JPH07208842A - Automatic icemaker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent ice separation before an ice made state of an icemaking vessel due to a room temperature rise and to eliminate aiding of adherence of ice of an ice storage box by mounting temperature detecting means at a room in which an icemaker is installed, and stopping counting of a waiting time until a refrigerating chamber temperature becomes lower than a set value if the room temperature rises to become the set value or more during waiting of ice separating. CONSTITUTION:Temperature detecting means 20 is mounted at a refrigerating chamber in which an icemaker is installed, a first timer 18 of a waiting time is so controlled as to be stopped until a temperature of the means 20 becomes a set value or more during waiting of ice separating and again becomes lower than the set value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device provided in a refrigerator and adapted to automatically rotate an ice making container to perform an ice removing operation after completion of ice making.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an automatic ice making device, for example, attached to a refrigerator for home use, has been conventionally devised and has a structure as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 20769/1992. The configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of a conventional automatic ice making device. When 1 is an ice making container attached to a home refrigerator, it is installed in a freezer or an independent room at a freezing temperature (-18 ° C). Reference numeral 2 denotes a temperature detecting means which is provided on the outer bottom surface of the ice making container 1 and includes a thermistor for detecting the completion of ice making.

Reference numeral 3 is a water supply tank, which is installed in a refrigerating room when it is attached to a domestic refrigerator. 4 is a water supply tank 3
Is a water supply pump motor for supplying water to the ice making container 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes an ice removing mechanism that rotates the ice making container 1 to perform an ice removing operation, a motor 6 that rotates the ice making container 1, a twisting portion 7 that twists the rotating ice making container 1 to remove ice, and twisting is completed. And a horizontal position detecting means 9 of the ice making container 1. The ice removing mechanism 5 is configured inside an ice making case 10 surrounded by plastic or the like.

Below the ice making container 1, an ice storage box 11 for storing the fallen ice is arranged. The ice making case 10 detects the amount of ice in the ice storage box.
An ice detecting lever 12 that moves up and down in conjunction with the ice removing mechanism 5 and the motor 6 is located on the ice storage box 11 with a part of the above. When the motor 6 starts to move, the ice detecting lever 12 starts to move down to the lowest position after a certain period of time.

When the motor 6 is further moved, the ice detecting lever 12 starts to move up and finally the ice detecting lever 12 returns to the initial position. If the ice detecting lever 12 hits an obstacle such as ice while the ice detecting lever 12 is descending, the ice detecting lever 12 stops at the spot, but the motor 6 continues to move.

Then, when the motor 6 starts to move and the operation of raising the ice detecting lever 12 is started after a certain period of time, the ice detecting lever 12 is also raised in conjunction therewith. Inside the ice making case 10, there is an ice making detecting means 13 including a micro switch or the like for judging the amount of ice by the operation amount of the series of ice detecting levers 12.

Next, the control circuit will be described. Reference numeral 14 is a control means composed of a microcomputer or the like, and the temperature detection means 2, the position detection means 8, the horizontal position detection means 9 and the ice making detection means 13 are connected to the input terminals thereof. Driving means 15 and 16 for driving the motor 6 and the water feed pump motor 4 are connected to the output terminal. The control means 14 counts the time during which the water supply pump motor 4 is operated and the time when the control means 14 stops the motor 6 when the water supply timer 17 and the ice making detection means 13 detect full ice. It is composed of a timer 18 and a second timer 19 that counts the time from when the motor 6 starts to move.

In such a structure, the automatic ice making operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 1, if the state of the horizontal position detecting means 9 is ON, it is determined that the ice making container 1 is horizontal, and the process proceeds to step 2. When it is determined in step 1 that the motor 6 is not horizontal, the process proceeds to step 3 and the motor 6 is set to ON so as to operate.

In step 2, the motor 6 is turned off and the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, it is judged whether the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is higher or lower than the set value, and if it is higher, the process stands by until it becomes lower in step 4. If it is determined in step 4 that the temperature is low, it is determined that the ice making is completed, and the process proceeds to step 5 where the motor 6 is set to ON to operate,
In the next step 6, the second timer 19 is started.

In step 7, it is judged whether or not the second timer 19 has counted for a certain period of time. If the counting is not completed, the process stands by in step 7. The motor 6 is still moving during this time, and the operation thereof is such that the ice detecting lever 12 first descends and hits the ice in the ice storage box 11, stops or does not hit anything, reaches the lowest point, and then moves up.

The ice making detecting means 13 judges the amount of ice by the operation amount of the ice detecting lever 12, and is in the OFF state when the ice is large and is in the ON state when the ice is small. When the series of operations of the ice detecting lever 12 is completed, the time counting of the second timer 19 is also completed and the process proceeds to step 8.

At step 8, the state of the ice making detecting means 13 is confirmed, and if the amount of ice in the ice storage box 11 is small and the ice storage box 11 is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step 9 to proceed to the ice removing operation. The ice making container 1 is rotated and twisted at the twisting portion 7 to make ice.
More freezing. Therefore, if the position detecting means 8 is turned on in step 9, it can be judged that the ice removing is completed, and the process proceeds to step 10 until the horizontal position detecting means 9 in which the ice making container 1 becomes horizontal is turned on. Return.

