JP2017161086A - Ice plant, refrigerator, and ice-making method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice plant, refrigerator and ice-making method capable of shortening an ice making time without making any substantial modification of a configuration of the refrigerator.SOLUTION: An ice making device 1 has an ice making pan 2; an ice removal mechanism 6 for removing ice from the ice making pan 2; a frame 7 for supporting the ice making pan 2 and the ice removal mechanism 6; and a fan motor 8 fixed to the frame 7 under a state in which it is faced toward the upper surface of the ice making pan 2. The fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 through a holder 9 and there is provided an engaging mechanism 90 making the holder 9 fixed to the frame 7 between the holder 9 and the frame 7. Such ice making device 1 enables coagulation heat generated from water to be efficiently released with air blown out of the fan motor 8. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the ice making time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice making device, a refrigerator, and an ice making method for making ice in an ice tray.

  In a refrigerator, an ice making device is provided in an ice making chamber to which cool air from a cooler is guided, and the ice making device includes an ice making tray and an ice removing mechanism for detaching ice from the ice making tray. Therefore, the ice prepared in the ice tray can be detached from the ice tray and stored in the ice storage chamber.

  With regard to such an ice making device, a configuration has been proposed in which an air flow generated by a fan motor is blown onto a surface of water in an ice tray through a duct for the purpose of shortening ice making time in the ice tray (patent) Reference 1).

JP 2004-271047 A

  However, depending on the refrigerator, the duct may not be provided in space or layout, and in that case, there is a problem that the configuration described in Patent Document 1 cannot be adopted.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an ice making device, a refrigerator, and an ice making method capable of shortening the ice making time without significantly changing the configuration of the refrigerator.

  In order to solve the above problems, an ice making device according to the present invention includes an ice making tray, an ice removing mechanism for detaching ice from the ice making plate, a frame that supports the ice making plate and the ice removing mechanism, and the ice making plate. And a fan motor fixed to the frame in a state of being directed to the upper surface.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, since a fan motor directed to the upper surface of the ice tray is provided, an air flow is formed on the upper surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray) by the fan motor during ice making. Can do. Therefore, the heat of solidification generated when water becomes ice can be efficiently released. In particular, in the present invention, the fan motor is fixed to the frame itself of the ice making device. For this reason, since the fan motor faces the top surface of the ice tray near the ice tray, an air flow can be efficiently formed on the top surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray). Therefore, since the heat of solidification can be efficiently released, the ice making time can be shortened. Further, since the fan motor is fixed to the frame of the ice making device itself, it is not necessary to provide a duct on the refrigerator side. Therefore, in order to shorten the ice making time, the configuration of the refrigerator need not be changed significantly.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, the fan motor is fixed to the frame via a holder, and an engagement mechanism for fixing the holder to the frame is provided between the holder and the frame. It is preferable to be provided. According to such a configuration, the fan motor can be reliably and easily provided at an appropriate position without using a screw or an adhesive.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the engagement mechanism is provided at a position different from a connection portion fixed to the refrigerator in the frame. According to this configuration, since the fan motor can be fixed in advance to the frame of the ice making device, the ice making device can be easily mounted on the refrigerator.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, the fan motor may employ a mode in which the fan motor faces the ice making tray at the top. According to this aspect, the heat of solidification can be efficiently released from the entire surface of the water in the ice tray.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, the fan motor may adopt an aspect provided on a side of the ice tray.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, the fan motor may employ a mode in which air is blown onto the upper surface of the ice tray.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, the fan motor may employ a mode of sucking air from the upper surface of the ice tray.

  The ice making device according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls start and stop of the fan motor, and the control unit automatically starts the fan motor at a preset first timing and is preset. Preferably, the fan motor is automatically stopped at the second timing. According to such a configuration, the fan motor is not operated unnecessarily, so that power saving can be achieved.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, the second timing may employ a mode in which the temperature of the ice tray is reduced to a preset target temperature. According to such a configuration, the fan motor is not operated unnecessarily, so that power saving can be achieved.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, it is possible to adopt an aspect in which the first timing is a timing at which water supply to the ice tray is finished. In the ice making device according to the present invention, the first timing may be a timing at which a preset standby time has elapsed after the water supply to the ice tray is finished. In the ice making device according to the present invention, the first timing may be a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray is lowered to a preset target temperature after the water supply to the ice tray is finished. . According to such a configuration, the fan motor is started at the timing when the solidification heat is generated, so that the fan motor is not operated wastefully. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, the ice tray is made of a resin having flexibility, and the ice removing mechanism adopts a mode in which the ice is separated from the ice tray by twisting the ice tray. Can do. In such an embodiment, the ice tray has a low thermal conductivity, but in the present invention, since the heat of solidification is released from the surface of the water in the ice tray by the air flow formed by the fan motor, the ice making time is short.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the upper side of the ice tray is in an open state. According to this aspect, the heat of solidification is easily released from the surface of the water in the ice tray by the air flow formed by the fan motor.

The refrigerator according to the present invention includes an ice making chamber in which cool air from a cooler is guided, an ice making device provided in the ice making chamber, and an ice making device having an ice removing mechanism for detaching ice from the ice making plate. Have
The ice making device includes a frame that supports the ice making tray and the ice removing mechanism, and a fan motor that is fixed to the frame in a state facing the upper surface of the ice making tray.

  In the refrigerator according to the present invention, since the fan motor facing the upper surface of the ice tray is provided, an air flow can be formed on the upper surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray) by the fan motor during ice making. it can. Therefore, the heat of solidification generated when water becomes ice can be efficiently released. In particular, in the present invention, the fan motor is fixed to the frame itself of the ice making device. For this reason, since the fan motor faces the top surface of the ice tray near the ice tray, an air flow can be efficiently formed on the top surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray). Therefore, since the heat of solidification can be efficiently released, the ice making time can be shortened. Further, since the fan motor is fixed to the frame of the ice making device itself, it is not necessary to provide a duct on the refrigerator side. Therefore, in order to shorten the ice making time, the configuration of the refrigerator need not be changed significantly.

  In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the fan motor is fixed to the frame via a holder, and an engagement mechanism is provided between the holder and the frame so that the holder is fixed to the frame. It is preferable that According to such a configuration, the fan motor can be reliably and easily provided at an appropriate position without using a screw or an adhesive.

  The refrigerator which concerns on this invention WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said engaging mechanism is provided in the position different from the connection part fixed to the refrigerator in the said flame | frame. According to this configuration, since the fan motor can be fixed in advance to the frame of the ice making device, the ice making device can be easily mounted on the refrigerator.

  In the refrigerator according to the present invention, the refrigerator has a control unit that controls start and stop of the fan motor, and the control unit automatically starts the fan motor at a preset first timing, and is set in advance. It is preferable to automatically stop the fan motor at the second timing. According to such a configuration, the fan motor is automatically turned on / off, so that it is not wastefully operated. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.

  The present invention is a refrigerator having an ice making chamber to which cool air from a cooler is guided, an ice making device provided in the ice making chamber, and an ice making device having an ice removing mechanism for detaching ice from the ice making plate. In the ice making method, the ice making device is provided with a frame that supports the ice making tray and the ice removing mechanism, and a fan motor that is fixed to the frame so as to face the top surface of the ice making tray. The fan motor is automatically started at a preset first timing, and the fan motor is automatically stopped at a preset second timing.

  In the ice making method according to the present invention, since the fan motor directed to the upper surface of the ice tray is provided, an air flow is formed on the upper surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray) by the fan motor during ice making. Can do. Therefore, the heat of solidification generated when water becomes ice can be efficiently released. In particular, in the present invention, the fan motor is fixed to the frame itself of the ice making device. For this reason, since the fan motor faces the top surface of the ice tray near the ice tray, an air flow can be efficiently formed on the top surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray). Therefore, since the heat of solidification can be efficiently released, the ice making time can be shortened. Further, since the fan motor is fixed to the frame of the ice making device itself, it is not necessary to provide a duct on the refrigerator side. Therefore, in order to shorten the ice making time, the configuration of the refrigerator need not be changed significantly. Further, since the fan motor is automatically turned on / off, it is not operated wastefully. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.

  In the ice making device according to the present invention, since a fan motor directed to the upper surface of the ice tray is provided, an air flow is formed on the upper surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray) by the fan motor during ice making. Can do. Therefore, the heat of solidification generated when water becomes ice can be efficiently released. In particular, in the present invention, the fan motor is fixed to the frame itself of the ice making device. For this reason, since the fan motor faces the top surface of the ice tray near the ice tray, an air flow can be efficiently formed on the top surface of the ice tray (the surface of water in the ice tray). Therefore, since the heat of solidification can be efficiently released, the ice making time can be shortened. Further, since the fan motor is fixed to the frame of the ice making device itself, it is not necessary to provide a duct on the refrigerator side. Therefore, in order to shorten the ice making time, the configuration of the refrigerator need not be changed significantly.

It is explanatory drawing of the refrigerator to which this invention is applied. 1 is a perspective view of an ice making device to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making device shown in FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the ice making apparatus and the ice making method in a refrigerator to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification 1 of the ice making apparatus and the ice making method in a refrigerator to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification 2 of the ice making apparatus and the ice making method in a refrigerator to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the modification 1 of the ice making apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the modification 2 of the ice making apparatus to which this invention is applied.

  An ice making device, a refrigerator, and an ice making method to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of refrigerator 100)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerator 100 to which the present invention is applied. The refrigerator 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 110, an ice making compartment 120, a freezer compartment 130, and a vegetable compartment 140 in order from the top to the bottom. A switching chamber 150 capable of switching the temperature to the freezing temperature zone is provided. Cold air from the cooler 160 is guided to the ice making chamber 120. The ice making chamber 120 is provided with an ice making device 1 described below with reference to FIG.

(Configuration of ice making device 1)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice making device 1 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making device 1 shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the ice making device 1 includes an ice making tray 2, an ice storage container (not shown) provided below the ice making tray 2, and an ice detecting lever 3 disposed on the side of the ice making tray 2. The drive unit 4 is provided. A temperature detector 25 made of a thermistor is provided on the lower surface of the ice tray 2.

  The drive unit 4 includes an ice detection drive unit 41 that rotates the ice detection lever 3 around the axis L1 to lower the ice detection lever 3 into the ice storage container. The ice detection lever 3 and the ice detection drive unit 41, the ice detecting mechanism 5 is configured. In this embodiment, the ice tray 2 is made of a flexible resin. The drive unit 4 includes an ice tray driving unit 42 that rotates the other end and twists the ice tray 2 while fixing one side of the ice tray 2. When the ice tray 2 is twisted, the ice tray 2 is rotated. Ice breaks out of it. Therefore, the ice making mechanism 6 is constituted by the ice tray 2 and the ice tray driving unit 42. When such an ice removing mechanism 6 is employed, the upper part of the ice tray 2 is in an open state. In the ice making device 1, the ice tray 2 and the drive unit 4 are supported by the frame 7.

The frame 7 includes a first side plate portion 71 that covers the drive unit 4, a second side plate portion 72 that faces the first side plate portion 71, and a third side plate portion 73 that connects the first side plate portion 71 and the second side plate portion 72. And a fourth side plate portion 74 facing the third side plate portion 73. The frame 7 has a frame-shaped end plate portion connected to the upper end portion of the first side plate portion 71, the upper end portion of the second side plate portion 72, the upper end portion of the third side plate portion 73, and the upper end portion of the fourth side plate portion 74. 75. The frame 7 is provided with a connecting portion 97 that is fixed to the refrigerator 100 with a bolt or the like when the ice making device 1 is mounted in the ice making chamber 120 of the refrigerator 100.

  In the ice making device 1 configured as described above, the water supplied to the ice tray 2 is cooled to a temperature of −10 ° or less in the ice making chamber 120 and becomes ice. When the ice detection mechanism 5 confirms that the ice storage container 3 is empty by the ice detection lever 3, the ice removal mechanism 6 causes the ice making tray 2 to twist to disengage the ice from the ice making tray 2, and the ice is stored in the ice storage container. Let fall. During such ice making, the water becomes 0 ° C. ice while generating heat of solidification at 0 ° C. The heat of solidification at that time is 333.5 J / g, which is a large heat.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the fan motor 8 provided in the ice making device 1 generates an air flow on the surface of the water supplied to the ice tray 2 to efficiently release the heat of solidification, thereby reducing the ice making time to, for example, 1/2. Reduce to ~ 1/4.

(Configuration of fan motor 8)
In this embodiment, in the ice making device 1, the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 in a state of facing the upper surface of the ice tray 2. More specifically, the fan motor 8 is fixed to the end plate portion 75 of the frame 7 so as to face the ice tray 2 upward. In this embodiment, the fan motor 8 is fixed to the end plate portion 75 of the frame 7 via the holder 9. The fan motor 8 is provided at a position different from the connecting portion 97 fixed to the refrigerator 100 in the frame 7. For example, the fan motor 8 blows air toward the upper surface of the ice tray 2 (the surface of water in the ice tray 2) with an air volume of about 0.2 L / min.

  The holder 9 has a frame portion 91 to which the fan motor 8 is fixed, and a plurality of engagement plate portions 92 that protrude from the frame portion 91 toward the end plate portion 75. On the other hand, the end plate portion 75 is formed with a plurality of engaged portions 76 with which the plurality of engaging plate portions 92 are respectively engaged. In this embodiment, the engaged portions 76 are formed at four locations, and among the four engaged portions 76, the engaged portions 76 formed on the third side plate portion 73 side are: The engagement plate portion 92 includes two engagement claws 761 that slide along the end plate portion 75 and fit inside. The engagement claw 761 presses and fixes the engagement plate portion 92 to the end plate portion 75 with elasticity. On the other hand, among the four engaged portions 76, the engaged portion 76 formed on the fourth side plate portion 74 side has two engagement protrusions in which the engagement plate portion 92 fits in from the upper side to the inner side. Part 762. Therefore, the engaging convex part 762 holds the engaging plate part 92 with elasticity from both sides. In this manner, an engagement mechanism 90 that fixes the holder 9 to the frame 7 is configured between the holder 9 and the frame 7 by the engagement plate portion 92 and the engaged portion 76. .

  The drive unit 4 is provided with a control unit 40 that controls the start and stop of the fan motor 8. A signal indicating that the water supply to the ice tray 2 has been completed and a temperature detection result from the temperature detector 25 are input to the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 controls the fan motor 8 based on these signals. .

(Ice making method)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an ice making method in the ice making device 1 and the refrigerator 100 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 4, in the ice making device 1 and the refrigerator 100 according to the present embodiment, when water is supplied to the ice tray 2, the temperature of the ice tray 2 temporarily rises, but the water supply ends. After that, it decreases with time. Here, the control unit 40 automatically activates the fan motor 8 at a preset first timing t1, and automatically stops the fan motor 8 at a preset second timing t2. In the present embodiment, the first timing t1 is a timing at which water supply to the ice tray 2 is finished. Therefore, the control unit 40 rotates the fan motor 8 from the time when the water supply is completed. The second timing t2 is a timing when the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to a preset target temperature of 0 ° C. or less in the detection result of the temperature detector 25, and the solidification heat from the water in the ice tray 2 is reduced. This is the timing after the generation has ended. In the present embodiment, the second timing t2 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 falls to a preset target temperature between −5 ° C. and −10 ° C. in the detection result of the temperature detector 25. is there. For example, the second timing t2 is a timing when the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to −10 ° C. (target temperature) in the detection result of the temperature detector 25.

  Therefore, the control unit 40 automatically starts the fan motor 8 at the first timing t1 when the water supply to the ice tray 2 is finished, and at the second timing t2 when the temperature of the ice tray 2 becomes −10 ° C. The fan motor 8 is automatically stopped.

(Modification 1 of ice making method)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a first modification of the ice making method in the ice making device 1 and the refrigerator 100 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 5, when the water supply to the ice tray 2 is finished, the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases with time. Also in this example, similarly to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the control unit 40 automatically starts the fan motor 8 at the first timing t1 set in advance, and the fan at the second timing t2 set in advance. The motor 8 is automatically stopped. In this embodiment, the first timing t1 is a timing at which a preset standby time t0 has elapsed after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is completed. Here, the first timing t1 (standby time t0) corresponds to the timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases to a preset target temperature after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is completed. This corresponds to the timing at which solidification heat starts to be generated from water. In the present embodiment, the first timing t1 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases from 0 ° C. to −3 °, for example, after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is completed. In the present embodiment, the first timing t1 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases to 0 ° C. after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is completed.

  As in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the second timing t <b> 2 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases to a preset target temperature of 0 ° C. or lower in the detection result of the temperature detector 25. Yes, it is the timing after the generation of heat of solidification from the water in the ice tray 2 is completed. In the present embodiment, the second timing t2 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 falls to a preset target temperature between −5 ° C. and −10 ° C. in the detection result of the temperature detector 25. is there. For example, the second timing t2 is a timing when the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to −10 ° C. (target temperature) in the detection result of the temperature detector 25.

  Therefore, the controller 40 automatically starts the fan motor 8 at the first timing t1 when the preset standby time has elapsed after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is finished, and the temperature of the ice tray 2 is -10. The fan motor 8 is automatically stopped at the second timing t2 when the temperature has reached 0C.

(Variation 2 of the ice making method)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a modified example 2 of the ice making method in the ice making device 1 and the refrigerator 100 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 6, when the water supply to the ice tray 2 is finished, the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases with time. Also in this example, similarly to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the control unit 40 automatically starts the fan motor 8 at the first timing t1 set in advance, and the fan at the second timing t2 set in advance. The motor 8 is automatically stopped. In the present embodiment, the first timing t1 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to a preset target temperature in the detection result of the temperature detector 25 after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is completed. This corresponds to the timing at which solidification heat starts to be generated from the water in the ice tray 2. In the present embodiment, the first timing t1 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases to a preset target temperature between 0 ° C. and −3 ° after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is completed. . For example, the first timing t1 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to 0 ° C. (target temperature) after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is completed.

  As in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the second timing t <b> 2 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 decreases to a preset target temperature of 0 ° C. or lower in the detection result of the temperature detector 25. Yes, it is the timing after the generation of heat of solidification from the water in the ice tray 2 is completed. In the present embodiment, the second timing t2 is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray 2 falls to a preset target temperature between −5 ° C. and −10 ° C. in the detection result of the temperature detector 25. is there. For example, the second timing t2 is a timing when the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to −10 ° C. (target temperature) in the detection result of the temperature detector 25.

  Therefore, the controller 40 automatically starts the fan motor 8 at the first timing t1 when the ice tray 2 is lowered to the target temperature after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is finished, and the temperature of the ice tray 2 is- At the second timing t2 when the temperature reaches 10 ° C., the fan motor 8 is automatically stopped.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, since the fan motor 8 facing the upper surface of the ice tray 2 is provided, the upper surface of the ice tray 2 (the surface of the water in the ice tray 2) by the fan motor 8 during ice making. An air flow can be formed. Accordingly, the heat of solidification generated when the water becomes ice can be efficiently released, so that the ice making time can be shortened. In particular, in this embodiment, since the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 itself of the ice making device 1, the fan motor 8 faces the upper surface of the ice tray 2 near the ice tray 2. For this reason, an air flow can be efficiently formed on the upper surface of the ice tray 2 (the surface of the water in the ice tray). Therefore, since the heat of solidification can be efficiently released, the ice making time can be shortened. Further, since the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 of the ice making device 1, it is not necessary to provide a duct on the refrigerator 100 side. Therefore, in order to shorten the ice making time, the configuration of the refrigerator 100 does not need to be significantly changed.

  In particular, in this embodiment, since the ice tray 2 is made of a flexible resin, the heat conductivity is low. However, since the heat of solidification is removed by the fan motor 8, the ice making time can be shortened. Further, since the ice removing mechanism 6 is a type in which ice is detached by twisting the ice tray 2, the upper side of the ice tray 2 is in an open state. Moreover, the fan motor 8 is opposed to the ice tray 2 at the upper side. For this reason, since air can be efficiently sprayed on the surface of the water in the ice tray 2, solidification heat can be efficiently released from the entire surface of the water in the ice tray 2.

  The fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 via the holder 9, and an engagement mechanism 90 (engagement plate portion 92) between the holder 9 and the frame 7 that fixes the holder 9 to the frame 7. And an engaged portion 76). For this reason, the fan motor 8 can be reliably and easily provided at an appropriate position. In the refrigerator 100 that does not require the fan motor 8, it is possible to use the ice making device 1 having a configuration in which the engagement mechanism 90 is disengaged and the fan motor 8 is removed. In other words, when the ice making device 1 to which the fan motor 8 is not attached is prepared and the refrigerator 100 that requires the fan motor 8 is manufactured, the fan motor 8 is attached using the engagement mechanism 90. An ice making device 1 may be provided.

The fan motor 8 is provided at a position different from the connecting portion 97 fixed to the refrigerator 100 in the frame 7. Therefore, unlike the case where the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 when the ice making device 1 is mounted on the refrigerator 100, the fan motor 8 can be fixed to the frame 7 of the ice making device 1 in advance. Therefore, the ice making device 1 can be easily mounted on the refrigerator 100. Unlike the case where the fan motor 8 is fixed when the ice making device 1 is mounted on the refrigerator 100, the fan motor 8 can be securely fixed to the frame 7 of the ice making device 1. When the fan motor 8 is activated in a state where it is mounted on the refrigerator 100, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of abnormal noise caused by vibration.

  Further, the control unit 40 automatically starts the fan motor 8 at a first timing t1 set in advance, and automatically stops the fan motor 8 at a second timing t2 set in advance. For this reason, since the fan motor 8 is not operated wastefully, power saving can be achieved. In particular, in the present embodiment, the second timing t2 is a timing when the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to a preset target temperature. For this reason, since the fan motor 8 is not operated wastefully during the period when the solidification heat does not occur, power saving can be achieved. Further, when the first timing t1 is the timing when the preset standby time has elapsed after the water supply to the ice tray 2 is finished, or the timing when the temperature of the ice tray 2 is lowered to the preset target temperature. In this case, the fan motor 8 is started at the timing when the heat of solidification is generated, so that the fan motor 8 is not wastefully operated. Therefore, power saving can be achieved.

(Another configuration example of the ice removing mechanism 6)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of Modification 1 of the ice making device 1 to which the present invention is applied. As in the first embodiment, the ice making device 1 shown in FIG. 7 also has an ice tray 2, an ice storage container (not shown) provided below the ice tray 2, and a tester disposed on the side of the ice tray 2. An ice lever 3 and a drive unit 4 are provided. The ice tray 2 is provided with a temperature detector 25 made of a thermistor. In this embodiment, the ice tray 2 is made of metal such as aluminum, and the temperature detector 25 is made of bimetal or the like provided on the side surface of the ice tray 2 or the like.

  The drive unit 4 includes an ice detection drive unit (not shown) that rotates the swing lever 15 that supports the ice detection lever 3 around the axis L2 to lower the ice detection lever 3 into the ice storage container. The ice detecting lever 3 and the ice detecting drive unit constitute an ice detecting mechanism 5 for confirming the amount of ice in the ice storage container. Also in this embodiment, the ice making device 1 includes the ice removing mechanism 6. In this embodiment, the ice removing mechanism 6 is driven to rotate around the axis L 3 by the drive unit 4 and scrapes ice from the ice making tray 2. A scraping member 11 and a guide member 12 for guiding the ice scraped to the upper surface side of the ice tray 2 to the side are provided.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 in a state of facing the upper surface of the ice tray 2. More specifically, the fan motor 8 is fixed to the end plate portion 75 of the frame 7 via the holder 9 to the end plate portion 75 of the frame 7 so as to face the ice tray 2 at the top. The fan motor 8 is provided at a position different from the connecting portion 97 fixed to the refrigerator 100 in the frame 7. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the ice making device 1 configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, coagulation generated from water during ice making by the air blown from the fan motor 8 to the upper surface of the ice tray 2 (the surface of the water in the ice tray 2). Since the heat can be efficiently released, the ice making time can be shortened. In addition, since the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 itself of the ice making device 1, it is not necessary to provide a duct on the refrigerator 100 side. You don't have to. Further, since the fan motor 8 faces the upper surface of the ice tray 2, the heat of solidification generated from water can be efficiently released during ice making.

(Another configuration example of the fan motor 8)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a second modification of the ice making device 1 to which the present invention is applied. As in the first embodiment, the ice making device 1 shown in FIG. 8 also has an ice making tray 2, an ice storage container (not shown) provided below the ice making tray 2, and a test apparatus disposed on the side of the ice making tray 2. An ice lever 3 and a drive unit 4 are provided.

  Also in the ice making device 1 of the present embodiment, the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 with the fan motor 8 facing the upper surface of the ice tray 2 as in the first embodiment. More specifically, the fan motor 8 is fixed to the second side plate portion 72 of the frame 7 on the side of the ice tray 2 via the holder 9. The fan motor 8 is provided at a position different from the connecting portion 97 fixed to the refrigerator 100 in the frame 7. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the ice making device 1 configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, coagulation generated from water during ice making by the air blown from the fan motor 8 to the upper surface of the ice tray 2 (the surface of the water in the ice tray 2). Since the heat can be efficiently released, the ice making time can be shortened. In addition, since the fan motor 8 is fixed to the frame 7 itself of the ice making device 1, it is not necessary to provide a duct on the refrigerator 100 side. You don't have to. Further, since the fan motor 8 faces the upper surface of the ice tray 2, the heat of solidification generated from water can be efficiently released during ice making.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the fan motor 8 blows air onto the upper surface of the ice tray 2, but the fan motor 8 sucks air from the upper surface of the ice tray 2, so that air flows on the surface of the water in the ice tray 2. May be formed.

  In the said embodiment, although the control part 40 which controls the fan motor 8 was provided in the ice making apparatus 1, you may provide the control part 40 in the refrigerator 100 main body side.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ice making apparatus, 2 ... Ice tray, 3 ... Ice detection lever, 4 ... Drive part, 5 ... Ice detection mechanism, 6 ... Deicing mechanism, 7 ... Frame, 8 ... Fan motor, 9 ... Holder, 11 ... Scraping member , 12 ... guide member, 25 ... temperature detector, 40 ... control unit, 41 ... ice detection drive unit, 42 ... ice tray driving unit, 71 ... first side plate portion, 72 ... second side plate portion, 73 ... third Side plate portion, 74 ... fourth side plate portion, 75 ... end plate portion, 76 ... engaged portion, 90 ... engaging mechanism, 91 ... frame portion, 92 ... engaging plate portion, 97 ... connecting portion, 100 ... refrigerator, 110 ... refrigerator compartment, 120 ... ice making room, 130 ... freezer compartment, 761, 762 ... engaging claws

Claims (19)

An ice tray,
An ice removing mechanism for detaching ice from the ice tray;
A frame that supports the ice tray and the deicing mechanism;
A fan motor fixed to the frame in a state facing the upper surface of the ice tray;
An ice making device comprising: The fan motor is fixed to the frame via a holder,
The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein an engagement mechanism is provided between the holder and the frame so as to fix the holder to the frame.   The ice making device according to claim 2, wherein the engagement mechanism is provided at a position different from a connecting portion fixed to the refrigerator in the frame.   The ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fan motor is opposed to the ice making tray in an upward direction.   4. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the fan motor is provided on a side of the ice tray. 5.   The ice making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fan motor blows air onto an upper surface of the ice tray.   6. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the fan motor sucks air from an upper surface of the ice tray. A control unit for controlling start and stop of the fan motor;
The said control part starts the said fan motor automatically at the preset 1st timing, and stops the said fan motor automatically at the preset 2nd timing, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The ice making device according to any one of the above.   The ice making device according to claim 8, wherein the second timing is a timing at which the temperature of the ice tray is lowered to a preset target temperature.   The ice making device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first timing is a timing at which water supply to the ice tray is finished.   10. The ice making device according to claim 8, wherein the first timing is a timing at which a preset standby time has elapsed after water supply to the ice tray is completed.   10. The ice making device according to claim 8, wherein the first timing is a timing when the temperature of the ice tray is lowered to a preset target temperature after water supply to the ice tray is finished. . The ice tray is made of a flexible resin,
The ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the ice removing mechanism separates ice from the ice making plate by twisting the ice making plate. The ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein an upper portion of the ice tray is in an open state. An ice-making chamber in which the cool air from the cooler is guided,
An ice making device provided in the ice making chamber and provided with an ice making tray and an ice removing mechanism for detaching ice from the ice making tray;
Have
The ice making device includes a frame that supports the ice making tray and the ice removing mechanism, and a fan motor that is fixed to the frame so as to face an upper surface of the ice making tray. The fan motor is fixed to the frame via a holder,
The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein an engagement mechanism is provided between the holder and the frame to fix the holder to the frame.   The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the engagement mechanism is provided at a position different from a connecting portion fixed to the refrigerator in the frame. A control unit for controlling start and stop of the fan motor;
18. The control unit according to claim 15, wherein the control unit automatically starts the fan motor at a preset first timing and automatically stops the fan motor at a preset second timing. The refrigerator as described in any one of. An ice-making chamber in which the cool air from the cooler is guided,
An ice making method in a refrigerator having an ice making plate provided in the ice making chamber and an ice making device having an ice removing mechanism for detaching ice from the ice making plate,
The ice making device includes a frame that supports the ice making tray and the ice removing mechanism, and a fan motor that is fixed to the frame in a state facing the upper surface of the ice making tray,
An ice making method, wherein the fan motor is automatically started at a preset first timing, and the fan motor is automatically stopped at a preset second timing.

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