JP2011257033A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator such that even if a solenoid valve or a deaerating device etc., gets out of order, ice-making water is prevented from overflowing into the refrigerator.SOLUTION: The refrigerator includes a water feed portion, a water receiving valve, the deaerating device, and a bypass portion. The water feed portion forms a water feed path in which water flows, for feeding water in a water feed tank to an ice tray. The water receiving valve opens and closes the water feed path. The deaerating device deaerates the water to be supplied to the ice tray. The bypass portion forms a bypass path which communicates with the feed water path while bypassing the deaerating device to supply the water in the feed water path to the ice tray by bypassing.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a refrigerator having an automatic ice making function.

  Conventionally, in a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice making function, a water supply tank is installed in a refrigerator compartment, and water in the water supply tank is supplied to an ice tray to make ice. The ice produced by such refrigerators is generally mostly opaque. This is because the air dissolved in the water supplied to the ice tray becomes a cloudy appearance by being trapped by the frozen surface as bubbles when the water freezes. Therefore, it is disclosed that a highly transparent ice is obtained by sealing the space with an electromagnetic valve or the like and degassing water supplied through the electromagnetic valve in the sealed space with a deaeration device (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-243826 A

However, when a solenoid valve for sealing the space, a deaeration device, or the like breaks down, there is a possibility that water for ice making overflows from the water supply path for supplying water to the sealed space into the refrigerator.
Thus, a refrigerator is provided that prevents ice making water from overflowing into the refrigerator even when a solenoid valve or a deaeration device breaks down.

  According to the refrigerator of this embodiment, the water supply part, the water receiving valve, the deaeration device, and the bypass part are provided. The water supply unit forms a water supply path through which water for supplying the water in the water supply tank to the ice tray flows. The water receiving valve opens and closes the water supply path. The deaeration device degass the water supplied to the ice tray. The bypass unit communicates with the water supply path so as to bypass the deaeration device, and forms a bypass path that supplies the water in the water supply path by bypass to the ice tray.

Enlarged view of region I in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. Vertical section of refrigerator It is a figure which shows a deaeration apparatus roughly and is an enlarged view of the III area | region of FIG. Functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the refrigerator Flow chart showing automatic ice making process The figure which shows a water supply route, a deaeration device, and a bypass route typically FIG. 6 equivalent diagram according to the second embodiment FIG. 6 equivalent diagram according to the third embodiment FIG. 4 equivalent diagram according to the fourth embodiment 6 equivalent diagram FIG. 6 equivalent view 1 according to the fifth embodiment 6 equivalent view 2

Hereinafter, the refrigerator by several embodiment is demonstrated based on drawing. In addition, in each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the refrigerator according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 2 of the refrigerator 1 is formed by filling a foam heat insulating material between the outer box and the inner box. Inside the main body 2, a refrigerator compartment 3, a freezer compartment 4, an ice making compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6 are provided at the bottom in order from the top. Among these, the refrigerator compartment 3 and the vegetable compartment 6 form a storage compartment of a so-called refrigeration temperature zone. On the other hand, the freezing room 4 and the ice making room 5 form a freezing temperature zone storage room. Each storage room is partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall.

  The refrigerator compartment 3 is opened and closed by a side-opening and rotatable refrigerator compartment door 7. The freezer compartment 4, the ice making compartment 5, and the vegetable compartment 6 are opened and closed by a pull-out freezer compartment door 8, an ice making compartment door 9, and a vegetable compartment door 10, respectively. The refrigerator door 7, the freezer door 8, and the ice making door 9 are provided with a switch (not shown) that detects the open / closed state of the corresponding door. A machine room 11 is formed behind the vegetable room 6, and a compressor 12 is disposed in the machine room 11. The compressor 12 constitutes a well-known refrigeration cycle together with a refrigeration cooler and a refrigeration cooler (not shown).

  In the refrigerator compartment 3, a water supply tank 13 for storing ice-making water is provided. Further, an ice tray 14 is provided in the ice making chamber 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply tank 13 includes a tank body 15 that stores ice-making water and a lid member 16 that closes an upper portion of the tank body 15. A water supply pump 17 for sending water to the outside of the tank body 15 is provided at the bottom of the water supply tank 13. The water supply pump 17 is located at a position facing the water supply pump 17 on the rear outer side of the water supply tank 13, an impeller 18 located in a pump chamber provided so as to communicate with the tank body 15, a magnet 19 attached to the impeller 18. The feed water pump motor 20 is provided, and a magnet 21 attached to a rotating shaft (not shown) of the feed water pump motor 20. When the feed water pump motor 20 is driven, the rotating shaft and the magnet 21 rotate, and accordingly, the magnet 19 attached to the impeller 18 and the impeller 18 itself rotate. As a result, the water sucked into the pump chamber is discharged toward the discharge pipe 22 extending upward from the pump chamber.

  The water discharged toward the discharge pipe 22 flows into the water receiving case 24 from the opening 23 which is the tip. A water supply pipe portion 25 is connected to the lower end of the water receiving case 24, and the water supply pipe portion 25 extends from the lower end of the water receiving case 24 to above the ice tray 14. The end of the water supply pipe section 25 on the ice making tray 14 side is open above the ice tray 14, and the water discharged from the water supply tank 13 flows through the water supply pipe section 25 and is then supplied to the ice making tray 14. . That is, the water supply pipe part 25 forms the water supply path 26 inside thereof.

  A machine body 27 having a rectangular box shape is provided in the upper part of the ice making chamber 5, and the ice tray 14 is provided below the machine body 27 so as to be substantially horizontal. An ice storage container 28 for storing ice is connected to the ice making chamber door 9 below the ice tray 14, and the ice storage container 28 is taken in and out of the refrigerator 1 as the ice making chamber door 9 is opened and closed. . An ice tray motor 29 (see FIG. 4) is provided inside the machine body 27. A rotation shaft (not shown) of the ice tray motor 29 is connected to the end of the ice tray 14, and the ice tray 14 rotates together with the rotation shaft when the ice tray motor 29 is driven. An ice tray temperature sensor 30 (see FIG. 4), for example, composed of a thermistor or the like is attached to the lower surface of the ice tray 14.

  The machine body 27 is provided with an ice storage amount detection lever 31 and an ice detection switch 32 (see FIG. 4) for detecting whether or not the ice storage amount in the ice storage container 28 is full. The ice storage amount detection lever 31 stops at a position in contact with the upper end of the ice stored in the ice storage container 28, and turns on the ice detection switch 32 when the ice storage amount detection lever 31 becomes full with a predetermined amount or more of ice stored. Thereby, it is detected that the ice storage container 28 is full.

  A storage chamber 33 through which the water supply pipe portion 25 passes is provided behind the freezer compartment 4, and the water supply pipe portion 25 located in the storage chamber 33 has a temporary water storage in order from the upstream side in the flow direction of the water supply path 26. The part 34, the water receiving valve 35, and the deaeration device 36 are attached. The temporary water storage section 34 has a substantially cylindrical shape formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and a lower end side thereof is formed in a tapered cone shape. The temporary water storage unit 34 is configured to be able to store a predetermined amount (for example, about 100 ml) of water necessary for one ice making. That is, the volume of the temporary water storage unit 34 is set to be larger than the amount of water necessary for one ice making.

  The water receiving valve 35 is composed of an electromagnetic valve, and opens or airtightly closes the water supply path 26. The water receiving valve 35 is configured such that a through hole (not shown) having a diameter of, for example, about several millimeters (for example, about 3 mm) can be opened and closed by a valve body, and water flowing through the water supply path 26 passes through the through hole. 36. That is, in the present embodiment, the deaeration device 36 is provided on the downstream side of the water receiving valve 35 in the flow direction of the water supply path 26.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the deaeration device 36 includes a water receiving valve 35, a water storage part 37, a water supply valve 38, a pressure reducing pump 39 as a pressure reducing means, a pressure reducing pipe part 40, and a pressure reducing valve 41. The water storage part 37 is provided downstream of the water receiving valve 35 in the flow direction of the water supply path 26, and water flowing through the water supply path 26 enters the water storage part 37 via the water receiving valve 35. Inflow. The water storage unit 37 has a volume (for example, about 150 ml) that allows a space for decompression in a state where water necessary for one ice making is stored. For this reason, in the water storage part 37, the space A which has a volume of about 50 ml (150-100 ml) in the state which stored the water required for one ice-making is formed.

  The upper part of the water storage unit 37 is connected to the decompression pump 39 via the decompression pipe unit 40. The decompression pump 39 is constituted by, for example, a so-called vacuum pump of a gas transport type, and has an intake port 39 a for sucking air in the water storage unit 37 and an exhaust port 39 b for discharging the sucked air. Among them, more strictly, the space A above the water W stored in the water storage section 37 is decompressed. In addition, as the decompression pump 39, the thing of arbitrary structures, such as a rotary type, a piston type, or a diaphragm type, can be used, for example. A pressure reducing valve 41 is provided in the pressure reducing pipe portion 40 between the water storage portion 37 and the pressure reducing pump 39. The pressure reducing valve 41 is a check valve that allows the air in the water storage section 37 to pass only to the pressure reducing pump 39 side. The pressure reducing valve 41 may be a so-called adjustment valve.

  The water supply valve 38 is provided on the downstream side of the water storage unit 37 in the flow direction of the water supply path 26. The water supply valve 38 opens or closes the water supply path 26 downstream of the water storage unit 37 in a watertight manner. That is, the water supply valve 38 intermittently supplies water from the water storage unit 37 to the ice tray 14.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows the water supply path 26 and the bypass path 45. The temporary water storage part 34 and the water supply pipe part 25 downstream of the water supply valve 38 are connected by a bypass pipe part 42. The bypass pipe portion 42 communicates with the temporary water storage portion 34 at a branching portion 43 that is a connection point with the temporary water storage portion 34. In addition, the bypass path 45 communicates with the water supply pipe section 25 at the junction 44 that is a connection point with the water supply pipe section 25, and the water flowing in the bypass pipe section 42 passes through the deaeration device 36. Without being supplied to the ice tray 14. That is, the bypass pipe part 42 forms a bypass path 45 therein. The bypass pipe portion 42 is set so that its inner diameter (inner area) is larger than the inner diameter (inner area) of the water supply pipe portion 25 that forms the water supply path 26. Further, the bypass pipe portion 42 is provided so as to extend obliquely downward from the branch portion 43 and to extend obliquely downward toward the joining portion 44.

Next, the electrical configuration of the refrigerator 1 will be described.
FIG. 4 shows an electrical configuration particularly related to automatic ice making of the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment. The refrigerator 1 includes a control unit 50 configured by a microcomputer including a CPU (not shown), a RAM, a ROM, an I / O bus, a timer 51 that measures time, and the like. The control part 50 controls the whole refrigerator 1 by executing the control program memorize | stored in ROM etc., for example. Specifically, the control unit 50 controls the storage chambers to have a set temperature by driving the compressor 12 and the like. Signals from the ice tray temperature sensor 30 and the full ice detection switch 32 are input to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50, based on these signals and according to the control program described above, supplies the feed water pump motor 20 and the ice making unit. The dish motor 29, the water receiving valve 35, the water supply valve 38, and the pressure reducing pump 39 are controlled.

Next, the automatic ice making process will be described in detail.
When the power is turned on, the control unit 50 of the refrigerator 1 executes a main process (not shown) and mainly controls the refrigeration cycle. Moreover, the control part 50 performs the automatic ice making process shown in FIG. 5 in relation to this embodiment. This automatic ice making process is executed by an interrupt routine, for example. In the following description, it is assumed that the water supply tank 13 is installed in the refrigerator compartment 3 in a state where water for ice making is supplied.

  When the automatic ice making process is started, the control unit 50 determines by the timer 51 whether 90 minutes have passed since the previous water supply (S1). If 90 minutes have not passed (S1: NO), the process proceeds to step S1. Transition. That is, it waits until 90 minutes have passed since the previous water supply. If it is determined that 90 minutes have passed since the previous water supply (S1: YES), it is determined whether the ice tray temperature detected by the ice tray temperature sensor 30 is lower than -12 ° C (S2), and the ice tray temperature is -12 ° C or higher. In the case of (S2: NO), the process proceeds to step S1. That is, when the ice tray temperature is −12 ° C. or higher, it can be said that water is present in the ice tray 14, that is, no ice is generated yet. Wait until it is low.

  On the other hand, when the ice tray temperature is lower than −12 ° C. (S2: YES), the control unit 50 determines whether the ice storage amount is full (S3). That is, based on a signal from the full ice detection switch 32 that is turned on by the ice storage amount detection lever 31, it is determined whether or not the ice storage container 28 is full. If the ice storage container 28 is full (S3: YES), the determination in step S3 is repeated. That is, for example, when the user takes out ice and waits until the ice storage amount decreases, and when it is determined that the ice storage amount has decreased (S3: NO), the ice removing operation is executed (S4). Specifically, the ice tray 14 is rotated by the ice tray motor 29 until it is turned upside down, and the ice in the ice tray 14 is deiced by adding a twist to the ice tray 14.

  Subsequently, the control unit 50 opens the water supply valve 38 and the water receiving valve 35 (S5). As a result, the water in the water storage unit 37, that is, the water stored in the water storage unit 37 and deaerated as will be described later during the last ice-making operation, is supplied to the ice tray 14. In steps S1, S2 and S3, the control unit 50 does not necessarily have to put the CPU in a simple standby state. That is, in step S1, a signal is output when 90 minutes have elapsed, in step S2, a signal is output when the temperature falls below -12 ° C, and in step S3, full ice detection is performed. What is necessary is just to comprise so that a signal may be output at the time of the switch 32 being turned off, and to receive the signals by interruption processing and to perform subsequent processing.

  Next, the control unit 50 closes the water supply valve 38 (S6), whereby the water supply path 26 from the water supply tank 13 to the water storage unit 37 shown in FIG. To the ice tray 14 is closed. Then, the drive of the feed water pump motor 20 is started (S7). Thereby, the water supply pump 17 in the water supply tank 13 is driven, and the water in the water supply tank 13 is discharged to the water supply path 26. In this case, the control unit 50 drives the water supply pump motor 20 until a predetermined amount of water necessary for one ice making is discharged.

  By the way, the inner diameter of the valve member of the water receiving valve 35 is about several millimeters as described above. For this reason, the flow of water supplied from the water supply tank 13 is blocked by the water receiving valve 35 and temporarily stays above the water receiving valve 35 before flowing into the water storage section 37. A temporary water reservoir 34 is provided on the upstream side of the water valve 35. As described above, since the temporary water storage unit 34 has a volume larger than the amount of water required for one ice making, the volume of the water supply path 26 on the upstream side of the water receiving valve 35 is It is set to be larger than the amount of water required for one ice making. Thereby, when supplying water to the water storage part 37, water does not overflow from the upper part of the water receiving case 24.

  Moreover, when the control part 50 drives the feed water pump motor 20 in step S7, it also drives the pressure reduction pump 39 simultaneously. Since the pressure reducing valve 41 is a check valve, when the pressure reducing pump 39 is driven, the air in the water storage section 37 is drawn and released into the cabinet. Thereby, inflow of water to the water storage part 37 can be promoted by driving the pressure reducing pump 39 for a predetermined time in a state where water is accumulated upstream of the water receiving valve 35.

  When water necessary for ice making for one time is stored in the water storage unit 37, the control unit 50 stops the water supply pump motor 20 (S8), temporarily stops driving of the pressure reducing pump 39, and more than the water receiving valve 35. The water receiving valve 35 is closed when all the water accumulated upstream flows into the water reservoir 37 (S9). Thereby, the deaeration device 36 is in a state where the upstream side of the water storage portion 37 in the water supply path 26 is closed by the water receiving valve 35 and the downstream side of the water storage portion 37 is closed by the water supply valve 38 as described above. Become. Further, the space between the water storage unit 37 and the pressure reducing pump 39 is closed by a pressure reducing valve 41 which is a check valve. That is, the water storage part 37 of the deaeration device 36 is in an airtight and watertight state.

  In this state, the control unit 50 drives the decompression pump 39 (S10). When the decompression pump 39 is driven, the air in the water storage section 37 is discharged from the decompression valve 41 through the decompression pump 39 into the warehouse. Thereby, the space A (refer FIG. 3) in the water storage part 37 is pressure-reduced. Subsequently, it is determined whether one minute has elapsed since the start of driving of the decompression pump 39 (S11). That is, in this embodiment, the control part 50 continues the pressure reduction operation | movement of the water storage part 37 for 1 minute. Note that the time of 1 minute is an example according to the present embodiment. When determining that one minute has passed (S11: YES), the controller 50 stops the decompression pump 39 (S12). Thereafter, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S1. In step S1, the control unit 50 waits until 90 minutes have elapsed as described above. That is, the reduced pressure state is maintained in the water storage unit 37 for 90 minutes. When the space A is depressurized, the air dissolved in the water W (see FIG. 3) forms an equilibrium state with the space A, and is thus released into the space A. In this manner, the amount of dissolved air in the water W is reduced, that is, the water W is degassed.

  When 90 minutes have passed (S1: YES), the control unit 50 executes the processes after step S2 described above. Thereby, the deaerated water is supplied to the ice tray 14 and cooled to become ice. In this case, transparent ice with few bubbles is generated by degassing the water. The control unit 50 of the refrigerator 1 executes the automatic ice making process in this way.

  In the automatic ice making process described above, the water receiving valve 35, the water supply valve 38, the water supply pump 17, or the like may break down due to, for example, long-term use. For example, when the water receiving valve 35 breaks down and the water supply path 26 remains closed, the water supplied from the water supply tank 13 does not flow into the water storage unit 37. In this case, the provision of the temporary water storage unit 34 allows the water for one time to be stored. However, if the automatic ice making process is continued without the failure of the water receiving valve 35 or the like, the water supplied after the second time may also fill the temporary water storage unit 34. Similarly, when the water supply pump 17 fails and the water supply operation is continued, there is a possibility that the water whose flow is blocked by the water receiving valve 35 fills the temporary water storage unit 34. That is, when the water receiving valve 35, the water supply valve 38, etc. break down, the ice making water may overflow from the water supply path 26 and stay in the warehouse.

  Therefore, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a bypass pipe portion 42. As described above, the bypass pipe portion 42 is connected to the temporary water storage portion 34 at the branch portion 43 near the upper end of the temporary water storage portion 34. In this case, the branch portion 43 is provided at a position where the volume of the water supply path 26 between the branch portion 43 and the water receiving valve 35 is larger than the amount of water required for one ice making. In other words, when the amount of water stored in the temporary water storage unit 34 exceeds the amount of water necessary for one ice making, the water flows into the bypass pipe unit 42. The bypass path 45 bypasses the deaeration device 36 and then joins the water supply path 26 again. That is, the water flowing into the bypass path 45 is finally supplied to the ice tray 14. Thereby, for example, even if the water receiving valve 35 breaks down and the water supply path 26 remains closed, it is possible to prevent water from overflowing from the water supply path 26. Similarly, even when the water supply valve 38 breaks down and the water storage part 37 and the temporary water storage part 34 are filled with water, the water is prevented from overflowing from the water supply path 26.

As explained above, in the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the bypass pipe portion 42 that bypasses the deaeration device 36 is provided, for example, when the water receiving valve 35 or the water supply valve 38 breaks down and the water supply path 26 is filled with water, or the water supply pump 17 breaks down. Even if the discharge of water is continued, the water discharged from the water supply tank 13 flows through the bypass path 45 and is supplied to the ice tray 14. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ice-making water from overflowing from the water supply path 26 and staying in a place where it is difficult for the user to clean the refrigerator 1, for example, the storage chamber 33.

Since the temporary water storage part 34 is provided, even if the flow of water passing through the water receiving valve 35 is obstructed, the water does not overflow from the water supply path 26. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from accumulating in the refrigerator 1 such as the storage chamber 33, the refrigerator compartment 3, and the freezer compartment 4.
The inner diameter (inner area) of the bypass pipe portion 42 is larger than the inner diameter of the water supply pipe portion 25. The inner diameter of the water supply pipe portion 25 is originally set to a size that allows the water supplied from the water supply tank 13 to flow smoothly. For this reason, by setting the inner diameter of the bypass pipe part 42 to be larger than the inner diameter of the water supply pipe part 25, the water flows smoothly through the bypass path 45 formed by the bypass pipe part 42. Therefore, for example, when the water supply pump 17 fails and the supply of water is continued, the water flows not only into the water supply path 26 but also into the bypass path 45. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from overflowing from the water supply path 26.

When the feed water pump motor 20 is driven, the decompression pump 39 is also driven. Thereby, the inflow to the water storage part 37 of the water whose flow was inhibited by the water receiving valve 35 can be promoted. Moreover, the time until water is stored in the water storage section 37 can be shortened, and consequently, the ice making time can be shortened.
In the present embodiment, the water storage part 37 and the temporary water storage part 34 are formed in a conical shape with a tapered lower end side. Thereby, it is possible to prevent water from staying in the water reservoir 37 or the temporary water reservoir 34. Further, the bypass pipe part 42 is formed so as to extend obliquely downward from the branch part 43 and obliquely downward toward the joining part 44. Thereby, the flow of water from the water supply path 26 to the bypass path 45 can be promoted.

(Second Embodiment)
A refrigerator according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the water receiving valve is a three-way valve and the water receiving valve forms a bypass path. In addition, the main structures of the refrigerator of 2nd Embodiment are the same as 1st Embodiment.

  In the water supply path 26 and the bypass path 45 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the water receiving valve 60 is constituted by a three-way valve. One end of the three-way valve is connected to the bypass pipe part 42 via the auxiliary bypass pipe part 61. The water receiving valve 60 switches the water supplied from the water supply tank 13 to either the deaerator 36 side or the bypass pipe part 42 side. That is, the water receiving valve 60 of the present embodiment also configures a branch portion 62 that is a branch point between the water supply path 26 and the bypass path 45. The control unit 50 of the refrigerator 1 can store water in the water storage unit 37 and deaerate the same as in the first embodiment described above by switching the water receiving valve 60 to the water supply path 26 side. .

  In the case of this embodiment, the control part 50 of the refrigerator always sets the water receiving valve 60 to the bypass path 45 side, and switches to the deaerator 36 side only when water is supplied to the water storage part 37. Therefore, when the water receiving valve 60 fails and cannot be switched to the water supply path 26 side, that is, even when the water supply path 26 remains closed, water flows through the bypass path 45 to the ice tray 14. Supplied. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from overflowing from the water supply path 26 as in the first embodiment.

In particular, the water receiving valve 60 also constitutes a branching part 62. For example, when the branching portion 62 is provided above the water receiving valve 60, water may stay between the water receiving valve 60 and the branching portion 43 if the water receiving valve 60 fails. Therefore, by setting the water receiving valve 60 as a three-way valve and connecting one of the water receiving valve 60 to the auxiliary bypass pipe portion 61, it is possible to prevent water from staying in a portion upstream of the water receiving valve 60.
In addition, although the example which formed the bypass path | route 45 with the water receiving valve 60 comprised by the three-way valve and the auxiliary | assistant bypass pipe part 61 was shown in FIG. 7, of course, it branches from the temporary water storage part 34 like 1st Embodiment. It is good also as a structure further provided with the bypass pipe part 42 (refer FIG. 6).

(Third embodiment)
A refrigerator according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the exhaust port side of the decompression pump is connected to the bypass pipe. In addition, the main structures of the refrigerator of 3rd Embodiment are the same as 1st Embodiment.
In the water supply path 26 and the bypass path 45 of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the exhaust port 39 b of the decompression pump 39 is connected to the bypass pipe part 42 via the auxiliary bypass pipe part 70. For example, when the water supply valve 38 fails, if the water storage unit 37 is filled with water, the decompression pump 39 may draw not only air but also water. In this case, if the exhaust port 39 b is opened in the storage chamber 33, the drawn water will flow out into the storage chamber 33. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the exhaust port 39 b of the decompression pump 39 is connected to the bypass pipe part 42 via the auxiliary bypass pipe part 70. As a result, even when the water supply valve 38 breaks down and the water storage section 37 is filled with water and the decompression pump 39 draws the water, the water is supplied to the ice tray 14. Therefore, water can be prevented from staying in the accommodation chamber 33 or the like.

