KR102221595B1 - Refrigerator and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. A refrigerator according to an aspect includes: a main body including a storage compartment having a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; A door for opening and closing the storage chamber; An ice making device provided in the door or the storage compartment and configured to generate ice; A water tank positioned above the ice-making device to supply water to the ice-making device; And an ice bin disposed below the ice-making device to store ice generated by the ice-making device, wherein the water tank includes a water outlet through which water is discharged and a valve for opening and closing the water outlet, and the The ice-making apparatus includes an ice-making tray and a valve operation unit that operates the valve by transmitting a rotational force of the ice-making tray to the valve.

Description

Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

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

In general, a refrigerator is a device that stores food in a low-temperature state.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2011-0016092 (published on February 17, 2011) (hereinafter referred to as "priority document 1") discloses a refrigerator. The refrigerator disclosed in Prior Document 1 is provided with a water supply container in a refrigerating compartment, an ice maker with ice in the freezing compartment, and a pump for forcibly supplying water from the water supply container to the ice maker.

In the case of such Prior Document 1, as a pump for forcibly supplying water from a water supply container to an ice maker and an electronic valve for controlling the flow rate are provided, the cost of adding a pump and valve increases, and the pump and valve are controlled. There is a disadvantage that requires a technique to do.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2010-0061492 (published on June 7, 2010) (hereinafter referred to as “priority document 2”) discloses an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same. The ice maker disclosed in Prior Document 2 includes an ice-making tray including a plurality of cells, an ejector for separating ice inside the cell, a driving motor for driving the ejector, and a heater for heating the ice-making tray.

In the case of Prior Document 1, since the ice-making tray is formed of a metal material, a heater for separating the ice formed in the cell of the ice-making tray from the ice-making tray is provided, and thus there is a problem that power consumption according to the operation of the heater increases.

A refrigerator is disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-0072367 (published on June 29, 2011) (hereinafter referred to as "priority document 3"). The refrigerator disclosed in Prior Document 3 is equipped with an ice maker and an ice bin in the refrigerator compartment door.

The ice maker is connected by a motor assembly to separate the ice by a twisting method.

In the case of Prior Document 3, in order to rotate the ice maker in one direction and twist the ice maker in one direction to rotate the ice maker in the other direction, the motor assembly must include a two-way DC motor that requires a high torque. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost of the motor is high.

An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator in which water stored in a water tank is freely dropped onto an ice tray and supplied to the ice tray in response to the rotation of the ice tray, and a control method thereof.

A refrigerator according to an aspect includes: a main body including a storage compartment having a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment; A refrigerator door opening and closing the storage compartment; An ice making device provided in the refrigerator door or in the storage compartment and configured to generate ice; A water tank positioned above the ice-making device to supply water to the ice-making device; And an ice bin disposed below the ice-making device to store ice generated by the ice-making device, wherein the water tank includes a water outlet through which water is discharged, and a valve for opening and closing the water outlet, The ice-making apparatus includes an ice-making tray and a valve operation unit that operates the valve by transmitting a rotational force of the ice-making tray to the valve.

In the present invention, the valve operation unit includes a cam connected to the ice making tray, and a movable member contacting the cam to transmit the rotational force of the cam to the valve.

The refrigerator of the present invention further includes a driving device for rotating the ice-making tray, wherein the ice-making tray includes a plurality of ice-making chambers for generating ice, a first rotation shaft connected to the driving device, and the cam. It includes a second rotation shaft to be connected.

In the present invention, the cam includes a cylindrical cam body connected to the second rotation shaft and a protrusion protruding from the cam body, and when the movable member contacts the protrusion during rotation of the cam, the The movable member operates the valve so that the water in the water tank is discharged through the water outlet.

In the present invention, the ice-making tray further includes a water supply guide for distributing water discharged from the water tank to the plurality of ice-making chambers.

The refrigerator of the present invention further includes a support supporter having a shaft coupling portion to which the second rotation shaft is connected, and the support supporter is provided with a movement guide for guiding the linear movement of the movable member.

The refrigerator of the present invention further includes a tank supporter supporting the water tank, wherein the tank supporter guides the through hole through which the movement guide passes and the water discharged from the water outlet of the water tank to the ice-making tray It includes a water guide.

In the present invention, the tank supporter is provided with a heater for heating the water tank.

In the present invention, the drive device includes an AC motor that can rotate in one direction, and a power transmission unit for transmitting power of the AC motor to the ice-making tray.

In the present invention, each of the plurality of ice-making chambers has a width of one side and a width of the other side differently.

The refrigerator of the present invention further includes an ice separator for separating ice generated in each of the ice making chambers during the rotation of the ice making tray.

In the present invention, the ice separator includes a fixed shaft that maintains a stationary state when the ice-making tray is rotated, and a plurality of pieces extending from the fixed shaft to separate ice of each of the plurality of ice-making chambers from the ice separator. Includes cancer.

In the present invention, the plurality of arms extend at different angles from the fixed shaft so that ice in each of the plurality of ice-making chambers is sequentially separated.

In the present invention, each arm presses a narrow portion of the width of ice generated in each ice-making chamber during the rotation of the ice-making tray to separate the ice from the ice-making tray.

In the present invention, it further includes a support supporter having a shaft coupling portion to which the second rotation shaft is connected, and the fixed shaft is coupled to the shaft coupling portion while passing through the second rotation shaft.

In the present invention, the ice making device and the water tank are located in the freezing chamber, and the water tank is accommodated in an insulating box.

In the present invention, the refrigerator door is a freezing compartment door, the ice making device and the water tank are located in the freezing compartment door, and the water tank is accommodated in an insulating box.

In the present invention, the water tank is located outside the main body, the ice making device is located in the freezing chamber, and water discharged from the water tank passes through the main body and is supplied to the ice making device.

In the present invention, the refrigerator door is a freezing compartment door, the ice making device is located on the rear surface of the freezing compartment door, the water tank is installed in the freezing compartment door from the outside of the freezing compartment door, and the water discharged from the water tank is It is supplied to the ice maker through the freezing compartment door.

A method of controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect includes: an ice making apparatus having an ice making tray, and a water tank positioned above the ice making apparatus to supply water to the ice making apparatus; And an ice bin disposed below the ice-making device to store ice generated by the ice-making device, comprising: a water supply process of supplying water from the water tank to the ice-making tray; An ice making process of generating ice in the ice making tray; And an ice making process of separating the ice generated in the ice making tray after the ice making is completed, and the water supply process, the ice making process, and the ice making process are performed step by step in a process in which the ice making tray is rotated within a range of one rotation in one direction. . After the ice-making process, the ice-making tray is rotated in the one direction to move to the water supply section.

In the present invention, the water supply process is performed while the ice making tray is continuously rotated in the one direction.

In the present invention, the water supply process includes a first rotation process in which the ice-making tray rotates to a position to receive water, a waiting process for water to be filled in the ice-making tray, and water supplied to the ice-making tray. And a second rotation process in which the ice-making tray is rotated to distribute the ice-making tray to each of the plurality of ice-making chambers formed on the ice-making tray.
A method of controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect is a control method of a refrigerator including an ice making device having an ice making tray, and an ice bin disposed below the ice making device to store ice generated by the ice making device. And moving the ice-making tray from the ice-making position to the ice-making position by rotating in one direction; And moving the ice-making tray to the ice-making position by rotating in the one direction. The ice-making tray passes through a water supply section while moving from the ice-making position to the ice-making position.

According to the proposed embodiment, a water tank having a valve having a water outlet above the ice-making tray is provided, and the rotational force of the ice-making tray is transmitted to the valve by the valve operation unit, thereby controlling the pump and flow rate as the valve operates. Water from the water tank may be supplied to the ice-making tray by free fall without an electronic valve to adjust.

Accordingly, since the pump and the electronic valve are not required, the cost of the refrigerator can be reduced, and a control program for controlling the pump and the electronic valve is unnecessary.

In addition, since the ice separator maintains a stopped state while the ice-making tray is rotated, a driving device for rotating the ice separator is unnecessary.

In addition, the width of the ice-making chamber is formed to decrease from one side to the other side, and the arm of the ice separator first contacts a portion of the ice with a small width in the process of rotating the ice-making tray to apply a force to the ice. Accordingly, even when an AC motor having a low cost is used as a motor for generating the rotational force of the ice-making tray, the ice can be easily separated from the ice-making tray.

In addition, as the elastic member provided in the valve is not in contact with water, the elastic member is prevented from rusting, thereby improving hygiene of the water tank.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of a freezing compartment door according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a water tank and an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining the configuration of the ice making assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing an arrangement relationship between an ice-making tray and an ice separator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing a force direction of an ice separator applied to ice generated in the ice-making tray of FIG. 5.
7 is a view for explaining the operation of the ice making assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an enlarged view of portions A and B of FIG. 7;
9 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a schematic view of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are assigned the same numerals as possible, even if they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with an understanding of an embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the constituent elements of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are for distinguishing the constituent element from other constituent elements, and the nature, order, or order of the constituent element is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but between each component It should be understood that may be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected”.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a freezer door according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a freezing chamber 11 and a refrigerating chamber 12 disposed below the freezing chamber 11. And, a freezing compartment door 13 connected to the main body 10 to open and close the freezing compartment 11, and a refrigerating compartment door 14 connected to the main body 10 to open and close the refrigerating compartment 12. have. In this embodiment, the freezing chamber 11 and the refrigerating chamber 12 are collectively referred to as a storage chamber, and the freezing chamber door 13 and the refrigerating chamber door 14 are collectively referred to as a refrigerator door.

The freezing compartment door 13 includes an outer case 14 for forming an exterior appearance, a door liner 15 covering the freezing compartment 11, the door liner 15 and the outer case It may include a deco member (16: deco member) connecting (14).

An ice making assembly for generating and storing ice may be installed in the door liner 15. The ice making assembly may include an ice making apparatus 20 for generating ice and an ice bin 30 for storing ice generated by the ice making apparatus 20.

In addition, the door liner 15 may form an insulation box 151 that forms a space in which a water tank (see 40 in FIG. 3) in which water to be supplied to the ice maker 20 is stored is accommodated. have. That is, a part of the door liner 15 may be processed in the form of an insulating box. In addition, the insulation box 151 may be opened and closed by a box cover 152. An insulating material may be further provided in the space formed by the insulating box 151 and the box cover 152. In addition, by separating the box cover 152 from the insulating box 151, the water tank (see 40 in FIG. 3) may be accommodated in the insulating box 151 or taken out from the insulating box 151. .

In this embodiment, as the water tank (see 40 in FIG. 3) is located in the insulation box 151, even if the water tank (see 40 in FIG. 3) is provided in the freezing compartment door 13, the water tank ( 40 of FIG. 3) may be prevented from freezing due to cold air in the freezing chamber.

3 is a perspective view showing an arrangement of a water tank and an ice making device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the configuration of an ice making assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 4, the water tank 40 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be positioned directly above the ice making device 40.

A tank support part 50 for supporting the water tank may be provided in the insulation box 151. The water tank 40 may be detachably seated on the upper surface of the tank support part 50.

The water tank 40 may include a tank body 410 that forms a space in which water is stored, and a tank cover 420 that opens and closes the tank body 410.

An opening 412 is formed in the tank body 410, and the tank cover 420 may open and close the opening 412. The tank cover 420 may be detachably coupled to the tank body 410 or rotatably coupled to the tank body 410.

After separating the water tank 40 from the freezing compartment door 13, the user may open the opening 412 to supply water to the tank body 410. As the tank cover 420 opens and closes the opening 412 of the tank body 410, the user can clean the inside of the tank body 410.

A hole 422 through which air may flow may be formed in the tank cover 420. The user may supply water to the tank body 410 through the hole 422 without separating the tank cover 420 from the tank body 410.

A receiving portion 414 is formed below the tank body 410 to accommodate the seating guide 510 formed on the tank support portion 50. As the seating guide 510 is accommodated in the receiving portion 415, the water tank 40 is prevented from moving in the horizontal direction while the water tank 40 is seated in the tank support portion 50. . The user may lift the water tank 40 above the support part 40 to separate the water tank 40 from the tank support part 50.

The lower wall 415 of the tank body 410 is inclined, and a water outlet (refer to 418 of FIG. 8) for discharging water is formed at a portion of the lower wall 415 having the lowest height. In addition, the tank body 410 includes a valve 430 for opening and closing the water outlet (refer to 418 in FIG. 8 ). The operation of the valve 430 will be described later with reference to the drawings.

The tank support part 50 may be mounted on the insulating box 151 or formed integrally with the insulating box 151.

The tank support part 50 includes a water guide part 520 for guiding the water discharged from the water outlet (refer to 418 in FIG. 8) to the ice making device 20. In order to prevent the water discharged from the water discharge port (refer to 418 of FIG. 8) from leaking between the tank support part 50 and the water tank 20, a part of the water discharge port (refer to 418 of FIG. 8) is It may be inserted into the guide unit 520.

The ice making device 20 includes an ice making tray 210 having a plurality of ice making chambers 212 for generating ice, a driving device 280 for rotating the ice making tray 210, It may include valve operating units 230 and 240 for operating the valve 430 by transmitting the rotational force of the ice making tray 210 to the valve 430.

The ice making tray 210 may include a water supply guide 220 for guiding water supplied from the water tank 20 to the plurality of ice making chambers 212. The water supply guide 220 extends upward from the upper surface of the ice making tray 210.

A first rotation shaft 214 and a second rotation shaft 215 may be provided on both sides of the ice-making tray 210 to provide a rotation center of the ice-making tray 210. Each of the rotation shafts 214 and 215 may be rotatably supported on tray supporters 272 and 274 disposed on both sides of the ice making tray 210.

The tray supporters 272 and 274 include a first supporter 272 through which a first rotation shaft 214 formed on one side of the ice making tray 210 passes, and a first supporter 272 formed on the other side of the ice making tray 210. It may include a second supporter 274 to which the two rotation shaft 215 is coupled.

The driving device 280 may be coupled to the first supporter 272. Although not shown, the driving device 280 may include an AC motor that can rotate in one direction, and a power transmission unit for transmitting power of the AC motor to the first rotation shaft 214 of the ice making tray 210. . The power transmission unit may be, for example, a gear, but is not limited thereto.

In the case of the present embodiment, as an AC motor having a relatively low price compared to a DC motor capable of rotating in both directions is used, the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator may be reduced.

The first rotation shaft 214 of the ice making tray 210 may pass through the first supporter 272 and be connected to the driving device 280. As another example, a part of the power transmission unit driving the driving device 280 or the shaft of the motor may pass through the first supporter 272 and be coupled to the first rotation shaft 214 of the ice making tray 210. .

The second supporter 274 is provided with a shaft coupling portion 275 inserted into the second rotation shaft 215 of the ice making tray 210. The shaft coupling part 275 not only serves to support the second rotation shaft 215, but also guides the rotation of the second rotation shaft 215.

The valve operation units 230 and 240 include a cam 230 to which the second rotation shaft 215 of the ice making tray 210 is coupled, and a movable member 240 that is in contact with the cam 230 and moves linearly. ) Can be included.

The cam 230 is coupled to the second rotation shaft 215 of the ice making tray 210 and rotates together with the second rotation shaft 215. The cam 230 may include a cylindrical cam body 231 in which a shaft coupling hole 232 is formed, and a protrusion 234 protruding from the circumference of the cam body 231.

The second rotation shaft 215 of the ice making tray 210 is coupled to the shaft coupling portion 275 of the second supporter 274 while being coupled to the shaft coupling hole 232 of the cam body 231.

The movable member 240 may be formed in a non-circular shape. For example, the movable member 240 may be formed in a polygonal column shape, but is not limited thereto. The movable member 240 contacts the circumference of the cam body 231 and the protrusion 234 during the rotation of the cam 230. One or more rollers are provided at the lower end of the movable member 240 to prevent damage to the contact surface between the movable member 240 and the cam 230 and to smoothly transfer the rotational force of the cam 230 to the movable member 240. 244) may be provided. Further, a roller coupling portion 242 to which the one or more rollers 244 is coupled is formed at a lower end of the movable member 240.

Accordingly, substantially one or more rollers 244 of the movable member 240 come into contact with the cam 230.

In order for the movable member 240 to linearly move by receiving the rotational force of the cam 230, the protrusion 234 may be formed to be round. In addition, the movable member 240 may be disposed so that the extension line of the movable member 240 meets the shaft coupling hole 232 of the cam body 231.

The second supporter 274 is provided with a movement guide 277 for guiding the linear movement (up and down movement in the drawing) of the movable member 240. The movable member 240 may be inserted into the moving guide 277. In another aspect, the moving guide 277 may surround part or all of the movable member 240. Accordingly, some or all of the horizontal cross-section of the moving guide 277 may be the same as the horizontal cross-section of the movable member 240.

The movable member 240 may be raised by the cam 230 during the rotation of the ice making tray 210 in one direction to operate the valve 430.

A through hole 530 through which the moving guide 277 and the movable member 240 pass may be formed in the tank support part 50. It may be the same as a part of the horizontal cross-section of the through hole 530 or the horizontal cross-section of the movement guide 277. Accordingly, rotation of the movable member 240 with respect to the vertical axis is prevented in the process of vertical linear movement, so that the movable member 240 stably converts the rotational force of the ice-making tray 210 to the valve 430. I can deliver.

The ice-making assembly may further include an ice separator 260 for separating ice generated in each ice-making chamber 212 from the ice-making tray 210 during the rotation of the ice-making tray 210. . The ice separator 260 is located above the ice-making tray 210, one end is connected to the ice-making tray 210 so as to be relatively rotatable, and the other end is a second rotation shaft 215 of the ice-making tray 210 And is inserted into the shaft coupling portion 275 of the second supporter 274. That is, one end of the ice separator 260 is coupled to the side surface of the ice making tray 210 in an idle state.

Accordingly, while the ice-making tray 210 is rotated, the ice separator 260 maintains a stopped state. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that a driving device for rotating the ice separator 260 is unnecessary.

5 is a view showing an arrangement relationship between an ice-making tray and an ice separator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a force direction of the ice separator applied to ice generated from the ice-making tray of FIG. 5.

5 and 6, the ice making tray 210 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of ice making chambers 212 as described above. In addition, a water supply guide 220 is provided on one side of the upper surface of the ice making tray 210.

The ice separator 260 includes a fixing shaft 262 and a plurality of arms protruding from the circumference of the fixing shaft 262 in a radial direction to press ice generated in each of the ice making chambers 212 ( 264: arm).

The fixed shaft 262 is disposed in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of ice making chambers 212. In addition, it is disposed at a position corresponding to an imaginary line bisecting the length of each of the ice making chambers 212 (the length is vertical in FIG. 5). That is, the fixed shaft 262 is disposed to overlap in the vertical direction with an imaginary line bisecting the length of each of the ice making chambers 212.

The width of each ice-making chamber 212 is based on an imaginary line dividing each of the ice-making chambers 212 so that the ice generated in each of the ice-making chambers 212 is easily separated by the ice separator 260. Among them, the width W1 of one side of the virtual line is formed to be smaller than the width W2 of the other side. That is, the width of each ice-making chamber 212 is formed so as to enter from the other side to one side.

Accordingly, the width of one side of the ice generated in each of the ice making chambers 212 is different from the width of the other side as shown in FIG. 6.

In the process of rotating the ice-making tray 210, the plurality of arms 264 are the fixed shafts 262 so that the ice generated in the ice-making chambers 212 is sequentially separated from the ice-making tray 210. The angle can be extended differently. That is, the plurality of arms 264 may be arranged in a spiral shape on the fixed shaft 262.

According to the present embodiment, since an AC motor is used as a motor for rotating the ice making tray 210, a torque may be smaller than that of a DC motor.

Therefore, in order to easily separate the ice generated in the ice making tray 210 from the ice making tray 210 even by a small torque, in this embodiment, ice generated in the plurality of ice making chambers 212 is sequentially To be separated.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, in order for the ice (I) of each ice-making chamber 212 to be easily separated from the ice-making tray 210, each arm 264 is In the ice (I), the small width is first contacted and a force is applied to the ice (I).

That is, since the frictional force of the ice-making tray 210 with the small width of the ice I is smaller than the frictional force of the ice-making tray 210 with the ice-making tray 210 with a large width of the ice I, each arm 264 ) Presses the small width portion of the ice (I), it is possible to easily separate the ice (I) from the ice tray even by using an AC motor that generates a small torque.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since water in the water tank 40 freely falls during the rotation of the ice-making tray 210 and is supplied to the ice-making tray 210, the ice-making tray 210 includes each of the ice-making chambers. A water guide channel for water flow between (212) is unnecessary.

If a water guide passage is formed in the ice making tray 210, water existing in the water guide passage is frozen, so that ice between two adjacent ice making chambers is connected to each other. Therefore, it is necessary to break the ice on the water guide channel in order to separate the ice from each of the two adjacent ice making chambers, so more torque is required. However, in the present embodiment, since a water guide passage connecting two adjacent ice-making chambers is not formed in the ice-making tray, it is possible to separate ice from the ice-making tray even when an AC motor generating a small torque is used.

7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the ice making assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portions A and B of FIG. 7.

7(a) shows the ice making assembly at the start of water supply, FIG. 7(b) shows the ice making assembly during water supply, and FIG. 7(c) shows the ice making when ice making after water supply is completed The assembly is shown, and FIG. 7(d) shows the ice making assembly at the start of eaves, FIG. 7(e) shows the ice making assembly during ice breaking, and FIG. 7(f) is Show the ice making assembly.

In addition, FIG. 8(a) is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 7(a), and FIG. 8(b) is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 7(b).

First, referring to (a) of FIG. 8, the valve 430 of this embodiment is coupled to the valve coupling portion 416 formed in the tank body 410. A part of the valve coupling part 416 is located inside the tank body 410 and another part protrudes upward of the tank body 410. In addition, a part of the valve 430 is inserted into the valve coupling part 416.

The valve coupling part 416 communicates with the water outlet 418 formed in the lower wall 415 of the tank body 410. In addition, an inlet hole 417 through which water inside the tank body 410 flows is formed in the valve coupling part 416. The valve 430 may open or close the inlet hole 417 or the water outlet 418. That is, the valve 430 may communicate or block communication between the inlet hole 417 and the water outlet 418.

The valve 430 includes a valve member 432 for opening and closing the water outlet 418, a rod 433 connected to the valve member 432, and the rod 433 through which the valve A valve body (434) coupled to the coupling portion (416) and a valve lever (436) connected to the rod (433) and operable by the valve operating portions (230, 240). I can.

The valve member 432 is inserted into the valve coupling part 416 and blocks water from being discharged to the water outlet 418 through the inlet hole 417 while the inlet hole 417 is blocked. In order to do so, it may be formed of a rubber material.

The valve body 434 may be fixed to the valve coupling portion 416 while being inserted into the valve coupling portion 416.

An elastic member 437 may be provided between the valve body 434 and the valve member 432. The elastic member 437 provides a force to the valve member 432 to move the valve member 432 in a direction in which the water outlet 418 is closed.

The valve lever 436 is rotated by receiving a force from the valve operation units 230 and 240, thereby raising the rod 433, so that the valve member 432 is connected to the inlet hole 417 and the water outlet. Try to communicate (418). In this embodiment, a structure in which the valve lever 436 raises the rod 433 may be implemented by a known technique, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The water passing through the inlet hole 417 may flow along the outer surface of the valve member 432 and the inner surface of the valve coupling part 416 and then be discharged through the water outlet 418. At this time, water does not contact the elastic member 437. According to the present embodiment, as the elastic member 437 is not in contact with water, the elastic member 437 is prevented from rusting, thereby improving the hygiene of the water tank.

Next, referring to (a) of FIG. 7, a heater 540 for heating the water tank 40 is provided in the tank support part 50 to prevent freezing of water in the water tank 40. Can be. In this embodiment, as the water tank 40 is provided in the insulation box 151, freezing of water in the water tank 40 is minimized, and the water in the water tank 40 is reduced by the heater 540. Freezing can be prevented.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5 and 7 (c), when ice is being made, the movable member 240 is maintained in contact with the cam body 231, and the valve 430 is the inlet hole 417 And the water outlet 418 is blocked from communication. The state in which the ice-making tray 210 is in the position of FIG. 7C may be regarded as that the ice-making tray 210 is positioned in the ice-making position.

In a state in which water is supplied to each ice-making chamber 212 of the ice-making tray 210, the water in the ice-making chamber 212 is cooled by the cold air of the freezing chamber 11 to generate ice in the ice-making chamber 212. . Although not shown, the ice making tray 210 is provided with a temperature sensor, and the controller may determine whether the ice making is completed based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

When it is determined that ice-making is complete, the control unit operates the driving device 280 so that the ice-making tray 210 is rotated in one direction.

When the driving device 280 is operated as shown in (d) and (e) of FIG. 7, the rotational force of the motor is transmitted to the ice-making tray 210 and the ice-making tray 210 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in the drawing .

Ice generated in each ice-making chamber 212 is sequentially separated by the ice separator 260 while the ice-making tray 210 is rotated counterclockwise. While the ice-making tray 210 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the movable member 240 contacts the outer circumference of the cam body 231, but the movable member 240 does not rise. In this embodiment, a process of rotating the ice making tray 210 to separate ice from the ice making tray 210 may be referred to as an ice making process.

As shown in (f) of FIG. 7, the movable member 240 contacts the cam body 231 but does not contact the protrusion 234 in a state in which the eaves process is completed.

In addition, when the ice-making tray 210 is further rotated counterclockwise in a state in which the ice-breaking process is completed, the movable member 240 comes into contact with the protrusion 234 as shown in FIG. 7A. In addition, when the ice-making tray 210 is further rotated counterclockwise, the movable member 240 rises while in contact with the protrusion 234.

When the movable member 240 is raised, the valve lever 436 is lifted as shown in FIG. 8B, and when the valve lever 436 is lifted, the valve lever 436 is moved to the rod 433 ) To rise. When the rod 433 rises, the valve member 432 connected to the rod 433 rises so that the inlet hole 417 and the water outlet 418 communicate with the water in the water tank 40. This is discharged through the water outlet 418. The water discharged through the water discharge port 418 passes through the water guide part 520 of the tank support part 50 and then falls into the water supply guide 220 of the ice making tray 210.
In this embodiment, a section in which water is supplied when the ice-making tray 210 is rotated may be referred to as a water supply section.

In addition, when the ice-making tray 210 is further rotated counterclockwise as shown in (c) of FIG. 7, the water dropped by the water supply guide 220 is transferred to each ice-making chamber 212 of the ice-making tray 210. Is distributed as. In addition, the movable member 240 rides over the protrusion 234 of the cam 230 so that the movable member 240 descends. In this case, the movable member 240 may be lowered by its own weight, and may be lowered by the rotational force of the valve lever 436 according to the restoring force of the elastic member inside the valve 430.

When the state as shown in (c) of FIG. 7 is reached, the ice-making tray 210 is stopped and water supply is completed.

In this embodiment, the amount of water discharged from the water outlet 418 or the amount of water supplied to the ice making tray 210 is determined by the inlet hole 417 and the water outlet 418 according to the operation of the valve 430. It may vary depending on the duration of communication.

In this embodiment, the communication time may vary depending on the rotation speed of the ice-making tray 210 or the length or shape of the protrusion 234 of the cam.

For example, the rotation of the ice-making tray 210 may be controlled so that the speed of the ice-making tray 210 in the water supply process is slower than the rotational speed of the ice-making tray 210 in the ice-making process. Of course, it is also possible to maintain the rotational speed of the ice-making tray 210 at a constant speed. Alternatively, the ice-making tray may be stopped while the ice-making tray 210 is rotated as shown in FIG. 7B, and may be rotated again after a certain period of time.

That is, referring to the process of FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, when the process of generating ice in the ice making tray is called an ice making process, a water supply process in which water from the water tank is supplied to an ice making tray, and ice is removed from the ice making tray. The ice making process to be generated and the ice ice process of separating the ice generated from the ice making tray after the ice making process is completed are performed step by step while the ice making tray is rotated in one direction within a range of one revolution.

In addition, the water supply process includes a first rotation process in which the ice-making tray rotates to a position to receive water, a waiting process for water to be filled in the ice-making tray, and water supplied to the ice-making tray in each of the ice-making chambers. It may include a second rotation process in which the ice-making tray is rotated to distribute it.

Alternatively, the water supply process may be performed while the ice making tray is continuously rotated.

According to the proposed embodiment, a water tank having a valve having a water outlet above the ice-making tray is provided, and the rotational force of the ice-making tray is transmitted to the valve by the valve operation unit, thereby controlling the pump and flow rate as the valve operates. Water from the water tank may be supplied to the ice-making tray by free fall without an electronic valve to adjust.

Accordingly, since the pump and the electronic valve are not required, the cost of the refrigerator can be reduced, and a control program for controlling the pump and the electronic valve is unnecessary.

9 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other parts, but there is a difference in the location of the ice making assembly. Therefore, hereinafter, only the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 9, in the case of the refrigerator 2 according to the present embodiment, a water tank 40, an ice maker 20, and an ice bin 40 may be disposed in the freezing compartment 11. The freezing chamber 11 may be provided with a shelf 16 that divides the freezing chamber 11 into a plurality of spaces, and the water tank 20 is an insulating box 151 provided on the upper side of the shelf 40 Can be accommodated within.

In addition, the ice making device 20 and the ice bin 30 may be located under the shelf 16.

10 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other parts, but there is a difference in the location of the ice making assembly. Therefore, hereinafter, only the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the case of the refrigerator 3 according to the present embodiment, an insulation box 151 accommodating a water tank 40 is installed on the ceiling surface of the freezing compartment 11, and the insulation box 151 An ice maker 20 may be disposed below, and an ice bin 30 may be disposed below the ice maker 20.

The freezing compartment 11 may be provided with a shelf 16 that divides the freezing compartment 11 into a plurality of spaces, and the ice making device 20 is installed under the insulation box 20, and the ice bin 30 may be seated on the shelf 16.

11 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in other parts, but there is a difference in the location of the ice making assembly. Therefore, hereinafter, only the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the case of the refrigerator of the present embodiment, a water tank 40 may be disposed outside the main body 11 and an ice maker 20 and an ice bin 30 may be provided in the freezing compartment 11. .

For example, the water tank 40 may be placed on the upper surface of the main body 11 or may be placed in a tank receiving portion that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the main body 11. In addition, water in the water tank 40 may pass through the main body 11 and be supplied to the ice maker 30. Of course, even in this case, the water tank should be located directly above the ice making device 20, and the movable member for transmitting the rotational force of the ice making tray passes through the body 11 and the water tank 40 It can come into contact with the valve of.

In the present embodiment, since the water tank 40 is disposed outside the main body 11, an insulation box is unnecessary.

As another example, according to the same principle as in FIG. 11, the water tank may be mounted on the freezing compartment door from the outside of the freezing compartment door, and an ice tray and an ice bin may be disposed on the rear surface of the freezing compartment door. Even in this case, the water tank must be located directly above the ice-making tray. In order for the water tank to be positioned directly above the ice-making tray, for example, the front of the freezing compartment door is recessed toward the rear to form a tank receiving portion in the freezing compartment door, and the ice-making device may be disposed below the tank receiving portion. have. In addition, water discharged from the water tank may pass through the freezing compartment door and be supplied to the ice maker.

As another example, the water tank, the ice maker, and the ice bin may be provided in the refrigerator compartment door. That is, as disclosed in Prior Document 3, a space for ice making may be formed in the refrigerator compartment door, and a water tank, the ice maker, and an ice bin may be accommodated in the space. However, since cold air from the freezing chamber is supplied to the space, it is preferable that the water tank is located in an insulating box in the space to prevent freezing of water in the water tank.

In the above, even if all the constituent elements constituting the embodiments of the present invention are described as being combined into one or operating in combination, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments. That is, within the scope of the object of the present invention, all of the constituent elements may be selectively combined and operated in one or more. In addition, terms such as "include", "consist of" or "have" described above mean that the corresponding component may be present unless otherwise stated, excluding other components. It should not be construed as being able to further include other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, unless otherwise defined, to which the present invention belongs. Terms generally used, such as terms defined in the dictionary, should be interpreted as being consistent with the meaning of the context of the related technology, and are not interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

10: main body 11: freezer
12: refrigerator compartment 13: freezer door
14: refrigerator compartment door 20: ice maker
30: ice bin 40: water tank
50: tank support

Claims (22)

A main body including a storage compartment having a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment;
A refrigerator door opening and closing the storage compartment;
An ice making device provided in the refrigerator door or the storage compartment and configured to generate ice;
A water tank positioned above the ice-making device to supply water to the ice-making device; And
And an ice bin disposed below the ice-making device to store ice generated by the ice-making device,
The water tank includes a water outlet through which water is discharged, and a valve for opening and closing the water outlet,
The ice-making apparatus includes an ice-making tray, and a valve operation unit configured to operate the valve by transmitting a rotational force of the ice-making tray to the valve,
The valve operation unit, a cam connected to the ice making tray,
And a movable member that is in contact with the cam and transmits the rotational force of the cam to the valve,
When the ice-making tray is rotated to the water supply section after the ice-making is completed, the cam raises the movable member, the movable member moves upward, the valve opens the water outlet, and the water discharged through the water outlet is de-icing. Is supplied in a tray,
When the ice-making tray passes through a water supply section and rotates to an ice-making position, the movable member descends and the valve closes the water outlet. The method of claim 1,
The refrigerator door is a freezer door,
The ice making device is located on the rear surface of the freezing compartment door,
The water tank is installed in the freezing compartment door from the outside of the freezing compartment door,
The water discharged from the water tank passes through the freezing compartment door and is supplied to the ice maker. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a driving device for rotating the ice-making tray,
The ice making tray includes a plurality of ice making chambers for generating ice,
A first rotating shaft connected to the driving device,
A refrigerator including a second rotation shaft connected to the cam. The method of claim 3,
The cam is connected to the second rotation shaft and has a cylindrical cam body,
Including a protrusion protruding from the cam body,
When the movable member contacts the protrusion during rotation of the cam, the movable member operates the valve to discharge water from the water tank through the water outlet. The method of claim 3,
The ice-making tray further includes a water supply guide for distributing water discharged from the water tank to the plurality of ice-making chambers. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a support supporter having a shaft coupling portion to which the second rotation shaft is connected,
A refrigerator provided with a movement guide for guiding the linear movement of the movable member on the support supporter. The method of claim 6,
Further comprising a tank supporter for supporting the water tank,
The tank supporter, a through hole through which the moving guide passes,
Refrigerator comprising a water guide for guiding the water discharged from the water outlet of the water tank to the ice-making tray. The method of claim 7,
A refrigerator provided with a heater for heating the water tank in the tank supporter. The method of claim 3,
The driving device includes an AC motor that can rotate in one direction,
Refrigerator comprising a power transmission unit for transmitting the power of the AC motor to the ice-making tray. The method of claim 3,
Each of the plurality of ice making chambers is a refrigerator in which a width of one side and a width of the other side are different from each other. The method of claim 10,
Refrigerator further comprising an ice separator for separating ice generated in each of the plurality of ice-making chambers during the rotation of the ice-making tray. The method of claim 11,
The ice separator includes a fixed shaft that maintains a stopped state when the ice-making tray is rotated,
A refrigerator including a plurality of arms extending from the fixed shaft and configured to separate ice of each of the plurality of ice making chambers from the ice separator. The method of claim 12,
The plurality of arms extend from the fixed shaft at different angles so that ice in each of the plurality of ice-making chambers is sequentially separated. The method of claim 12,
Each of the plurality of arms pressurizes a narrow portion of the width of ice generated in each of the plurality of ice-making chambers during the rotation of the ice-making tray to separate the ice from the ice-making tray. The method of claim 12,
Further comprising a support supporter having a shaft coupling portion to which the second rotation shaft is connected,
The fixed shaft is coupled to the shaft coupling portion while passing through the second rotation shaft. The method of claim 1,
The ice making device and the water tank are located in the freezing chamber,
The water tank is a refrigerator accommodated in an insulating box. The method of claim 1,
The refrigerator door is a freezer door,
The ice making device and the water tank are located in the freezing compartment door,
The water tank is a refrigerator accommodated in an insulation box. The method of claim 1,
The water tank is located outside the body,
The ice making device is located in the freezing chamber,
The water discharged from the water tank passes through the main body and is supplied to the ice maker. In the control method of a refrigerator comprising an ice-making device having an ice-making tray, and an ice bin disposed below the ice-making device to store ice generated by the ice-making device,
Rotating the ice-making tray in one direction to move from an ice-making position to an ice-making position; And
Including the step of rotating the ice-making tray in the one direction and moving to the ice-making position,
A method of controlling a refrigerator in which the ice-making tray passes through a water supply section while moving from the ice-making position to the ice-making position. An ice-making device having an ice-making tray, and a water tank positioned above the ice-making device to supply water to the ice-making device; And an ice bin disposed below the ice making device to store ice generated by the ice making device,
A water supply process of supplying water from the water tank to the ice making tray;
An ice making process of generating ice in the ice making tray; And
After the ice-making is completed, the ice-making process of separating the ice generated in the ice-making tray is included,
The water supply process, the ice making process, and the ice making process are performed in stages in a process in which the ice making tray is rotated within a range of one rotation in one direction,
After the ice-making process, the ice-making tray is rotated in the one direction to move to a water supply section. The method of claim 20,
The water supply process is a control method of a refrigerator performed while the ice-making tray is continuously rotated in the one direction. The method of claim 20,
The water supply process includes a first rotation process in which the ice-making tray rotates in a water supply section for receiving water,
A waiting process for waiting until water is filled in the ice making tray,
And a second rotation process in which an ice-making tray is rotated to distribute water supplied to the ice-making tray to each of a plurality of ice-making chambers formed in the ice-making tray.

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