KR100600724B1 - Ice Sensing apparatus for Ice maker and sensing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice-covering detection device in which an ice-covering lever for sensing an ice-covered ice bank is rotated up and down on a predetermined plane to minimize its operating area. An ice bank containing ice iced in the ice maker; An ice detection lever disposed rotatably on a plane about a rotation axis; Drive means connected to the detection lever so as to constrain the lower limit rotational position of the detection lever and to allow the detection lever to be rotated to an upper limit rotational position; Characterized in that the sensing means for determining the full ice in accordance with the position of the probe.

Refrigerator, Refrigeration Cycle Unit, Ice Maker, Ice Bank, Ice Sensor, Ginger Lever

Description

Ice Sensing apparatus for Ice maker and sensing method of the same}

1 is a perspective view of an open freezer and a refrigerating compartment of a typical refrigerator;

2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker and an ice bank according to the prior art,

3 is an internal configuration diagram of a control unit of an ice maker according to the prior art,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator equipped with the first embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention;

5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an ice maker and an ice bank of a refrigerator equipped with a first ice detection device according to the present invention;

6 is a cross-sectional view showing an ice maker and an ice bank of a refrigerator equipped with a first ice detection device according to the present invention;

7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ice maker of a refrigerator equipped with a first ice detection device according to the present invention;

8A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the first embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit pivot position;

Fig. 8B is a schematic side view and a rear view of the ice detection lever of the first embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention when it is rotated to the upper limit rotating position;

8C is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the first embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is restrained by ice;

9A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the second embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit pivot position;

9B is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the second embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is rotated to the upper limit rotating position;

9C is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the second ice detection device according to the present invention is restrained by ice;

10A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the third embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit pivot position;

10B is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the third embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is rotated to the upper limit rotating position;

Fig. 10C is a schematic side view and back view when the ice detection lever of the third embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is restrained by ice;

Fig. 11A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever in the fourth embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit rotational position,

Fig. 11B is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the fourth embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is rotated to the upper limit rotating position;

11C is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the fourth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is restrained by ice;

12A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the fifth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit rotational position;

12B is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the fifth embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is rotated to the upper limit rotational position,

12C is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the fifth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is restrained by ice;

Fig. 13A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the sixth embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit pivot position;

Fig. 13B is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the sixth embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is rotated to the upper limit rotating position;

Fig. 13C is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the sixth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is restrained by ice.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

50: main body 52: barrier

54: freezer door 56: cold storage door

60: ice maker 61: ice maker mold

61a: connecting portion 61b: partition projection

62: ejector 62a: axis

62b: pin 62c: driven gear

63: cup 64: slider

65: heater 66: ice making control unit

66a: drive motor 66b: temperature sensor

66c: control panel 66d: fixed panel

66d ′: Support hole 66e: Drive gear

66f: support hole 66f: stopper

67: axis of rotation 68: projection

69: detection lever 69a: lever part

70: drive means 71: cam

72: rotation axis 73: cam nose

74: arm lever 75: support shaft

76a: guide groove 76b: protrusion

77: sensing means 78: magnet

79: Hall sensor 80: ice bank

81: ice outlet 82: shutter

84: auger 85: motor

86: ice crusher 88: dispenser

89: ice suit 91: spring

92: second spring 100: return spring

102: first jamming projection 104: second jamming projection

110: motor 120: magnet

122: hall sensor 130: second lever portion

140: cam 141: rotation axis

142: cam nose 146: motor

147: shaft A: initial position

B: Ice position F: Freezer

R: Cold Room I: Ice

L: Lower limit rotation position U: Upper limit rotation position

Fu: Mansion Location

The present invention relates to an ice-covering detection device and a sensing method for detecting the ice of the ice generated in the refrigerator, etc. In particular, the ice detection lever is rotated on a certain plane to minimize its operating area and to evacuate without interfering with the ice during the ice. The present invention relates to a full ice detection device and a sensing method thereof.

In general, a refrigerator is a device that maintains a freezing compartment or a refrigerating compartment at a low temperature by using a refrigeration cycle device of a refrigerant including a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator.

1 is a perspective view of a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment of an ordinary refrigerator are opened.

In general, as shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator cycle apparatus for freezing compartment F and a refrigerating compartment R is partitioned by a barrier 1 and cooling the freezer compartment F and a refrigerating compartment R to low temperature. A main body 2 mounted, a freezer compartment door 4 connected to the main body 2 to open and close the freezer compartment F, and a refrigerating compartment door connected to the main body 2 to open and close the refrigerating compartment R; 6) is configured to include.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor for compressing a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant, a condenser in which the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor is radiated to outside air to condense, an expander for reducing the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, and the expander The refrigerant expanded in the evaporator is configured to evaporate by taking heat of air circulated from the freezing compartment (F) or the refrigerating chamber (R).

In recent years, an automatic ice making apparatus for ice-making by using cold air in the freezing chamber F and taking out to the outside is installed.

The automatic ice making apparatus is mounted on an inner upper portion of the freezing chamber F to make an ice maker 8 for ice-making water supplied with cold air in the freezing chamber F, and the ice iced in the ice maker 8 is iced and contained therein. On the ice bank 9 mounted inside the freezer compartment F, the dispenser 10 mounted on the freezer compartment door to take out ice to the outside without opening and closing the freezer compartment door 4, and on the ice bank 9 It is composed of an ice chute 11 for guiding the contained ice to fall to the dispenser (10).

