BACKGROUND
1. Field
[0001] Embodiments relate to a refrigerator in which an evaporator is separately installed
in each of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber such that operations of
the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are independently controlled, and
a method of controlling an operation thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In general, refrigerators are apparatuses to which a general refrigerating cycle
to circulate a refrigerant thereinto is applied so as to supply cold air, generated
by absorbing surrounding heat when the refrigerant in a liquid state is evaporated,
to storage chambers, such as freezing and refrigerating chambers, to store food in
a fresh state for a long time. The freezing chamber is kept at a low temperature of
about -20°C, and the refrigerating chamber is kept at a low temperature of about 3°C.
[0003] Among these refrigerators, a parallel cycle-type refrigerator in which an evaporator
is separately installed in each of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber
and operations of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are independently
controlled using a 3-way valve has been disclosed.
[0004] The parallel cycle-type refrigerator achieves the operation of the refrigerating
chamber independently of the operation of the freezing chamber and thus maintains
high evaporation temperature of the refrigerating chamber, thereby improving energy
efficiency during the operation of the refrigerating chamber. However, in the parallel
cycle-type refrigerator, since the temperature of the freezing chamber evaporator
is much lower than that of the refrigerating chamber evaporator, a regular amount
of the refrigerant moves to the freezing chamber evaporator and is trapped in the
freezing chamber evaporator during stoppage of the operation of a compressor, and
thereby the refrigerant becomes insufficient during the next operation of the refrigerating
chamber.
[0005] Therefore, in the conventional parallel cycle-type refrigerator, after the operations
of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, a refrigerant recovery operation,
in which the refrigerant distributed at a low-pressure part (the freezing chamber
evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator) is transferred to a high-pressure
part (a condenser) by operating the compressor under the condition that passages of
the 3-way valve in both directions, i.e., passages of the 3-way valves at the sides
of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber are closed, is performed, and
then the operation of the compressor is completed.
[0006] However, the refrigerant recovered by the refrigerant recovery operation is re-introduced
into the freezing chamber evaporator before the next operation of the refrigerating
chamber is performed, and thus shortage of the refrigerant is still encountered during
the operation of the refrigerating chamber. Therefore, in order to solve this problem,
a check valve to prevent the refrigerant from flowing to the freezing chamber evaporator
of the parallel cycle-type refrigerator is installed at an outlet of the freezing
chamber evaporator so as to prevent the recovered refrigerant from being re-introduced
into the freezing chamber evaporator.
[0007] However, the installation of the check valve causes increase of production costs
and lowering of the pressure of the refrigerant during the operation of the freezing
chamber to increase a compression ratio of discharge to suction, thereby influencing
overall efficiency of the refrigerating cycle.
SUMMARY
[0008] Therefore, it is an aspect to provide a refrigerator which alleviates refrigerant
shortage during the operation of a refrigerating chamber even if a check valve to
prevent a refrigerant from flowing to a freezing chamber evaporator is omitted in
a parallel cycle, and a method of controlling an operation thereof.
[0009] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,
in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0010] In accordance with one aspect, a refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser
to condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor, a freezing chamber and a refrigerating
chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber evaporator respectively
installed in the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber to cool the freezing
chamber and the refrigerating chamber, a flow conversion valve to convert a flow of
the refrigerant into the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating chamber
evaporator according to operation modes, and a control unit to control the flow conversion
valve such that an operation of the freezing chamber is performed first, when the
refrigerator starts to be operated.
[0011] The flow conversion valve may be a 3-way valve connected to a pipe at the side of
an outlet of the condenser and to pipes at the sides of inlets of the freezing and
refrigerating chamber evaporators.
[0012] The control unit may control the flow conversion valve such that a refrigerant recovery
operation is performed after the operation of the freezing chamber and then an operation
of the refrigerating chamber is performed, if it is judged that the operation of the
refrigerating chamber is required.
[0013] The refrigerant recovery operation may be performed by operating the compressor under
the condition that passages of the flow conversion valve in all directions are closed,
so as to move the refrigerant distributed at the freezing chamber evaporator to the
condenser.
[0014] In accordance with a further aspect, a refrigerator includes a freezing chamber and
a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber
evaporator respectively installed in the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber
to cool the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, a flow conversion valve
to convert a flow of a refrigerant into the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating
chamber evaporator so as to form a parallel cycle independently controlling operations
of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, and a control unit to control
the flow conversion valve such that the operation of the freezing chamber is performed
first in the parallel cycle.
[0015] The control unit may perform a refrigerant recovery operation to recover the refrigerant
distributed at the freezing chamber evaporator, after the operation of the freezing
chamber.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect, a refrigerator includes a freezing chamber and
a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber
evaporator respectively installed in the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber
to cool the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, a flow conversion valve
to convert a flow of a refrigerant into the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating
chamber evaporator according to operation modes, and a control unit to control the
flow conversion valve such that a refrigerant recovery operation is performed before
an operation of the refrigerating chamber.
[0017] The refrigerator may further include a compressor and a condenser to condense the
refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and the flow conversion valve may be a 3-way
valve connected to a pipe at the side of an outlet of the condenser and to pipes at
the sides of inlets of the freezing and refrigerating chamber evaporators.
[0018] The refrigerant recovery operation may be performed by operating the compressor under
the condition that passages of the flow conversion valve in all directions are closed,
so as to move the refrigerant distributed at a low-pressure part to a high-pressure
part.
[0019] The low-pressure part may be the freezing chamber evaporator, and the high-pressure
part may be the condenser.
[0020] In accordance with another aspect, a refrigerator includes a freezing chamber and
a refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber
evaporator respectively installed in the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber
to cool the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, a flow conversion valve
to convert a flow of a refrigerant into the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating
chamber evaporator so as to form a parallel cycle independently controlling operations
of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, and a control unit to control
the flow conversion valve such that a refrigerant recovery operation is performed
before the operation of the refrigerating chamber in the parallel cycle.
[0021] In accordance with another aspect, a method of controlling an operation of a refrigerator,
which is provided with a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and a freezing
chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber evaporator to cool the freezing chamber
and the refrigerating chamber, includes judging whether or not it is time to start
an operation of the refrigerator, and performing an operation of the freezing chamber
first, if it is judged that it is time to start the operation of the refrigerator.
[0022] The performance of the operation of the freezing chamber may be achieved by opening
a passage, in a direction of the freezing chamber, of a flow conversion valve to convert
a flow of a refrigerant into the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating
chamber evaporator.
[0023] The method may further include judging whether or not an operation of the refrigerating
chamber is required, and performing a refrigerant recovery operation to recover the
refrigerant distributed at the freezing chamber evaporator and then performing the
operation of the refrigerating chamber, if it is judged that the operation of the
refrigerating chamber is required.
[0024] In accordance with yet another aspect, a method of controlling an operation of a
refrigerator, which is provided with a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber,
and a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber evaporator to cool the
freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, includes judging whether or not it
is time to operate the refrigerating chamber, performing a refrigerant recovery operation
first to recover a refrigerant distributed at a low-pressure part, if it is judged
that it is time to operate the refrigerating chamber, and performing an operation
of the refrigerating chamber after the refrigerant recovery operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from
the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an external appearance of a refrigerator in accordance
with one embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an internal structure of the refrigerator in accordance
with the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a parallel cycle of the refrigerator in accordance
with the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an operation control block diagram of the refrigerator in accordance with
the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling an operation of the refrigerator
in accordance with the embodiment; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating parallel cycle control timing of the refrigerator
in accordance with the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout. FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an external appearance of a refrigerator
in accordance with one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an internal
structure of the refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment of
the present invention includes a main body 10 provided with a freezing chamber 12
and a refrigerating chamber 14 formed therein, and doors 13 and 15 hinged to the main
body 10 to respectively open and close the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating
chamber 14.
[0028] The freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 are horizontally divided
from each other by a diaphragm 11 disposed on the main body 10 so as to prevent cold
air of the respective chambers 12 and 14 from mixing, and a freezing chamber evaporator
32 and a refrigerating chamber evaporator 34 to cool the respective chambers 12 and
14 are separately installed at rear portions of the insides of the freezing chamber
12 and the refrigerating chamber 14.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a parallel cycle of the refrigerator in accordance
with the embodiment.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the parallel cycle of the refrigerator in accordance with the
embodiment includes a compressor 20, a condenser 22, a hot pipe 24, a flow conversion
valve 26, a freezing chamber expansion device 28, a refrigerating chamber expansion
device 30, the freezing chamber evaporator 32, and the refrigerating chamber evaporator
34.
[0031] The compressor 20 compresses an inhaled refrigerant in a low-temperature and low-pressure
gaseous state into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state, and then discharges
the refrigerant in the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state.
[0032] The condenser 22 is connected to a discharge pipe at a high-pressure part of the
compressor 20, and condenses the refrigerant in the high-temperature and high-pressure
gaseous state, compressed by the compressor 20, into a liquid state by heat-exchange
with surrounding air.
[0033] The hot pipe 24 is extended from the condenser 22 and is connected to an inlet of
the flow conversion valve 26. The hot pipe 24 prevents dew from accumulating on the
front surface of the main body 10 due to a temperature difference between the inside
and the outside of the main body 10 caused by heat emission of the refrigerant flowing
within the hot pipe 24.
[0034] The flow conversion valve 26 selects one passage of the refrigerant having passed
through condenser 22 according to an operation mode (a freezing chamber operation
mode or a refrigerating chamber operation mode), and includes a 3-way valve consisting
of one inlet and two outlets. The one inlet is connected to the hot pipe 24, and the
two outlets are connected to the freezing and refrigerating chamber expansion devices
28 and 30. The passage at the side of the freezing chamber 12, i.e., the passage connected
to the freezing chamber expansion device 28 is referred to as a passage in a direction
F, the passage at the side of the refrigerating chamber 14, i.e., the passage connected
to the refrigerating chamber expansion device 30 is referred to as a passage in a
direction R, opening and closing of the passage at the side of the freezing chamber
12 is referred to as ON/OFF in the direction F, and opening and closing of the passage
at the side of the refrigerating chamber 14 is referred to as ON/OFF in the direction
R.
[0035] The freezing and refrigerating chamber expansion devices 28 and 30 decompress the
refrigerant in the room-temperature and high-pressure liquid state, condensed by the
condenser 22 through the flow conversion valve 26, into a two-phase refrigerant in
a low-temperature and low-pressure state including a liquid component and a gaseous
component by expansion. Each of the freezing and refrigerating chamber expansion devices
28 and 30 includes a capillary tube or an expansion valve.
[0036] The freezing and refrigerating chamber evaporators 32 and 34 evaporate the refrigerant
in the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid state, expanded by the freezing and
refrigerating chamber expansion devices 28 and 30, into a gaseous state to supply
cold air, and are operated in a parallel cycle type such that operations of the freezing
chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 are independently performed using the
flow conversion valve 26.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an operation control block diagram of the refrigerator in accordance with
the embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator includes an input unit 50,
a sensing unit 52, a control unit 54, a driving unit 56, and a memory unit 58.
[0038] The input unit 50 allows a user to input a control command to the control unit 54,
and includes a plurality of buttons, such as a mode selection button to control operations
of the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 and a temperature setting
button to set desired temperatures of the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating
chamber 14.
[0039] The sensing unit 52 senses internal temperatures of the freezing chamber 12 and the
refrigerating chamber 14, and transmits the sensed temperatures to the control unit
54. These temperatures are used as data to judge an operation condition (a simultaneous
operation mode or an individual operation mode) of the freezing chamber 12 and the
refrigerating chamber 14.
[0040] The control unit 54 is a microcomputer to control the overall operation of the refrigerator.
The control unit 54 judges the operation condition of the freezing chamber 12 and
the refrigerating chamber 14 according to the internal temperatures of the freezing
chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 sensed by the sensing unit 52, thus controlling
the operation of the refrigerator in the parallel cycle type such that the freezing
chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 are independently operated.
[0041] Further, the control unit 54 controls the flow conversion valve 26 such that an operation
of the freezing chamber 12 is performed first when the refrigerator starts to be operated,
and thus the refrigerant recovery operation which was conventionally performed when
the operation of the compressor 20 has been completed may be omitted. Further, the
refrigerant recovery operation in which the refrigerant distributed at the freezing
chamber evaporator 32 is transferred to a high-pressure part (the condenser) is performed,
just after the operation of the freezing chamber 12 is performed. Thereby, it is not
necessary to recover the refrigerant distributed at the condenser 22 during the operation
of the freezing chamber 12, and thus a refrigerant recovery operation time may be
shortened. The refrigerant recovery operation is an operation to simply redistribute
the refrigerant. Since in the refrigerant recovery operation, the compressor 20 is
operated but cooling effects are not generated, it is desired that the refrigerant
recovery operation time be minimized. Therefore, the refrigerator in accordance with
the embodiment omits the refrigerant recovery operation performed when the operation
of the compressor 20 has been completed, and shortens the operation time of the compressor
20 (the refrigerant recovery operation time) not generating cooling effects, compared
with the conventional operation method, thereby achieving energy savings (about 2%).
Further, the refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment always performs the operation
of the freezing chamber 12 first, and thus omits the check valve to prevent the refrigerant
from flowing to the freezing chamber evaporator 32, thereby achieving production cost
reduction.
[0042] Further, the control unit 54 judges whether or not it is necessary to operate the
refrigerating chamber 14, controls the flow conversion valve 26 such that the refrigerant
recovery operation to recover the refrigerant distributed at the freezing chamber
evaporator 32 is performed when it is necessary to operate the refrigerating chamber
14, and then performs the operation of the refrigerating chamber 14, thereby not generating
shortage of the refrigerant during the operation of the refrigerating chamber 14.
[0043] The driving unit 56 drives the compressor 20 and the flow conversion valve 26 according
to a driving control signal of the control unit 54.
[0044] The memory unit 58 stores control values of temperatures according to the operation
condition of the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 judged by the
control unit 54, and stores control factors regarding a parallel cycle operation in
which the freezing chamber 12 is operated first and then the refrigerant recovery
operation is performed just after the operation of the freezing chamber 12 when the
refrigerator starts to be operated.
[0045] Hereinafter, an operating process of the above refrigerator and effects of a method
of controlling an operation of the refrigerator will be described.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling an operation of the refrigerator
in accordance with the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating parallel
cycle control timing of the refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment.
[0047] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, power is input to the refrigerator, the sensing
unit 52 senses internal temperatures of the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating
chamber 14, and transmits the sensed internal temperatures to the control unit 54.
[0048] Then, the control unit 54 judges whether or not it is time to start an operation
of the refrigerator by comparing the internal temperatures of the freezing chamber
12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 sensed by the sensing unit 52 with a set temperature
(operation 100).
[0049] The refrigerator starts to be operated when, if the internal temperature of the freezing
chamber 12 or the refrigerating chamber 14 is higher than the set temperature by a
designated temperature or more, a load of the corresponding chamber 12 or 14 is calculated
according to a temperature difference, and then the compressor 20 is operated.
[0050] As a result of the judgment of operation 100, if it is judged that it is time to
start the operation of the refrigerator, the control unit 54 turns on the flow conversion
valve 26 in the direction F (in the direction of the freezing chamber), as shown in
FIG. 3 such that the freezing chamber 12 is operated first. In this case, even if
freezing of the freezing chamber 12 is not actually required, the freezing chamber
12 is operated first.
[0051] When the flow conversion valve 26 is turned on in the direction F (in the direction
of the freezing chamber), the refrigerant is circulated in the freezing chamber operation
mode, i.e., in the order of the compressor 20, the condenser 22, the hot pipe 24,
the flow conversion valve 26, the freezing chamber expansion device 28, the freezing
chamber evaporator 32, and the compressor 20.
[0052] Therefore, the refrigerant in the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state
discharged from the compressor 20 is condensed into the high-pressure liquid state
by the condenser 22, and then is introduced into the flow conversion valve 26 via
the hot pipe 24.
[0053] Here, in the flow conversion valve 26, since the passage at the side of the freezing
chamber 12 in the direction F is opened, the operation of the freezing chamber 12,
in which the refrigerant introduced into the flow conversion valve 26 is introduced
into the freezing chamber evaporator 32 through the freezing chamber expansion device
28 to cool the freezing chamber 12 and then is returned to the compressor 20, is performed
(operation 102).
[0054] If the freezing chamber 12 is operated first in the freezing chamber operation mode
when the refrigerator starts to be operated, a considerable amount of the refrigerant
distributed at the freezing chamber evaporator 32 is immediately recovered, thereby
achieving energy savings compared with the conventional case that a refrigerant distributed
at a condenser is recovered.
[0055] Further, if it is judged that the operation of the refrigerating chamber 14 is required
after the operation of the freezing chamber 12, the control unit 54 performs the refrigerant
recovery operation to move the refrigerant distributed at the freezing chamber evaporator
32 to the condenser 22 just after the operation of the freezing chamber 12 (operation
104).
[0056] The refrigerant recovery operation is performed under the condition that both directions
(the direction F and the direction R) of the flow conversion valve 26 are closed and
the compressor 20 is turned on so as to move the refrigerant distributed at the freezing
chamber evaporator 32 to the condenser 22. The refrigerant recovery operation allows
the refrigerant used to cool the freezing chamber 12 to be completely used to cool
the refrigerating chamber 14 without leaving on the cycle to cool the freezing chamber
12, thereby not causing shortage of the refrigerant necessary to cool the refrigerating
chamber 14.
[0057] In general, the refrigerant recovery operation time Δt is about 1-2 minutes. The
refrigerant recovery operation time is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified
according to capacity or design structure of the refrigerator.
[0058] After the refrigerant distributed at the freezing chamber evaporator 32 is moved
to the condenser 22 through the refrigerant recovery operation, the control unit 54
turns on the flow conversion valve 26 in the direction R (in the direction of the
refrigerating chamber), as shown in FIG. 3 such that the refrigerating chamber 14
is operated.
[0059] When the flow conversion valve 26 is turned on in the direction R (in the direction
of the refrigerating chamber), the refrigerant is circulated in the refrigerating
chamber operation mode, i.e., in the order of the compressor 20, the condenser 22,
the hot pipe 24, the flow conversion valve 26, the refrigerating chamber expansion
device 30, the refrigerating chamber evaporator 34, and the compressor 20.
[0060] Therefore, the refrigerant in the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state
discharged from the compressor 20 is condensed into the high-pressure liquid state
by the condenser 22, and then is introduced into the flow conversion valve 26 via
the hot pipe 24.
[0061] Here, in the flow conversion valve 26, since the passage at the side of the refrigerating
chamber 14 in the direction R is opened, the operation of the refrigerating chamber
14, in which the refrigerant introduced into the flow conversion valve 26 is introduced
into the refrigerating chamber evaporator 34 through the refrigerating chamber expansion
device 30 to cool the refrigerating chamber 14 and then is returned to the compressor
20, is performed (operation 106).
[0062] When the refrigerating chamber 14 is cooled in the refrigerating chamber operation
mode along the above refrigerant flow, shortage of the refrigerant is not generated.
[0063] As described above, the parallel cycle is performed in the order of the operation
of the freezing chamber 12 under the condition that the compressor 20 is turned off,
the refrigerant recovery operation, and the operation of the refrigerant chamber 14,
such that operations of the freezing chamber 12 and the refrigerating chamber 14 are
performed independently. Thereafter, it is judged whether or not compressor turning-off
conditions are satisfied (operation 108), and if it is judged that the compressor
turning-off conditions are satisfied, the compressor 20 is turned off (operation 110),
and the operation of the parallel cycle is completed.
[0064] As is apparent from the above description, in a refrigerator and a method of controlling
an operation thereof in accordance with one embodiment, an evaporator is separately
installed in each of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and an operation
of the freezing chamber is performed first when the refrigerator starts to be operated
in a parallel cycle to convert the passage of a refrigerant such that operations of
the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber are independently performed using
a 3-way valve, thereby achieving energy savings. Further, a check valve to prevent
the refrigerant from flowing to a freezing chamber evaporator is omitted, thereby
achieving production cost reduction and shortening a refrigerant recovery operation
time necessary to operate the refrigerating chamber.
[0065] Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined
in the claims and their equivalents.
1. A refrigerator comprising:
a compressor;
a condenser to condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor;
a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber;
a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber evaporator respectively
installed in the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber to cool the freezing
chamber and the refrigerating chamber;
a flow conversion valve to convert a flow of the refrigerant into the freezing chamber
evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator according to operation modes;
and
a control unit to control the flow conversion valve such that an operation of the
freezing chamber is performed first, when the refrigerator starts to be operated.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the flow conversion valve is a 3-way
valve connected to a pipe at the side of an outlet of the condenser and to pipes at
the sides of inlets of the freezing and refrigerating chamber evaporators.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the flow
conversion valve such that a refrigerant recovery operation is performed after the
operation of the freezing chamber and then an operation of the refrigerating chamber
is performed, if it is judged that the operation of the refrigerating chamber is required.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the refrigerant recovery operation
is performed by operating the compressor under the condition that passages of the
flow conversion valve in all directions are closed, so as to move the refrigerant
distributed at the freezing chamber evaporator to the condenser.
5. A refrigerator comprising:
a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber;
a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber evaporator respectively
installed in the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber to cool the freezing
chamber and the refrigerating chamber;
a flow conversion valve to convert a flow of a refrigerant into the freezing chamber
evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator so as to form a parallel cycle
independently controlling operations of the freezing chamber and the refrigerating
chamber; and
a control unit to control the flow conversion valve such that the operation of the
freezing chamber is performed first in the parallel cycle.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the control unit performs a refrigerant
recovery operation to recover the refrigerant distributed at the freezing chamber
evaporator, after the operation of the freezing chamber.
7. A refrigerator comprising:
a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber;
a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating chamber evaporator respectively
installed in the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber to cool the freezing
chamber and the refrigerating chamber;
a flow conversion valve to convert a flow of a refrigerant into the freezing chamber
evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator according to operation modes;
and
a control unit to control the flow conversion valve such that a refrigerant recovery
operation is performed before an operation of the refrigerating chamber.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, further comprising:
a compressor; and
a condenser to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor,
wherein the flow conversion valve is a 3-way valve connected to a pipe at the side
of an outlet of the condenser and to pipes at the sides of inlets of the freezing
and refrigerating chamber evaporators.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the refrigerant recovery operation
is performed by operating the compressor under the condition that passages of the
flow conversion valve in all directions are closed, so as to move the refrigerant
distributed at a low-pressure part to a high-pressure part.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the low-pressure part is the freezing
chamber evaporator.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the high-pressure part is the condenser.
12. A method of controlling an operation of a refrigerator, which is provided with a freezing
chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating
chamber evaporator to cool the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, comprising:
judging whether or not it is time to start an operation of the refrigerator; and
performing an operation of the freezing chamber first, if it is judged that it is
time to start the operation of the refrigerator.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the performance of the operation of the
freezing chamber is achieved by opening a passage, in a direction of the freezing
chamber, of a flow conversion valve to convert a flow of a refrigerant into the freezing
chamber evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator.
14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising performing a refrigerant recovery
operation by operating a compressor under the condition that passages of the flow
conversion valve in all directions are closed, so as to move the refrigerant distributed
at the freezing chamber evaporator to a high-pressure part.
15. A method of controlling an operation of a refrigerator, which is provided with a freezing
chamber and a refrigerating chamber, and a freezing chamber evaporator and a refrigerating
chamber evaporator to cool the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber, comprising:
judging whether or not it is time to operate the refrigerating chamber;
performing a refrigerant recovery operation first to recover a refrigerant distributed
at a low-pressure part, if it is judged that it is time to operate the refrigerating
chamber; and
performing an operation of the refrigerating chamber after the refrigerant recovery
operation.