Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

Abstract

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

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 001078, filed on Jan. 20, 2025, which is based on and claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0032701, filed on Mar. 7, 2024, and Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0103427, filed on Aug. 2, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a refrigerator including a thermoelectric element and a compressor to cool a storage compartment, and a method for controlling the refrigerator.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A refrigerator is an appliance that is equipped with a main body having a storage compartment and a cold air supply device for supplying the storage compartment with cold air to store food in a fresh state.

[0004] A thermoelectric cooler that generates heating and cooling by the Peltier effect may be used as a cold air supply device of a refrigerator. The thermoelectric cooler may include a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element has a heating portion formed on one side and a cooling portion formed on the opposite side, and when current is applied to the thermoelectric element, heating may occur in the heating portion and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion.

[0005] The thermoelectric cooler may include a heat sink, a cooling sink, a heat dissipation fan, a cooling fan, a heat dissipation duct, and a cooling duct to increase the cooling efficiency of a storage compartment through the thermoelectric cooler.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0006] The disclosure provides a refrigerator that may maintain a proper temperature of the refrigerator by detecting various types of failure of a thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the type of failure, and a method for controlling the same.

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

[0008] Technical objects that can be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other technical objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure belongs from the following description.Technical Solution

[0009] Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler configured to cool the storage compartment, and including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan; a second cooler configured to cool the storage compartment, and including a compressor, and an evaporator fan; and at least one processor configured to, based on a failure in the first cooler, increase an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the failure in the first cooler, increase or decrease a target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element. The failure in the first cooler may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a predetermined first period of time.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range for the predetermined first period of time, stop an operation of the first cooler, and, based on an elapse of a predetermined second period of time, restart the operation of the first cooler.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the failure in the first cooler occurring more than a reference number of times, stop the operation of the first cooler for a predetermined third period of time that is longer than the predetermined second period of time.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further include a voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element. The failure in the first cooler may include the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside a reference voltage range for a predetermined first period of time.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside the reference voltage range for the predetermined first period of time, stop an operation of the first cooler, and, based on an elapse of a predetermined second period of time, restart the operation of the first cooler.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first cooler may include a heat absorption sensor configured to detect a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element, and a heat dissipation sensor configured to detect a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element. The failure in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside a reference temperature range for a predetermined period of time.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a first voltage, and, based on the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a second voltage.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the failure in the first cooler may include a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than a reference rotation speed for a predetermined period of time.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than the reference rotation speed for the predetermined period of time, maintain an operation of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan, and stop an operation of the thermoelectric element.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first cooler configured to cool the storage compartment and including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan, and a second cooler configured to cool the storage compartment and including a compressor and an evaporator fan, the method including detecting whether a failure occurs in the first cooler; and, based on the failure in the first cooler being detected, increasing an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include, based on the failure in the first cooler being detected, increasing or decreasing a target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler being detected may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a predetermined period of time.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] These and / or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating communication among a home appliance, a server, a user terminal, and the like.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which doors of a refrigerator are opened according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an upper part of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along I-I′ of FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a current detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a temperature detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a fan rotation speed according to an embodiment of the disclosure.MODES OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0038] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0039] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0040] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0041] In the 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 corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0042] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0044] Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of any element.

[0045] It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and / or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0046] When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0047] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0048] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cabinet.

[0049] The “cabinet” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0050] The “inner case” may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The “outer case” may form an appearance of the cabinet, and be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.

[0051] The “insulation” may insulate an inside of the storage compartment from an outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. The foaming insulation may be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with jigs, etc., and then injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.

[0053] The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space corresponding to the storage compartment. The storage compartment may store a variety of items, such as food, medicines, cosmetics, and the like, and the storage compartment may be configured to be open on at least one side for insertion and removal of the items.

[0054] The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.

[0055] The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and may include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and / or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as either a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.

[0056] The storage compartment may also be referred to by various terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below are to be understood as representing storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

[0057] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted to the front of the cabinet.

[0058] The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door, like the cabinet, may include an insulation to insulate the storage compartment in a closed state.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

[0060] A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the cabinet when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forming the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

[0062] The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or Single Door Refrigerator according to the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

[0063] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0064] The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and / or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device 450 having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the refrigeration cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0066] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

[0067] The “machine compartment” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated by the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed in the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the cabinet.

[0068] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

[0069] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0070] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0071] 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 cold air supply device, etc., in accordance with the programs and / or data stored in the memory.

[0072] The memory may store or record various information, data, instructions, programs, and the like necessary for operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0073] The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an artificial intelligence (AI) model operation. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0074] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface in accordance with the programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided with an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0075] The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0076] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all of the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device in accordance with to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately provided with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface in accordance with the user input.

[0077] A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0078] The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

[0079] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

[0080] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating communication among a home appliance, a server, a user terminal, and the like.

[0081] A home appliance 1000 may include a communication module capable of communicating with another home appliance, a user device 2000, or a server 3000, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the home appliance 1000, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the home appliance 1000.

[0082] The home appliance 1000 may be at least one of various types of home appliances. For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the home appliance 1000 may include at least one of a refrigerator 1, a dishwasher 1200, an electric range 1300, an electric oven 1400, an air conditioner 1500, a clothes treating apparatus 1600, a washing machine 1700, a dryer 1800, or a microwave oven 1900, but is not limited thereto. For example, the home appliance 1000 may include various types of appliances not shown in the drawings, such as a cleaning robot, a vacuum cleaner, a television, and the like. Furthermore, the aforementioned home appliances are by way of example only, and in addition to the aforementioned home appliances, other appliances connected to other home appliance, the user device 2000, or the server 3000 to perform operations described below may be included in the home appliance 1000 according to an embodiment.

[0083] The server 3000 may include a communication module communicating with another server, the home appliance 1000, or the user device 2000, at least one processor that processes data received from another server, the home appliance 1000, or the user device 2000, and at least one memory that stores programs for processing data or processed data. The server 3000 may be implemented as a variety of computing devices, such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, and the like. The server 3000 may be implemented as one or more server physically or logically separated based on a function, detailed configuration of function, or data, and may transmit and receive data through communication between servers and process the transmitted and received data.

[0084] The server 3000 may perform functions, such as managing a user account, registering the home appliance 1000 in association with the user account, managing or controlling the registered home appliance 1000, and the like. For example, a user may access the server 3000 via the user device 2000 and may create a user account. The user account may be identified by an identifier (ID) and a password set by the user. The server 3000 may register the home appliance 1000 with the user account according to a predetermined procedure. For example, the server 3000 may link identification information of the home appliance 1000 (e.g., a serial number or MAC address) to the user account to register, manage, and control the home appliance 1000. The user device 2000 may include a communication module capable of communicating with the home appliance 1000 or the server 3000, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the user device 2000, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the user device 2000.

[0085] The user device 2000 may be carried by a user, or placed in a user's home or office, or the like. The user device 2000 may include a personal computer (PC), a terminal, a portable telephone, a smartphone, a handheld device, a wearable device, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0086] The memory of the user device 2000 may store a program for controlling the home appliance 1000, i.e. an application. The application may be sold installed on the user device 2000, or may be downloaded from an external server for installation.

[0087] By running the application installed on the user device 2000 by a user, the user may access the server 3000, create a user account, and communicate with the server 3000 based on the login user account to register the home appliance 1000.

[0088] For example, by operating the home appliance 1000 to allow the home appliance 1000 to access the server 3000 according to a procedure guided by the application installed on the user device 2000, the server 3000 may register the home appliance 1000 with the user account by assigning the identification information (e.g., a serial number or a MAC address) of the home appliance 1000 to the corresponding user account.

[0089] A user may control the home appliance 1000 using the application installed on the user device 2000. For example, by logging into a user account with the application installed on the user device 2000, the home appliance 1000 registered in the user account appears, and by inputting a control command for the home appliance 1000, the control command may be delivered to the home appliance 1000 via the server 3000.

[0090] A network may include both a wired network and a wireless network. The wired network may include a cable network or a telephone network, and the wireless network may include any networks transmitting and receiving a signal via radio waves. The wired network and the wireless network may be interconnected.

[0091] The network may include a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) formed around an access point (AP), and a short-range wireless network that does not use an AP. The short-range wireless network may include Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, near field communication (NFC), and Z-Wave, but is not limited thereto.

[0092] The AP may connect the home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 to a WAN connected to the server 3000. The home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 may be connected to the server 3000 via a WAN.

[0093] The AP may communicate with the home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 using wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), and the like, and access a WAN using wired communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0094] According to various embodiments, the home appliance 1000 may be directly connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 without going through an AP.

[0095] The home appliance 1000 may be connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 via a long-range wireless network or a short-range wireless network.

[0096] For example, the home appliance 1000 may be connected to the user device 2000 via a short-range wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct).

[0097] In another example, the home appliance 1000 may be connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 via a WAN using a long-range wireless network (e.g., a cellular communication module).

[0098] In still another example, the home appliance 1000 may access a WAN using wired communication, and may be connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 via a WAN.

[0099] When accessing a WAN using wired communication, the home appliance 1000 may also act as an AP. Accordingly, the home appliance 1000 may connect another home appliance to a WAN to which the server 3000 is connected. In addition, another home appliance may connect the home appliance 1000 to the WAN to which the server 3000 is connected.

[0100] The home appliance 1000 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2000, or the server 3000 via the network. For example, the home appliance 1000 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2000 or the server 3000 upon receiving a request from the server 3000, in response to an event in the home appliance 1000, or periodically or in real time. Upon receiving the information about the operation or state from the home appliance 1000, the server 3000 may update the stored information about the operation or state of the home appliance 1000 and transmit the updated information about the operation and state of the home appliance 1000 to the user device 2000 via the network. Here, updating the information may include various operations in which existing information is changed, such as adding new information to the existing information, replacing the existing information with new information, and the like.

[0101] The home appliance 1000 may obtain various information from other home appliances, the user device 2000, or the server 3000, and may provide the obtained information to a user. For example, the home appliance 1000 may obtain information related to a function of the home appliance 1000 (e.g., recipes, washing instructions, etc.) from the server 3000 and various environmental information (e.g., weather, temperature, humidity, etc.), and may output the obtained information via a user interface.

[0102] The home appliance 1000 may operate in accordance with a control command received from other home appliances, the user device 2000, or the server 3000. For example, the home appliance 1000 may operate in accordance with a control command received from the server 3000, based on a prior authorization obtained from a user to operate in accordance with the control command of the server 3000 even without a user input. Here, the control command received from the server 3000 may include a control command input by the user via the user device 2000 or a control command based on preset conditions, but is not limited thereto.

[0103] The user device 2000 may transmit information about a user to the home appliance 1000 or the server 3000 via the communication module. For example, the user device 2000 may transmit information about a user's location, a user's health condition (i.e., state), a user's preference, a user's schedule, and the like to the server 3000. The user device 2000 may transmit information about the user to the server 3000 based on the user's prior authorization.

[0104] The home appliance 1000, the user device 2000, or the server 3000 may use techniques, such as artificial intelligence (AI) to determine a control command. For example, the server 3000 may receive information about an operation or a state of the home appliance 1000 or information about a user of the user device 2000, process the received information using techniques, such as AI, and transmit a processing result or a control command to the home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 based on the processing result.

[0105] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the refrigerator 1 among the above-described home appliance 1000 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0106] FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which doors of a refrigerator are opened according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an upper part of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along I-I′ of FIG. 3.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 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.

[0108] The main body 100 may include an inner case, an outer case coupled to the outer side of the inner case, and an insulation 190 provided between the inner case and the outer case (see FIG. 6). The inner case may form the storage compartments 11, 12, and 13, and the outer case may form the exterior of the main body 100.

[0109] In another aspect, the main body 100 may include an upper wall 110, a lower wall 120, a left wall 130, a right wall 140, and a rear wall 150. The upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140, and the rear wall 150 may form an upper side, a lower side, a left side, a right side, and a rear side of the main body 100, respectively.

[0110] Each of the upper wall 110, lower wall 120, left wall 130, right wall 140, and rear wall 150 may be constructed with the inner case, the outer case, and the insulation 190. For example, an upper side of the upper wall 110 may be formed by the outer case, a lower side of the upper wall 110 may be formed by the inner case, and the insulation 190 may be provided inside the upper wall 110.

[0111] The storage compartments 11, 12, and 13 may accommodate items. The storage compartments 11, 12, and 13 may be formed so that the front is open to allow items to be put in or taken out. The main body 100 may include a horizontal partition wall 160 separating the first storage compartment 11 from the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13, and a vertical partition wall 161 separating the second storage compartment 12 from the third storage compartment 13. The first storage compartment 11 may be formed in an upper part of the main body 100, and the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13 may be formed in a lower part of the main body 100. The first storage compartment 11 may be a refrigerating compartment. The second storage compartment 12 may be a freezing compartment. The third storage compartment 13 may be a temperature conversion compartment.

[0112] The first storage compartment 11 may be maintained at a first set temperature, the second storage compartment 12 may be maintained at a second set temperature, and the third storage compartment 13 may be maintained at a third set temperature.

[0113] The second set temperature may be set lower than the first set temperature and the third set temperature. The second set temperature, the first set temperature, and the third set temperature may be set by a user.

[0114] The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may open and close the storage compartments 11, 12, and 13. The first door 21 and the second door 22 may open and close the first storage compartment 11, the third door 23 may open and close the second storage compartment 12, and the fourth door 24 may open and close the third storage compartment 13. The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100.

[0115] The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100 by hinges. For example, the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100 by a hinge 31 disposed on the upper part of the main body 100 and a hinge disposed in the middle of the main body 100, respectively. The hinge 31 may include a hinge pin that protrudes vertically to form a rotation axis of the door. The hinge 31 may be covered by a top cover 300 provided to cover an upper front part of the main body 100.

[0116] A rotation bar 40 may be arranged on one of the first door 21 and the second door 22 to cover a gap between the first door 21 and the second door 22 when the first door 21 and the second door 22 are closed. The rotation bar 40 may be rotatably disposed on one of the first door 21 and the second door 22. The rotation bar 40 may have a rod shape elongated in a vertical direction. The rotation bar 40 may also be referred to as a pillar, a mullion, and the like.

[0117] A guide protrusion 46 may be disposed at an upper end of the rotation bar 40, and a rotating guide 119 that guides the rotation of the guide protrusion 46 may be disposed at the upper part of the main body 100.

[0118] The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include a gasket 51. The gasket 51 may make close contact with a front side of the main body 100 when the doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 are closed. The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may each include a dyke 52 that protrudes rearward. A door shelf 53 capable of storing items may be mounted on the dyke 52. The rotation bar 40 may be rotatably installed on the dyke 52.

[0119] Although the number and arrangement of the storage compartments and the number and arrangement of the doors have been described above, the number and arrangement of the storage compartments and the number and arrangement of the doors of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure are not limited.

[0120] The refrigerator 1 may include a thermoelectric cooler 400 to cool the storage compartment 11.

[0121] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may be disposed above the storage compartment 11 to cool the storage compartment 11. That is, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be disposed on the upper wall 110 of the main body 100.

[0122] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a thermoelectric element 530. The thermoelectric element 530 may be a semiconductor device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy and converts electrical energy into thermal energy using the thermoelectric effect. The thermoelectric element 530 may be referred to by various terms, such as a semiconductor thermoelectric element and a Peltier element.

[0123] The thermoelectric element 530 includes a heating portion 531 and a cooling portion 532. When current is applied to the thermoelectric element 530, heating may occur in the heating portion 531 and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion 532. The thermoelectric element 530 may have a thin hexahedral shape. The heating portion 531 may be formed on one side of the thermoelectric element 530, and the cooling portion 532 may be formed on the opposite side.

[0124] The thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed on the upper wall 110 such that the heating portion 531 may be positioned above the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooling portion 532 may be positioned below the thermoelectric element 530. That is, the heating portion 531 may face the outside of the main body 100 and the cooling portion 532 may face the inside of the storage compartment 11. Accordingly, the air that has been warmed by heat exchange with the heating portion 531 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 100, and the air that has been cooled by heat exchange with the cooling portion 532 may be supplied to the storage compartment 11.

[0125] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat sink 520 that contacts the heating portion 531 to allow heat exchange between the heating portion 531 and the outside air of the main body 100 to be efficiently performed.

[0126] The heat sink 520 may be located on the outside of the main body 100. The heat sink 520 may contact the heating portion 531 to absorb heat from the heating portion 531 and dissipate heat to the outside of the main body 100. The heat sink 520 may be referred to by various terms, such as a hot sink, a heatsink, and a hot heat sink.

[0127] The heat sink 520 may be formed of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat sink 520 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0128] The heat sink 520 may include a heat sink base 521 that contacts the heating portion 531, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 that protrude from the heat sink base 521 to expand a heat transfer area. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude upward from the heat sink base 521.

[0129] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling sink 570 that contacts the cooling portion 532 to allow heat exchange between the cooling portion 532 and the air in the storage compartment 11 to be efficiently performed.

[0130] The cooling sink 570 may be located inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling sink 570 may absorb heat from the storage compartment 11 and transfer to the cooling portion 532. Accordingly, the storage compartment 11 may be cooled. The cooling sink 570 may be referred to by various terms, such as a cold sink, a cold heat sink, and a cooling heat sink.

[0131] The cooling sink 570 may be formed of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity. For example, the cooling sink 570 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0132] The cooling sink 570 may include a cooling sink base 571 that contacts the cooling portion 532, and a plurality of cooling fins 575 that protrude from the cooling sink base 571 to expand a heat transfer area. The plurality of cooling fins 575 may protrude downward from the cooling sink base 571. The cooling sink base 571 and the plurality of cooling fins 575 may be formed integrally.

[0133] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat dissipation fan 600 that causes air to flow to allow heat exchange between the heat sink 520 and the outside air of the main body 100 to be efficiently performed.

[0134] The heat dissipation fan 600 may blow air toward the heat sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be positioned in a horizontal direction of the heat sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be disposed on the outside of the main body 100. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0135] The heat dissipation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan that draws in air in an axial direction and discharges the air in a radial direction. The centrifugal fan may include a blower fan. A rotation axis 610 of the heat dissipation fan 600 may be disposed vertically on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0136] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat dissipation duct 700 to guide air flowing by the heat dissipation fan 600. The heat dissipation duct 700 may guide the outside air of the main body 100 to exchange heat with the heat sink 520. Air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 100 through the heat dissipation duct 700.

[0137] The heat dissipation duct 700 may draw in the air from an external space above the main body 100. The heat dissipation duct 700 may discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 to the external space above the main body 100. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be located inside the heat dissipation duct 700. The heat sink 520 may be located inside the heat dissipation duct 700. The heat dissipation duct 700 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0138] The heat dissipation duct 700 may include an outside air inlet 751 for drawing the outside air of the main body 100 into the heat dissipation duct 700, and an outside air outlet 782 for discharging air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 to the outside of the main body 100.

[0139] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling fan 800 that causes air to flow to allow heat exchange between the cooling sink 570 and the air in the storage compartment 11 to be efficiently performed.

[0140] The cooling fan 800 may blow air toward the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be positioned in a horizontal direction of the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be disposed inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling fan 800 may be disposed on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0141] The cooling fan 800 may be a centrifugal fan that draws in air in the axial direction and discharges the air in a radial direction. A rotation axis 810 of the cooling fan 800 may be disposed vertically on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0142] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include the cooling duct 900 to guide air flowing by the cooling fan 800. The cooling fan 800 may guide the air in the storage compartment 11 to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570. Air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 may be discharged back into the storage compartment 11 through the cooling duct 900.

[0143] The cooling fan 800 may be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling sink 570 may be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling duct 900 may be disposed on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0144] The cooling duct 900 may include an internal air inlet 991 for drawing air inside the storage compartment 11 into the cooling duct 900, and an internal air outlet 992 for discharging the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 into the storage compartment 11.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 5, the refrigerator 1 may include the refrigeration cycle device 450 to cool the storage compartment through a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle device 450 may include a compressor 2, a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator 3. The evaporator 3 may be disposed at the rear of the storage compartments 12 and 13.

[0146] According to various embodiments, the evaporator may not be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment 11. That is, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include only one evaporator 3, and the evaporator 3 may be disposed at the rear of the second storage compartment 12. The evaporator 3 may also be disposed at a lower part based on the horizontal partition wall 160.

[0147] The refrigerator 1 may include a defrost sensor 111 for measuring a temperature of the evaporator 3.

[0148] The defrost sensor 111 may measure the temperature of the evaporator 3. Measuring the temperature of the evaporator 3 may include measuring a temperature of the air around the evaporator 3 and measuring a temperature of the evaporator 3 itself.

[0149] The defrost sensor 111 may be provided on the evaporator 3 or may be provided in evaporator ducts 60 and 70.

[0150] The refrigerator 1 may include the evaporator ducts 60 and 70 to guide cold air generated in the evaporator 3. The first evaporator duct 60 may be disposed at the rear of the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13. The second evaporator duct 70 may be disposed at the rear of the first storage compartment 11.

[0151] The cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 by the evaporator fan 80. The cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be discharged to the second storage compartment 12 or the third storage compartment 13 through a cold air outlet (not shown) formed at the front. In addition, the cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be guided to an internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70. The first evaporator duct 60 may be provided with a damper 61 to control the supply of the cold air in the first evaporator duct 60 to the second evaporator duct 70. A connection duct 90 may be disposed 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.

[0152] The internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 may guide the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 to the first storage compartment 11.

[0153] The damper 61 may open or close the internal flow path 78.

[0154] When the internal flow path 78 is opened by the damper 61, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be guided to the first storage compartment 11.

[0155] When the internal flow path 78 is closed by the damper 61, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be blocked by the damper 61 and may not be guided to the first storage compartment 11.

[0156] The cold air flowing into the internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 may be supplied to the first storage compartment 11 through a cold air outlet 72 formed on the front side of the second evaporator duct 70.

[0157] However, unlike the above embodiment, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be supplied directly to the second evaporator duct 70 without passing through the first evaporator duct 60. In addition, a separate evaporator 3 for supplying cold air to the second evaporator duct 70 may be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment 11.

[0158] As such, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooler 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450 for cooling the storage compartment. Accordingly, the storage compartment may be cooled by using at least one of the thermoelectric cooler 400 or the refrigeration cycle device 450. For example, the storage compartment may 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. In addition, the storage compartment may be cooled by supplying the cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooler 400 together with the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0159] The refrigerator 1 may supply cold air to the storage compartment 11 according to external and internal conditions. For example, in a case where an outside 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, in a case where the outside temperature of the refrigerator 1 is higher or lower than the preset temperature range, the storage compartment 11 may be cooled only by the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0160] In a case where the outside temperature of the refrigerator 1 is within the preset temperature range and the storage compartment 11 is overloaded or the storage compartment 11 requires to be rapidly cooled, the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450 and the cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be supplied to the storage compartment 11 simultaneously to cool the storage compartment 11 rapidly.

[0161] 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.

[0162] According to various embodiments, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be provided on at least one of the upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140, or the rear wall 150.

[0163] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 7, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a thermoelectric module 500.

[0165] The above-described thermoelectric element 530, the heat sink 520, and the cooling sink 570 may be integrally assembled as the thermoelectric module 500. That is, the thermoelectric module 500 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat sink 520, the cooling sink 570, and a module plate 550.

[0166] The module plate 550 may serve as a frame of the thermoelectric module 500. The module plate 550 may be formed of a resin material having a low thermal conductivity. The module plate 550 may maintain a gap between the heat sink 520 and the cooling sink 570, and may support the heat sink 520 and the cooling sink 570. The module plate 550 may be formed integrally with a fan case 650 to be described below. However, the module plate 550 may be provided separately from the fan case 650.

[0167] The module plate 550 may include a heat sink support 552 supporting the heat sink 520.

[0168] The module plate 550 may include a module plate opening 551. The thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed inside the module plate opening 551. A vertical length of the module plate opening 551 may be larger than that of the thermoelectric element 530, and the thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed at an upper end of the module plate opening 551. In general, the heat generation amount of the thermoelectric element 530 is higher than the heat absorption amount, and it is advantageous for heat dissipation of the heating portion 531 that the thermoelectric element 530 is located at the upper end of the module plate opening 551. Accordingly, the thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed at the upper end of the module plate opening 551.

[0169] As such, because the thermoelectric element 530 is disposed at the upper end of the module plate opening 551, the cooling sink 570 may include a cooling conductive portion 574 protruding from the cooling sink base 571 to contact the cooling portion 532 of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0170] The thermoelectric module 500 may include an element insulation 540 to insulate the module plate 550 and the thermoelectric element 530. The element insulation 540 may be disposed in the module plate opening 551 to prevent sides 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.

[0171] The thermoelectric module 500 may include a sink insulation 580 between the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570. The sink insulation 580 may prevent heat from being transferred between the heat sink 520 and the cooling sink 570 through the module plate 550. The sink insulation 580 may include a sink insulation opening 581. However, the sink insulation 580 may be omitted. In this case, the heat sink 520 may be supported on an upper side of the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570 may be supported on a lower side of the module plate 550.

[0172] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include the fan case 650 on which the heat dissipation fan 600 is installed, and the fan case 650 may guide air flowing by the heat dissipation fan 600.

[0173] The fan case 650 may be formed integrally with the module plate 550 or may be provided separately.

[0174] The fan case 650 may include a case bottom 660 on which the heat dissipation fan 600 is rotatably installed, and a case scroll portion 670 extending upward from an edge of the case bottom 660 to guide air blown from the heat dissipation fan 600 toward the heat sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan, and may be installed on the case bottom 660 to allow the rotation axis 610 to be perpendicular to the case bottom 660. In addition, the heat sink 520 may be positioned in a radial direction of the heat dissipation fan 600. With the structure described above, an overall vertical length of the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be compact.

