Refrigerator and method for controlling a refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator according to the disclosure can include a main body including a storage compartment, a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a refrigeration fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment, a second cooler including a compressor and an evaporator fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment, and at least one processor configured to increase an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler based on a failure in the first cooler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a refrigerator including thermoelectric elements and a compressor for cooling the storage compartment, and a method for controlling the refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator is a household appliance equipped with a main body having a storage compartment and a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment to keep food fresh.

[0003] Thermoelectric coolers that generate heat and coolness through the Peltier effect can be used as cold air supply devices for refrigerators. A thermoelectric cooler may include a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element has a heating section formed on one side and a cooling section formed on the opposite side; when an electric current is applied to the thermoelectric element, the heating section generates heat, and the cooling section absorbs heat.

[0004] Thermoelectric coolers may include heat sinks, cooling sinks, cooling fans, cooling ducts, and cooling ducts to improve the cooling efficiency of storage compartments. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] This disclosure provides a refrigerator that can maintain a suitable temperature by detecting various faults in the thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the fault type, and a method for controlling the refrigerator.

[0007] This disclosure provides a refrigerator that can maintain the refrigerator temperature by increasing the operating intensity of the refrigeration cycle device in response to a failure of the thermoelectric cooler.

[0008] The technical objectives achievable by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical objectives will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0009] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a cooling fan and a refrigeration fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment; a second cooler including a compressor and an evaporator fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment; and at least one processor configured to increase the operating speed of the compressor and evaporator fan of the second cooler based on a fault in the first cooler.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a method for controlling a refrigerator, the refrigerator includes: a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a cooling fan, and a refrigeration fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment; and a second cooler including a compressor and an evaporator fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment. The method may include: detecting whether a fault has occurred in the first cooler; and increasing the operating speed of the compressor and evaporator fan of the second cooler based on the fault in the first cooler. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 It is a diagram illustrating the communication between home appliances, servers, user terminals, etc.

[0012] Figure 2 A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a view showing the refrigerator door in the open state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a view of the upper part of the storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from below.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a schematic side sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6 It is along Figure 3 A sectional view taken along line I-I'.

[0017] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which determines whether a malfunction has occurred in the thermoelectric cooler based on current detection results.

[0021] Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which determines whether a malfunction has occurred in the thermoelectric cooler based on temperature detection results.

[0022] Figure 13This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which determines whether a malfunction has occurred in the thermoelectric cooler based on the fan speed. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The various embodiments and terms used in this disclosure are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents or alternatives to the corresponding embodiments.

[0024] When describing the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0025] Unless otherwise explicitly stated in the relevant context, the singular form of the noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items.

[0026] In this disclosure, phrases such as “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” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the respective phrases.

[0027] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0028] Terms such as “first,” “second,” “primary,” or “secondary” may be used only to distinguish one element from others, without limiting the element in other ways (such as importance or order).

[0029] Furthermore, as used in this disclosure, the terms “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” etc., are defined with reference to the accompanying drawings and are not intended to limit the shape and position of any element.

[0030] It should be understood that when the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and / or “covering” are used in this disclosure, they indicate the presence of a feature, value, step, operation, component, element, or combination thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, components, elements, or combinations thereof.

[0031] When an element is referred to as being “connected to,” “linked to,” “supported in,” or “in contact with” another element, it should be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, linked to, supported in, or in contact with the other element. When an element is indirectly connected to, linked to, supported in, or in contact with another element, it should be understood that it may be connected to, linked to, supported in, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0032] It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there may be an intermediate element present.

[0033] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of this disclosure may include a cabinet.

[0034] The "cabinet" may include an inner shell, an outer shell located outside the inner shell, and a heat insulation layer disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell.

[0035] The “inner shell” may include at least one of a shell, panel, panel, or lining that forms a storage compartment. The inner shell may be formed integrally or by assembling multiple panels together. The “outer shell” may form the appearance of the cabinet and is attached to the outside of the inner shell such that an insulation layer is located between the inner shell and the outer shell.

[0036] The "insulation layer" insulates the interior of the storage room from the exterior, maintaining the interior temperature at a suitable level unaffected by the external environment. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the insulation layer may include a foamed insulation layer. The foamed insulation layer can be molded by fixing an inner shell and an outer shell with clamps or the like, and then injecting and foaming polyurethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a blowing agent, between the inner and outer shells.

[0037] According to embodiments of this disclosure, in addition to the foamed insulation layer, the insulation layer may also include a vacuum insulation layer, or may replace the foamed insulation layer and consist solely of a vacuum insulation layer. The vacuum insulation layer may include a core material and a covering material that houses the core material and seals the interior under vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation layer is not limited to the aforementioned foamed insulation layer or vacuum insulation layer, and may also include various materials suitable for insulation.

[0038] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an inner shell. A storage room may also include an inner shell defining a space corresponding to the storage room. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, cosmetics, etc., and may be configured to be open on at least one side to facilitate the insertion and retrieval of items.

[0039] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In the case of two or more storage compartments in a refrigerator, each compartment may have a different purpose and may be maintained at a different temperature. Therefore, each storage compartment may be separated by a partition wall including an insulation layer.

[0040] Storage compartments can be maintained within a suitable temperature range depending on their intended use, and may include "refrigeration compartments," "freezer compartments," and "variable temperature compartments" depending on the intended use and / or temperature range. Refrigeration compartments can be maintained at suitable temperatures for refrigerating food, and freezer compartments can be maintained at suitable temperatures for freezing food. "Refrigeration" can refer to keeping food at a low temperature without freezing; for example, a refrigerator compartment can be maintained in the range of 0 to 7 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" can refer to freezing or keeping food frozen; for example, a freezer compartment can be maintained in the range of -20 to -1 degrees Celsius. A variable temperature compartment can be used as either a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment, depending on the user's choice or regardless of the user's choice.

[0041] In addition to “refrigeration room,” “freezer room,” and “variable temperature room,” storage rooms can also be referred to by various terms, such as “vegetable room,” “fresh food room,” “cooling room,” and “ice-making room.” The terms “refrigeration room,” “freezer room,” and “variable temperature room” used below should be understood as referring to storage rooms with corresponding uses and corresponding temperature ranges.

[0042] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close an open side of a storage compartment. Each door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door is rotatably or slidably mounted to the front of the cabinet.

[0043] The "door" can seal the storage compartment when closed. Like the cabinet, the door may include insulation to insulate the storage compartment when closed.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the door body may include an outer door panel forming the front surface of the door body, an inner door panel forming the rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a door insulation layer disposed therein.

[0045] A sealing gasket may be placed at the edge of the inner door panel to seal the storage compartment by making close contact with the front surface of the cabinet when the door is closed. The inner door panel may include a rearward-projecting embankment for mounting door shelves for stored items.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the door body may include a door main body and a front panel detachably connected to the front of the door main body and forming the front surface of the door body. The door main body may include an outer door panel forming the front surface of the door main body, an inner door panel forming the rear surface of the door main body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a door insulation member disposed therein.

[0047] Based on the arrangement of the doors and storage compartments, refrigerators can be classified as French door, side-by-side, bottom-loaded freezer (BMF), top-loaded freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerators.

[0048] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0049] "Air supply equipment" may include machines, equipment, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate and direct air to cool storage rooms.

[0050] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a cooling supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle including the compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of a refrigerant. For this purpose, the cooling supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator to drive the refrigeration cycle. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the cooling supply device may include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool the storage compartment through the heating and cooling action of the Peltier effect.

[0051] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a machine compartment in which at least some components belonging to a cold air supply device are installed.

[0052] The "machine room" can be separated from and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components installed in the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. To dissipate heat from components installed in the machine room, the machine room can be connected to the outside of the cabinet.

[0053] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a dispenser disposed on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be disposed on the door to allow a user to access the water without opening the door.

[0054] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an ice-making device for producing ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray for storing water, an ice-transfer device for separating ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket for storing the ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0055] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0056] The “controller” may include a memory for storing and / or recording data and / or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the air conditioning supply device, etc., according to the programs and / or data stored in the memory.

[0057] The memory can store or record various information, data, instructions, programs, etc., required for the operation of the refrigerator. The memory can store temporary data generated when control signals are produced to control the components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0058] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. It controls various components by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs artificial intelligence (AI) model calculations. Furthermore, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc. The processor generates control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor can receive temperature information from a temperature sensor in the storage compartment and generate a cooling control signal based on this information to control the operation of the cooling system.

[0059] Furthermore, the processor can process user input to the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / recorded in memory. The user interface may be equipped with input and output interfaces. The processor can receive user input from the user interface. In addition, in response to user input, the processor can send display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying images on the user interface.

[0060] The processor and memory can be integrated or configured 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 memory modules.

[0061] A refrigerator according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all components included in the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories for individually controlling each component of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory for controlling the operation of a cooling supply device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Furthermore, the refrigerator may have a separate processor and memory for controlling the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0062] The communication module can communicate with external devices such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via nearby access points (APs). The access point connects the local area network (LAN) to which the refrigerator or user equipment is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected, allowing the refrigerator or user equipment to connect to the server via the WAN.

[0063] Input interfaces may include buttons, touchscreens, microphones, etc. Input interfaces can receive user input and transmit the received user input to the processor.

[0064] Output interfaces may include displays, speakers, etc. These interfaces can output various notifications, messages, and information generated by the processor.

[0065] Figure 1 It is a diagram illustrating the communication between home appliances, servers, user terminals, etc.

[0066] The home appliance 1000 may include a communication module that can communicate with another home appliance, user equipment 2000 or server 3000, a user interface that receives user input or outputs information to the user, at least one processor that controls the operation of the home appliance 1000, and at least one memory that stores programs for controlling the operation of the home appliance 1000.

[0067] Home appliance 1000 can be at least one of various types of home appliances. For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, home appliance 1000 may include at least one of a refrigerator 1, dishwasher 1200, electric stove 1300, electric oven 1400, air conditioner 1500, laundry appliance 1600, washing machine 1700, dryer 1800, or microwave oven 1900, but is not limited thereto. For example, home appliance 1000 may include various types of home appliances not shown in the accompanying drawings, such as cleaning robots, vacuum cleaners, televisions, etc. Furthermore, the above-described home appliances are merely examples; in addition to the above-described home appliances, other devices connected to other home appliances, user equipment 2000, or server 3000 to perform the operations described below may also be included in home appliance 1000 according to the embodiments.

[0068] Server 3000 may include a communication module for communicating with another server, home appliance 1000, or user equipment 2000; at least one processor for processing data received from the other server, home appliance 1000, or user equipment 2000; and at least one memory for storing programs for processing data or processed data. Server 3000 may be implemented as various computing devices, such as workstations, cloud computing, data drives, data stations, etc. Server 3000 may be implemented as one or more servers based on functionality, detailed configuration of functionality, or physical or logical separation of data, and may send and receive data and process the sent and received data through communication between servers.

[0069] Server 3000 can perform functions such as managing user accounts, associating home appliances 1000 with user accounts for registration, and managing or controlling registered home appliances 1000. For example, a user can access server 3000 and create a user account via user device 2000. The user account can be identified by an identifier (ID) and password set by the user. Server 3000 can register home appliances 1000 to user accounts according to a predetermined procedure. For example, server 3000 can associate the identification information of home appliances 1000 (such as serial number or MAC address) with user accounts to register, manage, and control home appliances 1000.

[0070] User equipment 2000 may include a communication module that can communicate with home appliance 1000 or server 3000, a user interface that receives user input or outputs information to the user, at least one processor that controls the operation of user equipment 2000, and at least one memory that stores programs for controlling the operation of user equipment 2000.

[0071] User equipment 2000 can be carried by the user or placed in the user's home or office. User equipment 2000 may include, but is not limited to, personal computers (PCs), terminals, mobile phones, smartphones, handheld devices, wearable devices, etc.

[0072] The memory of user equipment 2000 can store programs, i.e., applications, for controlling home appliances 1000. These applications can be pre-installed on user equipment 2000 or downloaded from an external server for installation.

[0073] By running an application installed on user device 2000, the user can access server 3000, create a user account, and communicate with server 3000 based on the logged-in user account to register home appliance 1000.

[0074] For example, by operating home appliance 1000, home appliance 1000 can access server 3000 according to the program guided by the application installed on user device 2000. Server 3000 can register home appliance 1000 to the corresponding user account by assigning the identification information of home appliance 1000 (such as serial number or MAC address) to the corresponding user account.

[0075] Users can control home appliances 1000 using an application installed on user device 2000. For example, by logging into a user account using an application installed on user device 2000, the home appliances 1000 registered in that user account will be displayed. By entering control commands for home appliances 1000, these control commands can be transmitted to home appliances 1000 via server 3000.

[0076] A network can include both wired and wireless networks. A wired network can include a cable network or a telephone network, while a wireless network can include any network that transmits and receives signals via radio waves. Wired and wireless networks can be interconnected.

[0077] Networks may include wide area networks (WANs) (such as the Internet), local area networks (LANs) formed around access points (APs), and short-range wireless networks that do not use APs. Short-range wireless networks may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, Near Field Communication (NFC), and Z-Wave.

[0078] The access point (AP) can connect home appliance 1000 or user equipment 2000 to the WAN connected to server 3000. Home appliance 1000 or user equipment 2000 can connect to server 3000 via the WAN.

[0079] The AP can communicate with home appliances 1000 or user equipment 2000 via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), and Zifeng (IEEE 802.15.4), and access the WAN via wired communication, but is not limited to these.

[0080] According to various implementation methods, home appliance 1000 can be directly connected to user equipment 2000 or server 3000 without going through an AP.

[0081] Home appliance 1000 can be connected to user equipment 2000 or server 3000 via long-range or short-range wireless networks.

[0082] For example, home appliance 1000 can be connected to user equipment 2000 via a short-range wireless network (such as Wi-Fi Direct).

[0083] In another example, home appliance 1000 can use a long-range wireless network (such as a cellular communication module) to connect to user equipment 2000 or server 3000 via a WAN.

[0084] In yet another example, home appliance 1000 can access the WAN via wired communication and can connect to user equipment 2000 or server 3000 via the WAN.

[0085] When using wired communication to access the WAN, home appliance 1000 can also act as an access point (AP). Correspondingly, home appliance 1000 can connect another home appliance to the WAN to which server 3000 is connected. Furthermore, another home appliance can connect home appliance 1000 to the WAN to which server 3000 is connected.

[0086] Home appliance 1000 can send information about its operation or status to other home appliances, user equipment 2000, or server 3000 via a network. For example, home appliance 1000 can respond to requests from server 3000, respond to events within home appliance 1000, or periodically or in real-time send information about its operation or status to other home appliances, user equipment 2000, or server 3000. Upon receiving information about its operation or status from home appliance 1000, server 3000 can update its stored information about the operation or status of home appliance 1000 and send the updated information about the operation and status of home appliance 1000 to user equipment 2000 via the network. Here, updating information can include various operations that change existing information, such as adding new information to existing information or replacing existing information with new information.

[0087] Home appliance 1000 can obtain various information from other home appliances, user equipment 2000, or server 3000, and can provide the obtained information to the user. For example, home appliance 1000 can obtain information related to the function of home appliance 1000 (such as recipes, washing instructions, etc.) and various environmental information (such as weather, temperature, humidity, etc.) from server 3000, and can output the obtained information through user interface.

[0088] Home appliance 1000 can operate according to control commands received from other home appliances, user equipment 2000, or server 3000. For example, even without user input, home appliance 1000 can operate based on pre-authorization obtained from the user and control commands received from server 3000. Here, control commands received from server 3000 may include, but are not limited to, control commands input by the user via user equipment 2000 or control commands based on preset conditions.

[0089] User equipment 2000 can send information about the user to home appliance 1000 or server 3000 via a communication module. For example, user equipment 2000 can send information about the user's location, health status (i.e., status), preferences, and schedule to server 3000. User equipment 2000 can also send information about the user to server 3000 based on the user's prior authorization.

[0090] Home appliance 1000, user equipment 2000, or server 3000 can use technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to determine control commands. For example, server 3000 can receive information about the operation or status of home appliance 1000 or information about the user of user equipment 2000, process the received information using technologies such as AI, and send the processing result or control command to home appliance 1000 or user equipment 2000 based on the processing result.

