U.S. patent application number 11/407930 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for refrigerator and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ji Hun Ahn, Yoon Young Kim, Jae Seung Lee, Chang Hak Lim.
Application Number | 20070113567 11/407930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37876859 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070113567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ahn; Ji Hun ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Refrigerator and control method thereof
Abstract
A refrigerator and a control method thereof in which a plurality
of storage compartments are cooled based on their cooling
priorities, which are determined in accordance with a set
temperature or thermal load of each storage compartment, whereby
the storage compartments can maintain high humidity. The
refrigerator for keeping the average humidity of the storage
compartments high includes a compressor, the plurality of storage
compartments, a plurality of evaporators and fans corresponding to
the plurality of storage compartments, respectively, temperature
sensors for detecting a temperature of each of the plurality of
storage compartments, and a controller adapted to compare the
temperature, detected by the respective temperature sensors, with a
set temperature of each of the storage compartments so as to
determine whether or not it is necessary to cool each of the
storage compartments, and, when it is necessary to cool the
plurality of storage compartments, to assign cooling priories to
the storage compartments to be cooled from lowest to highest set
temperatures, to control the fans of the storage compartments to be
cooled in accordance with the assigned cooling priorities
Inventors: |
Ahn; Ji Hun; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Lee; Jae Seung; (Hwaseong-si, KR) ; Kim;
Yoon Young; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Lim; Chang Hak;
(Hwasung-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
37876859 |
Appl. No.: |
11/407930 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/186 ; 62/150;
62/527 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 30/70 20130101;
F25D 2317/0682 20130101; F25B 2600/112 20130101; F25D 17/042
20130101; F25D 2317/0413 20130101; F25B 2600/2511 20130101; F25B
2600/111 20130101; F25D 17/065 20130101; F25D 2700/12 20130101;
F25B 1/10 20130101; F25B 5/02 20130101; F25D 2700/122 20130101;
F25D 29/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/186 ;
062/150; 062/527 |
International
Class: |
F25D 21/00 20060101
F25D021/00; F25D 17/04 20060101 F25D017/04; F25B 41/06 20060101
F25B041/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 23, 2005 |
KR |
2005-112477 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a compressor; a plurality of storage
compartments; a plurality of evaporators and fans corresponding to
the plurality of storage compartments, respectively; temperature
sensors for detecting a temperature of each of the plurality of
storage compartments; and a controller adapted to compare the
temperature, detected by the respective temperature sensors, with a
set temperature of each of the storage compartments so as to
determine whether or not it is necessary to cool each of the
storage compartments, and, when it is necessary to cool the
plurality of storage compartments, to assign cooling priories to
the storage compartments to be cooled from lowest to highest set
temperatures, to control the fans of the storage compartments to be
cooled in accordance with the assigned cooling priorities.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
storage compartments include a refrigerating compartment and a
freezing compartment, refrigerant flow paths being arranged in
parallel to supply refrigerant into the respective evaporators for
the refrigerating and freezing compartments, a 3-way valve being
provided to regulate the supply of refrigerant into the respective
refrigerant flow paths.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the controller
stops the compressor after completing the cooling of both the
refrigerating and freezing compartments, and subsequently, operates
only the fan for the refrigerating compartment, to perform a
natural defrosting operation.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerating
compartment further includes a separate storage compartment
maintaining a high humidity, the controller operating to cool the
separate storage compartment last.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the controller
stops the operation of the compressor when the storage compartment,
which is assigned to be cooled last, is completely cooled.
6. A refrigerator comprising: a compressor; a plurality of storage
compartments; a plurality of evaporators and fans corresponding to
the plurality of storage compartments, respectively; temperature
sensors for detecting a temperature of each of the plurality of
storage compartments; and a controller adapted to compare the
temperature, detected by the respective temperature sensors, with a
set temperature of each of the storage compartments so as to
determine whether or not it is necessary to cool each of the
storage compartments, and, when it is necessary to cool the
plurality of storage compartments, to assign cooling priories to
the storage compartments to be cooled from highest to lowest
thermal loads, to control the fans of the storage compartments to
be cooled in accordance with the assigned cooling priorities.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the controller
calculates the thermal loads of the storage compartments to be
cooled by use of a difference between the temperature, detected by
the temperature sensor of each storage compartment, and the set
temperature of the storage compartment.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of
storage compartments include a refrigerating compartment and a
freezing compartment, refrigerant flow paths being arranged in
parallel to supply refrigerant into the respective evaporators for
the refrigerating and freezing compartments, a 3-way valve being
provided to regulate the supply of refrigerant into the respective
refrigerant flow paths.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the controller
stops the compressor after completing the cooling of both the
refrigerating and freezing compartments, and subsequently, operates
only the fan for the refrigerating compartment, to perform a
natural defrosting operation.
