JP2008020148A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator provided with an ice-making device carrying out power-saving, and capable of improving user-friendliness. <P>SOLUTION: After ice separation of an ice tray 9, water supply to the ice tray 9 is carried out from a water supply tank 4 by a water supply motor 7 irrespective of detection of a water supply tank detection part 19. After carrying out water supply to the ice tray 9 from the water supply tank 4, existence or nonexistence of water of the ice tray 9 is detected by a water detecting part. If there is water in the ice tray 9, ice making is finished, and a water supply action is carried out after carrying out ice separation. If there is no water in the ice tray 9, the water supply motor 7 is stopped until detachment and attachment of the water supply tank 4 is carried out. When detachment and attachment of the water supply tank 4 is detected by the water supply tank detecting part 19, water supply from the water supply tank 4 to the ice tray 9 is carried out by the water supply motor 7. If a predetermined time passes of an unattached state of the water supply tank, water supply from the water supply tank 4 to the ice tray 9 is carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with an ice making device that automatically makes ice.

  A conventional refrigerator having an ice making device for automatically making ice has a water supply tank arranged in a refrigerating chamber and an ice making tray arranged in the ice making chamber. The ice tray is fed from a feed tank via a feed pipe by driving a feed pump. The water supply tank is detected by the water supply tank detector. In the ice tray, the level of the water supplied from the water supply tank is detected by the water detector. Further, an anti-freezing heater for preventing the water supply pipe from freezing is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an ice making operation of the ice making device having the above-described configuration. When the refrigerator is turned on, the freeze prevention heater is turned on in step # 101. In step # 102, the process waits until the water in the ice tray is frozen and ice making is completed. When the ice making is completed, the ice removing operation by the ice removing device is performed in step # 103. Thereby, ice falls in the ice storage container arranged under the ice tray.

  When the deicing is finished, the presence or absence of the water supply tank is detected by the water supply tank detection unit in step # 104, and if the water supply tank is removed, it waits until it is attached. When the water tank is attached, the process proceeds to step # 105. In step # 105, water is supplied from the water supply tank to the ice tray by driving the water supply pump.

  In step # 106, the presence or absence of water in the ice tray is determined based on the detection result of the water detector. If there is water in the ice tray, the process returns to step # 102, and steps # 102 to # 106 are repeated. Thereby, ice is automatically made and stored in the ice storage container.

  If there is no water in the ice tray, the process proceeds to step # 107. In step # 107, the freeze prevention heater is stopped and the stopped state of the water supply pump is maintained. In step # 108, the process waits until the water tank detecting unit detects that the water tank has been attached after being detached. When the demounted water tank is attached, the process returns to step # 101 to drive the antifreeze heater. Steps # 102 to # 106 are repeated.

  Further, the ice making device of the refrigerator of Patent Document 1 is provided with an open / close detection unit that detects the opening / closing of a door through which the water supply tank is put in and out of the ice making device. When the ice tray has not reached the predetermined water level, the water supply pump is kept stopped and waits until the opening / closing detection unit detects the opening / closing of the door. When the door is opened and closed, the water supply pump is driven to supply water to the ice tray to a predetermined water level.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-79721 (page 3 to page 4, FIG. 3)

  According to the former refrigerator, when a water supply operation is performed by driving a water supply pump, the mounting state of the water supply tank is detected, and when the water supply tank is removed, the water supply operation is stopped. Thereby, a water supply pump is not driven and power saving can be achieved. However, if the water supply tank detector cannot detect the mounting state of the water supply pump due to a failure or the like, the water supply operation is not started and ice making is not performed. For this reason, there was a problem that the convenience of the refrigerator was bad.

  On the other hand, according to the refrigerator disclosed in the latter patent document 1, since the water tank detection unit is omitted, water is poured into the water tank and the water supply operation is not stopped. However, when the water supply tank is not filled with water, the water supply pump and the antifreeze heater are driven by opening and closing the door, and there is a problem of wasting power.

  An object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator provided with the ice making apparatus which aims at power saving and can improve the convenience.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ice making unit having an ice making tray for making ice, a water supply tank for storing water, a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice making tray, and the water supply tank In a refrigerator provided with an ice making device having a water supply tank detecting unit for detecting the mounting state of the water and a water detecting unit for detecting the presence or absence of water in the ice tray,
When the water detector detects that there is no water in the ice tray after water supply by the water supply means, the water supply operation by the water supply means is stopped, and the water tank is attached to the demounted water tank. When detected by the detection unit, the water supply operation by the water supply means is performed,
When the water detector detects that the ice tray after water supply by the water supply means has been supplied, the water in the ice tray is iced and deiced, and then the detection result of the water tank detector Regardless of, the water supply operation by the water supply means is performed.

