CN116670449A

CN116670449A - Refrigerator with a refrigerator body

Info

Publication number: CN116670449A
Application number: CN202180087722.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 青木均史; 大谷贵史
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-29
Filing date: 2021-12-28
Publication date: 2023-08-29
Also published as: JP2022104681A; EP4273485A1; WO2022143634A1

Abstract

A refrigerator (10) is provided with a water supply tank (31), an ice tray (32), an ice storage container (33), a water supply pump (34), a water supply pipe (35), a heating unit (36), and a control unit (40), wherein the control unit (40) determines whether water is present in the water supply tank (31) via an infrared sensor (44), and variably controls the power-on rate of the heating unit (36) according to the determination. According to this structure, bacteria are prevented from growing in water remaining in the water supply pipe (35), and the power consumption of the refrigerator (10) is suppressed.

Description

Refrigerator with a refrigerator body

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a refrigerator having an ice making device, and more particularly, to a refrigerator which prevents water remaining in a water supply pipe of an ice making device from freezing to block the water supply pipe and suppresses power consumption by variably controlling a power-on rate of a heating portion of the ice making device.

Background

Patent document 1-japanese patent No. 4740072 discloses a conventional refrigerator. The refrigerator is provided with an ice making device, and the ice making device is provided with: a water supply tank disposed in the refrigerating chamber; an ice-making tray and an ice bank disposed in the ice-making chamber; and a water supply pump and a water supply pipe for supplying water in the water supply tank to the ice-making tray.

In the ice making apparatus, a driving current is applied to a water supply pump, and water sucked up from a water supply tank is supplied to an ice making tray through a water supply pipe. And, a pipe heater as a heating means is disposed in a portion of the water supply pipe located in the ice making chamber to prevent water remaining in the water supply pipe from freezing within the water supply pipe.

Disclosure of Invention

As described above, in the conventional refrigerator, the microcomputer detects the presence or absence of water in the water supply tank, and when the presence of water in the water supply tank is detected, the pipe heater is operated, and when the water supply tank is detected to be empty, the pipe heater is stopped. Thus, by properly operating the duct heater, the power consumption of the refrigerator can be suppressed.

However, in the existing refrigerator, when water is present in the water supply tank, the pipe heater starts to operate. Further, at least before the start of the water supply operation to the ice tray, the water supply pipe may be opened, and the pipe heating pipe may be operated more than necessary, which may make it difficult to reduce the power consumption.

Further, the pipe heater is operated more than necessary, and thus the water supply pipe is brought into a high temperature state, and the temperature of the water remaining in the water supply pipe rises, and there is a risk of bacterial growth. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a refrigerator which prevents water remaining in a water supply pipe of an ice making device from freezing to block the water supply pipe and which suppresses power consumption by variably controlling a power-on rate of a heating portion of the ice making device.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, comprising: a water supply tank storing water; an ice-making tray that makes ice from the water; an ice maker that deices ice made in the ice making tray; a water supply pump that pumps the water in the water supply tank; a water supply pipe that conveys the water pumped by the water supply pump to the ice-making tray; a heating unit that heats the water supply pipe; and a control unit that determines whether or not the water is present in the water supply tank, and variably controls a current flow rate to the heating unit, wherein the control unit makes the current flow rate to the heating unit before the water supply pump is operated higher than the current flow rate to the heating unit after the water supply pump is operated.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the control unit may determine that the water supply tank is empty for the first time, decrease the energization rate to the heating unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the energization rate to the heating unit was maximized, and determine whether or not the water is present in the water supply tank for the second time.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the control unit may determine that the water supply tank is empty twice in succession, and may further determine that the heat insulation door, which is openably and closably closed in the room in which the water supply tank is disposed, is not opened, and then stop the energization to the heating unit.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the control unit may determine that the water supply tank is empty twice in succession, and may further determine that the water supply pump is driven after the heat insulation door in the room where the water supply tank is disposed is opened and closed, and the energization rate to the heating unit is maximized and the predetermined time has elapsed, and then the energization rate to the heating unit is lowered.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the control unit may increase the power supply rate to the heating unit when the compressor is operated, as compared with when the compressor is stopped.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, when the control unit drives the water supply pump, the control unit first drives the motor that drives the water supply pump in the reverse direction, then drives the motor in the normal direction, and finally drives the motor in the reverse direction.

