KR101659005B1 - Water supplying apparatus with supply amount adjusting function and a refrigerator with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water supply device having a water supply correction function and a refrigerator including the water supply device. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply device for supplying water by a user's selection or a predetermined amount, A water supply amount measuring means for generating a signal corresponding to a water supply amount actually supplied through the water supply means; Storage means for storing information on a signal to be transmitted from the water amount measuring means when a water amount selected or set by the user is completed; A controller for comparing the signal actually transmitted from the water amount measuring means and the information stored in the storing means to control the water amount; And information correcting means for changing the previously set information stored in the storing means.

Refrigerator, dispenser, water supply control, calibration.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply device having a water supply amount correcting function and a refrigerator including the water supply device,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply device having a water supply correction function and a refrigerator including the water supply device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a water supply device such as an ice maker or a dispenser which can supply water by a user's choice, And a refrigerator including the same.

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 simple storage functions, various functions have been 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. In addition to the dispenser, it is necessary to supply an appropriate amount of water to the ice tray even in an ice maker that automatically manufactures ice. Therefore, it is necessary to supply water corresponding to the capacity of the ice tray.

And a control unit for controlling the water supply valve after confirming the amount of water to be measured through the measuring unit, including a measuring unit for measuring the amount of water to be supplied in the case of a dispenser or an ice maker capable of adjusting the water supply amount. The flow rate sensor is usually used as the water flow rate 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 this case, the number of pulse signals corresponding to the required amount of water supply is determined in advance, the pulse signals generated in the water supply step are counted, and when the number reaches the determined number, it is determined that a proper amount of water supply has been performed and water supply is stopped. In such a system, there may be a variation in the actual water supply amount depending on the error of the flow sensor and the environment in which the actual refrigerator is installed. In particular, in the case of an ice maker, water may flow from the ice tray into the ice bank, and the thus-introduced water may be supplied to the ice tray, It can freeze.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been conceived to overcome the disadvantages of the related art as described above and provides a water supply device having a water supply amount correcting function for allowing water to be supplied in a proper amount determined in advance even when there is a single product error or an installation environment change of the flow rate measuring means As a technical challenge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having such a water supply device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of water by a user's selection or a preset amount, the water supply device comprising: Water amount measuring means for generating water amount; Storage means for storing information on a signal to be transmitted from the water amount measuring means when a water amount selected or set by the user is completed; A controller for comparing the signal actually transmitted from the water amount measuring means and the information stored in the storing means to control the water amount; And information correcting means for changing the previously set information stored in the storing means.

According to the above aspect of the present invention, there is provided a means for correcting a water supply amount based on previously set information due to a single product error or an installation environment of the water amount measuring means itself, So that an accurate amount of water can be supplied. Specifically, the information stored in the storage means is used as a reference signal to be compared with a signal transmitted through the water amount measuring means. The information correcting means capable of changing information on the reference signal, So that the water supply can be done in consideration of the variation of the environment.

The information correcting means may be disposed on the front surface of the water supply device, and more specifically, on the operation panel having various operation means for operating the water supply device. These information correction means may include a button or a knob switch provided on the operation panel.

Here, the water supply amount measuring means generates a pulse signal proportional to the water supply amount supplied through the water supply device, and the controller can control the water supply amount by comparing the number of actually transmitted pulse signals with the information stored in the storage means have. At this time, the information stored in the storage means may include the number of pulse signals to be transmitted from the water amount measuring means.

The information correction means may include pulse signal increasing / decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the number of pulse signals stored in the storage means with respect to a specific water supply amount. If the water supply amount actually supplied is less than the target water supply amount, the number of pulse signals stored in the storage means is increased to increase the water supply amount, and in the opposite case, the number of pulse signals is decreased to reduce the water supply amount .

The pulse signal increasing / decreasing means may be provided on the operation panel provided in the water supply device so that the user or installer can easily perform the water supply amount correction operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply device for supplying water of a predetermined amount or at a user's selection, the water supply device comprising: a timer for measuring time during which water is supplied through the water supply device; Storage means for storing information on a water supply time to be consumed when the water supply selected by the user or completed in advance is completed; A control unit for controlling the water supply amount by comparing the water supply time actually measured from the timer and the information stored in the storage means; And information correction means for changing information on the water supply time stored in the storage means.

The above aspect of the present invention is different from the above-described aspect in that the water supply time is used instead of the number of pulse signals as a reference for measuring the water supply amount. In this case, the information stored in the storage means may be information on a time required for the water supply device to be operated to be selected by the user or to reach a predetermined water supply amount, and the information may be stored by the information correction means can be changed. More specifically, the information correction means is configured to increase or decrease the time required for the storage means.

The information correction means may be disposed on the front surface of the water supply device.

