Refrigerator

Abstract

Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a sensor module capable of detecting an object after the door of the refrigerator is opened, and thus can control the automatic opening and closing operation of the door, according to object detection. The sensor module can change a sensing angle for object detection according to left-side opening, right-side opening, or bilateral opening of the door.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more specifically, to a refrigerator comprising a sensor module capable of detecting an object after the door is opened.

[0002]

[0003] A refrigerator is a home appliance that supplies cold air generated by the circulation of a refrigerant to a storage compartment, keeping various types of items fresh for extended periods. The cold air supplied to the refrigerator is generated when the refrigerant, circulating in the order of the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, flows into the evaporator and absorbs heat from inside the refrigerator as the liquid refrigerant vaporizes into a gaseous refrigerant.

[0004] Generally, a refrigerator may include a cabinet forming a storage compartment and a door provided in the cabinet to open and close the storage compartment. The door may be opened and closed in a manner such as a rotary door or a drawer door.

[0005] Recently, refrigerators featuring automatically opening and closing doors are being developed, and accordingly, technology is required to detect objects and prevent collisions during the automatic opening and closing process.

[0006] Patent Document 1 (KR 10-2021-0027912) discloses a refrigerator including a user detection sensor that detects a user located in front of the door. However, Patent Document 1 is not equipped with a sensor for object detection after the door is opened.

[0007]

[0008] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a refrigerator including a sensor module capable of detecting an object after the door is opened.

[0009] In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising a sensor module capable of detecting an object even when only one side of the door is open.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising a sensor module in which the sensing angle for object detection changes depending on whether the door is opened to the left, right, or both sides.

[0011] In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator that can automatically close the door depending on whether an object is detected after the door is opened.

[0012] In addition, the present invention provides a refrigerator that can prevent collision between an object and the door when the door is automatically closed.

[0013] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0014]

[0015] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor module that detects an object after the door is opened.

[0016] Specifically, the sensor module is positioned on the upper inner surface of the refrigerator cabinet and accommodates a sensor for object detection inside, and can detect an object located on the left, right, or front of the refrigerator through the sensor when at least one of the left and right doors is opened.

[0017] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensor module in which the sensing angle for object detection changes depending on whether the door is opened to the left, right, or both sides.

[0018] Specifically, the sensor module can change the sensing angle of the sensor by including a rotating body that rotates so that the direction of the sensor faces left or right depending on the opening of either the left or right door.

[0019] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent a collision between an object and the door when the door is automatically closed.

[0020] Specifically, the controller can prevent a collision between an object and the door by stopping the automatic closing operation when the sensor module detects an object during the automatic door closing operation.

[0021]

[0022] According to the embodiments, the present invention can control the automatic opening and closing operation of the door based on object detection by including a sensor module capable of detecting an object after the refrigerator door is opened.

[0023] In addition, the present invention includes a sensor module capable of detecting an object even when only one door of the refrigerator is open, thereby enabling control of the automatic opening and closing operation of the door based on object detection.

[0024] In addition, the present invention can control the automatic opening and closing operation of a door by including a sensor module in which the sensing angle for object detection changes according to the opening of the left, right, or both sides of the door.

[0025] In addition, the present invention can prevent collisions between an object and a door by controlling the automatic closing operation of the door based on whether an object is detected after the door is opened.

[0026] In addition, the present invention can prevent collisions between an object and a door by controlling the automatic opening operation of the door based on whether an object is detected during the door opening operation.

[0027] In addition to the effects described above, the specific effects of the present invention are described together with the specific details for implementing the invention below.

[0028]

[0029] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the open state of a rotary door in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIGS. 3 to 6 are drawings illustrating the operation of a third sensor module according to the closing and opening of a door in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third sensor module provided in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the third sensor module of FIG. 7.

[0034] Figures 9 and 10 are enlarged drawings of a part of a refrigerator equipped with a third sensor module.

[0035] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the operation of a third sensor module according to the opening of the left door in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the operation of a third sensor module according to the opening of the right door in a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039]

[0040] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate identical or similar components.

[0041] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various components, it goes without saying that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may also be the second component.

[0042] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0043] In the following, the statement that any configuration is placed on the "upper (or lower)" of a component or on the "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0044] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0045] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0046] Hereinafter, a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0047] [Structure of a Refrigerator]

[0048] A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the open state of a rotary door in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator (1) may have an exterior formed by a cabinet (2) that includes one or more storage rooms which are storage spaces for items, and a plurality of doors (10a, 10b, 20, 30) that can open and close the open front of the cabinet (2).

