Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes: an ice-making device that generates ice by using ice-making water supplied to an ice-making tray; an ice-making heater for heating the ice-making tray; a sensor for detecting the temperature of the ice tray; a memory storing at least one instruction; and a processor connected to the memory to control the refrigerator, in which the processor detects a temperature change of the ice-making tray during a cooling time corresponding to whether the ice-making heater is operated within a preset time period after an ice-making operation is started, and controls the ice-making tray if a magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray is greater than or equal to a value corresponding to the cooling time. And if not, stopping the ice-making operation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and a control method thereof that identify ice making and water supply states based on a temperature change of an ice making tray. BACKGROUND

[0002] A refrigerator including an ice making device is an apparatus that stores storage goods at a low temperature by supplying cold air to a storage compartment using a refrigeration cycle, and it can produce ice by supplying cold air to the ice making device.

[0003] The ice making device of the refrigerator maintains a state of less than 0℃ (freezing point) in a case where the ice making tray is filled with ice making water.

[0004] Here, in a case where water supply to the ice making tray is not normally completed, a method of determining whether the water supply to the ice making tray is normally completed to stop ice making driving is required. SUMMARY TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0005] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes an ice making tray to which ice making water is supplied, an ice making device configured to produce ice by using the ice making water supplied to the ice making tray, an ice making heater configured to heat the ice making tray, a sensor configured to detect a temperature of the ice making tray, a memory storing at least one instruction, and a processor connected with the memory and controlling the refrigerator, wherein the processor is configured to detect a change in the temperature of the ice making tray during a first cooling time corresponding to whether the ice making heater is operated within a predetermined time after an ice making driving starts, and stop the ice making driving based on a magnitude of the detected change in the temperature of the ice making tray being greater than or equal to a first value corresponding to the cooling time.

[0006] The processor can be configured to identify whether the magnitude of the change in the temperature of the ice making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to the first value based on the ice making heater being operated within the predetermined time after the ice making driving starts, and identify whether the magnitude of the change in the temperature of the ice making tray during a second cooling time shorter than the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value greater than the first value based on the ice making heater not being operated within the predetermined time after the ice making driving starts.

[0007] The processor can be configured to stop an operation of the ice making driving based on the magnitude of the change in the temperature of the ice making tray during the second cooling time being greater than or equal to the second value greater than the first value, identify whether a defrosting heater is operated during the ice making driving based on the magnitude of the change in the temperature of the ice making tray during the second cooling time being less than the second value greater than the first value, and determine whether to stop the operation of the ice making driving according to whether the defrosting heater is operated.

[0008] The processor can be configured to continue the ice-making drive based on the defrosting heater not being operated, and determine whether to stop the operation of the ice-making drive according to whether a magnitude of a temperature change of the ice-making tray caused by the ice-making drive during the third cooling time is greater than or equal to a third value based on the defrosting heater being operated.

[0009] The processor can be configured to continue the ice-making drive based on the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray being less than a value corresponding to the cooling time.

[0010] The processor can be configured to identify whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a first value based on a history in which a supply of ice-making water before the ice-making drive starts being identified as an abnormality.

[0011] The processor can be configured to identify whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a first value based on the ice-making heater being operated during the first cooling time, and identify whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value greater than the first value based on the ice-making heater not being operated during the first cooling time.

[0012] The processor can be configured to provide information notifying of an abnormality in a supply state of ice-making water based on the operation of the ice-making drive being stopped, and restart the ice-making drive based on a predetermined user input being obtained.

[0013] The processor can be configured to provide information notifying of an abnormality in a supply state of ice-making water based on the operation of the ice-making drive being stopped, and restart the ice-making drive after a predetermined second time elapses based on a door of the refrigerator being detected as being opened.

[0014] A control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes detecting a temperature change of an ice-making tray during a first cooling time corresponding to whether an ice-making heater is operated within a predetermined time after an ice-making drive starts, and stopping an operation of the ice-making drive based on a magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray being greater than or equal to a first value corresponding to the first cooling time.

[0015] Stopping the operation of the ice-making drive can include identifying whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to the first value based on the ice-making heater being operated within the predetermined time after the ice-making drive starts, and identifying whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during a second cooling time shorter than the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value greater than the first value based on the ice-making heater not being operated within the predetermined time after the ice-making drive starts.

[0016] The operation of stopping the ice making drive can include: based on the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice making tray during the second cooling time being greater than or equal to a second value that is greater than the first value, stopping the operation of the ice making drive; based on the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice making tray during the second cooling time being less than the second value that is greater than the first value, identifying whether the defrosting heater is operated during the ice making drive; and determining whether to stop the operation of the ice making drive according to whether the defrosting heater is operated.

