KR102603491B1 - Cooling apparatus for ice maker and ice maker having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a cooling device for an ice maker and an ice maker including the same.
A cooling device for an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an evaporator through which a refrigerant flows; and an ice-separating unit connected to the evaporator to allow refrigerant to flow through the evaporator and heat the stored refrigerant to flow through the evaporator. may include.

Description

Cooling device for ice maker and ice maker including same {COOLING APPARATUS FOR ICE MAKER AND ICE MAKER HAVING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a cooling device for an ice maker that makes ice, and an ice maker including the same.

An ice maker makes ice. For this purpose, the ice maker includes an evaporator through which refrigerant flows.

When water comes into contact with the evaporator or at least a portion of a member connected to the evaporator while a refrigerant below the freezing point flows in the evaporator, ice is formed in the evaporator or a member connected to the evaporator.

When ice of a predetermined size is formed in the evaporator or a member connected to the evaporator, the ice must be separated from the evaporator or a member connected to the evaporator, that is, de-ice.

For this purpose, conventionally, refrigerant above freezing point flows into the evaporator from a compressor connected to the evaporator, or a heater is installed outside the evaporator to heat the evaporator.

However, when refrigerant above the freezing point is allowed to flow into the evaporator from a compressor connected to the evaporator, noise is generated from the flow path switching valve used for this purpose, and when a heater is provided outside the evaporator, the evaporator is heated to a high temperature, preventing corrosion. Resistance decreased.

The present invention has been made in recognition of at least one of the above-mentioned needs or problems arising in the prior art.

One aspect of the purpose of the present invention is to minimize the generation of noise when separating ice produced by an evaporator and to prevent the corrosion resistance of the evaporator from being reduced due to ice removal.

Another aspect of the purpose of the present invention is to allow refrigerant to flow into and be stored in the ice-separating unit, and then heat the refrigerant stored in the ice-separating unit to flow through the evaporator, thereby removing ice produced by the evaporator.

A cooling device for an ice maker and an ice maker related to an embodiment for realizing at least one of the above tasks may include the following features.

A cooling device for an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an evaporator through which a refrigerant flows; and an ice-separating unit connected to the evaporator to allow refrigerant to flow through the evaporator and heat the stored refrigerant to flow through the evaporator. may include.

In this case, the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator or a portion of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator may be stored in the ice removal unit.

Additionally, the ice separation unit may be connected between the evaporator and a refrigerant expansion unit connected to the evaporator or between the evaporator and a compressor connected to the evaporator.

In addition, during ice making, where cold refrigerant below the freezing point flows into the evaporator to create ice, cold refrigerant flows into the ice removal unit and is stored, and when removing the generated ice, hot refrigerant above the freezing point heated in the ice removal unit flows into the ice removal unit. The evaporator can be made to flow.

Additionally, the compressor may be driven when making ice, and the compressor may be stopped when removing ice.

In addition, the ice removal unit includes a refrigerant storage tank connected between the evaporator and the refrigerant expansion unit or the evaporator and the compressor and into which the refrigerant flows and is stored. and a heater provided in the refrigerant storage tank and driven during ice removal to heat the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage tank. may include.

Additionally, the upper part of the refrigerant storage tank may be connected between the evaporator and the refrigerant expansion unit or between the evaporator and the compressor.

Additionally, an immersion member that is at least partially submerged in water and creates ice may be connected to the evaporator.

Additionally, refrigerant may flow through the immersion member.

Additionally, an ice-making frame in which ice-making grooves are formed may be connected to the evaporator.

An ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-described cooling device for an ice maker; an ice-making water tray containing water in which an immersion member connected to an evaporator included in the cooling device for the ice maker is immersed, or an ice-making frame connected to the evaporator and having an ice-making groove; and a water supply unit that supplies water to the ice-making water tray or ice-making groove. may include.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the ice produced by the evaporator can be separated by allowing the refrigerant to flow into and be stored in the ice removal unit and then heating the refrigerant stored in the ice removal unit to flow through the evaporator.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the generation of noise during ice removal when separating ice generated by the evaporator can be minimized, and the resistance to corrosion of the evaporator can be prevented from being reduced due to ice removal.

1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention and a first embodiment of an ice maker including the same.
Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the operation of the first embodiment of the cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention and the first embodiment of the ice maker including the same, with Figure 2 showing the operation during ice making and Figure 3 showing the operation during ice removal.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention and a first embodiment of an ice maker including the same.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of an ice maker including a first embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of an ice maker including a first embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention.

In order to facilitate understanding of the features of the present invention as described above, the cooling device for an ice maker related to an embodiment of the present invention and the ice maker including the same will be described in more detail below.

The embodiments described below will be explained based on the embodiments most suitable for understanding the technical features of the present invention, and the technical features of the present invention are not limited by the described embodiments. This is to illustrate that the present invention can be implemented as in the embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications within the technical scope of the present invention through the embodiments described below, and these modified embodiments will be considered to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments described below, in the symbols shown in the accompanying drawings, related components among components that perform the same function in each embodiment are indicated by numbers on the same or extended lines.

Hereinafter, a cooling device for an ice maker and an ice maker including the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention and a first embodiment of an ice maker including the same, and Figures 2 and 3 are a first embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention. This is a diagram showing the operation of the first embodiment of the ice maker including this, where FIG. 2 is during ice making and FIG. 3 is during ice removal.

Additionally, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention and a first embodiment of an ice maker including the same.

And, Figure 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the ice maker including the first embodiment of the cooling device for the ice maker according to the present invention.

Additionally, Figure 6 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of an ice maker including the first embodiment of a cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention.

Cooling device for ice maker

The cooling device 100 for an ice maker according to the present invention may include an evaporator 200 and an ice separation unit 300.

Refrigerant may flow in the evaporator 200 as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in Figure 1, one side of the evaporator 200 may be connected to the refrigerant expansion part (EP) and the other side may be connected to the compressor (CP). Additionally, the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) and compressor (CP) may be connected to the condenser (CD). As a result, a refrigeration cycle in which pressure and temperature change while the refrigerant flows and changes phase into liquid or gas can be achieved.

An immersion member 210 may be connected to the evaporator 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the immersion member 210 may be at least partially submerged in the water WT contained in the ice making water tray TR rotated to the ice making position.

In this configuration, when the compressor CP is driven and refrigerant flows in the refrigeration cycle, cold refrigerant below the freezing point may flow into the evaporator 200. As a result, the immersion member 210 is cooled below the freezing point, and ice (I) can be generated in the immersion member 210 as shown in FIG. 2.

When the size of the ice (I) reaches a predetermined size, the ice making tray (TR) may rotate to the ice removal position as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, when hot refrigerant above the freezing point flows from the ice removal unit 300 into the evaporator 200, the immersion member 210 is heated above the freezing point, and ice (I) may be separated from the immersion member 210. In addition, the ice (I) separated from the immersion member 210 may fall by its own weight, move to an ice storage unit (not shown), and be stored.

Refrigerant may also flow in the immersion member 210. For example, a refrigerant passage (not shown) connected to the refrigerant passage (not shown) formed in the evaporator 200 is formed in the immersion member 210 so that the refrigerant can flow.

As a result, cooling below the freezing point or heating above the freezing point of the immersion member 210 is more easily achieved, thereby preventing the formation of ice (I) in the immersion member 210 or the separation of ice (I) from the immersion member 210. It can be done more easily.

The evaporator 200 may be connected to an ice-making frame (IF) in which an ice-making groove (IH) is formed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 .

In this configuration, when cold refrigerant below freezing point flows in the evaporator 200, the ice making frame IF may be cooled below freezing point. In this state, when water is sprayed or supplied from the water supply unit (PW) to the ice-making groove (IH), ice (I) may be generated in the ice-making groove (IH).

In addition, when the size of the ice (I) generated in the ice making groove (IH) of the ice making frame (IF) reaches a predetermined size, hot refrigerant above the freezing point can be allowed to flow from the ice removal unit 300 to the evaporator 200. As a result, the ice-making frame IF is heated above the freezing point, and the ice I can be separated from the ice-making groove IH. Additionally, the ice (I) separated from the ice-making groove (IH) of the ice-making frame (IF) may be moved to an ice storage unit and stored there.

The ice removal unit 300 may be connected to the evaporator 200 to allow refrigerant to flow in and be stored. Additionally, the ice removal unit 300 may heat the stored refrigerant to flow through the evaporator 200.

Accordingly, there is no need to provide a flow path switching valve (not shown) in the refrigeration cycle or to provide a heater in the evaporator 200 to deice the ice (I) produced by the evaporator 200 as in the prior art. . Therefore, the generation of noise when separating the ice (I) generated by the evaporator 200 is minimized, and the resistance to corrosion of the evaporator 200 can be prevented from being reduced due to ice removal.

The refrigerant flowing into the evaporator 200 or a portion of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 200 may be stored in the ice removal unit 300 .

The ice removal unit 300 may be connected between the evaporator 200 and the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) as shown in FIG. 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, part of the refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) to the evaporator 200 can be stored in the ice removal unit 300.

However, the ice separation unit 300 may be connected between the evaporator 200 and the compressor (CP) as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, some of the refrigerant that flows through the evaporator 200 and then into the compressor CP may be stored in the ice removal unit 300.

Cold refrigerant below the freezing point flows through the evaporator 200 to create ice (I), for example, as described above, ice (I) is created in the ice-making groove (IH) of the immersion member 210 or the ice-making frame (IF). During ice making, cold refrigerant may flow into the ice removal unit 300 and be stored.

When making ice, the compressor (CP) can be driven. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the cold refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) to the evaporator 200 may flow into the ice removal unit 300 and be stored. Additionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the cold refrigerant flowing from the evaporator 200 to the compressor CP may flow into the ice removal unit 300 and be stored.

In addition, when removing the ice (I) generated, for example, as described above, when removing the ice (I) generated in the immersion member 210 of the evaporator 200 or the ice making groove (IH) of the ice making frame (IF) In this case, the hot refrigerant above the freezing point heated in the ice removal unit 300 can be allowed to flow through the evaporator 200.

When removing ice, the operation of the compressor (CP) can be stopped. In addition, refrigerant above the freezing point heated in the ice removal unit 300 may flow through the evaporator 200.

The ice removal unit 300 may include a refrigerant storage tank 310 and a heater 320.

The refrigerant storage tank 310 may be connected between the evaporator 200 and the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) as shown in FIG. 1. However, the refrigerant storage tank 310 may be connected between the evaporator 200 and the compressor (CP) as shown in FIG. 4.

Refrigerant may flow into the refrigerant storage tank 310 and be stored there. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the cold refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) to the evaporator 200 may be introduced and stored in the refrigerant storage tank 310 during ice making. However, a portion of the cold refrigerant flowing from the evaporator 200 to the compressor CP may be stored in the refrigerant storage tank 310 as shown in FIG. 4 during ice making.

The upper part of the refrigerant storage tank 310 may be connected between the evaporator 200 and the refrigerant expansion part (EP) or between the evaporator 200 and the compressor (CP). As a result, even without a separate device, during ice making, a portion of the cold refrigerant that naturally flows from the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) to the evaporator 200 or from the evaporator 200 to the compressor (CP) is stored as refrigerant. It may flow into the tank 310 and be stored.

The heater 320 may be provided in the refrigerant storage tank 310. As shown in FIG. 1, at least part of the heater 320 may be provided inside the refrigerant storage tank 310. However, the heater 320 may be provided outside the refrigerant storage tank 310.

The heater 320 may be driven during ice removal. As a result, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage tank 310 can be heated by the heater 320. In this way, the hot refrigerant heated by the heater 320 can naturally come out of the refrigerant storage tank 310 and flow to the evaporator 200 rather than the refrigerant expansion unit (EP) or compressor (CP), which has high resistance. As a result, the evaporator 200 is heated by the hot refrigerant, and the ice (I) generated in the ice-making groove (IH) of the immersion member 210 or the ice-making frame (IF) is transferred to the immersion member 210 or the ice-making frame (IF). It can be separated from the ice making groove (IH) of (IF), that is, de-icing.

ice maker

The ice maker (IM) according to the present invention may include the above-described ice maker cooling device 100, an ice water tray (TR) or an ice making frame (IF), and a water supply unit (PW).

Since the cooling device 100 for an ice maker has been described above, its description will be omitted below.

The ice tray TR can rotate between the ice making position as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the ice removal position as shown in Figure 3.

At the ice making position, water (WT) can be supplied and contained in the ice making water receiver (TR) from the water supply unit (PW). Additionally, the immersion member 210 connected to the evaporator 200 of the ice maker cooling device 100 may be submerged in the water WT contained in the ice making water tray TR. In this state, when cold refrigerant below the freezing point flows into the evaporator 200 by driving the compressor CP connected to the evaporator 200, ice I may be generated in the immersion member 210.

At the ice-separating position of the ice-making water tray (TR), the compressor (CP) connected to the evaporator 200 of the ice-making machine cooling device 100 stops operating, and the heater 320 of the ice-making unit 300 of the ice-making machine cooling device 100 ) can be driven. As a result, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage tank 310 of the ice removal unit 300 is heated by the heater 320, and hot refrigerant above freezing point can flow from the refrigerant storage tank 310 through the evaporator 200.

Accordingly, the ice (I) generated to a predetermined size in the immersion member 210 connected to the evaporator 200 of the ice maker cooling device 100 can be separated from the immersion member 210 and moved to an ice storage bin and stored. there is.

