Patent Description:
A refrigerator, which generally includes a storage compartment and a cool air supply device to supply cool air to the storage compartment, is an apparatus used to keep food fresh. The storage compartment is maintained within a certain temperature range required to keep food fresh.

A dairy product maker is an apparatus for producing a dairy product such as yogurt and cheese by fermenting milk. By heating a container that contains milk, milk is fermented to produce a fermented dairy product. Because a dairy product maker is independently provided and only has a function to produce dairy products by fermenting milk, there is an inconvenience of moving the dairy product produced by the dairy product maker into a separate refrigerator for storage.

Therefore, there have recently been made attempts to install a dairy product maker in a refrigerator compartment to produce a dairy product using the dairy product maker and keep the produced dairy product refrigerated using cool air of the refrigerator compartment, thereby removing user's inconvenience.

Conventional refrigerators including a dairy product maker inside in a refrigerator compartment and a method of controlling the same are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Provided are a refrigerator and a control method therefor. The refrigerator easily controls the operation of a dairy product maker via a control panel by a user, easily recognizes the operation state of the dairy product maker, and controls the dairy product maker to produce a dairy product even when an error occurs in a component constituting the dairy product maker, thereby providing the dairy product regardless of occurrence of the error.

The present invention provides a refrigerator as defined in the independent claim <NUM>. Further preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

The control command includes a control command for a first fermentation mode and a control command for a second fermentation mode, and a fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode may be shorter than a fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode.

The controller may operate the heater for the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode in response to receiving the control command for the first fermentation mode, and extend an operation period of the heater to operate the heater for the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode in response to receiving the control command for the second fermentation mode while the first fermentation mode is in progress.

The controller may operate the heater for the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode upon receiving the control command for the second fermentation mode, and compare a fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode with the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode upon receiving the control command for the first fermentation mode while the second fermentation mode is in progress.

The controller may operate the heater during the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode in the case where the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is shorter than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode, and turn off the heater in the case where the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is longer than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode.

The controller turns off the heater and turns on the fan upon receiving a control command for a cooling mode while the heater operates, and turns off the fan and turns on the heater upon receiving a control command for the first fermentation mode or a control command for the second fermentation mode while the fan operates.

The controller may cool down the container to a preset cooling temperature by turning off the heater and repeatedly turning on and off the fan after a lapse of the preset fermentation period, and further cools down the container to a preset refrigeration temperature by controlling the fan upon completing of the cooling of the container, and the refrigeration temperature may be lower than the cooling temperature.

The controller may count the progression of the preset fermentation period in the case where the temperature of the dairy product maker is higher than the preset fermentation start temperature, and turn on the heater to increase the temperature of the dairy product maker to the fermentation start temperature in the case where the temperature of the dairy product maker is below the preset fermentation start temperature, and counts the progression of the preset fermentation period from a time point at which the temperature of the dairy product maker reaches the fermentation start temperature.

The controller may control the control panel to display an error state upon determination that an error occurs in at least one of the heater, the wind-blowing fan, and the temperature sensor.

The controller may control the control panel to display a production completion state after a lapse of a preset third period after the heater is turned off.

The preset third period may be shorter than the preset second period.

The controller may determine an error of the temperature sensor when the controller receives an output of the temperature sensor is 0V or an input voltage of the temperature sensor is 0V.

The controller may determine an error of the temperature sensor when the temperature sensor outputs a temperature below a preset first reference temperature for a preset reference period or longer.

The controller may determine an error of the temperature sensor when the temperature sensor outputs a temperature above a preset second reference temperature for a preset reference period or longer.

According to the refrigerator and the control method therefor according to an embodiment, the user may easily control the operation of the dairy product maker via the control panel, easily recognize the operation state of the dairy product maker, and control the dairy product maker to produce a dairy product even when an error occurs in a component constituting the dairy product maker, and thus the dairy product may be provided regardless of occurrence of the error.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element and the "indirectly connected to" includes connected to the other element via a wireless communication network.

In addition, the terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as "including" or "having," etc., are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component discussed below could be termed a second component, and similarly, the second component may be termed the first component without departing from the teachings of this disclosure.

In addition, the terms "unit", "device", "block", "member", and "module" used herein refer to a unit used to process at least one function or operation. For example, these terms may refer to one or more hardware components such as field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more software components stored in a memory, or one or more processors.

The reference numerals used in operations are used for descriptive convenience and are not intended to describe the order of operations and the operations may be performed in a different order unless the order of operations are clearly stated.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a refrigerator including a dairy product maker provided inside a refrigerator compartment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view of a dairy product maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded rear view of a dairy product maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a wind-blowing fan mount and a wind-blowing fan shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded view of a dairy product maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a dairy product container assembly of a dairy product maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating a dairy product container assembly withdrawn from a dairy product maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a refrigerator <NUM> includes a main body <NUM>, a storage compartment <NUM> provided inside the main body <NUM> and having an open front, and a door <NUM> pivotally coupled to the main body <NUM> to open and close the front of the storage compartment <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> includes an inner cabinet <NUM> defining the storage compartment <NUM>, an outer cabinet (not shown) defining the external appearance, and a cool air supply device (not shown) configured to supply cool air to the storage compartment <NUM>.

The cool air supply device may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a fan, and a cool air duct, and an insulator (not shown) is disposed between the inner cabinet <NUM> and the outer cabinet of the main body <NUM> to prevent leakage of cool air from the storage compartment <NUM>.

The storage compartment <NUM> may be partitioned into a refrigerator compartment <NUM> and a freezer compartment <NUM> by a partition wall <NUM>, and a plurality of shelves <NUM> provided therein may partition the refrigerator compartment <NUM> and the freezer compartment <NUM> into a plurality of sections, respectively.

The refrigerator compartment <NUM> and the freezer compartment <NUM> may be open or closed by a refrigerator compartment door <NUM> and a freezer door <NUM> respectively pivotally coupled to the main body <NUM>, and a plurality of door guards <NUM> may be mounted on the rear surface of the door <NUM> to accommodate foods.

A dairy product maker <NUM> configured to make dairy products such as curd, labneh, skyr, kefir, yogurt, and cheese by fermenting milk is provided inside the refrigerator compartment <NUM>.

Although the dairy product maker <NUM> is located inside the refrigerator compartment <NUM> in the drawings, the dairy product maker <NUM> may also be accommodated in a separate space independently provided in the refrigerator compartment <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the dairy product maker <NUM> may include a case <NUM> including an outer case <NUM> defining the external appearance, an inner case <NUM> provided inside the outer case <NUM>, and an insulator <NUM> disposed between the outer case <NUM> and the inner case <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the dairy product maker <NUM> comprises a container <NUM> for storing milk. According to a preferred embodiment, the dairy product maker <NUM> may include a dairy product container assembly <NUM> including the dairy product container <NUM> that stores milk and is accommodated in the inner case <NUM>.

The dairy product maker <NUM> includes a heater <NUM> configured to heat the dairy product container <NUM> to ferment milk stored in the dairy product container <NUM> and a wind-blowing fan <NUM> configured to supply cool air to the dairy product container <NUM> to keep the fermented milk refrigerated.

The dairy product maker <NUM> includes a temperature sensor <NUM> configured to measure a temperature therein.

The front of the outer case <NUM> may have an opening <NUM> to allow the insulator <NUM> and the inner case <NUM> to be inserted into the outer case <NUM>. The front of the inner case <NUM> may have an opening <NUM> allowing the dairy product container <NUM> to be inserted into and withdrawn from the inner case <NUM>.

A partition <NUM> configured to separate the inner cabinet <NUM> from the dairy product maker <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the outer case <NUM>.

The partition <NUM> may have a plurality of vents <NUM> such that cool air inside the refrigerator compartment <NUM> is sucked through a suction port <NUM> formed in the case <NUM> of the dairy product maker <NUM> and the sucked cool air is discharged back into the refrigerator compartment <NUM> through a discharge port <NUM> formed in the case <NUM> of the dairy product maker <NUM>.

The partition <NUM> may be provided with a blocking partition wall <NUM> to prevent the cool air discharged through the discharge port <NUM> from being sucked back into the suction port <NUM> and recirculated.

A rear wall 110a of the outer case <NUM> may be provided with a wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> having an inflow channel <NUM> formed therein to suck cool air inside the refrigerator compartment <NUM>, and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> may be mounted on the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM>.

Specifically, the wind-blowing fan <NUM> may be mounted in the inflow channel <NUM> formed in the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM>. A discharge port <NUM> through which cool air sucked into the dairy product maker <NUM> is discharged may be provided on the rear surface of the outer case <NUM>.

A first suction port <NUM> may be formed at one end of the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> may be mounted on the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> to communicate with the first suction port <NUM> through one side thereof. One end of the inflow channel <NUM> may communicate with the first suction port <NUM>.

The wind-blowing fan <NUM> may be inserted into the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> to be mounted thereon, the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> recessed as a part of the rear wall 110a of the outer case <NUM>,.

The wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> may include a wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> constituting the lower surface of the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM>. The wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may protrude from the rear surface of the outer case <NUM> and constitute a part of the first suction port <NUM>. Specifically, the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may be provided at a lower end of the outer surface of the rear wall 110a in the form of a plate-shaped rib extending in the horizontal direction.

One end of the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may correspond to a part of the first suction port <NUM>. The wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> constituting the lower surface of the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> may support the wind-blowing fan <NUM> under the wind-blowing fan <NUM>.

The wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may be provided with a drain slit <NUM>. Specifically, the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may extend in the horizontal direction and the drain slit <NUM> may be formed to penetrate the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM>. In other words, with respect to the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM>, a space above the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may be connected to a space below the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> via the drain slit <NUM>. Therefore, milk and/or a dairy product on the upper surface of the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may be drained into the space below the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> through the drain slit <NUM>.

The space below the wind-blowing fan lower mount wall <NUM> may be connected to the outside of the dairy product maker <NUM>. Milk or the dairy product flowing over the dairy product container <NUM> onto the upper surface of the wind-blowing fan mount <NUM> through the inflow channel <NUM> may be drained out of the dairy product maker <NUM> through the drain slit <NUM> by gravity or fine vibration of the wind-blowing fan <NUM>. Therefore, contamination of the wind-blowing fan <NUM> by the milk or the dairy product flowing over the dairy product container <NUM> may be prevented and malfunction of the dairy product maker <NUM> caused by the contamination may be prevented.

The dairy product maker <NUM> may include the inner case <NUM> in which an accommodation space to accommodate the dairy product container <NUM> is formed. The accommodation space may be formed by left, right, top, bottom, and rear surfaces of the inner case <NUM> and the front of the accommodation space may correspond to the opening <NUM>.

The inner case <NUM> may be integrally formed by injection molding. In this case, there is no gap between surfaces of the inner case <NUM> which may be formed when the surfaces are separately manufactured and assembled or the inner case <NUM> is manufactured in two pieces and assembled, and thus milk or a dairy product flowing over the dairy product container <NUM> into an accommodation space does not enter such a gap and may be easily removed.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the dairy product container assembly <NUM> may include the dairy product container <NUM> configured to store milk and inserted into the accommodation space of the inner case <NUM>, a lid <NUM> to cover the top of the open dairy product container <NUM>, a dairy product door <NUM> for opening and closing the opening <NUM> provided at the front of the inner case <NUM>, and a mounting bracket <NUM> coupled to the dairy product door <NUM> and detachably mounted with the dairy product container <NUM>.

The dairy product door <NUM> may include a partition rib <NUM> provided at the rear surface of the dairy product door <NUM>. The partition rib <NUM> may partition the cooling flow channel <NUM> into upper and lower channels together with partition ribs (not shown) provided on the left and right surfaces of the inner case <NUM> to form a first flow channel and a second flow channel.

The dairy product door <NUM> may include a separation-preventing protrusion <NUM> to prevent the dairy product container <NUM> from being separated from the mounting bracket <NUM> by an impact applied when the dairy product container assembly <NUM> is inserted into or withdrawn from the accommodation space. The separation-preventing protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the rear surface of the dairy product door <NUM>.

The dairy product container <NUM> has an open top, stores milk to produce a dairy product, and is inserted into the dairy product maker <NUM>. To prevent a produced dairy product from flowing over the dairy product container <NUM>, the lid <NUM> is provided on the open top of the dairy product container <NUM> to seal the dairy product container <NUM>.

Milk stored in the dairy product container <NUM> may be heated by the heater <NUM> to be fermented to produce a dairy product. Overfermentation of the produced dairy product may be prevented by cooling of the wind-blowing fan <NUM> and the dairy product may be kept refrigerated in a fresh state.

The dairy product door <NUM> slides to open or close the opening <NUM> of the inner case <NUM> and the dairy product container <NUM> is detachably mounted on the mounting bracket <NUM> coupled to the dairy product door <NUM>, and thus the dairy product container <NUM> is inserted or withdrawn in accordance with opening and closing of the dairy product door <NUM>.

The mounting bracket <NUM> may include a holder <NUM> formed to surround the bottom surface of the dairy product container <NUM> and lower edges of the dairy product container <NUM>. Specifically, the lower edges may be rounded to have a curved surface and the holder <NUM> of the mounting bracket <NUM> may have a curved surface corresponding to the curved surface of the lower edges of the dairy product container <NUM>. When the dairy product container <NUM> is mounted on the mounting bracket <NUM>, the holder <NUM> may surround the edges of the dairy product container <NUM> and prevent the dairy product container <NUM> from being separated from the mounting bracket <NUM>.

The dairy product container <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the mounting bracket <NUM> in a state being covered with the lid <NUM>. Specifically, the dairy product container <NUM> may be mounted in a space between the mounting bracket <NUM> and the separation-preventing protrusion <NUM>. Alternatively, the lower edges of the dairy product container <NUM> may be supported by the holder <NUM> and the upper end of the dairy product container <NUM> may be supported by the separation-preventing protrusion <NUM>. Therefore, when the dairy product container <NUM> is inserted into or withdrawn from the inner case <NUM> in a state being mounted in the dairy product container assembly <NUM>, separation of the dairy product container <NUM> from the mounting bracket <NUM> may be prevented even when an impact is applied thereto.

The structures of the refrigerator <NUM> and the dairy product maker <NUM> provided in the refrigerator <NUM> are described in detail above. Hereinafter, the operation of the refrigerator <NUM> and the dairy product maker <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a control block diagram of the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a view illustrating a control panel <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> according to the present invention includes a control panel <NUM> configured to receive a control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> from a user and display a state of the dairy product maker <NUM>, and may include a notifier <NUM> configured to output a notification regarding the operation of the refrigerator <NUM> and the dairy product maker <NUM>, a storage <NUM> configured to store data related to the operation and control of the refrigerator <NUM> and the dairy product maker <NUM>, and further includes a dairy product maker <NUM> configured to produce dairy products by fermenting milk, and a controller <NUM> configured to perform the control related to the operation of the refrigerator <NUM> and the dairy product maker <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> according to an embodiment may be provided at a freezer door <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and receive, from a user, an input of a control command related to the general operation of the refrigerator <NUM> or a control command related to the operation of the dairy product maker <NUM>.

A position where the control panel <NUM> is installed is not limited to the freezer door <NUM>, and the control panel <NUM> may also be provided at the refrigerator compartment door <NUM> and at any position inside or outside the refrigerator <NUM>. Meanwhile, the control panel <NUM> may be provided at the dairy product maker <NUM> and receive a control command for the dairy product maker <NUM>.

The control panel <NUM> may include a physical inputter and a display and display operation information and various information of the refrigerator <NUM>. Hereinafter, the control panel <NUM> implemented as a touch screen will be described for convenience of description.

As shown in <FIG>, information related to the operation of the refrigerator <NUM> may be displayed on the control panel <NUM> in the form of icons. That is, information on temperature of the refrigerator compartment <NUM> and the freezer compartment <NUM> of the refrigerator <NUM> and information related to the control of temperature may be displayed. In addition, information related to the operation and control of the refrigerator <NUM> may be transmitted to the user by turning on a lamp such as an LED at each of the icons provided on the control panel <NUM>.

Status information related to the operation of the dairy product maker <NUM> may be displayed on the control panel <NUM> in the form of icons. A fermentation mode icon <NUM> to ferment milk by the dairy product maker <NUM> may be displayed on the control panel <NUM>, and the fermentation mode icon <NUM> may include a first fermentation mode icon 41a and a second fermentation mode icon 41b.

The first fermentation mode is a fermentation mode in which a soft dairy product having a lower viscosity is produced due to a relatively short fermentation period, and the second fermentation mode is a fermentation mode in which a thick dairy product having a higher viscosity is produced due to a relatively long fermentation period. That is, the method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described on the assumption that a driving period (fermentation period) of the heater <NUM> corresponding to the first fermentation mode is shorter than a driving period (fermentation period) of the heater <NUM> corresponding to the second fermentation mode.

Meanwhile, the fermentation mode of the dairy product maker <NUM> may further include another fermentation mode in addition to the first fermentation mode and the second fermentation mode. That is, the number and types of the fermentation mode of the dairy product maker <NUM> may vary according to settings thereof without limitation, and another fermentation icon in addition to the first fermentation mode icon 41a and the second fermentation mode icon 41b may also be displayed as the fermentation mode icon <NUM> displayed on the control panel <NUM>. That is, although only two fermentation modes are illustrated in <FIG>, the number of the fermentation modes is not limited thereto, and the refrigerator <NUM> may provide a plurality of fermentation modes according to an embodiment via icons respectively corresponding to the plurality of fermentation modes on the control panel <NUM>. Hereinafter, a case, in which the fermentation mode includes a first fermentation mode and a second fermentation mode will be described by way of example.

In the case where a control command for the first fermentation mode is input by the user and the dairy product maker <NUM> operates in the first fermentation mode, the first fermentation mode icon 41a may be displayed on the control panel <NUM>. In the case where a control command for the second fermentation mode is input by the user and the dairy product maker <NUM> operates in the second fermentation mode, the second fermentation mode icon 41b may be displayed on the control panel <NUM>.

As described above, the control panel <NUM> may receive the input for the fermentation mode of the dairy product maker <NUM> from the user, and the controller <NUM>, which will be described below, may control the heater <NUM> to operate for the driving period (fermentation period) corresponding to the fermentation mode input via the control panel <NUM>. In this case, the storage <NUM> may store preset driving periods (fermentation periods) by fermentation mode.

The control panel <NUM> may display a dairy product production completion <NUM> indicating that production of the dairy product has been completed after the dairy product maker <NUM> fermented milk and cooled the fermented milk.

Also, a fermentation mode select icon <NUM> to receive an input of a user to select a fermentation mode for producing a dairy product may be displayed on the control panel <NUM>. The user may input a control command for the first fermentation mode or a control command for the second fermentation mode by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM>. Meanwhile, the first fermentation mode icon 41a and the second fermentation mode icon 41b may be alternately displayed on the control panel <NUM> whenever the user touches the fermentation mode select icon <NUM>, and the dairy product maker <NUM> may operate in the displayed fermentation mode. That is, the user may input the control command to initiate production of a dairy product by inputting the control command for the fermentation mode via the control panel <NUM>.

In addition, the power of the dairy product maker <NUM> may be turned off by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM> for a preset period.

Also, the control panel <NUM> may display an error state icon <NUM> when an error occurs in a component (e.g., heater <NUM>, wind-blowing fan <NUM>, and temperature sensor <NUM>) constituting the dairy product maker <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, when an error occurs in the temperature sensor <NUM>, the control panel <NUM> may display the error state icon <NUM> indicating that an error has occurred in the temperature sensor <NUM>. That is, the error state icon <NUM> may provide information on a component where an error has occurred and may display a code corresponding to the component as well as directly displaying the component where the error has occurred.

The notifier <NUM> according to an embodiment may be implemented as a speaker that outputs voice signals or sound signals and may output a notification indicating that production of the dairy product has been completed in the dairy product maker <NUM>.

The storage <NUM> according to an embodiment may store control programs or control data to control the refrigerator <NUM> or store control commands input from the user. The storage <NUM> may store data related to the fermentation mode of the dairy product maker <NUM> such as driving period of the heater <NUM>, driving period of the wind-blowing fan <NUM>, fermentation temperature, and cooling temperature.

The storage <NUM> may include a volatile memory (not shown) such as static random-access memory (S-RAM) and dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and a non-volatile memory such as flash memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).

The dairy product maker <NUM> according to the present invention includes,.

as described above, the heater <NUM> configured to heat the dairy product container <NUM>, the wind-blowing fan <NUM> configured to supply cool air inside the refrigerator compartment <NUM> to the dairy product container <NUM>, and the temperature sensor <NUM> configured to measure a temperature inside the dairy product maker <NUM>.

In the case where a control command to initiate production of a dairy product, i.e., an input to select the fermentation mode for production of a dairy product, is received via the control panel <NUM>, the heater <NUM> according to the present invention is turned on and heat the dairy product container <NUM> for a driving period (fermentation period) corresponding to the fermentation mode under the control of the controller <NUM>, thereby fermenting milk contained in the dairy product container <NUM>.

The wind-blowing fan <NUM> according to the present invention is turned on when the driving period of the heater <NUM> elapses and the heater <NUM> is turned off to supply cool air inside the refrigerator compartment <NUM> to the dairy product container <NUM>, thereby cooling down the dairy product contained in the dairy product container <NUM> to a temperature suitable to be provided to the user. In this case, fermentation may be progressed at a temperature above a preset temperature while the dairy product container <NUM> is cooled down by the operation of the wind-blowing fan <NUM>.

As the temperature sensor <NUM> according to the present invention measures temperature inside the dairy product maker <NUM>, the controller <NUM> controls the operation of the heater <NUM> and the wind-blowing fan <NUM>.

To this end, a thermistor may be used as the temperature sensor <NUM>, and a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) type in which resistance decreases as temperature increases and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) type in which resistance increases as temperature increases may be used. That is, the temperature sensor <NUM> may measure a temperature based on a change in output voltage in accordance with a temperature change.

Upon determination that there is an error in at least one of the heater <NUM>, the wind-blowing fan <NUM>, and the temperature sensor <NUM> of the dairy product maker <NUM>, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the control panel <NUM> to display an error state.

Specifically, the controller <NUM> may determine that an error such as disconnection or a short circuit occurs in each of the heater <NUM>, the wind-blowing fan <NUM>, and the temperature sensor <NUM> based on an output from a sensor such as a voltage sensor, a current sensor, or a hole sensor and may control the control panel <NUM> to display the error state icon <NUM> indicating the error state of the component.

Based thereon, the user may recognize an error from the dairy product maker <NUM> more quickly and information on the component in which the error has occurred. Therefore, the dairy product maker <NUM> may be repaired more quickly and the dairy product maker <NUM> perform production of dairy products more accurately.

Upon receiving the control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> from the user via the control panel <NUM>, the controller <NUM> according to the present invention controls the dairy product maker <NUM> to produce a dairy product.

That is, the user may select the fermentation mode to ferment milk stored in the dairy product container <NUM> by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM> of the control panel <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the dairy product maker <NUM> in accordance with the selected fermentation mode.

In this case, the controller <NUM> operates the heater <NUM> for a preset fermentation period in response to the control command. In addition, the controller <NUM> turns off the heater <NUM> and turns r on the wind-blowing fan <NUM> to cool down the dairy product container <NUM> when the preset fermentation period elapses. Upon completion of the cooling of the dairy product container <NUM>, the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is turned off.

That is, the control panel <NUM> may receive an input of the control command for the first fermentation mode or the control command for the second fermentation mode, and the controller <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode upon receiving the control command for the first fermentation mode and operate the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode upon receiving the control command for the second fermentation mode. As described above, the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode may be shorter than the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode.

In this case, when the control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> is input, the controller <NUM> may determine whether a temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> is above a preset fermentation start temperature based on sensing results of the temperature sensor <NUM>. The preset fermentation start temperature is a preset certain temperature suitable for fermentation of milk.

That is, in the case where the temperature of milk contained in the dairy product maker <NUM> is above a preset temperature, the controller <NUM> determines to proceed fermentation and starts to count a fermentation period during which fermentation is performed. In the case where the temperature of milk is below the preset temperature, the controller <NUM> does not count the fermentation period but turns on the heater <NUM> to heat the dairy product container <NUM> such that the temperature of milk reaches a preset temperature. When the temperature of milk reaches the preset temperature, the controller <NUM> determines to start fermentation by counting the progression of the fermentation period. In this case, the control over the operation of the heater <NUM> by the controller <NUM> refers to control over on/off operation of the heater <NUM>.

In addition, upon receiving the control command for the second fermentation mode while the first fermentation mode is in progress, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may extend the operation period of the heater <NUM> to the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode.

On the contrary, upon receiving the control command for the first fermentation mode while the second fermentation mode is in progress, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may compare the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode with the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode. When the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is shorter than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode, the controller <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode. When the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is longer than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM>.

In addition, upon receiving the control command for the cooling mode is input in a state where the heater <NUM> operates, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may turn off the heater <NUM> and turn on the wind-blowing fan <NUM>. On the contrary, upon receiving the control command for the first fermentation mode or the control command for the second fermentation mode in a state where the wind-blowing fan <NUM> operates, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> and turn on the heater <NUM>.

In addition, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may cool down the dairy product container <NUM> to a preset cooling temperature by turning off the heater <NUM> and turning on the wind-blowing fan <NUM> when a preset fermentation period elapses, and the controller <NUM> may further cool down the dairy product container <NUM> to a preset refrigeration temperature by controlling the operation of the wind-blowing fan <NUM> upon completion of the cooling of the dairy product container <NUM> to the cooling temperature. In this regard, the refrigeration temperature may be lower than the cooling temperature.

When the fermentation of milk is completed and the dairy product container <NUM> is cooled down to the preset cooling temperature, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the control panel <NUM> to display completion of fermentation and completion of cooling.

Also, when the fermentation of milk is completed and the dairy product container <NUM> is cooled down to the preset cooling temperature, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the notifier <NUM> to notify completion of fermentation and completion of cooling.

The operation of the controller <NUM> in the case where the temperature sensor <NUM> normally operates is described above. Hereinafter, an operation of the controller <NUM> in the case where an error occurs in the temperature sensor <NUM> or other components will be described.

Upon receiving the control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> is input via the control panel <NUM>, the controller <NUM> according to the present invention also determines whether there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM>.

Specifically, the controller <NUM> may determine a case, in which an output from the temperature sensor <NUM> is <NUM> V or an input voltage of the temperature sensor <NUM>, as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM> caused by disconnection or short circuit.

Also, the controller <NUM> may determine a case, in which the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature below a preset first reference temperature for a preset period of time or longer, as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>. For example, when a temperature corresponding to an output voltage of the temperature sensor <NUM> is below the preset first reference temperature for the preset period of time or longer in an NTC type temperature sensor <NUM> due to occurrence of high resistance error, the controller <NUM> may determine this case as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>.

Also, the controller <NUM> may determine a case, in which the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature above a preset second reference temperature for a preset reference period (e.g.: <NUM> hours) or longer, as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>. For example, when a temperature corresponding to an output voltage of the temperature sensor <NUM> is above a preset second reference temperature for a preset reference period or longer in an NTC type temperature sensor <NUM> due to occurrence of low resistance error, the controller <NUM> may determine this case as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In this regard, the second reference temperature may correspond to a temperature that an internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> may reach when the heater <NUM> is turned on and may be a temperature at which milk may be efficiently fermented (e.g., <NUM>).

When the temperature sensor <NUM> is normal, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may turn off the heater <NUM> after a lapse of a preset period from a time point at which the internal temperature reaches the preset temperature after the heater <NUM> is turned on. In this case, the preset temperature may be a temperature (e.g., <NUM>) suitable for fermentation of milk and correspond to a start point of counting for the preset period. However, according to the above-described embodiment, when the temperature sensor <NUM> is normal, the controller <NUM> may turn on the heater <NUM> for the preset fermentation period and start counting of the preset fermentation period in the case where the temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset fermentation start temperature based on the outputs from the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may control the wind-blowing fan <NUM> such that the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset refrigeration temperature after the heater <NUM> is turned off. That is, the controller <NUM> may control the dairy product contained in the dairy product container <NUM> to be maintained at the refrigeration temperature of the refrigerator compartment by controlling the wind-blowing fan <NUM>, thereby serving the user with the dairy product in a ready-to-eat state.

Upon determination that there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> according to the present invention does not perform the normal operation of controlling the heater <NUM> and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> based on output temperature from the temperature sensor <NUM> but performs an emergency operation of controlling the heater <NUM> and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> based on time regardless of the output temperature of the temperature sensor <NUM>.

Specifically, upon determination that there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> turns off the heater <NUM> after a lapse of a preset first period (e.g.: <NUM> hours or <NUM> hours) from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on and operates the wind-blowing fan <NUM> for a preset second period (e.g.: <NUM> hours) from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned off.

The preset first period may correspond to the driving period of the heater <NUM> and may be set differently according to the fermentation mode input by the user. For example, a longer preset first period may be set for a thicker dairy product indicated based on the fermentation mode.

In this case, even when the controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the temperature sensor <NUM> returns to normal because the output temperature of the temperature sensor <NUM> after the heater <NUM> is turned on follows the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> in the case where the heater <NUM> is normally turned on, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may turn off the heater <NUM> after a lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on.

That is, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM> after a lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on although the error of the temperature sensor <NUM> is resolved after the heater <NUM> is turned on.

As described above, even when there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM>, the refrigerator <NUM> according to the present invention provides the user with the function of producing a dairy product by controlling the heater <NUM> and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> based on time.

That is, even when the output of the temperature sensor <NUM> is inaccurate, the refrigerator <NUM> provides the user with a dairy product by operating the heater <NUM> for the first period for fermentation of milk and operating the wind-blowing fan <NUM> for the second period for cooling the dairy product for refrigerated storage.

In addition, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the control panel <NUM> to display the dairy product production completion <NUM> after a lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on and a lapse of a preset third period (e.g.: one and a half hours) from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned off.

That is, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the preset third period elapses in the case where the internal temperature drops by cool air supplied to the dairy product container <NUM> by the wind-blowing fan <NUM> after the heater <NUM> is turned off and may control the control panel <NUM> to display the dairy product production completion <NUM> indicating that production of the dairy product is completed in the case where the preset third period elapses from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned off.

The preset third period may be shorter than the preset second period during which the wind-blowing fan <NUM> operates.

In this regard, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may also control the notifier <NUM> to output a notification corresponding to the dairy product production completion.

As described above, even when the output of the temperature sensor <NUM> is inaccurate, the refrigerator <NUM> may inform the user of production completion of the dairy product by displaying the dairy product production completion <NUM> after a period of time during which production of the dairy product is expected to be completed from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned off and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is turned on.

The controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may repeatedly turn on and off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> for a fourth period (e.g.: <NUM> days) after a lapse of the preset second period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned off and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is turned on.

That is, the controller <NUM> may continuously supply cool air of the refrigerator compartment <NUM> to the dairy product container <NUM> by repeatedly turning on and off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> for the preset fourth period even after the preset second period during which the wind-blowing fan <NUM> operates. Therefore, the dairy product container <NUM> may be continuously supplied with cool air from the refrigerator compartment <NUM> so that the dairy product may be maintained in a temperature range for refrigeration of the dairy product. Finally, the refrigerator <NUM> may provide the user with the dairy product in a ready-to-eat state.

In this case, when the error of the temperature sensor <NUM> is resolved and the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature before the preset fourth period elapses, the controller <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Specifically, when the controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the temperature sensor <NUM> returns to normal because the output temperature of the temperature sensor <NUM> when the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is repeatedly turned on and off follows the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> in a state where the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is normally, repeatedly turned on and off, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature. Subsequently, the controller <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> before the preset fourth period elapses when the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature.

The controller <NUM> may include at least one memory to store programs used to perform the operation described above and to be described below and at least one processor configured to execute the programs stored in the memory.

The operations of the refrigerator <NUM> and the dairy product maker <NUM> are described in detail above. Hereinafter, a process of producing a dairy product by the refrigerator <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating production of a dairy product by the dairy product maker <NUM> over time according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a control panel <NUM> and an input of a control command in the case where the second fermentation mode is input while the first fermentation mode is in progress according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a change in fermentation period in the case where the second fermentation mode is input while the first fermentation mode is in progress according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a control panel <NUM> and an input of a control command the case where the first fermentation mode is input while the second fermentation mode is in progress according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> and <FIG> show changes in fermentation periods when the first fermentation mode is input while the second fermentation mode is in progress according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The control panel <NUM> may receive an input of a control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> from a user. That is, the user may select a fermentation mode to ferment milk stored in the dairy product container <NUM> by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM> of the control panel <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the dairy product maker <NUM> in accordance with the selected fermentation mode.

Upon receiving an input of a control command for the dairy product maker <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> is above the preset fermentation start temperature based on sensing results of the temperature sensor <NUM>. In this regard, the preset fermentation start temperature is a preset certain temperature suitable for fermentation of milk.

That is, when the temperature of milk stored in the dairy product maker <NUM> is above the preset temperature, the controller <NUM> determines to proceed with fermentation and starts to count the fermentation period during which fermentation proceeds. When the temperature of milk is below the preset temperature, the controller <NUM> may heat the dairy product container <NUM> to increase the temperature of milk to reach a preset temperature by turning on the heater <NUM> without counting the fermentation period, and then determine to start fermentation and count the fermentation period from a time point at which the temperature of milk reaches the preset temperature. In this case, the control over the operation of the heater <NUM> by the controller <NUM> refers to control over on/off operation of the heater <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> is below a preset fermentation start temperature T1 based on the sensing results of the temperature sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> increases the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> to the fermentation start temperature T1 by turning on the heater <NUM>, and then determines that fermentation is started and counts the fermentation period from when the internal temperature reaches the fermentation start temperature T1. That is, the controller <NUM> performs fermentation for the fermentation period by heating the dairy product maker <NUM> in accordance with the fermentation mode input by the user. In this regard, the 'fermentation period' may be obtained by counting a period of time after the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the fermentation start temperature T1.

The fermentation start temperature T1 used to count the fermentation period by the controller <NUM> may be, for example, <NUM>, but may vary according to settings.

Meanwhile, when the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> is above the preset fermentation start temperature T1 based on the sensing results of the temperature sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> to ferment milk for the preset fermentation period.

As shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may count the fermentation period from a time point t1 at which the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the fermentation start temperature T1 and operate the heater <NUM> to ferment milk at a preset fermentation temperature T2.

The fermentation temperature T2 for fermentation of milk may be, for example, <NUM>, but may vary according to settings.

The controller <NUM> count the fermentation period from the time point t1 and control fermentation of milk to proceed at the preset fermentation temperature T2 until a time point t3 in accordance with the fermentation period corresponding the fermentation mode input by the user.

Meanwhile, the control panel <NUM> may receive an input of the control command for the first fermentation mode from the user. That is, the user may input the control command for the first fermentation mode by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM>, and the first fermentation mode icon 41a may be displayed on the control panel <NUM> upon receiving the input of the control command for the first fermentation mode.

The controller <NUM> may proceed with fermentation of milk by operating the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the input first fermentation mode.

As shown in <FIG>, while the first fermentation mode of the dairy product maker <NUM> is in progress, the user may input a control command for the second fermentation mode. The user may input the control command for the second fermentation mode to produce a thick dairy product while milk is fermented in the first fermentation mode in the dairy product maker <NUM> to produce a soft dairy product.

That is, the user may input the control command for the second fermentation mode by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM> while the first fermentation mode is in progress, and the second fermentation mode icon 41b may be displayed on the control panel <NUM> upon receiving the input of the control command for the second fermentation mode.

Upon receiving the input of the control command for the second fermentation mode, the controller <NUM> may extend the operation period of the heater <NUM> such that milk is fermented during the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode.

As shown in <FIG>, because the fermentation period t2 corresponding to the second fermentation mode to produce a thick dairy product is longer than the fermentation period t1 corresponding to the first fermentation mode to produce a soft dairy product, the controller <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> and extend the fermentation period from t1 to t2 upon receiving the input of the control command for the second fermentation mode.

Also, the control panel <NUM> may receive an input of a control command for the second fermentation mode from the user. That is, as described above, the user may input the control command for the second fermentation mode by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM>, and the second fermentation mode icon 41b may be displayed on the control panel <NUM> upon receiving the input of the control command for the second fermentation mode.

The controller <NUM> may perform fermentation of milk by operating the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode.

As shown in <FIG>, while the second fermentation mode of the dairy product maker <NUM> is in progress, the user may input a control command for the first fermentation mode. The user may input the control command for the first fermentation mode to produce a soft dairy product while milk is fermented in the second fermentation mode in the dairy product maker <NUM> to produce a thick dairy product.

That is, the user may input the control command for the first fermentation mode by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM> while the second fermentation mode is in progress, and the first fermentation mode icon 41a may be displayed on the control panel <NUM> upon receiving the input of the control command for the first fermentation mode.

Upon receiving the input of the control command for the first fermentation mode while the second fermentation mode is in progress, the controller <NUM> may compare the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode with the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode.

When the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is shorter than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode controller <NUM> based on the comparison results, the controller <NUM> may maintain the on-state of the heater <NUM> to ferment milk during the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, an actual fermentation period progressed while fermentation is in progress for the fermentation period t2 corresponding to the second fermentation mode to produce a thick dairy product is t2'. In this case, when the control command for the first fermentation mode is input by the user, the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode is <NUM>, and thus the actual fermentation period t2' progressed according to the second fermentation mode is shorter than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode t1. Therefore, the controller <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> to continue the fermentation of milk for the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode t1.

On the contrary, in the case where the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is longer than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode based on the comparison results, the controller <NUM> may complete fermentation of milk by turning off the heater <NUM>.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, the actual fermentation period t2' progressed during the fermentation period t2 corresponding to the second fermentation mode is longer than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode t1 input by the user unlike the example shown in <FIG>.

Because the user inputs the control command for the first fermentation mode to convert the fermentation mode into the first fermentation mode to produce a soft dairy product during fermentation of milk in the second fermentation mode, the controller <NUM> may complete fermentation of milk by turning off the heater <NUM> at a time point when the control command for the first fermentation mode is input.

As described above, the user may input a control command to convert the fermentation mode during fermentation of milk in the dairy product maker <NUM> in accordance with the control of the controller <NUM> and complete fermentation by controlling the fermentation period of milk in accordance with the fermentation period corresponding to the fermentation mode input by the user and the fermentation period progressed prior to the input of the control command to convert the fermentation mode.

Referring back to <FIG>, when the fermentation period corresponding to the fermentation mode elapsed, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM> and cool the dairy product container <NUM> by turning on the wind-blowing fan <NUM>.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, when the dairy product maker <NUM> fermented milk at the preset fermentation temperature and the preset fermentation period has elapsed, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM> at a time point t3 at which the preset fermentation period has elapsed and cool down the dairy product stored in the dairy product container <NUM> by controlling the wind-blowing fan <NUM>, thereby cooling the dairy product to a temperature T1 suitable for serving to the user. In this case, fermentation may also progress at a certain temperature or above while the wind-blowing fan <NUM> operates to cool down the dairy product container <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may determine whether the temperature of the dairy product container <NUM> reaches the present cooling temperature by cooling down the dairy product container <NUM>. When the cooling down of the dairy product is completed, the controller <NUM> may display the dairy product production completion icon <NUM> indicating that production of the dairy product is completed by fermenting milk and by cooling the fermented dairy product on the control panel <NUM>. That is, when the dairy product container <NUM> reaches the preset cooling temperature, the controller <NUM> may determine that cooling of the dairy product is completed and control the control panel <NUM> to display the dairy product production completion icon <NUM>.

In addition, upon completion of the cooling of the dairy product, the controller <NUM> may control the notifier <NUM> to output a notification regarding the completion of milk fermentation and completing of cooling of the dairy product by the dairy product maker <NUM>.

Even after the production of the dairy product is completed and the dairy product is in a state suitable for serving to the user, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the wind-blowing fan <NUM> to cool the dairy product container <NUM> to a preset refrigeration temperature T3 to keep the dairy product refrigerated.

That is, because the controller <NUM> controls the wind-blowing fan <NUM> to keep the dairy product stored in the dairy product container <NUM> at the refrigeration temperature T3 of the refrigerator compartment, the dairy product may be served in a ready-to-eat state.

Meanwhile, the user may input a control command for the cooling mode via the control panel <NUM> while fermentation is in progress in the dairy product maker <NUM> according to the operation of the heater <NUM>. Upon receiving the input of the control command for the cooling mode, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM> and turn on the wind-blowing fan <NUM> regardless of the progress of fermentation to cool down the dairy product container <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in the case where a thermal load of the refrigerator compartment <NUM> increases in response to the operation of wind-blowing fan <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control the refrigerating operation of the refrigerator compartment <NUM> to be changed in response to the increased thermal load.

Also, the user may input the control command for the first fermentation mode or the control command for the second fermentation mode via the control panel <NUM> while the dairy product cooling mode is performed by the operation of the wind-blowing fan <NUM>. Upon receiving the input of the control command for fermentation, the controller <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> and turn on the heater <NUM> to ferment milk during the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode or the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode.

That is, the user may input the control command for the cooling mode while fermentation of milk is in progress to stop fermentation of the dairy product and start cooling of the dairy product. On the contrary, the user may input the control command for the fermentation mode while the cooling of the dairy product is in progress to stop cooling of the dairy product and start fermentation of the dairy product.

As described above, the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment provides the user with effects on easily controlling the operation of fermenting milk and the operation of cooling dairy products performed by the dairy product maker <NUM> via the control panel <NUM> and easily recognizing the operating state of the dairy product maker <NUM>. In addition, an effect on serving dairy products that suit taste of the user may be provided by controlling fermentation and cooling of the dairy products via the control panel <NUM>.

The operation of the controller <NUM> in the case where the temperature sensor <NUM> normally operates is described above. Hereinafter, an operation of controller <NUM> in the case where there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM> or other components will be described.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating production of a dairy product in the case where the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure determines that there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating production of a dairy product in the case where the refrigerator <NUM> continuously outputs a low temperature due to an error occurring in the temperature sensor <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating production of a dairy product in the case where the refrigerator <NUM> continuously outputs a high temperature due to an error occurring in the temperature sensor <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph indicating a case in which an output of the temperature sensor <NUM> is determined as normal while the on- and off-operations of the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is repeated by the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, upon receiving a control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> from the user via the control panel <NUM>, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the dairy product maker <NUM> to produce a dairy product.

That is, the user may select a fermentation mode to ferment milk stored in the dairy product container <NUM> by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM> of the control panel <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the dairy product maker <NUM> in accordance with the selected fermentation mode.

Upon receiving the control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> via the control panel <NUM>, the controller <NUM> according to the present invention determines whether there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM>.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may determine a case, in which the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature below a preset first reference temperature for a preset period or longer, as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>. For example, when a temperature corresponding to an output voltage of the temperature sensor <NUM> is below the preset first reference temperature for the preset period or longer in an NTC type temperature sensor <NUM> due to occurrence of high resistance error, the controller <NUM> may determine this case as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>.

Also, as shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may determine a case, in which the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature above a preset second reference temperature for a preset reference period (e.g.: <NUM> hours) or longer, as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>. For example, when a temperature corresponding to an output voltage of the temperature sensor <NUM> is above a preset second reference temperature for a preset reference period or longer in an NTC type temperature sensor <NUM> due to occurrence of low resistance error, the controller <NUM> may determine this case as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In this regard, the second reference temperature may correspond to a temperature that an internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> may reach when the heater <NUM> operates and may correspond to a temperature at which milk may be efficiently fermented (e.g., <NUM>).

In other words, the heater <NUM> operates and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is turned off during the preset first period, and the heater <NUM> is turned off and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> operates during the preset second period.

The preset first period may correspond to the driving period of the heater <NUM> and may be set differently according to the fermentation mode input by the user. For example, a longer preset first period may be set for a thicker dairy product based on the fermentation mode.

In this case, upon receiving the control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> via the control panel <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may turn on the heater <NUM> in the case where the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> is below the preset temperature based on the outputs from the temperature sensor <NUM>. In addition, upon determination that there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may turn on the heater <NUM> regardless of the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM>.

For example, upon determination that there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM> due to disconnection or a short circuit because the output from the temperature sensor <NUM> is <NUM> V or the input voltage of the first frame <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may turn on the heater <NUM> without time delay from the input of the control command. That is, the controller <NUM> may determine the error of the temperature sensor <NUM> caused by disconnection or a short circuit based on the output voltage of the temperature sensor <NUM> without time delay from the input of the control command and may turn on the heater <NUM> immediately after determining the error.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, in the case where the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature below the first reference temperature, the controller <NUM> may turn on the heater <NUM> without time delay from the input of the control command. In this case, the controller <NUM> may determine that an error occurs in the temperature sensor <NUM> in the case where the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature below the preset first reference temperature for the preset reference period or longer even after the heater <NUM> is turned on and may turn off the heater <NUM> after the lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, in the case where the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature above the preset second reference temperature for the preset reference period (e.g.: <NUM> hours) or longer, the controller <NUM> may determine that an error occurs in the temperature sensor <NUM> and may turn on the heater <NUM>. Accordingly, in the case where the temperature sensor <NUM> continuously outputs a high temperature, the heater <NUM> may not be turned on immediately after the control command but turned on after determining the error, so that there may be a time delay between the input of the control command and the operation of the heater <NUM>.

As described above, the controller <NUM> may control the heater <NUM> to operate for a certain period of time (first period) even when an error occurs in the temperature sensor <NUM> to provide heat sufficient for fermentation of milk contained in the dairy product container <NUM>.

In this regard, the controller <NUM> may also turn off the heater <NUM> after a lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on even when the controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the temperature sensor <NUM> returns to normal because the output temperature of the temperature sensor <NUM> after the heater <NUM> is turned on follows the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> in the case where the heater <NUM> is normally turned on.

That is, even when the output of the temperature sensor <NUM> is inaccurate, the refrigerator <NUM> provides the user with dairy products by operating the heater <NUM> for the first period to ferment milk and operating the wind-blowing fan <NUM> for the second period to cool down the dairy product to keep the dairy product refrigerated.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the control panel <NUM> to display the dairy product production completion <NUM> after a lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on and a lapse of a preset third period (e.g.: one and a half hours) from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned off.

That is, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the preset third period elapses in the case where the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> drops due to cool air supplied to the dairy product container <NUM> by the wind-blowing fan <NUM> after the heater <NUM> is turned off and may control the control panel <NUM> to display the dairy product production completion <NUM> indicating that production of the dairy product is completed in the case where the preset third period elapses from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned off.

In this regard, the controller <NUM> may also control the notifier <NUM> to output a notification corresponding to the dairy product production completion according to an embodiment.

That is, the controller <NUM> may continuously supply cool air of the refrigerator compartment <NUM> to the dairy product container <NUM> by repeatedly turning on and off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> for the preset fourth period even after the lapse of the preset second period during which the wind-blowing fan <NUM> operates. Therefore, the dairy product container <NUM> may be continuously supplied with cool air from the refrigerator compartment <NUM> so that the dairy product may be maintained in a refrigeration temperature range for the dairy product. Finally, the refrigerator <NUM> may provide the user with the dairy product in a ready-to-eat state.

In this case, as shown in <FIG>, when the error of the temperature sensor <NUM> is resolved and the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature before the preset fourth period elapses, the controller <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> according to an embodiment.

Specifically, when the controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the temperature sensor <NUM> returns to normal because the output temperature of the temperature sensor <NUM> when the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is repeatedly turned on and off follows the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> in a state where the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is normally, repeatedly turned on and off, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature. Subsequently, the controller <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> when the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature even before the preset fourth period elapses.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment will be described. In the method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM>, the refrigerator <NUM> previously described above may be used. Therefore, the descriptions given above with reference to <FIG> may also be applied to the method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM> in the same manner.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a process of producing a dairy product in a method of controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may receive an input of the control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> from the user (<NUM>). That is, the user may select a fermentation mode to ferment milk stored in the dairy product container <NUM> by touching the fermentation mode select icon <NUM> of the control panel <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the dairy product maker <NUM> in accordance with the selected fermentation mode.

In the case where the temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> is above the preset fermentation start temperature (Yes of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may operate (turn on) the heater to ferment milk for the preset fermentation period (<NUM>). In addition, in the case where the temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> is below the preset fermentation start temperature (No of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may heat the dairy product container <NUM> to increase the temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the fermentation start temperature (<NUM>).

That is, when the temperature of milk stored in the dairy product maker <NUM> is above a certain temperature, the controller <NUM> determines to proceed with fermentation and starts to count the fermentation period during which fermentation proceeds. When the temperature of milk is below a certain temperature, the controller <NUM> may heat the dairy product container <NUM> to increase the temperature of milk to reach the preset temperature by turning on the heater <NUM> without counting the fermentation period, and then determine to start fermentation and start to count the fermentation period from a time point at which the temperature of milk reaches the preset temperature.

The refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may stop the operation of the heater <NUM> after a lapse of the preset fermentation period (<NUM>) and cool down the dairy product container <NUM> by operating the wind-blowing fan <NUM> (<NUM>).

That is, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM> at a time point when the preset fermentation period elapses, and cool down the dairy product stored in the dairy product container <NUM> by controlling the operation of the wind-blowing fan <NUM>. In this case, fermentation may proceed at a temperature above a certain temperature while the dairy product container <NUM> is cooled down by operating the wind-blowing fan <NUM>.

When the temperature of the dairy product container <NUM> reaches the preset cooling temperature (Yes of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may display/notify completion of fermentation and completion of cooling (<NUM>).

That is, when the temperature of the dairy product container <NUM> reaches the preset cooling temperature, the controller <NUM> may determine that the cooling of the dairy product is completed and control the control panel <NUM> to display the dairy product production completion icon <NUM>. In addition, when the cooling of the dairy product is completed, the controller <NUM> may control the notifier <NUM> to output a notification indicating that fermentation of milk of the dairy product maker <NUM> and cooling of the dairy product are completed.

The refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may cool down the dairy product container <NUM> to the preset refrigeration temperature to keep the dairy product refrigerated (<NUM>).

That is, even after the production of the dairy product is completed and the dairy product is in a state suitable for serving to the user, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the wind-blowing fan <NUM> to cool the dairy product container <NUM> to the preset refrigeration temperature to keep the dairy product refrigerated. In other words, the controller <NUM> controls the wind-blowing fan <NUM> to keep the dairy product stored in the dairy product container <NUM> at the refrigeration temperature of the refrigerator compartment, thereby providing the dairy product in a ready-to-eat state.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a case in which a second fermentation mode is input while a first fermentation mode is in progress in the method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may receive an input of the control command for the first fermentation mode from the user via the control panel <NUM> (<NUM>).

In this case, the refrigerator <NUM> may proceed with fermentation of milk for the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode (<NUM>). That is, the controller <NUM> may proceed with fermentation of milk by operating the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the input first fermentation mode.

In this regard, the refrigerator <NUM> may receive an input of the control command for the second fermentation mode from the user via the control panel <NUM> while the first fermentation mode is in progress (<NUM>). That is, the user may input the control command for the second fermentation mode to produce a thick dairy product while the dairy product maker <NUM> performs fermentation of milk in the first fermentation mode to produce a soft dairy product.

The refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may extend the operation period of the heater <NUM> to ferment milk during the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode (<NUM>).

That is, because the fermentation period of milk corresponding to the second fermentation mode to produce a thick dairy product is longer than the fermentation period of milk corresponding to the first fermentation mode to produce a soft dairy product, the controller <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> by extending the fermentation period of milk from the fermentation mode corresponding to the first fermentation mode to the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode upon receiving an input of the control command for the second fermentation mode.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a case in which a first fermentation mode is input while a second fermentation mode is in progress in the method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may receive an input of the control command for the second fermentation mode from the user via the control panel <NUM> (<NUM>).

In this case, the refrigerator <NUM> may proceed with fermentation of milk for the fermentation period corresponding to the second fermentation mode (<NUM>). That is, the controller <NUM> may proceed with fermentation of milk by operating the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the input second fermentation mode.

In this regard, the refrigerator <NUM> may receive an input of the control command for the first fermentation mode from the user via the control panel <NUM> while the second fermentation mode is in progress (<NUM>). That is, the user may input the control command for the first fermentation mode to produce a soft dairy product while the dairy product maker <NUM> performs fermentation of milk in the second fermentation mode to produce a thick dairy product.

When the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is shorter than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode (Yes of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may operate the heater <NUM> to ferment milk during the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode (<NUM>).

In addition, when the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is longer than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode (No of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may stop the operation of the heater <NUM>, thereby completing fermentation of milk (<NUM>).

That is, upon receiving the control command for the first fermentation mode while the second fermentation mode is in progress, the controller <NUM> may compare the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode with the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode.

When the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is shorter than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode based on the comparison results, the controller <NUM> may operate the heater <NUM> for the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode.

On the contrary, when the fermentation period progressed according to the second fermentation mode is longer than the fermentation period corresponding to the first fermentation mode based on the comparison results, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM> to complete fermentation of milk.

As described above, the user may input a control command to convert the fermentation mode while fermentation of milk performed by the dairy product maker <NUM> is in progress in accordance with the control of the controller <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the fermentation period of milk according to the fermentation period corresponding to the fermentation mode input by the user and the fermentation period progressed before the control command to convert the fermentation mode is received from the user, thereby completing fermentation of milk.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a case in which a dairy product is produced when an error occurs in the temperature sensor <NUM> in the method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, upon receiving a control command for the dairy product maker <NUM> (Yes of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may determine whether there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM> (<NUM>).

Also, the controller <NUM> may determine a case, in which the temperature sensor <NUM> outputs a temperature below a preset first reference temperature for a preset reference period longer, as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>. For example, when a temperature corresponding to an output voltage of the temperature sensor <NUM> is below the preset first reference temperature for the preset reference period or longer in an NTC type temperature sensor <NUM> due to occurrence of high resistance error, the controller <NUM> may determine this case as an error of the temperature sensor <NUM>.

In this regard, the second reference temperature may correspond to a temperature that an internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> may reach when the heater <NUM> operates and may be a temperature at which milk may be efficiently fermented (e.g., <NUM>).

Upon determination that there is an error in the temperature sensor <NUM> (Yes of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> according to the present invention turns off the heater <NUM> after the lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on (<NUM>). When the heater <NUM> is turned off (Yes of <NUM>), the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is turned on (<NUM>).

The preset first period may correspond to the driving period of the heater <NUM> and may be set differently according to the fermentation mode input by the user. For example, a longer first period may be set for a thicker dairy product based on the fermentation mode.

In this case, even when the controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the temperature sensor <NUM> returns to normal because the output temperature of the temperature sensor <NUM> after the heater <NUM> is turned on follows the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> in the case where the heater <NUM> is normally turned on, the controller <NUM> may turn off the heater <NUM> after a lapse of the preset first period from the time point at which the heater <NUM> is turned on according to an embodiment.

The refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may control the control panel <NUM> to display the dairy product production completion <NUM> after a lapse of the third period after then heater <NUM> is turned off (<NUM>) and turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> after a lapse of the second period after the heater <NUM> is turned off (<NUM>).

Therefore, even when an error occurs in the temperature sensor <NUM>, the refrigerator <NUM> according to the present invention provides the user with the function of producing a dairy product by controlling the heater <NUM> and the wind-blowing fan <NUM> based on time.

That is, even when the output of the temperature sensor <NUM> is inaccurate, the refrigerator <NUM> provides the the user with a dairy product by operating the heater <NUM> during the first period for fermentation of milk and operating the wind-blowing fan <NUM> during the second period for cooling the dairy product for refrigerated storage.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a case in which the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is repeatedly turned on and off in the method of controlling the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may turn on the wind-blowing fan <NUM> after the heater <NUM> is turned off (<NUM>) and repeatedly turn on and off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> (<NUM>) after the second period elapses (Yes of <NUM>).

The refrigerator <NUM> according to an embodiment may determine whether the error of the temperature sensor <NUM> is resolved (<NUM>). In the case where the error of the temperature sensor <NUM> is not resolved (No of <NUM>), but the fourth period has elapsed after the on- and off-operations of the wind-blowing fan <NUM> (Yes of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> (<NUM>).

In this case, when the error of the temperature sensor <NUM> is resolved (Yes of <NUM>) and the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature before the preset fourth period elapses (Yes of <NUM>), the refrigerator <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> (<NUM>) according to an embodiment.

Specifically, when the controller <NUM> determines that the operation of the temperature sensor <NUM> returns to normal because the output temperature of the temperature sensor <NUM> when the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is repeatedly turned on and off follows the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> in a state where the wind-blowing fan <NUM> is normally, repeatedly turned on and off, the controller <NUM> may determine whether the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature. Subsequently, the controller <NUM> may turn off the wind-blowing fan <NUM> even before the preset fourth period elapses when the internal temperature of the dairy product maker <NUM> reaches the preset temperature.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes and perform the operation of the disclosed embodiments by creating a program module when executed by a processor. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer readable recording medium.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator comprising:
a refrigerator compartment (<NUM>);
a dairy product maker (<NUM>) provided inside the refrigerator compartment (<NUM>) to produce a dairy product;
a control panel (<NUM>) configured to receive a control command for the dairy product maker (<NUM>) and display a state of the dairy product maker (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to control the dairy product maker (<NUM>) based on the received control command,
wherein the dairy product maker (<NUM>) comprises:
a container (<NUM>) to store milk for producing the dairy product or the produced dairy product;
a heater (<NUM>) configured to heat the milk stored in the container (<NUM>);
a fan (<NUM>) configured to supply cool air from an inside of the refrigerator compartment (<NUM>) to the container (<NUM>); and
a temperature sensor (<NUM>) configured to measure a temperature inside of the dairy product maker (<NUM>), and
wherein the controller (<NUM>) operates the heater (<NUM>) for a preset fermentation period in response to receiving the control command, turns off the heater (<NUM>) and turns on the fan (<NUM>) to cool down the inside of the container (<NUM>) after a lapse of the preset fermentation period, and turns off the fan (<NUM>) in response to completing of the cooling down inside of the container (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the controller (<NUM>) is configured to determine whether an error occurs in the temperature sensor (<NUM>) upon receiving the control command for the dairy product maker (<NUM>), configured to turn off the heater (<NUM>) after a lapse of a preset first period from a time point at which the heater (<NUM>) is turned on upon determining that there is an error in the temperature sensor (<NUM>), and configured to operate the fan (<NUM>) for a preset second period after the heater (<NUM>) is turned off.