In the refrigerator of the invention, the control part makes the electric conduction rate to the heating part before the operation of the water supply pump higher than the electric conduction rate to the heating part after the operation of the water supply pump, and makes the electric conduction rate to the heating part be low electric conduction rate to the extent that the water in the water supply pipe is not frozen in a certain time after the operation of the water supply pump. By the control method, the water remained in the water supply pipe is prevented from freezing to block the water supply pipe, and the power consumption of the refrigerator is restrained.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the control unit determines that the water supply tank is empty for the first time, and heats the water supply pipe by maximizing the power supply rate to the heating unit. With this control method, even when the water in the water supply pipe is frozen and becomes blocked due to assembly fluctuation of the refrigerator components, the frozen state can be dissolved, and the water supply operation to the ice tray can be performed.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the control unit determines that the water supply tank is empty after the control unit determines that the water supply tank is empty for the first time and then stops the energization of the heating unit under a predetermined condition of control after the energization rate to the heating unit is maximized. By this control method, the control unit can suppress the power consumption of the refrigerator by determining that the water supply pipe is not blocked and the water supply tank is empty.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, it is determined that the water supply tank is empty twice in succession, and it is further determined that the heat insulation door in the room where the water supply tank is openably and closably blocked is opened and closed, and after a predetermined time has elapsed after the energization rate to the heating unit is maximized, the energization rate to the heating unit is lowered, and then the water supply pump is driven, whereby blocking due to freezing in the water supply pipe is prevented, and water remaining in the water supply pipe is prevented from being brought into a high temperature state, whereby bacteria can be prevented from growing in the water.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the amount of heat applied to the water supply pipe is reduced when the compressor is stopped, compared with when the compressor is operated, so that the water remaining in the water supply pipe is prevented from being brought into a high-temperature state, thereby preventing bacteria from growing in the water.

In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the control unit operates the driving motor in the reverse direction, the forward direction, the reverse direction, and the reverse direction when the water supply pump is operated. With this control method, when water melted by the heating of the heating portion remains near the front end of the water supply pipe due to surface tension, the driving motor is initially operated in the reverse direction, and water near the front end of the water supply pipe is sucked up, whereby the water can be prevented from splashing toward the ice making tray by suddenly boiling.

Drawings

Fig. 1 (a) is a perspective view of the refrigerator of the present embodiment as viewed from the front;

fig. 1 (B) is a side sectional view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 (a) is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an ice making device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention

Fig. 2 (B) is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an ice making device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a table illustrating an ice making operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an ice making operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an ice making operation of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the vertical direction indicates the height direction of the refrigerator 10, the horizontal direction indicates the lateral direction of the refrigerator 10 when viewed from the front, and the front-rear direction indicates the depth direction of the refrigerator 10. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in principle, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

Fig. 1 (a) is a perspective view of the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment as viewed from the front. Fig. 1 (B) is a side sectional view of the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 (a) is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the ice making device 30 disposed in the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 (B) is a block diagram illustrating the ice making device 30 of the refrigerator 10 of the present embodiment. In fig. 1 (B), the flow of cold air is indicated by arrows.

As shown in fig. 1 a, the inside of the heat-insulating box 11 of the refrigerator 10 is used as a storage compartment, which is divided into a refrigerating compartment 12 (see fig. 1B) and a freezing compartment 13 (see fig. 1B) by a heat-insulating partition wall 27 (see fig. 1B). The front surface opening of the refrigerating chamber 12 is opened and closed freely by a heat-insulating door 18, and the front surface opening of the freezing chamber 13 is opened and closed freely by a heat-insulating door 19. The heat-insulating doors 18 and 19 are rotary doors, and the right end portions thereof are rotatably supported by the heat-insulating box 11. The heat insulating doors 18 and 19 may be drawer type doors or double open type doors.

As shown in fig. 1 (B), a cooling chamber 21 is defined behind the freezing chamber 13, and an evaporator 20 is disposed in the cooling chamber 21. A machine chamber 14 is defined and formed at the rear of the lowermost portion of the heat insulating box 11, and a compressor 23 and the like are disposed in the machine chamber 14. The evaporator 20 and the compressor 23 are connected to an expansion unit and a condenser, not shown, via refrigerant pipes, and form a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Further, a defrosting heater 26 for melting frost of the evaporator 20 is disposed below the evaporator 20.

A blower 25 is disposed at an upper portion of the cooling chamber 21, and cool air in the cooling chamber 21 cooled by the evaporator 20 is blown to the refrigerating chamber 12 and the freezing chamber 13 via the blower 25. A damper 24 is provided in the air path toward the refrigerating compartment 12.

Here, the control unit 40 (see fig. 2 (B)) detects the indoor temperature of the refrigerator compartment 12 using the indoor temperature sensor 42 (see fig. 2 (B)) and controls the opening and closing of the damper 24. The flow rate of the cold air to the refrigerating chamber 12 is adjusted to maintain the indoor temperature of the refrigerating chamber 12 constant. Further, by the above control of the control section 40, the refrigerating chamber 12 is cooled to the refrigerating temperature range. By the same control, the freezing chamber 13 is cooled to a freezing temperature range. The cool air for cooling the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13 is returned to the cooling compartment 21 via the return air passage.

Further, as shown in the figure, the heat insulating box 11 mainly includes: a housing 15 formed of a steel plate forming the outer shape of the refrigerator 10; an inner case 16 formed of a box-shaped synthetic resin plate formed inside the outer case 15; and a heat insulating material 17 disposed between the outer case 15 and the inner case 16. As the heat insulating material 17, for example, polyurethane foam is used.

Fig. 2 (a) shows a state in which the ice making device 30 of the refrigerator 10 is disposed in the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13. The ice container 33 and the storage containers 38 and 39 are arranged in the freezing chamber 13, and are divided into three stages in the height direction thereof. Further, for example, frozen foods and the like are stored in the storage containers 38 and 39, and the storage containers 38 and 39 are slid in the depth direction of the freezing chamber 13 to be taken out.

As shown in the drawing, the ice making device 30 mainly includes a water supply tank 31, an ice making tray 32, an ice storage container 33, a water supply pump 34, a water supply pipe 35, a heating part 36, and an ice maker 37. The water supply tank 31 stores water supplied to the ice making tray 32, and is disposed on the upper surface of the heat-insulating partition wall 27 of the refrigerating chamber 12. The user opens the heat insulation door 18, takes out the water supply tank 31 as needed, and supplies water into the water supply tank 31.

The water supply pump 34 is also disposed in the refrigerating chamber 12 near the water supply tank 31, and a motor 45 (see fig. 2B) for the water supply pump is controlled by the control unit 40, and during a normal ice making operation, for example, water in the water supply tank 31 is sucked and supplied to the ice making tray 32 at intervals of 120 minutes in one cycle.

The ice maker 37 is disposed above the ice storage container 33 of the freezing chamber 13, and includes: a rotation twisting part (not shown) for automatically dropping the ice made in the ice making tray 32 into the ice storage container 33 (not shown); and an ice storage amount detecting unit (not shown) that detects the amount of ice stored in the ice storage container 33. Further, as shown in the drawing, the ice making tray 32 is disposed inside the ice maker 37, for example, below the heat insulating partition wall 27 and above the ice storage container 33.

The water supply pipe 35 is connected to the water supply pump 34, and is disposed from the refrigerating chamber 12 to the freezing chamber 13 through the inside of the heat-insulating partition wall 27. Further, a pipe heater as a heating portion 36 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 35, so that water remaining in the water supply pipe 35 is prevented from freezing. As will be described in detail later, the power consumption of the refrigerator 10 can be suppressed by appropriately and variably controlling the power flow rate of the heating unit 36 under the control of the control unit 40.

The control section 40 constitutes an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that performs various operations and the like for controlling the refrigerator 10 to control the ice making operation of the ice making device 30. The control unit 40 is connected to a timer 41, an indoor temperature sensor 42, a door opening/closing sensor 43, an infrared sensor 44, a compressor 23, a motor 45 for the water supply pump 34 (hereinafter referred to as "motor 45"), the heating unit 36, the ice maker 37, and the like.

The timer 41 measures the operation time or the stop time of various devices constituting the refrigerator 10, for example, the compressor 23, the ice making device 30, and the like. Further, the indoor temperature sensor 42 measures the indoor temperature of the refrigerating chamber 12 or the freezing chamber 13. The door opening/closing sensor 43 detects the open/close state of the heat-insulating doors 18 and 19 of the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 13. Further, the infrared sensor 44 detects the bottom surface temperature of the ice making tray 32.

The control unit 40 performs a predetermined arithmetic process based on input information from the timer 41, the indoor temperature sensor 42, the door opening/closing sensor 43, or the infrared sensor 44, and controls the operation or stop of the compressor 23, the water supply pump 34, the heating unit 36, and the ice maker 37 based on the arithmetic process.

Fig. 3 is a table illustrating a case where the energization rate of the heating unit 36 is variably controlled in the ice making operation of the ice making device 30 of the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an ice making operation of the ice making device 30 of the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment, and is a flowchart corresponding to the energization rate a and the energization rate D of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an ice making operation of the ice making device 30 of the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment, and is a flowchart corresponding to the energization rate B and the energization rate C of fig. 3. In addition, when fig. 3 to 5 are described, reference is made to fig. 1, 2 and description thereof as appropriate.

As shown in fig. 3, condition 1 in the ice making operation is an operation condition that "the cooling intensity of the freezing chamber 13 is 7 or more in 10 stages or the quick ice making mode or the quick freezing mode, and the temperature of the freezing chamber 13 is lower than-18 ℃. Condition 2 in the ice making operation is "the operation condition after the first empty detection of the water supply tank 31". Condition 3 in the ice making operation is "an operation condition other than the above conditions 1 and 2". In the ice making device 30 of the refrigerator 10, the energization rate of the heating portion 36 is variably controlled according to whether the compressor 23 is operated or stopped in the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 of the above-described conditions 1 to 3.

The quick ice making mode is a mode in which ice is made in one cycle shorter than a normal ice making operation time, and the quick freezing mode is a mode in which the freezing chamber 13 is cooled sharply preferentially than the refrigerating chamber 12.

As shown in the drawing, in the present embodiment, four modes of the energization rate a to the energization rate D are provided in the operation conditions of the refrigerator 10 of the above-described conditions 1 to 3. The energization rates a to C are as shown in fig. 3, and the energization rate D is as follows immediately after the door of the refrigerating chamber 12 is opened and closed in the empty state (empty detection) of the water supply tank 31. 15 minutes was 100% energized. After that, 50% of the current was supplied for 30 minutes.

Further, in the mode of the energization rate a to the energization rate D, when the compressor 23 is in the operating state, the energization rate to the heating portion 36 is higher than that when the compressor 23 is stopped.

When the compressor 23 is operated, the blower 25 is operated, and cool air in the cooling chamber 21 circulates in the chamber, so that the water supply pipe 35 is also cooled at this time. By this, the water supply pipe 35 is heated by increasing the amount of heat generated from the heating unit 36, and the water in the water supply pipe 35 is prevented from freezing.

On the other hand, when the compressor 23 is stopped, the blower 25 is also stopped, and the water supply pipe 35 is less likely to be cooled than at least the indoor temperature. Therefore, the amount of heat generated from the heating unit 36 is reduced, and the water supply pipe 35 is prevented from being brought into a high temperature state more than necessary. This control method can prevent the growth of bacteria caused by the temperature rise of water remaining in the water supply pipe 35 when the compressor 23 is stopped, while also reducing the power consumption of the refrigerator 10.

Here, in the normal ice making operation of the ice making device 30, the water supply pump 34 is operated at intervals of 120 minutes in one cycle, and water is sucked from the water supply tank 31 and supplied to the ice making tray 32. In a normal ice making operation, the following control is performed: the current flow rate of the heating unit 36 from the start of the next water supply from the water supply tank 31 is made higher than the current flow rate of the heating unit 36 from the last water supply from the water supply tank 31 to the last 70 minutes after the lapse of the 70 minutes from the last water supply from the water supply tank 31 to the last 70 minutes. The 70 minutes described above are examples of the present embodiment, and any design change may be made according to the model of the refrigerator 10, the program of the ice making operation, and the like.

In the four patterns of the energization rates a to D, the energization rate of the appropriate stage is selected from the four-stage energization rates according to the filling state of water in the water supply tank 31 or the elapsed time during the ice making operation.

In the first stage, the energization rate at the time of the operation of the compressor 23 is 15%, and the energization rate at the time of the stop of the compressor 23 is 10%. In the second stage, the energization rate at the time of the operation of the compressor 23 is 30%, and the energization rate at the time of the stop of the compressor 23 is 25%. In the third stage, the energization rate at the time of the operation of the compressor 23 is 10%, and the energization rate at the time of the stop of the compressor 23 is 40%. In the fourth stage, the energization rate is 100% at the time of operation and at the time of stop of the compressor 23.