[0091] In the following text, various embodiments of the refrigerator 1 in the above-described household appliance 1000 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] Figure 2 A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 This is a view showing the refrigerator door in the open state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 This is a view of the upper part of the storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from below. Figure 5 This is a schematic side sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It is along Figure 3 A sectional view taken along line I-I'.

[0093] Reference Figures 2 to 6 The refrigerator 1 may include a main body 100, storage compartments 11, 12 and 13 formed inside the main body 100, and doors 21, 22, 23 and 24 for opening and closing the storage compartments 11, 12 and 13.

[0094] The main body 100 may include an inner shell, an outer shell connected to the outside of the inner shell, and a heat insulation layer 190 disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell (see Figure 6 The inner shell can form storage compartments 11, 12 and 13, and the outer shell can form the appearance of the main body 100.

[0095] On the other hand, 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, lower wall 120, left wall 130, right wall 140, and rear wall 150 may respectively form the upper side, lower side, left side, right side, and rear side of the main body 100.

[0096] Each of the upper wall 110, lower wall 120, left wall 130, right wall 140, and rear wall 150 may be composed of an inner shell, an outer shell, and a heat insulation layer 190. For example, the upper side of the upper wall 110 may be formed by an outer shell, the lower side of the upper wall 110 may be formed by an inner shell, and the heat insulation layer 190 may be disposed inside the upper wall 110.

[0097] Storage compartments 11, 12, and 13 can hold items. Storage compartments 11, 12, and 13 may be configured to be open at the front for placing or retrieving items. The main body 100 may include a horizontal partition wall 160 separating the first storage compartment 11 from the second and third storage compartments 12 and 13, and a vertical partition wall 161 separating the second and third storage compartments 12 and 13. The first storage compartment 11 may be formed in the upper part of the main body 100, and the second and third storage compartments 12 and 13 may be formed in the lower part of the main body 100. The first storage compartment 11 may be a refrigerator compartment. The second storage compartment 12 may be a freezer compartment. The third storage compartment 13 may be a variable temperature compartment.

[0098] The first storage compartment 11 can be maintained at a first set temperature, the second storage compartment 12 can be maintained at a second set temperature, and the third storage compartment 13 can be maintained at a third set temperature.

[0099] The second set temperature can be set to be lower than the first set temperature and the third set temperature. The second set temperature, the first set temperature, and the third set temperature can be set by the user.

[0100] Doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 can open and close storage compartments 11, 12, and 13. First door 21 and second door 22 can open and close the first storage compartment 11, third door 23 can open and close the second storage compartment 12, and fourth door 24 can open and close the third storage compartment 13. Doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 are rotatably connected to the main body 100.

[0101] Doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 are rotatably connected to the main body 100 via hinges. For example, the first door 21 and the second door 22 can be rotatably connected to the main body 100 via a hinge 31 located on the upper part of the main body 100 and a hinge located in the middle of the main body 100, respectively. The hinge 31 may include a hinge pin that protrudes vertically to form the axis of rotation of the door. The hinge 31 may be covered by a top cover 300 configured to cover the front part of the main body 100.

[0102] A rotating bar 40 may be arranged on one of the first door body 21 and the second door body 22 to cover the gap between the first door body 21 and the second door body 22 when the first door body 21 and the second door body 22 are closed. The rotating bar 40 is rotatably mounted on one of the first door body 21 and the second door body 22. The rotating bar 40 may have a rod-like shape extending in the vertical direction. The rotating bar 40 may also be referred to as a post, a mullion, etc.

[0103] The guide protrusion 46 can be disposed at the upper end of the rotating bar 40, and the rotating guide 119 that guides the rotation of the guide protrusion 46 can be disposed at the upper part of the main body 100.

[0104] Doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include a sealing gasket 51. The sealing gasket 51 is in close contact with the front side of the body 100 when the doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 are closed. Each door 21, 22, 23, and 24 may each include a rearwardly projecting embankment 52. A door shelf 53 for storing items may be mounted on the embankment 52. A swivel strip 40 is rotatably mounted on the embankment 52.

[0105] Although the number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors have been described above, the number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors of the refrigerator according to embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0106] The refrigerator 1 may include a thermoelectric cooler 400 to cool the storage compartment 11.

[0107] The thermoelectric cooler 400 can be installed above the storage room 11 to cool the storage room 11. That is, the thermoelectric cooler 400 can be installed on the upper wall 110 of the main body 100.

[0108] Thermoelectric cooler 400 may include thermoelectric element 530. Thermoelectric element 530 is a semiconductor device that uses the thermoelectric effect to convert heat energy into electrical energy and vice versa. Thermoelectric element 530 may be referred to by various terms such as semiconductor thermoelectric element and Peltier element.

[0109] The thermoelectric element 530 includes a heating part 531 and a cooling part 532. When an electric current is applied to the thermoelectric element 530, the heating part 531 generates heat, and the cooling part 532 absorbs heat. The thermoelectric element 530 may have a thin hexahedral shape. The heating part 531 may be formed on one side of the thermoelectric element 530, and the cooling part 532 may be formed on the opposite side.

[0110] The thermoelectric element 530 can be disposed on the upper wall 110, such that the heating element 531 is located above the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooling element 532 is located below the thermoelectric element 530. That is, the heating element 531 can face the outside of the main body 100, and the cooling element 532 can face the inside of the storage compartment 11. Accordingly, the air heated by heat exchange with the heating element 531 can be discharged to the outside of the main body 100, and the air cooled by heat exchange with the cooling element 532 can be supplied to the storage compartment 11.

[0111] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat sink 520 that contacts the heating element 531 so that heat exchange between the heating element 531 and the external air of the body 100 can be carried out efficiently.

[0112] The heat sink 520 may be located on the exterior of the main body 100. The heat sink 520 may be in contact with the heat-generating part 531 to absorb heat from the heat-generating part 531 and dissipate the heat to the exterior of the main body 100. The heat sink 520 may be referred to by various terms such as heat sink, radiator, hot-side radiator, etc.

[0113] The heat sink 520 can be formed from a metal material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat sink 520 can be formed from aluminum or copper.

[0114] The heat sink 520 may include a heat sink base 521 that contacts the heat-generating part 531, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 that protrude from the heat sink base 521 to increase the heat transfer area. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude upward from the heat sink base 521.

[0115] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling plate 570 that contacts the cooling section 532 to enable efficient heat exchange between the cooling section 532 and the air in the storage compartment 11.

[0116] The cooling element 570 may be located inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling element 570 may absorb heat from the storage compartment 11 and transfer it to the cooling unit 532. Accordingly, the storage compartment 11 may be cooled. The cooling element 570 may be referred to by various terms such as cooling sink, cooling radiator, or refrigeration radiator.

[0117] The cooling element 570 can be formed from a metallic material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the cooling element 570 can be formed from aluminum or copper.

[0118] The cooling plate 570 may include a cooling plate base 571 that contacts the cooling section 532, and a plurality of cooling fins 575 that protrude from the cooling plate base 571 to increase the heat transfer area. The plurality of cooling fins 575 may protrude downward from the cooling plate base 571. The cooling plate base 571 and the plurality of cooling fins 575 may be integrally formed.

[0119] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling fan 600 that circulates air to enable efficient heat exchange between the heat sink 520 and the external air of the body 100.

[0120] The cooling fan 600 blows air onto the heat sink 520. The cooling fan 600 can be located horizontally on the heat sink 520. The cooling fan 600 can be installed on the outside of the main body 100. The cooling fan 600 can be installed on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0121] The cooling fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan that draws in air axially and exhausts air radially. The centrifugal fan may include a blower. The rotating shaft 610 of the cooling fan 600 may be vertically mounted on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0122] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat dissipation duct 700 to guide airflow from the cooling fan 600. The heat dissipation duct 700 guides external air from the main body 100 to exchange heat with the heat sink 520. The air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 can be discharged to the outside of the main body 100 through the heat dissipation duct 700.

