Refrigerator and method for controlling same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling same. The refrigerator according to the present invention, when a touch signal is received from a touch sensor provided in a first door, recognizes whether the first door is open or closed on the basis of first sensing information received from a first open / closed sensor, recognizes whether a second door provided below the first door is open or closed on the basis of second sensing information received from a second open / closed sensor, controls a door opening device so that a door pusher moves from a first position to a second position when the first door is closed and the second door is closed, and controls the door opening device so that the door pusher remains at the first position when the first door is closed and the second door is open.

Description

Refrigerator and its control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof for controlling the opening of a door.

[0002] A refrigerator is generally a device that stores food at low temperatures in a storage compartment enclosed by a door.

[0003] A refrigerator cools the storage compartment using the cold air generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle, thereby keeping the food in the storage compartment in an optimal condition.

[0004] Modern refrigerators include a variety of convenience features to enhance user convenience.

[0005] Examples of convenience devices include a display device that displays images or a list of food items stored in a storage room, a door with a transparent window that allows the interior of the storage room to be seen without opening the door, and a door opening device that automatically opens the door based on user input.

[0006] Although some of these convenience devices provide convenience to users, they pose a safety risk.

[0007] For example, if the door opening device is installed on the lower door of the refrigerator, there is a problem that the user's foot may hit the door when the lower door opens automatically.

[0008] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof that maintains the position of a door pusher for opening the first door at a first position when a touch signal for opening the first door is received and a second door provided below the first door is in an open state.

[0009] Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which moves the position of a door pusher for opening a first door from a first position to a second position based on the opening time of a second door provided below the first door being longer than a reference time when a touch signal for opening a first door is received.

[0010] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator comprises: a main body having a storage compartment; a first door provided in the main body; a touch sensor provided at a lower portion of the first door and receiving a user's touch input; a door opening device having a door pusher that moves between a first position and a second position and opens the first door by moving to the second position; a second door provided in the main body and provided at a lower portion of the first door; a first opening / closing sensor that detects an open state and a closed state of the first door; a second opening / closing sensor that detects an open state and a closed state of the second door; and a processor that, when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor, recognizes a state of the first door and a state of the second door based on first detection information received from the first opening / closing sensor and second detection information received from the second opening / closing sensor, and controls the door opening device such that the position of the door pusher is maintained at a first position when the first door is in a closed state and the second door is in an open state.

[0011] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the door opening device so that the second door pusher moves to the second position when the first door is closed and the second door is closed.

[0012] According to one aspect, a refrigerator further includes a position sensor that detects the opening angle of a first door. A processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes the opening angle of the first door based on position information received from the position sensor, and controls the movement of the door pusher to stop based on the recognized opening angle of the first door reaching a target angle.

[0013] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the door opening device so that the door pusher moves to the second position, and controls the door opening device so that the door pusher moves to the first position based on the recognized opening angle of the first door reaching the target angle.

[0014] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect counts the time that the second door is open when the second door is open, and controls the movement of the door pusher to be possible based on the counted time reaching a reference time.

[0015] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the door opening device so that the door pusher moves to the second position when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor when the counted time reaches the reference time.

[0016] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the door opening device so that the door pusher maintains the first position when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor while the counted time is less than the reference time.

[0017] A processor of a refrigerator according to one aspect monitors the state of a second door based on second detection information received from a second open / close sensor, and controls a door opening device so that the position of the door pusher is maintained at the first position when the monitored state of the second door is open.

[0018] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the movement of the door pusher to a state where the monitored second door is closed.

[0019] A second door of a refrigerator according to one aspect includes a handle area provided on an upper surface of the second door. The handle area of ​​the refrigerator according to one aspect includes a groove portion recessed downward from an upper surface of the second door, and a wall portion forming a wall surface of the groove portion. The groove portion of the refrigerator according to one aspect is provided on a surface corresponding to a touch sensor of the first door among the upper surfaces of the second door when the first and second doors are closed. The wall portion of the refrigerator according to one aspect is provided on a surface corresponding to a touch sensor of the upper surface of the second door when the first door is closed and the second door is switched from a closed state to an open state.

[0020] The touch sensor of the refrigerator according to one aspect includes a capacitive sensor that detects electrostatic capacity.

[0021] The upper wall of the second door of the refrigerator according to one aspect is made of a material that can conduct electricity.

[0022] The refrigerator according to one aspect further includes a display unit that displays information on whether the first door can be automatically opened or not.

[0023] A method for controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect comprises: when a touch signal is received from a touch sensor provided on a first door, recognizing whether the first door is in an open or closed state based on first detection information received from a first open / close sensor; recognizing whether the second door provided below the first door is in an open or closed state based on second detection information received from a second open / close sensor; controlling a door opening device so that a door pusher moves from a first position to a second position when the first door is in a closed state and the second door is in a closed state; and controlling a door opening device so that the door pusher remains in the first position when the first door is in a closed state and the second door is in an open state.

[0024] Controlling the door opening device so that the door pusher moves from the first position to the second position includes controlling a drive motor connected to the door pusher so that rotational force of the drive motor is transmitted to the door pusher.

[0025] Controlling the door opening device recognizes the opening angle of the first door based on position information received from the position sensor, and moves the door pusher to the first position based on the recognized opening angle of the first door reaching the target angle.

[0026] The control method of the refrigerator further includes counting the time that the recognized second door is open when the recognized second door is in an open state, and controlling the movement of the door pusher to be possible based on the counted time reaching a reference time.

[0027] Controlling the movement of the door pusher includes causing the door pusher to move from a first position to a second position when a touch signal is received from a touch sensor.

[0028] The method for controlling a refrigerator further includes maintaining the position of the door pusher at the first position when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor while the counted time is less than the reference time.

[0029] A method for controlling a refrigerator includes monitoring the state of a second door based on second detection information received from a second open / close sensor, controlling the position of a door pusher to be maintained at a first position when the monitored state of the second door is an open state, and controlling the door pusher to be able to move when the monitored state of the second door is a closed state.

[0030] According to the disclosed invention, the disclosed invention can improve the accuracy of detection of a touch signal for opening the first door by providing a touch sensor on the lower surface of the first door provided at the upper part among the upper and lower doors of the refrigerator.

[0031] The disclosed invention can improve user convenience by automatically opening the first door provided at the top among the upper and lower doors of the refrigerator.

[0032] The disclosed invention can prevent the first door from being automatically opened by fixing the position of a door pusher that applies physical force to the first door to a first position when a touch signal for automatic opening of the first door is received and the second door provided at the bottom of the refrigerator is in a closed state.

[0033] The disclosed invention can prevent signal interference between the touch sensors provided on the second door and the first door due to the opening of the second door. Accordingly, the disclosed invention can prevent malfunction of the touch sensor provided on the first door and prevent the first door from being opened without the user's intention. Furthermore, the disclosed invention can prevent safety accidents in which the user collides with the first door due to the first door being opened without the user's intention.

[0034] The disclosed invention can prevent a safety accident in which a user bumps into the second door by allowing the second door provided at the lower part of the upper and lower doors of the refrigerator to be manually opened or closed.

[0035] The disclosed invention can improve the safety of a refrigerator, enhance the quality and marketability of the refrigerator, and further secure the competitiveness of the refrigerator.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator with its door closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an open door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating some components of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from above.

[0039] FIG. 4 is an enlarged drawing of a main body, a right door, and a door opening device configured to open the right door when the right door of a refrigerator is closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a right door being opened by a door opening device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a touch sensor provided on a door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing some components of a door, such as a door panel, a lower cap, and a touch sensor, of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a printed circuit board and conductor of a touch sensor of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from below.

[0044] Figure 9 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIGS. 10A and 10B are drawings showing changes in the distance between a touch sensor and a second door corresponding to the states of the first and second doors provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0050] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0051] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0052] In this disclosure, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0053] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0054] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0055] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0056] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0057] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0058] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0059] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0060] The "body" may include an inner case, an outer case disposed on the outside of the inner case, and an insulating material provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0061] 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 a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the main body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0062] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0063] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0064] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0065] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0066] The storage room may be designed to maintain an appropriate temperature range depending on its intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished by their intended use and / or temperature range. A refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and a freezer may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +5 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them frozen, and for example, a freezer may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -23 degrees Celsius to -17 degrees Celsius. A variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer, at the user's option or not.

[0067] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0068] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0069] The "door" may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to the body, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0071] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by contacting the front of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0072] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0073] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0075] A "cold air supply device" may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool a storage room.

[0076] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment by generating heat and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0078] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to be in communication with the exterior of the main body to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0079] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0080] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0082] The "control unit" may include a memory that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0083] Memory stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. Memory can store temporary data generated during the generation of control signals for controlling components within the refrigerator. Memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0084] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operations of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like. The processor may generate control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor may receive temperature information about the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling system based on the temperature information.

[0085] Additionally, the processor may process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive user input from the user interface. Additionally, the processor may transmit display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

[0086] The processor and memory may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0087] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0088] The communication module can communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances, via a nearby access point (AP). The AP can connect the local area network (LAN) where the refrigerator or user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) where the server is connected. The refrigerator or user device can then connect to the server via the WAN.

[0089] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0090] The output interface may include a display unit and a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0091] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0092] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator with its door closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator with its door open according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) and a touch sensor (200) provided on some of the plurality of doors to detect a user's touch input for automatic opening of some of the doors.

[0094] Here, the touch sensor (200) may be one or more. For example, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first touch sensor (200A) installed on a first door (30A) among the upper doors to detect a user's touch input for automatic opening of the first door (30A), and a second touch sensor (200B) installed on a second door (30B) among the upper doors to detect a user's touch input for automatic opening of the second door (30B). A specific configuration of such a refrigerator will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body (10), a storage compartment (20) provided inside the main body (10), a door (30) for opening and closing the storage compartment (20), and a cooling system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment (20).

[0096] The main body (10) may include an inner case (11) forming a storage compartment (20) and an outer case (12) forming the exterior of the refrigerator (1).

[0097] The outer surface (12) can be formed to have a shape of a box with an open front. The outer surface (12) can form the top, bottom, left and right sides, and back of the refrigerator (1).

