JP2008020158A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an effect of energy-saving by extending an off period or a low energization rate period with respect to an antifreezing heater, in regard to a refrigerator provided with the antifreezing heater of a water supply path to an ice tray of an automatic ice-making device. <P>SOLUTION: The water supply antifreezing heater is provided in the water supply path of a water supply mechanism for supply water to the ice tray of the automatic ice-making device. In a controller controlling the water supply pipe heater, the water supply heater is turned off when a full state of an ice storage container is detected and water supply is stopped, and after full detection is released (a time t5), the water supply pipe heater is turned on from before a certain time T (e.g. 15 minutes) of a water supply start (a time T6). In normal ice making operation, the water supply pipe heater is turned off after water supply completion, and then, when a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the ice tray detects a temperature below a predetermined temperature (e.g. -10°C) higher than an ice making completion temperature (-12.5°C), the water supply pipe heater is turned on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator that includes an automatic ice making device that performs an ice making operation and that is provided with an anti-icing heater in a water supply path of the water supply mechanism.

  In a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice making device in the ice making chamber, the water supply mechanism supplies the ice making tray to the ice making tray, and a temperature sensor attached to the ice making tray detects the ice making completion temperature (for example, -12.5 ° C.). When the completion of ice making is detected, the ice tray is turned upside down by the ice removing mechanism, the ice in the ice tray is dropped into the ice storage container, and the ice tray is turned over again to return it to its original position. It repeats automatically. Also, when the ice storage amount detection lever detects that the ice storage container is full of ice, it waits for the ice removal operation, and prohibits the next water supply until the ice removal operation is performed and interrupts the ice making operation. It is supposed to be.

  The water supply mechanism includes, for example, a water supply tank disposed in the refrigerator compartment, a water supply pipe that guides water from the water supply tank to an ice tray in the ice making chamber, a water supply pump that sends water from the water supply tank, and the like. In this case, in recent years, in order to prevent the water supply pipe from freezing, a heater for preventing freezing (freezing) is attached to the water supply pipe portion, and the water supply pipe is heated by always energizing the heater for preventing freezing. It has been broken. However, in the case where the icing prevention heater is always energized, there is a problem that wasteful energy is consumed.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, when the solenoid (valve) of the water supply device is operated, that is, at the time of water supply, the antifreezing heater is turned on, and the temperature of the ice tray detected by the ice making detection sensor reaches the set temperature value or is predetermined. A configuration is shown in which the anti-freezing heater is turned off when time elapses. Patent Document 2 shows a configuration in which the water supply pipe heater is turned off when the user operates the operation unit to enter the ice making stop mode.
JP 2002-243330 A JP 2003-56966 A

  The techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above can achieve a certain power saving as compared with the technique in which the icing prevention heater is always energized. However, the power saving effect is not always sufficient, and it is required to further reduce power consumption by extending the off period of the anti-icing heater or the period of low energization rate.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an anti-icing heater for preventing freezing of a water supply path to an ice tray of an automatic ice making apparatus, and an off period for the anti-icing heater Or it is providing the refrigerator which can expand the low electricity supply rate period further, and can heighten the effect of power saving.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first refrigerator of the present invention supplies the ice tray with the water supply mechanism, and when the ice making is completed, performs the ice making operation of dropping the ice in the ice tray into the ice storage container by the ice removing mechanism. An automatic ice making device that stops water supply by stopping water supply by the water supply mechanism when it is detected by the full detection means that a predetermined amount or more of ice has accumulated in the ice storage container. In the refrigerator, a freezing prevention heater is provided in the water supply path of the water supply mechanism, and when the fullness detecting means detects fullness and stops water supply, the freezing prevention heater is turned off and the fullness detection is released. After that, there is provided a heater control means for turning on the anti-icing heater from a predetermined time before water supply is started (invention of claim 1).

  According to this, when the ice making operation is interrupted when the ice in the ice storage container is full, that is, in a state where water supply is not performed, the anti-icing heater is turned off, so that Power saving can be achieved. After that, when the ice is taken out from the ice storage container and the full detection is canceled, since the anti-icing heater has been turned off until just before that, water remaining in the water supply path may be frozen. . However, since the anti-icing heater is turned on for a certain period of time before water supply starts, even if the water supply path is frozen, the water is supplied after melting the ice, which hinders water supply. It wo n’t happen. Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the power saving effect by further extending the off period for the anti-icing heater.

  The second refrigerator of the present invention includes an anti-icing heater that prevents freezing of the water supply path to the ice tray of the automatic ice making apparatus, similar to the first refrigerator, and the heater in the first refrigerator. Instead of the configuration of the control means, the heater control means is energized at a relatively low energization rate when the fullness detection means detects fullness and stops water supply, and the fullness detection is canceled. Then, the energization rate of the anti-icing heater is increased for a certain time before the start of water supply (invention of claim 2).

  According to this, similarly to the first refrigerator, when the ice making operation is interrupted when the ice in the ice storage container is full, that is, when no water supply is performed, the anti-icing heater is By energizing at a low energization rate, power saving can be achieved. Thereafter, when full detection is released, the anti-icing heater is energized at a high energization rate from a certain time before the start of water supply, so there is no problem with water supply. Therefore, it is possible to increase the effect of power saving by extending the low energization rate period for the anti-icing heater.

  Furthermore, the third refrigerator of the present invention is also provided with an anti-icing heater for preventing freezing of the water supply path to the ice tray of the automatic ice making device, as in the first and second refrigerators. Instead of the configuration of the heater control means in the first refrigerator and the second refrigerator, the heater control means turns off the anti-icing heater when the full detection means detects fullness and stops water supply, After the full detection is released, the anti-icing heater is energized at a relatively high energization rate from a certain time before the start of water supply, and the energization rate of the anti-icing heater is set during the ice making operation after the water supply operation is completed. It is constituted so as to be lower than the energization rate (invention of claim 3).

  According to this, similarly to the first refrigerator, the off period for the anti-icing heater can be extended and power saving can be achieved without hindering the water supply. During the ice making operation after the completion, the anti-icing heater is set to a low energization rate, so that further power saving can be achieved.

  The fourth refrigerator of the present invention supplies water to the ice tray by the water supply mechanism, and when the temperature sensor provided in the ice tray detects the ice making completion temperature, the ice making operation drops the ice from the ice tray to the ice storage container by the ice removing mechanism. In the refrigerator including the automatic ice making device, the anti-icing heater is provided in the water supply path of the water supply mechanism, and the anti-icing heater is turned off after the water supply is finished, and then the temperature sensor is lower than the ice making completion temperature. A feature is that a heater control means is provided for turning on the anti-icing heater when a high predetermined temperature or less is detected (invention of claim 4).

  According to this, in a state where the next water supply is not performed for a while after the water supply to the ice tray is performed, the anti-icing heater is turned off, and power can be saved accordingly. . When ice is produced and the temperature sensor detects the ice making completion temperature, the ice removal operation is performed, and the next water supply operation is performed. Since it was turned off, the water remaining in the water supply path may be frozen. However, since the anti-icing heater is turned on when the temperature sensor detects a temperature not higher than the predetermined temperature higher than the ice making completion temperature, that is, a certain time before the ice making completion temperature is detected, the ice cooling heater is turned on. Even if there is, water supply will be performed after melting the ice, so there will be no hindrance to water supply. Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the power saving effect by further extending the off period for the anti-icing heater.

  Further, the fifth refrigerator of the present invention includes an anti-icing heater for preventing freezing of the water supply path to the ice tray of the automatic ice making device, similar to the fourth refrigerator, and the fourth refrigerator. Instead of the configuration of the heater control means, the heater control means energizes the anti-icing heater at a relatively low energization rate during the ice making operation after the end of the water supply, and then the temperature sensor is lower than the ice making completion temperature. When detecting a high temperature or lower, the energization rate of the anti-icing heater is increased (invention of claim 5).

  According to this, in a state in which the next water supply is not performed for a while after the ice tray is supplied with water, the anti-icing heater is energized at a low energization rate, thereby saving power by that amount. be able to. After that, the ice prevention heater is energized at a high energization rate from some time before the ice making completion temperature is detected, so even if the water supply path is frozen, the ice is melted and the next A water supply operation will be performed, and there will be no hindrance to water supply. Therefore, it is possible to increase the effect of power saving by extending the low energization rate period for the anti-icing heater.

  According to the refrigerator of the present invention, there is provided an anti-icing heater for preventing freezing of the water supply path to the ice tray of the automatic ice making device, and by providing the heater control means, the energization control for the anti-icing heater is provided. It has an excellent effect that the effect of power saving can be further enhanced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a part of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. Here, the refrigerator main body 1 is provided with a refrigerating chamber 2 at the top, and a heat insulating partition wall 1a at the bottom. An ice making chamber 3 is provided in a partitioned manner. As will be described later, a water supply mechanism 4 is provided in the refrigerator compartment 2, and an automatic ice making device 5 is provided in the ice making chamber 3.

  A hinged door 6 is provided at the front of the refrigerator compartment 2, and a drawer-type door 7 is provided at the front of the ice making chamber 3 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The refrigerator body 1 is provided with an R door switch 8 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 6 and an I door switch 9 (both shown only in FIG. 5) for detecting the opening and closing of the door 7. The detection signals 8 and 9 are input to the control device 10 described later.

  Although not shown, the refrigerator main body 1 is also provided with a freezing room and a vegetable room. Further, the refrigerator body 1 incorporates a refrigeration cycle and a cold air circulation mechanism, and is provided with a control device 10 (illustrated only in FIG. 5) that includes a microcomputer and controls them. At this time, as shown only in FIG. 5, the detection signals of the R temperature sensor 11 that detects the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 2 and the F temperature sensor 12 that detects the temperature of the freezer compartment are input to the control device 10. Each chamber is cooled to a set temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply mechanism 4 includes, for example, a water supply tank 13 that is disposed at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 2 and stores water, and a water supply pump 14 for sending water in the water supply tank 13, A water supply pipe 15 is formed which forms a water supply path for guiding water from the water supply tank 13 to an automatic ice making device 5 (an ice tray to be described later) in the ice making chamber 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply tank 13 has a water supply port 13 a that is opened and closed by an opening / closing lid 16 at the center of the upper surface.

  The water supply pump 14 is configured by providing an impeller 17 in a pump chamber 13b provided so as to communicate with the rear end of the lower end of the water supply tank 13, and a pump motor 18 on the back side thereof. At this time, a magnet (not shown) is attached to the rear surface side of the impeller 17, and a magnet 18a is attached to the rotating shaft of the pump motor 18, and the impeller 17 is rotated by the rotation of the magnet 18a. ing. The rotation of the impeller 17 sucks the water in the water supply tank 13 into the pump chamber 13b and discharges the water toward the discharge pipe 19 extending upward from the pump chamber 13b.

  The distal end of the discharge pipe 19 is connected to a water receiving case 20, and the water supply pipe 15 is connected to the water receiving case 20. The water supply pipe 15 extends downward from the water receiving case 20 and extends obliquely forward so as to pass through the heat insulating partition wall 1a in the dish, and a tip portion thereof is disposed above an ice making tray described later. . Thus, the water supply pump 14 (pump motor 18) is driven, so that the water in the water supply tank 13 passes through the discharge pipe 19, the water receiving case 20, and the water supply pipe 15 in this order, and the ice making of the automatic ice making device 5 is performed. It is supplied to the dish.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the feed water pump 14 (pump motor 18) is controlled by the control device 10. In this case, the control device 10 supplies water for the amount of water used for ice making (for example, 105 ± 15 cc) by controlling the energization time for the pump motor 18 (for example, 4.2 seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 4, an anti-icing heater 21 for heating the water supply pipe 15 to prevent (eliminate) the freezing by heating the water supply pipe 15 to the tip side portion disposed in the ice making chamber 3 of the water supply pipe 15. (Hereinafter referred to as a water supply pipe heater 21) is attached. The water supply pipe heater 21 is configured such that a heater wire such as a nichrome wire is attached in a meandering manner to the surface (inner surface) of an aluminum foil, for example, and is provided to be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 15. As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply pipe heater 21 is also energized and controlled by the control device 10. Details of this control will be described later.

  Next, the automatic ice making device 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in the ice making chamber 3, a machine body 22 having a rectangular box shape is disposed on the upper front side, and an ice tray 23 is placed in a substantially horizontal state on the back side of the machine body 22. Is provided. Further, an ice storage container 24 for storing ice is disposed in the ice making chamber 3 so as to be able to go in and out, located below the ice tray 23. The ice storage container 24 is connected to the door 7 so that the ice storage container 24 can be taken in and out as the door 7 is opened and closed.

  An ice tray driving device 25 (shown only in FIG. 5) made of a motor or the like is disposed inside the machine body 22, and the ice tray 23 is connected to an output shaft of the ice tray driving device 25. Thus, the ice tray 23 is configured to be turned upside down by being rotated by the ice tray driving device 25 at the time of deicing, and a twist is given at that time. A temperature sensor 26 (shown only in FIG. 5) is attached to the lower surface of the ice tray 23. The temperature sensor 26 includes a thermistor or the like for detecting the temperature of the ice tray 23 (ice inside). A temperature signal detected by the temperature sensor 26 is input to the control device 10.

  In addition, an ice storage amount detection lever 27 is attached to the airframe 22 in order to detect whether or not the ice storage amount in the ice storage container 24 is full, and a hole operated by the ice storage amount detection lever 27. IC 28 (shown in FIG. 5) is provided. The ice storage amount detection lever 27 comes into contact with the upper end portion of the ice stored in the ice storage container 24 and stops at that position, and the Hall IC 28 is turned on when the predetermined amount of ice is full. Is configured to do. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal from the Hall IC 28 is also input to the control device 10. Thus, the full storage detection means is constituted by the ice storage amount detection lever 27, the Hall IC 28, and the like.

  FIG. 5 shows the electrical configuration of the main part of the refrigerator according to this embodiment (the part related to the ice making operation of the automatic ice making device 5). Signals from the temperature sensor 26, the Hall IC 28, and the like are input to the control device 10, and the control device 10 performs the feed water pump 14 (pump motor) according to an ice making operation control program stored in advance based on the input signals. 18) The water supply pipe heater 21 and the ice tray driving device 25 are controlled.

  Thus, the automatic ice making device 5 supplies water to the ice tray 23 through the water supply pipe 15 by the water supply pump 14 (water supply operation), and then the temperature sensor 26 sets a predetermined ice making temperature (for example, −12.5 ° C.). The completion of ice making is determined based on the detection, and when ice making is completed, the ice tray 23 is turned upside down by the ice tray drive device 25 to drop the ice into the ice storage container 24 (ice removal operation). The ice making operation of inverting the plate 20 to return to the original horizontal state and supplying water again is automatically repeated.

  At this time, if it is detected by the ice storage amount detection lever 27 (Hall IC 28) that the inside of the ice storage container 24 is filled with ice before the ice removal operation, the control device 10 performs the next ice removal operation and water supply operation. It is prohibited and the ice making operation is interrupted. Further, the control device 10 is configured not to execute the deicing operation even when the ice making is completed in a state where the door 7 is determined to be open based on the signal from the I door switch 9.

  Further, when it is detected that the door 7 is opened and closed during full detection, it is considered that the ice has been taken out, and the ice storage amount detection lever 27 is lowered to check the amount of ice in the ice storage container 24. In this case, if it is not full, the full detection is canceled, and the process moves to the ice removing operation to perform a normal ice making operation. On the other hand, if the full detection remains, the de-icing operation or the like is waited again until the full detection is canceled.

  The control device 10 functions as heater control means for controlling the energization of the water supply pipe heater 21 in conjunction with the control of the water supply pump 14 and the ice tray driving device 25. Thus, water supply failure due to freezing of the water supply pipe 15 is achieved. And problems such as insufficient water supply are prevented. At this time, in this embodiment, the control device 10 uses the software configuration so that the ice storage amount detection lever 27 (and the Hall IC 28) detects the full state of the ice storage container 24 and stops the water supply. After the pipe heater 21 is turned off and the fullness detection is canceled, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on for a certain time T (for example, 15 minutes) before water supply is started. In other words, when the full detection is released, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on, and the water supply operation is started after a lapse of a predetermined time T from there. The predetermined time T is set to a time necessary and sufficient to melt the ice by energization of the water supply pipe heater 21 even if the water supply pipe 15 is frozen.

  Further, in the normal ice making operation, after the water supply operation is completed, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off, and then the temperature sensor 26 has a predetermined temperature (for example, −10 ° C.) higher than the ice making completion temperature (−12.5 ° C.). When the following temperature is detected, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on. In this case, after the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on, the temperature sensor 26 detects the ice making completion temperature (−12.5 ° C.), and when the ice removal operation is performed and the next water supply operation is completed, the water supply pipe heater 21 is It is turned off again. The predetermined temperature is necessary and sufficient to melt the ice by energizing the water supply pipe heater 21 until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 reaches the ice making completion temperature even if the water supply pipe 15 is frozen. Is set to obtain

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The time chart of FIG. 2 shows the ON / OFF control of the water supply pipe heater 21 and the ON / OFF control of the water supply pump 14 with respect to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 during the normal ice making operation (when the ice storage container 24 is not full). The relationship with off control is shown. Further, the time chart of FIG. 1 shows the on / off control of the water supply pipe heater 21 and the on / off control of the water supply pump 14 when there is a full detection of the ice storage container 24 and then the full detection is released. Shows the relationship.

  First, in FIG. 2, immediately after the ice tray 23 is supplied with water during the ice making operation, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 is relatively high (0 ° C. or higher). Due to the cool air, the water in the ice tray 23 is gradually frozen, and accordingly, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 gradually decreases. After this water supply operation, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off.

  As described above, when the temperature sensor 26 detects the ice making completion temperature (−12.5 ° C.), the ice removing operation is performed as ice making completion. Here, the predetermined temperature before the ice making completion temperature is reached. From the time when the temperature sensor 26 detects a temperature equal to or lower than the temperature (−10 ° C.) (time t1), the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on. Thereafter, when the temperature sensor 26 detects the ice making completion temperature (−12.5 ° C.) (time t2), the ice removing operation is performed. Following the ice removing operation, the water supply pump 14 is turned on and the water supplying operation is performed. Is started (time t3). When the water supply operation is finished (time t4), the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off.

  By controlling the water supply pipe heater 21 as shown in FIG. 2, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off in a state where the next water supply is not performed for a while after the ice tray 23 is supplied with water. Therefore, power saving can be achieved. At this time, since the water supply pipe heater 21 has been turned off for a while after the previous water supply operation, the water remaining in the water supply pipe 15 may be frozen at, for example, the time t1. However, since the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on when the temperature sensor 26 detects a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature higher than the ice making completion temperature, that is, a certain time before the ice making completion temperature is detected, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on. Even if there is freezing, the ice can be melted before the next water supply, and problems such as poor water supply and insufficient water supply due to freezing of the water supply pipe 15 in the next water supply operation can be prevented.

  Next, in FIG. 1, when the ice making operation is repeated and the ice storage container 24 is filled with ice (full state), the ice storage amount detection lever 27 and the Hall IC 28 detect the full state of the ice storage container 24, At this time, the ice making operation is interrupted, and the next ice removing operation and water supply operation are prohibited. When the ice making operation is interrupted by this full detection, the water supply pipe heater 21 is also turned off.

  Here, when the user takes out the ice from the ice storage container 24 to reduce the amount of ice and releases the full detection state by the ice storage amount detection lever 27 and the Hall IC 28 (time t5), first, the water pipe heater 21 is turned on. It will be turned on. When a certain time T (15 minutes) elapses after the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on (time t5) (time t6), the water supply pump 14 is turned on and the next water supply operation is performed. Of course, if the ice tray 23 has not been deiced while the ice making operation is interrupted, the ice making operation is executed before the time t6. When the water supply operation ends (time t7), the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off.

  When the ice making operation is interrupted due to the ice in the ice storage container 24 being full by the control of the water supply pipe heater 21 as shown in FIG. 1, that is, in the state where water supply is not performed, the water supply pipe heater By turning off 21, power saving can be achieved. And when ice is taken out from the inside of the ice storage container 24 and full detection is cancelled | released, since the water supply pipe heater 21 was turned off until just before that, the water which remains in the water supply pipe 15 may be frozen. There is. However, since the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned on from a certain time T (15 minutes) before the start of the water supply operation (time t6), even if the water supply pipe 15 is frozen, the ice is melted before the next water supply. Thus, problems such as poor water supply and insufficient water supply due to freezing of the water supply pipe 15 in the next water supply operation can be prevented in advance.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the water supply pipe heater 21 for preventing freezing of the water supply pipe 15 which is a water supply path to the ice tray 23 of the automatic ice making device 5 is provided, and a normal ice making operation is performed. At the time, after the water supply operation is finished, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off, and then the temperature sensor 26 detects a temperature not higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, −10 ° C.) higher than the ice making completion temperature (−12.5 ° C.). In addition, a control to turn on the water supply pipe heater 21 is performed, and at the same time, when the full state of the ice storage container 24 is detected and the water supply is stopped, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off and the full detection is released. Then, the control to turn on the water supply pipe heater 21 was performed from a certain time T (15 minutes) before the start of water supply. Thereby, the off period with respect to the water supply pipe heater 21 is further expanded while fulfilling the function as the water supply pipe heater 21 which prevents freezing of the water in the water supply pipe 15 and prevents the water supply operation from being hindered. The effect of power saving can be enhanced.

  In the above embodiment, both the control of the water supply pipe heater 21 during normal ice making operation (FIG. 2) and the full detection of the ice storage container 24 and the control of the water supply pipe heater 21 when released (FIG. 1). However, it may be configured to perform either one of the controls, and this also aims to increase the power saving effect by extending the off period for the water supply pipe heater 21. Can be achieved.

  And in the said Example, although it was set as the structure which performs on / off control of the feed pipe heater 21 simply, it can replace with that and can also be comprised as follows. That is, when water supply is stopped by detecting that the ice storage container 24 is full, the water supply pipe heater 21 is energized at a relatively low energization rate (for example, 50%), and water supply is started after the full detection is released. The power supply rate of the water supply pipe heater 21 can be increased (for example, 100%) before a certain time T. Alternatively, when the water supply is stopped by detecting that the ice storage container 24 is full, the water supply pipe heater 21 is turned off, and after the full detection is released, the water supply pipe heater 21 is compared from a certain time T before the start of water supply. It is possible to configure so that the current supply rate of the water supply pipe heater 21 is lowered (for example, 50%) during the ice making operation after the water supply operation is completed.

  Further, during normal ice making operation, during the ice making operation after completion of the water supply operation, the water supply pipe heater 21 is energized at a relatively low energization rate (for example, 50%), and then the temperature sensor 26 is higher than the ice making completion temperature. When a predetermined temperature is detected, the energization rate of the water supply pipe heater 21 can be increased (for example, 100%). In any case, similar to the above-described embodiment, the intended purpose of expanding the low energization rate period for the water supply pipe heater 21 and enhancing the power saving effect can be achieved. Furthermore, for example, even during operation at a relatively high energization rate or a low energization rate, the energization rate may be appropriately changed due to the influence of the outside air temperature or the internal temperature, and may be changed temporarily or under special high and low temperature conditions. Then, each energization rate may become the same energization rate.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the one provided with a dedicated ice making room, but can be applied to a refrigerator in which an automatic ice making device is provided in a part of the freezing room. Various changes can be made to the configuration and the like. Furthermore, the above-described fixed time T, ice making completion temperature, temperature such as a predetermined temperature, and specific numerical values such as energization rate are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate. Can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the invention.

The time chart which shows one Example of this invention, and shows the mode of control of a water supply pipe heater and a water supply pump when there is a full detection of an ice storage container and the cancellation | release Time chart showing how the feed water heater and feed water pump are controlled during normal ice making operations Vertical side view of the main part of the refrigerator Vertical side view showing the configuration of the water supply mechanism Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the main part

Explanation of symbols

In the drawings, 1 is a refrigerator body, 3 is an ice making chamber, 4 is a water supply mechanism, 5 is an automatic ice making device, 10 is a control device (heater control means), 13 is a water supply tank, 14 is a water supply pump, and 15 is a water supply pipe (water supply). (Path), 21 is a water pipe heater (heater for preventing freezing), 23 is an ice tray, 24 is an ice storage container, 26 is a temperature sensor, 27 is an ice storage amount detection lever (full detection means), 28 is a Hall IC (full detection means) ).

Claims (5)

The ice tray is supplied with water by the water supply mechanism, and when the ice making is completed, the ice making operation is performed by dropping the ice in the ice tray into the ice storage container by the ice releasing mechanism, and a predetermined amount or more of ice is accumulated in the ice storage container by the full detection means. In a refrigerator provided with an automatic ice making device that stops water supply by stopping water supply by the water supply mechanism when it is detected that
An anti-icing heater for heating the water supply path of the water supply mechanism;
When the full detection means detects fullness and stops water supply, the anti-icing heater is turned off, and after the full detection is released, the anti-icing heater is turned on for a certain time before starting water supply. And a heater control means. The ice tray is supplied with water by the water supply mechanism, and when the ice making is completed, the ice making operation is performed by dropping the ice in the ice tray into the ice storage container by the ice releasing mechanism, and a predetermined amount or more of ice is accumulated in the ice storage container by the full detection means. In a refrigerator provided with an automatic ice making device that stops water supply by stopping water supply by the water supply mechanism when it is detected that
An anti-icing heater for heating the water supply path of the water supply mechanism;
When the fullness detecting means detects fullness and stops water supply, the icing prevention heater is energized at a relatively low energization rate, and after the fullness detection is canceled, the water supply is started from a certain time before starting water supply. A refrigerator comprising: heater control means for increasing an energization rate of the anti-icing heater. The ice tray is supplied with water by the water supply mechanism, and when the ice making is completed, the ice making operation is performed by dropping the ice in the ice tray into the ice storage container by the ice releasing mechanism, and a predetermined amount or more of ice is accumulated in the ice storage container by the full detection means. In a refrigerator provided with an automatic ice making device that stops water supply by stopping water supply by the water supply mechanism when it is detected that
An anti-icing heater for heating the water supply path of the water supply mechanism;
When the full detection means detects fullness and stops water supply, the anti-icing heater is turned off, and after the full detection is released, the anti-icing heater is compared from a certain time before starting water supply. And a heater control means for lowering the energization rate of the anti-icing heater during the ice making operation after the water supply operation is completed. A refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice making device that supplies water to an ice tray by a water supply mechanism, and performs an ice making operation to drop ice in the ice tray into an ice storage container by a deicing mechanism when a temperature sensor provided in the ice tray detects an ice making completion temperature. In
An anti-icing heater for heating the water supply path of the water supply mechanism;
A heater control means for turning off the anti-icing heater when the temperature sensor detects a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature higher than the ice making completion temperature after the water supply is completed. A refrigerator characterized by. A refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice making device that supplies water to an ice tray by a water supply mechanism, and performs an ice making operation to drop ice in the ice tray into an ice storage container by a deicing mechanism when a temperature sensor provided in the ice tray detects an ice making completion temperature. In
An anti-icing heater for heating the water supply path of the water supply mechanism;
During the ice making operation after the completion of water supply, the anti-icing heater is energized at a relatively low energization rate, and then the anti-icing heater is detected when the temperature sensor detects a predetermined temperature lower than the ice making completion temperature. A heater control means for increasing the energization rate of the refrigerator.

Images