Refrigerator and method for controlling refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator may include: a main body defining a storage chamber; a door configured to open and close the storage chamber; a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor and an evaporator and operable to cool the storage chamber; a thermoelectric element operable to cool the storage chamber; at least one sensor configured to produce sensor data associated with the refrigerator; and at least one processor configured to: operate the compressor to perform a refrigeration cycle based on a cooling condition being satisfied, start a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with a time that the door is open being satisfied, and based on the cooling mode being started, obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from a temperature prediction model based on the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor, and operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and a target temperature value being greater than a defined value.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of International Application PCT / KR2025 / 099397, filed Feb. 14, 2025, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0032702, filed Mar. 7, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0072568, filed Jun. 3, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a refrigerator equipped with a thermoelectric element and a refrigeration cycle device for cooling a storage and a method for controlling the refrigerator.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The refrigerator is a home appliance having a main body with storages and a cold air supply provided for supplying cold air into the storages to keep things fresh.

[0004] For the cold air supply of the refrigerator, a thermoelectric cooling device that causes heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect may be used. The thermoelectric cooling device may include a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may have a heater formed on one side and a cooler formed on the other side, and when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element, a heating action may occur in the heater and a heat absorption action may occur in the cooler.

[0005] The thermoelectric cooling device may be equipped with a heat sink, a cooling sink, a heat radiation fan, a cooling fan, a heat radiation duct and a cooling duct to increase cooling efficiency for the storage through the thermoelectric cooling device.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0006] The disclosure provides a refrigerator with economic energy consumption and improved constant temperature performance and a method for controlling the refrigerator.

[0007] The disclosure provides a refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator, which may minimize temperature changes due to opening or closing of the door.

[0008] The disclosure provides a refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator, which may minimize temperature changes due to an object having large heat capacity.

[0009] The disclosure provides a refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator, which enhances constant temperature performance by using not only the current temperature of a storage but also a predicted temperature.

[0010] Technological objectives of the disclosure are not limited to what are mentioned above, and throughout the specification, it will be clearly appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that there may be other technological objectives unmentioned.Technical Solution

[0011] In accordance with the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body defining a storage chamber; a door configured to open and close the storage chamber; a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor and an evaporator and operable to cool the storage chamber; a thermoelectric element operable to cool the storage chamber; at least one sensor configured to produce sensor data associated with the refrigerator; and at least one processor configured to: operate the compressor to perform a refrigeration cycle based on a cooling condition being satisfied, and start a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with a time that the door is open being satisfied, based on the cooling mode being started, obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from a temperature prediction model based on the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor, and operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and a target temperature value being greater than a defined value.

[0012] The at least one processor may be further configured to terminate the cooling mode by stopping operating the thermoelectric element in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to a reference value after operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber.

[0013] The at least one processor may be further configured to terminate the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to the defined value until the refrigeration cycle is performed a defined number of times.

[0014] The at least one processor may be further configured to determine the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor.

[0015] The at least one processor may be further configured to operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is being performed such that the thermoelectric element and the compressor are being operated together.

[0016] The at least one processor may be further configured to operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not being performed such that only the thermoelectric element is being operated from among the thermoelectric element and the compressor.

[0017] The at least one processor may be further configured to: operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a first control parameter in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value, and while operating the thermoelectric element based on a second control parameter in response to a control condition having higher priority than the cooling mode being satisfied, even though the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value is greater than the defined value, keep operating the the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the second control parameter.

[0018] The at least one processor may be further configured to: obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, and change the defined intervals based on a temperature of the storage chamber.

[0019] The at least one processor is further configured to: obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, and change the defined intervals based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

[0020] The at least one processor may include: a first processor configured to control the refrigeration cycle device and the thermoelectric element; and a second processor configured to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model; and the first processor may be further configured to send to the second processor an instruction to obtain the predicted temperature value from the temperature prediction model in response to the cooling mode being started, and the second processor may be further configured to: obtain the predicted temperature value from the temperature prediction model in response to the instruction of the first processor being received, and send the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model to the first processor.

[0021] The at least one processor may be further configured to control a duty ratio of the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

[0022] The at least one processor may be further configured to determine whether to operate the compressor based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

[0023] The defined condition may include a cumulative time that the door is open exceeding a defined time, and the at least one processor may be further configured to initialize the cumulative time based on the cooling mode being started.

[0024] In accordance with the present disclosure, a method for controlling a refrigerator including a main body defining a storage chamber, a door configured to open and close the storage chamber, a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor and an evaporator and operable to cool the storage chamber, a thermoelectric element operable to cool the storage chamber, at least one sensor configured to produce sensor data associated with the refrigerator, and at least one processor, the method may include: by the at least one processor, operating the compressor to perform a refrigeration cycle based on a cooling condition being satisfied, and starting a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with a time that the door is open being satisfied, and based on the cooling mode being started, obtaining a predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from a temperature prediction model based on the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor, and operating a thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and a target temperature value being greater than a defined value.

[0025] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, terminating the cooling mode by stopping operating the thermoelectric element in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to a reference value after operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber.

[0026] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, terminating the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to the defined value until the refrigeration cycle is performed a defined number of times.

[0027] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, determining the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor.

[0028] The operating the thermoelectric element comprises: operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is being performed such that the thermoelectric element and the compressor are being operated together.

[0029] The operating the thermoelectric element comprises: operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not being performed such that only the thermoelectric element is being operated from among the thermoelectric element and the compressor.

[0030] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, obtaining the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, and changing the defined intervals based on at least one of a temperature of the storage chamber or the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator with doors open, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an upper portion of a storage of a refrigerator viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of FIG. 2.

[0036] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooling device, according to an embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method by which a refrigerator cools a storage, according to an embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an operating condition of a thermoelectric element, according to an embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which a thermoelectric element is not operated even after a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which a compressor and a thermoelectric element are operated together when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 13 illustrates an example in which only a thermoelectric element is operated among a compressor and the thermoelectric element when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which a compressor is operated while a thermoelectric element is operating when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

[0046] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure.

[0047] For example, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” as herein used are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0048] The terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, represent the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0049] When an element is mentioned as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported on” or “contacting” another element, it includes not only a case that the elements are directly connected to, coupled to, supported on or contact each other but also a case that the elements are connected to, coupled to, supported on or contact each other through a third element.

[0050] Throughout the specification, when an element is mentioned as being located “on” another element, it implies not only that the element is abut on the other element but also that a third element exists between the two elements.

[0051] The terms “forward or front”, “rearward or back”, “left”, “right”, “upper or up” or “lower or down” as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shapes and position of the respective components. For example, the front may be defined as +X direction and the back may be defined as −X direction. For example, with respect to the drawings, the right may be defined as +Y direction and the left may be defined as −Y direction. For example, with respect to the drawings, the upper direction may be defined as +Z direction and the lower direction may be defined as −Z direction.

[0052] The term including an ordinal number such as “first”, “second”, or the like is used to distinguish one component from another and does not restrict the former component.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms, such as “˜ part”, “˜ block”, “˜ member”, “˜ module”, etc., may refer to a unit of handling at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may refer to at least one process handled by hardware such as a field-programmable gate array (9) / application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., software stored in a memory, or at least one processor.

[0054] An embodiment of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals or symbols refer to like parts or components.

[0055] In an embodiment, a refrigerator may include a main body.

[0056] The main body may include insulation. The insulation may insulate inside and outside of the storage so that the temperature in the storage is maintained at a set suitable temperature without being influenced by external environments of the storage. In an embodiment, the insulation may include foam insulation such as polyurethane foam. In an embodiment, the insulation may include an additional vacuum insulation in addition to the foam insulation, or may include only the vacuum insulation instead of the foam insulation.

[0057] Various items such as foods, medicines, cosmetics, etc., may be stored in the storage, and the storage may be formed with one side open to put in or take out the items.

[0058] The refrigerator may include one or more storages. When there are two or more storages formed in the refrigerator, each storage may have a different use and may be maintained at a different temperature. For this, the storages may be separated by partition walls including insulation.

[0059] The storage chambers may be provided to be each maintained at a suitable temperature range, and may include a fridge, a freezer or a temperature-changing room classified by the use and / or the temperature range. The fridge may be maintained at a suitable temperature for keeping items refrigerated, and the freezer may be maintained at a suitable temperature for keeping items frozen. Refrigeration may refer to cooling the items to an extent that the items are not frozen, and for example, the fridge may be maintained at a range of 0 to 7 degrees Celsius above zero. Freezing may refer to freezing the items or cooling the items in a frozen state, and for example, the freezer may be maintained at a range of 20 to 1 degree Celsius below zero. The temperature-changing room may be used as one of the fridge or the freezer according to or regardless of the user's choice.

[0060] The storage chambers may be called many different names such as “veggie room”, “fresh room”, “cooling room” and “ice-making room” in addition to the names such as “fridge chamber”, “freezer chamber” and “temperature-changing room”, and the terms such as “fridge chamber”, “freezer chamber” and “temperature-changing room” need to be understood as encompassing storage chambers having respective uses and temperature ranges.

[0061] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door arranged to open or close the one open side of the storage. A door may be equipped to open or close each of the one or more storages, or one door may be equipped to open or close multiple storages. The door may be rotationally or slidably installed at the front of the main body.

[0062] The door may be arranged to close the storage tight when closed. Like the main body, the door may include insulation to insulate the storage when closed.

[0063] In an embodiment, the door may include a door outer-plate that forms the front surface of the door, a door inner-plate that forms the rear surface of the door and faces the storage, an upper cap, a lower cap and door insulation provided inside of them.

[0064] A gasket may be arranged on edges of the door inner-plate to seal the storage by tightly contacting the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The door inner-plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward for a door basket that may keep items to be installed thereon.

[0065] In an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer-plate that forms the front surface of the door body, a door inner-plate that forms the rear surface of the door body and faces the storage, an upper cap, a lower cap and door insulation provided inside of them.

[0066] The refrigerator may be distinguished according to the layout of the door(s) and storage(s) as a French door type, a side-by-side type, a bottom mounted freezer (BMF), a top mounted freezer (TMF) or a one-door refrigerator.

[0067] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supplier arranged to supply cold air into the storage.

[0068] The cold air supplier may include a machine, instrument, electronic device and / or system that combines them, which is able to produce and lead cold air to cool the storage.

[0069] In an embodiment, the cold air supplier may produce the cold air through a refrigeration cycle including processes of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation of a refrigerant. For this, the cold air supplier may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator that may operate the refrigeration cycle. In an embodiment, the cold air supplier may include semiconductors such as thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage chamber by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0070] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room arranged for at least some parts belonging to the cold air supplier to be placed therein.

[0071] The machine room may be separated and insulated from the storage to prevent heat generated from the parts arranged in the machine room from being transferred to the storage. To emit heat from the parts arranged in the machine room, the inside of the machine room may be formed to connect to the outside of the main body.

[0072] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser arranged at the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be located at the door for the user to make access thereto without a need to open the door.

[0073] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include an ice maker provided to produce ice. The ice maker may include an ice maker tray for storing water, an ice separator for separating ice from the ice maker tray, and an ice bucket for storing ice produced from the ice maker tray.

[0074] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0075] The controller may include a memory for storing or memorizing a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals to control components such as the cold air supplier according to the program and / or data stored in the memory.

[0076] The memory stores or records various information, data, instructions, programs, etc., required for operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data that is generated while the control signals to control the components included in the refrigerator are being generated. The memory may include at least one or a combination of volatile memories or non-volatile memories.

[0077] The processor controls general operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing the program stored in the memory. The processor may include an extra neural processing unit (NPU) that performs operation of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), etc. The processor may generate control signals to control operation of the cold air supplier. For example, the processor may receive information about the temperature in the storage from a temperature sensor, and generate a refrigeration control signal to control an operation of the cold air supplier based on the temperature information of the storage.

[0078] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input to a user interface according to the program and / or data memorized / stored in the memory, and control operation of the user interface. The user interface may be provided by using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. Furthermore, the processor may send a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0079] The processor and the memory may be provided in one unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0080] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling all the components included in the refrigerator, or include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for controlling the components of the refrigerator, respectively. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling operation of the cold air supplier according to the output of the temperature sensor. The refrigerator may include another processor and another memory for controlling operation of the user interface according to the user input.

[0081] A communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, another home appliance, etc., through a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) connected to the refrigerator or user device to a wide area network (WAN) connected to the server. The refrigerator or user device may be connected to the server through the WAN.

[0082] The input interface may include a key, a touch screen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive a user input and forward it to the processor.

[0083] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, alert, messages, information, etc., generated by the processor.

[0084] A working principle and embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0085] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator with doors open, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates an upper portion of a storage of a refrigerator viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of FIG. 2.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a refrigerator 1 may include a main body 100, storage chambers 11, 12, and 13 formed in the main body 100, and doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 arranged to open or close the storages 11, 12, and 13.

[0087] The main body 100 may include an inner case 170, an outer case 180 coupled onto the outer side of the inner case 170, and insulation 190 arranged between the inner case 170 and the outer case 180 (see FIG. 6). The inner case 170 may define the storages 11, 12 and 13, and the outer case 180 may define an exterior of the main body 100.

[0088] From another perspective, the main body 100 may include an upper wall 110, a lower wall 120, a left wall 130, a right wall 140 and a rear wall 150. The upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140 and the rear wall 150 may define the top surface, bottom surface, left surface, right surface and rear surface of the main body 100, respectively.

[0089] The inner case 170, the outer case 180 and the insulation 190 may define each of the upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140 and the rear wall 150. For example, the top surface of the upper wall 110 may be defined by the outer case 180, the bottom surface of the upper wall 110 may be defined by the inner case 170, and the insulation 190 may be arranged within the upper wall 110.

[0090] The storages 11, 12 and 13 may accommodate items. The storages 11, 12 and 13 may be formed to have open front to put in or take out the items. The main body 100 may include a horizontal partition wall 160 that divides a first storage 11 from a second storage 12 and a third storage 13, and a vertical partition wall 161 that divides the second storage 12 from the third storage 13. The first storage 11 may be arranged in an upper portion of the main body 100, and the second storage 12 and the third storage 13 may be arranged in a lower portion of the main body 100. The first storage 11 may be a fridge chamber; the second storage 12 may be a freezer chamber; the third storage 13 may be a temperature-changing chamber.

[0091] The doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 may open or close the storages 11, 12 and 13. The first door 21 and the second door 22 may open or close the first storage 11, the third door 23 may open or close the second storage 12, and the fourth door 24 may open or close the third storage 13. The doors 21, 22, 22 and 24 may be rotationally coupled to the main body 100.

[0092] The doors 21, 22, 22 and 24 may be rotationally coupled to the main body 100 by hinges. For example, the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be rotationally coupled to the main body 100 by hinges 31 arranged at the top of the main body 100 and hinges arranged in the middle of the main body 100. The hinge 31 may include a hinge pin that vertically protrudes to form a rotation shaft of the door. The hinge 31 may be covered by a top cover 300 arranged to cover the top front portion of the main body 100.

[0093] A rotation bar 40 may be arranged at one of the first door 21 and the second door 22 to cover a gap formed between the first door 21 and the second door 22 while the first door 21 and the second door 22 are closed. The rotation bar 40 may be rotationally arranged at one of the first door 21 and the second door 22. The rotation bar 40 may have the shape of a bar formed to be long in the vertical direction. The rotation bar 40 may also be referred to as a pillar or a mullion.

[0094] A guide projection 46 may be arranged at the top of the rotation bar 40, and a rotation guide 119 for guiding rotation of the guide projection 46 may be arranged at the top of the main body 100.

[0095] The doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 may include gaskets 51. The gaskets 51 may closely come into contact with the front surface of the main body 100 while the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 are closed. The doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 may include dikes 52 that protrude rearward. Door racks 53 may be mounted on the dike 52 to store items. The rotation bar 40 may be rotationally installed at the dike 52.

[0096] Although the number and layout of storages and the number and layout of doors were described above, there are no limitations on the number and layout of storages and the number and layout of doors of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0097] The refrigerator 1 may include a thermoelectric cooling device 400 arranged to cool the storage 11.

[0098] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be arranged above the storage 11 to cool the storage 11. Specifically, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be arranged at the upper wall 110 of the main body 100.

[0099] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a thermoelectric element 530. The thermoelectric element 530 may be a semiconductor device that uses the thermoelectric effect to convert thermal energy to electric energy and vice versa, and may also be referred to as a thermoelectric semiconductor device, a Peltier element, etc.

[0100] The thermoelectric element 530 includes a heater 531 and a cooler 532. When a current is applied to the thermoelectric element 530, a heat radiation action may occur in the heater 531 and a heat absorption action may occur in the cooler 532. The thermoelectric element 530 may be shaped like a thin hexahedron. The heater 531 may be arranged on one side of the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooler 532 may be arranged on the other side.

[0101] The thermoelectric element 530 may be arranged at the upper wall 110 such that the heater 531 is directed upward of the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooler 532 is directed downward of the thermoelectric element 530. In other words, the heater 531 may face outside of the main body 100 and the cooler 532 may face the inside of the storage 11. Accordingly, the air heated by exchanging heat with the heater 531 may be discharged out of the main body 100 and the air cooled by exchanging heat with the cooler 532 may be supplied into the storage 11.

[0102] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat radiation sink 520 that comes into contact with the heater 531 to efficiently perform heat exchange between the heater 531 and the air outside the main body 100.

[0103] The heat radiation sink 520 may be located outside the main body 100. The heat radiation sink 520 may come into contact with the heater 531 to absorb heat from the heater 531 and emit heat to the outside of the main body 100. The heat radiation sink 520 may also be referred to as a hot sink, a heat sink for heat dissipation, a hot heat sink, etc.

[0104] The heat radiation sink 520 may be formed of a metal with high heat conductivity. For example, the heat radiation sink 520 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0105] The heat radiation sink 520 may include a heat radiation sink base 521 that comes into contact with the heater 531, and a plurality of heat radiation fins 525 protruding from the heat radiation sink base 521 to expand the heating surface. The plurality of heat sink fins 525 may protrude upward from the heat radiation sink base 521.

[0106] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a cooling sink 570 that comes into contact with the cooler 532 to efficiently perform heat exchange between the cooler 532 and the air inside the storage 11.

[0107] The cooling sink 570 may be located in the storage 11. The cooling sink 570 may cool the storage 11 by taking heat from the storage 11 and transferring the heat to the cooler 532. The cooling sink 570 may also be referred to as a cold sink, a refrigeration sink, a cold heat sink, a cooling heat sink, etc.

[0108] The cooling sink 570 may be formed of a metal with high heat conductivity. For example, the cooling sink 570 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0109] The cooling sink 570 may include a cooling sink base 571 that comes into contact with the cooler 532, and a plurality of cooling fins 575 protruding from the cooling sink base 571 to expand the heating surface. The plurality of cooling fins 525 may protrude downward from the cooling sink base 571. The cooling sink base 571 and the plurality of cooling fins 575 may be integrally formed.

