Method of controlling refrigerator

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of controlling a refrigerator, including detecting outside temperature through an outside temperature sensor configured to detect ambient temperature of the refrigerator, performing a winter operation when the outside temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor is equal to or less than a set temperature, and determining a normal operation to be performed when the temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor is higher than the set temperature, wherein, during the winter operation, the compressor is operated with higher cooling power than in the normal operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of controlling a refrigerator including a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor, an evaporator, a freezing compartment fan configured to supply cold air to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, a compressor, a condenser, a condenser fan configured to cool the condenser and maintain the refrigerating compartment at a target control temperature, and a controller, the method comprising:
 measuring an outside temperature by an outside temperature sensor configured to measure the outside temperature of the refrigerator;   based on the outside temperature being equal to or less than a set temperature, performing a winter operation; and   based on the outside temperature being higher than the set temperature, performing a normal operation,   wherein, when performing the winter operation, the compressor is operated with a higher cooling power than in the normal operation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set temperature is 18° C. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the winter operation comprises:
 based on a set time elapsing after the compressor is turned on, turning on the freezing compartment fan.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein turning on the freezing compartment fan comprises:
 operating the freezing compartment fan at a lower rotational speed than that of the freezing compartment fan during the normal operation.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein operating the freezing compartment fan comprises:
 supplying cold air to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 operating the condenser fan based on the freezing compartment fan being operated.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the winter operation comprises:
 based on a set time elapsing after the compressor is turned on, turning on the condenser fan.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein turning on the condenser fan comprises:
 operating the condenser fan at a lower rotational speed than that of the condenser fan during the normal operation.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the set time is a time period from the compressor being turned on until the compressor reaches the high cooling power. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the set time is within 60 seconds after the compressor is turned on. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the winter operation comprises:
 based on a temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaching the target control temperature, turning off the compressor, the freezing compartment fan, and the condenser fan.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 stopping the operation of the compressor, the freezing compartment fan, and the condenser fan simultaneously.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein operating the compressor comprises:
 operating the compressor with a variable frequency based on a load, wherein the compressor is configured as an inverter compressor or a linear compressor.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 operating the compressor at a higher motor rotation frequency when performing the winter operation, thereby generating the higher cooling power than in the normal operation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 operating the compressor at a motor rotation frequency of 50 Hz when performing the winter operation, and operating the compressor at a motor rotation frequency of 30 Hz during the normal operation.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein measuring the outside temperature comprises:
 measuring an ambient temperature at an outside of the refrigerator using the outside temperature sensor that is disposed at one side of the cabinet.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the outside temperature sensor is disposed on a hinge cover that is configured to shield a hinge that rotatably couples the cabinet and a door. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the normal operation comprises:
 based on a temperature of the refrigerating compartment reaching the target control temperature, first turning off the compressor and the condenser fan, and then turning off the freezing compartment fan based on a set time elapsing from being turned on.