higher than the target temperature of the freezing chamber 111 may be referred to as a second freezing chamber reference temperature, and a temperature lower than the target temperature of the freezing chamber 111 may be referred to as a first freezing chamber reference temperature. A range between the first freezing chamber reference temperature and the second freezing chamber reference temperature may be called a freezing room set temperature range.

The target temperature of the freezing chamber 111 may be an average temperature of the first freezing chamber reference temperature and the second freezing chamber reference temperature.

In the present invention, the controller 20 controls the temperature of the freezing chamber 111 to be maintained within the set temperature range. At this time, the control so that the temperature of the freezing chamber 111 is kept within the set temperature range is referred to as the constant temperature control of the freezing chamber.

In this specification, a temperature higher than the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 may be referred to as a first refrigerating chamber reference temperature, and a temperature lower than the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 may be referred to as a second refrigerating chamber reference temperature. A range between the reference temperature of the first refrigerating chamber and the reference temperature of the second refrigerating chamber may be referred to as a refrigerating chamber set temperature range.

The target temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 may be an average temperature of the first refrigerating chamber reference temperature and the second refrigerating chamber reference temperature, although not limited thereto.

In the present invention, the controller 20 controls the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 to be maintained within the set temperature range. At this time, the control so that the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 is maintained within the set temperature range is referred to as the constant-temperature control of the refrigerating chamber.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.

Hereinafter, a control method for the refrigeration cycle according to the temperature change of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment and the control for the constant temperature of the refrigeration cycle while the refrigeration cycle is operating in the state where the refrigeration cycle is stopped will be described.

In the following, based on the description of steps S1 to S8 in Fig. 3, the cycle for cooling the first storage room (any one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment) and the cooling of the second storage compartment (the other one of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment) The operation logic for reducing the power consumption and improving the efficiency of the cooling cycle by reducing the operation section will be described.

The operation logic may be applied to a cycle having an interval in which the cold storage means for the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are simultaneously driven.

Wherein the cooling cycle for the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber is such that each cool air supply means is independent of the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature of the first storage chamber and the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature of the second storage chamber, Respectively.

Wherein the cooling cycle for the first storage chamber increases the output of the cold storage means for the first storage chamber when the temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a first reference temperature for the first storage chamber, When the second reference temperature for the first storage chamber is reached, it can operate to reduce the output of the cold storage means for the first storage chamber.

Separately, the cooling cycle for the second storage chamber increases the output of the cold storage means for the second storage chamber when the temperature of the second storage chamber reaches a first reference temperature for the second storage chamber, When the temperature reaches a second reference temperature for the second storage chamber, to operate to reduce the output of the cold supply means for the second storage chamber.

In this case, the cool air supply means for the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are simultaneously driven, and power consumption can be increased. Particularly, when the condenser for the first storage room and the condenser for the second storage room are commonly used, the cooling efficiency is lowered in the simultaneous driving section, and the power consumption can be further increased.

The condenser for the first storage chamber and the condenser for the second storage chamber are commonly used as follows.

The condenser 13 constitutes one heat exchanger and can be divided into two parts to allow the refrigerant to flow. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the first compressor 11 can flow through the first portion 131 of the condenser 13 and the refrigerant discharged from the second compressor 12 flows into the second portion 131 of the condenser 13, The portion 132 can flow. Accordingly, the first portion 131 may be referred to as a first condenser, and the second portion 132 may be referred to as a second condenser.

On the other hand, the cooling cycle for the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber may constitute a respective cooling cycle to operate according to the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature of the first storage chamber and the second reference temperature of the second storage chamber .

Wherein the cooling cycle for the first storage chamber increases the output of the cold storage means for the first storage chamber when the temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a first reference temperature for the first storage chamber, When the second reference temperature for the first storage chamber is reached, the output of the cold storage means for the first storage chamber can be reduced or stopped.

Wherein the cooling cycle for the second storage chamber increases the output of the cold storage means for the second storage chamber when the temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a second reference temperature for the first storage chamber, When a certain time has elapsed after the first reference temperature for the first storage chamber has been reached or a specific temperature (N + c) has been reached after reaching the first reference temperature for the first storage room, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI >

By configuring the cycle in this manner, it is possible to reduce the power consumption and increase the cooling efficiency of the cycle by reducing the simultaneous drive section.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, for example, a refrigeration cycle may be operated to control the constant temperature of the freezing chamber 111 in a state where the refrigeration cycle is stopped (S1). That is, the freezer compartment compressor 11 and the freezer compartment fan 18 operate for constant temperature control of the freezer compartment 111.

