JP2013190116A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice maker that can always produce the same number of ice particles of the same sizes regardless of a water amount in a water supply tank.SOLUTION: A refrigerator includes an automatic ice maker and a control board. The automatic ice maker includes a water supply tank 1, a water supply pump 2 that supplies water in the water supply tank 1 to an ice making plate 4, and an optical water level sensor 11 that can detect a water level in the water supply tank 1. The control board includes a storage section that holds in advance information on correspondence between the water level to keep a water supply amount at one time to the ice making plate 4 constant regardless of the water level and an operation time of the water supply pump, and a control section that refers to the information on correspondence stored in the storage section after calculating the water level based on an output from the optical water level sensor 11, and selects the operation time of the water supply pump corresponding to the water level.

Description

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

  A conventional refrigerator automatic ice making device uses an optical water level sensor to output an alarm when the water level in the water supply tank falls below a predetermined level, and prevents freezing of water remaining in the water supply hose. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, some water leveling is performed by setting the water supply time according to the number of ice makings, assuming that the water supply tank is full when the switch detects that the water tank has been stored. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP-A-9-159332 JP 2007-10234 A

  In a refrigerator automatic ice maker that pumps water from a water tank with a pump and supplies it to an ice tray, the pump drive time is conventionally constant regardless of the amount of water in the water tank. The water supply was changing. For this reason, as the amount of water in the water supply tank decreases, the amount of water supplied to each section of the ice tray decreases or water does not turn to all sections, so the size of the resulting ice is not reduced. It was causing uniformity and a decrease in the number of grains.

  As a means to solve this problem, a switch that can detect the installation / removal of the water supply tank is provided, and when the water supply tank is installed, the amount of water in the water supply tank is full, and the water supply time is changed according to the number of ice making operations. There is a thing that makes the size of ice and the number of grains uniform (Patent Document 2), but the precondition that the water tank is full when the water tank is installed, such as when only half of the water is supplied to the water tank. When not satisfied, there was a problem that the size of the finished ice and the number of grains changed.

  Also, some refrigerator automatic ice making devices are equipped with an optical water level sensor (Patent Document 1), but it is a binary detection whether the water level in the water supply tank is above or below a predetermined level, depending on the state of the water supply tank water amount The problem of changing the size of the finished ice and the number of grains remained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and includes an automatic ice making device capable of making ice that is always the same size and the same number of grains regardless of the amount of water in the water supply tank. The purpose is to provide a refrigerator.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a water supply tank installed in a refrigeration temperature zone, a water supply pump for supplying water in the water supply tank to an ice tray, An automatic ice making device having a water level detection unit capable of detecting the water level of the water supply tank, and the water supply pump according to the water level for keeping a single water supply amount to the ice tray regardless of the water level A storage unit that preliminarily holds the driving time as correspondence information between the water level and the driving time, and after calculating the water level based on an output from the water level detection unit, the correspondence information stored in the storage unit And a control board having a control unit that selects a driving time corresponding to the water level and drives the water supply pump.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a refrigerator including an automatic ice making device that can always make ice having the same size and the same number of grains.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1, excluding each room door diagram. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the automatic ice making device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism for detecting the water level in the water supply tank by the optical water level sensor in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the side surface of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. 5, in the first embodiment, a diagram illustrating the distance d between the water tank water level and an optical level sensor, the relationship between the photocurrent I _L of the light receiving element. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between the output voltage V of the optical water level sensor and the distance d in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of the water level L of the water supply tank in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the water level L of the water supply tank and the output voltage V in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the water level L of the water supply tank and the water supply amount Q when the water supply time in the first embodiment is constant. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the water level L of the water supply tank 1 and the water supply pump drive time T for keeping the water supply amount Q constant regardless of the water level L in the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a control flowchart in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel display when the amount of stored water is insufficient in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel mounting position in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an automatic ice making device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 16 is a control flowchart in the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an automatic ice making device according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the water supply tank weight W and the water supply tank water level L in the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a general example of the relationship between the amount of water supply and the number of ice making. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the amount of water in the water supply tank and the state of water supply to the ice tray.

  Embodiments of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, excluding each room door diagram. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the automatic ice making device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the refrigerator 51 of the present embodiment includes a refrigerating room 61, an ice making room 62, a switching room 63, a freezing room 64, and a vegetable room 65, and the light shielding case 21 is fixed in the refrigerating room 61. A water supply tank 1 is installed therein.

  In FIG. 2, the automatic ice making device of the present embodiment includes a water supply tank 1, a water supply pump 2, a water supply pipe 3, an ice tray 4, an ice making gear box 5, an ice storage detection lever 6, and an optical water level sensor 11. Has been.

  The water supply pump 2 pumps up water in the water supply tank 1 and supplies it to the ice tray 4 through the water supply pipe 3. The water supply amount Q varies depending on the driving time T of the water supply pump 2 and the water level L of the water supply tank 1. To do. An optical water level sensor 11 as a water level detection unit is provided to make the water supply amount Q constant regardless of the water level L of the water supply tank 1. The optical water level sensor 11 is provided in a light shielding case 21 that covers the water supply tank 1 and is disposed above the water supply tank 1. The light shielding case 21 is provided to increase the detection accuracy of the optical water level sensor 11, and the optical water level sensor 11 is housed therein to reduce the influence of external light and noise.

  The ice making gearbox 5 is a device for twisting the ice making tray 4, and is a device for dropping the ice made in the ice making tray 4 into the ice making chamber 62. The ice storage detection lever 6 detects whether or not the ice storage amount in the ice making chamber 62 is greater than or equal to a predetermined level by lowering the lever. When the ice storage detection lever 6 is in contact with the ice in the ice making chamber 62 and does not fall below a predetermined position, the ice making chamber 62 is prevented from overflowing by preventing it from entering the ice removing operation. . The heat insulating material 31 is for separating the two temperature zones of the refrigerator compartment 61 and the ice making chamber 62, and is disposed between the water supply tank 1 and the ice tray 4. The water supply tank 1 is installed in a refrigeration temperature zone.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a mechanism for detecting the water level in the water supply tank 1 by the optical water level sensor 11. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. 5, in this embodiment, is a diagram illustrating an optical water level sensor 11 and the distance d between the water supply tank water, the relationship between the photocurrent I _L of the light receiving element 13. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output voltage V of the optical water level sensor 11 and the distance d in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply tank cover 7 provided in the upper part of the water supply tank 1 is provided with an acrylic part 8 as a light transmitting part having a high light transmittance. The optical water level sensor 11 attached to the light shielding case 21 is installed above the acrylic part 8. An electrical wiring 72 is connected to the optical water level sensor 11, and the electrical wiring 72 is connected to the control board 71 as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the optical water level sensor 11 is connected to the control board 71 that controls the entire refrigerator via the electric wiring 72. An ice storage case 66 is disposed in the ice making chamber 62.

The optical water level sensor 11 includes a light emitting element 12 and a light receiving element 13. Light emitted from the light emitting element 12 of the optical water level sensor 11 is reflected by the water surface in the water supply tank 1, and the reflected light is detected by the light receiving element 13 of the optical water level sensor 11. Light current I _L is detected by the light receiving element 13 of the optical water level sensor 11 varies with the distance d from the optical water level sensor 11 as shown in FIG. 5 to the water surface of the water tank 1. When the distance d is equal to or greater than d ₀ , the photocurrent _IL and the distance d have a one-to-one correspondence. This photocurrent _IL is voltage-converted and output from the optical water level sensor 11. Figure 6 gives the relationship between the output voltage V and the distance d photocurrent I _L and amplified voltage conversion. Due to the above relationship, the optical water level sensor 11 can detect the water level L in the water supply tank 1 approximately linearly.

  FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of the water level L of the water supply tank 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of the relationship between the water level L of the water supply tank 1 and the output voltage V in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control board 71 exchanges data with the optical water level sensor 11. In particular, the output voltage V of the optical water level sensor 11 is a microcomputer 73 (control unit) in the control board 71. ). A memory 74 (storage unit) is provided in the control board 71. In the memory 74, correspondence information between the output voltage V of the optical water level sensor 11 and the water level L of the water supply tank 1 is stored in advance. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the memory 74 includes correspondence information between the output voltage V and the water level L as table information. Here, the water level L is, for example, discrete values of L ₀ , L ₁ , L ₂ , and L ₃ (FIGS. 8 and 9), and output voltages V ₀ , V ₁ , V ₂ , and V corresponding to the respective values. ₃ is given. As a result, the control board 71 refers to the output voltage V-water level L correspondence information stored in the memory 74 based on the output voltage V output from the optical water level sensor 11, so that the inside of the water supply tank 1. The water level L can be detected. In FIG. 7, an operation panel 75 is provided, for example, in a refrigerator compartment door, and includes an operation switch for adjusting the temperature or setting of each room, and a liquid crystal display for displaying the temperature of each room. It consists of.

In general, when the feed pump drive time T (water supply time) is constant, the water level L in the water tank 1 and the water supply amount Q to the ice tray 4 are reduced when the water level L in the water tank 1 decreases as shown in FIG. ,Decrease. FIG. 19 shows an example of the relationship between the water supply amount Q and the number of ice making times n when the water supply pump drive time T (water supply time) is constant. Thus, when the water supply amount Q decreases with the decrease in the water level L in the water supply tank 1, the amount of water supplied to each section of the ice tray 4 decreases as shown in FIG. As water did not turn into the compartment, the size of the resulting ice was uneven, which caused the number of grains to decrease. In FIG. 20, (a) the water level in the water supply tank 1 is sufficiently high (water level L ₀ ), the amount of water in the water supply tank 1 is large, and (b) the water level in the water supply tank 1 is low (water level L ₂ ). Although the case where the amount of water in the water supply tank 1 is small is shown, the size of the ice 111 is not uniform and the number of grains is small when the amount of water in the water supply tank 1 is small.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the memory 74 is preliminarily provided with data of the water supply pump driving time T corresponding to the water level L of the water supply tank 1 capable of supplying a constant water supply amount Q to the ice tray 4. deep. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of correspondence information between the water level L of the water supply tank 1 and the water supply pump driving time T for keeping the water supply amount Q constant regardless of the water level L. That is, the microcomputer 73 selects the data of the feed water pump driving time T corresponding to the detected water level L based on the correspondence relationship shown in FIG. The microcomputer 73 can keep the water supply amount Q constant at all times by operating the water supply pump 2 for the water supply pump drive time T according to the data.

  FIG. 12 shows the above control in a flowchart. First, the microcomputer 73 determines whether or not the ice making mode is set in S1. In the ice making mode (S1, Yes), the microcomputer 73 determines whether or not the ice making start condition is satisfied in S2, and if the ice making start condition is satisfied (S2, Yes), the microcomputer 1 The water level L is detected (S3). Here, the microcomputer 73 detects the water level L of the water supply tank 1 corresponding to the output voltage V of the optical water level sensor 11 by referring to the correspondence information between the output voltage V and the water level L stored in the memory 74. To do. When it is not in the ice making mode (S1, No), or when the ice making start condition is not satisfied (S2, No), the process returns to S1.

Next, the microcomputer 73 is detected water level L is equal to or ice water levels L ₃ or higher (S4). If the water level L is determined to less than the ice-making water levels L ₃ (S4, No), the microcomputer 73, S5 flashes the operation panel 75 as shown in FIG. 13 in accordance with, insufficient amount of water in the water supply tank 1 The user can perceive that it is doing. As an example, the operation panel 75 is provided in the refrigerator compartment door as shown in FIG. 14, and is controlled by the microcomputer 73 in the control board 71 as shown in FIG.

Determining the other hand, in the case of the water level L ice making water levels _{L 3} or more (S4, Yes), the microcomputer 73, whether the level L is less than _{L 2} (S6). Here, L ₂ is a preset value that satisfies L ₂ > L ₃ as shown in FIGS. When it is determined that the water level L is not less than L ₃ and less than L ₂ (S6, Yes), the microcomputer 73 drives the water level L and the feed pump to give a constant feed amount Q stored in the memory 74. It refers to the correspondence information between the time T, and select T ₃ as feed water pump drive time T corresponding to the water level L _3, drives the water supply pump 2 T ₃ hours (S7).

If the water level L is determined to _{L 2} or more (S6, No), the microcomputer 73, the water level L is determined whether the _{L 2} or more and less than _{L 1} (S8). Here, L ₁ is a preset value satisfying L ₁ > L ₂ as shown in FIGS. If the water level L is determined to be L ₂ or more and less than L ₁ (S8, Yes), the microcomputer 73, the water supply pump drive and the water level L to provide a constant water supply amount Q stored in the memory 74 It refers to the correspondence information between the time T, and select T ₂ as feed water pump drive time T corresponding to the water level L _2, drives the water supply pump 2 T ₂ hours (S9).

When it is determined that the water level L is equal to or higher than L ₁ (S8, No), the microcomputer 73 determines whether the water level L is equal to or higher than L ₁ and lower than L ₀ (S10). Here, L ₀ is a preset value that satisfies L ₀ > L ₁ as shown in FIGS. If it is determined that the water level L is equal to or greater than L ₁ and less than L ₀ (S10, Yes), the microcomputer 73 drives the water level L and the feed pump to provide a constant feed amount Q stored in the memory 74. It refers to the correspondence information between the time T, and select T ₁ as feed water pump drive time T corresponding to the water level L _1, and drives the water feed pump 2 T ₁ hour (S11).

When it is determined that the water level L is equal to or higher than L ₀ (S10, No), the microcomputer 73 provides correspondence information between the water level L and the feed water pump driving time T for providing a constant water supply amount Q stored in the memory 74. , T ₀ is selected as the feed water pump driving time T corresponding to the water level L ₀ , and the feed water pump 2 is driven for T ₀ time (S12).

In this way, the microcomputer 73 converts the output from the optical water level sensor 11 into the water level L, and then refers to the water level L-water supply pump driving time T correspondence information stored in the memory 74 to detect the detected water level. The feed water pump drive time T corresponding to L can be determined. In FIG. 12, the water level L in the water supply tank 1 is divided into four reference water levels L _{0 to} L ₃ , for example, and the feed water pump driving time T is set. However, this is an example, and the reference water level The number can be appropriately set according to the accuracy of keeping the water supply amount Q constant.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the amount of water supply Q to the ice tray 4 can be made constant regardless of the amount of water in the water supply tank 1, so that it always has the same size. Now, you can make ice with the same number of grains.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since it is possible to detect a state where the water supply tank 1 is empty or the remaining amount is insufficient, the user is notified that the water in the water supply tank 1 is insufficient in the ice making mode. It is also possible.

  In addition, although the light shielding case 21 is disposed in order to improve the detection accuracy of the optical water level sensor 11, the light shielding case 21 may be removed if the detection accuracy can be ensured without being disposed.

  The optical water level sensor 11 may be of a type that calculates the distance d based on the time t from when the light emitting element 12 emits light until the light receiving element 13 receives light.

  Moreover, although the acrylic part 8 with high light transmittance is arrange | positioned in the upper part of the water supply tank 1, the structure which arrange | positions plastics with high light transmittance similarly may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a refrigerator having a room of five temperature zones is cited as a representative. However, the present embodiment is applicable to any refrigerator provided with a water supply tank 1 and an automatic ice making device. Needless to say, you can.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the water level L in the water supply tank 1 is detected before the ice making operation is started. Next, the water level L in the water supply tank 1 is detected only when the water supply tank 1 is installed. The second embodiment for controlling the water supply amount Q to the ice tray 4 to be constant will be described.

  The configuration of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the water supply tank 1 is installed in the automatic ice making device according to the present embodiment. A water supply tank detection switch 9 (water supply tank detection unit) is provided. The water tank detection switch 9 outputs a signal (ON or OFF) according to whether or not the water tank 1 is installed to the control board 72 via the electric wiring 72. Since the other configuration of the automatic ice making apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. By providing the water tank detection switch 9, the water level change ΔL due to the amount Q of water supplied to the ice tray 4 per ice making operation is multiplied by the number of times of ice making n from the water level L (initial) when the water tank 1 is installed. By pulling, it becomes possible to detect the water level L in the water supply tank 1, and as in the first embodiment, ice having the same size and the same number of grains can be made.

  FIG. 16 is a control flowchart in the present embodiment. First, the microcomputer 73 determines whether or not the water tank detection switch 9 is ON in S101, and if it is ON (S101, Yes), it determines whether or not the ice making mode is set in S103. In addition, when the water supply tank 1 is installed, the water supply tank detection switch 9 outputs ON. If the water supply tank 1 is not installed (S101, No) or not in the ice making mode (S103, No), the number of ice making is reset according to S102.