[0175] The case scroll portion 670 may be formed to surround the heat dissipation fan 600. The case scroll portion 670 may have a scroll portion opening 673 open toward the heat sink 520. The case scroll portion 670 may include a downstream end 671 along a rotational direction R of the heat dissipation fan 600 and an upstream end 672 along the rotational direction R.

[0176] The fan case 650 may include a case guide 680 to guide air flowing from the heat dissipation fan 600 to the vicinity of the downstream end 671 of the case scroll portion 670.

[0177] The heat sink 520 may include a plurality of heat dissipation fins 525. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude from an 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.

[0178] A plurality of heat dissipation channels may be formed between the plurality of heat dissipation fins 525.

[0179] The heat dissipation fan 600 may blow air toward the heat sink 520, and the air flowing by the heat dissipation fan 600 may pass through the heat dissipation channels and exchange heat with the plurality of heat dissipation fins 525.

[0180] The cooling sink 570 may include a plurality of cooling fins 575. The plurality of cooling fins 575 may be formed to extend in a direction parallel to a lower side of the cooling sink base 571.

[0181] A plurality of cooling channels may be formed between the plurality of cooling fins 575.

[0182] The air flowing by the cooling fan 800 may pass through the cooling channels and exchange heat with the plurality of cooling fins 575.

[0183] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 8, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include a current sensor 115, a user interface 200, a communication interface 250, the first cooler 400, the second cooler 450, and a controller 350. The controller 350 may include at least one processor 351 and memory 352.

[0185] The current sensor 115 may detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530. The current sensor 115 may transmit information about the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 to the controller 350.

[0186] The refrigerator 1 may include the user interface 200.

[0187] The user interface 200 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0188] The user interface 200 may include a power button, an operation button, a menu selection button, refrigeration / freezing setting button, a rapid cooling setting button, and the like. For example, the user interface 200 may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0189] The user interface 200 may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the refrigerator 1 to a user. Information about the operation of the refrigerator 1 may be output via a screen, an indicator, or a voice. For example, the user interface 200 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

[0190] The refrigerator 1 may include the communication interface 250 for wired and / or wireless communication with an external device.

[0191] The communication interface 250 may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module or a long-range wireless communication module.

[0192] The communication interface 250 may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, a temperature probe) or receive data from the external device. For the communication, the communication interface 250 may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the 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 corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0193] The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0194] The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs 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.

[0195] According to an embodiment, the communication interface 250 may communicate with an external device through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN, to which the refrigerator 1 is connected, to a WAN to which a server is connected. The refrigerator 1 may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0196] The refrigerator 1 may receive various signals (e.g., weather information, remote instructions) from an external device (e.g., a server, a user device) through the communication interface 250.

[0197] The refrigerator 1 may transmit various signals to the external device through the communication interface 250.

[0198] The refrigerator 1 may include the first cooler 400 configured to cool the first storage compartment 11. The first cooler 400 may be the thermoelectric cooler 400 described above.

[0199] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat dissipation fan 600, and / or the cooling fan 800. In addition, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may further include a heat absorption sensor 850 for detecting a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element 530 and a heat dissipation sensor 860 for detecting a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element 530.

[0200] When power is supplied, the thermoelectric element 530 may allow heat exchange to occur between the cooling sink 570 and the heat sink 520. For example, the thermoelectric element 530 may convert electrical energy into heat energy to cause a heat generation process in the heating portion 531 and a heat absorption process in the cooling portion 532.

[0201] When heat generation occurs in the heating portion 531, air warmed by the heat sink 520 that contacts the heating portion 531 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 100, and air cooled by the cooling sink 570 that contacts the cooling portion 532 may be supplied to the first storage compartment 11.

[0202] The controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530. Controlling the thermoelectric element 530 may include controlling the on / off of the thermoelectric element 530. Controlling the thermoelectric element 530 may include controlling a drive circuit that supplies power to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0203] Driving the thermoelectric element 530 may include supplying electrical energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530. Supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include applying voltage and / or current to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0204] Driving the thermoelectric element 530 may include pulse width modulation (PWM) controlling the thermoelectric element 530.

[0205] Turning off the thermoelectric element 530 may include not supplying electrical energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530. Not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include not applying voltage and / or current to the thermoelectric element 530. Not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include not PWM controlling the thermoelectric element 530.

[0206] In the disclosure, turning off the thermoelectric element 530 may not include intermittently not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 according to an on / off duty ratio while PWM controlling the thermoelectric element 530. That is, even though power is not supplied intermittently to the thermoelectric element 530 according to the on / off duty ratio while the thermoelectric element 530 is PWM controlled, the thermoelectric element 530 is still being driven.

[0207] As the thermoelectric element 530 is driven, the heat sink 520 may contact the heating portion 531 to absorb the heat of the heating portion 531 and may release the heat to the outside of the main body 100.

[0208] As the thermoelectric element 530 is driven, the cooling sink 570 may cool the first storage compartment 11 by removing the heat from the storage compartment 11 and transferring the heat to the cooling portion 532.

[0209] In an embodiment, in a cooling mode, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 to maintain a temperature of the first storage compartment 11 at a set temperature of the first storage compartment 11 (hereinafter, ‘first set temperature’). The set temperature of the first storage compartment 11 may be set via the user interface 200 of the refrigerator 1 or may be set remotely from an external device via the communication interface 250.

[0210] The heat dissipation fan 600 may draw in air from outside the main body 100 and guide the drawn air to exchange heat with the heat sink 520, and may discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 back to the outside of the main body 100.

[0211] The controller 350 may control the heat dissipation fan 600. Controlling the heat dissipation fan 600 may include controlling a fan motor of the heat dissipation fan 600. Controlling the heat dissipation fan 600 may include driving the heat dissipation fan 600 and turning off the heat dissipation fan 600. Driving the heat dissipation fan 600 may include rotating the heat dissipation fan 600 at a predetermined speed. Turning off the heat dissipation fan 600 may include stopping the rotation of the heat dissipation fan 600.

[0212] The fan motor of the heat dissipation fan 600 may include a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor whose speed may be controlled.

[0213] According to the operation of the heat dissipation fan 600, the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 flows, thereby allowing the heat sink 520 to quickly dissipate heat. As the heat sink 520 quickly dissipates heat, the heat generation in the heating portion 531 and the heat absorption in the cooling portion 532 may occur smoothly.

[0214] The cooling fan 800 may draw in air from the storage compartment 11, allow the drawn 15 air to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 back into the storage compartment 11.

[0215] The controller 350 may control the cooling fan 800. Controlling the cooling fan 800 may include controlling a fan motor of the cooling fan 800. Controlling the cooling fan 800 may include driving the cooling fan 800 and turning off the cooling fan 800. Driving the cooling fan 800 may include rotating the cooling fan 800 at a predetermined speed. Turning off the cooling fan 800 may include stopping the rotation of the cooling fan 800.

[0216] The fan motor of the cooling fan 800 may include a BLDC motor whose speed may be controlled.

[0217] According to the operation of the cooling fan 800, the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 flows, thereby rapidly cooling the inside of the storage compartment 11. As the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 flows, the heat generation in the heating portion 531 and the heat absorption in the cooling portion 532 may occur smoothly.

[0218] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned on. The controller 350 may turn off the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off.

[0219] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off in a defrosting mode of the thermoelectric element 530. The defrosting mode of the thermoelectric element 530 may be a mode in which the heat dissipation fan 600 and the cooling fan 800 are driven while the thermoelectric element 530 is not driven, in order to defrost the thermoelectric element 530. That is, the controller 350 may turn off the thermoelectric element 530 and drive the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 to defrost the thermoelectric element 530.

[0220] As such, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may supply the cold air generated by the first cooler 400 to the storage compartment to cool the storage compartment. Cooling the storage compartment 11 by supplying the cold air generated by the first cooler 400 to the storage compartment 11 is referred to as first cooling.

[0221] Meanwhile, the refrigerator 1 may include the 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 refrigeration cycle device 450 described above.

[0222] The second cooler 450 may include the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80.

[0223] The compressor 2 may compress a refrigerant and supply the compressed refrigerant to a heat exchanger (e.g., a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and the evaporator 3).

[0224] The controller 350 may control a temperature of the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 by controlling the compressor 2. For example, the controller 350 may control the compressor 2 to maintain the temperature measured by the internal sensor 112 at a predetermined target temperature.

[0225] Controlling the compressor 2 may include controlling the on / off of the compressor 2 or controlling an operating frequency of the compressor 2.

[0226] The controller 350 may 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.

[0227] As such, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may cool the storage compartment by supplying the cold air generated by the second cooler 450 to the storage compartment. Cooling the storage compartment 11 by supplying the cold air generated by the second cooler 450 to the storage compartment 11 is referred to as second cooling.

[0228] The controller 350 may include at least one processor 351 controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1, and at least one memory 352 storing programs and data for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1.

[0229] The at least one memory 352 may store data required for various embodiments. The at least one memory 352 may be implemented as a memory embedded in the refrigerator 1, or as a memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 depending on a data storage use. For example, data for driving the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1, and data for an extended function of the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1. Meanwhile, the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 may be implemented as at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), and / or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), a non-volatile memory (e.g., an 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.), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)). In addition, the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 may be implemented as a memory card (e.g., a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro secure digital (Micro-SD), a mini secure digital (Mini-SD), an extreme digital (xD), or a multi-media card (MMC)), an external memory (e.g., universal serial bus (USB) memory) connectable to a USB port, and the like.

[0230] The at least one processor 351 may control an overall operation of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, the at least one processor 351 may be connected to various components (the current sensor 115, the user interface 200, the communication interface 250, the first cooler 450, the second cooler 400, etc.) of the refrigerator 1 and may control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, the at least one processor 351 may be electrically connected to the memory 352 and may control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. The processor 351 may be formed as a single processor or a plurality of processors.

[0231] The processor 351 may perform various operations of the refrigerator 1 by processing at least one instruction stored in the memory 352.

[0232] The at least one processor 351 may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), accelerated processing unit (APU), many integrated core (MIC), digital signal processor (DSP), neural processing unit (NPU), hardware accelerator, or machine learning accelerator. The 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. The at least one processor 351 may execute at least one program or instruction stored in the memory 352. For example, the at least one processor 351 may execute at least one instruction stored in the memory 352 to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0233] The refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes the first cooler 400 and the second cooler 450 for cooling the storage compartment 11, and may cool the storage compartment 11 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, may perform only the second cooling by the second cooler 450, or may perform the first cooling by the first cooler 400 and the second cooling by the second cooler 450 simultaneously.

[0234] In a case where the first cooling by the first cooler 400 is performed, the refrigerator 1 may perform control to increase an operating intensity of the second cooler 450 based on a failure in the first cooler 400, which is described in detail below.

[0235] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0236] In a case where cooling is performed by the first cooler 400, i.e., in a state where the first cooler 400 is turned on, the first cooling may not be performed smoothly due to a failure in the first cooler 400, and the like.

[0237] The at least one processor 351 may detect whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400. A failure in the first cooler 400 may be detected based on various states, as described below. Detecting whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 and various operations depending on the failure may be performed by the at least one processor 351, but may also be performed by the server 3000 communicating with the refrigerator 1, etc., as described above. The server 3000 may detect whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 and may transmit the detection result to the refrigerator 1, the user device 2000, or the like.

[0238] In response to detecting the failure in the first cooler 400 (Yes in operation 901), the at least one processor 351 may increase an operating intensity of the second cooler 450 to maintain a cooling performance. That is, an operating speed of the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80 included in the second cooler 450 may be increased (903). Here, the operating speed may be an example of an operating intensity of the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80.

[0239] Thereafter, the at least one processor 351 may perform control to increase or decrease a target temperature of the storage compartment (905).

[0240] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 351 may decrease the target temperature of the storage compartment. Cooling the storage compartment is performed only by the second cooler 450 due to the failure of the first cooler 400, and thus considering that it may be difficult to reach an existing target temperature, the at least one processor 351 may decrease the target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0241] In the above-described embodiment, 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 may also be increased by decreasing the target temperature of the storage compartment without separately controlling the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80.

[0242] In another embodiment, the at least one processor 351 may increase the target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0243] In order to efficiently maintain a proper temperature and proper humidity, the at least one processor 351 may increase the target temperature of the storage compartment, considering that significant power may be consumed to cool the storage compartment with only the second cooler 450.

[0244] The at least one processor 351 may increase or decrease the target temperature of the storage compartment considering various conditions such as external situations or power consumption.

[0245] Hereinafter, various processes for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 are described.

[0246] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a current detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0247] As an example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where a current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 is outside a reference range.

[0248] That is, in a case where the current sensor 115 detects the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 (1001), and the detected current value is determined to be outside the reference current range for a first period of time (Yes in operation 1003), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0249] Here, the first period of time may be set to an appropriate period of time for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 60 seconds. The reference current range may also be an appropriate current value range for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 0.5 A to 4.5 A.