[0017] The operation of stopping the ice making drive can include: based on the defrosting heater not being operated, continuing to perform the ice making drive; and based on the defrosting heater being operated, determining whether to stop the operation of the ice making drive according to whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice making tray caused by the ice making drive during a third cooling time is greater than or equal to a third value.

[0018] The operation of stopping the ice making drive can include: based on the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice making tray being less than a value corresponding to the cooling time, continuing to perform the ice making drive.

[0019] In a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium including a program of a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the control method includes: detecting a temperature change of an ice making tray during a first cooling time corresponding to whether an ice making heater is operated within a predetermined time after an ice making drive starts; and based on a magnitude of the temperature change of the ice making tray being greater than or equal to a first value corresponding to the first cooling time, stopping an operation of the ice making drive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a flowchart for illustrating a method of a refrigerator identifying a supply state of ice making water according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of a refrigerator when it is identified that the supply state of ice making water is normal according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of a refrigerator when it is identified that the supply state of ice making water is abnormal according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6 is a diagram for illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Various embodiments of the present disclosure and terms used in the embodiments are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to particular embodiments, but should be interpreted to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0026] Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the drawings, similar or related components can be designated by similar reference numerals.

[0027] In addition, the singular form of a noun corresponding to an item can include one or more items unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0028] In addition, in the present disclosure, the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the listed items or all possible combinations thereof with respect to the corresponding phrase.

[0029] In addition, for example, the expression "at least one of A and B" can include any one of the following: A, B, "A and B", and the expression "at least one of A, B, and C" can include any one of the following: A, B, C, "A and B", "A and C", "B and C", "A and B and C".

[0030] In addition, the term "and / or" includes a combination of the plurality of related components described, or any one of the plurality of related components described.

[0031] In addition, terms such as "first", "second", and the like can be used to simply distinguish one component from another component, and are not intended to limit the components from other aspects (for example: importance or order).

[0032] In addition, terms such as "front surface", "rear surface", "top surface", "bottom surface", "side surface", "left side", "right side", "upper portion", "lower portion", and the like used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of the respective elements are not limited by these terms.

[0033] Meanwhile, terms such as "include" and "have" should be understood to denote that there is such a feature, number, step, operation, element, component, or a combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the possibility of existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0034] In addition, the description in the present disclosure that one element is "connected", "combined", "contacted", or "supported" by another element includes not only the case where the elements are directly connected, combined, supported, or contacted, but also the case where the elements are indirectly connected, combined, supported, or contacted by a third element.

[0035] In addition, the description in the disclosure that one element is "on" another element includes not only the case where the one element is in contact with the other element, but also the case where there is still another element between the two elements.

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram for showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] The refrigerator 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a main body 110.

[0038] The main body 110 can include an inner cabinet including a storage compartment 120, an outer cabinet disposed outside the inner cabinet, and a thermal insulation material disposed between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.

[0039] The "inner cabinet" can include at least one of a housing, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming the storage compartment 120. The inner cabinet can be formed in one body, or can be assembled by a plurality of plates. The "outer cabinet" can form an appearance of the main body 110, and can be coupled to an outer side of the inner cabinet such that the thermal insulation material is disposed between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.

[0040] The "thermal insulation material" can insulate an inside of the storage compartment 120 from an outside of the storage compartment 120 such that an inside temperature of the storage compartment 120 can be maintained at a set proper temperature without being affected by an outside environment of the storage compartment 120. According to an embodiment, the thermal insulation material can include a foam thermal insulation material. The foam thermal insulation material can be formed by injecting and foaming polyurethane foam mixed with a blowing agent between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the thermal insulation material can include a vacuum thermal insulation material in addition to the foam thermal insulation material, or the thermal insulation material can be composed of only the vacuum thermal insulation material instead of the foam thermal insulation material. The vacuum thermal insulation material can include a core material and a case that accommodates the core material and seals an inside by a vacuum or a pressure close to a vacuum. However, the thermal insulation material is not limited to the above-described foam thermal insulation material or vacuum thermal insulation material, but can include various materials that can be used for thermal insulation.

[0042] The storage compartment 120 can include a space defined by the inner cabinet. The storage compartment 120 can also include the inner cabinet defining a space corresponding to the storage compartment 120. Various items such as food, medicine, cosmetics, etc. can be stored in the storage compartment 120, and the storage compartment 120 can be formed so as to be open at least one side for putting in and taking out the items.

[0043] The refrigerator 100 can include one or more storage compartments 120. When two or more storage compartments 120 are formed in the refrigerator 100, the respective storage compartments 120 can have different purposes and can be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage compartments 120 can be partitioned from each other by a partition wall including a heat insulating material.

[0044] The storage compartments 120 can be provided to be maintained in an appropriate temperature range according to the purpose, and can include a "fresh food compartment", a "freezer compartment", a "temperature conversion compartment", or an "ice making compartment" divided according to the purpose and / or the temperature range. The fresh food compartment can be maintained at a temperature suitable for refrigerating an article, and the freezer compartment can be maintained at a temperature suitable for freezing an article. "Refrigeration" can mean cooling an article within the limit that the article does not freeze, for example, the fresh food compartment can be maintained in the range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" can mean cooling an article to a frozen state or maintaining in a frozen state, for example, the freezer compartment can be maintained in the range of -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment can be used as either one of the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment according to a user's selection or regardless of the user's selection.

[0045] In addition to the names such as "fresh food compartment", "freezer compartment", and "temperature conversion compartment", the storage compartments 120 can be referred to as various names such as "vegetable compartment", "crisper compartment", "cooling compartment", and "ice making compartment", and the terms such as "fresh food compartment", "freezer compartment", "temperature conversion compartment", and "ice making compartment" used hereinafter should be respectively understood to comprehensively include the meaning of the storage compartments having the respective purposes and temperature ranges.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can include at least one door 140 configured to open or close one open side of the storage compartment 120. The door 140 can be provided to open or close each of the one or more storage compartments 120, or can be provided so that one door 140 opens or closes a plurality of storage compartments 120. The door 140 can be rotatably or slidably installed on the front surface of the main body 110.

[0047] The door 140 can be configured to seal the storage compartment 120 when the door 140 is closed. The door 140 can include a heat insulating material similar to the main body 110 so that the storage compartment 120 is heat-insulated when the door 140 is closed.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the door 140 can include a door outer panel forming a front surface of the door 140, a door inner panel forming a rear surface of the door 140 and facing the storage compartment 120, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a door heat insulating material provided inside thereof.

[0049] On the edge of the inner door panel, a gasket can be provided to seal the storage compartment 120 by adhering to the front surface of the main body 110 when the door 140 is closed. The inner door panel can include a baffle protruding to the rear side so that a door basket in which articles can be stored can be installed.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the door 140 can include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forms a front surface of the door. The door body can include a door outer panel forming a front surface of the door body, a door inner panel forming a rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a door thermal insulation material disposed inside thereof.

[0051] According to the arrangement of the door 140 and the storage compartment 120, the refrigerator 100 can be classified as a French door refrigerator, a side-by-side refrigerator, a bottom mount freezer (BMF), a top mount freezer (TMF), or a single door refrigerator, etc.

[0052] In addition, the refrigerator 100 can include a sensor for detecting the opening or closing of the door.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can include a cool air supply device 130 disposed to supply cool air to the storage compartment 120.

[0054] The cool air supply device 130 can include a machine, a tool, an electronic device, and / or a system that combines them, which can cool the storage compartment by generating and guiding cool air.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the cool air supply device 130 can generate cool air through a refrigeration cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of a refrigerant. To this end, the cool air supply device 130 can include a refrigeration cycle device including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator that can drive the refrigeration cycle. In addition, according to an embodiment, the cool air supply device 130 can include a semiconductor such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool the storage compartment 120 through a Peltier effect using a heat generation and cooling operation.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can include a mechanical room disposed to have at least some components belonging to the cool air supply device 130 arranged therein.

[0057] The mechanical room can be disposed to be spaced apart from and thermally insulated from the storage compartment 120 to prevent heat generated by the components arranged inside the mechanical room from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat to the components arranged inside the mechanical room, the inside of the mechanical room can be configured to be in communication with the outside of the main body 110.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can include a dispenser provided on the door 140 to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser can be provided on the door so that a user can access it without opening the door.

[0059] The cool air supply device 130 can include a defrosting heater for removing frost or ice formed in the surroundings (e.g., an evaporator) of the cool air supply device 130 while cool air is generated. During the defrosting heater is driven, a refrigeration cycle for generating cool air can be stopped.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can include an ice making device 150 provided to generate ice. The ice making device 150 can include an ice making tray 151 for storing water, a water supply device 152 for supplying water to the ice making tray 151, an ice moving device 153 for separating ice from the ice making tray 151, and an ice storage device 154 (e.g., an ice bucket or a dispenser) for storing ice generated in the ice making tray 151. In addition, the ice making device 150 can include an ice making heater 155 for applying heat to the ice making tray 151 to generate transparent ice when ice making is driven.