 2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker and an ice bank according to the prior art, Figure 3 is an internal configuration of the control unit of the ice maker according to the prior art.

The ice maker 8 includes an ice maker mold 12 for containing water for ice making and making ice of a predetermined shape, a water supply unit 13 for supplying water to the ice maker mold 12, and iced ice. And a slider 14 provided to slide down into the bank 9 and a heater for separating the iced ice from the ice maker mold 12.

Here, the ice maker mold 12 is configured to be fastened to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator by the fastening part 12a.

The ice maker 8 is axially coupled with the ice making controller 16 and the motor of the ice making controller 16 to eject the ice completely frozen in the ice maker mold 12 to the ice bank 10. It is further included.

The ice maker mold 12 has a semi-cylindrical shape, and a partition protrusion 12b is formed on the inner surface of the ice maker mold 12 at predetermined intervals so that ice can be separated out.

In addition, the ejector 17 is formed such that its axis 17a crosses the center of the ice maker mold 12, and a plurality of ejector pins 17b are formed on the side of the axis 17a of the ejector 17. do.

Here, each ejector pin 17a is located between the partition protrusions 12b of the ice maker mold 12, respectively.

 The ejector pin 17a is a means for taking out the manufactured ice into the ice bank 10.

The ice moved by the ejector pin 17a is placed on the slider 14 and then slides along the surface of the slider 14 to fall into the ice bank 9.

In addition, the heater is attached to the bottom surface of the ice maker mold 12, to raise the temperature of the ice maker mold 12, to melt the ice stuck on the surface of the ice maker mold 12 so that the ice is separated from the ice maker mold 12. It serves to, and the separated ice can be moved using the ejector (17).

 In addition, before the ice is separated from the ice maker mold 12, whether the ice bank 10 located at the lower portion of the ice bank is filled with ice (hereinafter, referred to as 'foam detection') is detected by the ice cube lever 18. do.

Here, the ice detection lever 18 is rotatably mounted at both ends of the ice maker 8, and is bent toward the outside of the ice maker 100 toward the bottom thereof.

In addition, the control unit 16 is constrained by the control panel 21, the magnet 22 rotated together with the rotation of the detection lever 18, and the rotation of the detection lever 21 by the amount of ice filled. And a hall sensor 23 installed to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnet 22, a motor 24 generating a driving force for rotation of the detection lever 18 and the ejector 17, and the motor. A drive gear 25 arranged on the shaft of 24, a driven gear 26 meshed with the drive gear 25 and connected to a rotation shaft 26a of the shaft 17a of the ejector 17; And a cam 27 protruding from the rotary shaft of the driven gear 26 and an arm lever 28 interlocked with the cam 27 to rotate the detection lever 18.

Here, the magnet 22 is installed in the extension portion 18a of the sensing lever 18.

The amount of rotation of the cam 27 is configured to be transmitted to the arm lever 28 side for the shangdong of the inspection lever 18.

In addition, the hall sensor 23 is mounted on the control panel 21 and is positioned to detect a magnetic field change due to the movement of the magnet 22.

That is, whether or not the ice bank inside 9 is full is made by the Hall sensor 23 detecting a magnetic field detected by the rotational position change of the magnet 22 according to the rotation of the detection lever 18.

However, since the ice detection device according to the prior art detects the ice cube while the detection lever 18 has an outwardly bent shape and rotates up and down three-dimensionally, its operating area becomes large, and the effective contents in the freezer compartment F There is a problem that reduces.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an ice detection sensor for minimizing the operating area of the ice detection lever for sensing the ice of the ice bank is rotated up and down on a predetermined plane. .

It is another object of the present invention to provide an ice detection device in which an ice detection lever is arranged to be freely rotated from a lower limit rotation position to an upper limit rotation position, so that the detection ice lever is not caught or damaged when the ice bank is attached or detached.                         

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a full ice detection method capable of preventing a malfunction by preventing the detection lever from interfering with the ice when the ice is iced.

In order to solve the above problems, the ice detection device according to the present invention includes an ice maker for ice-making water by cold air; An ice bank containing ice iced in the ice maker; An ice detection lever disposed rotatably on a predetermined plane; Sensing means for determining full ice according to the position of the ice detection lever; A rotation shaft provided in the detection lever to rotate the detection lever and a protrusion protruding from one side of the periphery; An arm lever rotatably supported by the ice maker, and having a guide groove configured to guide sliding of the protrusion to one side so that the sensing ice lever can be arbitrarily rotated at an upper and lower rotational positions; It characterized in that it comprises a shaft consisting of the shaft is installed so that the projection upwardly locked when the detection lever is located in the lower limit rotational position, and a nose protruding from the shaft to rotate the detection lever to the upward rotation position.

In addition, the ice detection method according to the present invention includes a first step of rotating the detection ice lever to the upper limit rotation position; A second step of ice-ice into the ice bank after the first step; A third step of causing said sensing lever to rotate down toward a lower limit rotational position after said second step; And as a result of the third step, determining that the ice detection lever is full ice if it does not rotate to the lower limit rotation position.

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

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment of the refrigerator equipped with the first embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention.

In the refrigerator according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the freezing compartment F and the refrigerating compartment R are partitioned by the barrier 52 in the interior of the main body 50 to open and close the freezing compartment F. As shown in FIG. A freezing compartment door 54 is pivotally connected to the main body 50, and a refrigerating compartment door 56 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment R is rotatably connected to the main body 50.

The freezer compartment door 56 has an ice maker 60 in which the supplied water is iced by cold air in the freezer compartment F, an ice bank 80 in which ice iced in the ice maker 60 is contained, and the freezer compartment door ( 54 is provided with a dispenser 88 for taking out ice to the outside without opening and closing the ice chute, and an ice chute 89 for guiding the ice contained in the ice bank to fall into the dispenser 88.

The ice maker 60 is mounted on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 54 in order to increase the effective contents of the freezer compartment F.

The ice bank 80 is mounted on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 54 in order to increase the effective contents of the freezer compartment F.

On the other hand, the dispenser 88 is the front is opened so that the container for containing ice can be entered, both sides and the back is blocked.

In addition, the ice chute 89 is mounted on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 54 so as to be located between the ice bank 80 and the dispenser 88, and an upper end of a passage through which ice passes is the ice bank 80. And the lower end of the passage communicate with the inner space of the dispenser 88.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an ice maker and an ice bank of a refrigerator equipped with a first ice detection device according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an ice maker and ice of a refrigerator equipped with a first ice detection device according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an ice maker of a refrigerator equipped with a first embodiment of an ice detection device according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the ice maker 60 ices the ice maker mold 61 having an ice making space having an upper surface open to make ice after water is supplied, and ice iced in the ice making space. It is configured to include an ejector 62 for making.

 One side of the ice maker mold 61 contains water supplied through the water supply hose 63a, and a cup 63 is mounted to transfer the contained water to the ice making space of the ice maker mold 61.

The ice maker mold 61 has a connection portion 61a protruding from the front side to be fixed to the rear surface of the freezer compartment door.

The ice maker mold 61 has a semi-cylindrical shape of the ice making space, and is formed to be long in the left and right direction, and a plurality of partition protrusions 61b are formed in the ice making space to be separated by a predetermined interval. .

The ice maker mold 61 is formed such that a flat plate water overflow prevention portion 61c extends upward at an upper end of the front portion.

On the rear side of the ice maker mold 61, a slider 64 for guiding the ice scooped up by the ejector 62 to the ice bank is mounted.

The slider 64 is formed on a flat surface such that the guided ice slides and falls, and the water contained in the ice making space of the ice maker mold 61 does not overflow.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ejector 62 includes a shaft 62a disposed to cross the upper side of the ice making space, and a pin 62b protruding from the side surface of the shaft 62a.

One end of the shaft 62a is rotatably supported by the cup 63, and the other end of the shaft 62a protrudes into the ice making control 66, which will be described later, and is connected to the driven gear 62c.

The pin 64b is formed in plural as the number of ice-making spaces divided into a plurality of partition projections 62a, and the ice is circulated while passing between the partition projections 61b when the shaft 62a is rotated.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the ice maker 60 is equipped with a heater 65 for heating the ice maker mold 61 so as to separate the ice maker mold 61 and the ice when the ice is taken out.

The heater 65 is disposed in a '⊃' shape on the bottom surface of the ice maker mold 61.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the ice making control unit 66 includes a driving motor 66a for generating a driving force for rotating the ejector 62, and the ice making control unit 66 includes the ice maker mold 61. A temperature sensor 66b for sensing a temperature, an ice level sensing device for sensing an ice level of the ice bank, and a cup 63 according to a temperature of the ice maker mold 61 and whether the ice bank 70 is full. And a control panel 66c for controlling the water supply valve for intermitting the supplied water and for controlling the heater 65 and the driving motor 62.

In addition, the ice making control unit 66 further includes a fixing panel 66d on which the driving motor 66a is mounted.

The drive motor 66a is connected to a drive gear 66e meshed with the driven gear 62c to the rotation shaft.

The temperature sensor 66b is mounted in close contact with the outer wall surface of the ice maker mold 61.

On the other hand, the ice bank 80, as shown in Figure 5 and 6, the upper surface is opened to contain the ice iced from the ice maker 60, the lower surface of the ice outlet 81 so that the ice contained in one side is taken out Is formed.

In addition, the ice bank 80 is a shutter 82 for opening and closing the front portion of the ice outlet 81, and the auger 84 disposed in the left and right directions to horizontally convey the contained ice to the front of the ice outlet 81 And a motor 85 for rotating the auger 84 and an ice crusher 86 mounted above the ice outlet 81.

Here, the shutter 82 causes the ice transported by the auger 84 to fall below the front part of the ice outlet 81 without crushing when the front part of the ice outlet 81 is opened. When blocking the front part of the blowout outlet 81, the ice conveyed by the auger 84 is raised and crushed by the grinder 86, and falls to the rear part of the ice outlet 81.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the auxiliary blade 82a protrudes from the shutter 82 so that the raised ice can help the grinding operation of the grinder 86.

The grinder 86 is a rotation blade 86a which is formed orthogonal to the rotation axis of the auger 84 and rotates together with the auger 84, and a fixed blade 86b formed inside the ice bank 80. It is composed.

On the other hand, the ice detection device as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the detection lever 69 is arranged rotatably on a predetermined plane about the rotation axis 67, and the lower limit of the detection ice 69 Determination of the full ice according to the position of the driving means 70 connected to the detection lever 69 and the detection lever 69 so as to constrain the rotation position and allow the detection lever 69 to be rotated to the upper limit rotation position. It consists of a sensing means (77).

The detection lever 69 is disposed before and after the rotation shaft 67 passes through the rear portion of the ice making control 66.

The ice detection lever 69 is disposed so that the lever portion 69a is orthogonal to the rotation shaft 67 and is vertically rotatable on a vertical plane parallel to the rear portion of the ice making control unit 68.

The driving means 70 is rotatably supported by the cam 71 and the ice maker 60, one side of which is connected to the rotation shaft 67, and the other side of the driving means 70 is disposed to be caught by the cam 71. The arm lever 74 is comprised.

The cam 71 is integrally formed with any one of the shaft of the drive motor 66a, the shaft of the driven gear 62c, and the shaft 62a of the ejector 62, and the drive motor ( It is preferable to operate in conjunction with 66a).

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a part of the shaft of the driven gear 62c will be described as forming the cam 71.

The arm lever 74 has a support shaft 75 for rotatably supported protruding from one side, and the support shaft 75 penetrates through a support hole 66d 'formed in the fixing panel 66d. The arm lever 74 is disposed orthogonal to the vertical plane in which the lever portion 69a of the detection lever 69 is rotated.

The sensing means 77 includes a magnet 78 mounted on one side of the driving means 70 and an ice maker 60, and a hall sensor 79 mounted on the other side of the driving means 70 and the ice maker 60. It consists of.

The magnet 78 is most preferably mounted on one side of the side of the arm lever 74 opposite to the control panel 66c, and is mounted on the support shaft 75 of the arm lever 74. Of course it is also possible.

The Hall sensor 79 is preferably mounted on the side opposite to the arm lever 74.

The hall sensor 79 detects the magnetic field of the magnet 69 to the maximum when the detection lever 69 is located at the lower limit rotational position, and the magnet when the detection lever 69 is positioned outside the lower limit rotational position. It is mounted at a predetermined position of the control panel 66c so as not to detect the magnetic field of 78 or to detect only a part of the magnetic field.

 That is, the hall sensor 79 is closest to the magnet 78 when the detection lever 69 is located at the lower limit rotational position, and the detection sensor 69 is located at the upper side of the lower limit rotational position. It is preferable that the distance from the magnet 78 is mounted.

On the other hand, the lower limit rotation position is located above the bottom of the ice bank (80).

 In addition, the upper limit rotational position is preferably located as close as possible to the lower end of the slider 64 so as not to interfere with the ice on which the ice detection lever 69 is iced.

Fig. 8A is a schematic side view and rear view when the ice detection lever of the first embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit rotational position, and Fig. 8B is the upper limit of the ice detection lever of the first embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention. Fig. 8C is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the first embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is restrained by ice.

The sensing lever 69 is formed such that the rotation shaft 67 is eccentric with the sensing lever 69.

That is, the detection lever 69 is rotated toward the lower limit rotational position L by the rotational shaft 67 protruding to one end side of the lever portion 69a by the weight of the lever portion 69a. .

In addition, the detection lever 69 is locked downward by the arm lever 74 and the cam 71, and the rotation axis 67 to be rotated upward by the arm lever 74 and the cam 71. The projection 68 is formed.

The cam 71 is composed of a rotation shaft 72 integral with the shaft of the driven gear, and a cam nose 73 protruding from a portion of the outer circumference of the rotation shaft 72.

The cam nose 73 is formed at a position such that the detection lever 69 reaches the upper rotational position U before the pin of the ejector reaches the ebbing position B.

The arm lever 74 has a guide groove 76a on which one side of the projection 68 is slidably guided so that the rotation shaft 67 of the detection lever 69 can be rotated in conjunction with the arm lever 74. In addition, a protrusion 76b that is upwardly locked to the rotation shaft 72 of the cam 71 or pressed downward by the cam nose 73 of the cam 71 is formed at the other side.

The arm lever 74 is raised and lowered on the basis of the principle in which the guide groove portion 76a is formed and the protruding portion 76b with the support shaft 75 interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the guide groove 76a prevents the protrusion 69a from being separated when the sensing lever 68 is rotated downward, and as illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C. The projection 69a has a sufficient length so as to be slidably guided upon upward rotation of the 69.

Reference numeral 66f is a support hole formed in the ice making control unit 66 to rotatably support the rotation shaft 67 of the ice detection lever 69.

Reference numeral 66g is a stopper formed in the ice maker so that the detecting ice lever 69 can be locked at the lower limit rotational position L, and is preferably formed to protrude from the rear surface of the ice making control 66.

The stopper 66g not only prevents the detection lever 69 from rotating below the lower limit rotation position together with the driving means, but also prevents the detection of the detection lever 69 from the arm lever 74.

Looking at the operation of the icemaker and the ice-covering device according to the invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, when power is input to the refrigerator, the control panel 66c controls the motor 66a to set the pin 62b of the ejector 62 to the initial position A. FIG.

Thereafter, the control panel 66c turns on and turns off the water supply valve for intermittently regulating the water supplied to the cup 63 for a predetermined time.

Water supplied from the outside when the water supply valve is turned on is filled in the cup 63 and then transferred to the ice making space of the ice maker mold 61.

Thereafter, the water contained in the ice maker mold 61 is cooled by heat exchange with the cold air or ice maker mold 61 in the freezer compartment, and freezing proceeds from the surface in contact with the cold and the surface in contact with the ice maker mold 61. As it elapses, it gradually freezes.

Meanwhile, when the temperature of the ice maker mold 61 sensed by the temperature sensor 66b is lower than a preset temperature (eg, −7 ° C.), the control panel 66c determines that ice making is completed and the heater ( 65 is turned on, and after the heater 65 is turned on, a set time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed, or the temperature of the ice maker mold 61 reaches a second set temperature (for example, -2 ° C). When larger, the heater 65 is turned off.

The temperature of the ice maker mold 61 is increased by the on of the heater 65, and the iced ice is separated from the ice maker mold 61 while melting the ice from the site in contact with the ice maker mold 61.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned ice detection device is a cam nose 73 of the cam 71, the cam lever 73 of the arm lever 74 as shown in FIG. Without pushing the projection 76b downward, the arm lever 74 is engaged with the projection 76b upwardly by the rotation shaft 72 of the cam 71, and the detection probe 69 is the projection 68. Is lowered to the guide groove portion 76a of the arm lever 74 and positioned at the lower limit rotational position L, thereby allowing a state of arbitrary rotation upward. (S1)

The control panel 66c rotates the drive motor 66a forward so that the pin 62b of the ejector 62 rotates from the initial position A to the ice position B after the heater 65 is turned off. To control.

When the driving motor 66a is rotated forward, the driving gear 66e and the driven gear 62c are rotated, the shaft 62a of the ejector 62 is rotated together with the pin 62b, and the pin ( 62b) is rotated from the initial position (A) to the ice-breaking position (B) to pour ice in the ice maker mold (61) to the upper side of the slider (64), and the ice on the slider (64) slides. The ice bank 80 is dropped.

On the other hand, in the ice detection device, as shown in FIG. 8B when the driven gear 62c is rotated, the cam nose 73 of the cam 71 moves the protrusion 76b of the arm lever 74. The arm lever 74 is pushed downward, and the guide groove 76a is rotated upward by the downward press of the protruding portion 76b to rotate the rotary shaft 67, and the detection lever 69 is the lever portion. An ice 69 falling from the slider 64 is located at an upper rotational position U by an upward rotation about the rotational axis 67. Interference with is minimized (S2).

The control panel 66c rotates the pin 62b of the ejector 62 from the initial position A to the ebbing position B, and then the pin 62b of the ejector 62 again returns to the initial position A. Reverse drive control of the drive motor (66a) to return to.

When the drive motor 66a is reversely rotated, the drive gear 66e and the driven gear 62c are reversely rotated, and the shaft 62a of the ejector 62 is reversely rotated together with the pin 62b. The pin 62b is returned from the ice position B to the initial position A. FIG.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned ice detection device, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C when the driven gear 62c rotates as described above, the cam nose 73 of the cam 71 protrudes from the arm lever 74. It does not press down 76b, and the said ice detection lever 69 rotates the arm lever 74 by rotating to the lower limit rotation position L by self weight. (S3)

At this time, if the ice detection lever 69 does not rotate to the lower limit rotation position (L), the full ice detection device determines that it is full ice, and if the detection ice 69 is rotated to the lower limit rotation position (L), it is determined that the ice is not full. (S4)

When the ice bank 80 is in full ice as shown in FIG. 8C, the ice detection lever 69 is constrained by the ice I in the ice bank 80 and cannot be rotated to the lower limit rotation position L. FIG. It stays in the sieve full position (Fu), the magnetic field above the set value is not detected by the Hall sensor 79, the control panel 66c determines that the ice bank 80 is full.

In addition, when the ice bank 80 is not full ice, as shown in FIG. 8A, the ice detection lever 69 is not restrained by the ice I in the ice bank 80, so that the lower limit rotational position L is performed. Is rotated to, and the Hall sensor 79 detects a magnetic field above a set value due to the proximity of the magnet 78, and the control panel 66c does not touch the ice bank 80 when the magnetic field above the set value is detected. I think that.

On the other hand, the control panel 66c is to determine whether to repeat the above water supply and deicing, heating and ice and the ice detection lever upward rotation according to whether or not the ice bank 80 is detected by the ice sensing device. do.

That is, if it is determined that the ice bank 80 is not full of ice, the control panel 66a repeats the above water supply, ice making, heating, and ice, and if it is determined that the ice bank 80 is full of ice, Stop the same water supply, deicing, heating, ebbing and ice detection levers.

9A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the second embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit rotational position, and FIG. 9B is the upper limit of the ice detection lever of the ice detection device 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9C is a schematic side view and back view when the ice detection lever of the second embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is constrained by ice.

9A to 9C, the ice sensing device according to the present embodiment includes an ice detection lever 69 and a sensing means 77 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The driving means 70 which constrains the lower limit rotational position and rotates to the upper limit rotational position is rotatably supported by the cam 71 and the ice maker 60, and one side is connected to the rotation shaft 67 and the other side. An arm lever 74 disposed so as to be caught by the cam 71 and the detection lever 69 to elastically support the ice maker 60 so as to rotate the detection lever 69 to a lower rotational position. It is composed of a return spring, the configuration and action of the detection lever 69, the cam 71, the arm lever 74 and the sensing means 77 except for the return spring is the same as the first embodiment of the present invention, Are used and their detailed description is omitted.

The return spring is composed of a spring 91, one end of which is connected to the ice making control 66 and the other end of which is connected to the lever part 69a of the ice detection lever 69, or one end of which is connected to the ice making control 66. And the other end is composed of a second spring 92 connected to the rotation shaft 67 of the detection lever 69.

The second spring 92 is preferably disposed on the outer circumference of the rotation shaft 67 of the probe (69).

In the refrigerator detecting apparatus of the refrigerator according to the present exemplary embodiment, the detection lever 69 is upwardly moved by the operation of the cam 71 and the arm lever 74 or by the ice in the ice bank 80 as shown in FIG. 9A. When it is not rotated or when it is not rotated upward by the user's operation or the like, the spring 91 pulls the lever portion 69a of the detection lever 69 so that the detection lever 69 can be arbitrarily rotated at the lower limit rotation position. Do it.

In addition, the second spring 92 supports the rotation axis 69 of the sensing lever 69 to a predetermined position so that the sensing lever 69 is located at the lower limit rotational position L. Random rotation is possible at the lower limit rotation position.

On the other hand, as the detection lever 69 is rotated upward by the operation of the cam 71 and the arm lever 74, as shown in Figure 9b, or when the upward rotation by the user's operation or the like, the spring 91 ) Is tensioned to exert an elastic force on the lever portion 69a of the detection lever 69.

In addition, the second spring 92 is tensioned with the rotation of the rotary shaft 67 to exert an elastic force on the rotary shaft 67 of the probe (69).

Here, when the spring 91 is removed from the external force acting on the detection lever 69 or the cam 71 and the arm lever 74, the lever portion 69a of the detection lever 69 is rotated to a lower limit position ( Return to L).

When the external force acting on the detection lever 69 or the cam 71 and the arm lever 74 is removed, the second spring 92 moves the rotation shaft 67 of the detection probe 69 to a predetermined position. Return

On the other hand, when the detection lever 69 is constrained by the ice ice in the ice bank 80 and stays at the full ice position (Fu), as shown in FIG. 9C, the spring 91 is tensioned to provide the detection lever. An elastic force is applied to the lever portion 69a of the 69.

In addition, the second spring 92 is tensioned with the rotation of the rotary shaft 67 to exert an elastic force on the rotary shaft 67 of the probe (69).

The spring 91 returns the detection lever 69 to the lower limit rotational position L when the detection of the detection lever 69 is released.

The second spring 92 returns the rotation shaft 67 of the sensing lever 69 to a predetermined position when the restraint of the sensing lever 69 is released.

FIG. 10A is a schematic side view and a rear view when the ice detection lever of the third embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit pivot position, and FIG. 10B is the upper limit of the ice detection lever of the third ice detection device according to the present invention. Fig. 10C is a schematic side view and back view when the ice detection lever of the third embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is constrained by ice.

10A to 10C, the ice sensing device according to the present embodiment includes an ice detection lever 69 and a sensing means 77 of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the ice detection lever 69 is The driving means 70 which constrains the lower limit rotational position and rotates to the upper limit rotational position is rotatably supported by the cam 71 and the ice maker 60, and one side is connected to the rotation shaft 67 and the other side. An arm lever 74 disposed to be caught by the cam 71 and the arm lever 74 to elastically support the ice maker 60 so as to rotate the detection lever 69 to a lower rotational position. It is composed of a return spring 100, the configuration and action of the detection lever 69, the cam 71, the arm lever 74 and the sensing means 77 except for the return spring 100 is the first embodiment of the present invention Since it is the same as an example, the same code | symbol is used and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

One side of the return spring 100 is locked to the ice making control unit 68 of the ice maker 60, and the other side of the return spring 100 is locked to the arm lever 74.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a first locking protrusion protruding from the fixing panel 66d of the ice making control unit 68 so that one side of the return spring 100 is locked, and reference numeral 104 denotes the return spring 100. It is a second locking protrusion protruding from one surface of the arm lever 74 so that the other side is locked.

In the refrigerator sensing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the detection lever 69 is upwardly moved by the operation of the cam 71 and the arm lever 74 or ice in the ice bank 80 as shown in FIG. 10A. If it is not rotated or if it is not rotated upward by the user's operation or the like, the return spring 100 elastically supports the arm lever 74 so that the detection lever 69 is arbitrarily rotated upward from the lower limit rotation position L. Make it possible.

On the other hand, as the detection lever 69 is rotated upward by the operation of the cam 71 and the arm lever 74, as shown in FIG. 100 is compressed to exert an elastic force on the arm lever 74.

Here, the return spring 100 rotates the arm lever 74 so that the detection lever 69 is located at the lower limit rotational position L when the detection of the detection lever 69 is released.

On the other hand, when the detection lever 69 is constrained by the ice filled in the ice bank 80 and stays at the full position Fu, as shown in FIG. 9C, the return spring 100 is compressed to the arm lever. An elastic force is applied to the 74.

Here, the return spring 100 rotates the arm lever 74 so that the detection lever 69 is located at the lower limit rotational position L when the detection of the detection lever 69 is released.

Fig. 11A is a schematic side view and rear view when the ice detection lever of the fourth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit rotational position, and Fig. 11B is the upper limit of the ice detection lever of the fourth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention. Fig. 11C is a schematic side view and back view when the ice detection lever of the fourth embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is constrained by ice.

11A to 11C, the ice sensing device according to the present embodiment includes an ice detection lever 69 and a sensing means 77 of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the ice detection lever 69 is The driving means 70 which constrains the lower limit rotational position and rotates to the upper limit rotational position is rotatably supported by the cam 71 and the ice maker 60, and one side is connected to the rotation shaft 67 and the other side. And an arm lever 74 disposed to be caught by the cam 71, and a motor 110 for rotating the cam 71, except for the motor 110. 69 and the cam 71, the arm lever 74 and the sensing means 77 are the same as in the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore the same reference numerals are used, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The motor 110 is a motor separate from the drive motor 66a of the first embodiment of the present invention. The motor 110 is mounted in the ice making control unit 66 and is separately controlled from the drive motor 66a.

In other words, the cam 71, the arm lever 74 and the detection lever 69, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, do not interlock with the rotation of the ejector and operate independently.

The cam 71 is arranged on the shaft 111 of the motor 110.

In the refrigerator sensing apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the motor (not so that the cam nose 73 of the cam 71 does not push down the protrusion 76b of the arm lever 74) may be used. When the control unit 110 controls the arm lever 74, the protrusion 76b is engaged upwardly by the rotation shaft 72 of the cam 71, and the detection lever 69 has the protrusion 68 as the arm lever. It is caught by the guide groove 76a of 74, and is located in the lower limit rotation position L, and it becomes the state which can be rotated upward.

Meanwhile, the ice detection device controls the motor 110 such that the cam nose 73 of the cam 71 pushes down the protrusion 76b of the arm lever 74 as shown in FIG. 11B. When the arm lever 74 is pushed downward by the protrusion 76b, the guide groove 76a is rotated upward to rotate the rotation shaft 67, and the detection lever 69 is the lever portion 69a. ) Is rotated upward with respect to the rotation shaft 67 and positioned at the upper limit rotation position U, and the detection probe 69 located at the upper limit rotation position U is disposed with the ice falling from the slider 64. Interference is minimized.

After the upturning rotation of the ice detection lever 69 is performed, as shown in FIG. 12C, the cam nose 73 of the cam 71 is projected by the arm lever 74. ), The detection lever 69 rotates toward the lower limit rotation position L by its own weight, and rotates the arm lever 74.

In this case, the ice-covering detection device determines that the ice-covering lever 69 does not rotate to the lower limit rotational position L and remains at the ice-covering position Fu, and that the ice detection lever 69 is the lower limit rotational position L. When it is rotated to, it is determined that it is not full ice, and the full ice detection operation according to the position of the ice detection lever 69 is the same as the first embodiment of the present invention, and thus its detailed description is omitted.

12A is a schematic side view and rear view when the ice detection lever of the fifth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit rotational position, and FIG. 12B is an upper limit of the ice detection lever of the fifth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention. Fig. 12C is a schematic side view and back view when the ice detection lever of the fifth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained by ice.

12A to 12C, the ice sensing device according to the present embodiment includes an ice detection lever 69 and a driving means 70 of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the detection of the ice detection lever 69 The sensing means 77 for determining the ice level according to the position is the magnet 120 mounted on one side of the ice detection lever 69 and the ice maker, and the hall sensor 122 mounted on the other side of the ice detection lever 69 and the ice maker. It is composed of, and the configuration and operation of the other than the sensing means 77, the detection lever 69, the driving means 70 and the like are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are used, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. .

The sensing means 77 is preferably the magnet 120 is fixed to any one side of the rotation shaft 67, the projection 68 and the lever portion 69a of the probe (69), the hall sensor 122 Is preferably fixed to the control panel of the ice making control unit 66 of the ice maker.

In the refrigerator sensing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the position of the magnet 120 is changed along with the rotation of the detection probe 69, and the hall sensor 122 detects a change in the magnetic field of the magnet. Since the full ice detection operation according to the position of the ice detection lever 69 is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 13A is a schematic side view and rear view when the ice detection lever of the sixth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention is constrained to the lower limit pivot position, and Fig. 13B is the upper limit of the ice detection lever of the sixth embodiment of the ice detection device according to the present invention. Fig. 13C is a schematic side view and a back view when the ice detection lever of the sixth embodiment of the ice-sensing device according to the present invention is constrained by ice.

13A to 13C, the ice sensing device according to the present embodiment includes the sensing lever 69 of the first embodiment of the present invention and the sensing means 77 of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The second lever portion 130 extends to the rotation shaft 67 integrally formed with the lever portion 69a of the detection lever 69, restrains the lower limit rotational position of the detection lever 69, and the detection lever ( The driving means for rotating the 69 to the upper limit rotation position is constituted by the cam 140, the other configuration and action of the other than the detection lever 130, the drive means and the sensing means 77 is the same as the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, when the second lever unit 130 is lowered as the rotation shaft 67 functions as the lever of the detection axis 69, the lever unit 69a is raised, and the lever unit 69a is lowered. The second lever unit 130 is raised.

On the other hand, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the detection lever 69 is located on one side of the lever portion 69a so as to be rotated to the lower limit rotational position by its own weight.

That is, the lever portion 69a is formed to be heavier than the second lever portion 130 or longer than the second lever portion 130.

The cam 140 is composed of a rotating shaft 141 and a cam nose 142 protruding from a portion of the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 141, and is preferably positioned on a plane on which the second lever part 130 is rotated. And, it is preferably located above the second lever portion 130.

Here, the cam 140 is any one of the rotary shaft of the drive motor 66a, the drive gear 66a, the driven gear 62c, and the rotary shaft of the driven gear 62c as in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is also possible to be integrally formed with the drive motor (66a), and may be arranged on the shaft 147 of the separate motor 146 so as to rotate independently of the drive motor (66a).

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the cam 140 is installed on the shaft 147 of the motor 146 provided separately from the driving motor 66a.

The sensing means 77 is composed of a magnet 120 mounted on one side of the ice detection lever and the ice maker, and a hall sensor 122 mounted on the other side of the detection ice 69 and the ice maker.