[0250] That is, in a case where the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of 0.5 A to 4.5 A for 60 seconds, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0251] It has been described in the above embodiment that the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty in a case where a current value remains outside the reference current range for a predetermined period of time. However, in another embodiment, a predetermined margin may be added to the reference current range, and the first cooler 400 may be detected as faulty in a case where a current value remains outside an extended range including the predetermined margin for a predetermined period of time. For example, in a case where the reference current range is 0.5 A to 4.5 A and a current value is detected to be outside an extended range of 0.4 A to 5.4 A for a predetermined period of time, the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty.

[0252] In connection with determining whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400, the refrigerator 1 according to another embodiment may include a voltage sensor 116. The voltage sensor 116 may detect a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530. The voltage sensor 116 may transmit information about the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 to the controller 350.

[0253] That is, as another example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 is outside a reference range.

[0254] That is, when the voltage sensor 116 detects the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 and the detected voltage value is determined to be outside a reference voltage range for the first period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0255] Here, the reference voltage range may be an appropriate voltage value range for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530.

[0256] In connection with determining whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400, an artificial intelligence (AI) model may be used to determine whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400. The AI model may be stored in the memory 352 of the refrigerator 1 or may be stored in a separate external device such as a server.

[0257] The at least one processor 351 may input, to the AI model, the current value detected by the current sensor 115 or the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 116 as input data, and information about the failure of the first cooler 400 based on the corresponding current value or voltage value as output data.

[0258] The AI model may be trained based on the 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 failure of the first cooler 400 based on the corresponding current value or voltage value.

[0259] Thereafter, the 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 to the trained AI model to determine whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 by the AI model.

[0260] In a case where the number of failure occurrences of the first cooler 400 is less than a reference number (No in operation 1005), the at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the first cooler 400 (1007). The reference number of failure occurrences may be set to perform separate control in a case where the failure of the first cooler 400 continues, and may be, for example, 3 times.

[0261] The at least one processor 351 may restart the first cooler 400 (1011), after a second period of time has elapsed after stopping the operation of the first cooler 400 (Yes in operation 1009). Here, the second period of time may be, for example, 10 minutes.

[0262] Because the number of times the first cooler 400 has been detected as faulty is less than the reference number, the first cooler 400 may be stopped for a relatively short period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) and restarted to confirm again whether the first cooler 400 is operating normally.

[0263] As such, in a case where the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty, the first cooler 400 may be stopped and restarted to detect whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 again based on a current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530.

[0264] In a case where the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 continues to be outside the reference current range for the predetermined period of time even though the above-described process is repeated several times, the at least one processor 351 may perform separate control.

[0265] That is, in a case where the failure of the first cooler 400 has occurred more than the reference number of times (e.g., three times) (Yes in operation 1005), the at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the first cooler 400 (1013), and may restart the first cooler 400 (1017) in response to the elapse of a third period of time longer than the second period of time (Yes in operation 1015).

[0266] Here, the third period of time may be an appropriate time for stopping the operation of the first cooler 400 whose failure has been repeated several times for a relatively long period of time, and may be, for example, 24 hours.

[0267] As such, whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 may be detected by detecting the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530, and control may be performed based on the detection, thereby allowing normal operation of the first cooler 400.

[0268] The at least one processor 351 may detect that the failure has been resolved in a case where the detected current after detecting the failure in the first cooler 400 is not outside the reference current range for the first period of time or longer.

[0269] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a temperature detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0270] As another example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where a temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor 850 or the heat dissipation sensor 860 is outside a reference range.

[0271] Referring to FIG. 11, in a case where the heat absorption sensor 850 detects a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element 530 and the detected temperature value is determined to be outside a reference temperature range for a fourth period of time (Yes in operation 1101), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0272] Here, the fourth period of time may be set to an appropriate period of time for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, a period of time for detecting a sensing value 50 times. The reference temperature range may also be an appropriate temperature value range for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, −25° C. to 95° C.

[0273] That is, in a case where the temperature of the air absorbed by the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of −25° C. to 95° C. for the fourth period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0274] The at least one processor 351 may reduce a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 in a case where the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor 850 is outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0275] For example, when the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor 850 is significantly low, ice and the like may accumulate, lowering an operating efficiency. Accordingly, the at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage by adjusting an operating rate of the thermoelectric element 530. For example, the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 may be reduced to a first voltage (1103), and the first voltage may be 22 V.

[0276] Referring to FIG. 12, in a case where the heat dissipation sensor 860 detects a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element 530 and the detected temperature value is determined to be outside a reference temperature range for the fourth period of time (Yes in operation 1201), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0277] Here, the reference temperature range may be the same as the reference temperature range for detecting a failure based on the detection result by the heat absorption sensor 850. For example, the reference temperature range may be −25° C. to 95° C. In addition, because a detection value by the heat absorption sensor 850 and a detection value by the heat dissipation sensor 860 are generally different, the reference temperature ranges may be set differently.

[0278] That is, in a case where the reference temperature ranges are set to be the same and the temperature of the air discharged by the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of −25° C. to 95° C. for the fourth period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0279] The at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 in a case where the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor 860 is outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0280] For example, when the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor 860 is significantly high, the thermoelectric element 530 may be overheated, and thus to prevent the above, the at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 by adjusting an operating rate of the thermoelectric element 530. For example, the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 may be reduced to a second voltage lower than the first voltage (1203), and the second voltage may be 18 V.

[0281] As such, whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 may be detected by detecting the temperature of the air absorbed or discharged by the thermoelectric element 530, and control may be performed based on the detection, thereby allowing efficient operation.

[0282] The at least one processor 351 may detect that the failure has been resolved in a case where the detected temperature after detecting the failure in the first cooler 400 is not outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time or longer.

[0283] In the above-described embodiment, 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 may be configured to detect the temperature of air absorbed or discharged by the thermoelectric element 530 as a separate configuration of the first cooler 400.

[0284] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a fan rotation speed according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0285] As still another example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is less than a reference rotation speed.

[0286] Referring to FIG. 13, in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is detected and the detected rotation speed is determined to be less than the reference rotation speed for a fifth period of time (Yes in operation 1301), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0287] Here, the fifth period of time may be set to an appropriate period of time for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 10 minutes. The reference rotation speed may also be an appropriate rotation speed value for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 400 revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0288] That is, in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is detected to be less than 400 RPM for the fifth period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0289] The at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the thermoelectric element 530 while maintaining the operation of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 (1303), in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is less than the reference rotation speed for the fifth period of time.

[0290] As such, whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 may be detected by detecting the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800, and control may be performed based on the detection, thereby allowing efficient operation.

[0291] The at least one processor 351 may detect that the failure has been resolved in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is determined to be greater than or equal to the reference rotation speed for a sixth period of time or longer.

[0292] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling 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.

[0293] According to the disclosure, a proper temperature of the refrigerator may be maintained and efficient operation may be performed by detecting various types of failure of a thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the type of failure.

[0294] In addition, a temperature of the refrigerator may be maintained by increasing an operating intensity of a refrigeration cycle device in response to a failure of a thermoelectric cooler.

[0295] The at least one processor may be configured to increase or decrease a target temperature of the storage compartment based on the failure in the first cooler.

[0296] The refrigerator may further include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a first period of time.

[0297] The at least one processor may be configured to stop an operation of the first cooler in response to the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range for the first period of time, and restart the first cooler in response to an elapse of a second period of time.

[0298] The at least one processor may be configured to stop the operation of the first cooler for a third period of time longer than the second period of time based on the failure in the first cooler occurring more than a reference number of times.

[0299] The refrigerator may further include a voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside a reference voltage range for a first period of time.

[0300] The at least one processor may be configured to stop an operation of the first cooler in response to the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside the reference voltage range for the first period of time, and restart the first cooler in response to an elapse of a second period of time.

[0301] The first cooler may further include: a heat absorption sensor configured to detect a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element; and a heat dissipation sensor configured to detect a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside a reference temperature range for a fourth period of time.

[0302] The at least one processor may be configured to reduce a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler in response to the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0303] The at least one processor may be 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 for the fourth period of time, 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 for the fourth period of time

[0304] The failure in the first cooler may include a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than a reference rotation speed for a fifth period of time.

[0305] The at least one processor may be configured to maintain an operation of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan and stop an operation of the thermoelectric element, in response to the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than the reference rotation speed for the fifth period of time

[0306] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling 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 failure occurs in the first cooler; and increasing an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler based on the failure in the first cooler.

[0307] The method may further include increasing or decreasing a target temperature of the storage compartment based on the failure in the first cooler.

[0308] The refrigerator may further include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a first period of time.

[0309] The method may further include stopping an operation of the first cooler in response to the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range for the first period of time, and restarting the first cooler in response to an elapse of a second period of time.

[0310] The method may further include stopping the operation of the first cooler for a third period of time longer than the second period of time based on the failure in the first cooler occurring more than a reference number of times.

[0311] The first cooler may further include: a heat absorption sensor configured to detect a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element; and a heat dissipation sensor configured to detect a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside a reference temperature range for a fourth period of time.

[0312] The method may further include reducing a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler in response to the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0313] The reducing of 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 for the fourth period of time, 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 for the fourth period of time.

[0314] The failure in the first cooler may include a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than a reference rotation speed for a fifth period of time.

[0315] The method may further include maintaining an operation of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan and stopping an operation of the thermoelectric element, in response to the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than the reference rotation speed for the fifth period of time.

[0316] According to the disclosure, the refrigerator and the method for controlling the same may maintain a proper temperature of the refrigerator and operate efficiently by detecting various types of failure of a thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the type of failure.

[0317] In addition, the refrigerator and the method for controlling the same may maintain a temperature of the refrigerator by increasing an operating intensity of a refrigeration cycle device in response to a failure of a thermoelectric cooler.

[0318] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, the instructions may create a program module to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0319] The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media storing instructions that can be interpreted by a computer. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disc, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0320] Also, the computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium, wherein the term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0321] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included 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., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloadable or uploadable) online via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. When distributed online, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

[0322] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, a person having ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that other specific modifications may be easily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in all aspects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0038]Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0039]In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0040]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0041]In the 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 corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0042]As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043]Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”,...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT / KR2025 / 001078, filed on Jan. 20, 2025, which is based on and claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0032701, filed on Mar. 7, 2024, and Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0103427, filed on Aug. 2, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a refrigerator including a thermoelectric element and a compressor to cool a storage compartment, and a method for controlling the refrigerator.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A refrigerator is an appliance that is equipped with a main body having a storage compartment and a cold air supply device for supplying the storage compartment with cold air to store food in a fresh state.

[0004] A thermoelectric cooler that generates heating and cooling by the Peltier effect may be used as a cold air supply device of a refrigerator. The thermoelectric cooler may include a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element has a heating portion formed on one side and a cooling portion formed on the opposite side, and when current is applied to the thermoelectric element, heating may occur in the heating portion and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion.

[0005] The thermoelectric cooler may include a heat sink, a cooling sink, a heat dissipation fan, a cooling fan, a heat dissipation duct, and a cooling duct to increase the cooling efficiency of a storage compartment through the thermoelectric cooler.DISCLOSURETechnical Problem

[0006] The disclosure provides a refrigerator that may maintain a proper temperature of the refrigerator by detecting various types of failure of a thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the type of failure, and a method for controlling the same.

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

[0008] Technical objects that can be achieved by the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other technical objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure belongs from the following description.Technical Solution

[0009] Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a refrigerator includes a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler configured to cool the storage compartment, and including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan; a second cooler configured to cool the storage compartment, and including a compressor, and an evaporator fan; and at least one processor configured to, based on a failure in the first cooler, increase an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the failure in the first cooler, increase or decrease a target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element. The failure in the first cooler may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a predetermined first period of time.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range for the predetermined first period of time, stop an operation of the first cooler, and, based on an elapse of a predetermined second period of time, restart the operation of the first cooler.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the failure in the first cooler occurring more than a reference number of times, stop the operation of the first cooler for a predetermined third period of time that is longer than the predetermined second period of time.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may further include a voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element. The failure in the first cooler may include the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside a reference voltage range for a predetermined first period of time.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside the reference voltage range for the predetermined first period of time, stop an operation of the first cooler, and, based on an elapse of a predetermined second period of time, restart the operation of the first cooler.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first cooler may include a heat absorption sensor configured to detect a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element, and a heat dissipation sensor configured to detect a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element. The failure in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside a reference temperature range for a predetermined period of time.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a first voltage, and, based on the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a second voltage.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the failure in the first cooler may include a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than a reference rotation speed for a predetermined period of time.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to, based on the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than the reference rotation speed for the predetermined period of time, maintain an operation of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan, and stop an operation of the thermoelectric element.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first cooler configured to cool the storage compartment and including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan, and a second cooler configured to cool the storage compartment and including a compressor and an evaporator fan, the method including detecting whether a failure occurs in the first cooler; and, based on the failure in the first cooler being detected, increasing an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include, based on the failure in the first cooler being detected, increasing or decreasing a target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the refrigerator may include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler being detected may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a predetermined period of time.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] These and / or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating communication among a home appliance, a server, a user terminal, and the like.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which doors of a refrigerator are opened according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an upper part of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along I-I′ of FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a current detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a temperature detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a fan rotation speed according to an embodiment of the disclosure.MODES OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0038] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0039] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0040] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0041] In the 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 corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0042] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0044] Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of any element.

[0045] It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and / or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0046] When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0047] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0048] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cabinet.

[0049] The “cabinet” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0050] The “inner case” may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The “outer case” may form an appearance of the cabinet, and be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.

[0051] The “insulation” may insulate an inside of the storage compartment from an outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. The foaming insulation may be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with jigs, etc., and then injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.

[0053] The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space corresponding to the storage compartment. The storage compartment may store a variety of items, such as food, medicines, cosmetics, and the like, and the storage compartment may be configured to be open on at least one side for insertion and removal of the items.

[0054] The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.

[0055] The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and may include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and / or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as either a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.

[0056] The storage compartment may also be referred to by various terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, etc., as used below are to be understood as representing storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

[0057] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted to the front of the cabinet.

[0058] The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door, like the cabinet, may include an insulation to insulate the storage compartment in a closed state.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

[0060] A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the cabinet when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forming the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

[0062] The refrigerator may be classified as French Door Type, Side-by-side Type, Bottom Mounted Freezer (BMF), Top Mounted Freezer (TMF), or Single Door Refrigerator according to the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

[0063] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

[0064] The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and / or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device 450 having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the refrigeration cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

[0066] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

[0067] The “machine compartment” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated by the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed in the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the cabinet.

[0068] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

[0069] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0070] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

[0071] 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 cold air supply device, etc., in accordance with the programs and / or data stored in the memory.

[0072] The memory may store or record various information, data, instructions, programs, and the like necessary for operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0073] The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an artificial intelligence (AI) model operation. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

[0074] Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface in accordance with the programs and / or data memorized / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided with an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

[0075] The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0076] The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and a memory for controlling all of the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device in accordance with to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately provided with a processor and a memory for controlling the operation of the user interface in accordance with the user input.

[0077] A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0078] The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

[0079] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

[0080] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating communication among a home appliance, a server, a user terminal, and the like.

[0081] A home appliance 1000 may include a communication module capable of communicating with another home appliance, a user device 2000, or a server 3000, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the home appliance 1000, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the home appliance 1000.

[0082] The home appliance 1000 may be at least one of various types of home appliances. For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the home appliance 1000 may include at least one of a refrigerator 1, a dishwasher 1200, an electric range 1300, an electric oven 1400, an air conditioner 1500, a clothes treating apparatus 1600, a washing machine 1700, a dryer 1800, or a microwave oven 1900, but is not limited thereto. For example, the home appliance 1000 may include various types of appliances not shown in the drawings, such as a cleaning robot, a vacuum cleaner, a television, and the like. Furthermore, the aforementioned home appliances are by way of example only, and in addition to the aforementioned home appliances, other appliances connected to other home appliance, the user device 2000, or the server 3000 to perform operations described below may be included in the home appliance 1000 according to an embodiment.

[0083] The server 3000 may include a communication module communicating with another server, the home appliance 1000, or the user device 2000, at least one processor that processes data received from another server, the home appliance 1000, or the user device 2000, and at least one memory that stores programs for processing data or processed data. The server 3000 may be implemented as a variety of computing devices, such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, and the like. The server 3000 may be implemented as one or more server physically or logically separated based on a function, detailed configuration of function, or data, and may transmit and receive data through communication between servers and process the transmitted and received data.

[0084] The server 3000 may perform functions, such as managing a user account, registering the home appliance 1000 in association with the user account, managing or controlling the registered home appliance 1000, and the like. For example, a user may access the server 3000 via the user device 2000 and may create a user account. The user account may be identified by an identifier (ID) and a password set by the user. The server 3000 may register the home appliance 1000 with the user account according to a predetermined procedure. For example, the server 3000 may link identification information of the home appliance 1000 (e.g., a serial number or MAC address) to the user account to register, manage, and control the home appliance 1000. The user device 2000 may include a communication module capable of communicating with the home appliance 1000 or the server 3000, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the user device 2000, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the user device 2000.

[0085] The user device 2000 may be carried by a user, or placed in a user's home or office, or the like. The user device 2000 may include a personal computer (PC), a terminal, a portable telephone, a smartphone, a handheld device, a wearable device, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0086] The memory of the user device 2000 may store a program for controlling the home appliance 1000, i.e. an application. The application may be sold installed on the user device 2000, or may be downloaded from an external server for installation.

[0087] By running the application installed on the user device 2000 by a user, the user may access the server 3000, create a user account, and communicate with the server 3000 based on the login user account to register the home appliance 1000.

[0088] For example, by operating the home appliance 1000 to allow the home appliance 1000 to access the server 3000 according to a procedure guided by the application installed on the user device 2000, the server 3000 may register the home appliance 1000 with the user account by assigning the identification information (e.g., a serial number or a MAC address) of the home appliance 1000 to the corresponding user account.

[0089] A user may control the home appliance 1000 using the application installed on the user device 2000. For example, by logging into a user account with the application installed on the user device 2000, the home appliance 1000 registered in the user account appears, and by inputting a control command for the home appliance 1000, the control command may be delivered to the home appliance 1000 via the server 3000.

[0090] A network may include both a wired network and a wireless network. The wired network may include a cable network or a telephone network, and the wireless network may include any networks transmitting and receiving a signal via radio waves. The wired network and the wireless network may be interconnected.

[0091] The network may include a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) formed around an access point (AP), and a short-range wireless network that does not use an AP. The short-range wireless network may include Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, near field communication (NFC), and Z-Wave, but is not limited thereto.

[0092] The AP may connect the home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 to a WAN connected to the server 3000. The home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 may be connected to the server 3000 via a WAN.

[0093] The AP may communicate with the home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 using wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), and the like, and access a WAN using wired communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0094] According to various embodiments, the home appliance 1000 may be directly connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 without going through an AP.

[0095] The home appliance 1000 may be connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 via a long-range wireless network or a short-range wireless network.

[0096] For example, the home appliance 1000 may be connected to the user device 2000 via a short-range wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct).

[0097] In another example, the home appliance 1000 may be connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 via a WAN using a long-range wireless network (e.g., a cellular communication module).

[0098] In still another example, the home appliance 1000 may access a WAN using wired communication, and may be connected to the user device 2000 or the server 3000 via a WAN.

[0099] When accessing a WAN using wired communication, the home appliance 1000 may also act as an AP. Accordingly, the home appliance 1000 may connect another home appliance to a WAN to which the server 3000 is connected. In addition, another home appliance may connect the home appliance 1000 to the WAN to which the server 3000 is connected.

[0100] The home appliance 1000 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2000, or the server 3000 via the network. For example, the home appliance 1000 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2000 or the server 3000 upon receiving a request from the server 3000, in response to an event in the home appliance 1000, or periodically or in real time. Upon receiving the information about the operation or state from the home appliance 1000, the server 3000 may update the stored information about the operation or state of the home appliance 1000 and transmit the updated information about the operation and state of the home appliance 1000 to the user device 2000 via the network. Here, updating the information may include various operations in which existing information is changed, such as adding new information to the existing information, replacing the existing information with new information, and the like.

[0101] The home appliance 1000 may obtain various information from other home appliances, the user device 2000, or the server 3000, and may provide the obtained information to a user. For example, the home appliance 1000 may obtain information related to a function of the home appliance 1000 (e.g., recipes, washing instructions, etc.) from the server 3000 and various environmental information (e.g., weather, temperature, humidity, etc.), and may output the obtained information via a user interface.

[0102] The home appliance 1000 may operate in accordance with a control command received from other home appliances, the user device 2000, or the server 3000. For example, the home appliance 1000 may operate in accordance with a control command received from the server 3000, based on a prior authorization obtained from a user to operate in accordance with the control command of the server 3000 even without a user input. Here, the control command received from the server 3000 may include a control command input by the user via the user device 2000 or a control command based on preset conditions, but is not limited thereto.

[0103] The user device 2000 may transmit information about a user to the home appliance 1000 or the server 3000 via the communication module. For example, the user device 2000 may transmit information about a user's location, a user's health condition (i.e., state), a user's preference, a user's schedule, and the like to the server 3000. The user device 2000 may transmit information about the user to the server 3000 based on the user's prior authorization.

[0104] The home appliance 1000, the user device 2000, or the server 3000 may use techniques, such as artificial intelligence (AI) to determine a control command. For example, the server 3000 may receive information about an operation or a state of the home appliance 1000 or information about a user of the user device 2000, process the received information using techniques, such as AI, and transmit a processing result or a control command to the home appliance 1000 or the user device 2000 based on the processing result.

[0105] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the refrigerator 1 among the above-described home appliance 1000 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0106] FIG. 2 illustrates a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which doors of a refrigerator are opened according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an upper part of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along I-I′ of FIG. 3.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 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.

[0108] The main body 100 may include an inner case, an outer case coupled to the outer side of the inner case, and an insulation 190 provided between the inner case and the outer case (see FIG. 6). The inner case may form the storage compartments 11, 12, and 13, and the outer case may form the exterior of the main body 100.

[0109] In another aspect, the main body 100 may include an upper wall 110, a lower wall 120, a left wall 130, a right wall 140, and a rear wall 150. The upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140, and the rear wall 150 may form an upper side, a lower side, a left side, a right side, and a rear side of the main body 100, respectively.

[0110] Each of the upper wall 110, lower wall 120, left wall 130, right wall 140, and rear wall 150 may be constructed with the inner case, the outer case, and the insulation 190. For example, an upper side of the upper wall 110 may be formed by the outer case, a lower side of the upper wall 110 may be formed by the inner case, and the insulation 190 may be provided inside the upper wall 110.

[0111] The storage compartments 11, 12, and 13 may accommodate items. The storage compartments 11, 12, and 13 may be formed so that the front is open to allow items to be put in or taken out. The main body 100 may include a horizontal partition wall 160 separating the first storage compartment 11 from the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13, and a vertical partition wall 161 separating the second storage compartment 12 from the third storage compartment 13. The first storage compartment 11 may be formed in an upper part of the main body 100, and the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13 may be formed in a lower part of the main body 100. The first storage compartment 11 may be a refrigerating compartment. The second storage compartment 12 may be a freezing compartment. The third storage compartment 13 may be a temperature conversion compartment.

[0112] The first storage compartment 11 may be maintained at a first set temperature, the second storage compartment 12 may be maintained at a second set temperature, and the third storage compartment 13 may be maintained at a third set temperature.

[0113] The second set temperature may be set lower than the first set temperature and the third set temperature. The second set temperature, the first set temperature, and the third set temperature may be set by a user.

[0114] The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may open and close the storage compartments 11, 12, and 13. The first door 21 and the second door 22 may open and close the first storage compartment 11, the third door 23 may open and close the second storage compartment 12, and the fourth door 24 may open and close the third storage compartment 13. The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100.

[0115] The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100 by hinges. For example, the first door 21 and the second door 22 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 100 by a hinge 31 disposed on the upper part of the main body 100 and a hinge disposed in the middle of the main body 100, respectively. The hinge 31 may include a hinge pin that protrudes vertically to form a rotation axis of the door. The hinge 31 may be covered by a top cover 300 provided to cover an upper front part of the main body 100.

[0116] A rotation bar 40 may be arranged on one of the first door 21 and the second door 22 to cover a gap between the first door 21 and the second door 22 when the first door 21 and the second door 22 are closed. The rotation bar 40 may be rotatably disposed on one of the first door 21 and the second door 22. The rotation bar 40 may have a rod shape elongated in a vertical direction. The rotation bar 40 may also be referred to as a pillar, a mullion, and the like.

[0117] A guide protrusion 46 may be disposed at an upper end of the rotation bar 40, and a rotating guide 119 that guides the rotation of the guide protrusion 46 may be disposed at the upper part of the main body 100.

[0118] The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may include a gasket 51. The gasket 51 may make close contact with a front side of the main body 100 when the doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 are closed. The doors 21, 22, 23, and 24 may each include a dyke 52 that protrudes rearward. A door shelf 53 capable of storing items may be mounted on the dyke 52. The rotation bar 40 may be rotatably installed on the dyke 52.

[0119] Although the number and arrangement of the storage compartments and the number and arrangement of the doors have been described above, the number and arrangement of the storage compartments and the number and arrangement of the doors of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure are not limited.

[0120] The refrigerator 1 may include a thermoelectric cooler 400 to cool the storage compartment 11.

[0121] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may be disposed above the storage compartment 11 to cool the storage compartment 11. That is, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be disposed on the upper wall 110 of the main body 100.

[0122] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a thermoelectric element 530. The thermoelectric element 530 may be a semiconductor device that converts thermal energy into electrical energy and converts electrical energy into thermal energy using the thermoelectric effect. The thermoelectric element 530 may be referred to by various terms, such as a semiconductor thermoelectric element and a Peltier element.

[0123] The thermoelectric element 530 includes a heating portion 531 and a cooling portion 532. When current is applied to the thermoelectric element 530, heating may occur in the heating portion 531 and heat absorption may occur in the cooling portion 532. The thermoelectric element 530 may have a thin hexahedral shape. The heating portion 531 may be formed on one side of the thermoelectric element 530, and the cooling portion 532 may be formed on the opposite side.

[0124] The thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed on the upper wall 110 such that the heating portion 531 may be positioned above the thermoelectric element 530 and the cooling portion 532 may be positioned below the thermoelectric element 530. That is, the heating portion 531 may face the outside of the main body 100 and the cooling portion 532 may face the inside of the storage compartment 11. Accordingly, the air that has been warmed by heat exchange with the heating portion 531 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 100, and the air that has been cooled by heat exchange with the cooling portion 532 may be supplied to the storage compartment 11.

[0125] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat sink 520 that contacts the heating portion 531 to allow heat exchange between the heating portion 531 and the outside air of the main body 100 to be efficiently performed.

[0126] The heat sink 520 may be located on the outside of the main body 100. The heat sink 520 may contact the heating portion 531 to absorb heat from the heating portion 531 and dissipate heat to the outside of the main body 100. The heat sink 520 may be referred to by various terms, such as a hot sink, a heatsink, and a hot heat sink.

[0127] The heat sink 520 may be formed of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat sink 520 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0128] The heat sink 520 may include a heat sink base 521 that contacts the heating portion 531, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 that protrude from the heat sink base 521 to expand a heat transfer area. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude upward from the heat sink base 521.

[0129] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling sink 570 that contacts the cooling portion 532 to allow heat exchange between the cooling portion 532 and the air in the storage compartment 11 to be efficiently performed.

[0130] The cooling sink 570 may be located inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling sink 570 may absorb heat from the storage compartment 11 and transfer to the cooling portion 532. Accordingly, the storage compartment 11 may be cooled. The cooling sink 570 may be referred to by various terms, such as a cold sink, a cold heat sink, and a cooling heat sink.

[0131] The cooling sink 570 may be formed of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity. For example, the cooling sink 570 may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0132] The cooling sink 570 may include a cooling sink base 571 that contacts the cooling portion 532, and a plurality of cooling fins 575 that protrude from the cooling sink base 571 to expand a heat transfer area. The plurality of cooling fins 575 may protrude downward from the cooling sink base 571. The cooling sink base 571 and the plurality of cooling fins 575 may be formed integrally.

[0133] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat dissipation fan 600 that causes air to flow to allow heat exchange between the heat sink 520 and the outside air of the main body 100 to be efficiently performed.

[0134] The heat dissipation fan 600 may blow air toward the heat sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be positioned in a horizontal direction of the heat sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be disposed on the outside of the main body 100. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0135] The heat dissipation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan that draws in air in an axial direction and discharges the air in a radial direction. The centrifugal fan may include a blower fan. A rotation axis 610 of the heat dissipation fan 600 may be disposed vertically on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0136] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a heat dissipation duct 700 to guide air flowing by the heat dissipation fan 600. The heat dissipation duct 700 may guide the outside air of the main body 100 to exchange heat with the heat sink 520. Air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 100 through the heat dissipation duct 700.

[0137] The heat dissipation duct 700 may draw in the air from an external space above the main body 100. The heat dissipation duct 700 may discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 to the external space above the main body 100. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be located inside the heat dissipation duct 700. The heat sink 520 may be located inside the heat dissipation duct 700. The heat dissipation duct 700 may be disposed on the upper side of the upper wall 110.

[0138] The heat dissipation duct 700 may include an outside air inlet 751 for drawing the outside air of the main body 100 into the heat dissipation duct 700, and an outside air outlet 782 for discharging air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 to the outside of the main body 100.

[0139] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a cooling fan 800 that causes air to flow to allow heat exchange between the cooling sink 570 and the air in the storage compartment 11 to be efficiently performed.

[0140] The cooling fan 800 may blow air toward the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be positioned in a horizontal direction of the cooling sink 570. The cooling fan 800 may be disposed inside the storage compartment 11. The cooling fan 800 may be disposed on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0141] The cooling fan 800 may be a centrifugal fan that draws in air in the axial direction and discharges the air in a radial direction. A rotation axis 810 of the cooling fan 800 may be disposed vertically on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0142] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include the cooling duct 900 to guide air flowing by the cooling fan 800. The cooling fan 800 may guide the air in the storage compartment 11 to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570. Air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 may be discharged back into the storage compartment 11 through the cooling duct 900.

[0143] The cooling fan 800 may be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling sink 570 may be located inside the cooling duct 900. The cooling duct 900 may be disposed on the lower side of the upper wall 110.

[0144] The cooling duct 900 may include an internal air inlet 991 for drawing air inside the storage compartment 11 into the cooling duct 900, and an internal air outlet 992 for discharging the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 into the storage compartment 11.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 5, the refrigerator 1 may include the refrigeration cycle device 450 to cool the storage compartment through a refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle device 450 may include a compressor 2, a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and an evaporator 3. The evaporator 3 may be disposed at the rear of the storage compartments 12 and 13.

[0146] According to various embodiments, the evaporator may not be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment 11. That is, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include only one evaporator 3, and the evaporator 3 may be disposed at the rear of the second storage compartment 12. The evaporator 3 may also be disposed at a lower part based on the horizontal partition wall 160.

[0147] The refrigerator 1 may include a defrost sensor 111 for measuring a temperature of the evaporator 3.

[0148] The defrost sensor 111 may measure the temperature of the evaporator 3. Measuring the temperature of the evaporator 3 may include measuring a temperature of the air around the evaporator 3 and measuring a temperature of the evaporator 3 itself.

[0149] The defrost sensor 111 may be provided on the evaporator 3 or may be provided in evaporator ducts 60 and 70.

[0150] The refrigerator 1 may include the evaporator ducts 60 and 70 to guide cold air generated in the evaporator 3. The first evaporator duct 60 may be disposed at the rear of the second storage compartment 12 and the third storage compartment 13. The second evaporator duct 70 may be disposed at the rear of the first storage compartment 11.

[0151] The cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 by the evaporator fan 80. The cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be discharged to the second storage compartment 12 or the third storage compartment 13 through a cold air outlet (not shown) formed at the front. In addition, the cold air drawn into the first evaporator duct 60 may be guided to an internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70. The first evaporator duct 60 may be provided with a damper 61 to control the supply of the cold air in the first evaporator duct 60 to the second evaporator duct 70. A connection duct 90 may be disposed 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.

[0152] The internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 may guide the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 to the first storage compartment 11.

[0153] The damper 61 may open or close the internal flow path 78.

[0154] When the internal flow path 78 is opened by the damper 61, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be guided to the first storage compartment 11.

[0155] When the internal flow path 78 is closed by the damper 61, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be blocked by the damper 61 and may not be guided to the first storage compartment 11.

[0156] The cold air flowing into the internal flow path 78 of the second evaporator duct 70 may be supplied to the first storage compartment 11 through a cold air outlet 72 formed on the front side of the second evaporator duct 70.

[0157] However, unlike the above embodiment, the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 may be supplied directly to the second evaporator duct 70 without passing through the first evaporator duct 60. In addition, a separate evaporator 3 for supplying cold air to the second evaporator duct 70 may be provided at the rear of the first storage compartment 11.

[0158] As such, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the thermoelectric cooler 400 and the refrigeration cycle device 450 for cooling the storage compartment. Accordingly, the storage compartment may be cooled by using at least one of the thermoelectric cooler 400 or the refrigeration cycle device 450. For example, the storage compartment may 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. In addition, the storage compartment may be cooled by supplying the cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooler 400 together with the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0159] The refrigerator 1 may supply cold air to the storage compartment 11 according to external and internal conditions. For example, in a case where an outside 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, in a case where the outside temperature of the refrigerator 1 is higher or lower than the preset temperature range, the storage compartment 11 may be cooled only by the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450.

[0160] In a case where the outside temperature of the refrigerator 1 is within the preset temperature range and the storage compartment 11 is overloaded or the storage compartment 11 requires to be rapidly cooled, the cold air generated by the refrigeration cycle device 450 and the cold air generated by the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be supplied to the storage compartment 11 simultaneously to cool the storage compartment 11 rapidly.

[0161] 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.

[0162] According to various embodiments, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be provided on at least one of the upper wall 110, the lower wall 120, the left wall 130, the right wall 140, or the rear wall 150.

[0163] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a thermoelectric cooler according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 7, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may include a thermoelectric module 500.

[0165] The above-described thermoelectric element 530, the heat sink 520, and the cooling sink 570 may be integrally assembled as the thermoelectric module 500. That is, the thermoelectric module 500 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat sink 520, the cooling sink 570, and a module plate 550.

[0166] The module plate 550 may serve as a frame of the thermoelectric module 500. The module plate 550 may be formed of a resin material having a low thermal conductivity. The module plate 550 may maintain a gap between the heat sink 520 and the cooling sink 570, and may support the heat sink 520 and the cooling sink 570. The module plate 550 may be formed integrally with a fan case 650 to be described below. However, the module plate 550 may be provided separately from the fan case 650.

[0167] The module plate 550 may include a heat sink support 552 supporting the heat sink 520.

[0168] The module plate 550 may include a module plate opening 551. The thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed inside the module plate opening 551. A vertical length of the module plate opening 551 may be larger than that of the thermoelectric element 530, and the thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed at an upper end of the module plate opening 551. In general, the heat generation amount of the thermoelectric element 530 is higher than the heat absorption amount, and it is advantageous for heat dissipation of the heating portion 531 that the thermoelectric element 530 is located at the upper end of the module plate opening 551. Accordingly, the thermoelectric element 530 may be disposed at the upper end of the module plate opening 551.

[0169] As such, because the thermoelectric element 530 is disposed at the upper end of the module plate opening 551, the cooling sink 570 may include a cooling conductive portion 574 protruding from the cooling sink base 571 to contact the cooling portion 532 of the thermoelectric element 530.

[0170] The thermoelectric module 500 may include an element insulation 540 to insulate the module plate 550 and the thermoelectric element 530. The element insulation 540 may be disposed in the module plate opening 551 to prevent sides 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.

[0171] The thermoelectric module 500 may include a sink insulation 580 between the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570. The sink insulation 580 may prevent heat from being transferred between the heat sink 520 and the cooling sink 570 through the module plate 550. The sink insulation 580 may include a sink insulation opening 581. However, the sink insulation 580 may be omitted. In this case, the heat sink 520 may be supported on an upper side of the module plate 550 and the cooling sink 570 may be supported on a lower side of the module plate 550.

[0172] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include the fan case 650 on which the heat dissipation fan 600 is installed, and the fan case 650 may guide air flowing by the heat dissipation fan 600.

[0173] The fan case 650 may be formed integrally with the module plate 550 or may be provided separately.

[0174] The fan case 650 may include a case bottom 660 on which the heat dissipation fan 600 is rotatably installed, and a case scroll portion 670 extending upward from an edge of the case bottom 660 to guide air blown from the heat dissipation fan 600 toward the heat sink 520. The heat dissipation fan 600 may be a centrifugal fan, and may be installed on the case bottom 660 to allow the rotation axis 610 to be perpendicular to the case bottom 660. In addition, the heat sink 520 may be positioned in a radial direction of the heat dissipation fan 600. With the structure described above, an overall vertical length of the thermoelectric cooler 400 may be compact.

[0175] The case scroll portion 670 may be formed to surround the heat dissipation fan 600. The case scroll portion 670 may have a scroll portion opening 673 open toward the heat sink 520. The case scroll portion 670 may include a downstream end 671 along a rotational direction R of the heat dissipation fan 600 and an upstream end 672 along the rotational direction R.

[0176] The fan case 650 may include a case guide 680 to guide air flowing from the heat dissipation fan 600 to the vicinity of the downstream end 671 of the case scroll portion 670.

[0177] The heat sink 520 may include a plurality of heat dissipation fins 525. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 525 may protrude from an 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.

[0178] A plurality of heat dissipation channels may be formed between the plurality of heat dissipation fins 525.

[0179] The heat dissipation fan 600 may blow air toward the heat sink 520, and the air flowing by the heat dissipation fan 600 may pass through the heat dissipation channels and exchange heat with the plurality of heat dissipation fins 525.

[0180] The cooling sink 570 may include a plurality of cooling fins 575. The plurality of cooling fins 575 may be formed to extend in a direction parallel to a lower side of the cooling sink base 571.

[0181] A plurality of cooling channels may be formed between the plurality of cooling fins 575.

[0182] The air flowing by the cooling fan 800 may pass through the cooling channels and exchange heat with the plurality of cooling fins 575.

[0183] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 8, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment may include a current sensor 115, a user interface 200, a communication interface 250, the first cooler 400, the second cooler 450, and a controller 350. The controller 350 may include at least one processor 351 and memory 352.

[0185] The current sensor 115 may detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530. The current sensor 115 may transmit information about the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 to the controller 350.

[0186] The refrigerator 1 may include the user interface 200.

[0187] The user interface 200 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0188] The user interface 200 may include a power button, an operation button, a menu selection button, refrigeration / freezing setting button, a rapid cooling setting button, and the like. For example, the user interface 200 may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0189] The user interface 200 may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the refrigerator 1 to a user. Information about the operation of the refrigerator 1 may be output via a screen, an indicator, or a voice. For example, the user interface 200 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

[0190] The refrigerator 1 may include the communication interface 250 for wired and / or wireless communication with an external device.

[0191] The communication interface 250 may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module or a long-range wireless communication module.

[0192] The communication interface 250 may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, a temperature probe) or receive data from the external device. For the communication, the communication interface 250 may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the 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 corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0193] The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0194] The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs 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.

[0195] According to an embodiment, the communication interface 250 may communicate with an external device through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN, to which the refrigerator 1 is connected, to a WAN to which a server is connected. The refrigerator 1 may be connected to the server via the WAN.

[0196] The refrigerator 1 may receive various signals (e.g., weather information, remote instructions) from an external device (e.g., a server, a user device) through the communication interface 250.

[0197] The refrigerator 1 may transmit various signals to the external device through the communication interface 250.

[0198] The refrigerator 1 may include the first cooler 400 configured to cool the first storage compartment 11. The first cooler 400 may be the thermoelectric cooler 400 described above.

[0199] The thermoelectric cooler 400 may include the thermoelectric element 530, the heat dissipation fan 600, and / or the cooling fan 800. In addition, the thermoelectric cooler 400 may further include a heat absorption sensor 850 for detecting a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element 530 and a heat dissipation sensor 860 for detecting a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element 530.

[0200] When power is supplied, the thermoelectric element 530 may allow heat exchange to occur between the cooling sink 570 and the heat sink 520. For example, the thermoelectric element 530 may convert electrical energy into heat energy to cause a heat generation process in the heating portion 531 and a heat absorption process in the cooling portion 532.

[0201] When heat generation occurs in the heating portion 531, air warmed by the heat sink 520 that contacts the heating portion 531 may be discharged to the outside of the main body 100, and air cooled by the cooling sink 570 that contacts the cooling portion 532 may be supplied to the first storage compartment 11.

[0202] The controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530. Controlling the thermoelectric element 530 may include controlling the on / off of the thermoelectric element 530. Controlling the thermoelectric element 530 may include controlling a drive circuit that supplies power to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0203] Driving the thermoelectric element 530 may include supplying electrical energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530. Supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include applying voltage and / or current to the thermoelectric element 530.

[0204] Driving the thermoelectric element 530 may include pulse width modulation (PWM) controlling the thermoelectric element 530.

[0205] Turning off the thermoelectric element 530 may include not supplying electrical energy to the thermoelectric element 530, i.e., not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530. Not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include not applying voltage and / or current to the thermoelectric element 530. Not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 may include not PWM controlling the thermoelectric element 530.

[0206] In the disclosure, turning off the thermoelectric element 530 may not include intermittently not supplying power to the thermoelectric element 530 according to an on / off duty ratio while PWM controlling the thermoelectric element 530. That is, even though power is not supplied intermittently to the thermoelectric element 530 according to the on / off duty ratio while the thermoelectric element 530 is PWM controlled, the thermoelectric element 530 is still being driven.

[0207] As the thermoelectric element 530 is driven, the heat sink 520 may contact the heating portion 531 to absorb the heat of the heating portion 531 and may release the heat to the outside of the main body 100.

[0208] As the thermoelectric element 530 is driven, the cooling sink 570 may cool the first storage compartment 11 by removing the heat from the storage compartment 11 and transferring the heat to the cooling portion 532.

[0209] In an embodiment, in a cooling mode, the controller 350 may control the thermoelectric element 530 to maintain a temperature of the first storage compartment 11 at a set temperature of the first storage compartment 11 (hereinafter, ‘first set temperature’). The set temperature of the first storage compartment 11 may be set via the user interface 200 of the refrigerator 1 or may be set remotely from an external device via the communication interface 250.

[0210] The heat dissipation fan 600 may draw in air from outside the main body 100 and guide the drawn air to exchange heat with the heat sink 520, and may discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 back to the outside of the main body 100.

[0211] The controller 350 may control the heat dissipation fan 600. Controlling the heat dissipation fan 600 may include controlling a fan motor of the heat dissipation fan 600. Controlling the heat dissipation fan 600 may include driving the heat dissipation fan 600 and turning off the heat dissipation fan 600. Driving the heat dissipation fan 600 may include rotating the heat dissipation fan 600 at a predetermined speed. Turning off the heat dissipation fan 600 may include stopping the rotation of the heat dissipation fan 600.

[0212] The fan motor of the heat dissipation fan 600 may include a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor whose speed may be controlled.

[0213] According to the operation of the heat dissipation fan 600, the air that has exchanged heat with the heat sink 520 flows, thereby allowing the heat sink 520 to quickly dissipate heat. As the heat sink 520 quickly dissipates heat, the heat generation in the heating portion 531 and the heat absorption in the cooling portion 532 may occur smoothly.

[0214] The cooling fan 800 may draw in air from the storage compartment 11, allow the drawn 15 air to exchange heat with the cooling sink 570, and discharge the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 back into the storage compartment 11.

[0215] The controller 350 may control the cooling fan 800. Controlling the cooling fan 800 may include controlling a fan motor of the cooling fan 800. Controlling the cooling fan 800 may include driving the cooling fan 800 and turning off the cooling fan 800. Driving the cooling fan 800 may include rotating the cooling fan 800 at a predetermined speed. Turning off the cooling fan 800 may include stopping the rotation of the cooling fan 800.

[0216] The fan motor of the cooling fan 800 may include a BLDC motor whose speed may be controlled.

[0217] According to the operation of the cooling fan 800, the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 flows, thereby rapidly cooling the inside of the storage compartment 11. As the air that has exchanged heat with the cooling sink 570 flows, the heat generation in the heating portion 531 and the heat absorption in the cooling portion 532 may occur smoothly.

[0218] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned on. The controller 350 may turn off the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off.

[0219] In an embodiment, the controller 350 may operate the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 based on the thermoelectric element 530 being turned off in a defrosting mode of the thermoelectric element 530. The defrosting mode of the thermoelectric element 530 may be a mode in which the heat dissipation fan 600 and the cooling fan 800 are driven while the thermoelectric element 530 is not driven, in order to defrost the thermoelectric element 530. That is, the controller 350 may turn off the thermoelectric element 530 and drive the cooling fan 800 and the heat dissipation fan 600 to defrost the thermoelectric element 530.

[0220] As such, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may supply the cold air generated by the first cooler 400 to the storage compartment to cool the storage compartment. Cooling the storage compartment 11 by supplying the cold air generated by the first cooler 400 to the storage compartment 11 is referred to as first cooling.

[0221] Meanwhile, the refrigerator 1 may include the 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 refrigeration cycle device 450 described above.

[0222] The second cooler 450 may include the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80.

[0223] The compressor 2 may compress a refrigerant and supply the compressed refrigerant to a heat exchanger (e.g., a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not shown), and the evaporator 3).

[0224] The controller 350 may control a temperature of the cold air generated in the evaporator 3 by controlling the compressor 2. For example, the controller 350 may control the compressor 2 to maintain the temperature measured by the internal sensor 112 at a predetermined target temperature.

[0225] Controlling the compressor 2 may include controlling the on / off of the compressor 2 or controlling an operating frequency of the compressor 2.

[0226] The controller 350 may 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.

[0227] As such, the refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may cool the storage compartment by supplying the cold air generated by the second cooler 450 to the storage compartment. Cooling the storage compartment 11 by supplying the cold air generated by the second cooler 450 to the storage compartment 11 is referred to as second cooling.

[0228] The controller 350 may include at least one processor 351 controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1, and at least one memory 352 storing programs and data for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 1.

[0229] The at least one memory 352 may store data required for various embodiments. The at least one memory 352 may be implemented as a memory embedded in the refrigerator 1, or as a memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 depending on a data storage use. For example, data for driving the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1, and data for an extended function of the refrigerator 1 may be stored in the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1. Meanwhile, the memory embedded in the refrigerator 1 may be implemented as at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), and / or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), a non-volatile memory (e.g., an 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.), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)). In addition, the memory detachable from the refrigerator 1 may be implemented as a memory card (e.g., a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro secure digital (Micro-SD), a mini secure digital (Mini-SD), an extreme digital (xD), or a multi-media card (MMC)), an external memory (e.g., universal serial bus (USB) memory) connectable to a USB port, and the like.

[0230] The at least one processor 351 may control an overall operation of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, the at least one processor 351 may be connected to various components (the current sensor 115, the user interface 200, the communication interface 250, the first cooler 450, the second cooler 400, etc.) of the refrigerator 1 and may control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, the at least one processor 351 may be electrically connected to the memory 352 and may control the overall operation of the refrigerator 1. The processor 351 may be formed as a single processor or a plurality of processors.

[0231] The processor 351 may perform various operations of the refrigerator 1 by processing at least one instruction stored in the memory 352.

[0232] The at least one processor 351 may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), accelerated processing unit (APU), many integrated core (MIC), digital signal processor (DSP), neural processing unit (NPU), hardware accelerator, or machine learning accelerator. The 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. The at least one processor 351 may execute at least one program or instruction stored in the memory 352. For example, the at least one processor 351 may execute at least one instruction stored in the memory 352 to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0233] The refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes the first cooler 400 and the second cooler 450 for cooling the storage compartment 11, and may cool the storage compartment 11 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, may perform only the second cooling by the second cooler 450, or may perform the first cooling by the first cooler 400 and the second cooling by the second cooler 450 simultaneously.

[0234] In a case where the first cooling by the first cooler 400 is performed, the refrigerator 1 may perform control to increase an operating intensity of the second cooler 450 based on a failure in the first cooler 400, which is described in detail below.

[0235] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0236] In a case where cooling is performed by the first cooler 400, i.e., in a state where the first cooler 400 is turned on, the first cooling may not be performed smoothly due to a failure in the first cooler 400, and the like.

[0237] The at least one processor 351 may detect whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400. A failure in the first cooler 400 may be detected based on various states, as described below. Detecting whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 and various operations depending on the failure may be performed by the at least one processor 351, but may also be performed by the server 3000 communicating with the refrigerator 1, etc., as described above. The server 3000 may detect whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 and may transmit the detection result to the refrigerator 1, the user device 2000, or the like.

[0238] In response to detecting the failure in the first cooler 400 (Yes in operation 901), the at least one processor 351 may increase an operating intensity of the second cooler 450 to maintain a cooling performance. That is, an operating speed of the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80 included in the second cooler 450 may be increased (903). Here, the operating speed may be an example of an operating intensity of the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80.

[0239] Thereafter, the at least one processor 351 may perform control to increase or decrease a target temperature of the storage compartment (905).

[0240] In an embodiment, the at least one processor 351 may decrease the target temperature of the storage compartment. Cooling the storage compartment is performed only by the second cooler 450 due to the failure of the first cooler 400, and thus considering that it may be difficult to reach an existing target temperature, the at least one processor 351 may decrease the target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0241] In the above-described embodiment, 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 may also be increased by decreasing the target temperature of the storage compartment without separately controlling the compressor 2 and the evaporator fan 80.

[0242] In another embodiment, the at least one processor 351 may increase the target temperature of the storage compartment.

[0243] In order to efficiently maintain a proper temperature and proper humidity, the at least one processor 351 may increase the target temperature of the storage compartment, considering that significant power may be consumed to cool the storage compartment with only the second cooler 450.

[0244] The at least one processor 351 may increase or decrease the target temperature of the storage compartment considering various conditions such as external situations or power consumption.

[0245] Hereinafter, various processes for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 are described.

[0246] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a current detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0247] As an example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where a current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 is outside a reference range.

[0248] That is, in a case where the current sensor 115 detects the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 (1001), and the detected current value is determined to be outside the reference current range for a first period of time (Yes in operation 1003), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0249] Here, the first period of time may be set to an appropriate period of time for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 60 seconds. The reference current range may also be an appropriate current value range for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 0.5 A to 4.5 A.

[0250] That is, in a case where the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of 0.5 A to 4.5 A for 60 seconds, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0251] It has been described in the above embodiment that the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty in a case where a current value remains outside the reference current range for a predetermined period of time. However, in another embodiment, a predetermined margin may be added to the reference current range, and the first cooler 400 may be detected as faulty in a case where a current value remains outside an extended range including the predetermined margin for a predetermined period of time. For example, in a case where the reference current range is 0.5 A to 4.5 A and a current value is detected to be outside an extended range of 0.4 A to 5.4 A for a predetermined period of time, the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty.

[0252] In connection with determining whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400, the refrigerator 1 according to another embodiment may include a voltage sensor 116. The voltage sensor 116 may detect a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530. The voltage sensor 116 may transmit information about the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 to the controller 350.

[0253] That is, as another example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 is outside a reference range.

[0254] That is, when the voltage sensor 116 detects the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 530 and the detected voltage value is determined to be outside a reference voltage range for the first period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0255] Here, the reference voltage range may be an appropriate voltage value range for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530.

[0256] In connection with determining whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400, an artificial intelligence (AI) model may be used to determine whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400. The AI model may be stored in the memory 352 of the refrigerator 1 or may be stored in a separate external device such as a server.

[0257] The at least one processor 351 may input, to the AI model, the current value detected by the current sensor 115 or the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor 116 as input data, and information about the failure of the first cooler 400 based on the corresponding current value or voltage value as output data.

[0258] The AI model may be trained based on the 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 failure of the first cooler 400 based on the corresponding current value or voltage value.

[0259] Thereafter, the 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 to the trained AI model to determine whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 by the AI model.

[0260] In a case where the number of failure occurrences of the first cooler 400 is less than a reference number (No in operation 1005), the at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the first cooler 400 (1007). The reference number of failure occurrences may be set to perform separate control in a case where the failure of the first cooler 400 continues, and may be, for example, 3 times.

[0261] The at least one processor 351 may restart the first cooler 400 (1011), after a second period of time has elapsed after stopping the operation of the first cooler 400 (Yes in operation 1009). Here, the second period of time may be, for example, 10 minutes.

[0262] Because the number of times the first cooler 400 has been detected as faulty is less than the reference number, the first cooler 400 may be stopped for a relatively short period of time (e.g., 10 minutes) and restarted to confirm again whether the first cooler 400 is operating normally.

[0263] As such, in a case where the first cooler 400 is detected as faulty, the first cooler 400 may be stopped and restarted to detect whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 again based on a current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530.

[0264] In a case where the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530 continues to be outside the reference current range for the predetermined period of time even though the above-described process is repeated several times, the at least one processor 351 may perform separate control.

[0265] That is, in a case where the failure of the first cooler 400 has occurred more than the reference number of times (e.g., three times) (Yes in operation 1005), the at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the first cooler 400 (1013), and may restart the first cooler 400 (1017) in response to the elapse of a third period of time longer than the second period of time (Yes in operation 1015).

[0266] Here, the third period of time may be an appropriate time for stopping the operation of the first cooler 400 whose failure has been repeated several times for a relatively long period of time, and may be, for example, 24 hours.

[0267] As such, whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 may be detected by detecting the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 530, and control may be performed based on the detection, thereby allowing normal operation of the first cooler 400.

[0268] The at least one processor 351 may detect that the failure has been resolved in a case where the detected current after detecting the failure in the first cooler 400 is not outside the reference current range for the first period of time or longer.

[0269] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a temperature detection result according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0270] As another example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where a temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor 850 or the heat dissipation sensor 860 is outside a reference range.

[0271] Referring to FIG. 11, in a case where the heat absorption sensor 850 detects a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element 530 and the detected temperature value is determined to be outside a reference temperature range for a fourth period of time (Yes in operation 1101), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0272] Here, the fourth period of time may be set to an appropriate period of time for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, a period of time for detecting a sensing value 50 times. The reference temperature range may also be an appropriate temperature value range for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, −25° C. to 95° C.

[0273] That is, in a case where the temperature of the air absorbed by the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of −25° C. to 95° C. for the fourth period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0274] The at least one processor 351 may reduce a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 in a case where the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor 850 is outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0275] For example, when the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor 850 is significantly low, ice and the like may accumulate, lowering an operating efficiency. Accordingly, the at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage by adjusting an operating rate of the thermoelectric element 530. For example, the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 may be reduced to a first voltage (1103), and the first voltage may be 22 V.

[0276] Referring to FIG. 12, in a case where the heat dissipation sensor 860 detects a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element 530 and the detected temperature value is determined to be outside a reference temperature range for the fourth period of time (Yes in operation 1201), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0277] Here, the reference temperature range may be the same as the reference temperature range for detecting a failure based on the detection result by the heat absorption sensor 850. For example, the reference temperature range may be −25° C. to 95° C. In addition, because a detection value by the heat absorption sensor 850 and a detection value by the heat dissipation sensor 860 are generally different, the reference temperature ranges may be set differently.

[0278] That is, in a case where the reference temperature ranges are set to be the same and the temperature of the air discharged by the thermoelectric element 530 is detected to be outside the range of −25° C. to 95° C. for the fourth period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0279] The at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 in a case where the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor 860 is outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0280] For example, when the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor 860 is significantly high, the thermoelectric element 530 may be overheated, and thus to prevent the above, the at least one processor 351 may reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 by adjusting an operating rate of the thermoelectric element 530. For example, the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler 400 may be reduced to a second voltage lower than the first voltage (1203), and the second voltage may be 18 V.

[0281] As such, whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 may be detected by detecting the temperature of the air absorbed or discharged by the thermoelectric element 530, and control may be performed based on the detection, thereby allowing efficient operation.

[0282] The at least one processor 351 may detect that the failure has been resolved in a case where the detected temperature after detecting the failure in the first cooler 400 is not outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time or longer.

[0283] In the above-described embodiment, 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 may be configured to detect the temperature of air absorbed or discharged by the thermoelectric element 530 as a separate configuration of the first cooler 400.

[0284] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a refrigerator depending on whether a failure has occurred in a thermoelectric cooler based on a fan rotation speed according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0285] As still another example of detecting an occurrence of a failure in the first cooler 400, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 in a case where a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is less than a reference rotation speed.

[0286] Referring to FIG. 13, in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is detected and the detected rotation speed is determined to be less than the reference rotation speed for a fifth period of time (Yes in operation 1301), the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0287] Here, the fifth period of time may be set to an appropriate period of time for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 10 minutes. The reference rotation speed may also be an appropriate rotation speed value for detecting whether a failure has occurred in the thermoelectric element 530, and may be, for example, 400 revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0288] That is, in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is detected to be less than 400 RPM for the fifth period of time, the at least one processor 351 may detect that a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400.

[0289] The at least one processor 351 may stop the operation of the thermoelectric element 530 while maintaining the operation of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 (1303), in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is less than the reference rotation speed for the fifth period of time.

[0290] As such, whether a failure has occurred in the first cooler 400 may be detected by detecting the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800, and control may be performed based on the detection, thereby allowing efficient operation.

[0291] The at least one processor 351 may detect that the failure has been resolved in a case where the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan 600 or the cooling fan 800 is determined to be greater than or equal to the reference rotation speed for a sixth period of time or longer.

[0292] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a refrigerator may include: a main body including a storage compartment; a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling 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.

[0293] According to the disclosure, a proper temperature of the refrigerator may be maintained and efficient operation may be performed by detecting various types of failure of a thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the type of failure.

[0294] In addition, a temperature of the refrigerator may be maintained by increasing an operating intensity of a refrigeration cycle device in response to a failure of a thermoelectric cooler.

[0295] The at least one processor may be configured to increase or decrease a target temperature of the storage compartment based on the failure in the first cooler.

[0296] The refrigerator may further include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a first period of time.

[0297] The at least one processor may be configured to stop an operation of the first cooler in response to the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range for the first period of time, and restart the first cooler in response to an elapse of a second period of time.

[0298] The at least one processor may be configured to stop the operation of the first cooler for a third period of time longer than the second period of time based on the failure in the first cooler occurring more than a reference number of times.

[0299] The refrigerator may further include a voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside a reference voltage range for a first period of time.

[0300] The at least one processor may be configured to stop an operation of the first cooler in response to the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside the reference voltage range for the first period of time, and restart the first cooler in response to an elapse of a second period of time.

[0301] The first cooler may further include: a heat absorption sensor configured to detect a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element; and a heat dissipation sensor configured to detect a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside a reference temperature range for a fourth period of time.

[0302] The at least one processor may be configured to reduce a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler in response to the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0303] The at least one processor may be 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 for the fourth period of time, 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 for the fourth period of time

[0304] The failure in the first cooler may include a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than a reference rotation speed for a fifth period of time.

[0305] The at least one processor may be configured to maintain an operation of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan and stop an operation of the thermoelectric element, in response to the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than the reference rotation speed for the fifth period of time

[0306] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first cooler including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling 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 failure occurs in the first cooler; and increasing an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler based on the failure in the first cooler.

[0307] The method may further include increasing or decreasing a target temperature of the storage compartment based on the failure in the first cooler.

[0308] The refrigerator may further include a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a first period of time.

[0309] The method may further include stopping an operation of the first cooler in response to the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range for the first period of time, and restarting the first cooler in response to an elapse of a second period of time.

[0310] The method may further include stopping the operation of the first cooler for a third period of time longer than the second period of time based on the failure in the first cooler occurring more than a reference number of times.

[0311] The first cooler may further include: a heat absorption sensor configured to detect a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element; and a heat dissipation sensor configured to detect a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element, and the failure in the first cooler may include the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside a reference temperature range for a fourth period of time.

[0312] The method may further include reducing a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler in response to the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the fourth period of time.

[0313] The reducing of 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 for the fourth period of time, 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 for the fourth period of time.

[0314] The failure in the first cooler may include a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than a reference rotation speed for a fifth period of time.

[0315] The method may further include maintaining an operation of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan and stopping an operation of the thermoelectric element, in response to the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than the reference rotation speed for the fifth period of time.

[0316] According to the disclosure, the refrigerator and the method for controlling the same may maintain a proper temperature of the refrigerator and operate efficiently by detecting various types of failure of a thermoelectric cooler and performing control based on the type of failure.

[0317] In addition, the refrigerator and the method for controlling the same may maintain a temperature of the refrigerator by increasing an operating intensity of a refrigeration cycle device in response to a failure of a thermoelectric cooler.

[0318] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, the instructions may create a program module to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0319] The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media storing instructions that can be interpreted by a computer. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disc, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0320] Also, the computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium, wherein the term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0321] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included 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., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloadable or uploadable) online via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. When distributed online, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

[0322] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, a person having ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that other specific modifications may be easily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in all aspects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0038]Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0039]In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0040]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0041]In the 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 corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0042]As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043]Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”,...

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:a main body including a storage compartment;a first cooler configured to cool the storage compartment, and including:a thermoelectric element,a heat dissipation fan, anda cooling fan;a second cooler configured to cool the storage compartment, and including:a compressor, andan evaporator fan; andat least one processor configured to, based on a failure in the first cooler, increase an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to:based on the failure in the first cooler, increase or decrease a target temperature of the storage compartment.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element,wherein the failure in the first cooler includes the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a predetermined first period of time.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to:based on the current detected by the current sensor being outside the reference current range for the predetermined first period of time, stop an operation of the first cooler, andbased on an elapse of a predetermined second period of time, restart the operation of the first cooler.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to:based on the failure in the first cooler occurring more than a reference number of times, stop the operation of the first cooler for a predetermined third period of time that is longer than the predetermined second period of time.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:a voltage sensor configured to detect a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element,wherein the failure in the first cooler includes the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside a reference voltage range for a predetermined first period of time.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to:based on the voltage detected by the voltage sensor being outside the reference voltage range for the predetermined first period of time, stop an operation of the first cooler, andbased on an elapse of a predetermined second period of time, restart the operation of the first cooler.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, whereinthe first cooler includes:a heat absorption sensor configured to detect a temperature of air absorbed by the thermoelectric element, anda heat dissipation sensor configured to detect a temperature of air discharged by the thermoelectric element, andthe failure in the first cooler includes the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside a reference temperature range for a predetermined period of time.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to:based on the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor or the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce a maximum operating voltage of the first cooler.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to:based on the temperature detected by the heat absorption sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a first voltage, andbased on the temperature detected by the heat dissipation sensor being outside the reference temperature range for the predetermined period of time, reduce the maximum operating voltage of the first cooler to a second voltage.

11. The refrigerator of claim 1, whereinthe failure in the first cooler includes a rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than a reference rotation speed for a predetermined period of time.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to, based on the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan being less than the reference rotation speed for the predetermined period of time:maintain an operation of the heat dissipation fan or the cooling fan, andstop an operation of the thermoelectric element.

13. A method of controlling a refrigerator including a main body including a storage compartment, a first cooler configured to cool the storage compartment and including a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan, and a second cooler configured to cool the storage compartment and including a compressor and an evaporator fan, the method comprising:detecting whether a failure occurs in the first cooler; andbased on the failure in the first cooler being detected, increasing an operating speed of the compressor and the evaporator fan of the second cooler.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:based on the failure in the first cooler being detected, increasing or decreasing a target temperature of the storage compartment.

15. The method of claim 13, the refrigerator including a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the thermoelectric element, whereinthe failure in the first cooler being detected includes the current detected by the current sensor being outside a reference current range for a predetermined period of time.

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