CN110671860A

CN110671860A - Apparatus and method for diagnosing valve malfunction of refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN110671860A
Application number: CN201811503568.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 具宽瑞; 李昇勋
Original assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-03
Filing date: 2018-12-10
Publication date: 2020-01-10
Also published as: US20200011596A1; KR20200004055A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for diagnosing a valve failure of a refrigerator by detecting whether a first valve configured to control a flow rate of a refrigerant circulating in a first refrigerating compartment and a second valve configured to control a flow rate of a refrigerant circulating in a second refrigerating compartment are abnormal. The apparatus comprises: a first temperature sensor that measures a temperature in the first refrigerated compartment; a second temperature sensor that measures a temperature in the second refrigerated compartment; a controller configured to determine whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal by comparing temperature changes measured by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor in a state where the first valve or the second valve is opened. The apparatus also includes a display configured to display a determination result indicating whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal.

Description

Apparatus and method for diagnosing valve malfunction of refrigerator

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for diagnosing a malfunction of a component of a refrigerator.

Background

In general, refrigerators are used to store articles such as food, beverages, and the like at low temperatures for a long time. For example, a refrigerator freezes or refrigerates items according to different types of foods to be stored.

The temperature in the refrigerator is maintained at a set level by supplying cool air generated using a cooling cycle. Accordingly, a refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The compressor, the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator are disposed in a machine room disposed at one side of the refrigerator and configured to supply cool air into the refrigerator.

For example, the refrigerant gas is compressed to a high-temperature and high-pressure state by a compressor. When the refrigerant gas in a high-temperature and high-pressure state passes through the condenser, condensation heat is released to the outside. Then, the refrigerant gas in a high-temperature and high-pressure state evaporates while passing through the expansion valve. The refrigerant gas in a high-temperature and high-pressure state absorbs latent heat of evaporation from ambient air and is evaporated by the evaporator. In this way, cold air is generated by the heat transfer process.

In the case of a refrigerator with two refrigerating compartments, such as a two-compartment refrigerator, the flow of refrigerant towards each refrigerating compartment is regulated by a classifying valve. However, it is difficult to judge whether the classification valve is defective or not on the production line. Therefore, if the classifying valve of the dual chamber refrigerator operates abnormally, excessive cooling or insufficient cooling occurs in the refrigerator.

Therefore, there is a need for a technology capable of easily detecting a malfunction of a classification valve on a production line and thereby reducing a malfunction rate of a refrigerator.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for diagnosing a valve failure by easily detecting a failure of a valve.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for diagnosing a valve failure of a refrigerator by detecting whether a first valve configured to control a flow rate of a refrigerant circulating in a first refrigerating compartment and a second valve configured to control a flow rate of a refrigerant circulating in a second refrigerating compartment are abnormal, the apparatus comprising: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the first refrigerated compartment; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the second refrigerated compartment; a controller configured to determine whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal by comparing changes in temperatures measured by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor in a state where the first valve or the second valve is opened; and a display configured to display a judgment result of the controller, the judgment result indicating whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal.

The controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset time period with the first valve open and determine that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment is reduced and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is constant based on the temperature change.

The controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments for a preset period of time in a state where the first valve is open and determine that a "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first and second valves based on the temperature change when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment is constant and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is decreased, wherein the "valve connection failure" indicates that the first and second valves are connected with the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in a reversed manner.

The controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments for a preset period of time in a state where the first valve is open and determine that a "valve leakage failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when both the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment are reduced based on the temperature change, wherein the "valve leakage failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in an open state.

The controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset period of time with the first valve open and determine, based on the temperature change, that a "valve operation failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment are both constant, wherein the "valve operation failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in a closed state.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a refrigerator including: a first refrigerated compartment including a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the first refrigerated compartment; a second refrigerated compartment including a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the second refrigerated compartment; a first valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerating compartment; a second valve configured to control a flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the second refrigerating compartment; and an apparatus for diagnosing a valve failure by detecting whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal, the apparatus comprising: a controller configured to determine whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal by comparing changes in temperatures measured by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor in a state where the first valve or the second valve is opened; and a display configured to display a judgment result of the controller, the judgment result indicating whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal.

7. The refrigerator of claim 6 wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset time period with the first valve open and determine that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is constant based on the temperature change.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for diagnosing a valve malfunction of a refrigerator by detecting whether a first valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in a first refrigerating compartment and a second valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in a second refrigerating compartment are abnormal, the method comprising: measuring temperatures in the first refrigerated compartment and the second refrigerated compartment; determining whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal by comparing changes in temperatures measured by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor in a state where the first valve or the second valve is open; and displaying and indicating whether the first and second valves are abnormal.

Determining whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal may include: calculating a temperature change in the first and second refrigerating compartments for a preset time period in a state where the first valve is opened; and determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment is decreased and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment is constant.

Determining whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal may include: calculating a temperature change in the first and second refrigerating compartments for a preset time period in a state where the first valve is opened; and determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is constant; determining that a "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment is constant and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment is decreased, wherein the "valve connection failure" indicates that the first and second valves are reversely connected with the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments; determining that a "valve leakage failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when both the temperature in the first and second refrigeration compartments decrease, wherein the "valve leakage failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigeration compartments in an open state; and determining that a "valve operation failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperatures in the first and second refrigerated compartments are constant, wherein the "valve operation failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in a closed state.

Determining whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal may include: calculating a temperature change in the first and second refrigerating compartments for a preset time period in a state where the second valve is opened; and determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment is decreased and the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment is constant.

Determining whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal may include: calculating a temperature change in the first and second refrigerating compartments for a preset time period in a state where the second valve is opened; determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment is constant; determining that a "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment is constant and the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment is decreased, wherein the "valve connection failure" indicates that the first and second valves are reversely connected with the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments; determining that a "valve leakage failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when both the temperature in the first and second refrigeration compartments decrease, wherein the "valve leakage failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigeration compartments in an open state; and determining that a "valve operation failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperatures in the first and second refrigerated compartments are constant, wherein the "valve operation failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in a closed state.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are advantageous in that it is possible to easily detect a malfunction of a valve in a refrigerator (e.g., "valve connection malfunction", "valve leakage malfunction", "valve operation malfunction", etc.) by detecting whether a flow of refrigerant circulating in a refrigerating chamber is normal or not by comparing a temperature change in the refrigerating chamber.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a configuration of an apparatus for diagnosing a valve failure of a refrigerator of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of diagnosing a valve failure by using the apparatus for diagnosing a valve failure of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary method for diagnosing a valve malfunction of a refrigerator of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is one of the various patentable aspects of the disclosure and may form part of the detailed description of the invention. However, in describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions, which may obscure the present disclosure, may be omitted.

The present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments will be shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail in the detailed description of the embodiments. It should be understood, however, that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments, but rather, to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

As used herein, the terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe and not limit various components. These terms merely distinguish one element from another. When referring to one member being "connected" or "coupled" to another member, it is to be understood that the former member may be directly connected or coupled to the latter member, or a third member may be interposed between the two members. The specific terminology used in the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, expressions used in the singular include expressions in the plural.

Fig. 1 illustrates a configuration of an apparatus for diagnosing a valve failure of a refrigerator of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of diagnosing a valve failure by using the apparatus for diagnosing a valve failure of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an electronic apparatus for diagnosing a malfunction of a valve of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first temperature sensor (L-S)110, a second temperature sensor (R-S)120, a controller 200, and a display 300.

Specifically, the first temperature sensor 110 may measure the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment 10 and the second temperature sensor 120 may measure the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment 20. Accordingly, the first temperature sensor 110 may be installed at a predetermined position in the first refrigerator compartment 10, and the second temperature sensor 120 may be installed at a predetermined position in the second refrigerator compartment 20. For example, the first and

second temperature sensors

110 and 120 may be disposed near cool air discharge ports of the first and second refrigerating

compartments

10 and 20.

Here, the first and second refrigerating

chambers

10 and 20 may be independent spaces of the kimchi refrigerator. For example, the first refrigerating chamber 10 may be an L chamber (left chamber) located at one side of the kimchi refrigerator, and the second refrigerating chamber 20 may be an R chamber (right chamber) located at the other side of the kimchi refrigerator. Although a kimchi refrigerator is disclosed, it should be understood that the refrigerator is merely exemplary, and embodiments of the present invention are equally applicable to any dual-chamber refrigerator.

