Patent ID: 8447432

Claim:
A control method for a refrigerator, the control method comprising: sensing a temperature in each of a plurality of cooling compartments; determining an operating mode by determining whether the temperature in each of the plurality of cooling compartments is within a respective preset temperature zone; and controlling a refrigeration cycle device according to the determined operating mode to make the temperature in each of the plurality of cooling compartments within the respective preset temperature zone, wherein the plurality of cooling compartments includes a first refrigerating compartment, a second refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, wherein a first cold air generator includes a first refrigerant passage, a first evaporator mounted along the first refrigerant passage and a first fan, which are mounted in the first refrigerating compartment, a first expansion device, and a second evaporator mounted along the first refrigerant passage and a second fan, which are mounted in the second refrigerating compartment, wherein a second cold air generator includes a second refrigerant passage, a third evaporator mounted along the second refrigerant passage and a third fan, which are mounted in the freezing compartment, and a second expansion device, and a connecting device that connects the second refrigerant passage and the first refrigerant passage selectively so that the refrigerant can flow selectively therethrough, thereby decreasing a pressure difference between the refrigerant flowing through the first evaporator and the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage and controlling a degree of superheat of the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator, wherein the first expansion device has a length shorter than a length of the second expansion device, wherein the connecting device comprises a connecting pipe that connects a downstream side of the second evaporator along the first refrigerant passage and an upstream side of the third evaporator along the second refrigerant passage, and a control valve mounted in the connecting pipe that controls a flow of the refrigerant, and wherein the controlling of the refrigeration cycle device comprises flowing a refrigerant through the first and second expansion devices to cool down the plurality of cooling compartments, respectively.