Refrigerator and controlling method thereof

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body providing a storage space in which foods are stored at a low temperature, a vaporizing chamber defined in a side of the main body, an evaporator received in the vaporizing chamber, a sensor module including a sensing part received in the vaporizing chamber to detect an amount of frosts attached to the evaporator and at least one sensor defrost part removing frosts attached to the sensing part, a control part controlling an operation of the sensor module, and a defrost heater removing the frosts attached to the evaporator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a main body providing a storage space in which foods are stored at a low temperature;   a vaporizing chamber defined in a side of the main body;   an evaporator received in the vaporizing chamber;   a sensor module comprising a sensing part received in the vaporizing chamber to detect an amount of frosts attached to the evaporator and at least one sensor defrost part removing frosts attached to the sensing part;   a control part controlling an operation of the sensor module; and   a defrost heater removing the frosts attached to the evaporator.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a module support supporting the sensor module. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensor module further comprises:
 a support supporting the sensing part; and   a base on which the support and the sensor defrost part are placed.   
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein the module support comprises:
 a body having a recess or stepped portion in which the base is placed; and   at least one leg extending from an edge of the body and fixed to a refrigerant tube of the evaporator.   
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 4 , further comprising a holder protruding from one surface of the leg to surround the refrigerant tube. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 4 , further comprising a bracket closely attached to one surface of the leg,
 wherein recess portions are defined in the one surface of the leg and one surface of the bracket closely attached to the one surface of the leg, respectively, and   when the bracket is closely attached to the leg, the recess portions are coupled to each other to define a hole through which the refrigerant tube passes.   
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator according to  claim 4 , further comprising a hole passing through both sides surfaces of the leg so that the refrigerant tube passes. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 4 , further comprising a waterproof layer formed by injecting a molding solution into a top surface of the base in a state where the base is placed on the recess or stepped portion. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 8 , wherein the waterproof layer has a thickness less than a value subtracting a thickness of the base from a thickness of the recess or stepped portion. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the module support is fixed to a refrigerant tube of the evaporator or a frame supporting the refrigerant tube. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the module support is mounted on any position corresponding to an upper side of the evaporator on a well defining the vaporizing chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor part comprises:
 a light emitting part emitting infrared rays; and   a light receiving part receiving the infrared rays which are emitted from the light emitting part and then reflected by the frosts attached to the evaporator.   
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor defrost part comprises a resistor in which a power is applied to generate heat, and
 the sensor defrost part is disposed at a position close to the sensing part.   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the defrost heater extends along a refrigerant tube in a state where the defrost heater contacts the refrigerant tube of the evaporator. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator according to  claim 14 , wherein one or plurality of recess portions in which the defrost heater is received is defined in an outer surface of the refrigerant tube. 
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator according to  claim 15 , wherein a distance f from a center of the refrigerant tube to the outer surface of the defrost heater exposed to the outside is equal to or less than an outer diameter F of the refrigerant tube. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor defrost part is operated for a preset time according to a preset period to melt the frosts attached to the sensing part. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator according to  claim 17 , wherein an operation period of the sensor defrost part and an operation period of the sensing part are independent from each other. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein a power is applied to the sensor defrost part at an operation time of the sensing part. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator according to  claim 19 , wherein a heating time of the sensor defrost part is different from a sensing time of the sensing part.