[0098] The inner case (11) can be opened at the front. The inner case (11) has a storage compartment (20) provided therein, which can be provided on the inner side of the outer case (12). The inner wall of the inner case (11) can form the inner wall of the storage compartment (20).

[0099] A body insulation material may be provided between the outer case (12) and the inner case (11) of the main body (10) so that the outer case (12) and the inner case (11) can be insulated from each other. The body insulation material may be foamed between the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to connect the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to each other. The body insulation material may prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage compartment (20) and the outside of the main body (10), thereby improving the cooling efficiency inside the storage compartment (20). As the body insulation material provided in the main body (10), urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS insulation), vacuum insulation (vacuum insulation panel), etc. may be used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the body insulation material may be composed of various materials.

[0100] The main body (10) may further include a top table (13) provided on the upper portion of the main body (10). Specifically, the top table (13) may be coupled to the upper portion of the outer body (12). The top table (13) may be coupled to the upper surface of the outer body (12).

[0101] The top table (13) can cover various electrical components. A storage space for accommodating various electrical components can be formed inside the top table (13). For example, the top table (13) can cover a door opening device (100) described below, and the door opening device (100) can be accommodated inside the top table (13).

[0102] A storage compartment (20) may be provided inside the main body (10). For example, the storage compartment (20) may include a refrigerator that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and used to refrigerate food. For example, the storage compartment (20) may include a freezer that is maintained at approximately -30 to 0 degrees Celsius and used to freeze food.

[0103] For example, the storage room (20) can be divided into multiple areas by partitions (15). Specifically, the storage room (20) can be divided into an upper first storage room (21) and lower storage rooms (22, 23) by a first partition (17) extending in the horizontal direction.

[0104] In addition, the storage compartments (22, 23) at the bottom of the storage compartment (20) can be partitioned into a second storage compartment (22) on the left and a third storage compartment (23) on the right by a second partition (19) extending vertically. In this case, for example, the first storage compartment (21) can be used as a refrigerator, and both the second storage compartment (22) and the third storage compartment (23) can be used as a freezer, or one of the two can be used as a freezer and the other of the two can be used as a refrigerator.

[0105] The above-described method of dividing the storage room (20) and the purpose of each of the divided storage rooms (21, 22, 23) are only an example and are not limited thereto.

[0106] Inside the storage room (20), a shelf (24) for placing food and a storage container (26) for storing food can be provided.

[0107] A refrigerator (1) may include a cooling system configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to a storage compartment (20). The cooling system may generate cold air using a cooling cycle that compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates a refrigerant. For example, the cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, and the like. The cold air generated by the cooling system may be supplied to the storage compartment (20) through a cold air supply duct formed at the rear portion of the inner case (11).

[0108] A door (30) may be provided to open and close the storage room (20). The door (30) may be provided to open and close an opening formed on one side of the main body (10). The door (30) may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body (10).

[0109] The outer surface of the door (30) may form a part of the exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the outer surface of the door (30) may form at least a part of the front exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the inner surface of the door (30) may face the interior of the storage compartment (20). The inner surface of the door (30) referred to herein means one side of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20). In addition, the outer surface of the door (30) referred to herein means the other side opposite to the inner surface of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20), and means the front of the door (30) that is visible when the refrigerator (1) is viewed from the front.

[0110] A door basket (38) for storing food may be provided on the inner surface of the door (30). A door gasket (39) may be provided on the inner surface of the door (30) to seal the gap between the door (30) and the main body (10) and prevent cold air from leaking from the storage compartment (20).

[0111] The refrigerator (1) may include an upper door and a lower door that are arranged side by side in a vertical direction (Z). The refrigerator (1) may include a left door and a right door that are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction (Y). The refrigerator (1) may include a plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) that open and close each of the partitioned storage compartments (21, 22, 23).

[0112] The first storage compartment (21) can be opened and closed by a pair of upper doors (30A, 30B). The refrigerator (1) may include a first door (30A) for opening and closing a portion of the first storage compartment (21), and a second door (30B) for opening and closing another portion of the first storage compartment (21). The first door (30A) and the second door (30B) may be provided to be rotatable independently of each other with respect to the main body (10). The first door (30A) and the second door (30B) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y direction). For example, the first door (30A) may be provided to open and close the left portion of the first storage compartment (21), and the second door (30B) may be provided to open and close the right portion of the first storage compartment (22).

[0113] A rotation bar (80) may be provided on one of the pair of upper doors (30A, 30B) (e.g., the first door (30A)) so as to be rotatable relative to that one door and to cover the gap between the pair of upper doors (30A, 30B) when the first storage compartment (21) is closed.

[0114] The second storage compartment (22) can be opened and closed by the lower left door (30C). The refrigerator (1) may include a third door (30C) provided to open and close the second storage compartment (22). The third door (30C) may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body (10). For example, the first door (30A) and the third door (30C) may be arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction (Z).

[0115] The third storage compartment (23) can be opened and closed by the lower right door (30D). The refrigerator (1) may include a fourth door (30D) provided to open and close the third storage compartment (23). The fourth door (30D) may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body (10). For example, the second door (30B) and the fourth door (30D) may be arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction (Z). In addition, the third door (30C) and the fourth door (30D) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y).

[0116] Each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) may be provided with a handle. The user may hold the handle provided on each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) with his / her hand to open or close each of the doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D). In other words, the user may hold the handle provided on each of the plurality of doors with his / her hand to open or close each of the storage compartments (21, 22, 23). For example, the handle provided on each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) may include a groove shape that is concavely formed so as to be gripped.

[0117] The handles provided on the third door (30C) and the fourth door (30D) are described as examples.

[0118] A portion of the upper surface of the third door (30C) may include a handle area (50).

[0119] A part of the upper surface of the third door (30C) may be the right side of the upper surface of the third door (30C). The right side of the upper surface of the third door (30C) may be a surface corresponding to the central area of ​​the main body (10) of the refrigerator.

[0120] The front of the handle area (50) of the third door (30C) may include a recessed portion that is sunken downward by a certain length from the upper surface of the third door. The recess of the third door (30C) may become deeper as it goes from the front to the rear.

[0121] The rear of the handle area of ​​the third door (30C) may be at the same height as the upper surface of the third door (30C). The rear of the handle area of ​​the third door (30C) may include a wall portion forming a wall surface of the home portion.

[0122] Here, the front may be a direction corresponding to the door panel on the outside of the door, and the rear may be a direction corresponding to the inside of the door.

[0123] A user's hand can be inserted into the home portion (50) of the third door (30C). The user can open the third door (30C) by inserting his / her hand into the home portion (50) and pulling the third door.

[0124] The upper surface of the third door (30C) may be made of a conductive material. That is, the wall portion of the upper surface of the third door (30C) may be made of a conductive material.

[0125] The fourth door (30D) may include a handle area (50) on part of its upper surface.

[0126] The fourth door (30D) may have a portion of its upper surface that is the left side of the upper surface of the fourth door (30D). The left side of the upper surface of the fourth door (30D) may be a surface corresponding to the central area of ​​the main body (10) of the refrigerator.

[0127] The front of the handle area (50) of the fourth door (30D) may include a recessed portion that is sunken downward by a certain length from the upper surface of the fourth door (30D). The recess of the fourth door (30D) may become deeper as it goes from the front to the rear.

[0128] The rear of the handle area of ​​the fourth door (30D) may be at the same height as the upper surface of the fourth door (30D). The rear of the handle area of ​​the fourth door (30D) may include a wall portion forming a wall surface of the home portion.

[0129] Here, the front may be a direction corresponding to the door panel on the outside of the door, and the rear may be a direction corresponding to the inside of the door, a direction in which a storage compartment is formed.

[0130] A user's hand can be inserted into the home portion (50) of the fourth door (30D). The user can open the fourth door (30D) by inserting his / her hand into the home portion (50) and then pulling the fourth door (30D).

[0131] The upper surface of the fourth door (30D) may be made of a conductive material. That is, the wall portion of the upper surface of the fourth door (30D) may be made of a conductive material.

[0132] As described below, the upper door can be opened by a door opening device (100). For example, the first door (30A) can be opened by a first door opening device (100A) positioned on the left. For example, the second door (30B) can be opened by a second door opening device (100B) positioned on the left.

[0133] As described below, the upper door may include a touch sensor (200) that receives a touch input for operating the door opening device (100). For example, the first door (30A) may include a first touch sensor (200A) that receives a touch input for operating the first door opening device (100A). For example, the second door (30B) may include a second touch sensor (200B) that receives a touch input for operating the second door opening device (100B).

[0134] The refrigerator (1) may include a hinge (40) connecting the main body (10) and the door (30). The hinge (40) may be provided so that the door (30) can rotate relative to the main body (10).

[0135] The hinge (40) can be fixed to the main body (10). Specifically, the hinge (40) can be coupled to the outer body (12).

[0136] The hinge (40) can rotatably support the door (30). The door (30) can be rotatably connected to the main body (10) by the hinge (40).

[0137] In detail, the refrigerator (1) may include a plurality of hinges (41, 42, 43) provided to support each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D). For example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of upper door hinges (41) that are coupled to the upper portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the first door (30A) and the second door (30B), respectively. In addition, for example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of lower door hinges (43) that are coupled to the lower portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the third door (30C) and the fourth door (30D), respectively. In addition, for example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of middle hinges (42) that are arranged between the upper door hinge (41) and the lower door hinge (43) and are coupled to the middle portion of the main body (10) (specifically, the first partition (17)) to rotatably support each of the first door (30A), the second door (30B), the third door (30B), and the fourth door (30D).

[0138] The configuration of the refrigerator (1) described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example for explaining a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0139] In addition, the above description is made as an example of the present disclosure on the premise that the refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a direct-cooling refrigerator, but the idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to a direct-cooling refrigerator.

[0140]

[0141] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, a door opening device provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0142] FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating some components of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from above. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the main body, the right door, and a door opening device configured to open the right door when the right door of the refrigerator is closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the right door being opened by the door opening device of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] As shown in Fig. 3, the refrigerator (1) may be provided in a main body (10), and may include a door opening device (100) provided on the upper part of the main body (10) to automatically open the door (30).

