KR20210069360A - Refrigerator and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator for minimizing a temperature change in a storage compartment and a method for controlling the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, provided is the method for controlling the refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises: a compressor which compresses a refrigerant; a first evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the compressor and generating cold air for cooling a first storage compartment; a first fan for supplying cold air to the first storage compartment; a second evaporator for receiving the refrigerant from the compressor and generating cold air for a second storage compartment; a second fan for supplying cold air to the second storage compartment; and a valve for opening and closing a first refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the compressor and the first evaporator and a second refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the compressor and the second evaporator. The cooling of the first storage compartment and the cooling of the second storage compartment are configured to be alternately performed.

Description

Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

The present specification relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same.

BACKGROUND ART A refrigerator is a home appliance that stores food at a low temperature, and a storage compartment is always maintained at a constant low temperature.

Currently, in the case of home refrigerators, the storage compartment is maintained at a temperature within the upper limit range and the lower limit range based on the set temperature. That is, when the storage compartment temperature rises to the upper limit temperature, the refrigerator is controlled by driving the refrigeration cycle to cool the storage compartment, and stopping the refrigeration cycle when the storage compartment temperature reaches the lower limit temperature.

In recent years, a refrigerator in which an evaporator is installed in a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, respectively, has been developed. Such a refrigerator may allow the refrigerant to flow to the other evaporator after allowing the refrigerant to flow to one of the evaporators of the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.

Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2018-0001943, which is a prior document, discloses a method for controlling the constant temperature of a refrigerator in a refrigerator.

In the case of the control method of the prior art, the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are cooled so that the refrigerating compartment cooling operation for cooling the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment cooling operation for cooling the freezing compartment are alternately performed.

In the refrigerating compartment cooling operation process, the refrigerating fan and the compressor are operated, and when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is lowered to the set minimum temperature, the refrigerating fan is turned off to stop the refrigerating compartment cooling operation and the freezing compartment cooling operation is performed.

However, in the case of the prior literature, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment drops to the set minimum temperature while the refrigerating fan is operating and the refrigerating fan turns off, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is set due to thermal inertia even when the refrigerating fan is turned off. After the temperature lower than the minimum temperature falls, it rises again.

In this case, there is a risk that the food stored in the refrigerating compartment is excessively cooled, and there is a disadvantage that the temperature change width of the refrigerating compartment is larger than the width of the predetermined set temperature section.

Further, in the case of the prior art, when the condition for the refrigerating compartment cooling operation is satisfied while the freezing chamber is cooled by the freezing compartment cooling operation, the freezing fan is turned off and the refrigerating fan is turned on. That is, when the temperature of the refrigerating chamber rises to the set maximum temperature, the freezing chamber cooling operation is stopped and the refrigerating fan is operated. At this time, even when the refrigerating fan is turned on when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment rises to the set maximum temperature, the refrigerating chamber temperature rises higher than the set maximum temperature and then falls again due to thermal inertia. Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that the temperature change width of the refrigerating compartment is larger than the width of the predetermined set temperature section.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same for minimizing a change in temperature in a storage room.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same in which an increase in power consumption is minimized in the process of controlling the constant temperature of a storage room.

A control method of a refrigerator according to an aspect includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser receiving the refrigerant from the compressor, a condenser fan blowing air to the condenser, and cooling a first storage chamber by receiving the refrigerant from the condenser a first evaporator for generating cold air for cooling, a first fan for supplying cold air to the first storage chamber, a second evaporator receiving refrigerant from the condenser to generate cold air for a second storage chamber, and the second A second fan for supplying cold air to the storage chamber, a first refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the condenser and the first evaporator, and a second refrigerant connecting the refrigerant to flow between the condenser and the second evaporator The present invention relates to a control method of a refrigerator configured to alternately perform cooling of the first storage compartment and cooling of the second storage compartment by including a valve for opening and closing a passage.

The method of controlling the refrigerator may include: operating the refrigerator in a normal mode for cooling the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment; and operating the refrigerator in a constant temperature mode to maintain the temperature of the first storage compartment within a set temperature range after the operation in the normal mode.

In the normal mode, after the first cooling cycle for cooling the first storage compartment is operated, a second cooling cycle for cooling the second storage compartment is operated, and after the second cooling cycle is completed, the compressor is can be turned off

In the constant temperature mode, after the first cooling cycle and the second cooling cycle are operated, a third cooling cycle for cooling the first storage chamber may be operated.

When the operation of the third cooling cycle starts in the constant temperature mode, the first fan rotates at an initial speed, and when a speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied, the rotation speed of the first fan may be changed.

An initial speed of the first fan when the operation of the third cooling cycle starts may be greater than an initial speed of the first fan when the operation of the first cooling cycle starts.

The initial speed of the first fan may be a maximum speed.

When the first cooling cycle is operated, the condenser may be rotated at a first reference speed, and when the third cooling cycle is operated, the condenser may be rotated at a second reference speed lower than the first reference speed.

During the operation of the third cooling cycle, the rotational speed of the first fan may be reduced.

A rotation speed of the condenser fan may be increased in response to a decrease in the rotation speed of the first fan.

After the third cooling cycle is operated in the constant temperature mode, a pump-down operation for collecting the refrigerant of each evaporator to the compressor may be performed, or the first cooling cycle may be performed. The rotation speed of the first fan during the pump-down operation may be lower than an initial speed of the first fan during the operation of the third cooling cycle.

When the operation of the first cooling cycle is started in the constant temperature mode, the first fan rotates at an initial speed, and when the speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied, the rotation speed of the first fan may be changed.

During the operation of the first cooling cycle, if the speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied, the rotation speed of the first fan may be reduced.

The rotation speed of the first fan may be reduced in stages.

The rotational speed of the first fan decreases stepwise over time, decreases stepwise according to a change in the temperature of the first storage chamber, or an evaporator temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the first evaporator and the temperature of the first storage chamber may be gradually reduced according to the difference value of , or may be decreased in stages according to a difference value between the temperature of the first storage chamber at the time of operation of the first fan and the periodically sensed temperature of the first storage chamber.

When the speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied, when a reference time has elapsed after the start of the first cooling cycle, or when the temperature of the first storage chamber is within the set temperature range during the operation of the first cooling cycle When the first reference temperature between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature is reached, or when the difference value between the temperature of the evaporator temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the first evaporator and the temperature of the first storage chamber reaches the set value, or the first The difference between the temperature of the first storage chamber at the time of operation of the first fan and the periodically sensed temperature of the first storage chamber may reach a reference value.

The second fan may be turned on during the operation of the second cooling cycle, and the first fan may be maintained in a stopped state or operated with a minimum output during a partial period of the second cooling cycle.

During the operation of the second cooling cycle, the rotation speed of the first fan may be increased to a reference speed.

