JP4319576B2 - Automatic ice making machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device, an ice making method for the automatic ice making device, and a refrigerator equipped with the automatic ice making device.

  In recent refrigerators, a water supply tank is installed in a refrigeration room, an ice tray that is rotated by a driving device is installed in a freezing chamber (or an ice making chamber), and water is supplied from the water supply tank to the ice making tray by a water supply pump. It has an automatic ice maker that makes ice.

  In this case, the water supply tank is detachably provided in the refrigerating chamber, and when water is supplied to the water supply tank, the water supply tank is taken out from the refrigerating chamber, and tap water is poured. As described above, the tap water in the water supply tank is sent to the ice tray by the water supply pump, and is frozen by the cooling action in the freezer compartment (or ice compartment). When the ice making is completed in the ice tray, the ice tray is rotated by the drive device, twisted to separate the ice, and the ice dropped from the ice tray is stored in the tray (for example, patents) Reference 1).

  Conventionally, after a water supply operation by a water supply pump, it has been detected whether or not water has been supplied to the ice tray by detecting the temperature of the ice tray or the like, thereby detecting the water tank running out of water. For example, after the water supply operation by the water supply pump (operation of the water supply pump for a predetermined time), if the temperature of the ice tray exceeds a predetermined temperature (for example, −2 ° C.), water is supplied, that is, the water supply tank does not run out. If the predetermined temperature is not exceeded, it is determined that water has not been supplied or that the water supply tank has run out.

  In addition, according to another conventional refrigerator, after the water tank is detected to run out, it is detected whether the door has been opened and closed, and whether the temperature of the ice tray is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature by operating the water supply pump after a predetermined time. Thus, it can be determined whether or not water has been supplied to the water supply tank. As a result, noise reduction, long life, and low power consumption due to the idling operation of the pump are realized (for example, see Patent Document 2).

According to still another refrigerator, a transparent portion is provided in whole or in part in a fixed amount tank that stores a certain amount of water supplied from a water supply tank, and a light emitting element is provided on one side outside the transparent portion, and the other side. A light receiving element is provided opposite to each other, and a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water in the tank by transmitting and receiving an optical signal between both elements, and a control means for automatically controlling the water supply operation based on the detection result are provided. The characteristic refrigerator is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-250852 JP 2003-329344 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 03-124179

  However, in the refrigerator of Patent Document 2, water supply to the ice tray is not performed unless the water supply pump is operated, and the water outage determination is not performed. Therefore, even if the water supply tank runs out of water, the water supply pump operates and the idle operation of the water supply pump does not decrease. Further, if the interval of operation of the water supply pump is increased in order to reduce the number of times, the time from replenishment of water to the water supply tank to completion of ice making is prolonged, resulting in a disadvantage for the user.

  According to Patent Document 3, in an automatic ice maker, the water level is detected using the difference in refractive index between water and air, and the presence or absence of water is determined based on whether or not light from the light emitting element is transferred to the light receiving element. Therefore, there is a problem that water is determined to be present even if water droplets remain.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can prevent the idle operation of the feed water pump, thereby preventing noise caused by the idle operation of the feed water pump and extending the life of the feed water pump. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic ice making device, an ice making method for the automatic ice making device, and a refrigerator.

  Another object of the present invention is to save power by preventing idling.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic ice making device, an ice making method for an automatic ice making device, and a refrigerator having a low-price water level detection function and a sterilization function in the water supply tank by reducing the number of parts.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic ice making device having a high-quality water level detection function that reduces the possibility of erroneous water level detection, an ice making method for the automatic ice making device, and a refrigerator.

  An automatic ice making device according to the present invention includes a water supply tank that stores water for ice making, a water supply pump that is provided in the water supply tank and sends out water from the water supply tank to the outside, and water is supplied from the water supply tank by the water supply pump. An ice tray, a drive device that twists the ice tray to remove ice, a light emitting means that emits light provided on a surface near the water supply tank, and a light emitting means that is provided on the same surface as the light emitting means. And a light receiving means for receiving the reflected light reflected inside.

  With the above-described configuration, the automatic ice making device according to the present invention can prevent noise caused by the idling operation of the water supply pump and can extend the life of the water supply pump.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to 7 are diagrams showing Embodiment 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator, FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view around a water supply tank, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a water level detection unit, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the refrigerator, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of water level detection control of the refrigerator, and FIG. 7 is a schematic block circuit diagram of automatic ice making control.
In FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 partitions a heat insulating box 5 formed of a steel plate outer box 2, a resin inner box 3, and a foam heat insulating material 4 filled therebetween, into a plurality of chambers, respectively. The door has a door that can be opened and closed.

  The heat insulation box 5 of the refrigerator 1 is partitioned into a refrigerating room 11, an ice making room 12, a switching room 13, a vegetable room 16, and a freezing room 18 in order from the top. And these rooms have the refrigerator compartment door body 6, the ice making room door body 7, the switching room door body 8, the vegetable compartment door body 9, and the freezer compartment door body 10 which obstruct | occludes the opening part so that opening and closing is possible.

  The partition member that partitions the heat insulation box 5 into a plurality of chambers includes a partition member 14 between the refrigerator compartment 11, the ice making chamber 12, and the switching chamber 13, a partition member 15 between the ice making chamber 12 and the switching chamber 13, the ice making chamber 12, and switching. There are a partition member 17 between the chamber 13 and the vegetable chamber 16, and a partition member 19 between the vegetable chamber 16 and the freezing chamber 18.

  A water supply tank 20 having a water supply tank lid 39 is disposed in the refrigerator compartment 11. The water supply tank 20 is detachably inserted into a partition member 14 that separates the refrigerator compartment 11 from the ice making compartment 12 and the switching compartment 13 between the refrigerator compartment, the ice making compartment, and the switching compartment. The material of the water supply tank 20 is transparent, for example, transparent polystyrene. In this embodiment, a transparent polystyrene having a high wear resistance is used. Although the water supply tank 20 can be cleaned by the user, there is a risk that the water supply tank 20 may be damaged, but it is possible to suppress the damage by using a grade of transparent polystyrene that is resistant to wear.

  Behind the ice making room 12 and the switching room 13, the vegetable room 16, and the freezing room 18 is a cooling room 34 in which a cooler 21 and an internal fan 22 are installed. Further, a cold room damper device 23 for adjusting the cold air flow rate from the cooling chamber 34 to the cold room 11 and a switching chamber damper device 24 for adjusting the cold air flow rate to the switching chamber 13 are provided.

  The refrigerator 1 is provided with an ice making corner 25 at the rear of the ice making chamber 12. The ice making corner 25 includes an ice tray 26, a drive device 27 that twists the ice tray 26, an ice making corner outer wall member 28 that supports the ice tray 26, and an ice detection lever. 29.

  Water is supplied from the water supply tank 20 to the ice tray 26 through a water supply path 30 which is a water passage. An ice storage box 31 for storing ice is provided in the ice making chamber 12.

  A display panel 32 is provided on the surface of the refrigerator compartment door 6, and the display panel 32 is provided with an ice making on / off switch 33. The ice making can be stopped by turning off the ice making on / off switch 33.

  The display panel 32 includes a light emitting means on / off switch 35. Depending on the user's preference, the light emitting means on / off switch 35 can be used to select on / off of the light emitting means.

  As shown in the schematic side sectional view of the periphery of the water supply tank in FIG. 2, the water supply tank 20 is installed so that most of the water supply tank 20 is buried in the water supply tank receiver 49. The water tank receiver 49 is installed in the partition member 14 between the refrigerator compartment, the ice making chamber, and the switching chamber. A magnet pump motor 43 is attached to the water tank receiver 49. In the water supply tank 20, a water supply pump 40 is disposed so as to face each other with the magnet pump motor 43, the water supply tank receiver 49, and the water supply tank 20 interposed therebetween.

  The feed water pump 40 is installed so as to cover the pump cover 61. The pump cover 61 has a shape that can store the water purification filter 41 and closes the pump cover 61 with a lid member 62 (details will be described in Embodiment 3).

  A water supply pipe 36 is attached to the water supply pump 40. When the magnet pump motor 43 is energized, an impeller (magnet impeller, which will be described in detail in Embodiment 3) composed of a magnet built in the water supply pump 40 is rotated by magnetic force, and water is supplied by the action. The water in the tank 20 is sucked up while passing through the water purification filter 41, passes through the water supply pipe 36, falls into the water supply path 30, and then supplied to the ice tray 26.

  The surface of the water supply tank receiver 49 opposite to the water supply pump 40 (here, the vertical surface) has a hole, and a window member 44a is attached thereto. The window member 44a is made of a transparent material, for example, transparent polystyrene. Of course, methacryl, polycarbonate and glass may be used. The window member 44a can incorporate an infrared light emitting means 42 (which is an example of a light emitting means). The infrared light emitting means 42 is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) or a lamp.

  The heater 45 (which is an example of a heating unit) has a role of preventing water in the water supply tank 20 from being cooled by the cooling of the ice making chamber 12 and freezing. A window member 44b is attached to the same surface as the window member 44a (see also FIG. 3). The window member 44b is made of a transparent material, for example, transparent polystyrene. Of course, methacryl, polycarbonate and glass may be used. The window member 44 b is attached to a hole provided in the water supply tank receiver 49. A light receiving means 72 is provided inside the window member 44b. The light receiving means 72 is, for example, a light receiving diode or a light receiving transistor.

  The light emitted from the infrared light emitting means 42 is infrared light. Since infrared rays have a characteristic that they are easily absorbed by water, when there is water in the water supply tank 20, the infrared rays are absorbed by water and the light receiving means 72 does not receive the infrared rays. Conversely, when there is no water, the infrared light is reflected by the lid member 62 and reaches the light receiving means 72, and the light receiving means 72 receives the infrared light. Of course, infrared rays are also reflected on the surface of the water supply tank 20, but most of the light passes through the water supply tank 20, so that the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 is small.

That is, when the light receiving means 72 receives infrared rays over a predetermined amount, it is determined that there is little or no water. If it is less than the predetermined amount, it is determined that there is water. When it is determined that there is little or no water, the display panel 32 displays that there is no water in order to notify the user of that fact. Of course, a buzzer or a lamp may be used as the notification means.
Automatic ice making device by water supply tank 20, water supply pump 40 (including magnet pump motor 43), water supply path 30, ice tray 26, drive device 27 for twisting ice tray 26, ice detecting lever 29, infrared light emitting means 42 and light receiving means 72 Configure.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an ice making thermistor 70 is attached to the outside of the bottom surface of the ice making tray 26 disposed in the ice making chamber 12. As will be described later, the ice making thermistor 70 detects the temperature of the ice tray 26 to determine ice making.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a compressor 73 that constitutes a part of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 1 is disposed at the lower back of the refrigerator 1. The compressor 73 is located outside the heat insulating box 5 formed by the outer box 2 made of steel plate, the inner box 3 made of resin, and the foam heat insulating material 4 filled therebetween. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 73 to become a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, condensed by a condenser (not shown) to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and then decompressed by a decompression means (usually a capillary tube) (not shown) to be low-pressure two-phase. It becomes a refrigerant, evaporates in the cooler 21, exchanges heat with air to generate cold air, becomes a low-pressure gas refrigerant, and returns to the compressor 73.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is first determined in S1 whether or not the compressor 73 is operating. If the compressor 73 is stopped, water supply is stopped in S11. If it is determined in S1 that the compressor 73 is in operation, it is determined in S2 whether or not the ice making chamber 12 is full. When it is determined that the ice making chamber 12 is full of ice, water supply is stopped in S11. If it is determined that the ice making chamber 12 is not full, the energization rate of the heater 45 is increased for a predetermined time in S12, and then the infrared light emitting means 42 is turned on for a predetermined time in S3. The heater 45 not only prevents the water in the water supply tank 20 from freezing, but also removes water drops and cloudiness when there is little water in the water supply tank 20 and water drops and cloudiness are inside the water supply tank 20.

  Increasing the energization rate for a predetermined time instead of continuously heating the heater 45 can suppress an excessive temperature rise of water in the water supply tank 20 and waste of power consumption.

  After S3, it is determined in S4 whether or not the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 is a predetermined amount or more. If it is determined that the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the display panel 32 displays that the water is low in the water supply tank 20 in S6. If it is determined that the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 is not more than the predetermined amount, the magnet pump motor 43 is turned on in S5. When the magnet pump motor 43 is turned on, the impeller in the water supply pump 40 in the water supply tank 20 rotates. As a result, the water in the water supply tank 20 passes through the water supply pipe 36 and falls into the water supply path 30 before being supplied to the ice tray 26.