[0123] The cooling duct 700 can draw in air from the external space above the main body 100. The cooling duct 700 can exhaust the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 to the external space above the main body 100. A cooling fan 600 can be located inside the cooling duct 700. The heat sink 520 can be located inside the cooling duct 700. The cooling duct 700 can be installed on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0124] The heat dissipation duct 700 may include an external air inlet 751 for drawing external air from the main body 100 into the heat dissipation duct 700, and an external air outlet 782 for discharging air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 to the outside of the main body 100.

[0125] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling fan 800 that circulates air to enable efficient heat exchange between the cooling plate 570 and the air in the storage compartment 11.

[0126] The cooling fan 800 blows air onto the cooling plate 570. The cooling fan 800 can be located horizontally on the cooling plate 570. The cooling fan 800 can be installed inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling fan 800 can be installed on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0127] The cooling fan 800 can be a centrifugal fan that draws in air axially and discharges air radially. The rotating shaft 810 of the cooling fan 800 can be vertically mounted on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0128] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling duct 900 to guide air flowing by a cooling fan 800. The cooling fan 800 can guide air in the storage compartment 11 to exchange heat with the cooling plate 680. The air that has exchanged heat with the cooling plate 570 can be exhausted back into the storage compartment 11 through the cooling duct 900.

[0129] The cooling fan 800 can be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling plate 570 can be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling duct 900 can be located on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0130] The cooling duct 900 may include an internal air inlet 991 for drawing air from inside the storage compartment 11 into the cooling duct 900, and an internal air outlet 992 for discharging air that has exchanged heat with the cooling element 570 into the storage compartment 11.

[0131] Reference Figure 5 The refrigerator 1 may include a refrigeration cycle unit 450 to cool the storage compartments via a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle unit 450 may include a compressor 2, a condenser (not shown), an expansion unit (not shown), and an evaporator 3. The evaporator 3 may be located at the rear of the storage compartments 12 and 13.

[0132] According to various embodiments, the evaporator may not be located at the rear of the first storage compartment 11. That is, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiments may include only one evaporator 3, and the evaporator 3 may be located at the rear of the second storage compartment 12. The evaporator 3 may also be located at the lower part based on the horizontal partition wall 160.

[0133] The refrigerator 1 may include a defrost sensor 111 for measuring the temperature of the evaporator 3.

[0134] The defrost sensor 111 can measure the temperature of the evaporator 3. Measuring the temperature of the evaporator 3 can include measuring the temperature of the air surrounding the evaporator 3 and measuring the temperature of the evaporator 3 itself.

[0135] The defrosting sensor 111 can be installed on the evaporator 3, or in the evaporator ducts 60 and 70.

[0136] The refrigerator 1 may include evaporator ducts 60 and 70 to guide the cold air generated in the evaporator 3. The first evaporator duct 60 may be located at the rear of the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13. The second evaporator duct 70 may be located at the rear of the first storage compartment 11.

[0137] The cold air generated in the evaporator 3 can be drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 by the evaporator fan 80. The cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 can be discharged to the second storage compartment 12 or the third storage compartment 13 through the cold air outlet (not shown) formed at the front. In addition, the cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 can be guided to the internal flow channel 78 of the second evaporator duct 70. The first evaporator duct 60 may be provided with a damper 61 to control the supply of cold air from the first evaporator duct 60 to the second evaporator duct 70. A connecting duct 90 may be provided between the first evaporator duct 60 and the second evaporator duct 70 to connect the first evaporator duct 60 and the second evaporator duct 70.

[0138] The internal flow channel 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 can guide the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 to the first storage compartment 11.

[0139] The damper 61 can open or close the internal flow channel 78.

[0140] When the internal flow channel 78 is opened by the damper 61, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 can be guided to the first storage chamber 11.

[0141] When the internal flow channel 78 is closed by the damper 61, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 can be blocked by the damper 61 and cannot be guided to the first storage compartment 11.

[0142] The cold air flowing into the internal flow channel 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 can be supplied to the first storage compartment 11 through the cold air outlet 72 formed on the front side of the second evaporator duct 70.

[0143] However, unlike the above-described embodiment, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 can be supplied directly to the second evaporator duct 70 without passing through the first evaporator duct 60. Furthermore, a separate evaporator 3 for supplying cold air to the second evaporator duct 70 can be located at the rear of the first storage compartment 11.

[0144] Therefore, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include a thermoelectric cooler 400 and a refrigeration cycle device 450 for cooling the storage compartment. Accordingly, the storage compartment can be cooled by using at least one of the thermoelectric cooler 400 or the refrigeration cycle device 450. For example, the storage compartment can be cooled by supplying only the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450, or by supplying only the cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooler 400. Furthermore, the storage compartment can be cooled by supplying both the cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooler 400 and the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0145] The refrigerator 1 can supply cold air to the storage compartment 11 according to external and internal conditions. For example, when the external temperature of the refrigerator 1 is higher or lower than a preset temperature range, cooling by the refrigeration cycle device 450 is more efficient than cooling by the thermoelectric cooler 400. Accordingly, when the external temperature of the refrigerator 1 is higher or lower than the preset temperature range, the storage compartment 11 can be cooled only by the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0146] When the external temperature of the refrigerator 1 is within the preset temperature range and the storage compartment 11 is overloaded or the storage compartment 11 needs to be cooled quickly, the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450 and the cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooler 400 can be supplied to the storage compartment 11 at the same time to cool the storage compartment 11 quickly.

[0147] Meanwhile, although it has been described that the thermoelectric cooler 400 is disposed on the upper wall 110 of the main body 100, the location of the thermoelectric cooler 400 is not limited thereto.

[0148] According to various embodiments, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be disposed on at least one of the upper wall 110, lower wall 120, left wall 130, right wall 140 or rear wall 150.

[0149] Figure 7This is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] Reference Figure 7 The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a thermoelectric module 500.

[0151] The aforementioned thermoelectric element 530, heat sink 520, and cooling element 570 can be integrated into a thermoelectric module 500. That is, the thermoelectric module 500 may include the thermoelectric element 530, heat sink 520, cooling element 570, and module board 550.

[0152] Module plate 550 can be used as a frame for thermoelectric module 500. Module plate 550 can be formed of a resin material with low thermal conductivity. Module plate 550 maintains the gap between heat sink 520 and cooling plate 570, and supports heat sink 520 and cooling plate 570. Module plate 550 can be integrally formed with fan housing 650 as described below. However, module plate 550 can be disposed separately from fan housing 650.

[0153] The module board 550 may include a heat sink support 552 that supports the heat sink 520.

[0154] The module board 550 may include a module board opening 551. A thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed inside the module board opening 551. The vertical length of the module board opening 551 may be greater than the vertical length of the thermoelectric element 530, and the thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed at the upper end of the module board opening 551. Typically, the heat generated by the thermoelectric element 530 is greater than the heat absorbed, and the location of the thermoelectric element 530 at the upper end of the module board opening 551 facilitates heat dissipation from the heat-generating part 531. Accordingly, the thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed at the upper end of the module board opening 551.

[0155] Therefore, since the thermoelectric element 530 is located at the upper end of the module plate opening 551, the cooling chip 570 may include a cooling conduction portion 574 that protrudes from the cooling chip base 571 to contact the thermoelectric element 530.

[0156] The thermoelectric module 500 may include an element insulation 540 to insulate the module plate 550 and the thermoelectric element 530 from heat. The element insulation 540 may be disposed in an opening 551 in the module plate to prevent the side of the thermoelectric element 530 from contacting the module plate 550. The element insulation 540 may include an element insulation opening 541, and the thermoelectric element 530 may be accommodated in the element insulation opening 541.

[0157] The thermoelectric module 500 may include a sheet insulation 580 located between the module plate 550 and the cooling chip 570. The sheet insulation 580 prevents heat transfer between the heat sink 520 and the cooling chip 570 through the module plate 550. The sheet insulation 580 may include a sheet insulation opening 581. However, the sheet insulation 580 may be omitted. In this case, the heat sink 520 may be supported on the upper side of the module plate 550, and the cooling chip 570 may be supported on the lower side of the module plate 550.

[0158] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a fan housing 650 on which a cooling fan 600 is mounted, and the fan housing 650 may guide the airflow of the cooling fan 600.

