REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A refrigerator that comprises a storage compartment; a case disposed in the storage compartment; a heater disposed in the case; a cooling fan configured to introduce air outside the case into an inside of the case; and a processor configured to determine a target time based on information about an object, configured to operate the heater for the target time, and configured to intermittently operate the cooling fan while operating the heater.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Bypass Continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2022/019395, filed Dec. 1, 2022, which claims priority to Korea patent application No. 10-2022-0013552 filed Jan. 28, 2022, in the Korean intellectual property office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method therefor, and more particular, to a refrigerator configured to thaw frozen food and a control method therefor.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a refrigerator cools air in a storage compartment using a circulation of refrigerant, which includes compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. The refrigerator keeps various foods fresh for a long period of time by supplying air, which is cooled in the vicinity of an evaporator in which refrigerant evaporates, to the storage compartment. The storage compartment of the refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment in which food is kept refrigerated at a temperature of approximately-3 degrees Celsius, and a freezing compartment in which food is kept frozen at a temperature of approximately-20 degrees Celsius.

A user can freeze foods to store fresh foods such as meat, vegetables, fruits, whole fish, and shellfish for a long period of time. A user can thaw frozen food in order to consume the frozen food.

Thawing food at room temperature may cause contamination by bacteria. Accordingly, thawing of food is generally performed in the refrigerator. However, the thawing in the refrigerator takes a long time due to the low temperature of the refrigerator.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of quickly thawing frozen food and a control method therefor.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of thawing frozen food without drip loss and a control method therefor.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a refrigerator capable of thawing frozen food in its packaged state and a control method therefor.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a storage compartment; a case disposed in the storage compartment; a heater disposed in the case; a cooling fan configured to introduce air outside the case into an inside of the case; and a processor configured to determine a target time based on information about an object, configured to operate the heater for the target time, and configured to intermittently operate the cooling fan while operating the heater.

The processor may be configured to operate the heater for the target time without stopping the heater.

The processor may be configured to periodically operate the cooling fan while operating the heater.

The information about the object may include information about a packaging means for packaging the object. The processor may be configured to determine a target time based on the information about the packaging means.

The processor may be configured to determine different target times based on different packaging means.

The refrigerator may further include a control panel configured to obtain a user input about the object. The processor may be configured to identify the object and a packaging means therefor based on the user input, and configured to determine the target time based on the identified object and packaging means therefor.

The refrigerator may further include a communication module. The processor may be configured to identify the object and a packaging means therefor based on information obtained from an image obtained by an electronic device, and configured to determine the target time based on the identified object and packaging means therefor.

The processor may be configured to stop the cooling fan for a first period of time while operating the heater, and configured to operate the cooling fan for a second period of time that is less than the first period of time while operating the heater.

The refrigerator may further include a temperature sensor configured to measure an internal temperature of the case. The processor may be configured to operate the cooling fan based on an output signal of the temperature sensor.

The processor may be configured to operate the cooling fan when the measured internal temperature of the case is greater than or equal to a reference temperature, and the processor may be configured to stop the cooling fan when the measured internal temperature of the case is less than the reference temperature.

The processor may be configured to stop the heater and operate the cooling fan when an operating time of the heater is greater than or equal to the target time.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a control method of a refrigerator including a case disposed in a storage compartment, the control method including determining a target time based on information about an object; operating a heater disposed in the case for the target time; and intermittently operating a cooling fan configured to introduce air outside the case into an inside of the case, while operating the heater.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator including a storage compartment; a case disposed in the storage compartment; a heater disposed in the case; a cooling fan configured to introduce air outside the case into an inside of the case; and a processor configured to determine a target time based on information about a packaging means of an object, configured to intermittently operate the heater for the target time, and configured to stop the heater and operate the cooling fan when an operating time of the heater is greater than or equal to the target time.

A refrigerator and a control method therefor may quickly thaw frozen food.

Further, a refrigerator and a control method therefor may thaw frozen food without drip loss.

Further, a refrigerator and a control method therefor may thaw frozen food in its packaged state.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed from computer readable program code and embodied in a computer readable medium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computer readable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code” includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transport transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an appearance of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-section of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of air moving into a thawing chamber of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a case and a cooling unit of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are coupled.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the cooling unit of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a heating unit of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a drawer of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a control configuration of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an image including packaged meat and its label.

FIG. 10 illustrates a table of the specific heat of various foods.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples of various packaging containers for food.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an operation of heaters and cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates an effect of preventing drip loss by the thawing method shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 illustrates an effect of preventing a delay in thawing by the thawing method shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 illustrates an effect of preventing drip loss by the thawing method shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates an operation of the heaters and the cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates an operation of the heaters and the cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates an operation of the heaters and the cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 22, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the one or more exemplar embodiments with unnecessary detail. Terms such as “unit”, “module”, “member”, and “block” may be embodied as hardware or software. According to embodiments, a plurality of “unit”, “module”, “member”, and “block” may be implemented as a single component or a single “unit”, “module”, “member”, and “block” may include a plurality of components.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” another element, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, wherein the indirect connection includes “connection via a wireless communication network”.

Also, when a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part may further include other elements, not excluding the other elements.

Throughout the description, when a member is “on” another member, this includes not only when the member is in contact with the other member, but also when there is another member between the two members.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but is should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

An identification code is used for the convenience of the description but is not intended to illustrate the order of each step. The each step may be implemented in the order different from the illustrated order unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an appearance of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-section of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of air moving into a thawing chamber of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a refrigerator 1 may include a main body 10 including storage compartments 21, 22, and 23, doors 31 32, and 33 configured to open and close the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 and a cooling device configured to supply cooled air to the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23.

The main body 10 may include an inner box 11 forming the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23, an outer box 12 coupled to an outside of the inner box 11, and an insulation material 13 disposed between the inner box 11 and the outer box 12. The inner box 11 may be formed by injection molding from a plastic material, and the outer box 12 may be formed of a metal material. The outer box 12 may be referred to as ‘cabinet 12’. Urethane foam insulation is used as the insulation material 13, and as needed, a vacuum insulation panel may be used together.

The main body 10 may include intermediate walls 17 and 18 provided to divide the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 into an upper portion and a lower portion. The storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 may include a first storage compartment 21, a second storage compartment 22, and a third storage compartment 23. The inner box 11 may further include an upper surface 11a, a rear surface 11b, both side surfaces, and a front surface 11c.

The storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 may include a refrigerating compartment in which food is kept refrigerated by maintaining a temperature between approximately 0 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius, and a freezing compartment in which food is kept frozen by maintaining a temperature between approximately −30 degrees Celsius and 0 degrees Celsius.

A front surface of the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 may be open to allow food to be taken in and out, and the open front surface of the storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 may be opened and closed by the doors 31, 32, and 33. The storage compartments 21, 22, and 23 may be provided with a shelf 27 on which food is placed.

A drawer 70 may be disposed in the first storage compartment 21. The drawer 70 may include a first drawer 70a and a second drawer 70b arranged side by side. The first drawer 70a and the second drawer 70b may be provided with the same size, but are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the number and arrangement of drawers may also be changed. A single drawer may be provided or three or more drawers may be provided. Further, a plurality of drawers may be arranged up and down.

The drawer 70 may be provided in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped in which an upper surface is open. The drawer 70 may include a thawing space 71 formed to accommodate food. Various foods such as meat, vegetables, fruits, whole fish, and shellfish may be thawed in the thawing space 71.

A case 80 provided to accommodate the drawer 70 may be provided in the first storage compartment 21. The case 80 may be provided in a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a front surface is open. The drawer 70 may be inserted into or withdrawn from the case 80 through the open front surface of the case 80.

Thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be formed inside the case 80. The drawer 70 may be accommodated in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b by being inserted into the case 80. As the drawer 70 is accommodated in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b, the thawing space 71 may be located within the thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

The thawing chambers 100a and 100b may have an internal temperature different from an internal temperature of the first storage compartment 21. For example, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be greater than the internal temperature of the first storage compartment 21. The internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be the same as the internal temperature of the first storage compartment 21, but during thawing, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be greater than the temperature of the first storage compartment 21.

The thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be provided in plurality. As shown in FIG. 1, the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may include a first thawing chamber 100a and a second thawing chamber 100b arranged side by side. The first thawing chamber 100a and the second thawing chamber 100b may have different internal temperatures. For this, a separate heating unit 60 may be provided in a lower portion of each of the first thawing chamber 100a and the second thawing chamber 100b. In addition, a first cooling fan 50a configured to supply cooled air into the first thawing chamber 100a, and a second cooling fan 50b configured to supply cooled air into the second thawing chamber 100b may be provided.

A storage container 90 may be disposed in the first storage compartment 21. The storage container 90 may be provided to be withdrawn forward. The storage container 90 may be disposed above the case 80. A plurality of storage containers 90 may be provided.

