REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A refrigerator capable of having a storage compartment configured for a converted use as a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment includes a refrigerating compartment; a converting compartment configured for a variable use among freezing, refrigerating, and off; a cold air flow supplying apparatus having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expanding valve, a draft fan, a cold air flow supplying apparatus; a converting damper apparatus installed at the converting compartment discharging flow path for controlling the supply of the cold air flow to the converting compartment; and a refrigerating compartment damper apparatus installed at the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path for controlling the supply of the cold air flow to the refrigerating compartment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0081383, filed on Aug. 16, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to a refrigerator having a storage compartment configured for a converted use as a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus configured for keeping food fresh by using a cold air flow generated from a cooling cycle. A storage compartment of the refrigerator is divided into a refrigerating compartment configured to keep food refrigerated by maintaining the temperature at approximately 3° C., and a freezing compartment configured to keep food frozen by maintaining the temperature at approximately −20° C.

The amount of the food stored in the refrigerating compartment is generally more than the amount of the food stored in the freezing compartment, and therefore, the refrigerating compartment is configured to be provided with a larger size than the freezing compartment. Also, because the refrigerating compartment is more frequently accessed, the refrigerating compartment is provided at a lower portion of the refrigerator while the freezing compartment is provided at an upper portion of the refrigerator.

A cold air flow supply system of such refrigerator may be composed of in various methods. For example, a method to control the temperature of the freezing compartment at below 0° C. and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment above 0° C. by installing a damper apparatus at a cold air flow supply path for the refrigerating compartment and by adequately opening/closing the damper apparatus, while supplying the cold air flow generated from a single evaporating apparatus, is used.

Also, a refrigerator having the freezing compartment converted to the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment turned off for a use may be considered, and an example of such a refrigerator has been suggested in Korean patent publication No. 10-2010-0076089.

According to the publication above, a refrigerator is provided with the damper apparatus configured to control the supply of the cold air flow to the freezing compartment and a means for heating the freezing compartment. This refrigerator is configured to limit the cold air flow supply to the freezing compartment by the use of the damper apparatus in order to convert the freezing compartment to the refrigerating compartment, and at the same time, to heat up the freezing compartment. However, this method consumes additional energy, thereby increasing costs.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect to provide a refrigerator which is configured to convert a freezing compartment to a refrigerating compartment or to turn off the freezing compartment, and a control method thereof.

It is an aspect to provide a refrigerator which is configured to convert a freezing compartment to a refrigerating compartment or to turn off the freezing compartment without having the need for additional energy, and a control method thereof.

It is an aspect to provide a refrigerator which includes a damper apparatus at a cold air flow supply path to be installed for the freezing compartment while avoiding the decrease of a storage space.

It is an aspect to provide a refrigerator which includes the damper apparatus at the cold air flow supply path to be easily installed for the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment

It is an aspect to provide a control method of the refrigerator in preventing frost from forming at the cold air flow supply path for the freezing compartment in a case that the freezing compartment is converted to the refrigerating compartment or turned off.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

In accordance with one aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment; a converting compartment provided at an upper side of the refrigerating compartment while configured to have a smaller size than the refrigerating compartment and configured for a variable use among freezing, refrigerating, and turned off; a cold air flow supplying apparatus having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expanding valve, a draft fan, a cold air flow supplying apparatus having a converting compartment discharging flow path configured to guide a cold air flow generated from the evaporator to the converting compartment and a refrigerating compartment discharging flow path configured to guide the cold air flow generated from the evaporator to the refrigerating compartment; a converting damper apparatus installed at the converting compartment discharging flow path for controlling the supply of the cold air flow to the converting compartment; and a refrigerating compartment damper apparatus installed at the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path for controlling the supply of the cold air flow to the refrigerating compartment, and where the compressor is configured to operate depending on whether the temperature of the converting compartment is at the freezing temperature in a case that the converting compartment is for freezing, and the compressor is configured to operate depending on whether the temperature of the converting compartment is at a refrigerating temperature in a case that the converting compartment is for refrigerating or turned off.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is for freezing, the converting compartment damper apparatus maintains an open state, and the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus may be open or shut depending on whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature.

