Refrigerator and method for controlling same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling same. In a method for controlling a refrigerator which cools a storage chamber provided in a main body by using a thermoelectric element including a cooling unit and a heating unit, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan, external humidity of the main body is detected by using a humidity sensor, external temperature of the main body is detected by using a temperature sensor, and the operation of at least one of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element is controlled on the basis of at least one of the detected external temperature and the detected external humidity. According to the present invention, the air of the heating unit of the thermoelectric element is made to move to a contact area between the main body and a door so that dew can be prevented from being formed on the contact area between the main body and the door.

Description

Refrigerator and its control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof for preventing dew from forming between the body and the door.

[0002] A refrigerator is typically a device that stores food at low temperatures in a storage compartment enclosed by a door. Refrigerators cool the storage compartment using the cold air generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle, thereby maintaining the food in the storage compartment in optimal condition.

[0003] The refrigerator may include at least one storage compartment and at least one door for opening or closing the at least one storage compartment.

[0004] Because the storage compartment of the refrigerator is colder than the temperature outside the refrigerator, condensation forms in the area where the temperature difference occurs when the door is opened.

[0005] Traditionally, heaters were installed in areas where temperature differences occurred to prevent condensation. For example, heaters were installed along the edges of refrigerator doors or in the openings of the refrigerator body.

[0006] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator including an air guide channel provided on a surface of the body where the first and second doors come into contact, and guiding the movement of air so that air exchanged in a heat generating portion of a thermoelectric element flows to an area where the first and second doors are adjacent.

[0007] Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof that controls the operation of at least one of a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan and a cooling fan based on at least one of an outside humidity and an outside temperature.

[0008] A refrigerator according to one aspect comprises: a main body including a storage compartment; a door that allows the storage compartment to be opened and closed; a thermoelectric element including a cooling unit and a heating unit, the thermoelectric element supplying air heat-exchanged in the cooling unit to the storage compartment; a heat-dissipating fan that generates a flow of air heat-exchanged in the heating unit; an air guide path that guides air flowed by the heat-dissipating fan to an area of ​​the main body that is in contact with the door when closed; a temperature sensor that detects an external temperature of the main body; a humidity sensor that detects an external humidity of the main body; and a processor that controls the heat-dissipating fan and the thermoelectric element based on the external temperature and the external humidity.

[0009] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect determines whether to control the switching of the heat dissipation fan and the thermoelectric element to the on state based on the external temperature and external humidity when the thermoelectric element and the heat dissipation fan are in the off state.

[0010] A processor of a refrigerator according to one aspect controls the cooling fan to be kept in an off state based on whether the external humidity is lower than a first reference humidity, and controls the cooling fan to be turned on based on whether the external humidity is higher than the first reference humidity.

[0011] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the heat dissipation fan and thermoelectric element to be turned on based on whether the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity, which is higher than the first reference humidity.

[0012] A processor of a refrigerator according to one aspect determines the output of a thermoelectric element based on an external temperature and controls the operation of the thermoelectric element based on the determined output.

[0013] According to one aspect, the refrigerator's processor controls the output of the thermoelectric element to be higher as the external temperature increases.

[0014] According to one aspect, a refrigerator further includes an internal temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a storage compartment. According to one aspect, a processor of the refrigerator controls a thermoelectric element to be turned off based on whether the temperature of the storage compartment detected by the internal temperature sensor is below a target temperature.

[0015] A refrigerator according to one aspect further includes a cooling fan that generates a flow of heat-exchanged air in a cooling unit. A processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the cooling fan based on an external temperature and external humidity.

[0016] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the cooling fan to be turned on based on whether the external humidity is higher than a second reference humidity that is higher than the first reference humidity when the cooling fan is off.

[0017] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the rotation speed of the cooling fan and the heat dissipation fan based on the external temperature.

[0018] According to another aspect, a refrigerator comprises a main body including a storage compartment; a door for opening and closing the storage compartment; a thermoelectric element including a cooling unit and a heating unit, and supplying air heat-exchanged in the cooling unit to the storage compartment; a heat-dissipating fan for generating a flow of air heat-exchanged in the heating unit; an air guide path for guiding air flowed by the heat-dissipating fan to an area of ​​the main body that is in contact with the door when closed; a humidity sensor for detecting external humidity of the main body; and a processor for controlling the heat-dissipating fan based on the external humidity.

[0019] According to another aspect, the refrigerator's processor determines whether to control the switching of the heat dissipation fan to the on state based on the external humidity when the thermoelectric element and heat dissipation fan are in the off state.

[0020] According to another aspect, the processor of the refrigerator controls the cooling fan to be kept in an off state based on the external humidity being lower than the first reference humidity, and controls the cooling fan to be turned on based on the external humidity being higher than the first reference humidity.

[0021] According to another aspect, a refrigerator further includes an internal temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a storage compartment. According to another aspect, a processor of the refrigerator controls a thermoelectric element and a heat dissipation fan to be turned off based on whether the temperature of the storage compartment detected by the internal temperature sensor is below a target temperature.

[0022] According to another aspect, a method for controlling a refrigerator is provided for cooling a storage compartment provided in a main body using a thermoelectric element including a cooling unit and a heating unit, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan, wherein the method comprises detecting external humidity of the main body using a humidity sensor, detecting external temperature of the main body using a temperature sensor, and controlling the operation of at least one of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element based on at least one of the detected external temperature and the detected external humidity.

[0023] A method for controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect further includes determining whether to control switching of at least one of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element to an on state based on at least one of an external temperature and an external humidity when the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element are in an off state.

[0024] A method for controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect further includes controlling a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan to be turned off based on the temperature of a storage compartment detected by an internal temperature sensor being lower than a target temperature.

[0025] Controlling the switching on of at least one of a heat dissipation fan, a cooling fan, and a thermoelectric element based on at least one of an external temperature and an external humidity includes controlling the cooling fan to remain in an off state based on the external humidity being lower than a first reference humidity, and controlling the switching on of the cooling fan to a on state based on the external humidity being higher than the first reference humidity.

[0026] Controlling the switching on of at least one of a heat dissipation fan, a cooling fan, and a thermoelectric element based on at least one of an external temperature and an external humidity includes controlling the switching on of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element based on the external humidity being higher than a second reference humidity that is higher than a first reference humidity, determining the output of the thermoelectric element based on the external temperature, and controlling the operation of the thermoelectric element based on the determined output.

[0027] Another aspect of the method for controlling a refrigerator further includes controlling the rotation speed of a cooling fan and a heat dissipation fan based on an external temperature.

[0028] According to the disclosed invention, the disclosed invention can prevent condensation occurring between the main body and the first and second doors by using air heat-exchanged in the heating section of the thermoelectric element of the first cooling device.

[0029] The disclosed invention can prevent condensation between the first and second doors provided on the upper part of the main body by utilizing the air heat-exchanged in the heating element of the thermoelectric element, so that the hot pipe provided on the upper part of the main body can be eliminated, and the heater of the rotating bar provided on either the first or second doors of the main body can be eliminated. Through this, the disclosed invention can reduce the manufacturing process and manufacturing manpower of the refrigerator, and lower the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator.

[0030] The disclosed invention can reduce power consumption by lowering the output of a thermoelectric element based on at least one of external humidity and external temperature.

[0031] The disclosed invention can improve the quality and marketability of refrigerators, enhance user satisfaction, and further secure the competitiveness of refrigerators.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a state in which the door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is open.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the movement of air to prevent condensation in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a drawing of the upper part of the storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from below.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of Fig. 2.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the movement of air due to heat dissipation of a first cooling device provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 8 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 9 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a control flowchart of a first cooling device for preventing condensation in the refrigerator when the first cooling device is in an off state.

[0042] Fig. 11 is a flowchart of output control of a thermoelectric element corresponding to an external temperature when controlling a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a control flowchart of a first cooling device for preventing condensation in a refrigerator when the first cooling device is in an off state.

[0044] 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 alternatives of the embodiments.

[0045] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0049] 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).

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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 disposed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0057] "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.

[0058] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation material instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation material 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 material is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation material described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0059] 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.

[0060] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator has 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.

[0061] 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 +7 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 -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. A variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer, at the user's option or not.

[0062] 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.

[0063] According to 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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 through heat generation and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0085] 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.

[0086] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0087] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0088] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a state in which a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is open, and FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the direction of air movement for preventing condensation in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] FIG. 4 is a drawing of the upper part of the storage compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from below, FIG. 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line II of FIG. 2.

[0090] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the movement of air due to heat dissipation of a first cooling device provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a refrigerator (1) may include a body (10) that forms the exterior of the refrigerator and has an opening, a door (20) provided on the body (10) and opening and closing the opening of the body (10), and a user interface (40) for interfacing with a user.

[0092] The main body (10) may include an outer body (11) forming the exterior of the refrigerator.

[0093] The outer case (11) may be formed to have the shape of a box with an open front. The outer case (11) may include the upper surface, lower surface, left surface, right surface, and rear surface of the refrigerator (1).

[0094] The main body (10) may include a top table (12) provided on the upper part of the main body (10). The top table (12) may be coupled to the upper surface of the outer body (11).