The doors 31, 32, and 33 may include a first door 31 configured to open and close the first storage compartment 21, a second door 32 configured to open and close the second storage compartment 22, and a third door 33 configured to open and close the third storage compartment 23.

The first door 31 may be coupled to the main body 10 so as to be rotatable in the left and right directions. The second door 32 and the third door 33 may be provided to be slidable so as to be inserted into or withdrawn from the second storage compartment 22 and the third storage compartment 23, respectively.

The cooling device may generate cooled air using the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant through the refrigeration cycle. The cooling device may include a compressor 2, a condenser, an expansion device, and evaporators 3 and 4. The refrigerator 1 may include blowing fans 6 and 7 configured to move cooled air generated in the evaporators 3 and 4. The evaporators 3 and 4 may be referred to as ‘heat exchangers 3 and 4’.

The refrigerator 1 may include the evaporators 3 and 4. The evaporators 3 and 4 may include a first evaporator 3 disposed in the first storage compartment 21 and a second evaporator 4 disposed in the third storage chamber 23. Additionally, the blowing fans 6 and 7 may include a first blowing fan 6 disposed in the first storage compartment 21 and a second blowing fan 7 disposed in the third storage compartment 23. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Unlike the drawing, the refrigerator may include a single evaporator.

Hereinafter for convenience of description, the first storage compartment 21 will be referred to as ‘storage compartment 21’. Further, the first evaporator 3 will be referred to as ‘evaporator 3’. Further, the first blowing fan 6 will be referred to as ‘blowing fan 6’.

The evaporator 3 may be disposed at the rear of the storage compartment 21 to cool the air. The evaporator 3 may be accommodated in a cooling chamber 3a. The blowing fan 6 configured to move air may be disposed in the cooling chamber 3a so as to supply cooled air to the storage compartment 21.

A guide cover 40 may be provided in the cooling chamber 3a to guide the cooled air in the cooling chamber 3a. The guide cover 40 may include a rear cover 41 provided in a rear portion of the storage compartment 21 and an upper cover 42 provided in the upper portion of the storage compartment 21. The guide cover 40 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the rear surface of the storage compartment 21 by a predetermined distance, and thus cooling ducts 41a and 42a may be formed therein. The cooled air may be supplied into the storage compartment 21 through the cooling ducts 41a and 42a and a discharge port 42b. The discharge port 42b may include a guide 40a configured to control opening and closing of the discharge port 42b, so as to adjust a direction of the cooled air discharged through the discharge port 42b.

A portion of the cooled air may be supplied into the storage compartment 21 through the cooling ducts 41a and 42a of the guide cover 40, and another portion of the cooled air may be supplied to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

A cooling unit 50 may be configured to supply cooled air through the rear of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. The cooling unit 50 may include cooling fans 50a and 50b disposed to face the evaporator 3. The cooling fans 50a and 50b may supply air cooled in the evaporator 3 to the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b through a cooling flow path 54a. For example, a portion of the air cooled in the evaporator 3 may move to the first thawing chamber 100a by the first cooling fan 50a of the cooling unit 50 or move to the second thawing chamber 100b by the second cooling fan 50b. Although only the first cooling fan 50a and the first thawing chamber 100a are shown in the drawing, a movement path of the cooled air is the same in the case of the second cooling fan 50b and the second thawing chamber 100b, and thus a description therefor will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the first cooling fan 50a operates, a portion of the cooled air in the cooling chamber 3a may be introduced into the first thawing chamber 100a through the cooling flow path 54a. A case hole 80b may be formed on a rear surface of the case 80 to allow the cooled air to flow to the first thawing chamber 100a. The other end of the cooling flow path 54a may be connected to the case hole 80b. Particularly, a protrusion 55d of a cover member 55 may be inserted into the case hole 80b. With this structure, the cooled air may be supplied directly from the cooling chamber 3a to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b through the cooling flow path 54a of the cooling unit 50, without passing through the storage compartment 21.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a case and a cooling unit of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are coupled. FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the cooling unit of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of a heating unit of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the cooling unit 50 may be disposed at the rear of the case 80. The cooling unit 50 may be provided to cover a portion of the rear surface of the storage compartment 21, and more particularly, may be provided to cover a rear lower portion of the storage compartment 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear surface of the case 80 may include the case hole 80b into which the cover member 55 of the cooling unit 50 is inserted. Cooled air may flow into the case 80 through the case hole 80b.

The cooling unit 50 may be provided in such a way that the cover member 55 more protrudes than a first body 51 and a second body 52 to reduce a size of the cooling chamber 3a so as to prevent cooled air from remaining in the cooling chamber 3a. The cooling fans 50a and 50b may be disposed inside the cover member 55, and an insulation member 54 including the cooling flow path 54a may be disposed between the cooling fans 50a and 50b and the cover member 55.

The cooling unit 50 and the case 80 may be coupled by inserting the protrusion 55d of the cover member 55 into the case hole 80b. When the protrusion 55d is inserted into the case hole 80b, the other end of the cooling flow path 54a may be located inside the case 80. In other words, the other end of the cooling flow path 54a is connected to the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

As the drawer 70 is accommodated in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b, the thawing space 71 of the drawer 70 may be located within the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. The cooled air supplied to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may also be supplied to the thawing space 71. At this time, the drawer 70 may include a recessed portion 72c formed on a rear surface of the drawer 70 to allow the cooled air to be smoothly supplied to the thawing space 71. The cooled air may easily flow into the thawing chambers 100a and 100b and the thawing space 71 through the recessed portion 72c and the case hole 80b. However, the recessed portion 72c may not be provided in the drawer 70 according to design specifications.

The drawer 70 may be withdrawn to be separated from the case 80. For example, the drawer 70 may move along a pair of rails 83 of the case 80. The pair of rails 83 may be movably coupled to the case 80 and may move together with the drawer 70.

A rail connection portion 84 connecting the pair of rails 83 may be provided below the drawer 70. The rail connection portion 84 may be formed of a metal material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the rail connection portion 84 may be formed of aluminum. The rail connection portion 84 may connect the pair of rails 83, which are separated from each other, to allow the pair of rails 83 to be inserted and withdrawn together. Further, the rail connection portion 84 may increase a strength by connecting the pair of rails 83. In addition, the rail connection portion 84 may be formed of a material with high thermal conductivity, and thus the rail connection portion 84 may receive heat from the heating unit 60 and transfer the heat to the drawer 70.

A heater hole 80a corresponding to heater covers 61a and 61b protruding upward from a lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21 may be formed on the lower surface of the case 80. The heater hole 80a may be provided to correspond to the heater covers 61a and 61b. When the heating unit 60 is disposed to correspond to the heater hole 80a, the heating unit 60 substantially forms a portion of the lower surface of the case 80. Accordingly, an effect similar to that of directly heating the lower surface of the case 80 may be achieved. Accordingly, the air inside the case 80 may be directly heated by the heating unit 60. Further, the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be heated quickly. As the thawing chambers 100a and 100b are quickly heated, the thawing space 71 of the drawer 70 may also be quickly heated.

The rail connection portion 84 may be disposed above the heater covers 61a and 61b, and the drawer 70 may be disposed above the rail connection portion 84. The heater covers 61a and 61b and the rail connection portion 84 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to prevent friction and noise.

Air that is in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b and heated by the heating unit 60 may be delivered to the thawing space 71 of the drawer 70 through the rail connection portion 84. A plurality of holes 84a may be formed in the rail connection portion 84, and the heated air inside the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be directly discharged into the thawing space 71 of the drawer 70 through the holes 84a. Unlike the drawing, a single hole 84a disposed in the rail connection portion 84 may be formed in the center of the rail connection portion 84. Alternatively, the rail connection may not include a hole.

The rail connection portion 84 may be provided in a plate shape smaller than the heater hole 80b. However, the size and shape of the rail connection are not limited thereto. The rail connection portion having a plate shape may be provided to correspond to or be larger than the size of the heater hole. Further, the rail connection portion may be provided in the form of a bar to connect the pair of rails 83.