[0110] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat radiation fan 600 that forces air to move around to efficiently perform heat exchange between the heat radiation sink 520 and the air outside the main body 100.

[0111] The heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged to blow air to the heat radiation sink 520. The heat radiation fan 600 may be located in a horizontal direction of the heat radiation sink 520. The heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged outside the main body 100. The heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged on the top of the upper wall 110.

[0112] The heat radiation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan that draws air in the axial direction and discharges the air in the radial direction. The centrifugal fan may include a blower fan. A rotation shaft 610 of the heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged to be perpendicular to the top surface of the upper wall 110.

[0113] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat radiation duct 700 arranged to guide the air moving by the heat radiation fan 600. The heat radiation duct 700 may draw in air from outside the main body 100 and guide the air to exchange heat with the heat radiation sink 520, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 back to the outside of the main body 100.

[0114] The heat radiation duct 700 may draw in air from an outer space above the main body 100. The heat radiation duct 700 may discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 to the outer space above the main body 100. The heat radiation fan 600 may be located in the heat radiation duct 700. The heat radiation sink 520 may be located in the heat radiation duct 700. The heat radiation duct 700 may be arranged on the top surface of the upper wall 110.

[0115] The heat radiation duct 700 may include an outside air intake port 751 through which to draw in air from outside the main body 100 into the heat radiation duct 700, and an outside air discharge port 782 through which to discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 to the outside of the main body 100.

[0116] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a cooling fan 800 that forces air to move to efficiently perform heat exchange between the cooling sink 570 and the air inside the storage 11.

[0117] The cooling fan 800 may be arranged to blow air to the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be located in a horizontal direction of the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be arranged in the storage 11. The cooling fan 800 may be arranged underneath the upper wall 110.

[0118] The cooling fan 800 may be a centrifugal fan that draws air in the axial direction and discharges the air in the radial direction. A rotation shaft 810 of the cooling fan 800 may be arranged to be perpendicular to the bottom surface of the upper wall 110.

[0119] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a temperature sensor (hereinafter, a second defrost sensor) 112 for measuring temperature of the air cooled by the cooling fan 800.

[0120] The second defrost sensor 112 may measure temperature of the cooling sink 570. The measuring of the temperature of the cooling sink 570 may include measuring the temperature around the cooling sink 570 or measuring the temperature of the cooling sink 570 itself.

[0121] The second defrost sensor 112 may be arranged at the cooling sink 570, or in a cooling duct 900.

[0122] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include the cooling duct 900 arranged to guide the air moving by the cooling fan 800. The cooling duct 700 may draw in air from inside the storage 11 and guide the air to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 back into the storage 11.

[0123] The cooling fan 800 may be located in the cooling duct 900. The cooling sink 570 may be located in the cooling duct 900. The cooling duct 900 may be arranged underneath the upper wall 110.

[0124] The cooling duct 900 may include an inside air intake port 991 through which to draw in air from inside the storage 11 into the cooling duct 900, and an inside air discharge port 992 through which to discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 into the storage 11.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 4, the refrigerator 1 may include a refrigeration cycle device 450 (see FIG. 7) to cool the storage through a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle device 450 may include a compressor 2, a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown) and an evaporator 3. The evaporator 3 may be arranged behind the storages 12 and 13.

[0126] The refrigerator 1 may include a temperature sensor (hereinafter, a first defrost sensor) 111 for measuring temperature of the evaporator 3.

[0127] The first defrost sensor 111 may measure the temperature of the evaporator 3. The measuring of the temperature of the evaporator 3 may include measuring the temperature around the evaporator 3 or measuring the temperature of the evaporator 3 itself.

[0128] The first defrost sensor 111 may be arranged at the evaporator 3, or in evaporator ducts 60 and 70.

[0129] The refrigerator 1 may include the evaporator ducts 60 and 70 that guide cold air produced from the evaporator 3. The first evaporator duct 60 may be arranged behind the second storage 12 and the third storage 13. The second evaporator duct 70 may be arranged behind the first storage 11.

[0130] The cold air produced from the evaporator 3 may be drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 by the evaporator fan 80. The cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be discharged into the second storage 12 or the third storage 13 through a cold air outlet (not shown) formed on the front. Furthermore, the cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be guided into an internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70. A damper 61 may be arranged in the first evaporator duct 60 to control the cold air in the first evaporator duct 60 to be supplied into the second evaporator duct 70. A connection duct 90 may be arranged between the first evaporator duct 60 and the second evaporator duct 70 to connect the first evaporator duct 60 to the second evaporator duct 70.

[0131] The cold air brought into the internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 may be supplied into the first storage 11 through the cold air outlet 72 formed on the front of the second evaporator duct 70.

[0132] However, unlike the aforementioned embodiment, the cold air produced from the evaporator 3 may be supplied directly into the second evaporator duct 70 without passing through the first evaporator duct 60. Furthermore, the separate evaporator 3 may be arranged behind the first storage 11 to supply cold air into the second evaporator duct 70.

[0133] As such, as the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450 for cooling the storage 11, the method of supplying cold air into the storage 11 may include a first method of supplying cold air produced only by the thermoelectric cooling device 400, a second method of supplying cold air produced only by the refrigeration cycle device 450, and a third method of supplying cold air produced by both the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0134] The refrigerator 1 may supply cold air into the storage 11 in a proper method according to external and internal conditions. For example, the refrigerator 1 may cool the storage 1 in one of the methods according to the temperature of a room where the refrigerator 1 is installed. Specifically, when the room temperature is higher than a defined temperature, so cooling by the refrigeration cycle has higher efficiency than by the thermoelectric cooling device 400, the storage 11 may be cooled by the cold air produced only by the refrigeration cycle device 450. On the other hand, when the room temperature is lower than the defined temperature, so cooling by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 has higher efficiency than by the refrigeration cycle device 450, the storage 11 may be cooled by the cold air produced only by the thermoelectric cooling device 400. The refrigerator 1 may operate only the thermoelectric cooling device 400 when there is a need to reduce noise. The refrigerator 1 may supply cold air produced by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and cold air produced by the refrigeration cycle device 450 into the storage 11 at the same time when the storage 11 needs to be cooled rapidly.

[0135] As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450, but is not limited thereto and the refrigerator may include only the thermoelectric cooling device 400.

[0136] Although the thermoelectric cooling device 400 was described as being arranged at the upper wall 110 of the main body 100, the location of the thermoelectric cooling device 400 is not limited thereto.

[0137] In various embodiments, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be arranged at at least one of the upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140 and the rear wall 150.

[0138] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooling device, according to an embodiment.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 6, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a thermoelectric module 500.

[0140] The aforementioned thermoelectric element 530, the heat radiation sink 520, and the cooling sink 570 may be assembled together to constitute the thermoelectric module 500. In other words, the thermoelectric module 500 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat radiation sink 520, the cooling sink 570 and a module plate 550.

[0141] The module plate 550 may serve as a frame of the thermoelectric module 500. The module plate 550 may be formed of a resin material with low heat conductivity. The module plate 550 may keep a distance between the heat radiation sink 520 and the cooling sink 570, and support the heat radiation sink 520 and the cooling sink 570. The module plate 550 may be integrally formed with a fan case 650 which will be described later. However, it is also possible that the module plate 550 is arranged separately from the fan case 650.

[0142] The module plate 550 may include a heat radiation sink support 552 for supporting the heat radiation sink 520.

[0143] The module plate 550 may include a module plate opening 551. The thermoelectric element 530 may be arranged inside the module plate opening 551. The vertical length of the module plate opening 551 may be larger than the vertical length of the thermoelectric element 530, and the thermoelectric element 530 may be arranged on the top of the module plate opening 551. The reason why the thermoelectric element 530 is arranged on the top of the inside of the module plate opening 551 is that an amount of heat radiation of the thermoelectric element 530 is usually larger than an amount of heat absorption, that the thermoelectric element 530 being located on the top of the module plate opening 551 is advantageous to heat radiation of the heater 531.

[0144] As the thermoelectric element 530 is arranged on the top of the module plate opening 551, the cooling sink 570 may include a cooling conductor 574 that protrudes from the cooling sink base 571 to come into contact with the cooler 532 of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0145] The thermoelectric module 500 may include an element insulator 540 that insulates the module plate 550 from the thermoelectric element 530. The element insulator 540 may be arranged on the module plate opening 551 to prevent a side of the thermoelectric element 530 from contacting the module plate 550. The element insulator 540 may include an element insulator opening 541 so that the thermoelectric element 530 may be accommodated in the element insulator opening 541.

[0146] The thermoelectric module 500 may include a sink insulator 580 arranged between the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570. The sink insulator 580 may prevent heat transfer between the heat radiation sink 520 and the cooling sink 570 through the module plate 550. The sink insulator 580 may include a sink insulator opening 581. However, the sink insulator 580 may be omitted, and in this case, the heat radiation sink 520 may be supported on the top of the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570 may be supported on the bottom of the module plate 550.

[0147] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include the fan case 650 in which the heat radiation fan 600 is installed to guide air blown by the heat radiation fan 600.

[0148] The fan case 650 may be formed integrally with or separately from the module plate 550.

[0149] The fan case 650 may include a case bottom 660 on which the heat radiation fan 600 is rotationally installed, and a case scroll 670 extending upward from edges of the case bottom 660 to guide air blown from the heat radiation fan 600 toward the heat radiation sink 520. The heat radiation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan, which may be installed on the case bottom 660 so that the rotation shaft 610 is perpendicular to the case bottom 660. Furthermore, the heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged so that the heat radiation sink 520 is located in a radial direction. With this structure, the overall vertical length of the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be compact.

[0150] The case scroll 670 may be formed to surround the heat radiation fan 600. The case scroll 670 may have a scroll opening 673 open toward the heat radiation sink 520. The case scroll 670 may include a downstream end 671 of a rotation direction R of the heat radiation fan 600 and an upstream end 672 of the rotation direction R.

[0151] The fan case 650 may include a case guide 680 arranged to guide air moving to the vicinity of the downstream end 671 of the case scroll 670 from the heat radiation fan 600.

[0152] The heat radiation sink 520 may include a plurality of heat radiation fins 525. The plurality of heat sink fins 525 may protrude from the top 522 of the heat radiation sink base 521. The plurality of heat sink fins 525 may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the top 522 of the heat radiation sink base 521.

[0153] Heat radiation channels may be formed between the plurality of heat radiation fins 525.

[0154] The heat radiation fan 600 may blow air toward the heat radiation sink 520, and the air moved by the heat radiation fan 600 may exchange heat with the plurality of heat radiation fins 525 while passing through the heat radiation channels.

[0155] The cooling sink 570 may include a plurality of cooling fins 575. The plurality of cooling fins 575 may be formed to extend in a direction parallel to the lower surface of the cooling sink base 571.

[0156] Cooling channels may be formed between the plurality of cooling fins 575.

[0157] The air moved by the cooling fan 800 may exchange heat with the plurality of cooling fins 575 while passing through the cooling channels.

[0158] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 7, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include a sensor module 340, the refrigeration cycle device 450, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and / or a controller 350.

[0160] The sensor module 340 may include at least one sensor for collecting sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1.

[0161] The sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may include data (e.g., temperature data, humidity data, image data, etc.) associated with internal environments (e.g., inside temperature, inside humidity, internal image, etc.) of the refrigerator 1 and / or data associated with external environments (e.g., outside temperature, outside humidity, proximity of the user) of the refrigerator 1.

[0162] The sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may include data associated with states of components (e.g., the refrigeration cycle device 450, the thermoelectric cooling device 400, and the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24) of the refrigerator 1.

[0163] For example, the sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may include whether the refrigeration cycle device 450 operates, whether the thermoelectric cooling device 400 operates, or whether the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 is open or closed.

[0164] In an embodiment, the sensor module 340 may include the first defrost sensor 111, the second defrost sensor 112, an indoor sensor 341, an outdoor sensor 342 and / or a door sensor 343.

[0165] An example of the sensor module 340 is not, however, limited thereto, and any sensor that is able to collect the sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may be employed in the sensor module 340.

[0166] The first defrost sensor 111 may measure temperature of the evaporator 3. The first defrost sensor 111 may send information about the temperature of the evaporator 3 to the controller 350.

[0167] The second defrost sensor 112 may measure temperature of the cooling sink 570. The second defrost sensor 112 may send information about the temperature of the cooling sink 570 to the controller 350.

[0168] The indoor sensor 341 may measure temperature and / or humidity of the storage 11, 12 or 13. The indoor sensor 341 may send information about the temperature and / or humidity of the storage 11, 12 or 13 to the controller 350.

[0169] The outdoor sensor 342 may measure temperature and / or humidity outside the main body 100. The outdoor sensor 342 may send information about the temperature and / or humidity outside the main body 100 to the controller 350.

[0170] The door sensor 343 may detect whether the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 are open or closed. The door sensor 343 may send information relating to opening or closing of the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 to the controller 350. For example, the door sensor 343 may send information about opening or closing of the first door 21 and / or the second door 22 that opens or closes the first storage 11 to the controller 350.

[0171] The processor 351 of the controller 350 may control various components of the refrigerator 1 (e.g., the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450) based on the information sent from the sensor module 340.

[0172] The memory 352 of the controller 350 may store the information sent from the sensor module 340.

[0173] The refrigeration cycle device 450 may cool the storages 11, 12 and 13.

[0174] The refrigeration cycle device 450 may include the compressor 2, the condenser (not shown), the expansion device (not shown), and the evaporator 3, and include an evaporator fan 80 for blowing the cold air produced from the evaporator 3 to the storages 11, 12 and 13.

[0175] The cold air produced from the evaporator 3 may be discharged into the second storage 12 or the third storage 13, or may be supplied into the first storage 11 through the first evaporator duct 60, the second evaporator duct 70 and the damper 61.

[0176] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may control opening or closing the damper 61 during the operation of the refrigeration cycle device 450, and thus open the damper 61 when cold air is to be supplied into the first storage 11 and close the damper 61 when there is no need to supply cold air into the first storage 11.

[0177] The compressor 2 compresses the refrigerant, and supply the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger (e.g., the condenser (not shown), the expansion device (not shown) and the evaporator 3).

[0178] The controller 350 may control the compressor 2 to adjust the temperature of the cold air produced from the evaporator 3. For example, the controller 350 may control the compressor 2 to maintain the temperature measured by the indoor sensor 341 at a defined target temperature.

[0179] The controlling of the compressor 2 may include operating the compressor 2. The operating of the compressor 2 may include controlling on / off of the compressor 2 or controlling an operating frequency of the compressor 2.

[0180] The operating of the compressor 2 may include operating the evaporator fan 80 as well. The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 along with the evaporator fan 80.

[0181] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may cool the storage 11.

[0182] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat radiation fan 600 and the cooling fan 800.

[0183] When supplied with power, the thermoelectric element 530 may allow heat exchange between the cooling sink 570 and the heat radiation sink 520. For example, the thermoelectric element 530 may convert electric energy to thermal energy so that heat radiation action occurs in the heater 531 and heat absorption action occurs in the cooler 532.

[0184] When the heat radiation action occurs in the heater 531, the air that has warmed by the heat radiation sink 520 that contacts the heater 531 may be discharged out of the main body 100 and the air that has cooled by the cooling sink 570 that contacts the cooler 532 may be supplied into the storage 11.

[0185] The controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530. The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include controlling a driving circuit for supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0186] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include turning on the thermoelectric element 530. The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include turning on / off the thermoelectric element 530 with a defined duty ratio.

[0187] Turning on the thermoelectric element 530 may include supplying electric energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., suppling power to the thermoelectric element 530. The supplying of the power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include applying a voltage and / or a current to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0188] Turning off the thermoelectric element 530 may include not supplying electric energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., not suppling power to the thermoelectric element 530. The not-supplying of the power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include not applying a voltage and / or a current to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0189] When the thermoelectric element 530 is operated, the heat radiation sink 520 may come into contact with the heater 531 to absorb heat from the heater 531 and emit heat to the outside of the main body 100.

[0190] When the thermoelectric element 530 is operated, the cooling sink 570 may cool the storage 11 by taking heat from the storage 11 and transferring the heat to the cooler 532.

[0191] The heat radiation fan 600 may draw in air from outside the main body 100 and guide the air to exchange heat with the heat radiation sink 520, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 back to the outside of the main body 100.

[0192] The controller 350 may control the heat radiation fan 600. The controlling of the heat radiation fan 600 may include controlling a fan motor of the heat radiation fan 600. The controlling of the heat radiation fan 600 may include operating the heat radiation fan 600 and turning off the heat radiation fan 600. The operating of the heat radiation fan 600 may include rotating the heat radiation fan 600 at a defined velocity. Turning off the heat radiation fan 600 may include stopping the rotation of the heat radiation fan 600.

[0193] The fan motor of the heat radiation fan 600 may include a BLDC motor, speed of which is controllable.

[0194] As the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 is moved with the operation of the heat radiation fan 600, the heat radiation sink 520 may radiate heat fast. With the rapid heat radiation of the heat radiation sink 520, heat radiation action in the heater 531 and heat absorption action in the cooler 532 may occur smoothly.

[0195] The cooling fan 800 may draw in air from inside the storage 11 and guide the air to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 back into the storage 11.

[0196] The controller 350 may control the cooling fan 800. The controlling of the cooling fan 800 may include controlling the fan motor of the cooling fan 800. The controlling of the cooling fan 800 may include operating the cooling fan 800 and turning off the cooling fan 800. The operating of the cooling fan 800 may include rotating the cooling fan 800 at a defined velocity. Turning off the cooling fan 800 may include stopping the rotation of the cooling fan 800.

[0197] The fan motor of the cooling fan 800 may include a BLDC motor, speed of which is controllable.

[0198] As the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 is moved around with the operation of the cooling fan 800, the inside of the first storage 11 may be cooled fast. With the movement of the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570, heat radiation action in the heater 531 and heat absorption action in the cooler 532 may occur smoothly.

[0199] The controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 when operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0200] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned on. The operating of the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned on may include operating the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 after a lapse of a defined period of time after the thermoelectric element 530 is turned on, and / or operating the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 a defined time before the thermoelectric element 530 is turned on, and / or operating the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 when the thermoelectric element 530 is turned on.

[0201] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may turn off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off. The turning off of the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off may include turning off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 after a lapse of a defined period of time after the thermoelectric element 530 is turned off, and / or turning off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 a defined time before the thermoelectric element 530 is turned off, and / or turning off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 when the thermoelectric element 530 is turned off.

[0202] In the disclosure, the opposite concept of operating a specific component may be turning off the specific component or not operating the specific component.

[0203] In the disclosure, the operating of the refrigeration cycle device 450 may operating the compressor 2.