[0144] The door opening device (100) can be accommodated on the inside of the top table (13). The door opening device (100) can be covered from above by the top table (13). The door opening device (100) can be placed on the upper surface of the outer case (12).

[0145] The door opening device (100) may be arranged to rotate the door (30) relative to the main body (10) to open the storage compartment (20). The door opening device (100) may pressurize the door (30) to cause the door (30) to rotate about the hinge (40).

[0146] The door opening device (100) of the refrigerator of the present disclosure can automatically open the first storage compartment (21). There may be one or more such door opening devices (100).

[0147] The first door opening device (100A) and the second door opening device (100B) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y).

[0148] More specifically, the refrigerator (1) may include a first door opening device (100A) arranged on the left side of the center at the top of the main body (10) and for automatically opening the first door (30A), and a second door opening device (100B) arranged on the right side of the center at the top of the main body (10) and for automatically opening the second door (30B).

[0149] The first door opening device (100A) may be provided to pressurize the first door (30A) and pressurize the upper portion of the first door (30A), and the second door opening device (100B) may be provided to pressurize the second door (30B) and pressurize the upper portion of the second door (30B).

[0150] The first door opening device (100A) may be provided to open a portion of the first storage room (21). The second door opening device (100B) may be provided to open another portion of the first storage room (21).

[0151] The operation of the first door opening device (100A) opening the first door (30A) and the operation of the second door opening device (100B) opening the second door (30B) can be performed independently of each other.

[0152] The first door opening device (100A) and the second door opening device (100B) may have corresponding structures. The structure of the second door opening device (100B) may also be applied to correspond to the structure of the first door opening device (100A).

[0153] Accordingly, the structures of the first door opening device (100A) and the second door opening device (100B) are described by integrating them into the structure of the door opening device (100) with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0154] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the door opening device (100) may include a door pusher (120) that presses the door (30) to open the door (30). The door pusher (120) may pressurize the door (30) while moving with respect to the main body (10). Specifically, the door pusher (120) may pressurize the door (30) while moving forward from the main body (10) toward the door (30), thereby opening the door (30) that was closed. The door pusher (120) may be provided to be able to move linearly reciprocally with respect to the main body (10). The door pusher (120) may be provided to be able to move linearly in the forward-backward direction (X) with respect to the main body (10). Alternatively, the door pusher (120) may also move non-linearly with respect to the main body (10).

[0155] The door pusher (120) can apply physical force to the door (30) while moving from the first position to the second position.

[0156] Here, the first position may be the position of the door pusher (120) when the door (30) is closed. The first position may be the position when the door pusher (120) is located on the main body.

[0157] The second position may be the position of the door pusher (120) when the door (30) is opened to the target angle.

[0158] The door pusher (120) can move from the second position to the first position when the door is completely opened. That is, the door pusher (120) can return to the original position.

[0159] This embodiment describes a case where a door pusher (120) is provided on the main body, and the door pusher provided on the main body applies physical force to the door while moving from a first position to a second position.

[0160] It is also possible to have a door pusher (120) installed on the door, and have the door pusher installed on the door move from the first position to the second position, thereby opening the door by physical force from the door pusher.

[0161] The door opening device (100) may include a pusher case (110) that supports a door pusher (120). The pusher case (110) may movably support the door pusher (120). The pusher case (110) may form a receiving space for accommodating at least a portion of the door pusher (120).

[0162] The pusher case (110) is provided on the main body (10), but may be provided in a fixed manner. For example, the pusher case (110) may be coupled to the top table (13).

[0163] The door opening device (100) may include a power source (130) that generates power to open the door (30). The power source (130) may generate power to move the door pusher (120).

[0164] For example, the power source (130) may include a drive motor and a motor driver connected to the drive motor. The drive motor may generate power by receiving a drive current from the motor driver. The motor driver may be electrically connected to the processor of the refrigerator (1) and may operate based on a control signal received from the processor. That is, the power source (130) may be controlled by the processor of the refrigerator (1). The power source (130) may be supported by the pusher case (110). The power source (130) may be accommodated inside the pusher case (110).

[0165] The door opening device (100) may include a power transmission member (140) that transmits power generated by a power source (130) to a door pusher (120).

[0166] For example, the power transmission member (140) may include at least one gear or a plurality of gears. The door pusher (120) may include a pusher gear portion (121) that is provided to mesh with the power transmission member (140), and the door pusher (120) may receive power from the gear of the power transmission member (140) through the pusher gear portion (121). For example, the power transmission member (140) and the pusher gear portion (121) may form a rack-and-pinion gear structure.

[0167] The power transmission member (140) can be supported by the pusher case (110). The power transmission member (140) can be accommodated inside the pusher case (110).

[0168] The door opening device (100) may include a position sensor (150) that detects the position of the door pusher (120). The position sensor (150) may detect the position of the door pusher (120) in various ways. For example, the position sensor (150) may include various types of magnetic field sensors, such as a hall sensor that detects the magnetic field of a magnet (160) mounted on the door pusher (120). The processor may control the power source (130) to move or stop the door pusher (120) based on an electrical signal received from the position sensor (150). For example, the position sensor (150) may be supported by the pusher case (110). The position sensor (150) may be accommodated within the pusher case (110).

[0169] The door opening device (100) can operate based on a door opening signal from the processor. The door opening signal for opening the door (30) can be generated by a user input. The user input can include a touch input input via a touch sensor (200).

[0170] The touch sensor (200) can receive a touch input corresponding to a user's touch action to operate the door opening device (100).

[0171] The configuration of a door equipped with such a touch sensor is described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0172] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a touch sensor provided on a door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0173] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the door (30) may include a touch sensor (200) provided at the lower portion of the door (30) and provided at the lower portion of the door body (32). The touch sensor (200) may also be provided at the lower cap (36) of the door.

[0174] The touch sensor (200) can generate a touch signal when a user touches a part of the touch sensor (200) or at least places a body (e.g., a hand, etc.) in close proximity to the touch sensor (200). The door opening device (100) can be operated by this touch signal. That is, the touch signal can be a signal that operates the power source (130) to move the door pusher (120) in a direction that presses the door (30).

[0175] The touch sensor (200) may include a capacitance sensor that detects a change in capacitance due to a user's touch action.

[0176] In this way, since the touch sensor (200) is provided on the lower surface of the door (30), the user can input touch input to the touch sensor (200) simply by performing a natural and simple action that is commonly performed to open the door (30), such as holding the lower part of the door body (32) with the hand.

[0177] Furthermore, even without necessarily learning the manual on how to input touch input to the touch sensor (200), the user can easily learn how to input touch input to the touch sensor (200) to operate the door opening device (100) while using the product. Due to the arrangement of the touch sensor (200) as described above, the touch sensor (200) can more efficiently receive touch input for opening the door (30), and user convenience can be improved.

[0178] These touch sensors (200) can be provided on the first door (30A) and the second door (30B), respectively.

[0179] The touch sensor (200) may include a first touch sensor (200A) that generates a touch signal for operating a first door opening device (100A) to open a first door (30A), and a second touch sensor (200B) that generates a touch signal for operating a second door opening device (100B) to open a second door (30B).

[0180] The first touch sensor (200A) and the second touch sensor (200B) may be arranged at corresponding heights. The first touch sensor (200A) and the second touch sensor (200B) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction.

[0181] The first touch sensor (200A) and the second touch sensor (200B) can each be positioned adjacent to the central portion of the refrigerator (1).

[0182] The first touch sensor (200A) may be positioned adjacent to the right end of the first door (30A). The second touch sensor (200B) may be positioned adjacent to the left end of the second door (30B).

[0183] The first touch sensor (200A) and the second touch sensor (200B) are each positioned adjacent to the central portion of the refrigerator (1), so that they can receive the user's touch input more efficiently.

[0184] The first touch sensor (200A) may be positioned above the third door (30C), which is a lower door located below the first door (30A). The first touch sensor (200A) may be positioned apart from the upper end of the third door (30C) so as not to interfere with the third door (30C). The lower end of the first touch sensor (200A) may be positioned apart from the upper end of the third door (30C). As a result, the first touch sensor (200A) may not interfere with the third door (30C), and the first touch sensor (200A) may be prevented from erroneously detecting a signal by the third door (30C).

[0185] The second touch sensor (200B) may be positioned above the fourth door (30D), which is a lower door located below the second door (30B). At this time, the second touch sensor (200B) may be positioned apart from the upper end of the fourth door (30D) so as not to interfere with the fourth door (30D). The lower end of the second touch sensor (200B) may be positioned apart from the upper end of the fourth door (30D). As a result, the second touch sensor (200B) may not interfere with the fourth door (30D), and the second touch sensor (200B) may be prevented from erroneously detecting a signal by the fourth door (30D).

[0186] The first touch sensor (200A) and the second touch sensor (200B) may have structures corresponding to each other.

[0187] Referring to Fig. 7, the structure of a door equipped with a touch sensor will be described. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating some components of a door, such as a door panel, a lower cap, and a touch sensor, of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0188] The first touch sensor (200A) and the second touch sensor (200B) are integrated into a touch sensor (200) and explained.

[0189] The door (30) of the refrigerator (1) is positioned adjacent to the center of the refrigerator (1) and may include a handle (36a) that a user can hold by hand. The handle (36a) is provided at the bottom of the door (30) and may be positioned on the lower cap (36).

[0190] The handle (36a) may be formed by recessing the bottom surface of the lower cap (36) upwardly. Specifically, the lower cap (36) may include a handle opening (36aa) formed on the bottom surface. The handle (36a) may have a groove shape that is recessed upward from the handle opening (36aa). A user can access the handle (36a) through the handle opening (36aa). The user can open the door (30) by holding the handle (36a) with his / her hand.

[0191] The handle (36a) can extend in the horizontal direction (Y). The handle (36a) can extend in the horizontal direction (Y) from one side adjacent to the center of the refrigerator (1) toward the other side.

[0192] The touch sensor (200) may be positioned so that at least a portion of the touch sensor (200) is positioned below the door panel (31).

[0193] The touch sensor (200) is provided on the lower cap (36) of the door (30), but may be provided on the lower part of the lower cap (36). The touch sensor (200) may be provided so that the lower part of the touch sensor (200) protrudes downward from the lower cap (36).