In addition, in a case that the converting compartment is for refrigerating, the converting compartment damper apparatus may be open or shut depending on whether the temperature of the converting compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, and the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus may be able to maintain an open state.

In addition, in a case that the converting compartment is turned off, the converting compartment damper apparatus maintains a shut-off state, and the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus may be able to maintain the open state.

In addition, in a case that the converting compartment is either refrigerating or turned off, the converting compartment damper apparatus is intermittently open regardless of the temperature of the converting compartment, and a fluidization may be generated at the converting compartment damper apparatus by operating the draft fan.

In addition, in a case of a defrosting cycle of the evaporator or after the defrosting cycle, the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus may be open and the evaporator may be cooled off by operating the draft fan.

In addition, the converting compartment may be provided with a thicker insulation wall than the refrigerating compartment.

In addition, the cold air flow supplying apparatus is configured to divide the converting compartment into a front storage space and a cold air flow generating compartment at which the evaporator is disposed, and may further include a duct unit at which a distributing flow path, which is configured to distribute the cold air flow generated at the cold air flow generating compartment inside to the converting compartment discharging flow path and to the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path, is formed.

Here, the converting compartment discharging flow path may include a rear path formed at the rear of the duct unit and a penetrating flow path configured to penetrate the duct unit in order to connect the rear path and the storage space.

Here, the converting compartment damper apparatus may be installed at the rear path.

In addition, the rear path may be positioned at one side of the evaporator.

The draft fan may include a radial flow fan.

In accordance with another aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment; a converting compartment configured to have a smaller size than the refrigerating compartment and configured for a variable use among freezing, refrigerating, and turned off; a duct unit configured to divide the converting compartment into a front storage space and a rear cold air flow generating compartment; an evaporator disposed at the cold air flow generating compartment; a compressor configured to form a cooling cycle along with the evaporator and operate the cooling cycle; a draft fan configured to forcedly fluidize a cold air flow; a distributing flow path formed at the inside of the duct unit for distributing the cold air flow generated at the cold air flow generating compartment to the storing space and the refrigerating compartment; a converting compartment discharging flow path configured to guide the cold air flow from the distributing flow path to the storing space; a refrigerating compartment discharging flow path configured to guide the cold air flow from the distributing flow path to the refrigerating compartment; a converting compartment damper apparatus installed at the converting compartment discharging flow path for controlling the supply of the cold air flow to the converting compartment; and where the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus installed at the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path for controlling the supply of the cold air flow to the refrigerating compartment, and the operating time of the compressor is determined by the temperature of the converting compartment in a case that the converting compartment is for freezing, and the operating time of the compressor is determined by the temperature of the refrigerating compartment in a case that the converting compartment is for refrigerating or turned off.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is for freezing, the compressor may be operated until the temperature of the converting compartment is at the freezing temperature.

In addition, in a case that the converting compartment is for freezing, the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus may be shut off when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature.

In addition, in a case that the converting compartment is for refrigerating or turned off, the compressor may be operated until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature.

In accordance with an aspect, a control method of a refrigerator having a refrigerating compartment, a converting compartment configured for a variable use, an evaporator, a compressor, a draft fan configured to forcedly fluidize a cold air flow, a converting compartment discharging flow path configured to guide the cold air flow to the converting compartment, a refrigerating compartment discharging flow path configured to guide the cold air flow to the refrigerating compartment, a converting compartment damper apparatus installed at the converting compartment discharging flow path, and where the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus installed at the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path, depending on the use of the converting compartment, selectively determines the operating time of the compressor according to the temperature of the converting compartment, or determines the operating time of the compressor according to the temperature of the refrigerating compartment.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is for freezing, the refrigerator determines whether the temperature of the converting compartment is at the freezing temperature, and if the temperature is at the freezing temperature, the operation of the compressor may be stopped.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is for freezing, the refrigerator determines whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is reached at the refrigerating temperature, and if the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, the refrigerating damper apparatus may be shut off.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is for refrigerating, the refrigerator determines whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, and if the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, the operation of the compressor may be stopped.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is for refrigerating, the refrigerator determines whether the temperature of the converting compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, and if the temperature of the converting compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, the operation of the compressor may be stopped.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is turned off, the refrigerator determines whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, and if the temperature of the refrigerating compartment is at the refrigerating temperature, the operation of the compressor may be stopped.

Here, in a case that the converting compartment is for refrigerating or turned off, the converting compartment damper apparatus is shut off for a prescribed time and at a prescribed interval while a fluidization may be generated at the converting compartment discharging flow path by operating the draft fan.

In addition, in a case of a defrosting cycle of the evaporator or after the defrosting cycle, the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus may be open and the evaporator may be cooled off by operating the draft fan before re-operating the compressor.

In accordance with the aspect, a freezing compartment may be converted to a refrigerating compartment or be turned off while having no additional consumption of energy and, at the same time, securing the storage space of the refrigerating compartment to the maximum.

In addition, a damper apparatus may be easily installed at a freezing compartment discharging flow path.

In addition, in a case that the freezing compartment is converted to the refrigerating compartment or turned off, frost forming at the freezing compartment discharging flow path may be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an inside structure of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a structure of a converting compartment having a duct unit of a refrigerator of FIG. 1 separated in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a duct unit of the refrigerator of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a duct unit of a refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective rear view of the duct unit of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a separating panel of the duct unit of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a control method in a case that a converting compartment of a refrigerator is used for a freezing purpose in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a control method in a case that a converting compartment of a refrigerator is used for a refrigerating purpose in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a control method in a case that a converting compartment of a refrigerator is used for an off purpose in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an inside structure of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a structure of a converting compartment having a duct unit of a refrigerator of FIG. 1 separated in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator 1 includes a converting compartment 13 which is normally used for a freezing purpose. However, the converting compartment 13 is configured to also have a variable use for a refrigerating purpose or a turned off purpose, and the refrigerator 1 also includes a body 10 having a refrigerating compartment 14 formed at a lower side of the converting compartment 13. Each of the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14 is formed in a shape of having an open front surface, and the open front surface may be opened or closed by a converting compartment door 17 and a refrigerator door 18 that are hinge-coupled to the body 10.

The converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14 are divided by a mid wall 16, and an insulator is foamed at an inside of the mid wall 16, thereby a heat exchange is prevented between the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14.

The converting compartment 13 is provided to have a smaller size than the refrigerating compartment 14, where a shelf 19 may be installed at an inside. A temperature sensor (not shown) is provided at an inside of each of the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14.

The body 10 is composed of an inner case 11 configured to form the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14, an outer case 12 coupled to an outer side of the inner case 11 and configured to form an exterior of the refrigerator 1, and an insulation wall 25 formed while the insulator is foamed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12.

Here, the converting compartment 13 is normally used for the freezing purpose, and therefore, having a thicker insulation wall 25 is preferred when compared to that of the refrigerating compartment 14.

A cold air flow supplying apparatus 26 having a compressor 41, a condenser (not shown), an evaporator 40, and a refrigerating pipe (not shown) is provided in order to supply a cold air flow to such converting compartment 13 and refrigerating compartment 14.

The compressor 41 is installed in a machinery room 43 provided at a lower portion of the body 10, and configured to compress the refrigerant with high pressure and high temperature using the rotary power of an electric motor, etc. by receiving supplied electric energy. The refrigerant compressed with the high temperature and high pressure is condensed while passing through the condenser (not shown) provided at the rear of the body 10, and becomes a liquid state having a low pressure and a low temperature while passing though an expanding valve (not shown).

The evaporator 40 evaporates the liquid refrigerant having a low pressure and a low temperature passed through the expanding valve (not shown), and generates a cold air flow by cooling the surrounding air. The refrigerant that is completely evaporated is supplied to the compressor again for a cooling cycle to circulate. In addition, the evaporator 40 may be provided with a heating apparatus for a defrosting purpose (not shown).

Meanwhile, the evaporator 40 may be disposed at the rear of the converting compartment 13. Because FIG. 2 illustrates a state that a duct unit 30, which is to be described later, is separated from the converting compartment 13, as illustrated on FIG. 2, a settling unit 20 which is concaved toward a rear is formed at the rear inner case 11 of the converting compartment 13 in order for the evaporator 40 to be installed, thereby enabling the evaporator 40 being installed at the settling unit 20. At this time, the evaporator 40 is installed in a way of leaning toward one side direction from the settling unit 20 so that a rear flow path 72, which is to be described later, may be disposed at another side direction 15 of the settling unit 20.

