Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice maker and a method for making ice, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator and an ice making method. According to an ice maker and an ice making method, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator. In addition, since a portion of refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator is used for making ice, no additional energy is required for making ice, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator. An ice maker according to the present invention comprises a tray for storing a drinkable water to be used for making ice, an ejector for separating ice formed in the tray, an ice-making pipe provided in the tray, and a heating member provided in the tray. According to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof according to the present invention, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercooling recognition method and a supercooling apparatus which can rapidly and precisely judge whether a stored object is maintained in a supercooled state on the basis of a temperature thereof. A supercooling recognition method according to the present invention includes the steps of: cooling a stored object to below a temperature of a maximum ice crystal formation zone thereof; and judging whether the stored object is maintained in a supercooled state on the basis of a temperature thereof during the cooling step.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a control method of the refrigerator are discussed. According to an embodiment, a control method of a refrigerator connected to an electric power management network comprises steps of receiving power-rate information via the electric power management network; setting an over-cooling period and a power-saving period based on the received power-rate information; controlling at east one storage chamber to be over-cooled by over-cooling cold air during the over-cooling period; and controlling the other storage chamber to be over-cooled by the over-cooled cold air during the power-saving period. According to the present invention, the functions of the refrigerator are provided with minimal use of electricity and/or with reduced electricity charges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a degassing container of the refrigerator which compulsorily degass a portion of air inside a space where foods are stored to the outside by a degassing means together with deformation of a gasket when a door is closely adhered. The present invention includes a degassing container of a refrigerator comprising a case whose one side is opened; a door which shields the opened one side of the case selectively; a gasket interposed between the door and case and elastically deformed to be closely adhered when the door is shielded; a degassing means provided on the door and exhausting air inside the case to the outside when the gasket is compressively deformed; and a release means provided on the door and flowing external air into an inner side of the case when the door is opened. According to the present invention, the storage performance is improved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator which can store foodstuffs like vegetables in a fresh state, restrain reduction of nutritive elements contained in foodstuffs, and prevent damage of irradiation device. The refrigerator includes a main body, a storage chamber which is provided in the main body to store foodstuffs, and an irradiation device which irradiates light within a visible light region into the storage chamber. The refrigerator farther includes a reflection member which is mounted to the storage chamber to reflect the light emitted from the irradiation device, and a transforming member which transforms the light emitted from the irradiation device into a side light type.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for supercooling and a method of maMng slush thr?gh supercooling which generate a supercooled liquid by supplying cool air and energy, control the state of the supercooled liquid, store and supply the supercooled liquid, generate slush by applying an external force to the supercooled liquid, maintain the state of the slush, and supply the slush.

Abstract: A terminal is provided, the terminal comprising: a display unit configured to display information that is processed; a user input unit configured to input information on amount of carbon emission; a storage stored with information on the amount of carbon emission inputted through the user input unit and a program for calculating the amount of carbon emission; and a controller configured to calculate the amount of carbon emission based on usage of carbon emission and to display the amount of carbon emission on the display unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted. The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber, a door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a container provided in the door to store ice therein, and a cold heat storage member surrounding the container. According to the refrigerator of the present invention constructed as above, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is melted and stuck together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a cold air flow passage structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted. The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber and a cold air flow passage for supplying cold air to the refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating chamber door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a shelf provided in the refrigerating chamber, and a container provided in the refrigerating chamber door to store ice therein, wherein the cold air flow passage extends forward along the shelf so that cold air is discharged to the container. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is partially melted and stuck again together.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator including a liquid, cool air supplied to supercool the liquid, and a preventing means for preventing the liquid from existing as a solid phase, and a method of operating the refrigerator. The preventing means is at least one of an energy generator for supplying energy to the liquid supplied with the cool air to maintain the liquid in the supercooled state, a restricting member for interrupting the motion of the liquid, and a heater for converting the liquid converted into a solid phase into the liquid.