[0204] In the disclosure, the operating of the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0205] The refrigerator 1 may include the communication interface 360 for communicating with an external device (e.g., a server or a user device) wiredly and / or wirelessly.

[0206] The communication interface 360 may include at least one processor 361 for controlling a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to or from an external device, and at least one memory 362 for storing a program and data for controlling the communication module.

[0207] The at least one memory 362 may store data required for various embodiments. The memory 362 may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in or detachable from the refrigerator 1 depending on the data storage use. For example, data for operating the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 and data for an extended function of the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1. In the meantime, the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 may be implemented with at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), a hard drive or a solid state drive (SSD)). The memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 may be implemented in such a format as a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro-SD, mini-SD, extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.) or an external memory (e.g., USB memory) connectable to a USB port.

[0208] In various embodiments, the at least one memory 352 or 362 may store a trained artificial intelligence (AI) model (e.g., a temperature prediction model), and the at least one processor 351 or 361 may use the trained AI model (e.g., the temperature prediction model) to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0209] In various embodiments, the trained AI model (e.g., the temperature prediction model) may be stored in an external device (e.g., a server).

[0210] The temperature prediction model may be trained to output a near-future temperature value (hereinafter, a predicted temperature value) of the storage 11 by using sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 as input data. Herein, the term near future may refer to a time after a lapse of a defined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) from the current point in time.

[0211] The temperature prediction model may use the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to output the predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0212] The predicted temperature value of the storage 11 may refer to a temperature value of the storage 11 predicted at a time after a lapse of the defined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) from the current point in time.

[0213] In an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may use the temperature prediction model to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11. In an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may use the temperature prediction model only when a particular condition is satisfied, to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0214] The controller 350 and the communication interface 360 of the refrigerator 1 may be connected wiredly or wirelessly. For example, the processor 351 of the controller 350 and the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 may transmit or receive various information, commands or instructions to or from each other wiredly or wirelessly.

[0215] In an embodiment, when the temperature prediction model is stored in the memory 352 of the controller 350 and the processor 351 of the controller 350 may perform an operation of an AI model, the processor 351 may execute the temperature prediction model stored in the memory 352 and input sensor data collected from the sensor module 340 to the temperature prediction model to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0216] In the meantime, as the processor 351 of the controller 350 is a component for controlling general components of the refrigerator 1 (e.g., the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450), data processing load may be too heavy for the processor 351 of the controller 350 to execute the temperature prediction model.

[0217] In an embodiment, the temperature prediction model may be stored in the memory 362 of the communication interface 360, and the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 may perform an operation of the AI model. In this case, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may instruct the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 to perform the temperature prediction model, and in response to receiving the instruction, the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 may input the sensor data collected from the sensor module 340 to the temperature prediction model to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and send this to the processor 351 of the controller 350.

[0218] To instruct to perform the temperature prediction model, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may send the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to the processor 361 of the communication interface 360.

[0219] In the disclosure, by using the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 to execute the temperature prediction model, data processing load of the processor 351 of the controller 350 may be reduced.

[0220] In the meantime, according to various embodiments, the temperature prediction model may be stored in an external device and the external device may perform an operation of the AI model. In this case, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may control the communication interface 360 to instruct the external device to perform the temperature prediction model, and in response to receiving the instruction, the external device may input the sensor data collected from the sensor module 340 to the temperature prediction model to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and send this to the processor 351 of the controller 350.

[0221] When instructing to perform the temperature prediction model, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may send the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to the external device through the communication interface 360.

[0222] In an embodiment, to reduce the data processing load, the refrigerator 1 may execute the temperature prediction model at defined intervals when a defined condition is satisfied (e.g., when a cooling mode is started).

[0223] The communication interface 360 may transmit or receive data to or from an external device (e.g., a server or a user device). For this, the communication interface 360 may support establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and communication through the established communication channel. In an embodiment, the communication interface 360 may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module or a GNSS communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a LAN communication module or a power-line communication module). A corresponding one of the communication modules may communicate with an external device over a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct or IrDA) or a second network (e.g., a remote communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., a plurality of chips).

[0224] The short-range communication module may include a bluetooth communication module, a BLE communication module, an NFC module, a WLAN, e.g., Wi-Fi, communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a WFD communication module, an UWB communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a uWave communication module, etc., without being limited thereto.

[0225] The long-range communication module may include a communication module for performing various types of long-range communication and include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits and receives RF signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server in a mobile communication network.

[0226] In an embodiment, the communication interface 360 may communicate with the external device through a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) connected to the refrigerator 1 to a wide area network (WAN) connected to the server. The refrigerator 1 may be connected to the server through the WAN.

[0227] The refrigerator 1 may receive various signals (e.g., remote instructions) from the external device through the communication interface 360.

[0228] The refrigerator 1 may transmit various signals to the external device through the communication interface 360.

[0229] The controller 350 may include the at least one processor 351 for controlling operation of the refrigerator 1, and at least one memory 352 for storing a program and data for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1.

[0230] The at least one memory 352 may store data required for various embodiments. The memory 352 may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in or detachable from the refrigerator 1 depending on the data storage use. For example, data for operating the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 and data for an extended function of the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1. In the meantime, the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 may be implemented with at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), a hard drive or a solid state drive (SSD)). The memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 may be implemented in such a format as a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro-SD, mini-SD, extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.) or an external memory (e.g., USB memory) connectable to a USB port. The at least one processor 351 controls general operation of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, the at least one processor 351 may be connected to the respective components of the refrigerator 1 (e.g., the sensor module 340, the refrigeration cycle device 450, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the communication interface 360) to control general operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, the at least one processor 351 may be electrically connected to the memory 352 to control general operation of the refrigerator 1. The processor 351 may include one or more processors.

[0231] The at least one processor 351 may execute at least one instruction stored in the memory 352 to perform operation of the refrigerator 1 according to various embodiments.

[0232] The at least one processor 351 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many integrated core (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator or a machine learning accelerator. The at least one processor 351 may control one or any combination of the other components of the refrigerator 1, and perform a communication related operation or data processing. The at least one processor 351 may execute at least one program or instruction stored in the memory 352. For example, the at least one processor 351 may execute the at least one instruction stored in the memory 352 to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0233] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation in various methods.

[0234] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation by operating only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 to supply cold air produced only by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 to the storage 11.

[0235] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation by operating only the compressor 2 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 to supply cold air produced only by the refrigeration cycle device to the storage 11.

[0236] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation by operating both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 to supply both cold air produced by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and cold air produced by the refrigeration cycle device to the storage 11.

[0237] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on current temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 and a target temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0238] For example, the controller 350 may perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the first storage 11 being higher than the target temperature of the first storage 11 (hereinafter, a first target temperature). In this case, the controller 350 may open the damper 61.

[0239] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may determine the first target temperature based on a set temperature of the first storage 11 (hereinafter, a first set temperature). The set temperature may refer to a temperature that may be set by the user.

[0240] For example, the controller 350 may determine the first target temperature by correcting the first set temperature based on the sensor data (e.g., temperature data outside the refrigerator, humidity data outside the refrigerator, etc.) collected from the sensor module 340. Accordingly, the first target temperature may be similar or equal to the first set temperature.

[0241] The controller 350 may terminate the refrigeration cycle by stopping operation of the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the first storage 11 falling to or below the first target temperature.

[0242] In another example, the controller 350 may perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the second storage 12 being higher than a target temperature of the second storage 12 (hereinafter, a second target temperature). In this case, the controller 350 may open or close the damper 61 according to the temperature of the first storage 11.

[0243] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may determine the second target temperature based on a set temperature of the second storage 12 (hereinafter, a second set temperature).

[0244] For example, the controller 350 may determine the second target temperature by correcting the second set temperature based on the sensor data collected from the sensor module 340. Accordingly, the second target temperature may be similar or equal to the second set temperature.

[0245] The controller 350 may terminate the refrigeration cycle by stopping operation of the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the second storage 11 falling to or below the second target temperature.

[0246] In the disclosure, the refrigeration cycle may refer to a period between when an operation of the compressor 2 is started and when the operation of the compressor 2 is terminated.

[0247] In the disclosure, the number of times that the refrigerator 1 performs the refrigeration cycle may refer to the number of times that the operation of the compressor 2 is stopped after the operation of the compressor 2 is started.

[0248] In an embodiment, an operating condition of the compressor 2 and an operating condition of the thermoelectric element 530 may be independent from each other.

[0249] According to the traditional technology, the refrigerator operates the compressor only when the temperature of the storage rises to the target temperature or higher to perform the refrigeration cycle. The performing of the refrigeration cycle only when the temperature of the storage rises to the target temperature or higher may cause the temperature of the storage to be far away from the target temperature when a rapid temperature rise in the storage is expected due to having an object with high heat capacity in the storage or due to a long door opening time.

[0250] To solve this problem, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may operate the thermoelectric element 530 and optionally, further operate the compressor 2 when a rapid temperature rise in the storage 11 is expected by using the temperature prediction model, thereby preventing the rapid temperature rise in the storage 11.

[0251] In the meantime, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include various components other than the aforementioned components. For example, the refrigerator 1 may include a user interface device (e.g., a display, an input device, a speaker, etc.) for receiving a user input and providing various information for the user to interact with the user.

[0252] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method by which a refrigerator cools a storage, according to an embodiment.

[0253] Referring to FIG. 8, the controller 350 may determine whether the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies a first cooling condition, in 1100. The temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 may refer to temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 at the current point in time measured by the indoor sensor 341.

[0254] The first cooling condition may be referred to as a temperature condition in that it is a condition associated with the temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0255] The first cooling condition may include temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 exceeding a target temperature.

[0256] The controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 exceeding the target temperature.

[0257] For example, the controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the first storage 11 exceeding first target temperature. The controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the second storage 12 exceeding second target temperature. The controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the third storage 13 exceeding third target temperature.

[0258] The first cooling condition may further include a rapid cooling condition.

[0259] The controller 350 may determine whether the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies the rapid cooling condition, in 1110.

[0260] The rapid cooling condition may include the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 exceeding the target temperature, and a difference between the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 and the target temperature being larger than a defined value (e.g., 3° C.).

[0261] For example, the controller 350 may determine that the rapid cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature of the first storage 11 exceeding a first target temperature and a difference between the temperature of the first storage 11 and the first target temperature being larger than a first defined value. The controller 350 may determine that the rapid cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature of the second storage 12 exceeding a second target temperature and a difference between the temperature of the second storage 12 and the second target temperature being larger than a second defined value. The controller 350 may determine that the rapid cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature of the third storage 13 exceeding a third target temperature and a difference between the temperature of the third storage 13 and the third target temperature being larger than a third defined value.

[0262] The controller 350 may perform only the refrigeration cycle in 1130 based on the first cooling condition of the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied in 1100 and the rapid cooling condition not being satisfied in 1100.

[0263] The performing of only the refrigeration cycle may include operating only the compressor 2 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530.

[0264] Based on the rapid cooling condition of the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied in 1110, the controller 350 may perform the refrigeration cycle and operate the thermoelectric element 530 in 1120.

[0265] The performing of the refrigeration cycle and the operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530.

[0266] The controller 350 may determine whether the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies a cooling termination condition, in 1140.

[0267] The cooling termination condition may include the temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 falling to the target temperature.

[0268] Based on the cooling termination condition of the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied in 1140, the controller 350 may terminate cooling of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0269] The terminating of the cooling of the storage 11, 12 or 13 may include terminating the refrigeration cycle by stopping the operation of the compressor 2, and optionally, stopping the operation of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0270] The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 based on the cooling termination condition being satisfied during operation 1120.

[0271] The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 based on the cooling termination condition being satisfied during operation 1130.

[0272] As such, the first cooling condition is associated with the current temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13. Hence, controlling the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 based only on the first cooling condition may make it vulnerable to the rapid temperature change of the storage.

[0273] The controller 350 may determine whether a second cooling condition is satisfied, in 1200.

[0274] The second cooling condition is different from the first cooling condition, and may be referred to as a constant temperature condition in that it is a condition to minimize the temperature change of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0275] The second cooling condition may include a first condition for operating the thermoelectric element 530, and optionally include a second condition for operating the compressor 2. The first and second conditions may be independent from each other.

[0276] The first condition may be referred to as an operation condition (or control condition) for the thermoelectric element 530, and the second condition may be referred to as an operation condition (or control condition) for the compressor 2.

[0277] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an operating condition of a thermoelectric element, according to an embodiment.

[0278] Referring to FIG. 9, the first condition may include a plurality of first conditions each having priority.

[0279] The plurality of first conditions may each include priority and a control parameter. The control parameter may include an output voltage and / or an on / off duty ratio of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0280] The plurality of first conditions may each include a start condition and a termination condition. The controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 based on the corresponding control parameter when the start condition is satisfied, and stop controlling the thermoelectric element 530 when the termination condition is satisfied.

[0281] The controlling of the thermoelectric element 530 may include not only operating the thermoelectric element 530 but also maintaining an off state of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0282] In an embodiment, the first condition may include receiving a user command to operate the thermoelectric element 530.

[0283] On receiving the user command to operate the thermoelectric element 530, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 with a control parameter according to a user setting. When receiving the user command to operate the thermoelectric element 530, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 with a control parameter according to the user setting until a user command to stop operating the thermoelectric element 530 is received or a defined period of time elapses.

[0284] In an embodiment, the first condition may include condition M1. The condition M1 may be a condition associated with a cooling mode as will be described later.

[0285] For example, a start condition of the condition M1 may include the difference between an expected temperature value of the storage 11 and a target temperature value being larger than a defined value after the start of the cooling mode.

[0286] The cooling mode will be described in detail later.

[0287] A termination condition of the condition M1 may include the difference between an expected temperature value of the storage 11 and the target temperature value falling to or below a reference value after the thermoelectric element 530 is operated.

[0288] The controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 based on a control parameter M2 based on the condition M1 being satisfied.

[0289] In an embodiment, the first condition may include condition L1 having higher priority than the condition M1.

[0290] In an embodiment, while the thermoelectric element 530 is being controlled in response to a first condition having high priority being satisfied, even when a first condition with low priority is satisfied, the thermoelectric element 530 may not be controlled with a control parameter corresponding to the first condition having the low priority.

[0291] Specifically, while the thermoelectric element 530 is being controlled with control parameter L2 in response to the condition L1 being satisfied, even when the condition M1 having low priority is satisfied, the controller 350 may maintain to control the thermoelectric element 530 with control parameter L2 without controlling the thermoelectric element 530 with control parameter M2.

[0292] The condition L1 may include initial installation conditions, and various conditions associated with the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340.

[0293] For example, a start condition of the condition L1 may include a lapse of a certain period of time after the refrigerator 1 is powered on. A termination condition of the condition L1 may include the temperature of the storage 11 falling to or below a defined temperature. When the start condition of the condition L1 includes a lapse of the certain period of time after the refrigerator 1 is powered on, output voltage (or duty ratio) L2 may have a relatively larger value than 0.

[0294] While the thermoelectric element 530 is being controlled with control parameter L2 based on the condition L1 being satisfied, even when the condition Ml having a priority lower than condition L1 is satisfied, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 based on the control parameter L2.

[0295] In another example, the condition L1 may include various conditions in which efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates. In this case, the output voltage (or duty ratio) L2 of the condition L1 may be set to 0.

[0296] When the condition in which the efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates is satisfied, the controller 350 may not operate the thermoelectric element 530 even when the condition M1 having lower priority than the condition L1 is satisfied.

[0297] A start condition of the condition in which the efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates may include, for example, a condition in which a certain period of time does not elapse right after the refrigerator 1 is powered on, a condition in which a temperature lower than a defined temperature is detected by the second defrost sensor 112 for a certain period of time, a condition in which an error of the refrigeration cycle device 450 is detected, a condition in which opening of the first door 21 or the second door 22 is continuously detected for a certain period of time (e.g., 5 minutes), and / or a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than a defined temperature (e.g., 39° C.).

[0298] A termination condition of the condition in which the efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates may include, for example, a condition in which a certain period of time elapses right after the refrigerator 1 is powered on, a condition in which a temperature higher than the defined temperature is detected by the second defrost sensor 112, a condition in which an error of the refrigeration cycle device 450 is not detected, a condition in which closing of the first door 21 or the second door 22 is detected, and / or a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator is lower than the defined temperature (e.g., 39° C.). The condition L1 may include various conditions apart from the aforementioned conditions.

[0299] In an embodiment, the first condition may include condition N1 having a lower priority than the condition M1.

[0300] In various embodiments, the condition N1 may include a condition regarding temperature and humidity outside the refrigerator.

[0301] For example, the condition N1 may include a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to a first range and humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than defined humidity, a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to a second range lower than the first range and humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than defined humidity, and / or a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to a third range lower than the first range and humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than defined humidity.

[0302] An output voltage or duty ratio of the control parameter N2 corresponding to the condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to the first range and the humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the defined humidity may be higher than an output voltage or duty ratio of the control parameter N2 corresponding to the condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to the second range and the humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the defined humidity.

[0303] According to the disclosure, the thermoelectric element 530 may operate according to the first condition no matter whether the compressor 2 operates.

[0304] The second condition may be an operating condition of the compressor 2 regardless of the first cooling condition, and may include a plurality of second conditions. The second condition may include a start condition and a termination condition. The second condition may include a control parameter. The control parameter may include an operating frequency of the compressor 2 and whether to open or close the damper 61.

[0305] In an embodiment, the second condition may be associated with a predicted temperature value of the second storage 12, and optionally associated with a predicted temperature value of the first storage 11.

[0306] The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 in response to the start condition of the second condition being satisfied, and stop operating the compressor 2 in response to the termination condition of the second condition being satisfied.

[0307] The controller 350 may perform a hybrid cooling operation based on the second cooling condition being satisfied, in 1210.

[0308] The hybrid cooling operation may include operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on the start condition of the first condition being satisfied, operating the compressor 2 based on the start condition of the second condition being satisfied, and operating both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 based on the start conditions of the first and second conditions being both satisfied.

[0309] The controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on the start condition of the first condition being satisfied. The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 based on the start condition of the second condition being satisfied.

[0310] Based on a second cooling termination condition being satisfied in 1220, the controller 350 may terminate the hybrid cooling operation in 1230.

[0311] The second cooling termination condition may correspond to the termination condition of the first condition and / or the termination condition of the second condition.

[0312] The controller 350 may stop operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on the termination condition of the first condition being satisfied. The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 based on the termination condition of the second condition being satisfied.

[0313] According to the disclosure, provided are the refrigerator 1 for performing the hybrid cooling operation according to whether not only a temperature condition but also a constant temperature condition are satisfied, and a method for controlling the refrigerator 1.

[0314] A cooling mode associated with the condition M1 will now be described in detail.

[0315] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0316] Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 350 may determine whether a defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 is satisfied, in 2100.

[0317] The defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 may include a defined condition associated with opening of the first door 21 and / or the second door 22 which opens or closes the first storage 11.

