KR100784405B1 - Position sensing structure of ice maker for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A position sensing structure of an ice maker for a refrigerator is provided to sense positions of an ejector and a full-ice lever accurately at the same time through position sensing members installed at several positions to discharge ice and sense full-ice accurately. A water supply unit supplies a predetermined amount of water to a tray(110). A motor operates an ejector and a full-ice lever(140). A position sensing member(160) detects positions of the ejector and the full-ice lever. A full-ice sensor detects full-ice by the full-ice lever. A heater melts ice slightly when ice is discharged. A control unit controls the position sensing member, the full-ice sensor, and the heater. The position sensing member has an extended lever(162) extended out of an arm lever(141) in predetermined length, and a photo sensor(161) sensing a position of the extended lever.

Description

POSITION SENSING STRUCTURE OF ICE MAKER FOR REFRIGERATOR}

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ice maker for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating a position sensing structure of an ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A is a perspective view illustrating a full ice structure of an ice maker for a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3A.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a position sensing principle according to the present invention.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

100; Ice maker according to the present invention

110; Tray 111; Fastening part

112; Ice discharge guide 112a; incline

113; Heater cover 120; Water supply

130; Ejector 131; Axis of rotation

132; Pin 133; Driven gear

134; Cam 134a; incline

134b; Right angle 135; Interlocking gear

140; Roving lever 141; Am lever

142; Rotation axis 143; Brackets

150; Motor 160; Position sensing member

161; Photo sensor 162; Extension lever

90; Control unit 191; Control box

192; Heater insert hole 193; Support plate

The present invention relates to a position sensing structure of a refrigerator ice maker, and more particularly, to a position sensing structure of a refrigerator ice maker capable of accurately detecting the position of an ejector for discharging ice and an ice lever to detect whether or not ice is being filled.

In general, a refrigerator includes a main body provided with a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, and a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a heat exchanger for generating cold air are installed at the rear of the main body. The cold air generated by the heat exchanger is supplied to the inside of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment by the fan, and the air whose temperature is raised by circulating the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment is supplied to the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment through the heat exchanger to always keep fresh food stored in the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment. It can be kept in a state.

The ice maker provided in the refrigerator is a device installed in the freezer compartment to automatically supply water to the ice making container and check the ice making state, and when the ice making is completed, the ice is automatically removed from the ice making container and loaded into the ice storage container. In recent years, ice can be obtained without a user's separate operation for the ice making operation.

However, the conventional ice maker has no ejector for discharging the ice and a member for detecting the position of the ice lever that detects whether the ice accumulated in the ice storage container is full, or because the structure is complicated, the ice discharge operation by the ejector and There is a problem that the ice sensing operation by the ice lever is not performed correctly or malfunctions.

The present invention is to overcome the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a position detection structure of the ice maker for refrigerators that can accurately detect the position of the ejector and the ice lever to detect whether the ice is discharged at the same time. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, the position detection structure of the ice maker for a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a water supply unit for supplying water, a tray for receiving water from the water supply unit and freezing the ice, and moving ice from the tray into an ice storage container. And an ejector to interlock with the ejector and simultaneously detect whether the ice container is full in the ice storage container, and a sensing member configured to detect positions of the ejector and the ice lever on one side of the ejector and the ice lever.

Here, the sensing member may be a photo sensor.

In addition, the end of the ejector is provided with a driven gear which has a cam and is coupled to the motor and rotates, one side of the driven gear is provided with an arm lever which is slid to the cam to move a predetermined distance in the front and rear direction, the arm lever Since the ice lever is coupled to the end of the ice lever, the ice lever may move in the vertical direction by the front and rear movement of the arm lever.

In addition, the cam may be composed of an inclined surface gradually thickening from the surface of the driven gear, and a perpendicular surface falling at a right angle from the end of the inclined surface.

In addition, one side of the tray may be further provided with a bracket to allow the arm lever is not detached to the outside and at the same time rotatable.

In addition, the sensing member may include an extension lever extending a predetermined length to the outside of the arm lever, and a photo sensor for sensing the position of the extension lever.

In addition, the sensing member may be composed of a linking gear coupled to the end of the ejector to rotate together, and a photo sensor for detecting the position of the linking gear.

In addition, the photo sensor may be installed on a printed circuit board.

In addition, the photo sensor may be formed in a control box installed on one side of the tray.

As described above, the position detecting structure of the refrigerator ice maker according to the present invention can be accurately detected the position of the ejector and the ice lever by installing the position detecting member at various positions, and thus the ice discharge operation and the ice detection operation are performed. It is done exactly.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ice maker 100 for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

As shown, the refrigerator ice maker 100 according to the present invention includes a water supply unit 120 for supplying a predetermined amount of water to the tray 110, a motor 150 for operating the ejector 130, and the ice lever 140. And, the position detecting member 160 for detecting the position of the ejector 130 and the ice lever 140, the ice detection unit 170 for detecting whether or not by the ice lever 140, and the tray ( Heater 180 that slightly melts the ice when ice (ejection) from the 110, the water supply unit 120, the motor 150, the position sensor 160, the ice sensor 170 and the heater 180 Control unit 190 to control the.

The refrigerator ice maker 100 is first supplied with a predetermined amount of water from the water supply unit 120 to the tray 110 by a control signal of the controller 190. Then, after a predetermined time elapses, all the water in the tray 110 is frozen by the operation of the freezer.

Subsequently, the controller 190 operates the heater 180 installed in the tray 110 for a short time so that the ice frozen from the tray 110 can be easily separated (separated).

Subsequently, the controller 190 operates the motor 150 to allow the ejector 130 and the ice lever 140 to operate simultaneously. That is, the ice frozen in the tray 110 by the ejector 130 is iced and accumulated in the ice storage container, and at the same time in the ice storage container by the roving lever 140 that interlocks with the ejector 130. Only check Bing.

When it is confirmed that the ice storage container is not full of ice, that is, when it is determined that the ice is not full, the control unit 190 outputs a water supply control signal to the water supply unit 120, and returns to the tray 110. Allow a certain amount of water to be supplied. Of course, the above operation is repeated after such water supply.

In addition, if it is confirmed that the ice storage container is full of ice, that is, when it is confirmed that the ice is full, the control unit 190 stops the operation of the water supply unit 120. That is, the controller 190 prevents any further freezing through the tray 110.

In addition, while the operation of the water supply unit 120 is stopped, the controller 190 operates the ice lever 140 periodically, that is, by rotating the ejector 130 periodically so that the ice lever 140 interlocks with the water supply unit 120. Make sure the ice container is still full of ice. Of course, if the check result is not in the ice state, the water supply unit 120 outputs a predetermined water supply control signal so that a predetermined amount of water is supplied to the tray 110, and the above-mentioned ice, ice and ice detection operations are repeated. .

Meanwhile, the position detecting member 160 accurately detects the positions of the ejector 130 and the full moon lever 140 to determine where the current ejector 130 and the full moon lever 140 are located and to determine the next operation. Do it. This position sensing member 160 will be described in more detail below.

2A and 2B are perspective views illustrating a position sensing structure of an ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the ice maker 100 according to the present invention has a tray 110 in which water is stored and frozen, and an ejector for icing ice by installing a rotating shaft 131 and a pin 132 on an upper portion of the tray 110. 130, an ice discharge guide 112 provided on the upper and front surfaces of the tray 110, a heater cover 113 provided on the front and lower surfaces of the tray 110, and one side of the tray 110. The control box 191 is installed, one end is located in the control box 191, the other end includes an ice lever 140 in close contact with the ice discharge guide 112 and the heater cover 113.

Here, an inclined surface 112a is formed on the front surface of the ice discharge guide 112. The inclined surface 112a contacts the inclined surface 112a with the inclined surface 112a at the time of waiting for the full lever 140. When the full moon is detected, the full moon lever 140 is separated from the inclined surface 112a in the downward direction. Of course, during the standby operation of the ice lever 140, the ice lever 140 is in close contact with the heater cover 113. In any case, however, the ice lever 140 does not protrude through the front side of the ice discharge guide 112. That is, the ice lever 140 has a structure that moves downward from the ice discharge guide 112 or rises toward the inclined surface 112a of the ice discharge guide 112, and the front side of the ice discharge guide 112. Do not protrude through.

On the other hand, the control box 191 is provided with a control unit 190 (circuit board form) for controlling the water supply unit 120, the motor 150, the position detection unit 160, the ice detection unit 170, and the like. The controller 190 may be installed in the refrigerator on the one hand. In addition, a heater insertion hole 192 is formed at one side of the control box 191 to which the heater 180 located on the bottom surface of the tray 110 is coupled.

