Control method for refrigerator

Abstract

A control method for a refrigerator is provided. In the method, operating conditions of a compressor are determined through a defrost sensor mounted to an evaporator to reduce power consumption. Because the operating conditions of the compressor are determined according to the temperature of the evaporator, cooling efficiency of the refrigerator can be improved, and power consumption can be reduced.

1 . A control method for a refrigerator, comprising:
 measuring a temperature of an evaporator with a temperature sensor provided at a side of the evaporator;   comparing the measured temperature of the evaporator to a reference temperature; and   determining operating conditions of a compressor according to result of the comparison of the temperatures.   
   
   
       2 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating condition of the compressor is varied according to the result of the comparison of the temperatures. 
   
   
       3 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating condition of the compressor, according to the result of the comparing of the temperatures, comprises at least two modes. 
   
   
       4 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is a defrost sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating condition of the compressor comprises:
 a first operating mode performed when the temperature of the evaporator exceeds a set temperature range;   a second operating mode performed when the temperature of the evaporator lies within the set temperature range; and   a third operating mode performed when the temperature of the evaporator is below the set temperature range.   
   
   
       6 . The control method according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the compressor is operated with 100% input power in the first operating mode,   the compressor is operated with 80% input power in the second operating mode, and   the compressor is operated with 60% input power in the third operating mode.   
   
   
       7 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein the operating condition of the compressor comprises modes determined through controlling input power to the compressor. 
   
   
       8 . The control method according to  claim 1 , wherein operation of the compressor is stopped when a temperature within the refrigerator reaches a set temperature.