For example, although the first and second

refrigerating chambers

10 and 20 are described as refrigerating spaces of the kimchi refrigerator in the present embodiment, the first and second

refrigerating chambers

10 and 20 may be applied to other refrigerators instead of the kimchi refrigerator. For example, the present disclosure may also be applied to a cosmetic refrigerator, a wine refrigerator, and the like.

In a state where the Compressor (COMP) is operated, the first temperature sensor 110 may measure the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 and then transmit information on the measured temperature to the controller 200. A controller is an electronic device, such as a microcontroller, processor, state machine, microprocessor, or the like, having logic therein for processing information. In addition, in a state where the compressor is operated, the second temperature sensor 120 may measure the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 and then transmit information on the measured temperature to the controller 200.

A first valve (LV)410 is installed at an inlet side of a flow path of refrigerant for cooling the first refrigerating compartment 10, and thus a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerating compartment 10 can be controlled.

For example, when the first valve 410 cuts off the refrigerant flow path of the first refrigerating compartment 10, the refrigerant supplied into the first refrigerating compartment 10 stops moving. Therefore, the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 is not lowered and can be maintained at a constant level. When the first valve 410 opens the refrigerant flow path of the first refrigerating compartment 10, the refrigerant supplied into the first refrigerating compartment 10 continues to move. Therefore, the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 can be reduced.

A second valve (LV)420 is installed at an inlet side of a flow path of the refrigerant for cooling the second refrigerating compartment 20, and thus may control a flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the second refrigerating compartment 20. For example, when the second valve 420 cuts off the refrigerant flow path of the second refrigerating compartment 20, the refrigerant supplied into the second refrigerating compartment 20 stops moving. Therefore, the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 is not lowered and is maintained at a constant level. When the second valve 420 opens the refrigerant flow path of the second refrigerating compartment 20, the refrigerant supplied into the second refrigerating compartment 20 continues to move. Therefore, the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 can be lowered.

In a state where the first valve 410 or the second valve 420 is opened, the controller 200 may determine whether the first valve 410 and the second valve 420 are abnormal by using temperature information received from the first temperature sensor 110 and the second temperature sensor 110.

For example, assuming a state where the refrigerator is powered on, the compressor is operated and only the first valve 410 among the first valve 410 and the second valve 420 is opened. After four minutes, the controller 200 may receive temperature information from the first and

second temperature sensors

110 and 120 for a preset period of time and calculate a temporal change in the temperature in the first and second

refrigerated compartments

10 and 20 by using the received temperature information. At this time, if the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 is lowered and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 is constant, the controller 200 may determine that the first and

second valves

410 and 420 are in the "normal" state.

In a state where the compressor is operated and only the first valve 410 is opened, if the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 is constant and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 is decreased, the controller 200 may determine that the "valve connection failure" has occurred. The "valve connection failure" state means that the first and

second valves

410 and 420 are reversely connected to the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments 10 and 20.

In a state where the compressor is operated and only the first valve 410 is opened, if both the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 are decreased, the controller 200 may determine that the "valve leakage failure" has occurred. The "valve leakage failure" state means that the first and

second valves

410 and 420 maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments 10 and 20 in an open state.

In a state where the compressor is operated and only the first valve 410 is opened, if the temperatures in the first and second refrigerating compartments 10 and 20 are constant, the controller 200 may determine that the "valve operation failure" has occurred. The "valve operation failure" state means that the first and

second valves

410 and 420 maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments 10 and 20 in a closed state.

On the other hand, assuming a state where the refrigerator is powered on, the compressor is operated and only the second valve 420 among the first valve 410 and the second valve 420 is opened. After four minutes, the controller 200 may receive temperature information from the first and

second temperature sensors

110 and 120 for a preset period of time and calculate temperature changes in the first and second

refrigerated compartments

10 and 20 by using the received temperature information. At this time, if the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 is lowered and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 is constant, it is determined that the "valve connection failure" has occurred. The "valve connection failure" state means that the first and

second valves

In a state where the compressor is operated and only the second valve 420 is opened, if the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 is constant and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 is decreased, the controller 200 may determine that the first valve 410 and the second valve 420 are in a "normal" state.

In a state where the compressor is operated and only the second valve 420 is opened, if both the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment 10 and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment 20 are decreased, the controller 200 may determine that the "valve leakage failure" has occurred. The "valve leakage failure" state means that the first and

second valves

In a state where the compressor is operated and only the second valve 420 is opened, if the temperatures in the first and second refrigerating compartments 10 and 20 are constant, the controller 200 may determine that the "valve operation failure" has occurred. The "valve operation failure" state means that the first and

second valves

The display 300 may display whether the first valve 410 and the second valve 420 are abnormal.

For example, a "0" may be displayed on the display 300 before the test is performed. When the controller 200 determines that the first valve 410 and the second valve 420 are in the "normal" state, "1" may be displayed on the display 300. When the controller 200 determines that the "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first valve 410 and the second valve 420, "2" may be displayed on the display 300.

When the controller 200 determines that the "valve leakage failure" has occurred in the first valve 410 and the second valve 420, "E" may be displayed on the display 300. When the controller 200 determines that "valve operation failure" has occurred in the first valve 410 and the second valve 420, "-" may be displayed on the display 300.

As shown in fig. 3, the method for diagnosing a valve failure in a refrigerator of the present disclosure includes: measuring temperatures in the first and second refrigerating compartments (S100), and determining whether the first and second valves are abnormal (S200); and displaying whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal (S300).

In the step S100 of measuring the temperatures in the first and second refrigerating compartments, when a predetermined time, for example, four minutes, has elapsed since the refrigerator was powered on and the compressor and the first and second temperature sensors were turned on, the first temperature sensor measures the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment and the second temperature sensor measures the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment.

In the step S200 of determining whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal, whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal is determined by comparing temperature changes measured by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor in a state where the first valve or the second valve is opened.

For example, in a state where only the first valve is opened, temperature changes in the first and second refrigerating compartments are calculated for a preset period of time. If the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment 10 decreases and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment 20 is constant, it can be determined that the first and second valves are in the "normal" state.

In a state where the first valve is opened, temperature changes in the first and second refrigerating compartments are calculated for a preset period of time. If the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment is constant and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is decreasing, it can be determined that a "valve connection failure" has occurred. The "valve connection failure" means that the first and second valves are reversely connected to the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating chambers.

In a state where the first valve is opened, temperature changes in the first and second refrigerating compartments are calculated for a preset period of time. If both the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment are reduced, it may be determined that a "valve leak failure" has occurred. The "valve leakage failure" state indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments in an open state.

In a state where the first valve is opened, temperature changes in the first and second refrigerating compartments are calculated for a preset period of time. If the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment and the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment are constant, it may be determined that "valve operation failure" has occurred. The "valve operation failure" state indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments in a closed state.

In a state where the second valve is opened, temperature changes in the first and second refrigerating compartments are calculated for a preset period of time. If the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment 10 decreases and the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment 20 is constant, it can be determined that the first and second valves are in the "normal" state.

In the state where the second valve is opened, if the temperature in the second refrigerating compartment is constant and the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment is decreased, it may be determined that "valve connection failure" has occurred. The "valve connection failure" means that the first and second valves are reversely connected to the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating chambers.

In the state where the second valve is opened, if both the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment and the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment are lowered, it may be determined that "valve leakage failure" has occurred. The "valve leakage failure" state indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments in an open state.

In the state where the second valve is opened, if the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment and the temperature in the first refrigerating compartment are constant, it may be determined that "valve operation failure" has occurred. The "valve operation failure" state indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments in a closed state.

In the step S300 of displaying whether the first and second valves are abnormal, whether the first and second valves are abnormal is determined by comparing the temperature changes measured by the first and second temperature sensors, and the determination result is displayed on the display.

For example, a "0" may be displayed on the display 300 prior to testing the valve. When it is determined that the first and second valves 420 are in the "normal" state, "1" may be displayed on the display 300. When it is determined that "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first valve and the second valve, "2" is displayed on the display. When it is determined that the "valve leakage failure" has occurred in the first valve and the second valve, "E" is displayed on the display. When it is determined that "valve operation failure" has occurred in the first valve and the second valve, "-" is displayed on the display.

As described above, the present disclosure is advantageous in that it is possible to easily determine whether a valve in a refrigerator is abnormal (e.g., "valve connection failure", "valve leakage failure", "valve operation failure", etc.) by detecting whether a flow of refrigerant circulating in a refrigerating chamber is normal by comparing a temperature change in the refrigerating chamber.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present disclosure. For example, those skilled in the art may implement the present disclosure in a form not clearly described in the embodiments of the present disclosure by changing materials, sizes, and the like of the respective members according to the application field or by combining or replacing the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are merely illustrative in all aspects and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure, and also that these modifications are included in the technical spirit of the present disclosure described in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for diagnosing a valve malfunction of a refrigerator by detecting whether a first valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in a first refrigerating compartment and a second valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in a second refrigerating compartment are abnormal, the apparatus comprising:

a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the first refrigerated compartment;

a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the second refrigerated compartment;

a controller configured to determine whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal by comparing temperature changes measured by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor in a state where the first valve or the second valve is opened; and

a display configured to display a determination result of the controller indicating whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset time period with the first valve open, and determine that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is constant based on the temperature change.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments within a preset time period with the first valve open, and based thereon determine that a "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment is constant and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is decreasing, wherein a "valve connection failure" indicates that the first and second valves are connected upside down with the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments.

4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to calculate a change in temperature in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset period of time with the first valve open, and based on the change in temperature determine that a "valve leakage fault" has occurred in the first and second valves when both the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment decrease, wherein a "valve leakage fault" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in an open state.

5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset period of time with the first valve open, and based thereon determine that a "valve operation fault" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the first and second refrigerated compartments is constant, wherein a "valve leakage fault" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in a closed state.

6. A refrigerator, comprising:

a first refrigerated compartment including a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the first refrigerated compartment;

a second refrigerated compartment including a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the second refrigerated compartment;

a first valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerating compartment;

a second valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the second refrigerating compartment; and

an apparatus for diagnosing a valve malfunction by detecting whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal, the apparatus comprising:

7. The refrigerator of claim 6 wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset time period with the first valve open, and determine that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is constant based on the temperature change.

8. The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerating compartments within a preset time period in a state where the first valve is opened, and determine that a "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when a temperature in the first refrigerating compartment is constant and a temperature in the second refrigerating compartment is decreased, based on the temperature change, wherein the "valve connection failure" indicates that the first and second valves are reversely connected with refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerating compartments.

9. The refrigerator of claim 6 wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments within a preset time period with the first valve open, and based thereon determine that a "valve leakage fault" has occurred in the first and second valves when both the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment decrease, wherein a "valve leakage fault" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in an open state.

10. The refrigerator of claim 6 wherein the controller is operable to calculate a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments within a preset time period with the first valve open, and based thereon determine that a "valve operation failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the first and second refrigerated compartments is constant, wherein a "valve leakage failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in a closed state.

11. A method for diagnosing a valve malfunction of a refrigerator by detecting whether a first valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in a first refrigerating compartment and a second valve configured to control a flow rate of refrigerant circulating in a second refrigerating compartment are abnormal, the method comprising:

measuring temperatures in the first refrigerated compartment and the second refrigerated compartment;

determining whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal by comparing temperature changes measured by the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor in a state where the first valve or the second valve is opened; and

displaying an indication of whether the first valve and the second valve are abnormal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining whether the first and second valves are abnormal comprises:

calculating a temperature change in the first and second refrigerated compartments over a preset time period with the first valve open; and

determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is constant.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining whether the first and second valves are abnormal comprises:

determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment is constant;

determining that a "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the first refrigeration compartment is constant and the temperature in the second refrigeration compartment is decreasing, wherein a "valve connection failure" indicates that the first and second valves are connected with the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigeration compartments in reverse;

determining that a "valve leakage failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when both the temperature in the first and second refrigerated compartments decrease, wherein a "valve leakage failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in an open state; and is

Determining that a "valve operation failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperatures in the first and second refrigerated compartments are constant, wherein a "valve operation failure" indicates that the first and second valves maintain the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerated compartments in a closed state.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the first and second valves are abnormal comprises:

calculating a temperature change in the first and second refrigerator compartments within a preset time period in a state where the second valve is opened; and

determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment is constant.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining whether the first and second valves are abnormal comprises:

calculating a temperature change in the first and second refrigerator compartments within a preset time period in a state where the second valve is opened;

determining that the first and second valves are in a "normal" state when the temperature in the second refrigerated compartment decreases and the temperature in the first refrigerated compartment is constant;

determining that a "valve connection failure" has occurred in the first and second valves when the temperature in the second refrigerator compartment is constant and the temperature in the first refrigerator compartment decreases, wherein a "valve connection failure" indicates that the first and second valves are reversely connected with the refrigerant flow paths of the first and second refrigerator compartments;