[0194] The touch sensor (200) may be positioned in front of the handle (36a). That is, when the door (30) is closed, the touch sensor (200) may be positioned in front of the handle (36a).

[0195] The lower cap (36) may include a sensor mounting portion (36b) on which a touch sensor (200) is mounted. The sensor mounting portion (36b) may be formed in front of the handle (36a).

[0196] Since the touch sensor (200) is positioned in front of the handle (36a), the touch sensor (200) can be positioned closer to the user than the handle (36a) when the door (30) is closed. Therefore, it is possible for the user to touch the touch sensor (200) before holding the handle (36a) with his / her hand, and the touch sensor (200) can receive touch input more efficiently, and the user can touch the touch sensor (200) more conveniently.

[0197] The touch sensor (200) may include a sensor case (210) that forms the exterior of the touch sensor (200). The sensor case (210) may accommodate various components of the touch sensor (200).

[0198] The sensor case (210) can be mounted on the lower cap (36). A sensor mounting portion (36b) can be provided on the lower cap (36). The sensor case (210) can be mounted on the sensor mounting portion (36b).

[0199] The structure of the sensor mounting portion (36b) is not limited to that described above, and the sensor mounting portion (36b) may have various structures to ensure that the sensor case (210) is stably mounted.

[0200] The sensor case (210) can be stably supported on the lower cap (36) by making contact with the front end (36c) of the lower cap (36) while reducing the extent to which a portion thereof protrudes downward from the lower cap (36) by being inserted into the sensor mounting portion (36b).

[0201] The touch sensor (200) can receive a touch input from the lower side. The touch sensor (200) can include a bottom touch portion (210a) that receives a touch input from the lower side of the touch sensor (200). The bottom touch portion (210a) can be exposed downwards of the door so that a user can touch it from the lower side. The bottom touch portion (210a) can be positioned lower than the front touch portion (210b) described below.

[0202] The bottom touch portion (210a) may be positioned lower than the bottom of the door panel (31). This prevents interference by the structure of the door (30) located in front of the bottom touch portion (210a) when the user attempts to input a touch using the bottom touch portion (210a).

[0203] The touch sensor (200) can receive a touch input from the front. The touch sensor (200) can include a front touch portion (210b) that receives a touch input from the front of the touch sensor (200). Here, the front of the touch sensor (200) means the front of the door (30) toward which the door panel (31) faces when the door (30) is closed. The front touch portion (210b) can form the front of the touch sensor (200). Here, the front of the touch sensor (200) means one side of the touch sensor (200) that faces the front of the door (30) when the door (30) is closed.

[0204] The front touch portion (210b) may form the front of the sensor case (210). The front touch portion (210b) may be exposed forward so that a user may touch it from the front. When a user touches the front touch portion (210b), the touch sensor (200) may receive a touch input from the front. The front touch portion (210b) may be positioned in front of the bottom touch portion (210a).

[0205] The front touch portion (210b) may be positioned below the front lower portion of the lower cap (36). The front touch portion (210b) may be positioned below the sensor mounting portion (36b). The front touch portion (210b) may be provided on the front of the sensor case (210) positioned below the opening (36ba). Accordingly, the front touch portion (210b) may be exposed downward and receive touch input from the front.

[0206] The front touch portion (210b) may be positioned below the bottom of the door panel (31). As a result, the front touch portion (210b) may be exposed without being covered by the structure of the door (30) positioned forward of the front touch portion (210b). In addition, when a user attempts to input a touch using the front touch portion (210b), interference by the structure of the door (30) positioned forward of the front touch portion (210b) can be prevented.

[0207] The touch sensor (200) can receive a touch input (TS1) from the lower side of the touch sensor (200) or a touch input (TS2) from the front of the touch sensor (200).

[0208] The sensor case (210) of the touch sensor (200) of the refrigerator (1) can support a printed circuit board (230) and a conductor (240).

[0209] The sensor case (210) can accommodate a printed circuit board (230) including a circuit capable of detecting a change in electrostatic capacity and a conductor (240) that transmits a touch signal to the printed circuit board (230). The structure of a touch sensor (200) having such a printed circuit board (230) and conductor (24) is described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0210] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a printed circuit board and conductor of a touch sensor of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from below.

[0211] As illustrated in Fig. 8, a sensor chip (231) that recognizes touch input based on changes in electrostatic capacitance may be provided on a printed circuit board (230).

[0212] The printed circuit board (230) can be electrically connected to a processor, power supply, etc. placed on the main body (10) side by a wire (not shown) penetrating the lower cap (36).

[0213] A printed circuit board (230) may be equipped with a socket (233) to which wires are connected so that the sensor chip (231) can be electrically connected to a processor, power supply, etc. via wires.

[0214] The wire connected to the socket (233) is connected to the processor and can transmit a signal output from the sensor chip (231) to the processor.

[0215] The wire connected to the socket (233) can be connected to a power supply to supply power to the printed circuit board (230).

[0216] The wire connected to the socket (233) can be connected to ground.

[0217] The conductor (240) can be mounted on a printed circuit board (230).

[0218] These conductors (240) will be described in more detail.

[0219] The conductor (240) may include a conductive material and may be connected to an electrode (232) mounted on a printed circuit board (230) to transmit a touch signal to a sensor chip (231) through the electrode (232).

[0220] The conductor (240) may include a conductive layer (242) provided along the edge of the conductor (240). The conductive layer (242) may include a conductive material. The conductive layer (242) may be attached to the electrode (232) to transmit a touch signal to the electrode (232).

[0221] The conductor (240) may include an elastic member (241) that is elastically deformable. A conductive layer (242) may surround the elastic member (241).

[0222] The conductor (240) may include a touch gasket.

[0223] The conductor (240) may be provided to be elastically deformable. Referring to FIG. 7, since the conductor (240) is provided to be elastically deformable, the conductor (240) can be easily inserted into the conductor receiving groove (211f) of the sensor case (210) and can be pressed by the fixing rib (211g) of the sensor case (210) to be tightly attached inside the case. Here, the conductor receiving groove (211f) may be formed adjacent to the front part of the sensor case (210).

[0224] A printed circuit board (230) combined with a conductor (240) can be placed at the rear of the conductor receiving groove (211f).

[0225] The conductor (240) can transmit a touch signal for a touch input received from the bottom touch portion (210a) or the front touch portion (210b) to the printed circuit board (230).

[0226] The bottom touch portion (210a) can cover the lower side of the conductor (240). The bottom touch portion (210a) can be positioned below the conductor (240). The bottom touch portion (210a) can be positioned below the conductor receiving groove (211f). The bottom touch portion (210a) and the conductor (240) can be positioned parallel to each other in the vertical direction (Z).

[0227] When a user touches the lower touch portion (210a), a touch signal corresponding to a change in electrostatic capacity on the lower side can be transmitted to the printed circuit board (230) through the conductor (240).

[0228] The front touch portion (210b) may be positioned in front of the conductor (240). The front touch portion (210b) may be positioned in front of the conductor receiving groove (211f). For example, the front touch portion (210b) and the conductor (240) may be positioned parallel to each other in the front-back direction (X).

[0229] When a user touches the front touch portion (210b), the front touch portion (210b) can transmit a touch signal for touch input (TS2) to the printed circuit board (230) through the conductor (240).

[0230] The conductor (240) is arranged parallel to the front touch portion (210b) in the front-back direction (X) so as to efficiently transmit a touch signal for a touch input (TS2) received through the front touch portion (210b) to the printed circuit board (230).

[0231] Additionally, in order to efficiently receive a touch input (TS2) from the front, a conductor (240) may extend from the printed circuit board (230) toward the front touch portion (210b). The conductor (240) may extend in the front-back direction (X) within the conductor receiving groove (211f).

[0232] With this configuration, the touch sensor (200) can receive a touch input from the lower side (TS1) or a touch input from the front (TS2), i.e., a touch input from at least two directions. As a result, the touch sensor (200) can receive a touch input more efficiently, and user convenience can be improved.

[0233] According to a modified embodiment, the conductor (240) of the touch sensor may be placed inside the sensor housing, but may be placed so that the distance from the door panel (31) is greater than a reference distance.

[0234] That is, in the modified embodiment, compared to the conductor (240) of the touch sensor of one embodiment, the conductor (240) of the touch sensor may be arranged inside the sensor housing, closer to the handle (36a) side, and further away from the front end (36c) of the lower cap (36). Through this, the modified embodiment can receive only the touch input (TS1) from the lower side of the door.

[0235]

[0236] FIG. 9 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is described with reference to FIGS. 10a and 10b.

[0237] FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b are drawings showing changes in the distance between the touch sensor corresponding to the state of the first and second doors provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and the upper surface of the second door.

[0238] The refrigerator of one embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 8 includes two doors arranged at the upper part of the main body and two doors arranged at the lower part of the main body.

[0239] Based on the vertical axis, the two doors arranged vertically on the left form a pair, and the two doors arranged vertically on the right form a pair.

[0240] The upper and lower door pairs defined here may be objects that must be taken into consideration when performing control to eliminate mutual signal interference during open and close control.

[0241] The control configuration for controlling two pairs of doors may be identical. Therefore, only the control configuration for one pair of doors will be described.

[0242] For convenience of explanation, the door (30A) that opens or closes the first storage room (21) is described as the first door, and the door (30C) that opens or closes the second storage room (22) is described as the second door.

[0243] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the refrigerator (1) may include a first door (30A), a second door (30C), a door opening device (100), a position sensor (150), a touch sensor (200), a first opening / closing sensor (310), a second opening / closing sensor (320), a user interface (330), a processor (340), and a memory (350).

[0244] The first door (30A) may be a door provided on the upper part of the main body (10).

[0245] The first door (30A) may be a door for allowing the first storage room (21) to be opened or closed.

[0246] The first door (30A) can be moved by a physical force applied by the door opening device (100) to open the first storage room (21).

[0247] The first door (30A) can be moved manually to open the first storage room (21).

[0248] The first door (30A) can be opened by automatic mode or manual mode.

[0249] Opening of the first door (30A) by automatic mode may include opening of the first door (30A) by the force of the door opening device (100). Here, the force of the door opening device (100) may be all or part of the force required to open the first door (30A).