  According to this configuration, the water detector detects the presence or absence of water in the ice tray after supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice tray. When there is no water in the ice tray, the water supply means is stopped until the water supply tank is detached and attached again. When it is detected by the water supply tank detector that the water supply tank has been attached after being attached and detached, the water supply means supplies water from the water supply tank to the ice tray. In addition, if there is water in the ice tray after water is supplied from the water tank to the ice tray, the ice tank is moved from the water tank to the ice tray by the water supply means regardless of the detection of the water tank detector after the ice making is completed and the ice is released. Water is supplied.

  The present invention also includes an ice making unit having an ice tray to make ice, a water supply tank for storing water, a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice tray, and a mounting state of the water supply tank is detected. In the refrigerator including an ice making device having a water supply tank detection unit and a water detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of water in the ice tray, the water detection unit indicates that there is no water in the ice tray after water supply by the water supply means. When the water supply operation by the water supply means is stopped and the desorbed water tank is installed, the water supply operation is performed by the water supply means, and the water tank is not installed by the water tank detection unit. The water supply operation by the water supply means is performed after a predetermined time has passed.

  According to this configuration, the water detector detects the presence or absence of water in the ice tray after supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice tray. When there is no water in the ice tray, the water supply means is stopped until the water supply tank is detached and attached again. When it is detected by the water supply tank detector that the water supply tank has been attached after being attached and detached, the water supply means supplies water from the water supply tank to the ice tray. In addition, when a predetermined time elapses before the water tank detection unit detects that the water tank has been attached after detachment, water is supplied from the water tank to the ice tray by the water supply means.

  Further, the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, includes a door open / close detection unit that detects opening / closing of a door that allows the water tank to be taken in and out, and a state in which the water tank is detected not being attached has passed for a predetermined time. And when the opening / closing detection of the door is detected by the door opening / closing detection unit, a water supply operation by the water supply means is performed. According to this configuration, when a predetermined time elapses before the water tank detection unit detects that the water tank has been attached after detachment and the door opening / closing detection unit detects opening / closing of the door, water supply from the water tank to the ice tray is performed. Is called.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, a freeze prevention heater for preventing freezing of the water supply tank or the water supply means is provided, and the water detector detects that the ice tray after the water supply by the water supply means has no water. When detected, the energization of the anti-freezing heater is stopped.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the water detection unit is a thermistor. According to this configuration, the temperature of the ice tray increases with water supply, and the thermistor detects the presence or absence of water in the ice tray.

  According to the present invention, when there is no water in the ice tray, the water supply operation is stopped until the water supply tank is attached after being attached and detached, so that the water supply means can be stopped to save power and prevent noise. In addition, when there is water in the ice tray, the next water supply operation is performed regardless of the detection result of the water tank detection unit, so even if the water tank installation cannot be detected due to a failure of the water tank detection unit, etc. Ice can be made while water remains inside. Thereby, the convenience of a refrigerator can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the water supply operation is performed by the water supply means when the detection of the state without the water tank after the water tank is attached / detached for a predetermined time, the water tank detection state cannot be detected due to a failure of the water tank detection unit or the like. Even if there is, ice making can be performed. If the user pours water into the water supply tank within a predetermined time, wasteful power is not wasted.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the detection of the state without the water supply tank has passed for a predetermined time and the door opening / closing detection unit detects the opening / closing of the door, the water supply operation is performed by the water supply means. The ice making operation is stopped when the attachment and detachment and the attachment are not performed. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator can be further improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the energization of the antifreeze heater is stopped when the water detector detects that there is no water in the ice tray after water supply by the water supply means, it is possible to further save power.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the water detector is composed of a thermistor, the presence or absence of water in the ice tray can be easily detected.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the refrigerator of the first embodiment. The refrigerator 1 has a refrigerator compartment 2 disposed above and an ice making chamber 3 disposed below. The ice making room 3 may be provided in the freezing room. The refrigerator compartment 2 is opened and closed by a door 8, and the ice making chamber 3 is opened and closed by a door 13. Further, a door opening / closing detection unit (not shown) for detecting opening / closing of the door 8 is provided. A vegetable compartment 18 is provided between the refrigerator compartment 2 and the ice making compartment 3. In addition, the refrigerator 1 is provided with an ice making device 20 including a water supply unit 5 disposed in the refrigerator compartment 2 and an ice making unit 6 disposed in the ice making chamber 3.

  The water supply unit 5 includes a water supply tank 4, a water supply pipe 14, a water supply pump 7, a water supply tank detection unit 19, and an antifreezing heater 15. The water supply tank 4 stores ice-making water and is detachably installed from the refrigerator compartment 2. The water supply tank 4 can be taken in and out by opening and closing the door 8. The water supply pipe 14 is led out from the water supply tank 4 and extends to the ice tray 9 of the ice making unit 6.

  The water supply pump 7 is arranged in the path of the water supply pipe 14 and pumps water from the water supply tank 9 to supply water to the ice tray 9. Accordingly, the water supply pipe 14 and the water supply pump 7 constitute water supply means for performing a water supply operation from the water supply tank 9 to the ice tray 9. The water supply tank detector 19 detects the mounting state of the detachable water supply tank 4. The antifreezing heater 15 is provided in contact with the water supply pipe 14 and prevents freezing of water flowing through the water supply pipe 14. An antifreeze heater may be provided around the water supply tank 4. Thereby, freezing of the water in the water supply tank 4 is prevented.

  The ice making unit 6 includes an ice making tray 9, an ice making motor 10, and a detection lever 23. The ice tray 9 is supplied with water from the water supply tank 4 to make ice 16 in the ice making chamber 3 below the freezing point. The ice making motor 10 has a motor shaft 12 connected to the ice making tray 9 and rotationally drives the ice making tray 9. The detection lever 23 is provided near the lower side of the ice tray 9 so that the rotating ice tray 9 collides with it.

  On the lower surface of the ice tray 9, a water detection unit 21 that detects the presence or absence of water in the ice tray 9 is provided. The water detection unit 21 is composed of a thermistor. Since the temperature of the ice tray 9 is increased by water supply, the thermistor can easily detect the presence or absence of water. An ice storage container 11 for storing ice is provided below the detection lever 23. The ice storage container 11 can be taken in and out by opening and closing the door 13.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an ice making operation of the ice making device 20 of the refrigerator 1 having the above-described configuration. When the refrigerator 1 is turned on, the freeze prevention heater 15 is turned on in step # 11. In step # 12, the process waits until the water in the ice tray 9 is frozen and the ice making is completed. When ice making is completed, an ice removing operation is performed in step # 13. That is, the ice making motor 10 is driven, the rotating ice making tray 9 is twisted by contact with the detection lever 23, and the ice 16 is deiced. Thereby, the ice 16 falls into the ice storage container 11.

  When the ice removal is completed, water is supplied from the water supply tank 4 to the ice tray 9 by driving the water supply pump 7 in step # 14. In step # 15, the presence or absence of water in the ice tray 9 is determined based on detection by the water detector 21. If there is water in the ice tray 9, the process returns to step # 12 and steps # 12 to # 15 are repeated. As a result, the ice 16 is automatically made and stored in the ice storage container 11.

  If there is no water in the ice tray 9, the process proceeds to step # 16. In step # 16, the freeze prevention heater 15 is stopped, and the stopped state of the water supply pump 7 is maintained. Thereby, the freeze prevention heater 15 and the feed water pump 7 are stopped. In step # 17, it is determined whether or not the water tank 4 has been attached after it has been detached by detection of the water tank detector 19. When the water supply tank 4 is attached after being attached / detached, it is determined that water has been poured into the water supply tank 4, and the process returns to step # 11 to drive the antifreeze heater 15. Steps # 12 to # 15 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step # 17 that the water supply tank 4 has not been attached or removed, the process proceeds to step # 18. In step # 18, it is determined whether or not a state in which the water tank 4 is not attached by the water tank detector 19 has passed a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours). When the state detected that the water supply tank 4 is not attached has not elapsed for a predetermined time, the process returns to step # 17.

  If a predetermined period of time elapses while it is detected that the water supply tank 4 is not attached, it is determined that the water supply tank 4 that has been injected is erroneously attached, and the process returns to step # 11. As a result, the freeze prevention heater 15 is driven, and steps # 12 to # 15 are repeated.

  According to this embodiment, in step # 17, when the water level of the ice tray 9 has not reached the predetermined water level, the water supply operation by the water supply motor 7 is stopped until the water supply tank 4 is attached and detached. For this reason, the water supply means having the water supply motor 7 can be stopped to save power and prevent noise.

  If it is detected in step # 15 that there is water in the ice tray 9, the next water supply operation is performed regardless of the detection result of the water supply tank detector 19 in step # 14. For this reason, even if it is a case where mounting | wearing of the water supply tank 4 cannot be detected by failure etc. of the water supply tank detection part 19, while water remains in the water supply tank 4, ice making can be performed. Thereby, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  Moreover, in step # 18, when a state where a water supply tank detected by the water supply tank detector is not attached during a stop period in which the water supply motor 7 is stopped passes a predetermined time, a water supply operation by the water supply motor 7 is performed. For this reason, even if it is a case where the mounting | wearing state of the water supply tank 4 cannot be detected by failure etc. of the water supply tank detection part 19, ice making can be performed. If the user pours water into the water supply tank 4 within a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours), even if the water supply tank detector 19 is out of order and the water supply motor 7 is driven, wasteful power is not wasted.

