KR102491970B1 - Ice Generating Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes a water tank for storing water for making ice, a thermoelectric element provided on one side of the water tank, and a heat exchange part provided on one side of the thermoelectric element to exchange heat with the thermoelectric element, wherein the heat exchanger The part relates to an ice maker comprising a first heat exchanger in contact with the thermoelectric element, and a heat exchange pipe connected to the first heat exchanger and extending upward.

Description

Ice generating device {Ice Generating Device}

The present invention relates to an ice making device.

An ice making device refers to a device that generates ice by changing the phase of water.

A conventional ice maker uses a water tank for storing water, an evaporator provided in the water tank to cool water, a compressor connected to the evaporator, a condenser connected to the compressor, and an expansion device connected to the condenser to remove ice from the water tank. Created.

However, in the case of using the refrigeration cycle used in the conventional ice making apparatus, it is expensive to configure the refrigeration cycle, and since the refrigerant must be circulated for ice making, it takes a long time to make ice, and the ice storage to store the ice made is expensive. There are essential issues.

In addition, since the conventional ice maker uses a refrigerating cycle, the noise of the compressor is high, and it is difficult to make the ice maker compact because of its large volume.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ice making device that does not require an ice storage by extracting ice immediately by reducing unit cost for ice making and shortening ice making time by not using a refrigerating cycle.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker capable of reducing the size of a product compactly because it does not use a refrigerating cycle.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker with little noise when making ice.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a water tank for storing water for making ice, a thermoelectric element provided on one side of the water tank, and one side of the thermoelectric element for heat exchange with the thermoelectric element. A heat exchange unit is provided, wherein the heat exchange unit includes a first heat exchanger contacting the thermoelectric element, and a heat exchange pipe connected to the first heat exchanger and extending upward.

In addition, the present invention provides an ice making device including an ice cube generating case that is drawn in/out from the water tank and capable of generating ice cubes.

The water tank is characterized in that it is provided with a conductive metal material.

The thermoelectric element includes one surface in surface contact with the water tank and the other surface in surface contact with the heat exchange unit.

During ice making, the thermoelectric element is characterized in that it absorbs heat through the one surface and simultaneously dissipates heat to the other surface.

On the other hand, when separating, the thermoelectric element is characterized in that it dissipates heat through the one surface and at the same time absorbs heat to the other surface.

Meanwhile, the present invention may provide an ice maker including a second heat exchanger connected to an end of the heat exchange pipe and a heat exchange fan supplying external air to the second heat exchanger.

In addition, the present invention can provide an ice maker comprising a rack gear vertically connected to the ice cube generating case, a pinion gear rotating in mesh with the rack gear, and a motor providing rotational force to the pinion gear. there is.

In addition, the present invention may provide an ice making device including an ice removing module for discharging the ice cubes generated inside the ice cube generating case to the outside.

The ice-separating module is characterized in that one side is inserted into the ice cube generating case and the other side is fixed and has an elastic force vertically.

In addition, the present invention may provide an ice making device including a sol valve that opens and closes a water supply passage connected to the water tank, and a flow sensor that is connected to the sol valve and measures the amount of water supplied to the water tank.

The heat exchange pipe may extend from a side surface of the first heat exchanger and be bent upward.

The water tank may include a water tank opening opening upward, and the ice cube making case may be drawn in and out through the water tank opening.

The present invention has the effect of providing an ice making device that does not require an ice storage by extracting ice immediately by reducing unit cost for ice making and shortening ice making time by not using a refrigerating cycle.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing an ice making device capable of reducing the size of the product compactly because it does not use a refrigerating cycle.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker with little noise because a thermoelectric element is used when making ice.

In addition, the present invention has an effect of providing an ice maker in which cooling (ice making) and heating (ice removal) are simultaneously solved by using a thermoelectric element.

In addition, the present invention has an effect of providing an ice maker capable of dissipating heat emitted from a thermoelectric element to the outside of the ice maker through a heat exchanger.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing an ice maker in which water supply, ice making, ice removal, and ice removal are automatically performed to generate ice cubes.

1 is a view showing how the ice made in the ice maker of the present invention is de-iced.
Figure 2 shows one side of the cross section of the ice making device of the present invention.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making device of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the ice making device of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchange unit of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a second heat exchanger and a heat exchange fan according to the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sol valve and flow sensor of the present invention.
8 shows how ice is separated by an ice-separating module in the ice-making apparatus of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram of a hot sound ice maker according to the present invention.
10 shows a state before water is supplied to the water tank in the ice making device of the present invention.
11 shows how ice is made in the ice making device of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration or control method of a device to be described below is only for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, but is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and the same reference numerals used throughout the specification indicate the same components. .

