KR20230030846A - Refrigerator and controlling method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator having a dispenser provided on a door, includes: a main body having a storage compartment; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open and close the storage compartment, and including an installation hole recessed backward from an opening provided on the front side of the door; a dispenser installed in the installation hole to be rotatable to the outside or inside of the door, and rotating to the outside of the door to discharge contents; a water tray installed in the installation hole, and provided on the lower side of the dispenser to store the residues of the contents discharged from the dispenser; a drip guard installed in the installation hole to be rotatable to the outside or inside of the door, and rotating to the outside of the door to prevent the contents discharged from the dispenser rotated to the outside of the door, from falling onto the floor; a control panel provided on the front side of the door to receive user input; and a control unit controlling the rotation of the dispenser and the rotation of the drip guard based on the user input. Therefore, the present invention is capable of enhancing space usability while simplifying an exterior design.

Description

Refrigerator and refrigerator control method { REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROLLING METHOD FOR THE SAME}

The disclosed invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method of the refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having a dispenser in a door and a control method of the refrigerator.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that includes a storage compartment for storing food and a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment to keep food fresh. Recently, a dispenser capable of receiving water or ice from the outside without opening a door has been installed in a refrigerator in response to a user's request.

When the dispenser is installed in the refrigerator, it occupies unnecessary space inside or outside the door, and aesthetics may be deteriorated.

One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator, which can simplify the exterior design by making the dispenser invisible from the exterior.

One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator with increased space utilization and a method for controlling the refrigerator.

One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator capable of neatly disposing of residues of contents discharged from a dispenser.

One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator without restrictions on the size of a container for receiving contents.

One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator in which a water tray is easily detachable and a method for controlling the refrigerator.

A refrigerator according to an aspect of the disclosed invention includes a main body having a storage compartment; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open and close the storage compartment and including an installation hole formed by being recessed backward from an opening provided on the front surface of the door; a dispenser rotatably installed in the installation hole to the outside of the door or inside the door, and rotating to the outside of the door to discharge contents; a water tray installed in the installation hole and provided below the dispenser to accommodate the remaining contents discharged from the dispenser; A drip guard that is rotatably installed outside the door or inside the door in the installation hole and prevents the contents discharged from the dispenser rotated outside the door from falling to the floor by rotating outside the door ); a control panel provided on the front side of the door to receive a user input; and a control unit controlling a rotational operation of the dispenser and a rotational operation of the drip guard based on the user input.

Also, the control unit may rotate the dispenser and the drip guard outwardly of the door based on receiving a first user input for dispensing the contents through the dispenser.

In addition, the control unit rotates the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door based on receiving a second user input for removing the water tray, and based on receiving the first user input, The drip guard may be rotated by a first angle, and based on receiving the second user input, the drip guard may be rotated by a second angle smaller than the first angle.

The controller may rotate the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door when a preset time elapses after the dispenser completes dispensing of the contents based on the first user input.

The control unit may rotate the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door based on receiving a third user input requesting return of the dispenser and the drip guard after receiving the second user input. can

The control panel may include: a first interface for receiving a first user input for selecting water or ice as an object to be dispensed through the dispenser; a second interface receiving a second user input for setting a dispensing capacity of the water or ice; a third interface receiving a third user input for executing an operation of dispensing the water or ice; a fourth interface for receiving a fourth user input for rotating the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door; and a fifth interface receiving a fifth user input for rotating the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door.

In addition, the control unit rotates the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door based on receiving the third user input or the fourth user input, and the third user input is received. 4 When a user input is received, the drip guard may be rotated by a smaller rotation angle.

The control panel may further include an indicator outputting a visual display requesting removal of the residue accommodated in the water tray, and the control unit may determine that the number of times the third user input is received exceeds a preset number of times. Based on this, the indicator may be controlled to output the visual display.

Also, the indicator may be provided on the fourth interface.

In addition, the dispenser includes a first cover member that opens and closes the installation hole according to the rotation of the dispenser, an ice ejection unit provided on the rear side of the first cover member, and a water ejection unit provided on the rear side of the first cover member. The drip guard includes a second cover member that opens and closes the installation hole together with the first cover member according to rotation of the drip guard, an extension member extending in a first direction, and one end of the extension member. includes a guard member extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and the first cover member is disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door in a state in which the dispenser is rotated to the inside of the door, and the door and a first surface that closes a portion of the opening of the front surface, and the second cover member is disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door in a state in which the drip guard is rotated to the inside of the door to open the opening of the front surface of the door. It may include a second surface that closes the remaining portion of.

In addition, when the dispenser and the drip guard are rotated outwardly of the door, the installation hole closed by the first cover member and the second cover member is opened, and the dispenser is rotated outwardly of the door. In a state in which the ice ejection part or the water ejection part protrudes to the outside of the door through the opening in the front surface of the door to discharge ice or water, and the drip guard is rotated outward of the door, the extension member and the water ejection part The guard member may protrude outward of the door through the opening in the front surface of the door to prevent contents discharged from the ice dispenser or the water dispenser from falling on the floor.

In addition, the drip guard is rotated to the outside of the door by a first angle or a second angle smaller than the first angle, and when the drip guard is rotated to the outside of the door by the first angle, a portion of the extension member and the guard member may be located below the water tray, and when the drip guard is rotated outside the door by the second angle, the extension member and the guard member may be located above the water tray.

In addition, the control unit rotates the drip guard outwardly of the door by the first angle based on receiving a first user input for dispensing the contents through the dispenser, and removes the water tray. Based on receiving a second user input, the drip guard may be rotated outside the door by the second angle.

In addition, when the drip guard is rotated outwardly of the door by the first angle, the extension member may extend in a height direction of the door, and the guard member may extend forward of the door.

In addition, the drip guard rotates outside the door to receive the remainder of the contents discharged from the dispenser, and rotates inside the door to transfer the residue received from the outside of the door to the water tray.

A method for controlling a refrigerator according to an aspect of the disclosed invention includes a door including an installation hole formed by being recessed backward from an opening provided on a front side of the door, and rotatably to the outside of the door or to the inside of the door through the installation hole. A dispenser that is installed and rotates to the outside of the door to discharge the contents, a water tray installed in the installation hole and provided below the dispenser to accommodate the remaining contents discharged from the dispenser, and a water tray installed in the installation hole. A refrigerator including a drip guard rotatably installed outside the door or inside the door and rotating outside the door to prevent contents discharged from the dispenser rotated outside the door from falling to the floor The control method may include controlling a rotational operation of the dispenser and a rotational operation of the drip guard based on a user input.

In addition, controlling the rotation operation of the dispenser and the rotation operation of the drip guard based on the user input may cause the dispenser and the drip guard to be operated based on receiving a first user input for dispensing the contents through the dispenser. Rotating to the outside of the door; may include.