[0050] The first door (10a, 10b) is provided with a pair of left doors (10a) and right doors (10b), and may be rotary doors that rotate by being connected by hinges to one side and the other side of the cabinet (2) forming the first storage room.

[0051] A transparent section (11) may be formed on the front of each first door (10a, 10b) to allow viewing of the inside of the first storage room without opening the left door (10a) or the right door (10b). For example, the area of ​​the first door (10a, 10b) corresponding to the transparent section (11) may be formed of a transparent material such as glass and may be transparent. Additionally, the transparent section (11) may be formed of a material in which the light transmittance and reflectance can be selectively adjusted, so that selective operation of a transparent or opaque state is possible depending on the user's operation.

[0052] One or more first input units (220) may be arranged on the front of the first door (10a, 10b). For example, the first input unit (220) may include a touch panel capable of inputting commands by touch input from a user, or a display unit including a display panel for outputting a screen. The display unit is for displaying and operating the operating status of the refrigerator (1) and allows the user to identify various information from the outside. The display unit may be equipped with a display screen for displaying status information of the refrigerator (1) and various operation buttons for setting the operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0053] Additionally, the first input unit (220) may be provided in the form of a microphone that recognizes a user's voice command. For example, when a specific command that is pre-set is input into the first input unit (220), the first input unit (220) may recognize it and transmit an input signal to the controller of the refrigerator (1).

[0054] A first sensor module (240) may be placed on the front of the first door (10a, 10b). For example, one or more first sensor modules (240) may be placed at the bottom of the transparent portion (11) of each first door (10a, 10b).

[0055] The first sensor module (240) can be mounted on the inside of the first door (10a, 10b), and if the front of the first door (10a, 10b) is made of a transparent material such as glass, the location of the first sensor module (240) can be exposed to the outside. As the first sensor module (240) is positioned in the lower area of ​​the first door (10a, 10b), the first sensor module (240) can be located in the approximately central area based on the total height of the refrigerator (1).

[0056] The first sensor module (240) may include a proximity detection sensor that detects the proximity of an object located in front of the refrigerator (1). The first sensor module (240) may be used to activate the detection function of the second sensor module (250).

[0057] A door actuator (230) may be provided in the cabinet (2) to provide driving force to the first door (10a, 10b) so that the first door (10a, 10b) is automatically opened and closed and to rotate the first door (10a, 10b).

[0058] The door actuator (230) may be positioned on the upper sides of the cabinet (2) corresponding to the location where the first door (10a, 10b) is mounted. Based on the distance from an object measured by the second sensor module (260), the controller may drive the door actuator (230) to automatically open and close the first door (10a, 10b).

[0059] The second door (20) and the third door (30) may be drawer-type doors that open and close in a manner that allows them to be pulled in and out in the front and rear directions. In this specification, the front and rear directions refer to directions based on the front and rear of the refrigerator (1), and the left and right directions refer to directions based on the two sides of the refrigerator (1). The front of the refrigerator (1) refers to the direction in which the user uses the refrigerator (1).

[0060] The lower surface of the third door (30) may be formed higher in the upward direction by a predetermined distance than the lower surface of the cabinet (2). A second sensor module (250) may be placed at the bottom of the third door (30).

[0061] The second sensor module (250) may include one or more sensors that measure the distance from an object. Based on the distance from an object measured by the second sensor module (250), the controller can control the operation of the door actuator (230).

[0062] A third sensor module (260) that detects an object when the first door (10a, 10b) is opened may be provided on the upper inner side of the cabinet (2).

[0063] The third sensor module (260) may be provided at the top inside the cabinet (2) to operate according to the opening and closing of the first door (10a, 10b). The third sensor module (260) may be inactive when the first door (10a, 10b) is closed and may be activated when the first door (10a, 10b) is open.

[0064] The third sensor module (260) can adjust its sensing angle to the left when the left door (10a) is opened. Additionally, the third sensor module (260) can adjust its sensing angle to the right when the right door (10b) is opened. The detailed structure and operation of the third sensor module (260), and the automatic opening and closing control operation of the first door (10a, 10b) based on object detection by the third sensor module (260) will be described later in the description of FIGS. 3 to 14.

