REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROLLING METHOD THE SAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerators are household appliances that are capable of storing objects such as food at a low temperature in a storage chamber provided in a cabinet. Since the storage space is surrounded by heat insulation wall, the inside of the storage space may be maintained at a temperature less than an external temperature.

The storage space may be classified into a refrigerating storage space or a freezing storage space according to a temperature range of the storage space.

The refrigerator may further include an evaporator for supplying cool air to the storage space. Air in the storage space is cooled while flowing to a space, in which the evaporator is disposed, so as to be heat-exchanged with the evaporator, and the cooled air is supplied again to the storage space.

Here, if the air heat-exchanged with the evaporator contains moisture, when the air is heat-exchanged with the evaporator, the moisture is frozen on a surface of the evaporator to generate frost on the surface of the evaporator.

Since flow resistance of the air acts on the frost, the more an amount of frost frozen on the surface of the evaporator increases, the more the flow resistance increases. As a result, heat-exchange efficiency of the evaporator may be deteriorated, and thus, power consumption may increase.

Thus, the refrigerator further includes a defroster for removing the frost on the evaporator.

A defrosting cycle variable method is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2000-0004806.

In the publication, the defrosting cycle is adjusted using a cumulative operation time of the compressor and an external temperature.

However, when the defrosting cycle is determined only using the cumulative operation time of the compressor and the external temperature, an amount of frost (hereinafter, referred to as a frost generation amount) on the evaporator is not reflected. Thus, it is difficult to accurately determine the time point at which the defrosting is required.

That is, the frost generation amount may increase or decrease according to various environments such as the user's refrigerator usage pattern and the degree to which air retains moisture. In the case of the publication, there is a disadvantage in that the defrosting cycle is determined without reflecting the various environments.

Moreover, in the case of the publication, there is a disadvantage in that it is difficult to identify an exact defrost time point since the amount of localized frost of the evaporator can be detected but the amount of frost on the entire evaporator cannot be detected.

Accordingly, there is a disadvantage in that the defrosting does not start despite a large amount of generated frost to deteriorate cooling performance, or the defrosting starts despite a small amount of generated frost to increase the power consumption due to the unnecessary defrosting.

SUMMARY

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which determines a time point for a defrosting operation using parameters that vary depending on the amount of frost on an evaporator.

In addition, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which accurately determine a time point at which defrosting is necessary according to the amount of frost on an evaporator using a sensor having an output value that varies depending on the flow rate of air.

In addition, another object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which accurately determine a defrosting time point even when the precision of a sensor used to determine the defrosting time point is low.

In addition, still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, in which a detection logic for detecting an amount of frost on an evaporator may be executed at an appropriate time point.

In addition, still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which improve reliability in consideration of changes in an external environment in a process of detecting an amount of frost on an evaporator.

Technical Solution

In order to solve the above problems, a control method of a refrigerator includes detecting an amount of frost on an evaporator based on a temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) of the heat generating element detected in a state in which the heat generating element is turned on and a second detection temperature (Ht2) of the heat generating element detected in a state in which the heat generating element is turned off, the sensor reacting to a change in a flow rate of air.

As an example, the first detection temperature (Ht1) may be a temperature detected by a sensing element of the sensor immediately after the heat generating element is turned on, and the second detection temperature (Ht2) may be a temperature detected by a sensing element of the sensor immediately after the heat generating element is turned off.

As another example, the first detection temperature (Ht1) may be a lowest temperature value during a period of time when the heat generating element is turned on and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is a highest temperature value after the heat generating element is turned off.

Further, the heat generating element may be in a turned-on state while a storage compartment of the refrigerator is being cooled. As an example, the heat generating element may be in a turned-on state while a flowing fan for cooling the storage compartment is being driven.

The control method of the present disclosure may further include determining whether a temperature difference value between the first detection temperature (Ht1) and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is less than a first reference difference value, and performing a defrost operation of removing frost generated on a surface of the evaporator when it is determined that a temperature difference value between the first detection temperature (Ht1) and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is less than a first reference difference value.

The control method of the present disclosure may further include determining whether a temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is less than a second reference difference value when the heat generating element is turned on for the predetermined period of time and then turned off, and the heat generating element may be turned on according to whether a temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is less than a second reference difference value.

