Patent ID: 12196476

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the technical spirit of the disclosure. In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Below, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.

The terms “first”, “second” and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, the components should not be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component unless stated to the contrary.

When one component is described as being “in an upper portion (or a lower portion)” of another component, or “on (or under)” another component, one component can be disposed on the upper surface (or under the lower surface) of another component, and an additional component can be interposed between another component and one component on (or under) another component.

When one component is described as being “connected”, “coupled”, or “connected” to another component, one component can be directly connected, coupled or connected to another component. However, it is also to be understood that an additional component can be “interposed” between the two components, or the two components can be “connected”, “coupled”, or “connected” through an additional component.

Throughout the disclosure, each component can be provided as a single one or a plurality of ones, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprise” or “include” and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Throughout the disclosure, the terms “A and/or B” as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the terms “C to D” can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary.

Hereunder, a refrigerator and a control method thereof in several embodiments are described.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing an exterior of a refrigerator in one embodiment. A refrigerator100in one embodiment may include a cabinet110, a refrigerator compartment door120, a first freezer compartment door131, a second freezer compartment door132, and a dispenser140.

The cabinet110may include a storage part (or storage compartment) configured to store a food item at a low temperature. The storage part may include a refrigerator compartment and/or a freezer compartment.

The refrigerator compartment door120may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet110to open and close the refrigerator compartment. A pair of refrigerator compartment doors120may be provided, and the refrigerator compartment doors120may be respectively disposed on the left and the right.

The first freezer door131and the second freezer door132may be formed into a drawer and open and close the freezer compartment.

The dispenser140may be disposed on the refrigerator compartment door120and provided to take out water and/or ice.

FIG.2is a perspective view showing an inner structure of the refrigerator in one embodiment. The refrigerator in one embodiment may include a cabinet110, a refrigerator compartment door120, an ice making compartment40, a freezer compartment70and a refrigerator compartment80.

The cabinet110may include the freezer compartment70and the refrigerator compartment80as a storage part. That is, the freezer compartment70and the refrigerator compartment80may be formed as a storage part configured to store a food item at a low temperature in the cabinet110.

The ice making compartment40may be disposed on the refrigerator compartment door120. The ice making compartment40may produce ice and the produced ice may be taken out from the dispenser (140inFIG.1).

A flow path for making ice50may supply cool air to the ice making compartment40. The flow path for making ice50may be disposed in the cabinet110. Specifically, the flow path for making ice50may be disposed on a lateral wall of the cabinet110. The cool air supplied through the flow path for making ice50may pass through a cool air supply hole111formed in the cabinet110and through a cool air inlet121formed in the refrigerator compartment door120and may be supplied to the ice making compartment40. Additionally, the cool air of the ice making compartment40may pass through a cool air outlet122formed in the refrigerator compartment door120and through a cool air returning hole112formed in the cabinet110and may return to any space through a returning flow path56.

FIG.3is a cross-sectional view showing a portion cut along A-A′ inFIG.1.

A cabinet110, a refrigerator compartment door120, a first freezer compartment door131, a second freezer compartment door132, a dispenser140, an ice making compartment40, a freezer compartment70, a refrigerator compartment80, a flow path for making ice50and a returning flow path56inFIG.3have the same configurations and functions as those described with reference toFIGS.1and/or2.

The flow path for making ice50may be disposed between a cooling compartment23, in which an evaporator is disposed, and the ice making compartment40, and may form a path in which cool air around the evaporator moves to the ice making compartment40. As described above, the flow path for making ice50may be disposed on a lateral wall of the cabinet110.

FIGS.1to3show the two freezer compartment doors. However, a proper number of the freezer compartment doors may be provided according to the needs. Unlike the freezer compartment doors illustrated inFIGS.1to3, freezer compartment doors may be formed into a rotary door similar to the refrigerator compartment door.

Further,FIGS.1to3show the refrigerator provided with the refrigerator compartment in an upper portion thereof and with the freezer compartment in a lower portion thereof. However, a refrigerator may be provided with the freezer compartment in an upper portion thereof and with the refrigerator compartment in a lower portion thereof. Further,FIGS.1to3show the dispenser disposed on the refrigerator compartment door. However, a dispenser may be disposed on the freezer compartment door.

