U.S. patent application number 11/889325 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for refrigerator and operation control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sung-cheol Kang.
Application Number | 20080178621 11/889325 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39666409 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080178621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kang; Sung-cheol |
July 31, 2008 |
Refrigerator and operation control method thereof
Abstract
A refrigerator including a main body which has a plurality of
storing compartments, a plurality of evaporators which are provided
to correspond to the storing compartments respectively, a plurality
of blowing fans which are provided to correspond to the evaporators
respectively to supply cold air whose heat has been exchanged at
the evaporators to the storing compartments, and a compressor and a
condenser which are provided in the main body, the refrigerator
further includes: a plurality of evaporator temperature sensors
which sense temperature of each evaporator; and a controlling part
which, if temperature of the evaporator sensed by the evaporator
temperature sensor is lower than a defrosting temperature of the
evaporator after the compressor stops operating, controls the
blowing fan that corresponds to the evaporator having temperature
lower than the defrosting temperature to be operated.
Inventors: |
Kang; Sung-cheol;
(Gwangju-city, 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: |
39666409 |
Appl. No.: |
11/889325 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/179 ; 62/186;
62/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 29/00 20130101;
F25B 2600/112 20130101; F25B 2600/02 20130101; F25D 17/065
20130101; F25D 2317/04131 20130101; F25D 2700/122 20130101; F25D
2400/06 20130101; F25D 2700/10 20130101; F25B 2400/01 20130101;
F25B 2400/0409 20130101; F25B 2700/2117 20130101; Y02B 30/70
20130101; F25B 5/04 20130101; F25B 41/37 20210101; F25D 2700/123
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/179 ; 62/186;
62/498 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/00 20060101
F25D017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0008531 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising a main body which has a plurality of
storing compartments, a plurality of evaporators which are provided
to correspond to the storing compartments respectively, a plurality
of blowing fans which are provided to correspond to the evaporators
respectively to supply cold air whose heat has been exchanged at
the evaporators to the storing compartments, and a compressor and a
condenser which are provided in the main body, the refrigerator
further comprising: a plurality of evaporator temperature sensors
which sense temperature of each evaporator; and a controlling part
which, if temperature of the evaporator sensed by the evaporator
temperature sensor is lower than a defrosting temperature of the
evaporator after the compressor stops operating, controls the
blowing fan that corresponds to the evaporator having temperature
lower than the defrosting temperature to be operated.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a
temperature setting part which sets the temperature of each storing
compartment, wherein the controlling part compares a new set
temperature set by the temperature setting part with a former set
temperature of the storing compartment where the new set
temperature is applied, and if the new set temperature is lower
than the former set temperature, the controlling part controls the
blowing fan of the storing compartment, where the new set
temperature is set, to be operated.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein operation time of
the blowing fan of the storing compartment where the new set
temperature is set increases in proportion to difference between
the new set temperature and the former set temperature.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, further comprising: a
supplying pipe which serially connects the compressor with the
condenser and supplies refrigerant to the plurality of evaporators;
a first branch pipe which branches off from the supplying pipe and
is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a second
branch pipe which is serially connected with the first branch pipe
and is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a bypass
pipe which branches off between the first branch pipe and the
supplying pipe to bypass the refrigerant of the supplying pipe to
the second branch pipe; a selecting valve which is provided among
the supplying pipe, the first branch pipe and the bypass pipe to
selectively open or close the first branch pipe and the bypass
pipe; and a plurality of room temperature sensors which sense
temperature of each storing compartment, wherein if, during
operation of the compressor, the temperature of each storing
compartment where the first branch pipe is installed is lower than
a set temperature, the controlling part controls the selecting
valve to close the first branch pipe and to open the bypass pipe,
and controls the blowing fan which corresponds to each evaporator
installed in the first branch pipe to be operated.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising: a
supplying pipe which serially connects the compressor with the
condenser and supplies refrigerant to the plurality of evaporators;
a first branch pipe which branches off from the supplying pipe and
is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a second
branch pipe which is serially connected with the first branch pipe
and is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a bypass
pipe which branches off between the first branch pipe and the
supplying pipe to bypass the refrigerant of the supplying pipe to
the second branch pipe; a selecting valve which is provided among
the supplying pipe, the first branch pipe and the bypass pipe to
selectively open or close the first branch pipe and the bypass
pipe; and a plurality of room temperature sensors which sense
temperature of each storing compartment, wherein if, during
operation of the compressor, the temperature of each storing
compartment where the first branch pipe is installed is lower than
a set temperature, the controlling part controls the selecting
valve to close the first branch pipe and to open the bypass pipe,
and controls the blowing fan which corresponds to each evaporator
installed in the first branch pipe to be operated.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a
supplying pipe which serially connects the compressor with the
condenser and supplies refrigerant to the plurality of evaporators;
a first branch pipe which branches off from the supplying pipe and
is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a second
branch pipe which is serially connected with the first branch pipe
and is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a bypass
pipe which branches off between the first branch pipe and the
supplying pipe to bypass the refrigerant of the supplying pipe to
the second branch pipe; a selecting valve which is provided among
the supplying pipe, the first branch pipe and the bypass pipe to
selectively open or close the first branch pipe and the bypass
pipe; and a plurality of room temperature sensors which sense
temperature of each storing compartment, wherein if, during
operation of the compressor, the temperature of each storing
compartment where the first branch pipe is installed is lower than
a set temperature, the controlling part controls the selecting
valve to close the first branch pipe and to open the bypass pipe,
and controls the blowing fan which corresponds to each evaporator
installed in the first branch pipe to be operated.