Unless there is a special definition, all terms in this specification are the same as the general meaning of the term understood by a person skilled in the art, and if a term used in this specification conflicts with the general meaning of the term, the definition used in this specification according to

Referring to the Cartesian coordinate system shown in FIG. 1, the positive direction of the X axis is forward, the negative direction of the X axis is backward, the positive direction of the Z axis is upward, the negative direction of the Z axis is downward, and the positive direction of the Y axis is right. , defines the negative direction of the Y-axis as leftward.

1 shows how ice made in the ice making apparatus of the present invention is de-iced. Figure 2 shows one side of the cross section of the ice making device of the present invention. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ice making device of the present invention. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ice making device of the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the ice making device 1 of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ice making device 1 of the present invention shortens the ice making time by using a thermoelectric element when making ice, removes the ice storage by directly extracting each ice made, and removes the ice storage. It solves the problem of melting ice in storage and provides fresh ice.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the ice making device 1 of the present invention includes a water tank 100 storing water for making ice, a thermoelectric element 200 provided on one side of the water tank 100, and a thermoelectric element. A heat exchange unit 300 provided on one side of the element 200 is included.

The water tank 100 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a storage space 102 in which water is stored. The water tank 100 is provided with a front surface 110, a rear surface 111, an upper surface 112, a lower surface 113, a left surface 114, and a right surface 115, and the front surface 110 and the rear surface (111) is provided wider than other surfaces. Although this will be described later, this is to facilitate the exchange of heat with the thermoelectric element 200 through the front surface 110 and the rear surface 111.

The water tank 100 is made of a metal material having good thermal conductivity. The water tank 100 includes a water tank opening 104 that is open upward. That is, the water tank opening 104 is provided on the upper surface 112 of the water tank 100 . Thus, the storage space 102 communicates with the outside of the water tank 100 through the water tank opening 104 .

The water tank 100 includes a water inlet 106 to receive water. The water supply port 106 is provided on the side, left side 114 or right side 115 of the water tank 100 . This is to minimize interference with the thermoelectric element 200 provided on one side of the water tank 100.

In addition, the water supply port 106 is provided on the upper side of the side, left side 114 or right side 115 of the water tank 100 . This is because the maximum water level that can be supplied to the water tank 100 is determined by the position of the water inlet 106, so the water inlet 106 is provided on the upper side of the water tank 100 to reduce the amount of water stored in the water tank 100. to maximize the amount.

Meanwhile, the ice making device of the present invention includes an insulator 400 surrounding the water tank 100 .

The insulator 400 is made of a plastic material having low thermal conductivity. The insulator 400 is provided to cover the left side 114 and the right side 115 and the lower surface 113 of the water tank 100 . Because the front surface 110 and the rear surface 111 of the water tank 100 are covered by the thermoelectric element 200, the left, right and bottom surfaces of the water tank 100 are wrapped around the water tank 100 and Restricts heat exchange with outside air.

Meanwhile, the present invention includes an ice cube generating case 500 that is drawn in/out from the water tank 100 to generate ice cubes.

The ice cube making case 500 is drawn in and out through the water tank opening 104 .

The ice cube making case 500 is provided in the storage space 102 of the water tank 100 during ice making, and partitions the water stored in the water tank 100 to make ice according to the partitioned shape.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the front and rear length l2 of the ice cube making case 500 is smaller than the front and rear length l1 of the water tank 100 . That is, a gap l3 exists between the ice cube generating case 500 and the inner wall of the water tank 100 . Because, in the state where water W is stored in the water tank 100, the ice cube generating case 500 is drawn into the water tank 100, and in order for water to flow into the ice cube generating case 500, each ice cube generating case 500 is drawn into the water tank 100. This is because a gap l3 is required between the ice generating case 500 and the inner surface of the water tank 100 .

Referring back to FIG. 3 , the ice cube making case 500 includes a square frame 502 that is opened in front and rear, a first partition wall 504 that partitions the inside of the square frame 502 left and right, and vertically partitioned. It includes a second partition wall 506 to do.