[0095] The top table (12) can cover various electrical components. A space for accommodating various electrical components can be provided on the inside of the top table (12).

[0096] There may be one or more doors (20). The doors (20) may be provided rotatably on the main body (10).

[0097] This embodiment illustrates a refrigerator having four doors (21, 22, 23, 24) as an example.

[0098] The refrigerator may further include a user interface (40) that receives user input and outputs information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0099] A user interface (40) is provided on at least one of the doors and can receive user input and display operation information of the refrigerator.

[0100] The user interface (40) may include an input interface for receiving user input and an output interface for outputting information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0101] The input interface can receive a command to output a food list and a command to end output of the food list.

[0102] Input interfaces may include hardware devices such as keys, buttons, switches, pedals, a mouse, a trackball, a microphone, etc.

[0103] The input interface 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 form a mutual layer structure with the display unit.

[0104] The output interface may include a display and a speaker.

[0105] The display unit can display information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator (1) and can display information to guide user input.

[0106] The display unit can display information entered into the input interface.

[0107] The display includes multiple seven-segment displays.

[0108] The display unit may be provided as, but is not limited to, 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.

[0109] The speaker can output information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator (1) as a guide sound, and can output information to guide the user's input as a guide sound.

[0110] The refrigerator (1) may be provided with a humidity sensor (50) for detecting external humidity and a temperature sensor (60) for detecting external temperature.

[0111] A humidity sensor (50) and a temperature sensor (60) can be provided on the top table (12).

[0112] The humidity sensor (50) and the temperature sensor (60) can also be provided as a single sensor that detects both temperature and humidity.

[0113] The refrigerator may further include a first cooling device (100) provided on the outer surface of the main body.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator may include a storage compartment (30) provided inside the main body (10).

[0115] The main body (10) may include an inner case (13) forming a storage room (30).

[0116] The inner case (13) may be of an open-fronted type. The inner case (13) may be provided on the inner side of the outer case (11). The inner wall of the inner case (13) may form the inner wall of the storage chamber (30).

[0117] An insulating material (not shown) that can prevent cold air from leaking from the storage room (30) may be provided between the outer case (11) and the inner case (13) of the main body (10).

[0118] The insulation can be foamed between the inner case (13) and the outer case (11), thereby bonding the inner case (13) and the outer case (11) to each other. The insulation can insulate the outer case (11) and the inner case (13) from each other. That is, the insulation can prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage chamber (30) and the outside of the main body (10), thereby improving the cooling efficiency inside the storage chamber (30).

[0119] Insulation materials that can be used include urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation, and vacuum insulation panels. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the main body insulation can be composed of various materials.

[0120] There may be one or more storage rooms (30).

[0121] When there are multiple storage rooms, the multiple storage rooms can be divided by partitions. Storage rooms divided vertically can be divided by a first partition arranged horizontally within the storage room, and storage rooms divided left and right can be divided by a second partition arranged vertically within the storage room.

[0122] The storage room (30) may include a refrigerator that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius to refrigerate food, and may include a freezer that is maintained at approximately -30 to 0 degrees Celsius to freeze food.

[0123] The refrigerator compartment may be provided at the top of the main body, and there may be one or more refrigerator compartments. The freezer compartment may be provided at the bottom of the main body, and there may be one or more refrigerator compartments.

[0124] This embodiment describes a refrigerator having one refrigerating chamber (31) provided in the upper part of the main body and two freezing chambers (32, 33) provided in the lower part of the main body as an example.

[0125] The refrigerator and freezer of this embodiment can be partitioned by a first partition (14) arranged horizontally inside the main body, and the two freezer compartments can be partitioned by a second partition (15) arranged vertically inside the main body.

[0126] In this embodiment, the refrigerator may be the first storage room (31). One freezer may be the second storage room (32) or the first freezer. The other freezer may be the third storage room (33) or the second freezer.

[0127] The first, second, and third storage rooms (31, 32, 33) may be provided with at least one shelf (34) for placing food and at least one drawer (35) for storing food.

[0128] The opening of the main body (10) is provided with one or more doors (20) and can be opened and closed by one or more doors (20).

[0129] Each storage room (30) is provided with one or more doors (20) and can be opened or closed by one or more doors (20).

[0130] For example, the first storage room (31) may be provided with first and second doors (21, 22). The first storage room (31) may be opened by at least one of the first door (21) and the second door (22), and may be closed by the first and second doors (21, 22).

[0131] The first door (21) and the second door (22) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (X direction).

[0132] The first door (21) may be provided to open and close the left side of the first storage room (31), and the second door (22) may be provided to open and close the right side of the first storage room (31).

[0133] The freezer can be opened or closed by the third and fourth doors (23, 24). The third door (23) and the fourth door (24) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (X direction).

[0134] If the freezer is divided into two, a third door (23) may be provided in the first freezer (32), and a fourth door (24) may be provided in the second freezer (32).

[0135] The first freezer (32) can be opened or closed by the third door (23). The second freezer (33) can be opened or closed by the fourth door (24).

[0136] The third door (23) can be arranged parallel to the first door (21) in a vertical direction (Z).

[0137] The fourth door (24) can be arranged parallel to the second door (22) in a vertical direction (Z). In addition, the fourth door (24) can be arranged parallel to the third door (23) in a horizontal direction (X).

[0138] Each door (20) can be provided to be rotatable on the main body (10).

[0139] The refrigerator (1) may include a hinge (17, see FIG. 3) connecting the main body (10) and the door (20). The hinge may be provided so that the door (20) can rotate relative to the main body (10). The hinge may be fixed to the main body (10). Specifically, the hinge may be coupled to the outer case (11).

[0140] For example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of upper door hinges that are coupled to the upper portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the first door (21) and the second door (22), respectively. In addition, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of lower door hinges that are coupled to the lower portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the third door (23) and the fourth door (24), respectively. In addition, for example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of middle hinges that are coupled to the middle portion of the main body (10) (specifically, the first partition (14)) and rotatably support the first door (21), the second door (22), the third door (23), and the fourth door (24), respectively.

[0141] A door basket (25) for storing food may be provided on the inner surface of each door (20). A door gasket (26) may be provided on the inner surface of the door (20) to seal the gap between the door (20) and the main body (10) and prevent cold air from leaking from the storage compartment (30).

[0142] A rotating bar (27) may be provided on either the first door (21) or the second door (22) to cover the gap formed between the first door (21) and the second door (22) when the first door (21) and the second door (22) are closed.

[0143] A rotating bar (27) may be provided to be rotatable on either the first door (21) or the second door (22). The rotating bar (27) may have a vertically elongated bar shape. The rotating bar (27) may also be referred to as a pillar, a mullion, or the like.

[0144] The outer surface of the door (20) may form a part of the exterior of the refrigerator (1). In the closed position of the door (20), the outer surface of the door (20) may form at least a part of the front exterior of the refrigerator (1). In the closed position of the door (20), the inner surface of the door (20) may face the interior of the storage compartment (30).

[0145] The inner surface of the door (20) mentioned here means one side of the door (20) facing the storage room (30) when the door (20) is closing the storage room (30).

[0146] In addition, the outer surface of the door (20) mentioned here means the opposite surface of the inner surface of the door (20) that faces the storage compartment (30) when the door (20) is closing the storage compartment (30), and means the front of the door (20) that is visible when looking at the refrigerator (1) from the front.

[0147] It is also possible to provide a door open / close sensor for detecting an open or closed state for each door (20).

[0148] One of the multiple doors may also be provided with a dispenser (not shown) for dispensing water or ice directly to the outside.

[0149] Although the number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors have been described above, there is no limitation on the number and arrangement of storage compartments and the number and arrangement of doors of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] The refrigerator may include an air guide passage (18) that supplies and guides air to prevent condensation in an area where the main body (10) and the first door (20) come into contact and an area where the main body (10) and the second door (21) come into contact.

[0151] Below, the air to prevent dew formation is described as open.

[0152] An air guide euro (18) can be provided on the top table (12).

[0153] The air guide path (18) can be provided on a surface corresponding to the front surface forming the opening of the main body (10) among the surfaces of the top table (12).

[0154] In the case of a refrigerator without a top table (12), the air guide path (18) may be provided on the front side of the main body (10) forming an opening in the main body (10). The front side of the main body (10) may be the surface that the first and second doors (21, 22) in the closed state come into contact with.

[0155] In the case of a refrigerator without a top table (12), the air guide path (18) is provided on the surface of the front of the main body (10) where the first and second doors (21, 22) in the closed state come into contact, but may be outside the contact area where the first and second doors come into contact.

[0156] The lower part of the air guide passage (18) may be provided open to allow heat to move along the front of the main body.

[0157] The refrigerator may further include a hot pipe (19) provided at the front forming an opening of the main body (10), but provided at the lower part of the front.

[0158] The hot pipe (19) can be provided on the front surface of the main body (10) where the main body (10) and the third door (23) come into contact and on the surface where the main body (10) and the fourth door (24) come into contact.

[0159] A hot pipe (19) can be provided inside the front of the main body (10).

[0160] The hot pipe (19) can prevent dew formation in the area where the main body (10) and the third door (23) come into contact, and can prevent dew formation in the area where the main body (10) and the fourth door (24) come into contact.

