CN111426119B

CN111426119B - Refrigerator with a door

Info

Publication number: CN111426119B
Application number: CN201911395312.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朴正媛; 成基硕; 郑明镇; 金京锡; 金真浩
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2019-01-10
Filing date: 2019-12-30
Publication date: 2022-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-30
Also published as: AU2020200127A1; AU2022200857A1; KR102619492B1; AU2020200127B2; KR20200087044A; US20200224955A1; EP3680589A1; CN111426119A

Abstract

The refrigerator includes: a cabinet configured to form a storage space; a temperature adjustment device configured to uncooled storage space; a fan configured to blow air heat-exchanged with the temperature adjusting device to the storage space; a heating device configured to heat the storage space; and a controller configured to control the fan and the heating device, wherein if the door opening and closing the storage space is in a closed state, the thermostat is not operated, and the heating device is turned off, the controller starts a humidity maintenance mode, which drives the fan.

Description

Refrigerator with a door

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

Background

Generally, a refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food or other items to be stored at a relatively low temperature in an internal storage space accessible through a door. The refrigerator may cool the inside of the storage space by using air heat-exchanged with a refrigerant circulating in a refrigeration cycle so that stored foods, cosmetics, etc. (hereinafter, referred to as articles) may be in an optimum state. For example, the refrigerator may condense moisture in air in the storage chamber by a heat exchange device such as an evaporator, so that the storage chamber may have relatively lower humidity than the outside of the refrigerator. Some of the items stored in the refrigerator may be optimally stored at an appropriate humidity, and for this reason, the refrigerator may include a means for adjusting the humidity of the storage chamber.

One example of a refrigerator having a humidity regulator is a wine refrigerator (wine refrigerator) for temperature and humidity regulation discussed in korean utility model laid-open publication No. 20-0380906Y 1 (published 3/29/2005). In this reference, a refrigerator has a humidity regulator including a humidifying device having a vapor discharge port, and the humidifying device is operated to increase the humidity of the refrigerator. However, installing a humidity regulator having a humidifying device in a refrigerator may complicate the structure of the refrigerator and increase the cost of the refrigerator.

In addition, in another example, the refrigerator may be formed to include a separate external air suction passage so that air outside the refrigerator may flow into the storage chamber to provide additional humidity to the storage chamber. However, the cooling air in the storage chamber may be discharged through the external air suction passage, thereby causing a potentially large heat loss, and potentially allowing foreign substances such as dust to enter the storage chamber through the external air suction passage.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate to teach additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background, as appropriate.

Drawings

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating another example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a front view when a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed adjacent to another refrigerator;

fig. 4 is a view illustrating the turning on and off of the cooling device(s) and the turning on and off of the heating device(s) according to a temperature change of the storage compartment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 to 8 are views illustrating an example of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a see-through door (see-through door) of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 is a plan view when an example of a door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is opened in a door opening module;

fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when opened by a door opening module;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the bracket shown in FIG. 12 as it is being lifted;

fig. 14 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 15 is a rear view showing an inner portion of an inner guide according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating changes in the temperature and humidity of the storage compartment in a cooling mode of the storage compartment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 is a view illustrating a compressor operation and a fan operation when an operation in which a second storage chamber is cooled after a first storage chamber is cooled is repeated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 18 is a view illustrating a variation in relative humidity of the storage space while the fan is periodically turned on/off after the first storage chamber is cooled down according to the present embodiment; and

fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a humidity maintenance mode of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, fig. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an example of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The refrigerator may have a storage chamber (or a refrigerating chamber) W in which articles and the like may be stored. The refrigerator may include a cabinet 1 in which a storage chamber W is formed. The refrigerator may further include a door 50 that opens and closes the storage chamber W. The door 50 may include at least one of a rotatable door 5 (e.g., a swing door) or a forward and backward type door 6 (e.g., a drawer). The cabinet 1 may include an outer case 7 forming an external appearance and an inner case 8 forming at least one surface for forming the storage chamber W therein.

The storage compartment W may be a storage compartment for mainly accommodating some kinds of articles, which are preferably stored at a specific temperature range. For example, the storage room W may be a dedicated storage room for storing some items that need to be kept warm or cold, such as alcoholic liquids such as wine and beer, fermented foods, cosmetics, or medical supplies. As an example, the storage compartment for containing wine may be maintained at a temperature range of 3 to 20 ℃, and the temperature range is relatively higher than that of the refrigerating compartment for containing food items of the conventional refrigerator, and preferably does not exceed 20 ℃. More specifically, the temperature of the storage room for red wine may be adjusted to 12 ℃ to 18 ℃, and the temperature of the storage room for white wine may be adjusted to 6 ℃ to 11 ℃. In another example, the temperature of the reservoir for champagne may be adjusted to about 5 ℃.

The temperature of the storage chamber W may be adjusted such that the storage chamber temperature fluctuates between a target temperature upper limit value and a target temperature lower limit value of the storage chamber W. The quality or freshness of the items stored in the storage compartment W may be reduced due to a difference between the target temperature upper limit value and the target temperature lower limit value (hereinafter, referred to as a storage compartment temperature difference). The refrigerator can be manufactured to have a small temperature difference of the storage chamber according to the type of the goods, and the degradation of the quality of the goods can be minimized. The storage compartment W of the refrigerator of the present embodiment may be a storage compartment whose temperature difference of the storage compartment is smaller than that of a general refrigerator. For example, the storage chamber W may have a storage chamber temperature difference of less than 3 ℃ and, for example, may be 2 ℃. Of course, in the case of certain types of articles that are considered to be very sensitive to temperature variations, the storage compartment temperature difference may be less than 1 ℃.

The refrigerator may include a device (hereinafter, referred to as a "thermostat" or a "thermostat module") capable of adjusting the temperature of the storage chamber W. The temperature adjustment device may include at least one of a cooling device or a heating device. The temperature adjusting device may cool or heat the storage compartment W by at least one of conduction, convection, and radiation. For example, a cooling device such as an evaporator 150 or a heat absorbing body of a thermoelectric element may be attached to the inner case 8 to cool the storage compartment W by conduction. By adding an airflow forming mechanism such as a fan, air can be heat-exchanged with the cooling device by convection and supplied to the storage chamber W. In another example, a heating device such as a heater or a heat generating body of a thermoelectric element may be attached to the inner case 8 to heat the storage chamber W by conduction. An airflow forming mechanism such as a fan may supply an airflow that is heated by convection and is supplied to the storage chamber W by convection.

In this specification, the cooling device may be defined as a device capable of cooling the storage compartment W, including at least one of the evaporator 150, a heat absorbing body of the thermoelectric element, or a fan. In addition, the heating device may be defined as a device capable of heating the storage chamber W, including at least one of a heater, a heat generating body of a thermoelectric element, or a fan.

The refrigerator may further include an inner guide 200. The inner guide 200 may partition an inner portion of the inner case 8 into a first space in which articles are stored and a second space in which the thermostat is located (the second space is hereinafter referred to as a "thermostat chamber"). The thermostat chamber may include a cooling device chamber and a heating device chamber. For example, the thermostat chamber may be located between the inner guide 200 and the inner case 8, between the inner guide 200 and the outer case 7, or inside the inner guide 200, for example, in the storage chamber W.

The inner guide 200 may be provided to partition a cold air flow path P for supplying cold air to a space where articles are stored and the storage compartment W, and at least one cooling device may be provided in the cold air flow path P. The inner guide 200 may be further provided to partition a space for storing articles and a hot air flow path P for supplying heat to the storage compartment W, and at least one heating device may be provided in the hot air flow path P. The inner guide for the cooling device and the inner guide for the heating device may be designed jointly or may be manufactured separately. The inner guide 200 may form a storage space (or a refrigerating space) together with the inner case 8. The inner guide 200 may be disposed in front of the rear body of the inner case.

The refrigerator may have one space having the same storage chamber temperature range as the storage chamber W, or may have two or more spaces having storage temperature ranges different from each other (e.g., a refrigerator/freezer combination). The refrigerator may further include a partition member 3 vertically or horizontally disposed so as to divide the storage compartment W into two or more spaces (e.g., a first space W1 and a second space W2) having storage compartment temperature ranges different from each other.

The refrigerator may further include a partition member 10 disposed vertically or horizontally to divide the storage compartment W into two or more spaces (e.g., a second space W2, a third space W3) having different storage compartment temperature ranges from each other. The partition member 10 may be separately manufactured and then installed in the inner case 8. The partition member 10 may be manufactured as a heat insulating material provided between the outer case 7 and the

inner cases

8 and 9.

The two or more spaces may differ in size and location. For example, the first space W1 may be located at an upper side, the second space W2 may be located at a lower side, and the partition member 3 may be disposed such that the size of the first space W1 is larger than the size of the second space W2. In one example, the first storage room temperature for the first space W may be higher than the second storage room temperature for the second space W2.

In the present specification, it may be defined that the meaning that the first storage room temperature is higher than the second storage room temperature corresponds to at least one of the following cases: the maximum value of the first storage room temperature is greater than the maximum value of the second storage room temperature, the average value of the first storage room temperature is greater than the average value of the second storage room temperature, the minimum value of the first storage room temperature is greater than the minimum value of the second storage room temperature, or the current detected value of the first storage room temperature is greater than the current detected value of the second storage room temperature.

The refrigerator may further include a door (hereinafter, referred to as a see-through door) through which a user can view the storage chamber through the see-through window from the outside of the refrigerator without opening the door 50, and the see-through door will be described later. In addition, the refrigerator may further include a transparent pad 24, the transparent pad 24 being provided on at least one of the see-through door or the

partition members

3 and 10. When the perspective door closes the storage chamber W, the transparent mat 24 may be combined with the

partition members

3 and 10 to partition the storage chamber W into two or more spaces having storage temperature ranges different from each other.

The refrigerator may further include door opening modules (or door motors) 11 and 11' for guiding the opening movement of the door 50. The door opening modules 11 and 11 'may be a rotatable door opening module 11 that may allow the door 5 to be rotated more than a predetermined angle without the user holding the door 5, or a push/retract type door opening module 11' that may allow the door (e.g., drawer) 6 to be pushed and retracted in the front and rear direction. The door opening modules 11 and 11' will be described later.

The refrigerator may further include a lifting module (or lifting mechanism) 13 capable of lifting or lowering the rack (or box) 12, and although not shown in fig. 1, the lifting module may be located in at least one of the storage room or the door.

As described above, the refrigerator may include a plurality of doors for opening and closing two or more spaces having storage temperature ranges different from each other. At least one of the plurality of doors may be a see-through door having an area formed of a transparent or translucent material such as glass. The cabinet 1 or at least one of the doors may comprise door opening modules 11 and 11'. A lifting module 13 for lifting and lowering a rack located in the storage room for opening and closing may be provided on at least one of the plurality of doors. For example, the door for the storage room at the top may be a see-through door, and a lifting module 13 for lifting and lowering the racks 12 of the storage room at the lower portion may be provided.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating an example of another type of refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the storage chamber W shown in fig. 1 will be referred to as a first storage chamber W. The refrigerator may further include at least one first storage compartment W (e.g., first storage compartments W1 and W2) and at least one second storage compartment C, the temperature of which may be controlled independently of the first storage compartment. Hereinafter, detailed description of the same configuration and operation of the first storage chamber W as those of the storage chamber W shown in fig. 1 will be omitted, and configurations and operations different from those of the storage chamber W shown in fig. 1 will be described.

