KR101451658B1 - Full ice detecting apparatus of ice maker for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A full ice detecting device for a refrigerator ice maker is disclosed.

A freeze detection apparatus for a refrigerator ice maker is disclosed. The freeze detection apparatus is disposed in a refrigerator and is capable of making ice, comprising: an ice maker body in which an ice making unit is disposed; And a distance sensor for sensing a distance between the ice-maker body and the ice accumulated in the ice-making unit.

According to the ice-maker detection device of the refrigerator ice-maker disclosed in the above, by applying the distance sensor to the ice maker, it is possible to display the amount of ice in the ice-containing container as well as to detect ice- There is an advantage that the energy consumption can be minimized by controlling the ice maker and / or the ice making fan depending on whether the ice container is detached or not.

Full ice detection, distance detection, ice fan control

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an ice-

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a full ice detecting device for a refrigerator ice maker.

A refrigerator is a device that can store foods freshly by refrigeration or freezing. Such a refrigerator may be provided with an ice maker, which is an apparatus for producing ice, and an ice bank, which receives ice produced by the ice maker.

In recent years, there have been many cases where ice makers and ice banks are installed in refrigerators as demand increases. The ice produced in such an ice maker is dropped into the ice bank and accumulated in the ice bank.

In a conventional refrigerator ice maker, a full ice detection lever connected to a controller of the ice maker was used to detect whether or not the ice cubes were full. That is, in the past, it was detected whether or not the ice bank was full by a mechanical structure.

The ice-making sensing lever is rotated downward by a spring connected to the ice-making sensing lever, and the ice-making sensing lever ascends as the ice moves in the ice bank. When the ice-making detecting lever is elevated above a predetermined height by ice, it is judged as full ice.

However, according to the conventional full ice sensing method, when the rotation of the ice-cube detecting lever is frozen, mechanical movement of the ice-cube detecting lever may not be performed. In such a case, the ice-full detection lever is not properly operated, so that the ice-full ice in the ice bank is not properly detected. Then, even after the ice bank is empty, the ice is continuously supplied, and the ice bank may flood outside the ice bank.

An object of the present invention is to provide a full ice sensing device for a refrigerator ice maker having a structure capable of accurately and stably detecting whether ice cubes are free from ice in the ice maker.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a full ice sensing device for a refrigerator ice maker having a structure capable of minimizing energy consumption during ice making.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice-maker for ice-making, which is disposed in a refrigerator,

An ice maker body in which the ice making unit is disposed; And a distance sensor for sensing a distance between the ice-maker body and the ice accumulated in the ice-making unit.

The full ice sensing device of the refrigerator ice maker may include a controller for determining an accumulation amount of the ice according to a distance value sensed by the distance sensing sensor.

The refrigerator may include an ice-making fan for generating wind power for transferring cold air to the ice maker, and the controller may control the ice-making fan according to the amount of ice accumulated.

In the ice-making detector of the refrigerator ice-making machine, an ice-receiving container for receiving the ice stored in the ice-making unit is disposed on the lower side of the icemaker body, and if the sensed distance value is larger than a predetermined ice- And a control unit for determining that the container is detached and stopping the ice maker.

According to one aspect of the present invention, by applying the distance detection sensor to the ice maker, it is possible to display the amount of ice in the ice container, as well as to detect ice in the ice container, The ice-making machine and / or the ice-making fan can be controlled depending on the amount of ice in the ice-making container or the detachability of the ice-receiving container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, even if the user does not use the ice in the ice-making container and the ice-making container for a long period of time, it is determined whether ice exists in the ice- The ice-making fan is continuously operated to prevent the ice from melting, and when there is no ice, the ice-making fan is stopped to minimize energy consumption. Particularly, this will be more effective when the user turns off the power of the ice maker and does not use the ice maker for a long time.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a distance sensing sensor is disposed on an ice maker body and is detached from the ice maker to detect the ice of the ice accumulated in the ice container, It is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the rotation of the ice-making sensor lever is frozen and the ice-making is not properly detected, and it is possible to accurately and stably detect whether or not the ice- .

According to another aspect of the present invention, the detection height of the distance sensor is disposed at a height corresponding to the height of a full ice level of an ice container having a predetermined height difference from an upper end of the ice container, . Therefore, the presence of the ice in the ice container can be accurately detected by the distance sensor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting ice cubes in a refrigerator ice maker, wherein a heat medium connecting the ice making heater and the distance detecting sensor is provided so that a part of the heat generated by the ice making heater is transmitted to the distance detecting sensor . Then, the surface of the distance detection sensor can be heated by the heat transmitted from the ice making heater, so that the property formed on the surface of the distance detection sensor can be removed. Therefore, there is an effect that correct maneuver detection can be performed in the distance detection sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a full ice detecting device for a refrigerator ice maker according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a front surface of a refrigerator to which a full ice sensing device for a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

1, the refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment is a device for storing food. The refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerating chamber 11 in which foods are stored at a temperature of an image, a freezing chamber 11 for storing foods such as ice An ice making container 100 accommodated in the freezing chamber 12 to produce ice and an ice receiving container 180 for storing and storing ice produced in the ice making device 100, A dispenser 190 is provided to allow the ice stored in the ice maker 180 to be supplied appropriately when desired by the user.

Of course, components such as a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator for forming a refrigeration cycle are formed in the refrigerator 10.

The refrigerating compartment 11 and the freezing compartment 12 are opened and closed with respect to the outside by the refrigerating compartment door 13 and the freezing compartment door 14, respectively.

An operation related to the ice-maker 100 will be briefly described.

After the appropriate amount of water is supplied to the ice-maker 100, cool air is supplied to the ice maker 100. After the ice is produced in the ice maker 100 by the supplied cool air, the ice is separated by the self-operation of the ice maker 100 and falls into the ice container 180 and is received therein. Each time the ice cubes contained in the ice container 180 are requested by the user, the ice cubes are supplied to the user by the dispenser 190 by a desired amount.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator ice maker to which a full ice sensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a refrigerator ice maker to which a full ice sensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion A shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing a full ice detecting device of a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 5 together, the ice maker 100 according to the present embodiment is an article in which ice is manufactured. The ice maker 100 includes a water supply unit 107 for supplying water from the outside, an ice making chamber 104 for ice- An ejector 105 in which ice produced in the ice making chamber 104 is separated and an ice maker body 101 in which a number of components for rotating the ejector 105 are contained.

At the rear of the ice making chamber 104 is formed a seating portion 102 for allowing the ice maker 100 to be placed inside the refrigerator. Reference numeral 103 in FIG. 2 is a hole into which the engaging protrusion is inserted so that the seating portion 102 is seated in the refrigerator.

The shaft to be rotated is extended to the outside of the ice-maker body 101. The ejector 105 is extended in the outer direction of the shaft, and the ejector 105 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the shaft to pierce the ice.

A separator 106 is formed on the upper side of the ice making chamber 104 to guide the ice raised by the ejector 105 to the ice container 180 to be dropped.

The water supply unit 107, the ice making chamber 104, the ejector 105 and the like may be defined as units for manufacturing ice in the ice maker 100 and an ice making unit. Of course, the configuration of the ice-making unit is exemplary, and other components may be added to the configuration, and some of the components may be deleted.

An ice-making heater 140 is installed under the ice-making chamber 104 to apply heat to the interface between the ice and the inner surface of the ice-making chamber 104. The ice-making heater 140 may be electrically connected to an external power source in the ice-maker body 11.

A heater support part 130 is formed below the ice-making heater 140. The heater support part 130 is connected to the icemaker body 101. Preferably, the heater support part 130 may be formed together with the ice maker body 101.

In this embodiment, the distance sensor protrusion 121 protrudes downward from the ice-maker body 101.

The distance detecting sensor protrusion 121 protruding as described above is provided with a transmitter 122 and a receiver 123. The transmitting unit 122 and the receiving unit 123 receive signals, for example, an infrared signal, and sense the distance d to the ice.

The sensing unit 122 and the receiving unit 123 may be defined as a distance sensing sensor 120 because sensing whether or not the inside of the ice container 180 is full while receiving and receiving signals from each other. The distance sensor 120 may be an infrared sensor.

The distance sensor 120 is disposed in the ice-maker body 101 and senses ice cubes accumulated in the ice-making container 180 when the ice-maker 100 is ice-picked.

The distance sensing sensor 120 can sense the distance between the icemaker body 101 and the ice accumulated in the ice container 180. Therefore, And the degree of accumulation of ice can be known.

Further, when the ice container 180 is detached, the distance sensed by the distance sensor 120 is detected to be farther than the distance when the ice container 180 is engaged. Therefore, It is possible to detect whether the ice container 180 is detached or not. If it is detected that the ice container 180 is detached, ice removal in the ice maker 100 may be stopped to prevent ice from being poured.

Here, the distance sensor 120 may be disposed at a height corresponding to the full height of the ice storage container 180.

3 and 4, the transmitter 122 and the receiver 123 of the distance sensor 120 extend downward to the inside of the ice container 180. As shown in FIG.

When the distance sensing sensor 120 is formed as described above, the sensing height of the distance sensing sensor 120 is set to a height corresponding to the full height of the ice container 180 having a predetermined height difference from the upper end 181 of the ice container 180 . Therefore, the distance detection sensor 120 can accurately detect the full ice in the ice container 180.

Meanwhile, the ice container 180 is provided therein with a space for accommodating the ice released from the ice maker 100.

A transfer unit 150 is installed below the ice container 180. The transfer unit 150 sequentially transfers the ice contained in the ice container 180 into the ice container 180 and crushes the ice into the appropriate size required.

In detail, the transfer unit 150 includes a fixed blade 155 fixed to the ice container 180, a rotating blade 151 rotating relative to the fixed blade 155, A motor 154 connected to the rotary shaft 153, and a conveying blade 152 for conveying the ice.

The rotary shaft 151 is formed on one side of the rotary shaft 153, and the transfer blade 152 is formed on the other side thereof. Then, according to the rotation of the rotation shaft 153, the rotation blade 151 and the transfer blade 152 can be rotated together.

As the transfer blade 152, a spiral auger may be used.

Reference numeral 160 in FIG. 3 denotes an outlet through which the ice is taken out from the ice container 180, and reference numeral 170 denotes a guide passage through which the ice taken out through the outlet 160 is guided to the dispenser 190 .

Hereinafter, the operations of the ice-maker 100, the transfer unit 150 and the like will be described.

First, water is guided by a water supply pipe of a predetermined shape and water is supplied to the water supply unit 107. Water supplied into the ice making chamber 104 flows into the ice making chamber 104, and freezing air is supplied to the ice making chamber 104 to freeze the water contained in the ice making chamber 104.

After the water in the ice making chamber 104 is completely frozen as described above, the ejector 105 is operated by a predetermined drive mechanism placed inside the icemaker body 101. Then, the frozen ice in the ice making chamber 104 is pushed up along the inner peripheral surface of the ice making chamber 104.

Before the ejector 105 is operated, heat is applied to the ice-making chamber 104 by the ice-making heater 140 so that the ice and the contact surface of the ice-making chamber 104 are separated from each other.

After the ice is pushed up by the ejector 105, ice is guided by the separator 106 and falls into the ice container 180, and is accumulated in the ice container 180.

After the ice cubes are received in the ice container 180 during the repetitive operation, only ice is received by the distance sensor 120, and the ice cubes 100 ) Is stopped.

Meanwhile, when ice supply is requested to the user through the dispenser 190, the motor 154 is driven and the rotation shaft 153 connected to the motor 154 is rotated. Then, the rotary blade 151 and the transfer blade 152 are rotated together.

The ice in the lower part of the ice container 180 is transferred to the rotary blade 151 while the transfer blade 152 is rotated.

When the ice guided to the rotating blade 151 is caught between the rotating blade 151 and the fixed blade 155, the ice is crushed by the pushing action of the rotating blade 151.

The crushed ice is taken out through the outlet 160 formed below the stationary blade 155. The extracted ice is dropped through the guide passage 170. The dropped ice can be supplied to the user through the dispenser 190.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a full ice detector of a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a full ice detector of a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention, to be.

6 and 7, the full ice level sensing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an ice-maker body 101, a distance sensor 120 for sensing a distance between ice accumulated in the ice-receiving container 180, And a control unit 200 for receiving and processing the sensed value from the distance sensor 120.

In addition, the full ice level sensing device includes a driving unit 210 receiving signals from the control unit 200 and driving refrigerator components such as the ice maker 100 and the like, A display unit 220, and an input unit 230 for inputting various kinds of information.

The operation of the full ice level sensing apparatus will be described.

First, when ice-making is started (S100), the distance sensor 120 detects the distance to the ice (S110). The distance detected by the distance sensor 120 is transmitted to the controller 200.

The controller 200 receives the distance value and determines an accumulation amount of the ice according to a distance value detected by the distance sensor 120. [ That is, it is determined whether the detected distance value has reached a preset reference level (S120).

Here, the predetermined freezing reference value is a value corresponding to a height at which the ice cubes become ice-filled in the ice container 180.

If it is determined that the sensed distance value has not reached the predetermined still ice level, the distance detection sensor 120 continues the distance sensing while continuously performing ice making in the ice maker 100 (S110) .

If it is determined that the detected distance value has reached the preset reference value, the ice-making is stopped (S130).

Hereinafter, a full ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In carrying out these explanations, the description overlapping with the content already described in the first embodiment of the present invention described above will be omitted and omitted here.

8A and 8B are perspective views schematically showing a part of a refrigerator to which a full ice sensing device of a refrigerator ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing a control method of the apparatus. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIGS. 9A and 9B together, in this embodiment, an ice maker 100, an inlet pipe 260 for introducing cool air into the ice container 180, A pipe 270 and an ice-making fan 250 for generating a wind power for transferring cold air to the ice-maker 100 are installed. The ice making fan 250 may be installed at an inlet of the introduction pipe 260 to introduce cold air into the introduction pipe 260.

In this embodiment, the controller 200 controls the ice-making fan 250 according to the amount of ice accumulated in the ice-receiving container 180 sensed by the distance sensor 120. That is, when it is determined that the ice is accumulated, the controller 200 operates the ice-making fan 250, and if the ice is not accumulated, the controller 250 controls the ice- It can be stopped.

Also, the controller 200 controls the RPM of the ice-making fan 250 according to the accumulated amount of ice. That is, when the accumulation amount of the ice is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the RPM of the ice-making fan is increased, and in the case of full ice, the ice-making fan can be stopped.

If the sensed distance value is greater than a predetermined distance to the bottom of the ice container 180, the controller 200 may determine that the ice container 180 is detached from the ice container 180 And the ice maker 100 can be stopped.

Meanwhile, the controller 200 may display the determination result on the display unit 220 according to the sensed distance value. That is, the controller 200 may indicate the amount of ice in the ice container 180 as well as the ice in the ice container 180 according to the sensed distance value.

Hereinafter, the operation of the full ice sensor according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

First, the distance sensor 120 detects the distance (S200). The detected distance value is transmitted to the controller 200.

The controller 200 determines whether the sensed distance value has reached the preset reference level (S210).

If it is determined in step S210 that the detected distance value has reached the preset freezing reference value, the control unit 200 determines that the ice cubes are full ice (S211), and stops the ice maker 100 and / The ice-making fan 250 is stopped (S212).

If it is determined that the sensed distance value has not reached the preset reference value, the controller 200 determines that the sensed distance value is greater than the predetermined reference value, (Step 220).

If it is determined that the sensed distance value is between the predetermined reference value and the distance to the bottom of the ice container 180 as a result of the determination S220, It is determined that the ice is still insufficient in the ice making chamber 180 and the RPM of the ice making fan 250 is increased so as to accelerate ice making in the ice making machine 100 at step S222.

If it is determined in step S220 that the sensed distance value is not between the preset reference value and the distance to the bottom of the ice container 180, It is determined whether the distance value has reached the distance value to the bottom of the ice container 180 (S230).

If it is determined in step S230 that the sensed distance value has reached the distance to the bottom of the ice container 180, it is determined that there is no ice in the ice container 180 (S231 , The ice-making fan 250 is stopped for energy saving (S232).

If it is determined that the detected distance value is greater than the distance to the bottom of the ice container 180 as a result of the determination S230, (S240). Then, the ice maker 100 is stopped so that the ice produced in the ice maker 100 is not poured (S241).

As described above, by applying the distance sensor 120 to the ice maker 100, it is possible to display the amount of ice in the ice container 180, as well as to detect ice in the ice container 180 The ice-making machine 100 and / or the ice-making fan 250 can be controlled according to the amount of ice in the ice-receiving container 180 or the detachability of the ice-receiving container 180.

Further, even if the user does not use ice in the ice maker 100 and the ice container 180 for a long period of time, it is determined whether there is ice in the ice container 180. If there is ice, The fan 250 can be continuously operated to prevent the ice from melting, and in the absence of ice, the ice making fan 250 can be stopped to minimize energy consumption. Particularly, this will be more effective when the user turns off the power of the ice-maker 100 and does not use it for a long time.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims And can be changed. However, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the full ice sensing device for a refrigerator ice maker can accurately and stably detect whether or not the ice cubes are free from ice in the ice maker.

1 is a perspective view showing a front surface of a refrigerator to which a full ice sensing device of a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator ice maker to which a full ice sensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a refrigerator ice maker to which a full ice sensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part A shown in Fig. 3; Fig.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an apparatus for detecting ice cubes in a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a full ice detector of a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a full ice level sensing apparatus for a refrigerator ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of a refrigerator to which a full ice sensing device of a refrigerator ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling a full ice detector of a refrigerator ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Description of the Related Art

10: Refrigerator 100: Ice-maker

101: Ice-maker body 120: Distance sensor

122: transmitter 123: receiver

140: Ice-making heater 150:

180: ice container 190: dispenser

200: control unit 220: display unit

250: ice-making fan 260: introduction pipe

270: Outflow tube

Claims (12)

In an ice maker disposed in a refrigerator and capable of making ice, An ice maker body in which the ice making unit is disposed; And And a distance sensing sensor for sensing a distance between the ice-making body and the ice accumulated in the ice-making unit, And a controller for determining an accumulation amount of the ice according to a distance value detected by the distance sensor, Wherein the refrigerator includes an ice making fan for generating a blowing force for transferring cold air to the ice maker, Wherein the control unit controls the ice-making fan according to the amount of ice accumulated in the ice-maker. delete delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the control unit performs the ice making of the ice making unit if the sensed distance value does not reach the predetermined still ice level. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the control unit stops ice making of the ice making unit when the sensed distance value reaches a predetermined still ice level. delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein the control unit operates the ice-making fan when it is determined that the ice is accumulated, and stops the ice-making fan when it is determined that the ice is not accumulated. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the control unit controls the RPM of the ice-making fan according to the accumulated amount of the ice. 9. The method of claim 8, Wherein the control unit increases the RPM of the ice-making fan when the accumulation amount of the ice is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and stops the ice-making fan when the accumulation amount of the ice is less than a predetermined value. In an ice maker disposed in a refrigerator and capable of making ice, An ice maker body in which an ice producing unit is disposed and an ice receiving container in which ice stored in the ice making unit is accommodated, A distance sensor for sensing the distance between the ice-making body and the ice accumulated in the ice making unit; And a control unit for determining that the ice container is detached and stopping the ice maker if the sensed distance value is greater than a predetermined ice container position value. The method according to claim 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, or 10, Wherein the control unit displays a result of the determination based on the sensed distance value on the display unit. 11. The method according to claim 1 or 10, Wherein the distance detection sensor is disposed on the ice-maker body.

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