Therefore, although to be described, by having a rear flow path 72, at which the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 is installed, disposed at one side direction of the evaporator 40, the storage space of the converting compartment 13 being reduced may be prevented.

Although not illustrated, the evaporator 40 may be disposed at approximately one fourth below the converting compartment 13 in order for the cold air flow generated from the evaporator 40 to be directly fluidized to the refrigerating compartment 14 without passing through the duct unit 30. In this case, without operating the draft fan 42, the cold air flow may be directly fluidized from the evaporator 40 to the refrigerating compartment 14, and thereby the temperature control is possible and the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 may be at the refrigerating temperature at a faster rate.

Meanwhile, the compressor 41, by compressing the refrigerant, pushes the refrigerant toward the condenser (not shown), and operates a cooling cycle which consists of a compression, a condensation, an expansion, and an evaporation. Therefore, when the compressor 41 is operated, the cold air flow generated at the evaporator 40 is supplied at the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14.

At this time, the reference value of the operating time of the compressor 41 may be determined depending on the use of the converting compartment 13.

That is, in a case that the converting compartment 13 is for freezing, the operating time of the compressor 41 is determined on the basis of the temperature of the converting compartment 13 as a reference value, and in a case that the converting compartment 13 is for refrigerating or turned off, the operating time of the compressor 41 is determined on the basis of the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 as a reference value.

In detail, in a case that the converting compartment 13 is for freezing, the compressor 41 is operated depending on whether the temperature of the converting compartment 13 is at the freezing temperature. In addition, in a case that the converting compartment 13 is for refrigerating, the compressor 41 is operated depending on whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 is at the refrigerating temperature.

Here, the refrigerating temperature is approximately 3° C. and the freezing temperature is approximately −20° C.

As described above, in a case that the converting compartment 13 is for refrigerating or turned off, by having the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 as the reference for the operating time of the compressor 41, the supply of the cold air flow to the converting compartment 13 through the converting compartment damper apparatus 80, which is to be described later, and therefore, the cold air flow is continued to be supplied until the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 reaches the refrigerating temperature.

Meanwhile, the cold air flow supplying apparatus 26 further includes a distributing flow path 60 configured to distribute the cold air flow generated at the evaporator 40 to the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14, a converting compartment discharging flow path 70 configured to guide the cold air flow to the converting compartment 13, a refrigerating compartment discharging flow path 71 configured to guide the cold air flow to the refrigerating compartment, and an inlet flow path 74 to which the discharged cold air flow returns.

Inlets 22 and 24, which are configured to guide the cold air flow discharged from each of the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14 to the inlet flow path 74, are formed at the bottom surface of the converting compartment 13 and at the upper surface of the refrigerating compartment 14, respectively, and a discharging hole 21 at which the cold air flow guided through the converting compartment discharging flow path 70 is formed at the rear of the converting compartment 13. At least one or more of a discharging hole 23 is vertically formed at the rear surface of the refrigerating compartment 14 at regular intervals for the cold air flow guided through the converting compartment discharging flow path 70.

In addition, the cold air flow supplying apparatus 26 further includes the duct unit 30 configured to divide the converting compartment 13 into a storage space 51 at the front and a cold air flow generating compartment 50 at the rear.

The duct unit 30 forms the distributing flow path 60 at the inside while dividing the converting compartment 13. The structure of the duct unit 30, the distributing flow path 60, and the converting compartment discharging flow path 70 will be explained hereafter.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a duct unit of the refrigerator of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a duct unit of a refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the duct unit of FIG. 5 from a rear, and FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a separating panel of the duct unit of FIG. 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, the duct unit is composed of a separating panel 31, a front surface cover 32 coupled to the front of the separating panel 31, and a rear surface cover 33 coupled to the rear surface of the separating panel 31.

The separating panel 31 and the front surface cover 32 form the distributing flow path 60 having the shape of a scroll in between the separating panel 31 and the front surface cover 32. An entry 61, a first exit 62, and a second exit 63 of the distributing flow path 60 are provided to penetrate through the separating panel 31.

