U.S. patent application number 11/521566 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for refrigerator and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hak-gyun Bae, Sim-Dong Yoon.
Application Number | 20070137230 11/521566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38171822 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070137230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bae; Hak-gyun ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
Refrigerator and control method thereof
Abstract
A refrigerator and control method thereof, the refrigerator
including a main body having a plurality of storage compartments, a
compressor and a condenser which are provided in the main body, a
plurality of evaporators corresponding to the respective storage
compartments, a main refrigerant pipe to connect the compressor,
the condenser and the evaporators in series, at least one branch
refrigerant pipe which is branched between the condenser and one of
the evaporators to be connected with an inlet of one of the
remaining evaporators, and a selection valve which is provided on a
branching point of the at least one branch refrigerant pipe to open
and close the main refrigerant pipe and the at least one branch
refrigerant pipe, respectively. The refrigerator adjusts a flow of
a refrigerant flowing through respective evaporators according to
preset temperatures of respective storage compartments in a
refrigerator.
Inventors: |
Bae; Hak-gyun; (Andong-si,
KR) ; Yoon; Sim-Dong; (Gwangsan-gu, 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: |
38171822 |
Appl. No.: |
11/521566 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/198 ; 62/525;
62/526 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 41/39 20210101;
F25D 2700/12 20130101; F25B 41/385 20210101; F25D 11/022 20130101;
F25B 5/04 20130101; F25B 2600/2511 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/198 ;
062/525; 062/526 |
International
Class: |
F25B 39/02 20060101
F25B039/02; F25B 41/00 20060101 F25B041/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0086773 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator having a main body including a plurality of
storage compartments, and a compressor and a condenser which are
provided in the main body, the refrigerator comprising: a plurality
of evaporators which are provided corresponding to the respective
storage compartments; a main refrigerant pipe to connect the
compressor, the condenser and the evaporators in series; at least
one branch refrigerant pipe which is branched between the condenser
and one of the evaporators to be connected with an inlet of one of
the remaining evaporators; and a selection valve which is provided
on a branching point of the at least one branch refrigerant pipe to
open and close the main refrigerant pipe and the at least one
branch refrigerant pipe, respectively.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, the refrigerator further
comprising: a plurality of inner temperature sensors which sense
inner temperatures of the respective storage compartments; and a
controller which controls the selection valve not to supply
refrigerant to the evaporator corresponding to a respective storage
compartment when the respective storage compartment satisfies a
preset temperature when sensed by the respective inner temperature
sensor.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein preset
temperatures of the storage compartments are lowered in sequence,
and wherein the evaporators are connected with the main refrigerant
pipe in series corresponding to the storage compartments.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the storage compartments
comprise first, second and third storage compartments of which
preset temperatures are lowered in sequence, and wherein the
evaporators comprise first, second and third evaporators which are
connected with the main refrigerant pipe in series corresponding to
the first, second and third storage compartments, respectively.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the at least one
branch refrigerant pipe comprises: a first branch refrigerant pipe
which is branched from the branching point to be connected with an
inlet of the second evaporator; and a second branch refrigerant
pipe which is branched from the branching point to be connected
with an inlet of the third evaporator.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the controller
controls the selection valve to open the main refrigerant pipe and
close the first and second branch refrigerant pipes, when the
respective storage compartments perform a cooling operation, to
close the main refrigerant pipe and the second branch refrigerant
pipe and open the first branch refrigerant pipe when the first
storage compartment satisfies the preset temperature, and to close
the main refrigerant pipe and the first branch refrigerant pipe and
open the second branch refrigerant pipe when the second storage
compartment satisfies the preset temperature when sensed by the
inner temperature sensors of the first and second storage
compartments.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, the refrigerator further
comprising: a plurality of decompressors to decompress refrigerant
circulating respective evaporators, the decompressors comprising: a
first decompressor which is provided between the branching point
and the first evaporator, a second decompressor which is provided
on the first branch refrigerant pipe, and a third decompressor
which is provided on the second branch refrigerant pipe, wherein
the respective decompressors are provided to sequentially increase
resistances according to a sequence of the first, second and third
decompressors.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising a
fourth decompressor which is provided between the first and second
evaporators.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising a
fifth decompressor which is provided between the second and third
evaporators.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein a total sum of
resistances of the first and fourth decompressors is smaller than
that of the second decompressor.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein a total sum of
resistances of the first, fourth and fifth decompressors is smaller
than that of the third decompressor.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein each
decompressor comprises a capillary tube.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the controller
controls the selection valve to open the main refrigerant pipe and
the first and second branch refrigerant pipes when the respective
storage compartments perform the cooling operation, to close the
main refrigerant pipe and open the first and second branch
refrigerant pipes when the first storage compartment satisfies the
preset temperature, and to close the main refrigerant pipe and the
first branch refrigerant pipe and open the second branch
refrigerant pipe when the second storage compartment satisfies the
preset temperature, when sensed by the inner temperature sensors of
the first and second storage compartments.