In addition, rotating the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door based on receiving the first user input includes rotating the drip guard by a first angle, and based on the user input The rotational operation of the dispenser and the rotational operation of the drip guard are controlled by rotating the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door based on receiving a second user input to remove the water tray. Rotating the guard by a second angle smaller than the first angle; may further include.

The control method of the refrigerator may include rotating the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door when a preset time elapses after the dispenser completes dispensing of the contents based on the first user input; may further include.

The control method of the refrigerator may include moving the dispenser and the drip guard to the inside of the door based on receiving a third user input requesting a return of the dispenser and the drip guard after receiving the second user input. To rotate; may further include.

According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, it is possible to simplify the exterior design and increase synoptic utility by making the dispenser invisible from the exterior.

According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, contents can be received using a dispenser without limiting the size of the container.

According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, the residue of the contents discharged from the dispenser can be neatly treated, and the water tray can be easily attached or detached.

1 shows an appearance of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
2 is a view showing the inside of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a major configuration of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is a side view of a dispenser, drip guard, and water tray according to one embodiment.
5 is a perspective view of a dispenser, a drip guard, and a water tray according to one embodiment.
6 is a view looking at the door from the front of the refrigerator according to an embodiment.
7 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment.
9 shows a control panel of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.
10 illustrates an example in which a dispenser and a drip guard rotate outwardly of a door according to an embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which the dispenser and drip guard of FIG. 10 return to the inside of the door.
12 illustrates another example in which a dispenser and a drip guard rotate outwardly of a door according to an embodiment.
FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which the dispenser and the drip guard are fully rotated to the outside of the door in the example of FIG. 12 .
FIG. 14 shows a state in which the dispenser and drip guard of FIG. 12 return to the inside of the door.
15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to another embodiment.
16 illustrates a state in which an indicator of a control panel of a refrigerator emits light according to an embodiment.
17 illustrates a state in which a dispenser according to an embodiment is used using a cup.
18 shows a state in which a dispenser according to an embodiment is used using a pot.

The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only one preferred example of the disclosed invention, and there may be various modifications that can replace the embodiments and drawings in this specification at the time of filing of the present application.

Terms used in this specification are used to describe the embodiments, and are not intended to limit and/or limit the disclosed invention.

For example, in this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In addition, terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to express the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features, The possibility of additional presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof is not excluded.

In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” are used to distinguish one element from another element, and do not limit the one element.

In addition, terms such as "~ unit", "~ group", "~ block", "~ member", and "~ module" may mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may mean at least one hardware such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)/application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one software stored in a memory, or at least one process processed by a processor. there is.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the disclosed invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers or symbols presented in the accompanying drawings may indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

Hereinafter, the working principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows an exterior of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a view showing the inside of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 schematically shows the main components of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. it is a cross section

The refrigerator 1 refers to a device capable of storing products at a low temperature. More specifically, the refrigerator 1 refers to a device capable of maintaining the temperature of a storage compartment below a level desired by a user by repeating evaporation and compression of a refrigerant so as to store products at a low temperature.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the refrigerator 1 supplies a main body 10, storage compartments 20 and 30 formed inside the main body 10, and cooling air to the storage compartments 20 and 30. device (not shown). The cooling device may include an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and the like so that the refrigerant may be evaporated and compressed cyclically.

On the other hand, the main body 10 includes an inner case forming the storage compartments 20 and 30, an outer case coupled to the outer side of the inner case to form the exterior of the refrigerator 1, and a storage compartment 20 and 30 disposed between the inner case and the outer case. It may include a heat insulating material (not shown) for insulating.

For example, the storage chambers 20 and 30 may be partitioned into an upper refrigerating chamber 20 and a lower freezing chamber 30 by an intermediate partition wall 11 . On the other hand, the storage chambers 20 and 30 are not limited to a horizontal shape as shown in FIG. 2 and may be implemented in various known shapes, such as a vertical shape.

의 온도로 유지되어 식품을 냉장 보관할 수 있고, 냉동실(30)은 대략 영하 18.5

의 온도로 유지되어 식품을 냉동 보관할 수 있다. 냉장실(20)에는 식품을 올려 놓을 수 있는 선반(23)과, 식품을 밀폐 보관하는 적어도 하나의 수납 박스(27)가 마련될 수 있다.On the other hand, the refrigerating chamber 20 is approximately image 3

It is maintained at a temperature of so that food can be refrigerated, and the freezer compartment 30 is approximately -18.5 below zero.

It can be maintained at a temperature of 100 degrees and keep food frozen. A shelf 23 on which food can be placed and at least one storage box 27 for hermetically storing food may be provided in the refrigerating compartment 20 .

Meanwhile, each of the refrigerating compartment 20 and the freezing compartment 30 has an open front surface for putting in and out food, and the open front surface of the refrigerating compartment 20 is a pair of rotating doors 21 coupled to the main body 10 by hinges. , 22), and the opened front of the freezing compartment 30 can be opened and closed by a sliding door 31 that can slide with respect to the main body 10. A door guard 24 capable of storing food may be provided on the rear surfaces of the refrigerating chamber doors 21 and 22 .

In addition, on the rear edge of the refrigerator compartment doors 21 and 22, when the refrigerator compartment doors 21 and 22 are closed, the space between the refrigerator compartment doors 21 and 22 and the main body 10 is sealed to control the cold air in the refrigerator compartment 20. A gasket 28 may be provided. In addition, in one of the refrigerating compartment doors 21 and 22, when the refrigerating compartment doors 21 and 22 are closed, the space between the refrigerating compartment door 21 and the refrigerating compartment door 22 is sealed so that the refrigerating compartment 20 A rotating bar 26 may be provided to regulate the cold air.

In addition, an ice making compartment 81 capable of producing ice may be formed at an upper corner of the refrigerating compartment 20 to be partitioned from the refrigerating compartment 20 by an ice making compartment wall 82 .

The refrigerator 1 includes an ice supply module 400 that controls an ice supply module that allows ice produced in an ice maker 80 to be discharged through a dispenser 200, an ice supply module 400 that controls a chute 94 connecting the dispenser 200, and a water supply pipe. A water supply module 500 supplying general water to the dispenser 200 through 64 may be included.

Referring to FIG. 3 , in an ice making chamber 81, an ice maker 80 for producing normal ice or carbonated ice, an ice bucket 83 for storing normal ice or carbonated ice produced in the ice maker 80, and an ice bucket An auger 84 may be provided to transfer normal ice or carbonated ice stored in 83 to the chute 94. The ice making supply module 400 may control an operation of generating ice through the aforementioned components and discharging the generated ice through the auger 84 .

Here, normal ice refers to ice formed by cooling normal water not containing carbonic acid, and carbonated ice refers to ice formed by cooling carbonated water containing carbonic acid. In addition, normal water means water purified through the water supply module 500 to be described later, and carbonated water means water containing carbonic acid. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between normal water and carbonated water, it will be simply referred to as water, and when there is no need to distinguish between normal ice and carbonated ice, it will be simply referred to as ice.