  Further, the bypass pipe part 42 is open at both the end part on the temporary water storage part 34 side and the end part on the ice tray 14 side. Therefore, during normal pressure reducing operation, the air in the water storage unit 37 drawn into the pressure reducing pump 39 is discharged into the warehouse through the bypass path 45. Therefore, even if the exhaust port 39b side of the decompression pump 39 is connected to the bypass pipe part 42, a normal deaeration operation can be performed.

(Fourth embodiment)
The refrigerator by 4th Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. 9 and FIG. In 4th Embodiment, the point which combined the some bypass path of 1st-3rd embodiment as a bypass path, and the point which provided the water detection sensor in the water supply path differ from said each embodiment. In addition, the main structures of the refrigerator of 4th Embodiment are the same as 1st Embodiment.

  The refrigerator 1 of 4th Embodiment is further provided with the water detection sensor 80 as a water detection means, and the alerting | reporting part 81, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the water detection sensor 80 is provided on the downstream side of the junction of the plurality of bypass paths 45 and on the upstream side of the junction 44 with the water supply path 26. The water detection sensor 80 detects the presence or absence of water flowing through the bypass path 45. The notification unit 81 notifies the user of the presence or absence of water by the water detection sensor 80, that is, the occurrence of some failure as will be described later. For example, the notification unit 81 provides visual notification by a display device or audio notification by voice or the like. Do. The alerting | reporting part 81 is good also as a structure which serves as the operation panel etc. which are not shown in figure of the refrigerator 1, for example.

  Now, water does not flow through the bypass path 45 during the normal ice making process. In other words, water flows through the bypass path 45 when a failure occurs in the water supply pump 17, the water receiving valve 35, the water supply valve 38, or the like. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a failure of the water receiving valve 35 and the water supply pump 17 is detected by providing a water detection sensor 80 in the bypass path 45 to detect the presence or absence of water. That is, the control unit 50 notifies the failure via the notification unit 81 when detecting that water is flowing in the bypass path 45. This can prompt the user to perform maintenance or repair, for example.

In particular, since the water detection sensor 80 is provided on the downstream side of the junction of the plurality of bypass paths 45 and on the upstream side of the junction 44 with the water supply path 26, one water detection sensor 80 is provided. Thus, it is possible to detect a failure and to suppress an increase in cost.
Note that it is not always necessary to provide a plurality of bypass paths 45. For example, when the single bypass path 45 is configured as illustrated in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the water detection sensor 80 is connected to the most downstream side of the bypass path 45 and the junction 44 with the water supply path 26. What is necessary is just to provide more upstream.

(Fifth embodiment)
A refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that a drain portion is provided below the water supply path and the deaeration device. In addition, the main structures of the refrigerator of 5th Embodiment are the same as 1st Embodiment.
As described in the above embodiments, when the water receiving valve 35, the water supply valve 38, or the like fails, it is possible to prevent the water from overflowing by providing the bypass path 45. However, it is conceivable that water leakage from the connection portion of the water receiving valve 35 and the water supply valve 38 cannot be dealt with only by providing the bypass path 45.

  Therefore, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes a drain portion 90 below the water supply path 26 and the deaeration device 36 as shown in FIG. The drain portion 90 is provided so as to cover at least the lower part of the water supply path 26 and the deaeration device 36. Further, the drain part 90 is provided with a drain port part 91 below. The drain port portion 91 is formed along the water supply pipe portion 25 on the downstream side of the water supply valve 38, and the tip thereof opens above the ice tray 14. That is, the water leaked from the connection parts such as the water receiving valve 35 and the water supply valve 38 is collected by the drain part 90 and supplied to the ice tray 14. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the interior of the storage chamber 33 from overflowing with water.

  In this case, instead of covering a part of the water supply path 26 and the deaeration device 36 as in the drain part 90 of FIG. 11, a drain part 92 may be provided so as to cover substantially the whole as shown in FIG. Good. For example, when the connection portion of the pressure reducing valve 41 is loosened during deaeration, water may be scattered. Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent water from being accumulated in the storage chamber 33 or the like by providing the drain portion 92 that covers substantially the entire water supply path 26 and the deaeration device 36. Moreover, the assembly operation can be simplified by configuring the drain portion 92 and the deaeration device 36 as one unit.

(Other embodiments)
In addition to the plurality of embodiments described above, the following configuration may be adopted.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the following modifications or expansions are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
The numerical value shown in each embodiment is an example and is not limited to this.
The deaeration device may be configured to heat water supplied to the ice tray using a heater or the like. Specifically, a water receiving valve is provided downstream of the water storage part of the deaeration device in the flow direction of the water supply path, and water is stored in the water storage part by closing the water supply path with this water receiving valve. What is necessary is just to make it deaerate water by heating a part with a heater. Even if it is such a structure, it can prevent that a water overflows from a water supply path | route by providing a bypass pipe part so that a deaeration apparatus (water storage part) may be bypassed.

According to each embodiment described above, since the refrigerator 1 is provided with the bypass pipe portion 42 that forms the bypass path 45, the water receiving valve 35, the deaeration device 36, etc. break down, and water is supplied from the water supply path 26. Even if it overflows, water can be supplied to the ice tray 14. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ice making water from overflowing and staying inside the refrigerator 1.
In addition, the “pipe part” such as the water supply pipe part 25 and the bypass pipe part 42 in each embodiment is not limited as long as it has a hollow interior and can move water, and is not necessarily round and elongated (so-called tubular or tubular). Further, the upper portion may be opened during horizontal movement (part where water moves substantially horizontally).

  In the drawings, 1 is a refrigerator, 13 is a water supply tank, 14 is an ice tray, 20 is a water supply pump motor, 25 is a water supply pipe part (water supply part), 26 is a water supply path, 34 is a temporary water storage part, 35 is a water receiving valve, 36 is a deaerator, 37 is a water storage unit, 38 and 60 are water supply valves, 39 is a pressure reducing pump (pressure reducing means), 39a is an intake port, 39b is an exhaust port, 41 is a pressure reducing valve (pressure reducing means), and 42 is a bypass pipe. Section (bypass section), 43 and 62 are branch sections, 44 is a merge section, 45 is a bypass path, 61 and 70 are auxiliary bypass pipe sections (bypass sections), 80 is a water detection sensor (water detection means), 90 and 92 Indicates a drain part.

Claims (9)

In a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice making function for generating ice by cooling water supplied to an ice tray provided inside the refrigerator,
A water supply unit forming a water supply path through which water supplied to the ice tray flows;
A water receiving valve that is provided in the water supply section and opens and closes the water supply path;
A deaeration device provided in the water supply unit for degassing the water supplied to the ice tray;
A bypass section that communicates with the water supply path so as to bypass the deaerator, and forms a bypass path that bypasses and supplies the water in the water supply path upstream of the deaerator to the ice tray;
A refrigerator comprising: The deaeration device includes:
A water storage section that is provided in the water supply section and stores the water supplied to the ice tray with a space in the upper part; and
A water supply valve provided on the downstream side of the water storage unit in the water supply unit, for opening and closing the water supply path;
Decompression means for decompressing the space in the water reservoir closed by the water receiving valve and the water supply valve;
The refrigerator according to claim 1, comprising:   The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bypass part is connected to the water supply part at a branch part located upstream of the water receiving valve in the water supply part.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a temporary water storage unit that temporarily stores water flowing through the water supply path is provided upstream of the water receiving valve in the water supply unit. .   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an inner area of the bypass portion is larger than an inner area of the water supply portion.   2. The decompression means has an intake port for sucking air in the water reservoir and an exhaust port for discharging the sucked air, and the exhaust port communicates with the bypass path. To 5. The refrigerator according to any one of 5.   The said water receiving valve is comprised by the three-way valve which switches the said water supply path | route to either one of the said water storage part side and the said bypass part side, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. refrigerator. The bypass unit is connected to the water supply unit at a merging unit located downstream of the deaeration device in the water supply path,
The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein water detection means for detecting water is provided downstream of the junction in the water supply path.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a drain part that covers at least a lower part of the water supply part and the deaeration device.

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