14. A refrigerator comprising a compressor and a condenser, the
refrigerator further comprising: first, second and third
evaporators; a branching part which is provided at an outlet of the
condenser; a first refrigerant path which is branched from the
branching part to be connected with the first, second and third
evaporators in series; a second refrigerant path which is branched
from the branching part to be connected with the second and third
evaporators in series; and a third refrigerant path which is
branched from the branching part to be connected with the third
evaporator.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the first,
second and third refrigerant paths comprise first, second and third
decompressors, respectively, of which resistances are increased in
sequence.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 15, further comprising: a
fourth decompressor which is provided between the first evaporator
and the second evaporator, and a fifth decompressor which is
provided between the second evaporator and the third evaporator,
and wherein a resistance of the second decompressor is larger than
a total sum of resistances of the first and fourth
decompressors.
17. A method of controlling a refrigerator having a main body which
comprises first, second and third storage compartments of which
preset temperatures are lowered in sequence, a compressor and a
condenser which are provided in the main body, and first, second
and third evaporators which are provided corresponding to the
respective storage compartments, the method comprising: providing a
main refrigerant pipe connecting the first, second and third
evaporators in series, and at least one branch refrigerant pipe
which is branched from an inlet of the first evaporator to be
connected with an inlet of one of the second and third evaporators;
sensing inner temperatures of the respective storage compartments;
and opening and closing the main refrigerant pipe and the at least
one branch refrigerant pipe not to supply a refrigerant to a
respective evaporator corresponding to a respective storage
compartment, when the sensed inner temperature of the respective
storage compartment satisfies a preset temperature thereof.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the providing the at
least one branch refrigerant pipe comprises: providing a first
branch refrigerant pipe which is branched from the inlet of the
first evaporator to be connected with an inlet of the second
evaporator, and a second branch refrigerant pipe which is branched
from a branching point of the first branch refrigerant pipe to be
connected with an inlet of the third evaporator.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the opening and
closing the main refrigerant pipe and the respective branch
refrigerant pipes comprises: opening the main refrigerant pipe and
closing the first and second branch refrigerant pipes when the
compressor is driven; closing the main refrigerant pipe and the
second branch refrigerant pipe and opening the first branch
refrigerant pipe when the sensed inner temperature of the first
storage compartment satisfies a preset temperature; and closing the
main refrigerant pipe and the first branch refrigerant pipe and
opening the second branch refrigerant pipe when the sensed inner
temperature of the second storage compartment satisfies a preset
temperature thereof.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the opening and
closing the main refrigerant pipe and the respective branch
refrigerant pipe comprises: providing a first decompressor which is
provided at the inlet of the first evaporator, a second
decompressor which is provided on the first branch refrigerant pipe
and a third decompressor which is provided on the second branch
refrigerant pipe, having resistances of the first, second and third
decompressors that increase in sequence; opening the main
refrigerant pipe and the first and second branch refrigerant pipes
when the compressor is driven; closing the main refrigerant pipe
and opening the first and second branch refrigerant pipes when the
sensed inner temperature of the first storage compartment satisfies
a preset temperature thereof; and closing the main refrigerant pipe
and the first branch refrigerant pipe and opening the second branch
refrigerant pipe when the sensed temperature of the second storage
compartment satisfies a preset temperature thereof.
