JP2014052126A - Refrigerator and control method of refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a refrigerator having an automatic ice-making function which shortens time required from the start of energization to the completion of the initial ice making.SOLUTION: A refrigerator (100) comprises: an ice making chamber (3); an ice making tray (31); a water supply part (20); a temperature sensor (33); a temperature sensor (34); and a control device (50). The ice making tray (31) is provided in the ice making chamber (3) and makes ice from water. The water supply part (20) supplies the ice making tray (31) with water. The temperature sensor (33) detects a temperature (Tt) of the ice making tray (31). The temperature sensor (34) detects a room temperature (Tr) of the ice making chamber (3). The control device (50) controls the supply of water by the water supply part (20) to the ice making tray (31), based on the comparison result of the temperature (Tt) of the ice making tray (31) and the room temperature (Tr) of the ice making chamber (3), when the energization to the refrigerator (100) starts.

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a refrigerator control method, and more particularly, to a refrigerator having an automatic ice making function and a refrigerator control method.

  A refrigerator having an automatic ice making function is known. In such a refrigerator, a water supply operation is performed in which water is supplied from a water supply tank provided in the refrigerator compartment to an ice tray provided in the ice making chamber. And the cooling operation | movement which cools the water supplied to the ice tray with cold air is performed. Thereafter, an ice removing operation is performed in which the ice made in the ice tray is transferred to an ice storage case. By repeating the above ice making operation, ice is automatically made.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-79721 (Patent Document 1) discloses a refrigerator with an automatic ice making device. In this refrigerator, when the opening / closing operation of the refrigerator compartment door is detected in a water supply standby state in which there is no water in the water supply tank, a water supply operation for supplying water to the ice making unit is performed after the opening / closing operation is performed (Patent Document 1) reference).

JP-A-9-79721

  In the refrigerator as described above, whether or not water is supplied to the ice tray is determined based on the temperature change of the ice tray before and after the water supply operation to the ice tray is performed. When water is supplied to the ice tray, the ice removing operation is performed after the cooling operation.

  However, immediately after the start of energization of the refrigerator, since the cooling operation and the ice removing operation are not performed, it is not possible to grasp whether or not there is water in the ice tray. At this time, since there is a possibility that the ice tray has water, the water supply operation cannot be started immediately. Therefore, it cannot be determined whether or not water is supplied to the ice tray based on the temperature change of the ice tray before and after the water supply operation is performed as described above. Therefore, the first ice making operation is performed on the assumption that there is water in the ice tray regardless of whether or not there is water in the ice tray so that excessive water is not supplied to the ice tray.

  That is, when the first ice making operation is started after the energization is started, the water supply operation is not performed. Therefore, when there is no water in the ice tray immediately after the start of energization of the refrigerator, ice is not made by the first ice making operation. For this reason, it takes time from the start of energization to the completion of the first ice making. In this respect, the refrigerator disclosed in the above publication is not particularly studied.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having an automatic ice making function that shortens the time required for the first ice making to be completed after energization is started.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator control method that shortens the time required from the start of energization to the completion of the first ice making in a refrigerator having an automatic ice making function.

  According to this invention, the refrigerator includes an ice making chamber, an ice tray, a water supply unit, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a control device. The ice tray is provided inside the ice making chamber and produces ice from water. The water supply unit supplies water to the ice tray. The first temperature sensor detects the temperature of the ice tray. The second temperature sensor detects the room temperature of the ice making room. The control device is based on a comparison result between the temperature of the ice tray detected by the first temperature sensor and the indoor temperature of the ice making chamber detected by the second temperature sensor when energization of the refrigerator is started. The water supply unit controls the water supply to the ice tray.

  Preferably, the control device controls the water supply unit to supply water to the ice tray when the difference between the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature in the ice chamber is smaller than a threshold value.

  Preferably, the control device is configured such that the difference between the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature of the ice making chamber is smaller than the first threshold value and the temperature of the ice making chamber is higher than the second threshold value. The water supply unit is controlled to supply water to the ice tray.

  Preferably, the control device controls the water supply unit to supply water to the ice tray when the difference between the amount of change in the temperature of the ice tray and the amount of change in the temperature of the ice chamber is smaller than a threshold value. To do.

  Preferably, the control device has a difference between the amount of change in the temperature of the ice tray and the amount of change in the temperature of the ice making chamber smaller than the first threshold value, and the room temperature of the ice making chamber is the second threshold. When it is higher than the threshold value, the water supply unit is controlled to supply water to the ice tray.

  Moreover, according to this invention, the control method of a refrigerator is a control method of a refrigerator provided with an ice making chamber, an ice tray, a water supply part, a 1st temperature sensor, and a 2nd temperature sensor. The ice tray is provided inside the ice making chamber and produces ice from water. The water supply unit supplies water to the ice tray. The first temperature sensor detects the temperature of the ice tray. The second temperature sensor detects the room temperature of the ice making room. The control method includes a step of detecting the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature of the ice chamber by the first and second temperature sensors, respectively, and when energization of the refrigerator is started, the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature of the ice chamber are Controlling the supply of water to the ice tray by the water supply unit based on the comparison result with the temperature.

  In the present invention, when energization of the refrigerator is started, the supply of water to the ice tray by the water supply unit is controlled based on the comparison result between the temperature of the ice tray and the indoor temperature of the ice chamber. Thereby, based on the comparison result of the temperature of an ice-making tray and the room temperature of an ice-making chamber, it can be determined whether there is water in an ice-making tray. And when it determines with there being no water in an ice tray, water supply operation | movement can be started immediately. Therefore, according to this invention, in the refrigerator having an automatic ice making function, it is possible to provide a refrigerator that shortens the time required from the start of energization to the completion of the first ice making.

It is the schematic which shows the refrigerator according to Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the process regarding the ice making control which the control apparatus of the refrigerator by a comparative example performs. It is a functional block diagram regarding the ice making control of the control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the process regarding the ice making control which the control apparatus shown in FIG. 1 performs. It is a flowchart of the state detection process of the ice tray performed by step S12 of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the state detection process of the ice tray according to Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the state detection process of the ice tray according to Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the state detection process of the ice tray according to Embodiment 4 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
1 is a schematic diagram showing a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 100 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 1 at the top, and a vegetable compartment 2 and an ice making chamber 3 below in that order. The refrigerator 100 includes a water supply unit 20, an ice making unit 30, an ice storage case 40, and a control device 50.

  On the front surfaces of the refrigerator compartment 1, the vegetable compartment 2, and the ice making compartment 3, a door 11, a door 12, and a door 13 are provided to be openable and closable, respectively. Refrigeration room 1, vegetable room 2, and a refrigerating cycle and a cooling circulation fan motor (all not shown) formed by sequentially connecting a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser provided on the back side of refrigerator 100 The ice making chamber 3 is cooled. The ice making chamber 3 is cooled so that the room temperature is below the freezing point.

  The water supply unit 20 supplies water for ice making to the ice making unit 30. The water supply unit 20 includes a water supply tank 21, a water supply pipe 22, a water supply pump 23, and a heater 24.

  The water supply tank 21 is provided inside the refrigerator compartment 1. The water supply tank 21 stores water for ice making. The water supply tank 21 is detachably provided to the refrigerator compartment 1. When supplying water to the water supply tank 21, the user can open the door 11 and take out the water supply tank 21 from the refrigerator compartment 1. The opening / closing operation of the door 11 is detected by the door sensor 14. The door sensor 14 outputs a signal SD indicating the open / closed state of the door 11 to the control device 50. The door sensor 14 is, for example, a switch.

  The water supply pipe 22 is a pipe for sending the water stored in the water supply tank 21 to the ice making unit 30. One end of the water supply pipe 22 is connected to the water supply tank 21, and the other end of the water supply pipe 22 is disposed above the ice making unit 30.

  The water supply pump 23 is provided on the piping path of the water supply pipe 22. The water supply pump 23 sucks water from the water supply tank 21 and sends the sucked water to the ice making unit 30. Water supply pump 23 is controlled by signal PI received from control device 50.

  The heater 24 is provided in contact with the water supply pipe 22. By operating the heater 24, it is possible to prevent water in the water supply pipe 22 from freezing. The heater 24 may be provided in the vicinity of the water supply tank 21. In this case, the water in the water supply tank 21 can be prevented from freezing.

  The ice making unit 30 creates ice using the water supplied from the water supply unit 20. The ice making unit 30 includes an ice tray 31, a motor 32, and temperature sensors 33 and 34.

  The ice tray 31 is provided inside the ice making chamber 3. The ice tray 31 stores the water supplied from the water supply unit 20. The water stored in the ice tray 31 is cooled by cold air to become ice. An opening is formed in the ice tray 31. The ice tray 31 is supported so that the direction of the opening is reversed in the vertical direction.

  The motor 32 is connected to the ice tray 31 and adjusts the direction of the opening of the ice tray 31. Motor 32 is controlled by signal MI received from control device 50. When the water supply operation for supplying water to the ice tray 31 is performed, the control device 50 controls the motor 32 so that the opening of the ice tray 31 faces upward. In the water supply operation, since the opening of the ice tray 31 faces upward, the water sent from the other end of the water supply pipe is stored in the ice tray 31. The control device 50 controls the motor 32 so that the opening of the ice tray 31 faces downward when the ice removing operation for separating the ice from the ice tray 31 is performed. In the deicing operation, since the opening of the ice tray 31 faces downward, the ice in the ice tray 31 falls away from the ice tray 31 due to gravity.

  The temperature sensor 33 is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the ice tray 31. The temperature sensor 33 is provided on the lower surface of the ice tray 31. The temperature sensor 33 outputs a signal indicating the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 to the control device 50. The temperature sensor 34 is a sensor for detecting the indoor temperature of the ice making chamber 3. The temperature sensor 34 is provided in the ice making chamber 3. The temperature sensor 34 outputs a signal indicating the room temperature Tr of the ice making room 3 to the control device 50. The temperature sensors 33 and 34 are, for example, thermistors. The temperature sensors 33 and 34 may be thermocouples or the like.

  The ice storage case 40 is for storing the ice 41 made by the ice making unit 30. The ice storage case 40 is disposed below the ice tray 31 in the ice making chamber 3.

  The control device 50 controls the cooling state and ice making operation of the refrigerator 100. The control device 50 adjusts the internal temperature of the refrigerator 100 to a desired temperature by controlling the operations of the compressor and the cooling circulation fan motor. When energization of the refrigerator 100 is started, the control device 50 executes ice making control for automatically producing ice by controlling the operations of the water supply unit 20 and the ice making unit 30. The start of energization of the refrigerator 100 means that the outlet of the refrigerator 100 is connected to the power source, that the power supply to the refrigerator 100 is resumed when the power failure is eliminated, or that the switch provided on the refrigerator 100 is operated. For example, the operation of the refrigerator 100 is started.

  In the refrigerator according to the comparative example to which the present invention is not applied, whether or not water is supplied to the ice tray is determined based on the temperature change of the ice tray before and after the water supply operation to the ice tray is performed. When water is supplied to the ice tray, the ice removing operation is performed after the cooling operation.

  However, immediately after the start of energization of the refrigerator, since the cooling operation and the ice removing operation are not performed, it is not possible to grasp whether or not there is water in the ice tray. At this time, since there is a possibility that the ice tray has water, the water supply operation cannot be started immediately. Therefore, it cannot be determined whether or not water is supplied to the ice tray based on the temperature change of the ice tray before and after the water supply operation is performed as described above.

  Therefore, the first ice making operation is performed on the assumption that there is water in the ice tray regardless of whether or not there is water in the ice tray so that excessive water is not supplied to the ice tray. Therefore, when there is no water in the ice tray when energization of the refrigerator is started, ice is not made in the first ice making operation. In this case, it takes time from the start of energization to the completion of the first ice making. Hereinafter, ice making control according to a comparative example will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control structure of processing related to ice making control executed by the refrigerator control device according to the comparative example. 2 and FIGS. 4 to 8, each step in the flowchart is responded to when a program stored in advance in the control device 50 is called from the main routine and a predetermined cycle or a predetermined condition is established. It is realized by being executed. Alternatively, for some steps, it is also possible to construct dedicated hardware (electronic circuit) and realize processing.

  Referring to FIG. 2, control device 50 starts energization of refrigerator 100 in step (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S) 10. Subsequently, in S20, the control device 50 determines whether or not the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 is lower than the threshold value T1. When it is determined that temperature Tt is equal to or higher than threshold value T1 (NO in S20), control device 50 waits until temperature Tt becomes lower than threshold value T1. The threshold value T1 is a value for determining that the water in the ice tray 31 has become ice.

  If it is determined that temperature Tt is lower than threshold value T1 (YES in S20), it is determined whether or not the state where temperature Tt is lower than threshold value T1 has continued for a predetermined time (S30). When it is determined that the state where temperature Tt is lower than threshold value T1 has not continued for a predetermined time (NO in S30), control device 50 determines that the state where temperature Tt is lower than threshold value T1 is a predetermined time. Wait until it continues. The predetermined time is a time for determining that all the water in the ice tray 31 has become ice. By using the predetermined time in this way, it can be reliably determined that all of the water in the ice tray 31 has become ice.

  If it is determined that the state where temperature Tt is lower than threshold value T1 has continued for a predetermined time (YES in S30), an ice removal operation is executed (S40). Specifically, the control device 50 controls the motor 32 so that the opening of the ice tray 31 faces downward. When the opening of the ice tray 31 faces downward, the ice in the ice tray 31 falls into the ice storage case 40 due to gravity.

  Subsequently, in S50, the control device 50 performs a water supply operation. Specifically, the control device 50 operates the water supply pump 23 after controlling the motor 32 so that the opening of the ice tray 31 faces upward. When the water supply pump 23 is activated, water is supplied from the water supply tank 21 to the ice tray 31.

  Subsequently, in S <b> 60, the control device 50 determines whether water is actually supplied to the ice tray 31. Specifically, the control device 50 determines that water is actually supplied to the ice tray 31 when the amount of change in the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 before and after the water supply operation is greater than a predetermined value. The control device 50 determines that water is not actually supplied to the ice tray 31 when the change amount of the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

  If it is determined that water is actually supplied to ice tray 31 (YES in S60), control device 50 returns the process to S20. The determination as to whether water has actually been supplied to the ice tray 31 may be made after a predetermined time has elapsed since the water supply operation was completed. The predetermined time is a time until the temperature Tt is stabilized. In this case, since the temperature Tt is stabilized, the determination can be performed more reliably.

  If it is determined that water is not actually supplied to ice tray 31 (NO in S60), control device 50 interrupts the ice making operation (S70). Thus, when water is not actually supplied to the ice tray 31, the control device 50 determines that the water in the water supply tank 21 has run out, and suppresses power consumption by interrupting the ice making operation.

  Subsequently, in S <b> 80, the control device 50 determines whether the opening / closing operation of the door 11 of the refrigerator compartment 1 has been performed based on the signal SD from the door sensor 14. When it is determined that the opening / closing operation of the door 11 of the refrigerator compartment 1 has been performed (YES in S80), the control device 50 determines that there is a possibility that water has been supplied to the water supply tank 21, and the process is performed in S20. The ice making operation is resumed. When it is determined that the opening / closing operation of the door 11 of the refrigerator compartment 1 is not performed (NO in S80), the control device 50 stands by until the opening / closing operation of the door 11 of the refrigerator compartment 1 is performed.