The rotation speed of the first fan may be decreased in steps from the reference speed.

A refrigerator according to another aspect includes: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser receiving the refrigerant from the compressor; a condenser fan for blowing air to the condenser; a first evaporator receiving the refrigerant from the condenser and generating cold air for cooling the first storage chamber; a first fan for supplying cold air to the first storage chamber, and a second evaporator receiving the refrigerant from the condenser to generate cold air for the second storage chamber; a second fan for supplying cold air to the second storage chamber; a valve for opening and closing a first refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the condenser and the first evaporator and a second refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the condenser and the second evaporator; and a controller for controlling the fan and the valve.

The control unit allows the refrigerator to operate in a normal mode for cooling the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment, and to maintain the temperature of the first storage compartment within a set temperature range after the refrigerator is operated in the normal mode You can make the refrigerator operate in a steady temperature mode.

In the normal mode, the control unit operates a second cooling cycle for cooling the second storage compartment after the first cooling cycle for cooling the first storage compartment is operated, and after the second cooling cycle ends The compressor can be turned off.

In the constant temperature mode, the controller may operate a third cooling cycle for cooling the first storage chamber after operating the first cooling cycle and the second cooling cycle.

When the operation of the third cooling cycle starts in the constant temperature mode, the control unit rotates the first fan at an initial speed, and when the speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied, the control unit changes the rotation speed of the first fan can

According to the proposed invention, there is an advantage that the temperature change of the storage compartment is minimized while the refrigerator is operated in the constant temperature mode, so that the freshness of the object stored in the storage compartment can be improved.

In addition, an increase in power consumption in the process of controlling the constant temperature of the storage room may be minimized.

1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a case in which the refrigerator is operated in a normal mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a case in which the refrigerator is operated in a constant temperature mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a graph illustrating a change in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment and a change in the rotational speed of a refrigerating compartment fan in a normal mode and a constant temperature mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a graph showing a change in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment and a change in the rotational speed of a fan in the refrigerating compartment in a normal mode and a constant temperature mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a graph showing a change in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment and a change in the rotational speed of a fan in the refrigerating compartment in a normal mode and a constant temperature mode according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the component from other components, and the essence, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When it is described that a component is “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2 , a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 including a freezing compartment 111 and a refrigerating compartment 112 , and is coupled to the cabinet 10 . A door (not shown) for opening and closing the freezing compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112, respectively, may be included.

The freezing compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 may be partitioned in a left-right direction or a vertical direction inside the cabinet 10 by a partition wall 113 .

One of the freezing compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 may be referred to as a first storage compartment, and the other may be referred to as a first storage compartment.

The refrigerator 1 includes a compressor 21 , a condenser 22 , an expansion member 23 , and an evaporator 24 for a freezing compartment for cooling the freezing compartment 111 (or may be referred to as a “first evaporator”). ), and an evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment for cooling the refrigerating compartment 112 (or may be referred to as a “second evaporator”) may be further included. Conversely, the evaporator 24 for the freezing compartment may be referred to as a second evaporator, and the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment may be referred to as a first evaporator.

The refrigerator 1 may include a switching valve 26 for allowing the refrigerant that has passed through the expansion member 23 to flow into one of the evaporator 24 for the freezing compartment and the evaporator 26 for the refrigerating compartment.

In the present invention, the state in which the selector valve 26 operates so that the refrigerant flows to the evaporator 24 for the freezing chamber may be referred to as a first state of the selector valve 26 . Also, a state in which the switching valve 26 operates so that the refrigerant flows to the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating chamber may be referred to as a second state of the switching valve 26 . The switching valve 26 may be, for example, a three-way valve.

The switching valve 26 includes a first refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the condenser 22 and the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment, and between the condenser 22 and the evaporator 24 for the freezing compartment. Any one of the second refrigerant passages connected to allow the refrigerant to flow therebetween can be selectively opened. The cooling of the refrigerating compartment 112 and the cooling of the freezing compartment 111 can be alternately performed by this switching valve 26 . have.

The refrigerator 1 includes a freezer compartment fan 28 (which may be referred to as a “first fan”) for blowing air to the freezer compartment evaporator 24, and a first motor for rotating the freezer compartment fan 28; 27), a refrigerating compartment fan 29 (which may be referred to as a “second fan”) for blowing air to the refrigerating compartment evaporator 25 and a second motor 30 for rotating the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may include more. Conversely, the freezer compartment fan 28 may be referred to as a second fan, and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be referred to as a first fan.

In addition, the refrigerator 1 may further include a condenser fan 22a for blowing air to the condenser 22 and a condenser motor 22b for rotating the condenser fan 22a.

In the present invention, a series of cycles in which the refrigerant flows through the compressor 21, the condenser 22, the expansion member 23 and the evaporator 24 for the freezing chamber is called a "refrigeration cycle", and the refrigerant flows through the compressor 21, A series of cycles in which the condenser 22, the expansion member 23, and the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment flow will be referred to as a "refrigeration cycle".

"The refrigeration cycle is operating" means that the compressor 21 is turned on, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is rotated, and the refrigerant flows through the refrigerating compartment evaporator 25 by the switching valve 26, and the refrigeration It means that the refrigerant and air flowing through the practical evaporator 25 exchange heat.

"The refrigeration cycle is operating" means that the compressor 21 is turned on, the freezer compartment fan 28 is rotated, and the refrigerant flows through the freezing chamber evaporator 24 by the switching valve 26, and the refrigeration It means that the refrigerant and air flowing through the practical evaporator 24 exchange heat.

In this embodiment, the compressor 21 may be referred to as a cold air generating means, and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 and the freezing chamber fan 28 may be referred to as cold air transmitting means.

In the above description, it has been described that one expansion member 23 is positioned upstream of the switching valve 26 , but, unlike the above description, the first expansion member 23 is disposed between the switching valve 26 and the evaporator 24 for the freezing compartment. is provided, and a second expansion member may be provided between the switching valve 26 and the refrigerating compartment evaporator 25 .

As another example, the switching valve 26 is not used, and a first valve is provided at the inlet side of the evaporator 24 for the freezing compartment, and a second valve is provided at the inlet side of the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment. It is also possible to be During the operation of the refrigeration cycle, the first valve may be on and the second valve may be turned off. During the operation of the refrigeration cycle, the first valve may be turned off and the second valve may be turned on.

The refrigerator 1 includes a freezing compartment temperature sensor 41 for sensing the temperature of the freezing compartment 111 , a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 42 for sensing the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 , and the freezing compartment 111 . and an input unit 43 capable of inputting a target temperature (or set temperature) of each of the refrigerating compartment 112 and the cooling cycle (freezing cycle and cooling cycle) based on the input target temperature and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensors 41 and 42 . It may include a control unit 50 for controlling the refrigeration cycle).