10. A method for controlling a refrigerator comprising a plurality
of storage compartments, evaporators corresponding to the
respective storage compartments, fans corresponding to the
respective evaporators, and temperature sensors for detecting a
temperature of each of the storage compartments, the method
comprising: detecting the temperature of each of the storage
compartments by use of the temperature sensors; determining whether
or not it is necessary to cool each of the storage compartments by
comparing the detected temperature with a set temperature of each
of the storage compartments; assigning cooling priorities of the
plurality of storage compartments, which are determined to be
cooled; and cooling each of the storage compartments by operating
the fans of the respective evaporators in accordance with the
cooling priorities.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the cooling
priorities are assigned to the respective storage compartments to
be cooled from lowest to highest set temperatures.
12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:
calculating a thermal load of each of the storage compartments to
be cooled by use of a difference between the detected temperature
and the set temperature of each of the storage compartments, the
cooling priorities being assigned to the respective storage
compartments from highest to lowest thermal loads.
13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:
performing a natural defrosting operation for operating the fan of
the evaporator of the last storage compartment of the cooling
priorities after the last storage compartment is completely
cooled.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the natural
defrosting operation comprises operating the fan of the evaporator
of the last storage compartment of the cooling priorities for a
predetermined amount of time.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the natural
defrosting operation comprises operating the fan of the evaporator
of the last storage compartment of the cooling priorities until a
predetermined temperature in the evaporator is obtained.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2005-0112477, filed on Nov. 23, 2005 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a
control method thereof, and, more particularly, to a refrigerator
and a control method thereof, wherein a plurality of storage
compartments are cooled based on their cooling priorities, which
are determined in accordance with a set temperature or thermal load
of each storage compartment, whereby the storage compartments can
maintain high humidity.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance having a
plurality of storage compartments, each storage compartment being
adapted to maintain a lower temperature than the outside via the
circulation of refrigerant. The refrigerator commonly has a
freezing compartment which maintains a low temperature of
approximately minus 20 degrees, and a refrigerating compartment
which maintains a temperature of approximately 3 degrees.
[0006] Such a refrigerator includes a compressor, condenser,
expansion valve, and evaporator. If refrigerant is compressed in
the compressor, the compressed refrigerant is condensed into a
liquid-phase refrigerant in the condenser. Subsequently, the
liquid-phase refrigerant is moved into the expansion valve to be
expanded into a low-temperature gaseous refrigerant therein. As the
low-temperature gaseous refrigerant is transferred to the
evaporator, cold air is produced in accordance with the operation
of the evaporator. Commonly, the evaporator is provided with a fan
to facilitate the smooth circulation of the cold air between the
evaporator and the interior of the storage compartments.
[0007] It is normal that the freezing and refrigerating
compartments are provided with temperature sensors for detecting
present temperatures. By comparing the detected present
temperatures with preset target temperatures of the freezing and
refrigerating compartments, it is able to determine whether or not
it is necessary to cool the respective compartments. Commonly, the
freezing compartment has a large temperature difference with the
outside due to a low target temperature thereof, and also has less
heat insulation than the refrigerating compartment due to
structural limits thereof. For these reasons, the freezing
compartment requires a longer cooling time than the refrigerating
compartment.
