JP3425354B2 - Refrigerator with automatic ice maker - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker having a water storage tank and a water supply means for supplying water in the water storage tank to an ice maker. .

[0002]

Conventionally, in this type of refrigerator, an ice making chamber that is kept at a freezing temperature is provided with an ice making container and a mechanism section for performing an ice removing operation, a refrigerating room is provided with a water storage tank, and A water supply means for supplying the water in the water storage tank to the ice making container when it is necessary to supply water to the ice making container. Further, a temperature sensor is provided in the ice making container so that the completion of ice making, the completion of water supply, etc. can be detected. As the water supply means, there is provided a water supply pump for forcibly feeding the water in the water storage tank into the ice making container, or the water storage tank and the ice making container are in an up-and-down positional relationship, and an electromagnetic force is applied to the mouth of the water storage tank. There is a solenoid system in which a solenoid driven water supply valve is provided and the water in the water storage tank is supplied to the ice making container by free flowing by opening the water supply valve.

However, when the temperature sensor detects an ice making detection temperature (for example, -12.5 ° C.), the completion of ice making in the ice making container is detected, and the mechanism is operated to remove ice from the ice making container. Take out the ice-breaking operation. The taken out ice can be stored in a predetermined ice storage box. When this ice removing operation is completed, the ice making container becomes empty, so that water supply is required. When the water supply requirement is generated in this way, water is supplied from the water storage tank to the ice making container by the water supply means. Then, when water is supplied to the ice making container, thereafter, the ice making chamber is kept at the freezing temperature, so that ice making starts.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, it is known that a large operation noise is generated at the time of water supply regardless of whether the water supply means is the pump system or the solenoid system. Further, in the refrigerator, the refrigeration cycle includes a compressor that is turned on / off based on a compressor operation command and an operation stop command.However, when the compressor is turned on, an operation sound is emitted, and the above-described water supply operation sound is generated. Along with this, the fact is that the refrigerator frequently produces noise.

Further, since the above-mentioned water supply operation related to the ice making operation is generally executed after the above-mentioned ice removing operation,
It is rare for the user to hear a series of deicing operation sounds and the user does not feel unusual or surprised, but if the water tank is out of water (there is no water for one ice formation), Since the water supply operation is executed after replenishing water to the tank, the time interval is considerably long unlike the case of the above-described ice removing operation, that is, an unexpectedly large water supply operation sound is generated, and therefore, There was a problem that the user felt abnormal or surprised.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent the sound of the water supply operation from being inadvertently heard loudly and to reduce the frequency of noise generation, thereby reducing the noise as a whole. The purpose is to provide a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker.

[0007]

The invention according to claim 1 is a predetermined method.
An automatic ice maker configured with a water supply means for supplying the ice tray with water in water storage tank provided with a capable water storage tank detachably attached to the chamber, detects the drainage state of the water storage tank
A drainage detector for a compressor to be turned on and off based on the compressor operation command and the operation stop command, the
Door open / close detection that detects the opening / closing operation of the door that opens / closes a specified room
Means and the water shortage detection means have detected water shortage
After the door open / close detection is detected by the door open / close detection means
And that the compressor is on
The water supply operation control means for controlling the condition so that the water supply operation by the water supply means is executed.

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

When the water shortage detecting means detects the water shortage, it is necessary to detect that the water has been supplied to the water storage tank. In other words, a means to judge that the conditions for permitting water supply have been established is required. Conventionally, the tank detection switch detects that the water storage tank has been taken out of a predetermined chamber and has been reset, but this causes an increase in cost.

When replenishing and re-setting water in the water storage tank, the door for opening and closing a predetermined chamber is opened and closed.
The door opening / closing detection means for detecting the opening / closing operation of the door is generally provided for the purpose of controlling the illumination lamp on / off of the room, etc., that is, it is an existing one.

