Refrigerator and method for controlling same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling same. The refrigerator according to the present invention comprises: a main body provided with a storage chamber; a door that is provided in the main body, and moves in a first direction to open the storage chamber and moves in a second direction to close the storage chamber; a door moving device that includes a motor, a door pusher for applying a repulsive force to the door by using the power of the motor, and a door link for applying an attractive force to the door by using the power of the motor; an angle sensor that senses the angle of the door and outputs angle information about the sensed angle; and a control unit which identifies the state of the door on the basis of the angle information received from the angle sensor, identifies the angle change information of the door on the basis of the angle information received from the angle sensor if the identified state of the door is that the door is moving in the second direction while in an open state, generates a closing trigger signal on the basis of the identified angle change information of the door, and controls the motor of the door moving device on the basis of the generation of the closing trigger signal.

Description

Refrigerator and its control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof for controlling the movement of a door to open or close a storage compartment.

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

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

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

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

[0006] Conventional refrigerators equipped with door-moving mechanisms have an input interface on the front of the door to receive user input for a storage compartment closure command. This necessitates that the user must move to the front of the refrigerator door to input the storage compartment closure command.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which recognizes information on a change in the angle of a door based on an angle of the door detected by an angle sensor, generates a closing trigger signal based on the recognized information on a change in the angle of the door, and controls the operation of a door moving device based on the generation of the closing trigger signal.

[0008] Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a control method thereof, which generates a closing trigger signal based on whether the opening time of the door is longer than a preset time or the angle of the door is smaller than a preset angle, and controls the operation of a door moving device based on the generation of the closing trigger signal.

[0009] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator comprises: a main body having a storage compartment; a door that moves in a first direction to open the storage compartment and moves in a second direction to close the storage compartment; a door moving device including a motor that generates power, a door pusher that applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door using the power generated by the motor, and a door link that applies a force to the door to close the door using the power generated by the motor; an angle sensor that detects angles of the door indicating a position of the door and outputs angle information for the detected angles; and a control unit that recognizes a state of the door based on the angle information, recognizes angle change information of the door based on the angle information when the recognized state of the door is a state of moving in the second direction, generates a closing trigger signal based on the recognized information of the change in the angle of the door, and controls the door moving device based on the generation of the closing trigger signal, so that the door link applies a force to the door using the power generated by the motor to close the door.

[0010] The control unit of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes the amount of change between the detected angles based on the change information of the recognized door angle and generates a closing trigger signal based on the amount of change between the detected angles being greater than a reference amount of change.

[0011] The control unit of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes the change rate between the detected angles based on the change information of the recognized door angle and generates a closing trigger signal based on the change rate between the detected angles being greater than or equal to the reference change rate.

[0012] The control unit of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes a change time at which an angle changes based on change information between detected angles of the recognized door, and generates a closing trigger signal based on the recognized change time being greater than or equal to a reference time.

[0013] The control unit of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes the angle of the door from the detected angles of the door based on the recognized angle information and generates a closing trigger signal based on the recognized angle of the door being less than or equal to a preset angle.

[0014] The control unit of the refrigerator according to one aspect counts the time the door is opened and generates a closing trigger signal based on the counted opening time being greater than a preset time.

[0015] According to one aspect, a refrigerator further includes an open / close sensor for detecting the open and closed state of the door. The control unit of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes the state of the door based on the detection of the open or closed state received by the open / close sensor.

[0016] According to one aspect, a refrigerator further includes an input interface for receiving an opening command. A door moving device further includes a link gear connected to a door link. A control unit of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the door moving device based on receiving an opening command through the input interface, such that a door pusher applies a repulsive force to the door using power generated by a motor to open the door, and controls the door moving device to move the link gear based on generation of a closing trigger signal.

[0017] A door moving device of a refrigerator according to one aspect includes a first gear assembly connected to a motor and transmitting power generated by the motor as a moving force to a door pusher so that the door pusher applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door, and a second gear assembly connected to the motor and applying a moving force to a door link so that the door link applies a pulling force to the door to open the door.

[0018] A first gear assembly of a refrigerator according to one aspect includes a clutch gear that connects a motor and a door pusher so that power of the motor is transmitted to the door pusher, so that the door pusher applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door, and that connects the motor and a door link so that power of the motor is transmitted to the door link, so that the door link applies a pulling force to the door to close the door.

[0019] A second gear assembly of a refrigerator according to one aspect includes a link gear connected to a door link. The link gear of the refrigerator according to one aspect rotates with the door link when the door is opened, and uses power transmitted from a motor to move the door link, thereby applying force to the door link to close the door.

[0020] An angle sensor of a refrigerator according to one aspect includes a magnet provided on a link gear and linked to the link gear, and a signal generation unit that generates a signal corresponding to a magnetic field of the magnet and transmits the generated signal to a control unit.

[0021] According to another aspect, a method for controlling a refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, a door that moves in a first direction to open the storage compartment and moves in a second direction to close the storage compartment, a door moving device including a motor that generates power, a door pusher that applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door using the power generated by the motor, a door link that applies a human force to the door to close the door using the power generated by the motor, and an angle sensor that detects an angle of the door and outputs angle information for the detected angle, wherein the method includes recognizing a state of the door based on the angle information, recognizing angle change information of the door based on the angle information when the recognized state of the door is a state of moving in a second direction, generating a closing trigger signal based on the recognized change information of the door angle, and controlling the door moving device based on the generation of the closing trigger signal so that the door link applies human force to the door using the power generated by the motor so that the door is closed.

[0022] Generating a closing trigger signal based on information on change in angle of a recognized door includes recognizing a change amount between detected angles based on information on change in angle of a recognized door, and generating a closing trigger signal based on the change amount between the detected angles being greater than or equal to a reference change amount.

[0023] Generating a closing trigger signal based on information on change in angle of a recognized door includes recognizing a change rate between angles detected based on information on change in angle of a recognized door, and generating a closing trigger signal based on the change rate between the detected angles being greater than or equal to a reference change rate.

[0024] Generating a closing trigger signal based on change information of the angle of the recognized door includes recognizing a change time between detected angles based on change information of the angle of the recognized door, and generating a closing trigger signal based on the change time between the detected angles being greater than or equal to a reference change time.

[0025] Generating a closing trigger signal based on information about a change in the angle of the recognized door includes recognizing the angle of the door from angles of the door detected based on the recognized angle information, and generating a closing trigger signal based on the angle of the recognized door being less than or equal to a preset angle.

[0026] A method for controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect further includes counting a time for which a door is opened and generating a closing trigger signal based on the counted opening time being greater than a preset time.

[0027] A method of controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect further includes controlling a door moving device based on receiving an opening command through an input interface so that a door pusher applies a pushing force to the door using power generated from a motor to close the door.

[0028] Controlling the door movement device includes controlling the motor to rotate in a first rotation direction based on receiving an open command for the door, and controlling the motor to rotate in a second rotation direction based on generating a close trigger signal.

[0029] Since the disclosed invention recognizes the user's intention to close the door based on a change in the angle of the door, it can eliminate the inconvenience of having to move part or all of the user's body toward the user interface provided on the front of the door when closing the door.

[0030] The disclosed invention recognizes a user's intention to close the door based on a change in the angle of the door by manpower, and automatically closes the door based on the recognition of the intention to close the door, thereby enabling the door of a refrigerator to be closed with little force, thereby improving user convenience.

[0031] The disclosed invention can prevent cold air from leaking out of the refrigerator by automatically closing the door based on the angle of the door or the opening time of the door, thereby preventing power waste.

[0032] 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.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator with its door closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an open door of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the arrangement of a door moving device provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 4 is an internal perspective view of a door moving device provided on the left door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIGS. 5A and 5B are exemplary views of a first gear assembly of a door moving device provided on a left door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram of a clutch gear provided in a first gear assembly of a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIGS. 7A and 7B are exemplary views of a second gear assembly of a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a link gear provided in a second gear assembly of a door moving device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing the positional relationship between the magnet and angle sensor provided in the link gear illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0042] Fig. 10 is a plan view of a magnet provided in the second gear assembly illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0043] Figure 11 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 12a, FIG. 12b and FIG. 12c are exemplary operation diagrams of a door moving device when the door of a refrigerator is opened according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 13a, FIG. 13b and FIG. 13c are exemplary operation diagrams of a door pusher and a door link provided in a door moving device when the door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is opened.

[0046] FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are example signal diagrams of an angle sensor provided in a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are exemplary diagrams for recognizing the intention to close the door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 19 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 20 is a control flowchart for a modified example of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0051] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0055] 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).

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] The identification codes for each step of the control sequence are used for convenience of explanation and do not describe the order of each step, and each step may be performed in a different order than specified unless the context clearly indicates a specific order.

[0061] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] "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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] The storage room may be designed to maintain an appropriate temperature range depending on its intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished by their intended use and / or temperature range. A refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and a freezer may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +5 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them frozen, and for example, a freezer may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -23 degrees Celsius to -17 degrees Celsius. A variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer, at the user's option or not.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0092] 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.

[0093] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0094] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator with its door closed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator with its door open according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) and a touch sensor (60) provided on some of the plurality of doors to detect a user's touch input for automatic opening of some of the doors.

[0096] Here, the touch sensor (60) may be one or more. For example, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first touch sensor (60A) installed on a first door (30A) among the upper doors to detect a user's touch input for automatic opening of the first door (30A), and a second touch sensor (60B) installed on a second door (30B) among the upper doors to detect a user's touch input for automatic opening of the second door (30B).

[0097] Although this embodiment describes an example of automatically opening the upper doors using a touch sensor, the device for receiving the command to open the upper doors is not limited to the touch sensor, and it is also possible to receive the command to open the upper doors using a microphone or a physical input device.

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body (10), a storage compartment (20) provided inside the main body (10), a door (30) for opening and closing the storage compartment (20), and a cooling system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment (20).

[0099] The main body (10) may include an inner case (11) forming a storage compartment (20) and an outer case (12) forming the exterior of the refrigerator (1).

[0100] The outer surface (12) can be formed to have a shape of a box with an open front. The outer surface (12) can form the top, bottom, left and right sides, and back of the refrigerator (1).

[0101] The inner case (11) can be opened at the front. The inner case (11) has a storage compartment (20) provided therein, which can be provided on the inner side of the outer case (12). The inner wall of the inner case (11) can form the inner wall of the storage compartment (20).

[0102] A body insulation material may be provided between the outer case (12) and the inner case (11) of the main body (10) so that the outer case (12) and the inner case (11) can be insulated from each other. The body insulation material may be foamed between the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to connect the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to each other. The body insulation material may prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage compartment (20) and the outside of the main body (10), thereby improving the cooling efficiency inside the storage compartment (20). As the body insulation material provided in the main body (10), urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS insulation), vacuum insulation (vacuum insulation panel), etc. may be used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the body insulation material may be composed of various materials.

[0103] The main body (10) may further include a top table (13) provided on the upper portion of the main body (10). Specifically, the top table (13) may be coupled to the upper portion of the outer body (12). The top table (13) may be coupled to the upper surface of the outer body (12).

[0104] The top table (13) can cover various electrical components. A space for accommodating various electrical components can be formed inside the top table (13). For example, the top table (13) can cover a door moving device (100) described below. In this case, the door moving device (100) can be accommodated inside the top table (13).

[0105] A storage compartment (20) may be provided inside the main body (10). For example, the storage compartment (20) may include a refrigerator that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and used to refrigerate food. For example, the storage compartment (20) may include a freezer that is maintained at approximately -30 to 0 degrees Celsius and used to freeze food.

[0106] For example, the storage room (20) can be divided into multiple areas by partitions (15). Specifically, the storage room (20) can be divided into an upper first storage room (21) and lower storage rooms (22, 23) by a first partition (17) extending in the horizontal direction.

[0107] In addition, the storage compartments (22, 23) at the bottom of the storage compartment (20) can be partitioned into a second storage compartment (22) on the left and a third storage compartment (23) on the right by a second partition (19) extending vertically. In this case, for example, the first storage compartment (21) can be used as a refrigerator, and both the second storage compartment (22) and the third storage compartment (23) can be used as a freezer, or one of the two can be used as a freezer and the other of the two can be used as a refrigerator.

[0108] The above-described method of dividing the storage room (20) and the purpose of each of the divided storage rooms (21, 22, 23) are only an example and are not limited thereto.

[0109] Inside the storage room (20), a shelf (24) for placing food and a storage container (26) for storing food can be provided.

[0110] A refrigerator (1) may include a cooling system configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cold air to a storage compartment (20). The cooling system may generate cold air using a cooling cycle that compresses, condenses, expands, and evaporates a refrigerant. For example, the cooling system may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a blower fan, and the like. The cold air generated by the cooling system may be supplied to the storage compartment (20) through a cold air supply duct formed at the rear portion of the inner case (11).

[0111] The door (30) may be provided to open and close the storage room (20). The door (30) may be provided to open and close an opening formed on one side of the main body (10). The door (30) may be provided to be rotatable relative to the main body (10).

[0112] The outer surface of the door (30) may form a part of the exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the outer surface of the door (30) may form at least a part of the front exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is closed, the inner surface of the door (30) may face the interior of the storage compartment (20). The inner surface of the door (30) referred to herein means one side of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20). In addition, the outer surface of the door (30) referred to herein means the other side opposite to the inner surface of the door (30) that faces the storage compartment (20) when the door (30) closes the storage compartment (20), and means the front of the door (30) that is visible when the refrigerator (1) is viewed from the front.

[0113] A door basket (38) for storing food may be provided on the inner surface of the door (30). A door gasket (39) may be provided on the inner surface of the door (30) to seal the gap between the door (30) and the main body (10) and prevent cold air from leaking from the storage compartment (20).

[0114] The refrigerator (1) may include an upper door and a lower door that are arranged side by side in a vertical direction (Z). The refrigerator (1) may include a left door and a right door that are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction (Y). The refrigerator (1) may include a plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) that open and close each of the partitioned storage compartments (21, 22, 23).

[0115] The first storage compartment (21) can be opened and closed by a pair of upper doors (30A, 30B). The refrigerator (1) may include a first door (30A) for opening and closing a portion of the first storage compartment (21), and a second door (30B) for opening and closing another portion of the first storage compartment (21). The first door (30A) and the second door (30B) may be provided to be rotatable independently of each other with respect to the main body (10). The first door (30A) and the second door (30B) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y direction). For example, the first door (30A) may be provided to open and close the left portion of the first storage compartment (21), and the second door (30B) may be provided to open and close the right portion of the first storage compartment (22).

[0116] A rotation bar (80) may be provided on one of the pair of upper doors (30A, 30B) (e.g., the first door (30A)) so as to be rotatable relative to that one door and to cover the gap between the pair of upper doors (30A, 30B) when the first storage compartment (21) is closed.

[0117] The second storage compartment (22) can be opened and closed by the lower left door (30C). The refrigerator (1) may include a third door (30C) provided to open and close the second storage compartment (22). The third door (30C) may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body (10). For example, the first door (30A) and the third door (30C) may be arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction (Z).

[0118] The third storage compartment (23) can be opened and closed by the lower right door (30D). The refrigerator (1) may include a fourth door (30D) provided to open and close the third storage compartment (23). The fourth door (30D) may be provided to be rotatable with respect to the main body (10). For example, the second door (30B) and the fourth door (30D) may be arranged parallel to each other in the vertical direction (Z). In addition, the third door (30C) and the fourth door (30D) may be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y).

[0119] Each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) may be provided with a handle. The user may hold the handle provided on each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) with his / her hand to open or close each of the doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D). In other words, the user may hold the handle provided on each of the plurality of doors with his / her hand to open or close each of the storage compartments (21, 22, 23). For example, the handle provided on each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D) may include a groove shape that is concavely formed so as to be gripped.

[0120] The handles provided on the third door (30C) and the fourth door (30D) are described as examples.

[0121] A portion of the upper surface of the third door (30C) may include a handle area (50).

[0122] A part of the upper surface of the third door (30C) may be the right side of the upper surface of the third door (30C). The right side of the upper surface of the third door (30C) may be a surface corresponding to the central area of ​​the main body (10) of the refrigerator.

[0123] The front of the handle area (50) of the third door (30C) may include a groove that is sunken downward by a certain length from the upper surface of the third door.

[0124] A user's hand can be inserted into the groove (50) of the third door (30C). The user can open the third door (30C) by inserting his / her hand into the groove and pulling the third door. The groove here may be a handle area.

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

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

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

[0128] A user's hand can be inserted into the home portion (50) of the fourth door (30D). The user can open the fourth door (30D) by inserting his / her hand into the home portion (50) and then pulling the fourth door (30D).

[0129] As described below, the upper door can be opened by the door moving device (100). For example, the first door (30A) can be opened by the first door moving device (100A) positioned on the left. For example, the second door (30B) can be opened by the second door moving device (100B) positioned on the left.

[0130] 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).

[0131] The hinge (40) can be fixed to the main body (10). Specifically, the hinge (40) can be coupled to the outer body (12).

[0132] The hinge (40) can rotatably support the door (30). The door (30) can be rotatably connected to the main body (10) by the hinge (40).

[0133] In detail, the refrigerator (1) may include a plurality of hinges (41, 42, 43) provided to support each of the plurality of doors (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D). For example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of upper door hinges (41) that are coupled to the upper portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the first door (30A) and the second door (30B), respectively. In addition, for example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of lower door hinges (43) that are coupled to the lower portion of the main body (10) and rotatably support the third door (30C) and the fourth door (30D), respectively. In addition, for example, the refrigerator (1) may include a pair of middle hinges (42) that are arranged between the upper door hinge (41) and the lower door hinge (43) and are coupled to the middle portion of the main body (10) (specifically, the first partition (17)) to rotatably support each of the first door (30A), the second door (30B), the third door (30B), and the fourth door (30D).

[0134] The configuration of the refrigerator (1) described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example for explaining a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0135] In addition, the above description is made as an example of the present disclosure on the premise that the refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a direct-cooling refrigerator, but the idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to a direct-cooling refrigerator.

