Refrigerator and method for controlling same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling same, the refrigerator comprising: a main body provided with a storage chamber; a door that opens and closes the storage chamber, and includes an inner plate that comes into close contact with an inlet of the storage chamber when the storage chamber is closed; and an object sensor which is mounted on the inner plate of the door and senses an object present in a sensing region between the inlet of the storage chamber and the inner plate on the basis of the open state of the door.

Description

Refrigerator and its control method

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a refrigerator that automatically closes the door and a method for controlling the same.

[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] Recent refrigerators include various convenient features to enhance user convenience. For example, a refrigerator may include at least one of the following convenience features: a display unit that uses a camera to capture images of food stored in a storage compartment and generates and displays a list of items based on the captured images; a door with a transparent window that allows the interior of the storage compartment to be viewed without the door being opened; and a door opening / closing device that automatically opens or closes the door.

[0004] When a refrigerator is provided with a door opening / closing device as a convenience device, a technology is required to prevent the user from colliding with the refrigerator door due to the automatic closing of the door.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which includes an object sensor provided on an inner surface of a door and having a detection field of view facing an area where an open door and a storage compartment of a main body face each other, for detecting an object.

[0006] Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which sets an area as a detection area up to a certain distance from an area where an open door and a storage compartment of a main body face each other, and controls the closing of the door based on the presence or absence of an object within the detection area.

[0007] A refrigerator according to one aspect comprises: a main body having a storage compartment; a door having an inner plate that opens and closes the storage compartment and comes into close contact with an entrance of the storage compartment when the storage compartment is closed; and an object sensor provided on the inner plate of the door and that detects an object present in a detection area between the entrance of the storage compartment and the inner plate based on an open state of the door.

[0008] The refrigerator door, according to one aspect, is connected to a hinge provided on the main body and rotates around the axis of the hinge when opening and closing the storage compartment. The detection area of ​​the refrigerator, according to one aspect, corresponds to the opening angle of the door.

[0009] An object sensor of a refrigerator according to one aspect is provided at the bottom of the inner panel of the door and has a first reference angle as a tilting angle.

[0010] An object sensor of a refrigerator according to one aspect is provided at the bottom of the inner panel of the door, has a first reference angle as a tilting angle, and a second reference angle as a fan angle.

[0011] The object sensor of the refrigerator according to one aspect is provided in an area around the axis of the hinge of the door among the areas of the lower part of the inner panel of the door.

[0012] According to one aspect, the refrigerator further includes a motor connected to an object sensor. The object sensor of the refrigerator according to one aspect is provided at the bottom of the inner panel of the door and rotates left and right within a detection area by the motor.

[0013] The object sensor of the refrigerator according to one aspect further detects objects existing in an extended area from the outermost part of the detection area to a preset distance.

[0014] A refrigerator according to one aspect further includes a door opening / closing device for closing a door; and a processor for recognizing whether an object is present in a detection area based on detection information detected by an object sensor when the door is in an open state, and controlling the door opening / closing device to close the door based on the object not being present in the detection area.

[0015] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the door opening / closing device to maintain the door open state based on the presence of an object in the detection area.

[0016] A refrigerator according to one aspect further includes a door opening / closing device for closing a door; a memory for storing information on a reference distance corresponding to a detection area; and a processor for recognizing a distance to an object based on detection information received from an object sensor, recognizing whether an object is present in a detection area based on the recognized distance and the reference distance, and controlling the door opening / closing device to close the door based on the object not being present in the detection area.

[0017] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes that an object exists in the detection area based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to a reference distance, and recognizes that an object does not exist in the detection area based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

[0018] A refrigerator according to one aspect further includes a user interface. A processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the user interface to output door closing information based on controlling a door opening / closing device to close the door.

[0019] A processor of a refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes whether an object exists in a detection area based on detection information received from an object sensor during door closing control, and controls a door opening / closing device to stop the door from closing based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area.

[0020] A refrigerator according to one aspect further includes a user interface. A processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the user interface to output door closure stop information based on controlling a door opening / closing device to stop door closure.

[0021] A refrigerator according to one aspect further includes a user interface. A processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the user interface to output door closure completion information based on the completion of door closure, and controls the deactivation of an object sensor.

[0022] A method for controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect comprises: obtaining detection information for detecting an object existing in a detection area between an entrance of a storage compartment and an inner panel of the door using an object sensor provided on an inner panel of the door when the door is in an open state; recognizing whether an object exists in the detection area based on the detection information detected by the object sensor; controlling a door opening / closing device to close the door based on the absence of an object in the detection area; and controlling a door opening / closing device to maintain an open state of the door based on the presence of an object in the detection area.

[0023] Recognizing whether an object exists in a detection area includes recognizing a distance to the object based on detection information received from an object sensor, recognizing that an object exists in the detection area based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to a reference distance, and recognizing that an object does not exist in the detection area based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

[0024] A method for controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect further includes controlling a user interface to output door closing information based on controlling a door opening / closing device to close the door, and controlling the user interface to output door closing completion information based on the door closing being completed.

[0025] Controlling a door opening / closing device to close a door includes recognizing whether an object exists in a detection area based on detection information received from an object sensor while controlling the closing of the door, controlling the door opening / closing device to stop the closing of the door based on the recognition that the object exists in the detection area, controlling a user interface to output door closing stop information based on the control of the door opening / closing device to stop the closing of the door, and maintaining the closing control of the door based on the recognition that the object does not exist in the detection area.

[0026] Recognizing whether an object exists in a detection area based on detection information detected by an object sensor further includes controlling a motor provided in the object sensor so that the field of view of the object sensor is changed.

[0027] According to the disclosed invention, the disclosed invention can prevent collision between a user and the door by automatically closing the door based on the absence of a user around the refrigerator when the door of the refrigerator is opened, and can reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator by reducing the number of operations of the refrigeration cycle due to a reduction in the time of cold air loss.

[0028] The disclosed invention prevents collisions between the user and the door by automatically stopping the door from closing when a user is detected during the door's closing process, thereby reducing the inconvenience of the user having to re-open the door. This improves user convenience.

[0029] The disclosed invention can improve the safety of a refrigerator, enhance the quality and marketability of the refrigerator, and further secure the competitiveness of the refrigerator.

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exemplary view of the exterior of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 2 is an exemplary view of the front of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 3 is an external view of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an internal example diagram of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a center gear of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal gear, magnet, and door position sensor of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram of a door being opened by a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram of a door being closed by a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of an arrangement area of ​​an object sensor provided on a door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are exemplary diagrams of a first object sensor provided on a first door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are exemplary diagrams of a first object sensor provided on a second door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 14 is an exemplary view of a first object sensor provided on an open second door when looking at a refrigerator from the front according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 15 is an exemplary view of the field of view of the first object sensor provided on the first and second doors corresponding to the opening angles of the first and second doors when looking at the refrigerator from the position of the main body according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 16 is an exemplary diagram of a second object sensor provided on a second door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram of a first object sensor provided on a fourth door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 18 is an exemplary view of a first object sensor provided on a fourth door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 19 is an exemplary diagram of a second object sensor provided on a fourth door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 20 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 21 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 22 is an exemplary diagram of a closed stop state of a refrigerator door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 23 is an example diagram of output of guidance information for stopping the closing of a refrigerator door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 24 is an exemplary diagram showing a closed state of a refrigerator door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 25 is an exemplary diagram of an object sensor provided on a refrigerator door according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Fig. 26 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0055] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0059] 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).

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the main body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0067] "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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0080] 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.

[0081] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment by generating heat and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components included in the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components of 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0095] 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.

[0096] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0097] Fig. 1 is an exemplary drawing of the exterior of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is an exemplary drawing of the front of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

[0098] 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 (30) provided on the body (10) and opening and closing the opening of the body (10), and a user interface (300) for interfacing with a user.

[0099] The main body (10) may include an outer body (11) forming the exterior of the refrigerator.

[0100] 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).

[0101] The main body (10) may include a top table (11a) provided on the upper part of the main body (10). The top table (11a) may be coupled to the upper surface of the outer body (11).

[0102] The top table (11a) can cover various electrical components. A space for accommodating various electrical components can be provided on the inside of the top table (11a).

[0103] There may be one or more doors (30). The doors (30) may be provided rotatably on the main body (10).

[0104] The door (30) may be provided with a handle (38) that is gripped by the user. The handle (38) may be provided on the outer panel of the door, but may be provided by being recessed inward from the outer panel, and the shape of the handle is not limited thereto.

[0105] This embodiment describes a refrigerator of the French door type having four doors (31, 32, 33, 34) as an example.

[0106] A user interface (120) is provided on at least one of the doors and can receive user input and display operation information of the refrigerator.

[0107] The user interface (120) may include an input interface and an output interface. The user interface (120) may include a touch screen.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 2, the refrigerator may include a storage compartment (20) provided inside the main body (10).

[0109] The main body (10) may include an inner case (12) forming a storage room (20).

[0110] The inner case (12) may be open at the front. The inner case (12) may be provided on the inner side of the outer case (11). The inner wall of the inner case (12) may form the inner wall of the storage room (20).

[0111] An insulating material (not shown) that can prevent cold air from leaking from the storage room (20) may be provided between the outer case (11) and the inner case (12) of the main body (10).

[0112] The insulation can be foamed between the inner case (12) and the outer case (11), thereby bonding the inner case (12) and the outer case (11) to each other. The insulation can insulate the outer case (11) and the inner case (12) from each other. That is, the insulation can prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage room (20) and the outside of the main body (10), thereby improving the cooling efficiency inside the storage room (20).

[0113] There may be one or more storage rooms (20).

[0114] 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.

[0115] The storage room (20) 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] This embodiment describes a refrigerator having one refrigerating chamber (21) provided in the upper part of the main body and two freezing chambers (22, 23) provided in the lower part of the main body as an example.

[0118] The refrigerator and freezer of this embodiment can be partitioned by a first partition (13) arranged horizontally inside the main body, and the two freezer compartments can be partitioned by a second partition (14) arranged vertically inside the main body.

[0119] In this embodiment, the refrigerator may be the first storage room (21). One freezer may be the second storage room (22) or the first freezer. The other freezer may be the third storage room (23) or the second freezer.

[0120] The first, second, and third storage rooms (21, 22, 23) may be provided with at least one drawer (24) for storing food and at least one shelf (25) for placing food.

[0121] Each storage room (20) is provided with one or more doors (30) and can be opened and closed by one or more doors (30).

[0122] For example, the first storage room (21) may be provided with first and second doors (31, 32). The first storage room (21) may be opened by at least one of the first door (31) and the second door (32), and may be closed by the first and second doors (31, 32).

[0123] The first door (31) and the second door (32) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (X direction).

[0124] The first door (31) may be provided to open and close the left side of the first storage room (21), and the second door (32) may be provided to open and close the right side of the first storage room (21).

[0125] The freezer can be opened or closed by the third and fourth doors (33, 34). The third door (33) and the fourth door (34) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (X direction).

[0126] If the freezer is divided into two, a third door (33) may be provided in the first freezer (22), and a fourth door (34) may be provided in the second freezer (22).

[0127] The first freezer (22) can be opened or closed by the third door (33). The second freezer (23) can be opened or closed by the fourth door (34).