21. A method of controlling a refrigerator having a plurality of
storage compartments, a plurality of evaporators corresponding to
the plurality of storage compartments, and a condenser and
compressor, the method comprising: setting preset temperatures for
the storage compartments; connecting the evaporators, the condenser
and the compressor in series via a main refrigerant pipe;
connecting inlets of the evaporators to one another via at least
one branch refrigerant pipe; sensing inner temperatures of the
storage compartments; and opening and closing the main refrigerant
pipe and the at least one branch refrigerant pipe to not supply
refrigerant to a respective evaporator corresponding to a
respective storage compartment when the sensed inner temperature of
the respective storage compartment satisfies a preset temperature
thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2005-0086773, filed on Sep. 16, 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. More particularly, to a refrigerator
including a main body having a plurality of storage compartments,
and a plurality of evaporators corresponding to the respective
storage compartments, and a control method thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a conventional refrigerator keeps food at low
temperatures. The conventional refrigerator includes a main body
having a plurality of storage compartments to store food therein, a
door which opens and closes an opening formed on the plurality of
storage compartments, and a cooling system which is provided in the
main body to cool the storage compartments.
[0006] The cooling system includes a compressor, a condenser, a
decompressor and an evaporator. Recently, a plurality of
evaporators is provided to independently supply cooling air to the
plurality of storage compartments, corresponding to the respective
storage compartments.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional independent
cooling type refrigerator which includes a cooling system having a
plurality of evaporators connected with each other in series,
corresponding to a plurality of storage compartments.
[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional independent cooling
type cooling system 101 comprises a compressor 111, a condenser
112, a first evaporator 141 and a second evaporator 151 which are
provided corresponding to a first storage compartment 140 and a
second storage compartment 150 having different preset temperatures
with each other, and a decompressor 120 which decompresses a
refrigerant introduced to the respective evaporators 141 and
151.
[0009] The conventional refrigerator allows the refrigerant to
circulate the compressor 111, the condenser 112, the decompressor
120 and the first and second evaporators 141 and 151 sequentially,
when performing a cooling operation. The cooling air generated by
the respective evaporators 141 and 151 is supplied to the
respective storage compartments 140 and 150 through cooling fans
143 and 153 provided corresponding to the respective evaporators
141 and 151.
[0010] When an internal temperature of either the first storage
compartment 140 or the second storage compartment 150 satisfies the
preset temperature, the conventional refrigerator stops operating
the cooling fans 143 and 153 of the respective storage compartments
140 and 150, thereby preventing food stored in the first and second
storage compartments 140 and 150 from being overcooled.
[0011] However, in the independent cooling system 101 of the
conventional refrigerator, since the plurality of evaporators are
connected with each other in series, the refrigerant continuously
flows in the evaporators of the respective storage compartments 140
and 150 even when one of the first and second storage compartments
140 and 150 satisfies the preset temperature and the cooling fans
stop operating.
[0012] Accordingly, the refrigerant circulates both the first and
second evaporators 141 and 151 even when a single storage
compartment (i.e., the first or second storage compartments 140,
150) needs to be cooled, thereby lowering the temperature of the
first or second evaporators 141 or 151 which is not required to
generate the cooling air and possibly forming a frost on the
respective evaporator.
[0013] Also, as the refrigerant passes the decompressor 120 in a
refrigerant circulating path, it is decompressed unnecessarily.
Further, power consumption increases as the refrigerant is
compressed in the compressor 111 as much as the decompressed amount
of the refrigerant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a refrigerator which adjusts a flow of a refrigerant
flowing through respective evaporators of the refrigerator,
according to preset temperatures of respective storage compartments
in the refrigerator having a plurality of storage compartments and
a plurality of evaporators corresponding to the respective storage
compartments, and a control method thereof.
[0015] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the present
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 present invention.