[0159] The fan housing 650 can be integrally formed with the module board 550, or it can be set separately.

[0160] The fan housing 650 may include a housing base 660 for rotatably mounting the cooling fan 600, and a housing vortex 670 extending upward from the edge of the housing base 660 to guide air blown from the cooling fan 600 toward the heat sink 520. The cooling fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan and may be mounted on the housing base 660 such that the rotation axis 610 is perpendicular to the housing base 660. Furthermore, the heat sink 520 may be located in the radial direction of the cooling fan 600. With the above structure, the overall vertical length of the thermoelectric cooler 400 can be compact.

[0161] The housing vortex portion 670 may be formed to surround the cooling fan 600. The housing vortex portion 670 may have a vortex portion opening 673 that opens toward the heat sink 520. The housing vortex portion 670 may include a downstream end 671 along the rotation direction R of the cooling fan 600 and an upstream end 672 along the rotation direction R.

[0162] The fan housing 650 may include a housing guide 680 to guide air flowing from the cooling fan 600 to the vicinity of the downstream end 671 of the housing vortex portion 670.

[0163] The heat sink 520 may include a plurality of heat dissipation fins 525. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude from the upper side 522 of the heat sink base 521. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the upper side 522 of the heat sink base 521.

[0164] Multiple heat dissipation channels can be formed between multiple heat dissipation fins 525.

[0165] The cooling fan 600 blows air onto the heat sink 520, and the air flowing by the cooling fan 600 passes through the heat dissipation channel and exchanges heat with the multiple heat sink fins 525.

[0166] The cooling plate 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 underside of the cooling plate base 571.

[0167] Multiple cooling channels can be formed between multiple cooling fins 575.

[0168] The air flowing from the cooling fan 800 can pass through the cooling channel and exchange heat with multiple cooling fins 575.

[0169] Figure 8 This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0170] Reference Figure 8 According to the embodiment, the refrigerator 1 may include a current sensor 115, a user interface 200, a communication interface 250, a first cooler 400, a second cooler 450, and a controller 350. The controller 350 may include at least one processor 351 and a memory 352.

[0171] The current sensor 115 can detect the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530. The current sensor 115 can send information about the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 to the controller 350.

[0172] Refrigerator 1 may include user interface 200.

[0173] User interface 200 can convert sensory information received from the user into electrical signals.

[0174] The user interface 200 may include a power button, operation buttons, menu selection buttons, refrigerator / freezer setting buttons, rapid cooling setting buttons, etc. For example, the user interface 200 may include a tactile switch, push button switch, slide switch, toggle switch, micro switch, touch switch, touchpad, touch screen, jog dial and / or microphone.

[0175] User interface 200 can visually or audibly convey information related to the operation of refrigerator 1 to the user. Information about the operation of refrigerator 1 can be output via a screen, indicator, or voice. For example, user interface 200 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light-emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

[0176] The refrigerator 1 may include a communication interface 250 for wired and / or wireless communication with external devices.

[0177] The communication interface 250 may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module or a long-range wireless communication module.

[0178] Communication interface 250 can send data to or receive data from external devices (e.g., servers, user equipment, temperature probes). For communication, communication interface 250 can establish direct (e.g., wired) or wireless communication channels between external devices and support communication through these established channels. Depending on the implementation, communication interface 250 may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the respective modules can communicate with external devices via a first network (e.g., short-range wireless networks such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., long-range wireless networks such as traditional cellular networks, 5G networks, next-generation communication networks, the Internet, or computer networks (e.g., LANs or WANs)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple independent components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0179] Short-range wireless communication modules may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth communication modules, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication modules, near-field communication modules, WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication modules, Zifeng communication modules, IrDA communication modules, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication modules, ultra-wideband (UWB) communication modules, Ant+ communication modules, and microwave (μWave) communication modules.

[0180] The long-range wireless communication module may include communication modules that perform various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication interface. The mobile communication interface transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.

[0181] According to the implementation, the communication interface 250 can communicate with external devices via an access point (AP). The AP can connect the LAN to which the refrigerator 1 is connected to the WAN to which the server is connected. The refrigerator 1 can be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0182] Refrigerator 1 can receive various signals (such as weather information and remote commands) from external devices (such as servers and user equipment) via communication interface 250.

[0183] Refrigerator 1 can send various signals to external devices via communication interface 250.

[0184] The refrigerator 1 may include a first cooler 400 configured to cool the first storage compartment 11. The first cooler 400 may be the thermoelectric cooler 400 described above.

[0185] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a thermoelectric element 530, a cooling fan 600, and / or a cooling fan 800. Furthermore, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may also include an endothermic sensor 850 for detecting the temperature of the air drawn into the thermoelectric element 530 and a heat dissipation sensor 860 for detecting the temperature of the air discharged from the thermoelectric element 530.

[0186] When powered, the thermoelectric element 530 enables heat exchange between the cooling plate 570 and the heat sink 520. For example, the thermoelectric element 530 can convert electrical energy into heat energy, thereby generating a heating process in the heating section 531 and an endothermic process in the cooling section 532.

[0187] When heat is generated in the heating element 531, the air heated by the heat sink 520 in contact with the heating element 531 can be discharged to the outside of the main body 100, while the air cooled by the cooling element 570 in contact with the cooling element 532 can be supplied to the first storage compartment 11.

[0188] The controller 350 can control the thermoelectric element 530. Controlling the thermoelectric element 530 may include controlling the on / off state of the thermoelectric element 530. Controlling the thermoelectric element 530 may include drive circuitry that controls the supply of power to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0189] Driving the thermoelectric element 530 may include supplying electrical energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., powering the thermoelectric element 530. Powering the thermoelectric element 530 may include applying voltage and / or current to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0190] Driving the thermoelectric element 530 may include pulse width modulation (PWM) control of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0191] Turning off thermoelectric element 530 may include not supplying electrical energy to thermoelectric element 530, i.e., not supplying power to thermoelectric element 530. Not supplying power to thermoelectric element 530 may include not applying voltage and / or current to thermoelectric element 530. Not supplying power to thermoelectric element 530 may include not performing PWM control on thermoelectric element 530.

[0192] In this disclosure, turning off the thermoelectric element 530 may not include intermittently not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 according to the on / off duty cycle when performing PWM control on the thermoelectric element 530. That is, even when the thermoelectric element 530 is intermittently not supplied with power according to the on / off duty cycle when performing PWM control on the thermoelectric element 530, the thermoelectric element 530 is still in a driven state.

[0193] As the thermoelectric element 530 is driven, the heat sink 520 can contact the heating element 531 to absorb the heat from the heating element 531 and release the heat to the outside of the main body 100.

[0194] As the thermoelectric element 530 is driven, the cooling chip 570 can cool the first storage compartment 11 by removing heat from the storage compartment 11 and transferring the heat to the cooling unit 532.

[0195] In this embodiment, in cooling mode, the controller 350 can control the thermoelectric element 530 to maintain the temperature of the first storage compartment 11 at a set temperature (hereinafter referred to as the "first set temperature"). The set temperature of the first storage compartment 11 can be set via the user interface 200 of the refrigerator 1, or remotely set from an external device via the communication interface 250.

[0196] The cooling fan 600 can draw in air from outside the main body 100, guide the drawn-in air to exchange heat with the heat sink 520, and exhaust the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 back to the outside of the main body 100.

[0197] Controller 350 can control cooling fan 600. Controlling cooling fan 600 may include controlling a fan motor for cooling fan 600. Controlling cooling fan 600 may include driving cooling fan 600 and turning off cooling fan 600. Driving cooling fan 600 may include rotating cooling fan 600 at a predetermined speed. Turning off cooling fan 600 may include stopping the rotation of cooling fan 600.

[0198] The fan motor of the cooling fan 600 may include a speed-controlled brushless DC (BLDC) motor.

[0199] The operation of the cooling fan 600 and the airflow that exchanges heat with the heat sink 520 enable the heat sink 520 to dissipate heat quickly. As the heat sink 520 dissipates heat quickly, the heat generation in the heat-generating section 531 and the heat absorption in the cooling section 532 can proceed smoothly.