In the above structure, by detecting the opening / closing of the door, it is possible to determine by the existing door opening / closing means that the water has been replenished and reset in the water storage tank (the water supply permission condition has been satisfied). Can be detected and the cost can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ice making machine comprising a water storage tank detachably attached to a predetermined chamber and water supply means for supplying water in the water storage tank to an ice making container, and the water storage tank. Water drainage detecting means for detecting the water drainage state, a compressor that is turned on / off based on a compressor operation command and an operation stop command, a door open / close detection means for detecting an opening / closing operation of a door that opens and closes the predetermined chamber, and the water drainage detection When water shortage is detected by the means, the water supply operation timing is set at a predetermined cycle, and at this water supply operation timing, the door open / close detection means has detected the opening / closing of the door, and after this water supply operation timing, A water supply operation control means for controlling the water supply operation by the water supply means on condition that the compressor is turned on. It has a feature where was painting.

In this configuration, similarly to the above, it is possible to determine whether or not the water has been replenished and reset in the water storage tank (whether or not the water supply permission condition has been satisfied) by the existing door opening / closing means, thus reducing the cost. It can contribute. Further, when water shortage is detected, the water supply operation timing is set at a predetermined cycle, and it is determined at this water supply operation timing that the door open / close detection means has detected the opening / closing of the door. The number of water supply operations can be reduced as compared with the case where it is determined whether or not the opening / closing detection means detects the opening / closing of the door. That is, when the door is opened and closed, it may not be for refilling the water tank. In this case, if the water supply operation is uniquely performed according to the detection of the opening / closing of the door, useless water supply operation will be executed many times when the water is not actually replenished.

In the above structure, however, the water supply operation timing is set at a predetermined cycle, and when the door opening / closing detection means detects the opening / closing of the door at this water supply operation timing, the water supply operation is executed. Useless water supply operation can be prevented. Since the water supply operation is performed under the condition that the compressor is turned on as in the above, the water supply operation sound is not prominently heard and the noise generation degree is reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it can be attached to and detached from a predetermined chamber.
A water storage tank is provided and the water in the water storage tank is made into ice.
Ice machine with water supply means
And a water shortage detection for detecting the water shortage state of the water storage tank
And the compressor operation command and operation stop command.
Detects the compressor that is turned on and off and the outside air temperature
The outside temperature sensor and the cycle of the water supply operation timing
Extends when the temperature detected by the air temperature sensor is below the reference temperature.
Set so that the water will run out by the water drainage detection means.
This set water supply operation timing when detected
To control the water supply operation by the water supply means.
It has a feature that it has a water supply operation control means to control
It In the refrigerator, the room where the water tank is set is
Usually, it is a refrigerating room (a room where water does not freeze), and the door of each room has a high opening / closing frequency in the summer and a low opening / closing frequency in the winter. Therefore, it is preferable that the cycle of the water supply operation timing is long in winter. In However the above configuration, provided with outside air temperature sensor for detecting outside temperature, since the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is to extend the period of the water supply operation timing when the reference temperature below the upper distichum life in winter Therefore, the unnecessary water supply operation can be prevented regardless of summer and winter.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the water supply means emits sound like an electromagnetic solenoid or a pump. According to this, it becomes possible to use a water supply means that emits sound, such as an electromagnetic solenoid or a pump, with almost no trouble.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to help understanding of the present invention ,
The reference example will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. First, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 showing the overall configuration of the refrigerator, the refrigerator main body 1 has a storage chamber in order from the top,
A refrigerating room 2, an ice making room 3 arranged side by side, a specification switching room 4, a freezing room 5, and a vegetable room 6 are provided, and each room 2 to 6 has a door 7
It is designed to be opened and closed by ~ 11.

Among these storage chambers, the specification switching chamber 4 can switch its cooling temperature in a wide range, and by switching the cooling temperature, any one of a freezing chamber, a partial freezing chamber, a chilled chamber, a refrigerating chamber and a vegetable chamber can be selected. And can be used.

Since the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 have the same temperature zone, both chambers 3 and 5 are communicated with each other. A cooler 12 is arranged at the rear of the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5, and a partition member 13 is provided at the rear of the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 so as to cover the cooler 12 from the front side. By arranging these, both these chambers 3,
A cooler chamber 14 is formed at the rear of the No. 5.

Inside the partition member 13, a cold air supply passage 1 is provided.
5 is formed, and the cool air in the cooler chamber 14 is sent out into the cool air supply passage 15 by the fan device 16. A part of the cool air blown into the cool air supply passage 15 is blown into the ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 from a plurality of outlets 17 formed in the front part of the partition member 13.
The remaining cool air is supplied from the rear side of the cool air supply passage 15 to the refrigerating chamber 2 and the specification switching chamber 4 via a damper device 18 provided at the rear of the specification switching chamber 4.

The refrigerating compartment 2, the specification switching compartment 4 and the freezing compartment 5 respectively have a refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 2a, a specification switching compartment temperature sensor 20 and a freezing compartment temperature sensor 2 shown in FIG.
1 is provided. Then, the control device 56, which will be described later,
An operation start command and an operation stop command are output to the compressor 19 in accordance with the temperature detected by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 21 to control the operation of the compressor 19 and the operation of the fan device 16, and with this, The ice making chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 5 are controlled to a predetermined low temperature.

Further, the damper device 18 is provided with a refrigerating room side baffle and a specification switching room side baffle (both not shown),
Each of these baffles is designed to be opened and closed by a damper motor 18a (see FIG. 7). In this case, the baffles are controlled according to the temperatures detected by the refrigerating compartment temperature sensor 2a and the specification switching compartment temperature sensor 20 shown in FIG. 7, respectively. Damper motor 18a
Is controlled to open and close each baffle, and the temperature of the refrigerating room 2 and the specification switching room 4 is controlled by this. In this case, the opening / closing temperature of the specification switching chamber side baffle can be switched by operating an operation knob (not shown).
The specification of the specification switching room 4 can be switched to a plurality of specifications such as a freezing room, a chilled room, a partial room, a refrigerating room, and a vegetable room.

As shown in FIG. 4, an ice making machine main body 23 of the automatic ice making machine 22 is arranged in the upper portion of the ice making chamber 3. In this ice maker main body 23, a substantially rectangular support frame 23a is fixedly arranged in the upper part of the ice making chamber 3, and the support frame 23a
A plastic ice container 24 is rotatably supported inside the container. A mechanism casing 25 is provided in the front part of the support frame 23a, and an ice making container reversing motor 26 for turning the ice making container 24 upside down when ice is removed is provided in the mechanism casing 25.

The inside of the ice making container 24 is divided into a plurality of recesses 24a for making ice cubes, but the partitioning portion for partitioning each of the recesses 24a is formed with a groove (not shown) so that the ice making container is formed. The water supplied into 24 is evenly distributed through the groove to each recess 24a.
An ice making container temperature sensor 27 is attached to the outside of the bottom of the ice making container 24. This ice making container temperature sensor 27 is resin-molded in order to detect the bottom temperature of the ice making container 24 more accurately without being directly exposed to cold air.

Here, when the ice making container 24 reaches the position near the end of the upside down, the ice releasing container 24 has its rear end portion engaged with a protrusion (not shown) provided on the support frame 23a. This is done by stopping the rotation when hitting. That is, when the rear end of the ice making container 24 hits the locking projection and the rotation of the ice making container 24 is stopped, the front end of the ice making container 24 continues to rotate.
Since it is rotated at a slight angle by 6, the ice making container 24
Since the whole is twisted, the ice cubes are peeled from the recess 24a by this twist. Then, when the ice is removed by twisting the ice making container 24, the ice making container 2
4 is returned to the original horizontal position by reversing the ice making container reversing motor 26. At this time, the reversing position and the horizontal position of the ice making container 24 are detected by the ice making container position detection sensor 28 shown in FIG.

The ice cubes separated from the ice making container 24 are stored in the ice storage case 29. A detection lever 30 is rotatably attached to the device case 25 so as to detect the amount of ice stored in the ice storage case 29, and the detection lever 30 operates in accordance with the rotational position of the detection lever 30. An ice storage amount detection switch 31 (see FIG. 7) is provided. The door 8 of the ice making chamber 3 is a door 9 of the specification switching chamber 4, the freezing chamber 5, and the vegetable chamber 6
11 is constructed as a drawer type (the door 7 of the refrigerating compartment 2 is a pivoting type), and the ice storage case 29 is integrated with the door 8 so that the drawer 8 can be pulled out from the ice making compartment 3. It has become.