[0318] The defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 may include defined events in which a rapid temperature change of the first storage 1 is expected.

[0319] For example, the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 may include a time for which the door 21 or 22 is kept open exceeding a first defined time (e.g., about 10 seconds).

[0320] In response to a lapse of the first defined time without detecting of closing of the door 21 or 22 after the opening of the door 21 or 22 is detected by the door sensor 343, the controller 350 may determine that a defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 is satisfied.

[0321] In another example, the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 may include a cumulative time of opening the door 21 or 22 exceeding a second defined time (e.g., about 1 minute).

[0322] The controller 350 may count a cumulative time from when opening of the door 21 or 22 is detected by the door sensor 343 to when closing of the door 21 or 22 is detected, and determine that the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 is satisfied when the counted time (the cumulative time for which the door 21 or 22 is open) exceeds the second defined time (e.g., about 1 minute).

[0323] In another example, the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 may include heat capacity of an object stored in the storage 11 after the door 21 or 22 is opened being larger than a defined size.

[0324] The controller 350 may turn on a camera (e.g., an infrared camera) for capturing an image of the inside of the storage 11 when opening of the door 21 or 22 is detected by the door sensor 343, identify heat capacity of an object placed in the storage 11 after the door 21 or 22 is opened based on the image obtained from the camera that captures the image of the inside of the storage 11, and determine that the defined condition associated with the opening of the door 21 or 22 is satisfied when the identified heat capacity of the object is larger than the defined size.

[0325] Based on the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 being satisfied in 2100, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode in 2200.

[0326] In the disclosure, the cooling mode corresponds to a mode for obtaining a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, and determining whether to operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on the predicted temperature value of the storage 11. In the disclosure, when it is determined that operation of the thermoelectric element 530 is not required even when the cooling mode is started, the cooling mode may be terminated without operation of the thermoelectric element 530, and when it is determined that operation of the thermoelectric element is required, the cooling mode may be terminated as the operation of the thermoelectric element 530 is stopped after operation of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0327] Based on the start of the cooling mode in 2200, the controller 350 may initialize values associated with the defined condition associated with opening of the door.

[0328] For example, the defined condition associated with a door opening time may include a cumulative time of opening the door exceeding a defined time, and the controller 350 may initialize the cumulative time based on the start of the cooling mode.

[0329] Based on the start of the cooling mode in 2200, the controller 350 may obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11 in 2300 by inputting sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to a temperature prediction model.

[0330] As described above, the controller 350 may obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 by inputting the sensor data to the temperature prediction model in various methods.

[0331] In an embodiment, to reduce the data processing load, the controller 350 may obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 by inputting the sensor data to the temperature prediction model at defined intervals (e.g., of 5 minutes).

[0332] However, when a rapid temperature change in the storage 11 is expected, there is a need to quickly check the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 by changing the defined interval.

[0333] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may change the defined interval.

[0334] For example, the controller 350 may change the defined interval based on the temperature of the storage 11. The controller 350 may change the defined interval based on a temperature change value of the storage 11 for each unit time. The controller 350 may linearly or non-linearly adjust the defined interval to be shorter as the temperature change value of the storage 11 for each unit time increases.

[0335] According to the disclosure, provided is the refrigerator 1 capable of obtaining more accurate predicted temperature values by obtaining the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 at relatively short intervals when there is a large temperature change in the storage 11.

[0336] In another example, the controller 350 may change the defined interval based on the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value. The controller 350 may linearly or non-linearly adjust the defined interval to be shorter as the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value increases.

[0337] According to the disclosure, provided is the refrigerator 1 capable of obtaining more accurate predicted temperature values by obtaining the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 at relatively short intervals when the temperature change in the storage 11 is expected to be large.

[0338] The controller 350 may compare the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 with the target temperature of the storage 11, in 2400.

[0339] Specifically, the controller 350 may determine whether the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 is larger than the target temperature value of the storage 11 by a defined value. In other words, the controller 350 may determine whether the difference between the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and the target temperature value of the storage 11 is larger than the defined value (e.g., 10° C.).

[0340] For convenience of explanation, the difference between the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and the target temperature value of the storage 11 will now be referred to as a difference value.

[0341] As described above, the controller 350 may determine the target temperature based on a set temperature for the storage 11 and sensor data outside the refrigerator collected by the outdoor sensor 342. For example, the controller 350 may determine the target temperature to be lower than the set temperature for the storage 11 when the temperature and / or humidity outside the refrigerator is high.

[0342] FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the thermoelectric element 530 is not operated even after a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0343] Referring to FIG. 11, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value being maintained to be less than a defined value T1 (no in 2400 or yes in 2450) until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as the defined number of times (e.g., two times) from time to at which the cooling mode is started.

[0344] In other words, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode in 2700 without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value being equal to or less than the defined value T1 until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as the defined number of times.

[0345] The terminating of the cooling mode by the controller 350 is because the difference value maintained to be less than the defined value even though the refrigeration cycle has been performed as many as the defined number of times means there is no longer a room for the temperature of the storage 11 to rise according to an event associated with opening the door 21 or 22.

[0346] While the refrigeration cycle is being performed, the controller 350 may count the number of times that the refrigeration cycle is performed inclusive of the refrigeration cycle that is being currently performed.

[0347] When the refrigeration cycle is not performed, the controller 350 may count the number of refrigeration cycles that will be performed subsequently.

[0348] For example, the controller 350 may count the number of times that the refrigeration cycle is performed based on the compressor 2 being changed from an operation state to a terminated state.

[0349] The controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode at time t2 at which the difference value is maintained to be equal to or less than the defined value and the number of times that the refrigeration cycle is performed exceeds the defined number of times.

[0350] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a lapse of a reference time while the difference value is maintained to be equal to and less than the defined value.

[0351] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a gradient of the difference value being changed from a positive value to a negative value while the difference value is maintained to be equal to and less than the defined value.

[0352] According to the disclosure, when the thermoelectric element 530 does not have to be operated to maintain the temperature of the storage 11, the cooling mode may be terminated without operation of the thermoelectric element 530, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0353] As shown in FIG. 11, when the cooling mode begins while the refrigeration cycle is being performed by the compressor 2, the predicted temperature of the storage 11 may not rise significantly. However, when opening time of the door 21 or 22 is significantly long or an object with significantly high heat capacity is put in the storage 11 even after the cooling mode begins while the refrigeration cycle is being performed by the compressor 2, there is a room for the predicted temperature of the storage 11 to rise significantly.

[0354] Based on the difference value being larger than the defined value in 2400 while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 in 2500.

[0355] A condition in which the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode may correspond to the condition M1 as described in FIG. 9.

[0356] When the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 with the first control parameter M1. The first control parameter may include a lookup table in which difference values match on / off duty ratios of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0357] When the difference value is larger than the defined value, the controller 350 may control the duty ratio of the thermoelectric device 530 based on the difference value. For example, when the difference value is larger than the defined value, the controller 350 may control the duty ratio of the thermoelectric device 530 to be higher the larger the difference value.

[0358] In an embodiment, when a control condition with higher priority than the cooling mode is satisfied and thus the thermoelectric element 530 is controlled with a second control parameter even though the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may keep controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on the second control parameter.

[0359] The control condition with higher priority than the cooling mode may include the control condition L1 having higher priority than the control condition M1 corresponding to the cooling mode.

[0360] Specifically, when the thermoelectric element 530 is controlled according to the control parameter L2 as the condition L1 is satisfied even when the condition M1 is satisfied, the controller 350 may keep controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on the control parameter L2.

[0361] For example, the controller 350 may not operate the thermoelectric element 530 when the thermoelectric element 530 is in an off state according to the condition L1 even when the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode.

[0362] In another example, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 with a first duty ratio when the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, but when the thermoelectric element 530 is operated with a second duty ratio according to the condition L1 even when the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may keep operating the thermoelectric element 530 with the second duty ratio.

[0363] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value being larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode regardless of whether the compressor 2 operates (whether the refrigeration cycle proceeds).

[0364] Accordingly, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 while the refrigeration cycle is being progressed, or operate the thermoelectric element 530 when the refrigeration cycle is not progressed, or start the refrigeration cycle while operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0365] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode in 2700 by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value falling to or below a reference value in 2600 after operating the thermoelectric element 530. The reference value may be smaller than the defined value and larger than the target temperature value.

[0366] FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which a compressor and a thermoelectric element are operated together when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0367] Referring to FIG. 12, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode at time t0 at which a defined condition associated with door opening time is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle is not progressed.

[0368] Afterward, as the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 rises, the refrigeration cycle may begin, and the difference value may exceed the defined value T1 at time t1 after or before the refrigeration cycle begins.

[0369] Based on the difference value exceeding the defined value T1, the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated; when the thermoelectric element 530 is operated while the refrigeration cycle is being performed, both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated; when the thermoelectric element 530 is operated while the refrigeration cycle is not performed, only the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated.

[0370] In other words, the controller 350 may start the refrigeration cycle based on the cooling condition being satisfied, and based on the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value while performing the refrigeration cycle, the controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 together by operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0371] Afterward, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 at time t2 at which the difference value falls to or below the reference value T2.

[0372] FIG. 13 illustrates an example in which only a thermoelectric element is operated among a compressor and the thermoelectric element when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0373] Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode at time t0 at which a defined condition associated with door opening time is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle is being progressed.

[0374] Afterward, even while the refrigeration cycle is being progressed according to an event associated with the door opening time, the difference value may exceed the defined value T1 at time t1.

[0375] Even when the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 drops after the completion of the refrigeration cycle, the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated based on the difference value exceeding the defined value T1.

[0376] In other words, even though the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 is maintained at or below the target temperature, when the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 is high, only the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530.

[0377] For example, based on the difference value exceeding the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not performed, the controller 350 may operate only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 by operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0378] Afterward, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 at time t2 at which the difference value falls to or below the reference value T2.

[0379] When the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies a cooling condition before the time t2 is reached, it is obvious that the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 and the compressor 2 together by operating the compressor 2.

[0380] In an embodiment of the disclosure, by managing the future temperature of the storage 11 through operation of the thermoelectric element 530 and managing the current temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 through operation of the compressor 2, the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 may be maintained with minimum energy consumption.

[0381] In the meantime, when the difference value significantly increases during operation in the cooling mode, the temperature of the storage 11 may not be maintained only by operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0382] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 when the difference value exceeds a maximum set value while operating in the cooling mode.

[0383] That is, the controller 350 may determine whether to operate the compressor 2 based on the difference value.

[0384] FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which a compressor is operated while a thermoelectric element is operating when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0385] Referring to FIG. 14, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode at time t0 at which a defined condition associated with door opening time is satisfied after completion of the refrigeration cycle.

[0386] When the defined condition associated with the door opening time is satisfied right after the completion of the refrigeration cycle, it is more likely that the predicted temperature value rises sharply. With the sharp rise of the predicted temperature value, the difference value may exceed the defined value T1 at time t1.

[0387] The thermoelectric element 530 may be operated based on the difference value exceeding the defined value T1, but the difference value may rise sharply and exceed the maximum set value T3.

[0388] The compressor 2 may be operated at time ta at which the difference value reaches the maximum set value T3.

[0389] However, to prevent excessive energy consumption, the compressor 2 may be stopped at time tb at which the difference value falls to a defined value which is smaller than the maximum set value T3 and larger than the defined value T1.

[0390] Afterward, the thermoelectric element 530 may be stopped at time t2 at which the difference value drops to the reference value T2.

[0391] The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 based on the difference value reaching the maximum set value T3. For example, the controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 based on the difference value reaching the maximum set value T3 regardless of whether the cooling condition is satisfied.

[0392] The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 based on the difference value falling to or below a defined value after operation of the compressor 2. The defined value may be set to a value between the maximum set value T3 and the defined value T1 in advance.

[0393] The controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value falling to or below the reference value T2 after the compressor 2 is stopped.

[0394] According to the disclosure, rapid temperature changes in the storage 11 may be proactively dealt with by cooling the storage 11 in advance by using not only the thermoelectric element 530 but also the compressor 2 when the predicted temperature of the storage 11 rises sharply.

[0395] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator 1 includes the main body 100 defining the storage 11, 12 or 13; the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 opening or closing the storage 11, 12 or 13; the refrigeration cycle device 450 including the compressor 2 and the evaporator 3 and configured to cool the storage 11, 12 or 13; the thermoelectric element 530 configured to cool the storage 11, 12 or 13; at least one sensor 340 configured to collect sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1; and at least one processor 351 or 361 configured to perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on a cooling condition being satisfied, and start a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with an opening time of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 being satisfied, wherein the at least one processor 351 or 361 is configured to, based on the start of the cooling mode, obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13 by inputting the sensor data to a temperature prediction model, and operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and a target temperature value being larger than the defined value T1.

[0396] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 in response to a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value falling to or below the reference value T2 after the operating of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0397] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to terminate the cooling mode without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value being equal to or less than the defined value T1 until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as a defined number of times.

[0398] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to determine the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data.

[0399] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to operate the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 together by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while performing the refrigeration cycle.

[0400] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to operate only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while the refrigeration cycle is not performed.

[0401] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on a first control parameter in response to a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value being larger than the defined value T1.

[0402] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to keep controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on a second control parameter, in response to the thermoelectric element 530 being controlled with the second control parameter as a control condition having higher priority than the cooling mode is satisfied even though the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value is larger than the defined value T1 while operating in the cooling mode.

[0403] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13 at defined intervals.

[0404] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to change the defined interval based on temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0405] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to change the defined interval based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0406] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may include a first processor 351 configured to control the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530; and a second processor 361 configured to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0407] The first processor 351 may be configured to instruct the second processor 361 to perform the temperature prediction model in response to the start of the cooling mode, and the second processor 361 may be configured to obtain the predicted temperature value in response to receiving the instruction from the first processor 351 and send the predicted temperature value to the first processor 351.

[0408] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to control a duty ratio of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0409] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to determine whether to operate the compressor 2 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0410] The defined condition may include a cumulative time of opening the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 exceeding a defined time.

[0411] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may initialize the cumulative time based on the start of the cooling mode.

[0412] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for controlling the refrigerator 1 may include performing a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on a cooling condition being satisfied; starting a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with an opening time of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 for opening or closing the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied; based on the start of the cooling mode, obtaining a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13 by inputting sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 to a temperature prediction model, and operating the thermoelectric element 530 for cooling the storage 11, 12 or 13 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and a target temperature value being larger than the defined value T1.

[0413] The method may further include terminating the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 in response to a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value falling to or below the reference value T2 after the operating of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0414] The method may further include terminating the cooling mode based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value being equal to or less than the defined value T1 until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as a defined number of times.

[0415] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 together by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while performing the refrigeration cycle.

[0416] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while the refrigeration cycle is not performed.

[0417] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a first control parameter, and the method may further include keeping controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on a second control parameter, in response to the thermoelectric element 530 being controlled with the second control parameter as a control condition having higher priority than the cooling mode is satisfied even though the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value is larger than the defined value T1 while operating in the cooling mode.

[0418] The defined condition may include a cumulative time of opening the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 exceeding a defined time, and the method may further include initializing the cumulative time based on the start of the cooling mode.

[0419] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in the form of a recording medium for storing instructions to be carried out by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform operations in the embodiments of the disclosure. The recording media may correspond to computer-readable recording media.

[0420] The computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording medium having data stored thereon that may be thereafter read by a computer. For example, it may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0421] The computer-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. The term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may mean a tangible device without including a signal, e.g., electromagnetic waves, and may not distinguish between storing data in the storage medium semi-permanently and temporarily. For example, the non-transitory storage medium may include a buffer that temporarily stores data.

[0422] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the aforementioned method according to the various embodiments of the disclosure may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be a commercial product that may be traded between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a recording medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), through an application store (e.g., Play store™), directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones), or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded). In the case of online distribution, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be at least temporarily stored or arbitrarily created in a recording medium that may be readable to a device such as a server of the manufacturer, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

[0423] The embodiments of the disclosure have thus far been described with reference to accompanying drawings. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be practiced in other forms than the embodiments of the disclosure as described above without changing the technical idea or essential features of the disclosure. The above embodiments of the disclosure are only by way of example, and should not be construed in a limited sense.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0045]Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

[0046]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure.

[0047]For example, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” as herein used are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0048]The terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, represent the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0049]When an element is mentioned as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported on” or “contacting” another element,...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of International Application PCT / KR2025 / 099397, filed Feb. 14, 2025, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0032702, filed Mar. 7, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0072568, filed Jun. 3, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a refrigerator equipped with a thermoelectric element and a refrigeration cycle device for cooling a storage and a method for controlling the refrigerator.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The refrigerator is a home appliance having a main body with storages and a cold air supply provided for supplying cold air into the storages to keep things fresh.

[0004] For the cold air supply of the refrigerator, a thermoelectric cooling device that causes heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect may be used. The thermoelectric cooling device may include a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may have a heater formed on one side and a cooler formed on the other side, and when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element, a heating action may occur in the heater and a heat absorption action may occur in the cooler.

[0005] The thermoelectric cooling device may be equipped with a heat sink, a cooling sink, a heat radiation fan, a cooling fan, a heat radiation duct and a cooling duct to increase cooling efficiency for the storage through the thermoelectric cooling device.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0006] The disclosure provides a refrigerator with economic energy consumption and improved constant temperature performance and a method for controlling the refrigerator.

[0007] The disclosure provides a refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator, which may minimize temperature changes due to opening or closing of the door.

[0008] The disclosure provides a refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator, which may minimize temperature changes due to an object having large heat capacity.

[0009] The disclosure provides a refrigerator and method for controlling the refrigerator, which enhances constant temperature performance by using not only the current temperature of a storage but also a predicted temperature.

[0010] Technological objectives of the disclosure are not limited to what are mentioned above, and throughout the specification, it will be clearly appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that there may be other technological objectives unmentioned.Technical Solution

[0011] In accordance with the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body defining a storage chamber; a door configured to open and close the storage chamber; a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor and an evaporator and operable to cool the storage chamber; a thermoelectric element operable to cool the storage chamber; at least one sensor configured to produce sensor data associated with the refrigerator; and at least one processor configured to: operate the compressor to perform a refrigeration cycle based on a cooling condition being satisfied, and start a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with a time that the door is open being satisfied, based on the cooling mode being started, obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from a temperature prediction model based on the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor, and operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and a target temperature value being greater than a defined value.

[0012] The at least one processor may be further configured to terminate the cooling mode by stopping operating the thermoelectric element in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to a reference value after operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber.

[0013] The at least one processor may be further configured to terminate the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to the defined value until the refrigeration cycle is performed a defined number of times.

[0014] The at least one processor may be further configured to determine the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor.

[0015] The at least one processor may be further configured to operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is being performed such that the thermoelectric element and the compressor are being operated together.