Meanwhile, a general water tank 70 capable of storing general water may be provided in the refrigerating compartment 20 . As shown in FIG. 2, the general water tank 70 may be provided between the plurality of storage boxes 27, but is not limited thereto, and the general water tank 70 is cooled by cold air inside the refrigerating compartment 20. It is sufficient if it is provided only inside the refrigerating compartment 20 so that ordinary water can be cooled.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the general water tank 70 may be connected to an external water supply source 40 such as water supply, and may store general water purified through the water filter 50 . Meanwhile, a water valve V may be provided in the water supply pipe 64 connected to the general water tank 70 . Accordingly, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment may adjust the amount of water supplied through the discharge port through the passage by adjusting the opening amount of the water valve V. In addition, a flow sensor F is provided in the water supply pipe 64 to measure the amount of water supplied.

According to various embodiments, the refrigerator 1 may further include a carbonated water production module (not shown) for producing carbonated water.

The water supply module 500 may supply normal water discharged through the dispenser 200 or supply normal water to the carbonated water supply module 500 to produce carbonated water. As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply module 500 includes a general water tank 70 for storing purified general water, a purification filter 73 for purifying water supplied from an external water supply source 40, and purified water. A water valve V controlling the amount of normal water distributed to the ice making chamber 81 or the general water tank 70, and a flow sensor detecting the amount of water supplied to the ice maker 80 or the carbonated water production module By controlling (F), normal water can be supplied.

Meanwhile, a dispenser 200 capable of receiving water or ice from the outside without opening the refrigerator compartment door 21 may be provided on one of the refrigerator compartment doors 21 and 22 . However, as shown in FIG. 1, the location of the dispenser 200 may be provided in front of the door of the refrigerator 1, but it may be provided at any location that can visually provide various information to the user. .

Meanwhile, a control panel 100 for receiving a user input may be provided on the front of the refrigerator 1 . For example, the control panel 100 may be implemented through a display. Here, the display is implemented with various types of well-known displays such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED (Light Emitting Diode), PDP (Plasma Display Panel), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc. It may be, but is not limited thereto, and includes all devices capable of visually displaying various types of information about the refrigerator 1 and displaying a user interface through which various control commands may be received from a user. For example, the control panel 100 may be provided around the dispenser 200 to receive a user command related to the dispenser 200 .

The refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment can provide various types of information from a user and display a user interface implemented to receive various control commands related to the refrigerator 1 on the control panel 100. there is.

The door 21 may include an installation hole 25 opened to install the dispenser 200 and an accommodation space inside the installation hole 25 .

Specifically, the door 21 may have an opening formed on the front surface of the door 21 and an installation hole 25 including an inner accommodating space formed by being recessed backward from the opening.

The dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 may be installed in the accommodation space inside the installation hole 25 .

The installation hole 25 provided on the front surface of the door 21 can be opened and closed by the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 .

For example, when the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 correspond to the first state in which the door 21 is fully rotated, the installation hole 25 is formed by a portion of the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300. ) can be closed by a portion of

In this specification, the outside of the door 21 means the front with respect to the front of the door 21 , and the inside of the door 21 means the rear with respect to the front of the door 21 .

As another example, when the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 are rotated outwardly of the door 21 to correspond to the second state, a portion of the installation hole 25 may be opened.

A water tray 250 accommodating the remaining contents discharged from the dispenser 200 may be installed below the dispenser 200 inside the door 21 .

According to one embodiment, the installation hole 25 can be opened and closed by the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to improve aesthetics, and the dispenser 200 required in the inner direction of the door 21 Since the accommodation space can be minimized, space utilization can be increased.

In addition, according to one embodiment, there is no restriction on the size of the container because a water intake space for receiving the contents discharged from the dispenser 200 is not required.

4 is a side view of a dispenser, drip guard, and water tray according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dispenser, drip guard, and water tray according to an embodiment.

4 and 5, the dispenser 200 according to an embodiment includes a first cover member 205 for opening and closing an installation hole 25 provided in a door 21 and a water supply pipe 64 as a water outlet A first connection part 65 for connecting the chute 94 with the ice extraction part 220, a water dispensing part 210 for discharging water provided from the water supply pipe 64, The connection part 95, the ice extractor 220 for discharging ice provided from the chute 94, the first cover member 205 and the ice extractor 220 are fixed, and the first cover member 205 and the ice extractor 220 are fixed. A connection member 215 for fixing the water dispensing unit 210 and a first driving unit 230 for rotating the dispenser 200 outside or inside the door 21 may be included.

3 and 4 show a first state in which the first driving unit 230 completely rotates the dispenser 200 toward the inside of the door 21 .

The first cover member 205 may be formed of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a transparent material. When the first cover member 205 is formed of an opaque material, various components provided inside the first cover member 205 are not visible from the outside, thereby improving aesthetics.

When the first cover member 205 is made of a translucent material, only a part of the components provided inside the first cover member 205 (for example, the water outlet 210) can be seen from the outside, so that the user can The shape of some configurations can be recognized.

In addition, when the first cover member 205 is formed of a transparent material, the user can see all the components provided inside the first cover member 205, thereby arousing the user's interest.

The first cover member 205 may close the installation hole 25 of the door 21 in a first state in which the dispenser 200 is rotated to the inside of the door 21 . Specifically, one surface of the first cover member 205 may be disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door 21 in a first state in which the dispenser 200 is rotated to the inside of the door 21, and the door ( One surface of the first cover member 205 disposed on the same plane as the front surface of 21) may close the opening of the installation hole 25 to be flat with the front surface of the door 21 . Accordingly, foreign substances flowing into the dispenser 200 through the installation hole 25 of the door 21 may be blocked.

The first connection part 65 may be formed in the form of a hole for connecting the water supply pipe 64 and the water outlet 210 to each other. According to various embodiments, the first connection part 65 may include a valve that opens and closes between the water supply pipe 64 and the water outlet 210 .

The water outlet 210 may discharge water provided through the water supply pipe 64 to the outside. To this end, the water dispensing unit 210 may be implemented in the form of a nozzle, but is not limited thereto, and any configuration providing a passage through which water may pass may correspond to the water dispensing unit 210 .

The water ejection unit 210 may be connected to the first cover member 205 and/or the ice ejection unit 220 through the connection member 215 . Also, the water outlet 210 may be provided between the first cover member 205 and the ice outlet 220 .

Accordingly, the water ejection unit 210 may rotate according to the rotation of the first cover member 205 and/or the ice ejection unit 220 even though it is not directly affected by the rotational driving of the first driving unit 230. .

The second connection part 95 may be implemented in the form of a hole for connecting the chute 94 and the ice extractor 220 .

The ice dispensing unit 220 may discharge ice provided from the chute to the outside through the ice making supply module 400 . To this end, the ice ejection unit 220 may include a discharge port through which the ice is discharged to the outside.

Any configuration that provides a passage through which ice can pass may correspond to the ice extractor 220, and for example, the ice extractor 220 may be made of a plastic material.

The ice extractor 220 may be connected to the first cover member 205 by the connecting member 215 and thus rotate integrally with the first cover member 205 .

The first driving unit 230 may rotate under the control of the control unit 600 to be described later to rotate the dispenser 200 outside or inside the door 21 .

The first driving unit 230 may include a motor and a driving circuit for driving the motor.

The motor of the first driving unit 230 may be physically connected to the ice dispensing unit 220 and/or the first cover member 205 to rotate the ice dispensing unit 220 and/or the first cover member 205. there is.

For example, when the motor of the first driving unit 230 rotates in the outer direction of the door 21, the ice dispensing unit 220, the first cover member 205, and the water dispensing unit 210 respond to rotation of the motor. When the door 21 rotates in an outward direction and the motor of the first drive unit 230 rotates in an inward direction of the door 21, the ice dispenser 220, the first cover member 205, and the water dispenser 210 may rotate in the inner direction of the door 21 according to the rotation of the motor.

A drip guard 300 may be provided below the dispenser 200 according to an embodiment to prevent the contents discharged from the dispenser 200 from falling to the floor.

The drip guard 300 includes a first cover member 205, a second cover member 305 for opening and closing the installation hole 25 provided in the door 21, an extension member 310 extending in one direction, an extension A guard member 315 extending from one end of the member 310 in another direction and a second driving unit 320 for rotating the drip guard 300 to the outside or inside of the door 21 may be included.

According to various embodiments, the second cover member 305, the extension member 310, and the guard member 315 may be integrally formed.

Like the first cover member 205, the second cover member 305 may be formed of an opaque material, a translucent material, or a transparent material.

To improve aesthetics, the color of the first cover member 205 may be the same as that of the second cover member 305 .

Also, according to a user's selection, the color of the first cover member 205 and the color of the second cover member 305 may be different from each other.

The user can implement the appearance of the refrigerator 1 that suits his or her taste by freely selecting the colors of the first cover member 205 and the second cover member 305 according to the selection.

For example, the extension member 310 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drip guard 300 and can rotate like a clock hand according to rotation.

The guard member 315 is provided at one end of the extension member 310 and may be formed in a direction orthogonal to the extension member 310 .

The extension member 310 and the guard member 315 may prevent contents (eg, water or ice) discharged from the dispenser 200 from falling to the floor outside the door 21 . To this end, the extension member 310 and the guard member 315 may be implemented with a material having good adhesion to the liquid.

According to various embodiments, the extension member 310 and the guard member 315 are made of a material with poor adhesion to liquid, and the water received from the outside of the door 21 is supplied to the water tray provided inside the door 21. (250).

According to various embodiments, the extension member 310 and the guard member 315 are provided with a water absorbing member (eg, cotton) for absorbing liquid, and the liquid (eg, water) discharged from the dispenser 200 and falling to the floor. may absorb At this time, the water absorbing member may be configured to be detachable by the user.

According to various embodiments, the height of both side surfaces of the extension member 310 may be higher than that of the central portion of the extension member 310 . For example, protrusions may be formed on both side surfaces of the extension member 310 . Accordingly, when the drip guard 300 rotates, it is possible to prevent residues received from the outside from flowing to the side of the drip guard 300 .

The integrally formed second cover member 305, the extension member 310, and the guard member 315 are combined with the second drive unit 320 to rotate the outer side of the door 21 according to the rotation of the second drive unit 320. or can be rotated inward.

The second drive unit 320 rotates under the control of the control unit 600 to be described later, and can rotate the drip guard 300 outside or inside the door 21 .

The second driving unit 320 may include a motor and a driving circuit for driving the motor.

According to the present disclosure, the first driving unit 230 for rotating the dispenser 200 and the second driving unit 320 for rotating the drip guard 300 are provided independently, so that the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 ) is easy to control and easy to repair in case of failure.

3 and 4 show a first state in which the drip guard 300 is completely rotated to the inside of the door 21 by the second driving unit 320 .

The second cover member 305 may close the installation hole 25 of the door 21 in a first state in which the drip guard 300 is rotated to the inside of the door 21 . Specifically, one surface of the second cover member 305 may be disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door 21 in the first state in which the drip guard 300 is rotated to the inside of the door 21, and the door One surface of the second cover member 305 disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door 21 may close the opening of the installation hole 25 to be flat with the front surface of the door 21 .

According to various embodiments, the installation hole 25 of the door 21 may be closed by the first cover member 205 and the second cover member 305 . That is, the installation hole 25 of the door 21 is closed by one surface of the first cover member 205 and one surface of the second cover member 305 disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door 21. It can be.

The water tray 250 may accommodate the remaining contents (eg, water) discharged from the dispenser 200 .

In one embodiment, the water tray 250 may be provided inside the door 21 (eg, the installation hole 25) so that a user can manually attach or detach it. For example, the water tray 250 may be provided below the dispenser 200 inside the door 21 . In addition, the water tray 250 may be provided below the drip guard 300 inside the door 21 .

The structure of the water tray 250 is not limited as long as it can accommodate water.

In one embodiment, the water tray 250 may be implemented to accommodate as much water as possible, and at the same time, when the user removes the water tray 250, the water tray 250 may be implemented so that the water does not overflow to the outside.

To this end, the water tray 250 may include a plurality of layers having different heights, and the plurality of layers may be implemented in a stair shape and have different heights. For example, the edge portion of the water tray 250 may have the highest height, the inner portion of the edge portion may have the next highest height, and the central portion may have the lowest height.

The central portion of the water tray 250 may include a plurality of concave shapes divided into a plurality of protrusions.

Since the water tray 250 has a stair-like structure and the central portion corresponding to the lowest floor includes a plurality of concave shapes, the water tray 250 accommodates as much water as possible and allows the user to use the water tray ( 250) can be implemented so that the received water does not overflow to the outside.

The control panel 100 may be provided on the front of the door 21 close to the dispenser 200 . For example, the control panel 100 may be provided above the installation hole 25 to receive a user command for controlling the dispenser 200 from a user.

6 is a view looking at the door from the front of the refrigerator according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , when the door 21 is viewed from the front, it can be confirmed that the installation hole 25 is closed by the first cover member 205 and the second cover member 305 .

Accordingly, aesthetics of the refrigerator 1 viewed from the front of the door 21 may be improved.

7 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment includes a control panel 100 provided on the front of a door 21 to receive various user inputs, and a refrigerator based on user inputs received from the control panel 100. A controller 600 for controlling various components of (1), a first driving unit 230 for rotating the dispenser 200, a second driving unit 320 for rotating the drip guard 300, and an ice dispensing unit 220 ) may include an ice making supply module 400 for supplying ice to the water supply module 500 for supplying water to the water dispensing unit 210 .

As will be described later, the control panel 100 may receive various user inputs by providing various user interfaces.