7. An operation control method of a refrigerator including a main
body which has a plurality of storing compartments, a plurality of
evaporators which are provided to correspond to the storing
compartments respectively, a plurality of blowing fans which are
provided to correspond to the evaporators respectively to supply
cold air whose heat has been exchanged at the evaporators to the
storing compartments, a compressor and a condenser which are
provided in the main body, a plurality of evaporator temperature
sensors which sense temperature of each evaporator, a temperature
setting part which sets a temperature of each storing compartment,
a supplying pipe which serially connects the compressor with the
condenser and supplies refrigerant to the plurality of evaporators,
a first branch pipe which branches off from the supplying pipe and
is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators, a second
branch pipe which is serially connected with the first branch pipe
and is serially connected to the plurality of evaporators, a bypass
pipe which branches off between the first branch pipe and the
supplying pipe to bypass the refrigerant of the supplying pipe to
the second branch pipe, a selecting valve which is provided among
the supplying pipe, the first branch pipe and the bypass pipe to
selectively open or close the first branch pipe and the bypass
pipe, and a plurality of room temperature sensors which sense
temperature of each storing compartment, the operation control
method comprising: sensing a temperature of each evaporator through
the respective evaporator temperature sensors after the compressor
stops operating; comparing the temperature of each evaporator
sensed through the respective evaporator temperature sensors with a
defrosting temperature of the evaporator; and operating, if the
temperature of the evaporator sensed by the evaporator temperature
sensor is lower than the defrosting temperature of the evaporator,
the blowing fan that corresponds to the evaporator having
temperature lower than the defrosting temperature.
8. The operation control method of a refrigerator according to
claim 7, further comprising: comparing a new set temperature set by
the temperature setting part with a former set temperature of the
storing compartment where the new set temperature is applied; and
operating, if the new set temperature is lower than the former set
temperature, the blowing fan of the storing compartment where the
new set temperature is set.
9. The operation control method of a refrigerator according to
claim 8, wherein an operation time of the blowing fan of the
storing compartment where the new set temperature is set increases
in proportion to difference between the new set temperature and the
former set temperature.
10. The operation control method of a refrigerator according to
claim 9, further comprising: sensing, during operation of the
compressor, the temperature of each storing compartment where the
first branch pipe is installed; comparing the sensed temperature of
each storing compartment where the first branch pipe is installed
with a set temperature of each storing compartment; controlling, if
the temperature of each storing compartment where the first branch
pipe is installed is lower than the set temperature, the selecting
valve to close the first branch pipe and to open the bypass pipe;
and operating the blowing fan which corresponds to each evaporator
installed in the first branch pipe.
11. The operation control method of a refrigerator according to
claim 8, further comprising: sensing, during operation of the
compressor, the temperature of each storing compartment where the
first branch pipe is installed; comparing the sensed temperature of
each storing compartment where the first branch pipe is installed
with a set temperature of each storing compartment; controlling, if
the temperature of each storing compartment where the first branch
pipe is installed is lower than the set temperature, the selecting
valve to close the first branch pipe and to open the bypass pipe;
and operating the blowing fan which corresponds to each evaporator
installed in the first branch pipe.
