JPH04203871A - Refrigerator equipped with automatic ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To indicate the replacing timing of water in a feed water tank optimally and prevent malfunction in indication due to noise and the like at the same time by a method wherein the existence of water supplied into an ice making pan is decided based on a detecting temperature detected by a temperature sensor while counting operation is started by a control signal outputted when it is decided that the water exists and a feed water tank is set. CONSTITUTION:A control circuit 8 receives the supply of a detecting temperature signal from a temperature sensor 12 and decides the existence of water fed into an ice making pan. In this case, when a feed water tank is set, a feed water tank switch 6a is closed and the input of the control circuit 8, on which a positive voltage is impressed from a terminal 82 through a resistor 81 until that time, becomes a grounded potential and, therefore, an output of the control circuit 8 resets a timer 9. Count lock enters automatically in the reset timer 9 and the timer counts a predetermined time necessitating the replacement of water. The potential of a count-up output at a time point when the counting is finished becomes a high potential and conducts current for a switching transistor 9 through a base resistor 10a whereby an indicator 7 consisting of a LED is driven and a lamp is lighted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an improvement in a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker.

(Prior Art) An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator is installed, for example, in a refrigerator-freezer, and automatically and continuously performs a cycle of supplying water to an ice tray, cooling ice making, removing ice, and resupplying water.

FIG. 2 shows a conventional refrigerator with an automatic ice maker. An ice tray 11 made of synthetic resin is placed in an ice making compartment 1, and water is supplied from a water supply pipe 2 at the rear of the refrigerator.

After the water supply is completed, the water supply is automatically stopped, and the cold air flow sent from the cold air passage 3 on the rear back is blown onto the surface of the ice tray 11, and ice making is started.

A temperature sensor 12 attached to the outside bottom of the ice tray 11 determines that ice making is complete when the temperature drops to, for example, -12°C, and the motor in the ice maker body 13 is driven to rotate the ice tray 11 to remove ice. Then, the fallen ice is taken out from the ice box 14 below. After the ice is removed, the ice tray returns to its original position by rotating the ice maker body 13 again.
Water supply will start again.

Therefore, water is pumped and supplied to the ice tray 11 by the water supply pump 4 on the water supply side, and the temperature of the sensor (12) rises due to the water pumped from the water tray 5, so for example, 3 minutes and 30 seconds have elapsed after the completion of water supply. After that, for example -9,5
When the temperature exceeds ℃, it is determined that water is being supplied normally, and ice making is repeated again.

By the way, when the water tray 5 and the water supply tank 6 that supplies water to the water tray 5 run out of water, even if the water supply pump 4 operates, water is not actually supplied to the ice tray 11, so the temperature of the sensor (12) remains unchanged. Low temperatures continue. Therefore,
If the temperature of the sensor (12) still does not exceed -9.5°C even after a certain period of time, for example 3 minutes and 30 seconds, has passed after the water supply operation, it is determined that the water supply tank 6 has run out of water, and the ice maker body 13 is A control circuit lights up a display (not shown) on the refrigerator door.

However, in such a conventional refrigerator with an automatic ice maker, for example, the ice box 14 may remain full of ice for a long time, or the ice making function may be stopped, causing the water in the water tank 6 to be consumed. If the water supply tank 6 is left unused for a long period of time, the quality of the water in the water supply tank 6 will deteriorate due to decomposition, etc., so periodic replacement is required from the viewpoint of safety and hygiene.

However, it is extremely difficult to record or remember, point by point, when the water tank 6 containing new water was placed in the refrigerator, or how much time and date has passed since the setting. For household refrigerators and the like that are used at different times, there is no effective way to know when to change the water.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) Conventional refrigerators with automatic ice makers do not have an effective means to indicate whether the water in the water tank is out of water or to notify when it is time to replace the water in the water tank. Ta.

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker that can eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, properly display whether it is time to replace the water in the water tank, and at the same time prevent malfunctions on the display due to noise, etc. do.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A refrigerator with an automatic ice maker according to the present invention receives a water tank set signal and generates an ice tray based on the detected temperature from a temperature sensor disposed on the ice tray. a timer that starts a timing operation based on a control signal output when the control means determines that there is water and that the water supply tank is set; It is characterized by comprising a display device driven by a count-up output.

(Function) In this invention, even if a short reset signal is input as noise, the timer that starts after the water tank is set in the refrigerator continues without being reset. Therefore, the water change time is displayed accurately.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The only difference from the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 2 is the control system, so the same components as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation will focus on the control circuit system.

That is, water from the water supply tank (6) flows into the water tray (5) until it reaches a predetermined water level, and the water supply pump (4) receives water from the control circuit 8, which is a control means in the ice maker body 13). A certain amount of water is supplied to the ice cube tray (11) according to a signal. The control circuit 8 is composed of a microcomputer.

Further, a temperature sensor 12 is connected to the control circuit 8, and receives a detected temperature signal from the temperature sensor 12, and receives the detected temperature signal from the ice tray (
11) Determine the presence or absence of water supplied inside.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the water tank (6) is set, the water tank switch 6a is closed (on), and the control to which positive voltage was previously applied from the terminal 82 via the resistor 81 is performed. Since the circuit 8 is at ground potential (L), the output from the control circuit 8 resets the timer 9. The reset timer 9 automatically starts a count clock and measures the predetermined time (T) required for water exchange.

The count-up output (Q) at the end of time measurement is at a high potential (
H) and makes the switching transistor 9 conductive via the base resistor 10a, so the indicator 7 consisting of an LED is driven and lights up. Note that 7a is a resistor for limiting the current to the display 7.

Furthermore, when the water tank 6 is removed, the water tank switch 6a is opened (off) and the human power of the control circuit 8 becomes a high potential (H), so its output becomes the high potential (H).
It becomes a low potential (L).

Further, when a water-out signal is supplied from the temperature sensor 12, the output from the control circuit 8 resets the timer 9. Therefore, problems such as the display indicating the time to replace water when the water tank (6) runs out of water can be avoided.

Furthermore, after the timer 9 has started counting, the water tray (5) may be cleaned, food may simply be put in and taken out of the refrigerator, or the water tank (6) may be momentarily removed. Chattering or the like may occur in the water tank switch 6a, but even if such noise occurs, if the short period of time is included in the time measured by the timer 9,
The timer 9 continues to measure time under the control of the control circuit 8.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the water in the water tank (6) set in the refrigerator has elapsed for a predetermined period (T), the appropriate time to replace the water is displayed on the display 7. The time measurement continues without being affected by the slight malfunction of the water tank switch 6a or noise, and the time measurement stops and is not displayed if the water tank (6) runs out of water.
Good water quality management in line with actual usage conditions becomes possible.

[Effect of the invention] As described above, according to the present invention, by simple improvement,
Under good quality control of the stored water, it becomes possible to make ice in a safer and more sanitary manner, and it is especially effective when adopted for home use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a refrigerator with an automatic ice maker according to the present invention, and in particular is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit system, and Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view showing a conventional refrigerator with an automatic ice maker. be. 1...Ice making room, 11...Ice making tray, 12...
・・Temperature sensor, 13・Ice maker body, 14・
...Ice box, 2..Water supply pipe, 4..Water supply pump, 5..Water tray, 6..Water supply tank, 6a..Water tank switch, 7..Display device, 8. ...control circuit, 9 timers, 10...transistors. Agent Patent Attorney Norihiro Ogo 6a: Tansuichi Onaga 7: Table 1g 8: Control circuit Fig. 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] A control means receives a water supply tank set signal and determines the presence or absence of water supplied to the ice tray based on the detected temperature from a temperature sensor disposed in the ice tray; A refrigerator with an automatic ice maker that is comprised of a timer that starts timing operation based on a control signal that is output when it is determined that the timer is set, and a display that is driven by the count-up output of this timer.