[0136] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 10, a door moving device provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0137] FIG. 3 is an exemplary layout diagram of a door moving device provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is an internal perspective view of a door moving device provided in a left door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0138] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b are exemplary views of a first gear assembly of a door moving device provided on a left door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is an exemplary view of a clutch gear provided on a first gear assembly of a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0139] FIGS. 7A and 7B are exemplary views of a second gear assembly of a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a link gear provided in a second gear assembly of a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view showing the positional relationship between a magnet and an angle sensor provided in the link gear illustrated in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of a magnet provided in the second gear assembly illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0140] As shown in Fig. 3, the refrigerator (1) may include a door moving device (100) provided in the main body (10) and provided on the upper part of the main body (10).

[0141] The door moving device (100) may be configured to move at least one door among a plurality of doors provided on the main body (10). For example, the door moving device (100) may be configured to be connected to each of the plurality of doors provided on the main body and move each of the plurality of doors, or may be configured to be connected to two doors provided on the upper portion of the main body and move the two doors. In other words, there may be one or more door moving devices (100).

[0142] This embodiment describes, as an example, a refrigerator having first and second door moving devices for moving two doors (30A, 30B) provided on the upper part of the main body.

[0143] The first and second door moving devices (100A, 100B) can be accommodated on the inside of the top table (13). The first and second door moving devices (100A, 100B) can be covered from above by the top table (13). The door moving device (100) can be placed on the upper surface of the outer case (12).

[0144] The first door moving device (100A) and the second door moving device (100B) can be arranged parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (Y).

[0145] The first door moving device (100A) is positioned on the left side of the center of the upper part of the main body (10) and can move the first door (30A) in the first direction and the second direction to automatically open and close the first storage room (21).

[0146] The second door moving device (100B) is positioned on the right side of the center of the upper part of the main body (10) and can move the second door (30B) in the first direction and the second direction to automatically open and close the first storage room (21).

[0147] For example, the first direction may be the direction of movement of the first and second doors to open the storage compartment, and the second direction may be the direction of movement of the first and second doors to close the storage compartment. The first direction of the first door and the first direction of the second door may be different depending on the direction of the axis of the hinge to which the first and second doors are respectively connected, and the second direction of the first door and the second direction of the second door may be different.

[0148] The first and second door moving devices (100A, 100B) can rotate the first and second doors (30A, 30B) relative to the main body (10) with the hinge as the axis.

[0149] The first door moving device (100A) applies a repulsive force or an attractive force to the first door (30A), but may be arranged to apply the repulsive force or an attractive force to the upper portion of the first door (30A).

[0150] The second door moving device (100B) may be configured to apply a repulsive force or an attractive force to the second door (30B), but may be configured to apply the repulsive force or an attractive force to the upper portion of the second door (30B).

[0151] More specifically, the first and second door moving devices (100A, 100B) can apply a repulsive force to the first and second doors (30A, 30B) to cause the first and second doors (30A, 30B) to rotate about the hinge (40) as an axis, and can apply a gravitational force to the first and second doors (30A, 30B) to cause the first and second doors (30A, 30B) to rotate about the hinge (40) as an axis.

[0152] The first door moving device (100A) can move the first door (30A) to open or close a portion of the first storage room (21). The second door moving device (100B) can move the second door (30B) to open or close another portion of the first storage room (21).

[0153] The operation of the first door moving device (100A) moving the first door (30A) and the operation of the second door moving device (100B) moving the second door (30B) can be performed independently of each other.

[0154] Hereinafter, the movement states of the first door and the second door for opening the first storage room (21) are described as the open state of the first door and the second door, and the movement states of the first door and the second door for closing the first storage room (21) are described as the closed state of the first door and the second door.

[0155] Hereinafter, a state in which the first door and the second door do not move and the first storage room (21) is open can be referred to as an open state of the first door and the second door, and a state in which the first door and the second door do not move and the first storage room (21) is closed can be referred to as a closed state of the first door and the second door.

[0156] The operations of the first door and the second door for opening the first storage room (21) are described as opening the first door and the second door, and the operations of the first door and the second door for closing the first storage room (21) are described as closing the first door and the second door.

[0157] This embodiment is an example in which a door moving device is provided on the main body and the door is opened or closed by the door moving device applying force to the door, but it is also possible to provide a door moving device on the first and second doors and open or close the door by the door moving device applying force to the main body.

[0158] The first door moving device (100A) and the second door moving device (100B) may have corresponding structures. The structure of the second door moving device (100B) may also be applied to correspond to the structure of the first door moving device (100A).

[0159] Hereinafter, the structures of the first door moving device (100A) and the second door moving device (100B) will be described by integrating them into the structure of the door moving device (100). The door moved by the door moving device (100) will be described as a door (30).

[0160] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the door moving device (100) may include a door pusher (101), a door link (102), a motor (103), a first gear assembly (110), and a second gear assembly (120).

[0161] The door moving device (100) may include a case provided on a top table (13).

[0162] The case can accommodate a door pusher (101), a motor (103), a first gear assembly (110), and a second gear assembly (120). A door link (102) can be provided on the outside of the case.

[0163] The door pusher (101) can apply a pushing force to the door (30) to open the door (30).

[0164] The door pusher (101) can apply a repulsive force to the door (30) while moving with respect to the main body (10). Specifically, the door pusher (101) can apply a force to the door (30) while moving forward from the main body (10) toward the door (30), thereby allowing the door (30) in a closed state to be opened.

[0165] The door pusher (101) may be provided to be able to move linearly back and forth with respect to the main body (10). The door pusher (101) may be provided to be able to move linearly in the forward and backward direction (X) with respect to the main body (10).

[0166] The door pusher (110) can apply physical force to the door (30) while moving from the first position to the second position.

[0167] Here, the first position may be the position of the door pusher (101) when the door (30) is closed. The first position may be the position when the door pusher (101) is located inside the main body. The second position may be the position of the door pusher (101) when the door is open. The second position may be the position when the door pusher (101) is pulled out to the outside of the main body.

[0168] The door pusher (101) can move from the second position to the first position when the door is completely opened. That is, the door pusher (101) can return to the original position.

[0169] The door pusher (101) may include a pusher rack (101a) arranged to engage with the first gear assembly (110).

[0170] The door pusher (101) can receive power from the first gear assembly (110) through the pusher rack (101a). For example, the first gear assembly (110) and the pusher rack portion (101a) can form a rack-pinion gear structure.

[0171] The door link (102) can apply force to the door (30) while moving with respect to the main body (10) to close the door (30). Specifically, the door link (102) can apply force to the door (30) while moving toward the main body (10), thereby causing the door (30) in an open state to be closed.

[0172] The door link (102) can be provided to be reciprocally movable with respect to the main body (10).

[0173] The door link (102) may be provided on the outside of the case and connected to the second gear assembly (120).

[0174] The door link (102) may include a first link (102a) connected to the door (30), and a second link (102b) connected to the first link (102a) and a second gear assembly (120).

[0175] The second link (102b) can rotate by the rotation of the second gear assembly.

[0176] The first link (102a) of the door link (102) can be linked with the second link (102b). In this case, the first link (102a) of the door link (102) can move in response to the rotational movement of the second link (102b).

[0177] The door link (102) may be shortened in length as the first link (102a) and the second link (102b) bend in response to the rotational movement of the second link (102b), or may be lengthened as the bent first link (102a) and the second link (102b) straighten.

[0178] The door link (102) can move the door (30) toward the main body by bending. The door link (102) can be unfolded when the door is opened.

[0179] The motor (103) can generate power for movement of the door pusher (101) and the door link (102).

[0180] The door moving device (100) may further include a motor driver connected to a motor (103). The motor (103) may receive a driving current from the motor driver to generate power. The motor driver may be electrically connected to the processor of the refrigerator (1) and may operate based on a control signal received from the control unit.

[0181] The motor (103) can transmit power to the door pusher (101) using the first gear assembly (110) and can transmit power to the door link (102) using the second gear assembly (120).

[0182] The first gear assembly (110) can adjust the rotational force transmitted from the motor (103) to the magnitude of force for moving the door pusher (101). The magnitude of the force for moving the door pusher (101) is the force that must be applied to the door (30) to open the door (30), and may be a force greater than the first reference magnitude.

[0183] This first gear assembly (110) may include one or more gears capable of converting the rotational force of the motor (103) into a force of a first reference size.

[0184] As illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the first gear assembly (110) may include a first gear (111) connected to the shaft of the motor (103), a second gear (112) connected to the first gear (111), a third gear (113) connected to the second gear (112), a fourth gear (114) connected to the third gear (113), a fifth gear (115) connected to the fourth gear (114), and a sixth gear (116) connected to the fifth gear (115).

[0185] The first gear (111) may include a first helical gear, but the type of the first gear is not limited thereto.

[0186] The first gear (111) can rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the motor (10).

[0187] The second gear (112) may include a first double gear. The first double gear may include a second helical gear (112a) and a first spur gear (112b).

[0188] The second helical gear (112a) and the first spur gear (112b) of the second gear may have different diameters.

[0189] The second helical gear (112a) of the second gear can mesh with the first gear (111) and rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the first gear (111).

