KR101649628B1 - Measured filling method by a dispencer and a refrigerator using the same - Google Patents
Measured filling method by a dispencer and a refrigerator using the same Download PDFInfo
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- KR101649628B1 KR101649628B1 KR1020090097401A KR20090097401A KR101649628B1 KR 101649628 B1 KR101649628 B1 KR 101649628B1 KR 1020090097401 A KR1020090097401 A KR 1020090097401A KR 20090097401 A KR20090097401 A KR 20090097401A KR 101649628 B1 KR101649628 B1 KR 101649628B1
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- water supply
- flow rate
- measuring means
- supply amount
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Abstract
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply amount control method for supplying water at a water supply amount selected by a user through a dispenser, the water supply amount control method comprising: ; Initiating a water supply; Counting the time required after the start of water supply; Confirming whether there is an abnormality in the flow measuring means; When the flow rate measuring means is normal, the actual water flow rate is determined based on the signal from the flow rate measuring means. If there is an abnormality in the flow rate measuring means, based on the correlation between the stored water flow rate during normal operation and the water supply time, ; Stopping the water supply when the selected water supply amount matches the actual water supply amount; And storing information on a signal and a water supply time from the flow rate measuring means for the selected water flow rate when the flow rate measuring means is normal.
Refrigerator, dispenser, water flow control, flow sensor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a control method of a water supply amount through a dispenser and a refrigerator using the same, and more particularly, to a control method for allowing water of a user- selected amount to be supplied through a dispenser and a refrigerator having a dispenser using such a control method .
In general, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having storage spaces such as a freezer compartment, a refrigerating compartment, and a vegetable compartment, a refrigeration cycle unit provided in the refrigerator body to maintain the storage spaces at a predetermined temperature, And a door that opens and closes the storage space, and stores food such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, drinks, and the like in a fresh state in the storage space.
Accordingly, it has been a major task in the development of a refrigerator to improve the storage performance of the food or to reduce the energy consumption in the storage process or to store a larger amount of food in the same space. However, in recent years, in addition to a simple storage function, various functions are required in refrigerators, and various attempts have been made to meet such demands.
A dispenser is a type of component that is installed in a refrigerator to meet such a demand, and is a device that allows water supplied from a tank stored in a refrigerator compartment or an external water source to be easily supplied without opening the door of the refrigerator. In recent years, ice dispensers have been used to supply ice in addition to water.
The dispenser starts watering when the user presses the water supply button by using a cup or a hand. Generally, water is supplied only while the user presses the water supply button. However, depending on the type of the dispenser, Of water. The dispenser includes a measuring unit for measuring the amount of water to be supplied, and a controller for controlling the water supply valve after confirming the amount of water to be measured through the measuring unit.
In the case of a dispenser having such a structure, it is necessary to accurately measure the water supply amount, and the flow rate sensor is usually used as the water supply amount measuring means. As such a flow rate sensor, a small rotor is usually provided in the water supply flow passage, and the number of pulses is measured by using a Hall effect element or the like which generates a pulse proportional to the rotation number of the rotor, To measure the flow rate. In addition, various types of flow sensors may be used. These flow sensors generally include components that mechanically move in response to flow velocity, which may cause malfunctions for extended periods of use.
Particularly, there is a problem that accurate measurement can not be performed if foreign substances contained in water to be supplied are collected at a predetermined amount or more in the rotor or the like. As a result, there is a problem in that reliability of the apparatus and ease of use are lowered because the set water supply becomes impossible.
Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the related art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a water supply amount control method for supplying water to a predetermined amount through a dispenser even when an abnormality occurs in a flow rate sensor have.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a dispenser capable of supplying water in an amount selected by a user even if an abnormality occurs in the flow sensor by using the water supply amount control method as described above.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply control method for supplying a water supply amount selected by a user through a dispenser, the method comprising: receiving information on a water supply amount selected by a user; Initiating a water supply; Counting the time required after the start of water supply; Confirming whether there is an abnormality in the flow measuring means; When the flow rate measuring means is normal, the actual water flow rate is determined based on the signal from the flow rate measuring means. If there is an abnormality in the flow rate measuring means, based on the correlation between the stored water flow rate during normal operation and the water supply time, ; Stopping the water supply when the selected water supply amount matches the actual water supply amount; And storing information on a signal and a water supply time from the flow rate measuring means for the selected water flow rate when the flow rate measuring means is normal.
In the aspect of the present invention, when there is an abnormality in the flow measuring means for measuring the amount of water actually supplied by the user or in a process of watering a predetermined amount of water, the water supply time is measured and the water supply amount indirectly So that normal water supply can be performed even if there is an abnormality in the flow rate measuring means. Here, the relationship between the water supply time and the actual water supply amount can be determined using information stored and measured when the flow measurement means is in the normal state.
That is, if a database is constructed by storing the selected water supply amount in the steady state, the signal from the flow rate measuring means and the water supply time, the relationship between the water supply amount and the water supply time can be deduced therefrom. This relationship is derived from information reflecting all the external factors such as the water pressure at the place where the dispenser having the water supply means is installed. Therefore, even if there is an abnormality in the flow rate measurement means, it is possible to measure a relatively accurate water supply amount only by the water supply time.
At this time, it is possible to derive a correlation by averaging all the information in the database, or to derive a correlation based only on a part of recently stored information.
Here, the flow rate measuring means may use a pulse signal proportional to the flow rate of water to be supplied. At this time, it is possible to confirm whether or not the flow rate measuring means is normal based on the presence or absence of the pulse signal from the flow rate measuring means. That is, when the flow measuring means itself or the signal transmitting cable is damaged, the pulse signal is not generated at all or the generated pulse signal is not transmitted. Therefore, when there is no pulse signal, it can be judged that there is an abnormality in the flow measuring means have.
It is also possible to determine that there is an abnormality when the number of pulse signals from the flow rate measuring means is equal to or less than a predetermined number in the step of checking whether the flow rate measuring means is normal. That is, even if a pulse signal is transmitted, at least 10 pulse signals per second should be transmitted in a normal operation state, but it may be determined that 1 to 3 pulse signals are transmitted per second.
On the other hand, the water supply start and stop can be performed by turning on and off the water supply valve.
The signal from the flow rate measuring means stored after the water supply end may include the number of the pulse signals transmitted from the flow rate measuring means until the end of the water supply after the water supply is started.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply amount control method for supplying water at a water supply amount selected by a user through a dispenser, comprising: receiving information about a water supply amount selected by a user; Initiating a water supply; Counting the time required after the start of water supply; If it is determined that the flow measuring means is normal during the previous water supply, the actual water supply amount is determined based on the signal from the flow measuring means. If it is determined that there is an abnormality, the correlation between the stored water supply amount during normal operation and the water supply time Determining an actual water supply amount based on the reference water amount; Stopping the water supply when the selected water supply amount matches the actual water supply amount; Storing information on a signal and a water supply time from the flow rate measuring means for the selected water flow rate when the flow rate measuring means is normal; Comparing the stored feed time and the signal from the flow measuring means with previously stored information; And a step of determining whether the flow measuring means is normal or not by comparing the stored information and the previously stored information.
In the aspect of the present invention, after the water supply is completed, the signal from the flow rate measuring means and the actual water supply time are compared with the previously stored information to determine whether the flow rate measuring means is normal or not. It is possible to confirm whether the flow measuring means is normal or not in advance. This makes it possible to operate the flow measuring means without knowing that there is an abnormality, thereby preventing excessive water from being supplied more than necessary.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling the feed rate of a dispenser having a flow rate measuring means, a water feed means, a control portion, and a storage portion, wherein when the flow rate measurement means is normal, the actual feed rate is measured through the flow rate measurement means, There is provided a water supply amount control method including a step of determining an actual water supply amount through a time when water supply is performed through a water supply means.
The method may further include storing information on a water supply time and a signal from the flow rate measurement unit to the storage unit after the water supply is terminated.