In contrast to such an ice making machine main body 23, the water supply chamber 3 is located at the bottom of the refrigerating compartment 2 just above the ice making compartment 3.
2 is provided, and the water supply chamber 32 is provided with a water supply device 33 as a water supply means. This water supply device 33 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply valve 35 of the water storage tank 34 is opened by the valve operating device 36 so that the water in the water storage tank 34 is supplied to the ice making 24 by a drop.

That is, a tank base 37 is provided at the bottom of the water supply chamber 32, and the water storage tank 34 is detachably mounted on the tank base 37. Then, in order to detect that the water storage tank 34 has been set on the tank base 37, a lever 38 that rotates in the direction of arrow A when the water storage tank 34 is set at the rear end of the tank base 37 and this lever 38. A tank detection unit 40 including a tank detection switch 39 that is turned on by rotating in the direction of arrow A is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, a tubular portion 34a is provided at the bottom of the water storage tank 34 so as to project therefrom, and a cap 41 is screwed onto the tubular portion 34a. A water supply port 42 is formed in the cap 41. The water supply valve 35 has a water supply port 42.
And is attached to the cap 41. Further, a water purification filter 43 is attached to the cap 41.

The water supply valve 35 has a valve rod 44 supported by a frame 41a formed integrally with the cap 41 so as to be vertically movable, a valve body 45 attached to the lower end of the valve rod 44, and a valve rod 44. And a compression coil spring 46 as a biasing means for biasing the lower part in the closing direction. The water storage tank 34 is sealed except that it is connected to the outside through the water supply port 42.

The water supply valve 35 always holds the water supply port 42 closed by the valve element 45 by the spring force of the compression coil spring 46. Then, when the valve element 45 opens the water supply port 42 by pushing up the valve rod 44, the water in the water storage tank 34 flows out from the water supply port 42. The water flowing out from the water supply port 42 is received by a water receiving tray 47 formed by being depressed in the tank stand 37, and a water injection pipe provided on a heat insulating wall 48 separating the refrigerating compartment 2 and the ice making compartment 3 from the water receiving tray 47. It is supplied into the ice making container 24 via 49. Therefore, the water tray 47 and the water injection pipe 49 function as a water supply passage 50 (see FIG. 4) that guides the water flowing out from the water supply port 42 into the ice making container 24.

The valve operating device 36 for opening and closing the water supply valve 35 of the water storage tank 24 is provided below the bottom surface of the water receiving tray 47. As shown in FIG. 5, the valve operating device 36 is configured to move the rod 51 up and down to open and close the water supply valve 35, and a water supply electromagnetic solenoid 52 is used as a drive source thereof. The electromagnetic solenoid 52 is configured to move the plunger 53 upward when energized, and the rod 51 is provided above the plunger 53. An upper and lower expandable packing 54 is covered on the rod 51, and when the rod 51 is moved upward, the valve body 4 is moved through the packing 54.
5 is operated upward (opening operation) to open the water supply port 42 (see FIG. 6). With this, the water in the water storage tank 34 becomes
It flows down to the water tray 47, and is supplied into the ice making container 24 from the water outlet via the water injection pipe 49. In this case,
At the water outlet of the water tray 47, as shown in FIG.
A ball valve 55 is provided in order to prevent a large amount of water flowing out of the water supply port 42 of the water storage tank 34 from flowing out of the water receiving tray 47 at one time when the water tank 5 is opened.

FIG. 7 shows the electrical configuration. The control device 56 functioning as a water shortage detection means and a water supply operation control means is mainly a microcomputer, and the control device 56 includes a refrigerating room temperature sensor 2a, a specification switching room temperature sensor 20, and a freezing room temperature sensor. 21, ice container temperature sensor 27, ice container position detection sensor 28, ice storage amount detection switch 31, tank detection switch 39, doors 7 to 11
Detection signals are input from door switches 57a to 57e that detect opening and closing of the refrigerator, an outside air temperature sensor 58 that detects the temperature outside the refrigerator, and the like.

Then, the control device 56 controls the ice making container reversing motor 26, the electromagnetic solenoid 52 of the water supply device 33, the compressor 19, the damper motor 18a, the fan motor 16a of the fan device 16 and the water supply on the basis of these input signals and a preset program. The lamp 59 and the vegetable compartment heater 60 are controlled. The water supply lamp 59 is lit and displayed when it is detected that the water in the water storage tank 34 is exhausted (this detection control will be described later), and an operation panel (refrigerator compartment) (not shown) of the refrigerator body 1 is displayed. 2 is provided). The vegetable compartment heater 60 is energized and controlled so that the vegetable compartment 6 does not get too cold when the outside air temperature is low (this is detected by the outside air temperature sensor 58).

Next, regarding the operation of the above configuration, the controller 5
A description will be given also with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1 showing the control content related to the ice making of No. 6. Now, the water storage tank 34 is set on the tank stand 37, and water is supplied to the ice making container 24 (the water supply control will be described later).
Consider a state in which the compressor 19 is on / off controlled by the freezer compartment temperature sensor 21 and the freezer compartment 2 and the ice making compartment 3 are controlled to a predetermined temperature state.

Thus, the water in the ice making container 24 in the ice making chamber 3 is made into ice by cold air. In this case, the control device 56 constantly monitors whether or not ice making is completed (step S1). That is, the control device 56 compares the temperature detected by the ice-making container temperature sensor 27 with the ice-making determination reference temperature (for example, -12.5 ° C.), and when the detected temperature falls below the ice-making determination reference temperature, the ice-making determination is made with this. Determine completion. When it is determined in step S1 that the ice making is completed, the process proceeds to step S2 and the ice removing operation is performed. That is, the ice making container reversing motor 26 is driven to twist the ice making container 24, and then the ice making container 24 is reversed to the original position.
By this ice removing operation, the ice in the container 24 is dropped into the ice storage container 29.

In the next step S3, it is judged by the ice storage amount detection switch 31 whether or not the amount of ice in the ice storage container 29 is full. If it is full, the ice storage container 29 will not be full (the user consumes the ice). Wait until. When the user takes out the ice from the ice storage container 29 in order to consume the ice, the detection lever 30 lowers accordingly, which is the ice storage amount detection switch 3 described above.
1 is detected, that is, it is determined that it is not full.

When it is determined in step S3 that the compressor 19 is not full, the process proceeds to step 4, and it is determined whether the compressor 19 is on. If it is determined that the compressor 19 is on, the process proceeds to step S5. Transfer and execute the water supply operation. That is, the electromagnetic solenoid 52 for water supply is energized for a predetermined period of time to move the valve element 45 upward to open the water supply port 42. As a result, the water in the water storage tank 34 is supplied to the ice making container 24 as described above. In step S6, it is detected whether or not water is actually supplied into the ice making container 24. That is, when the water in the water storage tank 34 is empty or almost empty, the water may not actually enter the ice making container 24 even if the above-described water supply operation is executed. In this case, if the temperature detected by the ice container temperature sensor 27 is the water-free determination reference temperature, for example, −9.5 ° C. or lower, it is determined that water is not supplied. When the water supply is detected, the process proceeds to step S7, and it is determined whether or not the water supply is not continued for a predetermined time, in this case, 15 minutes. If the water supply is continued for 15 minutes, the water tank is held. It is determined that the water is out of water 34 (this portion is a water outage detecting means), and the process proceeds to step S8.
9 is lit to prompt the user to supply water to the water storage tank 34.

In the next step S9, it is determined whether or not the water storage tank 34 has been reset based on the switch signal from the tank detection switch 39. If it is determined that the water storage tank 34 has been reset, in step S10, the water supply is performed. The lamp 59 is turned off, and in step S11, it is waited for a predetermined time, for example, 5.5 minutes, from the judgment of resetting the water storage tank 34. The purpose of this waiting time is to allow sufficient time for water to enter the water supply port 42 after the water storage tank 34 is reset. After this 5.5 minutes, step S
In step 12, it is determined whether or not the compressor 19 is turned on, and if it is determined that it is turned on, then the process proceeds to step S5 to execute the water supply operation.

FIG. 8 shows an example of changes in the detected temperature of the ice making container 24, and the ice removing operation and the water supply operation are executed by the above-mentioned control of the control device 52 in accordance with the changes. Now, at the time t1, when it is judged that the ice making is completed,
When the ice supply operation is executed and the water supply operation is executed on condition that the compressor 19 is turned on, and the water supply is detected at time t2, the ice making container 2 is cooled by the cold air in the ice making chamber 3.
The water in 4 is made into ice. Then, at time t3, it is determined that the ice making is completed, and the ice removing operation and the water supply operation are executed. In this case, if there is no water in the water storage tank 34, the water supply is not detected even after 15 minutes (time t4), so the water supply lamp 59 is turned on, and the water storage tank 34 is restarted at any time t5. When set, the water supply lamp 59 is turned off, and if 5.5 minutes have passed (time point t6) and the compressor 19 is on, the water supply operation is executed.

By the way, step S after the normal ice removing operation
Since the water supply operation of No. 5 is executed in synchronization with the operation of the compressor 19, the sound of the water supply operation becomes difficult to understand. Further, since the water supply operation executed after it is determined that there is no water is executed subsequent to the ice removing operation in step S2, the user hears it as a series of operation sounds of ice removing, and the user feels that the operation is abnormal. I'm not surprised, but the water tank 34
If the water runs out, the water supply operation will be executed after replenishing or resetting the water in the water storage tank 34, so the time interval is considerably long, unlike the above-described ice removing operation,
In other words, an unexpectedly loud sound of water supply is generated, which causes
The user may feel abnormal or be surprised.

[0045] accordingly, the timing of the water supply, when the water supply permission condition is in place (e.g., step S3
(When it is determined that the ice is not full), the water supply operation is executed on condition that the compressor 19 is turned on as shown in step S4 (step S5). Since the water supply operation sound is overlapped with the operation sound, the water supply operation sound is not prominently heard, and moreover, the water supply operation sound is always generated simultaneously with the compressor operation sound, so that the degree of noise generation is reduced.

When the water shortage detection means (“YES” in step S7) determines that there is no water (water shortage detection), if the water supply permission conditions are satisfied (water replenishment and resetting in the water storage tank 34 in step S9). Judgment, step S1
0), the process is executed under the condition that the compressor 19 is turned on, as shown in step S12. Therefore, also in this case, the operation sound of the compressor 19 overlaps. Even if the water supply operation is unexpectedly performed, the sound of the water supply operation is not prominently heard and the user does not feel abnormal or startled. Moreover, since the water supply operation sound after the water in the water storage tank 34 has run out and the compressor operation sound always overlap in time, the degree of noise generation is also reduced.

FIG. 9 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the water supply operation after the normal ice removing operation (after the ice removing operation when there is no water absence detection) is as follows.
It is characterized in that the water supply operation is performed as it is without considering the ON condition of the compressor 19 and that the water supply to the water storage tank 34 is detected without using the tank detection switch 39. That is, step P
In 1 Step P4, not provided compressor ON determination step corresponding to step S4 in FIG. 1.

If "YES" in the step P6, that is, if no water supply is detected, the process moves to a step P7, and the door 7 of the refrigerating compartment 2 which is the room in which the water storage tank 34 is set is opened. Determine whether or not. this is,
The judgment is made based on the switch signal from the door switch 57a which is the door opening / closing detecting means. When it is determined that the door is open, the process proceeds to step P8, and it is determined whether the door 7 is closed and 10 seconds have elapsed from the closing. When it is determined in step P8 that the door 7 is closed and 10 seconds have elapsed, it is determined that the water tank 34 has been refilled with water and reset. Then, the process proceeds to step P9, and the water supply operation of step P4 is executed on condition that the compressor 19 is turned on.

In the first embodiment, it is possible to detect the resetting of the water storage tank 34 while eliminating the tank detection switch 39, which contributes to cost reduction. That is, the door 7 for the refrigerating compartment 2 in which the water storage tank 34 is set is originally provided for turning on and off an internal lamp (not shown) and for controlling the fan device 16 to stop. When replenishing water to the water storage tank 34, the door 7 is opened and closed without fail. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not water has been replenished by using this opening and closing without using the tank detection switch 39. .