[0065] For example, the first to third sensor modules (240, 250, 260) may include a Position Sensitive Detector (PSD) sensor. The PSD sensor is a sensor for position detection using a light source. The PSD sensor is a light sensor used to measure the position of incident light, and can determine the position of an object by measuring the current distribution generated when light or particles strike the sensor surface. The PSD sensor may be referred to as a position detection sensor or an optical position detector.

[0066] As another example, the first to third sensor modules (240, 250, 260) may include a Time of Flight (TOF) sensor. A TOF sensor is a sensor that emits light of a specific wavelength and calculates distance by measuring the time it takes for this light to be reflected back. By precisely measuring the round-trip time of light, the TOF sensor can calculate the distance between an object and the sensor in real time using the time it takes for the light to be reflected back.

[0067] As another example, the first to third sensor modules (240, 250, 260) may include an ultrasonic sensor. An ultrasonic sensor is a sensor that emits sound waves and receives reflected waves that are reflected back from an object to measure distance. The ultrasonic sensor can precisely calculate the distance to an object by measuring the time between the emitted sound waves and the received reflected waves.

[0068] As another example, the first to third sensor modules (240, 250, 260) may include a radar sensor. The radar sensor may operate by transmitting radio waves and receiving reflected waves to calculate the distance to an object by measuring the time difference of the radio waves. The radar sensor may monitor various information such as the angle, position, and speed of an object by utilizing the phase difference between the transmitted signal and the reflected wave.

[0069] As another example, the first to third sensor modules (240, 250, 260) may include a Lidar sensor. A Lidar sensor is a sensor that calculates distance by measuring the time it takes for a laser light emitted to be reflected back from an object using the Time of Flight (TOF) principle. The Lidar sensor can recognize sensor values ​​regarding the surrounding environment while rotating 360 degrees using a motor.

[0070] As another example, the first to third sensor modules (240, 250, 260) may include a heat detection sensor. A heat detection sensor is a sensor that identifies the location of an object by detecting heat emitted from a human body or an object. The heat detection sensor detects objects using infrared radiation energy and can operate effectively even in dark environments since it does not use light.

[0071] As another example, the first to third sensor modules (240, 250, 260) may include motion detection sensors capable of recognizing gestures such as specific movements of a user. When the first sensor module (240) recognizes a specific movement of a user, the detection function of the second sensor module (250) may be activated. Based on the distance from an object measured by the first sensor module (240), the controller may activate the detection function of the second sensor module (250).

[0072]

[0073] [Sensor Module]

[0074] Hereinafter, a third sensor module (260) provided in a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0075] FIG. 3 illustrates the case where the first doors (10a, 10b) of the refrigerator (1) are both closed. The third sensor module (260) may be in a deactivated state when the first doors (10a, 10b) are both closed.

[0076] FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the left door (10a) of the first doors (10a, 10b) of the refrigerator (1) is open and the right door (10b) is closed. The third sensor module (260) indicates that when the left door (10a) is open and the right door (10b) is closed, the internal sensor rotates to the left, and the sensing angle for object detection is rotated to the left.

[0077] FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the left door (10a) of the first doors (10a, 10b) of the refrigerator (1) is closed and the right door (10b) is open. The third sensor module (260) indicates that when the left door (10a) is closed and the right door (10b) is open, the internal sensor rotates to the right, and the sensing angle for object detection is rotated to the right.

[0078] FIG. 6 illustrates the case where the first doors (10a, 10b) of the refrigerator (1) are both open. The third sensor module (260) indicates that when the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) are both open, the internal sensor is positioned at the front, and the sensing angle for object detection is directed forward.

[0079] The structure of the third sensor module (260) illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 is described as follows.

[0080] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third sensor module provided in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the third sensor module of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are enlarged views of a part of a refrigerator equipped with the third sensor module. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the operation of the sensor module according to the opening of the left door in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the operation of the sensor module according to the opening of the right door in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 11, the sensor module (260) includes a case (267), a left door connection part (265), a right door connection part (266), a first elastic member (261), a second elastic member (262), and a rotating body (263).

[0082] A receiving space may be formed inside the case (267). The receiving space formed inside the case (267) may be open toward the upper side. For example, the upper side of the case (267) may be formed in the shape of an open hexagonal surface. Various components constituting the third sensor module (260) may be received in the receiving space surrounded by side walls.