[0190] The first spur gear (112b) of the second gear can rotate in conjunction with the second helical gear (112a) of the second gear.

[0191] The first spur gear (112b) of the second gear can mesh with the third gear (113).

[0192] The third gear (113) may include a second double gear. The second double gear may include second and third spur gears (113a, 113b). The second and third spur gears (113a, 113b) may have different diameters.

[0193] The second spur gear (113a) of the third gear (113) can mesh with the first spur gear (112b) of the second gear and can rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the second gear (112).

[0194] The third spur gear (113b) of the third gear (113) can mesh with the fourth gear (114).

[0195] The third spur gear (113b) of the third gear (113) can rotate in conjunction with the second spur gear (113a) of the third gear (113).

[0196] The fourth gear (114) may include a third double gear. The third double gear may include fourth and fifth spur gears (114a, 114b). The fourth and fifth spur gears (114a, 114b) may have different diameters.

[0197] The fourth spur gear (114a) of the fourth gear (114) can mesh with the third spur gear (113b) of the third gear and can rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the third gear (113).

[0198] The fifth spur gear (114b) of the fourth gear (114) can mesh with the fifth gear (115).

[0199] The fifth spur gear (114b) of the fourth gear (114) can rotate in conjunction with the fourth spur gear (114a) of the fourth gear (114).

[0200] The types of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears (112 113, 114) are not limited to the examples above.

[0201] The fifth gear (115) may include a sixth spur gear, and the type of the fifth gear is not limited thereto.

[0202] The fifth gear (115) may include a clutch gear.

[0203] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first gear assembly (110) may further include a moving plate (117) for moving the fifth gear (115).

[0204] A fifth gear (115) may be provided on the moving plate (117).

[0205] The moving plate (117) can move the fifth gear (115) based on the rotation direction and rotation angle of the motor (103). That is, the fifth gear (115) can move toward the sixth gear (116) or toward the second gear assembly by the moving plate (117).

[0206] The fifth gear (115) can be connected to the sixth gear (116) when the door (30) is opened, and can be connected to the second gear assembly (120) when the door (30) is closed.

[0207] The fifth gear (115) can be connected to the sixth gear (116) even when the door (30) is completely opened.

[0208] When the fifth gear (115) is connected to the sixth gear (116), the rotational force transmitted from the fourth gear (114) can be transmitted to the sixth gear (116).

[0209] The fifth gear (115) can transmit the rotational force transmitted from the fourth gear (114) to the second gear assembly (120) when connected to the second gear assembly (120).

[0210] The sixth gear (116) may include a seventh spur gear, and the type of the sixth gear (116) is not limited thereto.

[0211] The sixth gear (116) can be connected to the fifth gear (115) and can be connected to the pusher rack (101a) of the door pusher. The sixth gear (116) can form a rack-and-pinion gear structure with the rack of the door pusher.

[0212] The sixth gear (116) can rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the fifth gear (116) and transmit the rotational force to the pusher rack (101a) of the door pusher.

[0213] The rotational force transmitted from the 6th gear (116) can be converted into a linear movement force in the pusher rack (101a) of the door pusher.

[0214] The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth gears (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116) can adjust the rotational force transmitted from the motor (103) to the size of the force for moving the door pusher (101).

[0215] The first gear assembly (110) can adjust the amount of force transmitted to the door pusher (101) by the gear ratios of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth gears.

[0216] The second gear assembly (120) can adjust the rotational force transmitted from the motor (103) to the magnitude of the force for moving the door link (102). The magnitude of the force for moving the door link (102) is the force that must be applied to the door (30) to close the door (30), and may be a force greater than the second reference magnitude.

[0217] This second gear assembly (120) may include one or more gears capable of converting the rotational force of the motor (103) into a force of a second reference size.

[0218] As illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the second gear assembly (120) may include a seventh gear (121) connected to the fifth gear (115) of the first gear assembly (120), an eighth gear (122) connected to the seventh gear (121), and a ninth gear (123) connected to the eighth gear (122).

[0219] The seventh gear (121) may include a fourth double gear. The fourth double gear may include eighth and ninth spur gears (121a, 121b). The diameters of the eighth and ninth spur gears (121a, 121b) may be different.

[0220] The eighth spur gear (121a) of the seventh gear (121) can mesh with the fifth gear (115) of the first gear assembly (120) and rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the fifth gear (115) of the first gear assembly (120).

[0221] The ninth spur gear (121b) of the seventh gear (121) can rotate in conjunction with the eighth spur gear (121a) of the seventh gear (121).

[0222] The ninth spur gear (121b) of the seventh gear (121) can be connected to the eighth gear (122).

[0223] The eighth gear (122) may include a fifth double gear. The fifth double gear may include a tenth and eleventh spur gears (122a, 122b). The diameters of the tenth and eleventh spur gears (122a, 122b) may be different.

[0224] The 10th spur gear (122a) of the 8th gear (122) can mesh with the 9th spur gear (121b) of the 7th gear (121) and can rotate by the rotational force transmitted from the 9th spur gear (121b) of the 7th gear (121).

[0225] The 11th spur gear (122b) of the 8th gear (122) can rotate in conjunction with the 10th spur gear (122a) of the 8th gear (122).

[0226] The 11th spur gear (122b) of the 8th gear (122) can be connected to the 9th gear (123) and transmit rotational power to the 9th gear (123).

[0227] The ninth gear (123) may include a twelfth spur gear. The ninth gear (123) may be a link gear.

[0228] The 9th gear (123) can be connected to the 11th spur gear (122b) of the 8th gear (122) and can receive rotational power from the 11th spur gear (122b) of the 8th gear (122).

[0229] The ninth gear (123) can be connected to the door link (102). The rotation axis of the ninth gear (123) can be connected to the second link (102b) of the door link (102).

[0230] The rotational force of the 9th gear (123) can be transmitted to the second link (102b) of the door link (102). That is, the second link (102b) of the door link (102) can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the 9th gear (123).

[0231] The position of the first link (102a) connected to the second link (102b) may change as the second link (102b) of the door link (102) rotates, and thus the positions of the second link (102b) and the first link (102a) may change.

[0232] For example, depending on the rotation angle of the second link (102b) of the door link (102), the second link (102b) and the first link (102a) may be in a bent or unbent position. This may cause the overall length of the door link (102) to be lengthened or shortened.

[0233] When the door link (102) is in the unbending position, the door may be in an open state. When the door link (102) is in the bending position, the door may be in a closed state.

[0234] The 7th, 8th, and 9th gears (121, 122, and 123) can adjust the rotational force transmitted from the motor (103) through the 5th gear (115) to the size of the force for moving the door link (102).

[0235] The second gear assembly can adjust the amount of force transmitted to the door link (102) by the gear ratios of the 7th, 8th, and 9th gears (121, 122, 123).

[0236] The door moving device (100) may further include a detection sensor (130) that detects the angles of the door. Here, the angles of the door may indicate the position of the door.

[0237] The angle sensor (130) can detect the angles of the door (30) in various ways. For example, the angle sensor (130) can be provided as a light sensor, a hall sensor, etc.

[0238] This embodiment describes, as an example, a hall sensor that detects the magnetic field of a magnet (131) mounted on the 9th gear (123).

[0239] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the angle sensor (130) may include a magnet (131), a printed circuit board (132), and a signal generation unit (133).

[0240] The magnet (131) can be accommodated inside the ninth gear (123). The magnet (131) can rotate in conjunction with the ninth gear (123).

[0241] The magnet (131) can interact with the signal generator (133) mounted on the printed circuit board (132) to sense the rotation angle of the ninth gear (123). The rotation angle of the ninth gear (123) can correspond to the angle of the door.

[0242] The magnet (131) can be formed in a ring shape.

[0243] As illustrated in Fig. 10, the magnet (131) may include a magnetic portion (131a) and an inner protrusion (132b). The magnetic portion (131a) may include a plurality of N poles and a plurality of S poles arranged alternately.

[0244] The inner protrusion (131b) can be provided on the inner periphery of the magnet (131).

[0245] The printed circuit board (132) may be placed adjacent to the magnet (131). For example, the printed circuit board (132) may be placed below the magnet (131).

[0246] The signal generator (133) may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board (132). The signal generator (133) may be positioned adjacent to the magnet (131). For example, the signal generator (133) may be positioned below the magnet (131).

[0247] The signal generating unit (133) can generate a signal for detecting the angle of the ninth gear (123). For example, the signal generating unit (133) can detect a change in polarity of the magnet (131) and generate a signal corresponding to the detected change in polarity.

[0248] The signal generating unit (133) can detect changes in the N pole and S pole of the magnetic unit (131a), and can detect the rotation angle of the magnet (131) based on the detected changes. Here, the rotation angle of the magnet (131) can correspond to the rotation angle of the 9th gear (123) and can correspond to the angle of the door (30).

[0249] The signal generating unit (133) may be provided in multiple numbers. For example, the signal generating unit (133) may include a first signal generating unit (133a) and a second signal generating unit (133b).

