US20070033962A1 - Refrigerator and control method thereof - Google Patents

Refrigerator and control method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070033962A1
US20070033962A1 US11/501,079 US50107906A US2007033962A1 US 20070033962 A1 US20070033962 A1 US 20070033962A1 US 50107906 A US50107906 A US 50107906A US 2007033962 A1 US2007033962 A1 US 2007033962A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
refrigerant
evaporators
evaporator
branch pipes
pipe
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/501,079
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English (en)
Inventor
Sung-Cheol Kang
Eul-young Chang
Kook-Jeong Seo
Won-jae Yoon
Byung-Moo Lee
Jung-Yeob Kim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd filed Critical Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. reassignment SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHANG, EUI-YOUNG, KANG, SUNG-CHEOL, KIM, JUNG-YEOB, LEE, BYUNG-MOO, SEO, KOOK-JEONG, YOON, WON-JAE
Publication of US20070033962A1 publication Critical patent/US20070033962A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
    • F25D11/022—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures with two or more evaporators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B5/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity
    • F25B5/02—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity arranged in parallel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B5/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity
    • F25B5/04—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity arranged in series
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/002—Defroster control
    • F25D21/006—Defroster control with electronic control circuits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/06—Removing frost
    • F25D21/08—Removing frost by electric heating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/02—Compressor control
    • F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
    • F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2600/00—Control issues
    • F25B2600/25—Control of valves
    • F25B2600/2511—Evaporator distribution valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25B2700/11—Sensor to detect if defrost is necessary
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
    • F25D2700/10—Sensors measuring the temperature of the evaporator
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerator which comprises three or more storage compartments and a cooling unit having a plurality of evaporators corresponding to the respective storage compartments, and a control method thereof.
  • a refrigerator comprises a main body which has a plurality of storage compartments to store food; a door to open and close openings formed in the plurality of storage compartments; and a cooling unit which is provided in the main body to supply cooling air cooling the respective storage compartments.
  • some cooling units comprise a plurality of evaporators to independently supply cooling air to the respective storage compartments.
  • Korean Patent First Publication No. 10-2004-64787 discloses an example of a refrigerator which has a cooling loop comprising a plurality of evaporators corresponding to a plurality of storage compartments.
  • such a cooling loop of a conventional refrigerator comprises a single compressor 110 , a single condenser 113 , four evaporators 119 , 120 , 121 and 122 which are respectively disposed in a separated area to evaporate a refrigerant supplied from the condenser 113 ; a joint refrigerant supply path L 12 to allow the refrigerant passing through the four evaporators 119 , 120 , 121 and 122 to be mixed with each other and to flow to the compressor 110 ; and accumulators 123 and 125 which are connected between the four evaporators 119 , 120 , 121 and 122 and the joint refrigerant supply path L 12 .
  • the four evaporators 119 , 120 , 121 and 122 comprise a first evaporator 119 , a second evaporator 120 , a third evaporator 121 and a fourth evaporator 122 which have similar control temperature ranges.
  • the first and second evaporators 119 and 120 , and the third and fourth evaporators 121 and 122 are connected to each other in parallel on the joint refrigerant supply path L 12 .
  • the first evaporator 119 and the second evaporator 120 are connected to each other in parallel.
  • the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 are connected to each other in parallel.
  • a three-way valve 117 is provided between the condenser 113 and the first and second evaporators 119 and 120 . Also, between the condenser 113 and the third and fourth evaporators 121 and 122 is provided another three-way valve 118 .
  • the cooling loop of the conventional refrigerator further comprises hot pipes 135 and 136 which are provided in an outlet of the condenser 113 to prevent dewdrops from being formed when the door is open; a dryer 115 which is provided at an outlet of the hot pipes 135 and 136 ; expansion apparatuses 131 , 132 , 133 and 134 which are provided in inlets of the respective evaporators 119 , 120 , 121 and 122 ; and check valves 127 and 129 which are provided in an outlet of the accumulators 123 and 125 .
  • the conventional refrigerator may independently control temperatures of the respective storage spaces corresponding to the respective evaporators 119 , 120 , 121 and 122 as the refrigerant which has passed through the condenser 113 is supplied to at least one of the first evaporator 119 , the second evaporator 120 , the third evaporator 121 and the fourth evaporator 122 .
  • the evaporator with small internal resistance receives more refrigerant than that with relatively high internal resistance, thereby lowering the cooling efficiency.
