JP2013181734A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator including an ice making device capable of improving convenience.SOLUTION: A refrigerator 1 includes: an ice making device 20 for performing ice making by supplying water from a water storage tank 21 to an ice cube tray 25; a temperature sensor 25b for detecting the temperature of the ice cube tray 25; an ice separating device 23 for separating ice made on the ice cube tray 25; an ice making display part 43n different in display in response to a progressing state of ice making; and an operation part 45 for setting a plurality of ice making modes having different ice making speeds. In the refrigerator, the ice making display part 43n includes a first display state displayed when a water supply operation to the ice cube tray 25 is completed, a second display state displayed when the detection temperature of the temperature sensor 25b is set lower than a predetermined first annunciation temperature, and a third display state displayed when an ice separating operation is performed. The completion of the ice making is determined based on the detection temperature of the temperature sensor 25b to move to the ice separating operation, and during execution of one of the ice making modes, the ice making mode can be changed over to another ice making mode by the operation of the operation part 45.

Description

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

  A conventional refrigerator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice making room. The refrigerating room is maintained at a temperature higher than the freezing point, and the ice making room and the freezing room are communicated with each other and maintained at a lower temperature than the freezing point.

  The refrigerator also includes an ice making device and an ice removing device. The ice making device has a water storage tank arranged in the refrigerator compartment and an ice making tray arranged in the ice making room and supplied with water from the water storage tank. Ice is made by supplying water to an ice tray. The ice tray has flexibility and is rotatably arranged. The deicing device twists the ice tray to rotate and de-ices the ice. In addition, an ice storage container for storing the deiced ice is arranged below the ice tray.

  An operation panel for performing a setting operation of the refrigerator is provided in front of the door of the refrigerator compartment. On the operation panel, a display unit for displaying the completion time of ice making is provided. The completion time of ice making is derived based on the temperature detected by a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the ice tray or ice making chamber. Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain the progress state of ice making.

JP 2003-262438 A (2nd page to 5th page, FIG. 2)

  A refrigerator equipped with a plurality of ice making modes having different ice making speeds by an ice making device is known. For example, an ice making mode in which transparent ice is obtained by making ice at a lower speed than usual, an ice making mode in which ice is made at a higher speed by increasing the amount of cold air delivered than usual, and the like are provided. At this time, when the user suddenly needs ice, it is necessary to wait until the ice making in the ice making mode having a low ice making speed is completed, and there is a problem that the convenience of the refrigerator is poor.

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

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides ice making in which water is supplied from a water storage tank arranged in a first storage room having a temperature higher than the freezing point to an ice tray arranged in a second storage room having a temperature lower than the freezing point. A device, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the ice tray, an ice removing device that de-ices the ice made in the ice tray, an ice making display unit that displays differently depending on the progress of ice making, and an ice making speed In a refrigerator including an operation unit that sets a plurality of different ice making modes, a first display state that the ice making display unit displays when a water supply operation to the ice tray is completed, and a temperature detected by the temperature sensor are predetermined. A second display state that is displayed when the temperature is lower than the first notification temperature, and a third display state that is displayed when the deicing operation is performed, and ice making is performed based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The completion of the process is determined and the process moves to the de-icing operation. By the said operating portion of the operating running of the ice making mode is characterized in that can be switched to another the ice making mode.

  According to this configuration, when water is supplied from the water storage tank to the ice tray according to the ice making mode set by the operation unit, the ice making display unit displays in the first display state. When the water in the ice tray is frozen by the cold air in the second storage chamber and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the first notification temperature, the ice making display unit displays in the second display state. When it is determined that the ice making is completed based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, the ice making device removes the ice from the ice tray and the ice making display unit displays in the third display state. The operation unit accepts switching of the ice making mode during ice making, and the ice making mode is switched. At this time, it is possible to determine the ice making completion timing in the ice making modes having different ice making speeds based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the ice making heater for heating the ice tray is provided, and the ice making mode is a transparent ice making mode in which the ice making heater is driven to make ice, and the ice making heater is stopped to produce ice. And a non-transparent ice making mode.

  According to this configuration, when the transparent ice making mode is set, the ice making heater is driven after supplying water to the ice tray. As a result, the water in the ice tray is frozen at a low speed by the cooling by the cold air in the second storage chamber and the heating by the ice making heater, so that transparent ice is obtained. When the non-transparent ice making mode is set, the ice making heater is stopped and ice making is performed at a higher speed than in the transparent ice making mode. At this time, during the ice making, the transparent ice making mode and the non-transparent ice making mode are switched from one to the other by operating the operation unit. Since the user can determine the progress of ice making according to the display state of the ice making display unit, for example, the operation unit can perform a switching operation after waiting for completion of ice making according to the progress state of the transparent ice making mode.

  Further, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, there is a switching operation from the non-transparent ice making mode to the transparent ice making mode when the transparent ice making mode is switched to the non-transparent ice making mode and before water supply is completed. In this case, the ice making mode is immediately switched, and when the non-transparent ice making mode is switched to the transparent ice making mode after the water supply is completed, the ice making mode is switched after deicing.

  According to this configuration, when water supply is completed in the non-transparent ice making mode and the freezing of water has started, transparent ice cannot be obtained even when the heater is driven. For this reason, the ice making is completed and the ice making mode is switched to the transparent ice making mode.

  According to the present invention, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the non-transparent ice making mode supplies the second storage chamber with a predetermined amount of cold air to make ice, and supplies the second storage chamber more than the normal ice making mode. And a rapid ice making mode with an increased amount of cool air.

  Further, the present invention provides the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, which includes a plurality of water supply modes having different water supply amounts to the ice tray, and immediately switches the water supply mode when the water supply mode is switched before completion of water supply. When the water supply mode is switched after completion of water supply, the water supply mode is switched after de-icing.

  According to this configuration, when the water supply is completed and the freezing of the water has started, the size of the ice cannot be reduced. In addition, when water is additionally supplied, it is not possible to accurately determine the completion time of ice making by the detection of the temperature sensor. For this reason, the water supply mode is switched after the ice making is completed and the ice is removed.

  In the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the ice making display unit includes a plurality of indicators, and the number of lighting of the indicators is increased in the order of the first display state, the second display state, and the third display state. It is said. According to this configuration, for example, one indicator such as an LED is lit to display the first display state, two are lit, the second display state is lit, and three are lit to display the third display state.

  Further, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, in the cleaning operation of cleaning the ice tray by repeating water supply and drainage to the ice tray after deicing, the indicator is repeatedly turned off and then repeatedly turned off. It is a feature.

  According to this configuration, when the ice tray cleaning operation is started by a predetermined operation, the ice tray is deiced. Next, water supply and drainage to the ice tray are repeated, and the ice tray and the water supply path are cleaned. At this time, the ice making display unit is turned off after a plurality of indicators are turned on in order, and the user can recognize that it is a cleaning operation. All indicators may be turned off after each indicator is turned on in turn, or the next indicator may be turned on after one indicator is turned on and turned off.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the ice making display unit is lit in different colors in the first display state, the second display state, and the third display state. According to this configuration, for example, an indicator such as an LED is lit in blue to display the first display state, white to display the second display state, and red to display the third display state.

  Moreover, in the refrigerator having the above-described configuration, the ice making display unit flashes when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the second notification temperature that is higher than the first notification temperature when the water supply operation is completed. Alternatively, lighting is performed in a color different from the first display state, the second display state, and the third display state of the ice making display unit.

  According to this configuration, when the detected temperature of the temperature sensor is lower than the second notification temperature when the water supply operation is completed, it is determined that the ice tray is not supplied with water. And the blinking display of the ice making display part or the lighting display by a color different from the first to third display states is performed. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to supply water to the water storage tank.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, the ice making display unit is not displayed when the operation unit is not operated for a predetermined time, and when the user touches the operation unit, or the first storage chamber or the second storage chamber. When the door of the storage room is opened, the non-displayed ice making display unit is displayed for a predetermined time.

  According to this configuration, if no operation is performed for a predetermined time in the display state of the ice making display unit, the ice making display unit is not displayed. When the user touches the operation unit when the ice making display unit is not displayed, the ice making display unit enters the display state. Alternatively, when the door of the first storage chamber or the second storage chamber is opened when the ice making display portion is not displayed, the ice making display portion is in the display state. And when predetermined time passes, an ice-making display part will be in a non-display state.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the refrigerator configured as described above, the ice making display portion that is not displayed is displayed for a predetermined time when the ice removing operation is performed. According to this configuration, when the ice making operation is performed when the ice making display unit is in the non-display state, the ice making display unit performs display in the third display state. And when predetermined time passes, an ice-making display part will be in a non-display state.

  According to the present invention, the ice making display unit displays the first display state when the water supply operation is completed, the second display state displayed when the temperature sensor is lower than the first notification temperature, and the ice removing operation. Has a third display state to be displayed when. Further, it is possible to determine completion of ice making based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and shift to the ice removing operation, and switch to another ice making mode during execution of one ice making mode.

  For this reason, it is not necessary to wait for completion of an ice making mode with a slow ice making speed or an ice making mode with high power consumption, and it is possible to immediately switch to a desired ice making mode to prevent ice making failure and perform ice making. At this time, the ice making display unit can easily indicate the progress of ice making according to the first to third display states, and the user can grasp the progress. For this reason, the switching operation can be performed after completion of the ice making mode being executed. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator can be improved.

The front view which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing which shows the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The front view which shows the storage chamber of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention Top surface sectional drawing which shows the storage chamber of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows the ice making operation | movement of the ice making apparatus of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows control of the display icon of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows control of switching operation of the ice making mode of the refrigerator of embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a front view and a side sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. In the refrigerator 1, a refrigerator compartment 3 (first storage compartment) is arranged at the upper part of the heat insulating box 2 forming the main body, and the freezer compartment 4 is arranged at the lower part through the heat insulating wall 2a. An ice making chamber 9 (second storage chamber) is provided in the upper part of the freezer compartment 4.

  The front of the refrigerator compartment 3 is opened and closed by double doors 5 and 6 pivoted at the left and right ends of the heat insulation box 2. The front surface of the freezer compartment 4 is opened and closed by double doors 7 and 8 that are pivotally supported at the left and right ends of the heat insulation box 2.

  The front surfaces of the doors 5 to 8 are covered with a glass plate 10 (see FIG. 4), can be easily cleaned, and can improve the beauty of the refrigerator 1. The door 5 is provided with a storage chamber 30, and an operation panel 40 that can be operated from the front via the glass plate 10 is disposed in the storage chamber 30 as will be described in detail later.

  First and second cold air passages 11 and 12 communicating with each other via dampers (not shown) are provided on the back surfaces of the freezer compartment 4 and the refrigerator compartment 3. A cooler 13 and a blower 14 are arranged in the first cold air passage 11, and a discharge port (not shown) facing the freezer compartment 4 is opened. The cooler 13 is connected to a compressor (not shown) that operates the refrigeration cycle. A discharge port (not shown) facing the refrigerator compartment 3 opens in the second cold air passage 12. The freezer compartment 4 is provided with a return port (not shown) for returning cold air to the first cold air passage 11, and the refrigerating chamber 3 is provided with a return port (not shown) for returning cold air to the first cold air passage 11.

  The air flowing through the first cold air passage 11 is heat-exchanged with the cooler 13 by driving the compressor and the blower 14 to generate cold air, which is discharged from the discharge port to the freezer compartment 4. The inside of the freezer compartment 4 is cooled by the cool air discharged to the freezer compartment 4 and returns to the cooler 13 through the return port. Thereby, the inside of the freezer compartment 4 including the ice making compartment 9 is maintained at a temperature lower than the freezing point.

  When the damper is opened, a part of the cold air flowing through the first cold air passage 11 flows into the second cold air passage 12 and is discharged from the discharge port to the refrigerator compartment 3. The inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 is cooled by the cold air discharged to the refrigerator compartment 3 and returns to the cooler 13 through the return port. Thereby, the inside of the refrigerator compartment 3 is maintained at a temperature higher than the freezing point.

  The refrigerator 1 is provided with an ice making device 20 and an ice removing device 23 for making ice. The ice making device 20 includes a water storage tank 21 disposed in the refrigerator compartment 3 and an ice tray 25 disposed in the ice making chamber 9. The ice removing device 23 is connected to the ice tray 25 and arranged in the ice making chamber 9. An ice storage container 27 is disposed below the ice tray 25.

  The water storage tank 21 disposed on the heat insulating wall 2 a stores water for making ice, and is detachably disposed from the refrigerator compartment 3 by opening and closing the door 5. A tank heater 21a for preventing the water storage tank 21 from freezing is provided on the heat insulating wall 2a. The heat insulation wall 2a is provided with a tank switch (not shown) for detecting the attachment / detachment of the water storage tank 21.

  An open end of a water supply pipe 22 led out from the water storage tank 21 is disposed above the ice tray 25. Water is supplied from the water storage tank 21 to the ice tray 25 by driving a water supply pump 22 a provided on the path of the water supply pipe 22. The water supply pipe 22 is provided with a pipe heater 22b for preventing freezing.

  The ice making tray 25 is made of a flexible member having a plurality of ice making pockets 25a having an upper surface opened, and ice having a shape corresponding to the ice making pocket 25a is made by the cold air in the ice making chamber 9. A temperature sensor 25b that detects the temperature of the ice tray 25 is disposed in contact with the outer surface of the ice making pocket 25a. The temperature sensor 25b may be a non-contact sensor (for example, an infrared temperature sensor). In this case, the temperature sensor 25b may be arranged away from the ice tray 25. An ice making heater 26 is provided in contact with the bottom surface of the ice tray 25.

  The ice removing device 23 includes an ice removing motor 24 connected to the ice making tray 25, and the ice making tray 25 is twisted with the upper surface facing downward by driving the ice removing motor 24. Thereby, the ice made in the ice tray 25 is deiced and stored in the ice storage container 27. In addition, the ice removing device 23 is provided with a detection lever (not shown) for detecting whether or not the ice storage container 27 is full.

  3 and 4 show a front view and a top sectional view of the storage chamber 30. The storage chamber 30 is recessed in the front surface of the door 5 and the front surface is covered with the glass plate 10. The storage chamber 30 is opened at the right end surface, the operation panel 40 is inserted, and is closed by the side cover 36.

  The operation panel 40 is formed by arranging a circuit board 48, a spacer 49, and a light guide plate 50 in this order from the back, and includes a display unit 41 and an operation unit 45. The display unit 41 has a display panel 42 and a plurality of display icons 43, and the operation unit 45 has a plurality of operation keys formed by a touch panel 46.

  The circuit board 48 mounts a plurality of light sources 44 and the display panel 42 and also mounts these drive circuits. The display panel 42 is formed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays the set temperature and the ON / OFF state of each operation mode setting by “ON”, “OFF”, and the like.

  The spacer 49 keeps the circuit board 48 and the light guide plate 50 at a predetermined interval, and has an opening 49 a in which the light source 44 is accommodated. The light guide plate 50 is formed of a transparent resin such as acrylic having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the light source 44 is disposed so as to face the incident surfaces 50a at both ends. Light emitted from the light source 44 enters the light guide plate 50 from the incident surface 50a and is guided.

  A light control sheet 47 is disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate 50. The circuit board 48 is shielded by the light control sheet 47 and the visual recognition of the circuit board 48 through the opening 49a is prevented. Further, the light control sheet 47 is printed with symbols such as symbols and characters that form the display surface of the display icon 43 and the operation unit 45.

  The display icons 43 include a refrigerator compartment icon 43a, a freezer compartment icon 43b, an eco mode icon 43c, an ion generation mode icon 43d, an ice making icon 43e, a quick freeze mode icon 43f, a vacation mode icon 43g, a warning icon 43h, and a child lock icon 43i. Provided. Each display icon 43 is turned on by light emission of a light source 44 provided correspondingly behind the light control sheet 47.

  The refrigerator compartment icon 43a is turned on when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 3 is set, and is turned on and notified when the refrigerator compartment 3 has an abnormal temperature. The freezer compartment icon 43b lights up when the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is set, and lights up when the temperature of the freezer compartment 4 is abnormal.

  The eco mode icon 43c is lit when setting the eco mode in which the power saving operation is performed, and is lit to notify the setting state when it is set to ON. The ion generation mode icon 43d is lit when setting an ion generation mode for driving an ion generator (not shown) arranged in the refrigerator compartment 3, and is lit to notify the set state when it is set to ON. Ions can be sent into the refrigerator compartment 3 by driving the ion generator, so that the bacteria in the refrigerator compartment 3 can be sterilized and deodorized.

  The quick freezing mode icon 43f is lit when setting the quick freezing mode in which the freezer compartment 4 is cooled more rapidly than usual, and is turned on to notify the set state when it is set to ON. The vacation mode icon 43g is turned on when the vacation mode is set, and is turned on to notify the setting state when the vacation mode icon 43g is turned on. In the vacation mode, the cool air sent to the refrigerator compartment 3 is shut off and only the freezer compartment 4 is cooled.

  The child lock icon 43i is turned on when a child lock that prohibits input by the operation unit 45 is set, and is turned on to notify the setting state when it is set to ON. The warning icon 43h is lit when an abnormally high temperature in the storage room or when the power is restored after a power failure occurs to notify the user of the warning.

  The ice making icon 43e further includes a plurality of display icons 43, and a size icon 43j, a transparent ice making mode icon 43k, an ice tray cleaning operation icon 43m, and a progress state icon 43n are provided. Although not shown, a quick ice making mode icon is provided.

  The refrigerator 1 has a plurality of ice making modes having different ice making speeds by the ice making device 20. The ice making mode includes a normal ice making mode, a transparent ice making mode, and a rapid ice making mode. In the normal ice making mode, the ice making heater 26 (see FIG. 2) is stopped, and ice making is performed by supplying a predetermined amount of cold air to the ice making chamber 9.

  In the transparent ice making mode, the ice making heater 26 is driven to make ice by the cold air in the ice making chamber 9. As a result, the water in the ice tray 25 is gradually frozen from above by the cooling by the cold air in the ice making chamber 9 and the heating by the ice making heater 26 to obtain transparent ice. For this reason, in the transparent ice making mode, ice making is performed at a lower speed than in the normal ice making mode.

