U.S. patent application number 17/296691 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-27 for wine cellar and method for controlling same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Gkuneui HONG, Kihak HONG, Ganghyun KIM, Dongnyeol RYU, Kookjeong SEO.
Application Number | 20220026098 17/296691 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005942837 |
Filed Date | 2022-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220026098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HONG; Kihak ; et
al. |
January 27, 2022 |
WINE CELLAR AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME
Abstract
A wine cellar includes a storage room for storing food, a
cooling device for supplying cooled air to the storage room, a
heating device for supplying heated air to the storage room and a
fan for circulating outside air of the wine cellar and inside air
of the storage room. A temperature sensor senses the temperature in
the storage room. A processor determines an operation mode of the
wine cellar on the basis of the sensed temperature of the storage
room and a set temperature for the storage room, and selectively
controls the cooling device or the heating device on the basis of
the determined operation mode. When the determined operation mode
is a heating mode, the processor controls the fan to allow the
outside air to flow into the storage room, and controls the heating
device to start supplying the heated air during the operation of
the fan.
Inventors: |
HONG; Kihak; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; KIM; Ganghyun; (Suwon-si, KR) ; SEO;
Kookjeong; (Suwon-si, KR) ; RYU; Dongnyeol;
(Suwon-si, KR) ; HONG; Gkuneui; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000005942837 |
Appl. No.: |
17/296691 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
November 28, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2019/016560 |
371 Date: |
May 25, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 2221/48 20130101; F24F 11/67 20180101; F24F 2110/12 20180101;
F24F 2110/20 20180101; F24F 7/007 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/67 20060101
F24F011/67; F24F 7/007 20060101 F24F007/007 |
Claims
1. A wine cellar comprising: a storage room to store food; a
cooling device to supply cooled air to the storage room; a heating
device to supply heated air to the storage room; a fan to circulate
outside air of the wine cellar and inside air of the storage room;
a temperature sensor configured to sense temperature in the storage
room; and a processor configured to determine an operation mode of
the wine cellar based on the sensed temperature of the storage room
and a set temperature for the storage room, and selectively control
the cooling device or the heating device based on the determined
operation mode, wherein the processor is further configured to,
based on the determined operation mode being a heating mode,
control the fan to introduce the outside air into the inside of the
storage room, and control the heating device to start supplying the
heated air during operation of the fan.
2. The wine cellar of claim 1, further comprising: a humidity
sensor to sense humidity of the storage room, wherein the processor
is further configured to, based on the sensed humidity reaching a
preset humidity during the operation of the fan, control the
heating device to start supplying the heated air.
3. The wine cellar of claim 2, wherein the processor is further
configured to control the fan for a preset time, and based on the
sensed humidity reaching the preset humidity after the preset time,
control the heating device to start supplying the heated air.
4. The wine cellar of claim 3, wherein the processor is further
configured to, based on the sensed humidity not reaching the preset
humidity after the preset time, control the fan again for the
preset time.
5. The wine cellar of claim 3, wherein the processor is further
configured to calculate an average humidity of the detected
humidity during the preset time, and based on the calculated
average humidity reaching the preset humidity, control the heating
device to start supplying the heated air.
6. The wine cellar of claim 2, wherein the humidity sensor
comprises a plurality of sensors disposed at different locations in
the storage room to sense humidity, respectively, and wherein the
processor is further configured to, based on all the humidity
sensed by the plurality of humidity sensors, respectively, during
the operation of the fan, reaching the preset humidity, control the
heater to start supplying the heated air.
7. The wine cellar of claim 2, further comprising: a second
temperature sensor to sense outside temperature of the wine cellar,
wherein the preset humidity is set based on at least one of the
outside temperature or the set temperature.
8. The wine cellar of claim 2, wherein the preset humidity is
75%.
9. A method for controlling a wine cellar comprising a cooling
device, a heating device, and a fan, the method comprising: sensing
temperature in a storage room of the wine cellar; determining an
operation mode of the wine cellar based on the temperature of the
storage room and a set temperature for the storage room; and
selectively controlling the cooling device or the heating device
based on the determined operation mode, wherein the controlling
comprises: controlling the fan to introduce the outside air into
the inside of the storage room; and controlling the heating device
to start supplying the heated air during operation of the fan.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the controlling further
comprises: sensing humidity of the storage room, wherein the
controlling the heating device comprises, based on the sensed
humidity reaching a preset humidity during the operation of the
fan, controlling the heating device to start supplying the heated
air.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the controlling the fan
comprises controlling the fan for a preset time, and wherein the
controlling the heating device comprises, based on the sensed
humidity reaching the preset humidity after the preset time,
controlling the heating device to start supplying the heated
air.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling further
comprises: based on the sensed humidity not reaching the preset
humidity after the preset time, controlling the fan again for the
preset time.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling the heating
device comprises calculating an average humidity of the detected
humidity during the preset time, and based on the calculated
average humidity reaching the preset humidity, controlling the
heating device to start supplying the heated air.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensing the humidity
comprises sensing humidity using a plurality of humidity sensors
disposed at different locations in the storage room, and wherein
the controlling the heating device comprises, based on all the
humidity sensed by the plurality of humidity sensors, respectively,
during the operation of the fan, reaching the preset humidity,
controlling the heater to start supplying the heated air.