[0128] The third door (33) can be arranged parallel to the first door (31) in a vertical direction (Z).

[0129] The fourth door (34) can be arranged parallel to the second door (32) in a vertical direction (Z). In addition, the fourth door (34) can be arranged parallel to the third door (33) in a horizontal direction (X).

[0130] Each door (30) can be provided to be rotatable on the main body (10).

[0131] The refrigerator (1) may include a hinge (40) connecting the main body (10) and the door (30). The hinge (40) may be provided so that the door (30) can rotate relative to the main body (10). The hinge may be fixed to the main body (10). Specifically, the hinge (40) may be coupled to the outer case (11).

[0132] For example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of upper door hinges (40) that are coupled to the upper portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the first door (31) and the second door (32), respectively. In addition, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of lower door hinges (not shown) that are coupled to the lower portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the third door (33) and the fourth door (34), 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 (13)) and rotatably support the first door (31), the second door (32), the third door (33), and the fourth door (34), respectively.

[0133] A door basket (35) for storing food may be provided on the inner surface of each door (30). A door gasket (36) may be provided on the inner surface of the door (30) to seal the gap between the door (30) and the main body (10) and prevent cold air from leaking from the storage compartment (20).

[0134] At one end of the first door (31), a rotating bar (37) may be provided to seal the gap between the first door (31) and the second door (32).

[0135] The rotating bar (37) is provided on one end opposite the hinge (40) of the first door (31) and can rotate around one end of the first door (31). For example, when the first door (31) is closed, the rotating bar (37) can be unfolded toward the direction in which the first door (31) extends to block the gap between the first door (31) and the second door (32). When the first door (31) is opened, the rotating bar (37) can be folded in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first door (31) extends to avoid interference with the second door (32).

[0136] The outer panel (30a) of the door (30) can form a part of the exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the outer panel of the door (30) can form at least a part of the front exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the inner panel (30b) of the door (30) can face the inside of the storage compartment (20). The inner panel (30b) of the door (30) as referred to herein means one side of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20). In addition, the outer panel (30a) of the door (30) as referred to herein means the other side opposite to the inner panel (30b) of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20), and means the front of the door (30) as seen when the refrigerator (1) is viewed from the front.

[0137] One of the multiple doors may also be provided with a dispenser (not shown) for dispensing water or ice directly to the outside.

[0138] Each door (30) may further include a door closing device (not shown) for automatically closing each door. If each door is provided with a door closing device, each door (30) can be opened manually.

[0139] Each door (30) may further include a door opening / closing device (100) for automatically opening and closing each door. If a door opening / closing device (100) is provided for each door (30), each door (30) may also be opened or closed manually.

[0140] A door opening / closing device (100) may be provided at the top of each door (30).

[0141] The door opening / closing device (100) can also be installed on the top table (11b) of the main body.

[0142] Each door (30) may further include a door position sensor (190, see FIG. 6) for detecting an open state, an opening angle, or a closed state.

[0143] This embodiment describes a refrigerator including a door opening / closing device (100) that automatically opens and closes the door and a door position sensor.

[0144] Each door (30) may further include an object sensor (200) provided on the inner panel of the door and detecting an object around the refrigerator in an open state.

[0145] The object sensor (200) may include a light sensor. This object sensor (200) will be described in detail later.

[0146] The refrigerator may further include a cooling device for cooling the storage compartment.

[0147] The cooling device can generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to a storage room (20). The cooling device can generate cold air using a cooling cycle that compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates a refrigerant. For example, the cooling device can include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, and the like. The cold air generated by the cooling device can be supplied to the storage room (20) through a cold air supply duct formed at the rear portion of the inner case (12).

[0148] A refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a direct-cooling refrigerator or a direct-cooling refrigerator.

[0149] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the door opening / closing device (100) and the door position sensor (190) will be described in detail.

[0150] FIG. 3 is an external view of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment, FIG. 4 is an internal example view of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a center gear of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal gear, a magnet, and a door position sensor of a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0151] The door opening / closing device (100) may be provided on each of the first door (31), the second door (32), the third door (33), and the fourth door (34). That is, the refrigerator (1) may include a plurality of door opening / closing devices (100).

[0152] The structure and operational configuration of multiple door opening / closing devices (100) may be identical. Here, a door opening / closing device (100) provided in a second door (32) for opening or closing a first storage room (21) will be described as an example.

[0153] The door opening / closing device (100) may be provided on one side of the second door (32). For example, the door opening / closing device (100) may be provided on the upper side of the second door (32). As another example, the door opening / closing device (100) may be provided on the lower side of the second door (32). As another example, the door opening / closing device (100) may be provided on the top table (11a), and the location of the door opening / closing device is not limited thereto.

[0154] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the door opening / closing device (100) may include a case (101) that forms an exterior and has an opening (101b), a motor (110) provided inside the case (101) and outputting power for opening and closing a second door (32), a plurality of gears (121, 122, 123, 131) provided inside the case (101) and transmitting the power of the motor (110) to a hinge shaft (40a), a lever (150) that moves in a direction for opening the second door (32), a slider (140) that transmits the power of the motor (110) to the lever (150), and an operating frame (160) that presses the slider (140) to slide the slider (140).

[0155] The slider (140) can slide by being pressed by the pressurized projection of the operating frame (160) that rotates by receiving power from the motor (110).

[0156] The lever (150) may include a push portion (150a) that protrudes outward through the opening (101b) when the second door (32) is opened. The push portion (150a) of the lever (150) may protrude outward through the opening (101b) when a pushing force is applied from the sliding slider (140).

[0157] The operating frame (160) can rotate coaxially with the center gear (123). The operating frame (160) can be linked to the motor (110) via the center gear (123).

[0158] The motor (110) can rotate in both directions. For example, the motor (110) can rotate in a first direction when the second door (32) is opened, and can rotate in a second direction when the second door (32) is closed. At this time, the second door (32) can rotate in the first direction by the motor (110) rotating in the first direction, and can rotate in the second direction by the motor (110) rotating in the second direction. Here, the first direction can be a counterclockwise direction in which the second door (32) is opened, and the second direction can be a clockwise direction in which the second door (32) is closed.

[0159] The rotation direction of the fourth door (34) corresponding to the rotation direction of the motor (110) may be the same as the rotation direction of the second door (32). The rotation directions of the second door (32) and the fourth door (34) corresponding to the rotation direction of the motor (110) may vary depending on the number of hinge-side gears (122) and the number of motor-side gears (121).

[0160] The rotational direction of the first door (31) and the third door (33), which correspond to the rotational direction of the motor (110), may be opposite to the rotational direction of the second door (32) and the fourth door (34). The first door (31) and the third door (33) may rotate clockwise when opened and counterclockwise when closed. In other words, the rotational directions of the motor and the door may be different depending on the position at which the door is mounted.

[0161] The plurality of gears may include hinge-side gears (122) that engage with the hinge gear (40b), a gear assembly (130) that is arranged between the motor (110) and the hinge (40), and motor-side gears (121) that couple the motor (110) and the gear assembly (130). Here, the hinge-side gear (170) that engages with the hinge gear (40b) may be referred to as an end gear (170).

[0162] The hinge-side gears (122) can link the gear assembly (130) and the hinge gear (40b). In other words, the motor-side gears (121) and the hinge-side gears (122) can be linked via the gear assembly (130). In addition, the gear assembly (130) can control the power transmitted from the motor-side gears (121) to the hinge-side gears (122).

[0163] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the gear assembly (130) may include a pair of clutch gears (131) that are connected to a center gear (123) that is coupled to the motor (110) as one of the motor-side gears (121) and rotate around the center gear (123), and a support frame (132) that rotates the clutch gear (131) around the rotational axis of the center gear (123) and around the circumference of the center gear (123).

[0164] The center gear (123) may include a first gear portion (123a) having a spur gear shape and a second gear portion (123b) having a spur gear shape with a smaller diameter than the first gear portion (123a), and the first gear portion (123a) and the second gear portion (123b) may be provided integrally so that their rotation axes coincide. The center gear (123) may receive power from the motor (110) from the motor-side gear (121a) that meshes with the first gear portion (123a) and rotate around the central axis as the rotation axis.

[0165] The rotation axis of the support frame (132) may be provided coaxially with the rotation axis of the center gear (123). The rotation axis of the support frame (132) may correspond to the rotation axis of the clutch gear (131) that rotates the center gear (123).

[0166] A clutch gear (131) may be mounted on each end of the support frame (132). Specifically, the support frame (132) may include a plate (133) having a through hole (133a) formed therein, and a pair of clutch gear mounting shafts (134) disposed at each end of the plate (133). The clutch gear (131) may be rotatably coupled to the clutch gear mounting shaft (134) by being penetrated by the clutch gear mounting shaft (134).

[0167] The support frame (132) may be provided at one end of the plate (133) and may include a magnet (138) corresponding to the clutch sensor (137). The magnet (138) may be formed of a material having magnetic force.

[0168] The door opening / closing device (100) may include a clutch sensor (137) that detects the position of the gear assembly (130) so as to determine whether the motor-side gears (121) and the hinge-side gears (122) are engaged. The clutch sensor (137) may detect the position of the magnet (138) by detecting the magnetic field of the magnet (138). For example, the clutch sensor (137) may detect the magnet (138) when it is in proximity to the magnet (138) provided in the gear assembly (130).

[0169] The magnet (138) can move along with the rotation of the clutch gear (131). When the door opening / closing device (100) opens the second door (32), the position of the magnet (138) may be different from when the door opening / closing device (100) closes the second door (32).

[0170] The clutch sensor (137) may include a first hall sensor positioned at a position capable of detecting a magnet (138) while the door opening / closing device (100) opens the second door (32), and a second hall sensor positioned at a position capable of detecting a magnet (138) while the door opening / closing device (100) closes the second door (32).

[0171] The second door (32) can be in a closed position (P1) when closed, and can be moved to an open position (P2) when opened. Here, the open position (P2) can vary depending on the opening angle of the second door (32).

[0172] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the door opening / closing device (100) may include a door position sensor (190) capable of detecting the rotation angle and / or position of the terminal gear (170).

[0173] A magnet (180) can be accommodated in a terminal gear (170). This magnet (180) can rotate together with the rotation of the terminal gear (170).

[0174] The magnet (180) can interact with the door position sensor (190) to sense the angle at which the terminal gear (170) rotates.

[0175] The magnet (180) may be formed in a ring shape. The N pole and the S pole may be arranged alternately along the circumference of the magnet (180).

[0176] The door position sensor (190) may be placed adjacent to the magnet (180). The door position sensor (190) may be placed on one side of the magnet (180).

[0177] The door position sensor (190) can sense changes in the position and / or angle of the terminal gear (170) and the second door (32) by detecting changes in the polarity of the magnet (180). That is, the door position sensor (190) can detect changes in the N pole and S pole of the magnet (180), and can detect the rotation angle of the terminal gear (170) and / or the magnet (180) based on the detected changes.

[0178] The door position sensor (190) may include a first position sensor (191), a second position sensor (192), and a printed circuit board (193). The first position sensor (191) and the second position sensor (192) may include various sensors such as a hall sensor and an optical sensor to detect the position and / or angle of the terminal gear (170).