At step 10, the horizontal position detecting means 9 is turned on.
When it becomes the state, it is judged that the ice making container 1 is horizontal and
Proceed to step 1 and set to OFF so as to stop the motor 6. . In step 12, the water supply pump motor 4 is set to ON to supply water to the empty ice making container 1, the water supply timer 17 is started in step 13, and the water supply pump 17 is started in step 14 until the water supply timer 17 times out. The motor 4 is operated. When the water supply time 17 is up in step 14, the water supply pump motor 4 is set to OFF so as to be stopped in step 15.

After the water supply is completed and the ice making cycle is completed, the process returns to step 4 again, and this cycle is repeated to automatically make ice.

If the amount of ice in the ice storage box 11 increases in step 8 and the ice making detection means 13 is turned off, step 1
Go to 6. In step 16, the motor 6 is set to OFF so as to be stopped, and in step 17, the first timer 18 is started. In step 18, the first timer 18 waits until a predetermined time is reached, and when the predetermined time is reached, the process returns to step 5 to perform the ice detecting operation again.

[0017]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the temperature of the room, which is caused by the door gap of the room in which the ice making device is installed, during the ice releasing operation standby when the amount of ice in the ice storage box is large. Even if the ice in the ice making container is not made due to rising,
There is a drawback in that the ice detection operation is performed again after a certain period of time, and the ice removal operation is performed when the amount of ice is small, which promotes sticking of ice in the ice storage box.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic ice making device which does not promote the sticking of ice in the ice storage box.

[0019]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an automatic ice making device of the present invention is provided with a temperature detecting means in a chamber in which the ice making device is installed, and the temperature of the chamber is set while the ice removing operation is on standby. The waiting time counter is stopped until the value becomes equal to or more than the value and becomes lower than the set value again.

In addition, while waiting for the ice removing operation, the waiting time is increased until the temperature of the room becomes equal to or higher than the set value and becomes lower than the set value, or until the waiting time extension amount determined by the time until the temperature becomes lower than the set value elapses. The counter is configured to stop.

[0021]

According to the automatic ice making device of the present invention, the temperature of the chamber in which the ice making device is installed rises above the set value while the ice making operation is on standby, and the freezing room temperature becomes lower than the set value again while waiting for the ice removing operation. Since the waiting time counter is stopped until, the ice in the ice making container is prevented from being released in an unmade state.

Further, while the ice-making operation is on standby, the temperature of the chamber in which the ice making device is installed rises above the set value, becomes lower than the set value again, and is determined by the time until the temperature falls below the set value. Since the waiting time counter is stopped until the time extension has elapsed, the ice in the ice making container is prevented from being released in the unmade state.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the same parts as the conventional ones are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the refrigerator, and 20 is a freezing room temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the freezing room in which the ice making device is installed.

FIG. 1 is a control circuit diagram, in which reference numeral 21 is a control means composed of a microcomputer or the like, and its input terminals are temperature detection means 2, position detection means 8, horizontal position detection means 9, ice making detection means 13, The freezer temperature detecting means 20
Further, the motor 6 and the driving means 15 and 16 for the water supply pump motor 4 are connected to the output terminals, and are internally composed of first and second timers 18 and 19 and a water supply timer 17.

The configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, steps 1 to 17 are the same as the conventional method, and in the next step 101, it is judged whether the temperature of the freezer compartment temperature detecting means 20 is higher or lower than a set value. If the temperature is lower than the set value, the process proceeds to step 102 and the first timer 18
If the time is up, the process returns to step 5 to perform the ice detecting operation again. If the time is not up, the process returns to step 101.

If the temperature is above the set value in step 101, the first timer 18 is stopped in step 103.
In the next step 104, the process waits until the temperature of the freezer compartment temperature detecting means 20 becomes lower than the set value, and if it becomes lower, step 1
The first timer 18 is restarted at 05, and step 102
Go to.

Therefore, in this embodiment, while the ice making operation is on standby, the temperature of the freezing room in which the ice making device is installed rises above the set value, and the waiting time counter is set until the freezing room temperature becomes lower than the set value again. To stop the operation, prevent the ice in the ice making container from being released in an unmade state.

The second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Will be described with reference to. It should be noted that the same parts as the conventional ones are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

FIG. 4 is a control circuit diagram. Reference numeral 22 is a control means composed of a microcomputer and the like, and its input terminals are temperature detection means 2, position detection means 8, horizontal position detection means 9, ice making detection means 13, The freezer temperature detecting means 20
Further, the motor 6 and the drive means 15 and 16 for the water supply pump motor 4 are connected to the output terminals, and the first, second, third, fourth and fifth timers 18, 19, 23, 24 and 25 are internally provided.
And a water supply timer 17.

The above structure will be described with reference to FIG. First, steps 1 to 17 are the same as the conventional one, and at the next step 201, it is judged whether the temperature of the freezer compartment temperature detecting means 20 is higher or lower than a set value. If the temperature is lower than the set value, the routine proceeds to step 202, where it is judged whether the first timer 18 has timed out. If the time has expired, the routine returns to step 5 to perform the ice detecting operation again. If the time has not expired, the routine returns to step 201. .

If the temperature is equal to or higher than the set value in step 201, the first timer 18 is stopped in step 203, and the third timer 23 is started in step 204.

In the next step 205, the process waits until the temperature of the freezer compartment temperature detecting means 20 becomes lower than the set value, and if it becomes lower, the third timer 23 is stopped in step 206.

In the next step 207, it is judged whether the third timer 23 is longer or shorter than the set time. If it is shorter, the fourth timer 24 in step 208 is selected. If it is longer, step 20 is selected.
The fifth timer 25 of 9 is selected.

Here, the relationship between the fourth timer and the fifth timer is
4th timer (for example, 30 minutes) <5th timer (for example, 1 hour). In the next step 210, the fourth timer 24 and the fifth timer 25 are counted, and if the time is up, the first timer 18 is restarted in step 211, and the process proceeds to step 202.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the time until the temperature of the freezing room in which the ice making device is installed rises above the set value and becomes lower than the set value again during the stand-by operation of the ice removing operation, until the temperature falls below the set value. Since the waiting time counter is stopped until the waiting time extension determined by the above has elapsed, it is possible to prevent the ice in the ice making container from being released in an unmade state.

[0037]

As described above, according to the automatic ice making device of the present invention, the temperature of the room in which the ice making device is installed rises to the set value or more while the ice making operation is on standby, and the temperature of the room is set to the set value again. To stop the waiting time counter until it is lower,
It prevents the ice in the ice making container from coming off in the unmade state, so it does not promote the sticking of ice in the ice storage box.

Further, while the ice removing operation is on standby, the temperature of the chamber in which the ice making device is installed rises above the set value, becomes lower than the set value again, and waits determined by the time until the temperature falls below the set value. Since the waiting time counter is stopped until the time extension has elapsed, the ice in the ice making container is prevented from being released in an unmade state, and thus the ice sticking in the ice storage box is not promoted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control circuit diagram of an automatic ice making device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the refrigerator-freezer in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a control circuit diagram of an automatic ice making device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a control circuit diagram of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ice removing mechanism of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional automatic ice making device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ice making container 2 Temperature detecting means 3 Water supply tank 4 Water supply pump motor 5 Ice removing mechanism 6 Motor 8 Position detecting means 9 Horizontal position detecting means 10 Ice making case 11 Ice storage box 12 Ice detecting lever 13 Ice making detecting means 20 Freezing room temperature detecting means 21 Control means 22 Control means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A water supply tank, an ice making container, a water supply pump motor for supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice making container,
Temperature detecting means attached to the ice making container, a motor for rotating the ice making container, position detecting means for indicating the position of the rotating ice making container, horizontal position detecting means for indicating a horizontal position of the ice making container, and the ice making An ice removing mechanism that rotates a container to drop ice, an ice making case that constitutes the ice removing mechanism, an ice storage box under the ice making container for storing the released ice, and an ice making case out of the ice making case. Installed with an ice detecting lever for moving up and down on the ice storage box in conjunction with the motor to detect the amount of ice, an ice making detecting means for judging the amount of ice from the operation amount of the ice detecting lever, and an ice making device. And a chamber temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of a certain chamber, and cooling until the temperature detecting means falls below a predetermined temperature during a first drive period in which the motor is driven to horizontally position the ice making container. Before the end of the period and cooling period An ice detection period in which the ice detection lever is operated to detect the amount of ice by the ice making detection means, a second drive period in which the ice making container is subsequently rotated, and a water supply pump for a prescribed water supply time after the end of the second drive period. When the ice making detection means detects full ice in the ice making cycle in the ice making cycle in which the water is supplied to drive the motor and the water making period is followed by the cooling period again, the ice making operation is performed again after waiting for a certain period of time. Until the ice storage amount becomes insufficient, the next period does not occur, and if the temperature of the room where the ice making device is installed reaches or exceeds the specified temperature during standby, counting of the waiting time is stopped and the temperature of the room becomes the specified value. An automatic ice-making device equipped with a control means that starts counting the waiting time again when the temperature drops below the temperature. 2. When the ice making detection means detects full ice in the ice making cycle which proceeds to the cooling period again after the end of the water supply period, the ice detecting operation is performed again after waiting for a certain time, and the ice storage amount becomes insufficient. It will not be in the next period until it becomes, and when the temperature of the room where the ice making device is installed becomes higher than the predetermined temperature during standby, counting of the waiting time is stopped and the temperature of the room becomes lower than the predetermined temperature. The automatic ice making device according to claim 1, further comprising control means for counting the waiting time and restarting the waiting time counting after the waiting time extension determined by the time has elapsed.