When the drawer 70 is inserted into the case 80, the drawer 70 may cover the open front surface of the case 80, thereby sealing the inside of the case 80. Accordingly, the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b and the temperature of the drawer 70 may become the same. Accordingly, a temperature sensor 53b may sense the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b instead of sensing the internal temperature of the drawer 70.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cooling unit 50 may include the cooling fans 50a and 50b disposed to face the evaporator 3. Because the thawing chambers 100a and 100b include the first thawing chamber 100a and the second thawing chamber 100b, the cooling unit 50 may include the first cooling fan 50a configured to move cold air into the first thawing chamber 100a and the second cooling fan 50b configured to move cold air into the second thawing chamber 100b. The number of cooling fans 50a and 50b may be provided to correspond to the number of thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

The cooling unit 50 may form a portion of the cooling ducts 41a and 42a. The cooling unit 50 may include the first body 51 that forms a portion of the cooling ducts 41a and 42a and in which a cold air port 51a is formed, the second body 52 that is coupled to the front of the first body 51 so as to allow the cooling fans 50a and 50b to be mounted on a position corresponding to the cold air port 51a, and the cover member 55 coupled to the second body 52 so as to allow the cooling fans 50a and 50b to be accommodated therein. Further, the cooling unit 50 may include the insulation member 54 disposed inside the cover member 55. The insulation member 54 may be provided to fill a space between the cover member 55 and the cooling fans 50a and 50b. In a process in which the cooled air of the cooling ducts 41a and 42a is guided to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b, the insulation member 54 may prevent the cooled air from leaking to the outside of the cooling unit 50. Additionally, the insulation member 54 may form the cooling flow path 54a provided to guide the cooled air of the cooling ducts 41a and 42a to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

Further, the cooling unit 50 may include temperature sensors 53a and 53b configured to sense the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

The first body 51 may include the cold air port 51a provided to correspond to the number and location of the cooling fans 50a and 50b. The cold air port 51a may be provided in pairs. The first body 51 may further include a connector accommodating portion 51b provided on one side of the first body 51. A plurality of connectors (not shown) may be accommodated in the connector accommodating portion 51b, and a wire (not shown) may be connected to each of the plurality of connectors.

The second body 52 may include a fan accommodating portion 52a provided to accommodate the cooling fans 50a and 50b. The fan accommodating portion 52a may include an internal space to accommodate the cooling fans 50a and 50b. The fan accommodating portion 52a may be formed to protrude forward from the second body 52. Alternatively, the fan accommodating portion may be provided on an inner surface of the cover member, or may be provided as a separate structure and coupled to the second body or the inner surface of the cover member.

The second body 52 may include a connector cover 52b provided to cover the front of the connector accommodating portion 51b. Because a user can access the cooling unit 50 from the front of the storage compartment 21, the user can access the plurality of connectors (not shown) by opening the connector cover 52b or separating the connector cover 52b from the second body 52.

The insulation member 54 may be provided to cover the cooling fans 50a and 50b. Further, the insulation member 54 may form the cooling flow path 54a provided to guide cold air. One end of the cooling flow path 54a may be connected to the cooling fans 50a and 50b, and the other end of the cooling flow path 54a may be connected to the case 80. The insulation member 54 may be formed of various materials, such as, urethane foam or polystyrene.

The temperature sensors 53a and 53b may be mounted on one side of the front surface of the insulation member 54. The temperature sensors 53a and 53b may include a first temperature sensor 53a for measuring the temperature of the first thawing chamber 100a and a second temperature sensor 53b for measuring the temperature of the second thawing chamber 100b. The temperature sensors 53a and 53b may include a thermistor in which an electrical resistance value changes according to the temperature.

The cover member 55 may be provided to accommodate the insulation member 54 and the cooling fans 50a and 50b covered by the insulation member 54. In other words, the insulation member 54 may be provided to fill the space between the cover member 55 and the cooling fans 50a and 50b. The cover member 55 may include a grille 55a provided to cover the other end of the cooling flow path 54a connected to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. However, despite the name “grille”, the grille 55a may be provided in the form of a hole without a grille. That is, unlike the drawing, the grille may be provided in the form of an opening that forms the other end of the cooling flow path 54a. Further, the cover member 55 may include an opening 55b corresponding to the position of the temperature sensor 53b to allow air to flow in and out of the temperature sensor 53b. Additionally, the cover member 55 may include a guide rib 55c to prevent cold air discharged through the grille 55a from directly flowing into the opening 55b. Further, the cover member 55 may include the protrusion 55d inserted into the case hole 80b to connect the other end of the cooling flow path 54a to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

By including the cooling unit 50, it is possible to quickly supply cooled air to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. The cooling unit 50 is provided with the first cooling fan 50a configured to move cold air into the first thawing chamber 100a and the second cooling fan 50b configured to move cold air into the second thawing chamber 100b, and thus it is possible to quickly supply cooled air to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. Further, in addition to the first cooling fan 50a and the second cooling fan 50b, a separate blowing fan 6 is provided to move cold air into the storage compartment 21 and thus the supply of cold air to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may not interrupt the supply of cold air to the storage compartment 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the heating unit 60 may include the heater covers 61a and 61b coupled to the lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21, heaters 62a and 62b disposed on an inner upper surface of the heater covers 61a and 61b, connectors 63a and 63b configured to supply current to the heaters 62a and 62b, and a bimetal mounting portion 64a and 64b to which a bimetal (not shown) configured to prevent overheating of the heaters 62a and 62b is mounted.

The heater covers 61a and 61b may be coupled to the lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21. A portion of the lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21 to which the heater covers 61a and 61b are coupled may be provided to protrude upward. The heater covers 61a and 61b may be provided in a rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a lower surface is open. The lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21 may include a rib 21c provided to correspond to a side surface of the heater covers 61a and 61b. The rib 21c may be formed to protrude upward from the lower surface 21b. The heater covers 61a and 61b may be inserted into the rib 21c.

The rib 21c protrudes upward from the lower surface 21b by a predetermined height and thus even when liquid flows on the outside of the rib 21c, it is possible to prevent the liquid from flowing into the inside of the rib 21c. An upper surface of the rib 21c is open, but the open upper surface of the rib 21c may be covered as the heater covers 61a and 61b are coupled to the rib 21c. Even when water flows in the heater covers 61a and 61b or water flows on the bottom of the storage compartment 21b, it is possible to prevent the water from flowing into the inside of the heater covers 61a and 61b by the coupling structure of the rib 21c and the heater covers 61a and 61b.

An example, in which the rib 21c protrudes upward from the lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21, is shown in the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Unlike the drawing, the inner portion of the rib 21c may also protrude upward. In this case, because the heater cover is not allowed to be inserted into the inside of the rib, the heater cover may be provided to cover the rib.

The heaters 62a and 62b may be coupled to an inner upper surface of the heater covers 61a and 61b. The heaters 62a and 62b may be in contact with the heater covers 61a and 61b to heat the heater covers 61a and 61b. When the heaters 62a and 62b come into contact with the heater covers 61a and 61b, the heater covers 61a and 61b may be quickly heated through heat conduction. For example, the heaters 62a and 62b may be attached to the inner upper surfaces of the heater covers 61a and 61b with aluminum tape (not shown). The heaters 62a and 62b may include a first heater 62a associated with the first thawing chamber 100a and a second heater 62b associated with the second thawing chamber 100b.

The heater covers 61a and 61b may be removably coupled to the lower surface of the storage compartment 21. The heater covers 61a and 61b may be coupled to the lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21 in various ways. For example, the heater covers 61a and 61b may be coupled to the lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21 using a screw S. Alternatively, the heater covers 61a and 61b may be provided to be fitted into the rib 21c. The heater covers 61a and 61b may include a first heater cover 61a associated with the first thawing chamber 100a and a second heater cover 61b associated with the second thawing chamber 100b.

Although the bimetal is not shown, the bimetal may be mounted on the bimetal mounting portions 64a and 64b. The bimetal (not shown) may be provided to prevent overheating of the heaters 62a and 62b.

The heating unit 60 may be disposed below the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. The heating unit 60 may be disposed on the lower surface 21b of the storage compartment 21. The heating unit 60 may be provided so as not to be in contact with the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. Further, the heating unit 60 may be spaced apart from the drawer 70 by a predetermined distance so as not to be in contact with the drawer 70. This is to prevent noise and wear caused by friction between the heating unit 60 and the drawer 70 while the drawer 70 is being inserted into or withdrawn from the case 80. The heating unit 60 may increase the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b through convection or radiation.

A component configured to cool or heat is not disposed inside the case 80, and thus space utilization of the case 80 may be improved. In other words, because a component configured to cool or heat is not disposed in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b, space utilization of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be improved. Further, the case 80 may be freely separated from the storage compartment 21. Further, the drawer 70 accommodated inside the case 80 may be freely separated from the case 80.

The thawing chambers 100a and 100b are not provided with a configuration directly related to cooling or heating, and thus the case 80 forming the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be freely separated to the outside of the storage compartment 21. For example, a configuration for supplying cold air to the thawing chambers 100a and 100b or a configuration for heating the thawing chambers 100a and 100b is not disposed inside the case 80, and thus a configuration such as a wire connected from the outside of the case 80 to the inside of the case 80 may be not provided. Accordingly, the case 80 may be separated from the storage compartment 21 and withdrawn to the outside of the storage compartment 21. Further, the drawer 70 accommodated in the case 80 to be withdrawable may be freely separated from the case 80 in the same manner as a general storage container. In addition, because an electrical component is not provided inside the drawer 70 and inside the case 80, the case 80 and the drawer 70 may be freely washed with water after being separated from the storage compartment 21.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a drawer of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the drawer 70 may include a drawer body 72 including a plurality of holes 72a formed on the lower surface, and the thawing space 71, a plate 78 provided to cover an inner surface of the drawer body 72, and a front cover 78 provided to cover the open front surface of the drawer body 72.