When the refrigeration cycle is operated, the temperature of the freezing chamber 111 is lowered. On the other hand, when the refrigeration cycle is stopped, the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 rises.

The temperature of the freezing compartment 112 is periodically sensed by the freezing compartment temperature sensor 32 and the temperature of the freezing compartment 111 is periodically sensed by the freezing compartment temperature sensor 31. [

The controller 20 determines whether the sensed temperature of the refrigerating compartment has reached the first refrigerator compartment reference temperature (S2).

If it is determined in step S2 that the sensed refrigerator compartment temperature has reached the first refrigerator compartment reference temperature, the controller 20 activates the refrigeration cycle (S3). That is, the control unit 20 operates the refrigerator compartment compressor 12 and the refrigerating compartment fan 19 to lower the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112.

At this time, at the time when the refrigeration cycle is activated, the refrigeration cycle may be already in operation.

After the operation of the refrigeration cycle, the controller 20 may determine whether the sensed refrigerating chamber temperature has reached the stop reference temperature N + c (the third specific value) (S4).

In the present invention, the stop reference temperature is a temperature for determining whether or not the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied.

If it is determined in step S4 that the detected refrigerating compartment temperature has reached the stopping reference temperature, the controller 20 stops the refrigeration cycle (S5). That is, the control unit 20 stops the freezer compartment compressor 11 and the freezer compartment fan 18.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature does not reach the stopping reference temperature, the controller 20 determines that the freezing compartment temperature sensed by the freezing compartment temperature sensor 31 is lower than the first freezing compartment reference temperature (S6). ≪ / RTI >

If it is determined in step S6 that the detected freezing room temperature has reached the first freezing room reference temperature, the controller 20 stops the freezing cycle (S5).

In the present invention, step S4 and step S6 may be referred to as a step of judging whether or not the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied.

In the present invention, the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle can operate simultaneously. At this time, as the time during which the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle operate simultaneously increases, the power consumption increases.

Therefore, in the present invention, even if the sensed freezing compartment temperature does not reach the first freezing compartment reference temperature, the refrigerating compartment temperature sensed after the refrigerating cycle starts to operate is reduced to the stopping reference temperature If it is determined that the refrigeration cycle has been reached, the refrigeration cycle is stopped.

Here, the stop reference temperature is a temperature between the reference temperature of the first refrigerating chamber and the reference temperature of the second refrigerating chamber.

When the stop reference temperature is close to the reference temperature of the second refrigerator compartment, the time during which the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle operate simultaneously is increased, and when the stop reference temperature is close to the reference temperature of the first refrigerator compartment, The time at which the cycles operate simultaneously can be reduced.

Thus, although not limiting, the stop reference temperature may be set to a temperature between the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 and the first refrigerator compartment reference temperature.

As another example, if it is determined in step S4 that the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature has not reached the stopping reference temperature, the controller 20 may determine whether the reference time has elapsed since the start of the refrigerating cycle operation Do. When the reference time elapses after the start of the refrigeration cycle operation, the refrigeration cycle may be stopped.

In the present invention, the step of determining whether the reference time has elapsed after the commencement of the refrigerating cycle operation may be referred to as a step of judging whether or not the refrigeration cycle satisfies the stop condition.

Meanwhile, when the detected refrigerating chamber temperature reaches the second reference temperature during the operation of the refrigeration cycle, the controller 20 stops the refrigeration cycle and operates the refrigeration cycle (S8).

That is, in the present invention, the starting point of the operation of the refrigeration cycle is a time point when the refrigerating compartment temperature reaches the first refrigerating compartment reference temperature, and the stopping point of the refrigerating cycle is when the refrigerating compartment temperature reaches the second refrigerating compartment reference temperature. The starting point of the operation of the refrigeration cycle is a time point when the refrigerating compartment temperature reaches the second refrigerating compartment reference temperature.

As a result, the starting point of the refrigeration cycle can be determined according to the temperature change of the refrigerating compartment.

Meanwhile, since one condenser is divided into two parts in the present invention, when the refrigeration cycle starts and the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle operate at the same time, the condensation temperature of the condenser rises and the power consumption increases The operating time of the refrigeration cycle is increased.

If the operation starting point of the refrigeration cycle is determined according to the temperature change of the refrigerating chamber, the following problem may occur if the step S6 is not applied.

