JP2798132B2 - Water supply device and automatic water supply control method for automatic ice machine for refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a water supply device and a water supply control method for an automatic ice maker for a refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic ice maker installed in a refrigerator for automatically producing ice is provided with an ice tray for containing water to be iced, and when the water in the ice tray is completely frozen, the ice tray is rotated. And an ice release motor for removing ice by bending. After the ice is completely removed from such an automatic ice making machine, water is automatically supplied from a water supply device provided with a water tank and a water supply pump provided in the refrigerator for the next ice making. ing. Since the capacity of the water tank installed in the refrigerator cannot be sufficiently increased due to space limitations in the refrigerator, the water in the water tank must be refilled relatively frequently.

If the user does not refill the water tank of the water supply device at an appropriate time and the water in the water tank becomes low, the water supply device can provide the automatic ice making machine with water in a timely manner. As such, the user cannot obtain the desired amount of ice in a timely manner.

Therefore, in the conventional refrigerator water supply device, as shown in FIG. 4, a control unit 30 is installed in a water tank and is turned on and off by a floater that rises and falls according to the water level.
Upon receiving a signal from the floater switch 31 that is turned off,
When there is no water, the light emitting diode 32 for notifying the user of the absence of water is turned on. That is,
The floater switch 31 keeps the off state when the proper amount of water remains in the water tank and the floater is in the ascending position, and when the amount of water in the water tank decreases and the floater falls below the limit, It is turned on,
The control unit 30 recognizes that there is no water in the water tank based on the ON signal of the floater switch 31 and turns on the notification light emitting diode 32.

[0005] However, such a waterless notification method is as follows.
Since a floater operated by a water tank and a floater switch that is turned on and off by the floater must be provided, the number of parts and the manufacturing cost are increased.

Thus, US Pat. No. 4,909,039 shows a method for detecting a state in which water is not supplied to an ice maker. According to this U.S. patent, after the water supply operation is performed (S1-S) as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
4) When a predetermined time has elapsed (S5, S6), the temperature of the ice tray of the automatic ice maker is sensed (S7). If the temperature is lower than the predetermined value, water is supplied to the ice tray. It is determined that there is no water (S8), and a light emitting diode (LED) for notifying that there is no water in the water tank is turned on (S13).
As a result of sensing the temperature of the ice tray of the automatic ice maker (S7), if the temperature exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that water has been supplied to the ice tray (S9), and ice making and deicing are performed. The process is performed (S10-S12). Then, after the LED is turned on to notify that the water tank is out of water (S13), it is checked whether or not the water tank has been refilled. For this confirmation, it is determined whether or not the water level detection switch of the water tank has been inverted from the "on" state to the "off" state (S14). When water is replenished, the LED is turned off (S15).

[0007] However, according to this US patent, since the water level detection switch of the water tank is required, the number of parts is increased, and the problem of hindering efficient use of space remains.

In addition, at the end of the water supply operation of the water supply pump, water remains in the water supply pipe between the water supply pump and the ice tray,
There was also a problem that this residual water was frozen by the refrigeration system, and the subsequent water supply operation could not be performed.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic refrigerator for a refrigerator capable of easily determining that there is no water in a water tank and preventing remaining water in a water supply pipe from freezing. An object of the present invention is to provide a water supply device and a water supply control method for an ice making machine.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling water supply of an automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises the steps of: supplying water from a water tank using a water supply pump through a water supply pipe; A water supply control method for an automatic ice maker for supplying an ice tray of a machine, comprising: a water supply step of operating the water supply pump for a predetermined time; and after the operation of the water supply pump,
Sensing the temperature of the ice tray; determining that water has been supplied to the ice tray when the temperature of the ice tray is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature; and determining that water has been supplied to the ice tray. Removing the residual water from the water supply pipe by rotating the water supply pump in reverse for a predetermined time.

In the determining step, when the temperature detected by the ice tray is lower than the predetermined temperature and it is determined that the water tank is out of water, a water-out notification signal is generated to alert the user. It is preferable to do so. Even when a notification signal for notifying that there is no water in the water tank is generated, a small amount of water may be pumped and may remain in the water supply pipe. It is preferable to remove residual water from the water supply pipe. After removing such residual water from the water supply pipe, operate the water supply pump and start the water supply operation to supply water to the ice tray and check whether the water in the water tank has been refilled. Can be.