In addition, the control box 191 is coupled to the ejector 130 is provided with a driven gear 133 for rotating the ejector 130, the arm lever 141 for elevating the roving lever 140 and The rotating shaft 142 is also provided. Of course, the rotating shaft 142 is coupled to the control box 191 by the bracket 143.

Subsequently, a cam 134 may be further formed on the surface of the driven gear 133, which may be formed of an inclined surface 134a gradually increasing in thickness and a right angled surface 134b bent at a right angle. In addition, the arm lever 141 is slidably coupled to the surface of the cam 134, so that the roving lever 140 stands by at the top or the roving lever 140 moves downward to perform the roving detection operation. It is supposed to be. That is, when the arm lever 141 is slid from the thinnest portion to the thickest portion (inclined surface 134a) of the cam 134 by rotating the driven gear 133, the roving lever 140 has the highest position. Will be maintained. That is, the ice lever 140 maintains a state in close contact with the inclined surface 112a of the ice discharge guide 112. Then, when the driven gear 133 is further rotated so that the arm lever 141 directly contacts the surface of the driven gear 133 beyond the perpendicular surface 134b of the cam 134, the arm lever 141 ) And its rotating shaft 142 is rotated by a predetermined angle, so that the sliding lever 140 coupled to the rotating shaft 142 is lowered a predetermined distance downward. The ice level sensing unit 170 detects the degree of falling of the ice lever 140 to detect the amount of ice in the ice storage container. Since the structure and operation of the ice detection is already well known to those skilled in the art, the description thereof will be omitted. However, at this time, the ice lever 140 is moved only in the vertical direction, the movement distance is short, so that the overall installation space of the ice maker 100 becomes small.

On the other hand, the arm lever 141 (or the rotating shaft 142) coupled to the bracket 143 is provided with an extension lever 161 extending upwardly upward, the extension lever 161 is coupled or separated The sensor 162 is installed to form one position detecting unit 160. In this case, when the ice lever 140 is positioned at the upper portion as described above, the extension lever 161 is separated from the photo sensor 162. Therefore, the control unit 190 confirms that the ice lever 140 is not yet operated by the signal of the position detecting member 160, that is, the photo sensor 161.

Subsequently, FIG. 2B shows the position of the ice lever 140 at the position where the driven gear 133 is rotated by a predetermined angle clockwise. As shown, the arm lever 141 is in direct contact with the surface of the driven gear 133 and not the surface of the cam 134 of the driven gear 133 so that the ice lever 140 is separated from the ice discharge guide 112. It is located at the bottom. That is, as the arm lever 141 moves from the front to the rear, the rotating shaft 142 to which the arm lever 141 is rotated is rotated by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction, and the roving lever 140 coupled to the rotating shaft 142 is from the top to the bottom. Will move in the direction. Of course, in this manner, the ice lever 140 is separated from the heater cover 113 by a predetermined distance. In addition, at this time, the extension lever 162 coupled to the arm lever 141 or the rotating shaft 142 rotates a predetermined angle, that is, rotates a predetermined angle clockwise so that its end is positioned inside the photo sensor 162. do. Therefore, the control unit 190 confirms that the full lever 140 is operated by the signal of the position detecting member 160, that is, the photo sensor 162. Of course, during this operation, the ejector 130 almost turns around, so that the ice inside the tray 110 is discharged to the outside along the surface of the ice discharge guide 112 and is eventually received in the ice storage container.

3A is a perspective view illustrating a full ice structure of an ice maker for a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3A.

As shown, the driven gear 133 installed in the control box 191 may be further provided with an interlocking gear 135, and three support plates 193 may be provided between the driven gear 133 and the interlocking gear 135. Can be combined and its rotation can be made stable. Of course, the linkage gear 135 rotates in the same direction and the same amount of rotation as the driven gear 133.

Here, another position detecting member 160a for detecting the position of the ejector 130 and the ice lever 140 may be installed at one side of the interlocking gear 135. That is, a photo sensor 162a may be installed at one side of the interlocking gear 135 to detect a specific position of the interlocking gear 135. Accordingly, the position detecting member 160a detects this whenever the interlocking gear 135 comes to a specific position and informs the controller 190 of the position detecting member 160a. Accordingly, the control unit 190 may include the ejector 130 and this. The position of the ice lever 140 that interlocks with will be accurately identified. Of course, although not shown in the interlocking gear 135 for this purpose, it is natural that a protrusion may be formed at a specific position or vice versa.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, another position sensor 160b, that is, another photo sensor 162b may be formed near the driven gear 133. Therefore, the position detecting member 160b detects this whenever the driven gear 133 comes to a specific position and notifies the control unit 190. Therefore, the control unit 190 interlocks with the ejector 130 and the same. The exact position of the ice lever 140 to be. Of course, for this purpose, although not shown in the driven gear 135, it is natural that a projection may be formed at a specific position or vice versa.

In addition, as described above, the photo sensor 162 for detecting the position of the extension lever 161, the photo sensor 162a for detecting the position of the interlocking gear 135, and the photo sensor for detecting the position of the driven gear 133. All of the 162b may be installed on the printed circuit board or directly on the surface of the control box, and the present invention is not limited to the installation position of the photo sensor.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a position sensing principle according to the present invention.

As illustrated, the position sensing members 160, 160a, and 160b may have photo sensors 162, 162a, and 162b installed on a surface of a printed circuit board or a control box, and the protrusion 163 may be coupled to one side thereof. Or to be separated. Of course, the photo sensor 162, 162a, 162b will detect whether the projection 163 is coupled to it. In addition, the protrusion 163 may be an end of the extension lever 161 described above, or may be formed to protrude from the interlocking gear 135 or the driven gear 133. Moreover, it is natural that a predetermined size of recesses may be employed instead of the protrusions.

As described above, the position detecting structure of the refrigerator ice maker according to the present invention can be accurately detected the position of the ejector and the ice lever by installing the position detecting member at various positions, and thus the ice discharge operation and the ice detection operation are performed. It is done exactly.

What has been described above is just one embodiment for implementing the position sensing structure of the ice maker for a refrigerator according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, as claimed in the following claims Without departing from the gist of the invention, anyone of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention will have the technical spirit of the present invention to the extent that various modifications can be made.

Claims (8)

delete A water supply unit for supplying water, A tray for receiving water and freezing water from the water supply unit, An ejector for moving ice from the tray to an ice storage container, An ice lever for detecting whether ice is in the ejector and the ice container; A photo sensor is provided on one side of the ejector and the full moon lever as a sensing member for sensing the positions of the ejector and the full moon lever, At the end of the ejector is provided with a driven gear which has a cam and is coupled to the motor and rotates, One side of the driven gear is provided with an arm lever moving a predetermined distance by the cam, And a sliding lever coupled to an end of the arm lever, so that the sliding lever moves in the vertical direction by the forward and backward movement of the arm lever. 3. The position sensing structure of the ice maker for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the cam comprises an inclined surface gradually thickened from the surface of the driven gear and a surface close to a right angle at the end of the inclined surface. According to claim 2 or claim 3, Positioning structure of the refrigerator ice maker, characterized in that the bracket is further installed on one side of the tray to prevent the arm lever from being separated to the outside and rotatable. A water supply unit for supplying water, A tray for receiving water and freezing water from the water supply unit, An ejector for moving ice from the tray to an ice storage container, An ice lever for detecting whether ice is in the ejector and the ice container; It is provided with a sensing member for sensing the position of the ejector and the full moon lever, At the end of the ejector is provided with a driven gear which has a cam and is coupled to the motor and rotates, One side of the driven gear is provided with an arm lever moving a predetermined distance by the cam, When the ice lever is coupled to the end of the arm lever, the ice lever is moved in the vertical direction by the forward and backward movement of the arm lever. And the sensing member comprises an extension lever extending a predetermined length outside the arm lever, and a photo sensor for sensing a position of the extension lever. A water supply unit for supplying water, A tray for receiving water and freezing water from the water supply unit, An ejector for moving ice from the tray to an ice storage container, An ice lever for detecting whether ice is in the ejector and the ice container; It is provided with a sensing member for sensing the position of the ejector and the full moon lever, At the end of the ejector is provided with a driven gear which has a cam and is coupled to the motor and rotates, One side of the driven gear is provided with an arm lever moving a predetermined distance by the cam, When the ice lever is coupled to the end of the arm lever, the ice lever is moved in the vertical direction by the forward and backward movement of the arm lever. Wherein the sensing member is coupled to the end of the ejector position detection structure of the icemaker for a refrigerator, characterized in that consisting of the interlocking gear and a photo sensor for sensing the position of the interlocking gear. 7. The position sensing structure of the ice maker for a refrigerator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the photo sensor is installed on a printed circuit board. The position sensing structure of the ice maker for a refrigerator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the photo sensor is formed in a control box installed at one side of the tray.

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