[0161] As shown in Fig. 3, the air guide path (18) guides the movement of heat so that heat flows along the area where the first door (21) and the main body (10) come into contact and the area where the second door (22) and the main body (10) come into contact.

[0162] The air guide passage (18) can guide the movement of heat so that the heat flows along the area where the first door (21) and the second door (22) are adjacent when closed. Here, the area where the first door (21) and the second door (22) are adjacent may be an area where the side of the first door (21) and the side of the second door (22) face each other.

[0163] The air guide euro (18) can guide the movement of the heat so that the heat moves along the rotating bar (27).

[0164] That is, the heat discharged through the air guide passage (18) can move along the outer surface of the first and second doors in a closed state.

[0165] The air guide passage (18) can be provided on a surface corresponding to the position where the rotary bar (27) stays when the first and second doors (21, 22) among the surfaces of the top table (12) are closed, and can be provided at a position corresponding to the position of the rotary bar (27). That is, the air guide passage (18) can be adjacent to the rotary bar (27) when the first and second doors (21, 22) are closed.

[0166] The air guide passage (18) may include a heat exhaust hole through which heat is exhausted.

[0167] The air guide passage (18) may also include a first branch passage that allows heat to move along the front of the upper left side of the front of the main body (10), a second branch passage that allows heat to move along the front of the upper right side of the front of the main body, and a third branch passage that allows heat to move along the rotating bar (27).

[0168] The refrigerator (1) may further include a first cooling device (100) for supplying heat to the air guide passage (18) to prevent condensation and for cooling the first storage compartment (31).

[0169] The first cooling device (100) may be provided on the upper side of the main body (10). The first cooling device (100) may be provided on the outer surface (11) of the main body.

[0170] The first cooling device (100) may be connected to a top table (12) provided on the upper side of the main body (10). The first cooling device (100) may provide heat to the top table (12). In this case, a heat transfer space through which heat moves may be provided inside the top table (12). The heat in the heat transfer space of the top table (12) may be conducted to the upper side of the main body (10).

[0171] The open movement space of the top table (12) can be connected to the air guide passage (18), and the heat of the open movement space can be supplied to the air guide passage (18).

[0172] The first cooling device (100) may include a housing (101), and may include a heat dissipation duct (110) that is connected to the housing (101) and allows air outside the housing (101) to be sucked into the inside of the housing (101) and air heat-exchanged within the housing (101) to be discharged to the outside of the housing (101).

[0173] The heat dissipation duct (110) may include an outside air intake port (111) that allows air outside the housing (101) to be sucked into the inside of the heat dissipation duct (110), and an outside air exhaust port (112) that allows air heat-exchanged inside the housing (101) to be discharged outside the housing (101).

[0174] As shown in FIG. 4, the first cooling device (100) may further include a cooling duct (120) provided on the upper side of the inner surface of the first storage chamber (31).

[0175] The cooling duct (120) sucks in air inside the first storage room (31) and discharges the sucked air, which has undergone heat exchange, back into the first storage room (31).

[0176] The cooling duct (120) may include an intake port (121) for drawing air inside the first storage chamber (31) into the interior of the cooling duct (120), and an exhaust port (122) for discharging heat-exchanged air into the interior of the first storage chamber (31).

[0177] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first cooling device (100) may further include a thermoelectric element (130).

[0178] A thermoelectric element (130) may be a semiconductor element that converts thermal energy into electrical energy or electrical energy into thermal energy using the thermoelectric effect.

[0179] The thermoelectric element (130) may be an element in which heat generation occurs on one side to which power is supplied, and heat absorption occurs on the other side.

[0180] The thermoelectric element (130) may also be referred to as a thermoelectric semiconductor element or a Peltier element.

[0181] The thermoelectric element (130) may have a thin hexahedral shape.

[0182] The configuration of the first cooling device (100) is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0183] As shown in Fig. 6, the thermoelectric element (130) of the first cooling device (100) includes a heating part (131) and a cooling part (132).

[0184] A heating part (131) may be provided on one side of the thermoelectric element (130) and a cooling part (132) may be provided on the opposite side.

[0185] When current is applied to the thermoelectric element (130), a heat generation action may occur in the heating part (131) and an absorption action may occur in the cooling part (132).

[0186] The thermoelectric element (130) may have a heating portion (131) facing upwards and a cooling portion (132) facing downwards. That is, the heating portion (131) of the thermoelectric element (130) may face the exterior of the main body (10) and the cooling portion (132) may face the interior of the first storage chamber (31).

[0187] The cooling unit (132) of the thermoelectric element (130) may be adjacent to the upper wall surface (31a) of the first storage chamber (31).

[0188] The heat exchanged in the heating element (131) of the thermoelectric element (130) can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10).

[0189] The cold air heat-exchanged in the cooling unit (132) of the thermoelectric element (130) can be supplied to the interior of the first storage room (31).

[0190] The first cooling device (100) may further include a heat sink (133) provided on the outside of the main body (10) and connected to the heat generating unit (131).

[0191] The heat sink (133) may be located inside the heat duct (110).

[0192] The heat sink (133) ensures efficient heat exchange between the heating element (131) and the air outside the main body (10).

[0193] The heat sink (133) can absorb heat from the heating element (131) and release the absorbed heat to the outside of the main body (10). The heat sink (133) may also be referred to as a hot sink, a heat dissipation heat sink, a hot heat sink, etc.

[0194] The heat sink (133) may be formed of a metal material with good thermal conductivity. For example, the heat sink (133) may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0195] The heat sink (133) may include a heat sink base (133a) connected to a heat generating part (131) and a plurality of heat sink fins (133b) protruding from the heat sink base (133a) to expand the heat transfer area.

[0196] A plurality of heat dissipation fins (133b) may protrude upward from the heat dissipation sink base (133a).

[0197] The first cooling device (400) may include a cooling sink (134) connected to the cooling unit (132).

[0198] The cooling sink (134) ensures efficient heat exchange between the cooling unit (132) and the air inside the first storage chamber (31).

[0199] A cooling sink (134) may be provided inside the first storage room (31). The cooling sink (134) may be provided adjacent to the upper wall surface (31a) of the first storage room (31).

[0200] The cooling sink (134) can cool the first storage room (31) by absorbing the heat of the air in the first storage room (31) and transferring it to the cooling unit (132).

[0201] The cooling sink (134) may also be referred to as a cold sink, cooling sink, cooling heat sink, cold heat sink, cooling heat sink, etc. The cooling sink (134) may be formed of a metal material with good thermal conductivity. For example, the cooling sink (134) may be formed of aluminum or copper.

[0202] The cooling sink (134) may include a cooling sink base (134a) connected to a cooling unit (132) and a plurality of cooling fins (134b) protruding from the cooling sink base (134a) to expand the heat transfer area.

[0203] A plurality of cooling fins (134b) may protrude downward from the cooling sink base (134a). The cooling sink base (134a) and the plurality of cooling fins (134b) may be formed integrally.

[0204] The first cooling device (100) may include a heat dissipation fan (140) that circulates air to ensure efficient heat exchange between the heat dissipation sink (133) and the air outside the main body (10).

[0205] The heat dissipation fan (140) can be located inside the heat dissipation duct (110).

[0206] The heat dissipation fan (140) can be provided on the outside of the main body (10). The heat dissipation fan (140) can be provided on the outer surface (11) of the main body.

[0207] The heat dissipation fan (140) can generate a flow of air that has been heat-exchanged in the heating element.

[0208] A heat dissipation fan (140) may be provided to blow air toward a heat dissipation sink (133). The heat dissipation fan (140) may be provided to be positioned in a horizontal direction of the heat dissipation sink (133).

[0209] The heat dissipation fan (140) may be a centrifugal fan that sucks in air in an axial direction and discharges it in radial directions. The centrifugal fan may include a blower fan.

[0210] The rotation axis (141) of the heat dissipation fan (140) can be arranged vertically on the upper side of the main body (10). Here, the upper side of the main body (10) can be an upper side of the outer surface among the outer surfaces (11).

[0211] The air flowing by the cooling fan (140) can be guided to the cooling duct (110).

[0212] A heat dissipation duct (110) can be provided on the upper side of the main body (10). That is, the heat dissipation duct (110) can suck in air from the external space on the upper side of the main body (10).

[0213] The heat dissipation duct (110) guides the sucked air toward the heat dissipation sink (133), and allows the air that has been heat-exchanged in the heat dissipation sink (133) to be discharged back to the outside of the main body (10).

[0214] The first cooling device (100) may include a cooling fan (150) that circulates air to ensure efficient heat exchange between the cooling sink (134) and the air inside the first storage chamber (31).

[0215] A cooling fan (150) may be located inside the cooling duct (120). A cooling sink (134) may be provided inside the cooling duct (120).

[0216] The cooling fan (150) can generate a flow of heat-exchanged air in the cooling unit.

[0217] A cooling fan (150) may be arranged to blow air toward the cooling sink (134). The cooling fan (150) may be positioned in a horizontal direction of the cooling sink (134).

[0218] A cooling fan (150) may be provided inside the first storage room (31). The cooling fan (150) may be provided on the upper wall surface (31a) of the first storage room (31).

[0219] The cooling fan (150) may be a centrifugal fan that sucks in air in an axial direction and discharges it in radial directions. The rotation axis (151) of the cooling fan (150) may be arranged vertically to the bottom surface of the upper wall surface (31a) of the first storage chamber (31).

[0220] The first cooling device (100) can cause air within the cooling duct (120) to flow by a cooling fan (150). The cooling duct (120) can suck in air within the first storage room (31), guide the sucked air to the cooling sink (134), and discharge the cooled air heat-exchanged in the cooling sink (134) back into the first storage room (31).

[0221] As shown in Fig. 7, the first cooling device (100) rotates the heat dissipation fan (140) during cooling of the first storage room to allow outside air to be sucked in through the outside air intake port (111), allow the sucked air to be heat-exchanged in the heating unit (131), and allow some of the heat exchanged in the heating unit (131) to be discharged to the outside through the outside air exhaust port (112).

[0222] The first cooling device (100) can move the remaining heat exchanged in the heat generating unit (131) to the area where the first and second doors (21, 22) and the main body (10) are adjacent through the air guide passage (18) and to the area where the side of the first door (21) and the side of the second door (22) are adjacent.

[0223] The first cooling device (100) can allow the remaining heat to move to the upper part of the front of the main body through the air guide passage (18) and to move to the gap between the closed first door (21) and the second door (22).

[0224] The gap between the closed first door (21) and the second door (22) may be a space where the rotating bar (27) is located.

[0225] The first cooling device (100) can allow the remaining heat to move along the rotating bar (27) through the air guide passage (18).

[0226] It is also possible for the first cooling device (100) to not discharge heat through the outside air exhaust port (112) but to allow all heat to move through the air guide passage (18).

[0227] The first cooling device (100) can also allow heat to move through the air guide passage (18) based on the first and second doors (21, 22) being closed.

[0228] The first cooling device (100) rotates the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the first and second doors (21, 22) being closed so that heat moves through the air guide passage (18), and it is also possible to stop the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the first and second doors (21, 22) being open so that heat is prevented from moving through the air guide passage (18).

[0229] The first cooling device (100) further includes a damper provided in the heat dissipation duct (110), and the damper is opened based on the first and second doors (21, 22) being in a closed state so that heat moves through the air guide passage (18), and the damper is closed based on the first and second doors (21, 22) being in an open state so that heat is blocked from moving through the air guide passage (18) and heat is discharged through the outside air discharge port (112).

[0230] The first cooling device (100) further includes a damper provided in the heat dissipation duct (110), and the damper is opened based on the first and second doors (21, 22) being closed and the heat dissipation fan (140) being rotated so that heat is moved through the air guide passage (18), and the damper is closed based on the first and second doors (21, 22) being open and the heat dissipation fan (140) being rotated so that heat is blocked from moving through the air guide passage (18) and heat is discharged through the outside air exhaust port (112).

[0231] The first cooling device (100) can disable the detection of opening and closing of the first and second doors (21, 22) and the control of opening and closing of the damper based on the fact that the heat dissipation fan (140) is in a stopped state.

[0232] The first cooling device (100) can also periodically rotate the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the fact that the operation of the thermoelectric element (130) is stopped.

[0233] The first cooling device (100) can also rotate the heat dissipation fan (140) based on external humidity when the operation of the thermoelectric element (130) is stopped.

[0234] The first cooling device (100) can also supply heat to the air guide passage (18) by controlling at least one of the thermoelectric element and the heat dissipation fan based on the external temperature and external humidity without performing cooling control of the first storage room.

[0235] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the refrigerator (1) may include a second cooling device (200) for cooling the first, second, and third storage chambers (31, 32, 33) through a refrigeration cycle.

[0236] The second cooling device (200) may include a refrigeration cycle, generate cold air using the refrigeration cycle, and supply the generated cold air to the first, second, and third storage rooms (31, 32, 33).

[0237] The second cooling device (200) can generate cold air by utilizing a cooling cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant. For example, the cooling device can include a compressor (210), a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator (220), a fan for the evaporator (230), and a fan for the condenser.

[0238] The fan for the compressor (210) and condenser can be installed in the machine room of the refrigerator (1).

[0239] The evaporator (220) may be provided at the rear side of the second and third storage chambers (32, 33). Additionally, the evaporator may also be provided at the rear side of the first storage chamber (31).

[0240] An evaporator for a refrigerator may be provided at the rear of the first storage room (31), and an evaporator for a freezer may be provided at the rear of the second and third storage rooms (32, 33).

[0241] An evaporator fan (230) may be provided at the rear side of at least one of the first, second, and third storage rooms.

[0242] The evaporator fan (230) can suck in air from at least one of the first, second, and third storage chambers and blow out the cooled air heat-exchanged in the evaporator.

[0243] The refrigerator (1) may further include ducts (240) that guide cold air blown by the evaporator fan (230) to at least one of the first, second, and third storage rooms.

[0244] Ducts (240) can be formed at the rear of the inner casing (13).

[0245] Air from at least one of the first, second, and third storage chambers can be sucked into the interior of the ducts (240) by the evaporator fan (230).

[0246] Air sucked into the interior of the ducts (240) can be discharged to at least one of the first, second, and third storage rooms through the hole (250).

[0247] It is also possible to provide a damper (260) in the duct (240) to supply cold air to the first storage room (31) or to block the supply of cold air to the first storage room (31).

[0248] A refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a direct-cooling refrigerator or a direct-cooling refrigerator.

[0249] A refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first cooling device (100) and a second cooling device (200) for cooling a first storage compartment (31).

[0250] A method for supplying cold air to a first storage compartment (31) of a refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a first method for supplying only cold air generated by a first cooling device (100), a second method for supplying only cold air generated by a second cooling device (200), and a third method for supplying both cold air generated by the first cooling device (100) and cold air generated by the second cooling device (200).

[0251] The refrigerator (1) can supply cold air to the first storage compartment (31) in an appropriate manner depending on external and internal conditions. For example, the refrigerator (1) can cool the first storage compartment (31) in any one of the methods depending on the room temperature in which the refrigerator (1) is installed.

[0252] That is, when the indoor temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature and cooling by a refrigeration cycle is more efficient than cooling by the first cooling device (100), the first storage room (31) can be cooled only by the cold generated through the second cooling device.

[0253] Conversely, if the indoor temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature and cooling by the first cooling device (100) is more efficient than cooling by the second cooling device (200), the first storage room (31) can be cooled only by the cold air generated by the first cooling device (100).

[0254] The refrigerator (1) can operate only the first cooling device (100) when noise reduction is required. When rapid cooling of the first storage compartment (31) is required, the refrigerator (1) can simultaneously supply cold air generated through the first cooling device (100) and cold air generated through the second cooling device (200) to the first storage compartment (31).

[0255] Thus, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerator (1) may include a first cooling device (!00) and a second cooling device (200), but is not limited thereto, and the refrigerator may include only the first cooling device (100).

[0256] Meanwhile, although the first cooling device (100) is described as being provided on the upper wall of the main body (10), the location of the first cooling device (100) is not limited thereto.

[0257] Figure 8 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0258] The refrigerator (1) may include a humidity sensor (50), a temperature sensor (60), a thermoelectric element (130), a heat dissipation fan (140), a cooling fan (150), a compressor (210), a processor (300), and a memory (310).

[0259] A humidity sensor (50) is installed on the top table (12) and detects the humidity outside the refrigerator and transmits information about the detected humidity to the processor (300).

[0260] The humidity sensor (50) may also be provided inside the housing (101) of the first cooling device (100).

[0261] A temperature sensor (60) is installed on the top table (12) and detects the temperature outside the refrigerator and transmits information about the detected temperature to the processor (300).

[0262] The temperature sensor (60) may also be provided inside the housing (101) of the first cooling device (100).

[0263] The internal temperature sensor (70) can detect the temperature inside the storage room and transmit internal temperature information about the detected temperature to the processor.

[0264] The internal temperature sensor (70) may be provided in each of a plurality of storage rooms. For example, the internal temperature sensor (70) may include a first internal temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a first storage room, a second internal temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a second storage room, and a third internal temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a third storage room.

[0265] The humidity sensor (50) and temperature sensor (60) can also be provided as a single sensor that detects temperature and humidity.

[0266] The thermoelectric element (130) can be turned on or off based on a control command of the processor (300). The thermoelectric element (130) can perform heat dissipation and heat absorption operations when turned on, and may not perform heat dissipation and heat absorption operations when turned off.

[0267] The thermoelectric element (130) can perform heat dissipation and heat absorption operations based on power application.

[0268] The thermoelectric element (130) can generate heat through a heat dissipation operation and generate cold through a heat absorption operation.

[0269] Heat generated by the heat dissipation operation of the thermoelectric element (130) can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10), and cold air generated by the heat absorption operation of the thermoelectric element (130) can be discharged to the inside of the main body (10).

[0270] The exterior of the main body (10) may include an area where the main body (10) and the first door (21) come into contact, an area where the main body (10) and the second door (22) come into contact, and an area where the side of the first door (21) and the side of the second door (22) face each other.

[0271] The heat generated by the heat dissipation operation of the thermoelectric element (130) can be transferred to the air guide path (18).

[0272] The output of the thermoelectric element (130) can be controlled based on the control command of the processor (300).

[0273] Controlling the output of the thermoelectric element (130) may include controlling the amount of heat generated and the amount of heat absorbed by the thermoelectric element (130) by controlling the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element (130).

[0274] The interior of the main body (10) may include a first storage room (21).

[0275] The heat dissipation fan (140) can be turned on or off based on a control command of the processor (300). The heat dissipation fan (140) can rotate when turned on and can be stopped when turned off. That is, the heat dissipation fan (140) can rotate or stop based on a control command of the processor (300).

[0276] The heat dissipation fan (140) can rotate at a speed corresponding to the control command of the processor (300).

[0277] The heat dissipation fan (140) can allow air from outside the main body (10) to be sucked into the inside of the heat dissipation duct (110) and allow heat generated by the thermoelectric element (130) to be discharged to the outside of the heat dissipation duct (110).

[0278] The fan motor of the heat dissipation fan (140) may include a BLDC motor whose speed can be controlled.

[0279] The cooling fan (150) can be turned on or off based on a control command of the processor (300).

[0280] The cooling fan (150) can rotate when turned on and stop when turned off. That is, the cooling fan (150) can rotate or stop based on the control command of the processor (300). The cooling fan (150) can rotate at a speed corresponding to the control command of the processor (300).

[0281] The cooling fan (150) causes air inside the first storage room (31) to be sucked into the cooling duct (120), and causes cold air heat-exchanged by the cooling sink (134) in the cooling duct (120) to be discharged into the first storage room (31).

[0282] The fan motor of the cooling fan (150) may include a BLDC motor whose speed can be controlled.

[0283] The first storage room can be cooled by a first cooling device including a thermoelectric element, a heating fan, and a cooling fan, and condensation on the first and second doors can be prevented.

[0284] The compressor (210) can compress the refrigerant, discharge the compressed refrigerant to the condenser, and receive the refrigerant from the evaporator (220).

[0285] The compressor (210) can be operated or stopped based on a control command of the processor (300).

[0286] The compressor (210) can be operated at an operating rate corresponding to the control command of the processor (300).

[0287] The first, second and third storage chambers can be cooled by a second cooling device including a compressor (210).

[0288] The refrigerator may include a control unit that controls the overall operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0289] The control unit may be implemented as a memory (310) that stores data for an algorithm for controlling the operation of components in the refrigerator or a program that reproduces the algorithm, and a processor (300) that performs the above-described operation using the data stored in the memory (310).

[0290] At this time, the memory (310) and the processor (300) may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory (310) and the processor (300) may be implemented as a single chip.

[0291] The processor (300) can control at least one of the first cooling device and the second cooling device based on the temperature of the first storage room detected by the internal temperature sensor (70) and the target temperature.

[0292] The processor (300) can control at least one of the first cooling device and the second cooling device to be turned on if the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor (70) is higher than the target temperature, and can control at least one of the first cooling device and the second cooling device to be turned off if the temperature of the first storage room detected by the internal temperature sensor (70) is lower than the target temperature.

[0293] The target temperature of the first storage room (31) can be set through the user interface (40) of the refrigerator (1) or can be set remotely from an external device through a communication interface (not shown).

[0294] Turning on the first cooling device may include turning on at least one of the thermoelectric element (130), the cooling fan (150), and the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0295] Controlling the thermoelectric element (130) may include controlling the output of the thermoelectric element (130).

[0296] Controlling the output of the thermoelectric element (130) may include controlling the size or value of the output of the thermoelectric element (130).

[0297] Controlling the output of the thermoelectric element (130) may include controlling the voltage value or current value applied to the thermoelectric element (130).

[0298] Controlling the thermoelectric element (130) may include PWM controlling the thermoelectric element (130).

[0299] Turning on the cooling fan (150) may include turning on the fan motor of the cooling fan (150).

[0300] Controlling the cooling fan (150) may include rotating the cooling fan (150).

[0301] Controlling the cooling fan (150) may include controlling its rotation speed.

[0302] Controlling the cooling fan (150) may include controlling the magnitude of the voltage or the magnitude of the current applied to the cooling fan (150).

[0303] Turning on the heat dissipation fan (140) may include turning on the fan motor of the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0304] Controlling the cooling fan (140) may include rotating the cooling fan (140).

[0305] Controlling the cooling fan (140) may include controlling the rotation speed.

[0306] Controlling the heat dissipation fan (140) may include controlling the magnitude of the voltage or the magnitude of the current applied to the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0307] When the temperature of the first cooling device (100) is controlled for cooling the first storage room, the heat generated in the thermoelectric element (130) can be discharged to the outside of the heat dissipation duct by the rotation of the heat dissipation fan (140). The heat discharged to the outside of the heat dissipation duct by the rotation of the heat dissipation fan (140) can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the air guide passage (18).

[0308] The heat discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the air guide passage (18) can move to the area where the main body (10) and the first door (21) come into contact, the area where the main body (10) and the second door (22) come into contact, and the area of ​​the rotating bar (27).

[0309] At this time, the heat of the heat discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the air guide passage (18) is transmitted to the main body (10) and the first and second doors (21, 22), thereby preventing dew from forming in the area where the main body (10) and the first door (21) come into contact and in the area where the main body (10) and the second door (22) come into contact.

[0310] The processor (300) can control the second cooling device (200) when the internal temperature of the second storage room (32) is higher than the target temperature of the second storage room or when the internal temperature of the third storage room (33) is higher than the target temperature of the third storage room.

[0311] Controlling the second cooling device (200) may include controlling the compressor (210).

[0312] The processor (300) can control the temperature of the cold air exchanged in the evaporator (220) by controlling the compressor (210).

[0313] Controlling the compressor (210) may include controlling the on / off of the compressor (210), controlling the operating frequency of the compressor (210), or controlling the operating rate of the compressor (210).

[0314] The processor (300) can control the fan for the evaporator so that the cooled air exchanged in the evaporator (220) is blown to at least one of the first, second, and third storage rooms.

[0315] The processor (300) can also determine a storage room for cooling among the first, second, and third storage rooms and control the opening and closing of the damper provided in the duct (240) based on the location of the determined storage room.

[0316] The processor (300) can terminate cooling of the first storage room if the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor (70) is lower than the target temperature.

[0317] The processor (300) can control the first cooling device and the second cooling device (200) to turn off the cooling of the first storage room.

[0318] Turning off the first cooling device may include turning off the thermoelectric element (130), the cooling fan (150), and the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0319] Controlling the thermoelectric element (130) off may include controlling the output of the thermoelectric element (130) to 0.

[0320] Controlling the thermoelectric element (130) off may include blocking the voltage or current applied to the thermoelectric element (130).

[0321] Turning off the heat dissipation fan (140) may include turning off the fan motor of the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0322] Controlling the cooling fan (140) off may include stopping the cooling fan (140).

[0323] Controlling the cooling fan (140) off may include blocking the voltage or current applied to the cooling fan (140).

[0324] Turning off the cooling fan (150) may include turning off the fan motor of the cooling fan (150).

[0325] Controlling the cooling fan (150) off may include stopping the cooling fan (150).

[0326] Turning off the cooling fan (150) may include blocking the voltage or current applied to the cooling fan (150).

[0327] When cooling of the first storage room using the first cooling device is finished, the processor (300) can recognize whether the current environment is a dew-forming environment and control the first cooling device to be turned on based on the recognition result in order to prevent dew formation on the first and second doors (21, 22). Here, it is also possible to set the dew-forming prevention mode to recognize whether the current environment is a dew-forming environment when the first cooling device is in an off state and control the first cooling device to be turned on based on the recognition result.

[0328] The processor (300) can receive information about external humidity from a humidity sensor (50) and information about external temperature from a temperature sensor (60) to recognize whether the current environment is a dewy environment.

[0329] The processor (300) recognizes external humidity based on information received from a humidity sensor (50) and recognizes external temperature based on information received from a temperature sensor (60). If the recognized external humidity is higher than a first reference humidity, the processor (300) can recognize that the current environment is a dewy environment.

[0330] The processor (300) can recognize that the current environment is a dew-forming environment if the humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature is higher than the second reference temperature.

[0331] The processor (300) can determine whether to control the first cooling device (100) by switching it from the off state to the on state based on the external temperature and external humidity when the first cooling device is in the off state.

[0332] That is, when the thermoelectric element (130), the heat dissipation fan (140), and the cooling fan (150) are in the off state, the processor (300) can determine whether to control the transition to the on state of at least one of the heat dissipation fan (140), the cooling fan (150), and the thermoelectric element (130) based on the external temperature and external humidity.

[0333] When the first cooling device is in an off state, the processor (300) receives status information of the first door from a first open / close sensor (not shown), receives status information of the second door from a second open / close sensor (not shown), and recognizes whether the first door is in an open state or a closed state based on the received status information of the first door, and recognizes whether the second door is in an open state or a closed state based on the received status information of the second door.

[0334] The first and second opening sensors may include, but are not limited to, micro switches, limit switches, magnetic switches, reed switches, toggle switches, tact switches, etc.

[0335] The first and second opening sensors may include, but are not limited to, a light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an impact sensor.

[0336] The processor (300) can also control the off state of the heat dissipation fan (140), the thermoelectric element (130), and the cooling fan (150) when the first cooling device is in the off state and the first door and the second door are both recognized as being open.

[0337] The processor (300) can also determine whether to control the first cooling device (100) by switching it from the off state to the on state based on the external temperature and external humidity when the first door and the second door are both switched from the open state to the closed state when the first cooling device is in the off state.

[0338] The processor (300) can also determine whether to switch the first cooling device (100) from the off state to the on state based on the external temperature and external humidity, regardless of the opening and closing of the first door and the second door, when the first cooling device is in the off state.

[0339] The processor (300) can determine whether to control the cooling fan (10) to be turned on based on the external humidity and the first reference humidity when the first cooling device is in the off state.

[0340] The processor (300) can control the cooling fan (140) to be turned off based on the external humidity being less than the first reference humidity when the first cooling device is in the off state.

[0341] In this way, if the external humidity is below the first reference humidity, the area where the first door and the main body come into contact, and the area where the second door and the main body come into contact, may not be an environment where dew forms. Accordingly, the processor (300) may determine that heat supply through the air guide passage (18) is unnecessary.

[0342] The processor (300) can control the cooling fan (140) to be turned on based on the recognition that the external humidity is higher than the first reference humidity when the first cooling device is in the off state, and can control the thermoelectric element (130) and the cooling fan (150) to be kept in the off state.

[0343] The processor (300) can also control the heat dissipation fan (140) to be turned on based on the external humidity being recognized as being higher than the first reference humidity and lower than the second reference humidity, and control the thermoelectric element (130) and cooling fan (150) to be kept in the off state.

[0344] The processor (300) can control the heat dissipation fan (140), the cooling fan (150), and the thermoelectric element (130) by switching them on based on the external humidity being recognized as being higher than the second reference humidity.

[0345] The second reference humidity may be higher than the first reference humidity.

[0346] When the processor (300) controls the thermoelectric element (130) to turn on, it can determine the output of the thermoelectric element (130) based on the external temperature.

[0347] When determining the output of the thermoelectric element (130), the processor (300) can determine the output of the thermoelectric element (130) as the first output based on the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) exceeding the first reference temperature.

[0348] When determining the output of the thermoelectric element (130), the processor (300) can recognize whether the external temperature exceeds the second reference temperature if the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) is lower than the first reference temperature.

[0349] That is, the processor (300) can recognize whether the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) is below the first reference temperature and exceeds the second reference temperature.

[0350] The second reference temperature may be a temperature lower than the first reference temperature.

[0351] The processor (300) can determine the output of the thermoelectric element (130) as the second output based on the recognition that the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) is lower than the first reference temperature and higher than the second reference temperature.

[0352] The processor (300) can determine the output of the thermoelectric element (130) as the third output based on the recognition that the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) is lower than the second reference temperature.

[0353] The first output can be higher than the second output.

[0354] The second output can be higher than the third output.

[0355] The processor (300) can control the thermoelectric element (130) with a determined output.

[0356] Controlling the thermoelectric element may include controlling a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element.

[0357] For example, when the processor (300) controls the thermoelectric element (130) as a first output, the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element can be controlled as a first voltage, when the processor (300) controls the thermoelectric element (130) as a second output, the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element can be controlled as a second voltage, and when the processor (300) controls the thermoelectric element (130) as a third output, the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element can be controlled as a third voltage.

[0358] The first voltage may be higher than the second voltage, and the second voltage may be higher than the third voltage.

[0359] The processor (300) can control the thermoelectric element (130) with a determined output.

[0360] The processor (300) controls the output of the thermoelectric element (130) based on the external temperature when the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity, but can control the output of the thermoelectric element (130) to decrease further as the external temperature decreases.

[0361] The processor (300) can also control the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140) and the rotation speed of the cooling fan (150) based on the external temperature when the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity.

[0362] The processor (300) can control the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140) and the cooling fan (150) to decrease further as the external temperature decreases when the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity.

[0363] The processor (300) can control the heat dissipation fan to a first rotation speed and control the cooling fan to a first rotation speed based on the external humidity being higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature being higher than the first reference temperature.

[0364] The first rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan and the first rotation speed of the cooling fan may be the same or different.

[0365] The processor (300) can control the heat dissipation fan to a second rotation speed and control the cooling fan to a second rotation speed based on recognizing that the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature is lower than the first reference temperature and exceeds the second reference temperature.

[0366] The second rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan and the second rotation speed of the cooling fan may be the same or different.

[0367] The processor (300) can control the heat dissipation fan (140) to a third rotation speed and control the cooling fan to a third rotation speed based on recognizing that the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature is lower than the second reference temperature.

[0368] The third rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan and the third rotation speed of the cooling fan (150) may be the same or different.

[0369] The first rotation speed of the radiator fan may be higher than the second rotation speed of the radiator fan, and the second rotation speed of the radiator fan may be higher than the third rotation speed of the radiator fan.

[0370] The first rotation speed of the cooling fan may be higher than the second rotation speed of the cooling fan, and the second rotation speed of the cooling fan may be higher than the third rotation speed of the cooling fan.

[0371] The processor (300) controls at least one of a thermoelectric element (130), a cooling fan (150), and a heat dissipation fan (140) to be turned on based on the external humidity and the external temperature in order to prevent condensation on the door when the temperature of the first storage room is lower than the target temperature. It is also possible to determine whether to control at least one of a thermoelectric element, a cooling fan, and a heat dissipation fan that is turned on based on the external humidity and the external temperature by switching it to an off state.

[0372] The processor (300) cools the first storage room using only the second cooling device when the temperature of the first storage room is higher than the target temperature, and while cooling the first storage room using only the second cooling device, it is also possible to control at least one of the thermoelectric element, the cooling fan, and the heat dissipation fan to be switched on based on the external humidity and the external temperature.

[0373] The processor (300) can also control to turn off at least one of the thermoelectric element, cooling fan and heat dissipation fan, which is turned on based on the external humidity and external temperature, when the temperature of the first storage room is higher than the target temperature and at least one of the cooling fan and heat dissipation fan is turned on while cooling the first storage room using only the second cooling device to prevent condensation on the door.

[0374] That is, the processor (300) can also control to turn off at least one of the thermoelectric element, cooling fan, and heat dissipation fan, which is in an on state, based on the external humidity and external temperature, when at least one of the cooling fan and the heat dissipation fan is in an on state to prevent condensation on the door.

[0375] The processor (300) may also control at least one of the output of the thermoelectric element, the rotation speed of the cooling fan, and the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan based on the external humidity and the external temperature during the control of the first cooling device based on the temperature of the first storage room being lower than the target temperature.

[0376] The processor (300) may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (300) 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.

[0377] The processor (300) can perform operations of the refrigerator (1) according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory (310). For example, the processor (300) can perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure by executing at least one command stored in the memory (310).

[0378] The processor (300) may include one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), a MIC (Many Integrated Core), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an NPU (Neural Processing Unit), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator.

[0379] The processor (300) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0380] The memory (310) can store information about the first and second reference humidity and the first and second reference temperatures.

[0381] The memory (310) can store information about the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan and the rotation speed of the cooling fan corresponding to the external temperature.

[0382] The memory (310) can store data required for various embodiments. Depending on the purpose of data storage, the memory (310) may be implemented as a memory embedded in the refrigerator (1) or as a memory detachable from the refrigerator (1). For example, data for operating the refrigerator (1) may be stored in a memory embedded in the refrigerator (1), and data for expanding the functions of the refrigerator (1) may be stored in a memory detachable from the refrigerator (1). Meanwhile, in the case of the memory embedded in the refrigerator (1), it may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (dynamic RAM), SRAM (static RAM), or SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., OTPROM (one time programmable ROM), PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable and programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD). In addition, in the case of the memory that can be attached or detached to the refrigerator (1), it may be implemented as a form of a memory card (e.g., CF (compact flash), SD (secure digital), Micro-SD (micro secure digital), Mini-SD (mini secure digital), xD (extreme digital), MMC (multi-media card)), external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc., but in this case, It is not limited.

[0383] The memory (310) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0384] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the refrigerator illustrated in Fig. 8. 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.

[0385] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 8 refers to software and / or hardware components such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0386] Figure 9 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0387] The refrigerator can control at least one of the first cooling device and the second cooling device when the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor (70) is higher than the target temperature.

[0388] The target temperature of the storage room may be a temperature set through the user interface (40) of the refrigerator (1) or a temperature remotely received from an external device through a communication interface (not shown).

[0389] If the temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor (70) is higher than the target temperature, the refrigerator can control the first cooling device to cool the storage compartment through the first cooling device (331), control the second cooling device to cool the storage compartment through the second cooling device, or control the first cooling device and the second cooling device to cool the storage compartment through the first and second cooling devices. The storage compartment here is a storage compartment provided with a cooling unit of a thermoelectric element, and may be the first storage compartment.

[0390] Controlling the first cooling device may include controlling the thermoelectric element (130) and may include controlling the heat dissipation fan and the cooling fan.

[0391] Controlling the first cooling device includes turning on the thermoelectric element (130), the heat dissipation fan (140) and the cooling fan (150), and may include controlling the output of the thermoelectric element (130), the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140) and the rotation speed of the cooling fan (150).