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; Water amount measuring means for measuring an amount of water supplied through the dispenser; Storage means for storing information on a signal to be transmitted from the water amount measuring means when a water amount selected by the user or a predetermined amount of water is completed; A controller for comparing the signal actually transmitted from the water amount measuring means and the information stored in the storing means to control the water amount; And an information correction means for changing information previously set stored in the storage means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker comprising: an ice tray, including an ice tray, installed in a door or a bowl of a refrigerator; Water amount measuring means for measuring an amount of water supplied to the ice tray; Storage means for storing information on a signal to be transmitted from the water amount measuring means when a predetermined amount of water supply to the ice tray is completed; A control unit for controlling the water supply valve by a signal from the water amount measuring unit and information stored in the storage unit; And an information correction means for changing information previously set stored in the storage means.

Here, the water amount measuring means may generate a number of pulse signals proportional to the water feed amount.

In addition, the information stored in the storage means may include the number of pulse signals to be transmitted when water supply is completed, and the number of pulse signals may be increased or decreased through the information correction means.

Wherein the information correction means is provided on an operation panel for operating the function of the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, the water amount measuring means may include a timer for measuring the time at which water supply is performed.

The information stored in the storage means may include a water supply time to be consumed when the water supply is completed and the water supply time may be increased or decreased through the information correction means, On the operation panel.

According to aspects of the present invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to correct the water supply error that may occur due to a difference in individual water quantity of the water quantity measuring means or a difference in the installation environment, so that the convenience of use and the reliability of the product . In addition, even if there is a change in the performance of the sensor for a long period of time, the initial performance can be maintained through the correction operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a water supply device and a refrigerator using the water supply device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a refrigerator according to the present invention. In the above embodiment, a dispenser is included as a water supply device. However, the present invention is not necessarily applied to a dispenser, but may be applied to a case where an appropriate amount of water is supplied to another water supply apparatus, for example, an ice tray in which an amount of water selected by the user is supplied.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 100 includes a main body 110 having a storage space therein, a door 120 coupled to the main body 110 to open and close a front opening of the cooling chamber, And a dispenser 130 installed in the door 120. The door 120 includes a freezing chamber door 121 rotatably mounted on the main body 110 to open and close the freezing chamber and the freezing chamber, And a refrigerator compartment door (123).

A dispenser 130 is installed on the front surface of the freezing chamber door 121 so as to draw water and / or ice. The dispenser 130 includes a dispenser casing 131 in which a receiving space 132 is formed and the front surface of the dispenser casing 131 is inserted into the freezing chamber door 121 so that the front surface of the dispenser 130 is exposed to the outside, And a water supply portion 141 through which water stored in the refrigerating chamber is drawn out. An operation lever 151 as an operating means for supplying water to the water supply unit 141 is provided on the rear surface of the water supply unit 141.

An operation panel 140 is installed on the dispenser 130. The operation panel 140 is provided with a display window 142 for displaying an operation state of the refrigerator or a user's setting state, And an operation button 144 for operating the operation buttons 144 are provided. Here, some of the operation buttons 144 are allocated to a water supply amount selection button 144a for selecting a water supply amount to be drawn by the user, and a water supply amount increase / decrease button 144b to be described later is located on the side of the water supply amount selection button. In addition, a correction mode selection button 144c is disposed adjacent to the water supply amount increase / decrease button 144b. Each of these buttons will be described later.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the dispenser casing 131, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the dispenser casing 131.

2 and 3, the ice outlet 135 is formed in the upper region of the dispenser casing 131 and the water outlet 141 is formed below the ice outlet 135 . The ice discharge portion 135 includes a chute 137 for guiding ice and an opening and closing member 138 for opening and closing the chute 137.

The water supply unit 141 includes a water supply pipe 143 connected to a water supply tank (not shown) located inside the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber and a water supply pipe 143 connected to the dispenser casing 131 to be inserted into the water supply pipe 143 And a guide pipe 145 coupled to the coupling part 133 and guiding the water to drop at a predetermined position. Although not shown, the water supply pipe 143 is additionally provided with a flow rate sensor for measuring the amount of water supplied through the water supply pipe 143 and a water supply valve for controlling the flow of water in the water supply pipe 143. On the other hand, an operation lever 151 and a switch 155 are provided on the lower side of the guide pipe 145 of the water supply pipe 143 to allow water to be drawn out.

4 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of a water supply system through the dispenser. 4, the control unit 160 for controlling the operation of the refrigerator and the dispenser is connected to the operation button 144 and the switch 155 through which the user can select a function selected by the control unit 160 You will enter commands to do so.

The control unit 160 also includes a storage unit 162 for storing various types of information required for operation of the refrigerator or the dispenser and a timer 164 for counting the operation time of each device. The control unit 160 is also connected to the flow sensor 166 and the water supply valve 170 to control the opening and closing of the water supply valve using a signal related to the flow rate delivered from the flow rate sensor.