15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: sensing outside
temperature of the wine cellar, wherein the preset humidity is set
based on at least one of the outside temperature or the set
temperature.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a wine cellar and a method for
controlling same. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a
wine cellar capable of performing a heating operation after
lowering humidity in the cellar using a fan, and a method for
controlling the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A refrigerator is an electronic device (or home appliance)
capable of storing eatable or drinkable food (or groceries) for
refrigeration or freeze through a refrigeration cycle using a
refrigerant.
[0003] Recently, there has been developed a refrigerator for not
only keeping an ordinary food refrigerated, but also for storing a
specific food. For example, a wine refrigerator (or wine cellar),
etc., for storing wine in an optimal state has been launched.
[0004] Wine has different storage temperatures depending on a type.
Champagne is mainly stored at a temperature range of 4.degree. C.
to 7.degree. C., a white wine at 8.degree. C. to 13.degree. C., and
a red wine at 14.degree. C. to 18.degree. C. Thus, a wine
refrigerator (or wine cellar) may be designed to ensure a wide
temperature range from 4.degree. C. to 18.degree. C., and a
separate heater may be applied thereto.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0005] It is an object of the disclosure to provide a wine cellar
capable of performing a heating operation after lowering humidity
in the cellar using a fan, and a method for controlling the
same.
Technical Solution
[0006] According to an embodiment, a wine cellar includes a storage
room to store food, a cooling device to supply cooled air to the
storage room, a heating device to supply heated air to the storage
room, a fan to circulate outside air of the wine cellar and inside
air of the storage room, a temperature sensor configured to sense
temperature in the storage room, and a processor configured to
determine an operation mode of the wine cellar based on the sensed
temperature of the storage room and a set temperature for the
storage room, and selectively control the cooling device or the
heating device based on the determined operation mode, and the
processor may, based on the determined operation mode being a
heating mode, control the fan to introduce the outside air into the
inside of the storage room, and control the heating device to start
supplying the heated air during operation of the fan.
[0007] According to an embodiment, a method for controlling a wine
cellar comprising a cooling device, a heating device, and a fan
includes sensing temperature in a storage room of the wine cellar;
determining an operation mode of the wine cellar based on the
temperature of the storage room and a set temperature for the
storage room; and selectively controlling the cooling device or the
heating device based on the determined operation mode, and the
controlling may include controlling the fan to introduce the
outside air into the inside of the storage room and controlling the
heating device to start supplying the heated air during operation
of the fan.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a simple
configuration of a wine cellar according to an embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific
configuration of a wine cellar according to an embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating related-art dew
formation;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of removing dew
formation according to an embodiment;
[0012] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an operation of a
heating mode according to an embodiment; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling
a wine cellar according to an embodiment.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0014] After terms used in the present specification are briefly
described, the disclosure will be described in detail.
[0015] The terms used in the disclosure and the claims are general
terms identified in consideration of the functions of embodiments
of the disclosure. However, these terms may vary depending on
intention, legal or technical interpretation, emergence of new
technologies, and the like of those skilled in the related art. In
addition, in some cases, a term may be selected by the applicant,
in which case the term will be described in detail in the
description of the corresponding disclosure. Thus, the term used in
this disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of term, not
a simple name of the term, and the contents throughout this
disclosure.
[0016] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be
diversely modified. Accordingly, specific exemplary embodiments are
illustrated in the drawings and are described in detail in the
detailed description. However, it is to be understood that the
present disclosure is not limited to a specific exemplary
embodiment, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and
substitutions without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present disclosure. Also, well-known functions or constructions are
not described in detail since they would obscure the disclosure
with unnecessary detail.
[0017] Terms such as "first," and "second" may be used in
describing the various elements, but the elements are not to be
limited by the terms. The terms may be used only to distinguish one
element from another.
[0018] A singular expression includes a plural expression, unless
otherwise specified. It is to be understood that the terms such as
"comprise" or "consist of" are used herein to designate a presence
of a characteristic, number, step, operation, element, component,
or a combination thereof, and not to preclude a presence or a
possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics,
numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or a combination
thereof.
[0019] Hereinafter, non-limiting example embodiments of the
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the
disclosure pertains may easily practice the disclosure. However,
the disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is
not limited to embodiments described herein. In addition, in the
drawings, portions unrelated to the description will be
omitted.
[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a simple
configuration of a wine cellar according to an embodiment.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a wine cellar 100 includes a storage
room 110, a cooling device 120, a heating device 130, a fan 140, a
temperature sensor 150, and a processor 160.
[0023] The storage room 110 is disposed inside the wine cellar 100
to store food. The storage room 110 may be maintained at about
4.degree. C. to 7.degree. C. to store the champagne, at about
8.degree. C. to about 13.degree. C. to store white wine, or at
14.degree. C. to 18.degree. C. to store red wine.
[0024] A plurality of storage rooms 110 may be arranged to store
different foods. For example, the storage room 110 may store the
champagne, white wine, and red wine, respectively, in order to
store wine by types. Respective storage rooms may be maintained at
different temperature ranges.