When the operation time of the refrigeration cycle is increased, the operation time of the next refrigeration cycle (N + 1) th after the current refrigeration cycle (Nth) is shortened. In this case, there is a problem that the operation time of the next refrigeration cycle (N + 2) is longer because the waiting period until the refrigeration cycle is restarted after the next refrigeration cycle operation becomes longer. This causes a problem that the power consumption of the freezer compartment compressor increases with an increase in the operating time of the refrigeration cycle.

However, when the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle simultaneously operate as in the present invention, even if the detected freezing compartment temperature does not reach the first freezing compartment reference temperature, the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature reaches the stopping reference temperature It is possible to prevent the overlapping operation time of the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle from being increased by stopping the refrigeration cycle.

Hereinafter, the operation logic including the temperature rise delay output period will be described (steps S9 and S10).

The operation logic can be applied to all cycles irrespective of whether there is an interval in which the cold storage means for the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are simultaneously driven.

In order to improve the freshness of the stored product in the refrigerator, it is necessary to reduce the temperature variation in the storage compartment over time.

That is, the output control (including on / off) of at least one of the cold air supply means (the compressor, the blowing fan, the damper provided on the flow path connecting the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, and the cold switching valve for switching the flow of the refrigerant, The freshness of the object to be stored can be improved by reducing the temperature deviation between the first reference temperature (for example, the upper limit value) and the second reference temperature (for example, the lower limit value).

5 is a graph showing a storage period according to a temperature deviation between a first reference temperature and a second reference temperature.

For example, referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that when the temperature deviation between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature is reduced from 4 degrees to 1 degree, have. That is, for example, the day when the weight of vegetables is reduced by 6% is increased from 8.5 days to 12 days.

On the other hand, when the temperature deviation between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature is reduced in order to improve the freshness, the number of output adjustment times (including the number of on / off times) And the power consumption can be increased due to frequent on / off of the cold supply means. In order to improve the reliability of parts and to reduce the power consumption due to frequent on / off, the temperature rise delay means can be operated at any time after the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the second reference temperature.

The refrigerator has a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment, and the refrigerator has a first reference temperature (for example, an upper limit value) and a second reference temperature (for example, a lower limit value) for each storage compartment. And, the temperature of each storage chamber can be controlled to be maintained between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature.

For example, the control unit of the refrigerator may reduce or stop the output of the cold air blowing fan and maintain the operation of the compressor when the temperature of the storage room sensed during the operation of the cooling cycle reaches the second reference temperature.

On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed or when the temperature of the storage compartment reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, N + a) (first specified value), the output of the compressor is reduced or stopped, The temperature rise of the storage chamber may be delayed.

As another example, the control unit of the refrigerator may reduce or stop the output of the cold air blowing fan and reduce or stop the output of the compressor when the temperature of the storage room sensed during the operation of the refrigerator reaches the second reference temperature.

On the other hand, when the predetermined time has elapsed or when the temperature of the storage compartment reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, N + a), the output of the compressor is reduced or stopped and the cooling fan is turned on, Can be delayed.

1 through 4, during the operation of the refrigeration cycle, the controller 20 determines whether the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature has reached the fan-on reference temperature N + a (S9) .

If it is determined in step S9 that the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature has reached the fan-on reference temperature, the controller 20 turns on the refrigerating compartment fan 19 (S10). That is, when the refrigeration cycle is stopped, the refrigerator compartment fan 19 is turned on so that the cool air flows toward the refrigerator compartment evaporator 17. [

When the sensed temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches the fan-on reference temperature, it can be said that the on condition of the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is satisfied.

The reason why the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is turned on in the present invention is that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is lowered by using the heat of evaporation of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 17 so that the off period of the refrigerating cycle becomes longer .

Generally, since a large amount of cooling power is required at the beginning of the operation of the refrigerator compartment compressor 12, the power consumption of the refrigerator compartment compressor 12 is increased. If the off-cycle of the refrigerating compartment compressor 12 becomes long, the number of times of turning on the refrigerating compartment compressor 12 is reduced and the power consumption can be reduced.

Thus, according to the present invention, when the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is stopped when the refrigerating compartment fan 12 and the refrigerating compartment fan 19 are stopped, when the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature reaches the fan-on reference temperature , The off cycle of the refrigeration cycle becomes long, and the power consumption can be reduced.