The second storage chamber C may be a storage chamber having a temperature range lower than that of the first storage chamber W, and may be, for example, a storage chamber having a temperature range of-24 to 7 ℃. The second storage compartment C may be a storage compartment that is temperature controlled based on a target temperature that a user selects in the lower temperature range (e.g., between-24 ℃ to 7 ℃). The second storage chamber C may be constituted by a switching chamber (or a temperature changing chamber) in which any one of a plurality of temperature ranges can be selected, or may be configured as a non-switching chamber having one temperature range.

The switching chamber is a storage chamber that can control the temperature to a selected temperature range among a plurality of temperature ranges, and the plurality of temperature ranges may include, for example, a first temperature range above zero, a second temperature range below zero, and a third temperature range between the first temperature range and the second temperature range. For example, the user may provide an input to control the second storage compartment C to operate in a mode associated with a temperature range above zero (e.g., a refrigerator mode), and accordingly, the temperature range of the second storage compartment C may select a temperature range above zero (e.g., 1 ℃ to 7 ℃). For example, the user may further input a desired temperature within a temperature range above zero, and the target temperature of the second storage room C may be a specific temperature (e.g., 4 ℃) within the temperature range above zero (e.g., 1 ℃ to 7 ℃) input by the user.

In another example, the user may provide an input to select an operation mode in which the second storage chamber C is maintained in a sub-zero temperature range (e.g., a freezing chamber mode), or a special mode (e.g., a mode for maintaining an optimal temperature range to store certain goods, such as a kimchi storage mode). For example, the user may further input a desired temperature within a sub-zero temperature range or for a certain type of item, and the second storage compartment C may be maintained within a temperature range centered on or otherwise including the particular input temperature.

As previously described, the first storage room W may be a specific goods storage room within a specific temperature range, or may maintain other environmental conditions (e.g., humidity, light level, etc.) to optimally store a specific kind of goods or primarily store a certain kind of goods, or the second storage room C may be a non-specific goods storage room in which various kinds of goods may be stored in addition to a specific kind of goods. Examples of the specific article may include alcoholic beverages such as wine, fermented foods, cosmetics, and medical supplies. For example, the first storage compartment W may be a storage compartment in which wine is stored or a wine compartment in which wine is mainly stored, and the second storage compartment C may be a non-wine compartment in which items other than wine are stored or items other than wine are mainly stored.

A storage chamber having a relatively small difference in storage chamber temperature among the first and second storage chambers W and C may be defined as an oven chamber, and a storage chamber having a relatively large difference in storage chamber temperature among the first and second storage chambers W and C may be defined as a non-oven chamber.

Any one of the first storage room W and the second storage room C may be a priority storage room which is controlled preferentially, and the other may be a secondary storage room which is controlled relatively secondarily. A first item having a large or expensive mass variation according to a temperature variation may be stored in the priority storage room, and a second item having a small or low mass variation according to a temperature variation may be stored in the secondary storage room.

The refrigerator may perform a specific operation for the priority storage room and a specific operation for the secondary storage room. The specific operations include general operations and special operations for the storage room. The general operation may include, for example, a conventional cooling operation for cooling the storage compartment. The special operations may include, for example: a defrosting operation for defrosting the cooling device, a door load response operation that can be performed when one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied after the door is opened, or an initial power supply operation (which is an operation when power is first supplied to the refrigerator).

The refrigerator may be controlled such that a specific operation for the priority storage room is first performed when two operations conflict with each other. Here, for example, the conflict of the two operations may occur in the following case: in the case where the start condition of the first operation and the start condition of the second operation are simultaneously satisfied; in the case where the start condition of the first operation is satisfied and thus the start condition of the second operation is satisfied while the first operation is in progress; or in the case where the start-up condition of the second operation is satisfied and thus the start-up condition of the first operation is satisfied while the second operation is in progress.

For example, in a refrigerator, when the temperature of the priority storage chamber is not satisfied and the temperature of the secondary storage chamber is not satisfied, the priority storage chamber may be cooled or heated before the secondary storage chamber. In another example, while the cooling device for cooling the secondary storage chamber is being defrosted, if the temperature of the priority storage chamber is not satisfied, the priority storage chamber may be heated or cooled while the cooling device of the slave storage chamber is being defrosted (even though such cooling or heating of the priority chamber may interfere with defrosting of the cooling device of the secondary storage chamber).

In another example, if the temperature of the priority storage compartment is not satisfied (e.g., is outside the desired temperature range) while the secondary storage compartment is in the process of the door load response operation, the priority storage compartment may be cooled or heated during the door load response operation of the secondary storage compartment so as to adjust the temperature of the priority storage compartment to be within the desired temperature range.

In some configurations, any one of the first storage compartment W and the second storage compartment C may be a storage compartment whose temperature is regulated by the first cooling device and the heating device, and the other one may be a storage compartment whose temperature is regulated by the second cooling mechanism or device.

In the refrigerator, a separate receiving member (or storage drawer) 4 may be additionally provided in at least one of the first space W1 or the second space W2. In this accommodating member 4, a separate space S (hereinafter, referred to as an accommodating space) may be formed separately from the first space W1 and the second space W2 to accommodate articles. The refrigerator may adjust the receiving space S of the receiving member 4 to a temperature range different from that of the first and second spaces W1 and W2.

The accommodating member 4 may be provided to be located in the second space W2 provided below the first space Wl. The receiving space S of the receiving member 4 may be smaller than the second space W2. In one example, the storage compartment temperature of the receiving space S may be equal to or less than the storage compartment temperature of the second space W2.

In this refrigerator, in order to provide as many shelves 2 as possible in the first storage room W, the length of the refrigerator itself in the vertical direction may be longer than the width in the horizontal direction, and in this case, the length of the refrigerator in the vertical direction may be greater than twice the width in the horizontal direction. Meanwhile, since the refrigerator may be unstable and may fall over if the length in the vertical direction is too long with respect to the width in the horizontal direction, it is preferable that the length in the vertical direction is less than three times the width in the horizontal direction. Some examples of the length in the vertical direction in which the plurality of specific articles can be stored may be 2.3 to 3 times the width in the left-right direction, and specific examples may be 2.4 to 3 times the width in the left-right direction.

Meanwhile, even if the length of the refrigerator in the vertical direction is longer than the width in the left-right direction, when the length of the storage chamber (e.g., the first storage chamber W) storing a large amount of specific articles is relatively short in the vertical direction, the number of specific articles that can be accommodated in the storage chamber may not be high. In the refrigerator, it is preferable that the length of the first storage room W in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the second storage room C in the vertical direction, so that specific articles can be stored as much as possible. For example, the length of the first storage chamber W in the vertical direction may be 1.1 to 1.5 times the length of the second storage chamber C in the vertical direction.

As described above, at least one of the first door 5 and the second door 6 may be a see-through door, and will be described later and see-through doors. In addition, the refrigerator may further include door opening modules 11 and 11 'for guiding the opening of at least one of the first door 5 or the second door 6, and the door opening modules 11 and 11' will be described later. In at least one of the first storage room W, the second storage room C, the first door 5, or the second door 6, a lifting module 13 capable of lifting the rack 12 may be provided, and the lifting module 13 will be described later.

Fig. 3 is a front view when a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is placed adjacent to another refrigerator. The refrigerator described in the present disclosure may be disposed adjacent to one or more other refrigerators, and, for example, a pair of adjacent refrigerators may be disposed in a left-right direction. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description will be made with reference to the first refrigerator Q1 and the second refrigerator Q2, and for convenience of description, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the same configurations of the first refrigerator Q1 and the second refrigerator Q2 as each other. In one example, a refrigerator may include a plurality of storage compartments, which may be positioned in a left-right direction and a vertical direction in one external case, such as a side-by-side type refrigerator or a french door type refrigerator.

At least one of the first refrigerator Q1 and the second refrigerator Q2 may be a refrigerator to which the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. Although the first refrigerator Q1 and the second refrigerator Q2 may have some functions different from each other, the lengths (or heights) of the first refrigerator Q1 and the second refrigerator Q2 in the vertical direction may be the same or almost similar so that the overall appearance may give the same or similar feeling when disposed adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

Each of the first and second refrigerators Q1 and Q2 may include each of a first storage chamber and a second storage chamber, and the first and second storage chambers may include partition members 10 partitioning in a vertical direction, respectively, and the partition member 10 of the first refrigerator Q1 and the partition member 10 of the second refrigerator Q2 may overlap in a horizontal direction.

The upper end 6A of the second door 6 opening and closing the second storage room of the first refrigerator Q1 and the upper end 6A of the second door 6 opening and closing the second storage room of the second refrigerator Q2 may coincide with each other in the horizontal direction. Similarly, the lower end 6B of the second door 6 opening and closing the second storage room of the first refrigerator Q1 and the lower end 6B of the second door 6 opening and closing the second storage room of the second refrigerator Q2 may coincide with each other in the horizontal direction.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the turning on and off of a cooling device and the turning on and off of a heating device according to a temperature change of a storage chamber according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As previously described, the refrigerator may be provided with a cooling device and a heating device, which may be independently controlled to control the temperature of the storage chamber W.

The refrigerator may include a cooling device and a heating device for controlling a temperature of at least one storage chamber among the specific goods storage chamber, the thermostatic chamber, and the priority storage chamber. The refrigerator may perform a cooling operation E in which the storage compartment W is cooled by the cooling device(s), or a heating operation H in which the storage compartment W is heated by the heating device(s), for temperature control of the storage compartment. The refrigerator may implement a standby mode D that maintains the storage chamber W in a current state without cooling or heating. The refrigerator may include a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the storage compartment W, and the cooling operation E, the heating operation H, and the standby mode D may be performed according to the storage compartment temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

The cooling operation E is not limited to the storage compartment W being continuously cooled by the cooling device(s), and may include: a case where the storage room W is cooled by the cooling device(s) as a whole, but the storage room W is not cooled by the cooling device(s) temporarily; and the case where the storage compartment W is cooled by the cooling device(s) as a whole, but the storage compartment is temporarily heated by the heating device(s). The cooling operation E may include a case where the time for cooling the storage compartment by the cooling device(s) is longer than the time for which the storage compartment W is not cooled by the cooling device(s).

The heating operation H is not limited to the storage compartment W being continuously heated by the heating device(s), and includes: a case where the storage chamber W is entirely heated by the heating device(s), but the storage chamber W is not heated by the heating device(s) for a while; and the case where the storage room W is heated by the heating device(s) as a whole and the storage room W is temporarily cooled by the cooling device(s). The heating operation H may include a case where the storage chamber W is heated by the heating device(s) for a longer time than the storage chamber W is not heated by the heating device(s).