The control unit 600 controls various components of the refrigerator 1 (eg, the first driving unit 230, the second driving unit 320, and the ice making supply module 400) based on the user input received through the control panel 100. And/or the water supply module 500) may be controlled.

The controller 600 includes a processor 610 that generates control signals related to the operation of the refrigerator 1 and a memory 620 that stores programs, applications, instructions and/or data for the operation of the refrigerator 1. can do. The processor 610 and the memory 620 may be implemented as separate semiconductor devices or as a single semiconductor device. Also, the controller 600 may include a plurality of processors 610 or a plurality of memories 620 . The control unit 600 may be provided in various locations inside the refrigerator 1. For example, the controller 600 may be included in a printed circuit board provided inside the control panel 100 .

The processor 610 may include an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The processor 610 may include one chip or a plurality of chips. Also, the processor 610 may include one core or a plurality of cores.

The memory 620 may store data including a program for dispensing water/ice according to a user input and rotation angles of the first driving unit 230 and the second driving unit 320 according to the user input.

The memory 620 includes volatile memories such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), and EpiROM (EPROM). and non-volatile memory such as Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM). The memory 620 may include one memory element or may include a plurality of memory elements.

The processor 610 may process data and/or signals using a program provided from the memory 620 and transmit a control signal to each component of the refrigerator 1 based on the processing result. For example, the processor 610 may process a user input received through the control panel 100 . The processor 610 controls the control panel 100, the first driving unit 230, the second driving unit 320, the ice making supply module 400 and/or the water supply module 500 based on a user input. A control signal can be output for

In one embodiment, the processor 610 may include the first driving unit 230, the second driving unit 320, the ice making supply module 400 and/or the water supply module to perform an operation corresponding to a command input by a user. (500) can be controlled.

The first driving unit 230 rotates in an outward direction of the door 21 or in an inward direction of the door 21 based on a control signal from the control unit 600 to move the dispenser 200 in the outward direction of the door 21. Alternatively, it can be rotated in an inward direction.

The second drive unit 320 rotates in the outer direction of the door 21 or inward of the door 21 based on the control signal of the control unit 600 to move the drip guard 300 to the outer side of the door 21. It can be rotated in either an inward or an inward direction.

In one embodiment, the driving circuit of the first driving unit 230 may rotate the motor by supplying a negative current or a positive current to the motor based on a control signal from the controller 600 .

Also, the driving circuit of the second driving unit 320 may rotate the motor by supplying a negative current or a positive current to the motor based on a control signal from the controller 600 .

The ice making supply module 400 may control the chute 94 so that ice produced in the ice maker 80 is discharged through the ice dispensing unit 220 of the dispenser 200 .

For example, the ice making supply module 400 may further include a chute opening and closing device provided to open and close the chute 94 . The chute opening/closing device may include an opening/closing plate for opening/closing the chute 94 so that ice may or may not pass through the chute 94 and an opening/closing motor for rotationally driving the opening/closing plate.

When the opening/closing plate opens the chute 94, ice in the ice making chamber 81 may be provided to the ice dispensing unit 220 through the chute 94. When the opening/closing plate closes the chute 94, the opening/closing plate may seal the chute 94 so that cold air in the ice making chamber does not flow out through the chute 94.

The water supply module 500 may control the water valve V so that the water stored in the water tank 70 is delivered to the water outlet 210 through the water supply pipe 64 .

The water supply module 500 may adjust the amount of water discharged through the water outlet 210 through the water supply pipe 64 by adjusting the opening amount of the water valve V.

According to various embodiments, the water supply module 500 may control the valve provided at the first connection part 65 to adjust the amount of water delivered to the water dispensing part 210 .

The controller 600 controls the ice making supply module 400 and/or the water supply module 500 based on the user's input, so that the user can obtain a desired amount of ice or ice through the ice dispenser 220 or the water dispenser 210. water can be provided.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the control panel 100 according to an exemplary embodiment may receive a user's command according to a user's manipulation and transmit a user input corresponding to the user command to the control unit 600 .

The controller 600 may receive a user input from the control panel 100 (1000).

9 shows a control panel of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the control panel 100 according to an embodiment includes a first interface U1 for receiving a user input for selecting water or ice as an object to be dispensed through the dispenser 200, and a first interface U1 A second interface (U2) receiving a user input for setting the ejection capacity of the ejection object selected through ), and ejection corresponding to the ejection object and ejection capacity set through the first interface (U1) and the second interface (U2). A third interface U3 for receiving a user input for executing an operation, a fourth interface U4 and a fifth interface U5 for receiving a user input for requesting removal of the water tray 250, and the water tray 250 It may include at least one of the sixth interfaces U6 for receiving a user input indicating completion of replacement of .

The first interface U1 to the sixth interface U6 may be implemented in various forms for receiving input from a user, such as a touch screen or a button.

The user may set a retrieval target through the first interface U1. For example, the user may select "WATER" to set the dispensing target to water, or select "ICE" to set the dispensing target to ice.

The user may set the extraction capacity of the extraction target through the second interface U2. For example, the user may set the water dispensing capacity by inputting the water capacity, and may set the ice dispensing capacity by inputting the ice dispensing step.

The memory 620 may store data about a default water dispensing capacity and an ice dispensing step. When the dispensing target is set to water through the first interface U1, the controller 600 may control the second interface U2 to display the default set dispensing capacity of water. Accordingly, the user may change the default set take-out capacity through an increase button or a decrease button (not shown).

For example, when the extraction target is set to water through the first interface U1, “250mL” may be displayed on the second interface U2.

In addition, when the object to be taken out is set to ice through the first interface U1, the controller 600 may control the second interface U2 to display a step of dispensing the ice set as default. Accordingly, the user can change the default set take-out step by manipulating the second interface U2.

For example, when the object to be taken out is set to ice through the first interface U1, “Step 2” may be displayed on the second interface U2.

According to various embodiments, the control unit 600 may change the default take-out capacity of the take-out target. For example, the controller 600 may set the take-out capacity most frequently selected by the user as a default.

When the user sets the take-out target and the take-out capacity through the first interface U1 and the second interface U2, the user can execute the take-out operation through the third interface U3.

As will be described later, when receiving a user input for executing a take-out operation through the third interface U3, the control unit 600 performs a take-out operation corresponding to a set take-out target and take-out capacity, so that the refrigerator 1 Components (eg, the first driving unit 230, the second driving unit 320, the ice making supply module 400 and/or the water supply module 500) may be controlled.

When a predetermined amount or more of water is accommodated in the water tray 250, the user removes the water tray 250 from the refrigerator 1 to remove the water contained in the water tray 250, and then places the water tray in the refrigerator 1 again ( 250) should be attached.

Accordingly, when the user intends to remove the water tray 250 from the refrigerator 1, the user may express an intention to remove the water tray 250 through the fourth interface U4.

After the user selects “TRAY” in the fourth interface U4, the user can execute a removal operation of the water tray 250 through the fifth interface U5.

As will be described later, when the controller 600 receives a user input for executing a removal operation of the water tray 250 through the fourth interface U4 and the fifth interface U5, the water tray 250 Components of the refrigerator 1 (eg, the first driving unit 230 and the second driving unit 320) may be controlled to perform a removal operation.

The removal operation of the water tray 250 means an operation of rotating the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to the most suitable position for removing the water tray 250 by the user.

After removing the water contained in the water tray 250, the user attaches the water tray 250 to the refrigerator 1 and requests the return of the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 through the sixth interface U6. can

As will be described later, when receiving a user input for executing a return operation of the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 through the sixth interface U6, the controller 600 operates the refrigerator to perform the return operation ( Components of 1) (eg, the first driving unit 230 and the second driving unit 320) may be controlled.

As such, the control panel 100 may provide various types of interfaces for controlling the dispenser 200 and may receive various user inputs from a user.

However, the interface provided by the control panel 100 is not limited thereto.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , the controller 600 may control rotation of the dispenser 200 and drip guard 300 based on a user input received from the control panel 100 .

In one embodiment, the control unit 600, when the user input received from the control panel 100 corresponds to the user input to take out the contents (eg, water or ice) through the dispenser 200 (yes in 1100), The dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 may be rotated outward of the door 21 by controlling the first driving unit 230 and the second driving unit 320 (1110).

That is, the control unit 600 moves the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to the door 21 based on receiving a user input to take out the contents through the dispenser 200 (hereinafter referred to as 'first user input'). can be rotated outward.

The first user input includes, for example, a user input for selecting a take-out target through the first interface U1, a user input for setting the take-out capacity of the take-out target through the second interface U2, and a third interface U3. It may be at least one of user inputs that execute a take-out operation through.

According to various embodiments, the controller 600 rotates the dispenser 200 toward the outside of the door 21 by a first preset angle based on receiving a first user input, and moves the drip guard 300 toward the door. It can be rotated by a second preset angle in the outward direction of (21).

According to various embodiments, a first preset angle corresponding to an ice dispensing command and a first preset angle corresponding to a water dispensing command may be different from each other. For example, the first preset angle corresponding to the ice dispensing command may be greater than the first preset angle corresponding to the water dispensing command.

The memory 620 may store data about the first preset angle and the second preset angle. According to various embodiments, the first preset angle and the second preset angle may be different from each other.

For example, the first preset angle may be set to about 45 degrees and the second preset angle may be set to about 200 degrees, but are not limited thereto.

For example, when the drip guard 300 is rotated by the second preset angle, the extension member 310 of the drip guard 300 coincides with the height direction of the door 21, and the drip guard 300 rotates at the second preset angle. The guard member 315 of the guard 300 may be set to coincide with the direction perpendicular to the door 21 .

In this way, the controller 600 can rotate the dispenser 200 outwardly of the door 21 by a first preset angle and place it at a predetermined position, and move the drip guard 300 to the door by a second preset angle. It can be rotated to the outside of (21) and placed in a predetermined position (1120).

10 illustrates an example in which a dispenser and a drip guard rotate outwardly of a door according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10 , in response to receiving the first user input, the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 may be disposed at predetermined positions protruding outward from the door 21 .

Accordingly, the water dispensing unit 210 and the ice dispensing unit 220 may also protrude outward from the door 21, and the user may place a container at the bottom of the water dispensing unit 210 and/or the ice dispensing unit 220. You can receive water and/or ice into the container by placing the .

At this time, the guard member 315 of the drip guard 300 can prevent the contents flowing out of the container from falling to the floor.

According to various embodiments, a portion of the extension member 310 of the drip guard 300 and the guard member 315 may be positioned lower than the water tray 250 at a predetermined position.

According to various embodiments, the extension member 310 of the drip guard 300 may extend slightly obliquely to the height direction of the door 21 and slightly skewed toward the front of the door 21. Accordingly, the drip guard ( The guard member 315 of 300 may be formed slightly above the front of the door 21 .

According to the present disclosure, a user can receive water or ice even when using a container of a large size.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to efficiently block the residue of the contents falling to the floor.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , the controller 600 controls the ice making supply so that the set take-out target is discharged by the set capacity when a predetermined time elapses after the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 are placed at a predetermined position (1120). The module 400 and/or the water supply module 500 may be controlled.

FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which the dispenser and drip guard of FIG. 10 return to the inside of the door.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the control unit 600 moves the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to the inside of the door 21 when a predetermined time elapses when the ejection operation of the dispenser 200 is completed (yes in 1140). It can be rotated (1150).

The controller 600 may rotate the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to the inside of the door 21, which have rotated outwardly of the door 21, based on the first user input, and return them to their original positions.

For example, the controller 600 rotates the dispenser 200 toward the inside of the door 21 by a first preset angle and rotates the drip guard 300 toward the inside of the door 21 by a second preset angle. can

That is, the control unit 600 can control the first driving unit 230 and the second driving unit 320 so that the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 are fully rotated toward the inside of the door 21 in the first state. Accordingly, the installation hole 25 of the door 21 may be closed by the first cover member 205 and the second cover member 305 .

According to various embodiments, in order to prevent the drip guard 300 from being blocked by the dispenser 200 and becoming unable to rotate toward the inside of the door 21, the control unit 600 first moves the drip guard 300 to the door 21, and in response to the drip guard 300 being rotated to the inside of the door 21 by a predetermined angle, the dispenser 200 can be rotated to the inside of the door 21. That is, the controller 600 may first rotate the drip guard 300 to the inside of the door 21 and then rotate the dispenser 200 to the inside of the door 21 .

At this time, the drip guard 300, which receives the residue of the contents discharged from the dispenser 200 while being rotated to the outside of the door 21, is rotated to the inside of the door 21 and from the outside of the door 21 The received residue may be transferred to the water tray 250 .

For example, when water droplets discharged from the dispenser 200 get on the guard member 315 or the extension member 310 of the drip guard 300, the drip guard 300 is the part where the water droplets are attached to the door 21. When fully rotated inward, it faces the water tray 250. Accordingly, water droplets on the drip guard 300 may fall onto the water tray 250 . At this time, some of the water droplets may evaporate while remaining attached to the drip guard 300 .

According to the present disclosure, instead of forming the water tray 250 on the inside of the door 21, the drip guard 300 for preventing only the contents from falling to the floor is employed so that there is no restriction on water intake space, and thus, it can be used. There are no restrictions on the size of the container.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 protrude outside the door 21 only when necessary, so that user convenience can be promoted.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , when the user input received from the control panel 100 corresponds to a user input requesting removal of the water tray 250 (YES in 1200), the controller 600 controls the first drive unit 230 ) and the second drive unit 320 may be controlled to rotate the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to the outside of the door 21 (1210).

At this time, the user input for requesting removal of the water tray 250 (hereinafter, 'second user input') corresponds to the user input for rotating the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 outward from the door 21. applicable

For example, the second user input may include a user input for executing a removal operation of the water tray 250 received through the fourth interface U4 or the fifth interface U5.

According to various embodiments, the controller 600 rotates the dispenser 200 toward the outside of the door 21 by a first preset angle based on receiving the second user input, and moves the drip guard 300 toward the door. It can be rotated by a third preset angle in the outward direction of (21).

The memory 620 may store data about the third preset angle. According to various embodiments, the second preset angle and the third preset angle may be different from each other. Specifically, the second preset angle may be greater than the third preset angle.

The second preset angle means the rotation angle of the drip guard 300 when the first user input is received, and the third preset angle means the rotation angle of the drip guard 300 when the second user input is received. do.

For example, the second preset angle may be set to about 200 degrees and the third preset angle may be set to about 60 degrees, but are not limited thereto.

In this way, the controller 600 can rotate the dispenser 200 outwardly of the door 21 by a first preset angle and place it at a predetermined position, and move the drip guard 300 toward the door by a third preset angle. It can be rotated to the outside of (21) and placed in a predetermined position (1220).

FIG. 12 shows another example in which the dispenser and the drip guard rotate outwardly of the door according to an embodiment, and FIG. 13 shows a state in which the dispenser and the drip guard are completely rotated outward of the door in the example of FIG. 12 . .

Referring to FIG. 12 , in response to receiving the second user input, the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 may be disposed at predetermined positions protruding outward from the door 21 .

In this case, the position of the drip guard 300 when the second user input is received may be different from the position of the drip guard 300 when the first user input is received.

10 and 12, in the case of FIG. 10, the guard member 315 of the drip guard 300 is located below the water tray 250, whereas in the case of FIG. 12, the guard member of the drip guard 300 ( 315) is located on the upper side of the water tray 250.

That is, on the basis of receiving a user input requesting removal of the water tray 250, the controller 600 arranges the location of the drip guard 300 to a position where the water tray 250 can be easily removed. The driving unit 320 may be controlled.

Referring to FIG. 12 , when the rotational driving of the drip guard 300 is completed in response to receiving the second user input, the extension member 310 extends to the upper side of the water tray 250, and accordingly the guard member ( 315) also extends to the upper side of the water tray 250. In addition, the second cover member 305 extends upward in an oblique state with respect to the horizontal plane.

According to the arrangement of the drip guard 300 corresponding to the second user input, the user can easily attach and detach the water tray 250 by extending his/her hand toward the lower gap of the second cover member 305 .

When the second user input is received, the dispenser 200 does not need to protrude outside the door 21, but according to the embodiment, a part of the drip guard 300 may be blocked by the dispenser 200 during rotation. , The controller 600 may also rotate the dispenser 200 to the outside of the door 21 based on receiving the second user input. At this time, the rotation angle of the dispenser 200 may be the same as or different from the first preset angle, of course.

According to the present disclosure, user convenience can be promoted by rotating the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to a position where the water tray 250 can be easily attached or detached through a user's specific command.

That is, the user can rotate the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to a position where the water tray 250 can be easily attached or detached by manipulating the fourth interface U4 and the fifth interface U5.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , the control unit 600 receives a user input requesting the return of the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 from the control panel 100 (YES in 1230), 200) and the drip guard 300 may be rotated to the inside of the door 21 (1150).

FIG. 14 shows how the dispenser and drip guard of FIG. 12 return to the inside of the door.

Referring to FIG. 14 , when receiving a user input requesting the return of the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 (YES in 1230), the controller 600 moves the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 to the door ( 21) can be rotated to the inside (1230). The reason why the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 are rotated outward of the door 21 based on the second user input is not to perform the action of taking out the contents of the dispenser 200, but simply to facilitate the water tray 250 ), the standard for the return timing of the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 is ambiguous.

Accordingly, the user can directly manipulate the sixth interface U6 to notify the refrigerator 1 that the water tray 250 has been detached.

The controller 600 may return the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 rotated to the outside of the door 21 to the inside of the door 21 based on the user's return command.

For example, the controller 600 rotates the dispenser 200 toward the inside of the door 21 by a first preset angle and rotates the drip guard 300 toward the inside of the door 21 by a third preset angle. can

That is, the control unit 600 can control the first driving unit 230 and the second driving unit 320 so that the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 are fully rotated toward the inside of the door 21 in the first state. Accordingly, the installation hole 25 of the door 21 may be closed by the first cover member 205 and the second cover member 305 .

15 is a flow chart illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to another embodiment, and FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which an indicator of a control panel of a refrigerator according to an embodiment emits light.

Referring to FIG. 15 , when the number of times of completion of the dispensing operation of the dispenser 200 is greater than or equal to a preset number (yes in 2000), the indicator (ID) of the control panel 100 may be turned on (2100).

That is, the controller 600 may turn on the indicator ID of the control panel 100 when the number of times of receiving a user input for executing the operation of dispensing water or ice is equal to or greater than a preset number of times.

The preset number of times may be set to the number of times it is estimated that the residue accommodated in the water tray 250 will exceed a predetermined capacity when the water or ice ejection operation is completed a preset number of times. For example, the preset number of times may be set to about 100 times.

According to various embodiments, the controller 600 may change the preset number of times based on a set value (eg, dispensing capacity) of the water or ice dispensing operation.

Referring to FIG. 16 , the control panel 100 may include an indicator (ID) outputting a visual display requesting removal of the residue accommodated in the water tray 250 .

According to various embodiments, the indicator ID may be provided in the fourth interface U4, which is an interface for requesting removal of the water tray 250.

As the indicator ID is provided on the fourth interface U4, a user's manipulation to request removal of the water tray 250 may be induced.

When receiving a user input requesting removal of the water tray 250 through the control panel 100 while the indicator ID is on (YES in 2000), the controller 600 may turn off the indicator ID. (2300). This is because it is very likely that the water tray 250 has been replaced when the user inputs a command requesting removal of the water tray 250 .

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the water tray 250 from overflowing by requesting the user to empty the water tray 250 at an appropriate time.

17 illustrates a state in which a dispenser according to an embodiment is used using a cup. 18 shows a state in which a dispenser according to an embodiment is used using a pot.

17 and 18, the user can receive water or ice using a desired container (eg, cup or pot) in a state where the dispenser 200 and the drip guard 300 protrude outside the door 21. there is.

Unlike the conventional technology, as the water tray 250 is located inside the door 21, there is no restriction on the water intake space where the user can receive water or ice, and thus the user is not limited by the size of the container. You can receive water or ice by freely using the container you want.

