A refrigerator includes a storage space, a freezing chamber defining an insulating space configured to maintain a chamber temperature independent from the storage space, an evaporator in the storage space, a grille panel assembly that defines an evaporator space configured to accommodate the evaporator and at least a portion of the storage space, a thermoelectric element assembly including a thermoelectric element, a heat sink, and a cold sink to cool the freezing chamber to a temperature less than the temperature of the storage space, a module accommodation portion located at a side of the grille panel assembly, a defrost water guide that communicates with the module accommodation portion and the evaporator space and that is configured to discharge defrost water generated during a defrost operation of the freezing chamber, and a defrost heater located in the module accommodation portion and configured to melt ice during the defrost operation.

Exemplary embodiments provide a refrigeration system having an interior space cooled by a plurality of cooling. Each cooling unit is capable of operating either synchronously when in communication with a control panel or under independent operation. Each cooling unit is modularly and replaceable without the use of tools by means of a quick connect system. The cooling units use a heat exchanger cooled by chilled water and make use of an electronic super heat control and electronic expansion valve to regulate the flow of refrigerant for improved efficiency.

The method for controlling the refrigerator includes operating a first cooling cycle for cooling the first storage compartment to operate the compressor and operating a first fan for the first storage compartment, and switching the first cooling cycle to a second cooling cycle for cooling the second storage compartment to operate the compressor and operating a second fan when a stop condition of the first cooling cycle is satisfied. A temperature of each storage compartment is sensed at sampling time intervals in each cooling cycle. Further, a cooling power of the compressor is determined for each sampling time based on a sensed current temperature of the storage compartment, and the compressor is operated at the determined cooling power.

A refrigerator includes: a cabinet including a freezing chamber; an evaporator located at one side of the freezing chamber; a freezing chamber fan configured to supply cool air to the freezing chamber; an ice maker located in the freezing chamber and configured to perform ice-making; an ice bin located below the ice maker and separates and stores ice made in the ice maker; an ice detection device which detects whether or not the ice stored in the ice bin is full; and a control unit configured to control the freezing chamber fan according to a detection signal of the ice detection device. The control unit is configured to turn off the freezing chamber fan when ice-fullness is detected by the ice detection device and turn on the freezing chamber fan when the ice-fullness is not detected by the ice detection device.

A refrigerator comprises: a storage compartment, at least divided into a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment a first evaporator, arranged at a cooling compartment connected to the storage compartments through supply air ducts; a second evaporator, arranged inside the freezing compartment a switching valve, used to switch the flow of a refrigerant to a refrigerant channel connected to the second evaporator; a fan, used to enable cooled air in the first evaporator to flow from the cooling compartment to the storage compartments; a first air duct damper, inserted in the supply air duct connected to the refrigerating compartment and a second air duct damper, inserted in the supply air duct connected to the freezing compartment.

A method of controlling a refrigerator includes: controlling a cooling unit such that an output of the cooling unit becomes a first reference output for a first reference time previously determined; controlling the cooling unit such that the output of the cooling unit becomes a second reference output for a second reference time previously determined; calculating a representative value of a temperature of a storage compartment for an operating period, which is made by a sum of the first reference time and the second reference time, and comparing the calculated representative value with a specific temperature in a temperature satisfying range of the storage compartment; and varying, by a control unit, at least one of the first reference time and the second reference time depending on a comparison result between the specific temperature and the representative value and controlling operating of the cooling unit based on a varied reference time.

A refrigerator control method of the present embodiment comprises the steps of: operating a compressor by operating a first cooling cycle for cooling a first storage chamber, and operating a first cold air supply means for the first storage chamber; and operating the compressor by switching into a second cooling cycle for cooling a second storage chamber, and operating a second cold air supply means, when a stop condition of the first cooling cycle is satisfied, wherein the cooling capacity of the compressor in the current second cooling cycle is determined on the basis of the representative temperature of the second storage chamber during one operating cycle which includes the previous first cooling cycle and the previous second cooling cycle, and a control unit performs control such that the compressor is operated in the current second cooling cycle with the determined cooling capacity.

A refrigerator includes a first freezing cycle in which a first refrigerant circulates and having a first compressor, a first condenser, at least one first expansion mechanism, and at least one first evaporator, the first freezing cycle configured to cool freezing and refrigerating compartments, a freezing compartment sensor, a refrigerating compartment sensor, a second freezing cycle in which a second mixed refrigerant having a lower evaporation temperature than the first refrigerant circulates and having a second compressor, a second condenser, a second expansion mechanism, and a second evaporator, the second freezing cycle configured to cool a deep freezing compartment, a deep freezing compartment sensor, and a controller configured to operate the first freezing cycle and the second freezing cycle independently or simultaneously, thereby more efficiently cooling the freezing and refrigerating compartments and the deep freezing compartment.

A refrigerator includes: a cabinet including a freezing chamber; an evaporator located at one side of the freezing chamber; a freezing chamber fan configured to supply cool air to the freezing chamber; an ice maker located in the freezing chamber and configured to perform ice-making; an ice bin located below the ice maker and separates and stores ice made in the ice maker; an ice detection device which detects whether or not the ice stored in the ice bin is full; and a control unit configured to control the freezing chamber fan according to a detection signal of the ice detection device. The control unit is configured to turn off the freezing chamber fan when ice-fullness is detected by the ice detection device and turn on the freezing chamber fan when the ice-fullness is not detected by the ice detection device.

A method for controlling an operation of a refrigeration appliance comprises controlling a first cooling routine for a first compartment via a flow of a thermal exchange media to a first evaporator. The method further comprises controlling a heating routine in response to a setpoint temperature being greater than the temperature of the first compartment. The heating routine comprises activating a heating element and a fan in the first compartment over a first interval and deactivating the heating element and the fan over a second interval. The heating routine continues by activating the first interval and the second interval over alternating time periods. In response to the temperature of the first compartment being greater than or equal to a target temperature associated with the setpoint, the method may control the operation of the appliance by returning to the cooling routine.