[0016] The at least one processor may be further configured to operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not being performed such that only the thermoelectric element is being operated from among the thermoelectric element and the compressor.

[0017] The at least one processor may be further configured to: operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a first control parameter in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value, and while operating the thermoelectric element based on a second control parameter in response to a control condition having higher priority than the cooling mode being satisfied, even though the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value is greater than the defined value, keep operating the the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the second control parameter.

[0018] The at least one processor may be further configured to: obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, and change the defined intervals based on a temperature of the storage chamber.

[0019] The at least one processor is further configured to: obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, and change the defined intervals based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

[0020] The at least one processor may include: a first processor configured to control the refrigeration cycle device and the thermoelectric element; and a second processor configured to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model; and the first processor may be further configured to send to the second processor an instruction to obtain the predicted temperature value from the temperature prediction model in response to the cooling mode being started, and the second processor may be further configured to: obtain the predicted temperature value from the temperature prediction model in response to the instruction of the first processor being received, and send the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model to the first processor.

[0021] The at least one processor may be further configured to control a duty ratio of the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

[0022] The at least one processor may be further configured to determine whether to operate the compressor based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

[0023] The defined condition may include a cumulative time that the door is open exceeding a defined time, and the at least one processor may be further configured to initialize the cumulative time based on the cooling mode being started.

[0024] In accordance with the present disclosure, a method for controlling a refrigerator including a main body defining a storage chamber, a door configured to open and close the storage chamber, a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor and an evaporator and operable to cool the storage chamber, a thermoelectric element operable to cool the storage chamber, at least one sensor configured to produce sensor data associated with the refrigerator, and at least one processor, the method may include: by the at least one processor, operating the compressor to perform a refrigeration cycle based on a cooling condition being satisfied, and starting a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with a time that the door is open being satisfied, and based on the cooling mode being started, obtaining a predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from a temperature prediction model based on the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor, and operating a thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and a target temperature value being greater than a defined value.

[0025] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, terminating the cooling mode by stopping operating the thermoelectric element in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to a reference value after operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber.

[0026] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, terminating the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to the defined value until the refrigeration cycle is performed a defined number of times.

[0027] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, determining the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor.

[0028] The operating the thermoelectric element comprises: operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is being performed such that the thermoelectric element and the compressor are being operated together.

[0029] The operating the thermoelectric element comprises: operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not being performed such that only the thermoelectric element is being operated from among the thermoelectric element and the compressor.

[0030] The method may further include: by the at least one processor, obtaining the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, and changing the defined intervals based on at least one of a temperature of the storage chamber or the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator with doors open, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an upper portion of a storage of a refrigerator viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of FIG. 2.

[0036] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooling device, according to an embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method by which a refrigerator cools a storage, according to an embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an operating condition of a thermoelectric element, according to an embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which a thermoelectric element is not operated even after a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which a compressor and a thermoelectric element are operated together when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 13 illustrates an example in which only a thermoelectric element is operated among a compressor and the thermoelectric element when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which a compressor is operated while a thermoelectric element is operating when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.MODES OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

[0046] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure.

[0047] For example, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” as herein used are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0048] The terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, represent the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0049] When an element is mentioned as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported on” or “contacting” another element, it includes not only a case that the elements are directly connected to, coupled to, supported on or contact each other but also a case that the elements are connected to, coupled to, supported on or contact each other through a third element.

[0050] Throughout the specification, when an element is mentioned as being located “on” another element, it implies not only that the element is abut on the other element but also that a third element exists between the two elements.

[0051] The terms “forward or front”, “rearward or back”, “left”, “right”, “upper or up” or “lower or down” as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shapes and position of the respective components. For example, the front may be defined as +X direction and the back may be defined as −X direction. For example, with respect to the drawings, the right may be defined as +Y direction and the left may be defined as −Y direction. For example, with respect to the drawings, the upper direction may be defined as +Z direction and the lower direction may be defined as −Z direction.

[0052] The term including an ordinal number such as “first”, “second”, or the like is used to distinguish one component from another and does not restrict the former component.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms, such as “˜ part”, “˜ block”, “˜ member”, “˜ module”, etc., may refer to a unit of handling at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may refer to at least one process handled by hardware such as a field-programmable gate array (9) / application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., software stored in a memory, or at least one processor.

[0054] An embodiment of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals or symbols refer to like parts or components.

[0055] In an embodiment, a refrigerator may include a main body.

[0056] The main body may include insulation. The insulation may insulate inside and outside of the storage so that the temperature in the storage is maintained at a set suitable temperature without being influenced by external environments of the storage. In an embodiment, the insulation may include foam insulation such as polyurethane foam. In an embodiment, the insulation may include an additional vacuum insulation in addition to the foam insulation, or may include only the vacuum insulation instead of the foam insulation.

[0057] Various items such as foods, medicines, cosmetics, etc., may be stored in the storage, and the storage may be formed with one side open to put in or take out the items.

[0058] The refrigerator may include one or more storages. When there are two or more storages formed in the refrigerator, each storage may have a different use and may be maintained at a different temperature. For this, the storages may be separated by partition walls including insulation.

[0059] The storage chambers may be provided to be each maintained at a suitable temperature range, and may include a fridge, a freezer or a temperature-changing room classified by the use and / or the temperature range. The fridge may be maintained at a suitable temperature for keeping items refrigerated, and the freezer may be maintained at a suitable temperature for keeping items frozen. Refrigeration may refer to cooling the items to an extent that the items are not frozen, and for example, the fridge may be maintained at a range of 0 to 7 degrees Celsius above zero. Freezing may refer to freezing the items or cooling the items in a frozen state, and for example, the freezer may be maintained at a range of 20 to 1 degree Celsius below zero. The temperature-changing room may be used as one of the fridge or the freezer according to or regardless of the user's choice.

[0060] The storage chambers may be called many different names such as “veggie room”, “fresh room”, “cooling room” and “ice-making room” in addition to the names such as “fridge chamber”, “freezer chamber” and “temperature-changing room”, and the terms such as “fridge chamber”, “freezer chamber” and “temperature-changing room” need to be understood as encompassing storage chambers having respective uses and temperature ranges.

[0061] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door arranged to open or close the one open side of the storage. A door may be equipped to open or close each of the one or more storages, or one door may be equipped to open or close multiple storages. The door may be rotationally or slidably installed at the front of the main body.

[0062] The door may be arranged to close the storage tight when closed. Like the main body, the door may include insulation to insulate the storage when closed.

[0063] In an embodiment, the door may include a door outer-plate that forms the front surface of the door, a door inner-plate that forms the rear surface of the door and faces the storage, an upper cap, a lower cap and door insulation provided inside of them.

[0064] A gasket may be arranged on edges of the door inner-plate to seal the storage by tightly contacting the front surface of the main body when the door is closed. The door inner-plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward for a door basket that may keep items to be installed thereon.

[0065] In an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer-plate that forms the front surface of the door body, a door inner-plate that forms the rear surface of the door body and faces the storage, an upper cap, a lower cap and door insulation provided inside of them.

[0066] The refrigerator may be distinguished according to the layout of the door(s) and storage(s) as a French door type, a side-by-side type, a bottom mounted freezer (BMF), a top mounted freezer (TMF) or a one-door refrigerator.

[0067] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supplier arranged to supply cold air into the storage.

[0068] The cold air supplier may include a machine, instrument, electronic device and / or system that combines them, which is able to produce and lead cold air to cool the storage.

[0069] In an embodiment, the cold air supplier may produce the cold air through a refrigeration cycle including processes of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation of a refrigerant. For this, the cold air supplier may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator that may operate the refrigeration cycle. In an embodiment, the cold air supplier may include semiconductors such as thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage chamber by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0070] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room arranged for at least some parts belonging to the cold air supplier to be placed therein.

[0071] The machine room may be separated and insulated from the storage to prevent heat generated from the parts arranged in the machine room from being transferred to the storage. To emit heat from the parts arranged in the machine room, the inside of the machine room may be formed to connect to the outside of the main body.

[0072] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser arranged at the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be located at the door for the user to make access thereto without a need to open the door.

[0073] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include an ice maker provided to produce ice. The ice maker may include an ice maker tray for storing water, an ice separator for separating ice from the ice maker tray, and an ice bucket for storing ice produced from the ice maker tray.

[0074] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0075] The controller may include a memory for storing or memorizing a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals to control components such as the cold air supplier according to the program and / or data stored in the memory.

[0076] The memory stores or records various information, data, instructions, programs, etc., required for operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data that is generated while the control signals to control the components included in the refrigerator are being generated. The memory may include at least one or a combination of volatile memories or non-volatile memories.

[0077] The processor controls general operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing the program stored in the memory. The processor may include an extra neural processing unit (NPU) that performs operation of an artificial intelligence (AI) model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), etc. The processor may generate control signals to control operation of the cold air supplier. For example, the processor may receive information about the temperature in the storage from a temperature sensor, and generate a refrigeration control signal to control an operation of the cold air supplier based on the temperature information of the storage.

[0078] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input to a user interface according to the program and / or data memorized / stored in the memory, and control operation of the user interface. The user interface may be provided by using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. Furthermore, the processor may send a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0079] The processor and the memory may be provided in one unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0080] In an embodiment, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling all the components included in the refrigerator, or include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for controlling the components of the refrigerator, respectively. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling operation of the cold air supplier according to the output of the temperature sensor. The refrigerator may include another processor and another memory for controlling operation of the user interface according to the user input.

[0081] A communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, another home appliance, etc., through a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) connected to the refrigerator or user device to a wide area network (WAN) connected to the server. The refrigerator or user device may be connected to the server through the WAN.

[0082] The input interface may include a key, a touch screen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive a user input and forward it to the processor.

[0083] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, alert, messages, information, etc., generated by the processor.

[0084] A working principle and embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0085] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator with doors open, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates an upper portion of a storage of a refrigerator viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of FIG. 2.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a refrigerator 1 may include a main body 100, storage chambers 11, 12, and 13 formed in the main body 100, and doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 arranged to open or close the storages 11, 12, and 13.

[0087] The main body 100 may include an inner case 170, an outer case 180 coupled onto the outer side of the inner case 170, and insulation 190 arranged between the inner case 170 and the outer case 180 (see FIG. 6). The inner case 170 may define the storages 11, 12 and 13, and the outer case 180 may define an exterior of the main body 100.

[0088] From another perspective, the main body 100 may include an upper wall 110, a lower wall 120, a left wall 130, a right wall 140 and a rear wall 150. The upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140 and the rear wall 150 may define the top surface, bottom surface, left surface, right surface and rear surface of the main body 100, respectively.

[0089] The inner case 170, the outer case 180 and the insulation 190 may define each of the upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140 and the rear wall 150. For example, the top surface of the upper wall 110 may be defined by the outer case 180, the bottom surface of the upper wall 110 may be defined by the inner case 170, and the insulation 190 may be arranged within the upper wall 110.

[0090] The storages 11, 12 and 13 may accommodate items. The storages 11, 12 and 13 may be formed to have open front to put in or take out the items. The main body 100 may include a horizontal partition wall 160 that divides a first storage 11 from a second storage 12 and a third storage 13, and a vertical partition wall 161 that divides the second storage 12 from the third storage 13. The first storage 11 may be arranged in an upper portion of the main body 100, and the second storage 12 and the third storage 13 may be arranged in a lower portion of the main body 100. The first storage 11 may be a fridge chamber; the second storage 12 may be a freezer chamber; the third storage 13 may be a temperature-changing chamber.

[0091] The doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 may open or close the storages 11, 12 and 13. The first door 21 and the second door 22 may open or close the first storage 11, the third door 23 may open or close the second storage 12, and the fourth door 24 may open or close the third storage 13. The doors 21, 22, 22 and 24 may be rotationally coupled to the main body 100.

[0092] The doors 21, 22, 22 and 24 may be rotationally coupled to the main body 100 by hinges. For example, the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be rotationally coupled to the main body 100 by hinges 31 arranged at the top of the main body 100 and hinges arranged in the middle of the main body 100. The hinge 31 may include a hinge pin that vertically protrudes to form a rotation shaft of the door. The hinge 31 may be covered by a top cover 300 arranged to cover the top front portion of the main body 100.

[0093] A rotation bar 40 may be arranged at one of the first door 21 and the second door 22 to cover a gap formed between the first door 21 and the second door 22 while the first door 21 and the second door 22 are closed. The rotation bar 40 may be rotationally arranged at one of the first door 21 and the second door 22. The rotation bar 40 may have the shape of a bar formed to be long in the vertical direction. The rotation bar 40 may also be referred to as a pillar or a mullion.

[0094] A guide projection 46 may be arranged at the top of the rotation bar 40, and a rotation guide 119 for guiding rotation of the guide projection 46 may be arranged at the top of the main body 100.

[0095] The doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 may include gaskets 51. The gaskets 51 may closely come into contact with the front surface of the main body 100 while the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 are closed. The doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 may include dikes 52 that protrude rearward. Door racks 53 may be mounted on the dike 52 to store items. The rotation bar 40 may be rotationally installed at the dike 52.

[0096] Although the number and layout of storages and the number and layout of doors were described above, there are no limitations on the number and layout of storages and the number and layout of doors of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0097] The refrigerator 1 may include a thermoelectric cooling device 400 arranged to cool the storage 11.

[0098] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be arranged above the storage 11 to cool the storage 11. Specifically, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be arranged at the upper wall 110 of the main body 100.

[0099] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a thermoelectric element 530. The thermoelectric element 530 may be a semiconductor device that uses the thermoelectric effect to convert thermal energy to electric energy and vice versa, and may also be referred to as a thermoelectric semiconductor device, a Peltier element, etc.

[0100] The thermoelectric element 530 includes a heater 531 and a cooler 532. When a current is applied to the thermoelectric element 530, a heat radiation action may occur in the heater 531 and a heat absorption action may occur in the cooler 532. The thermoelectric element 530 may be shaped like a thin hexahedron. The heater 531 may be arranged on one side of the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooler 532 may be arranged on the other side.

[0101] The thermoelectric element 530 may be arranged at the upper wall 110 such that the heater 531 is directed upward of the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooler 532 is directed downward of the thermoelectric element 530. In other words, the heater 531 may face outside of the main body 100 and the cooler 532 may face the inside of the storage 11. Accordingly, the air heated by exchanging heat with the heater 531 may be discharged out of the main body 100 and the air cooled by exchanging heat with the cooler 532 may be supplied into the storage 11.

[0102] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat radiation sink 520 that comes into contact with the heater 531 to efficiently perform heat exchange between the heater 531 and the air outside the main body 100.

[0103] The heat radiation sink 520 may be located outside the main body 100. The heat radiation sink 520 may come into contact with the heater 531 to absorb heat from the heater 531 and emit heat to the outside of the main body 100. The heat radiation sink 520 may also be referred to as a hot sink, a heat sink for heat dissipation, a hot heat sink, etc.

[0104] The heat radiation sink 520 may be formed of a metal with high heat conductivity. For example, the heat radiation sink 520 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0105] The heat radiation sink 520 may include a heat radiation sink base 521 that comes into contact with the heater 531, and a plurality of heat radiation fins 525 protruding from the heat radiation sink base 521 to expand the heating surface. The plurality of heat sink fins 525 may protrude upward from the heat radiation sink base 521.

[0106] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a cooling sink 570 that comes into contact with the cooler 532 to efficiently perform heat exchange between the cooler 532 and the air inside the storage 11.

[0107] The cooling sink 570 may be located in the storage 11. The cooling sink 570 may cool the storage 11 by taking heat from the storage 11 and transferring the heat to the cooler 532. The cooling sink 570 may also be referred to as a cold sink, a refrigeration sink, a cold heat sink, a cooling heat sink, etc.

[0108] The cooling sink 570 may be formed of a metal with high heat conductivity. For example, the cooling sink 570 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0109] The cooling sink 570 may include a cooling sink base 571 that comes into contact with the cooler 532, and a plurality of cooling fins 575 protruding from the cooling sink base 571 to expand the heating surface. The plurality of cooling fins 525 may protrude downward from the cooling sink base 571. The cooling sink base 571 and the plurality of cooling fins 575 may be integrally formed.

[0110] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat radiation fan 600 that forces air to move around to efficiently perform heat exchange between the heat radiation sink 520 and the air outside the main body 100.

[0111] The heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged to blow air to the heat radiation sink 520. The heat radiation fan 600 may be located in a horizontal direction of the heat radiation sink 520. The heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged outside the main body 100. The heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged on the top of the upper wall 110.

[0112] The heat radiation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan that draws air in the axial direction and discharges the air in the radial direction. The centrifugal fan may include a blower fan. A rotation shaft 610 of the heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged to be perpendicular to the top surface of the upper wall 110.

[0113] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a heat radiation duct 700 arranged to guide the air moving by the heat radiation fan 600. The heat radiation duct 700 may draw in air from outside the main body 100 and guide the air to exchange heat with the heat radiation sink 520, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 back to the outside of the main body 100.

[0114] The heat radiation duct 700 may draw in air from an outer space above the main body 100. The heat radiation duct 700 may discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 to the outer space above the main body 100. The heat radiation fan 600 may be located in the heat radiation duct 700. The heat radiation sink 520 may be located in the heat radiation duct 700. The heat radiation duct 700 may be arranged on the top surface of the upper wall 110.

[0115] The heat radiation duct 700 may include an outside air intake port 751 through which to draw in air from outside the main body 100 into the heat radiation duct 700, and an outside air discharge port 782 through which to discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 to the outside of the main body 100.

[0116] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a cooling fan 800 that forces air to move to efficiently perform heat exchange between the cooling sink 570 and the air inside the storage 11.

[0117] The cooling fan 800 may be arranged to blow air to the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be located in a horizontal direction of the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be arranged in the storage 11. The cooling fan 800 may be arranged underneath the upper wall 110.

[0118] The cooling fan 800 may be a centrifugal fan that draws air in the axial direction and discharges the air in the radial direction. A rotation shaft 810 of the cooling fan 800 may be arranged to be perpendicular to the bottom surface of the upper wall 110.

[0119] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a temperature sensor (hereinafter, a second defrost sensor) 112 for measuring temperature of the air cooled by the cooling fan 800.

[0120] The second defrost sensor 112 may measure temperature of the cooling sink 570. The measuring of the temperature of the cooling sink 570 may include measuring the temperature around the cooling sink 570 or measuring the temperature of the cooling sink 570 itself.

[0121] The second defrost sensor 112 may be arranged at the cooling sink 570, or in a cooling duct 900.

[0122] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include the cooling duct 900 arranged to guide the air moving by the cooling fan 800. The cooling duct 700 may draw in air from inside the storage 11 and guide the air to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 back into the storage 11.

[0123] The cooling fan 800 may be located in the cooling duct 900. The cooling sink 570 may be located in the cooling duct 900. The cooling duct 900 may be arranged underneath the upper wall 110.