The heat generating element may be turned on based on an accumulated cooling operation time of the storage compartment when the temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is less than the second reference difference value.

In order to solve the above problems, a control method of a refrigerator includes detecting an amount of frost on an evaporator based on a temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) that is a lowest value and the second detection temperature (Ht2) that is a highest value among detection temperatures of the heat generating element.

In addition, the heat generating element may be in a turned-on state while a storage compartment of the refrigerator is being cooled. As an example, the heat generating element may be in a turned-on state while a flowing fan for cooling the storage compartment is being driven.

The control method of a refrigerator may further include determining whether a temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is less than a first reference difference value, and performing a defrost operation of removing frost generated on a surface of the evaporator when it is determined that a temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) and the second detection temperature (Ht2) is less than a first reference difference value.

In order to solve the above problems, a refrigerator may include a heat generating element, a sensor including a sensing element that detects a temperature of the heat generating element, and a controller that detects an amount of frost on an evaporator based on a temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) of the heat generating element detected in a state in which the heat generating element is turned on and a second detection temperature (Ht2) of the heat generating element detected in a state in which the heat generating element is turned off.

Advantageous Effects

Since the time point at which the defrosting is required is determined using the sensor having the output value varying according to the amount of frost generated on the evaporator in the bypass passage, the time point at which the defrosting is required may be accurately determined.

In addition, even when the precision of a sensor used to determine a defrost time point is low, it is possible to accurately determine the defrost time point, thus significantly reducing the cost of the sensor.

In addition, since a detection logic for detecting the amount of frost on the evaporator may be performed at an appropriate time point, power consumption may be reduced and convenience may be improved.

In addition, since changes in external environments (e.g., internal refrigerator load) are considered in a process of detecting the amount of frost of the evaporator, product reliability may be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cool air duct according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which a passage cover and a sensor are separated from each other in the cool air duct.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are views illustrating a flow of air in a heat exchange space and a bypass passage before and after frost is generated.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a sensor is disposed in the bypass passage.

FIG. 6 is a view of the sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a thermal flow around the sensor depending on a flow of air flowing through the bypass passage.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a control method for detecting an amount of frost on an evaporator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of performing a defrost operation by determining a time point when a refrigerator needs to be defrosted according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are views showing changes in a temperature of a heat generating element according to the turning on/off of the heat generating element before and after frost on the evaporator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a control method for determining an operating time point of a heat generating element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the same or similar components in the drawings may be designated by the same reference numerals as far as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. Further, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of well-known configurations or functions obscure the understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Also, in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. Each of the terms is merely used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components, and does not delimit an essence, an order or a sequence of the corresponding component. It should be understood that when one component is “connected”, “coupled” or “joined” to another component, the former may be directly connected or jointed to the latter or may be “connected”, coupled” or “joined” to the latter with a third component interposed therebetween.

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cool air duct according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which a passage cover and a sensor are separated from each other in the cool air duct.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an inner case 12 defining a storage space 11.

The storage space may include one or more of a refrigerating storage space and a freezing storage space.

A cool air duct 20 provides a passage, through which cool air supplied to the storage space 11 flows, in a rear space of the storage space 11. Also, an evaporator 30 is disposed between the cool air duct 20 and a rear wall 13 of the inner case 12. That is, a heat exchange space 222 in which the evaporator 30 is disposed is defined between the cool air duct 20 and the rear wall 13.

Thus, air of the storage space 11 may flow to the heat exchange space 222 between the cool air duct 20 and the rear wall 13 of the inner case 12, and then be heat-exchanged with the evaporator 30. Thereafter, the air may flow through the inside of the cool air duct 20, and then be supplied to the storage space 11.

The cool air duct 20 may include, but is not limited thereto, a first duct 210 and a second duct 220 coupled to a rear surface of the first duct 210.

A front surface of the first duct 210 is a surface facing the storage space 11, and a rear surface of the second duct 220 is a surface facing the rear wall 13 of the inner case 12.

A cool air passage 212 may be provided between the first duct 210 and the second duct 220 in a state in which the first duct 210 and the second duct 220 are coupled to each other.

Also, a cool air inflow hole 221 may be defined in the second duct 220, and a cool air discharge hole 211 may be defined in the first duct 210.