[0200] The cooling fan 800 can draw in air from the storage compartment 11, exchange heat between the drawn-in air and the cooling plate 570, and then exhaust the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling plate 570 back into the storage compartment 11.

[0201] Controller 350 can control cooling fan 800. Controlling cooling fan 800 may include controlling a fan motor for cooling fan 800. Controlling cooling fan 800 may include driving cooling fan 800 and turning off cooling fan 800. Driving cooling fan 800 may include rotating cooling fan 800 at a predetermined speed. Turning off cooling fan 800 may include stopping the rotation of cooling fan 800.

[0202] The fan motor of the 800 cooling fan may include a speed-controlled BLDC motor.

[0203] The airflow that exchanges heat with the cooling plate 570, driven by the operation of the cooling fan 800, rapidly cools the interior of the storage compartment 11. With the airflow exchanging heat with the cooling plate 570, the heating in the heating unit 531 and the heat absorption in the cooling unit 532 can proceed smoothly.

[0204] In one implementation, controller 350 can operate cooling fan 800 and cooling fan 600 by turning on thermoelectric element 530. Controller 350 can turn off cooling fan 800 and cooling fan 600 by turning off thermoelectric element 530.

[0205] In one implementation, during the defrost mode of the thermoelectric element 530, the controller 350 can operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off. The defrost mode of the thermoelectric element 530 can be a mode in which the heat dissipation fan 600 and the cooling fan 800 are operated without operating the thermoelectric element 530 to defrost it. That is, the controller 350 can turn off the thermoelectric element 530 and operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 to defrost the thermoelectric element 530.

[0206] Therefore, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure can supply cold air generated by the first cooler 400 to the storage compartment to cool the storage compartment. The method of supplying cold air generated by the first cooler 400 to the storage compartment 11 to cool the storage compartment 11 is referred to as first refrigeration.

[0207] Additionally, the refrigerator 1 may include a second cooler 450 configured to supply cold air to the first storage compartment 11 and / or the second storage compartment 12. The second cooler 450 may be the aforementioned refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0208] The second cooler 450 may include a compressor 2 and an evaporator fan 80.

[0209] Compressor 2 can compress refrigerant and supply the compressed refrigerant to heat exchangers (e.g., condenser (not shown), expansion device (not shown), and evaporator 3).

[0210] The controller 350 can control the temperature of the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 by controlling the compressor 2. For example, the controller 350 can control the compressor 2 to maintain the temperature measured by the internal sensor 112 at a predetermined target temperature.

[0211] Controlling compressor 2 may include controlling the start / stop of compressor 2 or controlling the operating frequency of compressor 2.

[0212] The controller 350 can control the evaporator fan 80 to blow the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 to the first storage compartment 11 and / or the second storage compartment 12.

[0213] Therefore, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of this disclosure can cool the storage compartment by supplying cold air generated by the second cooler 450 to the storage compartment. The method of supplying cold air generated by the second cooler 450 to the storage compartment 11 to cool the storage compartment 11 is referred to as second refrigeration.

[0214] The controller 350 may include at least one processor 351 for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1, and at least one memory 352 for storing programs and data for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1.

[0215] At least one memory 352 can store data required for various implementations. At least one memory 352 can be implemented as a memory embedded in the refrigerator 1, or as a memory removable from the refrigerator 1 depending on the data storage purpose. For example, data for driving the refrigerator 1 can be stored in a memory embedded in the refrigerator 1, while data for expanding the functionality of the refrigerator 1 can be stored in a memory removable from the refrigerator 1. Meanwhile, the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 can be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM) and / or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one-time programmable read-only memory (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash, NOR flash, etc.), hard disk drive, or solid-state drive (SSD)). In addition, the removable memory from the refrigerator 1 can be a memory card (such as a compact flash memory (CF), secure digital (SD), micro-secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), high-speed digital (xD) or multimedia card (MMC)), an external memory that can be connected to a USB port (such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory), etc.

[0216] At least one processor 351 can control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, at least one processor 351 can be connected to various components of the refrigerator 1 (current sensor 115, user interface 200, communication interface 250, first cooler 450, second cooler 400, etc.) and can control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, at least one processor 351 can be electrically connected to a memory 352 and control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. The processor 351 can be configured as a single processor or multiple processors.

[0217] The processor 351 can perform various operations of the refrigerator 1 by processing at least one instruction stored in the memory 352.

[0218] At least one processor 351 may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many-core integrated circuit (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. At least one processor 351 may control one or any combination of other components of the refrigerator 1 and may perform operations related to communication or data processing. At least one processor 351 may execute at least one program or instruction stored in memory 352. For example, at least one processor 351 may execute at least one instruction stored in memory 352 to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0219] A refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first cooler 400 and a second cooler 450 for cooling a storage compartment 11, and the storage compartment 11 can be cooled by using at least one of the first cooler 400 or the second cooler 450. For example, in order to cool the storage compartment 11, the refrigerator 1 may perform only the first cooling by the first cooler 400, perform only the second cooling by the second cooler 450, or perform both the first cooling by the first cooler 400 and the second cooling by the second cooler 450 simultaneously.

[0220] When performing the first refrigeration by the first cooler 400, the refrigerator 1 may perform control based on a fault in the first cooler 400 to increase the operating intensity of the second cooler 450, which will be described in detail below.

[0221] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0222] When cooling is performed by the first cooler 400, that is, when the first cooler 400 is turned on, the first cooling may not be able to proceed smoothly due to a malfunction in the first cooler 400.

[0223] At least one processor 351 can detect whether a fault has occurred in the first cooler 400. As described below, faults in the first cooler 400 can be detected based on various states. The detection of whether a fault has occurred in the first cooler 400 and the various operations performed based on the fault can be performed by at least one processor 351, but can also be performed by a server 3000 or the like communicating with the refrigerator 1, as described above. The server 3000 can detect whether a fault has occurred in the first cooler 400 and send the detection result to the refrigerator 1, user equipment 2000, etc.

[0224] In response to the detection of a fault in the first cooler 400 ("Yes" in operation 901), at least one processor 351 may increase the operating intensity of the second cooler 450 to maintain cooling performance. That is, the operating speed of the compressor 2 and evaporator fan 80 included in the second cooler 450 may be increased (903). Here, the operating speed may be an example of the operating intensity of the compressor 2 and evaporator fan 80.

[0225] Subsequently, at least one processor 351 may perform control to raise or lower the target temperature (905) of the storage compartment.

[0226] In this implementation, at least one processor 351 can reduce the target temperature of the storage compartment. Since the first cooler 400 has malfunctioned, cooling of the storage compartment is performed solely by the second cooler 450. Therefore, considering the possibility that the existing target temperature may be difficult to achieve, at least one processor 351 can reduce the target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0227] In the above embodiments, it has been described that the target temperature is reduced after increasing the operating speed of the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80. However, the operating speed of the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80 can also be increased by reducing the target temperature of the storage compartment without separately controlling the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80.

[0228] In another embodiment, at least one processor 351 can raise the target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0229] In order to efficiently maintain suitable temperature and humidity, considering that cooling the storage room with only the second cooler 450 may consume a lot of power, at least one processor 351 can raise the target temperature of the storage room.

[0230] At least one processor 351 can raise or lower the target temperature of the storage compartment by taking into account various conditions such as external conditions or power consumption.

[0231] The following describes various procedures for detecting whether a malfunction has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0232] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which determines whether a thermoelectric cooler has malfunctioned based on current detection results.

[0233] As an example of detecting a fault in the first cooler 400, at least one processor 351 can detect a fault in the first cooler 400 when the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 is outside the reference range.

[0234] In other words, if the current sensor 115 detects the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 (1001) and determines that the detected current value is outside the reference current range during the first time period ("Yes" in operation 1003), at least one processor 351 can detect that a fault has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0235] Here, the first time period can be set as a suitable time period for detecting whether the thermoelectric element 530 has failed, and for example, it can be 60 seconds. The reference current range can also be a suitable current value range for detecting whether the thermoelectric element 530 has failed, and for example, it can be 0.5A to 4.5A.

[0236] In other words, if the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of 0.5A to 4.5A within 60 seconds, at least one processor 351 can detect a malfunction in the first cooler 400.

[0237] In the above embodiments, it has been described that the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty when the current value remains outside the reference current range for a predetermined time period. However, in another embodiment, a predetermined margin may be added to the reference current range, and the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty when the current value remains outside an extended range including the predetermined margin for a predetermined time period. For example, if the reference current range is 0.5A to 4.5A, and the current value is detected to be outside an extended range of 0.4A to 5.4A for a predetermined time period, the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty.

[0238] To determine whether a malfunction has occurred in the first cooler 400, the refrigerator 1 according to another embodiment may include a voltage sensor 116. The voltage sensor 116 can detect the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530. The voltage sensor 116 can send information about the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 to the controller 350.

[0239] In other words, as another example of detecting a fault in the first cooler 400, at least one processor 351 can detect a fault in the first cooler 400 when the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 is outside the reference range.

[0240] In other words, when the voltage sensor 116 detects the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 and determines that the detected voltage value is outside the reference voltage range during a first time period, at least one processor 351 can detect a fault in the first cooler 400.

[0241] Here, the reference voltage range can be a suitable voltage range for detecting whether the thermoelectric element 530 has malfunctioned.

[0242] To determine whether a malfunction has occurred in the first cooler 400, an artificial intelligence (AI) model can be used. The AI ​​model can be stored in the refrigerator 1's memory 352, or it can be stored in a separate external device such as a server.

[0243] At least one processor 351 may input the current value detected by the current sensor 115 or the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 116 as input data to the AI ​​model, and output information about the first cooler 400 fault based on the corresponding current value or voltage value.

[0244] The AI ​​model can be trained based on input data about the current value detected by the current sensor 115 or the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 116, and data about the fault of the first cooler 400 based on the corresponding current or voltage values.

[0245] Subsequently, at least one processor 351 may input the current value detected by the current sensor 115 or the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 116 into a trained AI model to determine whether a fault has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0246] If the number of failures of the first cooler 400 is less than a reference number (No in operation 1005), at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the first cooler 400 (1007). The reference number of failures may be set to perform individual control if the failure of the first cooler 400 continues, and may be, for example, 3 times.

[0247] If, after a second time period has elapsed following the shutdown of the first cooler 400 (in operation 1009, this is "Yes"), at least one processor 351 may restart the first cooler 400 (1011). Here, the second time period may be, for example, 10 minutes.

[0248] Since the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty less often than the reference number, it can be stopped for a relatively short period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) and then restarted to reconfirm whether the first cooler 400 is operating normally.

[0249] Therefore, if the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty, the first cooler 400 can be stopped and restarted to re-detect whether a fault has occurred in the first cooler 400 based on the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530.

[0250] If, even after repeating the above process multiple times, the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 remains outside the reference current range for a predetermined period of time, at least one processor 351 may perform individual control.

[0251] In other words, if the failure of the first cooler 400 occurs more than a reference number (e.g., three times) (yes in operation 1005), at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the first cooler 400 (1013) and, in response to a third time period longer than the second time period (yes in operation 1015), restart the first cooler 400 (1017).

[0252] Here, the third time period can be a suitable time for stopping the operation of the first cooler 400, which has repeatedly failed, for a relatively long period of time, and for example, it can be 24 hours.

[0253] Therefore, a fault can be detected in the first cooler 400 by detecting the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530, and control can be executed based on the detection result, so that the first cooler 400 can operate normally.

[0254] If, after a fault is detected in the first cooler 400, the detected current is not outside the reference current range for a first time period or a longer time period, at least one processor 351 may detect that the fault has been resolved.

[0255] Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which determines whether a thermoelectric cooler has malfunctioned based on temperature detection results.

[0256] As another example of detecting a fault in the first cooler 400, at least one processor 351 can detect a fault in the first cooler 400 if the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor 850 or the heat dissipation sensor 860 is outside the reference range.

[0257] Reference Figure 11 If the heat-absorbing sensor 850 detects the temperature of the air drawn into the thermoelectric element 530 and determines that the detected temperature value is outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period ("Yes" in operation 1101), at least one processor 351 may detect a malfunction in the first cooler 400.

[0258] Here, the fourth time period can be set as a suitable time period for detecting whether the thermoelectric element 530 has malfunctioned, and for example, it can be a time period for detecting 50 sensing values. The reference temperature range can also be a suitable temperature range for detecting whether the thermoelectric element 530 has malfunctioned, and for example, it can be -25°C to 95°C.

[0259] In other words, if the temperature of the air drawn into the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of -25°C to 95°C during the fourth time period, at least one processor 351 can detect a malfunction in the first cooler 400.

[0260] If the temperature detected by the heat-absorbing sensor 850 is outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period, at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400.

[0261] For example, when the temperature detected by the heat-absorbing sensor 850 is significantly lower than normal, ice or other substances may accumulate, thereby reducing operating efficiency. Accordingly, at least one processor 351 can reduce the maximum operating voltage by adjusting the operating efficiency of the thermoelectric element 530. For example, the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 can be reduced to a first voltage (1103), and the first voltage may be 22V.

[0262] Reference Figure 12 If the heat dissipation sensor 860 detects the temperature of the air discharged from the thermoelectric element 530 and determines that the detected temperature value is outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period ("Yes" in operation 1201), at least one processor 351 may detect a fault in the first cooler 400.

[0263] Here, the reference temperature range can be the same as the reference temperature range used to detect faults based on the detection results of the heat-absorbing sensor. For example, the reference temperature range can be -25°C to 95°C. Furthermore, since the detection values ​​of the heat-absorbing sensor 850 and the heat-dissipating sensor 860 are typically different, the reference temperature range can be set differently.

[0264] In other words, if the reference temperature range is set to be the same and the temperature of the air discharged from the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of -25°C to 95°C during the fourth time period, at least one processor 351 can detect a malfunction in the first cooler 400.

[0265] If the temperature detected by the thermal sensor 860 is outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period, at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400.

[0266] For example, when the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor 860 is significantly higher than normal, the thermoelectric element 530 may overheat. Therefore, to prevent this, at least one processor 351 can reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 by adjusting the operating efficiency of the thermoelectric element 530. For example, the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 can be reduced to a second voltage (1203) lower than the first voltage, and the second voltage can be 18V.

[0267] Therefore, a malfunction in the first cooler 400 can be detected by detecting the temperature of the air drawn in or discharged by the thermoelectric element 530, and control can be executed based on the detection results to achieve efficient operation.

[0268] If, after a fault is detected in the first cooler 400, the detected temperature is not outside the reference temperature range for a fourth time period or longer, at least one processor 351 may detect that the fault has been resolved.

[0269] In the above embodiments, it has been described that the heat absorption sensor 850 and the heat dissipation sensor 860 are included in the first cooler 400, but the heat absorption sensor 850 and the heat dissipation sensor 860 can be configured as independent structures of the first cooler 400 to detect the temperature of the air drawn in or discharged by the thermoelectric element 530.

[0270] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which determines whether a thermoelectric cooler has malfunctioned based on the fan speed.

[0271] As another example of detecting a fault in the first cooler 400, at least one processor 351 can detect a fault in the first cooler 400 when the speed of the cooling fan 600 or the refrigeration fan 800 is lower than a reference speed.

[0272] Reference Figure 13 If the speed of the cooling fan 600 or the refrigeration fan 800 is detected, and it is determined that the detected speed is lower than the reference speed during the fifth time period ("Yes" in operation 1301), at least one processor 351 may detect a fault in the first cooler 400.

[0273] Here, the fifth time period can be set as a suitable time period for detecting whether the thermoelectric element 530 has malfunctioned, and for example, it can be 10 minutes. The reference rotation speed can also be a suitable rotation speed value for detecting whether the thermoelectric element 530 has malfunctioned, and for example, it can be 400 revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0274] In other words, if the speed of the cooling fan 600 or the refrigeration fan 800 is detected to be below 400 RPM during the fifth time period, at least one processor 351 can detect a fault in the first cooler 400.

[0275] If the speed of the cooling fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is lower than the reference speed during the fifth time period, at least one processor 351 can stop the operation of the thermoelectric element 530 while maintaining the operation of the cooling fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 (1303).

[0276] Therefore, the failure of the first cooler 400 can be detected by detecting the speed of the cooling fan 600 or the refrigeration fan 800, and control can be executed based on the detection results to achieve efficient operation.

[0277] If the speed of cooling fan 600 or cooling fan 800 is determined to be greater than or equal to the reference speed during the sixth time period or longer, at least one processor 351 can detect that the fault has been resolved.

[0278] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a cooling fan and a refrigeration fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment; a second cooler including a compressor and an evaporator fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment; and at least one processor configured to increase the operating speed of the compressor and evaporator fan of the second cooler based on a fault in the first cooler.

[0279] According to this disclosure, by detecting various faults in the thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the fault type, a suitable temperature for the refrigerator can be maintained and efficient operation can be achieved.

[0280] Furthermore, by increasing the operating intensity of the refrigeration cycle unit in response to a failure of the thermoelectric cooler, the temperature of the refrigerator can be maintained.

[0281] At least one processor can be configured to raise or lower the target temperature of the storage compartment based on a fault in the first cooler.

[0282] The refrigerator may also include a current sensor configured to detect the current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and a fault in the first cooler includes the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range during a first time period.

[0283] At least one processor is configured to: stop the operation of the first cooler in response to the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range during a first time period, and restart the first cooler in response to the passage of a second time period.

[0284] At least one processor may be configured to: based on the fact that a failure in the first cooler occurs more than a reference number, stop the operation of the first cooler for a third time period longer than the second time period.

[0285] The refrigerator may also include a voltage sensor configured to detect the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element, and a fault in the first cooler includes a voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside a reference voltage range for a first time period.

[0286] At least one processor is configured to: stop the operation of the first cooler in response to a voltage detected by a voltage sensor being outside a reference voltage range during a first time period, and restart the first cooler in response to the passage of a second time period.

[0287] The first cooler may also include: a heat-absorbing sensor configured to detect the temperature of the air drawn into the thermoelectric element; and a heat-dissipating sensor configured to detect the temperature of the air discharged from the thermoelectric element. A fault in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by either the heat-absorbing sensor or the heat-dissipating sensor being outside the reference temperature range during a fourth time period.

[0288] At least one processor may be configured to reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler in response to the temperature detected by the heat-absorbing sensor or the heat-dissipating sensor being outside the reference temperature range during a fourth time period.

[0289] At least one processor is configured to: reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a first voltage in response to the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor being outside the reference temperature range during a fourth time period, and reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a second voltage lower than the first voltage in response to the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period.

[0290] Faults in the first cooler include the cooling fan or refrigeration fan speed being lower than the reference speed during the fifth time period.

[0291] At least one processor may be configured to: maintain the operation of the cooling fan or refrigeration fan and stop the operation of the thermoelectric element in response to the speed of the cooling fan or refrigeration fan being lower than the reference speed during a fifth time period.

[0292] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a method for controlling a refrigerator, the refrigerator includes: a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a cooling fan, and a refrigeration fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment; and a second cooler including a compressor and an evaporator fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment. The method may include: detecting whether a fault has occurred in the first cooler; and increasing the operating speed of the compressor and evaporator fan of the second cooler based on the fault in the first cooler.

[0293] The method may also include raising or lowering the target temperature of the storage compartment based on a fault in the first cooler.

[0294] The refrigerator may also include a current sensor configured to detect the current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and a fault in the first cooler includes the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range during a first time period.

[0295] The method may further include: stopping the operation of the first cooler in response to the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range during a first time period, and restarting the first cooler in response to the passage of a second time period.

[0296] The method may further include: based on the fact that the number of failures in the first cooler exceeds a reference number, stopping the operation of the first cooler for a third time period longer than the second time period.

[0297] The first cooler may also include: a heat-absorbing sensor configured to detect the temperature of the air drawn into the thermoelectric element; and a heat-dissipating sensor configured to detect the temperature of the air discharged from the thermoelectric element. A fault in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by either the heat-absorbing sensor or the heat-dissipating sensor being outside the reference temperature range during a fourth time period.

[0298] The method may further include: reducing the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler in response to the temperature detected by the heat-absorbing sensor or the heat-dissipating sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period.

[0299] The step of reducing the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler may include: reducing the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a first voltage in response to the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period, and reducing the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a second voltage lower than the first voltage in response to the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period.

[0300] Faults in the first cooler include the cooling fan or refrigeration fan speed being lower than the reference speed during the fifth time period.

[0301] The method may further include: in response to the cooling fan or refrigeration fan speed being lower than the reference speed during the fifth time period, maintaining the operation of the cooling fan or refrigeration fan and stopping the operation of the thermoelectric element.

[0302] According to this disclosure, a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator can maintain a suitable temperature and operate efficiently by detecting various faults in the thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the fault type.

[0303] Furthermore, the refrigerator and the method for controlling the refrigerator can maintain the refrigerator temperature by increasing the operating intensity of the refrigeration cycle unit in response to a failure of the thermoelectric cooler.

[0304] Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments can be implemented as a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions can be stored as program code, and when executed by a processor, the instructions can create program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium can be a computer-readable recording medium.

[0305] Computer-readable recording media can include various recording media that store instructions that can be interpreted by a computer. For example, computer-readable recording media can be read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0306] Furthermore, computer-readable recording media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media, wherein the term "non-transitory storage media" refers only to a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), but the term does not distinguish whether data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily in the storage medium. For example, "non-transitory storage media" may include buffers for temporarily storing data.

[0307] According to embodiments of this disclosure, methods according to various embodiments of this disclosure may be included in and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., an optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an app store (e.g., the Play Store™), or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). When distributed online, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloaded application) may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, app store server, or relay server.

[0308] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that other specific modifications can be readily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing embodiments should be considered illustrative in all respects, and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: The main body includes storage rooms; The first cooler includes a thermoelectric element, a cooling fan, and a refrigeration fan, and is configured to cool the storage compartment; The second cooler includes a compressor and an evaporator fan and is configured to cool the storage compartment; as well as At least one processor is configured to increase the operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler based on a fault in the first cooler.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to raise or lower the target temperature of the storage compartment based on a fault in the first cooler.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: A current sensor configured to detect the current flowing through the thermoelectric element. The fault in the first cooler includes the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range during a first time period.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: stop the operation of the first cooler in response to the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range during the first time period, and restart the first cooler in response to the passage of a second time period.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein, The at least one processor is configured as follows: Based on the fact that the number of malfunctions in the first cooler exceeds the reference number, the operation of the first cooler is stopped for a third time period, which is longer than the second time period.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: A voltage sensor is configured to detect the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element. The fault in the first cooler includes the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside the reference voltage range during a first time period.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: stop the operation of the first cooler in response to the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside the reference voltage range during the first time period, and restart the first cooler in response to the passage of a second time period.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The first cooler further includes: A heat-absorbing sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the air drawn into the thermoelectric element; and A heat dissipation sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the air discharged from the thermoelectric element. The fault in the first cooler includes the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler in response to the temperature detected by the heat-absorbing sensor or the heat-dissipating sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one processor is configured as follows: In response to the temperature detected by the heat-absorbing sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period, the highest operating voltage of the first cooler is reduced to a first voltage, and In response to the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range during the fourth time period, the highest operating voltage of the first cooler is reduced to a second voltage, which is lower than the first voltage.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The fault in the first cooler includes the speed of the cooling fan or the refrigeration fan being lower than the reference speed during the fifth time period.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one processor is configured to: maintain the operation of the cooling fan or the refrigeration fan and stop the operation of the thermoelectric element in response to the rotational speed of the cooling fan or the refrigeration fan being lower than the reference rotational speed during the fifth time period.

13. A method for controlling a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising: The main body includes a storage compartment; a first cooler includes a thermoelectric element, a cooling fan and a refrigeration fan, and is configured to cool the storage compartment; The method includes a second cooler, comprising a compressor and an evaporator fan, and configured to cool the storage compartment, the method comprising: Check if a malfunction has occurred in the first cooler; as well as Based on the fault in the first cooler, increase the operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan in the second cooler.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: Based on a malfunction in the first cooler, the target temperature of the storage compartment can be increased or decreased.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The refrigerator further includes: a current sensor configured to detect the current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and The fault in the first cooler includes the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range during a first time period.

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