[0124] The cooling duct 900 may include an inside air intake port 991 through which to draw in air from inside the storage 11 into the cooling duct 900, and an inside air discharge port 992 through which to discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 into the storage 11.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 4, the refrigerator 1 may include a refrigeration cycle device 450 (see FIG. 7) to cool the storage through a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle device 450 may include a compressor 2, a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown) and an evaporator 3. The evaporator 3 may be arranged behind the storages 12 and 13.

[0126] The refrigerator 1 may include a temperature sensor (hereinafter, a first defrost sensor) 111 for measuring temperature of the evaporator 3.

[0127] The first defrost sensor 111 may measure the temperature of the evaporator 3. The measuring of the temperature of the evaporator 3 may include measuring the temperature around the evaporator 3 or measuring the temperature of the evaporator 3 itself.

[0128] The first defrost sensor 111 may be arranged at the evaporator 3, or in evaporator ducts 60 and 70.

[0129] The refrigerator 1 may include the evaporator ducts 60 and 70 that guide cold air produced from the evaporator 3. The first evaporator duct 60 may be arranged behind the second storage 12 and the third storage 13. The second evaporator duct 70 may be arranged behind the first storage 11.

[0130] The cold air produced from the evaporator 3 may be drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 by the evaporator fan 80. The cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be discharged into the second storage 12 or the third storage 13 through a cold air outlet (not shown) formed on the front. Furthermore, the cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be guided into an internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70. A damper 61 may be arranged in the first evaporator duct 60 to control the cold air in the first evaporator duct 60 to be supplied into the second evaporator duct 70. A connection duct 90 may be arranged between the first evaporator duct 60 and the second evaporator duct 70 to connect the first evaporator duct 60 to the second evaporator duct 70.

[0131] The cold air brought into the internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 may be supplied into the first storage 11 through the cold air outlet 72 formed on the front of the second evaporator duct 70.

[0132] However, unlike the aforementioned embodiment, the cold air produced from the evaporator 3 may be supplied directly into the second evaporator duct 70 without passing through the first evaporator duct 60. Furthermore, the separate evaporator 3 may be arranged behind the first storage 11 to supply cold air into the second evaporator duct 70.

[0133] As such, as the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450 for cooling the storage 11, the method of supplying cold air into the storage 11 may include a first method of supplying cold air produced only by the thermoelectric cooling device 400, a second method of supplying cold air produced only by the refrigeration cycle device 450, and a third method of supplying cold air produced by both the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0134] The refrigerator 1 may supply cold air into the storage 11 in a proper method according to external and internal conditions. For example, the refrigerator 1 may cool the storage 1 in one of the methods according to the temperature of a room where the refrigerator 1 is installed. Specifically, when the room temperature is higher than a defined temperature, so cooling by the refrigeration cycle has higher efficiency than by the thermoelectric cooling device 400, the storage 11 may be cooled by the cold air produced only by the refrigeration cycle device 450. On the other hand, when the room temperature is lower than the defined temperature, so cooling by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 has higher efficiency than by the refrigeration cycle device 450, the storage 11 may be cooled by the cold air produced only by the thermoelectric cooling device 400. The refrigerator 1 may operate only the thermoelectric cooling device 400 when there is a need to reduce noise. The refrigerator 1 may supply cold air produced by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and cold air produced by the refrigeration cycle device 450 into the storage 11 at the same time when the storage 11 needs to be cooled rapidly.

[0135] As described above, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450, but is not limited thereto and the refrigerator may include only the thermoelectric cooling device 400.

[0136] Although the thermoelectric cooling device 400 was described as being arranged at the upper wall 110 of the main body 100, the location of the thermoelectric cooling device 400 is not limited thereto.

[0137] In various embodiments, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be arranged at at least one of the upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140 and the rear wall 150.

[0138] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooling device, according to an embodiment.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 6, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include a thermoelectric module 500.

[0140] The aforementioned thermoelectric element 530, the heat radiation sink 520, and the cooling sink 570 may be assembled together to constitute the thermoelectric module 500. In other words, the thermoelectric module 500 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat radiation sink 520, the cooling sink 570 and a module plate 550.

[0141] The module plate 550 may serve as a frame of the thermoelectric module 500. The module plate 550 may be formed of a resin material with low heat conductivity. The module plate 550 may keep a distance between the heat radiation sink 520 and the cooling sink 570, and support the heat radiation sink 520 and the cooling sink 570. The module plate 550 may be integrally formed with a fan case 650 which will be described later. However, it is also possible that the module plate 550 is arranged separately from the fan case 650.

[0142] The module plate 550 may include a heat radiation sink support 552 for supporting the heat radiation sink 520.

[0143] The module plate 550 may include a module plate opening 551. The thermoelectric element 530 may be arranged inside the module plate opening 551. The vertical length of the module plate opening 551 may be larger than the vertical length of the thermoelectric element 530, and the thermoelectric element 530 may be arranged on the top of the module plate opening 551. The reason why the thermoelectric element 530 is arranged on the top of the inside of the module plate opening 551 is that an amount of heat radiation of the thermoelectric element 530 is usually larger than an amount of heat absorption, that the thermoelectric element 530 being located on the top of the module plate opening 551 is advantageous to heat radiation of the heater 531.

[0144] As the thermoelectric element 530 is arranged on the top of the module plate opening 551, the cooling sink 570 may include a cooling conductor 574 that protrudes from the cooling sink base 571 to come into contact with the cooler 532 of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0145] The thermoelectric module 500 may include an element insulator 540 that insulates the module plate 550 from the thermoelectric element 530. The element insulator 540 may be arranged on the module plate opening 551 to prevent a side of the thermoelectric element 530 from contacting the module plate 550. The element insulator 540 may include an element insulator opening 541 so that the thermoelectric element 530 may be accommodated in the element insulator opening 541.

[0146] The thermoelectric module 500 may include a sink insulator 580 arranged between the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570. The sink insulator 580 may prevent heat transfer between the heat radiation sink 520 and the cooling sink 570 through the module plate 550. The sink insulator 580 may include a sink insulator opening 581. However, the sink insulator 580 may be omitted, and in this case, the heat radiation sink 520 may be supported on the top of the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570 may be supported on the bottom of the module plate 550.

[0147] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include the fan case 650 in which the heat radiation fan 600 is installed to guide air blown by the heat radiation fan 600.

[0148] The fan case 650 may be formed integrally with or separately from the module plate 550.

[0149] The fan case 650 may include a case bottom 660 on which the heat radiation fan 600 is rotationally installed, and a case scroll 670 extending upward from edges of the case bottom 660 to guide air blown from the heat radiation fan 600 toward the heat radiation sink 520. The heat radiation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan, which may be installed on the case bottom 660 so that the rotation shaft 610 is perpendicular to the case bottom 660. Furthermore, the heat radiation fan 600 may be arranged so that the heat radiation sink 520 is located in a radial direction. With this structure, the overall vertical length of the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may be compact.

[0150] The case scroll 670 may be formed to surround the heat radiation fan 600. The case scroll 670 may have a scroll opening 673 open toward the heat radiation sink 520. The case scroll 670 may include a downstream end 671 of a rotation direction R of the heat radiation fan 600 and an upstream end 672 of the rotation direction R.

[0151] The fan case 650 may include a case guide 680 arranged to guide air moving to the vicinity of the downstream end 671 of the case scroll 670 from the heat radiation fan 600.

[0152] The heat radiation sink 520 may include a plurality of heat radiation fins 525. The plurality of heat sink fins 525 may protrude from the top 522 of the heat radiation sink base 521. The plurality of heat sink fins 525 may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the top 522 of the heat radiation sink base 521.

[0153] Heat radiation channels may be formed between the plurality of heat radiation fins 525.

[0154] The heat radiation fan 600 may blow air toward the heat radiation sink 520, and the air moved by the heat radiation fan 600 may exchange heat with the plurality of heat radiation fins 525 while passing through the heat radiation channels.

[0155] The cooling sink 570 may include a plurality of cooling fins 575. The plurality of cooling fins 575 may be formed to extend in a direction parallel to the lower surface of the cooling sink base 571.

[0156] Cooling channels may be formed between the plurality of cooling fins 575.

[0157] The air moved by the cooling fan 800 may exchange heat with the plurality of cooling fins 575 while passing through the cooling channels.

[0158] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 7, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include a sensor module 340, the refrigeration cycle device 450, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and / or a controller 350.

[0160] The sensor module 340 may include at least one sensor for collecting sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1.

[0161] The sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may include data (e.g., temperature data, humidity data, image data, etc.) associated with internal environments (e.g., inside temperature, inside humidity, internal image, etc.) of the refrigerator 1 and / or data associated with external environments (e.g., outside temperature, outside humidity, proximity of the user) of the refrigerator 1.

[0162] The sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may include data associated with states of components (e.g., the refrigeration cycle device 450, the thermoelectric cooling device 400, and the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24) of the refrigerator 1.

[0163] For example, the sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may include whether the refrigeration cycle device 450 operates, whether the thermoelectric cooling device 400 operates, or whether the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 is open or closed.

[0164] In an embodiment, the sensor module 340 may include the first defrost sensor 111, the second defrost sensor 112, an indoor sensor 341, an outdoor sensor 342 and / or a door sensor 343.

[0165] An example of the sensor module 340 is not, however, limited thereto, and any sensor that is able to collect the sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 may be employed in the sensor module 340.

[0166] The first defrost sensor 111 may measure temperature of the evaporator 3. The first defrost sensor 111 may send information about the temperature of the evaporator 3 to the controller 350.

[0167] The second defrost sensor 112 may measure temperature of the cooling sink 570. The second defrost sensor 112 may send information about the temperature of the cooling sink 570 to the controller 350.

[0168] The indoor sensor 341 may measure temperature and / or humidity of the storage 11, 12 or 13. The indoor sensor 341 may send information about the temperature and / or humidity of the storage 11, 12 or 13 to the controller 350.

[0169] The outdoor sensor 342 may measure temperature and / or humidity outside the main body 100. The outdoor sensor 342 may send information about the temperature and / or humidity outside the main body 100 to the controller 350.

[0170] The door sensor 343 may detect whether the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 are open or closed. The door sensor 343 may send information relating to opening or closing of the doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 to the controller 350. For example, the door sensor 343 may send information about opening or closing of the first door 21 and / or the second door 22 that opens or closes the first storage 11 to the controller 350.

[0171] The processor 351 of the controller 350 may control various components of the refrigerator 1 (e.g., the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450) based on the information sent from the sensor module 340.

[0172] The memory 352 of the controller 350 may store the information sent from the sensor module 340.

[0173] The refrigeration cycle device 450 may cool the storages 11, 12 and 13.

[0174] The refrigeration cycle device 450 may include the compressor 2, the condenser (not shown), the expansion device (not shown), and the evaporator 3, and include an evaporator fan 80 for blowing the cold air produced from the evaporator 3 to the storages 11, 12 and 13.

[0175] The cold air produced from the evaporator 3 may be discharged into the second storage 12 or the third storage 13, or may be supplied into the first storage 11 through the first evaporator duct 60, the second evaporator duct 70 and the damper 61.

[0176] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may control opening or closing the damper 61 during the operation of the refrigeration cycle device 450, and thus open the damper 61 when cold air is to be supplied into the first storage 11 and close the damper 61 when there is no need to supply cold air into the first storage 11.

[0177] The compressor 2 compresses the refrigerant, and supply the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger (e.g., the condenser (not shown), the expansion device (not shown) and the evaporator 3).

[0178] The controller 350 may control the compressor 2 to adjust the temperature of the cold air produced from the evaporator 3. For example, the controller 350 may control the compressor 2 to maintain the temperature measured by the indoor sensor 341 at a defined target temperature.

[0179] The controlling of the compressor 2 may include operating the compressor 2. The operating of the compressor 2 may include controlling on / off of the compressor 2 or controlling an operating frequency of the compressor 2.

[0180] The operating of the compressor 2 may include operating the evaporator fan 80 as well. The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 along with the evaporator fan 80.

[0181] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may cool the storage 11.

[0182] The thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat radiation fan 600 and the cooling fan 800.

[0183] When supplied with power, the thermoelectric element 530 may allow heat exchange between the cooling sink 570 and the heat radiation sink 520. For example, the thermoelectric element 530 may convert electric energy to thermal energy so that heat radiation action occurs in the heater 531 and heat absorption action occurs in the cooler 532.

[0184] When the heat radiation action occurs in the heater 531, the air that has warmed by the heat radiation sink 520 that contacts the heater 531 may be discharged out of the main body 100 and the air that has cooled by the cooling sink 570 that contacts the cooler 532 may be supplied into the storage 11.

[0185] The controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530. The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include controlling a driving circuit for supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0186] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include turning on the thermoelectric element 530. The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include turning on / off the thermoelectric element 530 with a defined duty ratio.

[0187] Turning on the thermoelectric element 530 may include supplying electric energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., suppling power to the thermoelectric element 530. The supplying of the power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include applying a voltage and / or a current to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0188] Turning off the thermoelectric element 530 may include not supplying electric energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., not suppling power to the thermoelectric element 530. The not-supplying of the power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include not applying a voltage and / or a current to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0189] When the thermoelectric element 530 is operated, the heat radiation sink 520 may come into contact with the heater 531 to absorb heat from the heater 531 and emit heat to the outside of the main body 100.

[0190] When the thermoelectric element 530 is operated, the cooling sink 570 may cool the storage 11 by taking heat from the storage 11 and transferring the heat to the cooler 532.

[0191] The heat radiation fan 600 may draw in air from outside the main body 100 and guide the air to exchange heat with the heat radiation sink 520, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 back to the outside of the main body 100.

[0192] The controller 350 may control the heat radiation fan 600. The controlling of the heat radiation fan 600 may include controlling a fan motor of the heat radiation fan 600. The controlling of the heat radiation fan 600 may include operating the heat radiation fan 600 and turning off the heat radiation fan 600. The operating of the heat radiation fan 600 may include rotating the heat radiation fan 600 at a defined velocity. Turning off the heat radiation fan 600 may include stopping the rotation of the heat radiation fan 600.

[0193] The fan motor of the heat radiation fan 600 may include a BLDC motor, speed of which is controllable.

[0194] As the air that has exchanged heat with the heat radiation sink 520 is moved with the operation of the heat radiation fan 600, the heat radiation sink 520 may radiate heat fast. With the rapid heat radiation of the heat radiation sink 520, heat radiation action in the heater 531 and heat absorption action in the cooler 532 may occur smoothly.

[0195] The cooling fan 800 may draw in air from inside the storage 11 and guide the air to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 back into the storage 11.

[0196] The controller 350 may control the cooling fan 800. The controlling of the cooling fan 800 may include controlling the fan motor of the cooling fan 800. The controlling of the cooling fan 800 may include operating the cooling fan 800 and turning off the cooling fan 800. The operating of the cooling fan 800 may include rotating the cooling fan 800 at a defined velocity. Turning off the cooling fan 800 may include stopping the rotation of the cooling fan 800.

[0197] The fan motor of the cooling fan 800 may include a BLDC motor, speed of which is controllable.

[0198] As the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 is moved around with the operation of the cooling fan 800, the inside of the first storage 11 may be cooled fast. With the movement of the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570, heat radiation action in the heater 531 and heat absorption action in the cooler 532 may occur smoothly.

[0199] The controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 when operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0200] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned on. The operating of the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned on may include operating the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 after a lapse of a defined period of time after the thermoelectric element 530 is turned on, and / or operating the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 a defined time before the thermoelectric element 530 is turned on, and / or operating the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 when the thermoelectric element 530 is turned on.

[0201] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may turn off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off. The turning off of the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off may include turning off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 after a lapse of a defined period of time after the thermoelectric element 530 is turned off, and / or turning off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 a defined time before the thermoelectric element 530 is turned off, and / or turning off the cooling fan 800 and the heat radiation fan 600 when the thermoelectric element 530 is turned off.

[0202] In the disclosure, the opposite concept of operating a specific component may be turning off the specific component or not operating the specific component.

[0203] In the disclosure, the operating of the refrigeration cycle device 450 may operating the compressor 2.

[0204] In the disclosure, the operating of the thermoelectric cooling device 400 may include operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0205] The refrigerator 1 may include the communication interface 360 for communicating with an external device (e.g., a server or a user device) wiredly and / or wirelessly.

[0206] The communication interface 360 may include at least one processor 361 for controlling a communication module for transmitting or receiving data to or from an external device, and at least one memory 362 for storing a program and data for controlling the communication module.

[0207] The at least one memory 362 may store data required for various embodiments. The memory 362 may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in or detachable from the refrigerator 1 depending on the data storage use. For example, data for operating the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 and data for an extended function of the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1. In the meantime, the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 may be implemented with at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), a hard drive or a solid state drive (SSD)). The memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 may be implemented in such a format as a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro-SD, mini-SD, extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.) or an external memory (e.g., USB memory) connectable to a USB port.

[0208] In various embodiments, the at least one memory 352 or 362 may store a trained artificial intelligence (AI) model (e.g., a temperature prediction model), and the at least one processor 351 or 361 may use the trained AI model (e.g., the temperature prediction model) to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0209] In various embodiments, the trained AI model (e.g., the temperature prediction model) may be stored in an external device (e.g., a server).

[0210] The temperature prediction model may be trained to output a near-future temperature value (hereinafter, a predicted temperature value) of the storage 11 by using sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 as input data. Herein, the term near future may refer to a time after a lapse of a defined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) from the current point in time.

[0211] The temperature prediction model may use the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to output the predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0212] The predicted temperature value of the storage 11 may refer to a temperature value of the storage 11 predicted at a time after a lapse of the defined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) from the current point in time.

[0213] In an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may use the temperature prediction model to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11. In an embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may use the temperature prediction model only when a particular condition is satisfied, to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0214] The controller 350 and the communication interface 360 of the refrigerator 1 may be connected wiredly or wirelessly. For example, the processor 351 of the controller 350 and the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 may transmit or receive various information, commands or instructions to or from each other wiredly or wirelessly.

[0215] In an embodiment, when the temperature prediction model is stored in the memory 352 of the controller 350 and the processor 351 of the controller 350 may perform an operation of an AI model, the processor 351 may execute the temperature prediction model stored in the memory 352 and input sensor data collected from the sensor module 340 to the temperature prediction model to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11.

[0216] In the meantime, as the processor 351 of the controller 350 is a component for controlling general components of the refrigerator 1 (e.g., the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450), data processing load may be too heavy for the processor 351 of the controller 350 to execute the temperature prediction model.

[0217] In an embodiment, the temperature prediction model may be stored in the memory 362 of the communication interface 360, and the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 may perform an operation of the AI model. In this case, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may instruct the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 to perform the temperature prediction model, and in response to receiving the instruction, the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 may input the sensor data collected from the sensor module 340 to the temperature prediction model to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and send this to the processor 351 of the controller 350.