[0061] Here, the operation time, operation period, etc. of the ice making heater 155 can vary according to a predetermined ice making driving pattern.

[0062] The ice making tray 151 can be implemented in a form having a spherical inner circumferential surface. Accordingly, the ice making device 150 can generate spherical ice.

[0063] In addition, the refrigerator 100 can include a temperature sensor 160. The temperature sensor 160 can detect the temperature of the storage compartment. In particular, the temperature sensor 160 can detect the temperature of the ice making tray 151 located inside the ice making compartment. Here, the temperature sensor 160 can measure the temperature of ice making water supplied into the ice making tray 151 or the temperature of ice inside the ice making tray 151.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can include a controller 170 for controlling the refrigerator 100.

[0065] The controller 170 can include a memory 171 storing or memorizing programs and / or data for controlling the refrigerator 100, and a processor 172 outputting a control signal for controlling the cool air supply device 130, etc. according to the programs and / or data memorized in the memory 171.

[0066] The memory 171 stores or records various information, data, instructions, programs, etc. required for the operation of the refrigerator 100. The memory 171 can memorize temporary data generated while generating a control signal for controlling components included in the refrigerator 100. The memory 171 can include at least one of a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0067] The processor 172 controls overall operations of the refrigerator 100. The processor 172 can control components of the refrigerator 100 by executing programs stored in the memory 171. The processor 172 can include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs operations of an artificial intelligence model. In addition, the processor 172 can include a central processing unit, a graphics dedicated processor (GPU), etc. The processor 172 can generate a control signal for controlling operations of the cool air supply 130. For example, the processor 172 can receive temperature information of the storage compartment from the temperature sensor 160 and generate a cooling control signal for controlling operations of the cool air supply 130 based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0068] In addition, the processor 172 can process a user input of the user interface 180 according to programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory 171 and control operations of the user interface 180. The user interface 180 can be provided by using the input interface 181 and the output interface 182. The processor 172 can receive a user input from the user interface 180. In addition, the processor 172 can transmit, to the user interface 180, a display control signal for displaying an image on the user interface 180 in response to the user input and image data.

[0069] The processor 172 and the memory 171 can be integrally provided or separately provided. The processor 172 can include one or more processors. For example, the processor 172 can include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory 171 can include one or more memories.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the refrigerator 100 can include a processor 172 and a memory 171 that control all components included in the refrigerator 100, and include a plurality of processors 172 and a plurality of memories 171 that separately control components of the refrigerator 100. For example, the refrigerator 100 can include a processor 172 that controls operations of the cool air supply 130 according to an output of the temperature sensor 160 and a memory 171. In addition, the refrigerator 100 can separately include a processor 172 that controls operations of the user interface according to a user input and a memory 171.

[0071] The communication interface 190 can communicate with an external device such as a server, a mobile device, another home appliance, etc. through an environmental access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator 100 or the user device can be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN).

[0072] The input interface 181 can include a key, a touch screen, a microphone, etc. The input interface 181 can receive a user input and transmit the same to the processor 172.

[0073] The output interface 182 can include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface 182 can output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated in the processor 172.

[0074] Figure 2 And Figure 3 is a flowchart for illustrating a method of the refrigerator 100 identifying a supply state of ice-making water according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0075] Referring to Figure 2 In operation S210, the processor 172 can start ice-making driving.

[0076] Here, the processor 172 can start the ice-making driving according to a predetermined ice-making mode. For example, before performing the ice-making driving, the processor 172 can acquire a user input for performing the ice-making driving through the user interface 180. Here, the user input can include information on an amount of ice to be generated by the ice-making driving.

[0077] Based on the user input for performing the ice-making driving, the processor 172 can identify an ice-making driving mode corresponding to the user input for performing the ice-making driving. Then, the processor 172 can start the ice-making driving according to the identified ice-making driving mode.

[0078] Specifically, the memory 172 can store information on a plurality of ice-making driving modes. Here, each of the plurality of ice-making driving modes can include information on an ice-making water supply amount, an ice-making temperature, whether the ice-making heater 155 is operated at the time of the ice-making driving, an operation time of the ice-making heater 155 at the time of the ice-making driving, whether the defrosting heater 131 is operated at the time of the ice-making driving, or an operation time of the defrosting heater 131 at the time of the ice-making driving.

[0079] When the ice-making driving starts, the processor 172 can control the water supply device 152 so that the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making tray 151.

[0080] Then, the processor 172 can control the cold air supply device 130 so that ice is generated by cooling the ice-making water.

[0081] Here, the processor 172 can identify whether the supply of the ice-making water to the ice-making tray 151 is normally completed (i.e., whether the supply of the ice-making water is normal) based on a temperature change of the ice-making tray 151. In the case where the supply of the ice-making water to the ice-making tray 151 is not completed, the processor 172 can stop performing the ice-making driving. The case where the supply of the ice-making water is normally completed can mean a case where the water supply to the ice-making tray reaches a predetermined ice-making water supply amount. Meanwhile, the case where the supply of the ice-making water is not completed can mean a case where the water supply to the ice-making tray does not reach the predetermined ice-making water supply amount.

[0082] When the ice-making driving starts, the processor 172 can identify whether a predetermined condition is satisfied in operation S220.

[0083] Here, the predetermined condition can be a condition in which the supply of ice-making water is identified as abnormal during a previous ice-making driving of the refrigerator 100. Specifically, the predetermined condition can be a condition in which the supply of ice-making water is identified as abnormal during the ice-making driving performed before operation S210.

[0084] Alternatively, the predetermined condition can be a condition in which the ice-making heater 155 is operated for a predetermined time during the ice-making driving of the refrigerator 100. Specifically, the predetermined condition can be a condition in which the ratio of the operation time of the ice-making heater 155 to the ice-making driving time is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio. Here, the ice-making driving time can be the time elapsed from the starting point of the ice-making driving. Alternatively, the predetermined condition can be a condition in which the ice-making heater 155 is operated for a predetermined time after the refrigerator 100 starts the ice-making driving.

[0085] Then, the processor 172 can perform cooling on the ice-making tray 151 during a time corresponding to whether the predetermined condition is satisfied, and identify whether the temperature variation of the ice-making tray 151 is greater than or equal to a value corresponding to whether the predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, if the temperature of the ice-making tray 151 varies from 25 degrees to 17 degrees, the temperature variation can be 8 degrees.

[0086] Specifically, if the predetermined condition is satisfied (operation S220-Yes), the processor 172 can identify whether the temperature variation of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during a first cooling time (e.g., 50 minutes) is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value in operation S230.

[0087] Here, the cooling time can mean a time excluding the operation time of the defrosting heater during the ice-making driving time. That is, when the defrosting heater 131 is operated during the ice-making driving, the cooling of the ice-making compartment can be stopped. For example, if the refrigerator 100 performs a defrost driving from 1:00 to 2:00 and the defrosting heater is operated from 1:30 to 1:40, the cooling time can be 50 minutes. Here, the processor 172 can identify whether the temperature variation of the ice-making tray during the 60 minutes from 1:00 to 2:00 is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value.

[0088] Here, the first predetermined value can be a value corresponding to the first cooling time. Here, the first predetermined value can vary according to whether the ratio of the operation time of the ice-making heater 155 to the ice-making driving time (or the cooling time) during the performance of the ice-making driving is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio.

[0089] For example, if the ratio of the operation time of the ice-making heater to the ice-making driving time is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio (e.g., 40%) during the execution of the ice-making driving, the first predetermined value can be 7 degrees. Also, if the ratio of the operation time of the ice-making heater to the ice-making driving time is less than the predetermined ratio during the execution of the ice-making driving, the first predetermined value can be 11 degrees.

[0090] If the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray caused by the ice-making driving during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value (operation S230 - Yes), the processor 172 can identify the supply state of the ice-making water as abnormal in operation S240. Here, the processor 172 can stop the ice-making driving.

[0091] If the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray caused by the ice-making driving during the first cooling time is less than the first predetermined value (operation S230 - No), the processor 172 can identify the state of the refrigerator 100 as a normal supply state of the ice-making water in operation S250. Here, the processor 172 can continue to execute the ice-making driving.

[0092] Also, with reference to Figure 3 If the predetermined condition is not satisfied (operation S220 - No), the processor 172 can identify whether the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during a second cooling time (e.g., 30 minutes) is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value in operation S260. Here, the second cooling time can be shorter than the first cooling time.

[0093] Then, if the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during the second cooling time is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value (operation S260 - Yes), the processor 172 can identify the supply state of the ice-making water as abnormal in operation S240. Here, the processor 172 can stop the ice-making driving.

[0094] In contrast, if the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during the second cooling time is less than the second predetermined value (operation S260 - No), the processor 172 can identify whether the defrosting heater 131 is operated during the ice-making driving in operation S270.