[0083] A mounting hole (267H) for accommodating a rotating body is formed on the bottom surface of the case (267). A first case hole (2671) is formed on one side of the front wall of the case (267) through which a left door connecting part (265) moves in the front-rear direction. A second case hole (2672) is formed on the other side of the front wall of the case (267) through which a right door connecting part (266) moves in the front-rear direction.

[0084] At least one fastening member (268) formed to face upward may be provided on the bottom surface of the case (267). The case (267) may be fixed to the upper inner surface of the cabinet (2) through the fastening member (268).

[0085] A portion of the front of the case (267) may be opened. For example, a portion of the space between the first case hole (2671) and the second case hole (2672) of the case (267) may be opened, and an inner case (269) may be formed inside the opening of the case (267). Insulating material may be filled inside the inner case (269).

[0086] The left door connecting portion (265) is received in the case (267) and moves in the forward and backward directions according to the opening and closing of the left door (10a). The left door connecting portion (265) includes a first connecting member (265a) extending from the front of the case (267) toward the rear, a second connecting member (265b) extending from one end of the first connecting member (265a) toward the right, and a third connecting member (265c) extending from one end of the second connecting member (265b) toward the rear of the case (267) at a height lower than that of the second connecting member (265b).

[0087] In the left door connecting portion (265), the other end of the first connecting member (265a) passes through the first case hole (2671) and contacts one side of the left door (10a). Alternatively, a first plate (271) may be attached to the other end of the first connecting member (265a). When the left door (10a) is in a closed state, the first plate (271) contacts the inner surface of the left door (10a). The first plate (271) may have the shape of the first case hole (2671).

[0088] In the left door connection portion (265), a third connecting member (265c) may have a first guide hole (265H) formed on one side to guide the rotation of the rotating body (263). A first elastic member (262) is connected between the end of the third connecting member (265c) and one side of the rear wall of the case (267).

[0089] This left door connecting part (265) can move forward by the elasticity of the first elastic member (262) by the release of the first connecting member (265a) when the left door (10a) is opened.

[0090] The right door connecting portion (266) is received in the case (267) and moves in the forward and backward directions according to the opening and closing of the right door (10b). The right door connecting portion (266) includes a fourth connecting member (266a) extending from the front of the case (267) toward the rear, and a fifth connecting member (266b) extending from one end of the fourth connecting member (266a) toward the left at a height higher than that of the fourth connecting member (266a).

[0091] In the right door connection portion (266), the other end of the fourth connecting member (266a) passes through the second case hole (2672) and contacts one side of the right door (10b). Alternatively, a second plate (272) may be fastened to the other end of the fourth connecting member (266a). A second guide hole (266H) is formed on one side of the fifth connecting member (266b) to guide the rotation of the rotating body (263). The second elastic member (261) is connected between the other side of the rear wall of the case (267) and the end of the fifth connecting member (266b).

[0092] This right door connecting part (266) can move forward by the elasticity of the second elastic member (261) by the release of the pressure of the fourth connecting member (266a) when the right door (10b) is opened.

[0093] The rotating body (263) is mounted in a mounting groove (267(H) formed on the bottom surface of the case (267). A left door connection part (265) is connected to one side of the rotating body (263), and a right door connection part (266) is connected to the other side of the rotating body (263). A sensor (264) for object detection is housed in the rotating body (263).

[0094] The rotating body (263) includes a side wall formed along the circumference of the circle, and a receiving space for accommodating the sensor (264) is formed through the side wall. A third guide hole (263H) for object detection by the sensor (264) is formed on the bottom surface of the rotating body (263). The sensor (264) can detect an object located below the front of the refrigerator through the third guide hole (263H).

[0095] A first flange (2631) is formed on one side of the rotating body (263), and a second flange (2632) is formed on the other side of the rotating body (263). A first guide projection (2631P) is formed upward from the first flange (2631) of the rotating body (263). A second guide projection (2632P) is formed downward from the second flange (2632) of the rotating body (263).

[0096] In the rotating body (263), the first guide projection (2631P) is fitted into the second guide hole (266H) of the right door connecting member (266). When the right door (10b) is opened, the right door connecting member (266) moves forward, and the first guide projection (2631P) of the rotating body (263) moves backward along the second guide hole (266H) of the right door connecting member (266). The second guide hole (266H) acts as a stopper for the first guide projection (2631P). That is, when the right door (10b) is opened, the rotating body (263) rotates only a certain angle toward the right, as the first guide projection (2631P) moves only by the length of the second guide hole (266H).