[0008] When it is necessary to cool both the freezing and
refrigerating compartments, in accordance with a solution of the
prior art, the freezing and refrigerating compartments are adapted
to be simultaneously cooled. In general, moisture inside the
refrigerating compartment tends to be defrosted on the evaporator,
etc. during a cooling operation, and therefore, the refrigerating
compartment suffers from a reduction in humidity. In other words, a
refrigerating compartment cooling period results in a corresponding
dehumidifying period. Also, the refrigerating compartment has a
small temperature difference between a preset target temperature
thereof and the temperature of the outside, and therefore, the
cooling of the refrigerating compartment is completed faster than
the freezing compartment. If the refrigerating compartment fulfills
a target temperature condition thereof, the cooling of the
refrigerating compartment stops, and only the freezing compartment
continues to be cooled. The humidity of the refrigerating
compartment is rapidly lowered when the refrigerating compartment
is cooled, and is kept low prior to passing through a defrosting
period. The humidity of the refrigerating compartment can be
restored via a separate defrosting operation, etc. after completing
the cooling of the freezing compartment. In conclusion, the
humidity of the refrigerating compartment is continuously kept low
for a long time until the cooling of the refrigerating compartment
is completed and subsequently, the cooling of the freezing
compartment is completed, resulting in a decrease in average
humidity.
[0009] The depressed average humidity may cause the surface-drying
of food reserves, and therefore, may cause deterioration in
freshness of the food reserves.
[0010] To solve the above problems and maintain high humidity,
there is a need for a separate defrosting heater, etc. or to
frequently perform defrosting operations. This results in an
increase in the consumption of energy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention has been made in order to solve the
above problems. It is an aspect of the invention to provide a
refrigerator and a control method thereof, wherein a plurality of
storage compartments are cooled based on their cooling priorities,
which are determined in accordance with a set temperature or
thermal load of each storage compartment, whereby the respective
storage compartments can maintain high average humidity.
[0012] Consistent with one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention provides a refrigerator including: a compressor;
a plurality of storage compartments; a plurality of evaporators and
fans corresponding to the plurality of storage compartments,
respectively; temperature sensors for detecting a temperature of
each of the plurality of storage compartments; and a controller
adapted to compare the temperature, detected by the respective
temperature sensors, with a set temperature of each of the storage
compartments so as to determine whether or not it is necessary to
cool each of the storage compartments, and, when it is necessary to
cool the plurality of storage compartments, to assign cooling
priories to the storage compartments to be cooled from lowest to
highest set temperatures, to control the fans of the storage
compartments to be cooled in accordance with the assigned cooling
priorities.
[0013] The plurality of storage compartments may include a
refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, refrigerant
flow paths being arranged in parallel to supply refrigerant into
the respective evaporators for the refrigerating and freezing
compartments, a 3-way valve being provided to regulate the supply
of refrigerant into the respective refrigerant flow paths.
[0014] The controller may stop the compressor after completing the
cooling of both the refrigerating and freezing compartments, and
subsequently, operates only the fan for the refrigerating
compartment, to perform a natural defrosting operation.
[0015] The refrigerating compartment may further include a separate
storage compartment maintaining a high humidity, the controller
operating to cool the separate storage compartment last.
[0016] The controller may stop the operation of the compressor when
the storage compartment, which is assigned to be cooled last, is
completely cooled.
[0017] Consistent with another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention provides a refrigerator including: a
compressor; a plurality of storage compartments; a plurality of
evaporators and fans corresponding to the plurality of storage
compartments, respectively; temperature sensors for detecting a
temperature of each of the plurality of storage compartments; and a
controller adapted to compare the temperature, detected by the
respective temperature sensors, with a set temperature of each of
the storage compartments so as to determine whether or not it is
necessary to cool each of the storage compartments, and, when it is
necessary to cool the plurality of storage compartments, to assign
cooling priories to the storage compartments to be cooled from
highest to lowest thermal loads, to control the fans of the storage
compartments to be cooled in accordance with the assigned cooling
priorities.
[0018] The controller may calculate the thermal loads of the
storage compartments to be cooled by use of a difference between
the temperature, detected by the temperature sensor of each storage
compartment, and the set temperature of the storage
compartment.
[0019] The plurality of storage compartments may include a
refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, refrigerant
flow paths being arranged in parallel to supply refrigerant into
the respective evaporators for the refrigerating and freezing
compartments, a 3-way valve being provided to regulate the supply
of refrigerant into the respective refrigerant flow paths.
[0020] The controller may stop the compressor after completing the
cooling of both the refrigerating and freezing compartments, and
subsequently, may operate only the fan for the refrigerating
compartment, to perform a natural defrosting operation.