  When water is supplied to the ice tray 26, the temperature detected by the ice thermistor 70 attached to the ice tray 26 rises (S7). In S8, it is determined whether the temperature of the ice making thermistor 70 has become a predetermined temperature or less. If it is determined in S8 that the temperature of the ice making thermistor 70 is not lower than the predetermined temperature, the process returns to S8. If it is determined in S8 that the temperature of the ice making thermistor 70 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to S9. In S9, the driving device 27 is turned on. Ice generated on the ice tray 26 by the action of the drive device 27 twisting the ice tray 26 falls into the ice storage box 31. This operation completes one ice making cycle (S10).

  In the schematic block circuit diagram of the automatic ice making control of FIG. 7, the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting means 42 reach the light receiving means 72 because the amount of infrared rays absorbed is small when there is no or little water in the water supply tank 20. The amount of light is a predetermined amount or more. When the amount of water in the water supply tank 20 is less than a predetermined amount, the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 becomes a predetermined amount or more, and the microcomputer 71 determines that the amount of water in the water supply tank 20 is small. The microcomputer 71 gives an off command to the magnet pump motor 43.

  On the other hand, when the amount of water in the water supply tank 20 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the amount of infrared rays absorbed by the water increases, so that the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. In this case, when the compressor 73 is on, a command to start automatic ice making control is issued to each actuator as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  According to the refrigerator of Embodiment 1 configured as described above, it is possible to prevent noise by preventing idling of the water supply pump 40, reduce power consumption, and extend the service life.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a high-quality refrigerator that is unlikely to cause erroneous detection of water level due to water droplets or clouding in the water supply tank 20.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a high-quality refrigerator that is unlikely to cause erroneous detection of the water level due to the water supply tank 20 being damaged.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment and is a perspective view of a water level detection unit. In the first embodiment, the infrared light emitting means 42 and the light receiving means 72 are provided on the same surface. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the infrared light emitting means 42 and the light receiving means 72 are arranged to face each other. The incident light from the infrared light emitting means 42 may be used. As in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent noise by preventing idling of the water supply pump 40, reduce power consumption, and extend the life.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIGS. 9 to 13 are diagrams showing Embodiment 3, FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a water purification filter, FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a structure in which a water purification filter 41 is attached to a water supply pump 40, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic side sectional view of the periphery, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of refrigerator water level detection control, and FIG. 13 is a schematic block circuit diagram of automatic ice making control. The overall configuration of the refrigerator is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  As shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of the water purification filter of FIG. 9, the water purification filter 41 is disposed so that the activated carbon sheet 51 is sandwiched between two titanium oxide sheets 50 and the whole is wrapped with a nonwoven fabric 52. is there.

  The activated carbon sheet 51 is obtained by processing activated carbon fibers into a sheet shape. It has a function of strongly adsorbing chlorine, trihalomethane, general bacteria, etc., which are the source of odor contained in tap water.

  The titanium oxide sheet 50 is obtained by holding activated carbon fiber with titanium oxide. Titanium oxide is a kind of photocatalyst. When the photocatalyst is irradiated with light having a specific wavelength, the photocatalyst becomes excited and has a strong oxidizing power on the surface. In the case of titanium oxide, when irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of about 380 nm, the surface is excited and the surface has a strong oxidizing power. Due to this oxidizing power, radicals are generated from water and oxygen, and these radicals exhibit deodorizing and antibacterial action by decomposing organic substances including bacteria by oxidation-reduction reaction. Hygienic ice that does not have a bad smell and has no germs can be made. In addition, since the life of the photocatalyst is semi-permanent, the maintenance of the water purification filter 41 is unlikely to occur unless it is damaged.

  In the schematic perspective view showing the structure in which the water purification filter 41 is attached to the water supply pump 40 in FIG. 10, the water supply pump 40 has a structure in which a magnet impeller 46 is covered with a pump cover 61 on a pump case 47. One side of the pump cover 61 of the water supply pump 40 configured as described above has a box shape that can accommodate the water purification filter 41. After the water purification filter 41 is stored in the box shape, the lid member 62 is covered.

  The material of the lid member 62 (an example of a member to which a fluorescent whitening material is added) is polypropylene, and a fluorescent whitening material is added thereto. Of course, polypropylene added with this fluorescent whitening material passes the food hygiene law. The lid member 62 fluoresces when irradiated with ultraviolet rays by adding a fluorescent brightening agent. With such a structure, water is guided to the water supply pipe 36 after passing through the water purification filter 41.

  In the refrigerator 1 configured as described above, when tap water is supplied and stored in the water supply tank 20 and automatic ice making is started, the magnet pump motor 43 is energized, the magnet pump motor 43 rotates, and the magnet is synchronized. The impeller 46 rotates, so that the water in the water supply tank 20 passes through the water purification filter 41 and is then pumped up in the water supply pipe 36 and passes through the water supply path 30. Then, the impeller 46 is supplied in the ice tray 26 and is supplied to the cooling chamber 34. The ice is cooled and made into ice. As described above, when the water passes through the water purification filter 41, the activated carbon sheet 51 in the water purification filter 41 also passes through, so that chlorine is also removed and the ice becomes delicious.

  In the refrigerator configured as described above, when water is supplied through the water purifier with a lead removal function into the water supply tank 20 and automatic ice making is started, the magnet pump motor 43 is energized and the magnet pump motor 43 rotates. Then, the magnet impeller 46 rotates in synchronism, and the water in the water supply tank 20 passes through the water purification filter 41 and is pumped up in the water supply pipe 36 through the water supply path 30 by the action. And cooled by cold air from the cooling chamber 34 to produce ice.

  Since this water passes through a water purifier with a lead removal function, lead has already been removed, but since it is a water purifier, chlorine has also been removed and the water itself has no antibacterial action. However, as described above, the water purification filter 41 includes the activated carbon sheet 51 and the titanium oxide sheet 50, and general bacteria in the water are adsorbed by the activated carbon sheet 51. Thereafter, general germs adsorbed on the activated carbon sheet 51 are decomposed by irradiating the titanium oxide sheet 50 with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light emitting means 42a (which is an example of the light emitting means). Therefore, the water that has passed through the water purification filter 41 is always hygienic, and as a result, the ice that has been made into ice becomes hygienic ice.

  In addition, when automatic ice making is performed with mineral water, which has been in increasing demand in recent years, lead can be removed if it contains lead. Moreover, even when it does not contain sterilizing components such as chlorine, it is possible to suppress the propagation of general germs in the mineral water in the water supply tank 20 by the effect of the titanium oxide sheet that is the photocatalyst described above.

  As shown in the schematic side sectional view of the periphery of the water supply tank in FIG. 11, the water supply tank 20 is installed so that most of the water supply tank 20 is buried in the water supply tank receiver 49. The water tank receiver 49 is installed in the partition member 14 between the refrigerator compartment, the ice making chamber, and the switching chamber. A magnet pump motor 43 is attached to the water tank receiver 49. In the water supply tank 20, a water supply pump 40 is disposed so as to face each other with the magnet pump motor 43, the water supply tank receiver 49, and the water supply tank 20 interposed therebetween.

  The feed water pump 40 is installed so as to cover the pump cover 61. The pump cover 61 has a shape that can store the water purification filter 41, and the pump cover 61 is closed with a lid member 62.

  A water supply pipe 36 is attached to the water supply pump 40. When the magnet pump motor 43 is energized, the magnet impeller 46 built in the water supply pump 40 is rotated by the magnetic force, and the water in the water supply tank 20 is sucked up while passing through the water purification filter 41 by the action of the magnet impeller 46. After being dropped into the water supply path 30, it is supplied to the ice tray 26.

  The surface of the water supply tank receiver 49 opposite to the water supply pump 40 (here, the vertical surface) has a hole, and a window member 44a is attached thereto. The window member 44a is made of a transparent material, for example, transparent polystyrene. Of course, methacryl, polycarbonate and glass may be used. The window member 44a can incorporate an ultraviolet light emitting means 42a (which is an example of a light emitting means). The ultraviolet light emitting means 42a is, for example, an ultraviolet light emitting diode.

  The heater 45 has a role of preventing water in the water supply tank 20 from being cooled and cooled by cooling the ice making chamber 12. A window member 44b is attached to the same surface as the window member 44a. The window member 44b is made of a transparent material, for example, transparent polystyrene. Of course, methacryl, polycarbonate and glass may be used. The window member 44 b is attached to a hole provided in the water supply tank receiver 49. A light receiving means 72 for receiving ultraviolet rays is provided inside the window member 44b. The light receiving means 72 is, for example, a light receiving diode or a light receiving transistor.

  Regarding the water level detection, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting means 42 a is applied to the lid member 62. The portion of the lid member 62 that is hidden below the surface of the water in the water supply tank 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays and becomes fluorescent. On the other hand, the portion of the lid member 62 that appears on the water surface in the water supply tank 20 does not reach the ultraviolet rays and does not fluoresce. This is because ultraviolet rays are totally reflected on the water surface. The light fluorescent by the lid member 62 reaches the light receiving means 72. The higher the water level, the larger the area of the cover member 62 that fluoresces, so the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 increases.

  On the other hand, the lower the water level, the smaller the area of the lid member 62 that fluoresces, so the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 decreases. When there is no water, the incident light from the ultraviolet light emitting means 42a reaches the lid member 62. When there is water, the incident light from the ultraviolet light emitting means 42a and reflected light below the water surface are also irradiated to the lid member 62. So, when there is water, it fluoresces more strongly.

  Therefore, it can be determined whether there is no water or not. As described above, since the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 varies depending on the water level, the water level can be determined, and the water level can be displayed on the display panel 32 using this water level information. A buzzer or lamp may be used, but it is not preferable because it is difficult for the user to understand.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, it is first determined in S1 whether or not the compressor 73 is operating. If the compressor 73 is stopped, water supply is stopped in S11. If it is determined in S1 that the compressor 73 is in operation, it is determined in S2 whether or not the ice making chamber 12 is full. When it is determined that the ice making chamber 12 is full of ice, water supply is stopped in S11. If it is determined that the ice making chamber 12 is not full, the energization rate of the heater 45 is increased for a predetermined time in S12, and then the ultraviolet light emitting means 42a is turned on for a predetermined time in S13. The heater 45 not only prevents the water in the water supply tank 20 from freezing, but also removes water drops and cloudiness when there is little water in the water supply tank 20 and water drops and cloudiness are inside the water supply tank 20.

  Increasing the energization rate for a predetermined time instead of continuously heating the heater 45 can suppress an excessive temperature rise of water in the water supply tank 20 and waste of power consumption.

  After S13, it is determined whether or not the amount of ultraviolet light received by the light receiving means 72 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount in S14. If it is determined that the amount of ultraviolet light received by the light receiving means 72 is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the display panel 32 displays that the water is low in the water supply tank 20 in S6. If it is determined that the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the magnet pump motor 43 is turned on in S5. When the magnet pump motor 43 is turned on, the impeller in the water supply pump 40 in the water supply tank 20 rotates. As a result, the water in the water supply tank 20 passes through the water supply pipe 36 and falls into the water supply path 30 before being supplied to the ice tray 26.

  When water is supplied to the ice tray 26, the temperature detected by the ice thermistor 70 attached to the ice tray 26 rises (S7). In S8, it is determined whether the temperature of the ice making thermistor 70 has become a predetermined temperature or less. If it is determined in S8 that the temperature of the ice making thermistor 70 is not lower than the predetermined temperature, the process returns to S8. If it is determined in S8 that the temperature of the ice making thermistor 70 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to S9. In S9, the driving device 27 is turned on. Ice generated on the ice tray 26 by the action of the drive device 27 twisting the ice tray 26 falls into the ice storage box 31. This operation completes one ice making cycle (S10).

  In the schematic block circuit diagram of the automatic ice making control of FIG. 13, when there is no or little water in the water supply tank 20, the area of the cover member 62 that is fluorescent by the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting means 42 a becomes small, and the light receiving means 72 receives light. The amount of light to be reduced is reduced. When the amount of water in the water supply tank 20 is less than a predetermined amount, the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 is less than the predetermined amount, and the microcomputer 71 determines that the amount of water in the water supply tank 20 is small. The microcomputer 71 gives an off command to the magnet pump motor 43.

  On the other hand, when there is a predetermined amount or more of water in the water supply tank 20, the area where the lid member 62 fluoresces by the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light emitting means 42a increases and the amount of light received by the light receiving means 72 increases. The amount of light received by is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. In this case, when the compressor 73 is on, a command to start automatic ice making control is issued to each actuator as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  According to the refrigerator of Embodiment 3 configured as described above, it is possible to notify the user of water level information including the level of water level.

  In addition, noise prevention by preventing idling of the water supply pump 40, power consumption waste suppression, and longer life can be achieved.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a high-quality refrigerator that is unlikely to cause erroneous detection of water level due to water droplets or clouding in the water supply tank 20.

  In addition, it is possible to provide a high-quality refrigerator that is unlikely to cause erroneous detection of the water level due to the water supply tank 20 being damaged.

  In addition, it is possible to provide an inexpensive water level detection function capable of sterilizing the water supply tank and an automatic ice making refrigerator.

It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, 3, and is the schematic of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a schematic sectional side view around a water supply tank. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a perspective view of a water level detection part. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first embodiment and is a schematic side sectional view of the ice making chamber. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1 and is a sectional side view of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 1, and is a flowchart figure of the water level detection control of a refrigerator. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the first embodiment and is a schematic block circuit diagram of automatic ice making control. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 2, and is a perspective view of a water level detection part. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 3, and is a schematic sectional drawing of a water purification filter. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 3, and is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure which attaches a water purification filter with respect to a water supply pump. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 3, and is a schematic sectional side view around a water supply tank. It is a figure which shows Embodiment 3, and is a flowchart figure of the water level detection control of a refrigerator. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment and is a schematic block circuit diagram of automatic ice making control.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator, 2 Outer box, 3 Inner box, 4 Foam insulation material, 5 Heat insulation box body, 6 Cold room door body, 7 Ice making room door body, 8 Switching room door body, 9 Vegetable room door body, 10 Freezer compartment door body 11 Refrigeration room, 12 Ice making room, 13 Switching room, 14 Partition member between refrigeration room and ice making room and switching room, 15 Partition member between ice making room and switching room, 16 Vegetable room, 17 Ice making room, switching room and vegetable Partitioning member for room, 18 Freezing room, 19 Partitioning member for vegetable room and freezing room, 20 Water supply tank, 21 Cooler, 22 Fan in refrigerator, 23 Damper device for refrigerator compartment, 24 Damper device for switching room, 25 Ice making Corner, 26 Ice making tray, 27 Drive device, 28 Ice making corner outer wall member, 29 Ice detection lever, 30 Water supply path, 31 Ice storage box, 32 Display panel, 33 Ice making on / off switch, 34 Cooling chamber, 35 Light emitting means on / off switch, 36 Water supply pipe, 39 Water supply tank lid, 40 Water supply pump, 41 Water purification filter, 42 Infrared light emission means, 42a Ultraviolet light emission means, 43 Magnet pump motor, 44a, 44b Window member, 45 Heater, 46 Magnet impeller, 47 Pump case, 49 Water supply tank receiver, 50 Titanium oxide sheet, 51 Activated carbon sheet, 52 Non-woven fabric, 61 Pump cover, 62 Lid member, 70 Ice making thermistor, 71 Microcomputer, 72 Light receiving means, 73 Compressor.

Claims (7)

A water supply tank for storing ice-making water;
A water supply pump that is provided in the water supply tank and sends out the water in the water supply tank to the outside;
An ice tray in which water is supplied from the water supply tank by the water supply pump;
A drive device that twists the ice tray to remove ice,
A light emitting means for emitting light provided on a surface near the water supply tank;
A light receiving means that is provided on the same surface as the light emitting means and receives the reflected light reflected inside the water supply tank;
Heating means provided in the vicinity of the water supply tank;
An automatic ice making device , wherein the energization rate of the heating means is increased for a predetermined time before the operation of the light emitting means .   2. The automatic ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the light emitting means is infrared rays.   The automatic ice making device according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting means is an infrared light emitting diode.   The automatic ice making device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the light emitting means is ultraviolet light, and a member to which a fluorescent whitening material is added is provided in the water supply tank.   5. The automatic ice making device according to claim 4, wherein the light emitting means is an ultraviolet light emitting diode.   The automatic ice making device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein titanium oxide is provided in the water supply tank, and ultraviolet light having a wavelength near 380 nm is emitted from the light emitting means.   The automatic ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a part or the whole of the water supply tank is made of a highly wear-resistant material.

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