12. The operation control method of a refrigerator according to
claim 7, wherein the refrigerator further comprises a supplying
pipe which serially connects the compressor with the condenser and
supplies refrigerant to the plurality of evaporators; a first
branch pipe which branches off from the supplying pipe and is
serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a second branch
pipe which is serially connected with the first branch pipe and is
serially connected to the plurality of evaporators; a bypass pipe
which branches off between the first branch pipe and the supplying
pipe to bypass the refrigerant of the supplying pipe to the second
branch pipe; a selecting valve which is provided among the
supplying pipe, the first branch pipe and the bypass pipe to
selectively open or close the first branch pipe and the bypass
pipe; and a plurality of room temperature sensors which sense
temperature of each storing compartment, and the operation control
method of a refrigerator further comprises sensing, during
operation of the compressor, the temperature of each storing
compartment where the first branch pipe is installed; comparing the
sensed temperature of each storing compartment where the first
branch pipe is installed with a set temperature of each storing
compartment; controlling, if the temperature of each storing
compartment where the first branch pipe is installed is lower than
the set temperature, the selecting valve to close the first branch
pipe and to open the bypass pipe; and operating the blowing fan
which corresponds to each evaporator installed in the first branch
pipe.
13. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body partitioned into four
storing compartments; first through fourth evaporators, each one of
the first through evaporator corresponding to one of the four
storing compartments, each evaporator including a blowing fan to
supply cold air whose heat has been exchanged at the evaporators to
the storing compartments and an evaporator temperature sensor to
sense a temperature of the evaporator; a compressor and a condenser
provided in the main body; a controlling part which, if the
temperature of one of the first through fourth evaporators sensed
by the corresponding evaporator temperature sensor is lower than a
defrosting temperature of the evaporator after the compressor stops
operating, controls the blowing fan that corresponds to the
evaporator having a temperature lower than the defrosting
temperature to be operated.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, further comprising: a
temperature setting part which sets the temperature of each storing
compartment, wherein the controlling part compares a new set
temperature set by the temperature setting part with a former set
temperature of the storing compartment where the new set
temperature is applied, and if the new set temperature is lower
than the former set temperature, the controlling part controls the
blowing fan of the evaporator, where the new set temperature is
set, to be operated.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein an operation
time of the blowing fan of the storing compartment where the new
set temperature is set increases in proportion to difference
between the new set temperature and the former set temperature.
16. The refrigerator according to claim 13, further comprising: a
supplying pipe serially connecting the compressor to the condenser
that supplies refrigerant to the first through fourth evaporators;
a first branch pipe branching off from the supplying pipe and
serially connected to the first and third evaporators; a second
branch pipe serially connected to the first branch pipe and
serially connected to the second and fourth plurality of
evaporators; a bypass pipe branching off between the first branch
pipe and the supplying pipe that bypasses the refrigerant of the
supplying pipe to the second branch pipe; a selecting valve which
is provided among the supplying pipe, the first branch pipe and the
bypass pipe to selectively open or close the first branch pipe and
the bypass pipe; and a plurality of room temperature sensors which
sense temperature of each storing compartment, wherein, during
operation of the compressor, if the temperature of each storing
compartment where the first branch pipe is installed is lower than
a set temperature, the controlling part controls the selecting
valve to close the first branch pipe and open the bypass pipe, and
controls the blowing fan which corresponds to each evaporator
installed in the first branch pipe to be operated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2007-0008531, filed on Jan. 26, 2007 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present
invention relate to a refrigerator and an operation control method
thereof, and more particularly to a refrigerator which includes a
main body having a plurality of storing compartments and a
plurality of evaporators corresponding to the storing compartments
respectively and an operation control method thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus for storing
products at a low temperature and includes a main body having a
plurality of storing compartments where the goods are stored, a
door opening and closing an opening part formed in each of the
plurality of storing compartments, and a refrigerating system
provided in the main body to refrigerate the storing
compartments.
[0006] The refrigerating system includes a compressor, a condenser,
a decompressing part and an evaporator. Lately, according to some
refrigerating systems, a plurality of the evaporators are provided
to correspond to a plurality of the storing compartments to supply
cold air to each storing compartment independently.
[0007] As described above, an exemplary embodiment of the
refrigerator including the refrigerating system which has a
plurality of the evaporators serially connected therebetween to
correspond to a plurality of the storing compartments, that is so
called an independent cooling type refrigerator, is shown in FIG.
4.
[0008] Referring to FIG. 4, a conventional independent cooling type
refrigerating system 201 includes one compressor 211, one condenser
213, a first evaporator 221 and a second evaporator 231 which are
provided to respectively correspond to a first storing compartment
220 and a second storing compartment 230 having different set
temperatures, and a decompressing part 215 which decompresses
refrigerant flowing into each of the evaporators 221 and 231.