The drawer body 72 may include the plurality of holes 72a formed on the lower surface therefor to effectively transfer heat through convection or radiation.

The plate 78 may be formed of a metal material with high thermal conductivity and may be provided to cover the inner surface of the drawer body 72.

The front cover 73 may be provided to cover the open front surface of the drawer body 72. The front cover 73 may include a gasket 74 provided to seal a gap between the front cover 73 and the case 80, a transparent member 75 provided to be transparent to allow the inside of the drawer body 72 to be seen from the front of the front cover 73, an accommodating portion 76 provided to accommodate the transparent member 75 and including an opening 76a, and a glass 77 attached to a front surface of the accommodating portion 76.

The transparent member 75 may be provided as a transparent injection molding product and may be provided to block the outflow of heated or cooled air inside the drawer 70.

The accommodating portion 76 may be provided to accommodate the transparent member 75 and may include the opening 76a smaller than the transparent member 75.

The glass 77 may be attached to the front surface of the plate accommodating portion 76. Because the glass 77 and the transparent member 75 are transparent, a user can see the inside of the drawer body 72 from the front of the front cover 73 through the glass 77, the opening 76a, and the transparent member 75. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The cover may include a plate formed of metal instead of glass or a transparent member formed of transparent material. In this case, the inside of the drawer body is not visible from the front of the cover.

As mentioned above, the refrigerator 1 may include the thawing chambers 100a and 100b for thawing food. The thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be heated by the heaters 62a and 62b and may be cooled by the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

Hereinafter controlling the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b for thawing food will be described.

FIG. 8 illustrates a control configuration of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an image including packaged meat and its label. FIG. 10 illustrates a table of the specific heat of various foods. FIG. 11 illustrates examples of various packaging containers for food.

Referring to FIG. 8, the refrigerator 1 may include a control panel 110, the first temperature sensor 53a, the second temperature sensor 53a, the compressor 2, the first heater 62a, the second heater 62b, the first cooling fan 50a, the second cooling fan 50b, and a processor 130. The configuration of the refrigerator 1 is not limited to the drawings, and some of the configurations shown in the drawings may be omitted or a configuration not shown in the drawings may be added.

The control panel 110 may provide a user with a user interface for interaction with the user. The control panel 110 may be disposed on the main body 10 or on the doors 31, 32, and 33.

The control panel 110 may include an input button 111 and/or a display 112.

The input button 111 may obtain a user input related to the operation of the refrigerator 1. For example, the input button 111 may include a temperature button through which a target temperature for controlling the temperature of the storage compartment 20 is received in relation to the refrigerating/freezing operation of the refrigerator 1.

In addition, the input button 111 may include a thawing start button for starting a thawing operation, a food selection button for selecting an object to be thawed, and a container selection button for selecting a packaging container of the object to be thawed, and a level selection button for selecting a thawing level, which are related to the thawing operation of the refrigerator 1.

The input button 111 may provide an electrical signal (user input signal e.g., a voltage signal or a current signal) corresponding to a user input to the processor 130. The processor 130 may identify the user input based on processing the user input signal.

The input button 111 may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, or a touch switch.

The display 112 may obtain operation information of the refrigerator 1 from the processor 130 and display the operation information of the refrigerator 1.

For example, the display 112 may display a target temperature of the storage compartment 21 selected by a user. The display 112 may display the type of object to be thawed that is selected by a user, the type of packaging container, and the thawing level. Further, the display 112 may indicate that thawing of the food is completed.

The display 112 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, or a light emitting diode.

The display 112 may be integrated with the input button 111. For example, a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting light may be disposed behind the input button 111 or inside the input button 111. As another example, the control panel 110 may include a touch screen in which a display and a touch pad are integrated.

The first temperature sensor 53a may measure the internal temperature of the first thawing chamber 100a. For example, the first temperature sensor 53a may be disposed on the protrusion 55d of the cover member 55, thereby measuring the internal temperature of the case 80.

The first temperature sensor 53a may transmit an electrical signal (e.g., a voltage signal or a current signal) corresponding to the measured temperature to the processor 130. The processor 130 may identify the internal temperature of the first thawing chamber 100a based on the electrical signal received from the first temperature sensor 53a.

The second temperature sensor 53b may measure the internal temperature of the second thawing chamber 100b. The second temperature sensor 53b may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the measured temperature to the processor 130. The processor 130 may identify the internal temperature of the second thawing chamber 100b based on the electrical signal received from the second temperature sensor 53b.

Each of the temperature sensors 53a and 53b may include a thermistor in which an electrical resistance value changes according to the temperature.

The cooling device may include the compressor 2, the condenser, the expander, and the evaporator, as mentioned above.

The compressor 2 may compress refrigerant gas to high pressure, and the compressed refrigerant may be transferred to the condenser. High-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas may be condensed into refrigerant liquid in the condenser. The refrigerant liquid may be expanded into low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant liquid in the expander, and may be evaporated into refrigerant gas in the evaporator. While evaporating in the evaporator, the refrigerant may cool the surrounding air by absorbing heat from the surroundings. Air cooled by the evaporator may be supplied to the storage compartment 21.

By the compressor 2, the refrigerant may circulate through the cooling device and the air cooled in the evaporator may be supplied to the storage compartment 21.

The compressor 2 may compress gaseous refrigerant in response to a control signal from the processor 130. The compressor 2 may include a compression mechanism for compressing the refrigerant gas and a compressor motor configured to provide torque to the compression mechanism. The compressor motor may provide torque for compressing the refrigerant gas to the compression mechanism in response to a control signal from the processor 130.

The first heater 62a may be disposed below the first thawing chamber 100a and may heat the inside of the first thawing chamber 100a in response to a control signal from the processor 130. Further, the second heater 62b may be disposed below the second thawing chamber 100b and may heat the inside of the second thawing chamber 100b in response to a control signal from the processor 130. The heaters 62a and 62b may be disposed in the case 80 and may heat the drawer 70 disposed in the case 80 and the thawing space 71 therein.

The first cooling fan 50a may supply cooled air to the first thawing chamber 100a in response to a control signal from the processor 130. The inside of the first thawing chamber 100a may be cooled by the operation of the first cooling fan 50a. For example, the first cooling fan 50a may draw the cooled air in the cooling chamber 3a into the first thawing chamber 100a, and the drawn air may be in contact with the drawer 70 so as to cool the drawer 70. Accordingly, the object food to be thawed in the drawer 70 may also be cooled together.

The second cooling fan 50b may supply cooled air to the second thawing chamber 100b in response to a control signal from the processor 130. For example, the second cooling fan 50b may draw the cooled air in the cooling chamber 3a into the second thawing chamber 100b, and the drawn air may be in contact with the drawer 70 so as to cool the drawer 70.

Each of the cooling fans 50a and 50b may include a fan blade configured to move air and a fan motor configured to provide torque to the fan blade. The fan motor may provide torque to the fan blade to move air in response to a control signal from the processor 130.

A communication module 120 may exchange data with external devices such as servers and/or user devices under the control of the processor 130.

The communication module 120 may include a wired communication module 121 configured to exchange data with external devices by wire, and a wireless communication module 122 configured to exchange data with external devices wirelessly.

The wired communication module 121 may connect to a wired communication network and communicate with external devices through the wired communication network. For example, the wired communication module 121 may connect to a wired communication network through Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 standard) and receive data from external devices through the wired communication network.

The wireless communication module 122 may communicate wirelessly with a base station or an access point (AP) and may connect to a wired communication network through the base station or access point. The wireless communication module 122 may also communicate with external devices connected to a wired communication network via a base station or access point. For example, the wireless communication module 122 may communicate wirelessly with an access point (AP) using WiFi™ (IEEE 802.11 standard), or may communicate with a base station using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wireless Broadband Internet (WiBro), etc. The wireless communication module 122 may also receive data from external devices via a base station or access point.

In addition, the wireless communication module 122 may communicate directly with external devices. For example, the wireless communication module 122 may wirelessly receive data from external devices using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™ (IEEE 802.15.1 standard), ZigBee™ (IEEE 802.15.4 standard), etc.

As mentioned above, the communication module 120 may exchange data with external devices. The communication module 120 may transmit data received from external devices to the processor 130 and transmit data received from the processor 130 to external devices.

The processor 130 may generate a control signal to control the operation of the refrigerator 1. The processor 130 may include a memory 131 configured to memorize and/or store programs and data for generating control signals. The processor 130 may include one or two or more processors, and the memory 131 may be provided integrally with the processor 130 or may be provided separately from the processor 130.