In one example, the temperature of the storage compartment W, which has been temperature-controlled by the cooling operation E, may be kept below the target temperature lower limit value without being increased above the target temperature lower limit value for a long time in a state of being lowered below the target temperature lower limit value. In this example, the refrigerator may start the heating operation H so that the storage compartment W is not supercooled when the storage compartment temperature falls below the lower limit temperature, and the heating device(s) may be turned on. As used herein, the lower limit temperature may be a temperature that is set lower than the target temperature lower limit value by a predetermined temperature.

In some examples, the refrigerator may start the heating operation H such that the storage compartment temperature is not maintained in a low state for a long time while the storage compartment temperature is maintained between the target temperature lower limit value and the lower limit temperature during the set time. For example, when the storage compartment temperature is less than the lower limit temperature, the heating operation H may be started, and the lower limit temperature may be a heating operation start temperature.

One example of the standby mode D may be a mode in which the storage compartment temperature is maintained between the target lower limit value and the lower limit temperature, the refrigerator is not immediately switched to the heating operation H during the cooling operation E, and the cooling operation E, the standby mode D, and the heating operation H may be sequentially controlled.

In addition, the temperature of the storage chamber W that has been temperature-controlled by the heating operation H may be kept above the target temperature upper limit value without being lowered below the target temperature upper limit value for a long time in a state of being increased above the target temperature upper limit value. For example, when the storage compartment temperature exceeds the upper limit temperature, the refrigerator may start the cooling operation E so that the storage compartment W is not overheated, and the cooling device(s) may be turned on. The upper limit temperature may be a temperature set higher than the target temperature upper limit value.

The refrigerator may start the cooling operation E so that the storage compartment temperature is not kept high (e.g., higher than the high temperature limit) for a long time when the storage compartment temperature is kept between the target temperature upper limit value and the upper limit temperature during the set time. When the storage compartment temperature exceeds the upper limit temperature, the cooling operation E may be started, and the upper limit temperature may be a cooling operation start temperature.

Another example of the standby mode D may be a mode in which the storage compartment temperature is maintained between the target temperature upper limit value and the upper limit temperature, and the refrigerator is not immediately switched to the cooling operation E during the heating operation H, but the heating operation H, the standby mode D, and the cooling operation E may be sequentially controlled.

For example, the cooling operation E may be a mode in which the refrigerant passes through the evaporator, the air in the storage chamber W is cooled by the evaporator, and then flows into the storage chamber W. In the cooling operation E, the compressor may be turned on or off according to the temperature of the storage chamber W. In the cooling operation E, the compressor may be turned on or off so that the storage compartment temperature is maintained between the target temperature upper limit value and the target temperature lower limit value. Specifically, since the cooling is not satisfied when the storage compartment temperature reaches the target temperature upper limit value, the compressor may be turned on, and when the cooling is satisfied when the storage compartment temperature reaches the target temperature lower limit value, the compressor may be turned off.

The cooling operation E may include a cooling mode in which the refrigerant passes through the evaporator and the fan supplies air heat-exchanged with the evaporator to the storage space, and a non-cooling mode in which the refrigerant does not pass through the evaporator, and the cooling mode and the non-cooling mode may be alternately performed when the temperature of the storage compartment repeatedly increases and decreases between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature.

For example, in the heating operation H, the heater may be turned on or off so that the storage compartment temperature is maintained between the target temperature upper limit value and the target temperature lower limit value. Specifically, since heating is satisfied when the storage compartment temperature reaches the target temperature upper limit value, the heater may be turned off, and since heating is not satisfied when the storage compartment temperature reaches the target temperature lower limit value, the heater may be turned on.

The heating operation H may include a heating mode in which the refrigerant does not pass through the evaporator and the heater is turned on, and a non-heating mode in which the refrigerant does not pass through the evaporator and the heater is turned off, and in the heating operation H, when the storage compartment temperature repeatedly increases and decreases between the upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature, the heating mode and the non-heating mode may be alternately performed.

For example, the standby mode D may be a mode in which the refrigerant does not pass through the evaporator and the heater maintains an off state. The standby mode D may be a mode in which air in the storage compartment W is not forced to flow by the storage compartment fan. The standby mode D may be a mode in which the heater maintains the off state while the compressor maintains the off state.

Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a first example of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 6 is a view illustrating a second example of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 7 is a view illustrating a third example of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 8 is a view illustrating a fourth example of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 5 to 8 may be applied to a refrigerator having three spaces (hereinafter, referred to as first, second, and third spaces) that may have different storage temperature ranges from each other. For example, the refrigeration cycle may be applied to at least one of: i) a refrigerator having a first space W1, a divided second space W2, and a divided third space W3, ii) a refrigerator having a first storage chamber W having a first space W1 and a second space W2, and a second storage chamber C divided from the first storage chamber W, or iii) a refrigerator having a first storage chamber W and second and third storage chambers divided from the first storage chamber W.

The refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 5 to 7 may include a compressor 100, a condenser 110, a plurality of expansion mechanisms (or valves) 130', 130, 140 and a plurality of

evaporators

150', 150, 160, and may further include a flow path switching mechanism (or refrigerant valve) 120 '. A case where the first region is the first space W1, the second region is the second space W2, and the third region is the second storage chamber C will be described below. The first, second and third regions also apply to the above cases ii) and iii).

The plurality of

evaporators

150', 150, 160 may include: a pair of

first evaporators

150', 150 capable of independently cooling the first space W1 and the second space W2, respectively; and a second evaporator 160 that can cool the second storage chamber C. One of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 may be an evaporator 150' that cools the first space W1, and the other of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 may be an evaporator 150 that cools the second space W2.

The plurality of

expansion mechanisms

130', 130 and 140 may include a pair of first expansion mechanisms 130' and 130 connected to a pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150, and a second expansion mechanism 140 connected to a second evaporator 160. Any one of the pair of first expansion mechanisms 130 'and 130 may be an expansion mechanism 130' connected to any one 150 'of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150, and the other one of the pair of first expansion mechanisms 130 and 130 'may be an expansion mechanism 130 connected to the other 150 of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150.

The flow path switching mechanism 120' may include: a first valve 121 capable of controlling the refrigerant flowing into the pair of first expansion mechanisms 130' and 130; and a second valve 122 capable of controlling the refrigerant flowing into the first valve 121 and the second expansion mechanism 140.

The refrigerator having the refrigerating cycle shown in fig. 5 to 7 may include a pair of first fans 181' and 181 and a second fan 182 for circulating cold air in the space of the second storage chamber C to the second evaporator 160 and the space of the second storage chamber C, and may further include a condensing fan 114 for blowing external air to the condenser 110. Any one 181 'of the pair of first fans 181' and 181 may be a fan for the first space, wherein the cool air in the first space W1 may be circulated to any one 150 'of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 and the first space W1. In addition, the other fan 181 of the pair of fans 181 'and 181 may be a fan for the second space, wherein the cool air in the second space W2 may be circulated to any one of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 and the second space W2.

The refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 5 may include a first parallel flow path in which a pair of

first evaporators

150 'and 150 are connected in parallel, and a second parallel flow path in which a pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 are connected in parallel with a second evaporator 160. In this case, a check valve 168 may be installed at the outlet side of the second evaporator 160 to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back to the second evaporator 160 at the outlet side of the second evaporator 160.

The refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 6 may include a parallel flow path in which a pair of

first evaporators

150 'and 150 are connected in parallel, and a serial flow path 123 in which a pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 are connected in series with a second evaporator 160. One end of the serial flow path 123 may be connected to a parallel flow path in which a pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 are connected in parallel. The other end of the serial flow path 123 may be connected between the second expansion mechanism 140 and the inlet of the second evaporator 160. In this case, a check valve 168 may be installed at the outlet side of the second evaporator 150 to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back to the second evaporator 160 at the outlet side of the second evaporator 160.

The refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 7 may include a serial flow path 125 in which a pair of

first evaporators

150 'and 150 are connected in series, and a parallel flow path in which a pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150 are connected in parallel with a second evaporator 160. One end of the serial flow path 125 may be connected to an outlet side of any one evaporator 150 of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150. The other end of the serial flow path 125 may be connected to an inlet side of the other evaporator 150 'of the pair of

first evaporators

150' and 150. In this case, a check valve 168 may be installed at the outlet side of the second evaporator 160 to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back to the second evaporator 160 at the outlet side of the second evaporator 160.

The refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 8 may include a first evaporator 150 instead of the pair of

first evaporators

150 'and 150 shown in fig. 5 to 7, and one first expansion mechanism 130 instead of the pair of expansion mechanisms 130' and 130. In addition, the refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 8 may include a flow path switching mechanism (or valve) 120 for controlling the refrigerant flowing into the first expansion mechanism 130 and the second expansion mechanism 140, and the flow path switching mechanism 120 may include a refrigerant valve that may be switched so that the refrigerant flowing out of the condenser 110 flows to the first expansion mechanism 130 or the second expansion mechanism 140. In addition, a check valve 168 may be installed at the outlet side of the second evaporator 160 to prevent the refrigerant from flowing back to the second evaporator 160 at the outlet side of the second condenser 110.

Since the configurations and actions other than one first evaporator 150, one first expansion mechanism 130, flow path switching mechanism 120, and check valve 168 in the refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 8 are the same as or similar to those of the refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 5 to 7, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the refrigerator having the refrigerating cycle shown in fig. 8 may further include a first fan 181 which circulates cold air of the first storage chamber W into the first evaporator 150 and the first storage chamber W instead of the pair of first and second fans 181' and 181 shown in fig. 5 to 7. In addition, the refrigerator having the refrigerating cycle shown in fig. 8 may include a first damper (damper)191 for controlling the cool air to flow into the first space W1 after being cooled by the first evaporator 150, and a second damper 192 for controlling the cool air to flow into the second space W2 after being cooled by the first evaporator 150. Only one of the first and

second dampers

191 and 192 may be provided. Meanwhile, in the refrigerator, one damper may selectively supply air cooled by the evaporator 150 to at least one of the first space W1 and the second space W2.

The modifications of the examples of the refrigeration cycle shown in fig. 5 to 8 may be applied to a refrigerator having two spaces having storage temperature ranges different from each other. In other words, the modified example of the refrigerating cycle may be applied to a refrigerator having the first space W1 and the second space W2 or a refrigerator having the first storage compartment W and the second storage compartment C. In some examples, the refrigeration cycle can be configured with a cycle that does not include the flow

path switching mechanisms

120 and 122, the second expansion mechanism 140, the second evaporator 160, the second fan 182, and the check valve 168.

Fig. 9 is a control block diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The refrigerator may include a controller 30, and the controller 30 controls various electronic devices such as a motor provided in the refrigerator. The controller 30 may control the refrigerator according to input values of an input device, such as user commands, or input values generated by the refrigerator, such as input values generated based on sensor readings related to stored objects, environmental conditions, the location of the refrigerator, sensed user attributes, and the like.

The input means may comprise at least one of: a communication device 31 that receives a signal from an external device such as a remote controller or a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone; a microphone 32 that changes the user's voice into a sound signal; a sensing unit 33 that can sense the motion of the user; a proximity sensor 34 (or distance sensor) that can sense the proximity of a user; a touch sensor 35 that can sense a touch of a user; a door switch 36 that can detect the opening and closing of the door; and a timer 37 that can measure elapsed time; and a control panel 39 capable of inputting a target temperature.

As previously mentioned, the refrigerator may include a see-through door. The see-through door may be a door that is selectively switchable between a first state in which the door is at least partially transparent and viewable through the door by a user (see-through activated state) and a second state in which the door is at least partially opaque and not viewable through the door by a user (see-through deactivated state). The perspective door may be a door that changes from a perspective disabled state to a perspective activated state or from a perspective activated state to a perspective disabled state according to an input value provided to the controller 30 through an input device. In another example, the see-through door may be a door that changes from a see-through deactivated state to a see-through activated state when the see-through door is closed and according to an input value provided to the controller 30 through an input device.

An example of an operation method according to the input apparatus is now described. The sensing unit 33 may include a vibration sensor. For example, the vibration sensor may be disposed on the rear surface of the front panel, and the vibration sensor may be formed in black so that the visible exposure of the vibration sensor may be minimized. For example, the sensing unit 33 may include, for example, a microphone or other audio sensor disposed on the rear surface of the front panel, and the microphone may sense sound waves of vibrations applied to the front panel. When the user provides a specific input, such as tapping the panel assembly 23 a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals, the specific input may be detected by the sensing unit 33, and the controller 30 may change the see-through door to be activated or deactivated based on the detected input. Additionally or alternatively, the sensing unit 33 may be a device for imaging the motion of the user, e.g. a camera. It may be determined whether the image photographed by the sensing unit 33 is similar to or the same as a specific motion input in advance, and it may be changed to activate or deactivate the see-through door according to the determination result.

Similarly, if it is determined from the value detected by the proximity sensor 34 that the user or a portion of the user (e.g., the user's hand) is located within a predetermined distance or less (e.g., 30cm or less) of a portion of the refrigerator, the see-through door may be changed between the activated state or the deactivated state. In another example, the see-through door may be switched between an activated state or a deactivated state when it is determined from the value detected by the proximity sensor 34 that the user is at a predetermined distance or less and moving toward the refrigerator.

In another example, the see-through door may be activated when the controller 30 determines that the door is closed according to a value detected by the door switch 36, and the see-through door may be changed to be deactivated when it is determined that the door is open. For example, the see-through door may be in a deactivated state when opened and may remain in the deactivated state when closed until a specific input is received prompting the see-through door to be switched to the activated state.

Depending on the value entered by the timer 37, the perspective gate may be controlled to be deactivated after a certain time has elapsed after being activated. For example, the perspective gate may be controlled to be deactivated after a certain time has elapsed after receiving an input to activate the perspective gate. In another example, the perspective gate may be made to be activated when a predetermined time has elapsed after being deactivated, according to a value input through the timer 37.

If the mechanism for activating or deactivating the see-through door (e.g., transparent control module) may include, for example, the panel assembly 23 and the light source 38. As an example of the perspective door being activated or deactivated, there may be instances where the transparency of the perspective door itself may vary. For example, the see-through door may remain opaque when no current is applied to the panel assembly 23, and may change to transparent when current is applied to the panel assembly 23. In another example, there may be a case where: when the light source 38 installed inside the see-through door is turned on, the user can see the storage room through the see-through door by the light emitted from the light source 38. The light source 38 may make the panel assembly appear transparent or translucent so that the inside of the refrigerator (the side of the storage compartment opposite the panel assembly) appears brighter than the outside of the refrigerator (the outside opposite the panel assembly). The light source 38 may be mounted on a light source mounting portion formed on the cabinet 1 or a light source mounting portion formed on the door, and may be disposed to emit light toward the panel assembly 23.

The controller 30 may control the door opening module 11 according to an input value of the input device. The controller 30 may control the lifting module 13 according to an input value of the input device.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a see-through door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The refrigerator may include a door (hereinafter, referred to as a see-through door) through which a user can view the storage compartment from an outside of the refrigerator through the see-through window without opening the door 50. The see-through door may include an outer door 22 and a panel assembly 23.

The outer door 22 may be opaque, and the opening portion 21 may be formed in the outer door 22 (e.g., in a central region). The outer door 22 may form the appearance of a see-through door. The outer door 22 may be rotatably connected or coupled to the cabinet 1 so as to be capable of being advanced and retracted to open the storage compartment W. The panel assembly 23 may be disposed in the opening portion 21. The panel assembly 23 may be provided to shield the opening portion 21. The panel assembly 23 may form the same appearance as the front surface of the outer door 22.

A see-through door may be provided to open and close a storage compartment that primarily stores articles (e.g., wine) having large mass variations according to temperature variations (e.g., preferably stores articles in a narrow temperature range to maintain the quality of the articles). In the case of mainly storing articles having a large mass variation due to a temperature variation in the storage compartment W, it is preferable to open and close the storage compartment W as short time as possible, the number of times of opening and closing is preferably minimized, and a see-through door is preferably installed to open and close the storage compartment W so that a user can view the articles in the storage compartment without opening the door and without disturbing the temperature in the storage compartment. For example, a see-through door may be provided in a door for opening and closing at least one of a specific article storage room, a thermostat room, or a priority storage room.

Fig. 11 is a plan view when an example of a swing type door according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is opened in a door opening module. In the refrigerator, the door opening and closing the storage room may be an automatic door, and the doors for opening and closing the specific article storage room, the thermostatic room, and the priority storage room may be automatic doors. The refrigerator may include a door opening module 11, and the door opening module 11 provides a force for automatically opening the door 5. For example, the automatic door may be controlled to be opened or closed according to an input value provided to the controller 30 through an input device. To this end, the controller 30 may control the door opening module 11.

The cabinet 1 may be coupled to a hinge mechanism 40, in which the hinge shaft 42 is connected to the door 5 in the hinge mechanism 40. The refrigerator may further include a module cover 70, and the module cover 70 may cover the hinge mechanism 40 together with the door opening module 11. In addition, the door opening module 11 may include a driving motor 72, a power transmission unit 74, and a pushing member 76.

When the power of the refrigerator is turned on, the controller 30 may wait to receive an opening command of the door 5. When a door opening command is input through the input device, the controller 30 may transmit an opening signal to the driving motor 72 included in the door opening module 11.

When the controller 30 transmits the opening signal to the driving motor 72, the driving motor 72 may rotate in a first direction to move the pushing member 76 from the initial position to the door opening position. When the driving motor 72 rotates in the first direction, the power transmission unit 74 may transmit the first-direction rotational force of the driving motor 72 to the push member 76, and the push member 76 may push the door while protruding forward, and the door may rotate in a forward direction with respect to the cabinet 1.

The controller 30 may determine whether the push member 76 has reached the door-open position during rotation of the drive motor 72 in the first direction. For example, when the cumulative rotational speed of the drive motor 72 reaches the reference rotational speed, the controller may determine that the push member 76 has reached the door open position. When it is determined that the pushing member 76 has moved to the door-open position, the controller 30 may stop the rotation of the driving motor 72.

In a state where the door 5 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the user may manually increase the opening angle of the door 5. When the user increases the opening angle of the door in a state in which the pushing member 76 moves the door 5 to the door-open position, the door sensor including the magnet 46 and the reed switch 48 may sense the manual opening of the door 5, and if the door sensor senses the manual opening of the door 5, the controller 300 may output a return signal to the driving motor 72.

The controller 30 may transmit a return signal to the drive motor 72 to return the push member 76 to the initial position, and the drive motor 72 may be reversely rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. If it is determined that the pushing member 76 has returned to the initial position, the controller 30 may stop the driving motor 72.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view when another example of the door according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is opened by the door opening module 11'. In the example shown in fig. 12, the door is a drawer, which can be automatically opened by the door opening module 11' applying an outward force.

The door opening module 11' shown in fig. 12 may automatically open the door (or drawer) 6 provided in the cabinet 1 to be able to be advanced and retracted. The refrigerator may include: a first door provided at a relatively high height, and a second door relatively low and having a small height, and the door opening module 11' may be installed to automatically open a door having a lower height than the other doors. Such a door may be a retractable automatic door that is automatically opened by the door opening module 11'. The door 6, which is advanced and retracted by the door opening module 11', may include a drawer body (or a box) 6A and a door body (or a drawer front) 6B provided at the drawer body 6A to open and close the storage chamber.

The door opening module 11' may include a drive motor 80, a pinion 82, and a rack 84. The pinion gear 82 may be connected to a rotation shaft of the driving motor 80. The rack 84 may extend from the door 6, particularly from the drawer body 6A. The refrigerator may further include a door sensor sensing a position of the door 6, and the door sensor may sense a pair of magnets 46' spaced apart from the door 6 and a reed switch (or hall sensor) 48' sensing the magnets 46 '.

When the power of the refrigerator is turned on, the controller 30 may wait to receive an opening command of the door 6. When a door opening command is input through the input device, the controller 30 may transmit an opening signal to the driving motor 80.

When the opening signal is input, the controller 30 may activate the driving motor 80 to rotate in the first direction, and the pinion 82 and the rack 84 may transmit the rotational force of the driving motor 80 to the drawer main body 6A. The drawer body 6A may advance the door body 6B while advancing in the storage room, and may advance the door body 6B to be spaced apart from the cabinet 1 toward the front of the cabinet 1. The controller 30 may sense that the door 6 has reached the open position through the door sensor, and when the door 6 has reached the open position, the controller 30 may stop the rotation of the driving motor 80.

When the drawer body 6A is pushed in as described above, the upper surface of the drawer body 6A may be exposed. In a state where the drawer body 6A is pushed to the open position, the user can input a door closing command to cause the drawer body 6A to be retracted to the closed position via the input device. For example, if the motion sensed by the sensing unit 33 is consistent with a specific motion, the controller 30 may transmit a turn-off signal to the driving motor 80. In another example, the controller 30 may sense the proximity of the user through the proximity sensor 34, and when the proximity sensor 34 detects that the user has moved more than a predetermined distance (e.g., toward the proximity sensor 34), the controller 30 transmits a close signal to the drive motor 80.

When the off signal is input, the driving motor 80 may be reversely rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In the reverse rotation of the driving motor 80, the pinion 82 and the rack 84 may transmit the rotational force of the driving motor 80 to the drawer body 6A, and when the drawer body 6A is retracted into the storage chamber, the door body 6B may be retracted, and the door body 6B may be retracted to be brought into close contact with the cabinet 1 toward the front of the cabinet 1. The controller 30 may sense that the door 6 has reached the closed position through the door sensor, and if the door 6 has reached the closed position, the controller 30 may stop the reverse rotation of the driving motor 80.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view illustrating when the bracket 12 is lifted when the door is opened according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described above, the refrigerator may further include a lifting module (also referred to as a lifter or elevator) 13 that allows the supporter 12 to be automatically lifted and lowered after the supporter 12 is moved forward in a state where the door 50 is opened. The rack 12 may be a shelf, drawer, basket, etc. on which items can be placed. The lifting module 13 may be provided in the storage room or in at least one of the rotatable door 5 for opening and closing the storage room and the push and retract type door 6. The refrigerator may have a first stand disposed higher at a higher height and a second stand disposed lower at a lower height.

The lifting module 13 may be provided in a low storage compartment associated with a rack 12 having a lower height than the other racks 12. In another example, the lifting module 13 may be used to lower a rack, and may be disposed in a storage room where racks having a relatively higher height than other racks are located.

An example of the lifting module 13 will be described. An example of the lifting module 13 may include a lower frame 93, an upper frame 94, a lifting mechanism 92 having at least one link 95, and a driving mechanism 90 capable of lifting the upper frame 94. The driving mechanism 90 may include a lift motor 91, and a power transmission member connected to the lift motor 91 to transmit a driving force of the lift motor 91 to the upper frame 94.

When the refrigerator is turned on, the controller 30 may wait for a lifting command to be input to the supporter 12. When a lift command is input through the input device, the controller 30 may transmit a lift signal to the lift motor 91 included in the lift module 13. In another example, the controller 30 may automatically generate a lift command when a drawer is fully open and other higher drawers are closed. . When the controller 30 transmits the opening signal to the lifting motor 91, the lifting motor 91 may be rotated in the first direction, and the upper frame 94 may lift the supporter 12 to the upper side of the drawer main body 6B.

The user may input a lowering command through the input device, and the controller 30 may transmit a lowering signal to the lift motor 91 when the lowering command is input through the input device. In another example, the controller 30 may automatically generate a lower command when a lifted drawer is closing or other higher drawer begins to be closed. For example, the lift motor 91 may be reversely rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. When the elevating motor 91 is reversely rotated, the upper frame 94 may be lowered to the inner lower portion of the drawer main body 6B, and the supporter 12 may be inserted into the drawer main body 6B together with the upper frame 94. In another example, the lift motor 91 may rotate in the same direction when lowering or lifting the carriage 12, and the vertical movement direction may be adjusted by the power transmission member, such as to adjust the number and/or position of gears to receive the rotational force of the lift motor 91.

Fig. 14 is a front view illustrating a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 15 is a rear view illustrating the inside of an inside guide 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The inner guide 200 may be provided in the cabinet 1 in which the first storage chamber W is formed, and may be provided in the inner case 8 to partition the storage space and the air flow path P. The air flow path P may be formed between the inner case 8 of the inner space of the inner case 8 and the inner guide 200, or the air flow path P may be formed in the inner guide 200.

One example of the temperature adjusting device provided in the air flow path P may be cooling device(s) capable of cooling air passing through the air flow path P, and may cool the storage chamber. The cooling device(s) may be a heat absorbing body of a thermoelectric element, an evaporator 150 through which a refrigerant passes, or the like.

Hereinafter, the temperature adjusting device provided in the refrigerant flow path P will be described as one example of the cooling device(s), but the temperature adjusting device provided in the air flow path P is not limited to being the cooling device(s), but may be a heating device, such as a heater. For convenience, description will be made with reference to the same reference numeral 150 as an evaporator, which may be one example of a temperature adjusting device provided in the air flow path P.

At least one

fan

181, 186 may be provided in the inner housing 8 or the inner guide 200. A fan 181 may be provided in the inner guide 200 to circulate the air in the storage space to the air flow path P and the storage space. The circulation fan 186 may circulate air in the storage space and may be an HG fan. The circulation fan 186 may be provided in the circulation flow path P4, and the air in the storage space may flow into a circulation flow path P4 different from the air flow path P and blow the air of the circulation flow path P4 into the storage space. The circulation flow path P4 may be formed to be separated from the air flow path P in the inner guide 200, and may be formed to communicate with the first space W1.

The inner guide 200 may form a storage space together with the inner case 8. The inner guide 200 may cover the temperature adjusting device 150 and the fan 181. When the inner guide 200 is disposed in front of the rear body of the inner case 8, the storage space may be a space in front of the inner guide 200 among the inside of the inner case 8, and the air flow path P may be formed between the inner guide 200 and the rear body of the inner case 8, or may be formed inside the inner guide 200.

When the refrigerator further includes the partition member 3, the partition member 3 may be closer to the lower end of the storage chamber.

The inner guide 200 may have a discharge port 204 and a suction port 205 spaced apart from each other, and the discharge port 204 and the suction port 205 may be formed to face the first space W1. The inner guide 200 may have a heat exchange flow path P1 in which the first cooling device(s) 150 and the fan 181 are accommodated. The inner guide 200 may have a discharge flow path P2 through which air blown by the fan 181 is guided to the discharge port 204 through the discharge flow path P2. The inner guide 200 may be provided with an additional discharge flow path P3 for guiding air blown by the fan 181 to be discharged to the additional discharge port 321.

The heat exchange flow path P1, the discharge flow path P2, and the additional discharge flow path P3 may constitute an air flow path P for guiding air to circulate through the temperature adjusting device 150 and the storage space, and the temperature adjusting device 150 and the fan 181 may adjust the temperatures of the first space W1 and the second space W2 in a state of being accommodated in the air flow path P.

The air guide 400 may include a front case 410 and a rear case 420 in which the fan 181 is received. The air guide 400 may have an outlet 412 communicating with the additional discharge port 321. The outlet 412 may be formed to face the additional discharge port 321 to discharge air to the additional discharge port 321, or may communicate with the additional discharge port 321 through a discharge duct.

The refrigerator may include a guide 234 for guiding the air inside the air guide 400, which is driven by the fan 181, to the outlet 412. A guide 234 may be formed in the discharge guide 202 to guide air blown from the fan 181 to the outlet 412. The air guide 400 may be provided with a scroll (scroll)413 and an opening portion 414 for guiding air to the discharge flow path P2. Scroll 413 may guide air blown from fan 181 to opening portion 414. The opening portion 414 may communicate with a lower end of the discharge flow path P2.

The first damper 191 may be disposed in the air flow path P and may regulate the air supplied to the first space Wl. The second damper 192 may be disposed in the air flow path P and may regulate the air supplied to the second space W2.

The circulation fan 186 may be disposed in the inner guide 200. In the inner guide 200, when the circulation fan 186 is operated, a circulation flow path P4 through which air passes may be formed. The inner guide 200 may be formed with an inlet 188 through which the air in the storage space flows into the circulation flow path P4 when the circulation fan 186 is driven. The inner guide 200 may have an outlet 189, and the air from the circulation flow path P4 is discharged into the storage space through the outlet 189.

The inlet 188 and the outlet 189 may communicate with the first space W1. The circulation fan 186 may circulate the air in the first space W1 into the circulation flow path P4 and the first space W1. A purification unit 185 such as an air purification filter may be provided in the circulation flow path P4, and the air passing through the circulation flow path P4 may be purified by the purification unit 185. The inner guide 200 may also include an inlet body 187 and an inlet 188 forming a discharge guide 202.

The inner guide 200 may be provided with a first temperature sensor 190 for sensing the temperature of the first space W1 and a second temperature sensor 390 for sensing the temperature of the second space W2.

The inner guide 200 may include a discharge guide 202 and an inner cap 300. The discharge guide 202 may be disposed higher than the inner lid 300. The discharge guide 202 may include: a discharge body 210 in which the discharge port 204 and the suction port 205 are formed, and a flow path body 230 that is provided in the discharge body 210 and forms a discharge flow path P2.

The temperature adjusting device 150 and the fan 181 may supply air to the first space W1 and the second space W2 through an air flow path P formed by at least one of the discharge guide 202 and the inner cover 300. The temperature adjusting means 150 may be accommodated in the inner cover 300.

The discharge guide 202 and the inner lid 300 are configured to be accommodated within the inner case 8 along with the temperature adjustment device 150 and the fan 181, and the volume occupied by the discharge guide 202, the inner lid 300, the temperature adjustment device 150, and the fan 181 may be minimized. The fan 181 forces the air heat-exchanged with the temperature adjusting device 150 to flow, and the air flowing through the fan 181 may be discharged and guided to the first space W1 and the second space W2 through the discharge guide 202 and the inner cover 300.

The discharge guide 202 may face the first space Wl, and the discharge hole 204 and the suction hole 205 may be formed in the discharge guide 202. The inner lid 300 may be connected to the discharge guide 202. The inner cover 300 may face the second space W2, and an additional discharge port 321 and an additional suction port 341 may be formed in the inner cover 300.

A portion of the discharge guide 202 facing the first space Wl may be provided with a heated air generating module (HG) module 184 and a first temperature sensor 190. HG module 184 may include circulation fan 186. HG module 184 may include a purification unit 185 such as an air purification filter, and purifies air in first space W1.

The height of the additional discharge port 321 may be higher than that of the additional suction port 341. An additional discharge port 321 may be formed on the inner lid 300, and air blown by the fan 181 may be discharged into the second space W2 through the additional discharge port 321. The additional suction port 341 may be formed at a lower portion of the inner cover 300, and the air sucked into the additional suction port 341 may flow to the temperature adjusting device 150. The second temperature sensor 390 may be provided in the inner lid 300 to sense the temperature of the second space W2.

As described above, the refrigerator may include at least one heating device for heating the storage space, and the refrigerator may perform a heating operation H (see fig. 4) using the heating device. The at least one heating device may operate independently of the temperature regulation device (or refrigeration system) 150 provided in the air flow path P.

The refrigerator may perform a cooling operation E (see fig. 4) by the temperature adjusting device 150 provided in the air flow path P, and may perform a heating operation H by at least one heating device. The heating device may be provided to heat only one of the first space W1 and the second space W2, and may be provided for each of the first space W1 and the second space W2. The heating device is preferably installed at a position thermally separated from the temperature adjusting device provided in the air flow path P.

The heating means may include a first heating means 171 for heating the first space W1. The first heating device 171 may include a pair of first

side heating devices

173 and 174 disposed in the first body 8C facing the first space W1. The first heating device 171 may include an internal heating device 175 provided on the partition member 3 or the shelf 2. The internal heating device 175 is disposed to be exposed to the outer surface of the partition member 3, the shelf 2, or the heating main body to directly heat the air in the storage space.

The heating means may further include a second heating means 172 for heating the second space W2. The second heating device 172 may include a pair of second

side heating devices

176 and 177 provided on the second body 8D toward the second space. The second heating device 172 may also include a lower heating device 178 disposed in the lower body of the inner housing 8.

The controller 30 may control the fan 181 and the heating device. The controller 30 may drive or stop the fan 181. Driving the fan 181 may mean that the fan 181 is turned on, and stopping the fan 181 may mean that the fan 181 is turned off.

The controller 30 may operate or stop the heating device. When the heating means is a heater, operation of the heating means may mean that the temperature of the heater rises, and this may be the case, for example, when the heater is switched on. Stopping the heating means may mean that the temperature of the heater does not rise, and this may be the case, for example, when the heater is switched off.

The controller 30 may operate or stop the temperature adjustment device 150. When the thermostat 150 is an evaporator, the operation of the thermostat 150 may mean that refrigerant flows to the thermostat 150, and may be, for example, a case where the compressor 100 is turned on and a refrigerant valve is in an evaporator mode to supply refrigerant to the evaporator. The stop of the thermostat 150 may mean that the refrigerant does not flow to the thermostat 150, and may be, for example, a mode in which the refrigerant valve does not supply the refrigerant to the evaporator (e.g., a mode for supplying the refrigerant to the second evaporator, etc.).

During the cooling operation of the first space Wl, the cooling device(s) and the fan 181 may be operated, and the first heating device 171 may be stopped. In this case, the cooling device(s) may control the flow path switching mechanism 120, 120', the compressor 100, etc., such that the refrigerant is supplied to the temperature adjusting device 150, and the first damper 191 may be opened.

During the heating operation of the first space Wl, the first heating device 171 may be operated. In this case, at least one of the fan 181 and the circulation fan 186 may be operated. During the heating operation of the first space W1, the circulation fan 186 may be driven to circulate the air in the first space W1 through the first heating device 171 and the circulation flow path P4, and thus the first space W1 may be heated by convection. In this case, the cooling device(s) may be controlled such that the air of the air flow path P is not discharged into the first space W1, and for this reason, the first damper 191 may be closed or the fan 181 may be stopped.

In the heating operation of the first space W1, the fan 181 may be operated to circulate the air in the first space W1 through the first heating device 171 and the air flow path P, so that the first space W1 may be heated by convection. In this case, the cooling device(s) may control the flow path switching mechanisms 120 and 120', the compressor 100, and the like so that the refrigerant is not supplied to the temperature adjusting device 150.

In the cooling operation of the second space W2, the cooling device(s) and the fan 181 may be operated, and the second heating device 172 may be stopped. In this case, the cooling device(s) may control the flow path switching mechanism 120, 120', the compressor 100, etc., so that the refrigerant is supplied to the temperature adjusting device 150, and the second damper 192 may be opened.

In the heating operation of the second space W2, the second heating device 172 may be operated. In this case, the fan 181 may be operated or stopped. In the heating operation of the second space W2, the fan 181 is operated to circulate the air in the second space W2 through the second heating device 172 and the air flow path P, and thus the second space W2 may be heated by convection. In this case, the cooling device(s) may control the flow path switching mechanism 120, 120' and the compressor 100 such that the refrigerant is not supplied to the temperature adjusting device 150. In addition, in the heating operation of the second space W2, the fan 181 may be stopped, and in this case, the second heating device 172 may heat the second space W2 by conduction.

Fig. 16 is a view illustrating changes in the temperature of the storage room and the humidity of the storage room in a cooling mode of the storage room according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A curve J of fig. 16 is a temperature of the storage space, and a curve K of fig. 16 is a relative humidity of the storage space.

The region L in fig. 16 corresponds to a process in which the temperature adjusting device 150 and the fan 181 are operated, and the air in the storage space may circulate through the storage space and the temperature adjusting device 150, and the temperature and the relative humidity of the storage space may gradually decrease, respectively.

The region M in fig. 16 may correspond to a process in which, while the temperature adjusting device 150 is stopped and the fan 181 is driven, some moisture in the temperature adjusting device 150 moves to the storage space when the temperature adjusting device 150 is naturally defrosted by air flowing out from the storage space, so that the temperature and the relative humidity of the storage space may be increased together.

The region N in fig. 16 may correspond to a process in which the temperature of the storage space increases while the temperature adjusting device 150 is stopped and the fan 181 is driven, and the relative humidity of the storage space may decrease again due to the increase in the temperature of the storage space.

As shown in fig. 16, the relative humidity of the storage space may be increased or decreased by various factors. These factors may include, for example, the size of the thermostat 150, the time during which the fan 181 is operated while the thermostat 150 is stopped, the flow rate of the fan, and the temperature of the storage space.

As the humidity inside the storage compartment varies, the quality of the items stored inside the storage compartment may be reduced. For example, when the humidity inside the storage compartment is low, the cork of a wine bottle stored in the storage compartment dries out and oxygen may flow into the wine bottle, potentially causing the wine to oxidize, forming mold around the cork, and the quality of the wine drops dramatically. Thus, in some countries, it may be possible to specify a specification for the relative humidity range within the storage compartment for storage of a particular item.

Providing a separate humidifier for adjusting the humidity inside the storage chamber may result in a more complicated structure of the refrigerator and include costs. As another example, an opening may be installed to allow air to flow between the interior of the storage compartment and the exterior of the storage compartment, but the opening will not allow for active control of humidity in the storage compartment. Meanwhile, since ice is gradually formed at and around the cooling device(s) when the cooling device(s) starts a cooling operation, a separate defrosting heater may be provided at a position adjacent to the cooling device(s) in order to remove the ice formed on the cooling device(s), but in this case, since the heating device(s) operates near the cooling device(s), there is a disadvantage in power consumption and there are problems as follows: since the storage chamber is not cooled during defrosting, the quality of the stored goods may be degraded.

In some examples described herein, if a predetermined operation start condition is satisfied at the end of the operation of the cooling device(s), a fan for the cooling device(s) may be driven to supply moisture to the storage compartment. By supplying moisture supplied by the cooling device(s) and ice formed around the storage compartment, humidity of the inside of the storage compartment may be maintained, and the amount of ice formed around and in the cooling device(s) may be gradually reduced. For this reason, the defrost heater can be minimized or avoided, and a separate humidifier need not be provided.

In the case where at least one of the cooling mode or the heating mode is ended, a humidity maintenance (or humidification) mode, in which a fan for the cooling device(s) is driven to supply moisture to the storage compartment, may be activated. The humidity maintenance mode may be initiated at least in a standby mode. The humidity maintenance mode may be initiated when at least one of the cooling device(s) and at least one of the heating device(s) are deactivated.

In order to reduce the supercooling of the storage compartment, the air volume of the fan for the cooling device(s) during the humidity maintenance mode driving may be controlled to be smaller than the air volume of the fan for the cooling device(s) during the cooling mode. Further, when the refrigerator is divided into the first space W1 set to the first target temperature and the second space W2 set to the second target temperature lower than the first target temperature, and when the humidity maintenance operation for the first space W1 conflicts with the humidity maintenance operation for the second space (W2), since the storage space having the higher target temperature tends to have a large deterioration in the quality of the stored goods due to a decrease in the humidity of the storage compartment, the humidity maintenance operation for the first space can be preferentially performed.

During the humidity maintenance mode driving, the number of revolutions or an on period (duty ratio) of the fan for the cooling device(s) may be controlled such that a Relative Humidity (RH) average of the storage compartment exceeds 50% RH. In another example, during the humidity maintenance mode driving, the fan speed or the turn-on period (duty ratio) of the cooling device(s) is controlled such that the relative humidity of the storage chamber is 50% to 75% on average (european standard).

The humidity maintenance mode may be particularly performed to control the humidity of at least one of an expensive special goods storage room, a thermostat room, or a priority storage room of the refrigerator. The humidity maintenance mode may be implemented to control the humidity of the storage compartment whose temperature is controlled by the cooling device(s) and the heating device(s).

The refrigerator may perform a humidity maintenance mode to control the humidity of the storage space. As previously mentioned, the humidity maintenance mode may be a humidification mode in which moisture from the cooling device(s) (e.g., moisture on the surface of the evaporator) is moved to the storage space. In this humidity maintenance mode, the fan may be driven to move the accumulated moisture from the cooling device.

Accordingly, the humidity maintenance mode may be defined as a mode in which the fan is driven and supplies air to the storage space. For example, the humidity maintenance mode may be a mode in which, in a state in which at least some of the cooling device(s) are in an off state (e.g., the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator is interrupted, the thermoelectric element is turned off) and at least some of the heating device(s) are maintained in an off state (e.g., the heater is turned off, the thermoelectric element is turned off), air in the storage space W may flow into the cooling device chamber(s) by the fan and be humidified, and humidified air in the cooling device chamber(s) may flow into the storage space to humidify the storage space. For example, the humidity maintenance mode may be a mode in which: in this mode, in a state where the refrigerant does not pass through the evaporator and the heater is kept in a turned-off state, air in the storage space flows toward the evaporator by the fan to be humidified, and the humidified air flows into the storage space and humidifies the storage space.

In one example, the humidity maintenance mode may be performed when the storage space is closed by the door, the cooling device(s) is stopped (e.g., no refrigerant flows to the evaporator to cool the storage space), and the heating device(s) is stopped (e.g., the heater is turned off). Accordingly, the humidity maintenance mode may be initiated when a first condition that a door for opening and closing the storage space is closed is satisfied, and when both a second condition that the cooling device(s) is stopped and a third condition that the heating device(s) is stopped are satisfied.

For example, when the refrigerator repeats the cooling operation, the standby mode, and the cooling operation, the humidity maintenance mode may be activated when all of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition are satisfied in the non-cooling mode or the standby mode. Similarly, when the refrigerator repeats the heating operation, the standby mode, and the heating operation, the humidity maintenance mode may be initiated when all of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition are satisfied in the non-heating mode or the standby mode.

When the refrigerator is operated in the order of the cooling operation, the standby mode, and the heating operation or in the order of the heating operation, the standby mode, and the cooling operation, the humidity maintenance mode may be performed, for example, in the non-cooling mode, the standby mode, or the non-heating mode.

When the door for accessing the storage space is closed and the temperature adjusting device 150 is not operated and the heating device is turned off, the controller 30 may perform the humidity maintenance mode and drive the fan 181 in the humidity maintenance mode. For example, the door switch 36 may transmit a signal to the controller 30 when the door is opened or closed, and the controller 30 may determine whether the door is closed according to the signal of the door switch 36. The controller 30 may then operate or stop the temperature adjusting device 150 according to the storage compartment temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and the storage compartment target temperature, and turn on or off the heating device, and start the humidity maintenance mode when the door is closed, the temperature adjusting device 150 is stopped, and the heating device is turned off.

In some examples, in the humidity maintenance mode, the controller 30 may control a damper that controls air flowing into the storage space and controls the damper to be in an open mode for a set time (e.g., 2 minutes or 4 minutes) and may drive the fan 181.

For example, controller 30 may end the humidity maintenance mode when the door is opened, thermostat 150 is operated, and/or heating device is turned on. In one example, controller 30 may end the humidity maintenance mode (e.g., deactivate fan 181) when the desired humidity level is reached. When the humidity maintenance mode is ended, the controller 30 may continue to activate the fan 181, but close the damper to the storage space, so that defrosting of the thermostat 150 continues without further supplying humidity to the storage compartment.

When the door is opened, external air may flow into the storage space, and humidity of the storage space may increase due to the inflow of the external air. The controller 30 may not implement the humidity maintenance mode because of moisture received from the outside of the storage compartment (i.e., due to the opening of the door) in order to minimize power consumption and wear of the fan 181.

The operation of the temperature adjusting device (or cooler) 150 may involve controlling cooling of the storage space, and the operation of the heating device (or heater) may involve controlling heating of the storage space. In the refrigerator, humidity management of the storage space may be important for the foregoing reason, but temperature management of the storage compartment may be more important in order to secure the constant temperature characteristic, and the controller 30 may perform the humidity maintenance mode in a lower order of importance than controlling cooling (i.e., cooling operation) of the storage space or controlling heating (i.e., heating operation) of the storage space.

When the door is closed, the thermostat 150 is not operated, and the heating device is turned off after the humidity maintenance mode is ended, the controller 30 may restart the humidity maintenance mode (e.g., restart activation of the fan 181). For example, as previously described, when the door is opened, the humidity maintenance mode may be stopped, and controller 30 may resume the humidity maintenance mode (e.g., resume activating fan 181) based on determining that the door is closed while thermostat 150 remains not operated and the heating device remains closed.

Meanwhile, a low-temperature storage room partitioned from the storage space may also be formed in the cabinet 1. Here, the low temperature storage compartment may include a space having a target temperature range lower than that of the storage space. For example, when the storage space is provided in the first storage chamber W, the low temperature storage chamber may be the second storage chamber C.

A low temperature thermostat for cooling the low temperature storage chamber may be provided in the low temperature storage chamber. When the temperature adjusting device 150 is the first evaporator 150 for cooling the first storage chamber W, the low temperature adjusting device may be the second evaporator 160 for cooling the second storage chamber C, as shown in fig. 6 to 9. In the following discussion, the cryogenic temperature regulation device will be described with reference to the second evaporator 160 for the cryogenic temperature regulation device.

In addition, the refrigerator may further include a low temperature fan for supplying air heat-exchanged with the low temperature adjusting device 160 to the low temperature storage chamber. In the case where the fan 181 is the first fan 181 provided in the first storage chamber W, the low temperature fan may be the second fan 182 provided in the second storage chamber C, as shown in fig. 6 to 9.

In addition, a defrost heater for defrosting the low temperature thermostat 160 may be provided in the low temperature storage chamber. The controller 30 may separately perform a defrost mode for defrosting the low temperature thermostat.

In some examples, the controller 30 may wait to activate the humidity maintenance mode or omit the activation of the humidity maintenance mode in a case where the refrigerator performs the defrost mode. For example, the refrigerator may further include a humidity sensor for sensing the humidity of the storage chamber W, and the controller 30 may perform a defrost mode (e.g., not operating the low temperature thermostat 160) without activating the humidity maintenance mode when the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than the set humidity. In addition, the controller 30 may end the humidity maintenance mode when the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than the set humidity during the humidity maintenance mode.

If the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than an appropriate level (such as during a period of time after the door is opened), the power consumption of the fan 181 may be reduced by waiting for the humidity maintenance mode to be initiated. Similarly, if the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than the set humidity during the humidity maintenance mode, the power consumption of the fan 181 may be reduced by ending the humidity maintenance mode.

The refrigerator may perform a humidity maintenance mode for each of the first and second spaces Wl and W2. For example, the humidity maintenance mode may include: a first humidification mode in which the fan 181 is driven, the first damper 191 is opened, and the second damper 192 is closed (so that moist air is supplied to the first space W1); and a second humidification mode in which the fan 181 is driven, the first damper 191 is closed, and the second damper 192 is opened (so that humid air is supplied to the second space W2). Therefore, the first humidification mode may be a mode for supplying moisture of the thermostat 150 to the first space W1 without supplying moisture to the second space W2, and the second humidification mode may be a mode for supplying moisture of the thermostat 150 to the second space W2 without supplying moisture to the first space W1.

The controller 30 may selectively perform one of the first humidification mode or the second humidification mode, or may perform both the first humidification mode and the second humidification mode simultaneously (e.g., by opening both the first damper 191 and the second damper 192).

When the first heating device 171 is turned off, the first humidification mode may be performed, and during a set time (e.g., 2 minutes), the fan 181 may be driven, the first damper 191 may be opened, and the second damper 192 may be closed. When the second heating device 172 is turned off, the second humidification mode may be performed, and during a set time (e.g., 2 minutes), the fan 181 may be driven, and the second damper 192 may be opened, and the first damper 191 may be closed. As previously described, the controller 30 may alternate between the first humidification mode and the second humidification mode to sequentially perform the second humidification mode and the first humidification mode.

The target temperature of the first space W1 may be higher than that of the second space W2, so that the temperature at the thermostat 150 may be lower than that of the second space W2, and the temperature of the second space W2 may be lower than that of the first space W1. In the humidity maintenance mode, the refrigerator may first perform the first humidification mode and then perform the second humidification mode. However, the humidity maintenance mode may cause the low-temperature air from the thermostat 150 to flow into the first space W1 when the temperature of the first space W1 is satisfied, so that the first space W1 may be supercooled (e.g., cooled below a desired temperature range).

Therefore, when the condition for starting the humidity maintenance mode is satisfied, the controller 30 may perform the second humidification mode in preference to the first humidification mode. For example, in the case where the condition of the humidity maintenance mode is satisfied and the second heating device 172 is turned off, the controller 30 may drive the fan 181 during a set time (e.g., 2 minutes) to perform the second humidification mode by opening the second damper 192 while closing the first damper 191. However, in the case where the condition of the humidity maintenance mode is satisfied while the second heating device 172 is turned on, the controller 30 may perform the first humidification mode or wait without performing the second humidification mode.

The humidity maintenance mode may be performed in a case where the humidity of the storage space is significantly reduced, and if a set (or delay) time (e.g., 8 minutes) has not elapsed after the fan 181 is turned off, the humidity maintenance mode may be performed after the set time has elapsed. Accordingly, if the door is closed, no refrigerant flows to the thermostat 150, the heating device is turned off, and a set time (e.g., 8 minutes) has elapsed after the fan 181 is stopped, the controller 30 may perform the humidity maintenance mode. The refrigerator may minimize an unnecessary humidity maintenance mode and minimize power consumption of the fan 181 by preventing the humidity maintenance mode from being performed too frequently.

Fig. 17 is a view illustrating a compressor operation and a fan operation when a first storage chamber is cooled and then a second storage chamber is cooled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, region (a) of fig. 17 is a view illustrating the operation of the compressor when the operation of cooling the second storage chamber C after the first storage chamber W is cooled is repeated, the compressor 100 may be operated at the first capacity when the first storage chamber W is cooled, and the compressor 100 may be operated at the second capacity when the second storage chamber C is cooled, and the compressor 100 may be maintained in a turned-off state after the second storage chamber C is cooled. As time passes, the compressor 100 may be operated in the order of the operation of the first capacity, the operation of the second capacity, and the off state.

Region (b) of fig. 17 shows an example in which the fan 181 is turned on when the first storage chamber W is cooled, the fan 181 is turned off when the second storage chamber C is cooled, and the fan 181 is turned off when the compressor 100 is turned off.

In contrast, region (C) of fig. 17 shows an example in which the fan 181 is turned on when the first storage chamber W is cooled, and the fan 181 is intermittently turned on when the second storage chamber C is cooled and the compressor 100 is turned off. In this case, when the second storage chamber C is cooled and/or when the compressor 100 is turned off, the speed of the fan 181 may be less than or equal to the speed of the fan 181 when the first storage chamber W is cooled.

In addition, the first fan 181 may be repeatedly turned on and off at least twice while the second storage chamber C is cooled and the compressor 100 is turned off, and at this time, the on time of the fan 181 may be shorter than the off time of the fan 181. In this case, when the on time of the fan 181 is shorter than the off time of the fan 181, the power consumption of the fan 181 can be reduced.

Region (d) of fig. 17 shows an example in which the fans 181 for flowing air in the first storage chamber W are all turned on when the first storage chamber W is cooled, when the second storage chamber C is cooled, and when the compressor 100 is turned off. In this case, the speed of the fan 181 when the second storage chamber C is cooled or the speed of the fan 181 when the compressor 100 is turned off may be slower than the speed of the fan 181 when the first storage chamber C is cooled. When the fan 181 is controlled as shown in fig. 17(d), the effect of increasing the humidity of the storage space by turning on the fan 181 may be high, and the refrigerator may maintain the storage space as a whole at a high relative humidity.

As shown in fig. 17(c), when the fan 181 is intermittently turned on or off after the cooling of the storage space, it may be an example of the humidity maintenance mode or the first humidity maintenance mode. As shown in fig. 17(d), the case where the on state of the fan 181 is continuously maintained after the cooling of the storage space may be another example of the humidity maintenance mode, and may be a second humidity maintenance mode.

A user may select one or more of the first humidity maintenance mode or the second humidity maintenance mode via an input device. For example, if the user enters the second humidity maintenance mode, the controller 30 may perform the second humidity maintenance mode, and if the user does not enter the second humidity maintenance mode, the controller 30 may perform the first humidity maintenance mode.

The user may input a second humidity maintenance mode for each of the first and second spaces W1 and W2. When a user inputs each of the first space W1 and the second space W2 in the second humidity maintenance mode, the controller 30 may perform the humidity maintenance mode in the second space W2 in preference to the first space W1. Meanwhile, when the user inputs only one of the first space (W1) and the second space (W2) in the second humidity maintenance mode, the controller 30 may perform the second humidity maintenance mode of the space to which the second humidity maintenance mode is input, in preference to the first humidity maintenance mode of the space to which the second humidity maintenance mode is not input.

Fig. 18 is a view illustrating a change in Relative Humidity (RH) of the storage space when the fan is periodically turned on/off after the first storage chamber is cooled according to the present embodiment. Fig. 18 illustrates an example indicating a temperature variation and a relative humidity variation when the humidity maintenance mode of each of the first and second spaces W1 and W2 is performed.

A line RH-W1 of fig. 18 is the relative humidity of the first space, a line RH-W2 of fig. 18 is the relative humidity of the second space, a line Temp _ W1 of fig. 18 is the temperature of the first space, and a line Temp-W2 of fig. 18 is the temperature of the second space. Referring to fig. 18, in the case where the fan 181 is periodically and repeatedly turned on and off, each of the relative humidity of the first space (RH-W1) and the relative humidity of the second space (RH-W2) is greatly increased when the fan 181 is turned on, and the relative humidity of the first space and the relative humidity of the second space may each be increased as the turning on and off of the fan 181 is repeated.

Special articles such as wine sealed by a plug such as cork can be stored in the storage chamber W. When the humidity of the storage chamber W is excessively low, a stopper of a cork or the like may be excessively dried and deformed in shape, and oxygen in the storage chamber W may permeate into the bottle through the inlet to deteriorate the quality of a particular article.

The controller 30 may perform a cooling operation for cooling the storage space through the temperature adjusting device 150. During the cooling operation, the controller 30 may perform a cooling mode in which the thermostat 150 is operated and the fan 181 is driven. In addition, if the door accessing the storage space is closed after the cooling mode and the thermostat 150 is not operated, the controller 30 may perform a humidity maintenance mode (e.g., a first humidity maintenance mode) in which the fan 181 is driven, as previously described. When the refrigerator performs the humidity maintenance mode as described above, the moisture of the temperature adjusting device 150 may be moved into the storage space, and a special item such as wine may be maintained in the storage space in an optimal state.

The controller 30 may control the fan 181 such that the fan air volume in the cooling mode is greater than the fan air volume in the humidity maintenance mode. In addition, the controller 50 may continuously drive the fan in the cooling mode and intermittently drive the fan in the humidity maintenance mode, and in this case, the fan air volume per unit time may be larger in the cooling mode. The controller 50 may control the fan 181 such that the fan speed in the cooling mode is faster than the fan speed in the humidity maintenance mode.

When the cooling operation is finished or the storage space is opened during the humidity maintenance mode, the controller 30 may end the humidity maintenance mode. After the humidity maintenance mode is finished, if the door opening and closing the storage space is closed in the cooling operation and is not in the cooling mode, the controller 30 may restart the humidity maintenance mode.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a process of managing humidity in a storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, when the door 5 for accessing the storage space is closed, the low temperature storage chamber C is not in the defrost mode, and the refrigerant valve is not in the evaporator mode, the controller 30 may perform the humidity maintenance mode. The controller 30 may not perform the humidity maintenance mode if, for example, the door is opened or the low temperature thermostat 160 is in a defrost mode to cool the low temperature storage chamber C.

Even if the door is closed and the low temperature adjusting device 160 is not in the defrost mode, the controller 30 does not perform the humidity maintenance mode and may control the fan 181 to continue the cooling mode of the cooling operation E. For example, the controller 30 may wait for a delay period before starting the humidity maintenance mode, and may turn on the fan 181 for the cooling mode in conjunction with the cooling operation E (S1) (S2) (S3) (S4). For example, the cooling device may remain relatively cool even when initially deactivated, and activation of the fan 181 may cause the storage compartment to continue to be cooled.

If the door is closed and the low temperature thermostat 160 is not in the defrost mode and the refrigerant valve is not in the evaporator mode, the controller 30 may compare the elapsed time after the fan 181 is turned off with a first set time (e.g., 8 minutes), and if the elapsed time after the fan 181 is turned off is equal to or less than the first set time, the controller 30 may maintain the turned-off state of the fan 181 for a second set time (e.g., 2 minutes), and may wait without controlling each of the first and

second dampers

191 and 192 to be in the opened state (S1) (S2) (S3) (S5) (S6).

If the door is closed, the defrost mode of the low temperature thermostat 160 is not performed, the refrigerant valve is not in the evaporator mode, the time elapsed after the fan 181 is turned off is greater than the first set time (e.g., 8 minutes), and the second heating device 171 is turned off, the controller 30 may drive the fan 181 during the third set time (e.g., 2 minutes), close the first damper 191, and open the second damper 192(S1) (S2) (S3) (S5) (S7) (S9).

Meanwhile, if the door is closed, the defrost mode of the low temperature thermostat 160 is not performed, the refrigerant valve is not in the evaporator mode, and although the time elapsed after the fan 181 is turned off is greater than the first set time (e.g., 8 minutes), the second heating device 171 is turned on, the controller 30 may maintain the closed state of the fan 181 during the second set time (e.g., 2 minutes), and may wait for each of the first and

second dampers

191 and 192 without controlling the first and

second dampers

191 and 192 to be in the open state (S7) (S8). In this case, the controller 30 may not perform the second humidification mode (S8) (S10).

If the first heating device 171 is turned off, the controller 30 may drive the fan 181 during a set time (e.g., 2 minutes), open the first damper 191, and close the second damper 192(S10) (S12). If the first heating device 171 is turned on, the controller 30 may maintain the closing of the fan 181 for a set time (e.g., 2 minutes) and wait without controlling each of the first and

second dampers

191 and 192 to be in the open state (S10) (S11).

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a refrigerator capable of managing a storage chamber to be at an appropriate humidity while minimizing the number of components or heat loss by increasing the humidity of the storage chamber by using moisture of a heat exchanger.

A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a cabinet configured to form a storage space; a temperature adjustment device configured to cool the storage space; a fan configured to blow air heat-exchanged with the temperature adjusting device to the storage space; a heating device configured to heat the storage space; and a controller configured to control the fan and the heating device, wherein if the door opening and closing the storage space is closed, the thermostat is not operated, and the heating device is turned off, the controller may start a humidity maintenance mode, which drives the fan.

The refrigerator may further include a damper configured to regulate air flowing into the storage space. The controller may drive the fan for a predetermined time and open the damper in the humidity maintenance mode. The controller may end the humidity maintenance mode if the door is open, the thermostat is operated, or the heating device is turned on. After the humidity maintenance mode is ended, if the door is closed, the thermostat is not operated, and the heating device is turned off, the controller may restart the humidity maintenance mode.

The cabinet may further include a low temperature storage compartment separated from the storage space. A low temperature thermostat may also be provided to cool the low temperature storage compartment. A low temperature fan supplying air heat-exchanged with the low temperature thermostat to the low temperature storage chamber may be further provided. The controller may wait without activating the humidity maintenance mode if a defrost mode is performed to defrost the low temperature thermostat.

If the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than the set humidity, the controller may wait without initiating the humidity maintenance mode. The controller may end the humidity maintenance mode if the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than the set humidity during the humidity maintenance mode.

The storage space may be partitioned into a first space and a second space. The fan may blow air into the first space and the second space. The heating means may comprise first heating means for heating the first space and second heating means for heating the second space. A first damper may be provided for regulating air flow into the first space. A second damper may be provided for regulating air flow into the second space.

The humidity maintenance mode may include a first humidification mode in which the fan is driven, the first damper is opened, and the second damper is closed, and a second humidification mode in which the fan is driven, the first damper is closed, and the second damper is opened. The controller may selectively perform the first humidification mode and the second humidification mode.

The target temperature of the first space may be higher than the target temperature of the second space. The controller may perform the second humidification mode in preference to the first humidification mode.

The controller may initiate the humidity maintenance mode if the door opening and closing the storage space is closed, the refrigerant does not flow to the thermostat, the heating device is turned off, and a set time has elapsed after the fan is stopped.

The controller may be configured to perform a cooling operation for cooling the storage space through the thermostat, and the controller is configured to perform a cooling mode in which the thermostat is operated and the fan is driven, and a humidity maintenance mode in which the fan is operated if the door opening and closing the storage compartment is closed and the thermostat is not operated, in the cooling operation. The fan air volume in the cooling mode may be greater than the fan air volume in the humidity maintenance mode.

The controller may terminate the humidity maintenance mode if the cooling operation is finished or the storage space is opened during the humidity maintenance mode. The controller may restart the humidity maintenance mode if the cooling operation is performed, the door opening and closing the storage space is closed, and the cooling mode is not performed after the humidity maintenance mode is finished.

The refrigerator may further include a heating device configured to heat the storage space. The controller may not perform the humidity maintenance mode if a heating operation for heating the storage space by the heating device is performed.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage space may be maintained at an appropriate humidity by using the fan and the humidity of the temperature adjusting device without a separate humidity adjusting device such as a steam supply device. In addition, overcooling of the storage space may be minimized, and power consumption of the fan may be minimized.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure are not intended to limit the technical ideas of the present disclosure, but to describe the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical ideas of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments.

The scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the claims below, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed to be included in the scope of the present disclosure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a cabinet configured to form a storage space partitioned into a first space and a second space;

a door opening and closing the storage space;

a refrigeration system for cooling the storage space, the refrigeration system including a fan that blows air between the refrigeration system and the first and second spaces;

a heater for heating the first space and the second space; and

a controller configured to control the fan and the heater,

wherein the controller drives the fan to increase the humidity in the storage space by performing a humidity maintenance mode when start-up conditions are satisfied, the start-up conditions including a first condition that the door is closed, a second condition that the refrigeration system is not operated to cool the storage space, and a third condition that the heater is in a power-off state,

wherein the target temperature of the first space is higher than the target temperature of the second space, an

Wherein when the first humidity maintenance operation for the first space conflicts with the second humidity maintenance operation for the second space because both the start condition of the first humidity maintenance operation for the first space and the start condition of the second humidity maintenance operation for the second space are satisfied, the first humidity maintenance operation for the first space is preferentially performed to preferentially prevent the humidity of the first space from being lowered.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs a heating operation including a heating mode in which the refrigeration system is not operated and the heater is turned on, and a non-heating mode in which the refrigeration system is not operated and the heater is turned off,

wherein in the heating operation, the heating mode and the non-heating mode are alternately performed as the storage space temperature repeatedly increases and decreases between an upper limit temperature and a lower limit temperature.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:

a damper configured to be opened and closed to regulate air flowing into the storage space,

wherein when the door is closed and the refrigeration system is not operated to cool the storage space, the controller drives the fan for a predetermined time and opens the damper to increase the humidity in the storage space.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the controller suspends driving of the fan for increasing the humidity in the storage space when the door is opened, or the refrigeration system is operated to cool the storage space, or a heater is in a power-on state to heat the storage space.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the controller restarts driving the fan to increase the humidity in the storage space when the door is closed, the refrigeration system is not operated to cool the storage space, and the heater is in a power-off state after suspending driving the fan to increase the humidity in the storage space.

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

wherein the storage space is a first storage space, the refrigeration system is a first refrigeration system, and the fan is a first fan,

wherein the first storage space is associated with a first target temperature,

wherein the cabinet further includes a second storage space that is separate from the first storage space and is associated with a second target temperature that is lower than the first target temperature,

wherein the refrigerator further includes a second refrigeration system cooling the second storage space, the second refrigeration system including a second fan blowing air between the second refrigeration system and the second storage space, and

wherein the controller delays driving of the first fan for increasing the humidity in the first storage space when the second refrigeration system is defrosted, and/or

Wherein the controller is configured to control the first fan such that the first fan is repeatedly turned on and off at least twice while the second storage space is cooled, an

Wherein the on-time of the first fan is shorter than the off-time of the first fan.

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller delays driving of the fan for increasing the humidity in the storage space when the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than a set humidity level,

wherein when controlling the fan, the controller is configured to:

driving the fan to blow a first air volume when the refrigeration system is operated to cool the storage space,

driving the fan to blow a second air volume for increasing humidity in the storage space when the door is closed and the refrigeration system is not operated for cooling the storage space, wherein the first air volume is greater than the second air volume.

8. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller stops driving the fan for increasing the humidity in the storage space when the humidity of the storage space is equal to or greater than a set humidity level, and/or

Wherein the controller is configured to:

suspending driving of the fan to blow a second air volume for increasing humidity in the storage space when the door is opened or the refrigeration system is operated to cool the storage space; and

when the door is closed and the refrigeration system is not operated to cool the storage space, driving the fan to blow the second air volume is resumed.

9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

wherein the fan blows air into the first space and the second space, an

Wherein, the refrigerator further includes:

a first damper that is opened and closed to regulate the flow of air from the refrigeration system to the first space; and

a second damper that is opened and closed to regulate air flow from the refrigeration system to the second space.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to:

opening the first damper and closing the second damper during a first portion of a period of time in which the fan is driven to increase humidity in the storage space; and

closing the first damper and opening the second damper during a second portion of the period of time in which the fan is driven to increase humidity in the storage space,

wherein the controller also closes the first damper and opens the second damper during the second portion of the period of time in which the fan is driven to increase humidity in the storage space, whether the temperature in the first space is within or outside a target range associated with a target temperature of the first space.