[0016] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are achieved by providing a refrigerator having a main body
including a plurality of storage compartments, a compressor and a
condenser which are provided in the main body, the refrigerator
including a plurality of evaporators which are provided
corresponding to the respective storage compartments, a main
refrigerant pipe to connect the compressor, the condenser and the
evaporators in series, at least one branch refrigerant pipe which
is branched between the condenser and one of the evaporators to be
connected with an inlet of one of the remaining evaporators, and a
selection valve which is provided on a branching point of the at
least one branch refrigerant pipe to open and close the main
refrigerant pipe and the respective branch refrigerant pipe,
respectively.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
refrigerator further includes a plurality of inner temperature
sensors which sense inner temperatures of the respective storage
compartments, and a controller which controls the selection valve
not to supply refrigerant to the evaporator corresponding to a
respective storage compartment, when the respective storage
compartment satisfies a preset temperature, when sensed by the
respective inner temperature sensor.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, preset
temperatures of the storage compartments are lowered in sequence,
and the evaporators are connected with the main refrigerant pipe in
series corresponding to the respective storage compartments.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
storage compartments include first, second and third storage
compartments, and the evaporators include first, second and third
evaporators which are connected with the main refrigerant pipe in
series corresponding to the first, second and third storage
compartments, respectively.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, the at
least one branch refrigerant pipe includes a first branch
refrigerant pipe which is branched from the branching point to be
connected with an inlet of the second evaporator, and a second
branch refrigerant pipe which is branched from the branching point
to be connected with an inlet of the third evaporator.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
controller controls the selection valve to open the main
refrigerant pipe and close the first and second branch refrigerant
pipes, when the respective storage compartments perform a cooling
operation, to close the main refrigerant pipe and the second branch
refrigerant pipe and open the first branch refrigerant pipe when
the first storage compartment satisfies the preset temperature, and
to close the main refrigerant pipe and the first branch refrigerant
pipe and open the second branch refrigerant pipe when the second
storage compartment satisfies the preset temperature, when sensed
by the inner temperature sensors of the first and second storage
compartments.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
refrigerator further comprises a plurality of decompressors to
decompress refrigerant circulating respective evaporators. The
decompressors including a first decompressor which is provided
between the branching point and the first evaporator, a second
decompressor which is provided on the first branch refrigerant pipe
and a third decompressor which is provided on the second branch
refrigerant pipe, wherein the respective decompressors are provided
to sequentially increase resistances according to a sequence of the
first, second and third decompressors.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
refrigerator further comprises a fourth decompressor which is
provided between the first and second evaporators.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
refrigerator further comprises a fifth decompressor which is
provided between the second and third evaporators.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
total sum of resistances of the first and fourth decompressors is
smaller than that of the second decompressor.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
total sum of resistances of the first, fourth and fifth
decompressors is smaller than that of the third decompressor.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, each
decompressor includes a capillary tube.
[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
controller controls the selection valve to open the main
refrigerant pipe and the first and second branch refrigerant pipes
when the respective storage compartments perform the cooling
operation, to close the main refrigerant pipe and open the first
and second branch refrigerant pipes when the first storage
compartment satisfies the preset temperature, and to close the main
refrigerant pipe and the first branch refrigerant pipe and open the
second branch refrigerant pipe when the second storage compartment
satisfies the preset temperature, when sensed by the inner
temperature sensors of the first and second storage
compartments.
[0029] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are also achieved by providing a refrigerator including a
compressor and a condenser, the refrigerator including first,
second and third evaporators, a branching part which is provided at
an outlet of the condenser, a first refrigerant path which is
branched from the branching part to be connected with the first,
second and third evaporators in series, a second refrigerant path
which is branched from the branching part to be connected with the
second and third evaporators in series; and a third refrigerant
path which is branched from the branching part to be connected with
the third evaporator.
[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
first, second and third refrigerant paths include first, second and
third decompressors, respectively, of which resistances are
increased in sequence.
[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
refrigerator further including a fourth decompressor which is
provided between the first evaporator and the second evaporator,
and a fifth decompressor which is provided between the second
evaporator and the third evaporator, and wherein a resistance of
the second decompressor is larger than a total sum of resistances
of the first and fourth decompressors.
[0032] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are also achieved by providing a method of controlling a
refrigerator having a main body which comprises a plurality of
storage compartments of which preset temperatures are lowered in
sequence, a compressor and a condenser which are provided in the
main body, and a plurality of evaporators which are provided
corresponding to the respective storage compartments, the method
comprising providing a main refrigerant pipe connecting the first,
second and third evaporators are connected in series, and at least
one branch refrigerant pipe which is branched from an inlet of the
first evaporator to be connected with an inlet of one of the second
and third evaporators, sensing inner temperatures of the respective
storage compartments, and opening and closing the main refrigerant
pipe and the at least one branch refrigerant pipe not to supply
refrigerant to the evaporator corresponding to a respective storage
compartment, when the sensed inner temperature of the respective
storage compartment satisfies a preset temperature thereof.
[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
providing the at least one branch refrigerant pipe includes
providing a first branch refrigerant pipe which is branched from
the inlet of the first evaporator to be connected with an inlet of
the second evaporator, and a second branch refrigerant pipe which
is branched from a branching point of the first branch refrigerant
pipe to be connected with an inlet of the third evaporator.
