Refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator including a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber, a passage opening and closing member for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage, a driving unit for driving the passage opening and closing member so that the passage opening and closing member can open and close the passage, and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, as the passage for supplying the cool air from the freezing chamber to the refrigerating chamber is wholly or partially openable and closable, the actual temperature of the refrigerating chamber can be precisely controlled into the preset temperature. Therefore, stored articles can be freshly maintained to improve users' satisfaction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator wherein cool air flows from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber, and more particularly, to a refrigerator wherein a flow rate of cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber can be precisely regulated.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating one example of a conventional refrigerator.

[0003] The conventional refrigerator will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The conventional refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body 1 in which a freezing chamber F and a refrigerating chamber R are formed on both sides, and a freezing chamber door (not shown) and a refrigerating chamber door (not shown) installed on the refrigerator main body 1 to be openable and closable, respectively. An insulating material is foam-molded inside of walls of the refrigerator main body 1 and of the doors.

[0004] The freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R are separated by a partition wall 2. Shelves 3 are provided in the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R so that a user can put articles thereon. Meanwhile, baskets (not shown) are provided on the freezing chamber door and the refrigerating chamber door so that the user can keep articles therein.

[0005] Here, a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), a capillary tube or an electronic expansion valve (not shown) and an evaporator 4 are built in an inner wall of the refrigerator main body 1. The evaporator 4 is installed on a passage A in the inner wall contacting the freezing chamber F, a defrosting heater 5 is provided below the evaporator 4 for defrosting the evaporator 4, and a cool air circulation fan 6 is provided over the evaporator 4 to blow heat-exchanged cool air from the evaporator 4.

[0006] A plurality of cool air supply holes 7 are formed in the inner wall contacting the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R to supply the cool air heat-exchanged with the evaporator 4, and a damper assembly 10 is formed in the partition wall 2 to supply the cool air from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0007] Accordingly, when the compressor operates, refrigerant is circulated along the compressor, the condenser, the capillary tube or the electronic expansion valve and the evaporator 4. And when the cool air circulation fan 6 operates, the cool air heat-exchanged with the evaporator 4 is forcibly blown and supplied to the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R. The cool air circulated in the freezing chamber F with a relatively low temperature is supplied to the refrigerating chamber R with a relatively high temperature through the damper assembly 10 installed on the passage between the freezing chamber F and the refrigerating chamber R, thereby controlling a temperature inside the refrigerator.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the damper assembly of the conventional refrigerator. The damper assembly 10 applied to the conventional refrigerator will be explained with reference to FIG. 2. The damper assembly 10 includes a damper 12 for opening and closing an opening portion 11 communicating with the passage, and a motor 13 for rotating a hinge shaft of the damper 12 to open and close the passage.

[0009] Here, the motor 13 enables the damper 12 to open and close the opening portion 11, thereby controlling supply/interception of the cool air from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R. The motor 13 is connected to a control unit (not shown) for controlling an operation of the refrigerator through an electric wire 14, and controlled by the control unit.

[0010] However, in the conventional refrigerator, as the damper is opened and closed on the passage for supplying the cool air from the freezing chamber to the refrigerating chamber, the whole passage is subsequently opened and closed. It is thus difficult to precisely control a temperature of the refrigerating chamber and thus to freshly keep articles stored therein.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator wherein a flow rate of cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber is regulated to precisely control a temperature of the refrigerating chamber.

[0012] Particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator wherein a portion for regulating a flow rate of cool air supplied to a refrigerating chamber can be partially opened and closed.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator, including: a plurality of opening and closing plates rotatably installed on a passage through which cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber passes, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage; a driving unit for driving the opening and closing plates to regulate an opening and closing degree of the passage; and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.

[0014] In addition, the passage includes one or more partitioning portions installed to contact the edges of the opening and closing plates when the opening and closing plates are closed.

[0015] Moreover, the driving unit is a plurality of step motors connected to each hinge shaft of the opening and closing plates, for rotating the opening and closing plates in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

[0016] Further, the control unit controls the operation of the driving unit so that an open area of the passage can be widened to increase the flow rate of the cool air, as the measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber becomes higher than the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator, including: an opening and closing blade slidably installed on a passage through which cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber passes, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage; a driving unit for driving the opening and closing blade to regulate an opening and closing degree of the passage; and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.

[0018] In addition, two or more opening and closing blades are formed to be interlocked at a sectional center of the passage and to slidably move between the sectional center and the circumference of the passage.

[0019] Moreover, the control unit controls the operation of the driving unit so that an open area of the passage can be widened to increase the flow rate of the cool air, as the measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber becomes higher than the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator, including: a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber; a passage opening and closing member for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage; a driving unit for driving the passage opening and closing member so that the passage opening and closing member can open and close the passage; and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.

[0021] In addition, the passage opening and closing member is a plurality of dampers that independently operate.

[0022] Moreover, the passage opening and closing member includes a circular opening portion, and a plurality of opening and closing blades arranged along the circumference of the opening portion.

[0023] Further, the opening and closing blades slide in a radius direction of the opening portion.

[0024] Furthermore, the plurality of opening and closing blades of the passage opening and closing member include a rotating blade and a fixed blade, the rotating blade being rotated in a circumferential direction to open some portion of the opening portion.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0025] According to a refrigerator of the present invention, as a passage for supplying cool air from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber is wholly or partially openable and closable, an actual temperature of the refrigerating chamber can be precisely controlled into a preset temperature. Therefore, stored articles can be freshly maintained to improve users' satisfaction.

[0026] In addition, according to a refrigerator of the present invention, although a plurality of opening and closing blades opened and closed in a sliding direction are installed on a section of a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber, the opening and closing blades are opened and closed by one motor. As a result, an installation space and a production cost can be considerably reduced due to decrease of the component number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating one example of a conventional refrigerator;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a damper assembly of the conventional refrigerator;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a damper assembly of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a cool air flow rate control apparatus of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a damper assembly of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a cool air flow rate control apparatus of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0034] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating operating states of the damper assembly of FIG. 5.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0035] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a damper assembly of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a cool air flow rate control apparatus of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a damper assembly 50 of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting portion 51 mounted on a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber F to a refrigerating chamber R, a plurality of opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c hinge-connected to the mounting portion 51, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage, and a plurality of step motors 53a, 53b and 53c for controlling operations of the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c. The damper assembly 50 can regulate a flow rate of cool air supplied from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0037] In addition, electric wires 54a, 54b and 54c connected to the step motors 53a, 53b and 53c respectively are connected to a control unit 55 for controlling an operation of the refrigerator, so that an operation of the damper assembly 50 is controlled by the control unit 55. The control unit 55 controls the operation of the damper assembly 50 in consideration of a set temperature inputted through a button portion 56 provided on a door, and a measured temperature measured by a temperature sensor 57 mounted in the freezing chamber F or the refrigerating chamber R.

[0038] The damper assembly 50 will be described in more detail. Three opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c communicating with the passage are defined in the mounting portion 51 side by side. Two partitioning portions B1 and B2 are provided between the opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c to partition off the passage. Three opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are connected to three step motors 53a, 53b and 53c through different hinge shafts so as to open and close the opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c, respectively.

[0039] In order to precisely regulate the flow rate of the cool air, it is possible to subdivide the passage and additionally install the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c and the step motors 53a, 53b and 53c for opening and closing the subdivided passages. It is determined in consideration of the number and operating relation of the components.

[0040] Here, in the mounting portion 51, guide ribs protrude from the edges of the opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c, and the partitioning portions B1 and B2 protrude at the same height as that of the guide ribs. A thick cloth or the like is provided on surfaces of the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c which contact the guide ribs of the opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c and the partitioning portions B1 and B2. In a state where the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are closed, they contact the guide ribs of the opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c and the partitioning portions B1 and B2, thereby efficiently intercepting the flow of the cool air.

[0041] Moreover, when the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are rotated in a cool air flowing direction, the opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c are blocked, and when the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are rotated in an opposite direction, the opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c are opened. When the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are opened, they are placed to be horizontal to the cool air flowing direction. On the contrary, when the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are closed, they are placed to be vertical to the cool air flowing direction.

[0042] Even if the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are rotated around the hinge shafts in a forward or backward direction, respectively, the step motors 53a, 53b and 53c individually maintain an opening and closing angle of the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c at 90.degree., and thus regulate the flow rate of the cool air flowing from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R. Operations of the step motors 53a, 53b and 53c are individually controlled by the control unit 55.

[0043] Here, if a measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R measured by the temperature sensor 57 provided on the side of the refrigerating chamber R is higher than a set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R pre-inputted through the button portion 56 (T>To), the control unit 55 controls the operations of the step motors 53a, 53b and 53c to open the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c. As a temperature difference .DELTA.T between the measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R and the set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R increases, more opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c are opened to open more opening portions 51a, 51b and 51c, thereby increasing the flow rate of the cool air flowing from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0044] On the contrary, if the measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R is equal to or lower than the set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R (T.ltoreq.To), the control unit 55 controls the operations of the step motors 53a, 53b and 53c to close the opening and closing plates 52a, 52b and 52c. As a result, the cool air is not supplied from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a damper assembly of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a cool air flow rate control apparatus of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are views illustrating operating states of the damper assembly of FIG. 5.

[0046] A damper assembly 50 of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The damper assembly 50 includes a mounting portion 51 mounted on a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber F to a refrigerating chamber R, a plurality of opening and closing blades 52 formed to slidably move on the mounting portion 51, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage, and a motor 53 for controlling operations of the opening and closing blades 52. The damper assembly 50 can regulate a flow rate of cool air supplied from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0047] In addition, an electric wire 54 connected to the motor 53 is connected to a control unit 55 for controlling an operation of the refrigerator, so that an operation of the damper assembly 50 is controlled by the control unit 55. The control unit 55 controls the operation of the damper assembly 50 in consideration of a set temperature inputted through a button portion 56 provided on a door, and a measured temperature measured by a temperature sensor 57 mounted in the freezing chamber F or the refrigerating chamber R.