The processor 130 may process data and/or signals according to a program stored in the memory 131 and provide control signals to each component of the refrigerator 1 based on the processing results.

The processor 130 may receive an electrical signal representing a user input of the control panel 110 and an electrical signal representing the measured temperature of the temperature sensors 53a and 53b. The processor 130 may identify the user input and the measured temperature based on processing electrical signals.

The processor 130 may provide a control signal, which is for thawing an object to be thawed of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b based on a user input of the control panel 110, communication data of the communication module 120 or measured temperatures of the temperature sensors 53a and 53b, to the heaters 62a and 62b and/or the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

The processor 130 may identify a user input regarding the object to be thawed based on an output signal of the control panel 110. The processor 130 may identify the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, and/or the packaging type of object to be thawed.

Regarding the type of object to be thawed, a user can select meat, vegetables, fruits, whole fish or shellfish, etc. using the control panel 110. The processor 130 may identify the type of the object to be thawed based on an output signal of the control panel 110. Particularly, the processor 130 may identify a specific type based on the output signal of the control panel 110. For example, the processor 130 may identify pork, beef, or lamb, and may identify carrots, broccoli, or spinach.

Regarding the weight of the object to be thawed, a user can input the weight of the object to be thawed, using the control panel 110. The processor 130 may identify the weight of the object to be thawed based on the output signal of the control panel 110.

Regarding the packaging type of object to be thawed, a user can select vacuum packaging using vinyl, general packaging using vinyl, packaging using polystyrene (PS) container and vinyl, packaging using polypropylene (PP) container and vinyl, etc. using the control panel 110. The processor 130 may identify the packaging type of the object to be thawed based on the output signal of the control panel 110.

The processor 130 may identify the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, and/or the packaging type of the object to be thawed, etc. based on communication data of the communication module 120.

As shown in FIG. 9, fresh foods such as meat, vegetables, fruits, whole fish or shellfish, etc. are generally sold after being packaged in packaging containers. Additionally, a label containing food information may be attached to the packaging container. Food information included in the label may include the type of food and/or the weight of the food.

A user can take pictures of food to be thawed using a camera included in a user device. The obtained image (I) and image data of a label (L) included in the obtained image (I) may be used to identify the type of food (to be thawed), the weight of the food (to be thawed) and/or the packaging type of the food (to be thawed).

The type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of the food may be identified in a variety of ways. For example, the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of food may be identified by the trained artificial intelligence model.

The type of food and/or the weight of the food may be identified by identifying letters, numbers, or symbols included in the image data of the label (L) using the trained artificial intelligence model.

Further, the type of food and/or the packaging type of the food may be identified by identifying the characteristics of the packaging container included in the image data of the food using the trained artificial intelligence model. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, images of different foods packaged by different packaging types may include different characteristics. In order to identify the packaging type and the food, the artificial intelligence model may be trained by training images of various foods that are packaged by various packaging types. The trained artificial intelligence model may identify the packaging type and the food from input images.

Identifying the type of food, the weight of the food and/or the packaging type of food using the artificial intelligence model may be performed on a user device, a server device, or the refrigerator 1.

For example, the user device may identify the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of food using the trained artificial intelligence model, and may transmit communication data including the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of food to the refrigerator 1. The processor 130 may identify the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of the food based on the communication data.

As another example, the user device may transmit the obtained image (I) to the server device. The server device may identify the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of food using the trained artificial intelligence model, and may transmit communication data including the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of food to the refrigerator 1. The processor 130 may identify the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of the food based on the communication data.

As another example, the user device may transmit the obtained image (I) to the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 may identify the type of food, the weight of the food, and/or the packaging type of food using the trained artificial intelligence model.

As mentioned above, by using various methods, the processor 130 may identify the type of food to be thawed (object to be thawed), the weight of the object to be thawed, and/or the packaging type of the object to be thawed.

The processor 130 may control the heaters 62a, 62b and/or the cooling fans 50a, 50b to thaw the object to be thawed, based on the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, and/or the packaging type of object to be thawed.

For example, the processor 130 may determine a target time to perform thawing based on the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, and/or the packaging type of object to be thawed.

The processor 130 may determine different target times based on different types of objects to be thawed. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, food has specific heat as an inherent characteristic. Different foods may have different specific heats. Specific heat may represent the amount of heat that is absorbed by a substance to cause an increase of one unit of mass of the substance in temperature or the amount of heat that is discharged by a substance to cause a decrease of one unit of mass of the substance in temperature. Therefore, in order to thaw an object with a higher specific heat, it is required that a greater amount of heat is supplied to the object, and thus it is required that the thawing operation is performed for a longer time.

A target time according to the type of object to be thawed may be stored in the memory 131. At this time, the target time may be set to be approximately proportional to the specific heat of the object to be thawed. For example, a target time for thawing pork may be approximately 33% greater than a target time for thawing carrots. The processor 130 may determine the target time according to the type of object to be thawed by referring to the memory 131.

As mentioned above, by determining the target time based on the type of the object to be thawed, it is possible to suppress, reduce or prevent that the object to be thawed is insufficiently thawed or the object to be thawed is excessively thawed.

The processor 130 may determine different target times based on different weights of the object to be thawed. The processor 130 may determine the target time to be approximately proportional to the weight of the object to be thawed.

As mentioned above, by determining the target time based on the weight of the object to be thawed, it is possible to suppress, reduce or prevent that the object to be thawed is insufficiently thawed or the object to be thawed is excessively thawed.

The processor 130 may determine different target times based on different packaging types of objects to be thawed. In order to thaw the packaged object to be thawed, it is required that heat energy of the object to be thawed passes through the packaging container or packaging means and then is discharged to the outside of the object to be thawed. At this time, the packaging container or packaging means has a unique thermal conductivity depending on the material, and the period of time to perform thawing may be determined according to the thermal conductivity of the packaging container or packaging means. Further, in the case of vacuum packaging, heat energy may be discharged to the outside through only the packaging container or packaging means, but in the case of general packaging, heat energy may be discharged to the outside through not only the packaging container or packaging means but also the air. Therefore, the period of time to perform thawing may be determined depending on whether the object to be thawed is vacuum packaged or not.

Among the vacuum packaging using vinyl, the general packaging using vinyl, the general packaging using polystyrene container and vinyl, and the packaging using polypropylene container and vinyl as illustrated in FIG. 11, the vacuum packaging using vinyl is known to have the highest thermal conductivity. The packaging using polystyrene container and vinyl is known to have the lowest thermal conductivity. In addition, the thermal conductivity of the packaging using polypropylene container and vinyl is known to be greater than that of the general packaging using vinyl.

Therefore, when thawing the same object to be thawed, the processor 130 may determine the shortest target time for an object to be thawed that is vacuum-packaged in vinyl and the longest target time for an object to be thawed packaged in polystyrene container and vinyl. Further, the processor 130 may determine that a target time for an object to be thawed that is packaged in polypropylene container and vinyl is shorter than a target time for an object to be thawed that is generally packaged in vinyl.

The target time according to the packaging type may be stored in the memory 131. At this time, the target time may be set to be approximately inversely proportional to the thermal conductivity of the packaging container or packaging means. The processor 130 may determine the target time according to the packaging type by referring to the memory 131.

As mentioned above, by determining the target time based on the packaging type, it is possible to suppress, reduce or prevent that the object to be thawed is insufficiently thawed or the object to be thawed is excessively thawed.

Further, the processor 130 may identify a user input regarding the thawing level based on the output signal of the control panel 110. The processor 130 may identify a user input indicating different thawing levels. The thawing level may indicate an extent to which the object to be thawed is thawed. For example, the thawing level may be divided into level 1, level 2, level 3, etc., or strong, medium, weak, etc.

The processor 130 may determine the target time to perform thawing based on the thawing level by a user input. For example, the processor 130 may determine that the target time is longer as the thawing level according to the user input is higher.

The target time according to the thawing level may be stored in the memory 131. The processor 130 may determine the target time according to the thawing level by referring to the memory 131.

The processor 130 may control the heaters 62a and 62b and/or the cooling fans 50a and 50b to thaw the object to be thawed, for the determined target time. The processor 130 may intermittently or periodically operate the heaters 62a, 62b and/or the cooling fans 50a, 50b to suppress, reduce, or prevent changes in food quality during thawing of the food. For example, in order to prevent the object to be thawed from being thawed rapidly, the processor 130 may intermittently or periodically stop the heaters 62a and 62b or intermittently or periodically operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b. Accordingly, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be maintained approximately constant.

As mentioned above, by intermittently or periodically stopping the heaters 62a and 62b or intermittently or periodically operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, it is possible to suppress, reduce or prevent drip loss of meat.

Further, after thawing of the object to be thawed is completed, the processor 130 may display a recipe including the thawed object on the display 112.