A draft fan 42 is installed at the entry 61 of the distributing flow path 60 to enforce the fluidity of the cold air flow. A radial flow fan, which is capable of discharging the cold air flow toward the circumferential direction in order for the cold air flow taken in from the cold air flow generating compartment 50 to be supplied to a first scroll unit 64 and a second scroll unit 65, is preferred to be the draft fan 42. The first scroll unit 64 and the second scroll unit 65 are divaricated at a point 66 which is provided at a prescribed interval from the entry 61 of the cold air flow generating compartment 50.

Therefore, the cold air flow blown in through the entry 61 of the cold air flow generating compartment 50 is either discharged through the first exit 62 after moving along the first scroll unit 64 while having the point 66 as the reference, or is discharged through the second exit 63 after moving along the second scroll unit 65.

The cold air flow discharged through the second exit 63 is guided to the refrigerating compartment 14 by the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path 71, and is discharged to the inside of the refrigerating compartment 14 through the discharging hole 23.

In addition, the cold air flow discharged through the first exit 62 is guided to the storage space 51 of the converting compartment 13 by the converting compartment discharging flow path 70, and the converting compartment discharging flow path 70 is composed of the rear flow path 71 and the penetrating flow path 73.

An opening 67 other than the entry 61 of the distributing flow path 60, and the first exit 62 is formed at the separating panel 31, and the opening 67, together with the discharging hole 21 formed at the front cover 32, forms the penetrating flow path 73 which penetrates the duct unit 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a flow path generating unit 34 is configured to protrude at the rear surface portion of the separating panel 31 in order for the rear flow path 71, which funnels the first exit 62 of the distributing flow path 60 with the opening 67, to be formed. The flow path generating unit 34 includes the rear flow path 72 of the upper side from the center and a compartment unit 35 configured to divide the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path 71 of the lower side from the center.

In addition, the flow path generating unit 34 is provided having the rear surface open, and the rear surface cover 33 is coupled to the rear surface of the flow path generating unit 34 to close the rear surface of the flow path generating unit 34.

Therefore, by having the flow path generating unit 34 and the rear surface cover 33 coupled, the penetrating flow path 73 configured to funnel the first exit 62 of the distributing flow path 30 with the opening 67 may be formed. At this time, the second exit 63 of the distributing flow path 30 is funneled to the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path 71 of the lower side.

A converting compartment damper apparatus 80 may be installed at the rear flow path 72. The converting compartment damper apparatus 80 is configured to control the amount of the flow while being installed on the flow path, and is composed of a housing 82 having a cold air flow passing hole 85, an open/close panel 83 rotatably installed at the housing 82 to open/close the cold air flow passing hole 85, and an operating motor unit 84 configured to provide a rotating force to the open/close panel 83.

Therefore, by opening/closing the rear flow path 72 as the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 is installed on the rear flow path 72, the flow amount of the cold air flow passing through the rear flow path 72 may be controlled.

Having such structure, the converting compartment damper apparatus 80, as previously explained, may be positioned at one side surface of the rear evaporator 40 of the duct unit 30, and therefore, the storage space 51 of the converting compartment 13 may be maximized.

Meanwhile, before the rear surface cover 33 is coupled to the separating panel 31, the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 may be inserted at the inside of the front surface cover 32 and fixed to the separating panel 31 by using a fastening member such as a screw or adhesive, for example. By then coupling the rear surface cover 33 at the separating panel 31, the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 may be easily installed at the inside of the penetrating flow path 73.

A refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81 configured to control the flow amount of the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path 71 as well is composed of a same structure, and may be installed at the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path 71 by using the same method. The explanation for such will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a control method in a case that a converting compartment of a refrigerator is used for a freezing purpose in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a control method in a case that a converting compartment of a refrigerator is used for a refrigerating purpose in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a control method in a case that a converting compartment of a refrigerator is used for an off purpose in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

By referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, a control method of the refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained.

The refrigerator 1, depending on the use of the converting compartment 13, selectively determines the operating time of the compressor 41 according to the temperature of the converting compartment 13, or determines the operating time of the compressor 13 according to the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in a case that the converting compartment 13 is set for freezing, the cooling of the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14 is started (100) by opening the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 and the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81, and by operating the compressor 41.

While the cooling is in process, the refrigerator 1 determines (110) whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 is at the refrigerating temperature, and when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 is at the refrigerating temperature, the supply of the cold air flow to the refrigerating compartment 14 is shut off (120) by closing the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81.

At this time, the compressor 41 continues to operate, and the supply of the cold air flow to the converting compartment 13 is continued. The refrigerator 1 (130) determines whether the temperature of the converting compartment 13 is at the freezing temperature, and the cooling is stopped (140) by discontinuing the operation of the compressor 41 when the temperature of the converting compartment 13 is at the freezing temperature.

As such, the converting compartment 13 may be used for the freezing purpose, and the refrigerating compartment 14 may be used for the refrigerating purpose.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in a case that the converting compartment 13 is set for refrigerating, the cooling of the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14 is started (200) by opening the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 and the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81, and by operating the compressor 41.

Here, since the converting compartment 13 is provided with a larger and thicker insulation wall 25 than the refrigerating compartment 14, the converting compartment 13 reaches the refrigerating temperature before the refrigerating compartment 14.

Therefore, while the cooling is in process, the refrigerator 1 first determines (210) whether the temperature of the converting compartment 13 is at the refrigerating temperature, and when the temperature of the converting compartment 13 is at the refrigerating temperature, the supply of the cold air flow to the converting compartment 13 is shut off (220) by closing the converting compartment damper apparatus 81.

At this time, the compressor 41 is continued to operate, and continues to cool the refrigerating compartment 14. Therefore, the refrigerator 1 determines (230) during the cooling process whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 is at the refrigerating temperature, and when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 is at the refrigerating temperature, the operation of the compressor 41 is stopped (240).

As such, the converting compartment 13 and the refrigerating compartment 14 may be used for the refrigerating purpose.

Meanwhile, when the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 is closed and the compressor 41 continues to operate to cool the refrigerating compartment 14, frost may form at the converting compartment discharging flow path 70 due to the temperature difference.

Therefore, in order to prevent the frost from forming at the converting compartment discharging flow path 70, the cold air flow is circulated to the converting compartment discharging flow path 70 by intermittently opening the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 even in a case that the temperature of the converting compartment 13 is already at the refrigerating temperature.

As illustrated on FIG. 10, in a case that the use of the converting compartment 13 is set to be turned off, the cooling of the refrigerating compartment 14 is started (300) by operating the compressor 41 in a state that the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 is closed and the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81 is open.

The refrigerator 1 determines (310) during the cooling process whether the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 is at the refrigerating temperature, and when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment 14 is at the refrigerating temperature, the operation of the compressor 41 is stopped (320).

As such, the converting compartment 13 is turned off, and the refrigerating compartment 14 may only be used.

Meanwhile, frost is prevented from forming at the converting compartment discharging flow path 70, while the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 is closed and the compressor 41 continues to operate to cool the refrigerating compartment 14, by circulating the cold air flow to the converting compartment discharging flow path 70 by intermittently opening the converting compartment damper apparatus 80, as previously explained.

Meanwhile, in a case that the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 and the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81 are both closed at the time of the defrost of the evaporator 14, the defrost heat is contained at the inside of the distributing flow path 60 in a state that the defrost heat is unable to spread outside. In such case, the refrigerant maintains at a state of a high pressure as the evaporator 14 is maintained at a high temperature, and thereby a defect due to an overload may occur when the compressor 41 is operated.

Thus, the evaporator 14 is cooled by opening the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81 and operating the draft fan 42 prior to operating the compressor 41 again after or at the time of the defrost process. In such case, in a case that the converting compartment damper apparatus 80 is open, frost may form at the converting compartment discharging flow path 70 due to the temperature difference, and therefore, the refrigerating compartment damper apparatus 81 is opened.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a body;

a first storage room and a second storage room compartmentally provided to each other at an inside of the body;

a compressor, an condenser, and a evaporator configured to compose a cooling cycle;

a first flow path and a second flow path configured to guide the cold air flow generated at the evaporator to the first storage room and the second storage room, respectively;

a draft fan configured to circulate the cold air flow generated from the evaporator;

a first cold air flow control apparatus and a second cold air flow control apparatus installed at the first flow path and the second flow path, respectively, and configured to control the supply of the cold air flow; and

a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the first storage room and the second storage room, wherein:

among a first mode configured to use the first storage room and the second storage room for freezing and refrigerating, respectively; a second mode for refrigerating and refrigerating, respectively; a third mode for off and refrigerating, respectively; one mode can be established, and

in a case that the first mode is established, the operation of the compressor is decided based on the temperature of the first storage room, and in a case that the second mode or the third mode is established, the operation of the compressor is decided based on the temperature of the second storage room.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein

in a case that the first mode is established, the compressor is operated until the temperature of the first storage room reaches a freezing temperature and stops when the temperature of the first storage room reaches a freezing temperature.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

in a case that the second mode or the third mode is established, the compressor is operated until the temperature of the second storage room reaches a refrigerating temperature and stops when the temperature of the second storage room reaches a refrigerating temperature.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

in a case that the first mode is established, the second cold air flow control apparatus shuts off the supply of the cold air flow to the second storage room when the temperature of the second storage room reaches the refrigerating temperature.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

in a case that the second mode is established, the first cold air flow control apparatus shuts off the supply of the cold air flow to the first storage room when the temperature of the first storage room reaches the refrigerating temperature.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

in a case that the third mode is established, the first cold air flow control apparatus shuts off the supply of the cold air flow to the first storage room.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

in a case that the second mode or the third mode is established, cold air flow is intermittently circulated at the first flow path to prevent frost from forming at the first flow path.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

in a case that the second mode or the third mode is established, cold air flow is circulated to at least one of either the first flow path or the second flow path to reduce the heat of the evaporator during or after the defrosting of the evaporator.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

the draft fan is a radial flow fan.

10. A refrigerator, comprising:

a body;

a refrigerating compartment provided at the inside of the body;

a converting compartment provided at the inside of the body and configured to be used as a freezing mode or a refrigerating mode, or be turned off;

a cold air flow supplying apparatus having an compressor, a condenser, an expanding valve, a draft fan, a converting compartment discharging flow path configured to guide the cold air flow generated at the evaporator to the converting compartment, and a refrigerating compartment discharging flow path configured to guide the cold air flow generated from the evaporator to the refrigerating compartment;

a converting compartment cold air flow control apparatus installed at the converting compartment discharging flow path to control the supply of the cold air flow to the converting compartment;

a refrigerating compartment cold air flow control apparatus installed at the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path to control the supply of the cold air flow to the refrigerating compartment; and

a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the refrigerating compartment and the converting compartment, wherein:

in a case that the converting compartment is used as the refrigerating mode or is turned off, the operation of the compressor is based on the temperature of the refrigerating compartment.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein:

the cold air flow supplying apparatus further comprises a duct unit configured to divide the converting compartment into a storage space at the front and the cold air flow generating compartment at the rear.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein:

a distributing flow path, which is configured to distribute the cold air flow generated at the cold air flow generating apparatus to the converting compartment discharging flow path and to the refrigerating compartment discharging flow path, is formed at the inside of the duct unit.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein:

the converting compartment discharging flow path comprises a rear flow path formed at the rear of the duct unit and a penetrating flow path connecting the rear flow path and the storage space after penetrating the duct unit.

14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein:

the cold air flow control apparatus is installed at the rear flow path.

15. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein:

the rear flow path is positioned at one side of the evaporator.

16. A refrigerator, comprising:

a body;

a plurality of storage rooms provided at the inside of the body;

a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator configured to compose a cooling cycle;

a first flow path and a second flow path configured to guide the cold air flow generated at the evaporator to each of the plurality of storage rooms;

a draft fan configured to circulate the cold air flow generated at the evaporator;

a cold air flow control apparatus installed on the plurality of flow paths and configured to control the supply of the cold air flow;

a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the storage room;

a mode establishing unit configured to establish one mode among a first mode configured to use the plurality of storage rooms for freezing and refrigerating, a second mode for refrigerating and refrigerating, respectively, and a third mode for off and refrigerating, respectively; and

a control unit configured to control the operation of the compressor according to the mode established through the mode establishing unit; and

the control unit, in a case that the first mode is established, the operation of the compressor is controlled based on one of the temperatures of the plurality of storage rooms, and in a case that the second mode or the third mode is established, the operation of the compressor is controlled based on one of the remaining temperatures of the plurality of storage rooms.