[0179] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the operation of the door opening / closing device for opening and closing the second door (32) will be described.

[0180] FIG. 7 is an exemplary drawing of a door being opened by a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an exemplary drawing of a door being closed by a door opening / closing device provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0181] When the second door (32) is in the pre-open state, i.e., closed state, the push part (150a) of the lever (150) is accommodated in the case (110) and does not push the main body (10).

[0182] The door opening device (100) can rotate the second door (32) to the open position (P2) when the opening of the second door (32) begins.

[0183] As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the second door (32) is opened, the slider (140) slides toward the lever (150), and the inner surface of the engaging groove (141) of the slider (140) presses the engaging projection of the lever (150), and the lever (150) is guided to move and rotate around the rotation axis by the guide groove (101a) by the force applied to the engaging projection. At this time, the push portion (150a) of the lever (150) can protrude out of the case (101) through the opening (101b) of the case (101), and can push the front (10a) of the body (10) so that the second door (32) is separated from the body (10).

[0184] When the second door (32) is opened, the power of the motor (110) can be transmitted to the center gear (123) through the motor-side gears (121). At this time, the center gear (123) can rotate by receiving driving force from the motor (110).

[0185] The motor (110) can rotate until the second door (32) reaches the open position (P2).

[0186] When the motor (110) rotates, the first clutch gear (131a) can be engaged with the center gear (123) and the hinge-side gear (122a). That is, while the second door (32) is open, the first clutch gear (131a) can transmit power to the hinge-side gear (122a).

[0187] While the first clutch gear (131a) is engaged with the hinge-side gear (122a), the first hall sensor of the clutch sensor (137) can detect the magnet (138), and the clutch sensor (137) can transmit a signal corresponding to the first engagement position of the gear assembly (130) to the processor.

[0188] The door opening / closing device (100) can rotate the second door (32) to the closed position (P1) when the door is closed.

[0189] As shown in Fig. 8, the power of the motor (110) can be transmitted to the center gear (123) through the motor side gears (121).

[0190] Based on the rotation of the motor (110) in the second direction, the second clutch gear (131b) may be engaged with the center gear (121a) and the hinge-side gear (122a). At this time, the first clutch gear (131a) may be engaged only with the center gear (123) and may not be engaged with the other gears. That is, while the second door (32) is closed, the second clutch gear (131b) may transmit power to the hinge-side gear (122a).

[0191] While the second clutch gear (131b) is engaged with the hinge side gear (122a), the second hall sensor of the clutch sensor (137) can detect the magnet (138), and the clutch sensor (137) can transmit a detection signal to the processor.

[0192] When the second door (32) reaches the closed position (P1), the motor (110) can stop rotating.

[0193] Although this embodiment describes a door opening / closing device that automatically opens and closes a door, the function of the door opening / closing device is not limited thereto.

[0194] The door opening device may include a door closing device having only the function of automatically closing the door.

[0195] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of an arrangement area of ​​an object sensor provided on a door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0196] An object sensor (200) may be provided on one side of each door.

[0197] As illustrated in FIG. 9, one side of the door may include an inner plate (30b) of the door. One side of the door may include a lower portion of the inner plate of the door. One side of the door may include a region (A1, first region) of the lower portion of the inner plate of the door, adjacent to a handle (38). One side of the door may include a region (A2, second region) of the lower portion of the inner plate of the door, adjacent to a hinge (40). One side of the door may include a central region (A3, third region) of the lower portion of the inner plate of the door.

[0198] That is, each door may include multiple object sensors provided in the first, second, and third areas (A1, A2, A3), or may include one object sensor provided in any one of the first, second, and third areas (A1, A2, A3).

[0199] Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, an object sensor provided in a first area (A1) of the lower area of ​​the inner panel of the door is described as a first object sensor (201), an object sensor provided in a second area (A2) of the lower area of ​​the inner panel of the door is described as a second object sensor (202), and an object sensor provided in a third area (A3) of the lower area of ​​the inner panel of the door is described as a third object sensor.

[0200] When object sensors are provided in the first, second, and third areas of each door, when the first and second doors are open, the arrangement structure of the object sensors of the first door and the arrangement structure of the object sensors of the second door can be symmetrical to each other, and when the third and fourth doors are open, the arrangement structure of the object sensors of the third door and the arrangement structure of the object sensors of the fourth door can be symmetrical to each other.

[0201] Various examples of the structure of the object sensor provided in the first, second, and third areas of each door will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 19.

[0202] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are exemplary diagrams of a first object sensor provided on a first door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0203] As illustrated in Fig. 10, a receiving space (30c) in which a hole (h) is formed may be provided in the first region of the lower part of the inner plate (30b) of the first door (31). The hole (h) of the receiving space (30c) may be provided on the bottom surface of the lower part of the inner plate (30b) of the first door (31).

[0204] The first object sensor (201) can be provided in the receiving space (30c) of the first area.

[0205] The first object sensor (201) may be arranged to be inclined in the downward direction of the refrigerator based on a horizontal line formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the first door (31).

[0206] The first object sensor (201) can be arranged to be inclined at a first reference angle (An1) toward a hole (h) formed on the bottom surface of the lower part of the inner plate (30b) of the first door (31).

[0207] The horizontal line with the surface formed by the lower end of the inner panel (30b) of the first door may be the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the first object sensor (201) may be provided to be tilted at a first reference angle (An1) based on the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the tilting angle of the first object sensor (201) may be the first reference angle (An1).

[0208] The signal transmitting and receiving surface (201a) of the first object sensor (201) tilted at the first reference angle can be provided in the hole (h) of the first area of ​​the first door (31). That is, the first object sensor (201) can transmit a signal through the hole (h) of the first area at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the first door (31) and receive a signal reflected from the object.

[0209] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the first object sensor (201) may not have an inclination with respect to the Z-axis of the refrigerator.

[0210] The first object sensor (201) provided on the first door (31) may not have an inclination with respect to the Y-axis of the refrigerator.

[0211] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the first door (31) may be the area (F1) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner plate (30b) of the first door (31) when the first door (31) is opened.

[0212] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the first door (31) includes an area (F1) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the first door (31) when the first door (31) is opened, and may further include an extended area (F2) from the outer line of this area to a preset distance (d).

[0213] The area (F1) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the first door (31) may be a first detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201).

[0214] The area (F1) and the extended area (F2) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the first door (31) may be a first detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201).

[0215] The structure of the first object sensor (201) provided in the first door (31) may be identical to the structure of the third object sensor provided in the first door (31).

[0216] Hereinafter, the area detected by the object sensor provided in the first door is referred to as the first detection area, the area detected by the object sensor provided in the second door is referred to as the second detection area, the area detected by the object sensor provided in the third door is referred to as the third detection area, and the area detected by the object sensor provided in the fourth door is referred to as the fourth detection area.

[0217] In addition, the first detection area may correspond to an area in which the first door rotates and moves around the hinge axis. The second detection area may correspond to an area in which the second door rotates and moves around the hinge axis. The third detection area may correspond to an area in which the third door rotates and moves around the hinge axis. The fourth detection area may correspond to an area in which the fourth door rotates and moves around the hinge axis.

[0218] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are exemplary diagrams of a first object sensor provided on a second door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, which are described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.

[0219] FIG. 12 is an example diagram of the arrangement of the first object sensor of the open second door when looking at the refrigerator from the front according to one embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an example diagram of the arrangement of the first object sensor of the open second door when looking at the refrigerator from the top of the main body according to one embodiment.

[0220] FIG. 14 is an exemplary view of a field of view of a first object sensor provided on an open second door when looking at a refrigerator from the front according to one embodiment, and FIG. 15 is an exemplary view of a field of view of a first object sensor provided on a first and second doors corresponding to the opening angles of the first and second doors when looking at a refrigerator from the position of the main body according to one embodiment.

[0221] As illustrated in Fig. 12, a receiving space (30c) in which a hole (h) is formed may be provided in the first region of the lower portion of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32). The hole (h) of the receiving space (30c) may be provided on the bottom surface of the lower portion of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32).

[0222] The first object sensor (201) can be provided in the receiving space (30c) of the first area.

[0223] The first object sensor (201) can be arranged to be inclined in the downward direction of the refrigerator based on a horizontal line formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32).

[0224] The first object sensor (201) can be arranged to be inclined at a first reference angle (An1) toward a hole (h) formed on the bottom surface of the lower part of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32).

[0225] The horizontal line formed by the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) may correspond to the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the first object sensor (201) may be provided to be tilted at a first reference angle (An1) with respect to the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the tilting angle of the first object sensor may be the first reference angle (An1).

[0226] The signal transmitting and receiving surface (201a) of the first object sensor tilted at the first reference angle can be provided in the hole (h) of the first area of ​​the second door (32). That is, the first object sensor (201) can transmit a signal through the hole (h) of the first area at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) and receive a signal reflected from the object.

[0227] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32) may not have an inclination with respect to the Z-axis of the refrigerator.

[0228] The first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32) may not have an inclination with respect to the Y-axis of the refrigerator.

[0229] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32) may be the area (F1) between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) when the second door (32) is opened.

[0230] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32) includes an area (F1) between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the second door (32) when the second door (32) is opened, and may further include an area (F2) from the outer line of this area to a preset distance (d).

[0231] The area (F1) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the second door (32) may be a second detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door.

[0232] The detection area (F1) and the extended area (F2) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the second door (32) may be a second detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32).

[0233] As illustrated in Fig. 14, the first object sensor (201) provided on the second door (32) is tilted at the first reference angle, so that in response to the opening of the second door (32), it has a field of view of the area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32), and can have a field of view from the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) to the floor surface in front of the refrigerator.

[0234] As illustrated in Fig. 15, the field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32) can vary in response to the opening angle of the second door (32).

[0235] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the first door (31) may also vary in response to the opening degree of the first door (31).

[0236] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32) may be symmetrical with the field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the first door (31).

[0237] The structure of the first object sensor (201) provided in the second door (32) may be identical to the structure of the third object sensor provided in the second door (32).

[0238] That is, when the first and second doors are open, the arrangement structure of the first object sensor provided in the second door (32) may be symmetrical with the arrangement structure of the first object sensor provided in the first door (31). When the first and second doors are open, the arrangement structure of the third object sensor provided in the second door (32) may be symmetrical with the arrangement structure of the third object sensor provided in the first door (31).

[0239] Fig. 16 is an exemplary diagram of a second object sensor (202) provided on a second door (32) of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0240] As illustrated in Fig. 16, a receiving space (30c) in which a hole (h) is formed may be provided in the second area (A2) at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32). The hole (h) of the receiving space (30c) may be provided on the bottom surface of the bottom of the inner plate of the second door (32).

[0241] The second object sensor (202) can be provided in the accommodation space (30c) of the second area (A2).

[0242] The second object sensor (202) may be arranged to be inclined toward the lower side of the refrigerator based on a horizontal line formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32).

[0243] The second object sensor (202) can be arranged to be inclined at a first reference angle (An1) toward a hole (h) formed on the bottom surface of the lower part of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32).