The square frame 502 is provided in a shape corresponding to the water tank storage space 102, and a plurality of first partition walls 504 and second partition walls 506 are provided according to the number of ice to be made at one time ice making. It can be. In the present invention, three first partition walls 504 are provided and one second partition wall 506 is provided, so that eight ice cubes are created at one time of ice making.

The ice cube generating case 500 is made of a metal material having good thermal conductivity.

The thermoelectric element 200 requires energy in order for electrons to move between two metals having a potential difference. At this time, the necessary energy is taken away from the energy possessed by the metal, and is a device using the Peltier effect.

Using the Peltier effect, the thermoelectric element 200 can be used as an element capable of emitting/absorbing heat. For example, when a current flows in one direction through the thermoelectric element 200, one surface becomes cold (heat absorption) and the other surface becomes hot (heat radiation). Conversely, when current flows through the thermoelectric element 200 in different directions, one surface becomes hot (heat dissipation) and the other surface becomes cold (heat absorption).

As the thermoelectric element 200, a thermoelectric module (TEM) is often used, and the thermoelectric element 200 of the present invention may also be provided as a TEM. TEM is a well-known content, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The thermoelectric element 200 is formed in a plate shape and is in surface contact with one surface of the water tank 100 . Specifically, the thermoelectric element 200 has one surface 202 in surface contact with the front surface 110 or rear surface 111 of the water tank 100 and the other surface 204 in surface contact with the heat exchange unit 300. include

A thermoelectric element in surface contact with the front surface 110 of the water tank 100 is referred to as a front thermoelectric element, and a thermoelectric element in surface contact with the rear surface 111 is referred to as a rear thermoelectric element. Hereafter, since the front thermoelectric element and the rear thermoelectric element are made of the same material, the front thermoelectric element will be described based on the description, but the description of the front thermoelectric element can be applied to the rear thermoelectric element as it is.

During ice making, the thermoelectric element 200 absorbs heat through one surface 202 and dissipates heat through the other surface 204 at the same time. Accordingly, the temperature of the water tank 100 in contact with one surface 202 is lowered, and the water inside the water tank 100 is phase-changed into ice.

Conversely, during ice separation, the thermoelectric element 200 dissipates heat through one surface 202 and absorbs heat to the other surface 204 at the same time. Therefore, the temperature of the water tank 100 in contact with one surface 202 is slightly raised to melt the ice on the inner surface of the water tank 100, and the ice can be easily taken out of the water tank 100.

The thermoelectric element 200 is provided with the same area as one surface of the water tank 100 . If the area of the thermoelectric element 200 is smaller than one surface of the water tank 100, heat absorption from the water tank 100 is not sufficiently performed, and thus the water in the water tank 100 does not phase change into ice. there is. In addition, if the area of the thermoelectric element 200 is larger than one surface of the water tank 100, energy is wasted in a portion of the thermoelectric element 200 that cannot contact the water tank 100.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchange unit of the present invention. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second heat exchanger and a heat exchange fan according to the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the heat exchange unit of the present invention will be described.

The heat exchange unit 300 contacts the thermoelectric element 200 and exchanges heat with the thermoelectric element 200 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the heat exchange unit 300 includes a first heat exchanger 302 contacting the thermoelectric element 200 and a heat exchange pipe 304 connected to the first heat exchanger 302 and extending upward. includes

That is, the heat exchange pipe 304 is disposed in the direction of gravity so that the refrigerant provided therein is affected by gravity.

The heat exchange pipe 304 contains a refrigerant therein. When the heat exchange pipe 304 exchanges heat with the first heat exchanger 302 to receive heat, the refrigerant inside the heat exchange pipe 304 vaporizes and changes its phase to a gaseous state.

The first heat exchanger 302 and the heat exchange pipe 303 are made of a metal material having good thermal conductivity.

The first heat exchanger 302 is provided in a plate shape, and has a first surface 302a in surface contact with the other surface 204 of the thermoelectric element 200, and a second surface provided parallel to the first surface 302a. (302b), a third surface (302c) provided between the first surface (302a) and the second surface (302b) forming the upper side, a fourth surface (302d) forming the lower side, and a fifth surface forming the left side. 302e, and a sixth surface 302f forming the right side.

It is preferable that the first surface 302a of the first heat exchanger 302 has the same area as the other surface 204 of the thermoelectric element 200 . This is because, when the first heat exchanger 302 is provided with a smaller area than the area of the other surface 204 of the thermoelectric element 200, the heat generated during ice making in the thermoelectric element 200 is sufficiently discharged through the first heat exchanger 302. As a result, the efficiency of the thermoelectric element 200 decreases, and one surface 202 of the thermoelectric element 200 does not sufficiently absorb heat, so that the water tank 100 does not lower the temperature to the temperature at which ice is generated. .

Conversely, if the first heat exchanger 302 is provided with an area larger than the area of the other surface 204 of the thermoelectric element 200, even if the heat generated during ice making in the thermoelectric element 200 is transferred to the first heat exchanger 302, The part of the first heat exchanger 302 that is not in contact with the thermoelectric element 200 heats the water tank 100 by releasing heat from the inside of the first heat exchanger 302, so that ice is removed from the water tank 100. because it may not be created.

The first heat exchanger 302 includes a pipe hole 303 through which a heat exchange pipe 304 can pass. The pipe hole 303 is provided to pass through the fifth surface 302e and the sixth surface 302f, which are the left and right sides of the first heat exchanger 302 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the first heat exchanger 302 is provided with a first plate 3021 and a second plate 3022, and the pipe hole 303 is formed between the first plate 3021 and the second plate ( 3022) is provided between them. That is, the heat exchange pipe 304 is provided in the pipe hole 303 provided by the first plate 3021 and the second plate 3022 .

The heat exchange pipe 304 includes a first heat exchange pipe 304a provided inside the first heat exchanger 302 and a second heat exchange pipe 304b connected to the first heat exchange pipe 304a and exposed to air. .

The first heat exchange pipe 304a has one end closed and is provided horizontally in the first heat exchanger 302 . Therefore, the refrigerant inside the heat exchange pipe 304 is stored in the first heat exchange pipe 304a in a liquid state.

The second heat exchange pipe 304b is connected to the first heat exchange pipe 304a in the direction of the fifth surface 302e or the sixth surface 302f of the first heat exchanger 302 . The second heat exchange pipe 304b is bent upward and extended upward immediately after being connected to the first heat exchange pipe 304a. Accordingly, when the refrigerant inside the heat exchange pipe is vaporized, it rises upward through the second heat exchange pipe 304b. The vaporized refrigerant inside the second heat exchange pipe 304b exchanges heat with outside air through the second heat exchange pipe 304b.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 6 , the ice maker according to the present invention includes a second heat exchanger 306 connected to the end of a heat exchange pipe 304 and a heat exchange fan 308 supplying external air to the second heat exchanger 306. ).

The second heat exchanger 306 includes a plurality of heat exchange fins 307 penetrated by the heat exchange pipe 304 . The heat exchange fins 307 are stacked upward at a predetermined distance apart horizontally, and the heat exchange pipe 304 penetrates the plurality of heat exchange fins 307 upward and penetrates the heat exchange fin 307 on the uppermost layer. protrudes outward The heat exchange pipe 304 protruding to the outside through the heat exchange fin 307 is provided to be closed.

In other words, the heat exchange pipe 304 includes a third heat exchange pipe 304c having one side connected to the second heat exchange pipe 304b and passing through a plurality of heat exchange fins 307 . The other side of the third heat exchange pipe 304c is closed and blocked. Therefore, even if the vaporized refrigerant moves upward through the second heat exchange pipe 304b and the third heat exchange pipe 304c, the movement is limited in the closed third heat exchange pipe 304c.

The heat exchange fan 308 supplies external air between the plurality of heat exchange fins 307 . That is, the heat exchange fan 308 is connected to the side of the plurality of heat exchange fins 307 to supply external air.

In summary, the liquid refrigerant inside the heat exchange pipe 304 is vaporized into a gas state by the first heat exchanger 302 and rises through the heat exchange pipe 304 extending upward. The refrigerant vaporized by the second heat exchanger 306 and the heat exchange fan 308 provided at the end of the heat exchange pipe 304 is phase-changed into a liquefied state again, and the liquefied refrigerant moves through the heat exchange pipe 304 by gravity. descend again through Then, the descending liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with the first heat exchanger 302 to repeat the vaporization process.

In the present invention, the heat exchange unit 300 includes a front first heat exchanger in surface contact with the front thermoelectric element, a front heat exchange pipe connected to the front first heat exchanger and extending upward, and a rear first heat exchanger in surface contact with the rear thermoelectric element. It includes a roof tile and a rear heat exchange pipe connected to the rear first heat exchanger and extending upward, and the front heat exchange pipe and the rear heat exchange pipe are connected to one second heat exchanger and a heat exchange fan to exchange heat with outside air.

