Patent attributes
A refrigerator includes a thermoelectric element module, and a defrosting temperature sensor, and a controller configured to control operation of the thermoelectric element module. The thermoelectric element module includes a thermoelectric element including a heat absorption portion and a heat dissipation portion, a first heat sink in contact with the heat absorption portion, a first fan facing the first heat sink, a second heat sink in contact with the heat dissipation portion, and a second fan facing the second heat sink. The controller is configured to initiate a natural defrosting operation for removing frost on the thermoelectric element module at every preset period, and terminate the natural defrosting operation based on a temperature measured by the defrosting temperature sensor corresponding to a reference temperature. The controller is configured to control operation of the thermoelectric element and rotation of the first and second fans in the natural defrosting operation.