In addition, the method may further include determining whether the flow measuring means is normally operated by comparing information stored in the previous series with newly stored information.
Further, the flow measuring means may further include a step of visually or acoustically displaying it if it is determined that there is an abnormality.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a dispenser provided on a front surface of a door of a refrigerator and adapted to supply a predetermined amount of water by a user's selection; A water supply valve for opening / closing a water supply channel provided in the dispenser; Flow rate measurement means installed in the water supply channel and measuring a flow rate supplied through the water supply channel; A timer for measuring an opening / closing time of the water supply valve; A controller for controlling the water supply valve such that a selected water supply amount is supplied by receiving the signals from the flow rate measuring means and the timer; And a storage unit for storing signals from the flow rate measuring unit and the timer, wherein the controller determines whether the flow rate measuring unit is abnormal, and when the flow rate measuring unit is abnormal, And a dispenser for judging an actual water supply amount through the supplied water supply time.
Here, the flow rate measuring means includes a rotor installed inside the flow path and rotated by contact with water; And a signal generator for generating a pulse signal corresponding to the number of rotations of the rotor.
In addition, the refrigerator or the dispenser may be provided with a water amount selection means for allowing the user to select the water amount. The water supply amount selection means may include a plurality of buttons disposed on the front surface of the refrigerator or the dispenser, and each of the buttons may be used to select different water supply amounts.
Meanwhile, the controller may determine whether the flow measuring means is abnormal by comparing the information at the previous water supply stored in the storage unit with the newly input information.
The control unit may determine that the flow rate measuring unit is abnormal when the pulse signal transmitted from the flow rate measuring unit is less than a predetermined number before the start of water supply.
According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, even when there is an abnormality in the flow rate measuring means, the water level can be selected by the user relatively accurately or by a predetermined amount, thereby improving the reliability of the product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a water supply amount control method according to the present invention and a refrigerator having a dispenser using the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a refrigerator having a dispenser to which a water amount control method according to the present invention is applied. Here, the present invention is not necessarily applied to a refrigerator but may be used in any device having other water supply means for supplying water in a selected amount by a user.
Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 includes a
A dispenser 130 is installed on the front surface of the
An operation panel 140 is installed on the dispenser 130. The operation panel 140 is provided with a
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the
2 and 3, the
The
4 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of a water supply system through the dispenser. 4, the
The
Here, the flow rate sensor may include a rotor installed in the water supply channel and rotated by the flow of water, and a pulse generator installed on a rotary shaft of the rotor to generate a pulse signal corresponding to the number of rotations of the rotor Is used.
The specific shape and position of the water supply pipe are not limited to the illustrated ones and may include any means capable of supplying water from the outside to the internal space of the dispenser casing, (135) may be omitted.
On the other hand, the dispenser 130 can be supplied in two types. First, water is supplied only when the user presses the
Secondly, the water supply amount selection button among the
At this time, a plurality of water supply amount selection buttons corresponding to different water supply amounts may be provided so that the user can select an appropriate amount as needed. Also, one water supply button may be provided to supply a predetermined amount of water . It is also possible to consider replacing the water supply button with the operation lever. In this case, when the operation lever is depressed, the water supply is performed in the first form. However, when the operation lever is depressed only once, the predetermined amount of water supply can be performed.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling the water supply amount by the control unit through the flow rate sensor or the like. 5, when the user presses one of the water supply amount selection buttons, the
In step S3, the
Further, when the number of pulse signals from the flow rate sensor is equal to or less than a preset number, it can be determined that there is an abnormality. That is, even if a pulse signal is transmitted, at least 10 pulse signals per second must be transmitted in a normal operation state, but it can be determined that 1 to 3 pulse signals per second are transmitted.
If it is determined that the flow rate sensor is normal, the number of pulse signals from the flow rate sensor and the elapsed time from the time when the water supply valve is opened are counted through the
When the watering process is repeated, information on a plurality of watering times is stored in the storage unit, and the stored information is processed to derive the correlation of the watering time with respect to the selected watering amount. At this time, the information to be used may be all the information collected while the dispenser is being used, or may be information within a recent predetermined period, for example, within a week. The correlation thus derived is used when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the flow sensor.
That is, if it is determined in step S3 that there is an abnormality in the flow rate sensor, the water supply time is counted through the timer (S8). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the water supply time has passed the target water supply time for the selected water supply amount (step S9). If the time has elapsed, the water supply valve is closed (step S10) The display is externally displayed through the display window (step S11), and the water supply process is terminated.
Here, the target watering time may be derived through a correlation between the watering amount stored in the normal watering process and the watering time. This correlation may be simply an average value of the ratio between the water supply amount and the water supply time, and may be estimated using a statistical technique such as a least squares method.
6 is a flowchart showing another method of controlling the water supply amount. The method shown in Fig. 6 is basically the same as the control method shown in Fig. More specifically, steps S1 to S10 in the control method shown in FIG. 5 are shared by the control method shown in FIG. 6, but after the completion of step S7 or step S10, And the step S12 of comparing the watering time required until completion.
In step S12, a correlation between the number of previously stored pulse signals and the water supply time is derived, and the flow sensor is again checked whether the flow sensor is normal or not in comparison with the number of pulse signals generated in the current water supply process and the water supply time. Of course, in step S3, whether or not the flow sensor is normal may be determined. However, it may be determined that there is an abnormality in the flow sensor due to a temporary error or an error of a component other than the flow sensor, However, since the flow sensor may be judged to be normal, it is determined whether the flow sensor is normal based on the information obtained in the actual water supply process.
The state of the flow sensor identified in step S12 is stored in the storage unit in steps S13 and S14. The stored information can then be used to determine whether the flow sensor is normal at the next water supply. That is, it is possible to determine whether the flow sensor is normal or not based on the state of the flow sensor previously recorded without checking the state of the sensor separately. Alternatively, after checking the state of the sensor, You can also check the status of the sensor collectively.
1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a refrigerator to which a water supply amount control method according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the dispenser portion in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a sectional view showing the dispenser shown in Fig.
4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a controller of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a water supply amount of the refrigerator shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing another example of the method of controlling the water supply amount of the refrigerator shown in Fig.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| KR1020090097401A KR101649628B1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2009-10-13 | Measured filling method by a dispencer and a refrigerator using the same |
| US12/902,427 US8720464B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2010-10-12 | Method for controlling water supply amount and refrigerator using the same |
| PCT/KR2010/007002 WO2011046366A2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2010-10-13 | Method for controlling water supply amount and refrigerator using the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| KR1020090097401A KR101649628B1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2009-10-13 | Measured filling method by a dispencer and a refrigerator using the same |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| KR20110040221A KR20110040221A (en) | 2011-04-20 |
| KR101649628B1 true KR101649628B1 (en) | 2016-08-19 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| KR1020090097401A KR101649628B1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2009-10-13 | Measured filling method by a dispencer and a refrigerator using the same |
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| KR (1) | KR101649628B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR20140047994A (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2014-04-23 | 코웨이 주식회사 | Method for controlling ice-water extraction |
| KR102040609B1 (en) * | 2013-03-08 | 2019-11-27 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dispenser for refrigerator |
| CN103822435B (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2015-08-05 | 青岛海容商用冷链股份有限公司 | The intelligent control method of refrigerator-freezer |
| KR102547149B1 (en) * | 2016-08-31 | 2023-06-23 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
| KR101803698B1 (en) * | 2017-02-27 | 2017-12-28 | 주창영 | Water Dispenser Auto Faucet |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR101159093B1 (en) * | 2004-12-17 | 2012-07-11 | 주식회사 대우일렉트로닉스 | Method for controlling water supply in the refrigerator |
| KR20070065740A (en) * | 2005-12-20 | 2007-06-25 | 주식회사 대우일렉트로닉스 | Method for controlling water supply in refrigerator |
| KR20080097803A (en) * | 2007-05-03 | 2008-11-06 | 태승전자(주) | Flow-metering device and method |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
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| KR20110040221A (en) | 2011-04-20 |
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