In the present invention, three front heat exchange pipes are connected to the left and right sides of the front first heat exchanger, respectively, and a total of six may be provided, and three rear heat exchange pipes are also connected to the left and right sides of the rear first heat exchanger, respectively, for a total of six. 6 may be provided. Accordingly, 12 front and rear heat exchange pipes may be connected to the second heat exchanger.

Meanwhile, the ice maker of the present invention has a front housing forming an accommodation space 606 in which an insulator 400, a first heat exchanger 302, a thermoelectric element 200, and a water tank 100 can be provided. 602 and rear housing 604. (See FIG. 3) Therefore, all heat generated by the thermoelectric element 200 during ice making is absorbed by the first heat exchanger 302, and the heat of the water tank 100 is absorbed only by the thermoelectric element 200. , The water tank 100, the thermoelectric element 200, and the first heat exchanger 302 are prevented from exchanging heat with outside air.

The front housing 602 includes an ice cube removing port 608 through which ice separated from the ice cube generating case 500 is taken out. The ice cube stripper 608 is provided above the first heat ventilator 302 . This is because the ice cube generating case 500 is drawn upward from the water tank 100, and the portion where the ice cubes are separated from the ice cube generating case 500 by the ice-separating module 900 to be described later is the first heat exchanger ( 302).

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the sol valve and flow sensor of the present invention.

3 and 7, the ice making device of the present invention includes a water supply passage 710 connected to an external water supply source 700 and supplying water to the water tank 100, and opening and closing the water supply passage 710. A certain amount of water must be supplied to the water tank 100, including the solenoid valve 720 and the flow sensor 730 for measuring the amount of water supplied.

The water supply passage 710 is connected between the external water supply source 700 and the water supply port 106 of the water tank 100 to supply water to the water tank 100 .

Solenoid valve 720 refers to a solenoid valve, and is a valve capable of opening and closing the water supply passage 710 electronically by changing an electrical switch. It includes an inlet end 722 through which water is introduced by the water supply passage 710 and a discharge end 724 through which water is discharged.

In addition, the flow sensor 730 is connected to the sol valve 720 and measures the amount of water passing through the flow sensor 730. The flow sensor 730 also includes an inlet end 732 through which water is introduced through the water supply passage 710 and a discharge end 734 through which water is discharged.

The discharge end 734 of the flow sensor 730 is connected to the inflow end 722 of the sol valve 720, and the discharge end 724 of the sol valve 720 and the inlet end 732 of the flow sensor 730 A water supply passage is connected to

Hereinafter, a structure for withdrawing the ice cube generating case 500 from the water tank 100 will be described. The ice cube making case 500 is drawn in and out vertically through the water tank opening 104 .

To this end, as shown in FIG. 3, the ice making device of the present invention includes a rack gear 800 connected to the ice cube making case 500, and a pinion gear 802 engaged with the rack gear 800 and rotating , a motor 804 providing rotational force to the pinion gear 802 may be included.

The rack gear 800 is vertically connected to the ice cube making case 500 to move the ice cube making case 500 up and down. In other words, the gears of the rack gear are connected vertically.

Specifically, the rack gear 800 is connected to the end of the horizontal member 806 extending horizontally from the ice cube making case 500, and is provided vertically downward from the end of the horizontal member 806.

The present invention may include a guide member 808 for guiding the movement of the rack gear 800 and a base 810 provided with the guide member 808 .

The guide member 808 is a pillar that protrudes upward from the base 810 and is inserted into a guide groove 801 provided on the bottom of the rack gear 800 to guide the vertical movement of the rack gear 800 .

The base 810 refers to the bottom surface of the ice making device, and includes an insulator seating portion 812 on which the insulator 400 is seated.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, when the motor 804 receives power and rotates in one direction, the pinion gear 802 also rotates in one direction and the rack gear 800 moves upward, so that the ice cube generating case 500 also move upwards. Conversely, when the motor 804 receives power and rotates in the other direction, the pinion gear 802 also rotates in the other direction, and the rack gear 800 moves downward, so that the ice cube generating case 500 also moves downward. move

8 shows how ice is separated by an ice-separating module in the ice-making apparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, a structure for removing ice cubes in the ice cube generating case 500 of the present invention will be described.

The ice making device of the present invention includes an ice-separating module 900 for discharging the ice cubes generated inside the ice cube-making case to the outside.

The ice-separating module 900 is provided to have elasticity so as to be rotatable up and down. Specifically, one side of the ice-separating module 900 may be inserted into the ice cube generating case 500, and the other side thereof may be fixed and provided with elasticity. In this case, the other side of the ice-separating module 900 is fixed to the rear housing 604.

Alternatively, one side of the ice-separating module 900 is inserted into the ice cube generating case 500 and the other side thereof is rotatably fixed and includes a torsion spring (not shown) having elasticity. In this case, the other side of the ice-separating module 900 is rotatably fixed to the rear housing 604.

When the ice cube generating case 500 moves upward (FIG. 8A), one side of the ice-separating module 900 is forced upward by the first partition wall 504, and the ice-separating module 900 rotates upward. (Fig. 8b). And, when the first partition wall 504 moves upward and the force acting on the ice-separating module 900 disappears, the ice-separating module 900 moves to the lower side by its own elastic force or the elastic force of the torsion spring connected to the ice-separating module 900. rotates to Then, one side of the ice-separating module 900 hits the ice formed on the lower side of the first partition wall 504 (FIG. 8c), and the ice cubes are separated from the ice-cube generating case 500 and fall forward. This process is repeated to de-ice all the ice cubes generated in the ice cube generating case 500 .

9 is a block diagram of the ice making device of the present invention. 10 shows a state before water is supplied to the water tank in the ice making device of the present invention. 11 shows how ice is made in the ice making device of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 9 to 10 , the operation of the ice making device according to the present invention will be described.

The ice maker of the present invention includes a control unit 920 connected to a sol valve 720, a flow sensor 730, a motor 804, a thermoelectric element 200, and a heat exchange fan 308.

The control unit 920 includes a water supply step of supplying water to the water tank 100, an ice making step of making ice from the supplied water, an ice breaking step of separating the ice made, and removing the ice from the water tank 100. The glacier performs the ice-breaking step.

As shown in FIG. 10 , in the water supply step, the control unit 920 opens the solenoid valve 720 to supply water to the water tank 100 . When the solenoid valve 720 is opened, the water supply passage is opened, and water is supplied into the water tank 100 through the water supply passage 710 and through the water supply port 106 of the water tank 100 .

In order to supply water only up to a predetermined water level, the control unit 920 measures the amount of water passing through the water supply passage 710 using the flow sensor 730, and when it is determined that the predetermined amount of water has been supplied, the sol valve 720 ) to close the water supply passage 710.

In FIG. 10 , the ice cube making case 500 is pulled out of the water tank 100, but if the ice cube making case 500 is pulled into the water tank 100, the ice making step starts immediately. .

When the ice cube making case 500 is withdrawn from the water tank 100, the controller 920 controls the motor 804 to rotate it in one direction so that each ice cube is rotated in one direction through the pinion gear 802 and the rack gear 800. The ice generating case 500 is moved downward. (See Fig. 11)

In the ice making step, the control unit 920 applies current to the thermoelectric element 200 in one direction so that one surface of the thermoelectric element 200 in surface contact with the water tank 100 is cooled, and in the water tank 100, the water turns into ice. It changes. In this case, the other surface of the thermoelectric element 200 becomes hot, and heat is transferred to the first heat exchanger 302 in surface contact with the thermoelectric element 200 . The refrigerant inside the heat exchange pipe 304 vaporizes and moves upward, and the refrigerant vaporized by exchanging heat with external air by the second heat exchanger 306 and the heat exchange fan 308 connected to the end of the heat exchange pipe 304 It is liquefied and moves downward inside the heat exchange pipe 304.

In the ice-making step, the ice-making completion point is determined by counting the time when current is supplied to the thermoelectric element 200 by the control unit 920 or based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 922 provided in the water tank 100. can judge

In the icing step, the controller 920 applies current to the thermoelectric element 200 in a different direction in order to remove the ice adhering to the inner surface of the water tank 100, so that the thermoelectric element 200 in surface contact with the water tank 100 ) to heat the water tank 100. Thus, the ice adhering to the inner surface of the water tank 100 is melted.

The controller 920 extends the time for supplying current to the thermoelectric element 200 in the ice making step compared to the ice shaving step. That is, the control unit 920 minimizes melting of the ice inside the water tank 100 by shortening the time for supplying current to the thermoelectric element in the ice-breaking step to about several seconds.