First, a control method of the energization rate a of the refrigerator 10 will be described with reference to fig. 4. As shown in the drawing, the control method of the energization rate a is a case where the control unit 40 detects that the water supply tank 31 is empty twice in succession after the last water supply operation. Then, steps S10 to S16 of fig. 4 belong to the control method at the energization rate a.

In step S10, if the control unit 40 determines that the water supply operation to the ice making tray 32 is not performed twice in succession based on the detection signal from the infrared sensor 44 in the "no" state of step S61 (see fig. 5), it is determined that the water supply tank 31 is in a state of no water, that is, a so-called empty state.

In step S11, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 has been opened based on the detection signal from the door opening/closing sensor 43. Then, when the control unit 40 receives the detection signal and determines that the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened in yes in step S11, the flow proceeds to step S17, and the control unit 40 starts control of the energization rate D.

On the other hand, if the control unit 40 does not receive the detection signal in the "no" of step S11, it is determined that the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is not opened, and if the control unit 40 determines in step S12 whether or not the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 satisfies the condition 1.

If the control unit 40 determines that the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 satisfies the condition 1 in yes in step S12, the routine proceeds to step S13, where it determines whether or not the compressor 23 is in operation. If the control unit 40 determines that the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 does not satisfy the condition 1 in the "no" of step S12, the routine proceeds to step S16, where the control unit 40 stops the power supply to the heating unit 36, and returns to step S11.

If the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is operating in yes in step S13, the control unit 40 reduces the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 30% in step S14, and continues the energization, and returns to step S11.

On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is stopped in the "no" of step S13, the control unit 40 reduces the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 25% in step S15, and continues the energization, and returns to step S11.

Next, a control method of the energization rate D of the refrigerator 10 will be described with reference to fig. 4. As shown in the drawing, the control method of the energization rate D is such that the control unit 40 detects that the water supply tank 31 is empty after the last water supply operation to the ice making tray 32, and then the user may have supplied water to the water supply tank 31. Then, steps S17 to S21 of fig. 4 belong to the control method at the energization rate D.

In step S17, it is determined whether or not the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed based on the detection signal from the door opening/closing sensor 43. Then, when the control unit 40 determines that the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed in yes in step S17, the control unit 40 increases the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 100% and continues energization in step S18.

If the control unit 40 determines that the heat-insulating door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is not closed in step S17, the control unit 40 continues to determine the closing operation of the heat-insulating door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 based on the detection signal from the door opening/closing sensor 43.

In step S19, it is determined whether 15 minutes have elapsed after the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was closed, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that 15 minutes have elapsed after the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was closed in yes in step S19, the control unit 40 reduces the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 50% and continues energization in step S20.

If the control unit 40 determines that 15 minutes have not elapsed after the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was closed in step S19, the control unit 40 continues to determine that 15 minutes have elapsed based on the detection signal from the timer 41.

In step S21, the control unit 40 determines whether 45 minutes have elapsed after the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was closed, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that 45 minutes have elapsed after the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was closed in yes in step S21, the flow proceeds to step S30, and the control unit 40 starts control of the energization rate B.

If the control unit 40 determines that 45 minutes have not elapsed after the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 was closed in step S21, the control unit 40 continues to determine that 45 minutes have elapsed based on the detection signal from the timer 41.

Next, a control method of the energization rate B of the refrigerator 10 will be described with reference to fig. 5. As shown in the figure, the control method of the energization rate B is a case where the water supply tank 31 is empty and the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 belongs to the above-described condition 1 or condition 3. Then, steps S30 to S49 of fig. 5 belong to the control method at the energization rate B.

In step S30, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the ice in the ice storage container 33 is full via an ice storage amount detecting unit of the ice maker 37, not shown. If the control unit 40 determines that the ice in the ice storage container 33 is not full in step S30, the control unit 40 performs the ice-removing operation of the ice-making tray 32 and then performs the water-supplying operation to the ice-making tray 32 in step S31.

In step S32, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the first water supply operation to the ice tray 32 is performed based on the detection signal from the infrared sensor 44. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that the first water supply operation to the ice making tray 32 is not performed in the "no" of step S32, the flow proceeds to step S50, and the control unit 40 starts the control of the energization rate C.

On the other hand, when the control unit 40 determines that the first water supply operation to the ice tray 32 is performed in yes in step S32, the control unit 40 starts the ice making operation in the ice tray 32 in step S33, and the control unit 40 determines whether or not the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 satisfies the above-described condition 1 in step S34.

If the control unit 40 determines that the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 satisfies the condition 1 in yes in step S34, the routine proceeds to step S35, where it determines whether or not the compressor 23 is operated. Then, when the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is operated in yes in step S35, the control unit 40 maintains the energization rate of the heating unit 36 at 50% and continues energization in step S36.

On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is stopped in the "no" of step S35, the control unit 40 reduces the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 40% and continues the energization in step S37.

If the control unit 40 determines that the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 does not satisfy the condition 1 in the no of step S34, the routine proceeds to step S38, where it determines whether or not the compressor 23 is operated. Then, when the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is operated in yes in step S38, the control unit 40 reduces the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 15% and continues energization in step S39.

On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is stopped in the "no" of step S38, the control unit 40 reduces the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 10% and continues the energization in step S40.

In step S41, the control unit 40 determines whether or not 70 minutes have elapsed since the start of the water supply to the ice-making tray 32 in step S32, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that 70 minutes have elapsed since the start of water supply in yes in step S41, the flow proceeds to step S42, and the control unit 40 determines whether or not the compressor 23 is operated.

Then, when the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is operated in yes in step S42, the control unit 40 increases the energization rate to the heating unit 36 to 50% and continues energization in step S43. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is stopped in the "no" of step S42, the control unit 40 increases the energization rate to the heating unit 36 to 40% and continues the energization in step S44.

In step S45, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a set time has elapsed from the start of ice making in step S33, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, in yes in step S45, when the control unit 40 determines that the set time has elapsed from the start of ice making, the process returns to step S30. In addition, if the control unit 40 determines that the set time has not elapsed since the start of ice making in step S45, the process returns to step S42.

Here, if the control unit 40 determines that the ice in the ice storage container 33 is full in yes at step S30, the flow proceeds to step S46, and whether or not the compressor 23 is operated is determined. Then, when the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is operated in yes in step S46, the control unit 40 increases the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 50% and continues energization in step S47.

On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is stopped in the "no" of step S46, the control unit 40 increases the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 40% and continues the energization in step S49.

Then, in step S48, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a predetermined set time, for example, one hour has elapsed from the detection of the full ice in the ice storage container 33 in step S30, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, in yes in step S48, when the control unit 40 determines that the predetermined set time has elapsed from the detection of the ice fullness, the process returns to step S30. If the control unit 40 determines that the predetermined set time has not elapsed since the detection of the ice fullness in step S48, the process returns to step S46.

In addition, if the control unit 40 determines that 70 minutes have not elapsed since the start of water supply in step S41, the process returns to step S33.

Next, a control method of the energization rate C of the refrigerator 10 will be described with reference to fig. 5. As shown in the figure, the control method of the energization rate C is a case where the water supply tank 31 is empty and the operation condition of the refrigerator 10 is in the condition 2. Then, steps S50 to S62 of fig. 5 belong to the control method at the energization rate C.

In step S50, the control unit 40 determines that the first water supply operation to the ice-making tray 32 is not performed based on the detection signal from the infrared sensor 44. Next, in step S51, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 has been opened based on the detection signal from the door opening/closing sensor 43.

If the control unit 40 does not receive the detection signal in step S51 and determines that the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is not opened, the control unit 40 determines in step S52 whether or not the compressor 23 is operated.

If the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is operating in step S52, the control unit 40 sets the current flow rate of the heating unit 36 to 30% and conducts current flow in step S53. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 determines that the compressor 23 is stopped in the no of step S52, the control unit 40 sets the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 25% and energizes the same in step S54.

In step S55, the control unit 40 determines whether or not 70 minutes have elapsed since the last start of water supply to the ice-making tray 32, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that 70 minutes have elapsed since the start of the water supply to the ice tray 32 last time in step S55, "yes", the routine proceeds to step S56, and the control unit 40 increases the current flow rate of the heating unit 36 to 100% and continues the current flow.

In step S57, the control unit 40 determines whether 85 minutes have elapsed since the last start of water supply to the ice-making tray 32, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that 85 minutes have elapsed since the start of the water supply to the ice tray 32 last time in step S57, "yes", the routine proceeds to step S58, and the control unit 40 reduces the energization rate of the heating unit 36 to 50% and continues energization.

In step S59, the control unit 40 determines whether or not a set time (120 minutes of one cycle) has elapsed since the last start of water supply to the ice-making tray 32, based on the detection signal from the timer 41. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that the set time has elapsed since the start of the water supply to the ice tray 32 in step S59, "yes" is performed, the flow proceeds to step S60, and the control unit 40 performs the ice detection operation in the ice storage container 33 or the deicing operation from the ice tray 32 via the ice maker 37, and thereafter performs the water supply operation to the ice tray 32.

On the other hand, in the case where the control unit 40 determines that the set time has not elapsed since the start of the water supply to the ice making tray 32 last time in the "no" of step S59, in the case where the control unit 40 determines that 70 minutes have not elapsed since the start of the water supply to the ice making tray 32 last time in the "no" of step S55, or in the case where the control unit 40 determines that 85 minutes have not elapsed since the start of the water supply to the ice making tray 32 last time in the "no" of step S57, the routine returns to step S51.

In step S61, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the second water supply operation to the ice making tray 32 is performed based on the detection signal from the infrared sensor 44. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that the second water supply operation to the ice making tray 32 is not performed in the "no" of step S61, the flow proceeds to step S10, and the control unit 40 starts the control of the energization rate a.

If the control unit 40 determines that the water supply operation to the ice making tray 32 is performed in yes in step S61, the flow proceeds to step S33, and the control unit 40 starts the ice making operation with the control of the energization rate B.

If the control unit 40 determines that the heat-insulating door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened in yes in step S51, the flow proceeds to step S62, and the control unit 40 determines whether or not the heat-insulating door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed based on the detection signal from the door opening/closing sensor 43. Then, if the control unit 40 determines that the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is closed in yes in step S62, the flow proceeds to step S33, and the control unit 40 starts the ice making operation of controlling the energization rate B. In addition, in no in step S62, the control unit 40 continues to determine the closing operation of the heat insulation door 18.

As described above, in the method of controlling the energization rate a of the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment, when the control unit 40 determines that the condition 3 is satisfied after determining that the water supply tank 31 is empty twice in succession, the control unit 40 determines that the water supply tank 31 is in a state of no water, that is, in a so-called empty state, although the water supply pipe 35 is heated and the water supply operation to the ice making tray 32 is not performed twice in succession. In this case, since the ice making operation is not performed before the user supplies water to the water tank 31, the energization of the heating part 36 is stopped, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the refrigerator 10.

In the method of controlling the current flow rate D, when it is detected that the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerator compartment 12 is opened or closed, the user may supply water to the water supply tank 31, and thus the water supply pipe 35 is prevented from freezing by supplying current to the heating unit 36 at a high current flow rate in a short time, and the water in the water supply pipe 35 is prevented from being blocked by freezing during the water supply operation.

In the method of controlling the energization rate B, the energization rate to the heating portion 36 is lowered to a level at which water in the water supply pipe 35 is not frozen until 70 minutes have elapsed after the water supply operation to the ice making tray 32, and the energization rate to the heating portion 36 is again increased after 70 minutes have elapsed from the water supply operation to the ice making tray 32. By this control method, the heating portion 36 is continuously energized, thereby preventing clogging due to freezing of the water remaining in the water supply pipe 35. Further, the power supply rate of the heating portion 36 is temporarily low, so that the water supply pipe 35 is not maintained in a high temperature state, and bacteria remaining in the water supply pipe 35 are prevented from growing, thereby suppressing the power consumption of the refrigerator 10.

In the method of controlling the energization rate C, after the first empty detection of the water supply tank 31, the energization rate of the heating portion 36 is once maximized, and then the energization rate is lowered after 15 minutes. Then, in the manufacturing process of the refrigerator 10, various factors such as the assembly position of the water supply pipe 35 and the heating portion 36, the fluctuation in the length of the water supply pipe 35, the fluctuation in the assembly of the respective components of the refrigerator 10, or the residual amount of water into the water supply pipe 35 during the ice making operation may cause clogging due to freezing of the water in the water supply pipe 35.

By the control method, even when the water in the water supply pipe 35 is frozen, the frozen state can be melted by maximizing the energization rate of the heating portion 36. Then, the water supply tank 31 is filled with water, but the water supply pipe 35 is blocked by freezing of the water, thereby preventing a phenomenon that the water cannot be supplied to the ice making tray 32. On the other hand, the control unit 40 can determine that the water supply tank 31 is empty, not the clogging due to freezing in the water supply pipe 35. Further, by preventing the power supply rate of the heating unit 36 from being maximized for a long period of time, the bacteria are prevented from growing, and the power consumption of the refrigerator 10 is suppressed.

Finally, as shown in fig. 2 (a) and (B), in the water supply operation to the ice making tray 32 of the present embodiment, the control unit 40 operates the motor 45 in the reverse direction, then in the forward direction, and finally in the reverse direction, whereby the water supply pump 34 sucks water from the water supply tank 31, and thereafter supplies the sucked water to the ice making tray 32 through the water supply pipe 35.

With this control method, when water melted by the heating of the heating unit 36 remains near the front end of the water supply pipe 35 due to surface tension before the water supply operation, the motor 45 is initially operated in the reverse direction, thereby sucking up the water near the front end of the water supply pipe 35 and bringing the inside of the water supply pipe 35 into an air-conductive state. Then, when the motor 45 is operated in the forward direction, the air in the water supply pipe 35 is compressed, and the water at the front end can be prevented from splashing toward the ice tray 32 by suddenly boiling. Finally, by operating the motor 45 in the reverse direction, occurrence of the siphon phenomenon is prevented.

In the present embodiment, the case where the temperature of the bottom surface of the ice making tray 32 is detected by the infrared sensor 44 and the control unit 40 determines whether or not water is present in the water supply tank 31 based on the detection signal has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, after detecting the current waveform of the water supply pump 34, the current waveform is converted into a voltage value through a resistor, and the voltage value is compared with a preset threshold value. The control unit 40 may detect whether or not water is discharged from the water supply pump 34 based on the comparison result, and determine whether or not water is present in the water supply tank 31 based on the detection signal. In addition, various modifications may be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

Claims

A refrigerator, comprising:

a water supply tank for storing water;

an ice-making tray for making ice from the water;

an ice maker for de-icing ice made in the ice-making tray;

a water supply pump for sucking the water in the water supply tank;

a water supply pipe for supplying the water pumped by the water supply pump to the ice making tray;

a heating part for heating the water supply pipe; and

a control part for judging whether the water is in the water supply tank or not and variably controlling the energizing rate of the heating part,

the control unit makes the current-carrying rate of the water supply pump to the heating unit before operation higher than the current-carrying rate of the water supply pump to the heating unit after operation.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

the control unit determines that the water supply tank is empty for the first time, and after a predetermined time elapses after the energization rate of the heating unit is maximized, determines whether or not water is present in the water supply tank for the second time while the energization rate of the heating unit is lowered.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein,

the control unit determines that the water supply tank is empty twice in succession, and further determines that the heat insulation door that openably blocks the interior of the water supply tank is not opened, and thereafter stops the energization of the heating unit.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein,

the control unit determines that the water supply tank is empty twice in succession, and further determines that the water supply pump is driven after the heat insulation door in the room where the water supply tank is openably closed is opened and closed, and after the energization rate of the heating unit is maximized, the energization rate of the heating unit is lowered after a predetermined time has elapsed.
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,

the refrigerator further includes a compressor constituting a refrigerating cycle,

the control unit increases the current flow rate of the heating unit when the compressor is in operation, as compared with when the compressor is stopped.
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein,

when the control part drives the water supply pump, the motor driving the water supply pump is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, then the motor is driven to rotate in the forward direction, and finally the motor is driven to rotate in the reverse direction.
The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein an inside of a heat insulation box of the refrigerator is used as a storage chamber, the storage chamber being divided into a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber by a heat insulation partition wall;

the control part judges that the ice making operation satisfies a condition 1 and the compressor is running, and controls the power-on rate of the heating part to be reduced to 30% and to continue power on, wherein the condition 1 is an operation condition that the cooling intensity of the freezing chamber is more than 7 in 10 stages or a fast ice making mode or a fast freezing mode, and the temperature of the freezing chamber is lower than-18 ℃.
The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein,

the control part judges that the ice making operation satisfies the condition 1 and the compressor is not operated, controls the energizing rate of the heating part to be reduced to 25% and continues energizing.
The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the control unit increases the current flow rate of the heating unit to 100% and continues the current flow when the control unit determines that the heat insulation door of the refrigerating compartment is closed.
The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the control unit reduces the energization rate of the heating unit to 50% and continues energization when it is determined that 15 minutes have elapsed after the heat insulation door 18 of the refrigerating chamber 12 is closed.