Refrigerator and method for controlling same

Abstract

A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are provided. A refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a cabinet forming a storage space and a machine room; a compressor disposed in the machine room and configured to compress refrigerant; a condenser disposed in the machine room and configured to condense the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; an output pipe connected to the condenser and configured to discharge the refrigerant from the condenser; a machine room sensor coupled to the output pipe to measure the temperature of the output pipe; and a control unit configured to control an operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature measured by the machine room sensor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application No. 10-2024-0019950 filed in Korea on Feb. 8, 2024, whose entire disclosure(s) is / are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND1. Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same.2. Background

[0003] A refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food to be stored at low temperatures in an internal storage space shielded by a door and is designed to keep stored food in optimal condition by cooling the inside of the storage space using cold air generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle.

[0004] A machine room in which a refrigeration cycle device is provided may be formed in the lower portion of the cabinet. The refrigeration cycle device can keep food fresh by maintaining the inside of the refrigerator in a frozen / refrigerated state by using the property of absorbing external heat while changing low-pressure liquid refrigerant to gaseous refrigerant.

[0005] The refrigeration cycle device includes a compressor that compresses gaseous refrigerant to high temperature and high pressure, a condenser that cools the compressed refrigerant and condenses it into a liquid state, an expansion valve that expands the condensed refrigerant, and an evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant to generate cold air.

[0006] If the refrigerator is continuously used in a high temperature and high humidity environment, the blower fan in the machine room may not operate smoothly or dust may accumulate in the machine room, preventing the condenser from dissipating heat smoothly. In this case, the load on the compressor may rapidly increase, which may accelerate wear of the compressor's internal components. To prevent this, it is necessary to control the operating frequency of the compressor in preparation for situations where the load on the compressor increases.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to one embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to one embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the machine room of a refrigerator according to one embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion where a machine room sensor is disposed in a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of control signals of a refrigerator according to one embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display unit that outputs a warning text according to a control signal of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

[0015] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a refrigerator that outputs a warning sound according to a control signal of the refrigerator according to an embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a terminal device that outputs a warning text according to a control signal from a refrigerator according to an embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen for diagnosing a refrigerator using a terminal device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail along with the drawings. However, the present disclosure cannot be said to be limited to the embodiments in which the idea of the present disclosure is presented, and other disclosures that are regressive or other embodiments included within the scope of the present disclosure can be easily suggested by adding, changing, or deleting other components.

[0020] Before explaining, the direction is defined. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the direction in which a front surface of the door illustrated in FIG. 1 faces may be referred to as a front direction, the direction toward the cabinet based on the front surface of the door may be referred to as a rear direction, the direction toward the floor where the refrigerator is installed may be referred to as a lower direction, and the direction away from the floor may be referred to as an upper direction.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to one embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include a cabinet 10 forming a storage space and a door 20 opening and closing the storage space of the cabinet 10. For example, the cabinet 10 may form a storage space divided into upper and lower sections, and a refrigerating chamber 11 may be formed at the upper portion and a freezing chamber 12 may be formed at the lower portion.

[0022] The door 20 may include a refrigerating chamber door 21 that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber 11 and a freezing chamber door 22 that opens and closes the freezing chamber 12. For example, the refrigerating chamber door 21 may be referred to as a first door, and the freezing chamber door 22 may be referred to as a second door.

[0023] The refrigerating chamber door 21 is connected to the cabinet 10 by a hinge (not illustrated) and may be a rotary door that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber 11 by rotation. Additionally, the refrigerating chamber doors 21 may be disposed in pairs on both left and right sides. The refrigerating chamber 11 may be opened and closed by a pair of refrigerating chamber doors 21. As an example, the refrigerating chamber door 21 may include a first refrigerating chamber door that opens and closes the left portion of the refrigerating chamber 11 and a second refrigerating chamber door that opens and closes the right portion of the refrigerating chamber 11.

[0024] The freezing chamber door 22 is connected to the cabinet 10 by a hinge (not illustrated) and may be a rotary door that opens and closes the freezing chamber 12 by rotation. For example, the freezing chamber door 22 may be composed of a pair of doors that rotate on both left and right sides, like the refrigerating chamber door 21. Additionally, in another embodiment, the freezing chamber door 22 may be formed as a drawer-type door configured to open and close the freezing chamber 12 by being pulled in and out in a drawer-type manner.

[0025] Of course, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation and understanding, the refrigerator 1 is described as an example in which the refrigerating chamber 11 is disposed at the top and the freezing chamber 12 is disposed at the bottom. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the form of the refrigerator 1 and may be applied to any type of refrigerator 1 equipped with a door.

[0026] The cabinet 10 may include an outer case 101 that forms the outer appearance, and an inner case that forms a storage space inside the outer case 101. Additionally, an insulating material is filled between the outer case 101 and the inner case, so that the storage space can be insulated.

[0027] A machine room 13 may be formed at the rear bottom of the cabinet 10. The machine room 13 may be equipped with components that form a refrigeration cycle for cooling the storage space. For example, the machine room 13 may include a compressor 30 that compresses and supplies refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure, a condenser 40 that dissipates heat from the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant supplied from the compressor 30, and a blower fan unit 50 that forces the air inside the machine room 13 to flow.

[0028] The machine room 13 forms a space where a number of electrical components are placed, and can be divided from the storage space to form an independent space. The machine room 13 is in communication with an external space so that the components inside the machine room 13 may be cooled or heat exchanged.

[0029] The machine room 13 may further be provided with a bottom plate 111 forming a floor surface. The compressor 30, condenser 40, and blower fan unit 50 inside the machine room 13 may be provided on the bottom plate 111. The compressor 30, condenser 40, and blower fan unit 50 may be mounted directly or indirectly on the bottom plate 111.

[0030] The interior of the machine room 13 may be divided into left and right sides based on the blower fan unit 50. Inside the machine room 13, a condenser 40 may be placed on one side and a compressor 30 may be disposed on the other side. The area where the condenser 40 is disposed may be referred to as a suction part where external air is sucked in, and the area where the compressor 30 is disposed may be referred to as a discharge part where external air is discharged.

[0031] A machine room cover 120 may be installed in the machine room opening 102 formed at the rear surface of the machine room 13. The machine room cover 120 may form the rear outer appearance of the machine room 13 and the outer appearance of a portion of the rear surface of the refrigerator 1. The machine room cover 120 may shield the machine room opening 102 and prevent components inside the machine room 13 from being exposed to the outside.

[0032] The machine room cover 120 may be provided with a cover suction port 121 through which external air is sucked in and a cover discharge port 122 through which air inside the machine room 13 is discharged to the outside. As an example, the cover suction port 121 may be formed in a position corresponding to the condenser 40, and the cover discharge port 122 may be formed in a position corresponding to the compressor 30.

[0033] Therefore, when the blower fan unit 50 is driven, the external air flowing in through the cover suction port 121 may cool the condenser 40 while passing through the condenser 40, be blown toward the compressor 30 to cool the compressor 30, and then be discharged to the outside through the cover discharge port 122.

[0034] A cabinet suction port 101a and a cabinet discharge port 101b may be disposed on both sides of the cabinet 10 corresponding to both sides of the machine room 13. For example, the cabinet suction port 101a and the cabinet discharge port 101b may be formed in the outer case 101. External air is sucked in through the cabinet suction port 101a, and the cabinet suction port 101a may be formed to communicate with the area where the condenser 40 is disposed. The air inside the machine room 13 is discharged to the outside through the cabinet discharge port 101b, and the cabinet discharge port 101b may be formed to communicate with the area where the compressor 30 is disposed.

[0035] Accordingly, when the blower fan unit 50 is driven, the external air flowing in through the cabinet suction port 101a may cool the condenser 40 while passing through the condenser 40, be blown toward the compressor 30 to cool the compressor 30, and then be discharged to the outside through the cabinet discharge port 101b.

[0036] The interior of the machine room 13 is divided into a suction part and an discharge part on both sides by the blower fan unit 50, so that suction and discharge of air can be performed three-dimensionally. The refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment may be provided with a guide member 103 configured to allow air to flow in and out of the machine room 13. One side of the guide member 103 may be mounted on one side of the outer case 101, and the other side thereof may be mounted on the machine room 13 to form a suction flow path and a discharge flow path.

[0037] Accordingly, when the blower fan unit 50 is driven, the external air flowing in through the cabinet suction port 101a may cool the condenser 40 while passing through the condenser 40 through the guide member 103, be blown to the side to cool the compressor 30 to cool the compressor 30, and then pass through the guide member 103 to be discharged to the outside through the cabinet discharge port 101b.

[0038] The refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment may further include a refrigerator display unit 70 that displays the status of the refrigerator 1 in real time. As an example, the refrigerator display unit 70 may be provided at the front top of the cabinet 10.

[0039] The refrigerator display unit 70 may provide the user with information about the current state of the refrigerator 1, such as the set temperature and current temperature of the refrigerator 1. In addition, the refrigerator display unit 70 can display an error state of the refrigerator 1. The user can take appropriate action on the refrigerator 1 based on the error information provided through the refrigerator display unit 70.

[0040] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the machine room of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a portion where a machine room sensor is disposed in a refrigerator according to an embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4. Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, as described above, the machine room 13 of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment may be equipped with a compressor 30, a condenser 40, and a blower fan unit 50.

[0041] The condenser 40 according to one embodiment may include a pair of first header 41 and second header 42, and a tube 43 connecting between the first header 41 and the second header 42. Although not illustrated, the condenser 40 may further include heat exchange fins connecting the tubes 43 disposed above and below. This type of configuration is a structure usually referred to as a micro channel condenser, may have a relatively compact size, and have excellent heat exchange performance.

[0042] The condenser 40 may receive refrigerant from the compressor 30 through the input pipe 44. The input pipe 44 is connected to the first header 41 and may supply refrigerant to the first header 41. The condenser 40 may supply refrigerant to an expansion device or valve 46 through the output pipe 45. The output pipe 45 is connected to the second header 42 and may supply refrigerant to the expansion device 46.

[0043] The blower fan unit 50 according to one embodiment may include a blower fan housing 51 and a blower fan blade 52 coupled to the blower fan housing 51. The blower fan housing 51 may be mounted on the bottom plate 111. The blower fan housing 51 may define a laterally opened blower hole 51a. A blower fan blade 52 may be disposed in the blower hole 51a. The opening shape of the blower hole 51a may be circular. Based on the blower hole 51a, the compressor 30 may be placed on one side, and the condenser 40 may be placed on the other side.

[0044] A blower fan blade 52 may be mounted on the blower fan housing 51. The blower fan blade 52 may rotate to form an airflow. As an example, the blower fan blade 52 may form an airflow moving in a direction from the condenser 40 toward the compressor 30. The airflow formed by the blower fan blade 52 may generally move along the shape of the blower hole 51a. Accordingly, a strong airflow may be formed in the area corresponding to the blower hole 51a within the machine room 13. Accordingly, the area corresponding to the blower hole 51a within the machine room 13 may be cooler than the surrounding area. For example, a strong airflow is formed in the area corresponding to the blower hole 51a in the compressor 30 and the condenser 40, and the area may be cooler than the surrounding area.

[0045] The machine room 13 may be equipped with a sensor assembly 60 including a machine room sensor 61 configured to measure the internal temperature. As an example, the sensor assembly 60 may be coupled to the output pipe 45 through which refrigerant is discharged from the condenser 40. The operating frequency of the compressor 30 can be controlled based on the temperature measured through the sensor assembly 60.

[0046] For example, when the blower fan unit 50 does not operate smoothly or dust accumulates inside the machine room 13 and thus heat dissipation is not performed well, the temperature inside the machine room 13 may increase. In this case, the load on the compressor 30 may rapidly increase, thereby accelerating wear of internal components of the compressor. Therefore, when the internal temperature of the machine room 13 overheats above a certain level, it is necessary to lower the frequency of the compressor 30 or stop the operation.

[0047] In general, the temperature inside the machine room 13 may rise when the condenser 40 does not dissipate heat smoothly. Therefore, it may be important to check whether a problem has occurred in the heat dissipation performance of the condenser 40. For example, in order to reliably check the heat dissipation performance of the condenser 40, it may be desirable to measure the temperature of the output pipe 45 through which the refrigerant is discharged from the condenser 40 to the expansion device 46. In other words, by measuring the temperature of the output pipe 45 through which the refrigerant discharged to the outside through the condenser 40 moves, the heat dissipation performance of the condenser 40 may be indirectly checked. Accordingly, the sensor assembly 60 can be combined to surround the output pipe 45.

[0048] The output pipe 45 may extend from the lower end of the second header 42 toward the blower fan unit 50. The output pipe 45 may extend to the outside of the blower fan housing 51. For example, a support member 451 is disposed on the outside of the blower fan housing 51, and the output pipe 45 may extend through the support member 451 to the expansion device 46. The support member 451 is disposed between the blower fan housing 51 and the lower surface of the machine room 13 and can support the blower fan unit 50. The sensor assembly 60 and the support member 451 may be disposed to overlap in the left and right direction of the machine room 13. In other words, the sensor assembly 60 and the support member 451 may overlap in the direction in which the blower fan unit 50 and the condenser 40 face each other. Additionally, the sensor assembly 60 may be disposed between the support member 451 and the second header 42.

[0049] Since the sensor assembly 60 is coupled to the output pipe 45, the sensor assembly can be located outside the blower fan unit 50. The sensor assembly 60 and the blower fan unit 50 may be disposed to non-overlap in the left and right direction of the machine room 13. In other words, the sensor assembly 60 and the blower fan unit 50 may non-overlap in a direction where the blower fan unit 50 and the condenser 40 face each other.

[0050] The sensor assembly 60 may be located outside the area corresponding to the air blower hole 51a. The sensor assembly 60 and the blower fan blade 52 may be disposed to non-overlap in the left and right direction of the machine room 13. In other words, the sensor assembly 60 and the blower fan blade 52 may non-overlap in a direction where the blower fan unit 50 and the condenser 40 face each other.

[0051] The sensor assembly 60 may be located outside the area corresponding to the blower fan housing 51. The sensor assembly 60 and the blower fan housing 51 may be disposed to non-overlap in the left and right direction of the machine room 13. In other words, the sensor assembly 60 and the blower fan housing 51 may non-overlap in directions where the blower fan unit 50 and the condenser 40 face each other.

[0052] The influence of the airflow formed by the blower fan unit 50 on the sensor assembly 60 may be minimized. In other words, the sensor assembly 60 can be prevented from being directly cooled by the airflow formed by the blower fan unit 50. The reliability of the temperature of the output pipe 45 measured by the sensor assembly 60 may be improved.

[0053] Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the sensor assembly 60 will be described. The sensor assembly 60 may include a machine room sensor 61, a sensor holder 62 that secures the machine room sensor 61 to the output pipe 45, an insulation member 63 surrounding the sensor holder 62, and a sensor housing 64 surrounding the insulation member 63.

[0054] The machine room sensor 61 can measure the temperature of the output pipe 45 through which the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 40 flows. The machine room sensor 61 may be fixed to the output pipe 45 by a sensor holder 62. Accordingly, the relative position of the machine room sensor 61 with respect to the output pipe 45 can be maintained. Temperature information measured by the machine room sensor 61 may be provided to the control unit 80, which will be described later.

[0055] The sensor holder 62 can fix the machine room sensor 61 to the output pipe 45. As an example, the sensor holder 62 may include a first holder part 621 coupled to the output pipe 45 and a second holder part 622 coupled to the machine room sensor 61. The first holder part 621 and the second holder part 622 are formed as one body and may fix the machine room sensor 61 and the output pipe 45.

[0056] The sensor holder 62 may be surrounded by an insulation member 63. The insulation member 63 may be provided to minimize temperature changes due to external factors. In other words, the reliability of the temperature of the output pipe 45 measured by the machine room sensor 61 through the insulation member 63 can be improved. For example, the insulation member 63 may be composed of gasket foam.

[0057] A sensor housing 64 may be disposed outside the insulation member 63. The sensor housing 64 may form the outer appearance of the sensor assembly 60. The sensor housing 64 may minimize the influence of the machine room sensor 61 by airflow inside the machine room 13. In other words, the sensor housing 64 may prevent the temperature measured by the machine room sensor 61 from changing due to airflow formed inside the machine room 13. Accordingly, the reliability of the temperature of the output pipe 45 measured by the machine room sensor 61 may be improved.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of control signals of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display unit that outputs a warning text according to a control signal of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment may include a control unit 80. The control unit 80 may control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1 or the operation of some of the components constituting the refrigerator 1.

[0059] As an example, the control unit 80 may control the operating frequency of the compressor 30 based on temperature information provided from the machine room sensor 61. For example, when a situation in which the temperature measured by the machine room sensor 61 is higher than the standard continues for a certain period of time, the control unit 80 may lower the operating frequency of the compressor 30 or stop the operation. Through this, it is possible to prevent accelerated wear of internal components of the compressor 30 due to a rapid increase in the load on the compressor 30 due to an increase in the temperature inside the machine room 13.

[0060] Additionally, the control unit 80 may provide the user with information about the internal state of the machine room 13 based on temperature information provided from the machine room sensor 61. For example, when a situation in which the temperature measured by the machine room sensor 61 is higher than the standard continues for a certain period of time, the control unit 80 may provide the user with information about the internal state of the machine room 13.

[0061] As an example, the control unit 80 may provide information about the internal state of the machine room 13 to the user through the refrigerator display unit 70 provided in the refrigerator 1. The control unit 80 may display that there is a problem with the heat dissipation state of the machine room 13 through the refrigerator display unit 70.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, a method for controlling the compressor 30 based on the temperature of the machine room 13 measured through the machine room sensor 61 will be described. Controlling the compressor 30 includes controlling the operating frequency of the compressor 30, and may be performed by the control unit 80. The method for controlling the compressor 30 according to an embodiment may include a normal mode M11, a first protection mode M21, a second protection mode M22, and a third protection mode M23, which are classified according to the operating frequency of the compressor 30.

[0063] First, a step N11 of setting the counting variable n to 0 may be performed. The counting variable n may be a variable that counts and stores the number of consecutive executions of the second protection mode M22, which will be described later.

[0064] A step S11 may be performed to determine whether the machine room temperature corresponds to the first range. The temperature of the machine room 13 is measured by the machine room sensor 61 described above, and the control unit 80 may determine whether the temperature of the machine room 13 corresponds to the first range. The first range may mean a range below the first reference temperature. For example, the first reference temperature may be 65° C. or more and 75° C. or less.

[0065] If the machine room temperature corresponds to the first range, the normal mode M11 may be performed. The normal mode M11 may mean a state where the compressor 30 operates normally, and may mean a state where the operating frequency of the compressor 30 has a first frequency. When the compressor 30 is operated in the normal mode M11, it may return to the step N11 of setting the counting variable n to 0.

[0066] If the machine room temperature does not correspond to the first range, a step S21 of determining whether the machine room temperature corresponds to the second range may be performed. The second range may mean a range the first reference temperature or more and less than the second reference temperature. For example, the second reference temperature may be 70° C. or more and less than 80° C. In other words, the second range may mean a range of 70° C. or more and less than 75° C.

[0067] In the step S21 of determining whether the machine room temperature corresponds to the second range, when the machine room 13 temperature corresponds to the second range, the control unit 80 may measure the maintenance time that the machine room 13 temperature corresponds to the second range. When the maintenance time that the machine room 13 temperature corresponds to the second range is less than the first period, the process may return to a step N11 of setting the counting variable n to 0. When the maintenance time that the machine room 13 temperature corresponds to the second range is the first period or more, the first protection mode M21 may be performed.

[0068] The first protection mode M21 may mean a state where the compressor 30 operates by reducing its operating frequency compared to the normal mode M11. In the first protection mode M21, the operating frequency of the compressor 30 may have a second frequency. For example, the second frequency may be about 40 Hz or more and 50 Hz or less. The first protection mode M21 may be performed during the first protection time. For example, the first protection time may be about 150 minutes or more and 210 minutes or less. The first protection mode M21 may protect the compressor 30 by reducing the operating frequency of the compressor 30 for a certain period of time. Through this, the durability of the compressor 30 may be improved and the reliability of the refrigerator 1 may be improved.

[0069] In the first protection mode M21, the blower fan unit 50 may be operated in the same way as in the normal mode M11. In the first protection mode M21, a warning text may be displayed on the refrigerator display unit 70. Through this, the user can recognize an error in the heat dissipation state of the machine room 13 and solve the problem. For example, the warning text may indicate that the machine room 13 of the refrigerator 1 needs to be cleaned.

[0070] When the compressor 30 is operated in the first protection mode M21, a step S41 of determining whether the first protection mode maintenance time is longer than or equal to the second period may be performed. If the maintenance time of the first protection mode M21 is longer than or equal to the second period, the second protection mode M22 may be performed. Details about the second protection mode M22 will be described later. If the maintenance time of the first protection mode M21 is less than the second period, the process may return to the step N11 of setting the counting variable n to 0.

[0071] In the step S21 of determining whether the machine room temperature corresponds to the second range, when the machine room 13 temperature corresponds to the second range, the second protection mode M22 may be performed. The second protection mode M22 may mean a state where operation of the compressor 30 is stopped for a second protection time. In other words, the operating frequency of the compressor 30 in the second protection mode M22 may be 0 Hz. For example, the second protection time may be about 15 minutes or more and 25 minutes or less.

[0072] The second protection mode M22 may mean a state where operation of the compressor 30 is temporarily stopped while the temperature of the machine room 13 is overheated. In other words, the second protection mode M22 may protect the compressor 30 by stopping operation of the compressor 30 for a certain period of time. Through this, the durability of the compressor 30 may be improved and the reliability of the refrigerator 1 may be improved.

[0073] In the second protection mode M22, the blower fan unit 50 may be operated in the same manner as in the normal mode M11. Meanwhile, in the second protection mode M22, the operation of the fan unit in the refrigerator may be stopped together with the compressor 30 being stopped. The fan unit in the refrigerator may be a device installed in the storage space of the refrigerator 1 to supply cold air to the refrigerating chamber 11 or the freezing chamber 12.

[0074] Additionally, a warning text may be displayed on the refrigerator display unit 70 in the second protection mode M22. Through this, the user can recognize the problem of the heat dissipation condition of the machine room 13 and solve the problem. The warning text may be the same as the warning text displayed in the first protection mode M21, but is not limited to this and a different warning text may be displayed.

[0075] After the second protection mode M21 is performed, a step N21 of counting the counting variable may be performed. The step N21 of counting the counting variable may be a process of adding 1 to the previously stored counting variable n. As described above, the counting variable n is a variable that counts and stores the number of consecutive executions of the second protection mode M22, so the step N21 of counting the counting variable may be a process which stores the fact that the second protection mode M22 is performed once.

[0076] After the step N21 of counting the counting variable, a step S41 of determining whether the counting variable corresponds to the reference repetition number may be performed. The step S41 of determining whether the counting variable corresponds to the reference repetition number may be performed to determine whether to perform the third protection mode M23 to further protect the compressor 30. In other words, when the counting variable n corresponds to the reference repetition number k, the third protection mode M23 is performed, and when the counting variable n does not correspond to the reference repetition number k, it may return to the step S11 of determining whether the machine room temperature corresponds to the first range. For example, the reference repetition number k may be 5.

[0077] The third protection mode M23 may mean a state where operation of the compressor 30 is stopped for a third protection time. In other words, the operating frequency of the compressor 30 in the third protection mode M23 may be 0 Hz. The third protection time may be longer than the second protection time. For example, the third protection time may be about 100 minutes or more and 140 minutes or less.

[0078] In the third protection mode M23, the blower fan unit 50 may be operated in the same way as in the normal mode M11. Meanwhile, in the third protection mode M23, the operation of the fan unit in the refrigerator may be stopped together with the compressor 30 being stopped.

[0079] Additionally, a warning text may be displayed on the refrigerator display unit 70 in the third protection mode M23. Through this, the user may recognize the problem of the heat dissipation condition of the machine room 13 and solve the problem. The warning text may be the same as the warning text displayed in the first protection mode M21 and the second protection mode M22, but is not limited thereto and a different warning text may be displayed.

[0080] After the third protection mode M23 is performed, the process may return to step N11 of setting the counting variable n to 0. The third protection mode M23 can further protect the compressor 30 by stopping operation of the compressor 30 for a longer period of time when the second protection mode M22 is continuously performed. Through this, the durability of the compressor 30 may be improved and the reliability of the refrigerator 1 may be improved.

[0081] According to the method for controlling the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment, the operating frequency of the compressor 30 may be controlled based on the internal temperature of the machine room 13 measured by the machine room sensor 61. Through this, if the operation of the blower fan unit 50 in the machine room 13 is not smooth, or the heat dissipation of the condenser 40 is not performed smoothly due to dust accumulating in the machine room 13, causing the internal temperature of the machine room 13 to rise, it is possible to effectively prevent a load occurring on the compressor 30. Accordingly, wear of internal components due to a rapid increase in the load of the compressor 30 can be prevented, durability of the compressor 30 may be improved, and reliability of the refrigerator 1 may be improved.

[0082] Hereinafter, in the method for controlling the refrigerator 1, another embodiment of a method of informing the user of information about the status of the refrigerator 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a refrigerator that outputs a warning sound according to a control signal of the refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 9, the control unit 80 may control a warning sound to be generated when a problem occurs in the internal state of the refrigerator 1. Although not illustrated, the refrigerator 1 may be equipped with an audio output unit (not illustrated) that outputs a warning sound.

[0084] For example, the refrigerator 1 may generate a warning sound in the first protection mode M21, the second protection mode M22, and the third protection mode M23. Through this, the user can recognize an error in the heat dissipation state of the machine room 13 and solve the problem.

[0085] The warning sounds generated in the first protection mode M21, the second protection mode M22, and the third protection mode M23 may be the same, respectively, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and different warning sounds may be generated for each.

[0086] For example, the warning sound may be a sound output of the text displayed on the refrigerator display unit 70 described with reference to FIG. 7. Without being limited to this, the refrigerator 1 may output a simple warning sound instead of the warning sound.

[0087] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a terminal device that outputs a warning text according to a control signal from a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the control unit 80 may indicate to the user terminal device 90 connected to the refrigerator 1 through remote communication that there is a problem with the heat dissipation state of the machine room 13.

[0088] For example, the terminal display unit91 of the user terminal device 90 may output a warning text in the first protection mode M21, the second protection mode M22, and the third protection mode M23. Through this, the user can recognize an error in the heat dissipation state of the machine room 13 and solve the problem.

[0089] For example, a warning text indicating that the machine room 13 of the refrigerator 1 needs to be cleaned may be displayed on the terminal display unit 91 of the user terminal device 90. The warning texts output in the first protection mode M21, the second protection mode M22, and the third protection mode M23 may be the same, respectively, but are not limited thereto, and different warning texts may be output for each.

[0090] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen for diagnosing a refrigerator using a terminal device. Referring to FIG. 11, the user may diagnose the state of the refrigerator 1 using the user terminal device 90. For example, an application program that can control and diagnose home appliances is installed in the user terminal device 90, and the user can select and perform a status diagnosis on the refrigerator 1.

[0091] If there is a problem with the condition of the refrigerator 1, the user terminal device 90 may provide a menu that may connect to a homepage or a service center where a service visit can be reserved through the installed application. Through this, users can easily diagnose the status of home appliances and, when a problem is recognized, contact is made and then repair service may be requested immediately.

[0092] An aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator that can control the operating frequency of the compressor by monitoring the overheating state of the condenser in real time, and a method for controlling the same. An aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator equipped with a temperature sensor disposed to minimize the influence of wind provided by a blower fan in the machine room and configured to accurately measure the temperature of the condenser, and a method for controlling the same. An aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator that can provide real-time information to a user when an overheating state of the condenser is detected, and a method for controlling the same.

[0093] A refrigerator according to an embodiment to solve the above problem includes a cabinet forming a storage space and a machine room; a compressor disposed in the machine room and configured to compress refrigerant; a condenser disposed in the machine room and configured to condense the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; an output pipe connected to the condenser and configured to discharge the refrigerant from the condenser; a machine room sensor coupled to the output pipe to measure the temperature of the output pipe; and a control unit configured to control an operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature measured by the machine room sensor.

[0094] The control unit may be configured to: when the measured temperature corresponds to a first range less than a first reference temperature, control the compressor to perform a normal mode in which the compressor is operated at a first frequency, and when the measured temperature corresponds to a second range greater than or equal to the first reference temperature and less than a second reference temperature, control the compressor to perform a first protection mode in which the compressor is operated at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

[0095] The control unit may be configured to: when a time for which the measured temperature maintains the second range is less than a first period, control to perform the normal mode, and when the time for which the measured temperature maintains the second range is greater than or equal to the first period, control to perform the first protection mode. The second frequency may be 40 Hz or more and 50 Hz or less. The first protection mode may be performed during a first protection time, and the first protection time may be 150 minutes or more and 210 minutes or less.

[0096] The control unit may be configured to: when the measured temperature corresponds to a third range greater than or equal to the second reference temperature, control the compressor to perform a second protection mode in which the compressor is operated at a third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0097] The second protection mode may be performed during a second protection time, and the control unit may be configured to: count the number of consecutive executions of the second protection mode, when the number of times the second protection mode is performed corresponds to the reference repetition number, control so that the compressor performs the third protection mode operated at the third frequency, and control so that the third protection mode is performed for a third protection time longer than the second protection time.

[0098] The second protection time may be 15 minutes or more and 25 minutes or less, and the third protection time may be 100 minutes or more and 140 minutes or less. The first reference temperature may be smaller than the second reference temperature, the first reference temperature may be 65° C. or more and less than 75° C., and the second reference temperature may be 70° C. or more and less than 80° C. The third frequency may be 0 Hz.

[0099] The refrigerator may further include a refrigerator display unit configured to output a current state of the refrigerator, in which the control unit may be configured to: when the first protection mode or the second protection mode is performed, control to display a warning text on the refrigerator display unit.

[0100] The control unit may be configured to: when the first protection mode or the second protection mode is performed, control the refrigerator to output a warning sound. The control unit may be configured to: when the first protection mode or the second protection mode is performed, control to output a warning text to a user terminal device connected to the refrigerator.

[0101] According to an embodiment to solve the above problem, a method for controlling a refrigerator in which the refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage space and a machine room; a compressor disposed in the machine room and configured to compress refrigerant; a condenser disposed in the machine room and configured to condense the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; an output pipe connected to the condenser and configured to discharge the refrigerant from the condenser; a machine room sensor coupled to the output pipe to measure the temperature of the output pipe; and a control unit configured to control an operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature measured by the machine room sensor, the method includes measuring temperature through the machine room sensor; and adjusting the operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature measured by the machine room sensor.

[0102] The adjusting the operating frequency of the compressor based on the measured temperature may include when the measured temperature corresponds to a first range less than a first reference temperature, controlling the compressor to perform a normal mode operated at a first frequency, and when the measured temperature corresponds to a second range greater than or equal to the first reference temperature and less than a second reference temperature, controlling the compressor to perform a first protection mode in which the compressor is operated at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

[0103] When a time for which the measured temperature maintains the second range is less than a first period, the normal mode may be performed, and when the time for which the measured temperature maintains the second range is greater than or equal to the first period, the first protection mode may be performed.

[0104] The adjusting the operating frequency of the compressor based on the measured temperature may further include when the measured temperature corresponds to a third range greater than or equal to the second reference temperature, performing a second protection mode in which the compressor is operated at a third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0105] The method may further include counting the number of times the second protection mode is continuously performed; and when the number of times the second protection mode is performed corresponds to the reference repetition number, performing a third protection mode in which the compressor is operated at the third frequency, in which the second protection mode may be performed for a second protection time, and the third protection mode may be performed for a third protection time longer than the second protection time.

[0106] The second protection time may be 15 minutes or more and 25 minutes or less, and the third protection time may be 100 minutes or more and 140 minutes or less. The first reference temperature may be smaller than the second reference temperature, the first reference temperature may be 65° C. or more and less than 75° C., and the second reference temperature may be 70° C. or more and less than 80° C.

[0107] The following effects can be expected from a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same according to the proposed embodiment. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor in the machine room is disposed to minimize the influence of wind provided by the blower fan so that the temperature of the condenser may be accurately measured.

[0108] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the operating frequency of the compressor may be controlled in real time by monitoring the overheating state of the condenser. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reliability of the refrigerator may be improved by providing real-time information to the user when an overheating state of the condenser is detected.

[0109] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0110] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0111] Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0112] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0113] Embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

[0114] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0115] Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,”“an embodiment,”“example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

[0116] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and / or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and / or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:a cabinet that forms a storage space and a machine room;a compressor this is provided in the machine room and is configured to compress a refrigerant;a condenser that is provided in the machine room and is configured to condense the refrigerant received from the compressor;an output pipe that is fluidly connected to the condenser and configured to discharge the refrigerant from the condenser;a sensor that is configured to measure a temperature at the output pipe; anda control unit that is configured to control an operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature measured by the sensor.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the control unit is configured to:in response to determining that the measured temperature is within a first range that is less than a first reference temperature, perform a normal mode that includes operating the compressor at a first frequency, andin response to determining that the measured temperature is within a second range that is greater than or equal to the first reference temperature and less than a second reference temperature, perform a first protection mode that includes operating the compressor at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2,wherein the control unit is configured to:perform the normal mode further in response to determining that a time during which the measured temperature is within the second range is less than a first period, andperform the first protection mode further in response to determining that the time during which the measured temperature is within the second range is greater than or equal to the first period.

4. The refrigerator of claim 2,wherein the second frequency is 40 Hz or more and 50 Hz or less.

5. The refrigerator of claim 2,wherein the first protection mode is performed for a first protection time, andwherein the first protection time is 150 minutes or more and 210 minutes or less.

6. The refrigerator of claim 2,wherein the control unit is configured to:in response to determining that the measured temperature is in a third range that is greater than or equal to the second reference temperature, perform a second protection mode that includes operating the compressor at a third frequency lower than the second frequency.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6,wherein the second protection mode is performed for a second protection time, andwherein the control unit is configured to:count a number of times that the second protection mode is consecutively performed,in response to determining that the number of times that the second protection mode is consecutively performed corresponds to a reference repetition number, perform the third protection mode that includes operating the compressor at the third frequency for a third protection time longer than the second protection time.

8. The refrigerator of claim 7,wherein the second protection time is 15 minutes or more and 25 minutes or less, andwherein the third protection time is 100 minutes or more and 140 minutes or less.

9. The refrigerator of claim 6,wherein the first reference temperature is less than the second reference temperature,wherein the first reference temperature is 65° C. or more and less than 75° C., andwherein the second reference temperature is 70° C. or more and less than 80° C.

10. The refrigerator of claim 6,wherein the third frequency is 0 Hz.

11. The refrigerator of claim 6, further comprising:a display configured to output an indication of a current state of the refrigerator,wherein the control unit is configured to:in response to performing at least one of the first protection mode or the second protection mode is performed, control the display to output a warning message.

12. The refrigerator of claim 6,wherein the control unit is configured to:in response to performing at least one of the first protection mode or the second protection mode, control the refrigerator to output a warning sound.

13. The refrigerator of claim 6,wherein the control unit is configured to:in response to performing at least one of the first protection mode or the second protection mode, control the refrigerator to output a warning message to a user terminal device connected to the refrigerator.

14. A method for controlling a refrigerator that includes a machine room; a compressor provided in the machine room; and a condenser provided in the machine room, the method comprising:measuring, by a sensor, a temperature at a pipe that discharges refrigerant from the condenser; andmanaging, by a control unit, an operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature measured by the sensor.

15. The method of claim 14,wherein managing the operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature includes:in response to determining that the temperature is less than a first reference temperature, controlling the compressor to operate at a first frequency, andin response to determining that the measured temperature is greater than or equal to the first reference temperature and less than a second reference temperature, controlling the compressor to operate at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

16. The method of claim 15,wherein managing the operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature further includes:controlling the compressor to operate at the first frequency further in response to determining that a time during which the temperature is greater than or equal to the first reference temperature and less than the second reference temperature is less than a first period, andcontrolling the compressor to operate at the second frequency further in response to determining that the time during which the temperature is greater than or equal to the first reference temperature and less than the second reference temperature is greater than or equal to the first period.

17. The method of claim 15,wherein managing the operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature further includes:in response to determining that the temperature is greater than or equal to the second reference temperature, operating the compressor at a third frequency lower than the second frequency.

18. The method of claim 17,wherein managing the operating frequency of the compressor based on the temperature further includes:counting a number of times, consecutively, that the compressor is operated at the second frequency; andin response to determining that the number of times that the compressor is operated at the second frequency corresponds to a reference repetition number, operating the compressor at the third frequency,wherein the compressor is operated at the second frequency for a second protection time, andwherein the compressor is operated at the third frequency for a third protection time longer than the second protection time.

19. The method of claim 18,wherein the second protection time is 15 minutes or more and 25 minutes or less, andwherein the third protection time is 100 minutes or more and 140 minutes or less.

20. The method of claim 17,wherein the first reference temperature is smaller than the second reference temperature,wherein the first reference temperature is 65° C. or more and less than 75° C., andwherein the second reference temperature is 70° C. or more and less than 80° C.

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