Refrigerator having circulation fan controller for saving power consumption

Abstract

Disclosed is a refrigerator comprising: a compressor ON/OFF detector configured to detect an operation of the compressor when the compressor is operated; a circulation fan operation controller checks an operation of the compressor based on a signal input from the compressor ON/OFF detector and set and output an operation condition of a circulation fan; a circulation fan power source ( 50 ) configured to supply drive power to the circulation fan ( 60 ) in response to an output signal of the circulation fan operation controller ( 30 ); and a circulation fan control switch ( 40 ) configured to interrupt the power of the circulation fan power source ( 50 ) in response to an output signal of the circulation fan operation controller ( 30 ).

1 . A refrigerator including a refrigeration cycle having a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, a capillary tube configured to decompress the liquid refrigerant condensed by the condenser, and an evaporator configured to evaporate the liquid refrigerant decompressed by the capillary tube to produce cold air by exchanging heat, and a circulation fan configured to circulate the cold air produced by the evaporator, comprising:
 a compressor ON/OFF detector configured to detect an operation of the compressor when the compressor is operated;   a circulation fan operation controller configured to check an operation of the compressor based on a signal input from the compressor ON/OFF detector and set and output an operation condition of a circulation fan;   a circulation fan power source configured to supply drive power to the circulation fan in response to an output signal of the circulation fan operation controller; and   a circulation fan control switch configured to interrupt the power of the circulation fan power source in response to an output signal of the circulation fan operation controller.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the compressor ON/OFF detector includes a photoelectric switch. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the circulation fan control switch includes a relay having a coil and a contact point operated by an attractive or repulsive force of the coil, and a semiconductor device configured to interrupt power energizing the coil in response to an output signal of the circulation fan operation controller. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the circulation fan operation controller includes a circulation fan controller that controls the circulation fan control switch to output a signal for continuously operating the circulation fan if the compressor is switched on and controls the circulation fan control switch to output an interruption signal for operating the circulation fan such that the circulation fan is stopped for three minutes and is operated for one minute if the compressor is switched off.