JP3038312B2 - refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device provided in a refrigerator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent refrigerators are provided with an automatic ice making device. In this automatic ice making device, water stored in a tank is supplied to an ice tray by a water supply pump, and ice is made in the ice tray. After the ice making is completed, the ice tray is inverted, and the ice is dropped into an ice storage container provided below the ice tray.

[0003] In a conventional automatic ice making device,
A tank detection switch for detecting whether or not the tank is attached is provided. Only when the tank detection switch detects that the tank is present, the operation of supplying water to the ice tray by the water supply pump is performed. When the tank detection switch detects that there is no tank, the water supply operation is stopped until the tank is reset and the presence of the tank is detected. As a result, the water supply mechanism such as a water supply pump is protected from complicated operation.

[0004]

However, the provision of the above-described tank detection switch increases the cost of parts, and requires a space and a wiring area for providing the switch, thereby reducing the storage volume of the refrigerator. There was a problem of becoming smaller.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a refrigerator which does not require a tank detection switch.

[0006]

The refrigerator according to the first aspect of the present invention performs a water supply operation of supplying water from a tank to an ice tray, and performs an ice making operation of freezing the water of the ice tray following the water supply operation. Performing the ice making operation, in a refrigerator having an automatic ice making device that performs an ice removing operation of inverting the ice tray and dropping ice into an ice storage container, regardless of whether water is supplied from the tank, There rows the ice-making action, and the ice removing operation every predetermined time, in the middle of the water supply operation
When the door is opened, the water supply operation is stopped and the temperature of the ice tray is reduced.
Temperature drops below the specified temperature, or after a certain time
The water supply operation is complete or the door is closed.
Then, the ice making operation is performed .

A refrigerator according to a second aspect of the present invention is the refrigerator according to the first aspect, further comprising timer means for measuring an ice making completion time, which is a time period from when water is supplied to the ice tray to when the ice making is completed in the ice making operation. The predetermined time is measured by the timer means.

In the refrigerator according to the first aspect, the water replenishment detecting means detects the water replenishment at predetermined time intervals after the water replenishment detecting means detects the water replenishment and until the replenishment of the water in the tank is confirmed. Therefore, if water can be supplied without providing a tank detection switch, an ice making operation can be performed. If the door is opened during the water supply operation,
Stop the water supply operation because the tank may be removed.
I do. Then, the temperature of the ice tray falls below a predetermined temperature.
Or a certain time has elapsed since the start of water supply, or the door is closed.
When the water supply operation is completed, the ice making operation is
U.

According to the refrigerator of the second aspect, since the timer means for measuring the ice making time and the timer for measuring the predetermined time of the water supply detecting means are shared, the cost can be reduced.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the structure of an automatic ice making apparatus 10 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, an outline of the automatic ice making device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a refrigerator compartment, on which a refrigerator compartment door 14 is provided.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a freezing room provided at a lower stage of the refrigerating room 12, which is maintained at a temperature at which water can be frozen to make ice. Further, the freezer compartment 16 is provided with a freezer compartment door 18.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a door switch for detecting whether the refrigerator compartment door 14 is open or closed.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a tank provided in the refrigerator compartment 12 for storing water for making ice. This tank 22 is provided with a water receiving tray 2 provided on the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 12.
When the water inside the tank 22 runs out, the tank 22 can be separated from the water receiving tray 24 to supply water.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a water supply pump provided on the water receiving tray 24. The water supply pump 26 supplies water flowing from the tank 22 to the water receiving tray 24 to an ice tray described later.

An ice tray 30 is provided near the ceiling of the freezer compartment 16. The ice tray 30 has a plurality of water storage portions for making substantially cubic ice.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a control box for rotatably supporting the ice tray 30. Inside the control box 32, a dish motor 34 for rotating the ice tray 30 by a predetermined angle, a microswitch for detecting the rotation angle, and the like are incorporated.

Reference numeral 36 denotes an ice storage detection lever extending from the control box 32 below the ice tray 30. The ice storage detection lever 36 is linked to an ice storage switch 38 provided inside the control box 32, and
6 is in a hanging state, the ice storage switch 38 is
The state becomes the N state.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an ice storage box provided below the ice tray 30, which stores the ice dropped from the inverted ice tray 30. And this ice storage box 40 can be taken out from the freezer compartment 16 freely.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a temperature sensor provided at the center of the bottom of the ice tray 30. Based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42, it is determined whether or not the ice making is completed.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a control unit, as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
The ice storage switch 38, the water supply pump 26, and the ice release device 34 are connected. A timer 46 is provided inside the control unit 44.

The operation of the automatic ice making apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step 1, the power supply is initially turned off.
The timer 46 measures whether or not the ice-making completion time has elapsed, starting from the time N or the time when the water supply operation is completed (hereinafter collectively referred to as a measurement start time).
The ice making completion time differs depending on the outside temperature where the refrigerator is placed, and is set to 90 minutes when the outside temperature is 25 ° C. or higher, and is set to 180 minutes when the outside temperature is 25 ° C. or lower. The reason why the ice making completion time is changed at 25 ° C. is that the operation time of the compressor and the like is different. That is, when the temperature is 25 ° C. or more, the operation time of the compressor becomes longer, so that ice making is completed quickly.