[0021] Consistent with yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention provides a method for controlling a
refrigerator including a plurality of storage compartments,
evaporators corresponding to the respective storage compartments,
fans corresponding to the respective evaporators, and temperature
sensors for detecting a temperature of each of the storage
compartments, the method including: detecting the temperature of
each of the storage compartments by use of the temperature sensors;
determining whether or not it is necessary to cool each of the
storage compartments by comparing the detected temperature with a
set temperature of each of the storage compartments; assigning
cooling priorities of the plurality of storage compartments, which
are determined to be cooled; and cooling each of the storage
compartments by operating the fans of the respective evaporators in
accordance with the cooling priorities.
[0022] The cooling priorities may assigned to the respective
storage compartments to be cooled from lowest to highest set
temperatures.
[0023] The method may further include: calculating a thermal load
of each of the storage compartments to be cooled by use of a
difference between the detected temperature and the set temperature
of each of the storage compartments, the cooling priorities being
assigned to the respective storage compartments from highest to
lowest thermal loads.
[0024] The method may further include: performing a natural
defrosting operation for operating the fan of the evaporator of the
last storage compartment of the cooling priorities after the last
storage compartment is completely cooled.
[0025] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the exemplary
embodiments of the invention will become apparent and more readily
appreciated from the following description of the embodiments,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first example of a
refrigerant circulation circuit of a refrigerator having two
evaporators;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second example of the
refrigerant circulation circuit of the refrigerator having two
evaporators;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic control block diagram showing an
exemplary embodiment of the refrigerator consistent with the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an exemplary embodiment of a
refrigerator control method consistent with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the humidity of a refrigerating
compartment in accordance with a refrigerant cycle of the exemplary
embodiment of the refrigerator consistent with the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a graph comparing the average humidity in
accordance with a control method of the prior art with the average
humidity in accordance with the control method consistent with the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 7 is a control flow chart showing the exemplary
embodiment of the refrigerator control method consistent with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are
described below to explain the present invention by referring to
the figures.
[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing first and second
examples of a refrigerant circulation circuit of a refrigerator
having two evaporators. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator
includes a compressor 10 to compress refrigerant, and a condenser
12 to condense the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure
refrigerant into liquid-phase refrigerant. The condensed
refrigerant is converted into low-temperature gaseous refrigerant
after passing through a capillary tube 14. Then, the converted
low-temperature gaseous refrigerant passes through an evaporator 16
for a refrigerating compartment and an evaporator 18 for a freezing
compartment, to thereby be introduced into the compressor 10. Here,
an expansion valve having a variable degree of opening may
substitute for the capillary tube 14.
[0036] The condenser 12, the refrigerating compartment evaporator
16, and the freezing compartment evaporator 18 are provided with
fans 13, 15, and 17 and fan motors 13a, 15a, and 17a, respectively,
to produce the flow of air for accomplishing smooth heat exchange.
In FIG. 2, two refrigerant flow paths are arranged in parallel to
transfer low-temperature gaseous refrigerant into both the
refrigerating compartment evaporator 16 and the freezing
compartment evaporator 18, respectively. The refrigerant flow paths
are provided with a capillary tube 24 for a refrigerating
compartment and a capillary tube 22 for a freezing compartment,
respectively. A 3-way valve 20 is provided to regulate the amount
of refrigerant to be transferred into the refrigerant flow paths.
The 3-way valve 20 is controlled to selectively or simultaneously
transfer the refrigerant into both the refrigerating compartment
evaporator 16 and the freezing compartment evaporator 18.
