KR100903923B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

This embodiment relates to a refrigerator.

The refrigerator of the present embodiment includes a dispenser formed in a door; A support portion provided on the dispenser and on which a container is placed; A driving unit for driving the supporting unit; An input unit having a button for selecting an amount of water or ice to be taken out into the container; A memory unit storing an amount of water or ice selected by the button; And a control unit for controlling the driving unit, and after the water or ice is removed by the amount selected by the user, the supporting unit is drawn out of the dispenser by the driving unit.

dispenser

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

This embodiment relates to a refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device for storing food at a low temperature by supplying cold air to a storage compartment.

In addition, a dispenser connected to a bucket or an ice maker is disposed at the door of the refrigerator. The dispenser is provided with a lever or a button for discharging water or ice by pressing from the outside. Accordingly, when the user presses the lever or the button, water or ice may be discharged through the dispenser to extract water or ice from the outside without opening the door.

However, in the conventional refrigerator, water or ice is discharged from the dispenser only when a user presses a lever or a button, which causes inconvenience to the user.

In particular, since the amount of water discharged is determined by the time the user presses the lever or the button, the user is inconvenient to hold the container while pressing the lever, and the user must continuously check the amount of water discharged while the water is discharged. There is discomfort.

This embodiment is proposed to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to propose a refrigerator in which a container placed in the dispenser is sensed and the amount of water or ice discharged automatically can be controlled.

Another object of the present embodiment is to propose a refrigerator such that after the supply of water or ice to the container is completed, the supporting part supporting the container is pulled out.

Refrigerator according to an embodiment for achieving the above object, the dispenser formed in the door; A support portion provided on the dispenser and on which a container is placed; A driving unit for driving the supporting unit; An input unit having a button for selecting an amount of water or ice to be taken out into the container; A memory unit storing an amount of water or ice selected by the button; And a control unit for controlling the driving unit, and after the water or ice is removed by the amount selected by the user, the supporting unit is drawn out of the dispenser by the driving unit.

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Refrigerator according to another aspect, the dispenser is formed in the door; A support portion provided on the dispenser and on which a container is placed; A discharge duct for discharging water or ice to be supplied to the container; A valve for opening and closing the discharge duct; An operation lever operated by a user to take out the water or ice; Sensing unit for sensing the weight or pressure of the container; A driving unit having a motor for driving the bearing unit; And a control unit for controlling the valve, wherein the valve is opened or closed according to whether the ejection lever is pressed or the container is sensed by the sensing unit.

Refrigerator according to another aspect, the dispenser is formed in the door; A support portion provided in the dispenser and provided with a container; A driving unit having a motor for driving the bearing unit; A selection button for selecting whether the bearing portion is pulled in or out; And a controller for controlling the driving unit according to the mode selected by the selection button.

According to the proposed embodiment, there is an advantage in that water or ice extraction method can be selected according to a user's preference. That is, water or ice can be taken out manually or automatically.

And, if the water or ice is automatically taken out, the user has to remove the hassle of holding the container while the water or ice is taken out, the hassle of having to continuously check the amount of the container is removed Can be obtained.

In addition, when a certain amount of water or ice is supplied to the container, there is an advantage that the user can easily lift the container as the support portion on which the container is automatically drawn out.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 10 in which a storage compartment is formed, and a door 20 coupled to the main body 10 to open and close the storage compartment. The door 20 is rotatably installed in the main body 10 by a hinge (not shown). In addition, a handle 22 is formed in the door 20.

In the present embodiment, for example, a refrigerator having a pair of doors is described as an example, but the idea of the present embodiment is not limited to the type of the refrigerator.

In addition, the door 20 may be provided with a home bar 30 that allows food or the like to be taken out without opening the door 20. The home bar 30 may store articles such as drinks or cosmetics.

In addition, the door 20 is provided with a dispenser 100 for discharging water or ice from the outside of the door 20. In addition, the dispenser 100 may be connected to a water tank 200 or an ice maker.

A water supply device (not shown) may be connected to the water tank 200 and the ice maker so that water is supplied from the outside. Of course, the water stored in the water tank 200 may be supplied to the ice maker.

The dispenser 100 and the water tank 200 or the ice maker are connected by the discharge duct 210. In addition, the discharge duct 210 is provided with a valve 220 for opening and closing the discharge duct 210.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates a structure in which the water tank 200 is connected to the dispenser 100, the water tank and the ice maker may be provided at the same time.

2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the dispenser according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dispenser 100 is provided with a receiving portion 101 to accommodate a container such as a cup. The receiving portion 101 is formed recessed inward from the front of the door 20.

On the upper side of the accommodating portion 101, a display unit 110 in which operating states of the refrigerator 1 and the dispenser 100 are displayed, and an operation condition of the refrigerator 1 or an operation condition of the dispenser 100 are input. An input unit 120 is provided. In detail, the input unit 120 may include a plurality of buttons.