A blower fan (not shown) may be provided in the cool air passage 212. Thus, when the blower fan rotates, air passing through the evaporator 13 is introduced into the cool air passage 212 through the cool air inflow hole 221 and is discharged to the storage space 11 through the cool air discharge hole 211.

The evaporator 30 is disposed between the cool air duct 20 and the rear wall 13. Here, the evaporator 30 may be disposed below the cool air inflow hole 221.

Thus, the air in the storage space 11 ascends to be heat-exchanged with the evaporator 30, and then is introduced into the cool air inflow hole 221.

According to this arrangement, when an amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30 increases, an amount of air passing through the evaporator 30 may be reduced to deteriorate heat exchange efficiency.

In this embodiment, a time point at which defrosting for the evaporator 30 is required may be determined using a parameter that is changed according to the amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30.

For example, the cool air duct 20 may further include a frost generation sensing portion configured so that at least a portion of the air flowing through the heat exchange space 222 is bypassed and used by the sensor having a different output according to a flow rate of the air to determine a time point at which the defrosting is required.

The frost generation sensing portion may include a bypass passage 230 bypassing at least a portion of the air flowing through the heat exchange space 222 and a sensor 270 disposed in the bypass passage 230.

Although not limited, the bypass passage 230 may be provided in a recessed shape in the first duct 210. Alternatively, the bypass passage 230 may be provided in the second duct 220.

The bypass passage 230 may be provided by recessing a portion of the first duct 210 or the second duct 220 in a direction away from the evaporator 30.

The bypass passage 230 may extend from the cool air duct 20 in a vertical direction.

The bypass passage 230 may be disposed to face the evaporator 30 within a left and right width range of the evaporator 30 so that a portion of the air in the heat exchange space 222 is bypassed to the bypass passage 230.

The frost generation sensing portion may further include a passage cover 260 that allows the bypass passage 230 to be partitioned from the heat exchange space 222.

The passage cover 260 may be coupled to the cool air duct 20 to cover at least a portion of the bypass passage 230 extending vertically.

The passage cover 260 may include a cover plate 261, an upper extension portion 262 extending upward from the cover plate 261, and a barrier 263 provided below the cover plate 261.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are views illustrating a flow of air in the heat exchange space and the bypass passage before and after frost is generated.

FIG. 4(a) illustrates a flow of air before frost is generated, and FIG. 4(b) illustrates a flow of air after frost is generated. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that a state after a defrosting operation is completed is the state before frost is generated.

First, referring to FIG. 4(a), in the case in which frost does not exist on the evaporator 30, or an amount of generated frost is remarkably small, most of the air passes through the evaporator 30 in the heat exchange space 222 (see arrow A). On the other hand, some of the air may flow through the bypass passage 230 (see arrow B).

Referring to FIG. 4(b), when the amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30 is large (when the defrosting is required), since the frost of the evaporator 30 acts as flow resistance, an amount of air flowing through the heat exchange space 222 may decrease (see arrow C), and an amount of air flowing through the bypass passage 230 may increase (see arrow D).

As described above, the amount (or flow rate) of air flowing through the bypass passage 230 varies according to an amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30.

In this embodiment, the sensor 270 may have an output value that varies according to a change in flow rate of the air flowing through the bypass passage 230. Thus, whether the defrosting is required may be determined based on the change in the output value of the sensor.

Hereinafter, a structure and principle of the sensor 270 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the sensor is disposed in the bypass passage, FIG. 6 is a view of the sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a thermal flow around the sensor depending on a flow of air flowing through the bypass passage.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the sensor 270 may be disposed at one point in the bypass passage 230. Thus, the sensor 270 may contact the air flowing along the bypass passage 230, and an output value of the sensor 270 may be changed in response to a change in a flow rate of air.

The sensor 270 may be disposed at a position spaced from each of an inlet 231 and an outlet 232 of the bypass passage 230. For example, the sensor 270 may be positioned at a central portion of the bypass passage 230.

Since the sensor 270 is disposed on the bypass passage 230, the sensor 270 may face the evaporator 30 within the left and right width range of the evaporator 30.

The sensor 270 may be, for example, a generated heat temperature sensor. Particularly, the sensor 270 may include a sensor printed circuit board (PCB) 271, a heat generating element 273 installed on the sensor PCB 271, and a sensing element 274 installed on the sensor PCB 271 to sense a temperature of the heat generating element 273.