10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the water storage tank 34 is used.
It is detected that the water has been replenished to the tank without using the tank detection switch 39, and when water shortage is detected, the water supply operation timing is set in a predetermined cycle, and the door 7 has been operated at this water supply operation timing so far. When the opening / closing of the compressor is detected and at the timing of this water supply operation, the compressor 1
The feature is that the water supply operation is executed on condition that 9 is turned on.

That is, steps Q1 to Q6 are steps P1 to P of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
Same as 6. Then, in step Q6, "YES"
That is, when no water supply is detected, the process proceeds to step Q7, it is determined whether or not the 30-minute timer has counted up (30 minutes from the time of step Q6), and if it counts up, the process proceeds to step Q8. Then, it is determined whether or not the door 7 of the refrigerating compartment 2 which is the room in which the water storage tank 34 is set has been opened even once in 30 minutes.

If the door is not opened even once,
After shifting to step Q9, the 30-minute timer is reset and then shifting to step Q7. As you can see, 3
The water supply operation timing is set in a cycle of 0 minutes. Then, if the door 7 is opened even once in this 30-minute cycle, the routine proceeds to step Q10, where it is determined whether or not the door 7 has been closed and 10 seconds have elapsed from the closing. When it is determined in step Q10 that the door 7 is closed and 10 seconds have elapsed, it is determined that the water tank 34 has been refilled with water and reset. And step Q1
After shifting to 1, the water supply operation of step Q4 is executed on condition that the compressor 19 is turned on.

FIG. 11 shows changes in the detected temperature, the relationship between the opening / closing of the door 7 and the water supply operation, and the like. That is, when it is determined that there is no water supply detection at the time point t4, 30 minutes are counted, and if the door 7 is not opened even once by the time point t5 of the count-up, another 30 minutes is counted. Time point t of the count-up
Even up to 6, if the door 7 is not opened even once, another 30 minutes is counted. Then, if the door 7 is opened even once at the time point t7 when the 30 minutes are counted up, 10 times after the door 7 is closed (time point t8).
In addition, the water supply operation is executed on condition that the compressor 19 is turned on.

In the second embodiment, when water shortage is detected, the water supply operation timing is set at a predetermined cycle (30-minute cycle), and the opening / closing detection of the door 7 is detected by this water supply operation timing. Since it is determined that there is, it is possible to reduce the number of water supply operations as compared with the case of constantly monitoring whether or not the opening / closing of the door 7 is detected. That is,
When the door 7 is opened and closed, it may not be for refilling the water in the water storage tank 34. In this case, if the water supply operation is uniquely performed according to the detection of the opening / closing of the door 7, a wasteful water supply operation will be executed many times when the water is not actually replenished.

However, according to the above embodiment, the water supply operation is executed when the opening / closing of the door 7 is detected at the water supply operation timing of the predetermined cycle, so that the wasteful water supply operation can be prevented. .

FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the set time of the timer is changed and set according to the outside air temperature. That is, when water shortage is detected (“YES” in step R6), the process proceeds to step R7, and it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 58 is equal to or lower than a preset reference temperature. If not, the process proceeds to step R8 and the timer time is set to, for example, "30 minutes", and if it is below (if the outside air temperature is low), step R
Then, the processing shifts to 9 and the timer time is set to "30 + α" minutes (extended). In this case, α is set to 30 (minutes), for example.
After this, the process goes to step R10 and below to obtain a water supply opportunity based on the set timer cycle, and to obtain a predetermined condition (step R
If step 11, step R13 and step R14) are satisfied, the water supply operation is executed (step R4).

Generally, in a refrigerator, a water storage tank 34
The frequency of opening and closing the door of each room including the refrigerating room 2 in which is set is high in the summer and low in the winter. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the predetermined cycle of the water supply operation is extended when the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 58 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature. Therefore, the cycle of the water supply operation is extended in winter. As a result, useless water supply operation can be prevented regardless of summer and winter. In each of the above embodiments, the electromagnetic solenoid 52 is illustrated as the water supply means, but the present invention can be widely applied to those using the water supply means that emits an operation sound, for example, a water supply pump such as a gear pump may be used. .

[0058]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention can obtain the following effects.

[0059]

[0060]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it can be determined by the existing door opening / closing means that the water has been replenished to the water storage tank after the water shortage is detected (the water supply permission condition is satisfied). Can be realized. According to the second aspect of the present invention, after the water shortage is detected, it is determined that the door open / close detection means has detected the door open / close at the water supply operation timing of the predetermined cycle, and this is regarded as one of the water supply operation execution conditions. Therefore, the number of times of the water supply operation can be reduced as compared with the case where it is always determined whether or not the door open / close detection unit detects the door open / close.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the cycle of the water supply operation timing is extended when the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor is equal to or lower than the reference temperature, wasteful water supply operation is performed regardless of summer and winter. It can be prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the water supply means that emits a sound, such as an electromagnetic solenoid or a pump, can be used with almost no trouble.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of control contents related to ice removing / water supply operation showing a reference example for helping understanding of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Front view of refrigerator

[Fig. 3] Side view of the same section

[Fig. 4] Vertical side view of the automatic ice maker

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view of a water supply port portion of a water storage tank.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional side view of a water supply port portion of a water storage tank in different operating states.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electrical configuration.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of changes in the temperature detected by the ice-making container temperature sensor.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 is an ice making chamber, 5 is a freezing chamber, 7 is a door, 12 is a cooler, 19
Is a compressor, 21 is a temperature sensor for a freezer, 22 is an automatic ice making machine, 24 is an ice making container, 27 is an ice making container sensor, 2
9 is an ice storage case, 30 is a detection lever, 31 is an ice storage amount detection switch, 32 is a water supply chamber, 33 is a water supply device (water supply means), 34 is a water storage tank, 35 is a water supply valve, 36 is a valve operating device, 39 is a tank Detection switch, 42 is water inlet, 52
Is an electromagnetic solenoid, 56 is a control device (water shortage detection means,
Water supply operation control means) 57a is a door switch (door opening / closing means), and 58 is an outside air temperature sensor.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic ice making machine comprising a water storage tank detachably attached to a predetermined chamber and water supply means for supplying water in the water storage tank to an ice making container; and a water running out state of the water storage tank is detected. Running out of water detection means
And a compressor that is turned on and off based on a compressor operation command and an operation stop command, and a door opening and closing that detects the opening and closing operation of the door that opens and closes the predetermined chamber.
After detection of water shortage by the detection means and the water shortage detection means, the
After the door open / closed is detected by the door open / closed detection means,
A refrigerator with an automatic ice maker, further comprising: a water supply operation control means for controlling the water supply operation by the water supply means on condition that the compressor is turned on . 2. An automatic ice making machine comprising a water storage tank detachably attached to a predetermined chamber and water supply means for supplying water in the water storage tank to an ice making container, and a water running out state of the water storage tank is detected. A means for detecting water shortage, a compressor that is turned on / off based on a compressor operation command and an operation stop command, and a door opening / closing that detects an opening / closing operation of a door that opens / closes the predetermined chamber.
When a water shortage is detected by the detection means and the water shortage detection means,
Set the water supply operation timing at a predetermined cycle, and
In imming, by the door opening / closing detection means so far
Detection of door opening / closing and timing of water supply operation
A refrigerator with an automatic ice maker, further comprising a water supply operation control means for controlling the water supply operation by the water supply means under the condition that the compressor is turned on . 3. An automatic ice making machine comprising a water storage tank detachably attached to a predetermined chamber and water supply means for supplying water in the water storage tank to an ice making container, and a drainage state of the water storage tank is detected. Means for detecting water shortage, a compressor that is turned on / off based on a compressor operation command and an operation stop command, an outside air temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature, and a cycle of water supply operation timing by the outside air temperature sensor.
Set to extend when the detected temperature is below the reference temperature,
When water shortage is detected by the water shortage detection means,
A refrigerator with an automatic ice maker, comprising: a water supply operation control means for controlling the water supply operation by the water supply means at the set water supply operation timing . 4. A water supply means is an electromagnetic solenoid or a pump.
A contract that is characterized by producing a sound, such as
The refrigerator with an automatic ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .