Abstract:
The embodiment relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator. The method for controlling a refrigerator including: inputting an opening signal to open a selected door of a plurality of doors; rotating a driving motor to open a selected door; and opening the selected door by pushing the selected door of the plurality of doors by one of a plurality of push members by the rotation of the driving motor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0097153 (filed on 13 Oct. 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The embodiment relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator. 
     Generally, a refrigerator is a device that stores foods in a low temperature state. 
     The refrigerator includes a cabinet in which a storage compartment is formed and a door that opens and closes the storage compartment. The storage compartment may include a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment and the door may include a freezing compartment door and a refrigerating compartment door. 
     In order to shield the storage compartment, a gasket is provided at a rear surface of the door. When the door closes the storage compartment, the gasket is closely attached to the cabinet to prevent cold air inside the storage compartment from being leaked to the outside. 
     The cabinet is made of a metal material and an inner side of the gasket is provided with a magnet, such that the gasket may be closely attached to the cabinet. In order to open and close the storage compartment, a user pulls the door with a force larger than the attractive force of the magnet and the cabinet. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments provide a method for controlling a refrigerator. 
     In one embodiment, a method for controlling a refrigerator including: inputting an opening signal to open a selected door of a plurality of doors; rotating a driving motor to open a selected door; and opening the selected door by pushing the selected door of the plurality of doors by one of a plurality of push members by the rotation of the driving motor. 
     The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an inner structure of a door opening apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view showing a configuration of the door opening apparatus according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a shape where a position of the push member according to the first embodiment is changed; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a structure of controlling a refrigerator according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a state where a freezing compartment door according to the first embodiment is opened; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a state where a refrigerating compartment door according to the first embodiment is opened; 
         FIG. 9  is a table showing a state of a sensing unit according to the position of the push member; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing in detail an opening process of the door according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a shape where a position of the push member according to a second embodiment is changed; and 
         FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view showing a position sensing mechanism according to a third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     It is to be noted that in giving reference numerals to elements of each drawing, like reference numerals refer to like elements even though like elements are shown in different drawings. Further, in describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, well-known functions or components will not be described in detail since they may unnecessarily obscure the understanding of the present invention. 
     In addition, in describing components of exemplary components of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. can be used. These terms are used only to differentiate the components from other components. Therefore, the nature, times, sequence, etc. of the corresponding components are not limited by these terms. In the case that any components are “connected’, “coupled”, or “joined” to other components, it is to be understood that the components may be directly or joined to other components but be “connected”, “coupled”, or “joined” to other components via another component. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a refrigerator  1  according to the first embodiment includes a cabinet  10  that has one or more storage compartment formed therein and a plurality of doors  20  and  21  that opens and closes the storage compartment. The one or more storage compartment may include a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment. The freezing compartment and the refrigerating may be disposed in a left and right direction. 
     The plurality of doors  20  include the freezing compartment door  20  that opens and closes the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment door  21  that opens and closes the refrigerating compartment. Each of the doors  20  is provided with a door handle  30 . 
     It is to be noted that the first embodiment describes a side by side type refrigerator by way of example and the idea of the first embodiment can be applied to all types of refrigerators that may include a plurality of doors. 
     Meanwhile, each door  20  and  21  or each door handle  30  may be provided with an operating unit  32  to which door opening signals are input. The operating unit  32  is operated by an operation of a user and a door opening apparatus  50  to be described later is operated by the operating unit  32 .  FIG. 1  shows a case where the operating unit  32  is provided at the door handle  30  by way of example. The operating unit  32  may include a sensing unit, a switch, etc. 
     Meanwhile, the door opening apparatus  50  is provided on an outer upper surface of the cabinet  10 . The door opening apparatus  50  pushes the door  20  at the time of operating the operating unit  32 , such that the doors  20  and  21  can open the storage compartment. 
     The door opening apparatus  50  may be disposed at a portion where a pair of doors  20  and  21  is adjacent to each other. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an inner structure of the door opening apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the door opening apparatus  50  includes a case  100  that forms an outer appearance, a driving motor  200  that generates a driving force, a plurality of push members  400  and  401  that generates the driving force, and a power transfer unit  300  that transfers the rotating force of the driving motor  200  to the plurality of push members  400  and  401 . 