[0218] To instruct to perform the temperature prediction model, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may send the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to the processor 361 of the communication interface 360.

[0219] In the disclosure, by using the processor 361 of the communication interface 360 to execute the temperature prediction model, data processing load of the processor 351 of the controller 350 may be reduced.

[0220] In the meantime, according to various embodiments, the temperature prediction model may be stored in an external device and the external device may perform an operation of the AI model. In this case, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may control the communication interface 360 to instruct the external device to perform the temperature prediction model, and in response to receiving the instruction, the external device may input the sensor data collected from the sensor module 340 to the temperature prediction model to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and send this to the processor 351 of the controller 350.

[0221] When instructing to perform the temperature prediction model, the processor 351 of the controller 350 may send the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to the external device through the communication interface 360.

[0222] In an embodiment, to reduce the data processing load, the refrigerator 1 may execute the temperature prediction model at defined intervals when a defined condition is satisfied (e.g., when a cooling mode is started).

[0223] The communication interface 360 may transmit or receive data to or from an external device (e.g., a server or a user device). For this, the communication interface 360 may support establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and communication through the established communication channel. In an embodiment, the communication interface 360 may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module or a GNSS communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a LAN communication module or a power-line communication module). A corresponding one of the communication modules may communicate with an external device over a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct or IrDA) or a second network (e.g., a remote communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., a plurality of chips).

[0224] The short-range communication module may include a bluetooth communication module, a BLE communication module, an NFC module, a WLAN, e.g., Wi-Fi, communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a WFD communication module, an UWB communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a uWave communication module, etc., without being limited thereto.

[0225] The long-range communication module may include a communication module for performing various types of long-range communication and include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits and receives RF signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server in a mobile communication network.

[0226] In an embodiment, the communication interface 360 may communicate with the external device through a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) connected to the refrigerator 1 to a wide area network (WAN) connected to the server. The refrigerator 1 may be connected to the server through the WAN.

[0227] The refrigerator 1 may receive various signals (e.g., remote instructions) from the external device through the communication interface 360.

[0228] The refrigerator 1 may transmit various signals to the external device through the communication interface 360.

[0229] The controller 350 may include the at least one processor 351 for controlling operation of the refrigerator 1, and at least one memory 352 for storing a program and data for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1.

[0230] The at least one memory 352 may store data required for various embodiments. The memory 352 may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in or detachable from the refrigerator 1 depending on the data storage use. For example, data for operating the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 and data for an extended function of the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1. In the meantime, the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 may be implemented with at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one-time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), a hard drive or a solid state drive (SSD)). The memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 may be implemented in such a format as a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro-SD, mini-SD, extreme digital (xD), multi-media card (MMC), etc.) or an external memory (e.g., USB memory) connectable to a USB port. The at least one processor 351 controls general operation of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, the at least one processor 351 may be connected to the respective components of the refrigerator 1 (e.g., the sensor module 340, the refrigeration cycle device 450, the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and the communication interface 360) to control general operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, the at least one processor 351 may be electrically connected to the memory 352 to control general operation of the refrigerator 1. The processor 351 may include one or more processors.

[0231] The at least one processor 351 may execute at least one instruction stored in the memory 352 to perform operation of the refrigerator 1 according to various embodiments.

[0232] The at least one processor 351 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many integrated core (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator or a machine learning accelerator. The at least one processor 351 may control one or any combination of the other components of the refrigerator 1, and perform a communication related operation or data processing. The at least one processor 351 may execute at least one program or instruction stored in the memory 352. For example, the at least one processor 351 may execute the at least one instruction stored in the memory 352 to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0233] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation in various methods.

[0234] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation by operating only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 to supply cold air produced only by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 to the storage 11.

[0235] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation by operating only the compressor 2 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 to supply cold air produced only by the refrigeration cycle device to the storage 11.

[0236] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a cooling operation by operating both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 to supply both cold air produced by the thermoelectric cooling device 400 and cold air produced by the refrigeration cycle device to the storage 11.

[0237] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on current temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 and a target temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0238] For example, the controller 350 may perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the first storage 11 being higher than the target temperature of the first storage 11 (hereinafter, a first target temperature). In this case, the controller 350 may open the damper 61.

[0239] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may determine the first target temperature based on a set temperature of the first storage 11 (hereinafter, a first set temperature). The set temperature may refer to a temperature that may be set by the user.

[0240] For example, the controller 350 may determine the first target temperature by correcting the first set temperature based on the sensor data (e.g., temperature data outside the refrigerator, humidity data outside the refrigerator, etc.) collected from the sensor module 340. Accordingly, the first target temperature may be similar or equal to the first set temperature.

[0241] The controller 350 may terminate the refrigeration cycle by stopping operation of the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the first storage 11 falling to or below the first target temperature.

[0242] In another example, the controller 350 may perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the second storage 12 being higher than a target temperature of the second storage 12 (hereinafter, a second target temperature). In this case, the controller 350 may open or close the damper 61 according to the temperature of the first storage 11.

[0243] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may determine the second target temperature based on a set temperature of the second storage 12 (hereinafter, a second set temperature).

[0244] For example, the controller 350 may determine the second target temperature by correcting the second set temperature based on the sensor data collected from the sensor module 340. Accordingly, the second target temperature may be similar or equal to the second set temperature.

[0245] The controller 350 may terminate the refrigeration cycle by stopping operation of the compressor 2 based on the temperature of the second storage 11 falling to or below the second target temperature.

[0246] In the disclosure, the refrigeration cycle may refer to a period between when an operation of the compressor 2 is started and when the operation of the compressor 2 is terminated.

[0247] In the disclosure, the number of times that the refrigerator 1 performs the refrigeration cycle may refer to the number of times that the operation of the compressor 2 is stopped after the operation of the compressor 2 is started.

[0248] In an embodiment, an operating condition of the compressor 2 and an operating condition of the thermoelectric element 530 may be independent from each other.

[0249] According to the traditional technology, the refrigerator operates the compressor only when the temperature of the storage rises to the target temperature or higher to perform the refrigeration cycle. The performing of the refrigeration cycle only when the temperature of the storage rises to the target temperature or higher may cause the temperature of the storage to be far away from the target temperature when a rapid temperature rise in the storage is expected due to having an object with high heat capacity in the storage or due to a long door opening time.

[0250] To solve this problem, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may operate the thermoelectric element 530 and optionally, further operate the compressor 2 when a rapid temperature rise in the storage 11 is expected by using the temperature prediction model, thereby preventing the rapid temperature rise in the storage 11.

[0251] In the meantime, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include various components other than the aforementioned components. For example, the refrigerator 1 may include a user interface device (e.g., a display, an input device, a speaker, etc.) for receiving a user input and providing various information for the user to interact with the user.

[0252] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a method by which a refrigerator cools a storage, according to an embodiment.

[0253] Referring to FIG. 8, the controller 350 may determine whether the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies a first cooling condition, in 1100. The temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 may refer to temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 at the current point in time measured by the indoor sensor 341.

[0254] The first cooling condition may be referred to as a temperature condition in that it is a condition associated with the temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0255] The first cooling condition may include temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 exceeding a target temperature.

[0256] The controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 exceeding the target temperature.

[0257] For example, the controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the first storage 11 exceeding first target temperature. The controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the second storage 12 exceeding second target temperature. The controller 350 may determine that the first cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature in the third storage 13 exceeding third target temperature.

[0258] The first cooling condition may further include a rapid cooling condition.

[0259] The controller 350 may determine whether the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies the rapid cooling condition, in 1110.

[0260] The rapid cooling condition may include the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 exceeding the target temperature, and a difference between the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 and the target temperature being larger than a defined value (e.g., 3° C.).

[0261] For example, the controller 350 may determine that the rapid cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature of the first storage 11 exceeding a first target temperature and a difference between the temperature of the first storage 11 and the first target temperature being larger than a first defined value. The controller 350 may determine that the rapid cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature of the second storage 12 exceeding a second target temperature and a difference between the temperature of the second storage 12 and the second target temperature being larger than a second defined value. The controller 350 may determine that the rapid cooling condition is satisfied based on the temperature of the third storage 13 exceeding a third target temperature and a difference between the temperature of the third storage 13 and the third target temperature being larger than a third defined value.

[0262] The controller 350 may perform only the refrigeration cycle in 1130 based on the first cooling condition of the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied in 1100 and the rapid cooling condition not being satisfied in 1100.

[0263] The performing of only the refrigeration cycle may include operating only the compressor 2 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530.

[0264] Based on the rapid cooling condition of the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied in 1110, the controller 350 may perform the refrigeration cycle and operate the thermoelectric element 530 in 1120.

[0265] The performing of the refrigeration cycle and the operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530.

[0266] The controller 350 may determine whether the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies a cooling termination condition, in 1140.

[0267] The cooling termination condition may include the temperature in the storage 11, 12 or 13 falling to the target temperature.

[0268] Based on the cooling termination condition of the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied in 1140, the controller 350 may terminate cooling of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0269] The terminating of the cooling of the storage 11, 12 or 13 may include terminating the refrigeration cycle by stopping the operation of the compressor 2, and optionally, stopping the operation of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0270] The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 based on the cooling termination condition being satisfied during operation 1120.

[0271] The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 based on the cooling termination condition being satisfied during operation 1130.

[0272] As such, the first cooling condition is associated with the current temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13. Hence, controlling the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 based only on the first cooling condition may make it vulnerable to the rapid temperature change of the storage.

[0273] The controller 350 may determine whether a second cooling condition is satisfied, in 1200.

[0274] The second cooling condition is different from the first cooling condition, and may be referred to as a constant temperature condition in that it is a condition to minimize the temperature change of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0275] The second cooling condition may include a first condition for operating the thermoelectric element 530, and optionally include a second condition for operating the compressor 2. The first and second conditions may be independent from each other.

[0276] The first condition may be referred to as an operation condition (or control condition) for the thermoelectric element 530, and the second condition may be referred to as an operation condition (or control condition) for the compressor 2.

[0277] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an operating condition of a thermoelectric element, according to an embodiment.

[0278] Referring to FIG. 9, the first condition may include a plurality of first conditions each having priority.

[0279] The plurality of first conditions may each include priority and a control parameter. The control parameter may include an output voltage and / or an on / off duty ratio of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0280] The plurality of first conditions may each include a start condition and a termination condition. The controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 based on the corresponding control parameter when the start condition is satisfied, and stop controlling the thermoelectric element 530 when the termination condition is satisfied.

[0281] The controlling of the thermoelectric element 530 may include not only operating the thermoelectric element 530 but also maintaining an off state of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0282] In an embodiment, the first condition may include receiving a user command to operate the thermoelectric element 530.

[0283] On receiving the user command to operate the thermoelectric element 530, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 with a control parameter according to a user setting. When receiving the user command to operate the thermoelectric element 530, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 with a control parameter according to the user setting until a user command to stop operating the thermoelectric element 530 is received or a defined period of time elapses.

[0284] In an embodiment, the first condition may include condition M1. The condition M1 may be a condition associated with a cooling mode as will be described later.

[0285] For example, a start condition of the condition M1 may include the difference between an expected temperature value of the storage 11 and a target temperature value being larger than a defined value after the start of the cooling mode.

[0286] The cooling mode will be described in detail later.

[0287] A termination condition of the condition M1 may include the difference between an expected temperature value of the storage 11 and the target temperature value falling to or below a reference value after the thermoelectric element 530 is operated.

[0288] The controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 based on a control parameter M2 based on the condition M1 being satisfied.

[0289] In an embodiment, the first condition may include condition L1 having higher priority than the condition M1.

[0290] In an embodiment, while the thermoelectric element 530 is being controlled in response to a first condition having high priority being satisfied, even when a first condition with low priority is satisfied, the thermoelectric element 530 may not be controlled with a control parameter corresponding to the first condition having the low priority.

[0291] Specifically, while the thermoelectric element 530 is being controlled with control parameter L2 in response to the condition L1 being satisfied, even when the condition M1 having low priority is satisfied, the controller 350 may maintain to control the thermoelectric element 530 with control parameter L2 without controlling the thermoelectric element 530 with control parameter M2.

[0292] The condition L1 may include initial installation conditions, and various conditions associated with the sensor data collected by the sensor module 340.

[0293] For example, a start condition of the condition L1 may include a lapse of a certain period of time after the refrigerator 1 is powered on. A termination condition of the condition L1 may include the temperature of the storage 11 falling to or below a defined temperature. When the start condition of the condition L1 includes a lapse of the certain period of time after the refrigerator 1 is powered on, output voltage (or duty ratio) L2 may have a relatively larger value than 0.

[0294] While the thermoelectric element 530 is being controlled with control parameter L2 based on the condition L1 being satisfied, even when the condition Ml having a priority lower than condition L1 is satisfied, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 based on the control parameter L2.

[0295] In another example, the condition L1 may include various conditions in which efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates. In this case, the output voltage (or duty ratio) L2 of the condition L1 may be set to 0.

[0296] When the condition in which the efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates is satisfied, the controller 350 may not operate the thermoelectric element 530 even when the condition M1 having lower priority than the condition L1 is satisfied.

[0297] A start condition of the condition in which the efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates may include, for example, a condition in which a certain period of time does not elapse right after the refrigerator 1 is powered on, a condition in which a temperature lower than a defined temperature is detected by the second defrost sensor 112 for a certain period of time, a condition in which an error of the refrigeration cycle device 450 is detected, a condition in which opening of the first door 21 or the second door 22 is continuously detected for a certain period of time (e.g., 5 minutes), and / or a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than a defined temperature (e.g., 39° C.).

[0298] A termination condition of the condition in which the efficiency is low even when the thermoelectric element 530 operates may include, for example, a condition in which a certain period of time elapses right after the refrigerator 1 is powered on, a condition in which a temperature higher than the defined temperature is detected by the second defrost sensor 112, a condition in which an error of the refrigeration cycle device 450 is not detected, a condition in which closing of the first door 21 or the second door 22 is detected, and / or a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator is lower than the defined temperature (e.g., 39° C.). The condition L1 may include various conditions apart from the aforementioned conditions.

[0299] In an embodiment, the first condition may include condition N1 having a lower priority than the condition M1.

[0300] In various embodiments, the condition N1 may include a condition regarding temperature and humidity outside the refrigerator.

[0301] For example, the condition N1 may include a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to a first range and humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than defined humidity, a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to a second range lower than the first range and humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than defined humidity, and / or a condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to a third range lower than the first range and humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than defined humidity.

[0302] An output voltage or duty ratio of the control parameter N2 corresponding to the condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to the first range and the humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the defined humidity may be higher than an output voltage or duty ratio of the control parameter N2 corresponding to the condition in which the temperature outside the refrigerator belongs to the second range and the humidity outside the refrigerator is equal to or higher than the defined humidity.

[0303] According to the disclosure, the thermoelectric element 530 may operate according to the first condition no matter whether the compressor 2 operates.

[0304] The second condition may be an operating condition of the compressor 2 regardless of the first cooling condition, and may include a plurality of second conditions. The second condition may include a start condition and a termination condition. The second condition may include a control parameter. The control parameter may include an operating frequency of the compressor 2 and whether to open or close the damper 61.

[0305] In an embodiment, the second condition may be associated with a predicted temperature value of the second storage 12, and optionally associated with a predicted temperature value of the first storage 11.

[0306] The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 in response to the start condition of the second condition being satisfied, and stop operating the compressor 2 in response to the termination condition of the second condition being satisfied.

[0307] The controller 350 may perform a hybrid cooling operation based on the second cooling condition being satisfied, in 1210.

[0308] The hybrid cooling operation may include operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on the start condition of the first condition being satisfied, operating the compressor 2 based on the start condition of the second condition being satisfied, and operating both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 based on the start conditions of the first and second conditions being both satisfied.

[0309] The controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on the start condition of the first condition being satisfied. The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 based on the start condition of the second condition being satisfied.

[0310] Based on a second cooling termination condition being satisfied in 1220, the controller 350 may terminate the hybrid cooling operation in 1230.

[0311] The second cooling termination condition may correspond to the termination condition of the first condition and / or the termination condition of the second condition.

[0312] The controller 350 may stop operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on the termination condition of the first condition being satisfied. The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 based on the termination condition of the second condition being satisfied.

[0313] According to the disclosure, provided are the refrigerator 1 for performing the hybrid cooling operation according to whether not only a temperature condition but also a constant temperature condition are satisfied, and a method for controlling the refrigerator 1.

[0314] A cooling mode associated with the condition M1 will now be described in detail.

[0315] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling a refrigerator, according to an embodiment.

[0316] Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 350 may determine whether a defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 is satisfied, in 2100.

[0317] The defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 may include a defined condition associated with opening of the first door 21 and / or the second door 22 which opens or closes the first storage 11.

[0318] The defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 may include defined events in which a rapid temperature change of the first storage 1 is expected.

[0319] For example, the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 may include a time for which the door 21 or 22 is kept open exceeding a first defined time (e.g., about 10 seconds).

[0320] In response to a lapse of the first defined time without detecting of closing of the door 21 or 22 after the opening of the door 21 or 22 is detected by the door sensor 343, the controller 350 may determine that a defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 is satisfied.

[0321] In another example, the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 may include a cumulative time of opening the door 21 or 22 exceeding a second defined time (e.g., about 1 minute).

[0322] The controller 350 may count a cumulative time from when opening of the door 21 or 22 is detected by the door sensor 343 to when closing of the door 21 or 22 is detected, and determine that the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 is satisfied when the counted time (the cumulative time for which the door 21 or 22 is open) exceeds the second defined time (e.g., about 1 minute).

[0323] In another example, the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21 or 22 may include heat capacity of an object stored in the storage 11 after the door 21 or 22 is opened being larger than a defined size.

[0324] The controller 350 may turn on a camera (e.g., an infrared camera) for capturing an image of the inside of the storage 11 when opening of the door 21 or 22 is detected by the door sensor 343, identify heat capacity of an object placed in the storage 11 after the door 21 or 22 is opened based on the image obtained from the camera that captures the image of the inside of the storage 11, and determine that the defined condition associated with the opening of the door 21 or 22 is satisfied when the identified heat capacity of the object is larger than the defined size.

[0325] Based on the defined condition associated with opening of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 being satisfied in 2100, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode in 2200.

[0326] In the disclosure, the cooling mode corresponds to a mode for obtaining a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, and determining whether to operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on the predicted temperature value of the storage 11. In the disclosure, when it is determined that operation of the thermoelectric element 530 is not required even when the cooling mode is started, the cooling mode may be terminated without operation of the thermoelectric element 530, and when it is determined that operation of the thermoelectric element is required, the cooling mode may be terminated as the operation of the thermoelectric element 530 is stopped after operation of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0327] Based on the start of the cooling mode in 2200, the controller 350 may initialize values associated with the defined condition associated with opening of the door.

[0328] For example, the defined condition associated with a door opening time may include a cumulative time of opening the door exceeding a defined time, and the controller 350 may initialize the cumulative time based on the start of the cooling mode.

[0329] Based on the start of the cooling mode in 2200, the controller 350 may obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11 in 2300 by inputting sensor data collected by the sensor module 340 to a temperature prediction model.

[0330] As described above, the controller 350 may obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 by inputting the sensor data to the temperature prediction model in various methods.

[0331] In an embodiment, to reduce the data processing load, the controller 350 may obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 by inputting the sensor data to the temperature prediction model at defined intervals (e.g., of 5 minutes).

[0332] However, when a rapid temperature change in the storage 11 is expected, there is a need to quickly check the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 by changing the defined interval.

[0333] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may change the defined interval.

[0334] For example, the controller 350 may change the defined interval based on the temperature of the storage 11. The controller 350 may change the defined interval based on a temperature change value of the storage 11 for each unit time. The controller 350 may linearly or non-linearly adjust the defined interval to be shorter as the temperature change value of the storage 11 for each unit time increases.

[0335] According to the disclosure, provided is the refrigerator 1 capable of obtaining more accurate predicted temperature values by obtaining the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 at relatively short intervals when there is a large temperature change in the storage 11.

[0336] In another example, the controller 350 may change the defined interval based on the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value. The controller 350 may linearly or non-linearly adjust the defined interval to be shorter as the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value increases.

[0337] According to the disclosure, provided is the refrigerator 1 capable of obtaining more accurate predicted temperature values by obtaining the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 at relatively short intervals when the temperature change in the storage 11 is expected to be large.

[0338] The controller 350 may compare the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 with the target temperature of the storage 11, in 2400.

[0339] Specifically, the controller 350 may determine whether the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 is larger than the target temperature value of the storage 11 by a defined value. In other words, the controller 350 may determine whether the difference between the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and the target temperature value of the storage 11 is larger than the defined value (e.g., 10° C.).

[0340] For convenience of explanation, the difference between the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 and the target temperature value of the storage 11 will now be referred to as a difference value.

[0341] As described above, the controller 350 may determine the target temperature based on a set temperature for the storage 11 and sensor data outside the refrigerator collected by the outdoor sensor 342. For example, the controller 350 may determine the target temperature to be lower than the set temperature for the storage 11 when the temperature and / or humidity outside the refrigerator is high.

[0342] FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the thermoelectric element 530 is not operated even after a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0343] Referring to FIG. 11, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value being maintained to be less than a defined value T1 (no in 2400 or yes in 2450) until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as the defined number of times (e.g., two times) from time to at which the cooling mode is started.

[0344] In other words, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode in 2700 without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value being equal to or less than the defined value T1 until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as the defined number of times.

[0345] The terminating of the cooling mode by the controller 350 is because the difference value maintained to be less than the defined value even though the refrigeration cycle has been performed as many as the defined number of times means there is no longer a room for the temperature of the storage 11 to rise according to an event associated with opening the door 21 or 22.

[0346] While the refrigeration cycle is being performed, the controller 350 may count the number of times that the refrigeration cycle is performed inclusive of the refrigeration cycle that is being currently performed.

[0347] When the refrigeration cycle is not performed, the controller 350 may count the number of refrigeration cycles that will be performed subsequently.

[0348] For example, the controller 350 may count the number of times that the refrigeration cycle is performed based on the compressor 2 being changed from an operation state to a terminated state.

[0349] The controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode at time t2 at which the difference value is maintained to be equal to or less than the defined value and the number of times that the refrigeration cycle is performed exceeds the defined number of times.

[0350] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a lapse of a reference time while the difference value is maintained to be equal to and less than the defined value.

[0351] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a gradient of the difference value being changed from a positive value to a negative value while the difference value is maintained to be equal to and less than the defined value.

[0352] According to the disclosure, when the thermoelectric element 530 does not have to be operated to maintain the temperature of the storage 11, the cooling mode may be terminated without operation of the thermoelectric element 530, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0353] As shown in FIG. 11, when the cooling mode begins while the refrigeration cycle is being performed by the compressor 2, the predicted temperature of the storage 11 may not rise significantly. However, when opening time of the door 21 or 22 is significantly long or an object with significantly high heat capacity is put in the storage 11 even after the cooling mode begins while the refrigeration cycle is being performed by the compressor 2, there is a room for the predicted temperature of the storage 11 to rise significantly.

[0354] Based on the difference value being larger than the defined value in 2400 while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 in 2500.

[0355] A condition in which the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode may correspond to the condition M1 as described in FIG. 9.

[0356] When the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 with the first control parameter M1. The first control parameter may include a lookup table in which difference values match on / off duty ratios of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0357] When the difference value is larger than the defined value, the controller 350 may control the duty ratio of the thermoelectric device 530 based on the difference value. For example, when the difference value is larger than the defined value, the controller 350 may control the duty ratio of the thermoelectric device 530 to be higher the larger the difference value.

[0358] In an embodiment, when a control condition with higher priority than the cooling mode is satisfied and thus the thermoelectric element 530 is controlled with a second control parameter even though the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may keep controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on the second control parameter.

[0359] The control condition with higher priority than the cooling mode may include the control condition L1 having higher priority than the control condition M1 corresponding to the cooling mode.

[0360] Specifically, when the thermoelectric element 530 is controlled according to the control parameter L2 as the condition L1 is satisfied even when the condition M1 is satisfied, the controller 350 may keep controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on the control parameter L2.

[0361] For example, the controller 350 may not operate the thermoelectric element 530 when the thermoelectric element 530 is in an off state according to the condition L1 even when the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode.

[0362] In another example, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 with a first duty ratio when the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, but when the thermoelectric element 530 is operated with a second duty ratio according to the condition L1 even when the difference value is larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode, the controller 350 may keep operating the thermoelectric element 530 with the second duty ratio.

[0363] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value being larger than the defined value while operating in the cooling mode regardless of whether the compressor 2 operates (whether the refrigeration cycle proceeds).

[0364] Accordingly, the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 while the refrigeration cycle is being progressed, or operate the thermoelectric element 530 when the refrigeration cycle is not progressed, or start the refrigeration cycle while operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0365] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode in 2700 by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value falling to or below a reference value in 2600 after operating the thermoelectric element 530. The reference value may be smaller than the defined value and larger than the target temperature value.

[0366] FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which a compressor and a thermoelectric element are operated together when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0367] Referring to FIG. 12, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode at time t0 at which a defined condition associated with door opening time is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle is not progressed.

[0368] Afterward, as the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 rises, the refrigeration cycle may begin, and the difference value may exceed the defined value T1 at time t1 after or before the refrigeration cycle begins.

[0369] Based on the difference value exceeding the defined value T1, the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated; when the thermoelectric element 530 is operated while the refrigeration cycle is being performed, both the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated; when the thermoelectric element 530 is operated while the refrigeration cycle is not performed, only the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated.

[0370] In other words, the controller 350 may start the refrigeration cycle based on the cooling condition being satisfied, and based on the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value while performing the refrigeration cycle, the controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 together by operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0371] Afterward, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 at time t2 at which the difference value falls to or below the reference value T2.

[0372] FIG. 13 illustrates an example in which only a thermoelectric element is operated among a compressor and the thermoelectric element when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0373] Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode at time t0 at which a defined condition associated with door opening time is satisfied while the refrigeration cycle is being progressed.

[0374] Afterward, even while the refrigeration cycle is being progressed according to an event associated with the door opening time, the difference value may exceed the defined value T1 at time t1.

[0375] Even when the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 drops after the completion of the refrigeration cycle, the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated based on the difference value exceeding the defined value T1.

[0376] In other words, even though the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 is maintained at or below the target temperature, when the predicted temperature value of the storage 11 is high, only the thermoelectric element 530 may be operated among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530.

[0377] For example, based on the difference value exceeding the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not performed, the controller 350 may operate only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 by operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0378] Afterward, the controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 at time t2 at which the difference value falls to or below the reference value T2.

[0379] When the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 satisfies a cooling condition before the time t2 is reached, it is obvious that the controller 350 may operate the thermoelectric element 530 and the compressor 2 together by operating the compressor 2.

[0380] In an embodiment of the disclosure, by managing the future temperature of the storage 11 through operation of the thermoelectric element 530 and managing the current temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 through operation of the compressor 2, the temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13 may be maintained with minimum energy consumption.

[0381] In the meantime, when the difference value significantly increases during operation in the cooling mode, the temperature of the storage 11 may not be maintained only by operating the thermoelectric element 530.

[0382] In various embodiments, the controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 when the difference value exceeds a maximum set value while operating in the cooling mode.

[0383] That is, the controller 350 may determine whether to operate the compressor 2 based on the difference value.

[0384] FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which a compressor is operated while a thermoelectric element is operating when a refrigerator starts a cooling mode, according to an embodiment.

[0385] Referring to FIG. 14, the controller 350 may start the cooling mode at time t0 at which a defined condition associated with door opening time is satisfied after completion of the refrigeration cycle.

[0386] When the defined condition associated with the door opening time is satisfied right after the completion of the refrigeration cycle, it is more likely that the predicted temperature value rises sharply. With the sharp rise of the predicted temperature value, the difference value may exceed the defined value T1 at time t1.

[0387] The thermoelectric element 530 may be operated based on the difference value exceeding the defined value T1, but the difference value may rise sharply and exceed the maximum set value T3.

[0388] The compressor 2 may be operated at time ta at which the difference value reaches the maximum set value T3.

[0389] However, to prevent excessive energy consumption, the compressor 2 may be stopped at time tb at which the difference value falls to a defined value which is smaller than the maximum set value T3 and larger than the defined value T1.

[0390] Afterward, the thermoelectric element 530 may be stopped at time t2 at which the difference value drops to the reference value T2.

[0391] The controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 based on the difference value reaching the maximum set value T3. For example, the controller 350 may operate the compressor 2 based on the difference value reaching the maximum set value T3 regardless of whether the cooling condition is satisfied.

[0392] The controller 350 may stop operating the compressor 2 based on the difference value falling to or below a defined value after operation of the compressor 2. The defined value may be set to a value between the maximum set value T3 and the defined value T1 in advance.

[0393] The controller 350 may terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on the difference value falling to or below the reference value T2 after the compressor 2 is stopped.

[0394] According to the disclosure, rapid temperature changes in the storage 11 may be proactively dealt with by cooling the storage 11 in advance by using not only the thermoelectric element 530 but also the compressor 2 when the predicted temperature of the storage 11 rises sharply.

[0395] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator 1 includes the main body 100 defining the storage 11, 12 or 13; the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 opening or closing the storage 11, 12 or 13; the refrigeration cycle device 450 including the compressor 2 and the evaporator 3 and configured to cool the storage 11, 12 or 13; the thermoelectric element 530 configured to cool the storage 11, 12 or 13; at least one sensor 340 configured to collect sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1; and at least one processor 351 or 361 configured to perform a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on a cooling condition being satisfied, and start a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with an opening time of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 being satisfied, wherein the at least one processor 351 or 361 is configured to, based on the start of the cooling mode, obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13 by inputting the sensor data to a temperature prediction model, and operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and a target temperature value being larger than the defined value T1.

[0396] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to terminate the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 in response to a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value falling to or below the reference value T2 after the operating of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0397] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to terminate the cooling mode without operation of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value being equal to or less than the defined value T1 until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as a defined number of times.

[0398] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to determine the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data.

[0399] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to operate the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 together by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while performing the refrigeration cycle.

[0400] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to operate only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while the refrigeration cycle is not performed.

[0401] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to operate the thermoelectric element 530 based on a first control parameter in response to a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value being larger than the defined value T1.

[0402] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to keep controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on a second control parameter, in response to the thermoelectric element 530 being controlled with the second control parameter as a control condition having higher priority than the cooling mode is satisfied even though the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value is larger than the defined value T1 while operating in the cooling mode.

[0403] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13 at defined intervals.

[0404] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to change the defined interval based on temperature of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0405] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to change the defined interval based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0406] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may include a first processor 351 configured to control the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530; and a second processor 361 configured to obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13.

[0407] The first processor 351 may be configured to instruct the second processor 361 to perform the temperature prediction model in response to the start of the cooling mode, and the second processor 361 may be configured to obtain the predicted temperature value in response to receiving the instruction from the first processor 351 and send the predicted temperature value to the first processor 351.

[0408] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to control a duty ratio of the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0409] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may be configured to determine whether to operate the compressor 2 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value.

[0410] The defined condition may include a cumulative time of opening the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 exceeding a defined time.

[0411] The at least one processor 351 or 361 may initialize the cumulative time based on the start of the cooling mode.

[0412] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method for controlling the refrigerator 1 may include performing a refrigeration cycle by operating the compressor 2 based on a cooling condition being satisfied; starting a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with an opening time of the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 for opening or closing the storage 11, 12 or 13 being satisfied; based on the start of the cooling mode, obtaining a predicted temperature value of the storage 11, 12 or 13 by inputting sensor data associated with the refrigerator 1 to a temperature prediction model, and operating the thermoelectric element 530 for cooling the storage 11, 12 or 13 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and a target temperature value being larger than the defined value T1.

[0413] The method may further include terminating the cooling mode by stopping operation of the thermoelectric element 530 in response to a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value falling to or below the reference value T2 after the operating of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0414] The method may further include terminating the cooling mode based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value being equal to or less than the defined value T1 until the refrigeration cycle is performed as many as a defined number of times.

[0415] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 together by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while performing the refrigeration cycle.

[0416] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating only the thermoelectric element 530 among the compressor 2 and the thermoelectric element 530 by operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value exceeding the defined value T1 while the refrigeration cycle is not performed.

[0417] The operating of the thermoelectric element 530 may include operating the thermoelectric element 530 based on a first control parameter, and the method may further include keeping controlling the thermoelectric element 530 based on a second control parameter, in response to the thermoelectric element 530 being controlled with the second control parameter as a control condition having higher priority than the cooling mode is satisfied even though the difference between the predicted temperature value and the target temperature value is larger than the defined value T1 while operating in the cooling mode.

[0418] The defined condition may include a cumulative time of opening the door 21, 22, 23 or 24 exceeding a defined time, and the method may further include initializing the cumulative time based on the start of the cooling mode.

[0419] Meanwhile, the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in the form of a recording medium for storing instructions to be carried out by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform operations in the embodiments of the disclosure. The recording media may correspond to computer-readable recording media.

[0420] The computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording medium having data stored thereon that may be thereafter read by a computer. For example, it may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0421] The computer-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. The term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may mean a tangible device without including a signal, e.g., electromagnetic waves, and may not distinguish between storing data in the storage medium semi-permanently and temporarily. For example, the non-transitory storage medium may include a buffer that temporarily stores data.

[0422] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the aforementioned method according to the various embodiments of the disclosure may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be a commercial product that may be traded between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a recording medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), through an application store (e.g., Play store™), directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones), or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded). In the case of online distribution, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be at least temporarily stored or arbitrarily created in a recording medium that may be readable to a device such as a server of the manufacturer, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

[0423] The embodiments of the disclosure have thus far been described with reference to accompanying drawings. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosure may be practiced in other forms than the embodiments of the disclosure as described above without changing the technical idea or essential features of the disclosure. The above embodiments of the disclosure are only by way of example, and should not be construed in a limited sense.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0045]Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

[0046]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure.

[0047]For example, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” as herein used are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0048]The terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, represent the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0049]When an element is mentioned as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported on” or “contacting” another element,...

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:a main body defining a storage chamber;a door configured to open and close the storage chamber;a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor and an evaporator and operable to cool the storage chamber;a thermoelectric element operable to cool the storage chamber;at least one sensor configured to produce sensor data associated with the refrigerator; andat least one processor configured to:operate the compressor to perform a refrigeration cycle based on a cooling condition being satisfied,start a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with a time that the door is open being satisfied, andbased on the cooling mode being started,obtain a predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from a temperature prediction model based on the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor, andoperate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and a target temperature value being greater than a defined value.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to terminate the cooling mode by stopping operating the thermoelectric element in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to a reference value after operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to terminate the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to the defined value until the refrigeration cycle is performed a defined number of times.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is being performed such that the thermoelectric element and the compressor are being operated together.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not being performed such that only the thermoelectric element is being operated from among the thermoelectric element and the compressor.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:operate the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a first control parameter in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value, andwhile operating the thermoelectric element based on a second control parameter in response to a control condition having higher priority than the cooling mode being satisfied, even though the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value is greater than the defined value, keep operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the second control parameter.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, andchange the defined intervals based on a temperature of the storage chamber.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals, andchange the defined intervals based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1, whereinthe at least one processor includes:a first processor configured to control the refrigeration cycle device and the thermoelectric element; anda second processor configured to obtain the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model; andthe first processor is further configured to send to the second processor an instruction to obtain the predicted temperature value from the temperature prediction model in response to the cooling mode being started, andthe second processor is further configured to:obtain the predicted temperature value from the temperature prediction model in response to the instruction of the first processor being received, andsend the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model to the first processor.

11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control a duty ratio of the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether to operate the compressor based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

13. The refrigerator of claim 1, whereinthe defined condition includes a cumulative time that the door is open exceeding a defined time, andthe at least one processor is further configured to initialize the cumulative time based on the cooling mode being started.

14. A method for controlling a refrigerator including a main body defining a storage chamber, a door configured to open and close the storage chamber, a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor and an evaporator and operable to cool the storage chamber, a thermoelectric element operable to cool the storage chamber, at least one sensor configured to produce sensor data associated with the refrigerator, and at least one processor, the method comprising:by the at least one processor,operating the compressor to perform a refrigeration cycle based on a cooling condition being satisfied,starting a cooling mode based on a defined condition associated with a time that the door is open being satisfied, andbased on the cooling mode being started,obtaining a predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from a temperature prediction model based on the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor, andoperating a thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on a difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and a target temperature value being greater than a defined value.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:by the at least one processor,terminating the cooling mode by stopping operating the thermoelectric element in response to the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to a reference value after operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:by the at least one processor,terminating the cooling mode without operating the thermoelectric element based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being less than or equal to the defined value until the refrigeration cycle is performed a defined number of times.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:by the at least one processor,determining the target temperature value based on a set temperature and the sensor data produced by the at least one sensor.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the operating the thermoelectric element comprises:operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is being performed such that the thermoelectric element and the compressor are being operated together.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the operating the thermoelectric element comprises:operating the thermoelectric element to cool the storage chamber based on the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value being greater than the defined value while the refrigeration cycle is not being performed such that only the thermoelectric element is being operated from among the thermoelectric element and the compressor.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:by the at least one processor,obtaining the predicted temperature value of the storage chamber from the temperature prediction model at defined intervals; andchanging the defined intervals based on at least one of a temperature of the storage chamber or the difference between the predicted temperature value obtained from the temperature prediction model and the target temperature value.

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