The heat generating element 273 may be a resistor that generates heat when current is applied.

The sensing element 274 may sense a temperature of the heat generating element 273.

When a flow rate of air flowing through the bypass passage 230 is low, since a cooled amount of the heat generating element 273 by the air is small, a temperature sensed by the sensing element 274 is high.

On the other hand, if a flow rate of the air flowing through the bypass passage 230 is large, since the cooled amount of the heat generating element 273 by the air flowing through the bypass passage 230 increases, a temperature sensed by the sensing element 274 decreases.

The sensor PCB 271 may determine a difference between a temperature sensed by the sensing element 274 in a state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off and a temperature sensed by the sensing element 274 in a state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on.

The sensor PCB 271 may determine whether the difference value between the states in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on/off is less than a reference difference value.

For example, referring to FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 7, when an amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30 is small, a flow rate of air flowing to the bypass passage 230 is small. In this case, a heat flow of the heat generating element 273, and a cooled amount of the heat generating element 273 by the air is small.

On the other hand, when the amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30 is large, a flow rate of air flowing to the bypass passage 230 is large. Then, the heat flow of the heat generating element 273, and the cooled amount of the heat generating element 273 by the air flowing along the bypass passage 230 is large.

Thus, the temperature sensed by the sensing element 274 when the amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30 is large is less than that sensed by the sensing element 274 when the amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30 is small.

Thus, in this embodiment, when the difference between the temperature sensed by the sensing element 274 in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on and the temperature by the sensing element 274 in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off is less than the reference temperature difference, it may be determined that the defrosting is required.

According to this embodiment, the sensor 270 may sense a variation in temperature of the heat generating element 273, which varies by the air of which a flow rate varies according to the amount of generated frost to accurately determine a time point, at which the defrosting is required, according to the amount of frost generated on the evaporator 30.

The sensor 270 may be further provided with a sensor housing 272 such that air flowing through the bypass passage 230 is prevented from directly contacting the sensor PCB 271, the heat generating element 273, and the temperature sensor 274. In a state in which the sensor housing 272 is opened at one side, an electric wire connected to the sensor PCB 271 may be drawn out, and then the opened portion may be covered by a cover portion.

The sensor housing 271 may surround the sensor PCB 271, the heat generating element 273, and the temperature sensor 274.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the sensor 270 described above, a defrosting device 50 operated for defrosting the evaporator 30, a compressor 60 for compressing refrigerant, a blowing fan 70 for generating air flow, and a controller 40 for controlling the sensor 270, the defrosting device 50, the compressor 60 and the blowing fan 70. The controller may be an electronic processor.

The defrosting device 50 may include, for example, a heater. When the heater is turned on, heat generated by the heater is transferred to the evaporator 30 to melt the frost generated on the surface of the evaporator 30. The heater may be connected to one side of the evaporator 30, or may be disposed spaced apart from a position adjacent to the evaporator 30.

The compressor 60 is a device for compressing low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature high-pressure supersaturated gaseous refrigerant. Specifically, the high-temperature high-pressure supersaturated gaseous refrigerant compressed in the compressor 60 flows into a condenser (not shown). The refrigerant is condensed into a high-temperature high-pressure saturated liquid refrigerant, and the condensed high-temperature high-pressure saturated liquid refrigerant is introduced to an expander (not shown) and is expanded to a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant.

Further, the low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant is evaporated as the low-temperature low-pressure gaseous refrigerant while passing through the evaporator 30. In this process, the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 30 may exchange heat with outside air, that is, air flowing through the heat exchange space 222, thereby achieving air cooling.

The blowing fan 70 is provided in the cold air passage 212 to generate air flow. Specifically, when the blowing fan 70 is rotated, air passing through the evaporator 30 flows into the cold air passage 212 through the cool air inflow hole 221, and is then discharged to the storage compartment 11 through the cool air discharge hole 211.

The controller 40 may control the heat generating element 273 of the sensor 270 to be turned on at regular cycles.

In order to determine when defrosting is necessary, the heat generating element 273 may maintain a turned-on state for a predetermined period of time, and the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may be detected by the sensing element 274.

After the heat generating element 273 is turned on for the predetermined period of time, the heat generating element 274 is turned off, and the sensing element 274 may detect the temperature of the heat generating element 273 which is turned off. In addition, the sensor PCB 263 may determine whether the maximum value of the temperature difference between the turned-on/off state of the heat generating element 273 is equal to or less than a reference difference value.

In addition, it is determined that defrosting is necessary when the maximum value of the temperature difference between the turned-on/off states of the heat generating element 273 is equal to or less than the reference difference value, and the defrosting device 50 may be turned on by the controller 40.

Although it has been described above that the sensor PCB 263 determines whether the temperature difference between the turned-on/off states of the heat generating element 273 is equal to or less than the reference difference value, alternatively, the controller 40 may determine whether the temperature difference between the turned-on/off states of the heat generating element 273 is equal to or less than the reference difference value, and control the defrosting device 50 according to a result of the determination. That is, the sensor PCB 263 and the controller 40 may be electrically connected to each other.

Hereinafter, a method for detecting the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 using the heat generating element 273 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a control method for detecting an amount of frost on an evaporator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The control method may be performed by the controller 40. In the present embodiment, a method for detecting the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 in a state in which the storage compartment 11, for example, a freezing compartment is subjected to a cooling operation.

Referring to FIG. 9, in step S11, the heat generating element 27 is turned on.

Specifically, the heat generating element 27 may be turned on in a state in which the cooling operation of the storage compartment 11 (e.g., freezing compartment) is performed.

Here, the state in which the cooling operation of the freezing compartment is performed may mean a state in which the compressor 60 and the blowing fan 70 are being driven.

As described above, when a change in the flow rate of the air increases as the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 goes from small to large, the detection accuracy of the sensor 260 may be improved. That is, when the change in the flow rate of the air is large as the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 goes from small to large, the amount of change in the temperature detected by the sensor 270 becomes large, so that the time point in which the defrosting is necessary may be accurately determined.

Therefore, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the sensor when the frost on the evaporator 30 is detected in a state in which air flow occurs, that is, the blowing fan 70 is being driven.

Next, in step S13, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 is detected when the heat generating element 273 is turned on.

Specifically, the heat generating element 273 may be turned on for a predetermined period of time, and the temperature (Ht1) of the heat generating element 273 may be detected by the sensing element at a certain time point in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on.

As the period of time during which the heat generating element 273 is turned on increases, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may gradually increase. Further, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may increase gradually and converge to the highest temperature point.

On the other hand, when the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is large, the flow rate of the air flowing into the bypass passage 230 increases, and thus the amount of cooling for the heat generating element 273 by air flowing through the bypass passage 230 may increase. Then, the highest temperature point of the heat generating element 273 may be low due to the air flowing through the bypass passage 230 being increased.

On the other hand, when the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is small, the flow rate of the air flowing into the bypass passage 230 decreases, and thus the amount of cooling of the heat generating element 273 by air flowing through the bypass passage 230 decreases. Then, the highest temperature point of the heat generating element 273 may be high due to the air flowing through the bypass passage 230 being decreased.

In the present embodiment, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may be detected at a time point at which the heat generating element 273 is turned on. That is, in the present disclosure, it can be understood that the lowest temperature value of the heat generating element 273 is detected after the heat generating element 273 is turned on.

Next, in step S15, after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

As an example, the heat generating element 273 may maintain in a turned-on state for three minutes and then turned off.

When the heat generating element 273 is turned off, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may decrease rapidly due to the air flowing through the bypass passage 230.

As the period of time during which the heat generating element 273 is turned off increases, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may rapidly decrease. In addition, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may rapidly decrease, and then gradually decrease from a specific time point.

Next, in step S17, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 is detected in a state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

Specifically, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may be detected at a certain time point in a state the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

In the present embodiment, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may be detected at a time point at which the heat generating element 273 is turned off. That is, in the present disclosure, it can be understood that the highest temperature value of the heat generating element 273 is detected after the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

Next, in step S19, the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 may be determined based on the temperature difference between the temperature detected in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on and the temperature in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

As described above, when the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is large, the flow rate of the air flowing into the bypass passage 230 increases, and thus the amount of cooling for the heat generating element 273 by air flowing through the bypass passage 230 increases. Then, the detected highest temperature value of the heat generating element 273 becomes small, and as a result, the temperature difference between the lowest temperature value and the highest temperature value of the heat generating element 273 may become large.

Conversely, when the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is small, the flow rate of the air flowing into the bypass passage 230 decreases, and thus the amount of cooling for the heat generating element 273 by air flowing through the bypass passage 230 decreases. Then, the detected highest temperature value of the heat generating element 273 becomes large, and as a result, the temperature difference between the lowest temperature value and the highest temperature value of the heat generating element 273 may become small.

As described above, by detecting the lowest temperature value and the highest temperature value when the heat generating element 273 is turned on/off, the amount of cooling for the heat generating element 273 may be accurately determined by air flowing through the bypass passage 230.

In summary, when the temperature difference between the lowest temperature value and the highest temperature value of the heat generating element 273 is equal to or less than a reference value, it may be determined that the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is large. In addition, when it is determined that the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is large, a defrosting operation may be performed.

Hereinafter, a detailed method for detecting the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 described above will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method of performing a defrost operation by determining a time point when a refrigerator needs to be defrosted according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are views showing changes in a temperature of a heat generating element according to the turning on/off of the heat generating element before and after frost on the evaporator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method of performing the defrost operation may be performed by the controller 40.

FIG. 11(a) shows a change in temperature of the freezing compartment and a change in temperature of the heat generating element before occurrence of frost on the evaporator 30, and FIG. 11(b) shows a change in temperature of the freezing compartment and a change in temperature of the heat generating element after occurrence of frost on the evaporator 30. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a state before occurrence of frost is the state after a defrosting operation is completed.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11(a) and 11(b), in step S21, the heat generating element 27 is turned on.

Specifically, the heat generating element 27 may be turned on in a state in which the cooling operation is being performed on the storage compartment 11 (e.g., freezing compartment).

As an example, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the heat generating element 273 may be turned on at a certain time point S1 while the blowing fan 70 is being driven.

The blower fan 70 may be driven for a predetermined period of time to cool the freezing compartment. In this case, the compressor 60 may be driven at the same time. Therefore, when the blowing fan 70 is driven, the temperature Ft of the freezing compartment may decrease.

On the other hand, when the heat generating element 273 is turned on, the temperature detected by the sensing element 274, that is, the temperature Ht of the heat generating element 273 may increase rapidly.

Next, in step S22, it may be determined whether the blowing fan 70 is turned on.

As described above, the sensor 270 may detect a change in temperature of the heat generating element 273, which is changed due to air of which the flow rate is changed according to the amount of frost on the evaporator 30. Therefore, when no air flow occurs, it is difficult for the sensor 270 to accurately detect the amount of frost on the evaporator 30.

When the blowing fan 70 is being driven, in step S23, the temperature Ht1 of the heat generating element may be detected.

In the present embodiment, the temperature Ht1 of the heat generating element 273 may be detected at a time point at which the heat generating element 273 is turned on. That is, in the present disclosure, the temperature immediately after the heat generating element 273 is turned on may be detected. Therefore, the detection temperature Ht1 of the heat generating element may be defined as the lowest temperature in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on.

Here, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 detected for the first time may be referred to as a “first detection temperature (Ht1)”.

Next, in step S24, it is determined whether a first reference time T1 has elapsed while the heat generating element 273 is turned on.

When the heat generating element 273 is maintained in the turned-on state, the temperature detected by the sensing element 274, that is, the temperature Ht1 of the heat generating element 273 may initially continuously increase. However, when the heat generating element 273 is maintained in the turned-on state, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 may start increasing gradually and converge to the highest temperature point.

Here, the first reference time T1 for which the heat generating element 273 is maintained in the turned-on state may be 3 minutes, but is not limited thereto.

When a predetermined period of time has elapsed while the heat generating element 273 is turned on, in step S25, the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), the heat generating element 273 may be turned on for the first reference time T1 and then turned off. When the heat generating element 273 is turned off, the heat generating element 273 may be rapidly cooled by air flowing through the bypass passage 230. Therefore, the temperature Ht of the heat generating element 273 may initially rapidly decrease.

However, when the turned-off state of the heat generating element 273 is maintained, the temperature Ht of the heat generating element may start decreasing gradually, and the decrease rate thereof is significantly reduced.

Next, in step S26, the temperature Ht2 of the heat generating element may be detected.

That is, the temperature Ht2 of the heat generating element is detected by the sensing element 273 at a certain time point S2 in a state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

In the present embodiment, the temperature Ht2 of the heat generating element may be detected at a time point at which the heat generating element 273 is turned off. That is, in the present disclosure, the temperature immediately after the heat generating element 273 is turned off may be detected. Therefore, the detection temperature Ht2 of the heat generating element may be defined as the highest temperature in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

Here, the temperature of the heat generating element 273 detected for the second time may be referred to as a “second detection temperature (Ht2)”.

In summary, the temperature Ht of the heat generating element may be first detected at a time point S1 when the heat generating element 273 is turned on, and may be additionally detected at a time point S2 at which the heat generating element 273 is turned off. In this case, the first detection temperature Ht1 that is detected for the first time may be the lowest temperature in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on, and the second detection temperature Ht2 that is additionally detected may be the highest temperature in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

Next, in step S27, it is determined whether a temperature stabilization state has been achieved.

Here, the temperature stabilization state may mean a state in which internal refrigerator load does not occur, that is, a state in which the cooling of the storage compartment is normally performed. In other words, the fact that the temperature stabilization state is made may mean that the opening/closing of a refrigerator door is not performed or there are no defects in components (e.g., a compressor and an evaporator) for cooling the storage compartment or the sensor 270.

That is, the sensor 270 may accurately detect the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 by determining whether or not temperature stabilization has been achieved.

In the present embodiment, in order to determine that the temperature stabilization state is achieved, it is possible to determine the amount of change in the temperature of the freezing compartment for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, in order to determine that the temperature stabilization state is achieved, it is possible to determine the amount of change in the temperature of the evaporator 30 for a predetermined period of time.

For example, a state in which the amount of change in temperature of the freezing compartment or change in temperature of the evaporator 30 during the predetermined period of time does not exceed 1.5 degrees may be defined as the temperature stabilization state.

As described above, the temperature Ht of the heat generating element may rapidly decrease immediately after the heat generating element 273 is turned off, and then the temperature Ht of the heat generating element may gradually decrease. Here, it is possible to determine whether temperature stabilization has been achieved by determining whether the temperature Ht of the heat generating element decreases normally after decreasing rapidly.

When the temperature stabilization state is achieved, in step S28, the temperature difference ΔHt between the temperature Ht1 detected when the heat generating element 273 is turned on and the temperature Ht2 detected when the heat generating element 273 is turned off may be calculated.

In step S29, it is determined whether the temperature difference ΔHt is less than a first reference temperature value.

Specifically, when the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is large, the flow rate of the air flowing into the bypass passage 230 increases, and thus the amount of cooling for the heat generating element 273 by air flowing through the bypass passage 230 may increase. When the amount of cooling increases, the temperature Ht2 of the heat generating element detected immediately after the heat generating element 273 is turned off may be relatively low compared to a case where the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is small.

As a result, when the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is large, the temperature difference ΔHt may be small. Accordingly, it is possible to determine the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 through the temperature difference ΔHt. Here, the first reference temperature value may be 32 degrees, for example.

Next, when the temperature difference ΔHt is less than the first reference temperature value, in step S30, a defrosting operation is performed.

When the defrosting operation is performed, the defrosting device 50 is driven and heat generated by the heater is transferred to the evaporator 30 so that the frost generated on the surface of the evaporator 30 is melted.

On the other hand, in step S27, when the temperature stabilization state is not achieved or, in step S29, when the temperature difference ΔHt is greater than or equal to the first reference temperature value, the algorithm ends without performing the defrosting operation.

In the present embodiment, the temperature difference ΔHt may be defined as a “logic temperature” for detection of frosting. The logic temperature may be used as a temperature for determining a time point for a defrosting operation of the refrigerator, and may be used as a temperature for determining a time point at which the heat generating element 273 is turned on, which is to be described later.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a control method for determining an operating time point of a heat generating element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The control method may be performed by the controller 40. The present embodiment may be understood as a control method for determining a time point (step S21) at which the heat generating element 273 is turned on in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 12 together, in step S31, the heat generating element 273 may be turned off. Here, step S31 may mean step S25 of FIG. 10 described above. That is, the present embodiment may be understood as a control method after step S25.

When the heat generating element 273 is turned off, in step S32, it is determined whether the logic temperature ΔHt is less than a second reference temperature value.

The reason why it is determined whether the logic temperature ΔHt is less than the second reference temperature value may be to detect the amount of frost on the evaporator 30.

For example, the second reference temperature value may be 35 degrees.

Specifically, in FIG. 10, it has been described that the first reference temperature value for performing the defrosting operation is 32 degrees. In this case, the second reference temperature value may be set to be greater than the first reference temperature value. That is, even when the defrosting operation is completed, the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 may have be large, and therefore, a residual amount of frost on the evaporator 30 may be detected again.

When the logic temperature ΔHt is less than the second reference temperature value, in step S33, it is determined whether the accumulated operation time of the freezing compartment has reached the second reference time. Here, the second reference time may be 1 hour, for example.

Next, when the logic temperature ΔHt is less than the second reference temperature value, it may be determined whether the blowing fan 70 is being driven in step S34.

When the blowing fan 70 is driven, it is determined whether the temperature stabilization state is achieved in step S35, and when temperature stabilization state is achieved, the heat generating element 273 is turned on in step S36.

Here, the temperature stabilization state may mean a state in which internal refrigerator load does not occur or a state in which the cooling of the storage compartment is normally performed. In other words, the fact that the temperature stabilization state is made may mean that the opening/closing of a refrigerator door is not performed or there are no defects in components (e.g., a compressor and an evaporator) for cooling the storage compartment or the sensor 270.

In the present embodiment, in order to determine the temperature stabilization state, the heat generating element 273 may be turned on/off at a predetermined time interval. For example, in the process of determining the temperature stabilization state, the heat generating element 273 may be turned on/off at the predetermined time interval. In this case, a time point when the heat generating element 273 is turned on/off to determine the temperature stabilization state may be a time point when the blowing fan 70 is turned on (S34).

That is, the heat generating element 273 may be turned on/off at the predetermined time interval immediately after the blowing fan 70 is turned on. For example, when the blowing fan 70 is driven, the heat generating element 273 may be repeatedly turned on/off every 10 seconds.

In addition, it is determined whether the detected amount of temperature change in the temperature (Ft) of the freezing compartment and the temperature (Ht) of the heat generating element is less than a third reference temperature value by detecting the amount of temperature change in the temperature (Ft) of the freezing compartment or in the temperature (Ht) of the heat generating element during a predetermined period. For example, the third reference temperature value is not limited thereto, but may be 0.5 degrees.

As shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), since the blowing fan 70 is being driven, the temperature Ft of the freezing compartment may gradually decrease. In addition, the temperature Ht of the heat generating element may increase by a certain amount by turning on/off the heat generating element 273.

In the present embodiment, a case in which the detected amount of change in the temperature (Ft) of the freezing compartment and the detected amount of change in the temperature (Ht) of the heat generating element are less than the third reference temperature value may be determined to be the temperature stabilization state.

On the other hand, in step S32, when the logic temperature is equal to or higher than the second reference temperature value, or in step S33, when the accumulated operation time does not reach the second reference time, the process returns to step S31.

Further, in step S34, when the blowing fan is not driven, or in step 35, when the temperature stabilization state is not achieved, the process returns to step S31.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, it is described that the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 is detected based on a temperature difference between the first detection temperature Ht1 detected in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on and the second detection temperature Ht2 detected in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

However, alternatively, the temperature of the heat generating element may be detected in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on. The amount of frost on the evaporator 30 may be detected based on the temperature difference between the first detection temperature (Ht1) which is the lowest value of the detection temperatures of the heat generating element and the second detection temperature (Ht2) which is the highest value of the detection temperatures of the heat generating element.

That is, it is possible to detect the amount of frost on the evaporator 30 through the detection temperatures Ht1 and Ht2 in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned on, without detecting the temperature of the heat generating element in the state in which the heat generating element 273 is turned off.

According to the method of controlling a refrigerator, the time point at which defrosting is necessary may be accurately determined using a sensor having an output value which varies depending on the amount of frost on the evaporator through the flow rate of air in the bypass passage. Accordingly, when the amount of frost is large, a rapid defrosting operation is possible, and when the amount of frost is small, a phenomenon in which defrosting starts is prevented.

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	PCT/KR2019/001340	Jan 2019	US
Child	17012993		US

REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROLLING METHOD THE SAME

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