In the ice-separating step, the controller 920 controls the motor 804 to rotate in different directions to move the ice cube generating case 500 upward through the pinion gear 802 and the rack gear 800. When the ice cube generating case 500 moves upward, the ice separating module 900 hits the ice cubes generated inside the ice cube producing case 500 from the rear of the ice cube producing case 500 to form an ice cube producing case. It is de-iced in the first half of (500). (See Figure 1)

Meanwhile, the present invention may include a water supply switch 924 capable of opening or closing the solenoid valve 720. Therefore, when the user manually presses the water supply switch 924 to supply water to the water tank 100, the sol valve 720 opens and water is supplied to the water tank 100 through the water supply passage 710. In addition, when the water supply switch 924 is pressed again, the sol valve 720 is closed and the water supply passage 710 is closed.

Meanwhile, the present invention may include a movement switch 926 capable of moving the ice cube generating case 500 up and down. Therefore, when the user manually presses the movement switch 926, the ice cube making case 500 moves upward and is taken out of the water tank 100, and when the user presses the movement switch 926 again, the ice cube making case 500 It moves downward and enters the water tank 100.

The present invention is not limited to the scope of its rights to the above-described embodiment that will be able to be practiced in various forms. Therefore, if the modified embodiment includes the elements of the claims of the present invention, it should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present invention.

water tank (100)
storage space (102)
Water tank opening (104)
water inlet(106)
Thermoelectric element (200)
one side(202)
Cotton(204)
Heat exchange part (300)
First heat exchanger (302)
First plate (3021)
Second plate (3022)
Pipe hole (303)
Heat Exchange Pipe(304)
Second heat exchanger (306)
heat exchange fin(307)
Heat Exchange Fan(308)
Insulation(400)
Ice cube making case (500)
Square frame (502)
First partition wall (504)
Second partition wall (506)
front housing(602)
rear housing(604)
Accommodation space (606)
External water source (700)
Water supply passage (710)
Solenoid valve(720)
Flow sensor(730)
Rack Gear(800)
Pinion Gear(802)
motor(804)
De-icing module (900)
control unit 920

Claims (12)

a water tank for storing water for making ice;
a thermoelectric element provided on one side of the water tank;
a heat exchange unit provided on one side of the thermoelectric element to exchange heat with the thermoelectric element;
an ice cube generating case that is drawn in/out from the water tank and capable of generating ice cubes; and
An ice-separating module for discharging the ice cubes generated inside the ice cube generating case to the outside,
The heat exchange unit may include a first heat exchanger contacting the thermoelectric element;
It includes; a heat exchange pipe connected to the first heat exchanger and extending upward;
The ice cube generating case is provided to move vertically in the water tank,
The ice cube generating case includes a square frame that is opened to the front and rear, and a partition wall that partitions the inside of the square frame vertically,
While the ice cube generating case moves upward, the ice-separating module is rotated upward by the partition wall, and then rotates downward when the force acting on the ice-separating module of the partition wall disappears. Device. delete According to claim 1,
The water tank is made of a conductive metal material. According to claim 1,
The thermoelectric element includes one surface in surface contact with the water tank and the other surface in surface contact with the heat exchange unit,
When making ice, the thermoelectric element absorbs heat through the one surface and simultaneously dissipates heat to the other surface. According to claim 4,
Ice making device, characterized in that during ice separation, the thermoelectric element dissipates heat through the one surface and absorbs heat to the other surface at the same time. According to claim 1,
a second heat exchanger connected to an end of the heat exchange pipe;
and a heat exchange fan supplying external air to the second heat exchanger. According to claim 1,
a rack gear vertically connected to the ice cube generating case;
a pinion gear engaged with the rack gear to rotate;
An ice maker comprising a motor providing rotational force to the pinion gear. delete According to claim 1,
The ice making device according to claim 1 , wherein one side of the ice-separating module is inserted into the ice cube-making case and the other side is fixed and has an elastic force vertically. According to claim 1,
a solenoid valve opening and closing the water supply passage connected to the water tank;
and a flow sensor connected to the sol valve to measure the amount of water supplied to the water tank. According to claim 1,
The ice making device according to claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange pipe extends from a side surface of the first heat exchanger and is bent upward. According to claim 1,
The ice making device according to claim 1 , wherein the water tank includes a water tank opening opening upward, and the ice cube making case is drawn in and out through the water tank opening.

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