US 12,253,303 B2
Refrigerator and control method thereof
Kwanghyun Choi, Seoul (KR)
Assigned to LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)
Filed by LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)
Filed on May 28, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/675,582.
Application 18/675,582 is a continuation of application No. 18/514,238, filed on Nov. 20, 2023, granted, now 12,130,077.
Application 18/514,238 is a continuation of application No. 17/987,461, filed on Nov. 15, 2022, granted, now 11,859,900, issued on Jan. 2, 2024.
Application 17/987,461 is a continuation of application No. 16/784,689, filed on Feb. 7, 2020, granted, now 11,709,017, issued on Jul. 25, 2023.
Application 16/784,689 is a continuation of application No. 16/146,522, filed on Sep. 28, 2018, granted, now 10,598,427, issued on Mar. 24, 2020.
Application 16/146,522 is a continuation of application No. 15/399,161, filed on Jan. 5, 2017, granted, now 10,119,751, issued on Nov. 6, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0310113 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
Int. Cl. F25D 27/00 (2006.01); B29C 44/18 (2006.01); F21V 3/00 (2015.01); F21V 19/00 (2006.01); F21V 23/04 (2006.01); F25D 11/02 (2006.01); F25D 23/02 (2006.01); F25D 29/00 (2006.01); G03B 29/00 (2021.01); H05B 47/115 (2020.01); H05B 47/16 (2020.01); F21W 131/305 (2006.01); F21Y 115/10 (2016.01)
CPC F25D 27/005 (2013.01) [B29C 44/18 (2013.01); F21V 3/00 (2013.01); F21V 19/003 (2013.01); F21V 23/0442 (2013.01); F25D 11/02 (2013.01); F25D 23/02 (2013.01); F25D 23/028 (2013.01); F25D 29/005 (2013.01); G03B 29/00 (2013.01); H05B 47/115 (2020.01); H05B 47/16 (2020.01); F21W 2131/305 (2013.01); F21Y 2115/10 (2016.08); F25D 2201/126 (2013.01); F25D 2323/021 (2013.01); F25D 2323/023 (2013.01); F25D 2327/00 (2013.01); F25D 2400/36 (2013.01); F25D 2400/361 (2013.01); F25D 2700/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerator comprising:
a cabinet having (i) a refrigerator compartment and (ii) a freezer compartment disposed below the refrigerator compartment;
a lighting unit disposed at the refrigerator compartment and configured to illuminate the refrigerator compartment;
a refrigerator compartment door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerator compartment;
a detection device disposed at the refrigerator compartment door and configured to detect a user;
a detection device printed circuit board (PCB) disposed at the refrigerator compartment door and configured to process a signal of the detection device; and
a controller disposed at the cabinet and configured to receive a signal output from the detection device PCB and to control the lighting unit based on the signal output from the detection device PCB,
wherein the refrigerator compartment door comprises:
a side frame that defines a side surface of the refrigerator compartment door,
an upper cap decoration coupled to an upper side the side frame,
a lower cap decoration coupled to a lower side of the side frame,
a door liner that is coupled to the side frame and defines a liner opening,
a panel assembly that is coupled to the side frame and faces the liner opening, and
an insulation provided in an insulation space that is defined by the side frame, the upper cap decoration, the lower cap decoration, the door liner, and the panel assembly,
wherein the lower cap decoration defines a detection device accommodation space that is separate from the insulation space and accommodates the detection PCB, and
wherein the refrigerator further comprises an electric wire that connects the detection device PCB in the detection device accommodation space to the controller.