[0097] In the rotating body (263), the second guide projection (2632P) is fitted into the first guide hole (265H) of the left door connecting member (265). When the left door (10a) is opened, the left door connecting member (265) moves forward, and the second guide projection (2632P) of the rotating body (263) moves backward along the first guide hole (265H) of the left door connecting member (265). The first guide hole (265H) acts as a stopper for the second guide projection (2632P). That is, when the left door (10a) is opened, the rotating body (263) rotates only a certain angle toward the left because the second guide projection (2632P) moves only by the length of the first guide hole (265H).

[0098] In this way, the rotating body (263) of the sensor module (260) rotates so that the direction of the sensor (264) faces left or right depending on the opening of either the left door (10a) or the right door (10b).

[0099] For example, when the left door (10a) is opened, the rotating body (263) rotates to the left at a certain angle as the left door connecting member (265) moves forward, so that the direction of the sensor (264) faces the left side in front.

[0100] Additionally, when the right door (10b) is opened, the rotating body (263) rotates to the right at a certain angle as the right door connecting member (266) moves forward, so that the direction of the sensor (264) faces the right side in front.

[0101] Additionally, when both the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) are opened, the rotating body (263) causes both the left door connecting member (265) and the right door connecting member (266) to move forward, thereby causing the direction of the sensor (264) to face the front.

[0102] The present invention can avoid collisions between objects and the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) by applying a sensor capable of recognizing objects within the rotation radius of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) according to the application of automatic opening and closing operations of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b).

[0103] The present invention can detect an object when the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) are opened simultaneously or separately, thereby avoiding collisions between the object and the left door (10a) and the right door (10b).

[0104] The present invention can detect an object with a single sensor (264) even when the left door (10a) is opened, or the right door (10b) is opened, or both the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) are opened.

[0105] The present invention can rotate the sensor using an elastic member, such as a spring, without a separate motor module.

[0106] [Automatic Door Opening and Closing Control Method]

[0107] Hereinafter, with further reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a method for controlling the automatic opening and closing of a door in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The door described below will be described based on a first door (10a, 10b) in which a third sensor module (260) is placed in the upper area of ​​the cabinet (2).

[0108] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control method for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the refrigerator includes an input unit (220), a first sensor module (240), a door actuator (230), a second sensor module (250), a third sensor module (260), and a controller (210).

[0110] The controller (210) can receive an input signal from the input unit (220). Additionally, the controller (210) can receive a detection signal from at least one of the first sensor module (240), the second sensor module (250), and the third sensor module (260).

[0111] The controller (210) can activate the second sensor module (250) when an object is detected by the first sensor module (240). The controller (210) can control the door actuator (230) according to the detection signal of the second sensor module (250) to automatically open and close at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b).

[0112] The controller (210) can activate the third sensor module (260) when at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) is opened. The controller (210) can control the door actuator (230) according to the detection signal of the third sensor module (260) to perform an automatic opening or automatic closing operation of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b).

[0113] The controller (210) can control the door actuator (230) based on the distance from the object detected by the sensor (264) of the third sensor module (260) to perform an automatic opening or automatic closing operation of at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b).

[0114] The controller (210) can control the door actuator (230) to stop the automatic opening operation of at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) when an object is detected by the sensor (164) while at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) is automatically opening.

[0115] The controller (210) can control the door actuator (230) to perform an automatic opening operation of at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) when no object is detected for a certain period of time or longer while the automatic opening operation is stopped.

[0116] The controller (210) can control the door actuator (230) to stop the automatic closing operation of at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) when an object is detected while at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) is open.

[0117] The controller (210) can control the door actuator (230) to perform an automatic closing operation of at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) when no object is detected for a certain period of time or longer while the automatic closing operation is stopped.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 14, when the controller (210) receives a door opening signal (S110), it performs an automatic opening operation of at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) (S120). For example, the door opening signal may be a signal input through the input unit (220). Alternatively, the door opening signal may be a detection signal received from the second sensor module (250).

[0119] The controller (210) activates the third sensor module (260) by automatically opening at least one of the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) so that the third sensor module (260) begins object detection (S130). The sensor (264) of the third sensor module (260) rotates to the left when the left door (10a) opens to detect an object located on the left side of the front. Additionally, the sensor (264) of the third sensor module (260) rotates to the right when the right door (10b) opens to detect an object located on the right side of the front. Additionally, the sensor (264) of the third sensor module (260) detects an object located on the front side when both the left door (10a) and the right door (10b) open.