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 concrete shape and position of the water supply pipe are not limited to the illustrated ones. The water supply pipe 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 operation lever 151 using the cup. In this case, although the pulse signal is transmitted from the flow sensor 166 to the control unit, the control unit 160 senses that the switch 155 is pressed by the operation lever 151, 170 is opened. When the user takes out the cup and the switch 155 returns to the original position, the water supply valve 170 is closed.

Secondly, the water supply amount selection button 144a among the operation buttons 144 is pressed so that only the water supply amount corresponding to the water supply amount is supplied. In this case, the flow sensor 166 generates a pulse signal while operating, and the controller 160 determines the amount of water to be actually supplied through the number of generated pulse signals. Since the number of the pulse signals is proportional to the flow rate of water through the water supply pipe and the cross-sectional area of the water supply pipe is a given value, the amount of actual water supply can be estimated through such information.

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.

Here, information on the number of target pulses corresponding to the preset amount of water to be supplied when the operation lever is pressed only once is stored in the storage unit, . The stored information allows the controller to determine whether the selected water supply amount has been reached or not in contrast to the number of pulse signals transmitted from the flow sensor at the time of actual water supply.

The number of target pulses for each water supply amount stored in the storage unit can be adjusted by the water supply amount increase / decrease button 144b. The adjustment process may be performed to correct a variation in the water supply amount with respect to the same number of pulse signals depending on the error of the flow sensor and the installation environment, and may be performed at the time of installation of the product or after a predetermined period of time, .

Referring to FIG. 5, when the user presses the correction mode selection button 144c by the user or installer to perform the adjustment process, The control unit enters a correction mode for changing the target pulse value stored in the storage unit (step S1).

In this state, the user selects some of the water supply amount selection buttons to start water supply (step S2), and the actual water supply amount is compared with the selected target water supply amount (steps S3 and S4). If it is determined that the amount of water supplied is smaller than the target water amount, the number of target pulses stored in the storage unit is adjusted by operating the water amount increase / decrease button 144b (step S5) The target number of pulses is adjusted down (step S6).

If the actual water supply amount is equal to the target water supply amount by repeating steps S1 to S6, the correction mode selection button 144c is pressed to end the correction mode (step S7). In this way, it is possible to obtain the correction amount of the target pulse number considering the error of the flow sensor single component and the environmental variable, and the correction amount thus obtained is applied equally to all the water amount which can be selected by the user, Lt; / RTI > Here, the steps S2, S5, and S6 may be automatically performed by the control unit even if the user does not select the water level, and the user may input only the comparison result between the actual water amount and the target water amount through the operation button.

In addition, since the error of the flow rate sensor may vary depending on the amount of water supplied and the amount of water supplied, the correction operation may be performed according to at least two water feed amounts. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of such a correction process. Referring to FIG. 6, when the user presses the correction mode selection button 144c, And enters the correction mode (step S11).

In this state, if any one of the user-selectable water supply quantities (200 ml in FIG. 6) is selected (S12), the controller performs water supply based on the information stored in the storage unit. Then, if the actual water supply amount is smaller than the target water supply amount, the target number of pulses corresponding to the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted upward (step S15) The target number of pulses corresponding to the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted downward in step S16.

When the actual water supply amount is equal to the target water supply amount by repeating this process, if another water supply amount (400 ml in FIG. 6) selected by the user is selected (step S17), the control unit determines, based on the information stored in the storage unit To perform the water supply. Then, if the actual water supply amount is smaller than the target water supply amount, the target number of pulses corresponding to the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted upward (step S20) The target number of pulses for the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted downward in step S21.

If the actual water supply amount and the target water supply amount match with each other, the correction mode selection button 144c is pressed to end the correction mode (step S22). In FIG. 6, the correction operation is performed for two water feed amounts of 200 ml and 400 ml. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to consider an example in which a correction operation is performed for all water feed amounts that can be selected.

Meanwhile, the water supply amount may be controlled through time required for water supply in addition to the pulse signal from the flow rate sensor. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a correction process that can be applied when the water supply amount is controlled through the time required for water supply. In FIG. 7, the number of pulse signals for each water supply amount is Information on the time required to reach the water supply amount is stored. Such time information is preset in the refrigerator manufacturing process, but may be modified through the calibration process shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the user presses the correction mode selection button 144c, the control unit enters a correction mode for changing the target pulse value stored in the storage unit (step S31).

In this state, if any one of the user-selectable water supply quantities (200 ml in FIG. 7) is selected (S32), the controller performs water supply for the predetermined time based on the information stored in the storage unit . Then, if the actual water supply amount is smaller than the target water supply amount, the required time for the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted upward (step S35) When the water supply amount is larger than the target water supply amount, the time required for the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted downward (step S36).

