JP6117636B2 - Automatic ice making device and refrigerator / freezer equipped with the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device and a refrigerator-freezer provided with the same.

  As an automatic ice making device that automatically supplies ice by supplying water from a water supply tank to an ice tray through a water supply path and freezing water stored in the ice tray, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-247549 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1). Or an automatic ice making apparatus in a refrigerator described in JP 2011-247550 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) is known.

  In the automatic ice making device described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, the water supply pipe integral with the water supply tank constitutes a part of the water supply path. Openings are formed at the upper and lower ends of the water supply pipeline. A water supply pipe is connected to the upper part of the water supply pipe, and the water supplied from the water supply pipe flows through the water supply pipe to the lower opening of the water supply pipe.

  In the automatic ice making device, a water receiving member is disposed above the ice tray. The water receiving member receives water from the water supply pipeline. The opening part of the lower part of the water supply pipe line as a water discharge port faces the water receiving part of the water receiving member. In a state where the water supply tank is installed at the regular position, the lower opening of the water supply conduit is placed on the upper surface of the water receiving portion. A packing is attached to the lower part of the water supply pipeline located at the bottom of the water supply tank. In a state where the water supply tank is installed at a regular position, a packing is disposed between the lower portion of the water supply pipe and the water receiving portion.

  The water receiving part has a funnel-like shape. The upper surface of the water receiving part is opened, and a cylindrical discharge pipe is connected to the lower part of the water receiving part. The tip (in other words, the lower end) of the discharge pipe faces the ice making chamber. A pipe packing is attached to a portion where the water receiving portion and the discharge pipe are connected. The pipe packing prevents water leakage between the water receiving portion and the discharge pipe and suppresses leakage of cold air in the ice making chamber from the discharge pipe toward the water supply tank.

  In the automatic ice making device described in Patent Literature 1 or Patent Literature 2, the water supply tank including the water supply pipeline can be easily removed from the refrigerator. Moreover, the water receiving member can be removed from the automatic ice making device and the refrigerator after the water supply tank including the water supply pipe is removed. A handle is provided in the water receiving portion of the water receiving member. For example, the water receiver is configured so that the water receiver can be easily removed from the front side when the water receiver is washed.

  According to the shape of the water receiving portion, since water remains in the water receiving portion even after the supply of water from the water supply pipe is stopped, mold and the like are easily generated and dirt is easily left. Therefore, the user of the automatic ice making device and the refrigerator removes the water receiving member and the water receiving portion and cleans them so that the cleanliness of the water receiving member is not lost.

JP 2011-247549 A JP 2011-247550 A

  However, the automatic ice making device described in Patent Literature 1 or Patent Literature 2 does not include a configuration that urges cleaning of the water receiving member as a portion where dirt easily accumulates. For this reason, even if the water receiving member is configured so that it can be easily removed from the automatic ice making device, the water receiving portion remains dirty when the user is not aware of the water receiving member's contamination.

  For example, it is possible to periodically urge cleaning of areas where dirt tends to accumulate by using a configuration that informs that cleaning is necessary according to the number of times of ice making or the time elapsed since the previous cleaning. It is. However, when such a configuration is used, there is a possibility that a situation in which the cleaning is performed wastefully because the timing of cleaning is early, or a situation where the contamination becomes severe because the timing of cleaning is delayed. Thus, there is a demand for an automatic ice making device that can facilitate cleaning of a portion of the water supply path that is likely to accumulate dirt, depending on the degree of dirt.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is an automatic ice making device provided with a flow rate adjusting unit that suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice making tray, and prompts the cleaning of the flow rate adjusting unit according to the degree of contamination of the flow rate adjusting unit. It is to provide an automatic ice making apparatus capable of performing the above and a refrigerator-freezer equipped with the same.

  The automatic ice making device according to the present invention includes a tank, a pipe part, an ice making part, a flow rate adjusting part, a sensor, and a notification part. The tank collects water. The pipe part is connected to the tank and forms a path through which water flows. The ice making section stores water supplied from the tank through the pipe section. The flow rate adjusting unit is detachably connected to the pipe unit. Further, the flow rate control unit suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice making unit. The sensor detects dirt on the flow rate adjusting unit. The notification unit notifies that the flow rate adjustment unit needs to be cleaned based on the information on the dirt detected by the sensor.

  According to the present invention, it is an automatic ice making device provided with a flow rate control unit that suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice tray, and it is possible to prompt the cleaning of the flow rate control unit according to the degree of contamination of the flow rate control unit Automatic ice making device and a refrigerator-freezer provided with the same.

It is the front view (A) which shows an example of the refrigerator-freezer provided with the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention, and the right view (B) of a refrigerator-freezer. It is a front view which shows an example of the refrigerator-freezer provided with the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the refrigerator compartment of a refrigerator-freezer. It is a longitudinal section showing roughly an example of an automatic ice making device according to the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows a part of refrigerator compartment in which the flow volume adjustment part in an example of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention is arrange | positioned. It is a perspective view which shows the flow volume adjustment part in an example of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention. It is an enlarged plan view which shows the flow volume adjustment part in an example of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control relation of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention. It is a flowchart of an example of the control performed in the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the display part as an alerting | reporting part of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the flow volume adjustment part in an example of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows roughly an example of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention provided with another example of a flow volume control part. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematically another example of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematically another example of the automatic ice making apparatus according to this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator 1 as an example of a refrigerator-freezer according to the present invention. The refrigerator 1 has functions of refrigeration and freezing. A display unit 19 is disposed on the front surface of the refrigerator 1. The inside of the refrigerator 1 is partitioned into a plurality of storage rooms. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 has a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice making and ice storage compartment 3, a partial compartment 4, a freezer compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6 as a plurality of storage compartments. The refrigerating room 2, the ice making / ice storage room 3, the partial room 4, the freezing room 5, and the vegetable room 6 are respectively the refrigerating room 2, the ice making / ice storage room 3, the partial room 4, and the freezing room 5 from above to below. And the vegetable compartment 6 are arranged in this order. However, the ice making and ice storage chamber 3 and the partial chamber 4 are arranged at substantially the same position along the vertical direction of the refrigerator 1. In addition, the position and magnitude | size of each storage chamber in the refrigerator 1 shown in FIG. 1 are examples, Comprising: The number of the storage chambers of the refrigerator 1 and each position are not specifically limited.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator 1 equipped with the automatic ice making device according to the present invention, and shows the refrigerator compartment 2 of the refrigerator 1. In the lower part of the refrigerator compartment 2, a tank 7 of an automatic ice making device is arranged. The tank 7 stores water for producing ice. The tank 7 is detachably mounted on the bottom of the refrigerator compartment 2.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the automatic ice making device 30. When the automatic ice making device 30 is viewed from the left side to the right side of the refrigerator 1 (see FIG. 1A), the automatic ice making device 30 can be seen as shown in FIG.

  The tank 7 is disposed below the tray 8 placed in the refrigerator compartment 2. The tank 7 includes a container 71 for storing water and a lid 72. The lid 72 is detachably attached to the container 71. The tank 7 is made of a synthetic resin material. Inside the container 71, a weir structure 71a for water absorption, an impeller portion 17, a pipe 74, and a duct 73 are arranged. The weir structure 71a is disposed at the lowest water level in the bottom surface 71b of the container 71.

  The duct 73 is formed integrally with the container 71. The duct 73 extends upward from the bottom surface 71 b of the container 71. However, the lower end of the duct 73 protrudes below the bottom surface 71b. The lower end of the duct 73 is open. One end of a pipe 74 is connected to the upper end portion of the duct 73. The other end of the pipe 74 is connected to the weir structure 71a. The pipe 74 is made of a softer material than the container 71 and the duct 73. The pipe 74 and the duct 73 are an example of a pipe part, and form a path through which water flows.

  The refrigerator compartment 2 and the ice making / ice storage compartment 3 are partitioned by a heat insulating partition wall 92. The heat insulation partition wall 92 continues to the heat insulation partition wall 90 located on the back side of the refrigerator 1 (see FIG. 1). A partition plate 91 is attached to a part of the upper surface of the heat insulating partition wall 92. The partition plate 91 is made of a synthetic resin material. The tank 7 is disposed on the partition plate 91.

  The tank 7 is detachably attached to the partition plate 91. A hole 91 a is formed in the partition plate 91, and a hole 92 a is formed in the heat insulating partition wall 92. A flow rate adjusting unit 80 to be described later passes through the holes 91a and 92a. In a state where the tank 7 is disposed on the partition plate 91, the lower end of the duct 73 is disposed above the holes 91a and 92a.

  The motor 11 is disposed below the partition plate 91. Magnets are fixed to the motor 11 and the impeller portion 17, respectively. When the tank 7 is mounted on the heat insulating partition wall 92 and the partition plate 91, the impeller portion 17 and the motor 11 face each other with the container 71 and the partition plate 91 interposed therebetween. By the rotation of the impeller portion 17 that is driven by the motor 11, water is sucked up from the weir structure 71a to the pipe 74.

  The water sucked up by the pipe 74 flows through the inside of the tank 7 from below to above while passing through the pipe 74. After flowing into the duct 73 from the pipe 74, the water flows downward. The water flowing through the pipe 74 and the duct 73 serving as a conduit flows into the flow rate adjusting unit 80 from the lower end of the duct 73. Further, an ice tray 12 is disposed downstream of the flow rate control unit 80. A discharge port 83 a formed at the tip of the discharge nozzle 83 in the flow rate adjusting unit 80 faces the ice making and ice storage chamber 3. The ice tray 12 stores water supplied from the tank 7 through the pipe portion. The water stored in the ice tray 12 becomes ice by being cooled in the ice making and ice storage chamber 3.