[0120] The controller (210) starts a time count from the time the door opens (S140). The controller (210) determines whether a reference time has elapsed (S150). If the reference time has elapsed, the controller (210) determines whether an object has been detected by the third sensor module (260) (S160).

[0121] The controller (210) stops the automatic door closing operation when an object is detected by the third sensor module (260) (S170). The controller (210) performs the automatic door closing operation when no object is detected by the third sensor module (260) (S180).

[0122] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cabinet forming a storage compartment; left and right doors disposed on the front of the cabinet and automatically opening and closing the front of the cabinet to both sides in a rotating manner; and a sensor module disposed on the inner upper surface of the cabinet and accommodating a sensor for object detection, which detects an object located on the left, right, or front of the cabinet when at least one of the left and right doors is opened through the sensor.

[0123] According to one embodiment, the sensor module may include a rotating body that rotates so that the direction of the sensor faces left or right depending on the opening of either the left or right door.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the rotating body can rotate so that the direction of the sensor faces left as the left door opens.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the rotating body can rotate so that the direction of the sensor faces to the right as the right door opens.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the rotating body may operate such that the direction of the sensor faces forward when both the left and right doors are opened.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the sensor module may include: a case comprising side walls and forming an internal receiving space through the side walls; a left door connecting part that is received in the case and moves in the forward and backward direction according to the opening and closing of the left door; a right door connecting part that is received in the case and moves in the forward and backward direction according to the opening and closing of the right door; a first elastic member connected between one side of the rear side wall of the case and the left door connecting part; a second elastic member connected between the other side of the rear side wall of the case and the right door connecting part; and a rotating body that is received in the case, has the left door connecting part and the right door connecting part connected to both sides, receives a sensor for detecting an object internally, and rotates at a certain angle in the left or right direction according to the opening of either the left door or the right door.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the case may have a mounting hole formed on the bottom surface to accommodate a rotating body, a first case hole formed on one side of the front wall to allow the left door connecting part to move in the front-rear direction, and a second case hole formed on the other side of the front wall to allow the right door connecting part to move in the front-rear direction.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the left door connecting member may include a first connecting member extending from the front of the case toward the rear; a second connecting member extending toward the right from one end of the first connecting member; and a third connecting member extending toward the rear of the case at a height lower than that of the second connecting member from one end of the second connecting member.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the other end of the first connecting member may pass through the first case hole and contact one side of the left door, and the third connecting member may have a first guide hole formed on one side to guide the rotation of the rotating body.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the right door connecting member may include a fourth connecting member extending from the front of the case toward the rear; and a fifth connecting member extending from one end of the fourth connecting member toward the left at a height higher than that of the fourth connecting member.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the other end of the fourth connecting member may pass through the second case hole and contact one side of the right door, and the fifth connecting member may have a second guide hole formed on one side to guide the rotation of the rotating body.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the rotating body may include a side wall formed along the circumference of a circle, a receiving space for accommodating a sensor may be formed through the side wall, and a third guide hole for object detection by the sensor may be formed on the bottom surface.

[0134] According to one embodiment, first and second flanges may be formed on both sides of the side wall, a first guide projection may be formed upward from the first flange, and a second guide projection may be formed downward from the second flange, the first guide projection may be fitted into a second guide hole of the right door connecting member, and the second guide projection may be fitted into a first guide hole of the left door connecting member.

[0135] According to one embodiment, the sensor module may further include a first plate having the shape of a second case hole formed on the front of the case and fastened to one end of a left door connecting part that contacts the left door; and a second plate having the shape of a third case hole formed on the front of the case and fastened to one end of a right door connecting part that contacts the right door.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may further include a controller that controls the automatic opening or automatic closing operation of at least one of the left and right doors based on the distance from an object detected by a sensor.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the controller may stop controlling the automatic opening operation if an object is detected by the sensor while at least one of the left and right doors is automatically opening.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the controller can control the automatic opening operation if no object is detected for a certain period of time or longer while the automatic opening operation is stopped.

[0139] According to one embodiment, the controller may stop controlling the automatic closing operation when an object is detected while at least one of the left and right doors is open.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the controller can control the automatic closing operation if no object is detected for a certain period of time or longer while the automatic closing operation is stopped.