[0392] That is, the refrigerator can blow air heat-exchanged in the cooling section of the thermoelectric element (130) into the storage room using a cooling fan (150), and blow air heat-exchanged in the heating section of the thermoelectric element to the outside of the main body using a heat-radiating fan (140).

[0393] The air that has exchanged heat in the heat generating part of the thermoelectric element (130) can be discharged to the outside of the heat dissipation duct by the rotation of the heat dissipation fan (140). The air discharged to the outside of the heat dissipation duct by the rotation of the heat dissipation fan (140) can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the air guide passage (18). The air discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the air guide passage (18) can move to the area where the main body (10) and the first door (21) come into contact, the area where the main body (10) and the second door (22) come into contact, and the area of ​​the rotating bar (27).

[0394] At this time, the heat of the air discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the air guide passage (18) is transferred to the main body (10) and the first and second doors (21, 22), thereby preventing dew from forming in the area where the main body (10) and the first door (21) come into contact and in the area where the main body (10) and the second door (22) come into contact.

[0395] Cooling the storage room using the second cooling device may include controlling the compressor (210).

[0396] The refrigerator can control the temperature of cold air exchanged in the evaporator (220) by controlling the compressor (210).

[0397] Controlling the compressor (210) may include controlling the on / off of the compressor (210), controlling the operating frequency of the compressor (210), or controlling the operating rate of the compressor (210).

[0398] The refrigerator can control the fan for the evaporator to blow the cold air exchanged in the evaporator (220) into the storage room.

[0399] The refrigerator can recognize the temperature of the storage compartment detected by the internal temperature sensor (70) during cooling of the storage compartment using the thermoelectric element of the first cooling device (332).

[0400] The refrigerator can compare the temperature of the storage compartment with the target temperature and decide whether to end cooling of the storage compartment based on the comparison result.

[0401] The refrigerator can control and maintain cooling of the storage compartment using a thermoelectric element of the first cooling device if the recognized storage compartment temperature is higher than the target temperature.

[0402] The refrigerator can also control the cooling of the storage compartment using a second cooling device if the recognized storage compartment temperature is higher than the target temperature.

[0403] The refrigerator can control the first cooling device to turn off (334) if the temperature of the recognized storage compartment is lower than the target temperature (333).

[0404] The off control of the first cooling device may include turning off the thermoelectric element (130), the cooling fan (150), and the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0405] That is, the refrigerator can stop cooling the storage compartment using the thermoelectric element (130) if the recognized storage compartment temperature is lower than the target temperature.

[0406] The refrigerator can turn off the second cooling device (200) if the temperature of the recognized storage compartment is below the target temperature.

[0407] Turning off the second cooling device (200) may include turning off the compressor.

[0408] The refrigerator recognizes the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) and the external humidity detected by the humidity sensor (50) when the thermoelectric element (130), cooling fan (150), and heat dissipation fan (140) of the first cooling device are off (335).

[0409] The refrigerator can recognize whether the current environment is a dewy environment based on the outside temperature and outside humidity (336).

[0410] A dew-forming environment may include an environment in which the external humidity is greater than or equal to the first reference humidity and less than or equal to the second reference humidity.

[0411] A dew-forming environment may include an environment in which the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the second reference temperature is higher than the second reference temperature.

[0412] The first reference humidity is approximately 76% relative humidity, and the second reference humidity can be approximately 77% to 81% relative humidity, but the first and second reference humidity are not limited thereto.

[0413] The second reference temperature may be, but is not limited to, a temperature of approximately 15°C.

[0414] The refrigerator can control the first cooling device to be turned on if the current environment is recognized as a dew-forming environment (337), and can control the first cooling device to be turned off if the current environment is recognized as not a dew-forming environment (338).

[0415] Controlling the first cooling device by turning it on may include controlling at least one of the thermoelectric element (130), the cooling fan (150), and the heat dissipation fan (140) to turn it on.

[0416] That is, when the thermoelectric element (130), cooling fan (150), and heat dissipation fan (140) are in the off state, the refrigerator can determine whether to control the transition to the on state of at least one of the thermoelectric element (130), cooling fan (150), and heat dissipation fan (140) based on the external temperature and external humidity.

[0417] The refrigerator can discharge air flowing by the heat dissipation fan (140) between the main body (10) and the door through the air guide passage (18) based on the current environment being a dew-forming environment.

[0418] The refrigerator can be configured to allow air heat-exchanged in the heat dissipation section of the thermoelectric element (130) to be discharged between the main body (10) and the door through the air guide passage (18) by the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the current environment being a dew-forming environment.

[0419] Air moving through the air guide passage (18) can move to the area where the main body (10) and the first door (21) come into contact, the area where the main body (10) and the second door (22) come into contact, and the area of ​​the rotating bar (27).

[0420] At this time, the heat of the air moving through the air guide passage (18) is transferred to the main body (10) and the first and second doors (21, 22), thereby preventing dew from forming in the area where the main body (10) and the first door (21) come into contact and in the area where the main body (10) and the second door (22) come into contact.

[0421] The refrigerator can be controlled by turning the first cooling device on based on whether the temperature of the storage compartment is higher than the target temperature when the first cooling device is off.

[0422] The refrigerator controls the first cooling device to be turned on in a dew-forming environment, and maintains the first cooling device in the on state based on the recognition that the temperature of the storage compartment is higher than the target temperature, but can change the output of the thermoelectric element, the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan, and the rotation speed of the cooling fan.

[0423] The output of the thermoelectric element, at maximum output, can be for cooling the storage room.

[0424] The output of the thermoelectric element may be information obtained and stored through experiments, corresponding to the difference between the temperature of the storage room and the target temperature.

[0425] The rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan and the rotation speed of the cooling fan may be preset and stored information as the rotation speed required for cooling the storage room using a thermoelectric element.

[0426] The rotation speed of the cooling fan may be a rotation speed corresponding to the difference between the temperature of the storage room and the target temperature.

[0427] The rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan and the rotation speed of the cooling fan may be the same or different.

[0428] The refrigerator can also cool the storage compartment using the second cooling device (200) if the recognized storage compartment temperature is higher than the target temperature.

[0429] The refrigerator can also cool the storage compartment using only the second cooling device (200) if the recognized storage compartment temperature is higher than the target temperature. In this case, the first cooling device can be turned off and controlled to turn on based on the external temperature and external humidity.

[0430] FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a control flowchart of a first cooling device for preventing condensation in the refrigerator when the first cooling device is in an off state.

[0431] When the first cooling device is off, the refrigerator detects external humidity using the humidity sensor (50) and detects external temperature using the temperature sensor (60) (401).

[0432] The refrigerator can compare the external humidity with the first reference humidity, and compare the external humidity with the second reference humidity.

[0433] The refrigerator can determine whether to control the heat dissipation fan (140) by turning it on based on the comparison result between the external humidity and the first reference humidity, and can determine whether to control the heat dissipation fan (140), the thermoelectric element (130), and the cooling fan (150) by turning them on based on the comparison result between the external humidity and the second reference humidity.

[0434] If the external humidity is below the first standard humidity, the area where the first door and the main body come into contact, and the area where the second door and the main body come into contact, may not be an environment where dew forms. Accordingly, the supply of air through the air guide passage (18) may be unnecessary.

[0435] That is, the refrigerator can recognize whether the external humidity is less than the first standard humidity (402) and decide to turn off the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the external humidity being less than the first standard humidity.

[0436] The refrigerator can also determine to turn off the thermoelectric element (130) and cooling fan (150) based on whether the external humidity is lower than the first reference humidity.

[0437] The refrigerator can recognize whether the external humidity is less than the second standard humidity based on the recognition that the external humidity is greater than or equal to the first standard humidity. In other words, the refrigerator can recognize whether the external humidity is greater than or equal to the first standard humidity and less than or equal to the second standard humidity (403).

[0438] The refrigerator can determine to control the heat dissipation fan (140) to on based on the external humidity being recognized as being higher than the first standard humidity and lower than the second standard humidity, and to control the thermoelectric element (130) and the cooling fan (150) to off. At this time, the refrigerator can control the rotation of the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the determination of the heat dissipation fan (140) to be controlled on (404).

[0439] The second reference humidity may be higher than the first reference humidity.

[0440] For example, the first reference humidity may be approximately 76%, and the second reference humidity may be, but is not limited to, any one of 77% to 81% humidity.

[0441] The refrigerator can determine the temperature control of the heat dissipation fan (140), the temperature control of the cooling fan (150), and the temperature control of the thermoelectric element (130) based on the external humidity being recognized as being higher than the second standard humidity.

[0442] When determining the operation of the thermoelectric element, the refrigerator can determine the output of the thermoelectric element based on the external temperature (405).

[0443] The refrigerator can control the operation of the thermoelectric element (130) based on the determined output, and can control the rotation of the heat dissipation fan (140) and the cooling fan (150) based on the temperature control decision of the heat dissipation fan (140) and the cooling fan (150) (406).

[0444] Fig. 11 is a flowchart of output control of a thermoelectric element corresponding to an external temperature when controlling a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0445] If the external humidity is higher than the second standard humidity and the external temperature is higher than the first standard temperature, the possibility of dew formation may increase as the external temperature is also high due to high humidity.

[0446] On the other hand, if the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature is lower than the second reference temperature, the humidity is high and the external temperature is low, so the possibility of dew formation may be low.

[0447] Because the dew point changes depending on the outside temperature, the higher the outside temperature, the more air movement and air temperature are needed to prevent dew formation.

[0448] Accordingly, the refrigerator can control the temperature of the heat by controlling the output of the thermoelectric element (130) according to the external temperature. In addition, the refrigerator can control the amount of movement of the generated air by controlling the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0449] The refrigerator can control the rotation speed of the cooling fan (150) to increase as the external temperature increases in order to maintain the refrigeration performance of the first storage compartment. This will be explained in more detail.

[0450] The refrigerator recognizes (411) whether the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) exceeds the first reference temperature.

[0451] The refrigerator can determine the output of the thermoelectric element (130) as the first output based on whether the external temperature exceeds the first reference temperature (412).

[0452] The refrigerator can recognize whether the external temperature exceeds the second reference temperature when the external temperature detected by the temperature sensor (60) is below the first reference temperature. In other words, the refrigerator can recognize whether the external temperature is below the first reference temperature and exceeds the second reference temperature (413).

[0453] The second reference temperature may be a temperature lower than the first reference temperature.

[0454] For example, the first reference temperature may be approximately 22°C, and the second reference temperature may be any temperature between approximately 15°C and 21°C, but is not limited thereto.

[0455] The refrigerator can determine the output of the thermoelectric element (130) as the second output based on the recognition that the external temperature is lower than the first reference temperature and higher than the second reference temperature (414).

[0456] The refrigerator can determine the output of the thermoelectric element (130) as the third output based on the recognition that the external temperature is lower than the second reference temperature (415).

[0457] The first output can be higher than the second output. The second output can be higher than the third output. That is, among the first, second, and third outputs, the first output can be the highest output, and the third output can be the lowest output.

[0458] The refrigerator can control the operation of the thermoelectric element (130) with a determined output.

[0459] Controlling the operation of the thermoelectric element may include controlling the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element. For example, when the refrigerator controls the thermoelectric element (130) to a first output, the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element may be controlled to a first voltage, when the refrigerator controls the thermoelectric element (130) to a second output, the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element may be controlled to a second voltage, and when the refrigerator controls the thermoelectric element (130) to a third output, the voltage applied to the thermoelectric element may be controlled to a third voltage.

[0460] The first voltage may be higher than the second voltage, and the second voltage may be higher than the third voltage.

[0461] In this way, the refrigerator can control the output of the thermoelectric element (130) based on the external temperature when the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity, but can control the output of the thermoelectric element to decrease further as the external temperature decreases.

[0462] The refrigerator can also control the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140) and the rotation speed of the cooling fan (150) based on the external temperature when the external humidity is higher than the second standard humidity.

[0463] The refrigerator can control the heat dissipation fan (140) to a first rotation speed and the cooling fan (150) to a first rotation speed based on whether the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature exceeds the first reference temperature.

[0464] The refrigerator can control the heat dissipation fan (140) to a second rotation speed and control the cooling fan (150) to a second rotation speed based on recognizing that the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature is lower than the first reference temperature and higher than the second reference temperature.

[0465] The refrigerator can control the heat dissipation fan (140) to a third rotation speed and the cooling fan (150) to a third rotation speed based on the recognition that the external humidity is higher than the second reference humidity and the external temperature is lower than the second reference temperature.

[0466] The first rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140) may be higher than the second rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140), and the second rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan may be higher than the third rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140).

[0467] The first rotation speed of the cooling fan (150) may be higher than the second rotation speed of the cooling fan (150), and the second rotation speed of the cooling fan (150) may be higher than the third rotation speed of the cooling fan.

[0468] In this way, the refrigerator can reduce power consumption to prevent condensation by lowering the output of the thermoelectric element (130) based on a decrease in the external temperature and lowering the rotation speed of the heat dissipation fan (140) and the rotation speed of the cooling fan (150).

[0469] FIG. 12 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a control flowchart of a first cooling device for preventing condensation in a refrigerator when the first cooling device is in an off state.

[0470] The refrigerator detects external humidity using a humidity sensor (50) when the first cooling device is off (421).

[0471] The first cooling device being off may include the thermoelectric element, the heat sink fan, and the cooling fan all being off.

[0472] The refrigerator can compare the external humidity with the first reference humidity and determine whether to control the cooling fan (140) by switching it on based on the result of the comparison between the external humidity and the first reference humidity.

[0473] If the external humidity is below the first standard humidity, the area where the first door and the main body come into contact, and the area where the second door and the main body come into contact, may not be an environment where dew forms. Accordingly, the supply of air through the air guide passage (18) may be unnecessary.

[0474] That is, the refrigerator can recognize whether the external humidity is less than the first standard humidity (422) and decide to turn off the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the external humidity being less than the first standard humidity.

[0475] The refrigerator can stop the cooling fan (140) based on whether the cooling fan (140) is determined to be off-controlled (423).

[0476] The refrigerator can determine to turn on the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the recognition that the external humidity is higher than the first standard humidity. At this time, the refrigerator can control the rotation of the heat dissipation fan (140) based on the determination that the heat dissipation fan (140) is turned on (424).

[0477] Here, the first reference humidity may be approximately 76%, but is not limited thereto.

[0478] The refrigerator can also control the rotation speed of the cooling fan based on the external humidity, based on the external humidity being recognized as being higher than the first standard humidity.

[0479] 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.

[0480] 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.

[0481] 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. A body including a storage room; A door that allows the above storage room to be opened and closed; A thermoelectric element including a cooling unit and a heating unit, and supplying air heat-exchanged in the cooling unit to the storage room; A heat dissipation fan that generates a flow of air that has been heat-exchanged in the above-mentioned heating unit; An air guide path that guides air flowing by the above-mentioned heat dissipation fan to an area of ​​the main body that is in contact with the closed door; A temperature sensor that detects the external temperature of the above body; A humidity sensor that detects the external humidity of the above body; and A refrigerator comprising a processor that controls the heat dissipation fan and the thermoelectric element based on the external temperature and the external humidity.

2. In the first paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that determines whether to control the switching of the heat dissipation fan and the thermoelectric element to an on state based on the external temperature and the external humidity when the thermoelectric element and the heat dissipation fan are in an off state.

3. In the second paragraph, the processor, Controlling the off state of the heat dissipation fan based on the external humidity being less than the first reference humidity, A refrigerator that controls the cooling fan to be turned on based on the external humidity being higher than the first reference humidity.

4. In the second paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that controls the heat dissipation fan and the thermoelectric element to be turned on based on the external humidity being higher than the second reference humidity, which is higher than the first reference humidity.

5. In the fourth paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that determines the output of the thermoelectric element based on the external temperature and controls the operation of the thermoelectric element based on the determined output.

6. In the fifth paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that controls the output of the thermoelectric element to be higher as the external temperature increases.

7. In paragraph 1, Further comprising an internal temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the storage room, A refrigerator in which the processor controls the thermoelectric element to be turned off based on the temperature of the storage compartment detected by the internal temperature sensor being below the target temperature.

8. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a cooling fan that generates a flow of heat-exchanged air in the above cooling unit; A refrigerator in which the processor controls the cooling fan based on the external temperature and the external humidity.

9. In the 8th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that controls the cooling fan to be turned on based on the external humidity being higher than a second reference humidity that is higher than the first reference humidity when the cooling fan is in an off state.

10. In the 8th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that controls the rotation speed of the cooling fan and the heat dissipation fan based on the external temperature.

11. A method for controlling a refrigerator that cools a storage compartment provided in a main body using a thermoelectric element including a cooling unit and a heating unit, a heat dissipation fan, and a cooling fan, Detecting the external humidity of the main body using a humidity sensor, Detecting the external temperature of the main body using a temperature sensor, A control method for a refrigerator that controls the operation of at least one of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element based on at least one of the detected external temperature and the detected external humidity.

12. In paragraph 11, A control method for a refrigerator further comprising determining whether to control switching at least one of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element to an on state based on at least one of the external temperature and the external humidity, when the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element are in an off state.

13. In paragraph 12, A control method for a refrigerator further comprising controlling the thermoelectric element, the heat dissipation fan, and the cooling fan to be turned off based on the temperature of the storage compartment detected by the internal temperature sensor being lower than the target temperature.

14. In the 12th paragraph, at least one of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan and the thermoelectric element is controlled to be turned on based on at least one of the external temperature and the external humidity. Controlling the off state of the heat dissipation fan based on the external humidity being less than the first reference humidity, A control method for a refrigerator, including controlling the cooling fan to be turned on based on the external humidity being higher than the first reference humidity.

15. In the 14th paragraph, at least one of the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan and the thermoelectric element is controlled to be turned on based on at least one of the external temperature and the external humidity. Controlling the heat dissipation fan, the cooling fan, and the thermoelectric element to be turned on based on the external humidity being higher than the second reference humidity, which is higher than the first reference humidity; Determine the output of the thermoelectric element based on the external temperature, Controlling the operation of the thermoelectric element based on the determined output, A control method of a refrigerator further comprising controlling the rotation speed of the cooling fan and the heat dissipation fan based on the external temperature.

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