Refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator including a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber, a passage opening and closing member for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage, a driving unit for driving the passage opening and closing member so that the passage opening and closing member can open and close the passage, and a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, as the passage for supplying the cool air from the freezing chamber to the refrigerating chamber is wholly or partially openable and closable, the actual temperature of the refrigerating chamber can be precisely controlled into the preset temperature. Therefore, stored articles can be freshly maintained to improve users' satisfaction.

1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a plurality of opening and closing plates rotatably installed on a passage through which cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber passes, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage;   a driving unit for driving the opening and closing plates to regulate an opening and closing degree of the passage; and   a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the passage comprises at least one partitioning portion installed to contact the edges of the opening and closing plates when the opening and closing plates are closed. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the driving unit is a plurality of step motors connected to each hinge shaft of the opening and closing plates, for rotating the opening and closing plates in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the operation of the driving unit so that an open area of the passage can be widened to increase the flow rate of the cool air, as the measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber becomes higher than the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber. 
   
   
       5 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 an opening and closing blade slidably installed on a passage through which cool air flowing from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber passes, for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage;   a driving unit for driving the opening and closing blade to regulate an opening and closing degree of the passage; and   a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.   
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein two or more opening and closing blades are formed to be interlocked at a sectional center of the passage and to slidably move between the sectional center and the circumference of the passage. 
   
   
       7 . The refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein the control unit controls the operation of the driving unit so that an open area of the passage can be widened to increase the flow rate of the cool air, as the measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber becomes higher than the set temperature of the refrigerating chamber. 
   
   
       8 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a passage through which cool air flows from a freezing chamber to a refrigerating chamber;   a passage opening and closing member for wholly or partially opening and closing the passage;   a driving unit for driving the passage opening and closing member so that the passage opening and closing member can open and close the passage; and   a control unit for comparing a set temperature of the refrigerating chamber with a measured temperature of the refrigerating chamber, and controlling an operation of the driving unit according to a comparison result.   
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the passage opening and closing member is a plurality of dampers that independently operate. 
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator of  claim 8 , wherein the passage opening and closing member comprises a circular opening portion, and a plurality of opening and closing blades arranged along the circumference of the opening portion. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the opening and closing blades slide in a radius direction of the opening portion. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of opening and closing blades of the passage opening and closing member comprise a rotating blade and a fixed blade, the rotating blade being rotated in a circumferential direction to open some portion of the opening portion.