The ice making frame (IF) may be connected to the evaporator 200. Additionally, an ice-making groove (IH) may be formed in the ice-making frame (IF) as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. A plurality of ice making grooves (IH) may be formed in the ice making frame (IF). However, the number of ice-making grooves (IH) formed in the ice-making frame (IF) is not particularly limited, and may be one or any number.

In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a compressor (CP) connected to the evaporator 200 of the ice maker cooling device 100 is driven in the ice making groove (IH) of the ice making frame (IF) to provide the freezing point to the evaporator 200. During ice making in which the following cold refrigerant flows, water may be sprayed from the water supply unit (PW).

Additionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, water supplied from the water supply unit PW may flow into the ice making groove IH of the ice making frame IF during ice making.

As a result, ice (I) may be generated in the ice-making groove (IH) of the ice-making frame (IF).

Meanwhile, during ice removal, hot refrigerant above the freezing point heated by the heater 320 provided in the refrigerant storage tank 310 of the ice removal unit 300 comes out of the refrigerant storage tank 310 and flows out of the evaporator 200 into the evaporator ( 200) can be moved. Accordingly, the ice (I) of a predetermined size created in the ice-making groove (IH) of the ice-making frame (IF) can be separated from the ice-making groove (IH).

Additionally, the ice (I) separated from the ice-making groove (IH) of the ice-making frame (IF) may be moved to an ice storage unit and stored there.

The water supply unit (PW) may supply water to the ice making water receiver (TR) or the ice making groove (IH) of the ice making frame (IF). The water supply unit (PW) is not particularly limited and can be any well-known device as long as it can supply water to the ice-making water receiver (TR) or the ice-making groove (IH) of the ice-making frame (IF).

As described above, when the cooling device for an ice maker according to the present invention and the ice maker including the same are used, the refrigerant is introduced into and stored in the ice removal unit, and then the refrigerant stored in the ice removal unit is heated to flow through the evaporator. The generated ice can be deglazed, the generation of noise when separating the ice generated by the evaporator can be minimized, and the resistance to corrosion of the evaporator can be prevented from being reduced due to ice removal.

The cooling device for an ice maker described above and the ice maker including the same are not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiments, but all or part of the embodiments can be selectively combined so that various modifications can be made. It may be composed of

100: Cooling device for ice maker 200: Evaporator
210: Immersion member 300: Ice removal unit
310: Refrigerant storage tank 320: Heater
I: Ice TR: Ice drip tray
IF: Ice-making frame IH: Ice-making groove
PW: Water supply WT: Water
EP: Refrigerant expansion unit CP: Compressor
CD: Condenser IM: Ice maker

Claims (11)

An evaporator through which refrigerant flows; and
An ice-separating unit connected to the evaporator to allow refrigerant to flow in and be stored, and heats the stored refrigerant to flow through the evaporator;
Including,
The ice removal unit is connected between the evaporator and a refrigerant expansion unit connected to the evaporator or between the evaporator and a compressor connected to the evaporator,
The ice removal unit is
A refrigerant storage tank connected between the evaporator and the refrigerant expansion unit and into which the refrigerant flows and is stored; and
A heater provided in the refrigerant storage tank and driven during ice removal to heat the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage tank;
A cooling device for an ice maker including a. The cooling device for an ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator or a portion of the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator is stored in the ice removal unit. delete The method of claim 1, wherein during ice making, when cold refrigerant below the freezing point flows in the evaporator to create ice, the cold refrigerant flows into the ice removal unit and is stored,
A cooling device for an ice maker that allows hot refrigerant above the freezing point heated in the ice removal unit to flow through the evaporator when removing ice. The cooling device for an ice maker according to claim 4, wherein the compressor is driven when making ice, and the compressor is stopped when removing ice. delete The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the upper part of the refrigerant storage tank is connected between the evaporator and the refrigerant expansion unit or between the evaporator and the compressor. The cooling device for an ice maker according to claim 1, wherein an immersion member that is at least partially immersed in water and generates ice is connected to the evaporator. The cooling device for an ice maker according to claim 8, wherein the refrigerant flows through the immersion member. The cooling device for an ice maker according to claim 1, wherein an ice-making frame having an ice-making groove for producing ice is connected to the evaporator. A cooling device for an ice maker according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 5, and 7;
an ice-making water tray containing water in which an immersion member connected to an evaporator included in the cooling device for the ice maker is immersed, or an ice-making frame connected to the evaporator and having an ice-making groove; and
a water supply unit that supplies water to the ice-making water tray or ice-making groove;
An ice maker including.

Images