[0009] With such a configuration, the conventional refrigerator
circulates the refrigerant in the order of the compressor 211, the
condenser 213, the decompressing part 215, and the first and the
second evaporators 221, and 231 in a refrigerating operation. The
cold air generated in each of the evaporators 221 and 231 are
supplied to each of the storing compartments 220 and 230 through
the blowing fans 223 and 233.
[0010] On the other hand, if room temperature of one of the first
storing compartment 220 and the second storing compartment 230
satisfies the set temperature, the refrigerator stops operating a
blowing fan 223 or 233 of the corresponding storing compartment 220
or 230 to prevent the goods stored in the corresponding storing
compartment 220 or 230 from being over-cooled.
[0011] However, as such a conventional refrigerator has two storing
compartments, that is, a freezing compartment and a cooling
compartment and the set room humidity of the cooling compartment is
fixed to a predetermined degree, a user cannot set the room
humidity selectively to correspond to the goods to be stored.
SUMMARY
[0012] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a refrigerator and an operation control method thereof
where humidity of a storing compartment can be maintained in an
optimum condition to correspond to stored goods and the humidity of
the storing compartment can be selectively controlled, so that the
stored goods can be preserved for a long time and their freshness
can be improved.
[0013] Additional aspects of the present invention will be set
forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will
be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of
the present invention.
[0014] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
can be achieved by providing a refrigerator including a main body
which has a plurality of storing compartments, a plurality of
evaporators which are provided to correspond to the storing
compartments respectively, a plurality of blowing fans which are
provided to correspond to the evaporators respectively to supply
cold air whose heat has been exchanged at the evaporators to the
storing compartments, and a compressor and a condenser which are
provided in the main body, the refrigerator further including: a
plurality of evaporator temperature sensors which sense temperature
of each evaporator; and a controlling part which, if temperature of
the evaporator sensed by the evaporator temperature sensor is lower
than a defrosting temperature of the evaporator after the
compressor stops operating, controls the blowing fan that
corresponds to the evaporator having temperature lower than the
defrosting temperature to be operated.
[0015] According to an aspect of the invention, the refrigerator
further includes a temperature setting part which sets the
temperature of each storing compartment, wherein the controlling
part compares a new set temperature set by the temperature setting
part with a former set temperature of the storing compartment where
the new set temperature is applied, and if the new set temperature
is lower than the former set temperature, the controlling part
controls the blowing fan of the storing compartment, where the new
set temperature is set, to be operated.
[0016] According to an aspect of the invention, operation time of
the blowing fan of the storing compartment where the new set
temperature is set increases in proportion to the difference
between the new set temperature and the former set temperature.
[0017] According to an aspect of the invention, the refrigerator
may further include: a supplying pipe which serially connects the
compressor with the condenser and supplies refrigerant to the
plurality of evaporators; a first branch pipe which branches off
from the supplying pipe and is serially connected to the plurality
of evaporators; a second branch pipe which is serially connected
with the first branch pipe and is serially connected to the
plurality of evaporators; a bypass pipe which branches off between
the first branch pipe and the supplying pipe to bypass the
refrigerant of the supplying pipe to the second branch pipe; a
selecting valve which is provided among the supplying pipe, the
first branch pipe and the bypass pipe to selectively open or close
the first branch pipe and the bypass pipe; and a plurality of room
temperature sensors which sense temperature of each storing
compartment, wherein if, during operation of the compressor, the
temperature of each storing compartment where the first branch pipe
is installed is lower than a set temperature, the controlling part
controls the selecting valve to close the first branch pipe and to
open the bypass pipe, and controls the blowing fan which
corresponds to each evaporator installed in the first branch pipe
to be operated.
[0018] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
can be achieved by providing an operation control method of a
refrigerator including a main body which has a plurality of storing
compartments, a plurality of evaporators which are provided to
correspond to the storing compartments respectively, a plurality of
blowing fans which are provided to correspond to the evaporators
respectively to supply cold air whose heat has been exchanged at
the evaporators to the storing compartments, a compressor and a
condenser which are provided in the main body, and a plurality of
evaporator temperature sensors which sense temperature of each
evaporator, the method including: sensing the temperature of each
evaporator through the evaporator temperature sensor after the
compressor stops operating; comparing the temperature of the
evaporator sensed through the evaporator temperature sensor with a
defrosting temperature of the evaporator; and operating, if the
temperature of the evaporator sensed by the evaporator temperature
sensor is lower than the defrosting temperature of the evaporator,
the blowing fan that corresponds to the evaporator having
temperature lower than the defrosting temperature.