[0037] If the evaporators 16 and 18 produce cold air by use of the
refrigerant transferred thereto as stated above, the produced cold
air is blown into refrigerating and freezing compartments in
accordance with operations of the fan motors 15a and 17a and the
fans 15 and 17, which are provided to correspond to the respective
evaporators 16 and 18. The operations of the fan motors 15a and 17a
are controlled based on detected temperatures of the refrigerating
and freezing compartments. The refrigerator of FIG. 2 has a
function of regulating temperatures of the refrigerating and
freezing compartments by controlling the operations of the fans 15
and 17 while regulating the amount of refrigerant to be transferred
into the respective refrigerant flow paths.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic control block diagram showing an
exemplary embodiment of the refrigerator consistent with the
present invention. In the present invention, present temperatures
of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are
detected by temperature sensors 32 and 34, which are provided in
the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment,
respectively. The detected present temperatures are inputted to a
controller 30. Thereby, the controller 30 compares the detected
present temperatures and preset temperatures of the refrigerating
compartment and the freezing compartment, to determine whether or
not it is necessary to cool the refrigerating compartment and the
freezing compartment. Since the preset temperature of the freezing
compartment is considerably lower than the temperature of the
outside, whether or not the compressor 10 is operated for cooling
is generally determined based on a comparative result between the
detected present temperature and the preset temperature of the
freezing compartment. The reason why the operation of the
compressor 10 is based on the comparative result between the
detected present temperature and the preset temperature is that the
lower the preset temperature, the larger the cooling load, and the
preset temperature occupies a larger part of a refrigeration cycle
in view of the necessity and frequency of cooling operations and
time required to perform the cooling operations. In the present
invention, when it is determined, from the comparative result
between the detected temperature and the preset temperature of each
compartment, that it is necessary to cool both the refrigerating
and freezing compartments, the freezing compartment, having the
lower preset temperature than the refrigerating compartment, begins
to be cooled first. Alternatively, by calculating a temperature
difference between the preset temperature and the detected
temperature of each compartment, and calculating a required thermal
load based on the calculated temperature difference, the freezing
compartment, which has a larger thermal load requiring a relatively
long cooling time, is first cooled. In an example, the thermal load
may be calculated based on the size of a space to be cooled as well
as the temperature difference between the preset target temperature
and the present temperature. The thermal load can be more
accurately calculated when additionally considering environmental
conditions, for example, the temperature of the outside, and the
insulation degree of a space to be cooled. Accordingly, after
completing the cooling of the freezing compartment requiring a
longer cooling time, the refrigerating compartment is cooled, and
subsequently, a natural defrosting operation is performed. As a
result, the humidity of the refrigerating compartment is kept low
only for a reduced time, allowing the refrigerating compartment to
maintain high average humidity.
[0039] Although the present embodiment employs only two storage
compartments, a refrigerating compartment and a freezing
compartment, it should be understood that separate storage
compartments suitable for the preservation of freshness may be
added, and each of the plurality of storage compartments may be
configured to have a corresponding evaporator, fan motor, and fan
for accomplishing an independent temperature regulation function.
Also, refrigerant flow paths may be provided to transfer
refrigerant into the respective evaporators, and a valve may be
provided to regulate the amount of refrigerant to be transferred to
the refrigerant flow paths. The plurality of storage compartments
are provided with temperature sensors, respectively, such that
whether or not it is necessary to cool the storage compartments is
determined based on a comparative result between the preset
temperature and the detected temperature of each storage
compartment. If it is determined from the comparative result that
it is necessary to cool the plurality of storage compartments,
cooling priorities are assigned to the respective storage
compartments from lowest to highest preset temperatures, such that
the plurality of storage compartments are successively cooled. The
reason why the storage compartments are successive cooled based on
their preset temperatures is that the lower the preset temperature
of the storage compartment, the larger the temperature difference
between the storage compartment and the outside, and therefore, the
storage compartment exhibits a greater cooling load, and
consequently, a longer cooling time. Accordingly, by cooling the
storage compartment requiring a shorter cooling time later, the
storage compartments have only minimal dehumidifying period, and
thus, can maintain high average humidity. The reason why the
storage compartment requiring a shorter cooling time is cooled
later is that the storage compartment has a less temperature
difference between the preset temperature thereof and the
temperature of the outside as compared to another storage
compartment having a lower preset temperature, and thus has a
greater necessity for maintaining high humidity. Alternatively,
when the thermal load of each storage compartment is calculated by
use of a difference between the detected present temperature and
the preset temperature of the storage compartment, cooling
priorities are assigned to the respective storage compartments from
highest to lowest thermal loads. The smaller the thermal load, the
shorter the cooling time of the storage compartment, and therefore,
the same effect as the above description can be obtained.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an exemplary embodiment of a
refrigerator control method consistent with the present invention.
As mentioned above, since the preset temperature of the freezing
compartment is lower than that of the refrigerating compartment,
and the freezing compartment has a limit in the reinforcement of
insulation due to the structure thereof, generally, the freezing
compartment has a greater cooling necessity. Accordingly, the
controller 30 may perform a control operation to operate the
compressor 10 when it is necessary to cool the freezing
compartment. Also, in the embodiment of the present invention,
since the refrigerating compartment is adapted to be cooled later,
whether or not the operation of the compressor 10 stops is
determined in accordance with the temperature condition of the
refrigerating compartment. This is as shown in FIG. 4.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a control flow chart showing the exemplary
embodiment of the refrigerator control method consistent with the
present invention. Now, the control sequence of the refrigerator
control method will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7.
First, present temperatures of the refrigerating and freezing
compartments are detected to determine whether or not it is
necessary to cool the refrigerating and freezing compartments (S710
and S711). When it is necessary to cool both the refrigerating and
freezing compartments, the compressor 10, the fan motor 13a for the
condenser, and the fan motor 17a for the freezing compartment are
operated to rotate the fan 13 for the condenser and the fan 17 for
the freezing compartment, to cool the freezing compartment (S712).
The temperature of the freezing compartment is checked by use of
the temperature sensor 34 for the freezing compartment during the
cooling of the freezing compartment, to check whether or not the
freezing compartment has reached the preset temperature thereof
(S713 and S714). If it is determined as a result of checking that
the freezing compartment fulfills a desired temperature condition,
the operation of the fan 17 for the freezing compartment stops, and
the fan motor 15a for the refrigerating compartment is operated to
rotate the fan 15 for the refrigerating compartment, to begin the
cooling of the refrigerating compartment (S715). The temperature of
the refrigerating compartment is detected by use of the temperature
sensor 32 for the refrigerating compartment during the cooling of
the refrigerating compartment, and the detected temperature is
compared with the preset temperature of the refrigerating
compartment, to determine whether or not the refrigerating
compartment fulfills a desired temperature condition (S716 and
S717). If it is determined that the refrigerating compartment
fulfills the desired temperature condition, the operations of the
fan 13 for the condenser and the compressor 10 stop and the fan 15
for the refrigerating compartment is rotated for a predetermined
time T (S718). The reason why the fan 15 is rotated for the
predetermined time T is that, after stopping the operation of the
compressor 10, cold air obtained from low-temperature refrigerant
in the evaporator 16 for the refrigerating compartment is used to
remove frost from the evaporator, accomplishing a natural
defrosting effect. The natural defrosting is based on a principle
that the preset temperature of the refrigerating compartment is
considerably lower than a room temperature, i.e. the refrigerating
compartment has only a small amount of saturated steam, and
therefore, the relative humidity of the refrigerating compartment
rapidly increases even by only a slight amount of moisture. If it
is checked that the predetermined time T passed, the rotation of
the fan 15 for the refrigerating compartment stops (S719 and S720).
The natural defrosting may be performed for the predetermined time
T as in the present embodiment, or may be performed based on the
temperature of the evaporator which is detected by a temperature
sensor provided in the evaporator. After completion of the natural
defrosting, the temperatures of the refrigerating and freezing
compartments are again checked, to determine whether or not the
compressor 10 is operated.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the humidity of the refrigerating
compartment obtained by a refrigerant cycle of the exemplary
embodiment of the refrigerator consistent with the present
invention. It can be understood from FIG. 5 that the freezing
compartment has a large cooling load, and therefore, occupies a
large part of a refrigeration cycle. Accordingly, when the freezing
compartment is first cooled and subsequently, the refrigerating
compartment is cooled, in accordance with cooling priorities
determined using set temperature or thermal load, a dehumidifying
period can be shortened. As a result, the refrigerating compartment
can maintain a high average humidity. Similarly, in the case of a
refrigerator having three or more storage compartments, the storage
compartments can achieve a higher average humidity as compared to
the prior art when the storage compartments are sequentially cooled
in accordance with the cooling priorities determined using the
above criteria.
[0043] FIG. 6 is a graph comparing the average humidity in
accordance with a control method of the prior art with the average
humidity in accordance with the control method consistent with the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6,
the present invention achieves an increase in the average humidity
of the refrigerating compartment by approximately 30% as compared
to the prior art. Thereby, the respective storage compartments can
be cooled while maintaining a high humidity, without requiring
separate defrosting operations or additional equipment, for
example, a defrosting heater.
[0044] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention has the effect of keeping the average humidity of a
plurality of storage compartments high by cooling the storage
compartments in accordance with cooling priorities, which are
determined by use of a preset temperature or thermal load of each
storage compartment.
[0045] Furthermore, the humidity of the respective storage
compartments can be kept high via a simple control without
requiring separate equipment.
[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
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