[0095] If the defrosting heater 131 is not operated during the ice-making driving (operation S270 - No), the processor 172 can identify the supply state of the ice-making water as normal in operation S250.

[0096] If the defrosting heater 131 is operated during the ice-making driving (operation S270 - Yes), the processor 172 can identify whether the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during a third cooling time is greater than or equal to a third predetermined value in operation S280.

[0097] Here, the third cooling time can be the same as the first cooling time, but this is only an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0098] If the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during the third cooling time is greater than or equal to the third predetermined value (operation S280 - Yes), the processor 172 can identify the supply state of the ice-making water as abnormal in operation S240. Here, the processor 172 can stop the ice-making driving.

[0099] In contrast, if the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during the third cooling time is less than the third predetermined value (operation S280 - No), the processor 172 can identify the supply state of the ice-making water as normal in operation S250.

[0100] Figure 4 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the refrigerator 100 when the supply state of the ice-making water is identified as normal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] Referring to Figure 4 If the supply state of the ice-making water is identified as normal in operation S250, the processor 172 can continue to perform the ice-making driving in operation S410. That is, the processor 172 can control the cold air supply device 130 so that the ice-making tray 151 is cooled to a predetermined ice-making temperature.

[0102] If the ice-making tray 151 is cooled to the predetermined ice-making temperature, the processor 172 can perform the ice removal driving after a predetermined time (e.g., 1 hour) elapses in operation S420. Specifically, if the ice-making tray 151 is cooled to the predetermined ice-making temperature, the processor 172 can stop the ice-making driving and perform the ice removal driving after a predetermined time elapses.

[0103] Specifically, the processor 172 can drive the ice-making heater 155 to separate the ice generated on the ice-making tray from the ice-making tray. Then, the processor 172 can control the ice-making device 150 so that the ice generated on the ice-making tray is moved to the ice storage device 154.

[0104] When the ice removal driving is completed, the processor 172 can restart the ice-making driving in operation S210.

[0105] Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, operation S410 can be performed after operation S250, but this is only an example, and operation S250 can be omitted.

[0106] Specifically, if the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during the first cooling time is less than a first predetermined value (operation S230 - No), or the defrosting heater 131 is not operated during the ice-making driving (operation S270 - No), or the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray 151 caused by the ice-making driving during the third cooling time is less than a third predetermined value (operation S280 - No), the processor 172 can continue to perform the ice-making driving in operation S410.

[0107] Figure 5 is a flowchart for illustrating a control method of the refrigerator 100 when a supply state of ice-making water is identified as abnormal, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0108] Referring to Figure 5 If the supply state of the ice-making water is identified as abnormal in operation S240, the processor 172 can stop the ice-making driving, and provide a notification about the water supply abnormality to the user in operation S510.

[0109] Here, the processor 172 can control the output interface 182 so that a text or a voice similar to "water supply not completed normally" is output. Alternatively, the processor 172 can control the communication interface 190 to output information of a text or a voice similar to "water supply not completed normally" to a user terminal device.

[0110] Then, in operation S520, the processor 172 can identify whether a predetermined user input is acquired from the user.

[0111] Here, the predetermined user input can be a user input for starting the ice-making driving after the operation of the refrigerator 100 is initialized and the ice-removal driving is performed. Alternatively, the predetermined user input can be a user input for initializing the operation of the refrigerator 100 and starting the ice-making driving.

[0112] If the predetermined user input is acquired (operation S520 - Yes), the processor 172 can perform the ice-removal driving in operation S420, and start the ice-making driving in operation S210.

[0113] Here, operation S420 can be omitted. That is, if the predetermined user input is acquired (operation S520 - Yes), the processor 172 can start the ice-making driving in operation S210.

[0114] In contrast, if the predetermined user input is not acquired (operation S520 - No), the processor 172 can detect whether a door of the refrigerator 100 is opened in operation S530.

[0115] If the opening of the door of the refrigerator 100 is not detected (operation S530 - No), the processor 172 can identify whether a predetermined user input is acquired from the user in operation S520.

[0116] If the opening of the door of the refrigerator 100 is detected (operation S530 - Yes), the processor 172 can perform ice removal driving in operation S420 after a predetermined time (for example, 8 hours) elapses, and restart ice making driving in operation S210.

[0117] That is, if the user is provided with a notification about the supply abnormality of the ice making water, and the door of the refrigerator 100 is opened, the supply of the ice making water to the ice making tray 151 can be completed by the user. Accordingly, in a state in which the supply of the ice making water to the ice making tray 151 is completed by the user, when a predetermined time elapses, the processor 172 can restart the ice making driving in operation S210. Here, the processor 172 can perform the ice removal driving in operation S420 before restarting the ice making driving, and restart the ice making driving in operation S210 when the ice removal is completed. Thereby, the refrigerator 100 according to the disclosure can prevent unnecessary ice making driving and ice removal driving from being repeated when the supply abnormality of the ice making water is identified, and prevent unnecessary energy consumption.

[0118] Figure 6 is a diagram for illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0119] Reference Figure 6 In operation S610, the refrigerator 100 can detect a temperature change of the ice making tray during a cooling time corresponding to the operation of the ice making heater for a predetermined time after the start of the ice making driving.

[0120] Then, if the temperature change of the ice making tray is greater than or equal to a temperature change corresponding to the cooling time, the refrigerator 100 can stop the operation of the ice making driving in operation S620.

[0121] Here, if the temperature change of the ice making tray is less than a value corresponding to the cooling time, the refrigerator 100 can continue to perform the ice making driving.

[0122] If there is a history in which the supply of the ice making water is identified as abnormal before the start of the ice making driving, the refrigerator 100 can identify whether the temperature change of the ice making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a first value. Specifically, if the ice making heater is operated during the first cooling time, the refrigerator 100 can identify whether the temperature change of the ice making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to the first value, and if the ice making heater is not operated during the first cooling time, the refrigerator 100 can identify whether the temperature change of the ice making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value, which is greater than the first value.

[0123] Alternatively, if the ice-making heater is operated for a predetermined time after the start of the ice-making drive, the refrigerator 100 can identify whether the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a first value. Then, if the ice-making heater is not operated for a predetermined time after the start of the ice-making drive, the refrigerator 100 can identify whether the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray during a second cooling time shorter than the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value, which is greater than the first value.

[0124] Here, if the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray during the second cooling time is greater than or equal to the second value, which is greater than the first value, the refrigerator 100 can stop the operation of the ice-making drive. In contrast, if the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray during the second cooling time is less than the second value, which is greater than the first value, the refrigerator 100 can identify whether the defrosting heater is operated during the ice-making drive and determine whether to stop the operation of the ice-making drive according to whether the defrosting heater is operated.

[0125] Specifically, if the defrosting heater is not operated, the refrigerator 100 can continue to perform the ice-making drive. In contrast, if the defrosting heater is operated, the refrigerator 100 can determine whether to stop the operation of the ice-making drive according to whether the temperature variation range of the ice-making tray caused by the ice-making drive during a third cooling time is greater than or equal to a third value.

[0126] Meanwhile, if the operation of the ice-making drive is stopped, the refrigerator 100 can provide information notifying of an abnormality in the supply state of the ice-making water, and if a predetermined user input is obtained, restart the ice-making drive.

[0127] Alternatively, if the operation of the ice-making drive is stopped, the refrigerator 100 can provide information notifying of an abnormality in the supply state of the ice-making water, and if it is detected that the door of the refrigerator is opened, restart the ice-making drive after a predetermined second time elapses.

[0128] Meanwhile, the term "component" or "module" used in the present disclosure can include a unit implemented as hardware, software, or firmware, and can be interchangeably used with, for example, a term, such as logic, logical block, component, or circuit. Also, the "component" or "module" can be a component constituting an integrated body or a minimum unit performing one or more functions or a part thereof. For example, the module can be constructed as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0129] Further, various embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium, which can be read by a machine (e.g., a computer). The machine is a device that invokes the instructions stored in the storage medium and can operate according to the invoked instructions, and the device can include the refrigerator 100 according to the embodiments disclosed herein. In the case where the instructions are executed by a processor, the processor can perform functions corresponding to the instructions by itself or use other components under its control to perform functions corresponding to the instructions. The instructions can include codes generated or executed by a compiler or an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium can be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory" only means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal, and the term does not distinguish between data semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and data temporarily stored.

[0130] Further, according to the embodiments, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein can be provided in the form of a computer program product that can be traded between sellers and buyers. The computer program product can be distributed online, in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)) or through an application store (e.g., Play StoreTM). For the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product can be stored in a storage medium such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, and a relay server, at least temporarily, or can be temporarily generated.

[0131] Further, each component (e.g., a module or a program) according to the above-described various embodiments can consist of a single object or a plurality of objects. Further, some of the above-described sub-components can be omitted, or other sub-components can be further included in the various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, some components (e.g., a module or a program) can be integrated as one object, and perform functions of each component prior to the integration in the same or similar manner. Operations performed by the module, the program, or other components according to the various embodiments can be executed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically. Or, at least some operations can be executed in different order or omitted, or other operations can be added.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: An ice-making tray, to which ice-making water is supplied; An ice-making device is configured to produce ice by using ice-making water supplied to the ice-making pan; An ice heater is configured to heat the ice-making tray; A sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the ice-making tray; The memory stores at least one instruction. as well as The processor, connected to the memory, controls the refrigerator. The processor is configured as follows: The temperature change of the ice-making tray is detected during a cooling time corresponding to whether the ice heater operates within a predetermined time after the start of ice-making. The ice-making process is stopped if the detected temperature change of the ice-making plate is greater than or equal to the value corresponding to the cooling time.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to: Based on the operation of the ice-making heater within the predetermined time after the start of ice-making, it is identified whether the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a first value, and Based on the fact that the ice heater has not operated for the predetermined time after the ice-making drive has started, it is identified whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making plate during a second cooling time that is shorter than the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value that is greater than the first value.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, in, The processor is configured to: If the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the second cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value that is greater than the first value, the ice-making drive operation is stopped. Based on the fact that the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the second cooling time is less than a second value that is greater than the first value, it is determined whether the defrost heater operates during the ice-making drive, and Whether to stop the ice-making drive operation is determined based on whether the defrosting heater is operating.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, in, The processor is configured to: Since the defrosting heater is not operating, the ice-making drive continues to execute, and Based on the fact that the defrosting heater has been operated, it is determined whether to stop the operation of the ice-making drive based on whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray caused by the ice-making drive during the third cooling time is greater than or equal to a third value.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to: Since the temperature change of the ice-making plate is less than the value corresponding to the cooling time, the ice-making drive continues.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to: Based on a history of an abnormal ice-making water supply prior to the start of the ice-making process, it is determined whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a first value.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, in, The processor is configured to: Based on the operation of the ice heater during the first cooling time, it is identified whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to the first value, and Based on the fact that the ice heater was not operated during the first cooling time, it is determined whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value that is greater than the first value.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to: Based on the fact that the ice-making drive operation has been stopped, information is provided indicating an abnormality in the ice-making water supply status, and Based on the pre-reserved user input, the ice-making process restarts.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to: Based on the fact that the ice-making drive operation has been stopped, information is provided indicating an abnormality in the ice-making water supply status, and Based on the detection that the refrigerator door is open, the ice-making process restarts after a predetermined second time interval.

10. A method for controlling a refrigerator, the method comprising: Detect the temperature change of the ice tray during the cooling time corresponding to whether the ice heater operates within a predetermined time after the ice-making start-up; as well as The ice-making process is stopped if the detected temperature change of the ice-making plate is greater than or equal to the value corresponding to the cooling time.

11. The control method according to claim 10, in, The operation to stop the ice-making drive includes: Based on the operation of the ice-making heater within the predetermined time after the start of ice-making, it is identified whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a first value; and Based on the fact that the ice heater has not operated for the predetermined time after the ice-making drive has started, it is identified whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making plate during a second cooling time that is shorter than the first cooling time is greater than or equal to a second value that is greater than the first value.

12. The control method according to claim 11, in, The operation to stop the ice-making drive includes: The ice-making drive operation is stopped if the temperature change of the ice-making plate during the second cooling time is greater than or equal to the second value, which is greater than the first value. Based on the fact that the temperature change of the ice-making tray during the second cooling time is less than a second value that is greater than the first value, it is determined whether the defrost heater operates during the ice-making drive; and Whether to stop the ice-making drive operation is determined based on whether the defrosting heater is operating.

13. The control method according to claim 12, in, The operation to stop the ice-making drive includes: The ice-making drive continues to operate even though the defrosting heater is not in operation; and Based on the fact that the defrosting heater has been operated, it is determined whether to stop the operation of the ice-making drive based on whether the magnitude of the temperature change of the ice-making tray caused by the ice-making drive during the third cooling time is greater than or equal to a third value.

14. The control method according to claim 10, in, The operation to stop the ice-making drive includes: Since the temperature change of the ice-making plate is less than the value corresponding to the cooling time, the ice-making drive continues.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium comprising a program for performing a method for controlling a refrigerator. in, The control method includes: The detection measures whether the ice heater operates within a predetermined time after the start of ice making, and the temperature change of the ice tray during the corresponding cooling time; and The ice-making process is stopped if the temperature change of the ice-making plate is greater than or equal to the value corresponding to the cooling time.

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