[0025] The storage room 110 may be provided such that a front
surface is opened to allow inserting or withdrawing food, and the
opened front surface may be opened and closed by a door (not
shown). A shelf, or the like, to place food thereon may be provided
in the storage room 110.
[0026] The cooling device 120 may supply cooled air to the storage
room 110. Specifically, the cooling device 120 may supply cooled
air to the storage room 110 to lower the temperature of the storage
room 110 under the control of the processor 160. The cooling device
120 may include a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown),
and an evaporator (not shown).
[0027] The compressor may compress a gaseous refrigerant at a high
pressure. The condenser may apply a high pressure to change the
compressed gaseous refrigerant into a liquid state. The evaporator
may apply a low pressure to vaporize the refrigerant in the liquid
state again. In this example, the heat of the ambient air may be
absorbed while the refrigerant is vaporized again. The ambient air
that has absorbed heat may be provided to the storage room 110.
[0028] The cooling device 120 may include a Peltier element or a
thermoelectric element in addition to the above-described example
for supplying cooled air.
[0029] The heating device 130 may supply heated air to the storage
room 110. The heating device 130 may supply heated air to the
storage room 110 to increase the temperature of the storage room
110 under the control of the processor 160. The heating device 130
may include a heater (not shown). The heater may be a heating
element that receives power and generates heat directly.
Alternatively, the heater may be implemented using a Peltier
element or a thermoelectric element.
[0030] The fan 140 may circulate the outside air of the wine cellar
100 and the inside air of the storage room 110. The fan 140 may
suck outside air through a suction portion of the wine cellar 100
under the control of the processor 160, and may discharge the
inside air through the outlet of the wine cellar 100, thereby
circulating the outside air and the inside air.
[0031] The temperature and humidity of the storage room 110 may be
changed as the fan 140 circulates the outside air and the inside
air. For example, when the outside air of the wine cellar 100 is
dry air of 10.degree. C. and the inside air is a humid air of
15.degree. C., the outside air may be inhaled by the fan 140 and
the inside air may be discharged to lower the temperature and
humidity of the storage room 110.
[0032] The temperature sensor 150 may sense the inside temperature
of the wine cellar 100. Specifically, the temperature sensor 150
may be disposed inside the storage room 110 to sense the
temperature of the storage room 110. Alternatively, the temperature
sensor 150 may be disposed outside the wine cellar 100 to sense the
outside temperature of the wine cellar 100.
[0033] A plurality of temperature sensors 150 may be disposed to
simultaneously detect a plurality of temperatures. The temperature
sensor 150 may provide the detected temperature information to the
processor 160.
[0034] The processor 160 may perform control for each configuration
in the wine cellar 100. The processor 160 may control an operation
of the configuration related to the function, based on receiving a
command for a specific function.
[0035] The processor 160 may control the cooling device 120 or the
heating device 130 so that the temperature of the storage room 110
may maintain a set temperature, based on receiving a command
corresponding to the set temperature for the storage room 110.
[0036] The processor 160 may determine the operation mode of the
wine cellar 100 prior to controlling the cooling device 120 or the
heating device 130. The operation mode may be configured with a
cooling mode for supplying cooled air to the storage room 110 to
lower the temperature of the storage room 110, or a heating mode
for increasing the temperature of the storage room 110 by supplying
heated air to the storage room 110, and is not limited to the above
example.
[0037] The processor 160 may determine the operation mode based on
the detected temperature of the storage room 1110 and the set
temperature for the storage room 110.
[0038] If the temperature of the storage room 110 is higher than
the set temperature for the storage room 110, the processor 160 may
determine the operation mode as the cooling mode. If the
temperature of the storage room 110 is lower than the set
temperature, the processor 160 may determine the operation mode as
the heating mode.
[0039] For example, if the current temperature of the storage room
110 is 10.degree. C. and the set temperature is 16.degree. C., the
processor 160 may determine the operation mode as the heating mode.
As another example, if the current temperature of the storage room
110 is 16.degree. C. and the set temperature is 10.degree. C., the
processor 160 may determine the operation mode as the cooling
mode.
[0040] The processor 160 may selectively control the cooling device
120 or the heating device 130 based on the determined operation
mode. When the determined operation mode is the cooling mode, the
processor 160 may control the cooling device 120, and when the
determined operation mode is the heating mode, the processor 160
may control the heating device 130.
[0041] The processor 160, when the determined operation mode is a
cooling mode, may supply cooled air to the storage room 110 and
control the cooling device 120 so that the temperature of the
storage room 110 reaches a lower set temperature.
[0042] The processor 160 may supply heated air to the storage room
110 when the determined operation mode is a heating mode, and
control the heating device 130 so that the temperature of the
storage room 110 reaches a higher set temperature.
[0043] The processor 160 may control the fan 140 to be driven
first, prior to controlling the heating device 130 to supply heated
air to the storage room 110. Specifically, when the determined
operation mode is the heating mode, the processor 160 may control
the fan 140 to be driven first so that the outside air of the wine
cellar 100 flows into the storage room 110.