[0244] The horizontal line formed by the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) may correspond to the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the second object sensor (202) may be provided to be tilted at a first reference angle (An1) with respect to the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the tilting angle of the second object sensor (202) may be the first reference angle (An1). The second object sensor (202) may be provided to be tilted at the first reference angle (An1) like the first object sensor (201) (see FIG. 12).

[0245] The second object sensor (202) can be arranged to be inclined at a second reference angle toward the first area based on a vertical line formed by the lower end of the inner panel (30b) of the second door.

[0246] The vertical line formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) may correspond to the Z-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the second object sensor (202) may be provided to be rotated at a second reference angle based on the Z-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the fan angle of the second object sensor (202) may be the second reference angle.

[0247] The signal transmitting and receiving surface of the second object sensor (202) rotated at the second reference angle can be provided in the hole (h) of the second area (A2) of the second door (32). That is, the second object sensor (202) can transmit a signal through the hole (h) of the second area (A2) at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) and receive a signal reflected from the object.

[0248] The second object sensor (202) provided on the second door may not have an inclination with respect to the Y-axis of the refrigerator.

[0249] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the second door may be the area (F1) between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel (30b) of the second door when the second door is opened.

[0250] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the second door includes an area (F1) between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the second door when the second door is opened, and may further include an area (F2) from the outer line of this area to a preset distance (d).

[0251] The area (F1) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the second door (32) may be a second detection area for detecting an object using a second object sensor (202) provided in the second door.

[0252] The area (F1) and the extended area (F2) between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the second door (32) may be a second detection area for detecting an object using a second object sensor (202) provided in the second door.

[0253] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the second door (32) can vary in response to the degree of opening of the second door (32).

[0254] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the first door (31) may also vary in response to the opening degree of the first door (31).

[0255] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the second door (32) may be symmetrical with the field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the first door (31).

[0256] When the first and second doors (31, 32) are open, the arrangement structure of the second object sensor (202) provided in the second door (32) may be symmetrical with the arrangement structure of the second object sensor provided in the first door (31).

[0257] FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram of a first object sensor provided on a fourth door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, which is described with reference to FIG. 18.

[0258] FIG. 18 is an example diagram of the field of view of a first object sensor provided on a fourth door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0259] As illustrated in Fig. 17, a receiving space (30c) in which a hole (h) is formed may be provided in the first region of the lower portion of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34). The hole (h) of the receiving space (30c) may be provided on the bottom surface of the lower portion of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34).

[0260] The first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) can be provided in the receiving space (30c) of the first area.

[0261] The first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) can be provided horizontally based on the horizontal line on the surface formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34).

[0262] The signal transmitting and receiving surface of the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) can be provided in the hole (h) of the first area of ​​the fourth door (34). That is, the first object sensor (201) can transmit a signal through the hole (h) of the first area at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34) and receive a signal reflected from an object.

[0263] The first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) may not have an inclination with respect to the Z-axis and Y-axis of the refrigerator.

[0264] The first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) can be provided horizontally with respect to the Z-axis and Y-axis of the refrigerator.

[0265] As illustrated in Fig. 18, the field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) may be the area between the third storage room (23) and the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34) when the fourth door (34) is opened.

[0266] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) includes the area between the entrance of the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the fourth door (34) when the fourth door (34) is opened, and may further include an extended area (F2) from the outer line of this area to a preset distance.

[0267] When the fourth door (34) is opened, the area between the entrance of the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the fourth door (34) may be a fourth detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34).

[0268] When the fourth door (34) is opened, the area between the entrance of the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the fourth door (34) and the extended area may be a fourth detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34).

[0269] The first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) has a field of view of the area between the entrance of the third storage room (23) and the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34) in response to the opening of the fourth door (34), and can have a field of view (F2) from the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34) to the floor surface in front of the refrigerator.

[0270] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) can vary in response to the opening angle of the fourth door (34).

[0271] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the third door (33) may also vary in response to the opening degree of the third door (33).

[0272] The field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) may be symmetrical with the field of view of the first object sensor (201) provided in the third door (33).

[0273] The structure of the first object sensor (201) provided in the fourth door (34) may be identical to the structure of the third object sensor provided in the fourth door (34).

[0274] That is, when the third and fourth doors are open, the arrangement structure of the first object sensor provided in the third door (33) may be symmetrical with the arrangement structure of the first object sensor provided in the fourth door (34). When the third and fourth doors are open, the arrangement structure of the third object sensor provided in the third door (33) may be symmetrical with the arrangement structure of the third object sensor provided in the fourth door (34).

[0275] In addition, when the third door (33) is opened, the area between the entrance of the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the third door (33) may be a third detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201) provided in the third door (33).

[0276] When the third door (33) is opened, the area between the entrance of the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the third door (33) and the extended area may be a third detection area for detecting an object using the first object sensor (201) provided in the third door (33).

[0277] Fig. 19 is an exemplary diagram of a second object sensor (202) provided on a fourth door (34) of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0278] As illustrated in Fig. 19, a receiving space (30c) in which a hole (h) is formed may be provided in the second area (A2) at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34). The hole (h) of the receiving space (30c) may be provided on the bottom surface of the bottom of the inner plate of the fourth door (34).

[0279] The second object sensor (202) can be provided in the receiving space (30c) of the second area (A2) of the fourth door (34).

[0280] The second object sensor (202) can be arranged to be inclined at a second reference angle toward the first area based on a vertical line formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34).

[0281] The vertical line formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34) may correspond to the Z-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the second object sensor (202) may be provided to be rotated at a second reference angle based on the Z-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the fan angle of the second object sensor (202) may be the second reference angle.

[0282] The signal transmitting and receiving surface of the second object sensor (202) rotated at the second reference angle can be provided in the hole (h) of the second area (A2) of the fourth door (34). That is, the second object sensor (202) can transmit a signal through the hole (h) of the second area (A2) at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the fourth door (34) and receive a signal reflected from the object.

[0283] The second object sensor (202) provided in the fourth door (34) may not have an inclination with respect to the X-axis and Y-axis of the refrigerator.

[0284] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the fourth door (34) may be the area between the third storage room (23) and the inner plate (30b) of the second door when the fourth door (34) is opened.

[0285] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the fourth door (34) includes the area (F1) between the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the fourth door when the fourth door (34) is opened, and may further include an area (F2) from the outer line of this area to a preset distance (d).

[0286] When the fourth door (34) is opened, the area between the entrance of the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the fourth door (34) may be a fourth detection area for detecting an object using the second object sensor (202) provided in the fourth door (34).

[0287] When the fourth door (34) is opened, the area between the entrance of the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the fourth door (34) and the extended area may be a fourth detection area for detecting an object using the second object sensor (202) provided in the fourth door (34).

[0288] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the fourth door (34) can vary depending on the opening degree of the fourth door (34).

[0289] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the third door (33) may also vary in response to the opening degree of the third door (33).

[0290] The field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the fourth door (34) may be symmetrical with the field of view of the second object sensor (202) provided in the third door (33).

[0291] When the third and fourth doors are open, the arrangement structure of the second object sensor provided in the third door (33) may be symmetrical to the arrangement structure of the second object sensor provided in the fourth door (34).

[0292] Each object sensor (200) can be activated based on the opening of each door and can be deactivated by the closing of each door.

[0293] The object sensor (200) can detect an object existing in an area corresponding to the field of view by activation.

[0294] In addition, in the case of a side-by-side type refrigerator having a main body, first and second storage compartments provided on the left and right of the main body, a first door provided in the first storage compartment, and a second door provided in the second storage compartment, the object sensors provided in the first and second doors of the side-by-side type refrigerator may have the same structure as the object sensors provided in the third and fourth doors of the French door type (see FIGS. 17, 18, and 19).

[0295] Also, in the case of a BMF (Bottom Mounted Freezer) or TMF (Top Mounted Freezer) refrigerator having a main body, first and second storage rooms provided vertically in the main body, a first door provided in the first storage room, and a second door provided in the second storage room, the object sensor of the first door provided on the upper side may have the same structure as the object sensor provided on the first or second door of a French door type, and the object sensor of the second door provided on the lower side may have the same structure as the object sensor provided on the third or fourth door of a French door type (see FIGS. 10 to 16).

[0296] Figure 20 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0297] The refrigerator (1) may include a door opening / closing device (100), a door position sensor (190), an object sensor (200), a user interface (300), and a control unit (310).

[0298] The door opening / closing device (100) may be a device that automatically opens the door (30) or automatically closes the door (30).

[0299] The door opening / closing device (100) may be a device that only has the function of automatically closing the door (30).

[0300] This embodiment will explain, by way of example, a door opening / closing device that automatically opens and closes a door.

[0301] The door opening / closing device (100) may be provided for each of the plurality of doors provided in the refrigerator. For example, the door opening / closing device (100) may include a first door opening / closing device (100a) provided for the first door (31), a second door opening / closing device (100b) provided for the second door (32), a third door opening / closing device (100c) provided for the third door (33), and a fourth door opening / closing device (100d) provided for the fourth door (34).

[0302] The first door opening / closing device (100a) can automatically open the first door (31) or automatically close the first door (31) based on a control command from the control unit (310).

[0303] The second door opening / closing device (100b) can automatically open or close the second door (32) based on a control command from the control unit (310).

[0304] The third door opening / closing device (100c) can automatically open or close the third door (33) based on a control command from the control unit (310).

[0305] The fourth door opening / closing device (100d) can automatically open or close the fourth door (34) based on a control command from the control unit (310).

[0306] Each door opening / closing device (100) may include a motor (110) for automatically opening or closing the door (30).

[0307] Each motor (110) can generate torque to open each door or close each door.

[0308] The motor (110) may include, for example, a brushless direct current motor (BLDC motor) or a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) whose rotation speed can be easily controlled.

[0309] Each motor (110) can rotate in a first direction or a second direction based on a control command of the control unit (310).

[0310] The door position sensor (190) is provided on each of the multiple doors provided in the refrigerator and can detect the position of each door. Here, the position of the door may include a position corresponding to the rotation angle of the door.

[0311] The position sensor (190) may include a first door position sensor (190a) provided in the first door (31), a second door position sensor (190b) provided in the second door (32), a third door position sensor (190c) provided in the third door (33), and a fourth door position sensor (190d) provided in the fourth door (34).

[0312] The first door position sensor (190a) can detect the position of the first door (31) and transmit position information about the detected position of the first door (31) to the control unit (310).

[0313] The second door position sensor (190b) can detect the position of the second door (32) and transmit position information about the detected position of the second door (32) to the control unit (310).

[0314] The third door position sensor (190c) can detect the position of the third door (33) and transmit position information about the detected position of the third door (33) to the control unit (310).

[0315] The fourth door position sensor (190d) can detect the position of the fourth door (34) and transmit position information about the detected position of the fourth door (34) to the control unit (310).

[0316] The refrigerator may further include a door open / close sensor (230) that detects the state of the door.

[0317] The door open / close sensor (230) is provided on each of the multiple doors provided in the refrigerator, and can detect the open state or closed state of each door.

[0318] The door open / close sensor (230) is installed in the first, second, and third storage compartments of the refrigerator, and can be installed at a part where the inner plates of multiple doors come into contact, and can detect the closed state of each door.

[0319] The door open / close sensor (230) may include a first door open / close sensor (231) that detects the open state and closed state of the first door (31) and transmits open / close information corresponding to the opening and closing of the first door (31) to the control unit (310), a second door open / close sensor (232) that detects the open state and closed state of the second door (32) and transmits open / close information corresponding to the opening and closing of the second door (32) to the control unit (310), a third door open / close sensor (233) that detects the open state and closed state of the third door (33) and transmits open / close information corresponding to the opening and closing of the third door (33) to the control unit (310), and a fourth door open / close sensor (234) that detects the open state and closed state of the fourth door (34) and transmits open / close information corresponding to the opening and closing of the fourth door (34) to the control unit (310).

[0320] The first door opening / closing sensor (231) may be installed in the first door (31) or in the entrance of the first storage room (21), but may be installed in the entrance of the inner case on the left side.

[0321] The second door opening / closing sensor (232) may be installed in the second door (32) or in the entrance of the first storage room (21), but may be installed in the entrance of the inner case on the right side.

[0322] The third door opening / closing sensor (233) may be installed in the third door (33) or may be installed at the entrance of the second storage room (22), but may be installed at the entrance of the inner case forming the second storage room (22).

[0323] The fourth door opening / closing sensor (234) may be installed in the fourth door (34) or may be installed at the entrance of the third storage room (23), but may be installed at the entrance of the inner case forming the third storage room (23).

[0324] Each door open / close sensor (230) may include, but is not limited to, a micro switch, a limit switch, a magnetic switch, a reed switch, a toggle switch, a tact switch, etc.

[0325] Each door open / close sensor (230) may include, but is not limited to, a light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an impact sensor.

[0326] The object sensor (200) can detect the presence of an object (e.g., a user) located around the refrigerator (1) and detect the distance to the object. For example, the object sensor (200) can detect whether a user is located between an open door and a storage compartment and detect the distance to the user.

[0327] The object sensor (200) may include a distance sensor. For example, it may include at least one of a light sensor, a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a radar sensor.

[0328] The object sensor (200) can transmit at least one of infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or radio waves toward an area between the entrance of the storage compartment of the refrigerator (1) and the inner panel of the open door, and can receive at least one of infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or radio waves reflected from an object (e.g., a user) located in the area between the entrance of the storage compartment of the refrigerator (1) and the inner panel of the open door.

[0329] The area between the entrance to the storage room and the inner panel of the open door may be a detection area for detecting objects. Hereinafter, the area between the entrance to the storage room and the inner panel of the open door will be referred to as a detection area.

[0330] For example, the object sensor (200) can detect the distance between the object sensor and the object based on the intensity of at least one of the received infrared, ultrasonic, or radio waves. For example, the object sensor (200) can detect the distance between the object sensor and the object based on the difference (or phase difference) between the transmission time of at least one of the infrared, ultrasonic, or radio waves and the reception time of at least one of the infrared, ultrasonic, or radio waves.

[0331] To explain more specifically, using a light sensor as an example, if an object (e.g., a user's body) is located in the area between the entrance of a storage room and the inner panel of an open door, light may be reflected from the object. The light sensor can detect the light reflected from the object, and the intensity of the light reflected from the object closer than the floor is greater than the intensity of the light reflected from the floor. In particular, the intensity of the light reflected from the object closer than the floor may be greater than a predetermined intensity.

[0332] Accordingly, a light sensor that detects light reflected from an object closer to the floor can transmit a signal corresponding to detecting the reflected light to the control unit (310).

[0333] That is, the object sensor (200) can provide distance information corresponding to the distance between the object sensor and the object to the control unit (310).

[0334] Object sensors can be provided on each of the multiple doors and can detect objects present in a detection area between each door and the storage room.

[0335] The object sensor can be deactivated based on the closed state of the door and activated based on the open state of the door, and when activated, can detect an object in a detection area between the storage room and the inner panel of the open door, and transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (310).

[0336] The plurality of object sensors may include a first object sensor (211) provided in the first door (31), a second object sensor (212) provided in the second door (32), a third object sensor (213) provided in the third door (33), and a fourth object sensor (214) provided in the fourth door (34). For ease of description of the control configuration of the refrigerator, the object sensors provided for each door are described as first, second, third, and fourth object sensors.

[0337] In the control configuration diagram of the refrigerator illustrated in Fig. 20, the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the first, second, third, and fourth object sensors are for distinguishing object sensors provided for each door. In addition, the numbers 1, 2, and 3 in the first, second, and third object sensors of the refrigerator illustrated in Figs. 10 to 19 are for distinguishing object sensors for each area according to the area in which the object sensors are arranged. In other words, the first, second, and third object sensors in Fig. 20 refer to different objects from the first, second, and third object sensors in Figs. 10 to 19.

[0338] The first object sensor (211) has a field of view in the detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31), detects an object in the detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31), and can transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (310).

[0339] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened first door (31) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the first door (31).

[0340] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened first door (31) can vary depending on the opening angle of the first door (31).

[0341] The second object sensor (212) has a field of view in the detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32), detects an object in the detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32), and can transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (310).

[0342] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened second door (32) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the second door (32).

[0343] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened second door (32) can vary depending on the opening angle of the second door (32).

[0344] The third object sensor (213) has a field of view in the detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the opened third door (33), detects an object in the detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the opened third door (33), and can transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (310).

[0345] The detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner plate of the opened third door (33) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the third door (33).

[0346] The detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner plate of the opened third door (33) can vary depending on the opening angle of the third door (33).

[0347] The fourth object sensor (214) has a field of view in the detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the open fourth door (34), detects an object in the detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the open fourth door (34), and can transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (310).

[0348] The detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner plate of the opened fourth door (34) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the fourth door (34).

[0349] The detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner plate of the open fourth door (34) can vary depending on the opening angle of the fourth door (34).

[0350] The user interface (300) can provide a user interface for interaction with the user. The user interface (300) can be provided on the main body (10) or on the door (30).

[0351] The user interface (300) can receive user input and output information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0352] The user interface (300) may include an input interface (301) for receiving user input and an output interface (302) for outputting information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0353] The input interface (301) can receive user input and transmit it to the control unit (310).

[0354] For example, the input interface (301) can receive a target temperature for each storage room or an output command for a food list and transmit the received target temperature for each storage room and the output command for the food list to the control unit (310).

[0355] The input interface (301) may include hardware devices such as keys, buttons, switches, pedals, mouse, trackball, microphone, etc.

[0356] The input interface (301) may include a GUI (Graphical User Interface), i.e., a software device, such as a touch pad. The touch pad may be implemented as a touch screen panel (TSP) and may form a mutual layer structure with the display unit.

[0357] The output interface (302) may include a display and a speaker.

[0358] The display unit may display information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator (1) based on the control command of the control unit (310), and may display information to guide the user's input. For example, the display unit may display the storage compartment target temperature and the internal temperature of each storage compartment.

[0359] The display unit can display information entered into the input interface (301).

[0360] The display unit can display guidance information corresponding to the start of automatic closing of at least one door among a plurality of doors, guidance information corresponding to the progress of automatic closing of at least one door among a plurality of doors, guidance information corresponding to guidance for avoiding collision with a door that is being automatically closed, and guidance information for stopping automatic closing of at least one door.

[0361] The display unit can also display guidance information corresponding to the open status of at least one door among the plurality of doors.

[0362] The display includes multiple seven-segment displays.

[0363] 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.

[0364] The speaker can output information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator (1) as a guide sound based on the control command of the control unit (310), and can output information for guiding the user's input as a guide sound.

[0365] The speaker can output guidance information corresponding to the start of automatic closing of at least one door among a plurality of doors, guidance information corresponding to the progress of automatic closing of at least one door among a plurality of doors, guidance information corresponding to the guidance for avoiding collision with a door that is being automatically closed, and guidance information for stopping automatic closing of at least one door as sound or voice.

[0366] The speaker can output guidance information corresponding to the open state of at least one door among a plurality of doors as sound or voice.

[0367] The control unit (310) controls the overall operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0368] The control unit (310) can control the operation of the refrigerator based on user input received at the input interface (301).

[0369] The control unit (310) can control the output interface (302) so that operation information related to the operation of the refrigerator is output. Controlling the output interface (302) may include controlling at least one of the display unit and the speaker.

[0370] The control unit (310) can recognize whether the first door is in an open or closed state based on the opening / closing information of the first door (31) received from the first door opening / closing sensor (231), activate the first object sensor (211) based on the fact that the first door (31) is in an open state, recognize the opening angle of the first door based on the position information of the first door position sensor (190a), and deactivate the first object sensor (211) based on the fact that the first door (31) is in a closed state.

[0371] The control unit (310) can recognize whether the second door is in an open or closed state based on the opening / closing information of the second door (32) received from the second door opening / closing sensor (232), activate the second object sensor (212) based on the second door (32) being in an open state, recognize the opening angle of the second door based on the position information of the second door position sensor (190b), and deactivate the second object sensor (212) based on the second door (32) being in a closed state.

[0372] The control unit (310) can recognize whether the third door is in an open or closed state based on the opening / closing information of the third door (33) received from the third door opening / closing sensor (233), activate the third object sensor (213) based on the third door (33) being in an open state, recognize the opening angle of the third door based on the position information of the third door position sensor (190c), and deactivate the third object sensor (213) based on the third door (33) being in a closed state.

[0373] The control unit (310) can recognize whether the fourth door is in an open or closed state based on the opening / closing information of the fourth door (34) received from the fourth door opening / closing sensor (234), activate the fourth object sensor (214) based on the fact that the fourth door (34) is in an open state, recognize the opening angle of the fourth door based on the position information of the fourth door position sensor (190d), and deactivate the fourth object sensor (214) based on the fact that the fourth door (34) is in a closed state.

[0374] The control unit (310) can also recognize the detection area based on the position information of the first door received from the first door position sensor (190a). Here, the detection area may include a first detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31). The detection area may include a first detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31), and a first extended area from the outer line of the first detection area to a preset distance.

[0375] The control unit (310) can also recognize the detection area based on the position information of the second door received from the second door position sensor (190b). Here, the detection area may include a second detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32). The detection area may include a second detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32), and a second extended area from the outer line of the second detection area to a preset distance.

[0376] The control unit (310) can also recognize the detection area based on the location information of the third door received from the third door location sensor (190c). Here, the detection area may include a third detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the opened third door (33). The detection area may include a third detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the opened third door (33), and a third extended area from the outer line of the third detection area to a preset distance.

[0377] The control unit (310) can also recognize the detection area based on the location information of the fourth door received from the fourth door location sensor (190d). Here, the detection area may include the fourth detection area between the third storage compartment (23) and the inner panel of the opened fourth door (34). The detection area may include the fourth detection area between the third storage compartment (23) and the inner panel of the opened fourth door (34), and the fourth extended area from the outer line of the fourth detection area to a preset distance.

[0378] The control unit (310) can recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the storage room and the inner panel of the open door based on detection information received from each object sensor, recognize the distance to the object when the object exists, control the closing of the door based on the absence of the object, and control the closing of the door based on the distance from the object exceeding a reference distance. This will be described in more detail.

[0379] The control unit (310) can recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31) based on the detection information received from the first object sensor (211).

[0380] The control unit (310) can control the closing of the first door (31) based on the recognition that no object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the open first door (31).

[0381] The control unit (310) can recognize the time when the object does not exist based on the recognition that the object does not exist in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31), and can control the closing of the first door (31) based on the recognition that the recognized time has passed the reference time.

[0382] The control unit (310) recognizes the distance to the object based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the open first door (31), and can recognize whether the first door (31) is closed based on the recognized distance and the reference distance.

[0383] The control unit (310) can control the opening of the first door (31) based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to the reference distance, and can control the closing of the first door (31) based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

[0384] When controlling the closing of the first door (31), the control unit (310) can control the first door opening / closing device (100a).

[0385] The control unit (310) periodically recognizes whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31) based on detection information received from the first object sensor (211) during the closing control of the first door (31), and can control the closing of the first door (31) to be stopped based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31). That is, when the control unit (310) controls the closing of the first door (31) to be stopped, the control unit (310) can control the operation of the first door opening / closing device (100a) to be stopped.

[0386] The control unit (310) can also control the opening of the first door (31) again after a certain period of time has elapsed after stopping the closing of the first door (31).

[0387] When the control unit (310) controls the opening of the first door (31) again, it is also possible to control the opening of the first door (31) based on the position information of the first door and the target opening angle received from the first door position sensor (231). The position information of the first door may include information on the opening angle of the first door.

[0388] The control unit (310) can recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32) based on the detection information received from the second object sensor (212).

[0389] The control unit (310) can control the closing of the second door (32) based on the recognition that no object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the open second door (32).

[0390] The control unit (310) can recognize the time when the object does not exist based on the recognition that the object does not exist in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the open second door (32), and can control the closing of the second door (32) based on the recognition that the recognized time has passed the reference time.

[0391] The control unit (310) recognizes the distance to the object based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the open second door (32), and can recognize whether the second door (32) is closed based on the recognized distance and the reference distance.

[0392] The control unit (310) can control the opening of the second door (32) based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to the reference distance, and can control the closing of the second door (32) based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

[0393] When controlling the closing of the second door (32), the control unit (310) can control the second door opening / closing device (100b).

[0394] The control unit (310) periodically recognizes whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32) based on the detection information received from the second object sensor (212) during the closing control of the second door (32), and can control the closing of the second door (32) to be stopped based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (31). That is, when the control unit (310) controls the closing of the second door (32) to be stopped, the control unit (310) can control the operation of the second door opening / closing device (100b) to be stopped. When the control unit (310) controls the closing of the second door (32) to be stopped, the control unit (310) can control the operation of the motor (110) provided in the second door opening / closing device (100b) to be stopped.

[0395] When the control unit (310) recognizes that an object exists in an external area outside the detection area while controlling the closing of the second door and that there is no object in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (31), it is also possible to control the output interface to recognize the distance to the object existing in the external area and output guidance information indicating the possibility of collision with the door when the distance to the recognized object is recognized to be within a certain distance. Here, the external area may be an area around the refrigerator and may be an area where a user can easily approach the refrigerator.

[0396] The control unit (310) can also control the opening of the second door (32) again after a certain period of time has elapsed after stopping the closing of the second door (32).

[0397] When the control unit (310) controls the opening of the second door again, it is also possible to control the opening of the second door (32) based on the position information of the second door received from the second door position sensor (232) and the target opening angle.

[0398] The position information of the second door may include information about the opening angle of the second door.

[0399] In the same way that the closing of the first and second doors is controlled based on the detection information received from the first and second object sensors, the closing of the third and fourth doors can be controlled based on the detection information received from the third and fourth object sensors. Therefore, a description of the specific control configuration of the control unit for this is omitted.

[0400] The control unit (310) can recognize the open state of the first, second, third, and fourth doors (31, 32, 33, 34) or the closed state of the first, second, third, and fourth doors (31, 32, 33, 34) based on the open / close information of the first, second, third, and fourth doors (31, 32, 33, 34) received from the first, second, third, and fourth door open / close sensors (231, 232, 233, 234), and control the output interface (302) of the user interface to output the recognized door-specific status information.

[0401] The control unit (310) can control the output interface of the user interface to recognize the closing control of an open door among the first, second, third, and fourth doors (31, 32, 33, and 34) based on the detection information received from the activated object sensor among the first, second, third, and fourth object sensors (211, 212, 213, and 214) and output guidance information corresponding to the closing information of the recognized door.

[0402] Guidance information corresponding to door closing information may include text information or emoticon information displayed through a display unit, and may include a warning sound or guidance voice output through a speaker.

[0403] The control unit (310) can control the output interface of the user interface to output guidance information for guiding closure stop based on the object being recognized in a state of closure control.

[0404] Guidance information corresponding to the door closing stop may include text information or emoticon information displayed through the display unit, and may include a warning sound or guidance voice output through the speaker.

[0405] The control unit (310) can recognize whether an object exists in a first detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31) or a second detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32) based on detection information received from the first and second object sensors while the first and second doors are open, and can control the closing of the first and second doors based on the recognition that an object does not exist in the first and second detection areas, and can control the opening of the first and second doors to be maintained based on the recognition that an object exists in at least one of the first and second detection areas.

[0406] When the control unit (310) recognizes that an object does not exist in the first and second detection areas, the control unit (310) can control the closing of the first and second doors (31, 32) based on the time elapsed when the object is recognized as not existing in the first and second detection areas, which is a reference time.

[0407] The control unit (310) can control the closing of the first and second doors (31, 32) to be stopped based on the detection information received from the first and second object sensors during the closing control of the first and second doors (31, 32) and the recognition that an object exists in at least one of the first and second detection areas.

[0408] The first detection area and the second detection area may have different sizes depending on the opening angle of the first door (31) and the opening angle of the second door (32).

[0409] The control unit (310) recognizes a first detection area based on the location information of the first door received from the first door location sensor (190a), recognizes a second detection area based on the location information of the second door received from the second door location sensor (190B), recognizes the sizes of the recognized first detection area and the second detection area, and if the size of the first detection area is larger than the size of the second detection area, recognizes the presence of an object based on the detection information received from the first object sensor, and if the size of the second detection area is larger than the size of the first detection area, recognizes the presence of an object based on the detection information received from the second object sensor, and controls the closing of the first and second doors based on the presence of the recognized object.

[0410] During the closing control of the first and second doors (31, 32), the closing of the first and second doors (31, 32) can be stopped and controlled based on the recognition that an object exists in at least one of the first and second detection areas based on the detection information received from the first and second object sensors (211, 212).

[0411] The control unit (310) can also control the opening of the first and second doors (31, 32) again after a certain period of time has elapsed after controlling the closing of the first and second doors (31, 32).

[0412] When the control unit (310) controls the opening of the first and second doors again, it is also possible to control the opening of the first and second doors (31, 32) based on the position information of the first and second doors received from the first and second door position sensors (231, 232) and the target opening angle.

[0413] In the same way that the closing of the first and second doors (31, 32) arranged left and right on the main body can be simultaneously controlled based on the detection information received from the first and second object sensors (211, 212), the closing of the third and fourth doors (33, 34) arranged left and right on the main body can be simultaneously controlled based on the detection information received from the third and fourth object sensors (213, 214). Therefore, a description of the specific control configuration of the control unit for this is omitted.

[0414] The control unit (310) can recognize whether an object exists in a first detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31) or a third detection area between the entrance of the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the opened third door (33) based on detection information received from the first and second object sensors (211, 212) while the first and third doors are open, and can control the closing of the first and third doors based on the recognition that an object does not exist in the first and third detection areas, and can control the opening of the first and third doors to be maintained based on the recognition that an object exists in at least one area among the first and third detection areas.

[0415] The control unit (310) can control the closing of the first and second doors based on the time when it is recognized that an object does not exist in the first and second detection areas passing a reference time.

[0416] The control unit (310) can control the closing of the first and third doors to be stopped based on the detection information received from the first and third object sensors during the closing control of the first and third doors, and based on the recognition that an object exists in at least one of the first and third detection areas.

[0417] The first detection area and the third detection area may have different sizes depending on the opening angle of the first door (31) and the opening angle of the third door (33).

[0418] The control unit (310) recognizes a first detection area based on the location information of the first door received from the first door location sensor (190a), recognizes a third detection area based on the location information of the third door (33) received from the third door location sensor (190c), recognizes the sizes of the recognized first detection area and the third detection area, and if the size of the first detection area is larger than the size of the third detection area, recognizes the presence of an object based on the detection information received from the first object sensor, and if the size of the third detection area is larger than the size of the first detection area, recognizes the presence of an object based on the detection information received from the third object sensor (213), and controls the closing of the first and third doors (31, 33) based on the presence of the recognized object.

[0419] During the closing control of the first and third doors (31, 33), the closing of the first and third doors (31, 33) can be stopped and controlled based on the recognition that an object exists in at least one of the first and third detection areas based on the detection information received from the first and third object sensors (211, 213).

[0420] The control unit (310) can also control the opening of the first and third doors (31, 33) again after a certain period of time has elapsed after stopping the closing of the first and third doors (31, 33).

[0421] When the control unit (310) controls the opening of the first and third doors again, it is also possible to control the opening of the first and third doors (31, 33) based on the position information of the first and third doors received from the first and third door position sensors (231, 233) and the target opening angle.

[0422] In the same way that the closing of the first and third doors (31, 33) arranged vertically on the main body can be simultaneously controlled based on the detection information received from the first and third object sensors (211, 213), the closing of the second and fourth doors (32, 34) can be simultaneously controlled based on the detection information received from the second and fourth object sensors (212, 214) arranged vertically on the main body. Therefore, a description of the specific control configuration of the control unit for this is omitted.

[0423] The control unit (310) may include a processor (311) and a memory (312). In addition, the control unit (310) may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories.

[0424] The processor (311) may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (311) 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.

[0425] A processor can process various data and various signals using instructions, data, programs and / or software stored in memory.

[0426] The processor (311) can generate a control signal for controlling components of the refrigerator (1).

[0427] The processor (311) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0428] The memory (312) stores identification information of the door and identification information of the door position sensor, door open / close sensor, and object sensor provided for each door, and can be stored by matching it with the identification information of the door.

[0429] The memory (312) can store reference time information for determining door closure.

[0430] The memory (312) may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory element such as a cache, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a CD-ROM, but is not limited thereto.

[0431] The memory (312) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0432] The memory (312) and the processor (311) may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

[0433] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the refrigerator illustrated in Fig. 20. 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.

[0434] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 20 refers to software and / or hardware components such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0435] Fig. 21 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is described with reference to Figs. 22 to 24.

[0436] FIG. 22 is an exemplary diagram of a closed stop state of a refrigerator door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 23 is an exemplary diagram of output of guidance information for closing stop of a refrigerator door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 24 is an exemplary diagram of a closed maintenance state of a refrigerator door according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0437] The refrigerator recognizes whether the door is open based on the open / close information received from the door open / close sensor (230) (351).

[0438] When the refrigerator recognizes that the door is open, it can recognize the opening angle of the door based on the position information detected by the door position sensor (190).

[0439] When the refrigerator recognizes that the door is open, it acquires detection information detected by the object sensor (200) (352), and based on the acquired detection information, it can recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the storage compartment (20) and the inner panel (30b) of the door (353).

[0440] The refrigerator can keep the door open based on the recognition that an object is present in the detection area (354).

[0441] Recognizing whether an object exists in a detection area may include recognizing a distance to the object based on an acquired detection signal, recognizing that an object exists in the detection area if the recognized distance is less than or equal to a reference distance, and recognizing that an object does not exist in the detection area if the recognized distance exceeds the reference distance.

[0442] On the other hand, when the refrigerator recognizes that an object does not exist in the detection area, it can recognize the time when the object does not exist (355) and compare the recognized time with the reference time.

[0443] The refrigerator can automatically close the door based on the recognized time reaching the reference time (356) and output guidance information for automatic closing of the door through the output interface of the user interface (357).

[0444] Controlling automatic door closing may include controlling the operation of a door opening / closing device and may include controlling a motor provided in the door opening / closing device.

[0445] Controlling the door opening device may include controlling a motor provided in the door opening device based on the opening angle of the door.

[0446] Outputting guidance information for automatic closing of the door may include displaying text information or emoticon information through a display unit, and may include outputting a warning sound or guidance voice through a speaker.

[0447] The refrigerator recognizes the distance to the object based on detection information detected by the object sensor based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the storage compartment (20) and the inner panel of the open door (30), and it is also possible to control automatic closing of the door (30) based on the recognized distance and the reference distance.

[0448] More specifically, the refrigerator can control the door (30) to remain open based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to the reference distance, and can also control the automatic closing of the door (30) based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

[0449] For example, the refrigerator may recognize the intensity of a signal based on detection information detected by an object sensor, recognize that an object exists within a detection area based on the intensity of the recognized signal exceeding a reference intensity, and recognize that an object does not exist within the detection area based on the intensity of the recognized signal being lower than or equal to the reference intensity. Here, the reference intensity may be an intensity corresponding to the distance between the object sensor and the floor surface of the refrigerator's layout space, and may be information acquired and stored through an experiment.

[0450] The refrigerator acquires detection information detected by the object sensor during automatic closing of the door (358), and can recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the storage compartment and the inner panel of the door based on the acquired detection information (359).

[0451] The refrigerator can stop automatic closing of the door based on recognizing that an object exists in the detection area, and output guidance information for stopping automatic closing of the door through the output interface of the user interface (360).

[0452] As illustrated in Fig. 22, during automatic closing of the door, if it is recognized that a user is present in the detection area (F2) of the refrigerator, the refrigerator can stop the automatic closing of the door (20).

[0453] As illustrated in Fig. 23, the refrigerator can output guidance information for stopping automatic closing of the door and user caution information through the user interface (300).

[0454] The refrigerator can also output guidance information about the automatic door closing stop and user caution information through the speaker.

[0455] The refrigerator can keep the door automatically closed based on the recognition that no object is present in the detection area (361).

[0456] As shown in Fig. 24, even if a user is present in the vicinity of the refrigerator door (30), the refrigerator can recognize the absence of the user and maintain automatic closing of the door because the user is not present in the detection area (F2) of the refrigerator.

[0457] The refrigerator can recognize whether the door is completely closed based on the opening / closing information received from the door opening / closing sensor (230), and can continuously recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the storage compartment and the inner panel of the door based on the detection information detected by the object sensor until the door is completely closed.

[0458] The refrigerator can deactivate the object sensor based on recognizing that the door has been closed (362) and output guidance information on the completion of automatic door closing through the output interface of the user interface (363).

[0459] FIG. 25 is an exemplary diagram of an object sensor provided on a refrigerator door according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0460] According to another embodiment, a refrigerator may include a main body, first, second, and third storage compartments provided in the main body, first and second doors for opening or closing the first storage compartment, a third door for opening or closing the second storage compartment, and a fourth door for opening or closing the third storage compartment. The configuration of the main body, the plurality of storage compartments, and the plurality of doors of the refrigerator according to another embodiment is described as being identical to the configuration of the main body, the plurality of storage compartments, and the plurality of doors of the refrigerator according to one embodiment.

[0461] A refrigerator according to another embodiment may further include a door opening / closing device, a door position sensor, and a door opening / closing sensor provided respectively on a plurality of doors, and the door opening / closing device, the door position sensor, and the door opening / closing sensor provided respectively on a plurality of doors of the refrigerator according to another embodiment are the same as the door opening / closing device, the door position sensor, and the door opening / closing sensor provided respectively on a plurality of doors of the refrigerator according to one embodiment, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

[0462] A refrigerator according to another embodiment may include a rotatable object sensor.

[0463] A rotatable object sensor can be provided on each of the multiple doors.

[0464] The object sensors installed in the first and second doors among multiple doors may have identical structures. Therefore, the object sensor installed in the second door will be described as an example.

[0465] The object sensor (220) may be provided on the bottom surface of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32). The object sensor (220) may be provided in the first area or the third area of ​​the lower portion of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32).

[0466] The object sensor (220) can be installed so as to be inclined toward the lower side of the refrigerator based on a vertical horizontal line formed by the lower end of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) (see FIG. 12).

[0467] The object sensor (220) can be arranged to be inclined at a first reference angle toward a hole formed on the bottom surface of the lower part of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32).

[0468] The vertical plane formed by the lower end of the inner panel (30b) of the second door and the vertical horizontal line may be the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the object sensor (220) may be provided to be tilted at a first reference angle based on the X-axis of the refrigerator. That is, the tilting angle of the object sensor (220) may be the first reference angle.

[0469] The signal transmitting and receiving surface of the object sensor (220) tilted at a reference angle can be provided in a hole at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32). That is, the object sensor (220) can transmit a signal through the hole at the bottom of the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32) and receive a signal reflected from an object.

[0470] The object sensor (220) may not have an inclination with respect to the Z-axis and Y-axis of the refrigerator.

[0471] The object sensor (220) includes a motor (M) and can perform rotation using the motor (M). The object sensor (220) can have its field of view changed through rotation.

[0472] The motor of the object sensor (220) can change the field of view of the object sensor (220) by performing rotation based on the Z-axis of the refrigerator.

[0473] The object sensor (220) can rotate between an angle toward the first side of the lower part of the inner panel of the second door and an angle toward the second side of the lower part of the inner panel of the second door.

[0474] The first side of the lower part of the inner panel of the second door may be the side adjacent to the hinge, and the second side of the lower part of the inner panel of the second door may be the side adjacent to the handle of the second door.

[0475] The field of view of the object sensor (220) may be the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner plate (30b) of the second door (32). The object sensor (220) may change the field of view by rotating at a preset angle.

[0476] The detection area detected by the object sensor (220) may further include an extension area from the outer line of the detection area to a preset distance (d).

[0477] The structure of the object sensor provided on the third and fourth doors may be different from the structure of the object sensor provided on the second door. The structures of the object sensors provided on the third and fourth doors may be the same. For example, the object sensor provided on the third and fourth doors may be an object sensor that includes a motor and rotates through the motor, and may be provided at the bottom of the inner panel of the third and fourth doors so as to be parallel to the X-axis with respect to the X-axis of the refrigerator. In other words, the object sensor provided on the third and fourth doors may not have an incline.

[0478] In addition, the object sensors provided on the first and second doors can also be provided horizontally with respect to the X-axis of the refrigerator at the bottom of the inner panel of the first and second doors.

[0479] In this case, the structures of the object sensors provided in the first, second, third, and fourth doors may be identical.

[0480] FIG. 26 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0481] The refrigerator (1) may include a door opening / closing device (100), a door position sensor (190), an object sensor (220), a user interface (300), and a control unit (320).

[0482] The door opening / closing device (100), the door position sensor (190), and the user interface (300) of the refrigerator according to another embodiment are the same as the door opening / closing device (100), the door position sensor (190), and the user interface (300) of the refrigerator according to one embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0483] The door opening / closing device (100) may be a device that automatically opens the door (30) or automatically closes the door (30).

[0484] The door opening / closing device (100) may be a device that only has the function of automatically closing the door (30).

[0485] This embodiment will explain, by way of example, a door opening / closing device that automatically opens and closes a door.

[0486] The door position sensor (190) is provided on each of the multiple doors provided in the refrigerator and can detect the position of each door. Here, the position of the door may include a position corresponding to the rotation angle of the door.

[0487] The refrigerator may further include a door open / close sensor (230) that detects the state of the door.

[0488] The door open / close sensor (230) is provided on each of the multiple doors provided in the refrigerator, and can detect the open or closed state of each door. The door open / close sensor (230) of the refrigerator according to another embodiment is identical to the door open / close sensor (230) of the refrigerator according to one embodiment, and thus, a description thereof is omitted.

[0489] The user interface (300) can provide a user interface for interaction with the user. The user interface (300) can be provided on the main body (10) or on the door (30).

[0490] The user interface (300) can receive user input and output information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0491] The user interface (300) may include an input interface (301) for receiving user input and an output interface (302) for outputting information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0492] The object sensor (220) includes a motor and can change its field of view based on the rotation of the motor. The object sensor (220) can rotate based on a control command of the control unit (320) and can rotate at an angle corresponding to the control command of the control unit (320).

[0493] The object sensor (220) can detect the presence of an object (e.g., a user) located around the refrigerator (1) while it is rotating, and can detect the distance to the object. For example, the object sensor (220) can detect whether a user is located between an open door and a storage compartment, and can detect the distance to the user.

[0494] The object sensor (220) may include a distance sensor. For example, it may include at least one of a light sensor, a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a radar sensor.

[0495] The object sensor (220) can transmit at least one of infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or radio waves toward an area between the entrance of the storage compartment of the refrigerator (1) and the inner panel of the open door, and can receive at least one of infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or radio waves reflected from an object (e.g., a user) located in the area between the entrance of the storage compartment of the refrigerator (1) and the inner panel of the open door.

[0496] The object sensor (200) can provide distance information corresponding to the distance between the object sensor and the object to the control unit (320).

[0497] Object sensors (220) can be provided on each of the plurality of doors and can detect objects existing in the detection area between each door and the storage room.

[0498] The object sensor (220) can be deactivated based on the closed state of the door and activated based on the open state of the door, and when activated, can detect an object in a detection area between the storage room and the inner panel of the open door, and transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (320).

[0499] The plurality of object sensors may include a first object sensor (221) provided in the first door (31), a second object sensor (222) provided in the second door (32), a third object sensor (223) provided in the third door (33), and a fourth object sensor (224) provided in the fourth door (34). For ease of description of the control configuration of the refrigerator, the object sensors provided for each door are described as first, second, third, and fourth object sensors.

[0500] The first object sensor (221) can change its field of view within the detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened first door (31) while being rotated by the motor (M1).

[0501] The first object sensor (221) can detect an object in a detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31) while rotating, and transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (320).

[0502] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened first door (31) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the first door (31).

[0503] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened first door (31) can vary depending on the opening angle of the first door (31).

[0504] The second object sensor (222) can change its field of view within the detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened second door (32) while being rotated by the motor (M2).

[0505] The second object sensor (222) can detect an object in a detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened second door (32) while rotating, and transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (320).

[0506] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened second door (32) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the second door (32).

[0507] The detection area between the first storage room (21) and the inner plate of the opened second door (32) can vary depending on the opening angle of the second door (32).

[0508] The third object sensor (223) can change its field of view within the detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the opened third door (33) while being rotated by the motor (M3).

[0509] The third object sensor (223) can detect an object in the detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner panel of the opened third door (33) while rotating, and transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (320).

[0510] The detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner plate of the opened third door (33) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the third door (33).

[0511] The detection area between the second storage room (22) and the inner plate of the opened third door (33) can vary depending on the opening angle of the third door (33).

[0512] The fourth object sensor (224) can change its field of view within the detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner plate of the opened fourth door (34) while being rotated by the motor (M4).

[0513] The fourth object sensor (224) can detect an object in the detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner panel of the open fourth door (34) while rotating, and transmit detection information corresponding to the detection to the control unit (320).

[0514] The detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner plate of the opened fourth door (34) may include an area corresponding to the opening angle due to rotation of the fourth door (34).

[0515] The detection area between the third storage room (23) and the inner plate of the open fourth door (34) can vary depending on the opening angle of the fourth door (34).

[0516] The control unit (320) controls the overall operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0517] Some of the configurations of the control unit (320) according to another embodiment may be identical to some of the configurations of the control unit (310) according to one embodiment. Accordingly, descriptions of the configurations of the control unit (320) according to another embodiment that are identical to the configurations of the control unit (310) according to one embodiment will be omitted.

[0518] The control unit (320) can recognize the open and closed states of each door based on the open / close information received from multiple door open / close sensors (231, 232, 233, 234).

[0519] The control unit (320) can receive position information from a door position sensor (190a, 190b, 190c, 190d) provided on a door recognized as being open, and recognize the opening angle of the door recognized as being open based on the received position information.

[0520] The control unit (320) can recognize the detection area based on the position information of the first door received from the first door position sensor (190a), and can also recognize the detection area based on the position information of the second door received from the second door position sensor (190b).

[0521] The control unit (320) can recognize the detection area based on the location information of the third door received from the third door location sensor (190c), and can also recognize the detection area based on the location information of the fourth door received from the fourth door location sensor (190d).

[0522] The control unit (320) can control the deactivation of an object sensor provided in a door recognized as being in a closed state and control the deactivation of a motor of an object sensor provided in a door recognized as being in a closed state.

[0523] The control unit (320) can control the activation of an object sensor provided in a door recognized as being open, and control the activation of a motor of an object sensor provided in a door recognized as being open to cause the motor to rotate.

[0524] The control unit (320) can recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the storage room and the inner panel of the open door based on detection information received from each object sensor, recognize the distance to the object when the object exists, control the closing of the door based on the absence of the object, and control the closing of the door based on the distance from the object exceeding a reference distance. This will be described in more detail.

[0525] When the control unit (320) recognizes that the first door (31) is in an open state, it controls the rotation of the motor (MA1) provided in the first object sensor (221), and based on the detection information received from the first object sensor (221), it can recognize whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31).

[0526] The control unit (320) can control the closing of the first door (31) based on the recognition that no object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the open first door (31).

[0527] The control unit (320) can recognize the time when the object does not exist based on the recognition that the object does not exist in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31), and can control the closing of the first door (31) based on the recognition that the recognized time has passed the reference time.

[0528] The control unit (320) recognizes the distance to the object based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the open first door (31), and can recognize whether the first door (31) is closed based on the recognized distance and the reference distance.

[0529] The control unit (320) can control the opening of the first door (31) based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to the reference distance, and can control the closing of the first door (31) based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

[0530] When controlling the closing of the first door (31), the control unit (320) can control the first door opening / closing device (100a).

[0531] The control unit (320) controls the rotation of the motor (MA1) provided in the first object sensor (221) during the closing control of the first door (31), periodically recognizes whether an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31) based on the detection information received from the first object sensor (221), and can control to stop the closing of the first door (31) based on the recognition that an object exists in the detection area between the entrance of the first storage room (21) and the inner panel of the opened first door (31). That is, when the control unit (310) stops the closing of the first door (31), it can control to stop the operation of the first door opening / closing device (100a).

[0532] The control unit (320) can also control the opening of the first door (31) again after a certain period of time has elapsed after stopping the closing of the first door (31).

[0533] When the control unit (320) controls the opening of the first door (31) again, it is also possible to control the opening of the first door (31) based on the position information of the first door and the target opening angle received from the first door position sensor (231). The position information of the first door may include information on the opening angle of the first door.

[0534] The control unit (320) can control the rotation of the motor (M1) of the first object sensor (221) until the closing of the first door (31) is completed, and can control the rotation of the motor (M1) of the first object sensor (221) to be stopped when the closing of the first door (31) is completed.

[0535] In the same way as controlling the closing of the first door based on the detection information received from the first object sensor (221), the closing of the second, third, and fourth doors (32, 33, 34) can be controlled based on the detection information received from the second, third, and fourth object sensors (222, 223, 224). Therefore, a description of the specific control configuration of the control unit for this is omitted.

[0536] The control unit (320) can control the output interface (302) of the user interface to output status information for each recognized door.

[0537] The control unit (310) can control the output interface of the user interface to output guidance information corresponding to the door closing information when automatically controlling the closing of an open door.

[0538] Guidance information corresponding to door closing information may include text information or emoticon information displayed through a display unit, and may include a warning sound or guidance voice output through a speaker.

[0539] The control unit (320) can control the output interface of the user interface to output guidance information for guiding closure stop based on the object being recognized in a state of closure control.

[0540] Guidance information corresponding to the door closing stop may include text information or emoticon information displayed through the display unit, and may include a warning sound or guidance voice output through the speaker.

[0541] The control unit (320) may include a processor (321) and a memory (322). In addition, the control unit (320) may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories.

[0542] The processor (321) may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (3@1) may include one or more processor chips that perform the aforementioned operations using an algorithm for controlling the operation of components in 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.

[0543] The processor (321) can process various data and various signals using instructions, data, programs and / or software stored in memory.

[0544] The processor (321) can generate a control signal for controlling components of the refrigerator (1).

[0545] The processor (321) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0546] The memory (322) stores identification information of the door and identification information of the door position sensor, door open / close sensor, and object sensor provided for each door, and can store the information by matching it with the identification information of the door.

[0547] The memory (322) can store information about a reference distance for object recognition.

[0548] The memory (322) can store information about a reference time for determining door closure and information about the rotation angle of a motor provided in the object sensor.

[0549] The memory (322) may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory element such as a cache, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a CD-ROM, but is not limited thereto.

[0550] The memory (312) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0551] The memory (322) and the processor (321) may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

[0552] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the refrigerator illustrated in Fig. 26. 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.

[0553] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 26 refers to software and / or hardware components such as Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0554] The control sequence of a refrigerator according to another aspect of the present disclosure, compared to the control sequence of a refrigerator according to one aspect of the present disclosure, only further includes a configuration for detecting an object by controlling the rotation of a motor to change the field of view of the object sensor when detecting an object using an object sensor. Otherwise, the control sequence of a refrigerator according to another aspect of the present disclosure is identical to the control sequence of a refrigerator according to one embodiment, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0555] 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.

[0556] 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.

[0557] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. Main body with storage compartment; A door that opens and closes the storage room and includes an inner plate that is in close contact with the entrance of the storage room when the storage room is closed; and A refrigerator comprising an object sensor provided on the inner panel of the door and detecting an object present in a detection area between the entrance of the storage compartment and the inner panel based on the open state of the door.

2. In paragraph 1, The above door is connected to a hinge provided in the main body and moves while rotating around the axis of the hinge when opening and closing the storage room. The above detection area is a refrigerator area corresponding to the opening angle of the door.

3. In the first paragraph, the object sensor, A refrigerator provided at the bottom of the inner panel of the above door, the first reference angle being the tilting angle.

4. In the first paragraph, the object sensor, A refrigerator having a first reference angle as a tilting angle and a second reference angle as a fan angle, wherein the first reference angle is provided in a region surrounding the axis of the hinge of the door among the regions of the lower part of the inner panel of the door.

5. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a motor connected to the object sensor, A refrigerator in which the object sensor is provided at the bottom of the inner panel of the door and rotates left and right within the detection area by the motor.

6. In the first paragraph, the object sensor, A refrigerator that further detects objects existing in an extended area from the outermost edge of the above detection area to a preset distance.

7. In paragraph 1, A door opening / closing device for closing the door; and A refrigerator further comprising a processor that recognizes whether the object exists in the detection area based on detection information detected by the object sensor when the door is in an open state, controls the door opening / closing device to close the door based on the object not existing in the detection area, and controls the door opening / closing device to maintain the open state of the door based on the object existing in the detection area.

8. In paragraph 1, A door opening / closing device for closing the above door; A memory for storing information on a reference distance corresponding to the above detection area; and A refrigerator further comprising a processor for recognizing a distance to an object based on detection information received from the object sensor, recognizing whether the object exists in the detection area based on the recognized distance and the reference distance, and controlling the door opening / closing device to close the door based on the object not existing in the detection area.

9. In the 8th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that recognizes that the object exists in the detection area based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to the reference distance, and recognizes that the object does not exist in the detection area based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

10. In the 8th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that controls the door opening / closing device to recognize whether the object exists in the detection area based on detection information received from the object sensor during the closing control of the door, and to stop the closing of the door based on the recognition that the object exists in the detection area.

11. In paragraph 10, Including more user interfaces, A refrigerator in which the processor controls the user interface to output information about the closing of the door and the stopping of the closing of the door, controls the user interface to output information about the completion of closing the door based on the completion of closing the door, and controls the deactivation of the object sensor.

12. When the door is open, the object sensor provided on the inner panel of the door is used to obtain detection information for detecting an object existing in the detection area between the entrance of the storage room and the inner panel of the door. Recognize whether the object exists in the detection area based on the detection information detected by the object sensor, Controlling the door opening / closing device to close the door based on the object not being present in the detection area; A control method of a refrigerator for controlling the door opening / closing device so that the door is maintained in an open state based on the presence of the object in the detection area.

13. In the 12th paragraph, recognizing whether the object exists in the detection area is Recognize the distance to the object based on the detection information received from the object sensor, Recognize that the object exists in the detection area based on the recognized distance being less than or equal to the reference distance, A control method for a refrigerator, comprising recognizing that the object does not exist in the detection area based on the recognized distance exceeding the reference distance.

14. In paragraph 12, Controlling the user interface to output closing information of the door based on controlling the door opening / closing device so that the door is closed; A method for controlling a refrigerator, further comprising controlling the user interface to output door closing completion information based on the completion of closing of the door.

15. In the 12th paragraph, controlling the door opening / closing device so that the door is closed, While controlling the closing of the door, it is recognized that the object exists in the detection area based on the detection information received from the object sensor, Controlling the door opening / closing device to stop the closing of the door based on the recognition that the object exists in the detection area; Control the user interface to output the door closing stop information based on controlling the door opening / closing device so that the door closing is stopped, A method of controlling a refrigerator, comprising maintaining the closing control of the door based on the recognition that the object does not exist in the detection area.

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