  • the conventional refrigerator removes frost which is attached to the respective evaporators.
  • the evaporators receive heat through a defrosting heater in a state in which the compressor stops operating, and at the same time the valve mounted in the refrigerant pipe is open to make the refrigerant pipe connected to the compressor maintain pressure balance.
  • the valve mounted in the refrigerant pipe is open in the refrigerator having the plurality of evaporators, the refrigerant is continuously introduced to the plurality of evaporators while defrosting the refrigerator, thereby taking a relatively long time to remove the frost, and lowering the cooling efficiency as the heat generated while defrosting the refrigerator is transferred to the storage compartments and the refrigerant.
  • a refrigerator comprising a main body comprising three storage compartments and a cooling unit having a plurality of evaporators respectively corresponding to the storage compartments, the cooling unit comprising a refrigerant supply pipe to supply a refrigerant to the evaporators; a plurality of refrigerant branch pipes which are branched from the refrigerant supply pipe to connect the evaporators thereto, and to at least one of the refrigerant branch pipes the plurality of evaporators are connected in series; and a refrigerant connection pipe to connect an outlet of one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes and an inlet of another one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes.
  • the cooling unit comprises a multi-way valve which is provided between the refrigerant supply pipe and the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes to open and close the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes.
  • the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes comprises a first refrigerant branch pipe and a second refrigerant branch pipe
  • the multi-way valve respectively opens and closes the first refrigerant branch pipe and the second refrigerant branch pipe.
  • the plurality of evaporators comprises a first evaporator which is mounted to the first refrigerant branch pipe, a second evaporator which is mounted to the second refrigerant branch pipe, and a third evaporator which is connected in series with at least one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.
  • the refrigerator further comprises a fourth compartment and a fourth evaporator, wherein the third evaporator is connected in series with the first evaporator, and the fourth evaporator is connected in series with the second evaporator.
  • the cooling unit further comprises a compressor which is connected to an outlet of the second refrigerant branch pipe to compress the refrigerant; a condenser which is provided between the compressor and the multi-way valve; a first capillary tube which is provided between the first evaporator and the multi-way valve; and a second capillary tube which is provided between the second evaporator and the multi-way valve.
  • the cooling unit further comprises an auxiliary capillary tube which is provided in the refrigerant connection pipe.
  • the cooling unit further comprises a plurality of defrosting heaters which respectively defrost the evaporators; and a controller which controls the multi-way valve to close the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes before the defrosting heaters defrost the evaporators.
  • the controller controls the multi-way valve to open the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes for a predetermined pause time before the compressor compresses the refrigerant in a state in which the defrosting heaters stop operating.
  • a refrigerator comprising a main body comprising three storage compartments; and a cooling unit having a plurality of evaporators respectively corresponding to the storage compartments, the cooling unit comprising a refrigerant supply pipe to supply a refrigerant to the evaporators, a plurality of refrigerant branch pipes which are branched from the refrigerant supply pipe to connect the evaporators thereto, a multi-way valve which is provided to open and close the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes in a branch area where the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes are branched from the refrigerant supply pipe; a plurality of defrosting heaters which are provided to respectively defrost the evaporators; and a controller which controls the multi-way valve to close the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes before the defrosting heaters operate.
  • the controller controls the multi-way valve to open the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes for a predetermined pause time before the compressor compresses the refrigerant in a state in which the defrosting heaters stop operating.
  • the plurality of evaporators is serially mounted to at least one of the plurality of branch refrigerant pipes.
  • the refrigerator further comprises a refrigerant connection pipe which connects an outlet of one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes and an inlet of another one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes.
  • a method of controlling a refrigerator having a main body which is formed with three storage compartments, three evaporators respectively corresponding to the storage compartments and a defrosting heater to defrost the evaporators comprising branching a plurality of refrigerant branch pipes from a refrigerant supply pipe to supply a refrigerant to the evaporators; connecting one of the evaporators to a respective one of the branched refrigerant pipes; closing the plurality of branched refrigerant pipes; and operating the defrosting heater after the closing of the branched refrigerant pipes.
  • the method further comprises stopping the operation of the defrosting heater; and opening the plurality of branched refrigerant pipes for a predetermined pause time after the stopping of the operation of the defrosting heater; and operating a compressor of the refrigerator after the opening of the branched refrigerant pipes.
  • FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a cooling loop of a conventional refrigerator
  • FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a cooling unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a control state of the cooling unit of the refrigerator of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the refrigerator of FIG. 2 .
  • a refrigerator comprises a main body (not shown) which is formed with three or more storage compartments (not shown); and a plurality of doors (not shown) which open and close the respective storage compartments.
  • a cooling unit 10 comprises a plurality of evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 respectively corresponding to the respective storage compartments.
  • the present invention includes four storage compartments to respectively correspond to the four evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 .
  • the cooling unit 10 comprises the plurality of evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 ; a refrigerant supply pipe 21 to supply a refrigerant to the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 ; a plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 which are branched from the refrigerant supply pipe 21 to mount the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 thereto; and a refrigerant connection pipe 28 which connects an outlet of one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 , and an inlet side of the other one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 with respect to the respective evaporator.
  • the cooling unit 10 also comprises a compressor 11 to compress the refrigerant; a condenser 13 to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11 and to supply the compressed refrigerant to the supply refrigerant pipe 21 ; a multi-way valve 23 which is provided between the refrigerant supply pipe 21 and the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 to open and close the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 ; and a plurality of capillary tubes 17 and 18 which are respectively mounted in the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 provided in an outlet of the multi-way valve 23 .
  • the cooling unit 10 further comprises a hot pipe 15 which is connected between the condenser 13 and the refrigerant supply pipe 21 to prevent dewdrops from being formed in a front part of the main body when the door is open.
  • the cooling unit 10 further comprises a plurality of cooling fans 36 to supply cooling air generated from the respective evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 to the respective storage compartments.
  • the refrigerant supply pipe 21 is connected with the multi-way valve 23 to transmit the refrigerant condensed in the condenser 13 and the hot pipe 15 to the multi-way valve 23 .
  • the multi-way valve 23 may be open to supply the refrigerant from the refrigerant supply pipe 21 to at least one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 , or may be closed to not supply the refrigerant to the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 .
  • the multi-way valve 23 is provided as a three-way valve which connects the refrigerant supply pipe 21 , and the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 and the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 (to be described later).
  • the multi-way valve 23 may have a different number of settings, for example, as a four-way valve if there are provided three refrigerant branch pipes.
  • the refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 are connected with the multi-way valve 23 to receive the refrigerant from the refrigerant supply pipe 21 .
  • the refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 are provided as the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 and the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 .
  • the refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 are not limited to a pair. Alternatively, there may be provided three or more refrigerant branch pipes.
  • the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 is mounted with the first capillary tube 17 to change the refrigerant from the multi-way valve 23 into a low temperature and low pressure; and the first evaporator 31 and the third evaporator 33 (to be described later) to allow the refrigerant passing through the first capillary tube 17 to absorb the surrounding heat and to be evaporated.
  • the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 is mounted with the second capillary tube 18 to change the refrigerant from the multi-way valve 23 into a low temperature and low pressure; and the second evaporator 32 and the fourth evaporator 34 (to be described later) to allow the refrigerant passing through the second capillary tube 18 to absorb the surrounding heat and to be evaporated.
  • the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 may comprise the first evaporator 31 mounted in the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 , the second evaporator 32 mounted in the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 and at least the third evaporator 33 which is connected in series with at least one of the first evaporator 31 and the second evaporator 32 . As shown in FIG. 2 , there are four evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 including the fourth evaporator 34 .
  • the first evaporator 31 is mounted in the first refrigerant branch pipe 25
  • the second evaporator 32 is mounted in the second refrigerant branch pipe 26
  • the third evaporator 33 is connected in series with the first evaporator 31 of the first refrigerant branch pipe 25
  • the fourth evaporator 34 is connected in series with the second evaporator 32 of the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 .
  • three evaporators 31 , 32 and 33 may be provided, in which case the third evaporator 33 is connected in series with one of the first evaporator 31 and the second evaporator 32 .
  • the storage compartments cooled by the first and the third evaporators 31 and 33 may function as a refrigerating compartment. However, at least one of the storage compartments cooled by the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 may function as a freezing compartment.
  • a preset temperature of the storage compartments cooled by the first evaporator 31 may range between 0° and 15° C. and the preset temperature of the storage compartments cooled by the third evaporator 33 may range between ⁇ 10° and 15° C.
  • the storage compartments cooled by the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 may also function as the freezing compartment.
  • at least one of the storage compartments cooled by the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 may function as the refrigerating compartment. That is, the preset temperature of the storage compartments cooled by the second evaporator 32 may range between ⁇ 10° C. and ⁇ 30° C.
  • the setting temperature of the storage compartments (not shown) cooled by the fourth evaporator 34 may range between ⁇ 30° C. and 15° C.
  • the refrigerant connection pipe 28 connects an outlet of the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 and an inlet of the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 to supply the refrigerant passing through the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 to the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 .
  • the refrigerant connection pipe 28 may be connected to the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 between the second capillary tube 18 and the second evaporator 32 .
  • the refrigerant connection pipe 28 is mounted with an auxiliary capillary tube 29 to change the refrigerant passing through the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 back to the low temperature and low pressure.
  • the operation of the cooling unit 10 of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows.
  • the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 11 is transmitted to the refrigerant supply pipe 21 through the condenser 13 and the hot pipe 15 .
  • the refrigerant transmitted to the refrigerant supply pipe 21 may be supplied to at least one of the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 and the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 through the multi-way valve 23 .
  • the refrigerant passing through the multi-way valve 23 sequentially passes through the first capillary tube 17 , the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 , the refrigerant connection pipe 28 , the auxiliary capillary tube 29 and the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 , to be introduced to the compressor 11 .
  • the refrigerant passing through the multi-way valve 23 passes through the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 , and the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 in series.
  • the refrigerant is not concentrated in the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 and the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 , thereby preventing a shortage of the amount of the circulating refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant passing through the multi-way valve 23 sequentially passes through the second capillary tube 18 and the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 to be introduced to the compressor 11 .
  • the refrigerant existing in the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 is introduced to the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 through the refrigerant connection pipe 28 .
  • the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 have little refrigerant, thereby preventing the shortage of the amount of the circulating refrigerant.
  • the multi-way valve 23 opens both the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 and the second refrigerant branch pipe 26 , the refrigerant passing through the multi-way valve 23 is supplied to the first capillary tube 17 and the second capillary tube 18 to pass through the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 , and the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 .
  • the refrigerant passing through the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 is supplied to the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 through the refrigerant connection pipe 28 and the auxiliary capillary tube 29 to be introduced to the compressor 11 .
  • the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 is mounted with the first and third evaporators 31 and 33 functioning as the refrigerating compartment to lower the internal resistance thereof below that of the second and fourth evaporators 32 and 34 and to prevent the shortage of the amount of the refrigerant passing through the first refrigerant branch pipe 25 .
  • the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention may independently cool the respective storage compartments by providing three or more evaporators corresponding to three or more storage compartments.
  • the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes having the plurality of evaporators connected to at least one of the refrigerant branch pipes in series, and the refrigerant connection pipe connecting the outlet of one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes and the inlet of the other one of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes, thereby preventing a shortage of the circulating refrigerant and improving the cooling efficiency.
  • the cooling unit 10 of the refrigerator may further comprise a plurality of defrosting heaters 41 which are provided to defrost the respective evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 ; and a controller 50 which controls the multi-way valve 23 to close the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 before the defrosting heaters 41 operate.
  • the cooling unit 10 may further comprise a plurality of defrosting temperature sensors 45 to detect temperatures of the respective evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 .
  • defrosting temperature sensors 45 to respectively correspond to the first, second, third and fourth evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 .
  • the defrosting heaters 41 are disposed adjacent to the respective evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 to remove frost attached therein.
  • the number of the defrosting heaters 41 may vary according to the number of the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 .
  • the defrosting heaters 41 do not operate in a cooling mode where the compressor 11 operates.
  • the defrosting heaters operate in a defrosting mode to remove frost attached to the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 , at which time the compressor 11 stops operating.
  • the defrosting mode may be preset by the temperature of the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 detected from the defrosting temperature sensors 45 and/or the driving time of the compressor 11 .
  • the controller 50 When the compressor 11 stops operating and the defrosting mode is started, the controller 50 operates the defrosting heaters 41 and closes the multi-way valve 23 to not supply the refrigerant to the first and second refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 . If the defrosting mode is completed, the controller 50 stops the operation of the defrosting heaters 41 and controls the multi-way valve 23 to open the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 during predetermined pause time “A” before the compressor 11 operates.
  • the defrosting mode is completed when the temperature of the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 detected from the defrosting temperature sensors 45 is higher than the preset defrosting temperature.
  • the defrosting mode may be completed after the defrosting heaters 41 operate for predetermined periods of time. The completion of the defrosting mode may be preset in consideration of the temperature of the evaporators 31 , 32 , 33 and 34 detected from the defrosting temperature sensors 45 and the operating time of the defrosting heaters 41 .