[0044] The reason why the fan 140 is driven prior to controlling
the heating device 130 is to lower the humidity of the storage room
having increased humidity due to operation of the cooling device by
discharging the inside air of the storage room to the outside of
the wine cellar and sucking outside air having a relatively low
humidity inside the wine cellar. When the humidity of the storage
chamber is lowered, a dew formation phenomenon in the wine cellar
may be prevented.
[0045] The dew formation phenomenon and a method of removing dew
formation will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0046] The processor 160 may control the heating device 130 to
resume supply of heated air while the fan 140 is operating to
decrease humidity of the storage room 110.
[0047] The processor 160 may control the heating device 130 to
control the fan 140 for a predetermined time, and to start the
supply of heated air after a predetermined time. Here, the
predetermined time is the time averagely required to decrease the
humidity of the storage room 110 to a specific humidity capable of
preventing dew formation. The predetermined time may be 30 minutes,
1 hour, etc., but is not limited thereto.
[0048] When the temperature of the storage room 110 reaches a set
temperature, the processor 160 may control the cooling device 120
or the heating device 130 to maintain the set temperature. When the
temperature of the storage room 110 reaches a set temperature by
controlling the cooling device 120 or the heating device 130, the
processor 160 may control the cooling device 120 or the heating
device 130 to maintain the temperature of the storage room 110 at a
set temperature in consideration of the outside temperature of the
wine cellar 100.
[0049] If the outside temperature of the wine cellar 100 is higher
than the set temperature, the processor 160 may control the cooling
device 120 to maintain the set temperature. For example, when the
outside temperature is 15.degree. C. and the set temperature is
4.degree. C., the temperature of the storage room 110 may be
increased due to the external influence of the wine cellar 100, so
that the processor 160 may maintain the temperature of the storage
room 110 at a set temperature by using the cooling device 120.
[0050] If the outside temperature of the wine cellar 100 is lower
than the set temperature, the processor 160 may control the heating
device 130 to maintain the set temperature. For example, when the
outside temperature is 10.degree. C. and the set temperature is
15.degree. C., the temperature of the storage room 110 may be
lowered due to the external influence of the wine cellar 100, so
that the processor 160 may maintain the temperature of the storage
room 110 at a set temperature by using the heating device 130.
[0051] The processor 160 may control the cooling device 120 or the
heating device 130 and may control the fan 140 at the same time.
The processor 160 may control the cooling device 120 to supply
cooled air to the storage room 110, and at the same time, may
control the fan 140 so that the cooled air may be evenly spread
inside the storage room 110. The processor 160 may control the
heating device 130 to supply heated air to the storage room 110,
and at the same time, may control the fan 140 so that the heated
air may be evenly spread inside the storage room 110.
[0052] A simple configuration of the wine cellar has been
described, but in implementation, various configuration may be
added. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0053] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific
configuration of a wine cellar according to an embodiment.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, the wine cellar 100 according to an
embodiment may include the storage room 110, the cooling device
120, the heating device 130, the fan 140, a temperature sensor 150,
a processor 160, a humidity sensor 170, an input device 180, and a
memory 190.
[0055] Since the storage room 110, the cooling device 120, the
heating device 130, and the fan 140 perform the same function as
that of FIG. 1, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The
processor 160 has been described with reference to FIG. 1, and the
contents already described in FIG. 1 will not be described, and
only the contents added in FIG. 2 will be described below.
[0056] The humidity sensor 170 may sense the inside humidity of the
wine cellar 100. The humidity sensor 170 may be disposed inside the
storage room 110 to sense the humidity of the storage room 110. The
humidity sensor 170 may include a plurality of humidity sensors 170
to simultaneously sense a plurality of humidity. The humidity
sensor 170 may provide the sensed humidity information to the
processor 160.
[0057] The processor 160 may control the fan 140 using the sensed
humidity information of the storage room 110. When the operation
mode of the wine cellar 100 is determined as the heating mode, the
processor 160 may first control the fan 140 to introduce the
outside air into the storage room 110 to lower the humidity of the
storage room 110. The processor 160 may control the heating device
130 to start the supply of heated air when the humidity of the
storage room 110 reaches a predetermined humidity during operation
of the fan 140.
[0058] The preset humidity may refer to humidity sufficient to
prevent dew formation. The predetermined humidity may be set in
consideration of the outside temperature and the set temperature of
the wine cellar 100. The predetermined humidity may be set to a
fixed value, such as 75%, and is not limited thereto.
[0059] When the humidity sensor 170 has a plurality of humidity
sensors 170, the processor 160 may control the heating device 130
to start the supply of heated air when the humidity sensed by each
of the plurality of humidity sensors reaches a predetermined
humidity during operation of the fan 140.
[0060] The dew formation phenomenon and a method of removing dew
formation will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0061] The input device 180 may include a plurality of function
keys that a user may set or select various functions supported by
the wine cellar 100. The user may input various driving commands to
the wine cellar 100.
[0062] The user may input a storage mode corresponding to the type
of food through the input device 180. For example, if the wine
cellar 100 is a wine cellar, the user may select one of a champagne
storage mode for storing champagne, a white storage mode for
storing white wine, and a red wine storage mode for storing red
wine. Meanwhile, the user may input the set temperature of the
storage room 110 directly through the input device 180 in addition
to the storage mode corresponding to the type of food.
[0063] The processor 160 may control the cooling device 120 or the
heating device 130 so as to have the temperature corresponding to
the input storage mode or setting temperature through the input
device 180.
[0064] For example, the processor 160 may control the cooling
device 120 or the heating device 130 so that the temperature of the
storage room 110 satisfies 4.degree. C. to 7.degree. C. when the
champagne storage mode is input. As another example, the processor
160 may control the cooling device 120 or the heating device 130 so
that the temperature of the storage room 110 satisfies 10.degree.
C. when the set temperature is 10.degree. C.
[0065] When a new command for the set temperature is inputted
through the input device 180, the processor 160 may determine an
operation mode of the wine cellar 100 to have a temperature
corresponding to a new set temperature. The cooling device 120 or
the heating device 130 may be selectively controlled based on the
determined operation mode.
[0066] The input device 180 may be implemented as a touch screen
capable of performing a function of a display (not shown)
displaying various information provided by the wine cellar 100.
[0067] A memory 190 may store various data for the operation of the
wine cellar 100, such as a program for processing or control of the
processor 160. To be specific, the memory 190 may store a plurality
of application programs driven on the wine cellar 100 and data and
instructions for operating the wine cellar 100.
[0068] The memory 190 may be accessed by the processor 160, and
data reading/writing/modifying/deleting/updating, or the like, by
the processor 160 may be performed. The memory 190 may be
implemented not only as a storage medium in the wine cellar 100 but
also as an external storage medium, a removable disk including a
universal serial bus (USB) memory, a web server through a network,
or the like.
[0069] The memory 190 may store information on a set temperature
corresponding to the type of food. For example, the wine cellar 100
may provide a plurality of storage modes according to the type of
wine, and the memory 190 may store information on a set temperature
corresponding to a plurality of storage modes.
[0070] Specifically, in the case of a champagne storage mode for
managing the champagne, the memory 190 may store 4 to 7.degree. C.
as the range of a set temperature, in the case of white wine
storage mode to manage white wine, 8 to 13.degree. C. may be stored
as the range of set temperature, and in the case of red wine
storage mode to manage red wine, 14.degree. C. to 18.degree. C. may
be stored as the range of set temperature.
[0071] In illustrating FIG. 2, only the aforementioned
configurations have been illustrated, but in implementation, a
communication device (not shown) and a display (not shown), or the
like, may be additionally provided.
[0072] In the related art, when the operation mode of the wine
cellar is determined to be the heating mode, the heating device is
operated immediately. At this time, when the temperature of the
storage room is higher than the outside temperature due to the
moisture deposited on an evaporator of the cooling device or the
like, in a state where humidity of a storage room is high, there
may be a problem that a dew formation phenomenon may occur.
[0073] As described above, according to an embodiment, if the
operation mode of the wine cellar is determined to be the heating
mode, by operating the fan first, instead of immediately operating
the heating device, thereby lowering the humidity of the storage
room, there may be an effect to prevent dew formation phenomenon
even when the temperature of the storage room is higher than the
outside temperature.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating related-art dew
formation.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 3, a graph showing water vapor amount
(g/m.sup.3) according to the temperature (.quadrature.) by relative
humidity (%) is illustrated.
[0076] Air may include different amount of water vapor depending on
the temperature. A maximum water vapor amount that may be included
in the air of the volume 1 m.sup.3 at a constant temperature is
referred to as a saturated vapor amount, and the ratio of the
amount of water vapor contained in the air in the volume 1 m.sup.3
to the saturated vapor amount represented in % is relative
humidity. The relative humidity may be represented as follows:
Relative humidity(%)=current water vapor
amount(g/m.sup.3)/saturated water vapor amount at the current
temperature(g/m.sup.3)
[0077] The relative humidity has a feature that the larger the
amount of water vapor contained in the air, the relative humidity
may increase, and the larger the saturated vapor amount, the
relative humidity may decrease. In addition, the saturated vapor
amount may increase as the temperature increases.
[0078] When the amount of water vapor contained in the air is the
maximum water vapor amount, it is called a saturation state, and
the relative humidity may be 100%. When the temperature is lowered
due to a certain cause without a change in the amount of water
vapor, the amount of saturated vapor may be reduced, so that a
portion of the water vapor contained in the air is condensed.
[0079] For example, when the current temperature is 20.degree. C.,
the saturated vapor amount is 17.3 g/m.sup.3. However, when the
temperature is lowered to 10.degree. C., the saturated vapor amount
becomes 9.4 g/m3, and some water vapor (17.3-9.4=7.9 g/m.sup.3) may
be condensed to generate dew formation.
[0080] This principle may be applied to a wine cellar. With
reference to FIG. 3, dew formation that may occur in a related-art
wine cellar will be described.
[0081] In the related-art, when the temperature of a storage room
is lower than set temperature, a processor may determine an
operation mode as a heating mode, and may control to directly
operate a heating device, or control so that a heating device and a
fan simultaneously operate.
[0082] When the operation mode of the wine cellar is determined as
the heating mode after the operation of the cooling device and the
heating device is directly operated, the moisture deposited in the
evaporator of the cooling device due to operation of the cooling
device may be evaporated due to the heating operation of the
heating device, and the steam of high humidity may flow into the
storage room to increase the humidity of the storage room. If there
are a lot of moisture deposited on the evaporator, the humidity of
the storage room may reach relative humidity of 100%.
[0083] Due to the operation of the heating device, the temperature
of the storage room may rise, increasing the saturated vapor
amount, but when the water vapor is continuously supplied due to
the moisture deposited on the evaporator, the humidity may continue
to maintain a saturation state of 100%.
[0084] The temperature of the storage room temperature may be
increased to be higher than the outside temperature of the wine
cellar. In the case of air located at a place where the temperature
is low, for example, air located in an inner surface of the housing
of the wine cellar, heat may be lost to the outside, thereby the
temperature may be lowered.
[0085] The air of which heat is lost to the outside may have
reduced amount of saturated vapor due to the decrease in
temperature, the saturated vapor being the maximum water vapor
amount that may be included at the corresponding temperature.
Therefore, some of the water vapor contained in the air of which
heat is lost may be condensed to cause a dew condensation.
[0086] For example, when the temperature of the air of which heat
is lost to the outside is reduced to the temperature of the outside
air, the saturated vapor amount of the air of which heat is lost
may be reduced to a saturated vapor amount corresponding to the
temperature of the outside air, and the amount of water vapor that
exceeds the saturated vapor amount corresponding to the temperature
of the outside air, among the water vapor included in the air of
which heat is lost may be condensed to generate dew formation.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 3, the initial temperature of the storage
room may be 4.degree. C., the outside temperature may be 15.degree.
C., and the set temperature may be 18.degree. C. due to the
operation of the cooling device. The humidity of the storage room
may be increased due to the operation of the previous cooling
device, so that the relative humidity is 100%.
[0088] As the heater device operates, temperature of the storage
room may rise, and humidity may maintain 100% due to supply of
moisture deposited to the evaporator of the cooling device.
[0089] As the heating device is continuously operated, a dew
formation phenomenon may occur while the temperature of the storage
room is higher than 15.degree. C., which is an outside temperature.
As the temperature of air in an inner surface of a housing of the
wine cellar decreases due to the influence of the low temperature
of the air, the amount of water vapor corresponding to the
difference between the amount of water vapor in the storage room
and the amount of saturated water vapor corresponding to the
outside temperature may be condensed so that dew formation may be
generated.
[0090] The wine cellar 100 may be provided with a glass window so
that a user may check the wine placed in the storage room, and at
this time, a dew formation may be generated on the window so that
the user may not check the wine, feeling inconvenient.
[0091] When the heating device reaches 18.degree. C. which is the
set temperature, the heating device may maintain the corresponding
temperature. At this time, since the fan operates together, the dry
outside air may continuously flow into and the amount of water
vapor in the air may gradually decrease.
[0092] The dew formation phenomenon described above may occur even
when the humidity of the storage room is lower than 100%. For
example, even when the humidity of the storage room is 90%, the
temperature of the storage room may rise than the outside
temperature, and when the amount of water vapor in the storage room
is greater than the saturated vapor amount corresponding to the
outside temperature, a dew formation may occur on the inner surface
of the housing of the wine cellar. The dew formation phenomenon may
occur primarily in the dew formation area of FIG. 3, but this is
merely an example, and the dew formation area may be different
depending on the humidity of the outside air, the amount of
moisture deposited on the evaporator, and the like.
[0093] As described above, in the related-art, the heating device
immediately operates after the operation of the cooling device,
which may generate dew formation, causing customer's
dissatisfaction.
[0094] Hereinbelow, a method of removing dew formation using a pen
will be described.
[0095] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method of removing dew
formation according to an embodiment.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 4, due to the operation of the cooling
device 120, the initial temperature of the storage room 110 may be
4.degree. C., the temperature of the outside air may be 15.degree.
C. and the set temperature may be 18.degree. C. Due to the previous
operation of the cooling device 120, the humidity of the storage
room 110 may rise, and the relative humidity may be 100%.
[0097] The processor 160 may first control the fan 140 prior to
controlling the operation of the heating device 130. Due to the
operation of the fan 140, the outside air of the wine cellar 100
may be sucked and the inside air of the storage room 110 may be
discharged. As the outside air having a high temperature is sucked,
the temperature of the storage room 110 may rise.
[0098] Since the humidity of outside air is relatively low to the
inside air, the outside air of the low humidity may continuously
flow into the storage room 110 due to the operation of the fan 140.
However, due to the supply of moisture deposited on the evaporator
of the cooling device 120, the humidity of the storage room 110 may
still be maintained at 100%
[0099] When the fan 140 is operated continuously, there may be no
additional moisture supply in the storage room 110, since all the
deposited moistures may be evaporated, and outside air having a
relatively low humidity may be continuously supplied to the storage
room 110 to decrease the humidity of the storage room 110.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 4, it is illustrated that after the
temperature of the storage room 110 reaches 15.degree. C. which is
the outside temperature, the humidity of the storage room 110 may
be lowered before reaching the outside temperature according to the
amount of moisture deposited on the evaporator of the cooling
device 120.
[0101] If the humidity of the storage room 110 is sufficiently low,
the heating device 130 may start to operate, and even if the
temperature of the storage room 110 increases, the amount of water
vapor in the storage room may not exceed the saturated vapor amount
corresponding to the outside temperature, and thus a dew formation
phenomenon may not occur.
[0102] The processor 160, based on determining that the humidity of
the storage room 110 is sufficiently lowered, may control to start
the operation of the heating device 130.
[0103] A criterion of determining by the processor 160 about
whether the humidity of the storage room 110 is sufficiently
lowered may be whether the preset humidity is reached sufficient
enough to prevent dew formation through the humidity sensor 170.
The predetermined humidity may be set in consideration of the
outside temperature and the set temperature of the wine cellar 100.
The predetermined humidity may be set to a fixed value, such as
75%, and is not limited thereto.
[0104] If the humidity of the storage room 110 reaches the preset
humidity, the processor 160 may control that the heating device 130
starts operation. If the humidity of the storage room 110 does not
reach the preset humidity, the processor 160 may control the
operation of the fan 140 until the humidity of the storage room 110
reaches the preset humidity.
[0105] A criterion on determining by the processor 160 about
whether the humidity of the storage room 110 is sufficiently
lowered may be whether the fan 140 is operating for a predetermined
time. The predetermined time may be the time averagely required to
decrease the humidity of the storage room 110 to a specific
humidity capable of preventing dew formation. The predetermined
time may be 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc., but is not limited
thereto.
[0106] If the operation time of the fan 140 reaches a predetermined
time, the processor 160 may control the heating device 130 to start
an operation. In contrast, if the operation time of the fan 140
reaches a predetermined time, the processor 160 may control the
operation of the fan 140 until a predetermined time is reached.
[0107] A criterion on determining by the processor 160 about
whether the humidity of the storage room 110 is sufficiently
lowered may be whether the preset humidity is reached through the
humidity sensor 170, after the fan 140 operates for a preset
time.
[0108] If the humidity of the storage room 110 reaches a
predetermined humidity after the fan 140 operates for a
predetermined period of time, the processor 160 may control the
heating device 130 to start an operation. After the fan 140
operates for a predetermined period of time, if the humidity of the
storage room 110 does not reach the preset humidity, the processor
160 may control the fan 140 to operate for a predetermined time
again.
[0109] A criterion on determining whether the humidity of the
storage room 110 is sufficiently lowered and an action of the
processor 160 if the criterion is dissatisfied are not limited to
the above example.
[0110] The processor 160 may operate the heating device 130 to
raise the temperature of the storage room 110 to 18.degree. C.
which is the set temperature. The processor 160 may operate the fan
140 at the same time so that the heated air may be evenly supplied
into the storage room 110. Here, outside air having a relatively
low temperature may flow in, but the influence of outside air may
be offset due to the operation of the heating device 130.
[0111] If the temperature of the storage room 110 reaches a preset
temperature, the processor 160 may control the cooling device 120
or the heating device 130 to maintain the temperature. Referring to
FIG. 4, since the outside temperature is lower than the set
temperature, the processor 160 may control the heating device 130
to maintain the set temperature.
[0112] In describing FIG. 4, the humidity of the storage room
increases due to the moisture deposited on the evaporator of the
cooling device, but this may be applied in the same manner when the
humidity of the storage room increases due to supply of moisture
not only by the evaporator but also by other reasons.
[0113] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an operation of a
heating mode according to an embodiment.
[0114] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an algorithm of a heating
mode.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 5, the processor 160 may identify whether
the condition of the heating mode is satisfied in operation S510.
The processor 160 may identify whether the condition of the heating
mode is satisfied depending on whether the temperature of the
storage room 110 is lower than the set temperature.
[0116] Based on the condition of the heating mode being satisfied
in operation S510-Y, the processor 160 may additionally identify
whether the previous operation mode is the cooling mode in
operation S520.
[0117] If the previous operation mode is the cooling mode in
operation S520-Y, the dew formation phenomenon may occur due to
moisture deposited on the evaporator, or the like, of the cooling
device 120. In operation S530, when the previous operation mode is
in the cooling mode, the processor 160 may identify that it is
necessary to remove dew formation and may drive the fan 140 for a
predetermined period of time so that the humidity of the storage
room 110 is lowered. Here, the predetermined time may be one hour,
and is not limited to the above example.
[0118] In operation S 540, the processor 160 may identify whether
the humidity of the storage room 110 is less than a predetermined
humidity. If the humidity of the storage room 110 is greater than a
predetermined humidity in operation S540-Y, the processor 160 may
control the fan 140 to operate for a predetermined time. If the
humidity of the storage room 110 is less than a predetermined
humidity in operation S540-Y, the processor 160 may control the
heating device 130 to start an operation.
[0119] The processor 160 may be implemented in a manner that
controls to start the operation of the heating device 130 according
to whether the average humidity of the storage room 110 sensed by
the humidity sensor 170 for a predetermined time is less than a
predetermined humidity, rather than controlling to start the
operation of the heating device 130 according to whether the
humidity of the storage room 110 after a predetermined time is less
than a predetermined humidity.
[0120] The plurality of humidity sensors 170 may be disposed at
different locations of the storage room 110, and the processor 160
may control to start the operation of the heating device 130
according to whether a plurality of humidity sensed by the
plurality of humidity sensors 170 after a predetermined time is
less than a predetermined humidity.
[0121] In the case where the previous operation mode is the heating
mode in operation S520-N, there is no moisture deposited on the
evaporator, or the like, of the cooling device 120, and thus the
likelihood of dew formation phenomenon may be low. Therefore, the
processor 160 may identify that, if the previous operation mode is
the heating mode, there is no need to perform an operation for
removing the dew formation, and may control the heating device 130
to operate in operation S550.
[0122] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a fan and a
heating device.
[0123] Referring to FIG. 6, the fan 140 and the heating device 130
may be in a standby in a power off state ({circle around (1)}).
[0124] If the heating mode condition is satisfied, the fan 140 may
start an operation prior to the heating device 130 as the processor
160 controls the fan 140 ({circle around (2)}). The processor 160
may additionally identify whether the previous operation mode is a
cooling mode, and may be implemented in such a manner that the fan
140 operates prior to the heating device 130 only when the previous
operation mode is the cooling mode.
[0125] When the fan 140 operates for a predetermined period of
time, the processor 160 may identify whether the humidity of the
storage room 110 satisfies a predetermined humidity. The
predetermined time may be 1 hour, and the preset humidity may be
75%, but is not limited thereto.
[0126] If the humidity of the storage room 110 satisfies a preset
humidity, the processor 160 may start operation of the heating
device 130 ({circle around (3)}).
[0127] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling
a wine cellar according to an embodiment.
[0128] Referring to FIG. 7, first, the temperature of the storage
room may be sensed in operation S710. In operation S720, the
operation mode of the wine cellar may be determined based on the
temperature of the storage room and the set temperature for the
storage room. Specifically, when the temperature of the storage
room is higher than the set temperature for the storage room, the
operation mode of the wine cellar may be determined as the cooling
mode. If the temperature of the storage room is lower than the set
temperature, the operation mode of the wine cellar may be
determined as the heating mode.
[0129] A cooling device or a heating device may be selectively
controlled based on the determined operation mode. When the
determined operation mode is the cooling mode, the cooling device
may be controlled, and when the determined operation mode is the
heating mode, the heating device may be controlled.
[0130] In operation S730, when the determined operation mode is the
heating mode, the fan may be controlled so that the outside air of
the wine cellar flows into the storage room. The fan may be
controlled such that outside air of the wine cellar may flow into
the storage room for a predetermined period of time.
[0131] The humidity of the storage room may be sensed. If a
plurality of humidity sensors are disposed at different positions
of the storage room, the plurality of sensors may be used to sense
the plurality of humidity simultaneously.
[0132] The heating device may be controlled to start the supply of
heated air during operation of the fan in operation S740. If the
humidity of the storage room sensed during the operation of the fan
reaches a predetermined humidity, the heating device may be
controlled to start the supply of heated air.
[0133] The predetermined humidity may refer to humidity sufficient
to prevent dew formation. The predetermined humidity may be set in
consideration of the outside temperature and the set temperature of
the wine cellar. In this example, an operation of sensing the
outside temperature of the wine cellar may be additionally
performed. The predetermined humidity may be a fixed value, such as
75%, and is not limited thereto.
[0134] More specifically, when the sensed humidity reaches a preset
humidity after the operation of the fan for a predetermined period
of time, the heating device may be controlled to start the supply
of heated air. If the sensed humidity does not reach a preset
humidity after the operation of the fan for a predetermined period
of time, the fan may be controlled to operate for a predetermined
period of time.
[0135] After the operation of the fan for a predetermined period of
time, the average humidity of the sensed humidity may be calculated
for a predetermined time, and when the calculated average humidity
reaches a preset humidity, the heating device may be controlled to
start the supply of heated air.
[0136] When a plurality of humidity sensors are disposed in the
storage room, the heating device may be controlled to start the
supply of heated air when the humidity sensed by each of the
plurality of humidity sensors reaches a predetermined humidity.
[0137] According to the controlling method of the wine cellar, when
the operation mode of the wine cellar is determined as the heating
mode, the fan may be controlled to operate first, thereby lowering
the humidity of the storage room and preventing dew formation even
when the temperature of the storage room is higher than the outside
temperature. The control method as shown in FIG. 7 may be performed
on a wine cellar having the configuration of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and
may also be implemented on a wine cellar having other
configurations.
[0138] The controlling method may be implemented as at least one
execution program to execute the controlling method as described
above, and the program may be stored in a non-transitory computer
readable medium.
[0139] The non-transitory computer readable medium refers to a
medium that stores data semi-permanently rather than storing data
for a very short time, such as a register, a cache, a memory, etc.,
and is readable by an apparatus (i.e., executable by at least one
processor). In detail, the aforementioned various applications or
programs may be stored in the non-transitory computer readable
medium, for example, a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc
(DVD), a hard disc, a Blu-ray disc, a universal serial bus (USB), a
memory card, a read only memory (ROM), and the like, and may be
provided.
* * * * *