Refrigerator and safety control method thereof

Abstract

A refrigerator and a safety control method thereof, which is capable of ensuring protection from a high voltage applied to a shelf on which food is placed in order to improve food preservation. The safety control method of a refrigerator having a storage chamber which stores food, the method includes sensing a chamber temperature of the storage chamber, comparing the sensed chamber temperature with a predetermined setting temperature and generating a high voltage when the chamber temperature is less than the predetermined setting temperature, supplying the generated high voltage to the inside of the storage chamber to preserve the food, determining whether a high voltage cutoff condition occurs while the high voltage is supplied to the inside of the storage chamber, and cutting off the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber when the high voltage cutoff condition occurs.

1 . A safety control method of a refrigerator which preserves food by supplying a high voltage to an inside of a storage chamber storing the food, the method comprising:
 detecting a value of current supplied to the inside of the storage chamber; and   comparing the detected current value with a predetermined setting value and cutting off the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber when the current value is greater than or equal to the predetermined setting value.   
   
   
       2 . A safety control method of a refrigerator which preserves food by supplying a high voltage to an inside of a storage chamber storing the food, the method comprising:
 detecting whether a door of the storage chamber is opened; and   cutting off the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber when the door of the storage chamber is opened.   
   
   
       3 . A safety control method of a refrigerator which preserves food by supplying a high voltage to an inside of a storage chamber for storing the food, the method comprising:
 sensing a chamber temperature of the storage chamber; and   comparing the sensed chamber temperature with a predetermined setting temperature and cutting off the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber when the chamber temperature is greater than or equal to a total sum of the predetermined setting temperature set by a user and a predetermined temperature.   
   
   
       4 . A safety control method of a refrigerator which preserves food by supplying a high voltage to an inside of a storage chamber storing the food, the method comprising:
 determining whether a person approaches the inside of the storage chamber; and   cutting off the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber when the person approaches the inside of the storage chamber.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising displaying an operation state of the refrigerator due to the cut off of the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inside of the storage chamber is a shelf on which the food placed. 
   
   
       7 . A safety control method of a refrigerator having a storage chamber which stores food, the method comprising:
 sensing a chamber temperature of the storage chamber;   comparing the sensed chamber temperature with a predetermined setting temperature and generating a high voltage when the chamber temperature is less than the predetermined setting temperature;   supplying the generated high voltage to an inside of the storage chamber to preserve the food;   determining whether a high voltage cutoff condition occurs while the high voltage is supplied to the inside of the storage chamber; and   cutting off the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber when the high voltage cutoff condition occurs.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the high voltage cutoff condition is at least one of a condition that a value of current supplied to the inside of the storage chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined setting value, a condition that a door of the storage chamber is opened, a condition that a chamber temperature is greater than or equal to a total sum of the predetermined setting temperature and a predetermined temperature, and a condition that a person approaches the inside of the storage chamber. 
   
   
       9 . A refrigerator having a storage chamber which stores food, the refrigerator comprising:
 a high voltage generator to generate a high voltage supplied to an inside of the storage chamber;   a power supply switch to switch a power supply driving the high voltage generator;   a temperature sensor to sense a chamber temperature of the storage chamber; and   a control unit to compare the sensed chamber temperature with a predetermined setting temperature set by a user, to control the power supply switch to supply the high voltage generated at the high voltage generator to the inside of the storage chamber when the chamber temperature is less than the predetermined setting temperature.   
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , wherein the control unit controls the power supply switch to turn off the power supply driving the high voltage generator, when the chamber temperature rises to greater than or equal to the total sum of the predetermined setting temperature a predetermined temperature while the high voltage is supplied to the inside of the storage chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator according to  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined temperature is approximately 2 to 3° C. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a current detecting unit to detect a value of current supplied to the inside of the storage chamber,   wherein the control unit compares the detected current value with a predetermined setting value and controls the power supply switch to turn off the power supply driving the high voltage generator when the detected current value is greater than or equal to the predetermined setting value.   
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a door switch to detect whether a door of the storage chamber is opened or closed,   wherein the control unit controls the power supply switch to turn off the power supply driving the high voltage generator when the door switch detects that the door is opened.   
   
   
       14 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a sensor sensing whether a person approaches the inside of the storage chamber,   wherein the control unit controls the power supply switch to turn off the power supply driving the high voltage generator when the sensor senses that the person approaches the inside of the storage chamber.   
   
   
       15 . The refrigerator according to  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a contact sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared ray sensor and a touch sensor. 
   
   
       16 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a shelf provided inside the storage chamber to place food thereon and to receive the high voltage generated from the high voltage generator, and comprising a sensor integrally combined therewith, to sense whether a person contacts with the shelf, wherein the power supply driving the high voltage generator is turned off when it is sensed that the person contacts with the shelf.   
   
   
       17 . The refrigerator according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 supporting members attached to an inner wall of the storage chamber to support the shelf; and   insulating members corresponding to each supporting member, wherein the shelf rests on the insulating member, to prevent the high voltage from being applied to the inner wall of storage chamber through the supporting member.   
   
   
       18 . The refrigerator according to  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a display unit displaying an operation state of the refrigerator due to the turn-off of the power supply driving the high voltage generator.   
   
   
       19 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , wherein the control unit determines whether a high voltage cutoff condition occurs while the high voltage is supplied to the inside of the storage chamber, and cuts off the high voltage supplied to the inside of the storage chamber if the high voltage cutoff condition occurs. 
   
   
       20 . The refrigerator according to  claim 19 , wherein the high voltage cutoff condition is at least one of a condition that a value of current supplied to the inside of the storage chamber is greater than or equal to a predetermined setting value, a condition that a door of the storage chamber is opened, a condition that a chamber temperature is greater than or equal to a total sum of the predetermined setting temperature and a predetermined temperature, and a condition that a person approaches the inside of the storage chamber.