  As described above, in the refrigerator according to the comparative example, when energization of the refrigerator 100 is started in S10, the cooling operation is performed in S20 and S30 regardless of whether or not the ice tray 31 has water. Therefore, when there is no water in the ice tray 31 when energization of the refrigerator 100 is started, ice is not made in the first ice making operation. That is, when there is no water in the ice tray 31, time is wasted in the processing from S10 to S40. For this reason, it takes time until the ice is obtained after the energization of the refrigerator 100 is started.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when energization of the refrigerator 100 is started, it is determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31 by referring to the temperature Tr together with the temperature Tt. Immediately after the start of energization, the interior of the refrigerator 100 is not sufficiently cooled, so the temperature Tr is near room temperature. At this time, if there is water in the ice tray 31, the ice tray 31 is cooled by water, and the temperature Tt is lower than the normal temperature due to the influence of the water temperature. Therefore, the temperature Tt is lower than the temperature Tr. For this reason, it can be determined whether there is water in the ice tray 31 based on the difference between the temperature Tt and the temperature Tr. Thereby, when it determines with there being no water in the ice tray 31, water supply operation | movement can be started immediately. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time from when power supply to the refrigerator 100 is started until ice is obtained.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram relating to ice making control of the control device 50 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, control device 50 includes a determination unit 51 and a control unit 52.

  The determination unit 51 receives a signal indicating the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 from the temperature sensor 33 and receives a signal indicating the room temperature Tr of the ice making chamber 3 from the temperature sensor 34. The determination unit 51 determines whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31 based on the comparison result between the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 and the indoor temperature Tr of the ice chamber 3.

  Specifically, when the difference between the temperature Tt and the temperature Tr is smaller than the threshold value T2, the determination unit 51 determines that there is no water in the ice tray 31. When the difference between the temperature Tt and the temperature Tr is equal to or greater than the threshold value T2, the determination unit 51 determines that there is water in the ice tray 31. The determination unit 51 outputs a signal SIG indicating whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31 to the control unit 52. The threshold value T2 is a value for determining whether or not the ice tray 31 has water.

  Control unit 52 executes ice making control based on signal SIG received from determination unit 51. Specifically, the control unit 52 repeats the water supply operation to the ice tray 31, the cooling operation to turn the water into ice, and the deicing operation to separate the ice from the ice tray 31. To control. When the energization of the refrigerator 100 is started and the signal SIG indicates that there is no water in the ice tray 31, the control unit 52 starts the water supply operation. Control unit 52 outputs signals PI and MI for controlling water supply unit 20 and ice making unit 30 to water supply unit 20 and ice making unit 30.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control structure of processing related to ice making control executed by control device 50 shown in FIG. Since S10 to S80 are the same as those in the comparative example, description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 4, in S <b> 12, control device 50 executes a state detection process of ice tray 31 described later. Subsequently, in S <b> 14, the control device 50 determines whether there is water in the ice tray 31 based on the result of the state detection process of the ice tray 31. If it is determined that there is water in ice tray 31 (YES in S14), the process proceeds to S20. If it is determined that there is no water in ice tray 31 (NO in S14), the process proceeds to S40.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the state detection process of the ice tray 31 executed in step S12 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in S <b> 100, control device 50 acquires temperature Tt of ice tray 31 and room temperature Tr of ice making chamber 3. Subsequently, in S110, the control device 50 determines whether or not the difference between the temperature Tt and the temperature Tr is smaller than the threshold value T2.

  If it is determined that the difference between temperature Tt and temperature Tr is smaller than threshold value T2 (YES in S110), control device 50 determines that there is no water in ice tray 31 (S120). If it is determined that the difference between temperature Tt and temperature Tr is equal to or greater than threshold value T2 (NO in S110), control device 50 determines that there is water in ice tray 31 (S130).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when energization of the refrigerator 100 is started, the ice tray 31 is based on the comparison result between the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 and the room temperature Tr of the ice chamber 3. Determine whether there is water in the water. Thereby, when it determines with there being no water in the ice tray 31, water supply operation | movement can be started immediately. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide the refrigerator 100 that shortens the time required from the start of energization to the completion of the first ice making.

  In the first embodiment, whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31 is determined by referring to the temperature Tr together with the temperature Tt. Therefore, it can be reliably determined whether or not the ice tray 31 has water.

[Embodiment 2]
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the contents of the ice tray condition detection process. In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which it is determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray by comparing the difference between the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature in the ice chamber with a threshold value. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, in addition to comparing the difference between the temperature of the ice making tray and the temperature of the ice making chamber with a threshold value, by referring to the room temperature of the ice making chamber, A case where it is determined whether or not there is will be described. In this case, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination when the room temperature of the ice making room is low.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the state detection process of ice tray 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since S10 to S130 are the same as in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when it is determined in S110 that the difference between temperature Tt and temperature Tr is smaller than threshold value T2, control device 50 causes room temperature Tr of ice making chamber 3 to exceed threshold value T3. It is determined whether it is also high (S115). If it is determined that temperature Tr is higher than threshold value T3 (YES in S115), the process proceeds to S120. If it is determined that temperature Tr is equal to or lower than threshold value T3 (NO in S115), the process proceeds to S130.

  The threshold value T3 is a value for determining whether or not the indoor temperature Tr of the ice making chamber 3 is low. When the temperature Tr is low and the ice tray 31 has water, the difference between the temperature Tt and the temperature Tr becomes small. For this reason, when the temperature Tr is low, the determination that there is water in the ice tray 31 is not performed, thereby preventing erroneous determination.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, in addition to comparing the difference between the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 and the room temperature Tr of the ice making chamber 3 with the threshold value T2, by referring to the temperature Tr, It is determined whether or not the ice tray 31 has water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination when the room temperature Tr of the ice making chamber 3 is low.

[Embodiment 3]
The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the contents of the ice tray condition detection process. In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which it is determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray by comparing the difference between the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature in the ice chamber with a threshold value. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, a case will be described in which it is determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray by referring to the amount of change in the temperature of the ice making chamber along with the amount of change in the temperature of the ice tray. In this case, it can be reliably determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the state detection process of ice tray 31 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since S10 to S80 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 7, when power of refrigerator 100 is turned on in S10, control device 50 causes change amount ΔTt of temperature Tt of ice tray 31 in a predetermined time and indoor temperature Tr of ice making chamber 3 in a predetermined time. Change amount ΔTr is acquired (S300). Subsequently, in S310, the control device 50 determines whether or not the difference between the change amount ΔTt and the change amount ΔTr is smaller than the threshold value T4.

  When it is determined that the difference between change amount ΔTt and change amount ΔTr is smaller than threshold value T4 (YES in S310), control device 50 determines that there is no water in ice tray 31 (S320). When it is determined that the difference between change amount ΔTt and change amount ΔTr is equal to or greater than threshold value T4 (NO in S310), control device 50 determines that there is water in ice tray 31 (S330).

  The threshold value T4 is a value for determining whether or not the ice tray 31 has water. When the ice tray 31 has water, the change amount ΔTt is smaller than the change amount ΔTr. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31 based on the difference between the change amount ΔTt and the change amount ΔTr. The predetermined time is a time during which the difference between the change amount ΔTt and the change amount ΔTr can be identified when there is water in the ice tray 31.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31 is determined by referring to the change amount ΔTr together with the change amount ΔTt. Therefore, it can be reliably determined whether or not the ice tray 31 has water.

[Embodiment 4]
The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in the contents of the ice tray state detection process. In the third embodiment, the case where it is determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray by comparing the difference between the amount of change in the temperature of the ice tray and the amount of change in the temperature in the ice making chamber with a threshold value. explained. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, the difference between the amount of change in the temperature of the ice tray and the amount of change in the temperature in the ice making chamber is compared with a threshold value, and the room temperature in the ice making chamber is referred to. The case where it is determined whether or not there is water in the ice tray will be described. In this case, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination when the room temperature of the ice making room is low.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the state detection process of ice tray 31 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Since S10 to S330 are the same as in the third embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 8, when it is determined in S310 that the difference between change amount ΔTt and change amount ΔTr is smaller than threshold value T4, control device 50 determines that indoor temperature Tr of ice making chamber 3 is equal to the threshold value. It is determined whether it is larger than T5 (S315). If it is determined that temperature Tr is higher than threshold value T5 (YES in S315), the process proceeds to S320. If it is determined that temperature Tr is equal to or lower than threshold value T5 (NO in S315), the process proceeds to S330.

  The threshold value T5 is a value for determining whether or not the room temperature Tr of the ice making chamber 3 is low. When the temperature Tr is low and the ice tray 31 has water, the difference between the temperature Tt and the temperature Tr becomes small. For this reason, when the temperature Tr is low, the determination that there is water in the ice tray 31 is not performed, thereby preventing erroneous determination.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, in addition to comparing the difference between the change amount ΔTt and the change amount ΔTr with the threshold value T4, the ice tray 31 has water by referring to the temperature Tr. It is determined whether or not. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination when the room temperature Tr of the ice making chamber 3 is low.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined whether there is water in the ice tray 31 based on the comparison result between the temperature Tt of the ice tray 31 and the room temperature Tr of the ice chamber 3. It has been described that water is supplied to the ice tray 31 when it is determined that there is no water. The present invention is not limited to this, and without determining whether or not there is water in the ice tray 31, the water supply unit 20 applies the ice tray 31 to the ice tray 31 based on the comparison result with the indoor temperature Tr of the ice chamber 3. The supply of water may be controlled.

  In the above, the temperature sensor 33 corresponds to one embodiment of the “first temperature sensor” in the present invention, and the temperature sensor 34 corresponds to one embodiment of the “second temperature sensor” in the present invention. .

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

  1 cold storage room, 2 vegetable room, 3 ice making room, 11, 12, 13 door, 14 door sensor, 20 water supply unit, 21 water supply tank, 22 water supply pipe, 23 water supply pump, 24 heater, 30 ice making unit, 31 ice tray, 32 motor, 33, 34 temperature sensor, 40 ice storage case, 41 ice, 50 control device, 100 refrigerator.

Claims (6)

An ice making room,
An ice tray provided in the ice making chamber for producing ice from water;
A water supply unit for supplying water to the ice tray;
A first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the ice tray;
A second temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature of the ice making chamber;
Based on the comparison result between the temperature of the ice tray detected by the first temperature sensor and the room temperature of the ice making chamber detected by the second temperature sensor when energization of the refrigerator is started. And a control device that controls supply of water to the ice tray by the water supply unit.   The said control apparatus controls the said water supply part so that water may be supplied to the said ice tray when the difference of the temperature of the said ice tray and the indoor temperature of the said ice chamber is smaller than a threshold value. Refrigerator.   The control device is configured such that the difference between the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature of the ice making chamber is smaller than a first threshold value, and the temperature of the ice making chamber is higher than a second threshold value. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply unit is controlled to supply water to the ice tray.   The control device is configured to supply water to the ice tray when a difference between a change amount of the temperature of the ice tray and a change amount of the indoor temperature of the ice making chamber is smaller than a threshold value. The refrigerator of Claim 1 which controls.   The controller is configured such that a difference between a change amount of the ice tray temperature and a change amount of the indoor temperature of the ice making chamber is smaller than a first threshold value, and the indoor temperature of the ice making chamber is a second temperature. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water supply unit is controlled to supply water to the ice tray when higher than a threshold value. An ice making chamber; an ice making tray for producing ice from water; a water supply unit for supplying water to the ice making tray; and a first for detecting the temperature of the ice making tray. A control method for a refrigerator comprising a temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature of the ice making chamber,
Detecting the temperature of the ice tray and the room temperature of the ice making chamber by the first and second temperature sensors, respectively.
Controlling the supply of water to the ice tray by the water supply unit based on a comparison result between the temperature of the ice tray and the temperature of the ice chamber when energization of the refrigerator is started. Including a refrigerator control method.

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