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator and a method for making ice are provided. The ice maker includes an ice-making tray configured to be disposed at one side of a refrigerating chamber, that stores water to be used to make ice, and an ice-making pipe that freezes the water stored in the ice-making tray. In an ice-releasing process, the ice-making tray is instantly heated by applying power thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a degassing container of the refrigerator which compulsorily degass a portion of air inside a space where foods are stored to the outside by a degassing means together with deformation of a gasket when a door is closely adhered. The present invention includes a degassing container of a refrigerator comprising a case whose one side is opened; a door which shields the opened one side of the case selectively; a gasket interposed between the door and case and elastically deformed to be closely adhered when the door is shielded; a degassing means provided on the door and exhausting air inside the case to the outside when the gasket is compressively deformed; and a release means provided on the door and flowing external air into an inner side of the case when the door is opened. According to the present invention, the storage performance is improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted. The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber, a door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a container provided in the door to store ice therein, and a cold heat storage member surrounding the container. According to the refrigerator of the present invention constructed as above, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is melted and stuck together.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for supercooling and a method of operating the same which can solve supercooling release of a supercooled space and prevent external exposure of energy such as an electric field. The apparatus for supercooling includes a space cooled by cool air, for maintaining an inside object in a supercooled state by supply of energy preventing the object from being converted into a solid phase, a sensing unit for sensing supercooling release of the space or the object, and a heater engaged with the sensing unit, for applying heat to the space or the object.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a bypass pipe, and a valve device. The condenser condenses refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and the expansion valve expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve, and the bypass pipe allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to move toward an inlet of the evaporator. The valve device allows the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to selectively move toward the bypass pipe or the condenser. The valve device comprises an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the inlet. The refrigerant is discharged toward the condenser through the first outlet, and is discharged toward the bypass pipe through the second outlet. The first outlet has a diameter larger than that of the second outlet.

Abstract: A Kimchi refrigerator that applies cold shock to Kimchi stored therein at predetermined time intervals, while a keeping mode is performed, so as to improve the taste of the Kimchi, wherein the time intervals are changed, and a control method of the same are disclosed. The Kimchi refrigerator includes a cooling system to cool the interior of the refrigerator in which Kimchi is stored, and a control unit to control the cooling system to perform a cold shock operation in which the interior of the refrigerator is cooled to a cold shock temperature lower than a keeping temperature at predetermined time intervals, for a predetermined period of time, while a keeping mode is performed. The control unit changes the time intervals.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a control method of the refrigerator are discussed. According to an embodiment, a control method of a refrigerator connected to an electric power management network comprises steps of receiving power-rate information via the electric power management network; setting an over-cooling period and a power-saving period based on the received power-rate information; controlling at east one storage chamber to be over-cooled by over-cooling cold air during the over-cooling period; and controlling the other storage chamber to be over-cooled by the over-cooled cold air during the power-saving period. According to the present invention, the functions of the refrigerator are provided with minimal use of electricity and/or with reduced electricity charges.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a valve assembly located at a refrigerant path from a condenser to at least one expansion valve for controlling flow of a refrigerant from the condenser to the at least one expansion valve. The valve assembly includes a valve chamber, wherein the refrigerant drawn from the condenser is held in the valve chamber; at least one outlet hole through which the refrigerant held in the valve chamber is discharged to a corresponding outlet path connected to the at least one expansion valve; and a valve body for selectively opening and closing the at least one outlet hole as the valve body rotates, such that the refrigerant held in the valve chamber is selectively discharged to the corresponding outlet path.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided having a user avatar display function which can store avatars of each user, identify users, and display the avatars corresponding to the identified users. The refrigerator includes a photographing device that photographs images of users, a storing device that stores user information for identifying the users and avatar information having avatars corresponding to the users and/or user information, a display that displays the avatars, and a controller that reads the user information, compares the user information with the images of the users photographed by the photographing device, reads the avatar information according to the comparison result, and displays the avatars of the users included in the read avatar information on the display.