[0250] If part of the force applied to the first door is the force of the door opening device (100), the remaining force applied to the first door (30A) may be the force of the user.

[0251] Opening of the first door (30A) by manual mode includes opening of the first door (30A) by the user's force.

[0252] The first door (30A) can be moved manually to close the first storage room (21).

[0253] The second door (30C) may be a door provided at the lower part of the main body (10), and may be a door provided at the lower side of the first door (30A).

[0254] The second door (30C) may be a door that allows the second storage room (22) to be opened or closed.

[0255] The second door (30C) can be manually moved to close or open the second storage room (22). Here, manual movement means moving the first door (30A) using only the user's force.

[0256] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the second door (30C) may include a handle area (50) provided on the upper surface of the second door.

[0257] The handle area (50) may include a groove (51) sunken downward from the upper surface of the second door (30C) and a wall (52) forming the wall surface of the groove (51).

[0258] The home part (51) can be provided on the surface of the upper surface of the second door (30c) corresponding to the touch sensor (200) of the first door (30A) when the first and second doors (30A, 30C) are closed.

[0259] When the first and second doors (30A, 30C) are closed, the home portion (51) of the second door (30c) can maintain a first distance (dis1) from the touch sensor (200) of the first door (30A).

[0260] As shown in Fig. 10b, the wall portion (52) may be provided on a surface of the upper surface of the second door (30C) corresponding to the touch sensor (200) of the first door when the first door (30A) is in a closed state and the second door (30C) is switched from a closed state to an open state.

[0261] The wall portion (52) of the upper surface of the second door (30C) can be made of a material that can conduct electricity.

[0262] When the first door (30A) is closed and the second door (30C) is switched from the closed state to the open state, the home portion (51) and the wall portion (52) of the second door (30c) move toward the front of the refrigerator. As a result, the wall portion (52) of the upper surface of the second door (30C) comes into contact with the touch sensor (200) of the first door (30A). At this time, the wall portion (52) of the upper surface of the second door (30C) and the touch sensor (200) of the first door can maintain a second distance (dis2) shorter than the first distance (dis1).

[0263] That is, when the first door (30A) is closed and the second door (30C) is switched from the closed state to the open state, there is a possibility that the touch sensor (200) of the first door will experience signal interference due to the wall portion (52) of the second door (30c). This may result in the first door being opened unintentionally by the user. To prevent this, the present embodiment can limit the automatic opening of the first door based on the states of the first and second doors. This configuration will be described below.

[0264] The door opening device (100) is provided in the main body (10), but may be provided adjacent to the first door (30A).

[0265] The door opening device (100) can apply physical force to the first door (30A). That is, the door opening device (100) can pressurize the first door (30A) to move the first door (30A). The door opening device (100) may be a device that opens the first storage room (21) by moving the first door (30A).

[0266] The door opening device (100) can automatically open the first storage room (21).

[0267] The door opening device (100) may include a driving motor (122), a gear unit (121) connected to the driving motor (122) and receiving the rotational force of the driving motor (122) and changing the rotational motion by the received rotational force into a linear motion, and a door pusher (120) connected to the gear unit (121) and moving back and forth in a linear motion.

[0268] The drive motor (122) can rotate in a first rotation direction or in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0269] The door pusher (120) can move linearly in a first direction based on the rotational direction of the driving motor (122), or can move linearly in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0270] The door pusher (120) can move linearly in a first direction from a first position to a second position, or can move linearly in a second direction opposite to the first direction from a second position to the first position.

[0271] The door pusher (120) can be provided to move linearly and reciprocally.

[0272] The door pusher (120) moves in a straight line in the first direction to apply physical force to the first door to open the first door (30A), and upon completion of opening the first door (30A), moves in the second direction to return to the original position.

[0273] The door pusher (120) moves in a straight line from the first position to the second position to apply a physical force to the first door (30A) so that the first door (30A) is opened, and upon completion of the opening of the first door (30A), the door pusher (120) moves from the second position to the first position and returns to the original position.

[0274] The position sensor (150) can detect the position of the door pusher (120) and transmit position information about the detected position to the processor (340).

[0275] The position sensor (150) can also detect the opening angle of the first door (30A) corresponding to the movement of the first door (30A). That is, the position of the door pusher (120) detected by the position sensor (150) can correspond to the opening angle of the first door (30A).

[0276] The position sensor (150) may include, but is not limited to, a hall sensor that detects the magnetic field of a magnet (160) mounted on the door pusher (120).

[0277] A touch sensor (200) can be provided on the first door (30A).

[0278] The touch sensor (200) is provided at the bottom of the first door (30A), but may be provided adjacent to the second door (30C).

[0279] The touch sensor (200) can detect a user's touch input and transmit a touch signal corresponding to the detected user's touch input to the processor (340).

[0280] The touch input may be a user input for opening the first door (30A).

[0281] The touch input for opening the first door (30A) may be a touch input received at the bottom touch portion (210a) of the first door.

[0282] The touch input for opening the first door (30A) may be a touch input received at the front touch part (210b) at the front of the lower part of the first door.

[0283] The touch input for opening the first door (30A) may be a touch input received at the bottom touch portion (210a) at the bottom of the first door and a touch input received at the front touch portion (210b) at the front of the bottom of the first door.

[0284] The touch sensor (200) may include electrodes.

[0285] The touch sensor (200) may include a capacitance sensor that detects the capacitance of the electrode.

[0286] The touch sensor (200) can detect electrostatic capacity in response to a touch input and transmit a touch signal corresponding to the detected electrostatic capacity to the processor (340).

[0287] The detected capacitance may have a size greater than the reference capacitance in response to the touch input.

[0288] The first opening / closing sensor (310) is provided in the main body (10) and the first storage room (21), detects the state of the first door (30A), and outputs first detection information corresponding to the detected state of the first door (30A).

[0289] The state of the first door (30A) may include an open state and a closed state.

[0290] For example, the first open / close sensor (310) may output a high signal based on the first door (30A) being in a closed state and may output a low signal based on the first door (30A) being in an open state, but is not limited thereto.

[0291] The second opening / closing sensor (320) is provided in the main body (10) and is provided in the second storage room (22), detects the state of the second door (30C), and outputs second detection information corresponding to the detected state of the second door (30C).

[0292] The state of the second door (30C) may include an open state and a closed state.

[0293] For example, the second open / close sensor (320) may output a high signal based on the second door (30C) being in a closed state and may output a low signal based on the second door (30C) being in an open state, but is not limited thereto.

[0294] The first opening / closing sensor (310) and the second opening / closing sensor (320) may include, but are not limited to, a micro switch, a limit switch, a magnetic switch, a reed switch, a toggle switch, a tact switch, etc.

[0295] The first opening / closing sensor (310) and the second opening / closing sensor (320) may include, but are not limited to, a light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an impact sensor.

[0296] The user interface (330) may be provided on any one of the plurality of doors, but may be provided on the door panel (31).

[0297] The user interface (330) can receive user input and output information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0298] The user interface (330) may include an input interface (331) for receiving user input and an output interface (332) for outputting information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0299] The input interface (331) can receive user input and transmit it to the processor (340).

[0300] The input interface (331) can receive the target temperature of each storage room and the storage mode of each storage room.

[0301] Storage modes may include freezing mode, refrigeration mode, kimchi mode, and vegetable mode.

[0302] The input interface (331) can also receive the opening mode of the first door (30A).

[0303] The opening mode of the first door (30A) may include a manual mode in which it is opened by the user's force and an automatic mode in which it is automatically opened by the door opening device (100).

[0304] The input interface (331) may include hardware devices such as keys, buttons, switches, pedals, mouse, trackball, microphone, etc.

[0305] The input interface (331) may include a GUI (Graphical User Interface), i.e., a software device, such as a touch pad. The touch pad may be implemented as a touch screen panel (TSP) and may form a mutual layer structure with the display unit (332a).

[0306] The output interface (332) may include a display unit (332a) and a speaker (332b).

[0307] The display unit (332a) can display information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator (1) based on the control command of the processor (340) and can display information to guide the user's input.

[0308] The display unit (332a) can display information entered into the input interface (331).

[0309] The display unit (332a) can display the target temperature for each storage room and the storage mode for each storage room.

[0310] The display unit (332a) can display the opening mode of the first door (30A).

[0311] The display unit (332a) can display the open and closed status of the door for each storage room.

[0312] The display unit (332a) can display information about the automatic opening state of the first door (30A) and the automatic opening state of the first door.

[0313] The first door's auto-opening state is a state in which the first door can be opened by the physical force of the door opening device. The non-auto-opening state is a state in which the first door can be opened solely by the user's force, without the assistance of the door opening device.

[0314] The display unit (332a) includes a plurality of seven segments.

[0315] The display unit (332a) may be provided as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital light processing (DLP) panel, a plasma display panel, an electroluminescence (EL) panel, an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel, an electrochromic display (ECD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, but is not limited thereto.

[0316] The speaker (332b) can output information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator (1) as a guide sound based on the control command of the processor (340), and can output information for guiding the user's input as a guide sound.

[0317] The speaker (332b) can output a guidance sound corresponding to a change in the target temperature for each storage room or a guidance sound corresponding to a change in the storage mode for each storage room.

[0318] The speaker (332b) can output a sound notification of the opening of the first door (30A).

[0319] The speaker (332b) can output a sound notification of the opening of the second door (30C).

[0320] The processor (340) controls the overall operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0321] The processor (340) can receive a target temperature for each storage room from the input interface (331) and control the display unit (332a) to display the received target temperature for each storage room.

[0322] The processor (340) can control the operation of the cooling system based on the target temperature for each storage room and the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) for each storage room.

[0323] The processor (340) can receive a storage mode for each storage room from the input interface (331) and control the display unit (332a) to display the received storage mode for each storage room.

[0324] The processor (340) can receive the opening mode of the first door (30A) from the input interface (331) and control the display unit (332a) to display the received opening mode of the first door (30A).

[0325] The opening mode of the first door (30A) may include an automatic mode for automatically opening the first door (30A) and a manual mode for manually opening the first door (30A).

[0326] The processor (340) controls the first door (30A) to be opened in manual mode based on the manual mode being received from the input interface (331).