  Further, when the water detector 21 detects that the ice tray 9 after water supply has no water, the anti-freezing heater 15 is deenergized, so that further power saving can be achieved.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. This embodiment is configured similarly to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above, and the ice making operation of the ice making device 20 is different from that of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an ice making operation of the ice making device 20 of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, steps # 11 to # 17 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step # 18, it is determined whether or not a state in which the water tank 4 is not attached by the water tank detector 19 has passed a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours). When the state detected that the water supply tank 4 is not attached has not elapsed for a predetermined time, the process returns to step # 17. If the predetermined period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step # 19.

  In step # 19, while it is detected that the water supply tank 4 is not attached, it is determined whether or not the door 8 has been opened and closed by detection of the door opening and closing detection unit. If the door 13 is not opened and closed while it is detected that the water supply tank 4 is not attached, the process returns to step # 17. Accordingly, steps # 17 to # 19 are repeatedly performed. If the door 13 is opened and closed while it is detected that the water supply tank 4 is not attached, it is determined that water has been injected into the water supply tank 4, and the process returns to step # 11. As a result, the freeze prevention heater 15 is driven, and steps # 12 to # 15 are repeated.

  According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in steps # 18 and # 19, a state in which a water supply tank detected by the water supply tank detection unit is not attached during a stop period in which the water supply motor 7 is stopped passes a predetermined time, and the door opening / closing detection unit When the opening / closing of the door 8 is detected, a water supply operation by the water supply motor 7 is performed. For this reason, when the door 8 is not opened / closed and the water supply tank 4 is not attached / detached / attached due to sleeping or the like, the water supply motor 7 is stopped and the ice making operation is stopped. Therefore, power is not wasted and the convenience of the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

  In the first and second embodiments, it is more desirable to provide a water supply stop switch that can stop the water supply operation of the water supply means by the user's operation. As a result, when the water supply tank 4 is not filled due to sleeping or the like, the water supply stop switch is operated in advance to stop the water supply motor 7, thereby saving power and preventing noise.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for the refrigerator provided with the ice making apparatus which makes ice automatically.

The side view which shows the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the ice making operation | movement of the ice making apparatus of the refrigerator of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the ice making operation | movement of the ice making apparatus of the refrigerator of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Flow chart showing ice making operation of a conventional refrigerator ice making device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Freezer room 4 Water supply tank 5 Water supply part 6 Ice making part 7 Water supply pump 8, 13 Door 9 Ice tray 10 Ice making motor 11 Ice storage container 14 Water supply pipe 15 Antifreeze heater 17 Detection lever 18 Vegetable room 19 Water supply tank detection Section 20 Ice making equipment 21 Water detection section

Claims (5)

An ice making unit having an ice making tray for making ice, a water supply tank for storing water, a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice tray, and a water supply tank detection unit for detecting a mounting state of the water supply tank In a refrigerator equipped with an ice making device having a water detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of water in the ice tray,
When the water detector detects that there is no water in the ice tray after water supply by the water supply means, the water supply operation by the water supply means is stopped, and the water tank is attached to the demounted water tank. When detected by the detection unit, the water supply operation by the water supply means is performed,
When the water detector detects that the ice tray after water supply by the water supply means has been supplied, the water in the ice tray is iced and deiced, and then the detection result of the water tank detector Regardless of the above, a water supply operation by the water supply means is performed. An ice making unit having an ice making tray for making ice, a water supply tank for storing water, a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice tray, and a water supply tank detection unit for detecting a mounting state of the water supply tank In a refrigerator equipped with an ice making device having a water detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of water in the ice tray,
When the water detection unit detects that there is no water in the ice tray after the water supply by the water supply means, the water supply operation by the water supply means is stopped, and the demounted water tank is attached. When it is detected by the tank detection unit, the water supply operation is performed by the water supply unit, and the water supply operation by the water supply unit is performed after a predetermined time has elapsed when the water supply tank detection unit detects that the water supply tank is not attached. A refrigerator characterized by.   A door opening / closing detection unit that detects opening / closing of a door that allows the water tank to be taken in and out, a state in which it is detected that the water tank is not installed has elapsed for a predetermined time, and the door opening / closing detection unit opens and closes the door. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a water supply operation by the water supply means is performed when detected.   An anti-freezing heater for preventing freezing of the water supply tank or the water supply means is provided, and the anti-freeze heater is energized when the water detection unit detects that the ice tray after the water supply by the water supply means is free of water. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the refrigerator is stopped.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water detector is a thermistor.

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