In step 2, it is determined whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42 is -12.5 ° C. or less.
If the temperature is lower than ℃, it is determined that the ice making is completed, and the process proceeds to step 4. If the temperature is -12.5 ° C. or higher, the process proceeds to step 3.

In step 3, the detected temperature is -9.5.
It is detected whether or not the temperature is 2 ° C. or less and 2 hours have elapsed. Then, if two hours have elapsed from the measurement start time at -9.5 ° C. or less, it is determined that ice making has been completed, and the process proceeds to step 4, and otherwise, the process returns to step 2.

In step 4, assuming that the ice making has been completed, the ice removing device 34 performs an ice removing operation. That is, ice tray 3
By rotating 0, the ice for which ice making is completed is released and dropped into the ice storage box 40. Then, the ice tray 30 is reversed to the original posture again. Then, the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, the ice storage switch 38
Detects whether or not is turned on. That is, when the required amount of ice is stored in the ice storage box 40, the ice storage detection lever 36 is lifted up and is in the OFF state, but when the amount of ice stored is reduced, the ice storage detection lever 36 is activated. It hangs down and becomes ON state. That is, when the ice storage switch 38 is turned on, it is necessary to determine that the ice in the ice storage box 40 is running low and start the ice making operation. And this ice storage switch is ON
The state of step 5 is continued until the state is reached, and the process proceeds to step 6 when the state is turned on.

In step 6, the water supply pump 26 starts the operation of supplying water from the tank 22. And step 7
Proceed to.

In step 7, the door switch 20 detects whether the refrigerator compartment door 14 has been opened during the water supply operation. When it is detected that the refrigerator compartment door 14 has been opened, the process proceeds to step 9, and if the closed state continues, the process proceeds to step 10. The reason for detecting the opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment door 14 is that if the tank 22 is removed during the water supply operation, a failure may occur in the water supply pump or the like. Therefore, when the refrigerator compartment door 14 is opened, the tank 22 is removed. This is because there is a possibility that the water supply operation needs to be stopped.

When the water supply operation is completed in step 8, the process returns to step 1.

In step 9, since it is detected that the refrigerator compartment door 14 has been opened, the tank 22 may be removed, so that the water supply operation is stopped, and the routine proceeds to step 10.

In step 10, it is detected whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42 is equal to or higher than -9.5 ° C. That is, when water is supplied to the ice tray 30, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42 increases, and when it is equal to or higher than -9.5 ° C, it is determined that the water has been supplied. Then, when the temperature rises to -9.5 ° C. or more, it is determined that water supply has been performed, and the process returns to step 1. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 11.

In step 11, it is checked whether or not 15 minutes have passed without increasing the temperature to -9.5 ° C. or more after the start of water supply in step 6, and if not, return to step 6 and return to step 6 for 15 minutes or more. If it has elapsed, it is determined that there is no water supply, and the process returns to step 1.

In the above processing, if water is present in the tank 22, the water supply is carried out smoothly, so that the flow of steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 is repeated in step 1. Return to

When there is no water in the tank 22, the operations of steps 1 to 8 are repeated, and a water supply operation (step 6) is performed at every ice making completion time to determine whether or not water is supplied. I do. Thereby, since the water supply operation is performed at every ice-making completion time without providing a switch for detecting the presence or absence of the tank 22, when the water is supplied to the tank 22 during the steps 1 to 8, the ice-making operation is stopped. It can be carried out.

However, the water supply operation is stopped only when the door 14 is opened during the water supply operation because the tank 22 may be taken out during the water supply operation. Then, when the water supply operation is completed, the ice making operation is performed again, and when the water supply is not completed, it is detected whether or not the water supply has been performed for 15 minutes. If the water supply has not been completed after 15 minutes, it is determined that there is no water in the tank 22 and water is supplied every time the ice making is completed in the same manner as described above. Is to confirm.

As described above, since it is possible to determine whether or not water can be supplied without providing a switch for detecting the presence or absence of the tank 22, the cost can be reduced.
The volume inside the refrigerator can be increased.

Next, an ice making device 10 according to a second embodiment will be described.

The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the structure for supplying water from the tank 22 to the ice tray 30 is different. That is, although the water supply pump 26 is used in the first embodiment, the water supply operation is performed by a valve opening / closing mechanism in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, this structure will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the tank 50 is placed on the tank shelf 52.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a discharge port provided on the lower surface of the tank 50.

Reference numeral 56 denotes a lid detachably provided at the discharge port 54. The lid 56 has a tank valve 58
Is provided. The tank valve 58 is opened and closed by a tank valve shaft 60, and in a standby state, an opening 64 provided in the lid 56 is closed by a spring spring 62.

Reference numeral 66 denotes a water tray provided on the tank shelf 52. The amount of water that can be stored in the water receiving tray 66 is the amount of water supplied to the ice tray 30 once.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a water supply port opened on the bottom of the water receiving tray 66.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply port 68. The water supply valve 70 includes a water supply valve shaft 72.
Moves up and down. For the vertical movement of the water supply valve shaft 72, a cam mechanism is provided below the water supply valve shaft 72, and a motor (not shown) is connected to the cam mechanism. Then, when a water supply command signal is input to this motor, the motor rotates, and the water supply valve shaft 72 rises via the cam mechanism. The water supply tray 66 continues to rise by the amount necessary for supplying water to the ice tray 30 until water is collected in the water receiving tray 66, and then the water supply valve shaft 72 moves downward. In addition,
The water supply valve shaft 72 is urged by a spring 76 in a direction to open the water supply port 68 in a standby state.

Reference numeral 74 denotes a water supply pipe provided below the water receiving tray 66, and water flowing out of the water supply port 68 reaches the ice tray 30 via the water supply pipe 74.

The operation of the automatic ice making apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described.

First, water is stored in the tank 50 and the lid 5
6 is closed, and the tank 50 is set on the tank shelf 52. In this case, the lid 56 is disposed above the water tray 66.

In a standby state (see FIG. 5), in a standby state, the water supply valve 70 is in an open state, and the tank valve 58 is in a closed state by a spring 62. Therefore, water from the tank 50 does not flow out to the ice tray 30.

When a water supply command signal is input, the water supply valve 70 rises and closes the water supply port 68. In this state, the tank valve 58 still has the opening 64 closed (see FIG. 6).

When the water supply valve 70 and the water supply valve shaft 72 further rise, the upper end of the water supply valve shaft presses the lower end of the tank valve shaft 60 upward against the urging force of the spring spring 62. The tank valve 58 opens the opening 64. On the other hand, the water supply port 68 is closed by the water supply valve 70. Therefore, the water inside the tank 50 flows out to the water receiving tray 66 and is stored in the water receiving tray 66. Then, the amount of accumulated water is the amount of water for one ice making (see FIG. 7).

When the amount of ice-making water for one time accumulates in the water receiving tray 66, the water supply valve shaft 72 is lowered and the state in which the tank valve shaft 60 is pressed is released, and the tank valve 58 is released by the spring spring 62. Is closed by the urging force of. On the other hand, the water supply valve 70 also holds the closed state (see FIG. 6).

Further, when the water supply valve shaft 72 is lowered by the urging force of the spring spring 76, the blockage of the water supply valve 70 with respect to the water supply port 68 is released, and the water accumulated in the water receiving tray 66 reaches the water supply pipe 74. Water is supplied to the ice tray 30 (see FIG. 5).

With the automatic ice making apparatus 10 having the above configuration, the water supply operation can be performed only by opening and closing the valve without the need for the water supply pump 26 as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, when the tank 50 is taken out from the tank shelf 52 in the state where the water supply operation is being performed, the tank 50
Although the water inside may leak, if the door 14 is opened during the water supply operation as in the first embodiment, the water supply operation is stopped, and when the water supply operation is completed, Perform ice making operation. Therefore, even if the tank 50 is taken out,
No water leaks.

[0056]

According to the refrigerator of the first aspect of the present invention, the water supply can be detected by the water supply detecting means without providing a switch for detecting the presence or absence of the tank, so that the cost can be reduced. . Also, during the water supply operation, the door
If opened, the tank may be removed during the water supply operation.
Therefore, stop the water supply operation.

According to the refrigerator of the second aspect, the timer of the water replenishment detecting means and the timer means for measuring the ice making time can also be used, so that the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an automatic ice making device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an automatic ice making device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation state of the automatic ice making device.

FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away longitudinal sectional view of an automatic ice making device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a valve in a standby state and a water supply operation completed state.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a valve in a state where both a tank valve and a water supply valve are closed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a valve in a state in which a tank valve is in a released state with a water supply valve closed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic ice-making apparatus 20 Door switch 22 Tank 26 Water supply pump 30 Ice tray 34 Ice-release device 38 Ice storage switch 40 Ice storage box 42 Temperature sensor 44 Control part 46 Timer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-53-75556 (JP, A) JP-A-50-2237 (JP, A) Fully open Showa 53-132059 (JP, U) Really open show 50- 50651 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25C 1/10 F25C 1/24

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water supply operation for supplying water from a tank to an ice tray, an ice making operation for freezing water in the ice tray is performed following the water supply operation, and the ice tray is inverted following the ice making operation. In a refrigerator having an automatic ice making device that performs an ice removing operation of dropping ice into an ice storage container, regardless of whether water is supplied from the tank,
The water supply operation when the ice making operation and the ice removing operation had rows every predetermined time, the door is opened in the middle of the water supply operation
The temperature of the ice tray drops below the specified
After a certain time has passed since the start of water, or the door is closed
When the water supply operation is completed, the ice making operation is performed.
Refrigerator, characterized in that the cormorant. 2. In the ice making operation, there is provided timer means for measuring an ice making completion time which is a time period from when water is supplied to the ice making tray to when ice making is completed, and the predetermined time is measured by the timer means. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: