Abstract:
A method for controlling a refrigerator includes measuring temperature or humidity around the refrigerator using a temperature sensor and/or humidity sensor. Further, the method includes controlling a cooling fan to continuously operate or controlling the cooling fan or a heater to turn on for a fraction of a preset period and then turn off for the remainder of the preset period in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and/or the humidity measured by the humidity sensor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0164301, filed on Dec. 26, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a refrigerator capable of preventing and/or reducing condensation of water in or on the refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator to prevent and/or reduce condensation of water in or on the refrigerator, particularly preventing and/or reducing condensation by measuring temperature and humidity of a space around the refrigerator (e.g., the environment surrounding the refrigerator) and controlling a heater and a cooling fan in or of the refrigerator based on the measured temperature and humidity to maintain the temperature of a location in or on the refrigerator where water may condense above a dew point. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In general, various heaters and hot pipes are employed refrigerators in order to prevent and/or reduce condensation of water (“dew”) in or on the refrigerator. However, these components add cost, and a hot pipe may suffer from adhesion and/or mounting/fixture problems resulting in condensation on the surface refrigerator. Thus, in order to solve the above problems resulting from the use of the hot pipe, attempts have been made to change the structure of the hot pipe. However, this approach adds costs caused by the design changes and manufacturing of the hot pipe. Accordingly, a more fundamental solution to condensation of water in or on the refrigerator is needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure has been made in an effort to provide a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator capable of preventing and/or reducing condensation by measuring temperature and humidity around the refrigerator and controlling a heater and a cooling fan in the refrigerator based on the measured temperature and humidity to maintain the temperature of a location where the water may condense above a dew point. 
         [0005]    The objects of the present invention are not limited thereto, and other objects that are not described above will be apparently understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. 
         [0006]    Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for controlling a refrigerator including measuring temperature or humidity around the refrigerator using a temperature sensor or humidity sensor, and continuously operating a cooling fan or causing a cooling fan or heater to turn on for a fraction of a preset period and then turn off for the remainder of the preset period based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and/or the humidity measured by the humidity sensor. 
         [0007]    The cooling fan may operate continuously where the temperature in the space measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a first preset temperature. 
         [0008]    When the measured humidity is relatively high, the operating ratio of the heater may increase (e.g., the heater may run for a longer period of time). 
         [0009]    When the measured humidity is relatively low, the operating ratio of the heater may decrease (e.g., the heater may run for a shorter period of time). 
         [0010]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a heater (HTR) configured to prevent and/or reduce condensation of water and/or moisture, a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature around the refrigerator, a humidity sensor configured to measure humidity in the refrigerator, a cooling fan configured to radiate heat in the refrigerator, and a controller configured to control the cooling fan and the heater based on the measured temperature and/or humidity, wherein the controller may cause the cooling fan to continuously operate or cause the cooling fan or the heater to turn on for a fraction of a preset period and then turn off for the remainder of the preset period, based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and/or the humidity measured by the humidity sensor. 
         [0011]    The cooling fan may continuously operate, for example, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a first preset temperature. 
         [0012]    In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent and/or reduce water and/or moisture condensation by measuring temperature and humidity around the refrigerator and controlling a heater (HTR) and a cooling fan (C-FAN) of the refrigerator based on the measured temperature and humidity to maintain the temperature of the location on the refrigerator where water/moisture condenses above the dew point. 
         [0013]    Further, the refrigerant R-600a (isobutane) has a cycle temperature lower than the refrigerant R-134a (tetrafluoroethane, or CH 2 FCF 3 ). As a result, the likelihood of condensation in refrigerators using R600a or similar low temperature cycle refrigerants increases due to the relatively low temperature of the hot pipe (caused by a relatively low refrigerant temperature). 
         [0014]    An additional heater or structural changes to the hot pipe to overcome the adhesion problem have been attempted in the prior art. Unlike the prior art, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure cause a cooling fan to operate for a fraction of a preset period and to not operate for the remainder of the preset period so that the temperature of the cooling cycle increases. As a result, the temperature of the refrigerant increases and more heat is transferred to locations in/on a refrigerator where water/moisture condenses, such as a partition or gasket, thereby preventing and/or reducing and/or reducing the likelihood of condensation in or on the refrigerator. 
         [0015]    The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary refrigerator capable of preventing and/or reducing condensation in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are flow diagrams illustrating an exemplary method for preventing and/or reducing and/or reducing condensation in a refrigerator in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0019]    In the following description, well-known functions or constitutions will not be described in detail if they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. 
         [0020]    The present disclosure also includes algorithms, computer program(s), computer-readable media and/or software, implementable and/or executable in a general purpose computer or refrigerator a or freezer equipped with a conventional digital signal processor, and configured to perform one or more of the methods and/or one or more operations of the hardware disclosed herein. Thus, a further aspect of the invention relates to algorithms and/or software that implement a method for controlling a refrigerator that is capable of preventing moisture in a refrigerator compartment from freezing in a refrigerator compartment return duct as cold air in a cooling chamber flows back into the refrigerator compartment return duct. For example, the computer program or computer-readable medium generally contains a set of instructions which, when executed by an appropriate processing device (e.g., a signal processing device, such as a microcontroller, microprocessor or DSP device), is configured to perform the above-described method(s), operation(s), and/or algorithm(s). 
         [0021]    The computer-readable medium may comprise any medium that can be read by a signal processing device configured to read the medium and execute code stored thereon or therein, such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape or hard disk drive. Such code may comprise object code, source code and/or binary code. The code is generally digital, and is generally configured for processing by a conventional digital data processor (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, or logic circuit such as a programmable gate array, programmable logic circuit/device or application-specific integrated circuit [ASIC]). 
         [0022]    Hereinafter, the operation of the respective components of a refrigerator capable of preventing and/or reducing condensation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary refrigerator  100  capable of preventing and/or reducing condensation of water comprises a temperature sensor (RT-sensor)  10  that measures temperature around the refrigerator  100 , a humidity sensor  20  that measures humidity around the refrigerator  100 , a compressor  30  that discharges high-temperature and/or high-pressure refrigerant, a cooling fan (C-FAN)  40  that cools a condenser in a machine compartment of the refrigerator  100 , a cooling fan driver  50  to drive the cooling fan, and at least one heater (HTR)  60 , and a controller  70  that controls the temperature sensor  10 , the humidity sensor  20 , the compressor  30 , the cooling-fan driving unit  50 , and the heater (HTR)  60 . 
         [0024]    The temperature sensor  10  and the humidity sensor  20  sense temperature and humidity around the refrigerator  100 , respectively. The temperature sensor  10  may be in a cover used to cover a hinge of an upper portion of a door, and the humidity sensor  20  may be in a control panel on a front surface of the door or in the same location as the temperature sensor  10 . 
         [0025]    The compressor  30  compresses the refrigerant to liquefy the vaporized refrigerant. The cooling fan  40  radiates the heat of a condenser in the machine compartment of the refrigerator  100 . One or more heaters (HTR)  60  may be used in the refrigerator, and may be, for example, positioned next to a part of the refrigerator not requiring a low temperature (e.g., a water or ice dispenser, a dispenser switch or lever, or a home bar (all not shown)), etc. The heater(s)  60  may increase the temperature of that part of the refrigerator. 
         [0026]    The controller  70  issues signals to control the operations of the temperature sensor  10 , the humidity sensor  20 , the compressor  30 , the cooling-fan driver  50 , and the heater (HTR)  60 . Further, the controller  70  turns on and turns off the heater  60  and the cooling fan  40  based on the temperature and humidity that are measured by the temperature sensor  10  and the humidity sensor  20 . 
         [0027]    Specifically, the controller  70  causes the cooling fan  40  to continue its operation when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor  10  is above a first preset temperature. 
         [0028]    Further, the controller  70  may control the heater  60  so that the operating ratio of the heater  60  increases, for example, when the measured humidity is relatively high. 
         [0029]    Further, the controller  70  may control the heater  60  so that the operating ratio of the heater  60  decreases, for example, when the measured humidity is relatively low. 
         [0030]    Further, when the measured humidity is above a preset humidity, the controller  70  may control the heater  60  so that the heater  60  operates for more than a preset time period. 
         [0031]    Further, when the measured temperature is below a preset temperature, the controller  70  may control the heater  60  so that the heater  60  operates for less than a preset time period. 
         [0032]    Hereinafter, a method of preventing and/or reducing condensation of water in or on the refrigerator will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  in detail. For reference, it is understood that the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is only an example where the cooling fan  40  and the heater  60  are controlled depending on the results of the temperature sensor  10  and the humidity sensor  20  and/or based on a control method for controlling the refrigerator in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. There may be many other different embodiments similar thereto. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , it may be determined that the temperature (T R ) measured by the temperature sensor  10  around the refrigerator is equal to or higher than a first preset temperature, for example, 36° C., in block  20 . However, the first preset temperature may have any value between 28° C. and 38° C. In block  22 , when the measured temperature is equal to or higher than the first preset temperature, it may be determined if the humidity (H R ) measured by the humidity sensor  20  around the refrigerator is equal to or higher than a first preset humidity, e.g., 70%. However, the first preset humidity may have any value between 60 and 80%. 
         [0034]    As a result of the determination of block  20 , when the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about fifty-five minutes, turned off for about five minutes, and operates the cooling fan  40  continuously in block  24 . The heater (HTR)  60  may be turned on once and then turned off once during the operation period of the heater  60 , and the heater  60  may be turned on for about 27 to 118 minutes, and turned off for about two to ten minutes. The operation period of the heater  60  may be between 30 and 120 minutes, and in one example, is about 60 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle (e.g., ratio of the length of time on to the length of time off) of at least 8:1. Hereinafter, the heater (HTR)  60  will be considered to have an exemplary operation period of 60 minutes. 
         [0035]    However, as a result of the determination in block  22 , if the humidity (H R ) is not equal to or higher than the first preset humidity (or less than the first preset humidity), it may be determined that the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the second preset humidity (for example, 55%) and is less than the first preset humidity in block  26 . In various embodiments, the second preset humidity may have a value between 40 and 70%, but less than the first preset humidity. As a result of the determination, when the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the second preset humidity and is less than the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about fifty minutes and then turned off for about ten minutes, and the cooling fan  40  continuously operates in block  28 . However, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 42 to 54 minutes, and turned off for about six to 18 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of from 7:3 to about 9:1, but less than the duty cycle when the humidity is greater than the first preset humidity. 
         [0036]    As a result of the determination in block  26 , when the humidity (H R ) is not equal to or higher than the second preset humidity and is not less than the first preset humidity (e.g., less than the second preset humidity), the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about forty-five minutes and then turned off for about fifteen minutes and the cooling fan  40  continuously operates in block  30 . However, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 36 to 50 minutes, and turned off for about six to 18 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of from 3:2 to about 6:1, but less than the duty cycle when the humidity is between the first and second preset humidities. 
         [0037]    As a result of the determination in block  20 , when the measured temperature (T R ) around the refrigerator is not equal to or higher than the first preset temperature, it is determined whether the temperature (T R ) is equal to or higher than a second preset temperature and less than the first preset temperature in block  32 . As a result of the determination, when the temperature (T R ) is equal to or higher than the second preset temperature and is less than the first preset temperature, it is determined whether the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the first preset humidity in block  34 . The second preset temperature may have any value between 10° C. and 25° C. In one example, the second preset temperature is about 20° C. 
         [0038]    As a result of the determination in block  34 , when the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  provided in the refrigerator is turned on for about fifty-five minutes and then turned off for about five minutes and the cooling fan  40  is turned on for ten minutes and then tuned-off for fifty minutes in block  36 . The cooling fan  40  may be turned on once and then turned off once during the operation period of the cooling fan  40 . Hereinafter, the cooling fan  40  will be considered to have an exemplary operation period of 60 minutes. 
         [0039]    Under these temperature and humidity conditions, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 50 to 57 minutes, and turned off for about 3 to 10 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of at least 6:1. In addition, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the fan  40  may be turned on for about 5 to 15 minutes, and turned off for about 45 to 55 minutes. As a result, the fan may have a duty cycle of at least 3:1. 
         [0040]    However, as a result of the determination in block  34 , if the humidity (H R ) is not equal to or higher than the first preset humidity (or less than the first preset humidity), it is determined whether the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the second preset humidity and less than the first preset humidity in block  38 . As a result of the determination, when the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the second preset humidity and is less than the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about forty minutes and then turned off for about fifteen to 30 minutes (e.g., about twenty minutes), and the cooling fan  40  is turned on for five minutes and then is turned off for about fifty-five minutes after block  40 . 
         [0041]    Under these temperature and humidity conditions, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 30 to 45 minutes, and turned off for about 15 to 30 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of from 1:1 to 3:1. In addition, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the fan  40  may be turned on for about 2 to 10 minutes, and turned off for about 50 to 58 minutes. As a result, the fan may have a duty cycle of at least 6:1. 
         [0042]    However, as a result of the determination in block  38 , when the humidity (H R ) is not equal to or higher than the second preset humidity and is not less than the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about thirty minutes and then turned off for about thirty minutes, and the cooling fan  40  is continuously operated in block  42 . Under these temperature and humidity conditions, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 20 to 40 minutes, and turned off for about 20 to 40 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of from 1:2 to 2:1. 
         [0043]    As a result of the determination in block  32 , when the temperature (T R ) is not equal to or higher than the second preset temperature and not less than the first preset temperature (i.e., the temperature is less than the second preset temperature), the control method advances to block  44  ( FIG. 2B ) where it is determined that whether the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than a first preset humidity. As a result of the determination, when the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about forty minutes and then turned off for about twenty minutes, and the cooling fan  40  is turned on for ten minutes and then turned off for fifty minutes in block  46 . 
         [0044]    Under these temperature and humidity conditions, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 30 to 45 minutes, and turned off for about 15 to 30 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of from 1:1 to 3:1. In addition, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the fan  40  may be turned on for about 5 to 20 minutes, and turned off for about 40 to 55 minutes. As a result, the fan may have a duty cycle of at least 2:1. 
         [0045]    However, as a result of the determination in block  44 , when the humidity (H R ) is not equal to or higher than the first preset humidity (e.g., less than the first preset humidity, it is determined whether the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than a second preset humidity and (optionally) less than the first preset humidity in block  48 . As a result of the determination, when the humidity (H R ) is equal to or higher than the second preset humidity and is less than the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about twenty-five minutes and then turned off for about thirty-five minutes, and the cooling fan  40  is turned on for five minutes and then turned off for fifty-five minutes after block  50 . 
         [0046]    Under these temperature and humidity conditions, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 18 to 33 minutes, and turned off for about 27 to 42 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of from 3:7 to 11:9. In addition, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the fan  40  may be turned on for about 3 to 10 minutes, and turned off for about 50 to 57 minutes. As a result, the fan may have a duty cycle of 1:19 to 1:5. 
         [0047]    However, as a result of the determination of in block  48 , when the humidity (H R ) is not equal to or higher than the second preset humidity and is not less the first preset humidity, the heater (HTR)  60  in the refrigerator is turned on for about twelve minutes and then turned off for about forty-eight minutes and the cooling fan  40  is continuously operated in block  52 . Thus, under these temperature and humidity conditions, per 60 minutes of operation cycle, the heater  60  may be turned on for about 6 to 18 minutes, and turned off for about 42 to 54 minutes. As a result, the heater may have a duty cycle of from 1:9 to 3:7. 
         [0048]    As set forth above, while the present invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment of the refrigerator controlling apparatus and method for preventing and/or reducing condensation of water, it is only an example and the present invention is not limited thereto. It should be construed that the present invention has the widest range in compliance with the basic idea disclosed in the disclosure. Although it is possible for those skilled in the art to combine and substitute the disclosed embodiments to embody the other types that are not specifically disclosed in the disclosure, they do not depart from the scope of the present invention as well. In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made with respect to the disclosed embodiments based on the disclosure in easy and these changes and modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.