[0250] For example, the first signal generating unit (133a) can generate a first signal when a magnetic field by the S pole of the magnet (131) is detected, and can generate a second signal when a magnetic field by the N pole of the magnet (131) is detected. The first signal can be a 0 or low signal, and the second signal can be a 1 or high signal.

[0251] The second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a first signal when a magnetic field by the S pole of the magnet (131) is detected, and can generate a second signal when a magnetic field by the N pole of the magnet (131) is detected. The first signal can be a 0 or low signal, and the second signal can be a 1 or high signal.

[0252] The angle sensor may further include a connector (134). The connector (134) may be coupled to a printed circuit board (132). The connector (134) may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board (132). For example, the connector (134) may be connected to a control unit.

[0253] FIG. 11 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is described with reference to FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c, 13a, 13b, 13c, and 14 to 18.

[0254] FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c are operation example diagrams of a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c are operation example diagrams of a door pusher and a door link provided in a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 14 and 15 are signal example diagrams of an angle sensor provided in a door moving device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0255] FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are exemplary diagrams for recognizing the intention to close the door of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0256] In this embodiment, the control configurations for controlling the opening and closing of multiple doors may be identical. Accordingly, only the control configuration for controlling the opening and closing of a single door will be described.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 11, the refrigerator (1) may include a motor (103), an angle sensor (130), a user interface (140), an open / close sensor (150), and a control unit (160).

[0258] A motor (103) can be provided in the door moving device (100).

[0259] The motor (103) can rotate in response to a control command from the control unit (160) and generate power through the rotation.

[0260] The motor (103) can transmit power to the first gear assembly (110) and the second gear assembly (120) provided in the door moving device (100).

[0261] The motor (103) can rotate in the first rotation direction or the second rotation direction, can rotate at a rotation speed corresponding to a control command of the control unit (160), and can rotate at a rotation angle corresponding to a control command of the control unit (160).

[0262] The first and second rotation directions may be opposite. For example, if the first rotation direction is clockwise, the second rotation direction may be counterclockwise. In another example, if the first rotation direction is counterclockwise, the second rotation direction may be clockwise.

[0263] The angle sensor (130) can detect the angle of the door (30) and transmit angle information about the detected angle of the door (30) to the control unit (160). The angle of the door (30) may be the angle at which the door is opened. In this case, the angle of the door in the closed state may be 0 degrees.

[0264] The angle sensor (130) can be provided in the second gear assembly (120) of the door moving device (100) and can be electrically connected to the control unit (160).

[0265] The angle sensor (130) can detect the rotation angle of the ninth gear (123) provided in the second gear assembly (120) of the door moving device.

[0266] The ninth gear (123) is a gear to which the second link (102b) of the door link (102) of the door moving device is connected and in which a magnet (131) is received, and can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the second link (102b) and can cause the magnet (131) to rotate.

[0267] The second link (102b) provided in the door link (102) can rotate in conjunction with the movement of the door (30).

[0268] The rotation angle of the 9th gear (123) can correspond to the rotation angle of the second link (102b) provided in the door link (102) and can correspond to the rotation angle of the door (30).

[0269] The 9th gear (123) can rotate in the first rotation direction by the second link (102b) rotating in the first rotation direction when the door is opened.

[0270] The ninth gear (123) can rotate in the second rotation direction when the door is closed, and can transmit the rotational force for rotation in the second rotation direction to the second link (102b).

[0271] The second link (102b) of the door link can rotate in a second rotation direction in conjunction with the ninth gear (123). For example, the first rotation direction may be clockwise. The second rotation direction may be counterclockwise, i.e., opposite to the first rotation direction.

[0272] The angle sensor (130) may include a hall sensor that detects the magnetic field of the magnet (131), but the type of the angle sensor is not limited thereto.

[0273] If the refrigerator has multiple doors, the refrigerator may include multiple angle sensors for detecting the angles of the multiple doors respectively.

[0274] The user interface (140) may be provided on any one of the plurality of doors, but may be provided on the door panel (31).

[0275] The user interface (140) can receive user input and output information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0276] The user interface (140) may include an input interface (141) for receiving user input and an output interface (142) for outputting information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0277] The input interface (141) can receive user input and transmit it to the control unit (160).

[0278] The input interface (141) can receive the target temperature of each storage room and the storage mode of each storage room. Here, the storage mode can include a freezing mode, a refrigeration mode, a kimchi mode, a vegetable mode, etc.

[0279] The input interface (141) can receive a door opening command. If the refrigerator has multiple doors, the input interface (141) can receive identification information of the door to be opened and a door opening command.

[0280] The refrigerator may further include a touch sensor provided on at least one of the plurality of doors and receiving an opening command for at least one of the doors.

[0281] The input interface (141) may include hardware devices such as keys, buttons, switches, pedals, mouse, trackball, microphone, etc.

[0282] The input interface (141) 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.

[0283] The output interface (142) can output guidance information for automatic opening of at least one door or guidance information for automatic closing of at least one door.

[0284] The output interface (142) may include a display and a speaker.

[0285] The display unit can display information related to the status or operation of the refrigerator (1) based on the control command of the control unit (160) and can display information to guide the user's input.

[0286] The display unit can display information entered into the input interface (141).

[0287] The display can display the target temperature for each storage room and the storage mode for each storage room.

[0288] The display unit can display the open and closed states of multiple doors.

[0289] The display unit can also display automatic opening information and automatic closing information of at least one door.

[0290] The display includes multiple seven-segment displays.

[0291] 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.

[0292] 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 (160), and can output information for guiding the user's input as a guide sound.

[0293] The speaker can output a guidance sound corresponding to a change in the target temperature for each storage room, or a guidance sound corresponding to a change in the storage mode for each storage room.

[0294] The speaker can output a guidance sound for automatic opening of at least one door or a guidance sound for automatic closing of at least one door.

[0295] An open / close sensor (150) is provided in the main body (10) and the storage room (20), detects the state of the door (30), and outputs detection information corresponding to the detected state of the door (30). Here, the state of the door (30) may include an open state and a closed state.

[0296] For example, the open / close sensor (150) can output a high signal based on the door (30) being in a closed state and can output a low signal based on the door (30) being in an open state, and examples of signal output of the open / close sensor are not limited thereto.

[0297] The open / close sensor (150) may include a micro switch, a limit switch, a magnetic switch, a reed switch, a toggle switch, a tact switch, etc.

[0298] The opening / closing sensor (150) may include, but is not limited to, a light sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an impact sensor.

[0299] If the refrigerator has multiple doors, the refrigerator may include multiple open / close sensors for detecting the status of each of the multiple doors.

[0300] The control unit (160) can be electrically connected to various components of the refrigerator and can control various components. That is, the control unit (160) can control the overall operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0301] The control unit (160) can control the operation of the refrigerator (1) based on user input received at the input interface (141).

[0302] The control unit (160) can control the output interface (142) so that output information related to the operation of the refrigerator (1) is output.

[0303] For example, the control unit (160) can receive a target temperature for each storage room from the input interface (141) and control the output interface (142) to display the received target temperature for each storage room.

[0304] The control unit (160) can control the operation of the cooling system based on the target temperature for each storage room and the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) for each storage room.

[0305] The control unit (160) can control the door movement device (100) when a command to open the door (30) is received from the input interface (141).

[0306] If a touch sensor is provided in the refrigerator, the control unit (160) can control the door movement device (100) when a touch signal is received from the touch sensor. The touch signal may be a signal corresponding to a door command.

[0307] When the control unit (160) recognizes the state of the door, it recognizes whether the door (30) is closed or open based on the detection information received from the open / close sensor (150).

[0308] When automatically closing the door, the control unit (160) can recognize whether the door has been closed based on detection information received from the opening / closing sensor (150).

[0309] When the control unit (160) automatically closes the door, it is also possible to recognize whether the door has been closed based on angle information received from the angle sensor (140).

[0310] The control unit (160) can recognize the angle of the door based on angle information received from the angle sensor (140).

[0311] The configuration of a control unit (160) that controls a door moving device (100) for opening a door is described.

[0312] The control unit (160) can control the motor (103) to rotate in the first rotation direction based on the reception of a door opening command.

[0313] The control unit (160) can recognize the angle of the door (30) based on angle information received from the angle sensor (130) when controlling the rotation of the motor (103) in the first rotation direction, and can control the rotation of the motor (103) to stop based on the recognized angle of the door (30) reaching the target angle.

[0314] In the case where a motor angle sensor (not shown) is provided to detect the rotation angle of the motor (103), the control unit (160) can also control the rotation of the motor (103) to stop based on the rotation angle of the motor detected by the motor angle sensor reaching the target rotation angle when controlling the rotation of the motor (103) in the first rotation direction.

[0315] When the control unit (160) controls the rotation of the motor (103) in the first rotation direction, it is also possible to control the rotation of the motor for a predetermined time stored in advance. The predetermined time stored in advance is the time at which the door is completely opened for a closed door, and may be information obtained through experiments.

[0316] The control unit (160) can recognize that the door opening is complete when it recognizes that the angle of the recognized door (30) has reached the target angle.

[0317] The control unit (160) can also recognize that the door opening is complete when it recognizes that the rotation angle of the motor has reached the target rotation angle.

