REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A refrigerator and a control method thereof are disclosed. A refrigerator is able to supply water preserved in a cool state to an ice maker. The refrigerator includes an ice-making chamber, an icemaker provided in the ice-making chamber, a dispenser for dispensing water, and a water tank connected to the dispenser and the icemaker. The water tank stores water in a cool state.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0043125, filed on May 18, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND

Generally, refrigerators are home appliances for preserving food stuffs fresh or frozen. Refrigerators may perform cooling using a compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion device.

A refrigerator compartment for preserving stored objects fresh and a freezer compartment for freezing stored objects may be provided in the body of the refrigerator. Here, the evaporator supplies cold air to the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

A door is coupled to each front of the compartments and an icemaker for making ice and a dispenser for water-supplying are mounted to the door or the refrigerator and freezer compartments.

According to water-supply to an icemaker and dispenser of a conventional refrigerator, water provided by an external water supply source passes a filter and the water is stored in a water tank provided in a predetermined portion of the refrigerator compartment.

The water from the water tank flows into the dispenser. If a user pushes a lever of the dispenser with a cup, the cooled water stored in the water tank is discharged and the cool water can be supplied to the user.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment, an icemaker configured to freeze liquid water into ice, and a dispenser configured to dispense liquid water and ice made by the icemaker. The refrigerator also includes a water tank that is positioned at the refrigerating compartment, that is configured to receive liquid water from a water supply source, and that is configured to store the received liquid water in a cooled liquid state. The cooled liquid state has a temperature lower than a temperature at which the water is received from the water supply source. The refrigerator further includes a dispenser tube that is configured to guide water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the dispenser for dispensing and an icemaker tube that is configured to guide water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the icemaker for making ice.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the refrigerator may include a passage valve connected to the water tank, the dispenser tube, and the icemaker tube and configured to control supply of water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the dispenser alone, the icemaker alone, or both the dispenser and the icemaker. In this example, the refrigerator may include a refrigerating compartment door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment. The icemaker and the dispenser may be positioned on the refrigerating compartment door and the water tank and the passage valve may be positioned in the refrigerating compartment. The refrigerator also may include a control part configured to control the passage valve to stop supply of water to the icemaker during operation of the dispenser, and control the passage valve to re-start supply of water to the icemaker when the operation of the dispenser stops.

In some examples, the refrigerator may include a passage valve connected to the water tank, the dispenser tube, and the icemaker tube and configured to control supply of water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the dispenser alone or the icemaker alone. In these examples, the refrigerator may include a refrigerating compartment door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment. The icemaker and the dispenser may be positioned on the refrigerating compartment door and the water tank and the passage valve may be positioned in the refrigerating compartment. Further, in these examples, the refrigerator may include a control part configured to control the passage valve to stop supply of water to the icemaker during operation of the dispenser, and control the passage valve to re-start supply of water to the icemaker when the operation of the dispenser stops.

In some implementations, the refrigerator may include an accommodation part configured to accommodate the water tank. In these implementations, the refrigerator may include a cold air guide duct configured to guide cold air from inside a freezer compartment toward the accommodation part, a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the accommodation part, and a closable member provided at the cold air guide duct and configured to open and close the cold air guide duct and, thereby, control an amount of cold air drawn into the accommodation part. In addition, in these implementations, the temperature of the accommodation part may be maintained above a freezing temperature.

In another aspect, a refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the storage compartment, an ice-making chamber, and an icemaker provided in the ice-making chamber and configured to freeze liquid water into ice. The refrigerator also includes a dispenser mounted on the door and configured to dispense liquid water and ice made by the icemaker and a water supply device configured to supply water to the icemaker and the dispenser. The water supply device includes at least one water tank that is configured to store liquid water below a predetermined temperature and that is connected to both the icemaker and the dispenser.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the water supply device may include a passage valve connected to the at least one water tank to control passage of water discharged from or drawn into the at least one water tank. In this example, the passage valve may be configured to allow passage of water stored in the at least one water tank to the dispenser by stopping passage of water stored in the at least one water tank to the icemaker if the dispenser operates during water flow to the icemaker.