  • the predetermined pause time “A” may be preset as approximately 10 minutes to keep pressure balance within the refrigerant pipes 21 , 25 , 26 and 28 connected with the compressor 11 .
  • the predetermined pause time “A” may be preset as more than, or less than 10 minutes.
  • the cooling unit 10 is changed into the defrosting mode (S 1 ). Then, the driving of the compressor 11 is stopped, and the controller 50 controls the multi-way valve 23 to close the first and second refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 (S 3 ). At the same time, the defrosting heaters 41 operate in the defrosting mode (S 5 ). The temperature detected from the defrosting temperature sensors 45 and the preset defrosting temperature are periodically compared with each other (S 7 ). If the temperature detected from the defrosting temperature sensors 45 is lower than the preset defrosting temperature, the operation S 7 is performed repeatedly.
  • the defrosting mode is completed to stop the operation of the defrosting heaters 41 (S 9 ).
  • the controller 50 controls the multi-way valve 23 to open the first and second refrigerant branch pipes 25 and 26 (S 11 ).
  • the preset pause time “A” elapses after the multi-way valve 23 is open (S 13 ). Then, the compressor 11 is driven to change the mode of the cooling unit 10 to the cooling mode (S 15 ).
  • the cooling unit of the refrigerator closes the multi-way valve while the defrosting heaters operate, the refrigerant is prevented from being introduced to the plurality of evaporators to shorten the defrosting time and to improve the defrosting efficiency, as well as preventing the heat generated while the defrosting operation is performed from being transmitted to the storage compartments and the refrigerant not to lower the cooling efficiency if it takes a long time to defrost the refrigerator.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Defrosting Systems (AREA)
US11/501,079 2005-08-12 2006-08-09 Refrigerator and control method thereof Abandoned US20070033962A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020050074012A KR100661663B1 (ko) 2005-08-12 2005-08-12 냉장고 및 그 제어방법
KR10-2005-0074012 2005-08-12

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US20070033962A1 true US20070033962A1 (en) 2007-02-15

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US11/501,079 Abandoned US20070033962A1 (en) 2005-08-12 2006-08-09 Refrigerator and control method thereof

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US (1) US20070033962A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1752721A2 (zh)
KR (1) KR100661663B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN1912511A (zh)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080178621A1 (en) * 2007-01-26 2008-07-31 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator and operation control method thereof
US20090113902A1 (en) * 2007-11-05 2009-05-07 Hyoung Keun Lim Control method for a refrigerator
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US20120023975A1 (en) * 2010-08-02 2012-02-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator and control method thereof
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US20130098076A1 (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) Llc High performance refrigerator having dual evaporator
US20130139540A1 (en) * 2010-08-31 2013-06-06 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigeration device and method for producing the same
US8794026B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2014-08-05 Whirlpool Corporation Secondary cooling apparatus and method for a refrigerator
US9285153B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2016-03-15 Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) Llc High performance refrigerator having passive sublimation defrost of evaporator
US9310121B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2016-04-12 Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) Llc High performance refrigerator having sacrificial evaporator
US20160370095A1 (en) * 2015-06-17 2016-12-22 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
US20170191733A1 (en) * 2016-01-04 2017-07-06 General Electric Company Method for Operating a Fan Within a Refrigerator Appliance
US10087569B2 (en) 2016-08-10 2018-10-02 Whirlpool Corporation Maintenance free dryer having multiple self-cleaning lint filters
US10161665B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-12-25 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator cooling system having secondary cooling loop
US10502478B2 (en) 2016-12-20 2019-12-10 Whirlpool Corporation Heat rejection system for a condenser of a refrigerant loop within an appliance
CN110579060A (zh) * 2019-09-24 2019-12-17 长虹美菱股份有限公司 基于热管组合制冷系统的模块化冰箱
US10514194B2 (en) 2017-06-01 2019-12-24 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-evaporator appliance having a multi-directional valve for delivering refrigerant to the evaporators
US10519591B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2019-12-31 Whirlpool Corporation Combination washing/drying laundry appliance having a heat pump system with reversible condensing and evaporating heat exchangers
US10718082B2 (en) 2017-08-11 2020-07-21 Whirlpool Corporation Acoustic heat exchanger treatment for a laundry appliance having a heat pump system
US10738411B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2020-08-11 Whirlpool Corporation Filterless air-handling system for a heat pump laundry appliance
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US8769975B2 (en) 2006-11-09 2014-07-08 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus for refrigeration cycle and refrigerator
US20100037650A1 (en) * 2006-11-09 2010-02-18 Lg Electronics Inc. Apparatus for refrigeration cycle and refrigerator
US8447432B2 (en) * 2006-12-26 2013-05-21 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator and control method for the same
US20100100243A1 (en) * 2006-12-26 2010-04-22 Moo Yeon Lee Refrigerator and control method for the same
US20080178621A1 (en) * 2007-01-26 2008-07-31 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator and operation control method thereof
US8161763B2 (en) * 2007-11-05 2012-04-24 Lg Electronics Inc. Method for controlling a compressor and a control valve of a refrigerator
US7913500B2 (en) 2007-11-05 2011-03-29 Lg Electronics Inc. Control method for a refrigerator
US20090113904A1 (en) * 2007-11-05 2009-05-07 Young Hoon Yun Method for controlling a refrigerator
US20090113902A1 (en) * 2007-11-05 2009-05-07 Hyoung Keun Lim Control method for a refrigerator
US20110185760A1 (en) * 2007-12-18 2011-08-04 Lg Electronics Inc. Ice maker for refrigerator
US8794026B2 (en) 2008-04-18 2014-08-05 Whirlpool Corporation Secondary cooling apparatus and method for a refrigerator
US20130000336A1 (en) * 2009-12-28 2013-01-03 Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd. Cooling box
US9772138B2 (en) * 2009-12-28 2017-09-26 Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. Cooling box
US20120023975A1 (en) * 2010-08-02 2012-02-02 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator and control method thereof
US9927164B2 (en) * 2010-08-31 2018-03-27 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigeration device and method for producing the same
US20130139540A1 (en) * 2010-08-31 2013-06-06 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Refrigeration device and method for producing the same
US20130098076A1 (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-25 Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) Llc High performance refrigerator having dual evaporator
US9310121B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2016-04-12 Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) Llc High performance refrigerator having sacrificial evaporator
US9285153B2 (en) 2011-10-19 2016-03-15 Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) Llc High performance refrigerator having passive sublimation defrost of evaporator
US10161665B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-12-25 Whirlpool Corporation Refrigerator cooling system having secondary cooling loop
US20160370095A1 (en) * 2015-06-17 2016-12-22 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
US9976791B2 (en) * 2015-06-17 2018-05-22 Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation Refrigerator and method of controlling the same
US20170191733A1 (en) * 2016-01-04 2017-07-06 General Electric Company Method for Operating a Fan Within a Refrigerator Appliance
US10634414B2 (en) * 2016-01-04 2020-04-28 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Method for operating a fan within a refrigerator appliance
US10087569B2 (en) 2016-08-10 2018-10-02 Whirlpool Corporation Maintenance free dryer having multiple self-cleaning lint filters
US10633785B2 (en) 2016-08-10 2020-04-28 Whirlpool Corporation Maintenance free dryer having multiple self-cleaning lint filters
US10738411B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2020-08-11 Whirlpool Corporation Filterless air-handling system for a heat pump laundry appliance
US11542653B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2023-01-03 Whirlpool Corporation Filterless air-handling system for a heat pump laundry appliance
US10519591B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2019-12-31 Whirlpool Corporation Combination washing/drying laundry appliance having a heat pump system with reversible condensing and evaporating heat exchangers
US11299834B2 (en) 2016-10-14 2022-04-12 Whirlpool Corporation Combination washing/drying laundry appliance having a heat pump system with reversible condensing and evaporating heat exchangers
US10502478B2 (en) 2016-12-20 2019-12-10 Whirlpool Corporation Heat rejection system for a condenser of a refrigerant loop within an appliance
US10514194B2 (en) 2017-06-01 2019-12-24 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-evaporator appliance having a multi-directional valve for delivering refrigerant to the evaporators
US10823479B2 (en) 2017-06-01 2020-11-03 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-evaporator appliance having a multi-directional valve for delivering refrigerant to the evaporators
US10718082B2 (en) 2017-08-11 2020-07-21 Whirlpool Corporation Acoustic heat exchanger treatment for a laundry appliance having a heat pump system
CN110579060A (zh) * 2019-09-24 2019-12-17 长虹美菱股份有限公司 基于热管组合制冷系统的模块化冰箱
US11649999B2 (en) 2021-05-14 2023-05-16 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Direct cooling ice maker with cooling system

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