     In detail, the case  100  is mounted on the upper surface of the cabinet  10  and the front surface of the case  100  may be formed with a plurality of holes  100  through which each push member  400  and  401  can penetrate. 
     The driving motor  200  is a motor that can be rotated in a forward and reverse direction. A rotating shaft  210  of the driving motor  200  extends in a direction intersecting with each push member  400 . The operation transfer unit  300  is connected to the rotating shaft  210  of the driving motor  200 . 
     The plurality of push members  400  and  401  includes a first push member  400  that pushes the refrigerating compartment door  20  and a second push member  401  that pushes the refrigerating compartment door  21 . Each push member  400  and  401  is connected to the power transfer unit  300  at a position spaced from each other. The plurality of push members  400  and  401  are disposed in parallel. 
     In detail, the plurality of push members  400  and  401  extend in a forward and backward direction of the refrigerator  1 . The plurality of push members  400  and  401  contacts or is spaced to and from the rear surface of each door  20  in a neutral state and when the operating unit  32  is operated, at least one push member  400  and  401  moves to at least one door  20  and  21  to push the doors  20  and  21 . 
     A portion of each push member  400  and  401  is protruded to an outer side of the case  110  through each hole  110  of the case  100 . Each push member  400  is formed with a rack gear  410 . The rack gear  410  is connected to the power transfer unit  300 . Therefore, the rack gear  410  may be referred to a connection unit. 
     Meanwhile, the power transfer unit  300  is provided inside the case  100 . The power transfer unit  300  includes a plurality of gears. The plurality of gears includes a worm gear  310  that is connected to the rotating shaft  310  of the driving motor  200  and a first gear  320  to a fourth gear  350 . 
     In detail, the first gear  320  is engaged with the worm gear  310 . The rotating shaft of the first gear  320  intersects with the plurality of push members  400  and  401  and the rotating shaft  210  of the driving motor  200 . The first gear  320  includes an upper gear  322  that is engaged with the second gear  330 . A diameter of the upper gear  322  is smaller than that of the second gear  330 . The second gear  330  is engaged with a third gear  340 . The third gear  340  includes the upper gear  342  that is engaged with a plurality of fourth gears  350 . 
     The plurality of fourth gears  350  are engaged with the upper gear  342  at a position spaced from each other. The plurality of fourth gears  350  are disposed at an opposite side based on the upper gear  342 . 
     Any one of the plurality of fourth gears  350  is connected to the rack gear of the first push member  400  and the other one of the plurality of fourth gears  350  is connected to the rack gear of the second push member  401 . 
     As described above, the plurality of gears other than the worm gear  310  has a spur gear form and the rotating force of the driving motor  200  is transferred to the push members  400  and  401  by a combination of gears having different gear ratios. 
     At this time, the plurality of push members is selectively advanced and reversed according to the forward and reverse rotation of the driving motor  200  and when any one push member moves in one direction, the other push member moves in an opposite direction. 
     Meanwhile, the case  100  is formed with a plurality of moving guides  120  that guide a front and rear direction movement of each push member  400  and  401 . The rear end of each moving guide  120  may be formed with a stopper  130  that limits the backward movement of each push member  400 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a configuration of the door opening apparatus according to the first embodiment and  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , each moving guide  120  extends in parallel with the moving direction of each push member  400 . 
     Each moving guide  120  may be integrally formed with the case  100  and may be protruded upward from the case  100 . Unlike this, the moving guide  120  may be coupled to the case  100  by a screw, a hook, etc. 
     The moving guide  120  is received in a receiving part  420  that is depressedly formed in the push members  400  and  401 . The stopper  130  extends in a direction intersecting with an extending direction of the moving guide  120  from the end of the moving guide  120 . 
     Meanwhile, the position change due to the movement of the push members  400  and  401  can be sensed by a position sensing mechanism  500 . The rotating direction of the driving motor  200  is determined according to the position of the push members  400  and  401  sensed by the position sensing mechanism  500 . In other words, the rotating direction of the driving motor  200  is determined according to the moving distance of the push members  400  and  401 . 
     The position sensing mechanism  500  includes one or more position confirming unit  510  that is provided at any one of the plurality of push members  400  and  401  and one or more sensing unit  520  that is provided at the case  100  or the moving guide  120 . For example, the position confirming unit  510  may be positioned in the receiving part and the sensing unit  520  may be positioned at the moving guide  120 . 
     The first embodiment will describe a case where the position confirming unit  510  is provided at the second push member  401 . Of course, the position confirming unit  510  is provided at the first push member  400  and the sensing unit  520  may be provided at the moving guide or the case corresponding to the first push member  400 . In addition, the position confirming unit  510  may be provided at each push member  400  and  401  and the sensing unit  520  may be provided at the moving guide  120  or the case, respectively. 
     The sensing unit  520  may be any one of a switch, a hole sensing unit, a photo sensing unit, etc. The position confirming unit  510  may have any configuration such as a protruding part, a magnet, a groove, etc. that can be recognized by the sensing unit  520 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a shape where the position of the push member according to the first embodiment is changed and  FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a control structure of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 6 , the second push member  401  may be provided with the plurality of position confirming units  510  by way of example. The plurality of position confirming units  510  includes a first position confirming unit  512  and a second position confirming unit  514 . The plurality of position confirming units  510  are disposed to be spaced in a parallel direction with the extending direction of the second push member  401 . 
     In addition, the moving guide  120  corresponding to the second push member may include the plurality of sensing units  520  by way of example. The plurality of sensing units  520  includes a first sensing unit  522  and a second sensing unit  524 . The plurality of sensing units  520  is disposed to be spaced in a parallel direction with the extending direction of the moving guide  120 . A spaced distance between the plurality of position confirming units  510  is the same as a spaced distance between the plurality of sensing units  520 . 
     Meanwhile, when the operating unit is operated, signals from the operating unit  32  are transferred to the control unit  140 . Then, the control unit  140  drives the driving motor  200 . The signals sensed in the position sensing mechanism  500  are transferred to the control unit  140  and the control unit controls the driving motor  200  according to the signals of the position sensing mechanism  500 . 
     In the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5A , when the first and second position confirming units  512  and  514  are sensed by the first and second sensing units  522  and  524 , respectively, the control unit  140  is determined that the second push member  401  is positioned at an initial position, that is, a neutral position. When any one of the push members  400  and  401  is positioned at the neutral position, the other one of push members  400  and  401  is positioned at the neutral position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , when the second position confirming unit  514  is sensed in the first sensing unit  522 , the control unit  140  is determined that the second push member  401  maximally moves forward. When any one of the push members  400  and  401  maximally moves forward, the other one of the push members  400  and  401  maximally moves backward. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 5C , when the first position confirming unit  512  is sensed in the second sensing unit  524 , the control unit  140  is determined that the second push member  401  maximally moves backward. 
     In the first embodiment, moving the push members  400  and  401  forward means a direction where the push members  400  and  401  approaches to the door or a direction which pushes the door and moving the push members  400  and  401  backward means a direction where the push member is away from the door. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a state where the freezing compartment door according to the first embodiment is opened and  FIG. 8  is a diagram a state where the refrigerating compartment door according to the first embodiment is opened. In addition,  FIG. 9  shows Table showing a state of the sensing unit according to the position of the push member and  FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing in detail an opening process of the door according to the first embodiment. 
       FIGS. 5 to 10 , in the state where the freezing compartment and the freezing compartment are opened, each push member  400  and  401  contacts or is spaced to and from each door  20  and  21 . 
     In this state, as shown in  FIG. 5A , each position confirming unit  512  and  514  is sensed in each sensing unit  522  and  524 . In other words, each sensing unit  522  and  524  is turned on. While the second push member  401  moves forward, each position confirming unit  512  and  514  is not sensed in the first sensing unit  522  and the second sensing unit  524 . In other words, each sensing unit  522  and  524  is turned off. When the second push member  401  maximally moves forward, the first sensing unit  522  is turned on and the second sensing unit  524  is turned off. 
     On the other hand, while the second push member moves backward from the neutral position, each position confirming unit  512  and  514  is not sensed in the first sensing unit  522  and the second sensing unit  524 . In other words, each sensing unit  522  and  524  is turned off. When the second push member  401  maximally moves backward, the second sensing unit  524  is turned on and the first sensing unit  524  is turned off. 
     In order to open the specific door, operating signals are input through the operating unit  32  (S 1 ). Then, the control unit  140  determines whether the input signal is a signal for opening the refrigerating compartment door (S 2 ). 
     If it is determined that the input signal is a signal for opening the refrigerating compartment door, the control unit is controlled so that the rotating shaft  210  of the driving motor  200  is rotated in a forward direction (S 3 ). When the rotating shaft of the driving motor  200  is rotated forward, the worm gear  310  is rotated in a forward direction. 
     When the worm gear  310  is rotated in a forward direction, the first gear  320  is rotated counterclockwise by way of example. The second gear  330  is rotated clockwise, the third gear  340  is rotated counterclockwise, and the plurality of fourth gears  350  are rotated clockwise. 
     At this time, since the first gear  320  to the fourth gear  350  has different gear ratios, they can be rotated at a relatively low speed even though the driving motor  200  is rotated at a high speed, thereby making it possible to make a force, which is transferred to each push member  400  and  401 , large. 
     When the plurality of fourth gears  350  are rotated clockwise, the second push member  401  moves forward to push the refrigerating compartment door  21 . At this time, the first push member  400  moves backward. 
     While the second push member  401  moves forward, it is determined that the first sensing unit  522  is turned on (S 4 ). When the first sensing unit  522  is turned on, the control unit is controlled so that the rotating shaft of the driving motor is rotated in a reverse direction (S 5 ). Then, the second push member  401  moves backward. While the second push member  401  moves backward, it is determined that the first and second sensing units  522  and  524  are turned on (S 6 ). If the first and second sensing units  522  and  524  are turned on, the control unit  140  stops the driving motor (S 7 ). Each push member  400  and  401  is positioned at the neutral position. 
     On the other hand, as the determining result at step S 2 , if it is determined that the input signal is not a signal for opening the refrigerating compartment door, the control unit  140  is determined that the input signal is a signal for opening the freezing compartment door. The control unit  140  is controlled so that the rotating shaft  210  of the driving motor  200  is rotated in a reverse direction (S 8 ). The second push member  401  moves backward and the first push member  400  moves forward to push the freezing compartment door  20 . 
     While the second push member  401  moves backward, it is determined that the second sensing unit  524  is turned on (S 9 ). When the second sensing unit  524  is turned on, the control unit is controlled so that the rotating shaft of the driving motor  200  is rotated in a forward direction (S 10 ). Then, the second push member  401  moves backward. While the second push member  401  moves forward, it is determined that the first and second sensing units  522  and  524  are turned on (S 11 ). If the first and second sensing units  522  and  524  are turned on, the control unit  140  stops the driving motor (S 7 ). Each push member  400  and  401  is positioned at the neutral position. 
     According to the first embodiment, the push member pushes the door which should be opened, thereby making it possible to reduce force applied to allow a user to pull the door. Therefore, the user can easily open the door. 
     In addition, since the refrigerating compartment door or the freezing compartment door can be opened by one driving motor, thereby simplifying the structure. 
     The first embodiment describes a case of opening the freezing compartment door or the refrigerating compartment door. To the contrary, the first embodiment can open the plurality of freezing compartment doors or the plurality of refrigerating compartment doors. In other words, the idea of the first embodiment includes a fact that any one of the plurality of doors that opens and closes one or more storage compartment is opened by a single door opening apparatus. Therefore, any one of the plurality of doors may be referred to a first door and the other one of the plurality of doors may be referred to a second door. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a shape where the position of the push member according to a second embodiment is changed. 
     The components of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment except for a difference only in the position sensing mechanism. Therefore, only the feature components of the second embodiment will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the position sensing mechanism  501  according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of position confirming units  550  that are included in the second push member  401  and a single sensing unit  540  that is included in the moving guide corresponding to the second push member  401 , by way of example. 
     The plurality of position confirming units  550  include first to third position confirming units  552 ,  554 , and  556 . 
     The second position confirming unit  554  is sensed in the sensing unit  540  in the state where the second push member  401  is positioned at an initial position. The first position confirming unit  554  is sensed in the sensing unit  540  in the state where the second push member  401  maximally moves forward. On the other hand, the third position confirming unit  556  is sensed in the sensing unit  540  in the state where the second push member  401  maximally moves backward. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view showing a position sensing mechanism according to a third embodiment. 
     The components of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment except for a difference only in the position sensing mechanism. Therefore, only the feature components of the present embodiment will be described. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the position sensing mechanism  502  according to the third embodiment includes a light emitting unit  560  (performing a role of the position confirming unit) that emits light, a light receiving unit  570  (performing a role of the sensing unit) that senses light emitted from the light emitting unit  560 , and a blocking unit  430  that blocks light emitted from the light emitting unit  560 . 
     In detail, the light emitting unit  560  is included in the case  100  and may be positioned at the side of the second push member  401  by way of example. The light emitting unit  560  emits light to the second push member  401 . The light emitting unit  560  includes a first light emitting unit  562  and a second light emitting unit  564  that is spaced from the first light emitting unit  562 . 
     The light receiving unit  570  is provided at one side of the moving guide  120  corresponding to the second push member  401 . The light receiving unit  570  includes a first light receiving unit  572  and a second light receiving unit  574  that is spaced from the first light receiving unit  572 . 
     The blocking unit  430  may be formed at the side of the second push member  401 . The blocking unit  430  includes a first blocking unit  432  and a second blocking unit  434  that is spaced from the first blocking unit. A distance between the first blocking unit  432  and the second blocking unit  434  is the same as a distance between the first light emitting unit  562  and the second light emitting unit  564 . In addition, the distance between the first light emitting unit  562  and the second light emitting unit  564  is the same as the distance between the first light receiving unit  572  and the second light receiving unit  574 . 
     Each blocking unit  432  and  434  may extend downward from the second push member  401 . 
     When the second push member  401  is positioned at the initial position, each blocking unit  432  and  434  blocks light from each light emitting unit  562  and  564 . In other words light from each light emitting units  562  and  564  is not sensed in the light receiving unit  570 . 
     When the second push member  400  maximally moves forward, the second blocking unit  434  blocks light from the first light emitting unit  562 . Therefore, the second light receiving unit  574  senses light from the second light emitting unit  564 . 
     On the other hand, when the second push member  400  maximally moves backward, the first blocking unit  432  blocks light from the second light emitting unit  564 . Therefore, the first light receiving unit  572  senses light from the first light emitting unit  562 . 
     In the exemplary embodiments, the position change of one or more push member is sensed by the position sensing mechanism. Unlike this, the stop of the driving motor or the change in the rotating direction of the driving motor may be determined according to the rotation number of the driving motor by an encoder (rotation number sensing unit) that senses the rotation number of the driving motor. In other words, when the rotation number in one direction of the driving motor reaches a reference rotation number, the rotating direction of the driving motor may be changed. After the rotating direction of the driving motor is converted, when the rotation number of the driving motor reaches the reference rotation number, the driving motor may stop. 
     In addition, the stop of the driving motor or the change in the rotating direction of the driving motor may be determined according to the operation time of the driving motor using a timer that calculates the operation time of the driving motor. In other words, when the operation time of the driving motor reaches the reference time, the rotating direction of the driving motor may be changed. After the rotating direction of the driving motor is converted, when the operation time of the driving motor reaches the reference time, the driving motor may stop. 
     The foregoing describes the case where all the components configuring the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are operated by being coupled in one body, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the exemplary embodiments. In other words, one or more of all the components may be selectively coupled and operated in the object of the present invention. In addition, terms such as “comprising”, “configuring”, or “having” described above mean including the corresponding components unless indicated otherwise and thus, it is to be construed that terms may further include other components rather than excluding other components. Unless indicated otherwise, it is to be understood that all the terms used in the specification including technical and scientifical terms have the same meaning as those that are generally understood by those skilled in the art. Like terms defined in a dictionary, it is to be construed that generally used terms conform to a context of a related technology and unless being definitively defined in the present invention, terms are not construed as excessively formal meanings. 
     The technical spirit of the present invention has been just exemplified. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications, changes, and substitutions can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention and the accompanying drawings are used not to limit but to describe the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited only to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The protection scope of the present invention must be analyzed by the appended claims and it should be analyzed that all spirits within a scope equivalent thereto are included in the appended claims of the present invention.