According to various embodiments, the lengths of the extension member 310 and the guard member 315 of the drip guard 300 may be designed in an optimal shape.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. Instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, create program modules to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media in which instructions that can be decoded by a computer are stored. For example, there may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

Also, the computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-temporary storage medium' only means that it is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term refers to the case where data is stored semi-permanently in the storage medium and temporary It does not discriminate if it is saved as . For example, a 'non-temporary storage medium' may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided by being included in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. A computer program product is distributed in the form of a machine-readable recording medium (eg compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or through an application store (eg Play Store™) or on two user devices (eg It can be distributed (eg downloaded or uploaded) online, directly between smartphones. In the case of online distribution, at least a part of a computer program product (eg, a downloadable app) is stored on a device-readable recording medium such as a manufacturer's server, an application store server, or a relay server's memory. It can be temporarily stored or created temporarily.

As above, the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be implemented in a form different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

1: refrigerator 10: body
21 (22,31): door 25: installation hole
100: control panel 200: dispenser
300: drip guard 400: ice supply module
500: water supply module 600: control unit

Claims (20)

a main body having a storage compartment;
a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open and close the storage compartment and including an installation hole formed by being recessed backward from an opening provided on the front surface of the door;
a dispenser rotatably installed in the installation hole to the outside of the door or inside the door, and rotating to the outside of the door to discharge contents;
a water tray installed in the installation hole and provided below the dispenser to accommodate the remaining contents discharged from the dispenser;
A drip guard that is rotatably installed outside the door or inside the door in the installation hole and prevents the contents discharged from the dispenser rotated outside the door from falling to the floor by rotating outside the door );
a control panel provided on the front side of the door to receive a user input; and
Refrigerator comprising a; control unit for controlling the rotational operation of the dispenser and the rotational operation of the drip guard based on the user input. According to claim 1,
The control unit,
The refrigerator rotates the dispenser and the drip guard outwardly of the door based on receiving a first user input to take out the contents through the dispenser. According to claim 2,
The control unit,
Based on receiving a second user input to remove the water tray, the dispenser and the drip guard are rotated to the outside of the door, and based on receiving the first user input, the drip guard is rotated at a first angle and rotating the drip guard by a second angle smaller than the first angle based on receiving the second user input. According to claim 2,
The control unit,
The refrigerator rotates the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door when a preset time elapses after the dispenser finishes dispensing the contents based on the first user input. According to claim 3,
The control unit,
The refrigerator rotates the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door based on receiving a third user input requesting a return of the dispenser and the drip guard after receiving the second user input. According to claim 1,
The control panel,
a first interface for receiving a first user input for selecting water or ice as an object to be taken out through the dispenser;
a second interface receiving a second user input for setting a dispensing capacity of the water or ice;
a third interface receiving a third user input for executing an operation of dispensing the water or ice;
a fourth interface for receiving a fourth user input for rotating the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door; and
A refrigerator comprising: a fifth interface receiving a fifth user input for rotating the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door. According to claim 6,
The control unit,
Rotating the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door based on receiving the third user input or the fourth user input;
The refrigerator rotates the drip guard by a smaller rotation angle when receiving the fourth user input than when receiving the third user input. According to claim 6,
The control panel,
An indicator for outputting a visual display requesting removal of the residue accommodated in the water tray; further comprising,
The control unit,
The refrigerator controls the indicator to output the visual display based on the number of times the third user input is received exceeds a preset number. According to claim 8,
The indicator is
A refrigerator provided in the fourth interface. According to claim 1,
The dispenser,
a first cover member that opens and closes the installation hole as the dispenser rotates, an ice extractor provided on a rear side of the first cover member, and a water dispenser provided on a rear side of the first cover member;
The drip guard,
A second cover member that opens and closes the installation hole together with the first cover member according to the rotation of the drip guard, an extension member extending in a first direction, and a second cover member that is different from the first direction at one end of the extension member. Including a guard member extending in two directions,
The first cover member includes a first surface disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door in a state in which the dispenser is rotated toward the inside of the door to close a portion of the opening of the front surface of the door,
The second cover member includes a second surface disposed on the same plane as the front surface of the door in a state in which the drip guard is rotated inside the door to close a remaining portion of the opening of the front surface of the door. According to claim 10,
When the dispenser and the drip guard rotate outwardly of the door, the installation hole closed by the first cover member and the second cover member is opened;
In a state in which the dispenser is rotated outwardly of the door, the ice dispensing unit or the water dispensing unit protrudes to the outside of the door through the opening in the front surface of the door to discharge ice or water;
In a state in which the drip guard is rotated to the outside of the door, the extension member and the guard member protrude to the outside of the door through the opening in the front surface of the door, so that the contents discharged from the ice dispensing unit or the water dispensing unit are stored. Refrigerator to prevent falling to the floor. According to claim 10,
The drip guard is rotated to the outside of the door by a first angle or a second angle smaller than the first angle,
When the drip guard is rotated outward of the door by the first angle, a part of the extension member and the guard member are positioned below the water tray,
When the drip guard is rotated outward of the door by the second angle, the extension member and the guard member are positioned above the water tray. According to claim 12,
The control unit,
Based on receiving a first user input for dispensing the contents through the dispenser, the drip guard is rotated outside the door by the first angle and a second user input for removing the water tray is received. The refrigerator rotates the drip guard outwardly of the door by the second angle based on the above. According to claim 12,
When the drip guard is rotated outwardly of the door by the first angle, the extension member extends in a height direction of the door, and the guard member extends forward of the door. According to claim 1,
The drip guard,
The refrigerator rotates outside the door to receive the remaining contents discharged from the dispenser, and rotates inside the door to transfer the remaining contents received from the outside of the door to the water tray. A door including an installation hole formed by being recessed backward from an opening provided on the front surface of the door, installed in the installation hole to be rotatable to the outside of the door or inside the door, and rotated to the outside of the door to discharge the contents. A dispenser installed in the installation hole and provided below the dispenser to accommodate the remainder of the contents discharged from the dispenser, and a water tray rotatably installed outside the door or inside the door in the installation hole A method for controlling a refrigerator comprising a drip guard rotating outside the door to prevent the contents discharged from the dispenser rotated outside the door from falling to the floor,
Controlling a rotational operation of a dispenser and a rotational operation of a drip guard based on a user input; According to claim 16,
Controlling the rotational operation of the dispenser and the rotational operation of the drip guard based on the user input,
The refrigerator control method comprising: rotating the dispenser and the drip guard outwardly of the door based on receiving a first user input for dispensing the contents through the dispenser. According to claim 17,
Rotating the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door based on receiving the first user input,
Including; rotating the drip guard by a first angle,
Controlling the rotational operation of the dispenser and the rotational operation of the drip guard based on the user input,
rotating the dispenser and the drip guard to the outside of the door based on receiving a second user input to remove the water tray, and rotating the drip guard by a second angle smaller than the first angle; A method for controlling a refrigerator further comprising a. According to claim 17,
and rotating the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door when a preset time elapses after the dispenser completes dispensing of the contents based on the first user input. According to claim 18,
Rotating the dispenser and the drip guard toward the inside of the door based on receiving a third user input requesting a return of the dispenser and the drip guard after receiving the second user input; further comprising Refrigerator control method.

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