[0327] The processor (340) controls the first door (30A) to be opened in automatic mode based on the automatic mode being received from the input interface (331).

[0328] The processor (340) can control the deactivation of at least one of the touch sensor (200) and the door opening device (100) when controlled in manual mode.

[0329] When controlling the deactivation of the touch sensor (200), the processor (340) can prevent electrostatic capacitance from being detected through the touch sensor (200) by blocking an input signal applied to the touch sensor (200). The input signal may include a pulse voltage or a pulse current.

[0330] When controlling the deactivation of the door opening device (100), the processor (340) can prevent the door opening device (100) from operating based on receiving a touch signal from the touch sensor (200).

[0331] That is, the deactivation control of the door opening device (100) limits the operation of the door opening device (100).

[0332] For example, when controlling the deactivation of the door opening device (100), the processor (340) may not transmit a control signal to the door opening device (100) based on receiving a touch signal from the touch sensor (200).

[0333] As another example, the processor (340) can omit operation of the door opening device (100) by ignoring a touch signal received from the touch sensor (200) when controlling deactivation of the door opening device (100).

[0334] The processor (340) can control the deactivation of the door opening device (100) to maintain the position of the door pusher (120) in the first position.

[0335] That is, the processor (340) can prevent the door pusher (120) from moving from the first position to the second position. This can prevent the first door (30A) from automatically opening.

[0336] The processor (340) can control the door opening device (100) to automatically open the first door (30A) based on receiving an automatic mode from the input interface (331). The opening mode of the first door (30A) may be set to the automatic mode by default.

[0337] When the processor (340) automatically controls the opening of the first door (30A) in automatic mode, it can control the deactivation of the door opening device (100) or the activation of the door opening device (100) based on the status of the first and second doors (30A, 30C).

[0338] The control configuration of the processor when automatically opening the first door (30A) will be described in more detail.

[0339] The processor (340) recognizes the status of the first and second doors based on the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200).

[0340] The processor (340) can recognize whether a touch input has been received or not based on a touch signal received from the touch sensor (200).

[0341] The processor (340) can recognize that a touch input has been received based on the electrostatic capacity corresponding to the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200) being recognized as being greater than or equal to a reference electrostatic capacity, and can recognize that a touch input has not been received based on the electrostatic capacity being recognized as being less than or equal to a reference electrostatic capacity.

[0342] When the processor (340) recognizes the state of the first door, it recognizes whether the first door (30A) is closed or open based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310).

[0343] When the processor (340) recognizes the state of the second door, it recognizes whether the second door (30C) is closed or open based on the second detection information received from the second open / close sensor (320).

[0344] The processor (340) controls the operation of the door opening device (100) based on receiving a touch signal from the touch sensor (200) and recognizing that the first door (30A) is in a closed state and the second door (30C) is in a closed state.

[0345] When controlling the operation of the door opening device (100), the processor (340) can control the drive motor (122) provided in the door opening device (100) to rotate in the first rotation direction. In this case, as the drive motor (122) rotates in the first rotation direction, the door pusher (120) moves linearly to the second position, and as the door pusher (120) moves linearly to the second position, the door pusher (120) can apply a physical force to the first door (30A).

[0346] When controlling the operation of the door opening device (100), the processor (340) can recognize the opening angle of the first door (30A) based on the position information received from the position sensor (150) and control the operation of the door opening device (100) to be stopped based on the recognized opening angle of the first door (30A) reaching the target angle.

[0347] The processor (340) can control the drive motor (122) provided in the door opening device (100) to rotate in the second rotation direction based on the recognition that the opening angle of the first door (30A) reaches the target angle. In this case, the drive motor (122) rotates in the second rotation direction, thereby causing the door pusher (120) to move linearly from the second position to the first position, and the door pusher (120) can return to the original position by linearly moving to the first position.

[0348] The processor (340) can recognize the position of the door pusher (120) based on the position information received from the position sensor (150) and control the operation of the drive motor (122) to stop based on the recognized door pusher (120) being the reference position.

[0349] That is, the processor (340) can control the driving motor (122) to rotate in the second rotation direction, thereby causing the door pusher (120) to return to its original position.

[0350] The processor (340) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) or the speaker (332b) to output guidance information notifying the opening of the automatically opened first door.

[0351] The processor (340) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) to count the opening time of the automatically opened first door (30A) and output an opening notification of the first door (30A) based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0352] The processor (340) can recognize whether the first door (30A) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state based on detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310), initialize the counted opening time based on recognizing that the first door (30A) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state, control at least one of the display unit (332a) or the speaker (332b) to stop outputting an opening notification of the first door (30A), and control the display unit (332a) to display guidance information guiding the closed state of the first door (30A).

[0353] The processor (340) can control the deactivation of at least one of the touch sensor (200) and the door opening device when the first door (30A) is in an open state.

[0354] When the first door (30A) is in an open state, the processor (340) can control the door opening device (100) so that the position of the door pusher (120) is maintained at the first position when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (200).

[0355] The processor (340) can prevent the driving motor (122) from operating even when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (200) when the first door (30A) is in an open state.

[0356] The processor (340) can control the deactivation of the door opening device (100) when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (200), the first door (30A) is in a closed state, and the second door (30C) is switched from a closed state to an open state.

[0357] The processor (340) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) to output a state in which the first door cannot be automatically opened. In this case, the first door (30A) can be opened by the user's force.

[0358] The processor (340) can control the movement of the moving pusher (120) to be impossible by controlling the deactivation of the door opening device (100).

[0359] The processor (340) can prevent the operation of the drive motor (122) so that the position of the moving pusher (120) is maintained at the first position by the deactivation control of the door opening device (100). The processor (340) can prevent the moving pusher (120) from protruding.

[0360] The processor (340) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) to output an automatic opening state of the first door when the second door (30C) is switched to a closed state.

[0361] The processor (340) can control the activation of the door opening device (100) when the first door is in a closed state and the second door (30C) is switched to a closed state.

[0362] The processor (340) can control the movement of the moving pusher (120) by controlling the activation of the door opening device (100).

[0363] The processor (340) can control the drive motor (122) so that the moving pusher (120) moves from the first position to the second position when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (200) while the moving pusher (120) is capable of moving.

[0364] The processor (340) may not control the operation of the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) is not automatically opened based on the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200) when the second door (30C) is in an open state.

[0365] That is, when the second door (30C) is in an open state, the processor (340) can not transmit a control signal to the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) is not automatically opened based on the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200).

[0366] The processor (340) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) to count the opening time of the second door (30C) based on recognizing that the second door (30C) has transitioned from a closed state to an open state, and output an opening notification of the second door (30C) based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0367] The processor (340) can initialize the counted opening time based on recognizing that the second door (30C) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state, and can control the display unit (332a) to display guidance information guiding the closed state of the second door (30C).

[0368] In this way, the present embodiment can prevent the first door from automatically opening even if an interference signal is received at the touch sensor according to the position movement of the second door when the second door is switched from a closed state to an open state.

[0369] The processor (340) can recognize a pair of doors in which signal interference may occur based on the identification information of each door and the location information of the door stored in the memory (350).

[0370] The processor (340) can match the door opening device corresponding to each of the plurality of doors with the touch sensor based on the identification information of the door opening device corresponding to each of the plurality of doors and the identification information of the touch sensor stored in the memory (350). When a touch signal is received from the touch sensor based on the matching information, the processor (340) can recognize the door opening device to open the door and control the operation of the recognized door opening device.

[0371] The processor (340) can identify a door for detecting an open / closed state based on the identification information of the open / close sensor corresponding to each of a plurality of doors stored in the memory (350) and the detection information of the open / close sensor.

[0372] The processor (340) may be implemented as a memory (not shown) that stores data regarding an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the refrigerator or a program that reproduces the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) that performs the aforementioned operations using the data stored in the memory. In this case, the memory (350) and the processor (340) may each be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory (350) and the processor (340) may be implemented as a single chip.

[0373] The processor (340) can perform the above-described operation using data stored in the memory (350).

[0374] The processor (340) may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (340) may include one or more processor chips that perform the aforementioned operations using an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the refrigerator, at least one memory that stores program-type data, and data stored in the at least one memory, or may include one or more processing cores.

[0375] The processor (340) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0376] The memory (350) can store the opening angle information of the first door corresponding to the position information of the position sensor (150).

[0377] The memory (350) can store information about the target angle.

[0378] The memory (350) can store information about the reference electrostatic capacity.

[0379] The memory (350) can store identification information and location information of each storage room door.

[0380] The memory (350) can store identification information of an opening / closing sensor corresponding to each of a plurality of doors.

[0381] When multiple doors are provided on the upper part of the main body, identification information of a door opening device and identification information of a touch sensor corresponding to each of the multiple doors can be stored.

[0382] The memory (350) can store data for an algorithm for controlling the operation of components in the refrigerator or a program that reproduces the algorithm.

[0383] The memory (350) may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory element such as a cache, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a CD-ROM, but is not limited thereto.

[0384] The memory (350) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0385] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the refrigerator illustrated in Fig. 9. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the relative positions of the components may be altered to correspond to the performance or structure of the refrigerator.

[0386] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 9 represents software and / or hardware components such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0387] FIG. 11 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0388] When a touch signal is received from a touch sensor (200) (2001), the refrigerator can recognize the state of the first door (30A) based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310), and can recognize the state of the second door (30C) based on the second detection information received from the second open / close sensor (320) (2002).

[0389] The refrigerator recognizes whether the first door (30A) is closed (2003).

[0390] When the refrigerator recognizes that the first door (30A) is open, it maintains the position of the door pusher (120) at the first position (2004). That is, it determines that the touch signal was received while the first door (30A) was already open, and thus does not cause the door opening device's moving pusher (120) to move.

[0391] The refrigerator recognizes whether the first door (30A) is closed and the second door (30C) is closed (2005).

[0392] When the refrigerator recognizes that the second door (30C) is open, it maintains the position of the door pusher (120) in the first position (2006).

[0393] That is, it is determined that the touch signal may be due to signal interference between the second door and the touch sensor caused by the opening of the second door, and thus the moving pusher (120) of the door opening device is not moved.

[0394] The user can open the first door (30A) by using their own force, depending on their intention to open the first door. In this case, the refrigerator can recognize whether the first door (30A) is open based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310). Thereafter, the refrigerator can output guidance information regarding the opening of the first door (30A) through the display unit (332a).

[0395] The refrigerator can control at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) to count the opening time of the second door (30C) based on recognizing that the second door (30C) has transitioned from a closed state to an open state, and output an opening notification of the second door (30C) based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0396] The refrigerator controls the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) automatically opens when the second door (30C) is recognized as being closed.

[0397] That is, when the refrigerator recognizes that the second door (30C) is closed, it controls the rotation of the drive motor (122) so that the moving pusher (120) moves from the first position to the second position by the rotational force of the drive motor (2007). This allows the first door to be opened automatically.

[0398] The refrigerator can recognize the opening angle of the first door (30A) based on the position information received from the position sensor (150) during automatic opening of the first door (30A) (2008), and compare the recognized opening angle of the first door (30A) with the target angle.

[0399] The refrigerator can recognize whether the opening angle of the recognized first door (30A) has reached the target angle (2009).

[0400] The refrigerator can control the operation of the door opening device (100) to stop based on the recognition that the opening angle of the recognized first door (30A) has reached the target angle.

[0401] The refrigerator can control the drive motor (122) provided in the door opening device (100) to rotate in the second rotation direction based on the recognition that the opening angle of the first door (30A) reaches the target angle. Through this, the door pusher (120) can be moved from the second position to the first position (2010).

[0402] The refrigerator can output guidance information notifying the opening of the first door that is automatically opened through at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b).

[0403] The refrigerator can also automatically count the opening time of the first door (30A) and output an opening notification of the first door (30A) through at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0404] The refrigerator can recognize whether the first door (30A) is closed or open based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310), and based on the recognition that the first door (30A) is closed, can display guidance information indicating the closed state of the first door (30A) through the display unit (332a).

[0405] The refrigerator can monitor the status of the second door (30C) based on second detection information received from the second open / close sensor (320) when the first door is closed and the second door is open.

[0406] The refrigerator can control the first door (30A) of the first door (30A) to be automatically openable based on the recognition that the second door (30C) is in a closed state while monitoring the state of the second door (30C).

[0407] The refrigerator can output guidance information indicating the automatic opening state of the first door (30A) through at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b).

[0408] That is, when the refrigerator is in an automatic opening state of the first door (30A), the operation of the door opening device (100) can be controlled so that the first door (30A) is automatically opened based on a touch signal received from the touch sensor (200).

[0409] When the refrigerator is in an automatic opening state of the first door (30A), the rotation of the drive motor can be controlled so that the moving pusher (120) moves from the first position to the second position based on the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200).

[0410] The refrigerator can initialize the counted opening time based on recognizing that the second door (30C) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state, and can control the display unit (332a) to display guidance information guiding the closed state of the second door (30C).

[0411] FIG. 12 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0412] A refrigerator (1) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first door (30A), a second door (30C), a door opening device (100), a position sensor (150), a touch sensor (200), a first opening / closing sensor (310), a second opening / closing sensor (320), a user interface (330), a processor (360), and a memory (370).

[0413] The first door (30A), the second door (30C), the door opening device (100), the position sensor (150), the touch sensor (200), the first opening / closing sensor (310), the second opening / closing sensor (320), and the user interface (330) of the refrigerator (1) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure are the same as the first door (30A), the second door (30C), the door opening device (100), the position sensor (150), the touch sensor (200), the first opening / closing sensor (310), the second opening / closing sensor (320), and the user interface (330) of the refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 9, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

[0414] The processor (360) controls the overall operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0415] The processor (360) controls the opening mode of the first door (30A) to the manual mode based on the manual mode being received as the opening mode of the first door (30A) from the input interface (331). In this case, the control configuration of the manual mode of the first door by the processor (360) is the same as the control configuration of the manual mode of the first door by the processor (340) of one embodiment, and thus, a description thereof is omitted.

[0416] The processor (360) can control the door opening device (100) to automatically open the first door (30A) based on receiving an automatic mode from the input interface (331).

[0417] The opening mode of the first door (30A) can also be set to automatic mode by default.

[0418] When a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (200), the processor (360) recognizes whether the first door (30A) is closed or open based on the detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310).

[0419] When a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (200), the processor (360) recognizes whether the second door (30C) is closed or open based on the detection information received from the second open / close sensor (320).

[0420] The processor (360) controls the operation of the door opening device (100) when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor, the first door (30A) is closed, and the second door (30C) is closed.

[0421] When controlling the operation of the door opening device (100), the processor (360) can control the driving motor (122) provided in the door opening device (100) to rotate in the first rotation direction.

[0422] The processor (360) controls the rotation of the drive motor (122) to move the moving pusher (120) from the first position to the second position.

[0423] The processor (360) can recognize the opening angle of the first door (30A) based on the position information received from the position sensor (150) during automatic opening control of the first door (30A) and control the operation of the door opening device (100) to be stopped based on the recognized opening angle of the first door (30A) reaching the target angle.

[0424] The processor (360) can control the drive motor (122) provided in the door opening device (100) to rotate in the second rotation direction based on the recognized opening angle of the first door (30A) reaching the target angle.

[0425] The processor (360) can control the driving motor to rotate in the second rotation direction, thereby causing the door pusher (120) to move from the second position to the first position.

[0426] The processor (360) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) or the speaker (332b) to output guidance information notifying the opening of the automatically opened first door.

[0427] The processor (360) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) to count the opening time of the automatically opened first door (30A) and output an opening notification of the first door (30A) based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0428] The processor (360) can recognize whether the first door (30A) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310), initialize the counted opening time based on recognizing that the first door (30A) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state, control at least one of the display unit (332a) or the speaker (332b) to stop outputting an opening notification of the first door (30A), and control the display unit (332a) to display guidance information guiding the closed state of the first door (30A).

[0429] The processor (360) can control the display unit (332a) to display guidance information for notifying the opening of the second door (30C) based on the recognition that the second door (30C) has been switched from a closed state to an open state.

[0430] The processor (360) controls the deactivation of the door opening device (100) when a touch signal is received from the sensor and the first door (30A) is in a closed state and the second door (30C) is in an open state.

[0431] The processor (360) may not control the operation of the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) is not automatically opened based on the touch signal being received from the touch sensor (200).

[0432] The processor (360) can keep the position of the movable pusher (120) in the first position by preventing the door opening device (100) from operating. That is, the movable pusher can be prevented from protruding and applying physical force to the first door.

[0433] The touch signal received from the touch sensor (200) may include a signal corresponding to an electrostatic capacitance greater than the reference electrostatic capacitance.

[0434] That is, the processor (360) can not transmit a control signal to the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) is not automatically opened based on the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200).

[0435] The processor (360) can control the display unit (332a) to output guidance information regarding the automatic opening impossibility of the first door (30A).

[0436] In this way, the present embodiment can prevent the first door from automatically opening by recognizing the touch signal received from the touch sensor as an interference signal from the second door when the second door switches from a closed state to an open state.

[0437] Monitoring of the second door (30C) may include monitoring the time at which the state of the second door is switched or the angle at which the second door is opened.

[0438] When the processor (360) recognizes that the second door has been switched from a closed state to an open state, it counts the time from the switching point of the state change and controls the deactivation of the door opening device based on the counted time being less than a reference time.

[0439] That is, the position of the door pusher can be maintained in the first position by deactivating the door opening device.

[0440] The reference time may be the time when the wall (52) of the handle area of ​​the second door moves out of the position where it is aligned vertically with the touch sensor (200) of the first door. The reference time may be information obtained through a test and may be information stored in advance.

[0441] As the opening angle of the second door increases as the opening time of the second door passes, when the wall (52) of the handle area of ​​the second door moves out of the area adjacent to the touch sensor (200), the processor (360) can control the door opening device (100) to automatically open the first door (30A) based on the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200) even when the second door is open.

[0442] The processor (360) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) or the speaker (332b) to output guidance information indicating the automatic opening state of the first door.

[0443] When an angle sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the opening angle of the second door (30C) is provided in the second door (30C), the processor (360) recognizes the opening angle of the second door (30C) based on angle information received from the angle sensor, and controls deactivation of the door opening device based on the recognized opening angle being less than a reference angle, and controls activation of the door opening device based on the recognized opening angle being greater than or equal to the reference angle.

[0444] Here, the angle sensor may include, but is not limited to, a Hall sensor.

[0445] The processor (360) can recognize the opening angle of the second door (30C) based on angle information received from the angle sensor, and control the door opening device so that the position of the door pusher is maintained at the first position based on the recognized opening angle being less than the reference angle, and so that the door pusher can move from the first position to the second position based on the recognized opening angle being greater than the reference angle.

[0446] The processor (360) can control at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) to count the opening time of the second door (30C) based on recognizing that the second door (30C) has transitioned from a closed state to an open state, and output an opening notification of the second door (30C) based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0447] The processor (360) can initialize the counted opening time based on recognizing that the second door (30C) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state, and can control the display unit (332a) to display guidance information guiding the closed state of the second door (30C).

[0448] The processor (360) may be implemented as a memory (not shown) that stores data regarding an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the refrigerator or a program that reproduces the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) that performs the aforementioned operations using the data stored in the memory. In this case, the memory (370) and the processor (360) may each be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory (370) and the processor (360) may be implemented as a single chip.

[0449] The processor (360) can perform the above-described operation using data stored in the memory (370).

[0450] The processor (360) may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (360) may include one or more processor chips that perform the aforementioned operations using an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the refrigerator, at least one memory that stores program-type data, and data stored in the at least one memory, or may include one or more processing cores.

[0451] The processor (360) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0452] The memory (370) can store the opening angle information of the first door corresponding to the position information of the position sensor (150).

[0453] The memory (370) can store information about the target angle.

[0454] The memory (370) can store information about a reference time for changing the opening mode of the first door.

[0455] The memory (370) can also store information on the reference angle for changing the opening mode of the first door.

[0456] The memory (370) can store information about the reference electrostatic capacity.

[0457] The memory (370) can store identification information and location information of each storage room door.

[0458] The memory (370) can store identification information of an opening / closing sensor corresponding to each of a plurality of doors.

[0459] When multiple doors are provided on the upper part of the main body, identification information of a door opening device and identification information of a touch sensor corresponding to each of the multiple doors can be stored.

[0460] The memory (370) can store data for an algorithm for controlling the operation of components in the refrigerator or a program that reproduces the algorithm.

[0461] The memory (370) may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory element such as a cache, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a CD-ROM, but is not limited thereto.

[0462] The memory (370) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0463] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the refrigerator illustrated in Fig. 12. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the relative positions of the components may be altered to correspond to the performance or structure of the refrigerator.

[0464] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 12 represents software and / or hardware components such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0465] FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0466] When a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (200) (2021), the refrigerator can recognize the state of the first door (30A) based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310), and can recognize the state of the second door (30C) based on the second detection information received from the second open / close sensor (320) (2022).

[0467] The refrigerator recognizes whether the first door (30A) is closed (2023).

[0468] When the refrigerator recognizes that the first door (30A) is open, it maintains the position of the door pusher (120) at the first position (2024). That is, it determines that the touch signal was received while the first door (30A) was already open, and thus does not cause the moving pusher (120) of the door opening device to move.

[0469] When the refrigerator recognizes that the first door (30A) is closed, it recognizes that the second door (30C) is closed (2025).

[0470] The refrigerator controls the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) automatically opens when the second door (30C) is recognized as being closed.

[0471] That is, when the refrigerator recognizes that the second door (30C) is closed, it controls the rotation of the drive motor (122) so that the moving pusher (120) moves from the first position to the second position by the rotational force of the drive motor (2026). This allows the first door to be opened automatically.

[0472] During automatic opening of the first door (30A), the refrigerator can recognize the opening angle of the first door (30A) based on the position information received from the position sensor (150) (2027) and compare the recognized opening angle of the first door (30A) with the target angle.

[0473] The refrigerator can recognize whether the opening angle of the recognized first door (30A) has reached the target angle (2028).

[0474] The refrigerator can control the operation of the door opening device (100) to stop based on the recognition that the opening angle of the recognized first door (30A) has reached the target angle.

[0475] The refrigerator can control the drive motor (122) provided in the door opening device (100) to rotate in the second rotation direction based on the recognition that the opening angle of the first door (30A) reaches the target angle. Through this, the door pusher (120) can be moved from the second position to the first position (2029).

[0476] The refrigerator can output guidance information notifying the opening of the first door that is automatically opened through at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b).

[0477] The refrigerator can also automatically count the opening time of the first door (30A) and output an opening notification of the first door (30A) through at least one of the display unit (332a) and the speaker (332b) based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0478] The refrigerator can recognize whether the first door (30A) is closed or open based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310), and based on the recognition that the first door (30A) is closed, can display guidance information indicating the closed state of the first door (30A) through the display unit (332a).

[0479] The refrigerator can control the deactivation of at least one of the touch sensor (200) and the door opening device (100) when a touch signal is received and the first door is recognized as being in a closed state and the second door is recognized as being in an open state.

[0480] The refrigerator maintains the position of the door pusher in the first position by deactivation control of at least one of the touch sensor (200) and the door opening device (100) (2030).

[0481] Controlling the deactivation of the door opening device may include not controlling the operation of the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) is not automatically opened based on receiving a touch signal from the touch sensor (200).

[0482] The touch signal received from the touch sensor (200) may include a signal corresponding to an electrostatic capacitance greater than the reference electrostatic capacitance.

[0483] Controlling the deactivation of the door opening device may include not transmitting a control signal to the door opening device (100) so that the first door (30A) is not automatically opened based on receiving a touch signal from the touch sensor (200).

[0484] The refrigerator can control the display to display information about the automatic opening failure of the first door, and can also control the speaker.

[0485] In this way, the present embodiment can prevent the first door (30A) from automatically opening by recognizing the received touch signal as an interference signal with the second door (30C) when the second door switches from a closed state to an open state.

[0486] The refrigerator counts the open time from the transition point when the second door (30C) is recognized as having transitioned from a closed state to an open state (2031), and compares the counted time with a reference time.

[0487] The refrigerator can maintain the position of the door pusher in the first position based on the counted time being less than the reference time.

[0488] The refrigerator can be controlled to enable movement of the door pusher (2033) based on the counted time reaching the reference time (2032).

[0489] That is, the refrigerator can control the activation of at least one of the touch sensor and the door opening device.

[0490] The refrigerator can output information about the automatic opening status of the first door through the display or speaker.

[0491] The refrigerator can control the door opening device to automatically open the first door when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor (2034) while the door pusher is capable of moving. The refrigerator can move the position of the door pusher from the first position to the second position through the rotation of the driving motor (2035). The reference time may be the time when the wall portion (52) of the handle area of ​​the second door (30C) moves out of the position where it is aligned vertically with the touch sensor (200) of the first door (30A). The reference time may be information obtained through a test and may be information stored in advance.

[0492] As the opening time of the second door (30C) increases, the opening angle of the second door (30C) increases, so that when the wall (52) of the handle area of ​​the second door moves out of the area adjacent to the touch sensor (200), the refrigerator can control the door opening device (100) to automatically open the first door (30A) based on the touch signal received from the touch sensor (200) even when the second door (30C) is open.

[0493] When the first door is in an open state, the refrigerator can recognize whether the first door (30A) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor (310), and can initialize the counted opening time based on the recognition that the first door (30A) has transitioned from an open state to a closed state, and can control at least one of the display unit (332a) or the speaker (332b) to stop outputting an opening notification of the first door (30A), and can control the display unit (332a) to display guidance information guiding the closed state of the first door (30A).

[0494] When the second door is in the open state, the refrigerator recognizes whether the second door (30C) has transitioned from the open state to the closed state based on the second detection information received from the second open / close sensor (320), and when it recognizes that the second door (30C) has transitioned from the open state to the closed state, it can output guidance information guiding the closed state of the second door (30C) through the display unit (332a).

[0495] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0496] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0497] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. Main body with storage compartment; A first door provided in the above main body; A touch sensor provided at the bottom of the first door and receiving a user's touch input; and A door opening device having a door pusher configured to move between a first position and a second position and open the first door by moving to the second position; A second door provided in the above main body and provided below the first door; A first open / close sensor that detects the open and closed states of the first door; A second open / close sensor that detects the open and closed states of the second door; and A refrigerator including a processor that recognizes the state of the first door and the state of the second door based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor and the second detection information received from the second open / close sensor when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor, and controls the door opening device so that the position of the door pusher is maintained at the first position when the first door is closed and the second door is open.

2. In the first paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that controls the door opening device so that the second door pusher moves to the second position when the first door is closed and the second door is closed.

3. In paragraph 2, Further comprising a position sensor for detecting the opening angle of the first door; The processor recognizes the opening angle of the first door based on the position information received from the position sensor, and controls the movement of the door pusher to stop based on the recognized opening angle of the first door reaching the target angle. A refrigerator in which the processor controls the door opening device so that the door pusher moves to the second position, and controls the door opening device so that the door pusher moves to the first position based on the recognized opening angle of the first door reaching the target angle.

4. In the first paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator wherein, when the second door is in an open state, the time for which the second door is open is counted, and when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor while the counted time is less than a reference time, the door opening device is controlled so that the door pusher maintains the first position, and when the counted time reaches the reference time, the door pusher is controlled to a state in which movement is possible based on the counted time reaching the reference time, and when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor while the counted time reaches the reference time, the door opening device is controlled so that the door pusher moves to the second position.

5. In the fourth paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator which monitors the state of the second door based on second detection information received from the second open / close sensor, and controls the door opening device so that the position of the door pusher is maintained at the first position when the state of the monitored second door is open, and controls the door pusher so that it can move when the state of the monitored second door is closed.

6. In paragraph 1, The second door includes a handle area provided on the upper surface of the second door, The above handle area includes a recessed portion that is sunken downward from the upper surface of the second door, and a wall portion that forms a wall surface of the recessed portion. The above home portion is provided on a surface of the upper surface of the second door that corresponds to the touch sensor of the first door when the first and second doors are closed. The above wall portion is provided on a surface of the upper surface of the second door corresponding to the touch sensor when the first door is closed and the second door is switched from a closed state to an open state. The above touch sensor is a refrigerator including a capacitance sensor that detects capacitance.

7. In paragraph 6, the wall portion of the upper surface of the second door is, A refrigerator made of conductive material.

8. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator further comprising a display unit that displays information on whether the first door can be automatically opened or not.

9. When a touch signal is received from the touch sensor installed on the first door, Based on the first detection information received from the first open / close sensor, it is recognized whether the first door is open or closed, Based on the second detection information received from the second opening / closing sensor, it is recognized whether the second door provided at the bottom of the first door is open or closed. When the first door is closed and the second door is closed, the door opening device is controlled so that the door pusher moves from the first position to the second position. A control method of a refrigerator, wherein the door opening device is controlled so that the door pusher is maintained in the first position when the first door is closed and the second door is open.

10. In the 9th paragraph, controlling the door opening device so that the door pusher moves from the first position to the second position, A method for controlling a refrigerator, comprising: controlling a driving motor connected to the door pusher so that rotational force of the driving motor is transmitted to the door pusher.

11. In the 10th paragraph, controlling the door opening device comprises: Recognize the opening angle of the first door based on the position information received from the position sensor, A control method of a refrigerator, comprising causing the door pusher to move to the first position based on the recognized opening angle of the first door reaching a target angle.

12. In paragraph 9, If the above recognized second door is open, the time the above recognized second door is open is counted, A control method of a refrigerator further comprising controlling the movement of the door pusher based on the counted time reaching a reference time.

13. In paragraph 12, Controlling the movement of the above door pusher is possible, A method for controlling a refrigerator, comprising: causing the door pusher to move from the first position to the second position when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor.

14. In paragraph 12, A control method for a refrigerator further comprising: maintaining the position of the door pusher at the first position when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor while the counted time is less than the reference time.

15. In paragraph 9, Based on the second detection information received from the second opening / closing sensor, the state of the second door is monitored, and if the monitored state of the second door is open, the position of the door pusher is controlled to be maintained at the first position. A method for controlling a refrigerator, comprising controlling the door pusher to be able to move when the state of the monitored second door is closed.

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