[0318] The control unit (160) can also recognize that the door opening is complete when it recognizes that the rotation time of the motor has reached a predetermined time stored in advance.

[0319] The control unit (160) can also recognize that the door has been opened when the rotation of the motor in the first rotation direction has stopped.

[0320] When the door is completely opened, the control unit (160) can control the motor (103) to rotate in the second rotation direction.

[0321] When controlling the motor (103) to rotate in the second rotation direction, the control unit (160) can recognize the angle of the door (30) based on angle information received from the angle sensor (130) and control the rotation of the motor (103) to stop based on the recognized angle of the door (30) reaching the initial angle. For example, the initial angle may be 0 degrees.

[0322] In the case where a motor angle sensor (not shown) is provided to detect the rotation angle of the motor (103), when the control unit (160) controls the motor (103) to rotate in the second rotation direction, it is also possible to control the rotation of the motor (103) to stop based on the rotation angle of the motor detected by the motor angle sensor reaching the target rotation angle.

[0323] When the control unit (160) controls the motor (103) to rotate in the second rotation direction, it is also possible to control the rotation of the motor (103) for a predetermined period of time that is stored in advance.

[0324] The operation configuration of the first assembly (110) of the door moving device (100) for automatic opening of the door (30) is described with reference to FIGS. 12a, 12b, and 12c.

[0325] As illustrated in Fig. 12a, the fifth gear (115) of the first gear assembly can be engaged with the sixth gear (116) by rotating the motor (103) in the first rotational direction.

[0326] The power generated from the motor (103) can be transmitted to the sixth gear (116) through the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth gears (111, 112, 113, 114, and 115).

[0327] The sixth gear (116) can be rotated by the power transmitted through the fifth gear (115). The rotational force generated by the rotation of the sixth gear (116) can be transmitted to the pusher rack (101b) of the door pusher. The rotational force of the sixth gear (116) can be converted into a linear movement force in the first movement direction in the pusher rack (101b) of the door pusher.

[0328] The door pusher (101) can move from the first position to the second position by the linear movement force in the first movement direction that has been generated. By the movement of the door pusher (101) in the first movement direction, the door pusher (101) can be protruded toward the front of the main body (10) and apply a repulsive force to the door (30).

[0329] The door (30) can be separated from the main body (10) by an authorized repulsive force, thereby opening the storage room.

[0330] As shown in Fig. 12b, when the opening of the door (30) is completed, the fifth gear (115) can be maintained in a state of engagement with the sixth gear (116) by the elastic force of the elastic member (102b) provided in the door pusher (101).

[0331] By rotating the motor (103) in the second rotation direction, the power generated by the motor (103) can be transmitted to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth gears (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the sixth gear (116). However, by changing the motor (103) to the second rotation direction, the rotation directions of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth gears (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) and the sixth gear (116) can also be changed.

[0332] The rotational force generated by the rotation of the sixth gear (116) can be transmitted to the pusher rack (101b) of the door pusher. The pusher rack (101b) of the door pusher can convert the rotational force transmitted from the sixth gear (116) into a linear movement force. In this case, the pusher rack (101b) of the door pusher can generate a linear movement force in a second movement direction by changing the rotational direction of the sixth gear (116). The second movement direction may be the opposite direction to the first movement direction.

[0333] The door pusher (101) can be moved from the second position to the first position by a moving force in the second moving direction. By moving the door pusher (101) in the second moving direction, the door pusher (101) can be inserted into the interior of the main body (10).

[0334] As shown in Fig. 12c, when the insertion of the door pusher (101) is completed, the elastic force of the elastic member (102b) provided in the door pusher (101) is released, and the fifth gear (115) can be separated from the sixth gear (116).

[0335] The operation configuration of the door link (102) of the door moving device when the door is automatically opened is described with reference to FIGS. 13a, 13b, and 13c.

[0336] As illustrated in Fig. 13a, when the door is closed, the first link (102a) and the second link (102b) of the door link may be in an overlapping position. That is, the first link (102a) and the second link (102b) of the door link may be in a bent position. This may cause the length of the door link to become the first length.

[0337] As shown in Fig. 13b, when the door is in a state where opening is initiated, the door pusher (101) can be pulled out from the main body (10), and the door (30) can move as a repulsive force is applied to the door (30) by the protruding door pusher (101).

[0338] The moving force of the door (30) moved by the door pusher is transmitted to the door link (102), and the ninth gear (123) of the second gear assembly rotates in the first rotation direction by the moving force transmitted to the door link (102). In other words, the second link (102b) also rotates in the first rotation direction by the moving force transmitted to the first link (102a) of the door link.

[0339] As shown in Fig. 13c, when the door is completely opened, the door pusher (101) can be inserted into the interior of the main body (10).

[0340] When the door is fully opened, the first link (102a) and the second link (102b) of the door link may be in an unfolded position. That is, the first link (102a) and the second link (102b) of the door link may be in an unbending position. This may cause the length of the door link to become a second length. The second length may be longer than the first length.

[0341] The door link (102) can be made into a second length by opening the door or into a first length by closing the door.

[0342] The control unit (160) can recognize the angle of the door based on angle information received from the angle sensor (130) when the door is open. This is described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0343] As shown in Fig. 14, when the magnet (131) rotates clockwise due to the movement of the door (30), both the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “0” signal by detecting the magnetic field caused by the S pole of the magnet (131) at time T1.

[0344] At time T3, the first signal generating unit (133a) can generate a “1” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the N pole of the magnet (131), and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “0” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the S pole of the magnet (131).

[0345] At time T5, both the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “1” signal by detecting the magnetic field caused by the N pole of the magnet (131).

[0346] At time T7, the first signal generating unit (133a) can generate a “0” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the S pole of the magnet (131), and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “1” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the N pole of the magnet (131).

[0347] In this way, the signal generated from the first signal generating unit (133a) can change from a "1" signal to a "0" signal by the rotation of the magnet (131). For example, at approximately time T6, the first signal generating unit (133a) can pass near the boundary between the N pole and the S pole of the magnet (131), and at this time, it can generate a "1" signal and then a "0" signal.

[0348] By the rotation of the magnet (131), the generated signal of the second signal generating unit (133b) can change from a “0” signal to a “1” signal. For example, at approximately time T4, the second signal generating unit (133b) can pass near the boundary between the N pole and the S pole of the magnet (131), and at this time, it can generate a “0” signal and then a “1” signal.

[0349] While the magnet (131) rotates clockwise, the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate signals in the order of (0, 0), (1, 0), (1, 1), (0, 1), and transmit the generated signals to the control unit (160).

[0350] The control unit (160) can recognize the rotation of the magnet (131) based on a change in at least one signal among the signals received from the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b).

[0351] The control unit (160) can recognize the angle (rotational displacement) at which the magnet (131) rotates based on a change in at least one signal among the signals received from the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b).

[0352] The control unit (160) can recognize the angle at which the magnet (131) has rotated based on the number of times the output signal of the first signal generating unit (133a) or the signal received from the second signal generating unit (133b) has changed.

[0353] As shown in Fig. 15, when the magnet (131) rotates counterclockwise due to the rotation of the door (30), both the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “0” signal by detecting the magnetic field caused by the S pole of the magnet (131) at time T1.

[0354] At time T3 when the magnet (131) rotates counterclockwise, the first signal generating unit (133a) can generate a “0” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the S pole of the magnet (131), and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “1” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the N pole of the magnet (131).

[0355] At time T5, both the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “1” signal by detecting the magnetic field caused by the N pole of the magnet (131).

[0356] At time T7, the first signal generating unit (133a) can generate a “1” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the N pole of the magnet (131), and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate a “0” signal by detecting a magnetic field by the S pole of the magnet (131).

[0357] While the magnet (131) rotates counterclockwise, the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate signals in the order of (0, 0), (0, 1), (1, 1), (1, 0), and transmit the generated signals to the control unit (160).

[0358] As described above, while the magnet (131) rotates clockwise, the first signal generating unit (133a) and the second signal generating unit (133b) can generate signals in the order of (0, 0), (1, 0), (1, 1), (0, 1).

[0359] In this way, while the magnet (131) rotates clockwise, the output signal of the first signal generating unit (133a) may change first, and then the output signal of the second signal generating unit (133b) may change. On the other hand, while the magnet (131) rotates counterclockwise, the output signal of the second signal generating unit (133b) may change first, and then the output signal of the first signal generating unit (133a) may change.

[0360] In other words, while the magnet (131) rotates clockwise, the phase of the output signal of the first signal generator (133a) may lead the phase of the output signal of the second signal generator (133b). In addition, while the magnet (131) rotates counterclockwise, the phase of the output signal of the second signal generator (133b) may lead the phase of the output signal of the first signal generator (133a).

[0361] The control unit (160) can recognize whether the magnet (131) rotates clockwise or counterclockwise based on changes in the generation signal of the first signal generation unit (133a) and changes in the generation signal of the second signal generation unit (133b).

[0362] The control unit (160) can identify whether the door (30) is open or closed based on a comparison between the phase of the output signal of the first signal generating unit (133a) and the phase of the output signal of the second signal generating unit (133b).