In the present specification, a temperature lower than the set temperature of the freezing compartment 111 is referred to as a first freezing compartment reference temperature (or first lower limit temperature), and a temperature higher than the set temperature of the freezing compartment 111 is referred to as a second freezing compartment reference temperature (first 1 upper limit temperature). In addition, a range between the first freezing chamber reference temperature and the second freezing chamber reference temperature may be referred to as a freezing chamber set temperature range.

Although not limited, the set temperature of the freezing compartment 111 may be an average temperature of the first freezing compartment reference temperature and the second freezing compartment reference temperature.

Also, in the present specification, a temperature lower than the set temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is referred to as a first refrigerating compartment reference temperature (or a second lower limit temperature), and a temperature higher than the set temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is referred to as a second refrigerating compartment reference temperature. (Second upper limit temperature). Also, a range between the reference temperature of the first refrigerating compartment and the reference temperature of the second refrigerating compartment may be referred to as a set temperature range of the refrigerating compartment.

Although not limited, the set temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 may be an average temperature of the first refrigerating compartment reference temperature and the second refrigerating compartment reference temperature.

In this specification, the user may set the target temperature of each of the freezing compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 .

In the present specification, the controller 50 may control the refrigerator 1 to operate in a normal mode or a constant temperature mode.

For example, in the normal mode, the controller 50 may control the refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration cycle, the pump-down operation, and the compressor-off operation to form one operation cycle.

In the present embodiment, the pump-down operation refers to an operation of collecting the refrigerant remaining in each of the evaporators to the compressor 21 by operating the compressor 21 in a state in which the supply of refrigerant to all of the plurality of evaporators is cut off.

The control unit 50 may operate the refrigerating cycle, and when a stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied, the refrigerating cycle may be operated. When the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle is operating, the pump-down operation may be performed.

At this time, in the present specification, the starting condition of the refrigerating cycle may be the same as the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle.

In this embodiment, the pump-down operation may be omitted under special conditions. For example, when the outside temperature is low, the pump-down operation may be omitted.

Meanwhile, in the constant temperature mode, the controller 50 may control the first refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration cycle, the second refrigeration cycle, and the pump-down operation to form one operation cycle.

After the pump-down operation is completed, the first refrigeration cycle may be performed again. In this embodiment, the pump-down operation may be omitted under special conditions. For example, when the outside temperature is low, the pump-down operation may be omitted.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator 1 may further include a memory 43 in which temperatures of the freezing compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 for one operation cycle are stored.

In addition, the refrigerator 1 may further include an evaporator temperature sensor 44 for detecting a temperature (inlet temperature or outlet temperature) of the evaporator 24 for the refrigerating compartment.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the power of the refrigerator 1 is turned on ( S1 ). When the power of the refrigerator 1 is turned on, the refrigerator 1 may operate to cool the freezing compartment 111 or the refrigerating compartment 112 .

Hereinafter, a case in which the refrigerating compartment 112 is first cooled and then the freezing compartment 111 is cooled will be described as an example.

After the refrigerator 1 is powered on, the controller 50 operates the refrigerator 1 in a normal mode (S2). In the normal mode, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 and/or the freezing compartment 111 may be rapidly reduced.

The control unit 50 may determine whether the driving condition of the steady-temperature mode is satisfied while driving in the normal mode (S3). Satisfying the operation condition of the constant temperature mode may mean that the stop condition of the normal mode is satisfied.

When the operation condition of the steady temperature mode is satisfied, the controller 50 may operate the refrigerator 1 in the steady temperature mode. In the constant temperature mode, the refrigerating compartment 112 and/or the freezing compartment 111 may be maintained within a set temperature range.

Hereinafter, a case in which the refrigerator is operated in a normal mode and a case in which the refrigerator is operated in a constant temperature mode will be described.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a case in which the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is operated in a normal mode, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a case in which the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is operated in a constant temperature mode. 6 is a graph showing the change in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment and the change in the rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan in the normal mode and the constant temperature mode according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the following drawings, a general mode and a constant temperature mode of the refrigerator for cooling the refrigerating compartment will be described, but all descriptions of the refrigerating compartment may be applied to the same or corresponding to the freezing compartment. That is, all contents related to the control of the refrigerating compartment fan, which will be described later, may be applied to be the same or corresponding to the control of the freezing compartment fan. For example, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment may be substituted with the temperature of the freezing compartment, and the refrigerating compartment fan may be substituted with the freezing compartment fan.

4 and 6, in the normal mode, the refrigerating cycle may be operated (S21).

For example, the controller 50 may turn on the compressor 21 and rotate the refrigerating compartment fan 29 . The controller 50 may switch the switching valve 26 to the second state so that the refrigerant flows to the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment.

For example, the controller 50 may cause the compressor 21 to operate at a set cooling power and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 to operate at a set speed. The freezer fan 28 may remain stationary when the refrigeration cycle is in operation.

Then, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 and passed through the condenser 22 flows to the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment through the switching valve 26 .

The refrigerant of the condenser 22 may exchange heat with air (outdoor air) blown by the condenser fan 22a. In the normal mode, the condenser fan 22a may rotate at a first reference speed.

The refrigerant evaporated while flowing through the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment is introduced into the compressor 21 again.

The air heat-exchanged with the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment is supplied to the refrigerating compartment 112 . Accordingly, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 decreases while the temperature of the freezing compartment 111 increases.

When the power of the refrigerator is turned on, when the defrosting operation is finished, or when the door is opened and closed, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is highly likely to be higher than the second upper limit temperature. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to quickly lower the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 .

Accordingly, the set cooling power of the compressor 21 may be, for example, the maximum cooling power or a cooling power close to the maximum cooling power so that the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 can be rapidly decreased. In addition, the set speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 29 may be, for example, a maximum speed or a speed close to the maximum speed.

During the operation of the refrigerating cycle, the controller 50 may determine whether a condition for stopping the refrigerating cycle is satisfied (S22).

For example, the controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or less than a second lower limit temperature.

As a result of determination in step S22, if the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 operates the refrigerating cycle (S23).

For example, the control unit 50 switches the switching valve 26 to the first state so that the refrigerant flows to the freezing chamber evaporator 24 . Even when the refrigerating cycle is switched from the refrigerating cycle to the refrigerating cycle, the compressor 21 may continuously operate without stopping.

Also, the controller 50 may rotate the freezer compartment fan 28 and stop the refrigerator compartment fan 29 . Alternatively, in order to delay the temperature rise of the refrigerating compartment 112 during the operation of the refrigerating cycle, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be operated even after the refrigerating cycle is stopped. When the refrigerating cycle starts, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates, but may operate at a rotation speed lower than a rotation speed when the refrigerating cycle is operated. When a set time elapses in a state in which the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is low or the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches an off reference temperature, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be stopped.