If the actual water supply amount is equal to the target water supply amount by repeating this process, if the user selects the other water supply amount (400 ml in FIG. 7) (S37), the control unit To perform the water supply. If it is determined that the actual water supply amount is less than the target water supply amount, the required time for the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted upward (S30) If the water supply amount is larger than the target water supply amount, the time required for the water supply amount stored in the storage unit is adjusted downward (step S31).

If the actual water supply amount and the target water supply amount match with each other, the correction mode selection button 144c is pressed to end the correction mode (step S32). In FIG. 7, the correction operation is performed for two kinds of water supply amounts of 200 ml and 400 ml, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to consider an example in which correction for all the water supply amounts that can be selected is performed.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator to which an example of a water supply device 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.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a water supply amount correction process of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the water amount correction process of the refrigerator shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the water amount correction process of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

Claims (19)

A water supply device for supplying water by a user's selection or a preset amount of water, A water supply amount measuring means for generating a signal corresponding to a water supply amount actually supplied through the water supply device; Storage means for storing information about a signal set by a user's selection or corresponding to a preset target water supply amount; A controller for comparing the signal actually transmitted from the water amount measuring means and the information stored in the storing means to control the water amount; And And information correction means for changing information about a signal corresponding to the target water supply amount stored in the storage means. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the information correction means is disposed on a front surface of the water supply device. The method according to claim 1, The water supply amount measuring means generates a pulse signal proportional to an amount of water supplied through the water supply device, Wherein the control unit controls the water supply amount by comparing the number of actually transmitted pulse signals with information stored in the storage unit. The method of claim 3, Wherein the information stored in the storage means includes the number of pulse signals to be transmitted from the water amount measuring means. 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the information correction means comprises pulse signal increasing / decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the number of pulse signals stored in the storage means for a specific water supply amount. 6. The method of claim 5, Wherein the pulse signal increasing / decreasing means is provided on an operation panel provided in the water supply device. A water supply device for supplying water by a user's selection or a preset amount of water, A timer for measuring a time during which water is supplied through the water supply device; Storage means for storing information on a target water supply time set by a user's selection or corresponding to a preset target water supply amount; A control unit for controlling the water supply amount by comparing the water supply time actually measured from the timer and the information stored in the storage means; And And information correction means for changing information on the target water supply time stored in the storage means. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the information correction means is disposed on a front surface of the water supply device. A dispenser installed on the front surface of the door of the refrigerator and adapted to supply water by a user's selection or a preset amount of water; Water amount measuring means for measuring an amount of water supplied through the dispenser; Storage means for storing information about a signal set by a user's selection or corresponding to a preset target water supply amount; A controller for comparing the signal actually transmitted from the water amount measuring means and the information stored in the storing means to control the water amount; And And information correction means for changing information on a signal corresponding to the target water supply amount stored in the storage means. An ice maker comprising an ice tray and installed in a door or a bowl of a refrigerator; Water amount measuring means for measuring an amount of water supplied to the ice tray; Storage means for storing information about a signal set by a user's selection or corresponding to a preset target water supply amount; A controller for comparing the signal from the water amount measuring means and the information stored in the storing means to control the water amount; And And information correction means for changing information on a signal corresponding to the target water supply amount stored in the storage means. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, Wherein the water amount measuring means generates a pulse signal in a number proportional to an amount of water to be supplied. 12. The method of claim 11, The information stored in the storage means includes the number of pulse signals to be transmitted when water supply is completed, And the number of the pulse signals can be increased or decreased through the information correction means. 13. The method of claim 12, Wherein the information correction means is provided on an operation panel for operating a function of the refrigerator. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, Wherein the water supply amount measuring means includes a timer for measuring a time at which water supply is performed. 15. The method of claim 14, The information stored in the storage means includes a water supply time to be consumed when water supply is completed, Wherein the water supply time can be increased or decreased through the information correction means. 16. The method of claim 15, Wherein the information correction means is provided on an operation panel for operating a function of the refrigerator. The method according to claim 1, When information on a signal corresponding to a target water supply amount of any one of the information of signals corresponding to the plurality of target water supply amounts is corrected, the information correction means corrects information on signals corresponding to all water supply amounts selectable by the user And the correction amount is corrected by the same correction amount. 8. The method of claim 7, When the information on the target water supply time corresponding to any one of the information on the target water supply time corresponding to the plurality of target water supply amounts is corrected, the information correcting means corrects the target water supply time corresponding to all the water supply amounts And corrects the information on the water supply times to the same correction amount. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, When information on a signal corresponding to a target water supply amount of any one of the information of signals corresponding to the plurality of target water supply amounts is corrected, the information correction means corrects information on signals corresponding to all water supply amounts selectable by the user And the correction amount is corrected by the same correction amount.

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