In the present invention, the fan-on reference temperature may be a temperature between the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 and the reference temperature of the second refrigerating chamber. In addition, the fan-on reference temperature is lower than the stop reference temperature.

Hereinafter, the protection logic (steps S11 and S12) that operates to stop the temperature rise delay output will be described.

The protection logic may be applied to all cycles regardless of whether there is an interval during which the cold storage means for the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are simultaneously driven.

As described above, the addition of the section operated by the temperature rise delay output has the advantage that the temperature of the storage chamber varies gently between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature, while on the other hand, By increasing the section that is operated to supply the cold air during the evaporation, the possibility that the evaporator is congested may increase.

In order to solve the defrosting reliability problem caused by excessive congestion of the evaporator, a protective furnace for interrupting the temperature rise delay output can be added.

For example, when a predetermined time elapses after the cold air supply unit starts operating with the temperature rise delay output or when the temperature of the storage room reaches a certain temperature (for example, N + b) (second specified value) The output of the cold air supply means can be reduced or stopped.

1 to 4, after the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is turned on, the controller 20 determines whether the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature has reached the fan-off reference temperature N + b (S11).

If it is determined in step S11 that the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature has reached the fan-off reference temperature, the controller 20 turns off the refrigerating compartment fan 19 (S12).

In the present invention, the fan-off reference temperature is lower than the fan-on reference temperature, and is a temperature between the fan-on reference temperature and the second refrigerating chamber reference temperature.

The reason why the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is turned off when the refrigerating compartment temperature reaches the fan-off reference temperature during operation of the refrigerating compartment fan 19 in the present invention is to prevent freezing of the refrigerating compartment evaporator 17 to be.

As another example, when the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is stopped and the first reference time elapses, the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is turned on. When the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is turned on and the second reference time passes, Can be turned off.

At this time, the first reference time is a time period during which the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 can reach a temperature close to the target temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 in the process of the refrigerating cycle being stopped and the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 being increased, . ≪ / RTI >

In the second reference time, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 may reach a predetermined temperature higher than the reference temperature of the second refrigerating compartment 112 while the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is turned on and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is lowered As shown in FIG.

The case where the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the first reference time elapses is referred to as a case where the ON condition of the refrigerating compartment fan 19 is satisfied.

If the power of the refrigerator is not turned off after the refrigerator compartment fan 19 is turned off (S13), the process returns to step S2.

That is, during the operation of the refrigeration cycle, when the refrigerator compartment temperature reaches the first refrigerator compartment reference temperature, the refrigeration cycle is activated.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to add a step of determining whether the freezer compartment temperature reaches the first freezer compartment reference temperature during the operation of the refrigeration cycle. That is, the same step as step S6 may be added between step S1 and step S2.

In this case, the refrigeration cycle may be stopped when the freezer compartment temperature reaches the first freezer compartment reference temperature even before the refrigerator compartment temperature reaches the first refrigerator compartment reference temperature while the refrigeration cycle is operating. In this state, the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle are all stopped.

According to the present invention, not only the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is maintained within the refrigerating compartment set temperature range, but the temperature of the freezing compartment can be maintained within the freezing compartment set temperature range.

Therefore, the storage period of the food stored in the refrigerating chamber can be increased. That is, there is an advantage that the phenomenon that the food stored in the refrigerating chamber is subcooled or seized can be eliminated.

In addition, the time during which both the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle operate simultaneously during the constant temperature maintenance of each of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment can be reduced, so that power consumption can be reduced.

Further, since the off cycle of the refrigeration cycle can be prolonged, the number of times of turning on and off of the refrigerator compartment compressor can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced.

11: Compressor for freezer compartment 12: Compressor for refrigerator compartment
16: evaporator for freezer 17: evaporator for refrigerator
18: Freezer fan 19: Refrigerator fan
20:

Claims (18)

