Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a refrigerator (10) and method for controlling the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and control method for controlling a home bar heater (16).
With the refrigerator (10) and control method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the voltage supplied to the home bar heater (16) can variably be controlled, making it possible to reduce power consumption for driving the home bar heater (16).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] A refrigerator is a home appliance that keeps foods or other goods in a refrigerating state or a freezing state.

[0003] Recently, various refrigerators were commercially launched on the market. For example, there are a side by side type where a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber are arranged at each of the left side and right side, a bottom freezer type where a refrigerating chamber is arranged on the top of a freezing chamber, and a top mount type where a refrigerating chamber is arranged beneath the bottom of a freezing chamber.

[0004] Also, a refrigerator appliance with a home bar structure from which foods and drinks can be withdrawn without opening a freezing chamber door has been launched recently.

[0005] In detail, the home bar structure includes a home bar door that is rotatably mounted on the front surface of the refrigerating or freezing chamber and a home bar case that is provided at the rear surface of the refrigerating or freezing chamber.

[0006] The home bar structure is very useful to withdraw or introduce foods, in particular, drink from or in the home bar case by having a user open the home bar door when necessary.

[0007] However, during the process of opening and closing the home bar door, a phenomenon wherein external air flows in the inside of the refrigerator occurs. In particular, a phenomenon wherein moisture included in the external air is condensed at the edge of the home bar door when the external air contacts a cold air at the edge of the home bar door.

[0008] In the home bar structures in the related art, the operation of a heater is controlled by an on/off switch, which can detect a chamber temperature of the refrigerator to turn-on/off the heater according to the chamber temperature of the refrigerator. The on/off switch is always maintained in the on state when the chamber temperature is above a predetermined temperature.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a heater for a home bar door capable of reducing power consumption by variably controlling voltage supplied to the heater that is provided at the home bar door and a refrigerator using the control method.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

[0011] A refrigerator including a body that includes at least a chamber, a chamber door that selectively opens and closes the chamber, a home bar door that is rotatably mounted on the front of the refrigerating chamber door wherein the refrigerator further includes a heater that is provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by the home bar door, a heater driver that provides a voltage input to the heater and a controller that transmits an operating signal to the heater driver.

[0012] This refrigerator is characterized by a temperature sensor that detects temperature of a space in which the refrigerator is installed, and when the heater is activated, the controller and the heater driver are adapted to provide a variable voltage to the heater depending on the temperature detected by the sensor.

[0013] A method for controlling a refrigerator including at least a chamber, a chamber door that selectively opens and closes the chamber, a home bar door that is rotatably mounted on the front of the chamber door, a controller and a heater driver that drives a heater provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by a the home bar door, characterized in that the refrigerator comprises a sensor that detects a room temperature and in that the method includes:

detecting a room temperature near the home bar door by the sensor; and

providing a variable voltage to the home bar heater depending on the detected room temperature.

[0014] With the refrigerator and the method for controlling the same according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, the voltage supplied to the home bar heater can variably be controlled, making it possible to reduce power consumption for driving the home bar heater.

[0015] Further, the voltage applied amount supplied to the home bar heater according to the room temperature can stepwise or continuously be controlled.

[0016] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a block view showing the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a view showing a case where the input voltage is varied stepwise in a system for controlling a home bar heater according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control method for stepwise varying an input voltage among methods for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control method for continuously varying an input voltage among the methods for controlling a refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Hereinafter, an apparatus for controlling a home bar heater in a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 11 having a refrigerating chamber 17 and a freezing chamber (not shown) therein, a freezing chamber door 12 that opens and closes the freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber door 13 that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber 17, a machine chamber 20 that is formed on a rear surface of the main body 11, and a compressor 19 that is received in the inside of the machine chamber 20. The rear surface of the main body 11 is mounted with an evaporator 21 so that cold air is supplied to the refrigerating chamber 17 or the freezing chamber.

[0026] In detail, a receiving shelf 18 and a receiving box 22 are provided inside the refrigerating chamber 17. A shelf and other receiving boxes having the same function as the foregoing shelf and receiving box are provided inside the freezing chamber. The rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 13 may be mounted with a plurality of door baskets 131.

[0027] Also, a home bar structure is provided at the refrigerating door 13 such that a user can insert or withdraw objects such as drinks or drinking water in or from the refrigerating chamber without opening the refrigerating chamber door 13. In detail, the home bar structure includes a home bar door 151 that is rotatably mounted on the refrigerating chamber door 13, a home bar case 152 that is provided at a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 13, and a home bar cover 153 that can selectively open and close the home bar case 152 in a state where the refrigerating chamber door 13 is opened. Also, a hole for receiving the home bar door 151 is formed on the refrigerating chamber door 13 and a home bar heater 16 is mounted at an edge part of the hole. The home bar heater 16 heats the edge part of the hole, thereby preventing generation of condensation water in a gap between the home bar door 151 and the hole in a state where the home bar door is closed.

[0028] Meanwhile, an ice making apparatus (not shown) may be provided inside the freezing chamber and a dispenser 14, which can withdraw ice generated in the ice making apparatus, may be provided at a front surface of the freezing chamber door 12.

[0029] The home bar heater 16 is operated according to a chamber temperature of a space in which the refrigerator 10 is installed or according to the opening and closing of the home bar door 151. To this effect the voltage (or current) applied to the home bar heater 16 can be variably controlled by the controller.

[0030] An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of the home bar heater 16 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic block view showing the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a power supply unit 120 that receives power from an AC source (not shown), a zero voltage detector 110 that detects zero voltage of power supplied from the power supply unit 120, a controller 100 that receives a detect signal from the zero voltage detector 110, a room temperature sensor 130 that detects the temperature of a space in which the refrigerator 10 is installed; a heater driver 150 that controls the home bar heater 16, and a memory 140 that is connected to the controller 100 and stores data such as a voltage value to be applied according to the room temperature.

[0033] In detail, the controller 100 receives the zero voltage detecting signals transmitted from the zero voltage detector 110 and controls the voltage to be input to the heater driver 150 after a predetermined time elapses from a point in time of the zero voltage. The controller 100 receives from the memory 140 the required input voltage corresponding to the temperature value that is transmitted from the room temperature sensor 130. Thereafter, the controller 100 controls the voltage to be input to the heater driver 150.

[0034] Also, the heater driver 150 uses a simple relay unit. Such units usually perform an on/off operation in the related art, but the described embodiment of the present invention uses a semiconductor switch device that performs a function of providing variably the voltage to the home bar heater 16 together with an on/off switch function. The heater driver 150 corresponding to the semiconductor switch device as described above includes a triac or a thyristor, etc. In other words, in the case where the semiconductor switch device is used, the amount of voltage applied can be changed according to the room temperature. The point in time when the voltage is applied varies through the zero voltage detector 110, making it possible to change the voltage value input to the home bar heater 16.

[0035] Also, the voltage value input to the home bar heater 16 is variably controlled according to the room temperature stepwise or continuously.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a view showing a case where the input voltage is changed stepwise in a system for controlling a home bar heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, a commercial alternative voltage of 220V is applied through the power supply unit 120.

[0038] In detail, when using the relay in a manner similar to the related art, when the relay is turn-on, the commercial voltage of 220V is continuously input and when the relay is turn off, the application of voltage stops.

[0039] With the heater driver 150 in the semiconductor switch form according to the present invention, the duty time of the heater driver is properly controlled according to the room temperature, making it possible to change the applied voltage.

[0040] In detail, when the voltage application point in time is before the point in time of zero voltage detected by the zero voltage detector 110, the turn-on time or duration (duty II) of the heater driver 150 is long. If the voltage application point in time is delayed, the turn-on time (duty I) of the heater driver 150 is short. In other words, the input power is increased and decreased by △V according to the increase or decrease of turn-on time.

[0041] As described above, the driving of the home bar heater can be controlled according to the room temperature through the control of the turn-on time of the heater driver 150, making it possible to prevent the edge part of the home bar door 15 from being damped.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control method for stepwise varying an input voltage among methods for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, the room temperature T is detected from the room temperature sensor 130 (S10). It is judged whether the detected room temperature T is within the setting temperature range (T1≤T≤T2) (S11).

[0044] If it is judged that the detected room temperature T is within the setting temperature range, that is, it is judged that the difference between the room temperature and the temperature of the refrigerator is not large, the turn-on time of the heater driver 150 is short (DUTY I) (S12).

[0045] Also, if it is judged that the detected room temperature T is higher than the setting temperature T2, that is, the difference between the room temperature and the temperature of the refrigerator is larger, the turn-on time of the heater driver 150 is long (DUTY, II) (S14). In other words, the point in time when the heater driver 150 is turned-on from the zero point in time is short. Then, the voltage input to the home bar heater 16 is increased while the turn-on time of the heater driver 150 is long.

[0046] Meanwhile, if it is judged that the detected room temperature T is lower than the setting temperature T1, that is, it is judged that the room temperature is lower than a degree that does not cause a phenomenon wherein moisture is condensed at an edge of the home bar door 15, the heater driver 150 is turned-off (S15). Then, since the power is not applied to the home bar heater 16 no power is consumed.

[0047] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned process is continuously and repeatedly performed before the power supply 16 of the refrigerator is turned-off (S16). That is, when the refrigerator 10 is operating, the room temperature is periodically detected to variably control the voltage supplied to the home bar heater 16.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control method for continuously varying an input voltage among the methods for controlling a refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 6, the room temperature T is detected from the room temperature sensor 130 in the state where the home bar heater 16 is turned-on by the basic input voltage V.

[0050] If it is judged that the room temperature T is lower than the setting temperature T1 by comparing and judging the room temperature T and the setting temperature T1, the home bar heater 16 is turned-off (S23). That is, the voltage is not applied to the heater driver 150.

[0051] Conversely, if it is judged that the room temperature T is higher than the setting temperature T1, it is judged whether the temperature is higher than a previous room temperature T0. If so, the heater input voltage is increased (S26). In other words, the voltage provided corresponds to the existing input voltage V to which is added the increased voltage amount (ΔV).

[0052] Meanwhile, the controller 100 judges whether the increased input voltage reaches a maximum input voltage 220V (S27). If the increased input voltage is equal to or higher than the maximum input voltage, the increased input voltage is maintained at the maximum input voltage (S28). In contrast, when the increased input voltage is lower than the maximum input voltage, the process (S21), which detects the room temperature, is repeatedly performed to repeatedly perform a process of increasing or reducing the input voltage.

[0053] Also, when the current room temperature T is not higher than the previous room temperature T0, it is judged whether it is lower than the current room temperature T (S29). If so, the heater input voltage is reduced (S30). That is, the voltage input corresponds to the existing input voltage to which is subtracted the voltage decreased amount (ΔV). It is judged whether the decreased input voltage is 0 (S32) and when the decreased input voltage is 0, the voltage input to the heater driver 150 stops so that the home bar heater 16 is turned-off (S33).

[0054] Also, when the current room temperature T is maintained to be identical with the previous room temperature T0, the voltage input to the heater is maintained as it is (S31).

[0055] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned operation is continuously and repeatedly performed before the power supply of the refrigerator is turned-off (S24).

[0056] With the above-mentioned control method, the amount of voltage supplied to the home bar 16 is controlled according to the room temperature so that the phenomenon that moisture is condensed at the edge of the home bar door 15 can be prevented and the power consumption can be reduced.

Claims

1. A refrigerator (10) including a body that includes at least a chamber (17), a chamber door (12, 13) that selectively opens and closes the chamber and a home bar door (151) that is rotatably mounted on the front of the chamber door, wherein the refrigerator further includes:

a heater (16) that is provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by the home bar door;

a heater driver (150) that provides a voltage input to the heater; and

a controller (100) that transmits an operating signal to the heater driver,

characterized in that the refrigerator further comprises a temperature sensor (130) that detects temperature of a space in which the refrigerator is installed, and when the heater is activated, the controller and the heater driver are adapted to provide a variable voltage to the heater depending on the temperature detected by the sensor.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the controller and the heater driver are adapted to:

compare (S11) the detected room temperature value T with a setting temperature value (T1, T2; T1<T2); and

variably control (S12, S14, S15, S16; S26, S30) the voltage input to the heater with respect to a difference between the room temperature value (T) and the setting temperature value (T1, T2).

3. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the heater driver is a semiconductor switch device that variably control the input voltage.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the heater driver includes a triac or thyristor.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller and the heater driver are adapted to provide a voltage input to the heater driver that varies stepwise or continuously with respect to the temperature of the space detected by the temperature sensor,

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heater driver is connected to an alternative voltage source (120) and the refrigerator comprises a detector (110) adapted to detect instants of zero voltage and wherein the controller controls the voltage provided to the heater by turning on and turning off the heater driver at specific times with regard to the detected instants of zero voltage.

7. A method for controlling a refrigerator including at least a chamber (17), a chamber door (12, 13) that selectively opens and closes the chamber, a home bar door (15) that is rotatably mounted on the front of the chamber door, a controller (100) and a heater driver (150) that drives a heater (16) provided at an edge part of a hole sealed by a the home bar door, characterized in that the refrigerator comprises a sensor (130) that detects a room temperature, and in that the method includes:

detecting (S10; S21) a room temperature near the home bar door by the sensor; and

providing (S12, S14, S15, S16; S26, S30) a variable voltage to the home bar heater depending on the detected room temperature.

8. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising:

comparing (S11, S22) the detected room temperature value T with a setting temperature value (T1, T2; T1<T2);

variably controlling the voltage input to the heater driver with respect to a difference between the room temperature value (T) and the setting temperature value (T1, T2); and

supplying the variably controlled voltage to the home bar heater.

9. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein when the detected room temperature value T is higher than the setting temperature T2 (S13), the controller controls the turn-on times of the heater driver to be long (DUTY II, S14).

10. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein when the detected room temperature value T is lower than the setting temperature T2 (S13), the controller controls the heater driver to be stopped (S15).

11. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 8, further comprising, when the detected room temperature value T is higher than the setting temperature T1 (S22), determining whether the detected room temperature value T is higher than the previously detected room temperature T0 (S25, S29).

12. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein when the detected room temperature value T1 is higher than the previously room temperature T0, the input voltage is controlled to be increased (S26).

13. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein when the detected room temperature value T1 is lower than the previously room temperature T0, the input voltage is controlled to be continuously reduced (S30).

14. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the input voltage to the heater driver varies stepwise or continuously with respect to the room temperature value of the home bar door.

15. The method for controlling a refrigerator according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein providing a variable voltage comprises detecting instants of zero voltage in an alternative voltage source (120) connected to the heater driver and turning on and turning off the heater driver at specific times with regard to the detected instants of zero voltage.

Drawing