FIG.4is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the refrigerator in one embodiment. The refrigerator100in one embodiment may include a controller10, a storage part20, a fan for making ice30(or ice making fan), an ice making compartment40, and a flow path for making ice50.

The controller10may control the storage part20to control temperatures of the freezer compartment and/or the refrigerator compartment that are configured to store a food item. Specifically, the controller10may control at least one of a compressor, a damper, a valve and at least one fan to control the temperature of the storage part20to control the temperature of the freezer compartment and/or the refrigerator compartment of the storage part20.

Additionally, the controller10may control a speed of the fan for making ice30to control a temperature of the ice making compartment40. In one embodiment, the controller10may control the speed of the fan for making ice30to control the temperature of the ice making compartment40, while continuing to operate the fan for making ice30during operation of the compressor of the storage part20. In this case, the controller10may adjust the speed of the fan for making ice30based on a difference between a measured temperature of the ice making compartment40and a target temperature for making ice. And/or, the controller10may change the speed of the fan for making ice30in accordance with an operation cycle of the storage part20. In this case, the controller10may determine the speed of the fan for making ice30in an nthcycle based on a difference between an average of the measured temperature of the ice making compartment40and the target temperature for making ice in an n−1thcycle. The operation of the controller10is specifically described below.

The controller10may include at least one processing unit and at least one memory. The processing unit may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like, and may have a plurality of cores, for example. The memory may be volatile memory (e.g., RAM and the like), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, flash memory and the like) or a combination thereof. Additionally, the controller10may include an additional storage. The storage may include a magnetic storage, an optical storage, flash memory and the like but not be limited.

A computer readable instruction for implementing the control method of one or more refrigerators disclosed in the present disclosure may be stored in the memory and/or the storage, and another computer readable instruction for implementing an operation system, an application program and the like may be stored in the memory and/or the storage. In some embodiments, a computer readable instruction stored in the storage may be loaded in the memory such that the processing unit executes the computer readable instruction.

Though not illustrated, the refrigerator100may include an input device for inputting a set value to the controller10and/or an output device for displaying a state of the refrigerator100and the like. The input device may include a touch input device, an infrared camera, a video input device and/or any other input device and the like. Additionally, the output device may include one or more displays, one or more speakers and/or any other output devices and the like. The refrigerator100may include a communication connector for allowing the controller10to communicate with another device. The communication connector may include a local area wireless communication module and/or a wireless frequency transmitter/receiver such as Bluetooth, an infrared port and/or a USB connector and the like.

The storage part20may store a food item at a low temperature. Though not illustrated inFIG.1, the storage part20may include a heat exchanger including a compressor and an evaporator, a freezer compartment configured to keep a food item frozen using air around the evaporator, which is cooled by the evaporator, and a refrigerator compartment configured to keep a food item refrigerated using the air around the evaporator. In some cases, the storage part20may include any one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment.

A rotation speed of the fan for making ice30may change as a result of control exerted by the controller10, and may allow air in one area of the storage part20to flow to the ice making compartment40through the flow path for making ice50. That is, the fan for making ice30may allow the air cooled by the evaporator to flow to the ice making compartment40through the flow path for making ice50. The rotation speed of the fan for making ice30may change while the fan for making ice30continues to operate during operation of the compressor of the storage part20.

The flow path for making ice50may connect between one area of the storage part20and the ice making compartment40. One area of the storage part20, described above, may be a cooling compartment in which an evaporator is disposed, or the freezer compartment.

The ice making compartment40may make ice or store ice using cool air introduced through the flow path for making ice50. Though not illustrated, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature (e.g., an inner temperature) of the ice making compartment40may be disposed in the ice making compartment40.

FIG.5is a block diagram schematically showing a first example of a storage part of the refrigerator in one embodiment ofFIG.4. The storage part20-1of the refrigerator in one embodiment may include a compressor21-1, an evaporator23-1, a cool air fan25-1, a damper26-1, a freezer compartment70-1, a refrigerator compartment80-1, a refrigerant flow path60-1, a cool air flow path50-1, a freezing flow path51-1, and a refrigerating flow path52-1. Though not illustrated inFIG.2, the storage part20-1may further include a condenser and an expansion valve.