[0363] The control unit (160) can identify the angle of the door (30) by accumulating the number of times that at least one of the generation signal of the first signal generation unit (133a) or the generation signal of the second signal generation unit (133b) changes while the door (30) is opened.

[0364] The control unit (160) can identify the angle of the door (30) by deducting the number of times that at least one of the generation signal of the first signal generation unit (133a) or the generation signal of the second signal generation unit (133b) changes while the door (30) is closed.

[0365] The control unit (160) can recognize the user's intention to close the door based on the recognized angle of the door.

[0366] The configuration of the control unit (160) that recognizes the intention to close the door is described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18.

[0367] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the control unit (160) can recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the recognized door angle (am) being less than or equal to a preset angle. Here, the preset angle is the minimum door opening angle that allows food to be placed in or removed from the storage compartment, and may be an angle obtained through experimentation.

[0368] When the control unit (160) recognizes that the door is in an open state, it counts the opening time of the door and can recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the counted opening time of the door being greater than or equal to a preset opening time.

[0369] The control unit (160) can recognize the opening of the door based on the detection information received from the opening / closing sensor (150) and count the opening time of the door from the time the opening of the door is recognized.

[0370] The control unit (160) can also recognize the angle of the door based on the angle information received from the angle sensor (130), recognize the door as open based on the recognized angle exceeding 0 degrees, and count the opening time of the door from the time the door is recognized as open.

[0371] The control unit (160) can also count the door opening time from the time a door opening command is received from the input interface (141) or touch sensor (60).

[0372] The control unit (160) can recognize whether the angle of the recognized door (30) changes.

[0373] Assuming that the door angle is 0 degrees when the door is closed, a change in the door angle may include a change in the decrease in the door angle.

[0374] When the control unit (160) recognizes a change in angle, it can recognize whether the change in angle is due to the door moving in the closing direction.

[0375] When the control unit (160) recognizes a change in angle, if the rotation direction of the 9th gear is recognized as the second rotation direction, it can recognize that the door is moving in the closing direction. For example, the second rotation direction may be counterclockwise.

[0376] When the control unit (160) recognizes a change in angle, it can recognize whether the change in angle is due to movement of the door (30) in the closing direction by recognizing the rotation direction of the ninth gear (123) of the second gear assembly based on the angle information received from the angle sensor (130).

[0377] When the control unit (160) recognizes that the angle of the door (30) has changed, it can recognize information on the change in the angle of the door (30) based on the angle information detected by the angle sensor (130).

[0378] The control unit (160) can recognize the amount of change in angle based on information about the change in angle of the door (30) and recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the recognized amount of change in angle.

[0379] As illustrated in Fig. 17, the control unit (160) can recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the fact that the amount of change in the recognized angle (ac=a1-a2) is greater than the reference amount of change.

[0380] The control unit (160) can recognize the change speed of the angle based on the change information of the angle of the door and recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the recognized change speed of the angle.

[0381] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the control unit (160) recognizes the change rate of the door angle based on the amount of change in the recognized angle (ac=a1-a2) and the time (T) at which the door angle changes from the first angle (a1) to the second angle (a2), and can recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the fact that the change rate of the recognized angle is greater than the reference change rate.

[0382] The control unit (160) can recognize the change time of the door angle when the door angle continuously changes, and can recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the recognized change time. For example, the control unit (160) can recognize that there is an intention to close the door based on the recognized change time being greater than or equal to a reference time.

[0383] The control unit (160) can control the door to remain open if it is recognized that there is no intention to close the door. In other words, the control unit (160) can control the motor (103) to remain stopped.

[0384] The control unit (160) can generate a closing trigger signal based on the recognition that there is an intention to close the door.

[0385] The control unit (160) can control the output interface (142) to output guidance information that guides the entry of the door closing operation based on the generation of the closing trigger signal.

[0386] The control unit (160) can control the motor (103) to rotate in the second rotation direction based on the generation of a closing trigger signal. This allows the door (30) to be automatically closed. This will be described in more detail below.

[0387] The fifth gear (115) can be engaged with the seventh gear (121) of the second gear assembly by the motor (103) rotating in the second rotation direction. The seventh, eighth, and ninth gears (121, 122, 123) can be rotated by the motor (103) maintaining rotation in the second rotation direction while the fifth gear (115) is engaged with the seventh gear (121) of the second gear assembly.

[0388] The rotation of the 7th, 8th, and 9th gears (121, 122, 123) can generate a moving force for moving the door link.

[0389] The second link (102b) of the door link connected to the ninth gear (123) can rotate by the rotational force of the ninth gear (123). When the rotational force of the second link (102b) of the door link is transmitted to the first link (102a), the first link (102a) can move along the second link (102b). In this way, when the first link (102a) moves along the second link (102b), a force is applied to the door (30), and the door (30) can move toward the main body (10). In addition, the door (30) can be closed by the door (30) moving toward the main body (10).

[0390] The control unit (160) can recognize whether the door (30) is completely closed.

[0391] For example, the control unit (160) can recognize the angle of the door (30) based on the angle information detected by the angle sensor (130), and if the recognized angle is the initial angle, it can recognize that the door (30) is completely closed.

[0392] As another example, the control unit (160) can also recognize that the closing of the door (30) is complete when it recognizes that the rotation angle of the motor detected by the motor angle sensor (not shown) has reached the target rotation angle.

[0393] As another example, the control unit (160) can also recognize that the door (30) is completely closed based on the detection information received from the open / close sensor (150).

[0394] The control unit (160) can control the rotation of the motor (103) to stop based on the recognition that the door (30) is in a completed closing state.

[0395] The control unit (160) can control the output interface (142) to output guidance information for guiding automatic closing of the door based on the recognition that there is an intention to close the door, and can control the output interface (142) to output guidance information for guiding automatic closing of the door based on the completion of closing of the door.

[0396] The control unit (160) may include at least one processor that controls the operation of the refrigerator (1) and at least one memory in which a program and data for controlling the operation of the refrigerator (1) are stored.

[0397] At least one processor may include one or more processor chips or one or more processing cores that perform the above-described operations using an algorithm for controlling the operations of the internal components of the refrigerator (1), at least one memory storing data in the form of a program, and data stored in at least one first memory.

[0398] At least one processor can process various data and various signals using instructions, data, programs and / or software stored in memory.

[0399] At least one processor may include one or more of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), a Many Integrated Core (MIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator.

[0400] The memory can store information about the rotation direction of the motor for opening the door and the rotation direction of the motor for closing the door.

[0401] The memory can store various information necessary to recognize the user's intention to close the door. For example, the memory can store information about a preset angle, preset time, reference change amount, and reference change speed.

[0402] The memory can store data required for various embodiments.

[0403] Depending on the purpose of data storage, the memory may be implemented in the form of memory embedded in the refrigerator (1) or in the form of memory that can be attached or detached from the refrigerator (1). For example, data for operating the refrigerator (1) may be stored in the memory embedded in the refrigerator (1), and data for expanding the functions of the refrigerator (1) may be stored in the memory that can be attached or detached from the refrigerator (1).

[0404] Meanwhile, the memory embedded in the refrigerator (1) may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD)).

[0405] In addition, in the case of a memory that can be attached or detached to the refrigerator (1), it may be implemented in the form of a memory card (e.g., CF (compact flash), SD (secure digital), Micro-SD (micro secure digital), Mini-SD (mini secure digital), xD (extreme digital), MMC (multi-media card), etc.), an external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., USB memory), etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0406] The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0407] At least one component may be added or deleted in accordance with the performance of the components of the refrigerator (1) illustrated in Fig. 11. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the relative positions of the components may be changed in accordance with the performance or structure of the refrigerator (1).

[0408] Each component illustrated in FIG. 11 represents software and / or hardware components such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0409] Figure 19 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0410] The refrigerator can recognize whether the door is open (301).

[0411] Recognizing whether the door is open may include recognizing whether the detection information received from the open / close sensor (150) corresponds to the open state, and recognizing that the door is open based on the recognition that the detection information received from the open / close sensor (150) corresponds to the open state. As an example, recognizing whether the door is open may include recognizing that the door is open based on the reception of a low signal from the open / close sensor (150).

[0412] Recognizing whether the door is open may include recognizing the angle of the door based on angle information received from the angle sensor (130) and recognizing that the door is open based on the recognized angle of the door being other than 0 degrees.

[0413] The refrigerator can count the time the door is open when it recognizes that the door is open.

[0414] The refrigerator can recognize the angle of the open door when it recognizes that the door is open (302).

[0415] The refrigerator can recognize whether the angle of the recognized door is less than a preset angle (303).

[0416] The refrigerator can generate a closing trigger signal based on the angle of the recognized door being less than or equal to a preset angle (310).

[0417] The refrigerator can recognize the counted door opening time based on the recognized door angle exceeding a preset angle (304).

[0418] The refrigerator can recognize whether the open time of the counted door is longer than a preset time (305).

[0419] The refrigerator can generate a closing trigger signal (310) based on the open time of the counted door exceeding a preset time. The preset time may be a time obtained through experimentation, which is the time at which cold air leaks from the storage compartment exceeds a reference amount.

[0420] The refrigerator can maintain the door open based on whether the recognized door angle exceeds a preset angle. In this case, the refrigerator can also recognize the counted door open time while maintaining the door open.

[0421] The refrigerator can recognize whether the door angle has changed based on whether the counted door opening time is less than a preset time (306).

[0422] The refrigerator can maintain the door open state based on the angle of the door being maintained (307).

[0423] The refrigerator can maintain the door open based on whether the counted door open time is less than a preset time. In this case, the refrigerator can also detect whether the door angle changes while the door is maintained open.

[0424] The refrigerator can recognize angle change information based on angle information received from an angle sensor (130) based on the recognition of a change in the angle of the door (308).

[0425] Recognizing angular change information may include recognizing the amount of angular change.

[0426] Recognizing the change in angle may be the difference between the angle of the door when it is kept open after opening and the current angle of the door after movement of the door occurs.

[0427] The refrigerator can recognize whether the change in angle is greater than or equal to a reference change (309).

[0428] The refrigerator can generate a closing trigger signal based on the change in angle being greater than a reference change (310).

[0429] The refrigerator can control the closing of the door based on a closing trigger signal generated when the angle of the door is less than or equal to a preset angle, the opening time of the door is greater than or equal to a preset time, or the change in the angle of the door is greater than or equal to a reference change amount (311).

[0430] The refrigerator can control the output interface to output a guidance sound guiding automatic closing of the door based on the generation of a closing trigger signal.

[0431] Controlling the output interface may include controlling a speaker to output a guidance sound.

[0432] Controlling the closing of the door may include rotating the motor (103) in a second rotational direction. The second rotational direction may be opposite to the first rotational direction for opening the door.

[0433] The refrigerator can maintain the door open based on the change in angle being less than a reference change (312).

[0434] FIG. 20 is a control flowchart for a modified example of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0435] The refrigerator can recognize the angle of the open door when the door is open and recognize whether the angle of the door has changed based on the recognized angle of the door (321).

[0436] The refrigerator can keep the door open based on the fact that no change in the angle of the door is recognized (322).

[0437] The refrigerator can recognize angle change information based on angle information received from an angle sensor based on the recognition of a change in the angle of the door (323).

[0438] Recognizing angle change information may include recognizing the amount of change in angle. For example, recognizing the amount of change in angle may be the difference between the door angle when the door is opened and maintained open, and the current door angle after the door has moved.

[0439] Recognizing information about changes in angle may include recognizing information about the time at which the angle changes.

[0440] Recognizing angle change information may include recognizing the rate of change of the angle. For example, recognizing the rate of change of the angle may include recognizing the rate of change of the door angle based on the amount of change in the angle (ac=a1-a2) and the time (T) over which the door angle changes from a first angle (a1) to a second angle (a2).

[0441] The refrigerator can recognize whether the rate of change of the angle is greater than the reference rate of change (324).

[0442] The refrigerator can generate a closing trigger signal based on the change in angle being greater than or equal to a reference change rate (325).

[0443] The refrigerator can control the closing of the door based on the generated closing trigger signal (326).

[0444] The refrigerator can control the output interface to output a guidance sound guiding automatic closing of the door based on the generation of a closing trigger signal.

[0445] Controlling the output interface may include controlling a speaker to output a guidance sound.

[0446] The refrigerator can also maintain the door open based on the rate of change in angle being less than a reference rate of change.

[0447] The refrigerator can recognize the change time of the door angle change based on the change speed of the angle being less than the reference change speed.

[0448] The refrigerator can keep the door open (328) based on the perceived change time being less than a reference time (327).

[0449] The refrigerator can generate a closure trigger signal based on the perceived change time being greater than or equal to a reference time (325).

[0450] The refrigerator can control the closing of the door based on the generated closing trigger signal (326).

[0451] Controlling the closing of the door may include rotating the motor (103) in a second rotational direction. The second rotational direction may be opposite to the first rotational direction for opening the door.

[0452] 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.

[0453] 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.

[0454] 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 moves in a first direction to open the storage room and moves in a second direction to close the storage room; A door moving device including a motor that generates power, a door pusher that applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door using the power generated by the motor, and a door link that applies a force to the door to close the door using the power generated by the motor; An angle sensor that detects angles of the door indicating the position of the door and outputs angle information for the detected angles; and A refrigerator comprising a control unit that recognizes the state of the door based on the angle information, recognizes angle change information of the door based on the angle information when the recognized state of the door is a state of moving in the second direction, generates a closing trigger signal based on the recognized angle change information of the door, and controls the door moving device based on the generation of the closing trigger signal, so that the door link applies manpower to the door using the power generated by the motor to close the door.

2. In the first paragraph, the control unit, A refrigerator that recognizes the amount of change between the detected angles based on information on the change in the angle of the recognized door and generates the closing trigger signal based on the amount of change between the detected angles being greater than or equal to a reference amount of change.

3. In the first paragraph, the control unit, A refrigerator that recognizes the change rate between the detected angles based on the change information of the angle of the recognized door and generates the closing trigger signal based on the change rate between the detected angles being greater than or equal to the reference change rate.

4. In the first paragraph, the control unit, A refrigerator that recognizes a change time at which the angle changes based on change information between the detected angles of the recognized door, and generates the closing trigger signal based on the recognized change time being greater than or equal to a reference time.

5. In the first paragraph, the control unit, A refrigerator that recognizes the angle of the door from the detected angles of the door based on the recognized angle information and generates the closing trigger signal based on the recognized angle of the door being less than or equal to a preset angle.

6. In the first paragraph, the control unit, A refrigerator that counts the time the door is opened and generates the closing trigger signal based on the counted opening time being greater than a preset time.

7. In paragraph 1, Further comprising an open / close sensor that detects the open and closed status of the door, A refrigerator in which the control unit recognizes the state of the door based on detection of an open state or a closed state received by the open / close sensor.

8. In paragraph 1, Further comprising an input interface for receiving an open command, The door moving device further includes a link gear connected to the door link, A refrigerator in which the control unit controls the door moving device based on the opening command being received through the input interface so that the door pusher applies a repulsive force to the door using the power generated by the motor to open the door, and controls the door moving device so that the link gear moves based on the generation of the closing trigger signal.

9. In the first paragraph, the door moving device, A refrigerator comprising a first gear assembly connected to the motor and transmitting power generated by the motor as a moving force to the door pusher so that the door pusher applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door, and a second gear assembly connected to the motor and applying a moving force to the door link so that the door link applies a pulling force to the door so that the door opens.

10. In the 9th paragraph, the first gear assembly, A refrigerator including a clutch gear that connects the motor and the door pusher so that the power of the motor is transmitted to the door pusher, so that the door pusher applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door, and that connects the motor and the door link so that the power of the motor is transmitted to the door link, so that the door link applies a force to the door to close the door.

11. In paragraph 9, The second gear assembly includes a link gear connected to the door link, The above link gear rotates by the door link when the door is opened, and moves the door link using the power transmitted from the motor so that the door link applies force to the door, thereby closing the door. A refrigerator in which the angle sensor comprises a magnet provided on the link gear and linked to the link gear, and a signal generating unit that generates a signal corresponding to the magnetic field of the magnet and transmits the generated signal to the control unit.

12. A method for controlling a refrigerator, comprising: a main body having a storage compartment; a door that moves in a first direction to open the storage compartment and moves in a second direction to close the storage compartment; a door moving device including a motor that generates power; a door pusher that applies a repulsive force to the door to open the door using the power generated from the motor; a door link that applies a manpower force to the door to close the door using the power generated from the motor; and an angle sensor that detects an angle of the door and outputs angle information for the detected angle. Recognize the state of the door based on the above angle information, If the state of the recognized door is a state of moving in the second direction, the angle change information of the door is recognized based on the angle information, Generate a closing trigger signal based on the change information of the angle of the recognized door, A method for controlling a refrigerator, wherein the door movement device is controlled based on the generation of the closing trigger signal, so that the door link applies force to the door using the power generated by the motor, thereby closing the door.

13. In the 12th paragraph, generating a closing trigger signal based on the change information of the angle of the recognized door, Based on the change information of the angle of the recognized door, at least one of the amount of change between the detected angles, the speed of change between the detected angles, and the change time between the detected angles is recognized, A control method for a refrigerator, comprising generating the closing trigger signal based on at least one of a change amount between the detected angles, a change speed between the detected angles, and a change time between the detected angles.

14. In the 12th paragraph, generating the closing trigger signal comprises: Recognize the angle of the door from the angles of the door detected based on the above recognized angle information, and generate the closing trigger signal based on the recognized angle of the door being less than or equal to a preset angle, or A control method for a refrigerator further comprising counting the time that the door is opened and generating the closing trigger signal based on the counted opening time being greater than a preset time.

15. In paragraph 12, Further comprising controlling the door moving device to move a door pusher that applies a thrust force to the door based on an opening command received through an input interface, so that the door pusher applies a thrust force to the door using power generated from the motor, thereby closing the door. A method for controlling a refrigerator, wherein controlling the door movement device comprises controlling the motor to rotate in a first rotation direction based on receiving an opening command for the door, and controlling the motor to rotate in a second rotation direction based on generation of the closing trigger signal.

Images