Further, the water supply device for an automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to the present invention is a water supply capable of reciprocally operable to supply water from the water tank to an ice tray of the automatic ice maker through a water supply pipe through a water supply pipe. A pump, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the ice tray, and a water sensor for supplying water to the ice tray when a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature after completion of the water supply operation by the water supply pump. Then, the control unit controls the water supply pump to rotate in the reverse direction to remove residual water from the water supply pipe.

When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit determines that the water tank is out of water, and can generate a notification signal. It is preferable to provide a waterless notification light emitting diode. Then, the control unit, after determining that there is no water in the water tank, after a predetermined time,
Activate the water supply pump to start the water supply operation.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a water supply device for an automatic ice maker according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic ice maker 1 has an ice tray 2 and an ice release motor 3 that can rotate the ice tray 2 forward and reverse through a shaft. On the lower surface of the ice tray 2, an ice release temperature sensor 4 for detecting the temperature of the ice tray 2 for judging the ice release time is attached. An ice storage container 5 for storing and storing ice separated from the ice tray 2 is provided below the ice tray 2.

A water supply device for supplying water to the automatic ice making machine 1 includes a water tank 6 for storing water, and a water tank 6 for storing water.
And a water supply pump 7 that pulls up water through a suction pipe 8. The water supply pump 7 supplies water to the ice tray 2 through a water supply pipe 9. The water supply pump 7 is designed to be operable in forward and reverse directions, and supplies water in the water tank 6 to the ice tray 2 during forward rotation operation, and discharges remaining water in the water supply pipe 9 to the water tank 6 during reverse rotation.
Back to.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the water supply device according to the present invention. The control unit 10, which generally comprises a microcomputer, receives a signal from the deicing temperature sensor 4 of the automatic ice maker 1 and outputs control signals to the deicing motor drive circuit 11, the water supply pump circuit 12, and the water-out notification LED 14. I do. Ice release motor drive circuit 11 and feed water pump drive circuit 1
2 drives the ice removing motor 3 and the water supply pump 7 under the control of the control unit 10.

During the ice making operation of the automatic ice making machine 1, the control unit 10 determines that it is the ice release time when the temperature is below a predetermined value based on the temperature signal provided from the ice release temperature sensor 4. Then, a command signal for operating the ice removing motor 3 is output to the ice removing motor driving circuit 11. In accordance with this, the ice-separation motor 3 operates to turn the ice tray 2 over and twist it to separate ice from the ice tray 2, and the separated ice is stored in the ice storage container 5. When the ice removal is completed, the ice tray 2 is rotated again by the ice release motor 3 and returns to the original position. When the ice tray 2 is located at the normal position, the control unit 10 controls the water supply pump driving circuit 12.
To provide a control signal for driving the water supply pump 7 to operate the water supply pump 7. After the water supply pump 7 operates for a time corresponding to the capacity of the ice tray 2, the operation ends under the control of the control unit 10.

When the water supply operation is completed, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the water supply has been performed reliably based on the temperature signal from the ice-removal temperature sensor 4. In other words, when water is supplied to the ice tray 2, the temperature of the ice tray 2 rises. If the temperature of the ice tray 2 does not rise despite the completion of the water supply operation, no water was supplied. Judge. Therefore, the control unit 10
After the water supply operation is completed, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the temperature detected by the deicing temperature sensor 4 is compared with a reference temperature stored in advance, and if the detected temperature exceeds the reference temperature, water supply is completed. On the other hand, if the sensed temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, it is determined that water was not supplied. When it is determined that water is not being supplied, the control unit 10
In order to display that the water in the water tank 6 has run out, the water-less notification LED 14 is turned on to notify the user. Instead of the water-less notification LED 14, other notification means, such as a buzzer, for audibly informing the user of the fact that the water tank is empty may be used.

Next, the water supply control process in the control unit 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply control process is roughly divided into a process of supplying water to the ice tray 2 after completion of ice removal (S100) and a process of water supply control based on the temperature detected by the ice removal temperature sensor 4 after completion of water supply operation. Of checking whether or not water has been supplied (S200)
And a step of executing the ice making operation when it is confirmed that the water is supplied (S300), and a step of executing the notification and the re-water supply operation when the water is not supplied (S400).

The water supply step S100 for the automatic ice maker 1 starts when the ice removing operation is completed. After the ice tray 2 is inverted by the ice removing motor 3 and returns to the original position and the ice removing operation is completely completed (S110), the process waits for a while, for example, for about 3 seconds (S120). After that, the water supply pump 7 is set to, for example, 7
Water is supplied from the water tank 6 to the ice tray 2 by the forward rotation for two seconds (S130). The operation time of the water supply pump is determined based on the water supply capacity of the water supply pump 7 and the capacity of the ice tray 2. When the water supply time has elapsed, the water supply pump 7 is stopped (S140).

After the water supply pump 7 is stopped, a change in the temperature of the ice tray 2 is sensed through the ice release temperature sensor 4. When water is supplied to the ice tray 2, the temperature of the ice tray 2 rises. On the other hand, when water is not supplied due to lack of water in the water tank 6, the temperature of the ice tray 2 does not change. Therefore, when the temperature detected by the deicing temperature sensor 4 exceeds the predetermined reference temperature, the control unit 10 determines that water has been supplied to the ice tray 2 (S200), and reversely rotates the water supply pump 7 for, for example, 5 seconds. It is operated (S310). As a result, the water remaining in the water supply pipe 9 during the water supply process is collected in the water tank 6, so that ice is not formed during the ice making process. When the removal of the residual water in the water supply pipe 9 is completed, the automatic ice making machine shifts to the ice making mode (S320).

In step S200, if the ice tray temperature sensor 4 detects that the temperature of the ice tray 2 does not rise, or if it rises but remains below a predetermined reference temperature, there is no water in the water tank 6 and the ice tray It is determined that the water supply to 2 was not performed. Therefore, the control unit 10 turns on the water-out notification LED 14 to notify the user that there is no water in the water tank (S41).
0). The user can refill the water tank based on this notification. After the water-out notification LED 14 is turned on, the control unit 10 causes the water supply pump 7 to reversely rotate, for example, for 5 seconds (S420). This is because, when a small amount of water remains in the water tank 6, this water may be pumped in the water supply operation process and may remain in the water supply pipe 9. This is for preventing the freezing in 9. When the residual water in the water supply pipe 9 is removed, the user waits for about 20 minutes, for example, which is expected to refill the water tank (S430), and then restarts the operation of supplying water to the ice tray 2 (S130).

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, the presence / absence of water in the water tank is determined based on the temperature detection result of the ice release temperature sensor, and the residual water in the water supply pipe is removed after the water supply operation is completed. With this configuration, it is possible not only to efficiently detect the absence of water in the water tank without requiring additional components, but also to prevent freezing in the water supply pipe.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a water supply device of an automatic ice maker according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a water supply device of the automatic ice maker according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a water supply control process according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a conventional water level detection method for a water tank.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a conventional ice tray water supply confirmation method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic ice maker 2 Ice tray 3 Ice removal motor 4 Ice removal temperature sensor 5 Ice storage container 6 Water tank 7 Water supply pump 10 Control part 11 Ice removal motor drive circuit 12 Water supply pump drive circuit 14 Waterless notification LED

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water supply control method for an automatic ice maker, wherein water from a water tank is supplied to an ice tray of an automatic ice maker for a refrigerator through a water supply pipe using a water supply pump. Sensing the temperature of the ice tray after the operation of the water supply pump; and determining that water has been supplied to the ice tray when the temperature of the ice tray is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Automatically rotating the water supply pump for a predetermined time to remove residual water from the water supply pipe when it is determined that water has been supplied to the ice tray. Water supply control method for ice machines. 2. In the determining step, when the sensed temperature of the ice tray is lower than the predetermined temperature, the water tank is determined to be out of water, and when it is determined that the water tank is out of water, the waterless notification is performed. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating a signal. 3. The water supply control according to claim 2, further comprising, after the generation of the notification signal, reversely rotating the water supply pump for a predetermined time to remove residual water in the water supply pipe. Method. 4. The water supply control method according to claim 3, wherein the water supply operation is started by operating the water supply pump after the removal of the residual water in the water supply pipe is completed. 5. A water supply device for an automatic ice maker for a refrigerator having an ice tray for storing water for ice production, wherein a water tank for storing water, and water is supplied from the water tank through a water supply pipe to the automatic ice maker. A water pump capable of reversing the operation of feeding an ice tray, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the ice tray, and a temperature detected by the temperature sensor being equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature after completion of the water supply operation by the water pump. A control unit that determines that water has been supplied to the ice tray, and then controls the water supply pump to rotate in the reverse direction to remove residual water in the water supply pipe. Water supply for automatic ice maker. 6. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit determines that the water tank is out of water and generates a notification signal. A water supply device according to item 1. 7. The water supply device according to claim 6, further comprising a light-emitting diode for water-less notification that is turned on by the notification signal. 8. The water supply pump according to claim 8, wherein when the control unit determines that there is no water in the water tank, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the water supply pump is operated to start the water supply operation. 7. The water supply device according to 6.