  The flow rate adjusting unit 80 is connected to the lower end of the duct 73. The flow rate control unit 80 suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice tray 12. The flow rate adjusting unit 80 includes a flange portion 81, a pipe packing 82, and a discharge nozzle 83. The collar part 81 is arrange | positioned under the duct 73 of a pipe part. The collar part 81 is formed to be tapered along the direction in which water flows. The discharge nozzle 83 is attached to the collar portion 81. A pipe packing 82 is disposed at a portion where the flange 81 and the discharge nozzle 83 are connected. The packing 84 is attached to the outer periphery of the lower end portion of the duct 73.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the refrigerator compartment 2 in which the flow rate adjusting unit 80 is arranged. In the partition plate 91, a recess 91b is formed around a hole 91a (see FIG. 3). The recess 91b is formed along the shape of the heat insulating partition wall 92 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge nozzle 83 passes through the hole portion 91a and the hole portion 92a, and the collar portion 81 is placed on the partition plate 91 in the recess 91b, so that the partition plate 91 and the heat insulating partition wall 92 are placed. On the other hand, the flow rate adjusting unit 80 is detachably attached. Further, the packing 84 is placed on the flange 81 of the flow rate adjusting unit 80, whereby the pipe unit including the duct 73 and the flow rate adjusting unit 80 are connected.

  As described above, the tank 7 is detachable from the partition plate 91 and the heat insulating partition wall 92. The flow rate adjusting unit 80 can be detached from the partition plate 91 and the heat insulating partition wall 92 after removing the tank 7 from the partition plate 91 and the heat insulating partition wall 92. That is, the flow rate adjusting unit 80 is detachably connected to a pipe unit including the duct 73 and the pipe 74.

  The automatic ice making device 30 includes a sensor 14 that detects dirt on the flow rate adjusting unit 80. As will be described later, in detail, the sensor 14 detects dirt on the rib or the bottom wall portion of the flange 81 of the flow rate adjusting unit 80. The sensor 14 is disposed at a position where the dirt of the flow rate adjusting unit 80 can be detected in the heat insulating partition walls 90 and 92 surrounding the refrigerator compartment 2 or in the refrigerator compartment 2.

  Here, the structure of the collar part 81 of the flow volume control part 80 is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the flow rate adjusting unit 80. FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the flow rate adjusting unit 80. The flange 81 of the flow rate adjusting unit 80 includes a bottom wall 81d, a peripheral wall 81e, a discharge port 81c that passes through the bottom wall 81d and allows water to flow out of the flange 81, and is adjacent to the discharge port 81c and has a bottom. Rib 81b extending substantially perpendicularly from wall 81d. The rib 81b is an example of a protrusion. A handle 81a extends from the outside of the peripheral wall portion 81e.

  The position and size of the rib 81b and the position and size of the discharge port 81c are adjusted so that water flowing into the flow rate adjusting unit 80 from the upstream does not flow directly to the discharge port 81c. Water flowing from the tank 7 toward the ice tray 12 (refer to FIG. 3) falls to the surface of the bottom wall portion 81d of the flange 81 in the flow rate adjusting unit 80 (see hatching of the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6). . At this time, the positions of the duct 73 and the flow rate adjusting unit 80 are set so that water falls on the opposite side of the discharge port 81c across the rib 81b. Since the rib 81b is formed in the collar part 81, the water which flows into the flow volume control part 80 from the upstream can collide with the rib 81b. As described above, the water falling on the surface of the bottom wall portion 81d bypasses the rib 81b while colliding with the rib 81b, whereby the flow rate of water flowing toward the ice tray 12 can be suppressed. When the pipe part including the duct 73 (see FIG. 3) and the flow rate adjusting part 80 are connected, the packing 84 (see FIG. 3) is placed on the peripheral wall part 81e of the flange part 81.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow path cross-sectional area of the flange 81 in the flow rate adjusting unit 80 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area at the lower end of the duct 73. Therefore, when the water flowing through the pipe 74 and the duct 73 flows into the flange 81 of the flow rate adjusting unit 80, the flow rate can be adjusted so that the water flows discontinuously in the discharge nozzle 83. Furthermore, according to the configuration in which water collides with the periphery of the rib 81b formed in the flange portion 81, water can be prevented from directly flowing into the discharge nozzle 83 from the duct 73 through the discharge port 81c of the flange portion 81. . In this way, the flow rate adjusting unit 80 suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice tray 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tank 7 is disposed above the discharge port 83 a facing the ice tray 12. Further, as described above, the shapes of these flow paths are adjusted so that the flow path cross-sectional area of the flange 81 in the flow rate adjusting section 80 is formed larger than the flow path cross-sectional area at the lower end of the duct 73. . When the water supply to the ice tray 12 is finished, the continuous flow of water in the space formed between the flange portion 81 and the packing 84 by temporarily rotating the impeller portion 17 in the reverse direction. Can be stopped. That is, according to the configuration of the pipe part and the flow rate control part 80 in the automatic ice making device 30, even if the pipe part is filled with water, a situation occurs in which the flow of water does not stop due to siphon action. Can be prevented. That is, an appropriate amount of water can be supplied to the ice tray 12.

  On the other hand, according to the shape of the flange portion 81, dirt is attached to the rib 81 b or the bottom wall portion 81 d as the root of the rib 81 b because water tends to remain even after the supply of water from the tank 7 is stopped. Or mold occurs. However, the automatic ice making device 30 is configured to facilitate cleaning of the collar portion 81 and the flow rate adjusting portion 80 in accordance with the degree of dirt on the rib 81b as a part where dirt tends to accumulate. The degree of dirt on the rib 81b as a part where dirt tends to accumulate is detected or measured by the sensor 14. Below, the structure containing the sensor 14 is demonstrated using FIG. 7 as a structure which can accelerate | stimulate the cleaning of the collar part 81 and the flow volume adjustment part 80 according to the grade of the dirt of the rib 81b.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the control related to the automatic ice making device 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the automatic ice making device 30 includes a control device 50 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a central processing unit, a display unit 19, and a control circuit 15. The control device 50 includes a detection unit 51, a determination unit 52, a storage unit 53, and a display control unit 54. The sensor 14 outputs a signal based on measurement or detection to the control device 50. The detection unit 51 detects contamination of the flow rate adjustment unit 80 (see FIG. 3) based on information output from the sensor 14. For example, the control device 50 including the detection unit 51 quantifies the degree of contamination based on information included in a signal transmitted from the sensor 14.

  Further, the determination unit 52 determines whether or not the degree of contamination exceeds a predetermined range based on this numerical value. Information including numerical values indicating a predetermined range of dirt is stored in the storage unit 53 as a memory. For example, the determination unit 52 compares the information stored in the storage unit 53 with the information detected by the detection unit 51 to determine whether the degree of contamination of the flow rate adjustment unit 80 exceeds a predetermined range. Determine.

  The display control unit 54 controls the display unit 19 based on the result of determination by the determination unit 52. When the display control unit 54 controls the display unit 19, for example, the display control unit 54 switches on and off of a switch or the like included in the control circuit 15. Thereby, the display mode on the display unit 19 can be changed. Thus, according to the configuration of the automatic ice making device 30, the display unit 19 indicates that the flow rate adjustment unit 80 (see FIG. 3) needs to be cleaned based on the information on the dirt detected by the sensor 14. can do. The display unit 19 is an example of a notification unit.

  Here, an example of the control executed in the automatic ice making device 30 having a configuration including the sensor 14 and the control device 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in step S11, the control relating to the first ice making is executed as a predetermined control. The first ice making is an operation related to the previous ice making when the second ice making described later is an operation related to the current ice making. The operation relating to each ice making includes a series of operations from when water is supplied to the ice making tray 12 until the ice is released from the ice making tray 12. In each ice making control, as described above, water is supplied from the tank 7 to the ice making tray 12 (see FIG. 3). Subsequently, the sensor 14 is activated (S12). Based on the activation of the sensor 14, an image (shadow pattern) is recorded as detection of dirt in the flow rate adjusting unit 80 (S 13).

  Subsequently, in step S14, the control relating to the second ice making is executed as a predetermined control. There is no particular difference between the control related to the first (previous) ice making and the control related to the second (current) ice making. Subsequently, the sensor 14 is activated (S15). Based on the activation of the sensor 14, the image (shadow pattern) detected at the time of ice making this time is collated with the image (shadow pattern) recorded in step S13 (S16).

  In step S17, it is determined whether the image (shadow pattern) detected at the time of ice making this time matches the image (shadow pattern) recorded in step S13. If NO is determined in step S17, the process returns to step S14. On the other hand, when it determines with YES in step S17, it progresses to step S18. In step S18, the user is prompted to clean by the display on the display unit 19 as described below.

  The display unit 19 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) as a touch panel. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a display unit 19 as a notification unit of the automatic ice making device according to the present invention. The display unit 19 as a notification unit displays so as to prompt the cleaning of the flow rate adjusting unit 80. The display unit 19 is provided with an “ice making” keypad. When the degree of contamination of the flow rate adjusting unit 80 (see FIG. 3) exceeds a predetermined range, for example, an “ice making” keypad blinks. The user can determine that the flow rate adjusting unit 80 (see FIG. 3) needs to be cleaned by visually checking the flashing of the “ice making” keypad.

  As described above, the automatic ice making device 30 includes the tank 7, the pipe portion including the pipe 74 and the duct 73, the ice tray 12, the flow rate adjustment unit 80, the sensor 14, and the display unit 19. The tank 7 stores water. The pipe part including the pipe 74 and the duct 73 is connected to the tank 7 and forms a path through which water flows. The ice tray 12 stores water supplied from the tank 7 through the pipe portion. The flow rate adjusting unit 80 is detachably connected to the pipe unit. In addition, the flow rate control unit 80 suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice tray 12. The sensor 14 detects dirt on the flow rate adjusting unit 80. The display unit 19 displays that the flow rate adjusting unit 80 needs to be cleaned based on the information on the dirt detected by the sensor 14.

  In the automatic ice making device 30, the flow rate controller 80 suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice tray 12. Since the water tends to remain even after the supply of water flowing through the path is stopped, the flow rate adjusting unit 80 having such a configuration is likely to accumulate dirt. However, in the automatic ice making device 30, the display unit 19 notifies that the flow rate adjustment unit 80 needs to be cleaned based on the information on the contamination detected by the sensor 14, so that the flow rate adjustment unit 80 can be cleaned. Depending on the degree, cleaning of the flow rate adjusting unit 80 can be promoted.

  By doing in this way, the automatic ice making apparatus 30 which can accelerate | urge | promote cleaning of the flow volume adjustment part 80 according to the grade of the dirt of the flow volume adjustment part 80 can be provided.

  In addition, the display unit 19 as a notification unit displays so as to prompt the cleaning of the flow rate adjusting unit 80. According to the configuration in which the display unit 19 notifies that the flow rate adjustment unit 80 needs to be cleaned, the user can be urged to quietly clean the flow rate adjustment unit 80. That is, according to this configuration, the convenience of the automatic ice making device 30 can be improved.

  The flow rate adjusting unit 80 has a flange 81 connected to the duct 73 among the pipes. The flange portion 81 includes a bottom wall portion 81d, a peripheral wall portion 81e, a discharge port 81c, and a rib 81b. The discharge port 81c passes through the bottom wall portion 81d and allows water to flow out from the flange portion 81. The rib 81b is adjacent to the discharge port 81c and extends substantially vertically from the bottom wall portion 81d. The sensor 14 detects dirt on either the rib 81b or the bottom wall portion 81d of the flange portion 81.

  According to such a shape of the flange 81, water tends to remain at the base of the rib 81b even after the supply of water from the tank 7 is stopped. That is, according to the shape of the collar part 81, it becomes a cause that dirt adheres to the base of the rib 81b or mold | fungi etc. generate | occur | produce. However, the automatic ice making device 30 is configured to be able to prompt the cleaning of the flange portion 81 and the flow rate adjusting portion 80 in accordance with the degree of contamination of the rib 81b or the bottom wall portion 81d as a portion where contamination easily collects. ing. That is, in the automatic ice making device 30, it is possible to prompt the cleaning of the part at an optimal time by detecting the local dirt as the dirt of the part where the dirt tends to accumulate.

  Further, in the refrigerator 1 provided with the automatic ice making device 30, cleaning of the flow rate adjusting unit 80 can be promoted according to the degree of contamination of the flow rate adjusting unit 80.

  Note that the display mode on the display unit 19 for notifying that the flow rate adjusting unit 80 needs to be cleaned is not limited to the flashing of the “ice making” keypad. The display unit 19 may be separately provided with another portion for indicating that cleaning is necessary, and this portion may be lit or blinked. Furthermore, as a notification part, you may be comprised so that it may alert | report that the cleaning of the flow volume adjustment part 80 is required with an audio | voice separately from a display.

  The sensor 14 is a sensor that detects by measuring or detecting the contamination of the flow rate adjusting unit 80 by a so-called transmission type or reflection type configuration. FIG. 3 shows a sensor 14 that is larger than the rib 81 b of the flange 81. However, the size occupied by the entire sensor 14 is not particularly limited. The volume occupied by the entire sensor 14 may be larger or smaller than the volume occupied by the flange 81.

  Further, the position where the sensor 14 is attached in the automatic ice making device 30 is to detect appropriately by measuring or detecting the dirt on the rib 81b or the bottom wall 81d of the flange 81 around the tank 7. Any position is possible. For example, the sensor 14 may be disposed around the tank 7. Alternatively, the sensor 14 may be disposed in a space formed between the bottom surface 71 b of the tank 7 and the partition plate 91.

  In the automatic ice making device 30, the configuration of the CPU including the control device 50 detects dirt based on detection or measurement by the sensor 14. However, the sensor 14 itself may be configured to detect the degree of contamination after detection or measurement.

(Second Embodiment)
Below, the refrigerator and automatic ice making apparatus of 2nd Embodiment are demonstrated. FIG. 10 shows a flow rate adjusting unit 800 as a flow rate adjusting unit in an example of an automatic ice making device according to the present invention. The flow rate adjusting unit 800 is another example of the flow rate adjusting unit provided in the automatic ice making device 30 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the flow rate adjusting unit 800. In addition, below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which has the function similar to the structure of the refrigerator 1 and automatic ice making apparatus 30 of 1st Embodiment.

  The difference between the flow rate adjusting unit 800 and the flow rate adjusting unit 80 (see FIG. 5) is that a slit 801f is formed in the peripheral wall portion 801e of the flow rate adjusting unit 800. In addition, the position where the flow control unit 800 is arranged in the refrigerator and the automatic ice making device of the second embodiment is the same as the position where the flow control unit 80 is arranged in the refrigerator 1 and the automatic ice making device 30 of the first embodiment. (See FIG. 3). The flow rate adjusting unit 800 suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice tray 12.

  FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an example of an automatic ice making device according to the present invention provided with a flow rate adjusting unit 800. As shown in FIG. 11, the flow rate adjusting unit 80 includes a flange 801, a pipe packing 82, and a discharge nozzle 83. The sensor 14 is disposed in a heat insulating partition wall that surrounds the refrigerating chamber 2 or a position in the refrigerating chamber 2 where the contamination of the flow rate adjusting unit 800 can be detected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the flange 801 of the flow rate adjusting unit 800 includes a bottom wall 801d, a peripheral wall 801e, and a discharge port 801c that passes through the bottom wall 801d and allows water to flow out from the flange 801. A rib 801b adjacent to the discharge port 801c and extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall 801d.

  Further, as described above, the slit 801f is formed in the peripheral wall portion 801e. The slit 801f is a part where a part of the peripheral wall 801e located on the side opposite to the discharge port 801c with the rib 801b interposed therebetween is cut off. Out of the surface of the bottom wall portion 801d, the opposite side of the discharge port 801c across the rib 81b is a portion where water toward the ice tray 12 falls. The rib 801b is an example of a protrusion. A handle 801a extends from the outer side of the peripheral wall portion 801e.

  Specifically, the sensor 14 detects the contamination of the rib 801b or the bottom wall portion 801d of the flange portion 801 of the flow rate adjusting unit 800. Since the slit 801f is formed in the flange portion 801, the sensor 14 does not face the peripheral wall portion 801e so that the state of the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall portion 801e and the bottom wall portion 801d can be detected through the slit 801f. It faces the rib 801b (see FIG. 11). Therefore, the sensor 14 can easily detect the contamination of the rib 801b or the bottom wall portion 801d around the base of the rib 801b.

  Other configurations and operational effects of the refrigerator and the automatic ice making device of the second embodiment are the same as those of the refrigerator 1 and the automatic ice making device 30 of the first embodiment. Therefore, description of other configurations and operational effects of the refrigerator and the automatic ice making device of the second embodiment is omitted.

  In addition, in the refrigerator and automatic ice making device of 2nd Embodiment, what the protrusion part is not formed in the collar part 801 of the flow volume adjustment part 800 may be contained. Moreover, in the collar part in which the projection part is not formed, the position of the slit in the peripheral wall part of the collar part is not limited, and the slit may be formed in any position of the peripheral wall part. A sensor that detects the state of the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion of the collar through the slit is arranged according to the position of the slit so as to face the slit, for example, around the collar, regardless of the presence or absence of the protrusion. It only has to be.

(Third embodiment)
Below, the refrigerator and automatic ice making apparatus of 3rd Embodiment are demonstrated. FIG. 12 shows another example of an automatic ice making device according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing another example of the automatic ice making device according to the present invention. In addition, below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which has the function similar to the structure of the refrigerator 1 and automatic ice making apparatus 30 of 1st Embodiment.

  The automatic ice making device of the third embodiment includes a refrigerator compartment 2 and an ice making and ice storage compartment 3. The interior of the refrigerator (not shown) is partitioned into a refrigerator compartment 2 and an ice making and ice storage compartment 3 by a heat insulating member including a heat insulating partition wall 92. A resin casing 307 is arranged in the refrigerator compartment 2.

  The tank 308 for storing water is disposed in a space inside the housing 307 in the refrigerator compartment 2. The tank 308 is detachably attached to the housing 307. A discharge port for discharging water from the tank 308 to the outside is formed at the bottom of the tank 308. A water supply cap 310 is attached to the edge of the discharge port. The water supply cap 310 is formed with a water supply port for allowing water flowing from the tank 308 to the water supply cap 310 to flow further downward. A nozzle cap 311 is disposed in the space inside the water supply cap 310. The nozzle cap 311 opens and closes the water supply port of the water supply cap 310. A coil spring 312 is disposed between the water supply cap 310 and the nozzle cap 311. The coil spring 312 urges the nozzle cap 311 downward in a direction to close the water supply port of the water supply cap 10.

  The water supply port of the water supply cap 10 is opened based on the operation of the operation body 314. For example, when the operation body 314 is manually operated by a user of a refrigerator and an automatic ice making device, the operation body 314 pushes the nozzle cap 311 upward. Thereby, the water supply port of the water supply cap 10 is opened. A door 315 is attached to the housing 307. The operation body 314 has a portion located outside the housing 307 with the door 315 interposed therebetween, and a portion located inside the housing 307. These parts are connected to each other. The portion located inside the housing 307 penetrates the peripheral wall portion of the flange portion 381 of the flow rate adjusting portion 380 described later. By operating the operating body 314 on the outside of the housing 307, the nozzle cap 311 can be moved upward so as to oppose the urging force of the coil spring 312 inside the housing 307.

  When water is supplied to the tank 308, the tank 308 can be taken out from the space inside the housing 307 by opening the door 315. A drive device 318 such as a motor is disposed at a position close to the door 315. In the case where the door 315 is left open, the door 315 can be closed by operating the driving device 318. Note that the open / closed state of the door 315 can be detected by the detector 319. Such a detector 319 includes, for example, a fixed-side reed switch such as the housing 307 and a moving-side magnet such as the door 315. Further, the automatic ice making device of the third embodiment includes a detector 320. The detector 320 detects whether or not the tank 308 is installed at a predetermined position by being securely attached to the housing 307.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the automatic ice making device of the third embodiment includes a flow rate adjusting unit 380. The flow rate adjusting unit 380 is disposed below the nozzle cap 311 and the water supply cap 310 so that the water in the tank 308 flowing out from the water supply cap 310 can be guided to the ice tray 12. The flow rate adjusting unit 380 includes a flange portion 381, a pipe packing 82, and a discharge nozzle 83. An opening is formed in the housing 307 and the heat insulating partition wall 92 so that the discharge port 83 a of the discharge nozzle 83 is disposed above the ice tray 12. The discharge nozzle 83 extends along a substantially vertical direction so as to penetrate these openings.

  The collar portion 381 has a funnel shape. With such a shape, the flow rate adjustment unit 380 suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice tray 12. Water flowing downward from the water supply port of the water supply cap 310 flows out to the discharge nozzle 83 below the flange 381 while passing through the space surrounded by the peripheral wall of the flange 381. At this time, part of the water flows toward the discharge nozzle 83 while colliding with the bottom wall portion of the flange 381.

  On the other hand, according to the shape of the flange 381, water easily remains after the supply of water from the tank 308 is stopped in the flow rate adjustment unit 380 including the bottom wall portion or the peripheral wall portion of the flange 381. Dirt is attached or mold is generated. The degree of contamination of the flow rate adjustment unit 380 is detected or measured by the sensor 14. The sensor 14 is attached to the housing 307 so as to be disposed in a space inside the housing 307. The sensor 14 may be embedded in the housing 307. The sensor 14 may be disposed outside the space so that the housing 307 is provided with a window and the space in the housing 307 can be sensed through the window.

  Other configurations and operational effects of the refrigerator and the automatic ice making device of the third embodiment are the same as those of the refrigerator 1 and the automatic ice making device 30 of the first embodiment. Therefore, description is abbreviate | omitted about the other structure of the refrigerator and automatic ice making apparatus of 3rd Embodiment, and an effect.

  In addition, a slit may be formed in the peripheral wall portion of the flange portion 381 as in the flow rate adjusting portion 800 (see FIG. 10) of the refrigerator and the automatic ice making device of the second embodiment. According to the flow rate adjusting unit 380 including the flange portion 381 in which the slit is formed, the sensor 14 faces the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion without facing the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion of the flange portion 381. Therefore, the sensor 14 can easily detect dirt on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion and the bottom wall portion of the flange portion 381.

(Fourth embodiment)
Below, the refrigerator and automatic ice making apparatus of 4th Embodiment are demonstrated. FIG. 13 shows still another example of the automatic ice making device according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing still another example of the automatic ice making device according to the present invention. In addition, below, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which has the function similar to the structure of the refrigerator 1 and automatic ice making apparatus 30 of 1st Embodiment.

  The automatic ice making device of the fourth embodiment includes a refrigerator compartment 2 and an ice making and ice storage compartment 3. The interior of the refrigerator (not shown) is partitioned into a refrigerator compartment 2 and an ice making and ice storage compartment 3 by a heat insulating member including a heat insulating partition wall 92. A tank assembly 409 including a container for storing water is disposed in the refrigerator compartment 2. The tank assembly 409 is detachably attached to the heat insulating partition wall 92. A duct extends inside the container so that the water inlet faces the upper side of the bottom of the container of the tank assembly 409. A water inlet is formed at one end of the duct, and a suction hose 410 is connected to the other end of the duct. The suction hose 410 connects the tank assembly 409 and the gear pump 407.

  The water supply gear pump 407 operates based on the drive of the motor 417. The gear pump 407 is fixed to the mounting base 408. One end of a water discharge hose 411 is connected to the gear pump 407. The other end of the water discharge hose 411 is connected to the vertical portion 405 of the water supply pipe 455. The water supply pipe 455 is a resin molded product obtained by kneading a material having water repellency such as silicone. A portion of the water supply pipe 455 downstream of the vertical portion 405 is incorporated in the heat insulating partition wall 92 as a part of the pipe assembly 406. A portion of the water supply pipe 455 downstream of the vertical portion 405 includes a first bent portion 415, a horizontal portion 425, a second bent portion 435, and a water discharge portion 445. The pipe assembly 406 includes the first bent portion 415, the horizontal portion 425, the second bent portion 435, the water discharge portion 445, a part of the heat insulating partition wall 92, and a cover.

  The first bent portion 415, the horizontal portion 425, the second bent portion 435, and the water discharge portion 445 pass through the heat insulating partition wall 92, so that the container of the tank assembly 409 is transferred to the ice making tray 12 of the ice making / storage room 3. Water can flow toward you. The water in the tank assembly 409 is sucked up from the vicinity of the bottom of the container by the operation of the gear pump 407. Further, the water is conveyed to the water discharge hose 411 through the suction hose 410 and the gear pump 407. The water carried to the water discharge hose 411 flows toward the ice tray 12 along the water supply pipe 455 positioned below the water discharge hose 411. A water discharge port 450 is formed by opening the lower end of the water discharge unit 445. The water outlet 450 is located above the ice tray 12 so as to face the ice tray 12. After a certain amount of water is poured from the spout 450 into the ice tray 12, the operation of the gear pump 407 is stopped.

  Further, after stopping, the motor 417 is controlled so that the gear pump 407 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, when air is sucked into the water supply pipe 455 from the ice tray 12 side, that is, the water discharge port 450, a part of the water remaining in the water discharge hose 411 and the water supply pipe 455 can be made to flow backward. Further, another part of the water remaining inside the water discharge hose 411 and the water supply pipe 455 flows out to the ice tray 12 when the gear pump 407 rotates in the reverse direction.

  When the inside of the water discharge hose 411 and the water supply pipe 455 is filled with air, the water inside the gear pump 407 and the suction hose 10 flows backward to the tank assembly 409. Thereafter, the water inside the tank assembly 409 does not flow out to the ice tray 12 until the gear pump 407 starts operating again. The water poured into the ice tray 12 is frozen to become ice and separated from the ice tray 12. An ice storage container (not shown) is disposed below the ice tray 12, and the ice separated from the ice tray 12 is stored in the ice storage container. Thereafter, these series of steps are automatically repeated.

  In the water path including the water supply pipe 455, the flow rate of the water can be adjusted by the angle at which the path inside the horizontal part 425 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the length and diameter of the horizontal part 425, and the like. it can. That is, according to the configuration of the pipe assembly 406 including the water supply pipe 455, the water supply pipe is configured to temporarily store water upstream of the water outlet 450 or to block the flow of water at the second bent portion 435. 455 functions. Thus, in the automatic ice making device of the fourth embodiment, as the downstream end of the horizontal portion 425 or the upstream end of the second bent portion 435, the vicinity of the connection portion between the second bent portion 435 and the horizontal portion 425 is: It functions as a flow rate control unit. In other words, the water supply pipe 455 constitutes a flow rate adjusting unit.

  On the other hand, depending on the shape of the water supply pipe 455 or the difference between the environment in the refrigerator compartment 2 and the environment in the ice making and ice storage chamber 3, the second bent portion is set as the vicinity of the connection portion between the second bent portion 435 and the horizontal portion 425. At the position upstream of the bent portion at 435, dirt such as scale or mold is likely to be attached. Therefore, in the automatic ice making device of the fourth embodiment, the sensor 14 is disposed around the water supply pipe 455 around the position upstream of the bent portion of the second bent portion 435. The sensor 14 is embedded in the heat insulating partition wall 92. The degree of contamination of the water supply pipe 455 as the flow rate adjusting unit is detected or measured by the sensor 14.

  Other configurations and operational effects of the refrigerator and the automatic ice making device of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the refrigerator 1 and the automatic ice making device 30 of the first embodiment. Therefore, description is abbreviate | omitted about the other structure of the refrigerator and automatic ice making apparatus of 4th Embodiment, and an effect.

  Note that an opening may be formed around the water supply pipe 455 around the position upstream of the bent portion of the second bent portion 435. According to the water supply pipe 455 as the flow rate adjusting portion in which the opening is formed, the sensor 14 faces the inner peripheral surface without facing the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 455. Therefore, the sensor 14 can easily detect dirt on the inner peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 455.

  The embodiment disclosed above should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the scope of claims, and includes all modifications and variations within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1: Refrigerator, 7: Tank, 12: Ice tray, 14: Sensor, 19: Display unit, 30: Automatic ice making device, 73: Duct, 74: Pipe, 80: Flow control unit, 81: Saddle unit, 81b: Rib , 81c: discharge port, 81d: bottom wall portion, 81e: peripheral wall portion

Claims (3)

A tank for storing water,
A pipe part connected to the tank and forming a path through which water flows;
An ice making part for storing water supplied from the tank through the pipe part;
A flow rate adjusting unit that is detachably connected to the pipe unit and suppresses the flow rate of water upstream of the ice making unit,
A sensor for detecting dirt on the flow rate control unit;
A notification unit for notifying that the flow rate adjustment unit needs to be cleaned based on information on dirt detected by the sensor ;
The flow rate adjusting part has a flange part disposed below the pipe part,
The eaves portion includes a bottom wall portion, a peripheral wall portion, a discharge port that passes through the bottom wall portion and allows water to flow out of the eaves portion, and is adjacent to the discharge port and extends substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall portion. Including protrusions,
The sensor is an automatic ice making device that detects any dirt on the protrusion or the bottom wall of the flange . The notification unit is a display unit that displays to encourage cleaning of the flow rate adjustment unit.
The automatic ice making device according to claim 1. The automatic ice making device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided.
Freezer refrigerator.

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