  In the rapid ice making mode, the ice making heater 26 is stopped, and the amount of cool air supplied to the ice making chamber 9 by the blower 14 is increased from that in the normal ice making mode to make ice. As a result, the rapid ice making mode consumes more power than the normal ice making mode, but ice making is performed at a high speed. Note that the normal ice making mode and the rapid ice making mode constitute a non-transparent ice making mode in which non-transparent ice is made at a higher speed than the transparent ice making mode.

  The transparent ice making mode icon 43k is lit when and after setting the transparent ice making mode. The quick ice making mode icon (not shown) is lit when and after setting the transparent ice making mode. The transparent ice making mode icon 43k and the quick ice making mode icon are turned off when and after the normal ice making mode is set.

  In addition, the ice making device 20 has a plurality of water supply modes with different amounts of water supplied to the ice making pockets 25a, and can make two types of ice. The size icon 43j is lit when setting a normal size ice and a larger size than normal, and is lit according to the set state after the water supply mode is set.

  The progress state icon 43n has three indicators each provided with a light source 44, and the number of indicators lit increases as ice making progresses. That is, when the water supply to the ice tray 25 is completed, the first display state in which one indicator is lit is obtained. When the water in the ice tray 25 is frozen and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b (see FIG. 2) is lower than a predetermined temperature (−6 ° C. in the present embodiment), the second display state in which two indicators are turned on Become. When ice making is completed and ice removal is performed by the ice removal device 23, the third display state in which three indicators are lit is obtained. Accordingly, the progress state icon 43n constitutes an ice making display unit that is displayed differently depending on the progress state of ice making.

  The ice tray cleaning operation icon 43m is lit when the ice tray 25 cleaning operation is executed by operating a predetermined switch (not shown). When the cleaning operation of the ice tray 25 is started, ice removal is performed, and water supply to the ice tray 25 and drainage to the ice storage container 27 by rotating the ice tray 25 by the ice removing device 23 are repeated several times. Thereby, the inside of the ice tray 25 and the water supply pipe 22 is cleaned.

  At this time, for example, each indicator of the progress state icon 43n is sequentially turned on in the clockwise direction and then completely turned off, and this operation is repeated. Thereby, the user can easily grasp that the cleaning operation is being performed. After one indicator of the progress state icon 43n is turned on and off, the next indicator is turned on and disappears, and this operation may be repeated.

  The operation unit 45 is formed by a touch panel 46 disposed on the front surface of the light guide plate 50 to detect a change in capacitance. The operation unit 45 has a select key 45a, setting keys 45b and 45c, and an enter key 45d. When a finger approaches or comes into contact with the position where each operation unit 45 is arranged via the glass plate 10, each operation unit 45 is operated by detection of the touch panel 46. Although the touch panel 46 may be disposed on the back surface of the light guide plate 50, a change in capacitance due to a finger can be accurately detected by placing the touch panel 46 between the light guide plate 50 and the glass plate 10.

  When the select key 45a is pressed, the display icons 43 are sequentially turned on, and the set temperature and operation mode standby states corresponding to the display icons 43 are entered. The setting standby state is canceled when the operation unit 45 is not operated for a predetermined time.

  The setting keys 45b and 45c set a set temperature and an operation mode. For example, the set temperature is increased by pressing the setting key 45b, and the operation mode is turned on. By pressing the setting key 45c, the set temperature is decreased and the operation mode is set to OFF. In addition, the setting state by the setting keys 45b and 45c is stored by operating the determination key 45d.

  On the back surface of the light guide plate 50, concave and convex portions (not shown) in which symbols corresponding to the display icons 43 and the operation portions 45 are formed are formed. The concavo-convex portion forms a pattern similar to that of the display icon 43 and the operation unit 45 by a linear or dotted groove recessed in the back surface of the light guide plate 50. You may form the pattern which surrounds the display icon 43 and the operation part 45 by an uneven | corrugated | grooved part. Further, the concavo-convex portion may be formed by a linear or dot-like protrusion protruding from the back surface of the light guide plate 50, or the concavo-convex portion may be provided on the front surface of the light guide plate 50.

  The refrigerator 1 is provided with a buzzer for notifying by ringing and a timer for performing various timings. Moreover, the detection switch which detects opening / closing of each door 5-8 is provided.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the ice making operation of the refrigerator 1. In step # 11, the water supply pump 22a is driven to supply water from the water storage tank 21 to the ice tray 25. In step # 12, after the water supply operation, the process waits until a predetermined time (5 minutes in the present embodiment) elapses. When 5 minutes have elapsed after the water supply operation, the process proceeds to step # 13.

  In step # 13, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b is lower than −2 ° C. (second notification temperature). When the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 25b is −2 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to step # 14. If the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 25b is lower than −2 ° C., the process proceeds to step # 23.

  In step # 23, since the temperature rise due to the water supply is not detected, it is determined that the ice tray 25 is not supplied with water, and the progress state icon 43n is displayed blinking. Thereby, the user can be prompted to supply water to the water storage tank 21. In step # 24, the process waits until the tank switch detects attachment / detachment of the water storage tank 21, and when the water storage tank 21 is attached / detached, the process proceeds to step # 11 and the water supply operation is performed again. If the tank switch is not provided, the process may proceed to step # 11 when opening / closing of the door 5 is detected.

  In step # 14, since the water supply is completed, the progress state icon 43n is displayed in the first display state in which one indicator is lit. In step # 15, the process waits until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b is lower than -6 ° C. (first notification temperature). When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b is lower than −6 ° C., the progress state icon 43n is displayed in the second display state in which two indicators are lit in step # 16.

  In step # 17, the process waits until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b is lower than -12 ° C. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b is lower than -12 ° C, the process proceeds to step # 18 and waits for 30 minutes. After the temperature of the ice tray 25 becomes lower than −12 ° C., it is determined that ice making is completed after 30 minutes regardless of the size of ice and the ice making speed.

  In step # 19, it is determined whether or not the ice storage container 27 is full by the detection lever. When the ice storage container 27 is full, it waits until the ice in the ice storage container 27 decreases. At this time, the progress state icon 43n maintains the second display state.

  If the ice storage container 27 is not full, the ice removal motor 24 is driven in step # 20, and the ice in the ice tray 25 is removed. As a result, ice falls into the ice storage container 27. In step # 21, the progress state icon 43n is displayed in a third display state in which three indicators are lit. In step # 22, notification by a buzzer is performed. Thereby, the user can recognize that ice making is completed. Then, the process proceeds to step # 11 and the next ice making is started.

  Although the progress state icon 43n is displayed in the third display state when the ice removal operation is completed, the progress state icon 43n may be displayed in the third display state at the start or during the operation of the ice removal operation. That is, the progress state icon 43n may be displayed in the third display state when the ice removing operation is performed.

  Further, while the ice making is being performed, the display of the progress state icon 43n and the switching operation of the ice making mode by the operation unit 45 are processed in parallel. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing display control of the display icon 43 including the progress state icon 43n.

  In step # 31, the process waits until one minute elapses without any operation of the operation unit 45 from the display state of the progress state icon 43n. If one minute has passed without any operation of the operation unit 45 from the display state of the progress state icon 43n, the process proceeds to step # 32. In step # 32, the progress state icon 43n is turned off together with the other display icons 43 to be in a non-display state.

  In step # 33, it is determined whether or not the user's finger touches the touch panel 46. If the user's fingers touch the touch panel 46, the process proceeds to step # 36. If the user's finger is not in contact with the touch panel 46, it is determined in step # 34 whether or not any of the doors 5 to 8 has been opened or closed. If any of the doors 5 to 8 is opened and closed, the process proceeds to step # 36.

  If none of the doors 5 to 8 is opened / closed, it is determined in step # 35 whether or not the deicing operation in step # 20 of FIG. 5 described above has been performed. When the deicing operation is performed, the process proceeds to step # 36. If the de-icing operation is not performed, steps # 33 to # 35 are repeatedly performed to stand by.

  If any of the touch panel 46 contact, doors 5-8 opening / closing, and deicing operation is performed during standby, the progress state icon 43n is turned on together with the other display icons 43 in step # 36 to enter the display state. Then, the process returns to step # 31.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control of the ice making mode switching operation by the operation unit 45. In step # 41, the process waits until an operation for switching the ice making mode by the operation unit 45 is performed. At this time, the user can grasp the progress of ice making by the progress icon 43n. Therefore, for example, the switching operation by the operation unit 45 can be performed after completion of ice making according to the progress state of the transparent ice making mode.

  If operation of the operation part 45 is performed, it will transfer to step # 42. In step # 42, it is determined whether or not an operation for switching the water supply mode for changing the ice size has been performed. In the case of an operation for switching the water supply mode, the process proceeds to step # 44. When it is not operation which switches water supply mode, it transfers to step # 43.

  In step # 43, it is determined whether or not an operation for switching to the transparent ice making mode has been performed. If it is not an operation for switching to the transparent ice making mode, the process proceeds to step # 46. In step # 46, the ice making mode is switched, and the process returns to step # 41.

  Thereby, for example, switching from the transparent ice making mode to the non-transparent ice making mode (normal ice making mode or rapid ice making mode) or switching from the normal ice making mode to the rapid ice making mode is performed. Therefore, it is possible to immediately switch to the high-speed ice making mode desired by the user. Further, when the quick ice making mode is switched to the normal ice making mode, the user can immediately switch to the power saving ice making mode desired by the user.

  If the operation is switched to the transparent ice making mode based on the determination in step # 43, the process proceeds to step # 44. In step # 44, it is determined whether or not the water supply to the ice tray 25 has been completed. When the water supply to the ice tray 25 is not completed, the process proceeds to step # 46 to switch the water supply mode or ice making mode.

  Before the water supply is completed, the water supply amount can be changed, and transparent ice can be obtained by the transparent ice making mode. For this reason, it is possible to immediately switch to the water supply mode desired by the user and to switch to the transparent ice making mode immediately. Since the completion of ice making is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b (step # 17), it is possible to prevent defective ice making even if the ice making mode is switched during ice making.

  When water supply to the ice tray 25 is completed and freezing of the water in the ice tray 25 is started, the size of the ice cannot be reduced. In addition, when water is additionally supplied, it is not possible to accurately determine the completion time of ice making by the detection of the temperature sensor 25b. Furthermore, transparent ice cannot be obtained even when the transparent ice making mode is switched.

  For this reason, the process waits until the deicing operation of step # 20 of FIG. 5 is performed in step # 45. When the ice removing operation is performed, the process proceeds to step # 46, where the water supply mode is switched or the transparent ice making mode is switched.

  According to the present embodiment, the progress state icon 43n (ice making display unit) is displayed in the first display state when the water supply operation is completed, and the temperature sensor 25b is lower than -6 ° C. (first notification temperature). A second display state to be displayed at the time, and a third display state to be displayed when the ice removing operation is performed. Further, it is possible to determine completion of ice making based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 25b and shift to the ice removing operation, and to switch to another ice making mode during execution of one ice making mode.

  For this reason, it is not necessary to wait for completion of an ice making mode with a slow ice making speed or an ice making mode with high power consumption, and it is possible to immediately switch to a desired ice making mode to prevent ice making failure and perform ice making. At this time, the progress state icon 43n can simply indicate the progress state of ice making by the first to third display states, and the user can grasp the progress state. For this reason, the switching operation can be performed after completion of the ice making mode being executed. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 can be improved.

  Further, there are a transparent ice making mode in which the ice making heater 26 is driven to make ice and a non-transparent ice making mode in which the ice making heater 26 is stopped to make ice (normal ice making mode and rapid ice making mode). For this reason, transparent ice can be obtained by the transparent ice making mode, and ice making can be quickly performed by the non-transparent ice making mode. In addition, when the transparent ice making mode is switched to the non-transparent ice making mode, transparent ice cannot be obtained. Therefore, the switching operation can be performed after completion of ice making according to the progress of the transparent ice making mode. Therefore, the convenience of the refrigerator 1 can be further improved.

  In addition, when there is an operation for switching from the transparent ice making mode to the non-transparent ice making mode, the operation is immediately switched to the non-transparent ice making mode, so that high-speed ice making desired by the user can be performed immediately. Further, if there is a switching operation from the non-transparent ice making mode to the transparent ice making mode before the water supply is completed, the transparent ice making mode is immediately switched, so that the user can quickly obtain the transparent ice desired by the user. Also, if there is a switching operation from the non-transparent ice making mode to the transparent ice making mode after the water supply is completed, the operation is switched to the transparent ice making mode after the ice is removed. As a result, since transparent ice cannot be obtained even if the mode is immediately switched to the transparent ice making mode, it is possible to prevent the ice making delay due to the switching and the power consumption of the ice making heater.

  In addition, since the non-transparent ice making mode has a normal ice making mode and a rapid ice making mode, the user can select between ice making with low power consumption and rapid ice making.

  In addition, when there is an operation for switching the water supply mode before the completion of water supply, the water supply mode is immediately switched, so that ice having a size desired by the user can be obtained quickly. If there is an operation for switching the water supply mode after the completion of water supply, the water supply mode is switched after de-icing. Thereby, it can prevent that the completion time of ice making based on the detection of a temperature sensor becomes inaccurate by additional water supply.

  In addition, since the progress state icon 43n has a plurality of indicators and the number of indicators lit up is increased in the order of the first display state, the second display state, and the third display state, the progress of ice making can be easily displayed, The user can easily grasp at a glance.

  Further, since the indicator of the progress state icon 43n is sequentially turned on and off after the ice tray cleaning operation, the user can easily recognize the cleaning operation.

  The progress state icon 43n may be lit in different colors in the first display state, the second display state, and the third display state. For example, the progress state icon 43n is lit blue to display the first display state, white is lit to the second display state, and red is lit to display the third display state. At this time, the emission color of one indicator may be varied, and a plurality of indicators may be provided corresponding to the first to third display states.

  Further, when the water supply operation is completed, when the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 25b is lower than −2 ° C. (second notification temperature), the progress state icon 43n is displayed blinking, so the user is prompted to supply water to the water storage tank 21. be able to. Note that the temperature at which the progress state icon 43n is blinked (second notification temperature) may be higher than the temperature (first notification temperature) at which the second display state is displayed. Instead of the blinking display of the progress state icon 43n, the progress state icon 43n may be lit in a color different from the first display state, the second display state, and the third display state.

  Further, when the operation unit 45 is not operated for a predetermined time, the progress state icon 43n in the display state is not displayed, so that power saving of the refrigerator 1 can be achieved. Further, when the user touches the touch panel 46 or when any of the doors 5 to 8 is opened, the non-display progress state icon 43n is displayed for a predetermined time, so that the user can easily know the progress of ice making. it can.

  Further, since the non-display progress state icon 43n is displayed for a predetermined time when the ice removing operation is performed, it is possible to notify the user of the completion of ice making.

  According to this invention, it can utilize for the refrigerator provided with the ice making apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 3 Refrigeration room 4 Freezing room 5, 6, 7, 8 Door 9 Ice making room 10 Glass plate 11 1st cold air passage 12 2nd cold air passage 13 Cooler 14 Blower 20 Ice making device 21 Water storage tank 22 Water supply pipe 22a Water supply pump 23 Deicing device 24 Deicing motor 25 Ice making tray 25b Temperature sensor 26 Ice making heater 27 Ice storage container 30 Storage room 40 Operation panel 41 Display unit 42 Display panel 43 Display icon 43e Ice making icon 43j Size icon 43k Transparent ice making mode icon 43m Ice tray cleaning operation Icon 43n Progression state icon 44 Light source 45 Operation unit 46 Touch panel 47 Light control sheet 48 Circuit board 49 Spacer 50 Light guide plate 50a Incident surface

Claims (11)

  An ice making device for making ice by supplying water from a water storage tank arranged in the first storage room having a temperature higher than the freezing point to an ice making dish arranged in the second storage room having a temperature lower than the freezing point, and detecting the temperature of the ice making plate A temperature sensor, an ice removing device for removing ice made from the ice tray, an ice making display unit having different displays according to the progress of ice making, and an operation unit for setting a plurality of ice making modes having different ice making speeds. In the refrigerator comprising: the first display state displayed when the ice making display unit completes the water supply operation to the ice tray; and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined first notification temperature. A second display state that is displayed when the ice is removed, and a third display state that is displayed when the ice removal operation is performed. And during the execution of the ice making mode, Refrigerator, characterized in that it switch to another of said ice making mode by the operation of the parts.   An ice making heater for heating the ice tray is provided, wherein the ice making mode has a transparent ice making mode for making ice by driving the ice making heater, and a non-transparent ice making mode for making ice by stopping the ice making heater. The refrigerator according to claim 1.   When there is a switching operation from the transparent ice making mode to the non-transparent ice making mode, and when there is a switching operation from the non-transparent ice making mode to the transparent ice making mode before water supply is completed, the ice making mode is immediately switched. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the ice making mode is switched after de-icing when there is a switching operation from the non-transparent ice making mode to the transparent ice making mode after water supply is completed.   A normal ice making mode in which the non-transparent ice making mode supplies a predetermined amount of cold air to the second storage chamber to make ice, and a quick ice making mode in which the amount of cold air supplied to the second storage chamber is increased compared to the normal ice making mode; The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the refrigerator is provided.   A plurality of water supply modes having different water supply amounts to the ice tray are provided, and when the water supply mode is switched before completion of water supply, the water supply mode is immediately switched, and after the water supply is completed, the water supply mode switching operation is performed. The refrigerator in any one of Claims 1-4 which switches the said water supply mode after de-icing when there exists.   The said ice-making display part has a some indicator, The lighting quantity of the said indicator was increased in order of the 1st display state, the 2nd display state, and the 3rd display state. The refrigerator according to crab.   The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the indicator is sequentially turned on and then turned off during a cleaning operation of cleaning the ice tray by repeating water supply and drainage to the ice tray after deicing.   The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ice making display unit performs lighting display with different colors in the first display state, the second display state, and the third display state.   When the detected temperature of the temperature sensor is lower than the second notification temperature that is higher than the first notification temperature when the water supply operation is completed, the ice making display unit blinks or the ice display unit displays the first state, The refrigerator according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein lighting is performed with a color different from that of the second display state and the third display state.   The ice making display unit is hidden when the operation unit is not operated for a predetermined time, and is not displayed when the user touches the operation unit or when the door of the first storage chamber or the second storage chamber is opened. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ice making display unit is displayed for a predetermined time.   The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein when the ice removing operation is performed, the non-displayed ice making display unit is displayed for a predetermined time.

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