[0019] According to an aspect of the invention, the refrigerator
further includes a temperature setting part which sets temperature
of each storing compartment, and the operation control method of a
refrigerator further includes comparing a new set temperature set
by the temperature setting part with a former set temperature of
the storing compartment where the new set temperature is applied;
and operating, if the new set temperature is lower than the former
set temperature, the blowing fan of the storing compartment where
the new set temperature is set.
[0020] According to an aspect of the invention, operation time of
the blowing fan of the storing compartment where the new set
temperature is set increases in proportion to difference between
the new set temperature and the former set temperature.
[0021] According to an aspect of the invention, the refrigerator
further includes a supplying pipe which serially connects the
compressor with the condenser and supplies refrigerant to the
plurality of evaporators; a first branch pipe which branches off
from the supplying pipe and is serially connected to the plurality
of evaporators; a second branch pipe which is serially connected
with the first branch pipe and is serially connected to the
plurality of evaporators; a bypass pipe which branches off between
the first branch pipe and the supplying pipe to bypass the
refrigerant of the supplying pipe to the second branch pipe; a
selecting valve which is provided among the supplying pipe, the
first branch pipe and the bypass pipe to selectively open or close
the first branch pipe and the bypass pipe; and a plurality of room
temperature sensors which sense the temperature of each storing
compartment, and the operation control method of a refrigerator
further includes sensing, during operation of the compressor, the
temperature of each storing compartment where the first branch pipe
is installed; comparing the sensed temperature of each storing
compartment where the first branch pipe is installed with a set
temperature of each storing compartment; controlling, if the
temperature of each storing compartment where the first branch pipe
is installed is lower than the set temperature, the selecting valve
to close the first branch pipe and to open the bypass pipe; and
operating the blowing fan which corresponds to each evaporator
installed in the first branch pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerating system
of the refrigerator according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a control state diagram of the refrigerator
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0026] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a refrigerating system
of a conventional refrigerator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] 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 exemplary embodiments are described
below so as to explain the present invention by referring to the
figures.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a refrigerator 1 according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a main
body cabinet 11 having a main storing compartment 13 and an
auxiliary storing compartment 21 which are vertically partitioned,
evaporators 31, 33, 35 and 37 provided to supply cold air to the
main storing compartment 13 and the auxiliary storing compartment
21, and ducts 41, 43, 45 and 47 guiding the cold air generated by
the evaporators 31, 33, 35 and 37 to corresponding main storing
compartment 13 and the auxiliary storing compartment 21 to
refrigerate the main storing compartment 13 and the auxiliary
storing compartment 21 independently.
[0029] A main door 85 and an auxiliary door 91 are provided to the
main body cabinet 11 to open and close the main storing compartment
13 and the auxiliary storing compartment 21 respectively. A machine
room (not shown) accommodating a compressor 3 compressing
refrigerant and a condenser 5 condensing the compressed refrigerant
is provided at a rear lower side of the main body cabinet 11.
[0030] The main storing compartment 13 is disposed at an upper part
of the main body cabinet 11, and includes a first storing
compartment 15 and a second storing compartment 17 which are
partitioned horizontally by a main partitioning wall 27. In this
case, the first storing compartment 15 may correspond to a cooling
compartment and the second storing compartment 17 may correspond to
a freezing compartment.
[0031] The auxiliary storing compartment 21 is disposed at a lower
part of the main body cabinet 11, and includes a third storing
compartment 23 and a fourth storing compartment 25 which are
partitioned horizontally by the main partitioning wall 27. In this
case, the third storing compartment 23 may correspond to the
cooling compartment or the freezing compartment and the fourth
compartment 25 may also correspond to the cooling compartment or
the freezing compartment.
[0032] The evaporators are mounted to the main body cabinet 11, and
includes a first evaporator 31 refrigerating the first storing
compartment 15, a second evaporator 33 refrigerating the second
storing compartment 17, a third evaporator 35 refrigerating the
third storing compartment 23, and a fourth evaporator 37
refrigerating the fourth storing compartment 25.
[0033] The first evaporator 31 and the second evaporator 33 are
installed at an inner back side area of the first storing
compartment 15 and the second storing compartment 17 respectively.
The first duct 41 and the second duct 43 are mounted in front of
the first evaporator 31 and the second evaporator 33 respectively,
and cold air flowing paths are formed in the first duct 41 and the
second duct 43 respectively.
[0034] A first defrosting heater 51 and a second defrosting heater
53 are provided at the first evaporator 31 and the second
evaporator 33 respectively, so that frost generated at the first
evaporator 31 and the second evaporator 33 can be respectively
removed.
[0035] Defrosted water which has been defrosted by the first
defrosting heater 51 and the second defrosting heater 53 is
discharged to a defrosted water storing part (not shown) provided
in the machine room.
[0036] A first blowing fan 61 is mounted inside of the first duct
41 to forcibly blow the cold air generated by the first evaporator
31 to the first storing compartment 15.
[0037] A second blowing fan 63 is mounted inside of the second duct
43 to forcibly blow the cold air generated by the second evaporator
33 to the second storing compartment 17.
[0038] The auxiliary storing compartment 21 may be refrigerated to
a cooling or freezing temperature area in a set predetermined
temperature range. The auxiliary storing compartment 21, as an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may have the
temperature range of about -30.about.7.degree. C. That is, each
auxiliary compartment 21 may perform function of the freezing
compartment as well as the cooling compartment. Hereinafter,
descriptions will be given on the condition that the auxiliary
storing compartment 21 positioned under the first storing
compartment 15 is the third storing compartment 23 and the
auxiliary storing compartment 21 positioned under the second
storing compartment 17 is the fourth storing compartment 25.
[0039] The auxiliary storing compartment 21 is generally configured
to have less space than the main storing compartment 13. The
auxiliary storing compartment 21 is disposed at the lower part of
the main cabinet 11, and is partitioned vertically apart from the
main storing compartment 13 by a partitioning wall 29. The
partitioning wall 29 vertically partitions the first storing
compartment 15 and the third storing compartment 23, and vertically
partitions the second storing compartment 17 and the fourth storing
compartment 25.
[0040] The third evaporator 35 serially connected with the first
evaporator 31 refrigerates the third storing compartment 23, and
the fourth evaporator 37 serially connected with the second
evaporator 33 refrigerates the fourth storing compartment 25. Also,
the third evaporator 35 is serially connected with the fourth
evaporator 37.
[0041] The third evaporator 35 and the fourth evaporator 37 are
installed at the inner back side part of the third storing
compartment 23 and the fourth storing compartment 25 respectively,
and the third duct 45 and the fourth duct 47 are mounted in front
of the third evaporator 35 and the fourth evaporator 37
respectively. The cold air flowing paths are formed in the third
duct 45 and the fourth duct 47.
[0042] A third defrosting heater 55 and a fourth defrosting heater
57 are mounted at the third evaporator 35 and the fourth evaporator
37 respectively, so that the frost generated at the third
evaporator 35 and the fourth evaporator 37 can be removed
respectively.
[0043] The defrosted water which has been defrosted by the third
defrosting heater 55 and the fourth defrosting heater 57 is
discharged to the defrosted water storing part provided in the
machine room.
[0044] A third blowing fan 65 is mounted inside of the third duct
45 to forcibly blow the cold air generated by the third evaporator
35 to the third storing compartment 23.
[0045] A fourth blowing fan 67 is mounted inside of the fourth duct
47 to forcibly blow the cold air generated by the fourth evaporator
37 to the fourth storing compartment 25.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes the
compressor 3, the condenser 5 condensing the refrigerant compressed
by the compressor 3, a supplying pipe 71 serially connecting the
compressor 3 with the condenser 5 and supplying the refrigerant to
the plurality of the evaporators, a first branch pipe 73 branching
off from the supplying pipe 71 and serially connecting the first
evaporator 31 with the third evaporator 35, a second branch pipe 75
serially connected with the first branch pipe 73 and serially
connecting the second evaporator 33 with the fourth evaporator 37,
a bypass pipe 77 branching off from between the first branch pipe
73 and the supplying pipe 71 to bypass the refrigerant of the
supplying pipe 71 to the second branch pipe 75, and a selecting
valve 79 provided among the supplying pipe 71, the first branch
pipe 73 and the bypass pipe 77 to selectively open or close the
first branch pipe 73 and the bypass pipe 77.
[0047] The selecting valve 79 may be provided as a three-way valve
to selectively supply the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 5
to the first branch pipe 73 or the bypass pipe 77. In this case,
the selecting valve 79 may supply the refrigerant supplied from the
condenser 5 to both of the first branch pipe 73 and the bypass pipe
77. Alternatively, the selecting valve 79 may close both of the
first branch pipe 73 and the bypass pipe 77. A first capillary tube
81 is provided between the selecting valve 79 of the first branch
pipe 73 and the first evaporator 31 to decompress the refrigerant,
and a second capillary tube 83 is provided at the bypass pipe 77 to
decompress the refrigerant.
[0048] The main door 85 includes a first storing compartment door
87 pivotally opening or closing the first storing compartment 15,
and a second storing compartment door 89 pivotally opening or
closing the second storing compartment 17.