The refrigeration cycle for cooling the refrigerating compartment is stopped and the refrigeration cycle for cooling the freezing compartment is operated;
During the refrigeration cycle operation, when the refrigerator compartment temperature reaches a first refrigerator compartment reference temperature, operating the refrigeration cycle;
Determining whether the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle is operating;
Stopping the refrigeration cycle if the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied; And
And the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the refrigeration cycle is activated when the detected refrigerator compartment temperature reaches a second refrigerator compartment reference temperature lower than the first refrigerator compartment reference temperature. The method according to claim 1,
Determining whether or not the freezing compartment temperature has reached a first freezing compartment reference temperature lower than a target temperature of the freezing compartment in the step of determining whether the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied. 3. The method of claim 2,
If it is determined that the sensed refrigerating compartment temperature has reached the stopping reference temperature before the freezing compartment temperature reaches the first freezing compartment reference temperature in the step of determining whether the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied, Of the refrigerator. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the stop reference temperature is a temperature between the reference temperature of the first refrigerator compartment and the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the determining whether the stop condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied includes determining whether a reference time has elapsed since the start of the refrigeration cycle operation,
Wherein the refrigeration cycle is stopped when a reference time elapses after the start of the refrigeration cycle operation. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the refrigerating compartment fan is turned on when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches the fan-on reference temperature in the step of stopping the refrigerating cycle and operating the refrigeration cycle. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the refrigerating compartment fan is turned off when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches the fan-off reference temperature after the refrigerating compartment fan is turned on. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the fan-on reference temperature is higher than the fan-off reference temperature,
Wherein the fan-off reference temperature is higher than the reference temperature of the second refrigerator compartment. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the fan-on reference temperature is higher than the target temperature of the refrigerating compartment and the second refrigerating compartment reference temperature. The method according to claim 1,
In the step of stopping the refrigeration cycle and operating the refrigeration cycle,
Wherein when the refrigeration cycle is stopped and the first reference time elapses, the refrigerator compartment fan is turned on. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the refrigerating compartment fan is turned on and the refrigerating compartment fan is turned off when a second reference time elapses. A refrigeration cycle comprising a freezer compartment compressor and operating to cool the freezer compartment;
A refrigeration cycle including a refrigerator compartment compressor and a refrigerator compartment fan, the refrigeration cycle operating for cooling the refrigerator compartment;
A freezer compartment temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the freezer compartment;
A refrigerating compartment temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the refrigerating compartment; And
And a controller for controlling operations of the refrigeration cycle and the refrigeration cycle based on the temperatures sensed by the respective temperature sensors,
Wherein the control unit operates the refrigeration cycle when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaches a first refrigerating compartment reference temperature higher than a target temperature of the refrigerating compartment,
Stopping the refrigeration cycle and operating the refrigeration cycle when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment reaches a second refrigerator compartment reference temperature lower than the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment,
And stops the refrigeration cycle when the temperature of the freezing chamber reaches a first freezing chamber reference temperature lower than a target temperature of the freezing chamber. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the controller stops the refrigeration cycle when the detected refrigerator compartment temperature reaches a stop reference temperature before the freezer compartment temperature reaches the first freezer compartment reference temperature. 13. The method of claim 12,
And when the refrigerator compartment fan-on condition is satisfied after the refrigeration cycle is stopped, the refrigerator compartment fan is turned on and then stopped. The temperature of the first storage chamber being sensed;
Increasing the output of the cool air supply means for the first storage chamber when the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value that is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature for the first storage chamber;
Reducing or stopping the output of at least one of the cool air supply means for the first storage chamber when the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value below the second reference temperature for the first storage chamber;
When a predetermined time has elapsed or the detected temperature of the first storage room reaches a first specified value between the first reference temperature and the second reference temperature for the first storage room, at least one of the cold storage devices for the first storage room Increasing the output; And
When a predetermined time elapses or when the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a second specified value between the specific value and the second reference temperature for the first storage chamber, at least one of the cold storage means for the first storage chamber Or stopping the refrigerator. 16. The method of claim 15,
The temperature of the second storage chamber being sensed;
Increasing the output of the cool air supply means for the second storage chamber when the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value that is lower than a second reference temperature for the first storage chamber;
After the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value equal to or higher than the first reference temperature for the first storage chamber, a certain time has elapsed or the sensed temperature of the first storage chamber is lower than the first reference temperature for the first storage chamber and the second reference temperature for the second storage chamber. Further comprising reducing or stopping the output of the cold air supply means for the second storage chamber when a predetermined third specified value between temperatures is reached. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the third specific value is greater than or equal to the second specific value and the second specific value is greater than the first specific value. 16. The method of claim 15,
The condenser for the first storage chamber and the condenser for the second storage chamber form one heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flows into two portions,
The refrigerant for cooling the first storage chamber flows through the first portion of the condenser and the refrigerant for cooling the second storage chamber flows to the second portion of the condenser,
Wherein the condenser pin for the first part and the condenser pin for the second part are connected by a screw.

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