Hereinafter the operation of the refrigerator 1 for thawing the object to be thawed will be described.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 illustrates an operation of heaters and cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 illustrates an effect of preventing drip loss by the thawing method shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 illustrates an effect of preventing a delay in thawing by the thawing method shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 16 illustrates an effect of preventing drip loss by the thawing method shown in FIG. 12.

A thawing method 1000 of the refrigerator 1 and an effect therefor will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

The refrigerator 1 may obtain information for thawing (1010).

The processor 130 may obtain information for thawing based on the output signal of the control panel 110. The processor 130 may identify the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, and/or the packaging type of object to be thawed. Further, the processor 130 may identify the thawing level based on the output signal of the control panel 110.

The processor 130 may obtain information for thawing based on communication data from the communication module 120. The processor 130 may identify the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, and/or the packaging type of object to be thawed.

The refrigerator 1 may set a target time based on information for thawing (1015).

The memory 131 may store in advance a table including target times according to the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, the packaging type of object to be thawed, and/or the thawing level. The processor 130 may determine the target time by referring to the table stored in the memory 131.

The refrigerator 1 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b to thaw the object to be thawed (1020).

The processor 130 may control a power switch of the heaters 62a and 62b to allow power to be supplied to an electrical resistor included in the heaters 62a and 62b.

Heat emitted from the heaters 62a and 62b may heat the drawer 70 and the object to be thawed within the drawer 70 in the thawing chamber 100a and 100b. Accordingly, the temperature of the drawer 70 and the temperature of the object to be thawed contained therein may increase and the object to be thawed may be thawed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the processor 130 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b at time t0.

In addition, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates operating the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as operating the heaters 62a and 62b. The processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as stopping the heaters 62a and 62b.

The refrigerator 1 may determine whether the cooling fans 50a and 50b are being operated or not while the heaters 62a and 62b are being operated (1025).

In order to suppress, reduce, or prevent rapid temperature changes in the object to be thawed, the processor 130 may intermittently or periodically operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b while operating the heaters 62a and 62b.

The processor 130 may store information about the operation of the cooling fans 50a and 50b in the memory 131. For example, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as starting to operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b. The processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b. The processor 130 may identify whether the cooling fans 50a and 50b are being operated or not, by referring to the indicator stored in the memory 131.

In response to the cooling fans 50a and 50b not being operated (no in 1025), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are not operated, is greater than or equal to a first reference time (1030).

In response to starting the thawing operation, the processor 130 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b and may not operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, at time to when the thawing operation starts, the processor 130 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b and may not operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

The processor 130 may include a first counter to identify a period of time for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are not operated. The processor 130 may control the first counter to count the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are not operated, at approximately the same time as operating the heaters 62a and 62b without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b. Further, the processor 130 may control the first counter to count the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are not operated, at the same time as stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b while operating the heaters 62a and 62b. As mentioned above, the processor 130 may use the first counter to identify the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

The processor 130 may compare the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, with the first reference time. The first reference time may be a period of time to suppress or prevent the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b from excessively rising, and may be set experimentally or empirically. For example, the first reference time may be approximately between 60 minutes and 120 minutes, and may be effectively between 80 minutes and 100 minutes.

In response to the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are not operated, being greater than or equal to the first reference time (yes in 1030), the refrigerator 1 may operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1035). Further, in response to the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are not operated, being less than the first reference time (no in 1030), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the heaters 62a and 62b without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may continue to rise. At this time, in response to a period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, being approximately greater than or equal to the first reference time, the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be excessively increased, and the object to be thawed in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be rapidly thawed. As a result, the quality of the object to be thawed may deteriorate. For example, drip loss may occur in meat.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent a decrease in the quality of the object to be thawed, the processor 130 may heat the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b for the first reference time T1 and then operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b at time t1 to cool the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b, as shown in FIG. 13. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease and rapid thawing of the object to be thawed may be suppressed, reduced, or prevented.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the thawing operation is performed, (hereinafter referred to as ‘thawing time’) is greater than or equal to the target time (1040).

The processor 130 may include a second counter to identify the thawing time. The processor 130 may control the second counter to count the thawing time approximately at the same time as starting the thawing operation. As mentioned above, the processor 130 may identify the thawing time using the second counter.

The processor 130 may compare the thawing time with the target time. The target time may be set based on the type of object to be thawed, the weight of the object to be thawed, the packaging type of object to be thawed, and/or the thawing level.

In response to the thawing time being less than the target time (no in 1040), the refrigerator 1 may determine whether the cooling fans 50a and 50b are being operated (1025).

The processor 130 may identify whether the cooling fans 50a and 50b are being operated by referring to the indicator that indicates whether the cooling fans 50a and 50b are being operated, and is stored in the memory 131.

In response to the cooling fans 50a and 50b being operated (yes in 1025), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are operated, is greater than or equal to a second reference time (1045).

The processor 130 may use the first counter to identify the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are operated. The processor 130 may control the first counter to count the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are operated, at approximately the same time as operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

The processor 130 may compare the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are operated, with the second reference time. The second reference time may be a period of time to suppress or prevent a delay in thawing of the object to be thawed, and may be set experimentally or empirically. The second reference time may be less than the first reference time. The second reference time may be between 5 minutes and 15 minutes, and may be effectively between 8 minutes and 12 minutes.

In response to the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are operated, being greater than or equal to the second reference time (yes in 1045), the refrigerator 1 may stop the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1050). Further, in response to the period of time, for which the cooling fans 50a and 50b are operated, being less than the target time (no in 1045), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease. At this time, in response to a period of time, for which cooling fans 50a and 50b are operated, being approximately greater than or equal to the second reference time, thawing of the object to be thawed may be delayed.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent the delay of the thawing operation, the processor 130 may cool the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b for the second reference time T2 and then stop the cooling fans 50a and 50b at time t2. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the heaters 62a and 62b without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may increase, and the thawing operation may continue.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether the thawing time is greater than or equal to the target time (1040).

The processor 130 may identify the thawing time using the second counter, and the processor 130 may compare the thawing time with the target time.

In response to the thawing time being greater than or equal to the target time (yes in 1040), the refrigerator 1 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b (1055).

The processor 130 may end the thawing operation in response to the thawing time being greater than or equal to the target time. The processor 130 may control the power switch of the heaters 62a and 62b to stop supplying power to the electrical resistors. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the processor 130 may periodically turn on or turn off the cooling fans 50a and 50b while operating the heaters 62a and 62b. Further, in response to the thawing time reaching the target time tTarget, the processor 130 may end the thawing operation by stopping the heaters 62a and 62b.

In response to the thawing time being greater than or equal to the target time (yes in 1040), the refrigerator 1 may operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1060).

After the thawing of the object to be thawed is completed, the processor 130 may operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b to refrigerate the thawed object. By operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease, and the thawed object may be refrigerated.

The refrigerator 1 may operate the compressor 2 (1065).

In response to the completion of the thawing of the object to be thawed, the processor 130 may cool the thawing chambers 100a and 100b in order to refrigerate the thawed object. In other words, the heat load inside the refrigerator 1 may increase. As a result, the temperature of the storage compartment 21 may rise above the appropriate temperature. The processor 130 may operate the compressor 2 in preparation for an increase in heat load for cooling the thawing chambers 100a and 100b.

As mentioned above, during the thawing operation, the refrigerator 1 may heat or cool the thawing chambers 100a and 100b without reference to the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent changes in the quality of the thawed object due to deviation of the temperature sensor.

While heating the thawing chambers 100a and 100b for the thawing operation, the refrigerator 1 may intermittently or periodically cool the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. Accordingly, rapid temperature changes in the object to be thawed may be suppressed or prevented, and drip loss of meat may be suppressed, reduced, minimized or prevented.

FIG. 14 illustrates drip loss when the thawing chamber is heated without cooling, the drip loss when the thawing chamber is cooled along with heating, and the drip loss when the thawing chamber is cooled after starting to heat the thawing chamber. In FIG. 15, the drip loss may represent the ratio of the change in the weight after thawing to the weight before thawing of meat.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, it is confirmed that the drip loss is maximum when heating the thawing chamber without cooling, and the drip loss is minimum when cooling the thawing chamber after the first reference time T1 elapses after starting to heat the thawing chamber. In other words, it is confirmed that drip loss is minimized by heating the thawing chamber and simultaneously cooling the thawing chamber intermittently or periodically.

FIG. 15 illustrates the drip loss according to a period of time for cooling the thawing chamber when heating the thawing chamber and simultaneously cooling the thawing chamber intermittently or periodically. In FIG. 15, the drip loss may represent the ratio of the change in the weight after thawing to the weight before thawing of meat.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, it is confirmed that the drip loss is maximum when the cooling fan is stopped for the first reference time T1 and then operated for 9 times the second reference time (9*T2), and it is confirmed that the drip loss is minimum when the cooling fan is stopped for the first reference time T1 and then operated for the second reference time T2.