The sensing means 77 is preferably the magnet 120 is fixed to any one side of the rotation shaft 67, the lever portion 69a and the second lever portion 130 of the sensing lever 69, the hall sensor It is preferable that the 122 is fixed to the control panel 66d of the ice making control unit 66 of the ice maker, and the full ice detection operation according to the position of the ice detection lever 69 is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention. Is omitted.

In the refrigerator sensing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the cam nose 142 of the cam 140 does not push down the second lever part 130 of the detection lever 69. When the motor 146 is controlled, the detection lever 69 is positioned at the lower limit rotational position L by the weight of the lever portion 69a, and the lever portion 69a is freely rotated upward. It becomes possible state.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 13B, the full ice detection device includes the motor 110 such that the cam nose 142 of the cam 140 pushes the second lever part 130 of the detection lever 69 downward. ), The detection unit 69 rotates the lever unit 69a and the second lever unit 130 about the rotation shaft 67, and the lever unit 69a rotates upward to rotate the upper limit. The lever portion 69a of the detection lever 69 positioned in the position U and located in the upper rotational position U minimizes interference with the ice falling from the slider 64.

In addition, in the ice sensing device, as shown in FIG. 13C, after the upward rotation of the ice detection lever 69, the cam nose 142 of the cam 140 is connected to the second lever portion of the ice detection lever 69. When the motor 146 is controlled so as not to push the 130 downward, the detection lever 69 is rotated toward the lower limit rotational position L by the weight of the lever portion 69a.

In this case, the ice-covering detection device determines that the ice-covering lever 69 does not rotate to the lower limit rotational position L and remains at the ice-covering position Fu, and that the ice detection lever 69 is the lower limit rotational position L. If it is rotated, it is determined that it is not full ice.

The ice sensing device according to the present invention configured as described above has the advantage that the detection lever is rotatably disposed on a predetermined plane about a rotation axis, thereby minimizing its operating area for ice detection.

In addition, the ice sensor according to the present invention is configured to include a driving means connected to the ice detection lever to constrain the lower limit rotational position of the detection lever and to rotate the detection ice lever to the upper limit rotation position, Since the inspection lever may be rotated upward when attaching and detaching, the ice bank is not caught and there is an advantage of preventing breakage of the ice lever.

In addition, the rotating shaft is formed eccentrically to the detection lever, the detection lever is rotated to the lower limit rotation position by its own weight, there is an advantage that the structure is simple.

In addition, the ice-covering device according to the present invention further comprises a return spring for elastically supporting the ice detection lever to the ice maker to rotate the ice detection lever to the lower limit rotational position, or to rotate the ice detection lever to the lower limit rotational position. It further includes an return spring for elastically supporting the arm lever to the ice maker, which has the advantage that the ice detection lever can be rotated to the lower limit rotation position more accurately and quickly.

In addition, the driving means and the cam; It is rotatably supported by the ice maker, and is configured to include an arm lever, one side is connected to the rotary shaft, the other side is in contact with the cam, the structure is simple, there is an advantage that the risk of malfunction is minimized.

In addition, the drive means is composed of a cam mounted on the ice maker so that the detection lever is engaged in the lower limit rotational position and the upward rotation of the detection lever, there is an advantage that the structure is simple.

In addition, the ice-covering detection method according to the present invention has an advantage of preventing malfunction by preventing the ice-covering lever from interfering with the ice when the ice is iced.

Claims (13)

An ice maker for ice-making water by cold air; An ice bank containing ice iced in the ice maker; An ice detection lever disposed rotatably on a predetermined plane; Sensing means for determining full ice according to the position of the ice detection lever; A rotation shaft provided in the detection lever to rotate the detection lever and a protrusion protruding from one side of the periphery; An arm lever rotatably supported by the ice maker, and having a guide groove configured to guide sliding of the protrusion to one side so that the sensing ice lever can be arbitrarily rotated at an upper and lower rotational positions; And a cam formed of an axis in which the protrusion is upwardly engaged when the detection lever is positioned at a lower limit rotational position, and a cam formed of a nose protruding from the axis to rotate the detection lever to an upward rotation position. Sensing device. The method of claim 1, And the rotating shaft is eccentrically formed on the ice detection lever.  The method of claim 1, The ice sensing device further comprises a return spring for elastically supporting the ice detection lever to the ice maker to rotate the ice detection lever to a lower limit rotational position.  The method of claim 1, And the ice level detecting device further comprises a return spring for elastically supporting the arm lever to the ice maker to rotate the ice detection lever to a lower limit rotational position. delete delete delete delete delete The method of claim 1, The sensing means includes a magnet mounted to one side of the ice detection lever and the ice maker; And a Hall sensor mounted on the other side of the inspection lever and the ice maker. The method of claim 1, The sensing means includes a magnet mounted on one side of the driving means and the ice maker; And a Hall sensor mounted on the other side of the driving means and the ice maker. The method of claim 1, The ice detection device And a stopper formed in the ice maker so that the detection ice lever can be locked in the lower limit rotational position. Claims 1 to 4 and 10 to 12 in the ice detection method using the ice detection device of any one of claims, A first step of rotating the detection lever upwardly to an upper limit rotation position; A second step of ice-ice into the ice bank after the first step; A third step of causing said sensing lever to rotate down toward a lower limit rotational position after said second step; And a fourth step of determining that the ice detection lever is full ice if the detection lever does not rotate to the lower limit rotational position as a result of the third step.

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