The control unit 50 may determine whether the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied during the operation of the refrigerating cycle (S24).

For example, when the temperature of the freezing chamber 111 is below the first lower limit temperature, the controller 50 may determine that the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied.

In the normal mode, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 may be lowered below the second lower limit temperature at least once, and the temperature of the freezing compartment 111 may also be lowered below the first lower limit temperature at least once in the normal mode.

As a result of determination in step S24, if the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied, the control unit may cause the pump-down operation to be performed (S25). During the pump-down operation, the switching valve 26 may be in a fourth state (or an off state) to prevent refrigerant from flowing to each evaporator. During the pump-down operation, the compressor 21 is maintained in an on state. During the pump-down operation, the refrigerator compartment fan 29 and the condenser fan 22a may be turned off.

The control unit 50 may turn off the compressor 21 after the pump-down operation is performed (S26). When the compressor 21 is turned off, the switching valve 26 is in the fourth state. In a state in which the compressor 21 is turned off, the condenser fan 22a may also be turned off.

When the compressor 21 is turned off and an on condition is satisfied, the compressor 21 may be turned on. For example, when the off time of the compressor 21 reaches a set time, the compressor 21 may be turned on. After the compressor 21 is turned on, the refrigerator may be operated in the constant temperature mode.

Alternatively, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or greater than the second upper limit temperature after the off time of the compressor 21 has elapsed, the compressor 21 may be turned on.

As another example, in the normal mode, the switching valve 26 may be switched to the third state so that the refrigerant flows to each of the evaporator 24 for the freezing compartment and the evaporator 25 for the refrigerating compartment. In this case, the temperature of each of the freezing compartment 111 and the refrigerating compartment 112 may decrease.

The control unit 50 may switch the switching valve 26 to the second state when the temperature of the freezing chamber 111 is equal to or less than the first lower limit temperature. The control unit 50 may switch the switching valve 26 to the first state when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or less than the second lower limit temperature.

The control unit 50 performs the pump-down operation when the temperature of the freezing compartment 111 becomes the first lower limit temperature and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 falls below the second lower limit temperature regardless of the order. can be made to be performed.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 , when the on condition of the compressor 21 is satisfied after the compressor 21 is turned off in step S26 as described above, the compressor 21 is turned on.

When the compressor 21 is turned on, the refrigerator may be operated in the constant temperature mode. In the constant temperature mode, a first refrigeration cycle may be operated (S41). At the time of operation of the first refrigerating cycle, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 may be lower than, higher than, or equal to the second upper limit temperature (hereinafter referred to as "upper limit temperature").

When the first refrigeration cycle is operated, the switching valve 26 may be in a second state, and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may rotate (or operate) at an initial speed (or initial output). The initial speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be the same as or lower than the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 during the refrigerating cycle operation in the normal mode.

The control unit 50 may determine whether a stop condition of the first refrigerating cycle is satisfied while the first refrigerating cycle is operating ( S42 ). For example, the controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or less than a second lower limit temperature (hereinafter, referred to as a “lower limit temperature”).

As a result of determination in step S42, if the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 operates the refrigeration cycle (S43). When the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 switches the switching valve 26 to the first state, turns off the refrigerator compartment fan 29 and turns on the freezer compartment fan 28 . make it

When the stop condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied and the refrigeration cycle is operated, the control unit 50 sets the switching valve 26 to the first state so that the refrigerant can flow to the evaporator 24 for the freezing chamber. switch Even if the first refrigerating cycle is switched to the refrigerating cycle, the compressor 21 may be continuously operated without stopping.

Also, the controller 50 may rotate the freezer compartment fan 28 and stop the refrigerator compartment fan 29 . Alternatively, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be rotated at a minimum speed without stopping the refrigerating compartment fan 29 when the operation of the refrigerating cycle starts.

The control unit 50 may determine whether the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied during the operation of the refrigerating cycle (S44).

For example, the controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or greater than the upper limit temperature while the refrigerating cycle is operating. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or greater than the upper limit, the controller 50 may determine that the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied.

In the constant temperature mode, the condenser fan 22a may rotate at the first reference speed.

As a result of the determination in step S44, if the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 may cause the second refrigeration cycle to operate (S45). The control unit 50 may determine whether a stop condition of the second refrigerating cycle is satisfied while the second refrigerating cycle is being operated (S46).

As a result of the determination in step S46, if the stop condition of the second refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the control unit 50 starts the pump-down operation (S47). After the pump-down operation is finished, the controller 50 causes the first refrigeration cycle to operate unless the power of the refrigerator is turned off (S41).

When the second refrigerating cycle is operated, the switching valve 26 may be in a second state, and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may operate at the initial speed. The initial speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be greater than the initial speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 in the first refrigerating cycle. For example, when the second refrigeration cycle is operated, the initial speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be set to a maximum speed.

Since the second refrigerating cycle starts when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 exceeds the upper limit temperature, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is used to rapidly lower the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 at the beginning of the second refrigerating cycle. ) can be rotated at a maximum speed of

In addition, since refrigerant is not supplied to each of the evaporators during the pump-down operation performed after the second refrigeration cycle is operated, the temperature of the refrigerating chamber 112 may increase.

Accordingly, during the operation of the second refrigeration cycle, which is a stage before the pump-down operation, in order to prevent or minimize the temperature rise of the refrigerating compartment 112 during the pump-down operation, the refrigerator compartment fan 29 operates at the maximum speed. can be rotated.

When the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is rotated at the maximum speed, there is a fear that the rotation noise of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is increased. Therefore, when the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is rotated at the maximum speed, the control unit 50 adjusts the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a during the refrigeration cycle or the refrigerating cycle so that noise due to the fan rotation is minimized in the refrigerator. The rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a when the first refrigeration cycle is in operation may be reduced.

That is, the controller 50 may rotate the condenser fan 22a at a second reference speed lower than the first reference speed.

According to the present embodiment, by lowering the rotational speed of the condenser fan 22a in response to the increase in the rotational speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 29, the generation of noise due to the rotation of the fan in the refrigerator can be minimized.

The control unit 50 is configured to decrease the rotation speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 29 in order to reduce an increase in power consumption due to the rotation of the refrigerator compartment fan 29 while the refrigerator compartment fan 29 is rotated at the maximum speed. can For example, the controller 50 may decrease the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 by one or more times.

In response to a decrease in the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 , the controller 50 may increase the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a. Although the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a is reduced in terms of noise reduction, in terms of condensing performance, the condensation performance may be reduced due to the decrease in the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a. Accordingly, in response to reducing the rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 , the controller 50 may increase the rotational speed of the condenser fan 22a in terms of improving the condensing performance. For example, the control unit 50 may increase the rotation speed of the condenser fan 29 in stages.

The control unit 50 is, when the operating time of the second refrigeration cycle reaches a predetermined time or the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a predetermined temperature (a temperature between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature), the second It may be determined that the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied.

When the pump-down operation starts, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced than the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 when the second refrigerating cycle is operated.

That is, since the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates even during the pump-down operation, an increase in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 can be prevented or minimized. When the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates even during the pump-down operation, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 may drop. During the pump-down operation, the switching valve 26 is in the fourth state. During the pump-down operation, the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a may be reduced than the rotation speed during the operation of the second refrigeration cycle. For example, during the pump-down operation, the condenser fan 22a may be turned off.

The rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 during the pump-down operation may be equal to or smaller than the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 during the refrigerating cycle operation in the normal mode.

7 is a graph showing a change in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment and a change in the rotational speed of a fan in the refrigerating compartment in a normal mode and a constant temperature mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other parts, except that there is a difference in the control of the refrigerator compartment fan during the operation of the first refrigeration cycle. Therefore, in the following, only characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described, and the description of the first embodiment will be used for the same parts as those of the first embodiment.

3 to 5 and 7 , the normal mode may be terminated, and the refrigerator may be operated in the constant temperature mode.

In the constant temperature mode, a first refrigeration cycle may be operated (S41). When the first refrigeration cycle is operated, the switching valve 26 may be in a second state, and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may rotate (or operate) at an initial speed (or initial output). The initial speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be the same as or lower than the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 during the refrigerating cycle operation in the normal mode.

The control unit 50 may determine whether a stop condition of the first refrigerating cycle is satisfied while the first refrigerating cycle is operating ( S42 ). For example, the controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is below a lower limit temperature.

As a result of determination in step S42, if the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 operates the refrigeration cycle (S43). When the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 switches the switching valve 26 to the first state, turns off the refrigerator compartment fan 29 and turns on the freezer compartment fan 28 . make it

The controller 50 may change the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 while the first refrigerating cycle is operating.

For example, the controller 50 may change the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a first reference temperature N-a. Alternatively, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be changed when the first refrigerating cycle operates and a reference time elapses. That is, when the condition for changing the speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is satisfied, the controller 50 may change the rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 .

The first reference temperature N-a is lower than the upper limit temperature and higher than the lower limit temperature. For example, the first reference temperature (N-a) may be lower than the set temperature (N) of the refrigerating compartment 112 .

The controller may reduce the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 when the temperature T3 of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches the first reference temperature N-a. That is, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be rotated at a speed lower than the initial speed.

The rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be decreased stepwise or continuously until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a lower limit temperature.

When the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is gradually or continuously reduced, the temperature drop slope of the refrigerating compartment 112 per unit time is reduced, and when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches the lower limit temperature, the refrigerating compartment The temperature drop slope of (112) may be zero or close to zero.

When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches the lower limit temperature, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is turned off. As in the present embodiment, when the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is reduced when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches the first reference temperature Na, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is turned off at the Since the temperature drop slope of the refrigerating compartment 112 is close to zero, a decrease in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 due to thermal inertia may be minimized.

According to this embodiment, there is an advantage that the temperature change width of the refrigerating compartment 112 can be reduced, and the phenomenon that the refrigerating compartment 112 is overcooled can be prevented.

In addition, there is an advantage in that power consumption for rotating the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is reduced by reducing the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 .

When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches the first reference temperature Na, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is reduced. For example, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is gradually increased over time. can be reduced.

As another example, when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches the first reference temperature Na, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is primarily reduced, and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is set to a unit temperature. The rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be decreased step by step each time it is lowered.

As another example, when the temperature difference between the evaporator temperature sensor 44 and the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a set value while the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is operating at the initial speed (the speed variable condition is satisfied) case), the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced. According to a change in the difference between the temperature of the evaporator temperature sensor 44 and the refrigerating compartment 112 , the rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced in stages.

As another example, when the difference between the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 at the time when the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is turned on and the periodically sensed temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a reference value (when the speed variable condition is satisfied) case), the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced. In addition, according to the change in the difference value, the rotation speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 29 may be decreased in stages.

Meanwhile, the variable control of the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be terminated when the stop condition of the first refrigerating cycle is satisfied or the temperature drop slope of the refrigerating compartment 112 becomes zero. When the variable control of the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is finished, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be stopped or the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be operated with an output equal to or higher than a minimum output.

For example, in a state in which the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is lowered to the final speed, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be rotated at the final speed until the stop condition of the first refrigerating cycle is satisfied. Alternatively, when the temperature drop slope of the refrigerating compartment 112 becomes 0 while the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is lowered to the final speed (when the speed is higher than the minimum speed), the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is set to the minimum speed, and when the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be stopped.

On the other hand, when the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied and the refrigeration cycle is operated, the control unit 50 opens the switching valve 26 to allow the refrigerant to flow to the evaporator 24 for the freezing compartment. switch to state. Even if the first refrigerating cycle is switched to the refrigerating cycle, the compressor 21 may be continuously operated without stopping.

Also, the controller 50 may rotate the freezer compartment fan 28 and stop the refrigerator compartment fan 29 . Alternatively, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be rotated at a minimum speed without stopping the refrigerating compartment fan 29 when the operation of the refrigerating cycle starts.

The control unit 50 may determine whether the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied during the operation of the refrigerating cycle (S44).

For example, the controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or greater than the upper limit temperature while the refrigerating cycle is operating. When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is equal to or greater than the upper limit, the controller 50 may determine that the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied.

As a result of the determination in step S44, if the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 may cause the second refrigeration cycle to operate (S45). The control unit 50 may determine whether a stop condition of the second refrigerating cycle is satisfied while the second refrigerating cycle is being operated (S46).

As a result of the determination in step S46, if the stop condition of the second refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the control unit 50 starts the pump-down operation (S47). After the pump-down operation is completed, the controller 50 causes the first refrigeration cycle to operate unless the power of the refrigerator is turned off.

When the second refrigerating cycle is operated, the switching valve 26 may be in a second state, and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may operate. The rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be greater than an initial speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 in the first refrigerating cycle. For example, during the operation of the second refrigeration cycle, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be rotated at a maximum speed.

In the operation process of the second refrigeration cycle, as described in the first embodiment, variable speed control of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 and variable speed control of the condenser fan 22a may be performed, so detailed descriptions will be omitted. do it with

The control unit 50 is, when the operating time of the second refrigeration cycle reaches a predetermined time or the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a predetermined temperature (a temperature between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature), the second It may be determined that the stopping condition of the refrigeration cycle is satisfied.

When the pump-down operation is started, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced than the rotation speed during the second refrigeration cycle operation. That is, since the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates even during the pump-down operation, an increase in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 can be prevented or minimized. When the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates even during the pump-down operation, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 may drop. During the pump-down operation, the switching valve 26 is in the fourth state.

8 is a graph showing a change in the temperature of the refrigerating compartment and a change in the rotational speed of a fan in the refrigerating compartment in a normal mode and a constant temperature mode according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other parts, except that there is a difference in the control of the refrigerator compartment fan during the operation of the refrigeration cycle. Therefore, in the following, only characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described, and the description of the first embodiment will be used for the same parts as those of the first embodiment.

3 to 5 and 8 , the normal mode may be terminated, and the refrigerator may be operated in the constant temperature mode.

In the constant temperature mode, a first refrigeration cycle may be operated (S41). When the first refrigeration cycle is operated, the switching valve 26 may be in a second state, and the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may rotate (or operate) at an initial speed (or initial output). The initial speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be the same as or lower than the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 during the refrigerating cycle operation in the normal mode.

The control unit 50 may determine whether a stop condition of the first refrigerating cycle is satisfied while the first refrigerating cycle is operating ( S42 ). For example, the controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 is below a lower limit temperature.

As a result of determination in step S42, if the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 operates the refrigeration cycle (S43). When the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied, the controller 50 switches the switching valve 26 to the first state, turns off the refrigerator compartment fan 29 and turns on the freezer compartment fan 28 . make it

When the stopping condition of the first refrigeration cycle is satisfied and the refrigeration cycle is operated, the control unit 50 moves the switching valve 26 to the second state so that the refrigerant can flow to the evaporator 24 for the freezing chamber. switch Even if the first refrigerating cycle is switched to the refrigerating cycle, the compressor 21 may be continuously operated without stopping.

Also, the controller 50 may rotate the freezer compartment fan 28 and stop the refrigerator compartment fan 29 . Alternatively, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be rotated at a minimum speed without stopping the refrigerating compartment fan 29 when the operation of the refrigerating cycle starts.

The controller 50 may increase the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 during the operation of the refrigerating cycle. For example, in a state in which the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is turned off, the refrigerating compartment fan 28 may be turned on. Alternatively, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be increased while the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is rotated at the minimum speed.

The controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 has reached a second reference temperature (N+b) during the operation of the refrigerating cycle. The second reference temperature (N+b) is a temperature between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature. For example, the second reference temperature (N+b) may be a temperature higher than the set temperature (N).

During the operation of the refrigerating cycle, the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 rises. When the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates while the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches the second reference temperature (N+b), the refrigerating compartment ( 112) may be delayed. That is, the temperature rise gradient of the refrigerating compartment 112 may be reduced.

When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a second reference temperature (N+b) during the operation of the refrigerating cycle (when a set condition is satisfied), the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may rotate at a reference speed. . Alternatively, when a set time elapses (when a set condition is satisfied) after the start of the operation of the refrigerating cycle, the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may rotate at a reference speed.

The reference speed is less than the maximum speed. The reference speed is smaller than the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 during the first refrigeration cycle operation.

While the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is operating at the reference speed, the rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced in stages to prevent an increase in power consumption.

For example, whenever the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 rises by a unit temperature, the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be decreased in stages.

As another example, when the temperature difference between the evaporator temperature sensor 44 and the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a set value while the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is operating at the reference speed (the setting condition is satisfied) ), the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced. According to a change in the difference between the temperature of the evaporator temperature sensor 44 and the refrigerating compartment 112 , the rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced in stages.

As another example, when the difference between the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 when the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates at the reference speed and the periodically sensed temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 reaches a reference value (setting condition) is satisfied), the rotation speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 may be reduced. In addition, according to the change in the difference value, the rotation speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 29 may be decreased in stages.

As described above, when the refrigerating compartment fan 29 operates at the reference speed and the rotational speed of the refrigerating compartment fan 29 is gradually reduced, the temperature rise slope of the refrigerating compartment 112 becomes small, and the operation of the refrigerating cycle stops When the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 112 rises to a temperature higher than the upper and lower temperatures, it is minimized, so that the temperature change of the refrigerating compartment 112 can be reduced, and the phenomenon that the refrigerating compartment 112 is overheated is prevented can be

When the stopping condition of the refrigerating cycle is satisfied during the operation of the refrigerating cycle, the second refrigerating cycle may be operated. Since the subsequent process is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, a process in which the rotation speed of the refrigerator compartment fan 29 is gradually reduced after the refrigerator compartment fan 29 rotates at a reference speed may be referred to as a temperature rise delay algorithm.

In the present specification, the refrigerating cycle or the first refrigerating cycle may be referred to as a first cooling cycle, the refrigerating cycle may be referred to as a second cooling cycle, and the second refrigerating cycle may be referred to as the third cooling cycle. .

9 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , a refrigerator 1A according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 having a storage compartment 111a formed therein, and is coupled to the cabinet 11 to form the storage compartment 111a. It may include a door (not shown) to open and close.

The storage compartment 111a may be a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment. Alternatively, the storage compartment 111a may be a storage compartment for storing beverages such as wine or kimchi.

The refrigerator 1 may include a compressor 21 , a condenser 22 , an expansion member 23 , and an evaporator 24a to cool the storage chamber 111a .

The refrigerator 1A includes a cooling fan 28a for allowing air to flow toward the evaporator 24a for circulation of cold air in the storage chamber 111a, and a fan motor 27a for driving the cooling fan 28a. may include.

The refrigerator 1a includes a temperature sensor 41a for detecting the temperature of the storage compartment 111a, and the compressor 21 and/or the cooling fan 28a based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 41a. It may further include a control unit 50 for controlling the rotation.

The controller 50 may control one or more of the compressor 21 and the cooling fan 28a to maintain the temperature of the storage chamber 111a at a set temperature (or target temperature).

10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10 , a refrigerator 1B according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 having a freezing compartment 111b and a refrigerating compartment 112b formed therein, and is coupled to the cabinet 10 to provide the It may include a door (not shown) that opens and closes the freezing compartment 111b and the refrigerating compartment 112b, respectively.

The freezing compartment 111b and the refrigerating compartment 112b may be partitioned in a left-right direction or a vertical direction inside the cabinet 10 by a partition wall 113b.

In addition, the refrigerator 1C includes a freezer compartment compressor 21a (or a first compressor), a condenser 35 , a first expansion member 36 , a first evaporator 37 , and a freezer compartment fan 39 . ) may be included.

The freezer compartment fan 39 may be rotated by a first motor 39 . The freezing compartment fan 39 may blow air toward the first evaporator 37 to circulate cold air in the freezing compartment 111c.

The refrigerator 1C includes a refrigerating compartment compressor 21b (or a second compressor), a condenser 35, a second expansion member 36a, a second evaporator 37a, and a refrigerating compartment fan 39a. may include

The refrigerator compartment fan 39a may be rotated by a second motor 38a. The refrigerating compartment fan 39a may blow air toward the second evaporator 37a to circulate cold air in the refrigerating compartment 112b.

At this time, the condenser 35 constitutes one heat exchanger, and may be divided into two parts to allow the refrigerant to flow. That is, the refrigerant discharged from the first compressor 21a may flow through the first portion 351 of the condenser 35 , and the refrigerant discharged from the second compressor 21b may be discharged from the second of the condensers 35 . The portion 352 may be flowable. A condenser pin for the first part 351 and a condenser pin for the second part 352 may be connected to increase the condensation efficiency of the condenser.

Compared to installing two separate condensers inside the machine room, there is an advantage in that the condenser installation space can be reduced and the condensing efficiency of the condenser can be increased. Accordingly, the first portion 351 may be referred to as a first condenser, and the second portion 352 may be referred to as a second condenser.

The refrigerator 1C is, based on the temperature of the freezing compartment 111b and/or the refrigerating compartment 112b input through an input unit (not shown) and the temperature sensed by the freezing compartment temperature sensor and/or the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor (not shown). It may further include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator (1B).

The control method of the first to third embodiments may be applied to the refrigerator of FIG. 9 and the refrigerator of FIG. 10 in the same or similar manner.

The condenser fan 22a described with reference to FIG. 1 may be provided in the refrigerator of FIGS. 9 and 10 in the same manner.

10 , the storage compartment may be a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment. Since the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment can be operated independently, the contents of the refrigerating compartment can be equally applied to the freezing compartment.

Since the control method of the refrigerator of FIG. 9 and the refrigerator of FIG. 10 can be equally applied, hereinafter, they will be commonly referred to as a storage compartment and a cooling fan.

A control method of the sixth embodiment will be described.

As described in the first embodiment, the refrigerator may be operated in a normal mode and a constant temperature mode. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the first embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, the pump-down operation may be omitted in the sixth embodiment.

When the refrigerator is operated in the normal mode, the compressors 21, 21a, and 21b are turned on, the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fan 28a, 39, 39a are operated, and the temperature of the storage compartment is goes down

When the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature, the compressors 21 , 21a , and 21b are turned off, and the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fan 28a , 39 , 39a stop rotating. Then, the temperature of the storage chamber rises, and when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, the normal mode is terminated, and the refrigerator may be operated in the constant temperature mode.

When the refrigerator is operated in the constant temperature mode, the first cooling cycle operates.

When the first cooling cycle starts to operate, the compressors 21, 21a, and 21b are turned on, the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a are operated, and the temperature of the storage chamber is lowered. goes down

While the temperature of the storage chamber is falling, the controller 50 may change the rotational speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a when the speed variable condition of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a is satisfied. have. For example, when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the first reference temperature N-a, it may be determined that the speed variable condition is satisfied.

In this embodiment, since the contents of the speed variable of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a are the same as those described in the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature, it may be determined that the stopping condition of the first cooling cycle is satisfied. In this case, the compressors 21 , 21a , and 21b may be turned off, and rotation of the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fan 28a , 39 , and 39a may be stopped.

Then, the control unit 50 may determine whether the start condition of the second cooling cycle is satisfied. For example, the control unit 50 may determine whether the temperature of the storage chamber has reached the upper limit temperature.

When it is determined that the temperature of the storage chamber has reached the upper limit temperature, the control unit 50 starts the second cooling cycle. In the second cooling cycle, the compressors 21, 21a, and 21b are turned on, and the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a may be rotated.

At this time, since the start time of the second cooling cycle is the time when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, in order to rapidly lower the temperature of the storage chamber, the cooling fans 28a and 39 in the second cooling cycle , 39a) may be set faster than the rotation speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a in the first cooling cycle. For example, the rotation speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a in the second cooling cycle may be set to a maximum speed.

In the second cooling cycle, the controller 50 adjusts the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a to the first so that noise is minimized by the rotation of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a. It is possible to reduce the rotational speed of the condenser fan 22a when the cooling cycle is in operation.

The controller 50 may determine whether a stop condition of the second cooling cycle is satisfied, and when the stop condition of the second cooling cycle is satisfied, the first cooling cycle may be operated.

For example, when the operating time of the second cooling cycle reaches a set time or the temperature of the storage chamber reaches a specific temperature lower than the upper limit temperature, it may be determined that the stopping condition of the second cooling cycle is satisfied.

When the first cooling cycle is operated, the rotation speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a is lower than the rotation speed of the cooling fan 28a, 39, 39a in the second cooling cycle. The control thereafter is the same as the control during the operation of the previous first cooling cycle.

When the first cooling cycle is operated, the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a may be higher than the rotation speed of the condenser fan 22a in the second cooling cycle.

A seventh embodiment will be described.

As described in the sixth embodiment, when the refrigerator is operated in the normal mode and the normal mode operation is finished, the refrigerator may be operated in the constant temperature mode.

When the refrigerator is operated in the constant temperature mode, the first cooling cycle operates.

When the first cooling cycle starts to operate, the compressors 21, 21a, and 21b are turned on, the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a are operated, and the temperature of the storage compartment is lowered. will do While the temperature of the storage chamber is falling, the controller 50 may determine that the stopping condition of the first cooling cycle is satisfied when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature. In this case, the compressors 21 , 21a , and 21b may be turned off, and rotation of the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fan 28a , 39 , and 39a may be stopped. In this state, the temperature of the storage chamber is increased.

The controller 50 may determine whether the temperature of the storage chamber has reached a second reference temperature (N+b) while the cooling fans 28a , 39 , and 39a are stopped from rotating. The second reference temperature (N+b) is a temperature between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature. For example, the second reference temperature (N+b) may be a temperature higher than the set temperature.

When the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the second reference temperature (N+b), the controller 50 may rotate the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a at a reference speed. When the rotation of the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a is stopped and a set time elapses (when a set condition is satisfied), the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a may rotate at a reference speed.

When the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a operate while the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the second reference temperature (N+b), the temperature increase of the storage chamber may be delayed. That is, the temperature rise gradient of the storage chamber may be reduced.

The reference speed is less than the maximum speed. The reference speed is smaller than the rotation speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a during the operation of the first cooling cycle.

While the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a operate at the reference speed, the rotational speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a may be reduced in stages to prevent an increase in power consumption.

Since the reduction of the rotational speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a is the same as that described in the second embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When it is determined that the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the upper limit temperature, the control unit 50 starts the second cooling cycle. Since the process after the second cooling cycle is the same as that described in the sixth embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

An eighth embodiment will be described.

As described in the sixth embodiment, when the refrigerator is operated in the normal mode and the normal mode operation is finished, the refrigerator may be operated in the constant temperature mode.

When the refrigerator is operated in the constant temperature mode, the first cooling cycle operates.