In some implementations, the at least one water tank may include a first water tank configured to store water to be supplied to the dispenser and a second water tank configured to store water to be supplied to the icemaker. In these implementations, the passage valve may be positioned in a passage between an external water supply source provided outside the storage compartment and the first and second water tanks and may control water supply to the first and second water tanks. Further, in these implementations, the refrigerator may include an accommodation part configured to accommodate the second water tank separately from the first water tank and configured to maintain a temperature of the second water tank above a freezing temperature, but lower than a temperature of the first water tank.

In yet another aspect, a control method of a refrigerator includes determining whether a dispenser operation signal is input and, in response to a determination that the dispenser operation signal is input, determining whether water supply to an icemaker is in progress. In response to a determination that water supply to the icemaker is in progress, water supply to the icemaker is at least temporarily stopped and water is supplied to the dispenser.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the method may include monitoring for completion of a dispensing operation associated with the dispenser operation signal and detecting completion of the dispensing operation based on the monitoring. In this example, the method may include re-starting water supply to the icemaker in response to detecting completion of the dispensing operation.

In addition, the method may include delaying water supply to the icemaker for a predetermined time period. In response to a determination that water supply to the icemaker is not in progress, water may be supplied to the dispenser and initiation of water supply to the icemaker may be prevented while supplying water to the dispenser.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description, below. Other potential features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the refrigerator;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating control components of a refrigerator; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a control method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 1, a storage compartment 3 provided in the cabinet 1 and a door 5 for opening and closing the storage compartment.

A water tank 13 is provided in the storage compartment 3, specifically, in a refrigerator compartment to store water supplied from an external water supply source 10.

A water amount adjusting valve 16 and a filter 19 are installed between the water tank 13 and the external water source 10. The water amount adjusting valve 16 controls water flow and it adjusts the amount of the water and the filter 19 filers the water.

The door 5 is rotatably coupled to the cabinet 1 and the door 5 includes an ice-making chamber 23 and a dispenser (40, see FIG. 2) installed therein. Ice is made and preserved in the ice-making chamber 23 and water is dispensed from the dispenser 40.

The ice-making chamber 23 includes an icemaker 26 for making ice and an ice-container 29 for storing the ice made by the icemaker 26 in the ice-making chamber 23.

A passage valve 33 is provided under the ice-making chamber 23 to supply the water preserved cool in the water tank 13 toward the dispenser 40 and the icemaker 26 selectively or simultaneously.

The passage valve 33 may be a 3-way valve and is installed at a branched position between a guide hose 55 toward the dispenser 40 and a guide hose 56 toward the icemaker.

A hose 57 connecting the water tank 13 with the passage valve 33 is arranged along a wall of the cabinet 1 to be an inner wall of the door 5 via a hinge unit 60 rotatably supporting the door 5.

Here, inner space of the ice-making chamber 23 is closed by an ice-making door rotatably coupled to a predetermined wall of the ice-making chamber 23 such that the inner space may be partitioned off from inner space of the storage compartment 3.

FIG. 2 illustrates the example refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 from the front. As shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser 40 is mounted to a front surface of the door 5 and the passage valve 33 is installed in rear of the dispenser 40, such that the water drawn into the dispenser 40 or the icemaker 26 may be guided as mentioned above.

The hose 56 branched from the passage valve 33 toward the icemaker 26 is arranged along a side wall of the door 5 and an outlet of the hose 56 is arranged toward an ice-making tray 27 of the icemaker 26.

Because of such an arrangement, the water flowing toward the icemaker 26 passes the water tank (13, see FIG. 1) and the passage valve 33 to fall into the ice-making tray 27 such that the water is received in the ice-making tray 27.

In addition, the water flowing toward the dispenser 40, if the user pushes the lever 42 of the dispenser 40, passes the water tank 13 and the passage valve 33 to be discharged from the outlet of the hose 55 provided beyond an upper end of the lever 42 such that the water is received in a container such as a cup.