[0049] The auxiliary door 91 includes a third storing compartment
door 93 slidingly opening or closing the third storing compartment
23, and a fourth storing compartment door 95 slidingly opening or
closing the fourth storing compartment 25.
[0050] On the other hand, the refrigerator 1 according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a plurality of
room temperature sensors 101, 103, 105, 107 sensing temperature of
each of the storing compartments 15, 17, 23 and 25, a plurality of
evaporator temperature sensors 111, 113, 115, and 117 sensing
temperature of each of the evaporators 31, 33, 35 and 37, and a
temperature setting part 121 setting temperature of each of the
storing compartments 15, 17, 23, and 25 to humidify each of the
storing compartments 15, 17, 23 and 25. Also, the refrigerator 1
may selectively have a humidity sensor (not shown) to estimate the
humidity of each of the storing compartments 15, 17, 23 and 25.
[0051] The room temperature sensors include a first room
temperature sensor 101 for estimating temperature of the first
storing compartment 15, a second room temperature sensor 103 for
estimating temperature of the second storing compartment 17, a
third room temperature sensor 105 for estimating temperature of the
third storing compartment 23, and a fourth room temperature sensor
107 for estimating temperature of the fourth storing compartment
25.
[0052] The evaporator temperature sensors include a first
evaporator temperature sensor 111 for estimating temperature of the
first evaporator 31, a second evaporator temperature sensor 113 for
estimating temperature of the second evaporator 33, a third
evaporator temperature sensor 115 for estimating temperature of the
third evaporator 35, and a fourth evaporator temperature sensor 117
for estimating temperature of the fourth evaporator 37.
[0053] Also, the refrigerator 1 according to the present invention
has a controlling part 125 controlling operation of the compressor
3, each of the blowing fans 61, 63, 65 and 67, and each of the
defrosting heaters 51, 53, 55, and 57. After the compressor 3 stops
operating, if the temperature of any evaporator 31, 33, 35 or 37
sensed by the evaporator temperature sensor 111, 113, 115 or 117 is
lower than the predetermined defrosting temperature, the
controlling part 125 controls operation of corresponding blowing
fan 61, 63, 65 or 67 of the evaporator 31, 33, 35 or 37 whose
temperature is lower than the defrosting temperature. Also, the
controlling part 125 compares a new set temperature being set by
the temperature setting part 121 with a former set temperature of
the storing compartment 15, 17, 23 or 25 to which the new set
temperature is applied. If the new set temperature is lower than
the former set temperature, the controlling part 125 controls the
blowing fan 61, 63, 65 or 67 of the storing compartment 15, 17, 23
or 25, where the temperature is newly set, to be operated. In this
case, operating time of the blowing fan 61, 63, 65 or 67 of the
storing compartment 15, 17, 23 or 25, where the temperature is
newly set, may increase in proportion to the difference between the
new set temperature and the former set temperature.
[0054] Also, during operation of the compressor 3, if the
temperatures of the first storing compartment 15 and the third
storing compartment 23 where the first branch pipe 73 is installed
are lower than a predetermined set temperature, the controlling
part 125 controls the selecting valve 79 to close the first branch
pipe 73 and open the bypass pipe 77, and controls the first blowing
fan 61 and the third blowing fan 65 of the first evaporator 31 and
the third evaporator 35 respectively, where both evaporators 31 and
35 are installed on the first branch pipe 73, to be operated.
[0055] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3, a humidifying method of
the refrigerator 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention is described.
[0056] If operation of the refrigerator 1 is started, the
controlling part 125 estimates temperature of each of the storing
compartments 15, 17, 23 and 25 through the room temperature sensors
101, 103, 105 and 107. Also, if required, the controlling part 125
operates the compressor 3 and each of the blowing fans 61, 63, 65
and 67, thus enabling the temperature of each of the storing
compartments 15, 17, 23 and 25 to be the temperature set by the
user.
[0057] Also, the controlling part 125 periodically operates each of
the defrosting heaters 51, 53, 55 and 57 to perform defrosting.
[0058] During operation of the refrigerator 1, the controlling part
125 determines whether the compressor 3 is being operated or not,
and estimates the temperatures of the first storing compartment 15
and the third storing compartment 23, where the first branch pipe
73 is installed, through the first room temperature sensor 101 and
the third room temperature sensor 105.
[0059] The controlling part 125 compares the temperatures of the
first storing compartment 15 and the third storing compartment 23
estimated through each of the room temperature sensors 101 and 105
with the set temperatures of the corresponding storing compartments
15 and 23. As a result, if the temperature is lower than the
corresponding set temperature, the controlling part 125 controls
the selecting valve 79 so that the first branch pipe 73 can be
closed and the bypass pipe 77 can be opened. In this case, the
refrigerant of the supplying pipe 71 is supplied through the bypass
pipe 77 to the second branch pipe 75.
[0060] Also, the controlling part 125 operates the first blowing
fan 61 and the third blowing fan 65 respectively corresponding to
the first evaporator 31 and the third evaporator 35 which are
installed on the first branch pipe 73.
[0061] As the first blowing fan 61 and the third blowing fan 65 are
operated respectively, the frost formed on the first evaporator 31
and the third evaporator 35 is turned into vapor and is blown to
the first storing compartment 15 and the third storing compartment
23 respectively and thus humidifies the first storing compartment
15 and the third storing compartment 23 for predetermined time T1
and T3 respectively.
[0062] Also, if the defrosting of the first storing compartment 15
and the third storing compartment 23 is completed, the controlling
part 125 determines whether the compressor 3 is stopped or not. If
the compressor 3 is stopped, the controlling part 125 estimates the
temperatures of the first evaporator 31 and the third evaporator 35
through the first evaporator temperature sensor 111 and the third
evaporator temperature sensor 115 respectively.
[0063] The controlling part 125 compares the temperature estimated
through each of the evaporator temperature sensors 111 and 115 of
the first evaporator 31 and the third evaporator 35 with the
defrosting temperatures of the evaporators 31 and 35. As a result,
if the estimated temperature is lower than the corresponding
defrosting temperature, the controlling part 125 operates the first
blowing fan 61 and the third blowing fan 65 for predetermined time
T2 and T4. In this case, after the defrosting operation has been
performed along with the operation of the blowing fans 61 and 65,
water remaining at each of the evaporators 31 and 35 is turned into
vapor and blown to the corresponding storing compartments 15 and 23
to humidify the storing compartments 15 and 23.
[0064] Hereinafter, when, for example, the user adjusts the room
humidity of the first storing compartment 15 to correspond to the
goods to be stored in the refrigerator, the operation processes of
the refrigerator are described.
[0065] If the user newly sets the temperature of the first storing
compartment 15 by operating the temperature setting part 121, the
controlling part 125 compares a new set temperature Tn set by the
temperature setting part 121 with a former set temperature Ts of
the first storing compartment 15.
[0066] Then, if the controlling part 125 determines that the new
set temperature Tn of the first storing compartment 15 is lower
than the former set temperature Ts, the controlling part 125
operates the first blowing fan 61.
[0067] In this case, operation time of the first blowing fan 61
increases in proportion to the difference between the new set
temperature Tn and the former set temperature Ts of the first
storing compartment 15.
[0068] For example, if the difference between the new set
temperature Tn and the former set temperature Ts of the first
storing compartment 15 is 1.degree. C., the controlling part 125
operates the first blowing fan 61 for five minutes to maintain the
humidity of the first storing compartment 15 to be 55%. Or, if the
difference is 2.degree. C., the controlling part 125 operates the
first blowing fan 61 for ten minutes to maintain the humidity of
the first storing compartment 15 to be 65%. Or, if the difference
is 3.degree. C., the controlling part 125 operates the first
blowing fan 61 for twenty minutes to maintain the humidity of the
first storing compartment 15 to be 75%.
[0069] Therefore, the operation time of the first blowing fan 61 is
controlled according to the temperature Tn newly set by the
temperature setting part 121, so that the first storing compartment
15 can be humidified while its room humidity is selectively
adjusted.
[0070] Although only the humidifying processes of the first storing
compartment 15 was described in the above exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, such humidifying processes may also be
applied respectively or simultaneously to the other storing
compartments which include the second storing compartment 17, the
third storing compartment 23, and the fourth storing compartment
25.
[0071] Also, although the refrigerator having four storing
compartments was described in the above exemplary embodiment, the
concept of the present invention may also be applied to the
refrigerator having three storing compartments.
[0072] Also, although only one temperature setting part was
described to be provided in the above exemplary embodiment, the
temperature setting part may also be provided to each of the
storing compartments respectively.
[0073] As described above, according to the present invention,
provided are the refrigerator and operation control method thereof
where humidity of the storing compartment can be maintained in an
optimum condition to correspond to stored goods and the humidity of
the storing compartment can be selectively controlled, so that the
stored goods can be preserved for a long time and their freshness
can be improved.
[0074] Although a few exemplary 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
exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and
spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *