KR102039484B1 - Refrigerator and Control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body, a door for opening and closing the main body, an ice tray having an ice making space and rotatably installed, an ice motor for rotating the ice tray, and a rotation angle of the ice tray. It includes a stopper for limiting, and including an ice maker located in the main body, the ice-covering mechanism for detecting whether or not ice, ice storage unit for storing the ice iced in the ice maker, door opening and closing to detect the opening and closing of the door It may include a control unit for controlling the rotation of the dimming motor according to the detection result of the detector mechanism and the door opening and closing detection mechanism.
In addition, the control method of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, if the ice making in the ice maker is completed, determining whether the ice stored in the ice storage unit, if the ice storage unit is not ice, the eye provided in the ice maker When the stray is rotated forward and the door of the refrigerator is opened during the forward rotation of the ice tray may include the step of returning the ice tray to the initial position.

Description

Refrigerator and control method

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof.

In general, the refrigerator is a device that allows the storage to be kept fresh for a long time by the cold air supplied into the storage compartment. Cold air supplied to the inside of the storage chamber is generated by the heat exchange action of the refrigerant. The cold air supplied into the storage compartment is evenly transferred to the interior of the storage chamber by convection, so that food can be stored at a desired temperature.

The refrigerator includes a storage compartment having an open front surface in order to accommodate food in the main body that forms an exterior. And, the front of the storage compartment is provided with a door for opening and closing the storage compartment. The door is hinged to the main body and rotates to open and close the storage compartment.

The refrigerator may include a plurality of storage compartments according to a storage form of food. Generally, a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment are provided inside the main body of the refrigerator. The refrigerator compartment door and the freezer compartment door are provided to open and close the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, respectively.

The freezer may be provided with an apparatus for producing ice. Conventionally, the user for ice production

After supplying water directly to the ice making tray and storing it in the freezer, after a predetermined time elapsed, ice had to be separated from the ice making tray.

That is, the user has to go through a cumbersome procedure to obtain ice, there is a problem that the ease of use is reduced.

In addition, in the state in which the refrigerator door is open, the ice is iced, there is a problem that the ice is discharged to the outside of the refrigerator.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can stop the ice, and protect the ice tray when the refrigerator door is opened.

In order to achieve the object, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, the main body, a door for opening and closing the main body, an ice tray having an ice making space, rotatably installed, an ice motor for rotating the ice tray, An ice storage unit including a stopper for limiting the rotation angle of the ice tray, an ice maker positioned in the main body, a ice-covering sensing device for detecting whether or not ice is being stored, and an ice storage unit for storing ice iced in the ice maker, It may include a door opening and closing detection mechanism for detecting opening and closing and a control unit for controlling the rotation of the imming motor according to the detection result of the door opening and closing detection mechanism.

In addition, the control method of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, if ice making is completed in the ice maker, determining whether the ice is stored in the ice storage unit, and if the ice storage unit is not ice, the eye provided in the ice maker When the stray is rotated forward and the door of the refrigerator is opened during the forward rotation of the ice tray may include the step of returning the ice tray to the initial position.

According to the refrigerator of the present invention and its control method, one or more of the following effects are obtained.

First, if the door of the refrigerator is opened when the ice is iced in the ice maker, since the ice is stopped, whether or not the ice can be easily controlled.

Second, when the refrigerator door is opened, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon in which ice is discharged to the outside of the refrigerator by stopping the ice-making of the ice maker.

Third, the door switch provided in the refrigerator can be shared, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

Fourth, if the door is opened during forward rotation of the ice tray, the rotation of the ice tray is not simply stopped, but the counter is rotated to return the ice tray to its initial position. Therefore, the ice tray stops in the middle and the ice is discharged. It can be prevented, and there is an effect that the ice tray is kept in a twisting state to prevent permanent deformation.

Fifth, there is an advantage that the production of the door switch is easier to use than to install the sensor to detect the removal of the storage basket in the earl storage unit.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a front view showing the exterior of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a perspective view showing an inside view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 4 is a side view showing in detail the state in which the ice tray constituting the embodiment shown in Figure 3 installed in the ice making housing,
5A and 5B are operation state diagrams showing a process in which the ice tray constituting the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 rotates;
6 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 2;
9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, only the embodiments are to make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The spatially relative terms " below ", " beneath ", " lower ", " above ", " upper " It may be used to easily describe the correlation of components with other components. Spatially relative terms are to be understood as including terms in different directions of the component in use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the figures. For example, when flipping a component shown in the drawing, a component described as "below" or "beneath" of another component may be placed "above" the other component. Can be. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The components can be oriented in other directions as well, so that spatially relative terms can be interpreted according to the orientation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and / or “comprising” refers to a component, step, and / or operation that excludes the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, and / or operations. I never do that.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used in a sense that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, the terms defined in the commonly used dictionaries are not ideally or excessively interpreted unless they are specifically defined clearly.

In the drawings, the thickness or size of each component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of description. In addition, the size and area of each component does not necessarily reflect the actual size or area.

In addition, the angle and direction mentioned in the process of demonstrating the structure of an Example are based on what was described in drawing. In the description of the structure constituting an embodiment in the specification, if the reference point and the positional relationship with respect to the angle is not clearly mentioned, reference is made to related drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for describing a refrigerator according to embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a front view showing the appearance of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the refrigerator 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 11 having a refrigerating chamber 15 and a freezing chamber 16 and having an open front surface. The refrigerating chamber 15 is formed above the freezing chamber 16. The refrigerating compartment 15 and the freezing compartment 16 may be partitioned by the partition wall 17.

In addition, the refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerating compartment door 12 which is rotatably coupled to the front of the refrigerating compartment 15 and a freezing compartment door 13 which is provided to be pulled out of the front of the freezing compartment 16. Here, a plurality of refrigerating compartment doors 12 may be provided on both sides of the refrigerating compartment 15.

The front side of the refrigerating compartment door 12 contains the dispenser apparatus 20 which can be operated so that water or ice may be taken out. The dispenser device 20 includes a pressing part 21 that can be pressed for taking out water or ice.

In addition, the main body 11 is provided with an ice maker 100 for making ice. The ice maker 100 may be disposed on one side of the upper end of the refrigerating chamber 15, and an ice discharge port 105 is formed on the lower surface of the ice maker 100 to discharge the ice produced by the ice maker 100. At this time, the cold air supplied to the freezing compartment may be supplied to the ice maker 100 through a separate passage (not shown). Of course, the ice maker 100 may be disposed in the freezer compartment 16.

The refrigerator compartment door 12 is provided with an ice storage unit 200 in which the ice discharged from the ice making chamber 105 is stored. The ice storage unit 200 is disposed inside the refrigerating compartment door 12 and configured to communicate with the ice making chamber 100 in a state where the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed.

On the other hand, the refrigerator 10 may be a door opening and closing detection mechanism for detecting the opening and closing of the door. The door opening / closing detection mechanism may be formed outside the ice maker 100 and may be implemented as a door switch 70 to detect whether the refrigerator compartment door 12 is opened or closed.

The door switch 70 may be formed to protrude forward from the front side of the ice maker 100.

The refrigerating compartment door 12 is provided with a switch pressing portion 75 for contacting the door switch 70 in the state where the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed. The switch pressing portion 75 is formed to protrude from the inner side surface of the refrigerating compartment door 12.

Although the door switch 70 is shown in the drawing as being provided to the ice maker 100, the door switch 70 may be disposed on the main body 11 that contacts the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 12.

In addition, the switch pressing unit 75 may be disposed on the lower side or one side of the refrigerating compartment door 12 according to the position of the door switch 70. On the other hand, the switch pressing portion 75 may be omitted and the refrigerating compartment door 12 may be configured to directly press the door switch 70.

When the door switch 70 is pressed by the switch pressing unit 75, the door switch 70 detects the closing of the refrigerating compartment door 12, and when the door switch 70 is not pressed, the opening of the refrigerating compartment door 12 is detected. The door switch 70 outputs the opening / closing information of the refrigerating compartment door 12 to the control unit 300 (see FIG. 9).

Hereinafter, the ice maker 100 will be described in detail.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side view showing in detail a state in which an ice tray constituting the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is installed in an ice making housing, FIGS. 5A and FIG. 5B is an operation state diagram illustrating a process in which the ice tray constituting the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 rotates.

An ice maker 100 is provided at an upper end of the main body 11. The ice maker 100 is for manufacturing ice and is detachably installed on the main body 11. The ice maker 100 includes an ice making housing 120, a water supply unit, and ice trays 150 and 160.

The ice making housing 120 substantially forms an appearance of the ice making machine 100. The ice trays 150 and 160 and the water supply unit are installed inside the ice making housing 120.

The ice making housing 120 has a lower opening to form an ice discharge port 105, and is formed in a hexahedral shape. An installation space 120S is provided inside the ice making housing 120.

The ice making housing 120 may be provided with a pair of cold air supply openings (not shown). The cold air supply opening is formed by partially cutting the ice making housing 120 from side to side. The cold air supply opening is for supplying cold air flowing through the storage space opened and closed by the door 12 to the installation space 120S, substantially the ice trays 150 and 160.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of rotating holes 125A and 125B are provided at both side surfaces of the ice making housing 120, respectively. The rotating holes 125A and 125B are for rotatably supporting the ice trays 150 and 160, respectively.

The ice making housing 120 further includes a stopper for limiting the rotation angle of the ice trays 150 and 160. The stopper may include guide protrusions 152 and 162 formed on the ice trays 150 and 160 and guide slots 126A and 126B to which the guide protrusions 152 and 162 are guided.

A pair of guide slots 126A and 126B are formed on one side of the ice making housing 120 adjacent to the rotating holes 125A and 125B. The guide slots 126A and 126B are each formed in an arc shape having a predetermined center angle with respect to the rotation holes 125A and 125B. In the illustrated embodiment, when the guide slots 126A and 126B look inside one side of the ice making housing 120 inside the installation space 120S, the rotation holes 125A and 125B are origins. It is formed in a circular arc shape having a center angle between approximately 0 ° and 100 ° in the rectangular coordinate.

The guide slots 126A and 126B limit the rotation angle of the ice trays 150 and 160 to twist the ice trays 150 and 160 which are rotated by the moving motor 115 (see FIG. 10). Play a role.

In addition, a pair of tray stoppers 127A and 127B is provided inside one side of the ice making housing 120 adjacent to the rotation holes 125A and 125B. The tray stoppers 127A and 127B support the ice trays 150 and 160 so as to be horizontal while being closely adhered to one side of the ice trays 150 and 160 rotated by a predetermined angle. 150) 160 serves to twist.

In addition, a pair of guide stoppers 128A and 128B are formed inside one side of the ice making housing 120 corresponding to the opposite directions of the tray stoppers 127A and 127B around the rotating holes 125A and 125B. It is provided. The guide stoppers 128A and 128B relatively rotate the tray covers 153 and 163 to the ice trays 150 and 160 to be described below. To this end, the guide stoppers 128A and 128B are in close contact with one side of the tray covers 153 and 163. This will be described in more detail below.

An ice motor 115 (see FIG. 10, not shown) providing a rotational force to the ice trays 150 and 160 may be disposed in the ice making housing 120 adjacent to the installation space 120S.

Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 3, the ice trays 150 and 160 are formed of first and second ice trays 150 and 160 rotatably installed in the installation space 120S, respectively. Hereinafter, the first ice tray 150 that is relatively positioned above the installation space 120S is referred to as the second ice tray 160 that is relatively positioned below the installation space 120S.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are formed to have rectangular cross sections, respectively. The first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are formed with a plurality of ice making grooves 150A and 160A, respectively, which are spaces for making ice. The first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are twisted to separate ice produced in the ice making grooves 150A and 160A. That is, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation shafts 151 and 161 provided on both side surfaces of the short side direction, respectively. 127B) and the guide slots 126A and 126B are twisted. The rotation shafts 151 and 161 are rotatably inserted into the rotation holes 125A and 125B.

In addition, guide protrusions 152 and 162 are provided on one surface of the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 adjacent to the rotation shafts 151 and 161, respectively. The guide protrusions 152 and 162 are inserted into the guide slots 126A and 126B, respectively. The guide protrusions 152 and 162 move along the guide slots 126A and 126B when the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 rotate. In this case, the guide protrusions 152 and 162 are in a state where the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are horizontal, that is, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are respectively the tray stoppers. 127A and 127B are positioned at one end of the guide slots 126A and 126B whose coordinates correspond to 0 ° with respect to the rotating holes 125A and 125B, respectively. The guide protrusions 152 and 162 move along the guide slots 126A and 126B when the first and the eye trays 150 and 160 rotate. When the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are twisted by the tray stoppers 127A and 127B, respectively, the guide protrusions 152 and 162 may be rotated holes 125A and 125B, respectively. It is located at the other end of the guide slot 126A, 126B whose coordinates correspond to 100 °.

The first or second ice trays 150 and 160 are provided with first and second tray covers 153 and 163 which rotate in association with respective rotations. The tray covers 153 and 163 are for preventing the water supplied to the first or second ice trays 150 and 160 from splashing outside, that is, into the installation space 120S.

The first and second tray covers 153 and 163 are formed of tray bodies 154 and 164 and close contact ribs 157 and 167, respectively. Water supply ports 154A and 164A are respectively provided at the centers of the tray bodies 154 and 164. Water is supplied to the first or second ice trays 150 and 160 through the water inlets 154A and 164A.

Rotating shafts 155 and 165 are provided at rear ends of the tray bodies 154 and 164, respectively. The pivot shafts 155 and 165 become pivot centers of the first and second tray covers 153 and 163 which rotate relative to the first and second ice trays 150 and 160. The close contact ribs 157 and 167 extend downward from the bottom edge of the tray body 154 and 164, respectively. The front ends of the close contact ribs 157 and 167 are in close contact with the inner upper ends of the first or second ice trays 150 and 160.

As described above, the first and second tray covers 153 and 163 respectively have front ends on the first or second ice trays 150 and 160 with respect to the pivot shafts 155 and 165. It is installed to rotate up and down. One end of the first and second tray covers 153 and 163 may be in close contact with the guide stopper 128A and 128B while the first or second ice tray 150 and 160 are horizontal. do. Accordingly, the first and second tray covers 153 and 163 are centered on the rotation shafts 155 and 165 in the opposite direction in conjunction with the rotation of the first and second ice trays 150 and 160. As a result, the front end portions are relatively rotated with respect to the first or second ice trays 150 and 160, respectively. That is, when the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 4 to separate the ice produced in the ice making grooves 150A and 160A, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are respectively rotated. The second tray cover 153 and 163 may have the first or second ice tray 150 around the pivot shafts 155 and 165 in a state where the front end thereof is in close contact with the guide stopper 128A and 128B. Relative to the clockwise direction in the drawing.

Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 3, the water supply unit supplies the water supplied from the water supply source (not shown) to the ice trays 150 and 160. The water supply unit is connected to an external water supply source and the water supply passage 190. For example, the water supply unit may include a water supply hopper 171 and a water supply tube 172.

The water supply hopper 171 is provided at an upper portion of the installation space 120S. The water supply hopper 171 is for supplying water supplied through the water supply passage 190 to the ice trays 150 and 160. The water supply hopper 171 is formed in a hopper shape in which the upper portion is opened. In addition, the water supply hopper 171 is provided such that the opened upper portion is located directly below one end of the water supply passage 190.

In addition, a water supply tube 172 is connected to a lower portion of the water supply hopper 171. The feed tube 172 is for delivering the water delivered to the feed hopper 171 substantially to the ice making grooves 150A and 160A of the second ice tray 160. One end of the feed tube 172 is connected to the lower portion of the feed hopper 171 for this purpose. And the other end of the water supply tube 172 is located above the ice making housing 120. The feed tube 172 is formed of a flexible material. This is to prevent the occurrence of the phenomenon in which the rotation of the first or second ice tray 150, 160 is disturbed by the feed tube 172.

On the other hand, referring to Figure 4, the embodiment may further include a position detection mechanism for detecting the position of the ice tray 150, 160. The position detecting mechanism is coupled to one side of the ice trays 150 and 160, and the magnet 181 rotates together with the ice trays 150 and 160, and a hole that detects a magnetic field change according to the position variation of the magnet 181. It may include a sensor 182.

The hall sensor 182 is located on one surface of the ice making housing 120 and detects a magnetic field change due to a position change of the magnet 181 rotating together with the ice trays 150 and 160. For example, the hall sensor 182 may generate an on signal when the magnet 181 approaches within a predetermined distance, and output an off signal when the magnet 182 is spaced apart by a predetermined distance or more.

Hereinafter, a process of manufacturing and extracting ice according to a preferred embodiment of the icemaker for a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8A and 8B are operation state diagrams showing a process of rotating the ice tray constituting a preferred embodiment of the icemaker for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

Water is supplied to the first ice tray 150 through the water inlets 154A and 164A. And it is supplied to the second ice tray 160 through the water supply hopper 171 and the water supply tube 172.

As shown in FIG. 8A, water supplied to the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 is externally, that is, the installation space 120S by the first and second tray covers 153 and 163. Will not pop into the interior of the The water supplied to the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 is frozen by cold air supplied into the installation space 120S through a cold air supply opening (not shown) to prepare ice.

When the ice is manufactured as described above, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are twisted to separate the first and second ice trays 150 and 160. That is, when the moving motor 115 rotates, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 also counterclockwise in the drawing about the respective rotation shafts 151 and 161. Rotate in the direction. At this time, the guide protrusions 152 and 162 are moved along the guide slots 126A and 126B while being positioned at one end of the guide slots 126A and 126B.

When the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are rotated, the first and second tray covers 153 and 163 have respective front end portions (left end portions in the drawing) with guide stoppers 128A ( 128B), the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 rotate relative to the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 in the clockwise direction. Therefore, in the process of separating ice from the first and second ice trays 150 and 160, the first and second tray covers 153 and 163 are not disturbed.

When the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 continue to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing, one side of the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 may be a tray stopper 127A ( 127B), respectively. In this state, when the moving motor 115 continuously supplies the rotational force, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 are twisted. Therefore, the ice produced by the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 is separated. In addition, when the moving motor 115 rotates in the opposite direction, the first and second ice trays 150 and 160 remain horizontal, that is, one side thereof is supported by the tray stoppers 127A and 127B. Is restored.

Meanwhile, the ice separated from the first and second ice trays 160 is stored in the ice storage unit 200. In this way, the ice is withdrawn from the ice storage unit 200 in which the ice is stored through the dispenser 20.

On the other hand, the hall sensor 182 outputs a magnetic field signal that changes according to the rotation of the ice trays 150 and 160 to detect whether the ice trays 150 and 160 are restored to their initial positions.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the ice storage unit 200 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

6 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the ice storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 is a II 'of FIG. It is a cross-section cut along.

The ice storage unit 200 includes a housing 201 that forms an exterior, an ice storage door 203 that is rotatably coupled to the front of the housing 201, and a storage basket that is retractably accommodated in the housing 201. 210 is included. Here, the housing 201 may be made of a material having a high thermal insulation to minimize heat exchange between the refrigerating chamber 15 and the ice storage unit 200.

The housing 201 is formed with an ice inlet 205 to allow the ice discharged from the ice discharge port 105 to flow into the ice storage unit 200. The ice inlet 205 may be formed in a size corresponding to the ice discharge port 105.

In addition, a gasket 208 may be provided at the edge portion of the ice inlet 205 to prevent cold air from leaking in close contact with the ice outlet 105. Although not shown in the drawings, a gasket may be provided at the edge of the ice discharge port 105.

A coupling surface 201a is formed at an upper surface of the housing 201 so as to correspond to the front surface of the ice maker 100. When the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed, the lower surface of the ice maker 100 and the engaging surface 201a may be in close contact with each other. In addition, an ice inlet 205 may be formed at the engaging surface 201a.

The ice reservoir door 203 is formed with a gripperable door handle 204 for opening the ice reservoir door 203. The door handle 204 may be formed to be recessed backward from the ice reservoir door 203. In addition, the ice storage unit door 203 may be provided with a hook for engaging with the housing 201, and a hook groove may be formed at a position corresponding to the hook for the housing 201.

The opened front edge of the housing 201 may be provided with a sealing member 209 for preventing cold air from leaking inside the ice storage unit 200. With the ice reservoir door 203 closed, the housing 201 may be in close contact with the ice reservoir door 203 by the sealing member 209.

In addition, a cold air discharge hole 206 is formed on one side of the housing 201 to discharge cold air supplied to the ice storage unit 200. That is, the cold air flowing from the ice maker 100 to the ice storage unit 200 may be discharged through the cold air discharge hole 206.

The main body 11 is provided with a cold air inflow hole 19 through which cold air discharged from the cold air discharge hole 206 flows. The cold air inflow hole 19 may be formed at a position in communication with the cold air discharge hole 206 in a state where the refrigerating compartment door 12 is closed.

The cold air introduced through the cold air inlet 19 may flow into the freezing compartment 16.

 4 to 6, the ice storage unit 200 according to the embodiment includes a housing 201 provided inside the refrigerating compartment door 12 and an ice storage selectively shielding the front of the housing 201. A storage basket 210 is included in the secondary door 203 and the housing 201 and provided to be pulled forward.

The storage basket 210 has a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with an open top surface. In addition, a recess 212 is formed at one side of the storage basket 210. The depression 212 is formed to be recessed downward from the upper left and right sides of the storage basket 210, respectively.

The inner side surface of the housing 201 is provided with a guide rail 207 for guiding the withdrawal of the storage basket 210.

A plurality of guide rails 207 may be provided on both sides of the housing 201. However, the position of the guide rail 207 is not limited to any one, and unlike the drawings, it may be provided on the lower side of the housing 201.

In addition, the storage basket 210 may be provided with a guide portion (not shown) at a position corresponding to the guide rail 207. The guide part may be moved along the guide rail 207 while the storage basket 210 is pulled out.

Further, inside the housing 201, a seating portion 202 is provided to allow the storage basket 210 to be seated. The storage basket 210 may be introduced into the housing 201 in a state in which the storage basket 210 is seated on the seating portion 202. The guide rails 207 may be formed at both sides of the seating portion 202.

On both side walls of the housing 201, a ice sensor 220 for detecting whether ice stored in the storage basket 210 is ice may be disposed.

For example, the ice sensor 220 is provided on one wall of the housing 201 and is provided on the transmitter 221 for transmitting light (signal) and the other wall of the housing 201 and transmitted by the transmitter 221. The receiver 222 may receive a light (signal). That is, when the light transmitted from the transmitter 221 is received by the receiver 222, it is detected that the ice is not full, and the light transmitted from the transmitter 221 is reflected or refracted by the ice stored in the storage basket 210 to receive the receiver ( If not received at 222 is detected as a full ice. The ice sensor 220 outputs the detected ice to the controller 300. However, the ice detection mechanism 220 is not limited thereto and may have various configurations.

When the height of the ice stored in the storage basket 210 rises to the heights of the transmitter 221 and the receiver 222, the signal transmitted from the transmitter 221 is interfered or reflected by the ice surface and is not transmitted to the receiver 222. Will not.

At this time, the control unit 300 may detect the full ice of the storage basket 210 and control the ice breaking in the ice maker 100 to be stopped.

The criteria for determining that the storage basket 210 is full of ice may vary according to the installation height of the transmitter 221 and the receiver 222.

In a state in which the storage basket 210 is coupled to the inside of the housing 201, the transmitting unit 221 and the receiving unit 222 are located at positions corresponding to the recesses 212 of the storage basket 210, that is, of the storage basket 210. It may be formed on one side and the other side.

The storage basket 210 includes an outlet 231 through which the stored ice is taken out and a shutter 232 that selectively shields the outlet 231. When the pressing portion 21 is pressed, the shutter 232 may be rotated to open the outlet 231.

In addition, inside the storage basket 210, an auger 238 that is rotatably provided to allow the stored ice to move to the outlet 231 side, and provided to one side of the auger 238 so that the ice is crushed to an appropriate size. And a rotation axis 236 that provides a center of rotation of the ice crusher 239 and the auger 238. Rotation axis 236 transmits rotational force to auger 238 and ice crusher 239.

The refrigerating compartment door 12 is provided with a motor 250 that provides a driving force for the rotation of the rotation shaft 236. When the storage basket 210 is coupled to the housing 201, the rotation shaft 236 may be connected to the motor 250.

When the motor 250 is driven, the ice of the storage basket 210 may be transferred in the direction of the outlet 231 by the auger 238, and may be crushed by the ice crusher 239 and discharged through the outlet 38. .

On the other hand, the storage basket 210 is shown that the auger 238 and the ice crusher 239 are disposed perpendicular to the door 12, but the auger 238 and the ice crusher 239 are different in the vertical direction, that is, It may be configured to be disposed in a direction parallel to the door 12.

In addition, the auger 238 and the ice crusher 239 may be arranged to be inclined at an angle with respect to the door 12. Of course, various embodiments may be easily proposed with respect to the inclined angle or direction of the auger 238 and the ice crusher 239.

On the contrary, the rotation shaft 236 may be separated from the motor 250 in the process in which the storage basket 210 is drawn out.

9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9, in the refrigerator 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor 199 provided to the ice trays 150 and 160 and detecting an ice making completion and an ice tray in the ice maker 100 are provided. Hall sensor 182 for detecting the location of the 150, 160, the ice sensor 220 to detect whether the storage basket 210 is full, and the door switch to detect whether the refrigerator compartment door 15 is opened or closed. 70, a deicing motor 115 whose drive is controlled depending on whether the storage basket 210 is full or whether the refrigerator compartment door 15 is opened or closed, and an ice maker in which the deicing is selectively performed according to the driving of the deicing motor 115. It is connected to the 110 and the configuration includes a control unit 300 to control the operation of the refrigerator.

In detail, the temperature sensor 199 is provided to the ice trays 150 and 160 to measure the temperature of the ice trays 150 and 160 and output them to the control unit 300. The controller 300 determines that the ice making is completed when the measured temperature is less than or equal to 0 ° C.

The ice sensor 220 includes a transmitter 221 and a receiver 222 for transmitting and receiving signals.

When the signal transmitted from the transmitter 221 is transmitted to the receiver 222, it is determined that the storage basket 210 is not full of ice and may be controlled to be iced from the ice maker 110.

On the other hand, if the signal transmitted from the transmitter 221 is not transmitted to the receiver 222, it is determined that the full basket of the storage basket 210 is made, it can be controlled to stop the ice from the ice maker 110.

The hall sensor 182 detects the positions of the ice trays 150 and 160 and outputs them to the controller 300.

The door switch 70 detects whether the refrigerating compartment door 15 is opened or closed and outputs it to the controller 300.

The controller 300 determines the completion of ice making from the temperature provided by the temperature sensor 199.

In addition, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the ice is received by the signal received from the ice detection device 220, and determines whether the refrigerator compartment door 15 is opened or closed based on the signal received by the door switch 70.

In addition, the controller 300 determines based on the input information, and outputs a control signal to the moving motor 115. Thus, the rotation of the ice motor 115 is controlled.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, first, when ice making is completed according to the temperatures of the ice trays 150 and 160 measured by the temperature sensor 199 (S1), the ice storage unit 200 may be formed by the ice sensor 220. Whether or not the full ice can be detected (S21).

If it is determined that the ice storage unit 200 is full of ice (S22), the ice motor 115 is not operated, and if it is determined that the ice storage unit 200 is not full of ice (S22), the ice motor 115 is rotated forward. (S22). That is, the ice motor 115 is rotated forward to rotate the ice trays 150 and 160.

In this state, when it is detected whether the refrigerating compartment door 15 is opened or closed by the door switch 70 (S41), it may be determined whether the refrigerating compartment door 12 is opened (S42).

When it is detected that the refrigerating compartment door 12 is not opened, the forward rotation state of the moving motor 115 is maintained continuously (S5), and the completion of the moving is completed. That is, when the forward rotation of the moving motor 115 is maintained, the ice trays 150 and 160 rotate forward, and the ice trays 150 and 160 are twisted by the popper to ice the ice.

When the refrigerator compartment door 12 is detected to be open, the ice trays 150 and 160 are returned to the initial position (S6).

The return of the ice trays 150 and 160 to the initial position determines the information sensed by the hall sensor 182.

When the ice trays 150 and 160 return to their initial positions, for example, the ice trays 150 and 160 are reversely rotated, or the forward rotation of the ice trays 150 and 160 is stopped for a predetermined time. The ice trays 150 and 160 may be reversely rotated. When the ice trays 150 and 160 return to their initial positions, the rotation of the ice trays 150 and 160 may stop.

The forward and reverse rotation of the guide protrusions 152 and 162 may be achieved by the rotation of the ice motor 115. That is, the controller 300 may determine the rotation direction of the ice trays 150 and 160 by adjusting the rotation direction of the ice motor 115.

Although the above has been illustrated and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and the present invention is not limited to the scope of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (12)

Determining whether ice is stored in the ice storage unit when ice making is completed in the ice maker;
If the ice storage unit is not full ice, rotating the ice tray provided in the ice maker forward; And
Returning the ice tray to its initial position when the door of the refrigerator is opened during the forward rotation of the ice tray; Including,
The step of returning the ice tray to the initial position,
The forward rotation of the ice tray is stopped for a predetermined time, and the ice tray includes the reverse rotation,
If the door of the refrigerator is not opened, the ice tray is twisted (Twisting) and ice ice is further comprising the step of controlling the refrigerator. delete delete The method of claim 1,
Whether or not the ice making is completed is determined by a temperature detected by a temperature sensor installed in the ice tray. The method of claim 1,
And stopping the rotation of the ice tray when the ice tray is returned to the initial position. The method of claim 1,
Refrigerator control method of the ice storage unit is determined by the signal transmission or not of the transmitter and the receiver.


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