[0141] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described while explaining the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural to acknowledge that the effects predictable by said configuration should also be recognized.

Claims

1. A cabinet forming a storage room; Left and right doors positioned at the front of the cabinet and automatically opening and closing the front of the cabinet to both sides in a rotating manner; and It includes a sensor module disposed on the inner upper surface of the cabinet and accommodating a sensor for object detection, and detecting an object located on the left, right, or front of the cabinet when at least one of the left and right doors is opened through the sensor. The above sensor module is a refrigerator comprising a rotating body that rotates so that the direction of the sensor faces left or right depending on the opening of either the left or right door.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned rotating body is a refrigerator in which the direction of the sensor faces left as the left door opens.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned rotating body is a refrigerator in which the direction of the sensor faces to the right as the right door opens.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above-described rotating body is a refrigerator in which the direction of the sensor faces forward when both the left and right doors are opened.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above sensor module is A case including side walls and forming an internal receiving space through the side walls; A left door connecting part that is accommodated in the above case and moves in the forward and backward directions according to the opening and closing of the left door; A right door connecting part that is accommodated in the above case and moves in the forward and backward directions according to the opening and closing of the right door; A first elastic member connected between one side of the rear wall of the above case and the left door connection part; A second elastic member connected between the other side of the rear wall of the above case and the right door connection part; and A refrigerator comprising a rotating body that is housed in the above case, has the left door connecting part and the right door connecting part connected to both sides, houses an object detection sensor inside, and rotates at a certain angle to the left or right depending on the opening of either the left door or the right door.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above case is, A mounting hole is formed on the bottom surface to accommodate the above-mentioned rotating body, and A first case hole is formed on one side of the front wall, through which the left door connecting part moves in the front-rear direction, and A refrigerator in which a second case hole is formed on the other side of the front wall, through which the right door connecting part moves in the front-rear direction.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above-mentioned left door connection part is, A first connecting member extending from the front to the rear of the above case; A second connecting member extending toward the right from one end of the first connecting member; and It includes a third connecting member extending toward the rear of the case at a height lower than that of the second connecting member from one end of the second connecting member, and The other end of the first connecting member penetrates the first case hole and contacts one side of the left door, and The above third connecting member is a refrigerator having a first guide hole formed on one side to guide the rotation of the rotating body.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above right door connection part is, A fourth connecting member extending from the front to the rear of the above case; and It includes a fifth connecting member extending toward the left at a height higher than that of the fourth connecting member from one end of the fourth connecting member, and The other end of the fourth connecting member penetrates the second case hole and contacts one side of the right door, and The above-mentioned fifth connecting member is a refrigerator having a second guide hole formed on one side to guide the rotation of the rotating body.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above rotating body It includes a side wall formed along the circumference of a circle, and a receiving space for accommodating the sensor is formed through the side wall. A third guide hole for object detection of the sensor is formed on the bottom surface, and First and second flanges are formed on both sides of the above side wall, and A first guide projection is formed upwardly on the first flange, and A second guide projection is formed downward from the second flange above, and The first guide projection is fitted into the second guide hole of the right door connecting member, and The above second guide projection is fitted into the first guide hole of the above left door connecting member.

10. In Paragraph 8, The above sensor module is, A first plate having the shape of the first case hole formed on the front surface of the case and fastened to one end of the left door connecting part that contacts the left door; and A refrigerator having the shape of the second case hole formed on the front of the case and further comprising a second plate fastened to one end of the right door connecting part that contacts the right door.

11. In Paragraph 1, A refrigerator further comprising a controller that controls an automatic opening or automatic closing operation of at least one of the left and right doors based on the distance from an object detected by the sensor.

12. In Paragraph 11, A refrigerator in which the controller stops the control of the automatic opening operation when an object is detected by the sensor while at least one of the left and right doors is automatically opening.

13. In Paragraph 12, A refrigerator in which the above controller performs control of the automatic opening operation when no object is detected for a certain period of time or longer while the automatic opening operation is stopped.

14. In Paragraph 11, A refrigerator in which the controller stops controlling the automatic closing operation when an object is detected while at least one of the left and right doors is open.

15. In Paragraph 14, A refrigerator in which the above controller performs control of the automatic closing operation when no object is detected for a certain period of time or longer while the automatic closing operation has stopped.

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