[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
opening and closing the main refrigerant pipe and respective branch
refrigerant pipes includes opening the main refrigerant pipe and
closing the first and second branch refrigerant pipes when the
compressor is driven, closing the main refrigerant pipe and the
second branch refrigerant pipe and opening the first branch
refrigerant pipe when the sensed inner temperature of the first
storage compartment satisfies a preset temperature thereof, and
closing the main refrigerant pipe and the first branch refrigerant
pipe and opening the second branch refrigerant pipe, when the
sensed inner temperature of the second storage compartment
satisfies a preset temperature thereof.
[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
opening and closing the main refrigerant pipe and a respective
branch refrigerant pipe includes providing a first decompressor
which is provided at the inlet of the first evaporator, a second
decompressor which is provided on the first branch refrigerant pipe
and a third decompressor which is provided on the second branch
refrigerant pipe, having resistances of the first, second and third
decompressors that increase in sequence, opening the main
refrigerant pipe and the first and second branch refrigerant pipes
when the compressor is driven, closing the main refrigerant pipe
and opening the first and second branch refrigerant pipes when the
sensed inner temperature of the first storage compartment satisfies
a preset temperature thereof, and closing the main refrigerant pipe
and the first branch refrigerant pipe and opening the second branch
refrigerant pipe, when the sensed temperature of the second storage
compartment satisfies a preset temperature thereof.
[0036] A method of controlling a refrigerator having a plurality of
storage compartments, a plurality of evaporators corresponding to
the plurality of storage compartments, and a condenser and
compressor, the method including setting preset temperatures for
the storage compartments, connecting the evaporators, the condenser
and the compressor in series via a main refrigerant pipe,
connecting inlets of the evaporators to one another via at least
one branch refrigerant pipe, sensing inner temperatures of the
storage compartments, and opening and closing the main refrigerant
pipe and the at least one branch refrigerant pipe to not supply
refrigerant to a respective evaporator corresponding to a
respective storage compartment when the sensed inner temperature of
the respective storage compartment satisfies a preset temperature
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from
the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings of which:
[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a a cooling system of a conventional
refrigerator;
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a a cooling system of a refrigerator
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a control flowchart illustrating a control method
of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0041] FIG. 4 is a control flowchart illustrating a control method
of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Reference will now be made in detail to the 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.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, a refrigerator according to the present
invention comprises a main body (not shown) having a plurality of
storage compartments 40, 50 and 60, a cooling system 1 having a
plurality of evaporators 41, 51 and 61 corresponding to the
respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60; a main refrigerant
pipe 70 with which the plurality of evaporators 41, 51 and 61 are
connected in series; one or more branch refrigerant pipes 71 and
73; and a selection valve 13 which is provided on a branching point
of the branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73, for example. However,
the present invention is not limited to any particular number of
storage compartments, evaporators, or branch refrigerant pipes, and
may vary accordingly.
[0044] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present
invention further comprises a plurality of inner temperature
sensors 45, 55 and 65 which sense inner temperatures of the
respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60; and a controller 16
which controls the selection valve 13 according to a sensing result
of the inner temperature sensors 45, 55 and 65.
[0045] The storage compartments 40, 50 and 60 are provided in the
main body by partitioning the main body, to store food therein. As
mentioned above, the storage compartments 40, 50 and 60 may be
provided in various numbers, as necessary. When multiple storage
compartments 40, 50 and 60 are provided, the respective storage
compartments 40, 50 and 60 may have different preset temperatures
with one another.
[0046] Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2, a refrigerator which
comprises three storage compartments 40, 50 and 60 having different
preset temperatures with one another will be described as an
example of the present invention. For example, the preset
temperatures of the first, second and third storage compartments
are set as T1>T2>T3.
[0047] The cooling system 1 further comprises a compressor 11 which
compresses a refrigerant, a condenser 12 which condenses the
refrigerant compressed by the compressor 11, decompressors 21, 22,
23, 24 and 25 which decompress the condensed refrigerant to be
supplied to the first, second and third evaporators 41, 51 and 61.
The present invention is not limited to any particular number of
decompressors, and may vary as necessary.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the evaporators 41, 51 and 61 are
provided corresponding to the respective storage compartments 40,
50 and 60. The refrigerant is evaporated and thus absorbs heat
around the evaporators 41, 51 and 61 to generate cooling air. The
evaporators 41, 51 and 61 may have different evaporation
capabilities from one another corresponding to the preset
temperatures of the respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60.
The cooling air generated by the evaporators 41, 51 and 61 is
supplied to the respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60
through cooling fans 43, 53 and 63 corresponding to the respective
evaporators 41, 51 and 61.
[0049] The decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 decompress the
condensed refrigerant to be supplied to the evaporators 41, 51 and
61. Further, the decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 may comprise
capillary tubes or expansion valves, for example. However, the
decompressors are not limited hereto and may vary, as
necessary.
[0050] The decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 may be plurally
provided between the condenser 12 and the evaporators 41, 51 and
61, and between each of the respective evaporators 41, 51 and 61.
Then, the respective decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 each
comprise different resistances from one another. The decompression
capabilities of the decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 are
proportional to the resistances thereof. When the plurality of
refrigerant pipes 70, 71 and 73 are open, the refrigerant flows
much toward the decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 with low
resistance. The amount of the refrigerant is distributed by
properly arranging the decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 having
different resistances from one another.
[0051] For example, when the second branch refrigerant pipe 73 is
closed and the main refrigerant pipe 70 and the first branch
refrigerant pipe 71 are simultaneously open, the first decompressor
21 and the fourth decompressor 24 are provided in the main
refrigerant pipe 70 between the selection valve 13 and the second
evaporator 51. The second decompressor 22 is provided in the first
branch refrigerant pipe 71 between the selection valve 13 and the
second evaporator 51. Here, when a total sum of the resistances of
the first decompressor 21 and the fourth decompressor 24 is larger
than that of the second decompressor 22, the refrigerant flows much
to the main refrigerant pipe 70. When the main refrigerant pipe 70
is closed and the first and second branch refrigerant pipes 71 and
73 are simultaneously open, the resistance of the third
decompressor 23 is larger than a total sum of the resistances of
the second decompressor 22 and the fifth decompressor 25, thereby
allowing the refrigerant flow much to the first branch refrigerant
pipe 71.
[0052] The main refrigerant pipe 70 comprises a closed circuit in
which the compressor 11, the condenser 12, the decompressors 21,
22, 23, 24 and 25 and the first, second and third evaporators 41,
51 and 61 are connected in series, to enable the refrigerant to
circulate in sequence. The sequence of the evaporators 41, 51 and
61 connected with the main refrigerant pipe 70 in series
corresponds to the sequence of the storage compartments 40, 50 and
60 of which preset temperatures are lowered in sequence. For
example, when the cooling operation is performed, the first storage
compartment 40 having the highest preset temperature satisfies the
preset temperature, thereby sequentially bypassing the respective
evaporators 41, 51 and 61 through the branch refrigerant pipes 71
and 73.
[0053] The branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73 are branched between
the condenser 12 and the first evaporator 41 which is provided next
to the condenser 12 to be connected with one of the remaining
evaporators 51 and 61. For example, when there are provided three
evaporators 41, 51 and 61, the branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73
the first branch refrigerant pipe 71 is branched from an inlet of
the first evaporator 41 of the main refrigerant pipe 70 to be
connected with the second evaporator 51, and the second branch
refrigerant pipe 73 is branched from the inlet of the first
evaporator 41 of the main refrigerant pipe 70 to be connected with
the third evaporator 61.
[0054] The branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73 bypass at least one
of the evaporators 41, 51 and 61, to prevent unnecessary
refrigerant supply to the corresponding evaporators 41, 51 and 61.
For example, when the first storage compartment 40 satisfies the
preset temperature, the refrigerant flows to the first branch
refrigerant pipe 71, thereby bypassing the first evaporator 41 in
order to be directly introduced to the second evaporator 51. Also,
when the first and second storage compartments 40 and 50 satisfy
the preset temperatures, the refrigerant flows to the second branch
refrigerant pipe 73, thereby bypassing the first and the second
evaporators 41 and 51 in order to be directly introduced to the
third evaporator 61 after passing through the condenser 12.
[0055] The selection valve 13 is provided on the branching point of
the respective branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73, thereby opening
and closing the main refrigerant pipe 70 and the branch refrigerant
pipes 71 and 73, respectively. The selection valve 13 selectively
opens one of the main refrigerant pipe 70, and the first and second
branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73, or simultaneously opens at
least two of them. Meanwhile, the selection valve 13 may be
manually controlled by a user, or by a controller 16.
[0056] The inner temperature sensors 45, 55 and 65 sense the inner
temperatures of the respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60.
The inner temperature sensors 45, 55 and 65 correspond to the
number of the respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60.
Therefore, the inner temperatures are not limited to any particular
number and may vary according to the number of storage
compartments. The inner temperatures of the respective storage
compartments 40, 50 and 60 sensed by the inner temperature sensors
45, 55 and 65 are transmitted to the controller 16.
[0057] The controller 16 is provided in the main body. The
controller 16 controls the selection valve 13 not to supply the
refrigerant to the evaporators 41, 51 and 61 corresponding to the
respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 61, when the inner
temperatures reach the preset temperatures on the basis of
comparison between the inner temperatures sensed by the inner
temperature sensors 45, 55 and 65 and the preset temperatures of
the respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60.
[0058] The controller 16 controls the selection valve 13 to
simultaneously open at least two of the main refrigerant pipe 70
and the first and second branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73. Then,
the refrigerant is properly distributed according to the
resistances of the decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 provided on
the open refrigerant pipes 70, 71, 73.
[0059] In another embodiment of the present invention, a
refrigerator comprises a branching part 14 provided on the
branching point from which a main refrigerant pipe 70 starting from
an outlet of a condenser 12 is branched. The branching part 14
comprises, for example, the main refrigerant pipe 70 (i.e.,a first
refrigerant path) to which first, second and third evaporators 41,
51 and 61 are connected in series, a first refrigerant pipe 71
(i.e., a second refrigerant path) which is branched from the
branching part 14 to be connected with the second and third
evaporators 51 and 61 in series, and the second refrigerant pipe 73
(i.e., a third refrigerant path) which is branched from the
branching part 14 to be connected with the third evaporator 61.
[0060] Then, the respective refrigerant paths 70, 71 and 73
comprise first, second and third decompressors 21, 22 and 23 with
resistance increasing in sequence, thereby supplying the
refrigerant according to resistance differences between the
decompressors 21, 22 and 23, without a control of the selection
valve 13.
[0061] Hereinbelow, a method of controlling a refrigerator
according to the present invention will be described with reference
to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.
[0062] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a
refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention,
one of the main refrigerant pipe 70 and branch refrigerant pipes 71
and 73 is selectively open, and the others are closed by
controlling a selection valve 13.
[0063] In operation 11, preset temperatures of respective storage
compartments 40, 50 and 60 are input. The respective storage
compartments 40, 50 and 60 may have different preset temperatures
with one another. For example, the preset temperatures of the
first, second and third storage compartments 40, 50 and 60 may be
set as T1>T2>T3.
[0064] From operation 11, the process moves to operation 12, where
a compressor 11 is driven to perform a cooling operation. Then,
from operation 12, the process moves to operation 13, where
temperatures of the respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60
are sensed by inner temperature sensors 45, 55 and 65. From
operation 13, the process moves to operation 14, where at an
initial stage in which the cooling operation begins and the
compressor 11 operates, only a main refrigerant pipe 70 is open,
and branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73 are closed, thereby allowing
refrigerant to circulate all the evaporators 41, 51 and 61
[0065] From operation 14, the process moves to operation 15, where
it is determined whether an inner temperature of the first storage
compartment satisfies a preset temperature. When an inner
temperature of the first storage compartment 40 having the highest
preset temperature satisfies the preset temperature in operation
15, the process moves to operation 16, where a controller closes
the main refrigerant pipe 70 not to supply the refrigerant to the
first evaporator 41, and opens the first branch refrigerant pipe 71
to allow the refrigerant to circulate only the second evaporator 51
and the third evaporator 61. From operation 16, the process moves
to operation 17, where it is determined whether an inner
temperature of the second storage compartment 50 satisfies a preset
temperature. When it is determined that the inner temperature of
the second storage compartment 50 satisfies the preset temperature
in operation 17, the process moves to operation 18, where the
controller closes the first branch refrigerant pipe 71 and opens
the second branch refrigerant pipe 73 alone, thereby allowing the
refrigerant to be directly introduced to the third evaporator 61
without circulating the first and second evaporators 41 and 51.
From operation 18, the process moves to operation 19, where it is
determined whether an inner temperature of the third storage
compartment satisfies a preset temperature. When it is determined
that the inner temperature of the third storage compartment 60
satisfies the preset temperature in operation 19, the controller
controls the compressor 11 to stop operating, thereby preventing
the refrigerant from circulating.
[0066] As described above, in the control method of the
refrigerator according to this embodiment of the present invention,
the refrigerant is not supplied to the evaporators 41, 51 and 61
corresponding to the storage compartments 40, 50 and 60 which do
not perform the cooling operation, among the plurality of storage
compartments 40, 50 and 60, thereby preventing the temperatures of
the evaporators 41, 51 and 61 from being lowered, a frost being
generated, and power consumption due to low pressure operation of a
cooling system.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a
refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present
invention, where at least two of a main refrigerant pipe 70 and
branch refrigerant pipes 71 and 73 are selectively open, and a
remaining one thereof is closed through a control of a selection
valve 13. Operations 31-33 perform similar functions as those of
operations 11-13 shown in FIG. 3, therefore, a description of these
operations is omitted herein.
[0068] Beginning at operation 34, at an initial stage of a cooling
operation of respective storage compartments 40, 50 and 60, the
main refrigerant pipe 70, the first branch refrigerant pipe 71 and
the second branch refrigerant pipe 73 are open. As resistances of
decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 which are provided in the
respective refrigerant pipes are different with one another, a
refrigerant is distributed according thereto.
[0069] For example, when the resistances of the respective
refrigerant pipes are set as [a first decompressor 21+a fourth
decompressor 24+a fifth decompressor 25]<[a second decompressor
22+a fifth decompressor 25]<a third decompressor 23, the amount
of the refrigerant controlled by the selection valve 13 is set as
the main refrigerant pipe 70>the first branch refrigerant pipe
71>the second branch refrigerant pipe 73. Accordingly, the
amount of the refrigerant passing through the second evaporator 51
is more than that of the refrigerant passing through the first
evaporator 41. Also, the amount of the refrigerant passing through
the third evaporator 61 is more than that of the refrigerant
passing through the second evaporator 51.
[0070] From operation 34, the process moves to operation 35, where
it is determined whether an inner temperature of the first storage
compartment satisfies a preset temperature. When the inner
temperature of the first storage compartment 40 satisfies the
preset temperature in operation 35, the process moves to operation
36, where the main refrigerant pipe 70 is closed and the first
branch refrigerant pipe 71 and the second branch refrigerant pipe
73 remain open. As a total sum of the resistances of the second
decompressor 22 and the fifth decompressor 25 is larger than that
of the second decompressor 22, the refrigerant is supplied much to
the first branch refrigerant pipe 71.
[0071] From operation 36, the process moves to operation 37, where
it is determined whether an inner temperature of the second storage
compartment 50 satisfies a preset temperature. When the inner
temperature of the second storage compartment 50 satisfies the
preset temperature in operation 37, the process moves to operation
38, where the main refrigerant pipe 70 and the first branch
refrigerant pipe 71 are closed and only the second branch
refrigerant pipe 73 is open, thereby cooling the third storage
compartment 60. From operation 38, the process moves to operation
39, where it is determined whether an inner temperature of the
third storage compartment 60 satisfies a preset temperature. When
it is determined that the inner temperature of the third storage
compartment 60 satisfies the preset temperature in operation 39,
the process moves to operation 40, the controller controls the
compressor 11 to stop operating, thereby preventing the refrigerant
from circulating.
[0072] In the control method of the refrigerator according to this
embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerant is supplied
according to the resistances of the decompressors 21, 22, 23, 24
and 25, thereby improving cooling speed. That is, at an initial
operation, the amount of the refrigerant passing through the
respective evaporators 41, 51 and 61 is set as the first evaporator
41<the second evaporator 51<the third evaporator 61. Then,
the evaporator having the low preset temperature receives more
refrigerant than the evaporator having the high preset temperature
to concentrate cooling efficiency. Accordingly, the cooling
operation time for all the storage compartments can be reduced,
thereby shortening the driving time for the compressor 11 and
reducing the power consumption.
[0073] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *