Patent Publication Number: US-10330379-B2

Title: Refrigerator and method of controlling the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0024063, filed on Feb. 17, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The following description relates to a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Refrigerators are apparatuses for storing an object at a low temperature and may include a storage compartment in which the object is stored and a cooling portion which supplies cooling air to the storage compartment to maintain the storage compartment at a predetermined temperature or less. 
     Refrigerators may maintain the storage compartment at a user&#39;s preferred temperature or less by repetitive evaporation and compression of a refrigerant. To perform cycles of the evaporation and compression of the refrigerant, refrigerators may include an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, etc. 
     Also, refrigerators may further be provided with portions for performing many additional functions for various requirements by the users. For example, refrigerators may further include an ice making portion for making ice and a dispenser which allows users to get purified water or ice without opening a door. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a refrigerator which prepares and supplies carbonated water by fastening a mixing container to a carbonated water preparing module, in which information on fastening or releasing the mixing container may be easily and intuitively provided to a user and a method of controlling the refrigerator. 
     It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a refrigerator which prepares and supplies carbonated water by fastening a mixing container to a carbonated water preparing module, in which negligent accidents which may occur when a carbonated water preparing process is performed while the mixing container is not fastened may be prevented and a method of controlling the refrigerator. 
     Additional aspects of the disclosure 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 disclosure. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a mixing container in which carbon dioxide and purified water are mixed and carbonated water is prepared, a mounting body on or from which the mixing container is mountable or detachable, a first dispenser assembly which injects the carbon dioxide and the purified water into the mixing container when the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body, and a user interface which outputs information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body. 
     The user interface may include a display portion which displays the information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body as an image, a lighting portion which emits light depending on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body, a sound output portion which outputs a sound depending on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body, and a touch screen portion which displays the information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body and receives a touch operation input. 
     The user interface may output mounting information which indicates that the mixing container is mounted when the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body. 
     The user interface may output detachment information which indicates that the mixing container is detached when the mixing container is detached from the mounting body. 
     The user interface may include an operation portion operated by a user. 
     The user interface may further include a lighting portion for the operation portion which is disposed on the operation portion or the periphery of the operation portion and emits light depending on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body. 
     The refrigerator may further include a second dispenser assembly which ejects purified water or ice when the mixing container is detached from the mounting body. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a mixing container in which carbon dioxide and purified water are mixed and carbonated water is prepared, a mounting body on or from which the mixing container is mountable or detachable, a first dispenser assembly which injects the carbon dioxide and the purified water into the mixing container when the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body, and an operation portion through which a command for controlling the first dispenser assembly is allowed to be input when the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body. 
     When the mixing container is detached from the mounting body, the input of the command for controlling the first dispenser assembly may be prevented from being input through the operation portion. 
     The operation portion may include at least one of a first operation portion which receives a command to start preparing of carbonated water, a second operation portion which receives a command to add carbon dioxide, and a third operation portion which receives a command to adjust the concentration of the carbon dioxide. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a refrigerator which includes a mixing container in which carbon dioxide and purified water are mixed and carbonated water is prepared, a mounting body on or from which the mixing container is mountable or detachable, a first dispenser assembly which injects the carbon dioxide and the purified water into the mixing container, and a user interface capable of outputting information includes determining whether the mixing container is coupled with the mounting body and outputting by the user interface information on whether the mixing container is mounted the mounting body when the mixing container is coupled with the mounting body. 
     The outputting by the user interface of the information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body when the mixing container is coupled with the mounting body may include at least one of displaying the information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body as an image, emitting light by the lighting portion depending on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body, outputting a sound depending on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body, and displaying the information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body and receiving a touch operation input by a touch screen portion. 
     The outputting by the user interface of the information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body when the mixing container is coupled with the mounting body may include outputting mounting information which indicates that the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body when the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body. 
     The outputting by the user interface of the information on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body when the mixing container is coupled with the mounting body may include outputting detachment information which indicates that the mixing container is detached from the mounting body when the mixing container is detached from the mounting body. 
     The user interface may further include an operation portion operated by a user and a lighting portion for the operation portion disposed the operation portion or the periphery of the operation portion. 
     The method may further include emitting light, performed by the lighting portion for the operation portion, depending on whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body. 
     The method may further include preparing carbonated water by injecting the carbon dioxide and the purified water into the mixing container when the mixing container is coupled with the mounting body. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a refrigerator which includes a mixing container in which carbon dioxide and purified water are mixed and carbonated water is prepared, a mounting body on or from which the mixing container is mountable or detachable, a first dispenser assembly which injects the carbon dioxide and the purified water into the mixing container, and an operation portion for controlling the first dispenser assembly includes determining whether the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body and activating an input capability of a command for controlling the first dispenser assembly using the operation portion when the mixing container is mounted on the mounting body. 
     The method may further include deactivating the input capability of the command for controlling the first dispenser assembly when the mixing container is detached from the mounting body. 
     The operation portion may include at least one of a first operation portion which receives a to start preparing of carbonated water, a second operation portion which receives a command to add carbon dioxide, and a third operation portion which receives a command to adjust the concentration of the carbon dioxide. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of the refrigerator with open doors; 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a process of preparing and supplying carbonated water and a process of preparing or supplying ice or purified water in the refrigerator; 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating an example of a dispenser; 
         FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a carbon dioxide supplying module and a carbonated water preparing module installed in the dispenser; 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating the carbon dioxide supplying module and the carbonated water preparing module; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the carbonated water preparing module and a mixing container; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the carbonated water preparing module and the mixing container; 
         FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12  are views of a nozzle module; 
         FIG. 13  is a view of the mixing container; 
         FIGS. 14, 15, and 16  are views illustrating an example of mounting the mixing container in the carbonated water preparing module; 
         FIGS. 17, 18, and 19  are views illustrating a process of sensing the mounting of the mixing container; 
         FIG. 20  is a block diagram of the refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C  are views illustrating examples of an operation portion and a lighting portion for the operation portion; 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of a dispenser assembly; 
         FIG. 23  is a view illustrating an example of a user interface; 
         FIG. 24  is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  are views for explaining the method of controlling the refrigerator; 
         FIG. 27  is a block diagram of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 28  is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present disclosure by referring to the figures. 
     Hereinafter, a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of the refrigerator with open doors. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a refrigerator  1  may include a body  10  which forms an exterior of the refrigerator  1  and one or more storage compartments  20  and  30  formed in an inner space of the body  10 . Doors  21 ,  22 , and  31  configured to open and close the storage compartments  20  and  30  may be provided on one side of the body  10 . 
     The body  10  may include an inner casing which forms the storage compartments  20  and  30 , an outer casing assembled with the outside of the inner casing to form the exterior of the refrigerator  1 , and an insulator disposed between the inner casing and the outer casing to insulate the storage compartments  20  and  30  from the outside. 
     The storage compartments  20  and  30  may be divided by an intermediate partition wall  11  into a plurality of storage compartments  20  and  30 . In this case, the intermediate partition wall  11  may vertically divide the storage compartments  20  and  30  or horizontally divide the storage compartments  20  and  30 . Depending on embodiments, the refrigerator  1  may include a plurality of intermediate partition walls  11 , thereby providing storage compartments  20  and  30  divided into three or more storage compartments in the refrigerator  1 . 
     The plurality of storage compartments  20  and  30  may include a refrigeration compartment for storing an object at a cool temperature and a freezing compartment for storing an object at a frozen temperature. The storage compartment may be maintained at a temperature of approximately three degrees Celsius above zero to store the object under refrigeration. The freezing compartment may be maintained at a temperature of approximately 18.5 degrees below zero Celsius to store the object frozen. 
     Here, an object indicates various articles stored under refrigeration at a low temperature and may include, for example, food or medications. 
     The compartment  20  may include a shelf  23  for allowing the object to be put thereon and at least one storage box  27  for storing the object. The at least one storage box  27  may be installed in the storage compartment  20  to be drawn out by a user from the inside of the storage compartment  20 . In addition, various devices for convenience of users may be installed inside the storage compartment  20 . 
     The storage compartments  20  and  30  may have open fronts for taking food in or out. The open fronts may be opened and closed by a pair of doors coupled with the body  10  using hinges. Depending on embodiments, the open front may be opened and closed by a sliding door  31  movable by sliding on the body  10 . 
     The storage compartment doors  21  and  22  may include front sides externally exposed and rear sides which face the storage compartments  20  and  30  when the storage compartment doors  21  and  22  are closed. 
     At the front side of at least one storage compartment doors  21  and  31 , a part of a dispenser assembly  100  may be exposed, and a user interface  40  which receives a control command related to an operation of the refrigerator  1  from the user and displays the operation information of the refrigerator  1  may be installed. 
     The dispenser assembly  100  provides purified water, carbonated water, or ice through the exposed part at the front, thereby allowing the user to get the purified water, carbonated water, or ice outside without opening the storage compartment door  21 . 
     The user interface  40  may be provided on the dispenser assembly  100 . In accordance with an embodiment, the user interface  40  may include a display portion  41  (refer to  FIG. 20 ) which displays the operation information of the refrigerator  1  to the user, a lighting portion  42  (refer to  FIG. 20 ), and an operation portion  45  (refer to  FIG. 20 ) which receives various control commands related to the refrigerator  1  from the user. 
     The display portion  41  may display various pieces of information such as an operation state of the refrigerator  1 , current temperature of each the storage compartments  20  and  30 , whether to prepare carbonated water, concentration of carbon dioxide in the carbonated water to be prepared, and information necessary for the convenience of users. 
     The lighting portion  42  may display the operation or state of the refrigerator  1  for the user using flickering light patterns or color of light. 
     The operation portion  45  may be embodied by a physical button, touch button, etc. and may receive various commands necessary for controlling the refrigerator  1  including a target temperature of the storage compartment  20 , a target temperature of the freezing compartment  30 , a carbonated water preparing command, a carbonated water target concentration, etc. from the user. 
     The dispenser assembly  100  and the user interface  40  will be described below. 
     Door guards  24  capable of containing food may be provided on rear sides of the storage compartment doors  21  and  22 . Gaskets  28  which seal gaps between the storage compartment doors  21  and  22  and the body  10  to keep cool air inside the storage compartment  20  when the storage compartment doors  21  and  22  close the storage compartments  20  and  30  may be provided on edges of the rear sides of the storage compartment doors  21  and  22 . 
     The storage compartment door  21  that is at least one of the storage compartment doors  21  and  22  may include a pivoting bar  26  which seals a gap between the storage compartment door  21  and the storage compartment door  22  to keep the cool air inside the storage compartment  20  when the storage compartment doors  21  and  22  are closed. 
     A first dispenser assembly  200  which prepares and provides carbonated water to the user may be mounted on the door  21  of the refrigerator  1 . Detailed components and an operation of the first dispenser assembly  200  will be described below. 
       FIG. 3  is a view of a dispenser assembly which performs preparing and supplying of carbonated water or preparing or supplying ice or purified water in a refrigerator. 
     The dispenser assembly  100  may include a purified water supply portion  211  which provides purified water to the first dispenser assembly  200  or the second dispenser assembly  110 , the first dispenser assembly  200  which prepares and provides carbonated water to the user, and the second dispenser assembly  110  which dispenses and provides purified water or ice to the user. 
     The purified water supply portion  211  may include a water source  212 , a purified water flow channel  215  through which water to be supplied to the second dispenser assembly  110  or a carbonated water preparing module  250  flows, and a purified water valve  216  which cuts off or opens the purified water flow channel  215 . Also, depending on embodiments, the purified water supply portion  211  may further include an ice making flow channel  213  which connects the water source  212  with an ice making device  81  and an ice making valve  214  which cuts off or opens the ice making flow channel  213 . Also, the purified water supply portion  211  may further include a flow sensor  218  which detects an amount of purified water supplied to the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     The water source  212  is a device which supplies water to the purified water supply portion  211  and may be an additional water tank or a water pipe connected to homes or factories. The water source  212  may be connected to at least one of the ice making flow channel  213  and the purified water flow channel  215 . The water supplied from the water source  212  may be transferred to the second dispenser assembly  110 , the carbonated water preparing module  250 , or the ice making device  81  through the ice making flow channel  213  or the purified water flow channel  215 . 
     The ice making valve  214  is provided to open and close the ice making flow channel  213  through which purified water from the water source  212  is supplied to the ice making device  81 . The purified water valve  216  is provided to open and close the purified water flow channel  215  through which purified water from the water source  212  is supplied to the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     The ice making valve  214  and the purified water valve  216  may regulate a strong water pressure from the water source  212  and may adjust an amount of purified water transferred to the ice making device  81 , the second dispenser assembly  110 , or the carbonated water preparing module  250 . The ice making valve  214  and the purified water valve  216 , for example, may employ a solenoid valve. However, types or shapes of the ice making valve  214  and the purified water valve  216  are not limited thereto. 
     The ice making valve  214  and the purified water valve  216  may be provided to be directly connected to the water source  212  through the flow channels  213  and  215  to supply purified water. Depending on embodiments, a flow channel switch valve (not shown) may be provided between the water source  212 , and the ice making valve  214  and the purified water valve  216 . 
     The flow channel switch valve may be a valve designed to supply water supplied from the water source  212  to at least one of the second dispenser assembly  110 , the carbonated water preparing module  250 , and the ice making device  81 . 
     For example, when an ice making operation is unnecessary, the flow channel switch valve opens the purified water flow channel  215  connected to the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250  and closes the ice making flow channel  213  connected to the ice making device  81 , thereby supplying purified water only to the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250 . Also, when the ice making operation is necessary, the flow channel switch valve closes the flow channel  215  connected to the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250  and opens the flow channel  213  connected to the ice making device  81 , thereby allowing the ice making operation to be performed. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the flow channel switch valve may be embodied using a three-way valve connected to an inlet connected to the water source  212 , a first outlet connected to the ice making device  81 , and a second outlet connected to the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     The flow sensor  218  may calculate an amount of purified water supplied from the water source  212  to the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250 . The flow sensor  218  is disposed between the second dispenser assembly  110  or the carbonated water preparing module  250  and the purified water valve  216  as an example as shown in  FIG. 3  but is not limited thereto. For example, the flow sensor  218  may be disposed upstream of the purified water valve  216  and the ice making valve  214  and may calculate an amount of purified water supplied to the purified water supply portion  211 . 
     The flow sensor  218  or the purified water supply portion  211  shown in  FIG. 3  is merely an example of a purified water supply device employable by the refrigerator  1  but is not limited thereto. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the second dispenser assembly  110  may include a dispenser supply flow channel  112  connected to the purified water supply portion  211  and a dispenser supply valve  114  which opens and closes the dispenser supply flow channel  112 . The dispenser supply flow channel  112  guides purified water in a direction toward a mixing space  132 . The dispenser supply valve  114  may adjust an amount of purified water supplied to the mixing space  132 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the first dispenser assembly  200 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , may include a carbon dioxide supply module  220  and the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     The carbon dioxide supply module  220  includes a carbon dioxide cylinder  222  which stores carbon dioxide and a carbon dioxide supply valve  230  which adjusts an amount of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  to the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     The carbon dioxide cylinder  222  may store high-pressure carbon dioxide. The gas pressure of the carbon dioxide may be from approximately 45 to approximately 60 bar. 
     The carbon dioxide stored in the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  may be discharged into a mixing container  170  through a carbon dioxide supply flow channel  224  which connects the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  with the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     The carbon dioxide supply flow channel  224  may guide the carbon dioxide stored in the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  to the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     A carbon dioxide supply valve  230  which opens and close the carbon dioxide supply flow channel  224  may be provided on the carbon dioxide supply flow channel  224 . When the carbon dioxide supply valve  230  is opened, the carbon dioxide stored in the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  is discharged to the mixing container  170  through the carbon dioxide supply flow channel  224 . In accordance with an embodiment, the carbon dioxide supply valve  230  may include a solenoid valve which opens and closes the carbon dioxide supply flow channel  224  according to an electrical signal. The carbon dioxide supply valve  230  will be described below in detail. 
     The carbon dioxide supply module  220  may include a carbon dioxide pressure sensor  233 . The carbon dioxide pressure sensor  233  may sense a discharge pressure of the carbon dioxide being discharged from the carbon dioxide cylinder  222 . The carbon dioxide pressure sensor  233  may be embodied using a pressure switch that, when a pressure of the discharged carbon dioxide decreases to a threshold or less, outputs a low pressure detection signal corresponding to the condition thereof. 
     The carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply module  220  and the purified water supplied from the purified water supply portion  211  flow into the mixing container  170 , and carbonated water is prepared in the mixing container  170 . 
     The carbonated water preparing module  250  is prepared to allow the mixing container  170  to be detachable and discharges carbon dioxide to the mixing container  170  to allow carbonated water to be prepared in the mixing container  170  when the mixing container  170  is coupled. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the carbonated water preparing module  250  may include a purified water inlet flow channel  251  connected to the purified water supply portion  211  and a purified water inlet valve  252  which opens and closes the purified water inlet flow channel  251 . An amount of purified water which flows into the mixing container  170  is adjusted by opening and closing the purified water inlet valve  252 . 
     Also, the carbonated water preparing module  250  may include a carbon dioxide inlet flow channel  254  connected to the carbon dioxide supply module  220  and a nozzle module  280  provided to operate due to carbon dioxide which flows into the carbon dioxide inlet flow channel  254 . The nozzle module  280  is provided to operate due to carbon dioxide supplied to the carbonated water preparing module  250  and to inject the supplied carbon dioxide into the mixing container  170 . 
     The nozzle module  280  will be described below in detail. 
     The carbonated water preparing module  250  may include a vent valve  258 . The vent valve  258  is provided to prevent a pressure in the mixing container  170  from excessively increasing due to injected carbon dioxide when carbon dioxide is injected into the mixing container  170 . In detail, when a pressure of carbon dioxide in the mixing container  170  exceeds a predetermined level, the vent valve  258  is opened, and the carbon dioxide in the mixing container  170  is discharged to the outside. 
     The first dispenser assembly  200  may include a relief valve  150 . The relief valve  150  is provided to discharge purified water or carbonated water that overflows when purified water exceeding a predetermined amount is supplied or carbonated water exceeding a predetermined amount is prepared during a process of preparing carbonated water. 
       FIG. 4  is a view illustrating an example of a dispenser. 
     The dispenser assembly  100  may be installed in the door  21 . The dispenser assembly  100  may include the mixing space  132  exposed at a front of the door  21  and a dispenser housing  130  formed as a recess from the front of the door  21  toward the rear of the door  21  to form the mixing space  132 . 
     The mixing space  132  may accommodate the mixing container  170 . The mixing container  170  may be provided to be detachable from the carbonated water preparing module  250  in the mixing space  132 . Also, a mounting body  272  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) of the carbonated water preparing module  250  on which the mixing container  170  is mounted may be provided to be exposed toward the mixing space  132 . 
     In the mixing space  132 , a dispenser lever  136  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) operable by the user to control discharging of purified water or ice made by the ice making device  81  may be provided. According to an operation of the dispenser lever  136 , the second dispenser assembly  110  may discharge purified water or ice into the mixing space  132 . 
     A water collecting case  134  which collects discharged liquid left in the mixing space  132  such as purified water and carbonated water may be provided at a bottom of the dispenser housing  130 . To easily collect the discharged liquids discharged into the mixing space  132  in the water collecting case  134 , an inner surface of the dispenser housing  130  may be tilted at a predetermined angle. 
     The dispenser housing  130  may include a cylinder accommodation space  221  into or from which the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  can be inserted or removed. The cylinder accommodation space  221  may be provided adjacent to the mixing space  132  and, for example, may be formed on one side of the mixing space  132  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The carbon dioxide cylinder  222  is disposed in the cylinder accommodation space  221 , and the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  may be mounted on a cylinder connector  231  provided inside the cylinder accommodation space  221 . When the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  is mounted on the cylinder connector  231 , carbon dioxide of the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  may be supplied to the carbon dioxide supply flow channel  224 . The dispenser housing  130  may include a cylinder door  221   a  to open and close the cylinder accommodation space  221 . For example, the cylinder door  221   a  may open and close the cylinder accommodation space  221  by a hinge coupling. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the user interface  40  described above may be installed on a part of the dispenser housing  130 . As described above, the user interface  40  may include the display portion  41  which displays the operation information of the refrigerator  1  to the user, the lighting portion  42 , and the operation portion  45  which receives various control commands related to the refrigerator  1  from the user. 
     The first dispenser assembly  200  may be provided inside the dispenser housing  130  and may supply purified water and carbon dioxide to the mixing container  170  accommodated in the mixing space  132 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a carbon dioxide supplying module and a carbonated water preparing module installed in a dispenser.  FIG. 6  is a view illustrating the carbon dioxide supplying module and the carbonated water preparing module.  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the carbonated water preparing module and a mixing container.  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the carbonated water preparing module and the mixing container. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first dispenser assembly  200  may include a module cover  202  for surrounding the outside of the carbon dioxide supply module  220  or the carbonated water preparing module  250 . The module cover  202  allows the flow channels through which purified water and carbon dioxide flow and connection portions of the respective flow channels in the first dispenser assembly  200  not to be exposed to the outside, thereby preventing damages caused by an external shock. Also, the module cover  202  may be provided to cover at least parts of the carbon dioxide supply module  220  and the carbonated water preparing module  250 . Accordingly, the module cover  202  may block noise generated while purified water and carbon dioxide flow. 
     The carbonated water preparing module  250  may be provided to allow the mixing container  170  to be mountable and detachable and may inject purified water and carbon dioxide into the mounted mixing container  170 . 
     The carbonated water preparing module  250  may include a preparing module body  260 . 
     The preparing module body  260  may include the mounting body  272  on which the mixing container  170  is mounted. The mounting body  272  is provided to be exposed to the mixing space  132  to allow the mixing container  170  to be mountable thereon. That is, the mixing container  170  is provided to be mounted on the mounting body  272  and is configured to be detachable from the mounting body  272 . A mounting sensor  277  which senses mounting of the mixing container  170  is provided on one side of the mounting body  272 . The mounting body  272  and the mounting sensor  277  will be described below in detail. 
     The carbonated water preparing module  250  may include a purified water inlet pipe  253  which forms the purified water inlet flow channel  251  and a carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  which forms the carbon dioxide inlet flow channel  254 . Purified water which flows through the purified water flow channel  215  may flow into the purified water inlet pipe  253 . Carbon dioxide which flows through the carbon dioxide inlet flow channel  254  may flow into the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255 . The purified water and carbon dioxide which flow through the purified water inlet pipe  253  and the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  may be injected into the mixing container  170  to prepare carbonated water. 
     The purified water inlet pipe  253  and the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  may be coupled with the preparing module body  260 . In detail, the mounting body  272  may be formed on one side of the preparing module body  260 , and the purified water inlet pipe  253  and the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  may be coupled with the other side of the preparing module body  260 . In more detail, the mounting body  272  may be formed on a second module body  271 , and the purified water inlet pipe  253  and the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  may be coupled with a first module body  261 . 
     The first dispenser assembly  200  may include one or more relief valves  150  and a drainage module  160 . 
     The relief valve  150  may externally discharge purified water or carbonated water which overflows when purified water exceeding a predetermined amount is supplied to the mixing container  170  or carbonated water exceeding a predetermined amount is prepared in the mixing container  170  in the carbonated water preparing process. 
     The relief valve  150  may be provided to be coupled with the preparing module body  260  of the carbonated water preparing module  250 . In more detail, one end of the relief valve  150  is provided to be connected to an inside of the mixing container  170  when the mixing container  170  is mounted on the carbonated water preparing module  250  and the other end of the relief valve  150  is provided to be connected to the drainage module  160 . Carbonated water or high-pressure carbon dioxide discharged through the relief valve  150  may flow into the drainage module  160 . 
     The drainage module  160  may discharge carbonated water which overflows the mixing container  170  while taking a detour around the mixing container  170 . The drainage module  160  may be provided to surround an outlet portion of the relief valve  150 . 
     The carbonated water preparing module  250  may include the nozzle module  280 . The nozzle module  280  may inject carbon dioxide into the mixing container  170 . The nozzle module  280  may operate due to carbon dioxide which is supplied form the carbon dioxide supply module  220  and flows into the carbonated water preparing module  250 . Components and operations of the nozzle module  280  will be described below in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the preparing module body  260  may include the first module body  261  and the second module body  271 . 
     The first module body  261  may be coupled with the purified water inlet pipe  253  and the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255 . A nozzle movement portion  262  is installed in the first module body  261  to allow the nozzle module  280  to move. The nozzle movement portion  262  is installed inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  to allow the nozzle module  280  to move due to carbon dioxide which flows through the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255 . 
     A top of the second module body  271  may be coupled with a bottom of the first module body  261 , and the mounting body on which the mixing container  170  is mountable may be formed below the second module body  271 . In other words, the mixing container  170  may be coupled with or separated from the second module body  271 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a stopper  271   b  may be installed on the second module body  271  to limit a movement of the nozzle module  280 . The stopper  271   b  may be provided on a top surface of the second module body  271  and may limit the movement of the nozzle module  280  which moves due to the nozzle movement portion  262 . In detail, the stopper  271   b  is provided to limit a movement of a nozzle pipe  282  to a supply enabled position P 2  when carbon dioxide is supplied to the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     The first module body  261  and the second module body  271 , for example, may be fastened through coupling bolts  263   a  and coupling nuts  263   b . However, a method of fastening the same is not limited thereto, and for example, may be fastened using epoxy adhesives. 
       FIGS. 9 to 12  are views of the nozzle module. 
     The nozzle module  280  may move due to carbon dioxide which flows into the carbonated water preparing module  250  and may directly inject carbon dioxide into the mixing container  170 . In this case, the nozzle module  280  may directly inject carbon dioxide below the surface of purified water stored in the mixing container  170 . Depending on embodiments, carbon dioxide may be injected just below the surface of the purified water. Accordingly, the injected carbon dioxide may be in direct contact with the purified water and may more easily dissolve in the purified water. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the nozzle module  280  may include the nozzle pipe  282  and a valve portion  290 . 
     The nozzle pipe  282  is installed in the nozzle movement portion  262  to be movable. A carbon dioxide injection nozzle  286  is formed at one end of the nozzle pipe  282 . Carbon dioxide which flows into the other end thereof may be injected through the carbon dioxide injection nozzle  286 . The nozzle pipe  282  may include a nozzle pipe flow channel  282   a  through inside of which carbon dioxide flows. 
     The valve portion  290  is formed at the other end of the nozzle pipe  282 . The valve portion  290  may include an inlet hole  291  and a valve portion  292 . Carbon dioxide may flow from the inside of the carbonated water preparing module  250  to the nozzle pipe  282  through the inlet hole  291 . The valve portion  292  may control an inflow of carbon dioxide by opening and closing the inlet hole  291 . The valve portion  292  may induce an inflow of carbon dioxide by opening the inlet hole  291  when a pressure inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  exceeds a predetermined level. Because the valve portion  290  is provided at the other end of the nozzle pipe  282 , when an applied pressure of carbon dioxide is less than a predetermined level, the other end of the nozzle pipe  282  is closed by the valve portion  290 . 
     The valve portion  290  may include a valve housing  293 . The inlet hole  291  may be formed in the valve housing  293 . The valve portion  292  may be located inside the valve housing  293 . The valve housing  293  is provided to be coupled with the nozzle pipe  282  to allow the valve portion  292  therein to move in the valve housing  293  without deviating to the outside. 
     The nozzle module  280  may move among a standby position P 1 , the supply enabled position P 2 , and a supply position P 3 . 
     The standby position P 1  refers to a position of the nozzle module  280  when carbon dioxide is not supplied form the carbon dioxide supply module  220  or the pressure inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  is less than a first pressure even through carbon dioxide is supplied. When the nozzle module  280  is located in the standby position P 1 , the carbon dioxide injection nozzle  286  may be disposed above the surface of the purified water stored in the mixing container  170 . 
     The supply enabled position P 2  refers to a position to which the nozzle module  280  moves when carbon dioxide is supplied form the carbon dioxide supply module  220  to the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  of the carbonated water preparing module  250  and thus the pressure inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  is the first pressure. In this case, the carbon dioxide injection nozzle  286  may move to be located below the surface of the purified water stored in the mixing container  170 . 
     The supply position P 3  refers to a position to which the nozzle module  280  moves when carbon dioxide is supplied form the carbon dioxide supply module  220  to the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  of the carbonated water preparing module  250  and thus the pressure inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  increases to a second pressure higher than the first pressure. In this case, the carbon dioxide injection nozzle  286  may inject carbon dioxide. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the nozzle module  280  may include a nozzle elastic member  284 . The nozzle elastic member  284  may elastically support the nozzle pipe  282  and may be provided to surround the nozzle pipe  282 . In this case, the nozzle elastic member  284  may be disposed to allow one end thereof to be supported by the valve portion  290  and the other end thereof to be supported by the stopper  271   b  of the second module body  271 . The nozzle elastic member  284  may elastically support the nozzle pipe  282  to allow the nozzle module  280  to be maintained in the standby position P 1  until the pressure of carbon dioxide inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  becomes the first pressure. When the pressure of carbon dioxide inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  becomes the first pressure, the nozzle elastic member  284  is compressed, thereby moving the nozzle pipe  282  until limited by the stopper  271   b . Accordingly, the nozzle module  280  is moved to the standby position P 1  to the supply enabled position P 2 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the valve portion  290  may include a valve elastic member  294 . The valve elastic member  294  elastically supports the valve portion  292 . In this case, the valve elastic member  294  may be provided to allow one end thereof to be supported by the valve portion  292  and the other end thereof to be supported by the nozzle pipe  282 . The valve elastic member  294  may elastically support the valve portion  292  to allow the nozzle module  280  to move from the supply enabled position P 2  to the supply position P 3  when the pressure of carbon dioxide inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  is the second pressure. Accordingly, the valve elastic member  294  may elastically support the valve portion  292  to allow the nozzle module  280  to be maintained in the supply enabled position P 2  when the pressure inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  is less than the second pressure. Because the second pressure is higher than the first pressure, an elastic force of the valve elastic member  294  may be provided to be greater than an elastic force of the nozzle elastic member  284 . 
     When the pressure of carbon dioxide inside the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  becomes the second pressure, the valve elastic member  294  is compressed, and accordingly, the valve portion  292  opens the inlet hole  291 . The carbon dioxide of the carbon dioxide inlet pipe  255  may pass through the opened inlet hole  291 , may flow along the nozzle pipe flow channel  282   a , and may be discharged through the carbon dioxide injection nozzle  286  located below the surface of the purified water inside the mixing container  170 . 
     As described above, because the injection nozzle  286  may directly inject carbon dioxide below the surface of the purified water stored in the mixing container  170 , the solubility of the carbon dioxide may be improved, thereby increasing the efficiency of preparing carbonated water. 
     When supplying of carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide supply module  220  stops, the compressed valve elastic member  294  and the nozzle elastic member  284  are restored to original states, and accordingly, the nozzle module  280  moves from the supply position P 3  to the standby position P 1 . 
     The first pressure and the second pressure described above may be variably set. However, the second pressure may be set to be higher than the first pressure. For example, the first pressure may be set as 0.5 bar and the second pressure may be set as 1.5 bar. However, the first pressure and the second pressure are not limited thereto but may be variably set depending on a carbonated water preparing environment or an arbitrary selection by a designer. 
       FIG. 13  is a view of the mixing container. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the mixing container  170  may include a container body  172  capable of storing a liquid therein and an opening  173  through which the liquid may flow from the container body  172  in or be discharged. 
     The container body  172 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , may have a cylindrical shape. However, the shape of the container body  172  is not limited thereto but may have a hexahedral shape or may have various shapes according to user&#39;s preference. 
     The opening  173  may be provided on one side of the container body  172 . In accordance with an embodiment, a protruding portion  173   a  may be formed on one end of the container body  172 , and the opening  173  may be formed on one end of the protruding portion  173   a.    
     The opening  173  of the container body  172  may have an approximate circular shape. Depending on embodiments, the shape of the opening  173  may be provided corresponding to the shape of the container body  172 . 
     The mixing container  170  may have one or more mounting protrusions  174  which protrude from the container body  172 . The mounting protrusion  174  may be provided adjacent to the opening  173  and may be formed on the protruding portion  173   a  depending on embodiments. The mounting protrusions  174  may be formed to radially protrude around the opening  173 . When a plurality of such mounting protrusions  174  are formed, the mounting protrusions  174  may be formed on the container body  172  spaced apart at predetermined intervals. When the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 , the opening  173  is inserted into the mounting body  272 , and the mounting protrusions  174  may be mounted in a mounting portion  273  of the mounting body  272 . 
     The mixing container  170  may be provided to be easily portable after separating from the mounting body  272 . For this, the mixing container  170  may further include a handle (not shown) to allow the user to easily grip. 
     Also, a cover  175  capable of opening and closing the opening  173  may be mounted on the one end of the mixing container  170 . 
       FIGS. 14 to 16  are views illustrating an example of mounting the mixing container in the carbonated water preparing module. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 to 16 , the preparing module body  260  may further include the mounting body  272  on which the mixing container  170  is mounted and the mounting sensor  277  which senses whether the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272 . 
     The mounting body  272  may include the mounting portion  273  in which the mounting protrusion  174  is mounted and a guide rail  274  which guides the mounting protrusion  174  to the mounting portion  273 . 
     The mounting portion  273  may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the mounting protrusion  174 , and thus the mounting protrusion  174  may be stably mounted in the mounting portion  273 . 
     The guide rail  274  may be formed extending from the mounting portion  273  and may have a predetermined shape to allow the mounting protrusion  174  to easily move to the mounting portion  273 , according to routes W 1  and W 2 . When the mounting body  272  has a cylindrical shape, the guide rail  274  may be formed along an inner circumferential surface of the mounting body  272  corresponding to the mounting protrusion  174 . 
     The mounting protrusion  174  may move along the guide rail  274  in a separation direction W 1   b  or a mounting direction W 1   a . Here, the mounting direction refers to a direction in which the mounting protrusion  174  moves toward the mounting portion  273  along the guide rail  274 , and the separation direction refers to a direction in which the mounting protrusion  174  moves away from the mounting portion  273  along the guide rail  274 . The separation direction or the mounting direction may be arbitrarily determined depending on a selection by the designer. 
     As described above, when the plurality of mounting protrusions  174  are provided on the mixing container  170  while being spaced apart, a plurality of such guide rails  274  may also be provided on the mounting body  272  to be spaced apart. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the mounting body  272  may include an insertion groove  275 . The insertion groove  275  allows the mounting protrusion  174  to be located in the guide rail  274  when the mixing container  170  is inserted into the mounting body  272 . The insertion groove  275  may be formed extending from the guide rail  274  and may be formed on the mounting body  272  along a direction in which the mixing container  170  is inserted into the mounting body  272 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the mounting body  272  may include a detachment preventing protrusion  276 . The detachment preventing protrusion  276  may be formed on the guide rail  274  while being adjacent to the mounting portion  273  to prevent the mounting protrusion  174  located in the mounting portion  273  from being detached from the mounting portion  273 . 
     The mounting sensor  277  may sense that the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 . In accordance with an embodiment, the mounting sensor  277  may sense that the mounting protrusion  174  moves to the mounting portion  273  along the guide rail  274  of the mounting body  272 , that the mounting protrusion  174  passes the detachment preventing protrusion  276 , that the mounting protrusion  174  is mounted on the mounting portion  273 , or that the mounting protrusion  174  moves in the insertion groove  275 . Depending on embodiments, the mounting sensor  277  may sense all the above cases. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the mounting sensor  277  may include a sensing lever  278  and a sensor portion  279 . 
     The sensing lever  278  may be provided pivotable. In detail, the sensing lever  278  may pivot around a sensing lever central axis  278   aa  and may be provided to be pivotable due to a pressure applied when the mounting protrusion pressurizes one side thereof. The sensing lever  278  may pivot and move between an unmount position  278   b  and a mount position  278   a . Here, the unmount position  278   b  refers to a position corresponding to when the mounting protrusion  174  is located on the guide rail  274  and the mount position  278   a  refers to a position corresponding to when the mounting protrusion  174  moves on the guide rail  274  and arrives at the mounting portion  273 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the mounting sensor  277  may include a return elastic member  277   b . The return elastic member  277   b  may allow the sensing lever  278  to return from the mount position  278   a  to the unmount position  278   b  when the mixing container is separated from the mounting body  272 . 
     The sensor portion  279  may sense turning of the sensing lever  278 . The sensor portion  279  is provided corresponding to the other side of the sensing lever  278  to sense the turning of the sensing lever  278 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a magnet  278   bb  may be formed on the other side of the sensing lever  278  and the sensor portion  279  may include a reed switch provided to sense the magnet  278   bb  of the sensing lever  278 . In accordance with an embodiment, the sensor portion  279 , for example, may include a micro switch which is turned on/off by being pressurized by the other side of the sensing lever  278 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the mounting sensor  277  may include a sensor housing  277   a . The sensor housing  277   a  may prevent the sensing lever  278  and the sensor portion  279  from being exposed to the outside. Also, the sensor housing  277   a  may prevent the sensing lever  278  and the sensor portion  279  from malfunctioning due to purified water. 
     When the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 , the opening  173  of the mixing container  170  may be airtight due to the carbonated water preparing module  250 . In this case, the opening  173  of the mixing container  170  may be airtight due to the preparing module body  260  or an additional component. 
     For example, the carbonated water preparing module  250  may include a packing portion  271   a  to allow the opening  173  of the mixing container  170  to be airtight. The packing portion  271   a  may be disposed corresponding to the opening  173  of the mixing container  170  inside the mounting body  272 . The packing portion  271   a  may allow the opening  173  to be airtight to prevent carbonated water from flowing out through the opening  173  when the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 . 
       FIGS. 16 to 19  are views illustrating a process of sensing the mounting of the mixing container. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 to 19 , an operation of mounting the mixing container  170  on the carbonated water preparing module  250  will be described. 
     When the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  exposed to the mixing space  132 , the mounting protrusion  174  of the mixing container  170  may be inserted into the guide rail  274  along the insertion groove  275 . 
     When the mixing container  170  is inserted into the mounting body  272 , the mixing container  170  may be rotated in the mounting direction. In this case, the mounting protrusion  174  moves along the guide rail  274  in the mounting direction and is finally located in the mounting portion  273 , thereby mounting the mixing container  170  on the mounting body  272 . 
     When the mixing container  170  is rotated in the mounting direction, the sensing lever  278  of the mounting sensor  277  is pressurized by the mounting protrusion  174  in the unmount position  278   b  and moves to the mount position  278   a , and the sensor portion  279  senses whether the mixing container  179  is mounted by sensing the movement of the sensing lever  278 . Accordingly, whether the mixing container  170  is mounted on the carbonated water preparing module  250  may be sensed. When the movement of the sensing lever  278  is sensed, the sensor portion  279  may output and transmit a predetermined electrical signal to processor  300  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). 
     The processor  300  provided in the refrigerator  1  may determine that the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  based on the electrical signal transmitted from the sensor portion  279  and may control respective components for preparing of carbonated water in the mixing container  170 . Then, purified water is supplied into the mixing container  170  and carbon dioxide is injected into the purified water, thereby preparing carbonated water. 
     Here, the processor  300  may be embodied using one or more semiconductor chips and related components provided on a printed circuit board installed in the refrigerator  1 . The processor  300  may include a micro control unit (MCU). 
     When the mixing container  170  is incorrectly mounted on the mounting body  272 , the mounting protrusion  174  is not inserted into the guide rail  274 . When the mounting protrusion  174  is not mounted in the mounting portion  273 , because the mounting sensor  277  is maintained in the unmount position  278   b , the sensor portion  279  may not sense the mounting of the mixing container  170 . 
     In this case, the processor  300  provided in the refrigerator  1  may determine that the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272  and may stop the preparing of carbonated water in the mixing container  170 . As a result, when the mixing container  170  is incorrectly mounted or not mounted, carbonated water is not prepared, thereby increasing the stability of preparing carbonated water and improving safety of the user also. 
     On the other hand, to separate the mixing container  170  from the carbonated water preparing module  250 , the mixing container  170  is rotated in the separation direction. Then, the mounting protrusion  174  of the mixing container  170  moves from the mounting portion  273  along the guide rail  274  and arrives at the insertion groove  275 . When the mounting protrusion  174  is moved away from the mounting body  272  through the insertion groove  275 , the mixing container  170  may be separated from the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     In this case, the sensing lever  278  of the mounting sensor  277  moves from the mount position  278   a  to the unmount position  278   b  as the pressure applied from the mounting protrusion  174  is removed. 
     The sensor portion  279  may sense that the sensing lever  278  moves to the unmount position  278   b  and may output an electrical signal corresponding thereto. The processor  300  may determine whether the mixing container  170  is detached based on the electrical signal transmitted from the sensor portion  279  and may stop preparing of carbonated water by transmitting control signals to each component depending on a determination result. 
     Depending on embodiments, the sensor portion  279  may continuously output an electrical signal when the sensing lever  278  is located in the mount position  278   a  and may stop outputting of the electrical signal when the sensing lever  278  moves to the unmount position  278   b . In this case, the processor  300  may determine whether the mixing container  170  is detached according to a stop of the electrical signal transmitted from the sensor portion  279  and may stop preparing of carbonated water by transmitting control signals to each component depending on the determination result. 
     Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 20 to 23 , the user interface  40  provided in the refrigerator  1  and an example of an operation of the user interface  40  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the refrigerator  1  may include the mixing container  170  in which carbon dioxide and purified water are mixed and carbonated water is prepared, the mounting body  272  on which the mixing container  170  is mountable or detachable, the mounting sensor  277  which senses whether the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 , the processor  300  which receives an electrical signal output from the mounting sensor  277  and generates a control signal according thereto, and the user interface  40  which displays various pieces of information under the control of the processor  300  or receives a command from the user. 
     Because the mixing container  170 , the mounting body  272 , and the mounting sensor  277  have already been described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     The processor  300  may control the overall operations of the refrigerator  1 . The processor  300  may generate control signals for each of the components of the refrigerator  1  based on an electrical signal output from the mounting sensor  277 , the operation portion  45 , or a touch screen portion  46  and may transmit the generated control signals to each of the components. 
     The processor  300  may determine whether the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  based on the electrical signal output from the mounting sensor  277 , may generate a control signal based on a determination result, and may transmit the control signal to the user interface  40 . 
     For example, when the sensing lever  278  of the mounting sensor  277  moves to the mount position  278   a  and thus the sensor portion  279  outputs an electrical signal according to the position of the sensing lever  278  at the mount position  278   a , the processor  300  may receive the output electrical signal and may determine that the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  by analyzing the received electrical signal. 
     Conversely, when the sensing lever  278  of the mounting sensor  277  moves to the unmount position  278   b  and thus the sensor portion  279  outputs an electrical signal according to the movement of the sensing lever  278  to the unmount position  278   b , the processor  300  may receive the output electrical signal and may determine that the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272  by analyzing the received electrical signal. In other words, the processor  300  may determine that the mixing container  170  is detached from the mounting body  272 . 
     The processor  300  may generate a control signal corresponding to a determination result and may transmit the generated control signal to the user interface  40 . 
     The user interface  40 , as described above, may provide various pieces of information related to the refrigerator  1  to the user or may receive various commands related to the control of the refrigerator  1  from the user. 
     The user interface  40 , depending on embodiments, may include at least one of the display portion  41 , the lighting portion  42 , a sound output portion  43 , a lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45 , the operation portion  45 , and the touch screen portion  46 . 
     The display portion  41  may display various pieces of information related to the refrigerator  1 . For example, the display portion  41  may display various pieces of information such as whether the refrigerator  1  operates, temperatures of the storage compartments  20  and  30  of the refrigerator  1 , operation modes of each of the storage compartments  20  and  30 , whether a malfunction of the refrigerator  1  has occurred, various pieces of daily information necessary for the user including news, weather, etc. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the display portion  41  may display various pieces of information related to preparing of carbonated water including whether preparing of carbonated water begins, whether purified water is supplied to the mixing container  170 , whether carbon dioxide is supplied to the mixing container  170 , whether preparing of carbonated water is completed, the concentration of carbon dioxide in carbonated water already prepared or to be prepared, etc. 
     The display portion  41  may display mounting information which indicates that the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272  when the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272 . In this case, the display portion  41  may display the mounting information according to a control signal transmitted from the processor  300  and may display the mounting information using letters, symbols, numbers, or figures as defined in advance. The display portion  41  may display the mounting information using a still image and may display the mounting information using a moving image. The still image or moving image displayed by the display portion  41  may be preset by the designer or may be set by the user. The still image or moving image described above may be arbitrarily changed by the user. 
     As described above, the user may determine whether the mixing container  170  is properly mounted on the mounting body  272  using the mounting information provided through the display portion  41 . Accordingly, user&#39;s convenience in mounting the mixing container  170  may be improved. 
     Also, the display portion  41  may display detachment information which indicates that the mixing container  170  is detached from the mounting body  272  when the mixing container  170  is detached from the mounting body  272 . In this case, the display portion  41  may also display the detachment information according to a control signal transmitted from the processor  300 . The detachment information may be displayed using letters, symbols, numbers, or figures different from those of the mounting information. Depending on embodiments, the display portion  41  may display the detachment information using a still image and may display the detachment information using a moving image. The still image or moving image displayed by the display portion  41  as described above may be preset by the designer or may be set by the user. The still image or moving image described above may be arbitrarily changed by the user. 
     The display portion  41  may be embodied using various devices capable of displaying images including a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), etc. 
     The display portion  41  may display various pieces of information related to the refrigerator  1  by outputting light. For example, when an anticipated situation occurs, for example, the refrigerator  1  performs a predetermined operation or the refrigerator  1  malfunctions, the lighting portion  42  may output light to inform or warn the user of the current state of the refrigerator  1 . 
     The lighting portion  42  may output various colors of light. Here, a color of output light may be determined according to predefined settings. For example, the lighting portion  42  may be set to output red light when the refrigerator  1  malfunctions. Also, the lighting portion  42  may output light in various patterns. For example, the lighting portion  42  may output light in a pattern in which light repeatedly flickers in a short time. The pattern described above may be determined according to predefined settings. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, when the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272 , the lighting portion  42  may display the mounting information to the user by outputting a predetermined color of light in a predetermined pattern. Also, when the mixing container  170  is detached from the mounting body  272 , the lighting portion  42  may display the detachment information to the user by outputting a predetermined color of light in a predetermined pattern. In this case, the display portion  41  may also display the mounting information or the detachment information according to a control signal transmitted from the processor  300 . At least one of colors and output patterns of light to display the mounting information or the detachment information may be arbitrarily determined by the designer and may be determined or changed by the user as necessary. The color and output pattern of light to display the mounting information may be identical to or different from the color and output pattern of the detachment information. 
     The user may recognize at least one of the color and output pattern of light output by the lighting portion  42  and may determine whether the mixing container  170  is properly mounted on the mounting body  272 . 
     The lighting portion  42  may be embodied using various light emitting devices such as an LED lamp, an incandescent lamp, and a fluorescent lamp. 
     The sound output portion  43  may output a predetermined sound. Here, the output sound may include a mechanical sound such as a beep, music, a human voice, or other various types of sounds. The sound output portion  43  may provide various pieces of information related to a state or operation of the refrigerator  1  by outputting a sound. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, when the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272 , the sound output portion  43  may provide the mounting information to the user by outputting a predetermined sound. Also, when the mixing container  170  is detached from the mounting body  272 , the sound output portion  43  may provide the detachment information to the user by outputting a predetermined sound. The sound output portion  43  may also output the mounting information through a sound according to a control signal transmitted from the processor  300 . Sounds corresponding to the mounting information and the detachment information may be identical to or different from each other and may be arbitrarily determined by the designer or the user. Sounds corresponding to the mounting information and the detachment information may be changed as necessary. 
     The user may easily determine whether the mixing container  170  is properly mounted on the mounting body  272  by hearing a sound output from the sound output portion  43 . 
     The sound output portion  43  may be embodied using various types of speaker devices. 
       FIG. 21A  to  FIG. 21C  are views illustrating examples of an operation portion and a lighting portion for the operation portion. 
     The operation portion  45  may receive various types of commands for controlling the refrigerator  1  from the user and may output and transmit a predetermined electrical signal to the processor  300  according to an operation of the user. The processor  300  may generate a control signal for controlling the refrigerator  1  based on the electrical signal transmitted from the operation portion  45 . 
     The operation portion  45  may be embodied using various operation devices including a physical button, a knob, a track ball, a touch pad, a touch button, a track pad, a lever, a light sensor, a touch sensor, etc. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 21A to 21C , the lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may be provided on the operation portion  45  or around the operation portion  45 . 
     The lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may provide various types of information related to the refrigerator  1  to the user by outputting light from the operation portion  45  or the periphery of the operation portion  45 . 
     The lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45 , like the lighting portion  42 , may output various colors of light and a color of output light herein may be determined according to predefined settings. Also, the lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may output light in various patterns. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, when the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272 , the lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may display the mounting information to the user by outputting a predetermined color of light in a predetermined pattern. Also, when the mixing container  170  is detached from the mounting body  272 , the lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may display the detachment information to the user by outputting a predetermined color of light in a predetermined pattern. The lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may also display the mounting information to the user by outputting a predetermined color of light in a predetermined pattern according to a control signal transmitted from the processor  300 . At least one of the colors and output patterns of light may be arbitrarily determined by the designer and may be determined or changed by the user as necessary. 
     Depending on embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 21A , the lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may be disposed in the center of the operation portion  45  and may induce the user to operate the operation portion  45  by outputting light when the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272 . 
     Also, as shown in  FIGS. 21B and 21C , depending on embodiments, the lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may be disposed along an edge of the operation portion  45  and may induce the user to operate the operation portion  45  by outputting light when the mixing container  170  is coupled with the mounting body  272 . 
     The lighting portion  44  for the operation portion  45  may be embodied using various light emitting devices such as an LED lamp, an incandescent lamp, and a fluorescent lamp. 
     Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , an example of the user interface  40  will be described. 
       FIG. 22  is a front view of a dispenser assembly  100 .  FIG. 23  is a view illustrating an example of a user interface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , the user interface  40  may be installed on a part of the dispenser housing  130  of the dispenser assembly  100 . Here, the user may easily check various states of the refrigerator  1  or a process of preparing carbonated water even while receiving carbonated water, ice, or purified water through the dispenser assembly  100 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the user interface  40 , as shown in  FIG. 22 , may be installed on the part of the dispenser housing  130  located above the mixing space  132 . The cylinder door  221   a  which opens and closes the cylinder accommodation space  221  into which the carbon dioxide cylinder  222  can be inserted may be provided on a side portion of the user interface  40 . 
     The user interface  40  may include a display section  40   a  for displaying various pieces of information including temperatures of the storage compartments  20  and  30 , etc., a first operation section  40   b  in which an operation device capable of inputting various commands related to preparing of carbonated water is provided, a second operation section  40   c  in which an operation device for selecting one of water and ice supplied by the second dispenser assembly  110  is provided, and fourth operation sections  40   d  and  40   e  in which operation devices for inputting various other commands necessary for other operations of the refrigerator  1  are provided. Here, the operation devices of the respective operation sections  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , and  40   e  may be embodied using physical buttons, touch sensors, etc. 
     The first operation section  40   b  may include at least one of a first operation portion  40   ba  which receives a command for starting preparing carbonated water, a second operation portion  40   bb  which receives a command for adding carbon dioxide, and a third operation portion  40   bc  which receives a command of adjusting the concentration of the carbon dioxide. 
     When the user operates the first operation portion  40   ba , the carbonated water preparing module  250  starts an operation and starts preparing carbonated water in the mixing container  170 . When the user operates the second operation portion  40   bb , carbon dioxide may be further supplied to the mixing container  170 . In this case, according to a one-time operation of the second operation portion  40   bb , a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide is further supplied to the mixing container  170 . Also, according to the number of times the second operation portion  40   bb  is operated, a larger amount of carbon dioxide may be supplied in proportion to the number of times the second operation portion  40   bb  is operated. When the user operates the third operation portion  40   bc , an amount of carbon dioxide used in preparing of carbonated water may be adjusted, and accordingly the concentration of carbon dioxide in carbonated water may be changed. 
     Each of the sections  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , and  40   e  may be disposed according to a selection of the designer considering user&#39;s convenience. In the example shown in  FIG. 23 , the display section  40   a  is disposed in the center, the first operation section  40   b  is disposed below the display section  40   a , the second operation section  40   c  is disposed below the first operation section  40   b , and the fourth operation sections  40   d  and  40   e  are disposed on left and right sides of the display section  40   a . However, an arrangement of the respective sections  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , and  40   e  is not limited thereto. 
     The user interface  40  may be embodied by combining a plurality of layers (not shown) in which one or more symbols or letters are marked. 
     Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 24 to 26 , of a method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment will be described. 
       FIG. 24  is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 25 and 26  are views illustrating the method of controlling the refrigerator. 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , after the refrigerator  1  starts operating, the mounting sensor  277  senses whether the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  (operation S 310 ). 
     When the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  as shown in  FIG. 25  (YES in operation S 311 ), the mounting sensor  277  may output an electrical signal according to a sensing result, and the output electrical signal may be transmitted to the processor  300  through at least one of a circuit and a conducting wire. 
     The processor  300  generates a control signal corresponding to the received electrical signal and then transmits the generated control signal to at least one of the display portion  41 , the lighting portion  42 , and the sound output portion  43  of the user interface  40 . At least one of the display portion  41 , the lighting portion  42 , and the sound output portion  43  which receive the control signal may display the mounting or output the received control signal to provide mounting information to the user as a sound (operation S 312 ). 
     When the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272  (NO in operation S 311 ), the mounting sensor  277  may not output any electrical signal, and accordingly the processor  300  may also not generate any control signal. Accordingly, the refrigerator  1  may not perform a new operation and maintains a current operation state, and the display portion  41 , the lighting portion  42 , and the sound output portion  43  of the user interface  40  may also continue performing operations currently underway or may maintain a state of non-operation (operation S 313 ). 
     After the mixing container  170  is installed on the mounting body  272  (YES in operation S 311 ) and after a predetermined amount of time passes, for example, after preparing carbonated water is completed, when the mixing container  170  is sensed (operation S 314 ) to be detached from the mounting body  272  (YES in operation S 315 ), the processor  300  may generate a control signal corresponding to a received electrical signal and may transmit the generated control signal to at least one of the display portion  41 , the lighting portion  42 , and the sound output portion  43  of the user interface  40 . Then, at least one of the display portion  41 , the lighting portion  42 , and the sound output portion  43  which receive the control signal may display the detachment or output the received control signal as a sound to provide the detachment information to the user (operation S 316 ). 
     When the mixing container  170  is not detached from the mounting body  272  (NO in operation S 315 ), the mounting sensor  277  may not output any electrical signal, and accordingly the processor  300  may also not generate any control signal. Accordingly, the refrigerator  1  may not perform new additional operations and may continue performing the current operation (operation S 317 ). 
     Depending on embodiments, when the mixing container  170  is not detached from the mounting body  272  for a predefined amount of time, under the control of the processor  300 , at least one of the display portion  41 , the lighting portion  42 , and the sound output portion  43  of the user interface  40  may display a warning or output a warning sound. 
     Hereinafter, referring to  FIG. 27 , the user interface  40  provided in the refrigerator  1  and an operation of the user interface  40  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
       FIG. 27  is a block diagram of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 27 , the refrigerator  1  may include the mixing container  170  in which carbon dioxide and purified water are mixed and carbonated water is prepared, the mounting body  272  on which the mixing container  170  is mountable or detachable, the mounting sensor  277  which senses whether the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 , the processor  300  which receives an electrical signal output from the mounting sensor  277  and generates a control signal according thereto, the user interface  40  which displays various pieces of information under the control of the processor  300  or receives a command from the user, and the carbonated water preparing module  250  which provides carbon dioxide and purified water for preparing carbonated water to the mixing container  170 . 
     Because the mixing container  170 , the mounting body  272 , the mounting sensor  277 , and the carbonated water preparing module  250  have already been described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the processor  300  may determine whether the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  based on an electrical signal output by the mounting sensor  277  and may generate a control signal corresponding to the electrical signal transmitted from the operation portion  45  of the user interface  40  or may ignore the electrical signal transmitted from the operation portion  45  of the user interface  40  depending on a determination result. 
     In more detail, when it is determined that the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  according to the electrical signal output from the mounting sensor  277 , the processor  300  may generate a control signal corresponding to the electrical signal received from the operation portion  45  and may control various components including the carbonated water preparing module  250 , etc. by transmitting the generated control signal to the carbonated water preparing module  250 , etc., thereby allowing the user to input various commands including, for example, a carbonated water preparing command using the operation portion  45 . In other words, when the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 , the processor  300  may activate an input function of the operation portion  45 . 
     Conversely, when an electrical signal is not received from the mounting sensor  277  or an electrical signal corresponding to the detachment of the mixing container  170  such as, for example, an electrical signal according to a movement of the sensing lever  278  to the unmount position  278   b  is received from the mounting sensor  277 , the processor  300  may determine that the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272 . In this case, even though the electrical signal is transmitted from the operation portion  45 , the processor  300  may not generate a control signal corresponding to the electrical signal. Accordingly, various components including the carbonated water preparing module  250 , etc. are not controlled, and the user cannot input various commands such as, for example, the carbonated water preparing command using the operation portion  45 . In other words, when the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272 , the processor  300  may deactivate the input function of the operation portion  45 . 
     Depending on embodiments, the processor  300  may transmit a control signal to the operation portion  45  to control the operation portion  45  to output an electrical signal according to an operation of the user when it is determined that the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  and may transmit a control signal to the operation portion  45  to control the operation portion  45  not to output an electrical signal even when an operation of the user is applied to the operation portion  45  when, on the contrary, the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272 . Accordingly, the operation portion  45  may be activated or deactivated depending on whether the mixing container  170  is mounted. 
     As described above, because the operation portion  45  is activated or deactivated depending on whether the mixing container  170  is mounted, the carbonated water preparing module  250  is prevented from operating to prepare carbonated water when the mixing container  170  is not mounted, thereby preventing an accident caused by a mal-operation by the user. 
     Meanwhile, as described with reference to  FIG. 23 , at least one of the first operation portion  40   ba , the second operation portion  40   bb , and the third operation portion  40   bc  may be provided in the first operation section  40   b . Under the control of the processor  300  described above, at least one of the first operation portion  40   ba , the second operation portion  40   bb , and the third operation portion  40   bc  may be operable only when the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272 . 
     In addition, because the processor  300  and the user interface  40  have already been described with reference to  FIG. 20 , a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
       FIG. 28  is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     According to the method of controlling the refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment shown in  FIG. 28 , first, whether the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  is sensed (operation S 320 ). 
     When the mixing container  170  is mounted on the mounting body  272  (YES in operation S 321 ), the user may input various commands related to preparing carbonated water through the operation portion  45  (operation S 322 ). For example, the user may request the refrigerator  1  to prepare carbonated water, may supply a larger amount of carbon dioxide into the carbonated water, or may control the concentration of the carbon dioxide in the carbonated water by operating the first operation portion  40   ba , the second operation portion  40   bb , or the third operation portion  40   bc.    
     As described above, the user may input various commands related to the preparing of carbonated water through the operation portion  45 , thereby preparing carbonated water according to an operation of the user (operation S 324 ). 
     When the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272  (NO in S 321 ), even though the user operates the operation portion  45 , it is impossible to input various commands related to preparing carbonated water (operation S 323 ). Accordingly, when the mixing container  170  is not mounted on the mounting body  272 , it is possible to prevent an unintended operation of the carbonated water preparing module  250 . 
     As is apparent from the above description, a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure may improve convenience of users by allowing users to easily determine whether a mixing container is fastened to a carbonated water preparing module in case of using the refrigerator capable of preparing and supplying carbonated water by fastening the mixing container to the carbonated water preparing module. 
     The refrigerator and the method of controlling the same in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure may prevent various accidents or damages of users which may occur when a carbonated water preparing process is performed while the mixing container is not fastened, thereby improving safety of users in using the refrigerator. 
     Accordingly, users may more safely and stably get carbonated water using the refrigerator capable of preparing and supplying the carbonated water and thus may more conveniently use the refrigerator. 
     Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be prepared in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.