The plurality of buttons may include a selection button for selecting water or ice, an ice type selection button for selecting a type of ice, and an amount adjustment button for adjusting the discharge amount of water or ice. Of course, a button for inputting an operating condition of the refrigerator may be further included.

The dispenser 100 includes an operation lever 125 that allows the user to take out the ice or water by manipulation. The manipulation lever 125 protrudes into the accommodation portion 101.

In addition, when the manipulation lever 125 is pressed, a sensor (not shown) senses the information and transmits the information to the controller to be described later. Then, the controller opens the valve 220 by the information transmitted from the sensor.

In addition, the dispenser 100 includes a support 130 on which a container is placed. The support 130 is positioned below the operation lever 125 to support the container in the process of taking out water or ice.

In addition, the support 130 is provided with a container detecting unit 140 for detecting the container. The container detecting unit 140 may include a weight sensor or a pressure sensor. When the container is detected by the container detecting unit 140, the control unit controls the operation of the valve 220 so that a predetermined amount of water or ice is automatically taken out.

That is, in the present embodiment, the user manipulates the manipulation lever 125 so that the desired amount of water or ice is taken out, or the amount of water or ice automatically set in the state in which the container is placed on the support 130. This can be taken out.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage in that the water or ice extraction method can be selected according to the user's preference. The hassle of having to carry and the hassle of having to constantly check the amount of the container being taken out can be obtained.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II ′ of FIG. 2.

3 and 4, the support part 130 is slidably provided in the accommodation part 101 by the driving device 150.

In detail, the support part 130 is provided with a casing 131 for forming a storage space 134 therein and a grill part 132 provided at an upper side of the casing 131 to allow water falling from above to pass therethrough. Included. In addition, water passing through the grill part 132 is stored in the reservoir space 134.

Below the support 130 is provided with a support driver 150 for driving the support 130. The support part driving unit 150 includes a motor 152 for generating a driving force, and a drive gear 156 coupled to the shaft 154 of the motor 152.

In addition, a driven gear 136 meshing with the driving gear 156 is formed below the support part 130. In this case, the drive gear 156 may be a pinion gear, and the driven gear 136 may be a rack gear.

In addition, the drive gear 156 rotates vertically, and the driven gear 136 converts the vertical rotational movement of the drive gear 156 into a translational movement.

Therefore, the support 130 moves in the front and rear directions of the refrigerator by the rotation of the motor 152 and the driving gear 156. In addition, when the support part 130 moves forward, the support part 130 is drawn out of the dispenser 100 by the receiving part 101.

Here, a motor capable of rotating in both directions may be used as the motor in order to enable the back and forth movement of the support 130.

In addition, guide parts 138 for guiding forward and backward movement of the support part 130 are formed on both side surfaces of the casing 131, and the guide part (132) is formed on the wall 102 forming the receiving part 101. Guide grooves 103 for the insertion of 138 are formed.

The guide part 138 is protruded laterally from the side of the case 131. The guide portion 138 is formed long in the front-rear direction. Unlike this, guide parts may be formed on the wall 102 forming the accommodation part 101, and guide grooves may be formed on both side surfaces of the casing 131.

Therefore, as the guide part 138 moves along the guide groove 103, the back and forth movement of the support part 130 may be stably made. In addition, since the guide portion 138 is inserted into the guide groove 103 in the state in which the supporting portion 130 is drawn out, the supporting portion 130 is formed by the weight of the container placed on the supporting portion 130. ) Can be prevented from falling.

5 is a block diagram showing a control structure of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes an input unit 120 for inputting a condition for the operation of the refrigerator 1 or the dispenser 100, and the support unit 130. A container detecting unit 140 for detecting a container, a lever operation detecting unit 190 for detecting whether the operation lever 125 is operated, a valve driving unit 170 for driving the valve 220, and the support An operation unit input through the support unit driving unit 150 for driving the unit 130, the control unit 160 for controlling the operation of the valve driving unit 170 and the support unit driving unit 150, and the input unit 120 Alternatively, the memory unit 180 may store the extraction condition.

In detail, the user may select whether to take out ice or water and the amount to be taken out by using the input unit 120. In addition, whether the ice or water selected by the user is extracted and the amount of the extracted liquid is stored in the memory unit 180.

The container detecting unit 140 detects the weight of the container placed on the support 130 or the pressure applied from the container. When the container is detected by the container detecting unit 140, the control unit 160 operates the valve driving unit 170 to open the valve 220.

In addition, the controller 160 determines whether the container is filled with a certain amount of ice or water to control the operation of the support driver 150. In detail, whether the container is filled with a certain amount of ice or water is determined using a difference in pressure or weight sensed before and after taking out the water or ice.