In order to cool the thawing chambers 100a and 100b, the refrigerator 1 may operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b without stopping the heaters 62a and 62b. Accordingly, the delay of the thawing operation due to stopping the heaters 62a and 62b may be suppressed or prevented.

FIG. 16 illustrates the thawing time according to the period of time for cooling the thawing chamber when heating the thawing chamber and simultaneously cooling the thawing chamber intermittently or periodically. In FIG. 16, the thawing time may represent a period of time until an internal temperature of the object to be thawed reaches a predetermined temperature.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, it is confirmed that the thawing time is maximum when the cooling fan is stopped for the first reference time T1 and then operated for 9 times the second reference time (9*T2), and it is confirmed that the thawing time is minimum when the cooling fan is stopped for the first reference time T1 and then operated for the second reference time T2.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 illustrates an operation of the heaters and the cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 17.

A thawing method 1100 of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

The refrigerator 1 may obtain information for thawing (1110). The refrigerator 1 may set a target time based on information for thawing (1115). The refrigerator 1 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b to thaw the object to be thawed (1120).

Operations 1110, 1115, and 1120 may be the same as operations 1010, 1015, and 1020 shown in FIG. 12. Descriptions of operations 1110, 1115, and 1120 may be replaced with the descriptions of operations 1010, 1015, and 1020 shown in FIG. 12.

The refrigerator 1 may determine whether the heaters 62a and 62b are being operated (1125).

The processor 130 may intermittently or periodically operate the heaters 62a and 62b in order to suppress, reduce, or prevent rapid temperature changes in the object to be thawed.

The processor 130 may store information about the operation of the heaters 62a and 62b in the memory 131. For example, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates operating the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as starting to operate the heaters 62a and 62b. The processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as stopping the heaters 62a and 62b. The processor 130 may identify whether the heaters 62a and 62b are being operated or not by referring to the indicator stored in the memory 131.

In response to the heaters 62a and 62b being operated (yes in 1125), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated, is greater than or equal to a first reference time (1130).

In response to starting the thawing operation, the processor 130 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, at time to when the thawing operation starts, the processor 130 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b.

The processor 130 may include a first counter to identify a period of time for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated. The processor 130 may use the first counter to identify the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated.

The processor 130 may compare the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated, with the first reference time. The first reference time may be a period of time to suppress or prevent the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b from excessively rising, and may be set experimentally or empirically.

In response to the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated, being greater than or equal to the first reference time (yes in 1130), the refrigerator 1 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b (1135). Further, in response to the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are operated, being less than the first reference time (no in 1130), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without stopping the heaters 62a and 62b.

By continuously operating the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may continue to rise. At this time, in response to a period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are continuously operated, being approximately greater than or equal to the first reference time, the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be excessively increased, and the object to be thawed in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be rapidly thawed. As a result, the quality of the object to be thawed may deteriorate. For example, drip loss may occur in meat.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent a decrease in the quality of the object to be thawed, the processor 130 may heat the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b for the first reference time T1 and then stop the heaters 62a and 62b at time t1 to cool the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b, as shown in FIG. 18. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as stopping the heaters 62a and 62b.

By stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease and the rapid thawing of the object to be thawed may be suppressed, reduced, or prevented.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the thawing operation is performed, (hereinafter referred to as ‘thawing time’) is greater than or equal to the target time (1140).

Operation 1140 may be the same as operation 1040 shown in FIG. 12. Description of operation 1140 may be replaced with the description of operation 1040 shown in FIG. 12.

In response to the thawing time being less than the target time (no in 1140), the refrigerator 1 may determine whether the heaters 62a and 62b are being operated (1125).

In response to the heaters 62a and 62b not being operated (no in 1125), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are stopped, is greater than or equal to a second reference time (1145).

The processor 130 may use the first counter to identify the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are stopped. The processor 130 may control the first counter to count the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are stopped, at approximately the same time as stopping the heaters 62a and 62b.

The processor 130 may compare the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are stopped, with the second reference time. The second reference time may be a period of time to suppress or prevent a delay in thawing of the object to be thawed, and may be set experimentally or empirically. The second reference time may be less than the first reference time.

In response to the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are stopped, being greater than or equal to the second reference time (yes in 1145), the refrigerator 1 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b (1150). In response to the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are stopped, being less than the target time (no in 1145), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without operating the heaters 62a and 62b.

By stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease. At this time, in response to the period of time, for which the heaters 62a and 62b are stopped, being approximately greater than or equal to the second reference time, thawing of the object to be thawed may be delayed.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent the delay of the thawing operation, the processor 130 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b for the second reference time T2 and then operate the heaters 62a and 62b at time t2, as illustrated in FIG. 18. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates operating the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as operating the heaters 62a and 62b.

By operating the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may increase, and the thawing operation may continue.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether the thawing time is greater than or equal to a target time (1140).

In response to the thawing time being greater than or equal to the target time (yes in 1140), the refrigerator 1 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b (1155), operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1160), and operate the compressor 2 (1165).

Operations 1155, 1160, and 1165 may be the same as operations 1055, 1060, and 1065 shown in FIG. 12. Descriptions of operations 1155, 1160, and 1165 may be replaced with the descriptions of operations 1055, 1060, and 1065 shown in FIG. 12.

As mentioned above, during the thawing operation, the refrigerator 1 may heat or cool the thawing chambers 100a and 100b without reference to the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent changes in the quality of the thawed object due to deviation of the temperature sensor.

During the thawing operation, the refrigerator 1 may intermittently or periodically heat the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. Accordingly, rapid temperature changes in the object to be thawed may be suppressed or prevented, and drip loss of meat may be suppressed, reduced, minimized or prevented.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 illustrates an operation of the heaters and the cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 19.

A thawing method 1200 of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

The refrigerator 1 may obtain information for thawing (1210). The refrigerator 1 may set a target time based on information for thawing (1215). The refrigerator 1 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b to thaw the object to be thawed (1220).

Operations 1210, 1215, and 1220 may be the same as operations 1010, 1015, and 1020 shown in FIG. 12. Descriptions of operations 1210, 1215, and 1220 may be replaced with the descriptions of operations 1010, 1015, and 1020 shown in FIG. 12.

The refrigerator 1 may determine whether the cooling fans 50a and 50b are being operated while the heaters 62a and 62b are being operated (1225).

Operation 1225 may be the same as operation 1025 shown in FIG. 12. Description of operation 1225 may be replaced with the description of operation 1025.

In response to the cooling fans 50a and 50b not being operated (no in 1225), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b is greater than or equal to a reference temperature (1230).

The temperature sensors 53a and 53b may be disposed in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b and configured to measure the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. The temperature sensors 53a and 53b may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the measured temperature to the processor 130.

The processor 130 may identify the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b based on the output signal of the temperature sensors 53a and 53b. The processor 130 may compare the identified temperature with the reference temperature. The reference temperature may be a temperature to suppress or prevent the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b from excessively rising, and may be set experimentally or empirically.

In response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being greater than or equal to the reference temperature (yes in 1230), the refrigerator 1 may operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1235). Further, in response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being less than the reference temperature (no in 1230), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the heaters 62a and 62b without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may continue to rise. At this time, in response to the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being approximately greater than or equal to the reference temperature, the object to be thawed in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be rapidly thawed. As a result, the quality of the thawed object may deteriorate. For example, drip loss may occur in meat.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent a decrease in the quality of the object to be thawed, the processor 130 may operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b at time t1 to cool the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b in response to the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b reaching the reference temperature Tr, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease, and the rapid thawing of the object to be thawed may be suppressed, reduced, or prevented.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the thawing operation is performed, (hereinafter referred to as ‘thawing time’) is greater than or equal to the target time (1240).

Operation 1240 may be the same as operation 1040 shown in FIG. 12. Description of operation 1240 may be replaced with the description of operation 1040 shown in FIG. 12.

In response to the thawing time being less than the target time (no in 1240), the refrigerator 1 may determine whether the cooling fans 50a and 50b are being operated (1225).

In response to the cooling fans 50a and 50b being operated (yes in 1225), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b is less than the reference temperature (1245).

The processor 130 may identify the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b based on the output signal of the temperature sensors 53a and 53b. The processor 130 may compare the identified temperature with the reference temperature.

In response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being less than the reference temperature (yes in 1245), the refrigerator 1 may stop the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1250). Further, in response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being greater than or equal to the reference temperature (no in 1245), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease. At this time, in response to the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being excessively lowered below the reference temperature, thawing of the object to be thawed may be delayed.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent the delay of the thawing operation, the processor 130 may stop the cooling fans 50a and 50b at time t2 in response to the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being greater than or equal to the reference temperature Tr while operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, as illustrated in FIG. 20. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as stopping the cooling fans 50a and 50b.

