Illumination device for refrigerator and method of controlling the same

Abstract

Disclosed are an illumination device for a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same. The illumination device includes: a lamp assembly for irradiating light to the inside of a storage chamber of a refrigerator; a base plate mounted on a side within the storage chamber, the lamp assembly being provided on a side of the base plate; a watertight cover formed to enclose the lamp assembly so as to block the direct penetration of water into the lamp assembly; and a fastening means formed on a side of the base plate to surround the watertight cover so as to form a recess-prominence engagement with the watertight cover. Lamps provided in the lamp assembly are individually controlled through a manipulation panel mounted on the main body. If the refrigerator door is opened, the driving of the lamp assembly is stopped. In addition, the lamp assembly irradiates different colored lights depending on the kind of food.

1 . An illumination device for a refrigerator comprising:
 a main body forming the external appearance of a refrigerator, a storage chamber for storing stored products in the interior thereof being opened through one side of the main body;   a door for selectively shielding an opening of the storage chamber;   a lamp assembly mounted on the bottom surface of the door, the lamp assembly comprising a plurality of lamps, which are differently oriented from each other so as to irradiate light to the interior of the storage chamber; and   a plurality of stored product sensing means mounted on a side of the interior of the storage chamber for sensing whether stored products are received in the interior of the storage chamber,   wherein the lamps provided in the lamp assembly are connected with the stored product sensing means, respectively, so as to allow only the lamp, which corresponds to a stored product sensed as being received in the storage chamber, to be turned on.   
   
   
       2 . The illumination device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lamps and the stored product sensing means are arranged in such a manner that the lamps and the stored product sensing means mounted on the same part with reference to the center of the storage chamber are operatively connected with each other. 
   
   
       3 . The illumination device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the stored product sensing means are switches operated by the stored products. 
   
   
       4 . The illumination device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the switches are arranged on left and right parts with reference to the center of the bottom of the storage chamber, each switch being provided with an elastic member within its inside, so that it is pressed by the weight of one or more stored product and returned to their original conditions when the weight is released. 
   
   
       5 . The illumination device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the stored product sensing means are sensors for sensing whether one or more stored products are received in the storage chamber or not. 
   
   
       6 . The illumination device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the sensors are pressure sensors mounted on the bottom of the storage chamber so as to sense the weight of one or more stored products. 
   
   
       7 . The illumination device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the sensors are proximity sensors provided on a side wall of the storage chamber for sensing the positions of one or more stored products.