[0048] The damper assembly 50 will be described in more detail. An opening portion 51h communicating with the passage is defined in the mounting portion 51, and a groove (not shown) for storing the opening and closing blades 52 is defined in an inside surface of the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51.

[0049] Here, the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51 is placed to be horizontal to a cool air flowing direction.

[0050] The opening and closing blades 52 are installed to slidably move from the circumference to the center of the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51. Like a diaphragm of a camera, when the opening and closing blades 52 are driven by the motor 53, they are operated to slidably move on the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51.

[0051] For example, the opening and closing blades 52 are formed as arc-shaped plates, and arranged in a circumferential direction to overlap each other in some sections. Circumferential portions of the opening and closing blades 52 are engaged with each other by gear teeth. Only the gear teeth connected to one opening and closing blade 52 are connected to the motor 53. As the motor 53 operates, the whole opening and closing blades 52 cooperate with each other.

[0052] For another example, the opening and closing blades 52 can be composed of a pair of plates, and installed to slidably move from the counter portions to the center of the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51.

[0053] In a state where the opening and closing blades 52 are closed, they are placed to be vertical to the cool air flowing direction.

[0054] Meanwhile, the motor 53 is connected to the gear teeth connected to one of the opening and closing blades 52, and rotated in a forward or backward direction to open and close the opening and closing blades 52.

[0055] Here, the opening and closing of the opening and closing blades 52 are determined according to a rotation direction of the motor 53. The larger a rotation angle is, the more the opening and closing blades 52 open and close the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51.

[0056] Particularly, if a measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R measured by the temperature sensor 57 provided on the side of the refrigerating chamber R is higher than a set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R pre-inputted through the button portion 56 (T>To), the control unit 55 controls the operations of the motor 53 to open the opening and closing blades 52. As a temperature difference .DELTA.T between the measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R and the set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R increases, the control unit 55 increases the flow rate of the cool air supplied from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0057] That is, if the temperature difference .DELTA.T between the measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R and the set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 7, the motor 53 is operated within a small rotation angle range to partially open the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51, thereby supplying a small flow rate of cool air from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R. On the contrary, if the temperature difference .DELTA.T between the measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R and the set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R is relatively large, as shown in FIG. 8, the motor 53 is operated within a large rotation angle range to wholly open the opening portion 51h of the mounting portion 51, thereby supplying a large flow rate of cool air from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0058] On the other hand, if the measured temperature T of the refrigerating chamber R is equal to or lower than the set temperature To of the refrigerating chamber R (T.ltoreq.To), the control unit 55 controls the operation of the motor 53 to close the opening and closing blades 52. As a result, the cool air is not supplied from the freezing chamber F to the refrigerating chamber R.

[0059] In addition, as another example of the present invention, the opening and closing blades 52 can be composed of a rotating blade and a fixed blade. The motor 53 drives the rotating blade. According to a command of the control unit 55, the rotating blade can be rotated at a predetermined angle by the motor 53. In this configuration, the rotating blade overlaps the fixed blade as much as the angle rotated by the motor 53, and opens the opening portion 51h as much as the rotated angle. As the rotation angle of the rotating blade is regulated to control an opening and closing degree of the opening portion 51h, it is possible to regulate an amount of cool air supplied from the freezing chamber F to a refrigerating chamber R.

[0060] The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and the attached drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and drawings, but is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: a plurality of opening and closing plates rotatably installed on a passage through which cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber passes, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage; a driving unit for driving the opening and closing plates to regulate an opening and closing degree of the passage; and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the passage comprises at least one partitioning portion installed to contact the edges of the opening and closing plates when the opening and closing plates are closed.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the driving unit is a plurality of step motors connected to each hinge shaft of the opening and closing plates, for rotating the opening and closing plates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the driving unit so that an open area of the passage can be widened to increase the flow rate of the cool air, as the measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber becomes higher than the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber.

5. A refrigerator, comprising: an opening and closing blade slidably installed on a passage through which cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber passes, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage; a driving unit for driving the opening and closing blade to regulate an opening and closing degree of the passage; and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein two or more opening and closing blades are formed to be interlocked at a sectional center of the passage and to slidably move between the sectional center and the circumference of the passage.

7. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the driving unit so that an open area of the passage can be widened to increase the flow rate of the cool air, as the measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber becomes higher than the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber.

8. A refrigerator comprising: a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber; a passage opening and closing member for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage; a driving unit for driving the passage opening and closing member so that the passage opening and closing member can open and close the passage; and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the passage opening and closing member is a plurality of dampers that independently operate.

10. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the passage opening and closing member comprises a circular opening portion, and a plurality of opening and closing blades arranged along the circumference of the opening portion.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the opening and closing blades slide in a radius direction of the opening portion.

12. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the plurality of opening and closing blades of the passage opening and closing member comprise a rotating blade and a fixed blade, the rotating blade being rotated in a circumferential direction to open some portion of the opening portion.