Before the water or ice is taken out, the container sensing unit 140 detects the weight of the container or the pressure applied from the container. Then, after the water or ice is taken out, the weight of the container and the water or ice or the pressure applied from the container containing the water or ice is sensed.

Therefore, the weight or pressure difference before and after taking out is compared with a reference value, and it is judged whether the container or a certain amount of ice or water is filled. In this case, the reference value is stored in advance in the memory unit 180, and the reference value can be input by the user through the input unit 120.

Hereinafter, a control method of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment will be described.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a support part drawn out of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment.

6 and 7, the valve 220 provided in the discharge duct 210 is in a closed state (S1). Then, whether the water or ice is taken out and the amount of the water or ice taken out is preset by the user.

In this state, the control unit 160 determines whether the manipulation lever 125 is pressed (S2).

In addition, when it is determined that the manipulation lever 125 is pressed, the valve 220 is opened by the valve driving unit 170. Then, water or ice is discharged along the discharge duct 210 and supplied to the container.

Then, while water or ice is being supplied to the container, the controller 160 determines whether pressing of the manipulation lever 125 is released (S4). When it is determined that the pressurization of the manipulation lever 125 is released, the valve 220 is closed by the valve driving unit 170 (S5).

On the other hand, when it is determined in operation S2 that the operation lever 125 is not pressurized, the controller 160 determines whether the container is detected by the container detection unit 140 (S6). In this embodiment, a case where pressure is sensed by the container detecting unit 140 will be described.

In detail, the container detecting unit 140 detects the pressure applied to the container, and the control unit 160 determines that the container is placed on the supporting unit 130 when the pressure increases rapidly in the container detecting unit 140. do.

If it is determined that the container has not been detected, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when it is determined that the container is detected, the valve 220 is opened by the valve driving unit 170 (S7). Then, water or ice is discharged along the discharge duct 210 and supplied to the container.

In addition, while the water or ice is supplied to the container, the pressure is continuously sensed by the container detecting unit 140, and the control unit 160 detects the pressure P2 and water or the water or ice detected by the container detecting unit 140. It is determined whether the difference of the pressure P2 sensed before taking out the ice has reached the reference value, that is, whether the pressure difference before and after opening of the valve 220 has reached the reference value (S8).

When it is determined that the pressure difference before and after opening of the valve 220 reaches a reference value, the valve 220 is closed by the valve driving unit 170 (S9).

In addition, after the valve 220 is closed, the supporting part 130 on which the container is placed by the supporting part driving part 150 is drawn out (S10). That is, when the operation signal is input from the controller 160 to the support part driver 150, the support part 130 is drawn out of the dispenser 100 by the support part driver 150.

In detail, when the motor 152 is rotated in one direction, the drive gear 156 is rotated in the same direction as the motor 152. In addition, the rotational motion is converted into a translational motion by the driven gear 136 engaged with the driving gear 156, and the support 130 is slid out in front of the dispenser 100.

In addition, the controller 160 determines whether the container is removed from the support part 130 while the support part 130 is drawn out to the front of the dispenser 100 (S11). In detail, when the container is removed from the support 130, the pressure sensed by the container detector 140 decreases rapidly. As such, when the pressure sensed by the container detecting unit 140 decreases rapidly, the controller 160 determines that the container is removed from the receiving unit 130.

In addition, when it is determined that the container is removed from the supporting part 130, the supporting part 130 is introduced into the dispenser 100 by the supporting part driving part 150 (S12). In detail, the motor 152 is rotated in the other direction so that the support 130 is slid into the dispenser 100.

According to this embodiment, the user has to remove the hassle to hold the container while the water or ice is removed, and when the water or ice is supplied to the container a certain amount of the support is automatically drawn out as the user is easily reminded Courage has the advantage.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 2 according to a second embodiment.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other parts, except that there is a difference in the position of the support part drive unit for driving the support part. Therefore, hereinafter, only characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 8, the support driver 320 according to the present exemplary embodiment is located at one side of the support 310. In detail, a driven gear 312 is formed on one side of the support 310. Then, the driving gear 323 coupled to the motor 321 on the side of the driven gear 312 is connected. In addition, a rack gear may be used as the driven gear 312, and a pinion gear may be used as the driving gear 324.

Here, the position of the base portion driving unit is an example, the base portion driving unit may be provided in the rear of the base portion, it is noted that the position of the driving unit is not limited.

9 is a perspective view showing the structure of the dispenser according to the third embodiment.

This embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in other parts, except that there is a difference in the draw-out method of the support part. Therefore, hereinafter, only characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

9, the support 410 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the draw in and out by the rotation method.

In detail, one side of the support 400 is provided with a support driver 430 for rotating the support 410. The support driver 430 includes a motor 432 and a drive gear 434 coupled to the motor.