By operating the heaters 62a and 62b without operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may increase, and the thawing operation may continue.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether the thawing time is greater than or equal to a target time (1240).

In response to the thawing time being greater than or equal to the target time (yes in 1240), the refrigerator 1 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b (1255), operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1260), and operate the compressor 2 (1265).

Operations 1255, 1260, and 1265 may be the same as operations 1055, 1060, and 1065 shown in FIG. 12. Descriptions of operations 1255, 1260, and 1265 may be replaced with the descriptions of operations 1055, 1060, and 1065 shown in FIG. 12.

As mentioned above, while heating the thawing chambers 100a and 100b for the thawing operation, the refrigerator 1 may intermittently or periodically cool the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. Accordingly, rapid temperature changes in the object to be thawed may be suppressed or prevented, and drip loss of meat may be suppressed, reduced, minimized or prevented.

The refrigerator 1 may operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b without stopping the heaters 62a and 62b in order to cool the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. Accordingly, the delay of the thawing operation due to stopping the heaters 62a and 62b may be suppressed or prevented.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a thawing method of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 22 illustrates an operation of the heaters and the cooling fans according to the thawing method shown in FIG. 21.

A thawing method 1300 of the refrigerator 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21.

The refrigerator 1 may obtain information for thawing (1310). The refrigerator 1 may set a target time based on information for thawing (1315). The refrigerator 1 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b to thaw the object to be thawed (1320).

Operations 1310, 1315, and 1320 may be the same as operations 1010, 1015, and 1020 shown in FIG. 12. Descriptions of operations 1310, 1315, and 1320 may be replaced with the descriptions of operations 1010, 1015, and 1020 shown in FIG. 12.

The refrigerator 1 may determine whether the heaters 62a and 62b are being operated (1325).

Operation 1325 may be the same as operation 1125 shown in FIG. 17. Description of operation 1325 may be replaced with the description of operation 1125 shown in FIG. 17.

In response to the heaters 62a and 62b being operated (yes in 1325), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b is greater than or equal to a reference temperature (1330).

Operation 1330 may be the same as operation 1230 shown in FIG. 19. Description of operation 1330 may be replaced with the description of operation 1230 shown in FIG. 19.

In response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being greater than or equal to the reference temperature (yes in 1330), the refrigerator 1 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b (1335). Further, in response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being less than the reference temperature (no in 1330), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without stopping the heaters 62a and 62b.

By continuously operating the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may continue to rise. At this time, in response to the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being approximately greater than or equal to the reference temperature, the object to be thawed in the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may be rapidly thawed. As a result, the quality of the thawed object may deteriorate. For example, drip loss may occur in meat.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent a decrease in the quality of the object to be thawed, the processor 130 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b at time t1 to cool the inside of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b in response to the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b reaching the reference temperature Tr, as illustrated in FIG. 22. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as stopping the heaters 62a and 62b.

By stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease and the rapid thawing of the object to be thawed may be suppressed, reduced, or prevented.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether a period of time, for which the thawing operation is performed, (hereinafter referred to as ‘thawing time’) is greater than or equal to the target time (1340).

Operation 1340 may be the same as operation 1040 shown in FIG. 12. Description of operation 1340 may be replaced with the description of operation 1040 shown in FIG. 12.

In response to the thawing time being less than a target time (no in 1340), the refrigerator 1 may determine whether heaters 62a and 62b are being operated (1325).

In response to the heaters 62a and 62b not being operated (no in 1325), the refrigerator 1 may identify whether the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b is less than the reference temperature (1345).

Operation 1345 may be the same as operation 1245 shown in FIG. 19. Description of operation 1345 may be replaced with the description of operation 1245 shown in FIG. 19.

In response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being less than the reference temperature (yes in 1345), the refrigerator 1 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b (1350). Further, in response to the measured internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being greater than or equal to the reference temperature (no in 1345), the refrigerator 1 may continue the next operation without operating the heaters 62a and 62b.

By stopping the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may decrease. At this time, in response to the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being excessively lowered below the reference temperature, thawing of the object to be thawed may be delayed.

In order to suppress, reduce or prevent the delay of the thawing operation, the processor 130 may operate the heaters 62a and 62b at time t2 in response to the temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b being greater than or equal to the reference temperature Tr while operating the cooling fans 50a and 50b, as illustrated in FIG. 22. Further, the processor 130 may store an indicator, which indicates operating the heaters 62a and 62b, in the memory 131 at approximately the same time as operating the heaters 62a and 62b.

By operating the heaters 62a and 62b, the internal temperature of the thawing chambers 100a and 100b may increase, and the thawing operation may continue.

The refrigerator 1 may identify whether the thawing time is greater than or equal to a target time (1340).

In response to the thawing time being greater than or equal to the target time (yes in 1340), the refrigerator 1 may stop the heaters 62a and 62b (1355), operate the cooling fans 50a and 50b (1360), and operate the compressor 2 (1365).

Operations 1355, 1360, and 1365 may be the same as operations 1055, 1060, and 1065 shown in FIG. 12. Descriptions of operations 1355, 1360, and 1365 may be replaced with the descriptions of operations 1055, 1060, and 1065 shown in FIG. 12.

As mentioned above, during the thawing operation, the refrigerator 1 may intermittently or periodically heat the thawing chambers 100a and 100b. Accordingly, rapid temperature changes in the object to be thawed may be suppressed or prevented, and drip loss of meat may be suppressed, reduced, minimized or prevented.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording media in which instructions which can be decoded by a computer are stored. For example, there may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, and an optical data storage device.

Storage medium readable by machine may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. “Non-transitory” means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic wave), and this term includes a case in which data is semi-permanently stored in a storage medium and a case in which data is temporarily stored in a storage medium. For example, the non-transitory storage medium may include a buffer where data is temporarily stored.

The method according to the various disclosed embodiments may be provided by being included in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. Computer program products are distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or are distributed directly or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or created temporarily in a device-readable storage medium such as the manufacturer's server, the application store's server, or the relay server's memory.

While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a storage compartment;

a case disposed in the storage compartment;

a heater disposed in the case;

a cooling fan configured to introduce air outside the case into an inside of the case; and

a processor configured to: determine a target time based on information about an object, operate the heater for the target time, and operate the cooling fan while operating the heater.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to operate the heater for the target time without stopping the heater.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to intermittently operate the cooling fan while operating the heater.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to periodically operate the cooling fan while operating the heater.

5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein:

the information about the object comprises information about a packaging means for packaging the object, and

the processor is configured to determine the target time based on the information about the packaging means.

6. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to determine different target times based on different packaging means.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:

a control panel configured to obtain user input about the object,

wherein the processor is further configured to: identify the object and a packaging means therefor based on the user input, and determine the target time based on the identified object and packaging means therefor.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication module,

wherein the processor is further configured to: identify the object and a packaging means therefor based on information obtained from an image obtained by an electronic device, and determine the target time based on the identified object and packaging means therefor.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

stop the cooling fan for a first period of time while operating the heater, and

operate the cooling fan for a second period of time that is less than the first period of time while operating the heater.

10. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature sensor configured to measure an internal temperature of the case,

wherein the processor is configured to operate the cooling fan based on an output signal of the temperature sensor.

11. The refrigerator of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to:

operate the cooling fan when the measured internal temperature of the case is greater than or equal to a reference temperature; and

stop the cooling fan when the measured internal temperature of the case is less than the reference temperature.

12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to stop the heater and operate the cooling fan when an operating time of the heater is greater than or equal to the target time.

13. A control method of a refrigerator comprising a case disposed in a storage compartment, the control method comprising:

determining a target time based on information about an object;

operating a heater disposed in the case for the target time; and

operating a cooling fan configured to introduce air outside the case into an inside of the case, while operating the heater.

14. The control method of the refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the operating of the heater comprises operating the heater for the target time without stopping the heater.

15. The control method of the refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the operating of the cooling fan comprises intermittently operating the cooling fan while operating the heater.

16. The control method of the refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the operating of the cooling fan comprises periodically operating the cooling fan while operating the heater.

17. The control method of the refrigerator of claim 13, wherein:

the information about the object comprises information about a packaging means for packaging the object, and

the determining of the target time comprises determining the target time based on information about the packaging means.

18. The control method of the refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the determining of the target time comprises determining different target times based on different packaging means.

19. The control method of the refrigerator of claim 13, further comprising:

obtaining user input about the object via a control panel; and

identifying the object and a packaging means therefor based on the user input,

wherein the determining of the target time comprises determining the target time based on the identified object and packaging means therefor.

20. The control method of the refrigerator of claim 13, further comprising:

identifying, via a communication module, the object and a packaging means therefor based on information obtained from an image obtained by an electronic device,

wherein the determining of the target time comprises determining the target time based on the identified object and packaging means therefor.