The hoses 55, 56 and 57 installed in the door 5 may be installed outside the ice-making chamber to reduce the likelihood (e.g., prevent) the water flowing in the hoses from freezing. Here, the hoses 55, 56 and 57 may be embedded in the door 5 to be hidden from view when the door 5 is open.

As the temperature inside the ice-making chamber 23 has to be maintained below zero degrees, a wall surrounding the ice-making chamber 23 may be heat-insulated not to be influenced by temperatures over the freezing point.

The water flow will be described in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The water from the external water supply source is not directly supplied to the ice-making chamber 23 but supplied to the water tank 13 to be stored therein for a predetermined time period.

Here, the water tank 13 is installed in a rear or side portion of the refrigerator compartment 3 and the water stored in the water tank 13 will have its temperature lowered noticeably by the influence of the temperature, approximately 3° C., inside the refrigerator compartment 3.

If the user pushes the lever 42 of the dispenser 40 in a state of the water stored in the water tank 13, the water flows from the water tank 13 toward the passage valve 33 (A direction) and the water having reached the passage valve 33 flows toward the dispenser 40 to be discharged (B direction).

In case a signal for starting ice-making is input, the water from the water tank 13 flows upward along the hose 56 provided on the side of the ice-making chamber 23 via the passage valve 33 and it falls into the ice-making tray 27 of the icemaker 26 (C direction).

If the water preserved cool by the temperature inside the refrigerator compartment 3 is supplied to the ice-making tray 27, cold air inside the ice-making chamber 23 takes away heat from the water and thus it takes less time to make ice from the water.

As a result, the ice-making time may be economized in comparison to the ice-making time in case of supplying the normal temperature water, for example, approximately 20° C.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 3, two water tanks are installed in a rear portion of the refrigerator compartment 3 and they will be referenced to as a first water tank 113 and a second water tank 213.

Here, the first water tank 113 preserves cooled water to be supplied to the dispenser (40, see FIG. 2) and the second water tank 213 preserves cooled water to be supplied to the icemaker 26.

In some examples, the external water supply source 10 and a water amount adjusting valve 116 are installed. Here, the water amount adjusting valve 116 is employed to determine the flow direction of the water drawn into the first and second water tanks 113 and 213 from the external water supply source 10 as well as to adjust the amount of the water.

A first filter 119 and a second filter 219 are provided between the first and second water tanks 113 and 213 and the water amount adjusting valve 116 to filter the water.

A hose 155 connected to an outlet of the first water tank 113 is connected to the dispenser 40 along a wall of the cabinet 1, the hinge unit 60 and a wall of the door 5.

A valve 133 is provided in the hose 155 toward the dispenser 40 to control water flow.

The hose 256 connected to an outlet of the second water tank 213 is installed along the wall of the cabinet 1, the hinge unit 60 and the door 5. Here, the outlet of the hose 256 is arranged toward the ice-making tray 27.

The hoses 155 and 256 connected to the outlets of the first and second water tanks 113 and 213 may be independently in the cabinet 1 and the door 5, respectively.

The water flow of the above configuration is described below.

If the user pushes the lever (42, see FIG. 2) of the dispenser 40 in a state of the water stored in the first water tank 113, the water amount adjusting valve 116 is open toward the first water tank 113.

Then, the water newly drawn into the first water tank 113 pushes the water previously stored therein toward the dispenser 40 (D direction).

The water previously stored in the first water tank 113 is exposed to the cold air of the storage compartment 3, preserved cool. Because of that, the user may be given cold water.

In addition, in case a signal for starting ice-making is input, the water amount adjusting valve 116 is open toward the second water tank 213. The water preserved cool in the second water tank 213 is pushed by the water newly supplied thereto to flow toward the icemaker (E direction).