The compressor21-1may compress refrigerants based on control by the controller10. The evaporator23-1may connect with the compressor21-1through the refrigerant flow path60-1. The evaporator23-1may cool air around the evaporator as a result of heat exchange between refrigerants flowing through a flow path in the evaporator23-1and the air around the evaporator. The evaporator23-1may be disposed in a cooling compartment.

The cool air fan25-1may operate based on control by the controller10. The cool air fan25-1may allow air (e.g., air of the cooling compartment in which the evaporator23-1is disposed) around the evaporator23-1to flow through the cool air flow path50-1.

The damper26-1may allow the cool air flow path50-1to communicate with the freezing flow path51-1or allow the cool air flow path50-1to communicate with the refrigerating flow path52-1based on control by the controller10. That is, the damper26-1may allow the air (e.g., air of the cooling compartment in which the evaporator23-1is disposed) around the evaporator23-1to flow to the freezer compartment70-1through the freezing flow path51-1or to the refrigerator compartment80-1through the refrigerating flow path52-1, based on control by the controller10. The damper26-1may operate on a regular basis. That is, a single cycle may be comprised of a combination of a freezing time period for which the freezer compartment70-1is cooled and a refrigerating time period for which the refrigerator compartment80-1is cooled. The damper26-1may operate such that cool air is alternately supplied to the freezer compartment70-1and the refrigerator compartment80-1on a regular basis.

The freezer compartment70-1may keep a food item frozen, and the refrigerator compartment80-1may keep a food item refrigerated.

The refrigerant flow path60-1may connect between the compressor21-1and the evaporator23-1, and refrigerants may flow through the refrigerant flow path60-1. The cool air flow path50-1may connect between an area (e.g., the cooling compartment in which the evaporator23-1is disposed) around the evaporator23-1and the damper26-1. The freezing flow path51-1may connect between the damper26-1and the freezer compartment70-1, and the refrigerating flow path52-1may connect between the damper26-1and the refrigerator compartment80-1.

As described above, the flow path for making ice (50inFIG.4) may connect between the cooling compartment, in which the evaporator23-1is disposed, and the ice making compartment (40inFIG.4) or connect between the freezer compartment70-1and the ice making compartment (40inFIG.4). In some cases, any one of the freezer compartment70-1and the refrigerator compartment80-1may be omitted.

FIG.6is a block diagram schematically showing a second example of the storage part of the refrigerator in one embodiment ofFIG.4. The storage part20-2of the refrigerator in one embodiment may include a compressor21-2, a valve part22-2, a first evaporator23-2, a second evaporator24-2, a freezing fan27-2, a refrigerating fan28-2, a freezer compartment70-2, a refrigerator compartment80-2, refrigerant flow paths60-2,61-2,62-2and cool air flow paths51-2,52-2. Though not illustrated inFIG.3, the storage part20-2may further include a condenser and an expansion valve.

The compressor21-2, the first evaporator23-2, the second evaporator24-2, the freezer compartment70-2, and the refrigerator compartment80-2may have substantially the same functions as the compressor21-1, the evaporator23-1, the freezer compartment70-1, and the refrigerator compartment80-1that are described with reference toFIG.5.

The freezing fan27-2may operate based on control by the controller10. The freezing fan27-2may allow air (e.g., air of a first cooling compartment in which the first evaporator23-2is disposed) around the first evaporator23-2to flow to the freezer compartment70-2through the cool air flow path51-2.

The refrigerating fan28-2may operate based on control by the controller10. The refrigerating fan28-2may allow air (e.g., air of a second cooling compartment in which the second evaporator24-2is disposed) around the second evaporator24-2to flow to the refrigerator compartment80-2through the cool air flow path52-2.

The valve part22-2may allow the refrigerant flow path60-2to communicate with the refrigerant flow path61-2or allow the refrigerant flow path60-2to communicate with the refrigerant flow path62-2based on control by the controller10. That is, the valve part22-2may connect the compressor21-2and the first evaporator23-2to cool the freezer compartment70-2or connect the compressor21-2with the second evaporator24-2to cool the refrigerator compartment80-2, based on control by the controller10. The valve part22-2may operate on a regular basis. That is, a single cycle may be comprised of a combination of a freezing time period for which the freezer compartment70-2is cooled and a refrigerating time period for which the refrigerator compartment80-2is cooled. The valve part22-2may operate such that the freezer compartment70-2and the refrigerator compartment80-2are alternately cooled on a regular basis. The valve part22-2may include a three-way valve or a three-way valve and two valves.

As described above, the flow path for making ice (50inFIG.4) may connect between the cooling compartment, in which the evaporator23-2is disposed, and the ice making compartment (40inFIG.4) or may connect between the freezer compartment70-2and the ice making compartment (40inFIG.4). In some cases, any one of the freezer compartment70-2and the refrigerator compartment80-2may be omitted. Further, in some cases, the freezing fan27-2and/or the refrigerating fan28-2may be omitted.

FIG.7is a block diagram schematically showing a third example of the storage part of the refrigerator in one embodiment ofFIG.4. The storage part20-3of the refrigerator in one embodiment may include a compressor21-3, an evaporator23-3, a freezing fan27-3, a refrigerating fan28-3, a freezer compartment70-3, a refrigerator compartment80-3, a refrigerant flow path60-3and cool air flow paths51-3,52-3. Though not illustrated inFIG.7, the storage part20-3may further include a condenser and an expansion valve.

The compressor21-3, the evaporator23-3, the freezer compartment70-3, and the refrigerator compartment80-3may have substantially the same functions as the compressor21-1, the evaporator23-1, the freezer compartment70-1, and the refrigerator compartment80-1that are described with reference toFIG.5.

The freezing fan27-3may operate based on control by the controller10. The freezing fan27-3may allow air (e.g., air of a cooling compartment in which an evaporator23-3is disposed) around the evaporator23-3to flow to the freezer compartment70-3through the cool air flow path51-3.

The refrigerating fan28-3may operate based on control by the controller10. The refrigerating fan28-3may allow air (e.g., air of the cooling compartment in which the evaporator23-3is disposed) around the evaporator23-3to flow to the refrigerator compartment80-3through the cool air flow path52-3.

The freezing fan27-3and the refrigerating fan28-3may operate on a regular basis. That is, a single cycle may be comprised of a combination of a freezing time period for which the freezer compartment70-3is cooled and a refrigerating time period for which the refrigerator compartment80-3is cooled. The freezing fan27-3and the refrigerating fan28-3may alternately operate on a regular basis such that the freezer compartment70-3and the refrigerator compartment80-3are alternately cooled.

As described above, the flow path for making ice (50inFIG.4) may connect between the cooling compartment in which the evaporator23-3is disposed and the ice making compartment (40inFIG.4) or connect between the freezer compartment70-3and the ice making compartment (40inFIG.4). In some cases, any one of the freezer compartment70-3and the refrigerator compartment80-3may be omitted.

FIGS.8and9are views respectively for describing a control method of a refrigerator in one embodiment. Specifically,FIG.8shows a continuous operation of a compressor, andFIG.9shows a sporadic operation of a compressor.

When the compressor continues to operate as shown inFIG.8, temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and/or the freezer compartment may be adjusted as a result of adjustment of an operation frequency and the like of the compressor.

When the compressor operates sporadically as shown inFIG.9, temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and/or the freezer compartment may be adjusted as a result of adjustment of operation time and the like of the compressor. In some embodiments, a speed of the fan may be controlled in addition to the operation frequency and/or operation time of the compressor to adjust the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and/or the freezer compartment.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, a single operation cycle T1, T2, or T3may include a freezing period T1-1, T2-1, or T3-1for which the freezer compartment is cooled, and a refrigerating period T1-2, T2-2, or T3-2for which the refrigerator compartment is cooled.

During the freezing period T1-1, T2-1, or T3-1, the freezer compartment may be cooled. In the first example ofFIG.5, during the freezing period T1-1, T2-1, or T3-1, the damper (26-1inFIG.5) may allow the cool air flow path50-1to communicate with the freezing flow path51-1. In the second example ofFIG.6, during the freezing period T1-1, T2-1, or T3-1, the valve part (22-2inFIG.6) may allow the refrigerant flow path60-2to communicate with the refrigerant flow path61-2. In the third example ofFIG.7, during the freezing period T1-1, T2-1, or T3-1, the freezing fan27-3may operate and the refrigerating fan28-3may stop. Accordingly, during the freezing period T1-1, T2-1, or T3-1, air cooled by the evaporator may flow into the freezer compartment.

During the refrigerating period T1-2, T2-2, or T2-3, the refrigerator compartment may be cooled. In the first example ofFIG.5, during the refrigerating period T1-2, T2-2, or T3-2, the damper (26-1inFIG.5) may allow the cool air flow path50-1to communicate with the refrigerating flow path52-1. In the second example ofFIG.6, during the refrigerating period T1-2, T2-2, or T3-2, the valve part (22-2inFIG.6) may allow the refrigerant flow path60-2to communicate with the refrigerant flow path62-2. In the third example ofFIG.7, during the refrigerating period T1-2, T2-2, or T3-2, the freezing fan27-3may stop and the refrigerating fan28-3may operate. Accordingly, during the refrigerating period T1-2, T2-2, or T3-2, air cooled by the evaporator may flow into the refrigerator compartment.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, the fan for making ice may always operate during the operation of the compressor, but a temperature of the ice making compartment may be adjusted as a result of adjustment of a speed of the fan for making ice. Specifically, the fan for making ice may operate at a predetermined speed in a first operation cycle. Then the speed of the fan for making ice in an nth(n denoting any natural numbers of 2 or greater) operation cycle may be determined in response to an average of temperatures of the ice making compartment, measured in an n−1thoperation cycle.

FIGS.8and9show a single operation cycle comprised of a period for which the freezer compartment is cooled and a period for which the refrigerator compartment is cooled. However, the period for which the freezer compartment is cooled or the period for which the refrigerator compartment is cooled may constitute a single operation cycle. That is, the refrigerator in one embodiment, as described above, may be provided only with any one of the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment. In this case, any one of the period for which the freezer compartment is cooled or the period for which the refrigerator compartment is cooled may constitute a single operation cycle.

As illustrated inFIG.8, a refrigerator and/or a control method thereof in one embodiment may be applied when the compressor continues to operate. During a continuous operation of the compressor, the temperature of the storage part (i.e., the refrigerator compartment and/or the freezer compartment) may remain constant. Additionally, a continuous operation of the compressor may reduce energy consumption and noise further than a sporadic operation of the compressor.

In the control method of the related art according to document1, a time point for operation of the fan for making ice configured to supply cool air to the ice making compartment synchronizes with a time point for a start of operation of the compressor. However, it is not easy to apply the synchronization between the time points when the compressor continues to operate. That is, in the control method of the related art, when the compressor continues to operate, a target temperature needs to be lower than expected. In this case, the ice making compartment may be overly cooled.

In one embodiment, when the compressor continues to operate, the operation speed of the fan for making ice may change based on the operation cycle of the refrigerator, while the fan for making ice continues to operate. Thus, the ice making compartment may not be overly cooled, and the temperature of the ice making compartment may be adjusted properly. In particular, when the ice making compartment is full of ice, or when the ice making compartment is inactive, a big change in the temperature of the ice making compartment may be prevented.

As illustrated inFIG.9, the refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may be applied to a sporadic operation of the compressor as well as a continuous operation of the compressor. In one embodiment, the temperature of the ice making compartment may be adjusted to a target temperature even when the compressor operates sporadically.

FIG.10is an operation flow chart for describing the control method of a refrigerator in one embodiment, and shows a control method during a continuous operation of the compressor. Each step inFIG.10may be performed by the controller (10inFIG.4).

The controller may operate the fan for making ice (step100). For example, the controller may control the fan for making ice such that the fan for making ice rotates at a predetermined speed. The predetermined speed may be a maximum speed, or a minimum speed, or any value (e.g., an intermediate value) among values between the maximum speed and the minimum speed.

Then the controller may receive a measured temperature of the ice making compartment and add up the measured temperature received (step200).

Then the controller may determine whether the operation cycle is changed (step300).

When the operation cycle is changed as a result of the determination in step300, the controller may calculate an average temperature (i.e., an average of the measured temperatures of the ice making compartment) (step400).

Then the controller may control the speed of the fan for making ice based on the average temperature (step500).

FIG.11is an operation flow chart for describing the control method of a refrigerator in one embodiment, and shows a control method during a sporadic operation of the compressor. Each step inFIG.11may be performed by the controller (10inFIG.4).

Then the controller may receive a measured temperature of the ice making compartment and add up the measured temperature received (step201).

Then the controller may determine whether the compressor is stopped (step211).

When the compressor is not stopped as a result of the determination in step211, the controller may operate the fan for making ice (step221). In step221, the controller may control the fan for making ice such that the fan for making ice rotates at the predetermined speed or at a speed set in step501. For example, the controller may control the fan for making ice such that the fan for making ice rotates at the predetermined speed in the first operation cycle, and in an operation cycle following the first operation cycle, may control the fan for making ice such that the fan for making ice rotates at a speed that is set as a result of performance of step501in a precious operation cycle of the operation cycle following the second operation cycle.

When the compressor is stopped as a result of the determination in step211, the controller may stop operation of the fan for making ice (step231).

Then the controller may determine whether the operation cycle is changed (step301).

When the operation cycle is changed as a result of the determination in step301, the controller may calculate an average temperature (i.e., an average of the measured temperatures of the ice making compartment) (step401).

Then the controller may control the speed of the fan for making ice based on the average temperature (step501).

FIG.12is an operation flow chart for describing examples of steps (step500inFIG.10and step501inFIG.11) of controlling a speed of a fan for making ice according to the control method of a refrigerator in one embodiment ofFIGS.10and11. Each step inFIG.12may be performed by the controller (10inFIG.4).

The controller may calculate the speed of the fan based on the average temperature of the ice making compartment, calculated in step300or step301, (step510). In step510, the controller may calculate the speed of the fan using a PI controller. For example, the controller may calculate the speed of the fan using the proportional plus integral controller (PI controller) that uses a difference between the average temperature of the ice making compartment and a target temperature as an input value. Specifically, the controller may calculate the speed of the fan using an equation (Herein, V(t) denoting the speed of the fan, e(t) denoting a difference between the average temperature and the target temperature, KP denoting a proportional gain, and KI denoting a storage gain.).

Then the controller may calculate a duty of a control signal corresponding to the speed of the fan for making ice, calculated in step510, and may supply a control signal having the calculated duty to the fan for making ice (step520).

InFIGS.8to12, the rotation speed of the fan for making ice is adjusted based on the operation cycle while the fan for making ice continues to operate. However, the operation time of the fan for making ice may be adjusted based on the operation cycle. That is, based on the average temperature calculated in step400inFIG.10and/or step401inFIG.11, the controller may calculate operation time of the fan for making ice in a following operation cycle and then operate the fan for making ice for the calculated operation time in the following operation cycle.

FIGS.13to16are views respectively for describing operation of the refrigerator in the refrigerator and/or the control method of the refrigerator of one embodiment.

FIG.13shows temperatures and average temperatures of the ice making compartment and speeds of the fan for making ice of the refrigerator in one embodiment when the target temperature is −5° C. InFIG.13, an average temperature of the ice making compartment in the period of T(n) (n denoting natural numbers) denotes an average of temperatures of the ice making compartment, measured in the period of T(n−1).

As illustrated inFIG.13, in one embodiment, the temperature and the average temperature of the ice making compartment may be maintained at the target temperature of −5° C. after the 12th cycle (T12) following an interim period.

FIG.14shows speeds and temperatures (average temperatures) of the fan for making ice when the target temperature of the ice making compartment decreases, for example, when the user decreases the temperature of the ice making compartment to a desired temperature using the controller and the like of the refrigerator, or when the ice making compartment makes ice, and the like.

In one embodiment, when the target temperature of the ice making compartment decreases, the speed of the fan for making ice may increase, and after the interim period passes, the temperature (an average temperature) of the ice making compartment may be maintained at the decreased target temperature of the ice making compartment, as illustrated inFIG.14.

FIG.15shows speeds and temperatures (average temperatures) of the fan for making ice when the target temperature of the ice making compartment increases, for example, when the user increases the temperature of the ice making compartment to a desired temperature using the controller and the like of the refrigerator or turns off the ice making compartment such that the ice making compartment only keeps produced ice, and the like.

In one embodiment, when the target temperature of the ice making compartment increases, the speed of the fan for making ice may decrease, and after the interim period passes, the temperature (an average temperature) of the ice making compartment may be maintained at the increased target temperature of the ice making compartment, as illustrated inFIG.15.

FIG.16shows temperatures of the freezer compartment, speeds of the fan for making ice, and temperatures (average temperatures) of the ice making compartment when the target temperature of the freezer compartment decreases while the target temperature of the ice making compartment is maintained.

Ordinarily, cool air supplied to the ice making compartment is cool air of the freezer compartment or cool air of the cooling compartment (an area in which an evaporator is disposed) adjacent to the freezer compartment.

In the related art, when a target temperature of a freezer compartment decreases, a temperature of an ice making compartment may decrease. That is, cool air flows to the ice making compartment unnecessarily. Thus, it takes a long time for a temperature of the freezer compartment to reach the target temperature, causing unnecessary energy consumption.

In one embodiment, when the target temperature of the freezer compartment decreases, the speed of the fan for making ice may decrease, and after the interim period passes, the temperature (the average temperature) of the ice making compartment may be maintained at the set target temperature despite a decrease in the temperature of the freezer compartment, as illustrated inFIG.16.

In one embodiment, the temperature of the ice making compartment may remain constant. In particular, even when the freezer compartment and the refrigerator compartment are alternately cooled using a single compressor, the temperature of the ice making compartment may be maintained at the target temperature, thereby preventing the ice making compartment from cooling excessively and reducing electricity consumption.

Further, in one embodiment, the temperature of the ice making compartment may be controlled in a state in which the ice making compartment is full of ice or is turned off. Thus, the ice making compartment may be prevented from cooling excessively in the state in which the ice making compartment is full of ice or is turned off.

The present disclosure is directed to a refrigerator and/or a control method thereof that may prevent an ice making compartment from cooling excessively.

The present disclosure is directed to a refrigerator and/or a control method thereof that may maintain a temperature of an ice making compartment stably despite a change in a target temperature of a freezer compartment and/or a refrigerator compartment.

The present disclosure is directed to a refrigerator and/or a control method thereof that may maintain a temperature of an ice making compartment stably despite a change in operation time and/or an operation ratio of a compressor.

The present disclosure is directed to a refrigerator and/or a control method thereof that may maintain an average temperature of an ice making compartment, in particular, an average temperature of an ice making compartment full of ice stably, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption.

Aspects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above ones, and other aspects and advantages that are not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, the aspects and advantages in the present disclosure can be realized via means and combinations thereof that are described in the appended claims.

A refrigerator and/or a control method thereof in one embodiment may change a speed of a fan for making ice while the fan for making ice continues to operate during operation of a compressor. In this case, the speed of the fan for making ice may be adjusted in accordance with an operation cycle of the refrigerator. And/or the speed of the fan for making ice may be adjusted in response to a difference between a measured temperature (or an average of measured temperatures) of the ice making compartment and a target ice-making temperature.

The refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may control the speed of the fan for making ice based on the temperature of the ice making compartment. In particular, the refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may determine a speed of the fan for making ice in an nthcycle based on an average temperature of the ice making compartment in the n−1thcycle while controlling the speed of the fan for making ice based on the operation cycle of the refrigerator.

The refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may control the speed of the fan for making ice based on a difference between a target temperature of the ice making compartment and a measured temperature (or an average of measured temperatures) of the ice making compartment.

The refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may control the speed of the fan for making ice when the ice making compartment is full of ice and/or turned off.

A refrigerator in one embodiment may include a storage part comprising a compressor and an evaporator and configured to store a food item at a low temperature using air cooled by the evaporator, an ice making compartment configured to make or store ice using air cooled by the evaporator, and a fan for making ice configured to allow air cooled by the evaporator to flow to the ice making compartment, and a rotation speed of the fan for making ice may change while the fan for making ice continues to operate during operation of the compressor.

In the refrigerator, the storage part may operate based on an operation cycle, and the rotation speed of the fan for making ice may change in synchronization with the operation cycle.

In the refrigerator, the storage part may include a freezer compartment into which air cooled by the evaporator flows during a freezing time period of the operation cycle, and a refrigerator compartment into which air cooled by the evaporator flows during a refrigerating time period of the operation cycle.

The refrigerator in one embodiment may further include a controller configured to control the compressor and the fan for making ice, and the controller may determine a speed of the fan for making ice in an nthoperation cycle, based on an average of temperatures of the ice making compartment measured during an n−1th(n denoting any natural numbers of two or greater) operation cycle, and may operate the fan for making ice at the determined speed.

In the refrigerator, the controller may calculate a difference between the average and a target temperature of the ice making compartment, and may input the temperature difference to a proportional plus integral controller to determine a speed of the fan for making ice.

In the refrigerator, the storage part may further include a first cool air flow path connected to a cooling compartment in which the evaporator is disposed, a second cool air flow path connected to the freezer compartment, a third cool air flow path connected to the refrigerator compartment, and a damper connected to the first cool air flow path, the second cool air flow path and the third cool air flow path, and allowing the first cool air flow path to communicate with the second cool air flow path during the freezing time period, and allowing the first cool air flow path to communicate with the third cool air flow path during the refrigerating time period.

In the refrigerator, the evaporator may include a first evaporator for cooling the freezer compartment, and a second evaporator for cooling the refrigerator compartment, and the storage part may further include a valve part allowing refrigerants discharged from the compressor to flow to the first evaporator during the freezing time period, and allowing refrigerants discharged from the compressor to flow to the second evaporator during the refrigerating time period.

In the refrigerator, the storage part may further include a freezing fan allowing air around the evaporator to flow to the freezer compartment during the freezing time period, and a refrigerating fan allowing air around the evaporator to flow to the refrigerator compartment during the refrigerating time period.

A control method of a refrigerator in one embodiment, including a storage part comprising a compressor and an evaporator and configured to store a food item at a low temperature using air cooled by the evaporator, an ice making compartment configured to make or store ice using air cooled by the evaporator, an fan for making ice configured to allow air cooled by the evaporator to flow to the ice making compartment, and a controller configured to control the compressor and the fan for making ice, may include adjusting a speed of the fan for making ice by the controller, and operating the fan for making ice at the adjusted speed by the controller while the controller continues to operate the fan for making ice during operation of the compressor.

The control method in one embodiment may further include controlling the storage part by the controller based on an operation cycle, and adjusting a speed of the fan for making ice may be performed in synchronization with the operation cycle.

The control method may further include allowing air cooled by the evaporator to the freezer compartment of the storage part by the controller during a freezing time period of the operation cycle, and allowing air cooled by the evaporator to flow to the refrigerator compartment of the storage part by the controller during a refrigerating time period of the operation cycle.

In the control method, adjusting a speed of the fan for making ice may include receiving a temperature of the ice making compartment and cumulatively calculating the temperature by the controller, determining whether the operation cycle is changed by the controller, and calculating an average of temperatures of the ice making compartment at a time point when the operation cycle is changed and determining a speed of the fan for making ice based on the average by the controller.

A refrigerator and/or a control method thereof in one embodiment may prevent an ice making compartment from cooling excessively and maintain a temperature of the ice making compartment stably. In particular, the ice making compartment may be prevented from cooling excessively in one embodiment even when the refrigerator continues to operate a compressor.

The refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may maintain an average temperature of the ice making compartment stably even when a set temperature of a freezer compartment and/or a refrigerator compartment changes.

The refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may maintain an average temperature of the ice making compartment stably despite a change in operation time or an operation ratio of the compressor, which is caused by a change in load and the like.

The refrigerator and/or the control method thereof in one embodiment may prevent the ice making compartment from cooling excessively and help to reduce electricity consumption.

Specific effects are described along with the above-described effects in the section of Detailed Description.

The embodiments are described above with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof. However, the present disclosure is not intended to limit the embodiments and drawings set forth herein, and numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the disclosure. Further, the effects and predictable effects based on the configurations in the disclosure are to be included within the range of the disclosure though not explicitly described in the description of the embodiments.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.