When the first cooling cycle starts to operate, the compressors 21, 21a, and 21b are turned on, the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a are operated, and the temperature of the storage compartment is lowered. will do While the temperature of the storage chamber is falling, the controller 50 may change the rotational speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a when the speed variable condition of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a is satisfied. have. For example, when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the first reference temperature N-a, it may be determined that the speed variable condition is satisfied.

In this embodiment, since the contents of the speed variable of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a are the same as those described in the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the lower limit temperature, it may be determined that the stopping condition of the first cooling cycle is satisfied. In this case, the compressors 21 , 21a , and 21b may be turned off, and rotation of the condenser fan 22a and the cooling fans 28a , 39 , and 39a may be stopped.

When the compressors 21, 21a, and 21b are turned off and the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a stop rotating, the temperature of the storage chamber rises.

The controller 50 may cause the cooling fans 28a, 39 and 39a to rotate at a second reference speed when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches a third reference temperature (N+c). The third reference temperature (N+c) may be, for example, higher than the set temperature.

At this time, to prevent the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a from rotating at the second reference speed within a short time after the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a are stopped due to a temperature sensing error in the storage chamber, The control unit 50 may determine whether the temperature of the storage chamber has reached a third reference temperature (N+c) after the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a are stopped and a delay time has elapsed. .

The second reference speed may be smaller than the rotation speed of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a during the first cooling cycle operation.

The controller 50 may stop the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the first reference temperature N-a. Alternatively, the controller 50 may stop the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches a fourth reference temperature different from the first reference temperature.

While the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a are rotated at the second reference speed, the rotational speeds of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a may be decreased by one or more times.

When the temperature of the storage chamber reaches a third reference temperature (N+c) after the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a are turned off, the control unit 50 re-establishes the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a. may be rotated at the second reference speed, and when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the first reference temperature or the fourth reference temperature, the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a may be stopped.

That is, the on/off of the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a may be repeated. In this embodiment, the repeating on/off process of the cooling fans 28a, 39, 39a may be referred to as a temperature rise delay algorithm.

As described above, the temperature rise delay algorithm may be started when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches a third reference temperature (N+c) after a delay time has elapsed after stopping the operation of the first cooling cycle. On the other hand, the temperature rise delay algorithm may be terminated when the accumulated on-time of the cooling fans 28a, 39, and 39a reaches the reference time.

When the start condition of the second cooling cycle is satisfied after the temperature rise delay algorithm is terminated, the second cooling cycle may operate, and then the first cooling cycle may operate.

21: compressor 22a: condenser fan
28: freezer fan 29: refrigerator fan
50: control unit

Claims (15)

a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, a condenser receiving the refrigerant from the compressor, a condenser fan blowing air to the condenser, and a first evaporator receiving the refrigerant from the condenser and generating cold air for cooling the first storage chamber; , a first fan for supplying cold air to the first storage chamber, a second evaporator receiving refrigerant from the condenser to generate cold air for the second storage chamber, and a second fan for supplying cold air to the second storage chamber and a valve which opens and closes a first refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the condenser and the first evaporator and a second refrigerant passage connecting the refrigerant to flow between the condenser and the second evaporator. A method for controlling a refrigerator configured to alternately perform cooling of a first storage compartment and cooling of the second storage compartment, the method comprising:
operating the refrigerator in a normal mode to cool the first storage compartment and the second storage compartment; and
and operating the refrigerator in a constant temperature mode to maintain the temperature of the first storage compartment within a set temperature range after the operation in the normal mode,
In the normal mode, after the first cooling cycle for cooling the first storage compartment is operated, a second cooling cycle for cooling the second storage compartment is operated, and after the second cooling cycle is completed, the compressor is can be turned off,
In the constant temperature mode, after the first cooling cycle and the second cooling cycle are operated, a third cooling cycle for cooling the first storage chamber may be operated,
When the operation of the third cooling cycle starts in the constant temperature mode, the first fan rotates at an initial speed, and when the speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied, the rotation speed of the first fan is variable. . The method of claim 1,
An initial speed of the first fan when the operation of the third cooling cycle starts is greater than an initial speed of the first fan when the operation of the first cooling cycle starts. The method of claim 1,
The initial speed of the first fan is a maximum speed. The method of claim 1,
When the first cooling cycle is operated, the condenser is rotated at a first reference speed,
When the third cooling cycle is operated, the condenser is rotated at a second reference speed lower than the first reference speed. 5. The method of claim 4,
During the operation of the third cooling cycle, the rotation speed of the first fan is reduced. 6. The method of claim 5,
A method of controlling a refrigerator in which a rotation speed of the condenser fan is increased in response to a decrease in the rotation speed of the first fan. 3. The method of claim 2,
After the third cooling cycle is operated in the constant temperature mode, a pump-down operation for collecting the refrigerant of each evaporator to the compressor is performed, or the first cooling cycle is performed,
The method of controlling a refrigerator, wherein the rotation speed of the first fan during the pump-down operation is lower than the initial speed of the first fan during the operation of the third cooling cycle. The method of claim 1,
When the operation of the first cooling cycle is started in the constant temperature mode, the first fan rotates at an initial speed, and when the speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied, the control of the refrigerator in which the rotation speed of the first fan is variable Way. 9. The method of claim 8,
During the operation of the first cooling cycle, when a condition for changing the speed of the first fan is satisfied, the rotation speed of the first fan is decreased. 10. The method of claim 9,
A method of controlling a refrigerator in which the rotation speed of the first fan is gradually decreased. 11. The method of claim 10,
The rotation speed of the first fan is decreased stepwise over time, or
decreased in stages according to the temperature change of the first storage chamber, or
In accordance with the difference between the temperature of the evaporator temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first evaporator and the first storage chamber, or
A method of controlling a refrigerator in which the temperature of the first storage chamber at the time of operation of the first fan and the temperature of the first storage chamber that are periodically sensed are gradually decreased according to a difference value. 9. The method of claim 8,
When the speed variable condition of the first fan is satisfied,
If the reference time has elapsed since the start of the first cooling cycle, or
In the process of the first cooling cycle operation, when the temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a first reference temperature between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature of the set temperature range,
When the difference between the evaporator temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first evaporator and the temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a set value,
The control method of the refrigerator, wherein a difference value between the temperature of the first storage chamber at the time of operation of the first fan and the periodically sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a reference value. The method of claim 1,
When the second cooling cycle is operated, the second fan is turned on,
The method of controlling a refrigerator in which the first fan is maintained in a stopped state or operated at a minimum output in a partial section of the second cooling cycle. 14. The method of claim 13,
A method of controlling a refrigerator in which a rotation speed of the first fan is increased to a reference speed when the second cooling cycle is operated. 15. The method of claim 14,
The method of controlling a refrigerator in which the rotation speed of the first fan may be decreased in stages from the reference speed.

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