In addition, a driven gear 420 is formed at one side of the support part 410 to be engaged with the drive gear 434 and to transmit the rotational force transmitted from the drive gear 434 to the support part 410.

In addition, an accommodating groove 404 in which the driven gear 420 is accommodated is formed at one side 402 of the accommodating part 401. When the driven gear 420 is inserted into the receiving groove 404, the driven gear 420 is engaged with the driven gear 420 and the driving gear 434. A protrusion 422 is provided on upper and lower surfaces of the driven gear 420 to provide a rotation shaft of the driven gear 420. And, the projection insertion groove (not shown) is formed in the upper and lower sides of the receiving groove 404 is inserted.

The other side of the support part 410 is formed with a rounded surface 411 such that the support part 410 can be drawn out by a rotation method.

Therefore, when the motor 432 is rotated in one direction, the drive gear 432 is rotated in one direction. When the driving gear 432 is rotated in one direction, the driven gear 420 is rotated in the other direction, and the support part 410 is rotated by the rotation of the driven gear 420 so that the front of the dispenser is rotated. Withdrawn.

The spirit of the present embodiment is not limited to the above description and may further include the following embodiments.

First, the infrared sensor may be used as the container detecting unit, in addition to a sensor for detecting weight or pressure.

In addition, an actuator for translating back and forth without using a motor may be used as the support driver.

In addition, a selection button for the user to select whether the withdrawal of the support portion may be further provided. Therefore, when the user does not want the support part to be drawn out, the user can select the stop mode of the support part by using the selection button, and when the support part is desired to be drawn out, select the withdrawal mode of the support part by using the selection button. Can be.

In addition, the proposed embodiment is configured to automatically take out water or ice when the container is detected by the container detection unit, otherwise water or ice is formed when the take out button is selected by forming a takeout button for taking out water or ice. It may be withdrawn by a set amount, and provided with a container detecting unit in the support portion to detect the presence of the container.

In such a case, after the water or ice is extracted by the set amount, the supporting part on which the container is lifted is taken out, and when the container detecting unit detects that the container is removed, the supporting part can be retracted. That is, the container detecting unit detects the container for the purpose of drawing out the supporting part.

In addition, in the proposed embodiment, the support part is drawn out by determining whether the container is removed in the state in which the support part is drawn out, whereas the withdrawal of the support part is automatically withdrawn from the dispenser by the support part driving part, and the support part is automatically drawn out. In the drawn out state, the support part may be automatically drawn in by a predetermined external force. This method is a well-known structure applied to the draw-out method of the CD tray formed in the computer main body, the draw-in method of the CD tray provided to the audio, etc., and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the withdrawal and withdrawal of the support may be determined according to whether the withdrawal button or withdrawal button is selected. That is, when the user selects the withdrawal button, the support part may be pulled out by the support driver, and when the withdrawal button is selected, the support part may be withdrawn to the dispenser. Here, the operation of selecting the pull-in button and the pull-out button is made manually, it can be understood that the drawer is automatically withdrawn by the support portion by the support portion driving portion from the side of the support portion.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to the present embodiment;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the dispenser according to the present embodiment.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 2.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II 'of FIG. 2;

5 is a block diagram showing a control structure of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment.

7 is a perspective view illustrating a support part drawn out of the refrigerator according to the present embodiment;

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 2 according to a second embodiment;

9 is a perspective view showing the structure of the dispenser according to the third embodiment;

Claims (13)

delete delete delete delete A dispenser formed in the door; A support portion provided on the dispenser and on which a container is placed; A driving unit for driving the supporting unit; An input unit having a button for selecting an amount of water or ice to be taken out into the container; A memory unit storing an amount of water or ice selected by the button; And A control unit for controlling the drive unit is included, And after the amount of water or ice selected by the user is taken out, the support part is drawn out of the dispenser by the driving part. The method of claim 5, wherein And when the container is detected that the container is removed from the support part, the support part is introduced into the dispenser by the driving part. A dispenser formed in the door; A support portion provided on the dispenser and on which a container is placed; A discharge duct for discharging water or ice to be supplied to the container; A valve for opening and closing the discharge duct; An operation lever operated by a user to take out the water or ice; Sensing unit for sensing the weight or pressure of the container; A driving unit having a motor for driving the bearing unit; And A control unit for controlling the valve is included, And the valve is opened or closed depending on whether the draw lever is pressed or the container is sensed by the sensing unit. A dispenser formed in the door; A support portion provided in the dispenser and provided with a container; A driving unit having a motor for driving the bearing unit; A selection button for selecting whether the bearing portion is pulled in or out; And And a control unit for controlling the driving unit according to the mode selected by the selection button. The method of claim 8, The mode includes a stop mode in which the support part is stopped even after water or dispensing is completed in the container, and a withdrawal mode in which the support part is drawn out of the dispenser when water or dispensing is completed in the container. Refrigerator. delete delete delete delete

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