  Next, in the ice making mode (S103, No), the microcomputer 73 determines whether or not the ice making operation is the first time in accordance with S104. In the ice making initial operation (S104, Yes), the water supply tank 1 is determined in accordance with S105. The water level L (initial) is detected. The initial method for detecting the water level L is as described in the first embodiment, and is performed by converting the output from the optical water level sensor 11 into the water level L. Further, since the microcomputer 73 counts the number of times of ice making n, it can be determined whether or not the ice making operation is the first time.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 73, if the water level L (initial), it is determined whether or not the ice making water levels _{L 3} or more was determined to less than the ice-making water levels _{L 3} in S106 (S106, No ), The operation panel 75 blinks in accordance with S107, and the user can perceive that the amount of water in the water supply tank 1 is insufficient.

  When it is determined that the ice making operation is not the first time (S104, Yes), the microcomputer 73 performs the water supply amount Q to the ice tray 4 per ice making operation from the water level L (initial) of the water supply tank 1 according to S108. The water level L of the water supply tank 1 is calculated by subtracting a value obtained by multiplying the water level change ΔL by the number of times of ice making n.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 73, the water level L of the water supply tank 1 calculated in S108, it is determined whether or not the ice making water levels L ₃ or higher (S109), it is determined to be less than the ice-making water levels L ₃ In this case (S109, No), the operation panel 75 can be blinked in accordance with S107, and the user can perceive that the amount of water in the water supply tank 1 is insufficient.

If the water level L is ice water levels _{L 3} or more (S109, Yes), according to S110. Also, if the water level L (initial) is above the ice making possible water level _{L 3} in S106, according to S110.

Next, the microcomputer 73 determines whether or not the water level L is less than L ₂ (S110). Here, L ₂ is a preset value that satisfies L ₂ > L ₃ as shown in FIGS. When it is determined that the water level L is not less than L ₃ and less than L ₂ (S110, Yes), the microcomputer 73 drives the water level L and the feed pump to give a constant feed amount Q stored in the memory 74. It refers to the correspondence information between the time T, and select _{T 3} as feed water pump drive time T corresponding to the water level _{L 3,} drives the water supply pump 2 _{T 3} h (S 111).

If the water level L is determined to _{L 2} or more (S110, No), the microcomputer 73, the water level L is determined whether the _{L 2} or more and less than _{L 1} (S112). Here, L ₁ is a preset value satisfying L ₁ > L ₂ as shown in FIGS. If the water level L is determined to be L ₂ or more and less than L ₁ (S112, Yes), the microcomputer 73, the water supply pump drive and the water level L to provide a constant water supply amount Q stored in the memory 74 It refers to the correspondence information between the time T, and select _{T 2} as feed water pump drive time T corresponding to the water level _{L 2,} drives the water supply pump 2 _{T 2} hours (S113).

If the water level L is determined to _{L 1} or more (S112, No), the microcomputer 73, the water level L is equal to or less than _{L 1} or more and _{L 0} (S114). Here, L ₀ is a preset value that satisfies L ₀ > L ₁ as shown in FIGS. If it is determined that the water level L is equal to or greater than L ₁ and less than L ₀ (S114, Yes), the microcomputer 73 drives the water level L and the feed pump to provide a constant feed amount Q stored in the memory 74. refers to the correspondence information between the time T, and select _{T 1} as feed water pump drive time T corresponding to the water level _{L 1,} and drives the water feed pump 2 _{T 1} hour (S115).

When it is determined that the water level L is equal to or higher than L ₀ (S114, No), the microcomputer 73 provides correspondence information between the water level L and the feed pump driving time T for providing a constant water supply amount Q stored in the memory 74. , T ₀ is selected as the feed water pump drive time T corresponding to the water level L ₀ , and the feed water pump 2 is driven for T ₀ time (S116).

  After the feed water pump 2 is driven according to S111, S113, S115, or S116, the microcomputer 73 increases the count of the number of ice making by one (S117). The microcomputer 73 counts the number of times of ice making n and stores the value in the memory 74.

  By controlling as described above, if the initial water level L in the water tank 1 is detected using the optical water level sensor 11 only at the first time when the water tank 1 is installed, the subsequent water level L is set to the number of times of ice making n. Since it can be calculated accordingly, it is possible to make the amount of water supply Q to the ice tray 4 once, regardless of the amount of water in the water supply tank 1, as in the first embodiment. You can make ice with the same size and the same number of grains. Other configurations, operations, and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first and second embodiments described above, the water level L in the water supply tank 1 is detected using the optical water level sensor 11, but the weight of the water supply tank 1 using the electronic balance 101 as a water level detection unit as shown in FIG. The water level L can be detected by measuring W. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the automatic ice making device in the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the weight W of the water supply tank 1 and the water level L of the water supply tank 1.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the automatic ice making device in the present embodiment includes a water supply tank 1, a water supply pump 2, a water supply pipe 3, an ice tray 4, an ice making gear box 5, an ice storage detection lever 6, and an electronic balance 101. It is configured. The electronic balance 101 detects the weight W of the water supply tank 1 and outputs the detection result to the control board 71 via the electric wiring 72. Further, a heat insulating material 31 for separating the two temperature zones of the refrigerator compartment 61 and the ice making chamber 62 is disposed between the water supply tank 1 and the ice tray 4. The configuration of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, since there is a fixed relationship between the weight W of the water supply tank 1 measured by the electronic balance 101 and the water level L of the water supply tank 1 (linear relationship in the illustrated example), the weight W of the water supply tank 1 And the correspondence information between the water level L of the water supply tank 1 is stored in the memory 74 in advance as data, so that the microcomputer 73 is stored in the memory 74 based on the weight W of the water supply tank 1 by the electronic balance 101. By referring to the correspondence information between the weight W of the water tank 1 and the water level L of the water tank 1, the water level L of the water tank 1 corresponding to the detected weight W can be detected. Therefore, as described in the first embodiment, the microcomputer 73 adjusts the driving time T of the water supply pump 2 according to the detected water level L, thereby making the water supply amount Q to the ice tray 4 constant. It is possible to make ice that is always the same size and the same number of grains. Further, the present embodiment can be combined with the second embodiment. Other configurations, operations, and effects of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first and second embodiments.

  The present invention can be suitably applied to an automatic ice making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water supply tank 2 Water supply pump 3 Water supply pipe 4 Ice tray 5 Ice making gear box 6 Ice storage detection lever 8 Acrylic part 9 Water supply tank detection switch 11 Optical water level sensor 12 Light emitting element 13 Light receiving element 21 Light shielding case 31 Heat insulating material 51 Refrigerator 61 Cold room 62 Ice making room 63 Switching room 64 Freezer room 65 Vegetable room 66 Ice storage case 71 Control board 72 Electrical wiring 73 Microcomputer 74 Memory 75 Operation panel 101 Electronic balance

Claims (6)

An automatic ice making device having a water supply tank installed in a refrigerated temperature zone, a water supply pump for supplying water in the water supply tank to an ice tray, and a water level detection unit capable of detecting the water level of the water supply tank;
A storage unit that holds in advance, as correspondence information between the water level and the driving time, the driving time of the water supply pump according to the water level for keeping a single water supply amount to the ice tray regardless of the water level And calculating the water level based on the output from the water level detection unit, referring to the correspondence information stored in the storage unit, selecting a driving time corresponding to the water level, A control board having a controller for driving the pump;
A refrigerator comprising: The automatic ice making device has a water supply tank detector that detects whether or not the water supply tank is installed in the automatic ice making device,
The control unit counts the number of ice makings after the water tank is installed according to the output from the water tank detection unit, and only when it is determined that the ice making operation is the first time based on the ice making number. After calculating the initial water level at the time of installation of the water supply tank based on the output from the water level detection unit, referring to the correspondence information stored in the storage unit, select a driving time corresponding to the initial water level, When it is determined that the ice making operation is the second or later based on the ice making frequency, the initial water level is subtracted by multiplying the ice making frequency by the water level change due to one water supply to the ice tray. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein after calculating a water level, the driving time corresponding to the water level is selected with reference to the correspondence information stored in the storage unit.   The control unit determines whether or not the water level is equal to or higher than the ice-making possible water level, and when it is determined that the water level is less than the ice-making possible water level, the operation panel provided on the refrigerator compartment door unit The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a display indicating that the amount of water in the water supply tank is insufficient is performed.   The said water level detection part is an optical water level sensor which can detect the said water level by measuring the distance to the water surface in the said water supply tank, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Refrigerator. The water tank is housed in a light shielding case;
The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the water level sensor is provided in the light shielding case above the water supply tank. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water level detection unit is an electronic balance capable of detecting the water level by measuring the weight of the water supply tank.

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