Once the water having a predetermined temperature similar to the temperature inside the storage compartment 3 is supplied to the ice-making tray 27, the time taken to make ice after taking away heat from the water and the ice-making time may decrease and the total time period for completing the ice-making may be reduced.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerator may include an accommodation part 300, a cold air guide duct 310 and a closable member 313, compared to the above embodiment. The accommodation part 300 accommodates the second water tank 213 that stores the water to be supplied to the icemaker and the cold air guide duct 310 guides some of the cold air inside the freezer compartment toward the accommodation part 300. The closable member 313 is provided in the cold air guide duct 310 or a connection portion between the accommodation part 300 and the cold guide duct 310 to selectively control the supply of cold air to the freezer compartment.

In addition, a temperature sensor 315 is mounted in the accommodation part 300 to measure a temperature inside the accommodation part 300.

The accommodation part 300 is provided so that a temperature near the second water tank 213 is maintained below the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 and beyond the freezing point of water (i.e., zero degrees Celsius).

That is, if the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is maintained approximately at 3° C., the temperature inside the accommodation part 300 may be maintained at 1° C.˜2° C.

If the temperature of the water supplied to the icemaker 26 is lowered more, the ice-making time may be further reduced.

The water flow toward the dispenser (40, see FIG. 2) and the ice-making operation of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 4 may be similar to that described above with respect to FIG. 3. Thus, the configuration related to the accommodation part 300 will be described below without repeating the prior description.

If it is determined by the temperature sensor 315 installed in the accommodation part 300 that the temperatures therein are beyond a predetermined range, the closable member 313 is operated to make the accommodation part 300 in communication with the freezer compartment.

Because of that, the cold air of the freezer compartment is drawn into the accommodation part 300 and the temperature inside the accommodation part 300 is lowered. Hence, if it is determined by the temperature sensor 315 that the measured temperature is within the predetermined range, the closable member 313 is closed again to reduce the likelihood (e.g., prevent) the inside of the accommodation part 300 from overcooling.

If the inside of the accommodation part 300 is overcooled, the water accommodated in the second water tank 213 might be frozen and thus the operation of the closable member 313 should be performed fast as possible.

FIG. 5 illustrates example control components for a refrigerator. As shown in FIG. 5, a control part 400 is installed in the refrigerator to control the water supply to the dispenser and the water supply for the ice-making.

A power unit 401 for supplying power, the lever 42 of the dispenser 40, and the temperature sensor 315 in case of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 4 may be connected to an input terminal of the control part 400. An ice-ejector driving part 402, a dispenser driving part 41, and a passage valve/water amount adjusting valve driving part 216 may be connected to an output terminal of the control part 400. Here, the ice-ejector driving part 402 is driven to eject the ice stored in the ice container of the ice-making chamber 23 and the dispenser driving part 41 is driven to supply the water to the dispenser.

The water supply to the dispenser 40 and the icemaker 26 is performed according to a command of the control part, with the above configuration.

In some implementations, if the lever of the dispenser is operated during the water supply to the icemaker, the priority order of water supply may be a problem and an example control method of the water supply priority order is shown in FIG. 6.

First, it is determined whether a dispenser operation signal to dispense water from the dispenser is input (S101). The determination of whether the operation signal is input may be based on whether the lever of the dispenser is operated.

It is determined whether water is being supplied to the icemaker currently (S102). If it is determined that the water is supplied to the icemaker, the water supply to the icemaker is stopped (S103) and the water supply to the dispenser starts (S104). If the water is not supplied to the icemaker currently, the water is supplied to the dispenser.

The water supply to the icemaker may be stopped so that the pressure of the water flowing into the dispenser is dispersed as the water is supplied to both of the dispenser and the icemaker simultaneously.

After the water supply to the dispenser is performed in the state where the water supply to the icemaker is stopped, it is determined whether the dispenser operation signal is stopped (S105). If it is determined that the dispenser operation signal is stopped, the water supply to the icemaker re-starts, perhaps immediately (S106).

It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For example, advantageous results still could be achieved if steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a refrigerating compartment;

an icemaker configured to freeze liquid water into ice;

a dispenser configured to dispense liquid water and ice made by the icemaker;

a water tank that is positioned at the refrigerating compartment, that is configured to receive liquid water from a water supply source, and that is configured to store the received liquid water in a cooled liquid state, the cooled liquid state having a temperature lower than a temperature at which the water is received from the water supply source;

a dispenser tube that is configured to guide water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the dispenser for dispensing; and

an icemaker tube that is configured to guide water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the icemaker for making ice.

2. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a passage valve connected to the water tank, the dispenser tube, and the icemaker tube and configured to control supply of water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the dispenser alone, the icemaker alone, or both the dispenser and the icemaker.

3. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a refrigerating compartment door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment, wherein the icemaker and the dispenser are positioned on the refrigerating compartment door and the water tank and the passage valve are positioned in the refrigerating compartment.

4. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a control part configured to control the passage valve to stop supply of water to the icemaker during operation of the dispenser, and control the passage valve to re-start supply of water to the icemaker when the operation of the dispenser stops.

5. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a passage valve connected to the water tank, the dispenser tube, and the icemaker tube and configured to control supply of water stored in the water tank in the cooled liquid state to the dispenser alone or the icemaker alone.

6. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a refrigerating compartment door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment, wherein the icemaker and the dispenser are positioned on the refrigerating compartment door and the water tank and the passage valve are positioned in the refrigerating compartment.

7. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a control part configured to control the passage valve to stop supply of water to the icemaker during operation of the dispenser, and control the passage valve to re-start supply of water to the icemaker when the operation of the dispenser stops.

8. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an accommodation part configured to accommodate the water tank.

9. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a cold air guide duct configured to guide cold air from inside a freezer compartment toward the accommodation part;

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the accommodation part; and

a closable member provided at the cold air guide duct and configured to open and close the cold air guide duct and, thereby, control an amount of cold air drawn into the accommodation part.

10. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 9, wherein the temperature of the accommodation part is maintained above a freezing temperature.

11. A refrigerator comprising:

a storage compartment;

a door configured to open and close at least a portion of the storage compartment;

an ice-making chamber;

an icemaker provided in the ice-making chamber and configured to freeze liquid water into ice;

a dispenser mounted on the door and configured to dispense liquid water and ice made by the icemaker; and

a water supply device configured to supply water to the icemaker and the dispenser, the water supply device comprising at least one water tank that is configured to store liquid water below a predetermined temperature and that is connected to both the icemaker and the dispenser.

12. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the water supply device comprises a passage valve connected to the at least one water tank to control passage of water discharged from or drawn into the at least one water tank.

13. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the passage valve is configured to allow passage of water stored in the at least one water tank to the dispenser by stopping passage of water stored in the at least one water tank to the icemaker if the dispenser operates during water flow to the icemaker.

14. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 12:

wherein the at least one water tank comprises, a first water tank configured to store water to be supplied to the dispenser; a second water tank configured to store water to be supplied to the icemaker, and

wherein the passage valve is positioned in a passage between an external water supply source provided outside the storage compartment and the first and second water tanks, the passage valve controlling water supply to the first and second water tanks.

15. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

an accommodation part configured to accommodate the second water tank separately from the first water tank and configured to maintain a temperature of the second water tank above a freezing temperature, but lower than a temperature of the first water tank.

16. A control method of a refrigerator comprising:

determining whether a dispenser operation signal is input;

in response to a determination that the dispenser operation signal is input, determining whether water supply to an icemaker is in progress; and

in response to a determination that water supply to the icemaker is in progress: at least temporarily stopping water supply to the icemaker; and supplying water to the dispenser.

17. The control method of the refrigerator as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

monitoring for completion of a dispensing operation associated with the dispenser operation signal; and

detecting completion of the dispensing operation based on the monitoring.

18. The control method of the refrigerator as claimed in claim 17, further comprising re-starting water supply to the icemaker in response to detecting completion of the dispensing operation.

19. The control method of the refrigerator as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least temporarily stopping water supply to the icemaker comprises delaying water supply to the icemaker for a predetermined time period.

20. The control method of the refrigerator as claimed in claim 16, further comprising, in response to a determination that water supply to the icemaker is not in progress, supplying water to the dispenser and preventing initiation of water supply to the icemaker while supplying water to the dispenser.