KR20100094880A - Refrigerator and apparatus for sensing ice full state thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator and a device for sensing an ice filling state from the refrigerator are provided to prevent the movement of an element part by aligning and maintaining the element part in a predetermined direction. CONSTITUTION: A refrigerator comprises a body, a door, an ice maker(150), an ice bank, and an ice-filling sensing apparatus(220). The ice maker is installed in the body or the door and makes ice. The ice bank stores the ice made from the ice maker. The ice-filling sensing apparatus includes an element part and an alignment part and detects the ice-filling state of the ice bank. The element part sends or receives signals. The alignment part aligns and maintains the element part in a predetermined direction. The element part comprises a sender sending signals and a receiver receiving signals.

Description

REFRIGERATOR AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING ICE FULL STATE THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator and its ice-covering device, and more particularly, to a refrigerator and its ice-covering device that can improve the reliability of sensing of an element portion.

As is well known, a refrigerator is a device that allows food (food) to be stored fresh by refrigeration or freezing. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having a cooling chamber formed therein, doors for opening and closing the cooling chamber, and a refrigeration cycle apparatus for providing cold air to the cooling chamber.

In general, the refrigeration cycle apparatus is a vapor compression type having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser in which the refrigerant is radiated and condensed, an expansion device in which the refrigerant is decompressed and expanded, and an evaporator in which the refrigerant absorbs latent heat of the surroundings and evaporates. It consists of a refrigeration cycle device.

The refrigerator may be provided with various functions to increase the convenience and satisfaction of the user.

For example, the refrigerator is equipped with an ice making system (ICE MAKING SYSTEM) (or apparatus) for making and providing ice cubes.

The ice making system may include an ice maker for making ice cubes and an ice bank positioned under the ice maker and storing ice cubes made by the ice maker.

The ice maker may be mounted inside the door or inside the freezer compartment.

The door of the refrigerator may be provided with a dispenser to draw water and / or ice without opening the door.

On the other hand, the ice maker or the ice bank may be provided with a so-called ice detection sensor for detecting a state in which the ice stored inside the ice bank is full.

The controller of the refrigerator controls the ice maker to stop the ice making operation of the ice maker when the ice state is detected by the ice sensor.

The ice sensing device may be configured to include a sensing lever rotatably disposed in the ice bank, and a sensing switch configured to sense rotation of the sensing lever.

The sensing lever is rotated upward as ice fills the inside of the ice bank, and the sensing switch is configured to detect when the sensing lever is rotated by a predetermined position.

However, in such a conventional refrigerator, when the rotating part of the sensing lever is frozen, the ice level inside the ice bank may not be accurately detected.

Due to this, the ice making operation of the ice maker may be continuously performed to cause an overflow of ice to the outside of the ice bank.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and its ice-covering device capable of improving the detection reliability.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator and its ice-covering sensing device which can be easily configured at a low cost and can improve detection reliability.

The present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the refrigerator body and the door; An ice maker provided in the refrigerator main body or door and forming ice; An ice bank for storing ice formed in the ice maker; It is provided with an element unit for transmitting or receiving a signal, and an alignment unit for aligning and maintaining the element unit in a set direction, and a freezing sensing device for detecting the full ice inside the ice bank.

Here, the device unit may be configured to include a transmitter for emitting a signal and a receiver for receiving a signal.

The ice sensor may be configured to be provided in the ice maker.

The transmitter and the receiver may be mounted in different PCBs, and the alignment unit may be coupled to the PCs.

The alignment unit may be configured to include a receiving unit for receiving the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, and a coupling unit formed on one side of the receiving unit and coupled to the PC.

The coupling part may be configured to have a plurality of coupling protrusions.

Each of the coupling protrusions may be configured to include a locking step to prevent the departure from the PC ratio.

The locking projection may be formed to be elastically deformable.

The transmitter may be formed in a single number, and the receiver may be formed in a plurality.

The ice-covering device may further include a temperature riser to increase the temperature of the element portion.

The device may further include a case and a cover accommodating the device unit and the alignment unit, and the cover may be formed to include a light transmission window.

The temperature rise part may be configured to be provided in the cover.

On the other hand, according to another field of the present invention, a case forming an accommodation space therein; PCB accommodated in the case; An element unit which transmits or receives a signal and is mounted on the PC; There is provided a refrigerator detection apparatus having an alignment unit for aligning and maintaining the device unit in a set direction, to detect whether the ice bank in which ice formed in the ice maker is stored.

Here, an opening is formed in the case to accommodate the PCB, and may further include a sealing cap for sealing the opening of the case.

It may be configured to further include a heater to increase the temperature of the element portion.

The case may be provided with a light transmission window, and the heater may be provided in the light transmission window.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by providing the alignment unit to be aligned and maintained in the set direction, it is possible to prevent the flow of the element portion to improve the detection reliability of the element portion.

In addition, by arranging the alignment portion having a receiving portion accommodated in the element portion and the coupling portion formed to be fixed to the object on one side of the receiving portion, the configuration is simple, it is easy to manufacture and assembly. As a result, the detection reliability can be improved at a low price.

In addition, it is possible to further improve the detection reliability by further comprising a heater to suppress frost on the element portion.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

[First Embodiment]

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the ice maker and the ice-covering device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ice maker area of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice sensor of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 shows the ice detection function of the ice sensor of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of an ice maker of the refrigerator of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body 110 and doors 125 and 135, an ice maker 150 provided in the refrigerator main body 110 or doors 125 and 135, and forms ice. An ice bank 180 for storing the ice formed in the ice maker 150, an element unit 240 for transmitting or receiving a signal and an alignment unit 250 for aligning and maintaining the element unit 240 in a set direction. It is configured to include and comprises a ice-covering device 220 for sensing the ice in the interior of the ice bank 180.

The freezing chamber 120 and the refrigerating chamber 130 may be formed in the refrigerator body 110. Here, the refrigerator main body 110 may be configured to include any one of the freezing chamber 120 and the refrigerating chamber 130.

The refrigerator body 110 may be configured as a side by side type in which a freezing compartment 120 and a refrigerating compartment 130 are disposed along the left and right directions. Here, the refrigerator main body 110 may be configured of a so-called top freezer or bottom freezer in which the freezing chamber 120 and the refrigerating chamber 130 are disposed along the vertical direction.

The refrigerator body 110 may be provided with a refrigeration cycle device (not shown) to provide cold air to the freezing chamber 120 and the refrigerating chamber 130. The refrigeration cycle apparatus may be a vapor compression refrigeration cycle that generates cold air by compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant.

Each front surface of the freezing compartment 120 and the refrigerating compartment 130 is provided with a freezing compartment door 125 and a refrigerating compartment door 135 to open and close the freezing compartment 120 and the refrigerating compartment 130. The freezing chamber door 125 and the refrigerating chamber door 135 may be configured to be rotatable.

The freezer door 125 may be provided with an ice maker 150 to make ice. Here, the ice maker 150 may be provided in the refrigerator body 110. In addition, depending on the type of refrigerator, the ice maker 150 may be installed in an ice making chamber formed in a refrigerating chamber door (not shown).

An ice bank 180 may be disposed below the ice maker 150 to store the ice made in the ice maker 150.

The ice maker 150 or the ice bank 180 may be provided with a full ice detection device 220 for detecting a state in which the ice inside the ice bank 180 is filled (full ice). In the present embodiment, the case where the ice detection device 220 is provided in the ice maker 150 will be described.

The dispenser 210 may be formed under the ice bank 180 so that the ice of the ice bank 180 can be drawn out.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ice maker 150 includes an ice tray 151 for supplying water to make ice of a predetermined shape, and a water supply unit 155 for supplying water to the ice tray 151. ), An ejector (ejector) 161 for extracting ice from the ice making tray 151, a guide part 167 disposed to be inclined to guide the ice extracted by the ejector 161, and the ice making tray ( An ice heater (not shown) for heating ice 151 to separate the ice made in the cell, a driver (not shown) for driving the ejector 161, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit and the ice heater. The control box (not shown) may be provided with a control box 170 accommodated.

The ejector 161 includes a shaft 163 and a plurality of ejector pins 165 protruding radially from the shaft 163 and spaced apart from each other along the axial direction. . The ejector pin 165 is disposed to correspond to each cell partitioned inside the ice tray 151. As a result, during ejection, each ejector pin 165 may press the iced (separated) ice inside the cell to be drawn out.

A lower portion of the ice making tray 151 may be provided with a support portion 175 in which the ice heater is accommodated therein.

The ice bank 180 may include a body 181 having an accommodating space therein and having an ice outlet 182 at a bottom thereof, and a transfer screw (or auger) rotatably disposed at an inner bottom of the body 181. auger)) 183, and an ice-breaking unit 191 for crushing ice. Here, the transfer screw 183 may be formed in a spiral shape.

The icebreaking unit 191 may include a plurality of fixed blades 193 fixedly disposed inside the body 181, and a plurality of movable blades 195 rotatably disposed with respect to the fixed blade 193. ) May be provided. Thereby, ice is crushed between the stationary blades 193 and the movable blades 195. One end of the shaft of the conveying screw 183 may be provided with a conveying screw driving motor 185 to rotate the conveying screw 183.

An ice movement passage 212 is formed below the ice outlet 182 of the ice bank 180 so that the ice can be moved downward. The ice passage 212 is connected to the dispenser 210. The ice movement passage 212 may be provided with an opening and closing device (not shown) for opening and closing the ice movement passage (212).

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, the ice sensor 220 includes a case 221 forming an accommodating space therein and a PCB accommodated in the case 221. CIRCUIT BOARD) 231, an element unit 240 that transmits or receives a signal, and an alignment unit 250 that allows the element unit 240 to be mounted on the PCB 231 and the element unit 240 to be aligned and maintained in a set direction. It can be configured to have. Here, the device unit 240 may be composed of any one of a transmitter 240a for transmitting (outgoing) a signal and a receiver 240b for receiving (receiving) a signal transmitted from the transmitter 240a.

More specifically, the ice sensor 220 is configured to include a transmitting unit 220a for transmitting a signal and a receiving unit 220b for receiving (receiving) a signal of the transmitting unit 220a.

The transmitting unit 220a and the receiving unit 220b may be configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In addition, the transmitting unit 220a and the receiving unit 220b are housed in the same storage case 221 and sent out from the transmitting unit 220a and the object (in this embodiment, for example, ice in the full ice position) It may be configured as a so-called reflective sensing device for receiving a signal reflected by the receiving unit 220b.

The case 221 may be integrally formed with the support part 175. As a result, the connection between the ice maker 150 and the transmitter and the transmitter 240a and the receiver 240b may be easily aligned. Here, the case 221 may be formed separately from the support 175 and may be configured to be coupled to the support 175. In addition, the case 221 may be coupled to the ice bank 180. In addition, the case 221 is disposed around the ice bank 180, and a signal passing part (eg, a hole) to allow a signal of the transmitter 240a to pass through the ice bank 180. Or a light-transmitting window or the like.

The transmitting unit 220a includes a PCB 231, an element part 240 mounted on the PCB 231 and transmitting a signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “calling unit 240a”) and the element part ( 240, more specifically, the transmission unit 240a may be configured to include an alignment unit 250 to be aligned and maintained in a set direction.

The receiving unit 220b includes a PCB 231 and an element part 240 mounted on the PCB 231 and receiving a signal transmitted by the transmitter 240a (hereinafter, 'receiver 240b'). And the alignment unit 250 that allows the device unit 240, more specifically, the receiver 240b to be aligned and maintained in a set direction. As a result, the flow of the element unit 240, more specifically, the flow of the transmitting unit 240a and the receiving unit 240b may be suppressed to improve the detection reliability of the ice sensor 220.

Here, the transmitter 240a and the receiver 240b may be configured as an infrared sensor using infrared as a signal. The transmitter 240a may be configured as one, and the receiver 240b may be configured in plural. In the present embodiment, the receiving unit 240b is composed of two spaced apart from each other. As a result, a wider detection area is formed for one signal by receiving signals transmitted from a single transmitter 240a by two receivers 240b disposed apart from each other, thereby further improving detection reliability.

The transmitter 240a may be configured to output a signal in a pulse form at regular intervals. The receiver 240b may be configured to output the number of receptions (numbers) of signals (pulses) of the transmitter 240a as a signal having a predetermined voltage (level).

The transmitter 240a and the receiver 240b are disposed in the ice bank 180 so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the receiver 240b receives a signal transmitted from the transmitter 240a. Done. In this case, when the number of reception of the receiver 240b is greater than or equal to a set value for the number of transmission signals of the transmitter 240a, it is determined that the inside of the ice bank 180 is not full of ice. Detect.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when ice reaches the full ice position inside the ice bank 180, a signal (light) transmitted from the transmitter 240a is blocked or reflected by the ice. Therefore, the receiver 240b does not receive the signal of the transmitter 240a.

The receiver 240b may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. In addition, the receiver 240b may be spaced apart along the left and right directions.

The alignment unit 250 may be configured to be coupled to the PCB 231. As a result, the configuration is simple, and production and assembly can be facilitated, and manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Each of the PCs 231 may be configured to include circuits through which the device unit 240 may transmit or receive signals.

On the other hand, the alignment unit 250 is formed in one end of the receiving portion 251 and the receiving portion 251, the receiving portion 251 is coupled to the object, more specifically PCC 231 It may be configured with a coupling portion 255 to be.

The device unit 240 may include a device unit main body 241 having a circular cross section and a plurality of lead wires 243 extending to be mounted on the PC 231 on one side of the device unit main body 241. It can be provided.

At one end of the device unit main body 241, an engaging portion 242 extended to the outside may be formed.

Correspondingly, a through hole 253 is formed in the accommodating part 251 so that one end of the element part main body 241 may protrude to the outside, and the locking part 242 region may be accommodated therein. The receiving space 254 is extended compared to the through hole 253 is formed.

The coupling part 255 may be configured to include a plurality of coupling protrusions 257 to be coupled to the PCB 231. The coupling protrusion 257 may be formed in a plurality so as to extend in the longitudinal direction from the end of the receiving portion 251 and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, it consists of four pieces.

The coupling protrusion 257 may be formed to enable elastic deformation. As a result, the combined state may be maintained firmly after being combined with the PCB 231.

Engaging jaws 258 may be formed at ends of the coupling protrusions 257, respectively. As a result, it is possible to prevent accidental departure after coupling to the PCB 231. Guide slopes 259 may be formed at one side of the locking step 258, respectively.

Correspondingly, an insertion hole 233 may be formed in the PCB 231 so that the coupling protrusion 257 may be inserted and coupled thereto. The insertion hole 233 may be formed to have an enlarged size inwardly compared to the thickness of the coupling protrusion 257 so that each coupling protrusion 257 may be elastically deformed inward. As a result, each of the coupling protrusions 257 is elastically deformed to the inside while the guide inclined surface 259 is in contact with the insertion hole 233 and relative sliding when the insertion coupling, and after the coupling is returned to its initial position with its own elastic force, the insertion hole It is in elastic contact with the inner surface of 233. At this time, the locking step 258 is in contact with the outer edge of the insertion hole 233 to prevent the engaging projection 257 from being accidentally separated from the insertion hole 233.

On the other hand, the case 221 may form a receiving space 223, one side is open, the cover 225 may be provided in the open area of the case 221 to block the open area.

A sealing member 227 may be provided between the case 221 and the cover 225. The sealing member 227 may be formed of an elastic member (eg, a rubber member, a silicone member, etc.) having elasticity. As a result, penetration of moisture from the outside of the case 221 and the cover 225 can be suppressed. As a result, a decrease in sensitivity of the device unit 240 due to freezing of moisture or the like is prevented.

The cover 225 may be provided with a light emitting window so that the signal of the transmitter 240a can pass through each. In this embodiment, since the entire cover 225 is formed of a light transmitting member, the cover 225 has a function of serving as a light transmitting window, but a part of the cover 225, that is, an area corresponding to the front surface of the device unit 240, is formed from the light transmitting member (light transmitting). Window).

The case 221 or the cover 225 is provided with a temperature rise portion 261 to increase the temperature of the element portion 240 and the cover 225 (substantially the light transmission window) to suppress the frost is caught. Can be. As a result, signal damage (interference, distortion, etc.) due to sex can be prevented, and the detection reliability can be improved.

Here, the temperature increase unit 261 may be configured as an electric heater. The temperature rise part 361 may be configured as a planar heater having a thin thickness (film or sheet shape). The temperature riser 261 may be configured to be always operated by applying power when the refrigerator main body 110 operates. The temperature rise part 261 may be configured to have a heat generation amount such that frost is not caught in the element part 240 and the cover 225 (light transmitting window).

The temperature rise part 261 may be provided on the rear surface of the cover 225. A support part 228 may be formed on the rear surface of the cover 225 to support the temperature rise part 261.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, the control unit 265 implemented in the form of a microprocessor equipped with a control program detects whether the ice of the ice bank 180 is full of ice making process of the ice maker 150 The ice sensor 220, the driver 267, and the ice heater 269 are controllably connected to each other so as to control each other. The control unit 265 includes a PCB 231 to which the transmitter 240a of the ice detection device 220 is connected, a PCB 231 to which the receivers 240b and 240b are connected, and a temperature riser 261 (heater). Can be connected.

By such a configuration, when water is supplied to the ice making tray 151 through the water supply unit 155, and a predetermined time (time for freezing ice) elapses, the controller 265 is the ice-covering device 220. The ice bank 180 determines whether or not the ice bank 180 is full based on the detected signal. If it is determined that the ice bank 180 is not in a full ice state, the controller 265 causes power to be applied to the ice heater 269 to continue the ice making process.

When power is applied to the ice heater 269, the ice formed by melting the ice inside the ice tray 151 is separated from the ice tray 151. In this case, the controller 265 controls the drive unit 267 to rotate the ejector 161 so that the separated ice is extracted and stored in the ice bank 180.

When the ejector 161 is rotated, ice iced from the ice making tray 151 is pushed by the ejector pin 165 and moved upward, and then the ice bank 180 is lowered along the upper surface of the guide part 167. Falls into the interior.

On the other hand, the control unit 265 stops the operation of the ice heater 269 and the driving unit 267 when the ice bank 180 is in the ice state by the ice sensor 220, and all the ice making processes are finished. Be sure to

[Second Embodiment]

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 9, an ice-covering device for a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.

9 is an exploded perspective view of the ice-covering device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same and equivalent parts as those described above and illustrated in the drawings will be described with the same reference numerals for convenience of description. In addition, a detailed description of the overlapping configuration will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the ice sensor 320 of the present refrigerator includes a case 321 forming an accommodation space therein, a PC 331 accommodated in the case 321, and a signal. Transmitting or receiving, and is provided with an element unit 240 mounted on the PC 331, and an alignment unit 250 to align and maintain the element portion 240 in the set direction. Here, the device unit 240 is configured to include a transmitter 240a for transmitting a signal and a receiver 240b for receiving a signal from the transmitter 240a.

Here, the transmitter 240a and the receiver 240b may be configured as infrared sensors for transmitting and receiving infrared signals.

The transmitter 240a and the receiver 240b may be configured to be coupled to separate PCs 331 by separate alignment units 250 and may be accommodated in separate cases 321. Here, the transmitter 240a and the receiver 240b may be arranged in a single PC 331 by a separate alignment unit 250, and may be accommodated in a single case 321.

Hereinafter, the transmitter 240a and the receiver 240b are regarded as aligned in separate PCs 331 by separate alignment units 250 and stored in separate cases 321, and the transmitter ( The detailed description of the ice-covering device with 240a) will be replaced with the above-described embodiment, and the ice-covering device with the receiving unit 240b will be described below.

The PCB 331 is formed as one, and the element portion 240 is composed of a plurality, that is, two. As described above, the device unit 240 may be configured as a receiver 240b that receives a signal from the transmitter 240a. As a result, the sensing region is extended with respect to one signal, thereby improving sensing reliability.

Two element parts 240 are mounted on the PC 331 so as to be spaced apart from each other, and an alignment part 250 for aligning and maintaining the element parts 240 in a set direction around the element parts 240. The insertion holes 333 are penetrated to each other so as to be coupled to each other.

The alignment part 250 may include a receiving part 251 in which the element part 240 is received and aligned and maintained, and a coupling part for coupling the receiving part 251 to an object (here, PCB 331). 255 can be configured.

The coupling part 255 may be composed of a plurality of coupling protrusions 257 that are elastically deformable. The engaging projection 257 may be provided with a locking jaw 258, respectively. One side of the locking step 258 may be formed with a guide inclined surface 259 inclined with respect to the insertion direction to guide the insertion.

On the other hand, the case 321 may be formed in the storage space is opened upwardly. A light emitting window 323 may be formed at one side of the case 321 to allow a signal transmitted from the transmitter 240a to pass therethrough.

A guide slot 324 may be formed in the case 321 to guide the PCB 331 to which the device unit 240 is coupled to be accommodated and aligned. The guide protrusions 325 protruding to form the guide slots 324 are formed in both side regions of the case 321, respectively. The guide slot 324 may be extended along the up and down direction so that both sides of the PC 331 can be inserted and slide.

On one side of the case 321 (in this embodiment, the upper side of the case 321), the case 321 is fastened to an object (for example, an ice maker 150) by a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw. The fastening portion 327 may be formed to be.

The fastening part 327 may be configured in plurality. The fastening part 327 may be formed on the side of the case 321 so as to be fixed to the inner sidewall of the ice bank 180.

The upper opening of the case 321 may be provided with a sealing cap 333 to seal the inside of the case 321 with the outside. As a result, the penetration of external moisture into the inside can be suppressed, and adverse effects caused by the moisture can be eliminated.

A light emitting window 323 may be formed at one side of the case 321 to allow a signal transmitted from the transmitter 240a to pass therethrough. An internal temperature is increased in one region of the rear surface of the floodlight window 323 so that frost is prevented from being caught in the element unit 240 and the floodlight window 323, that is, an electric heater 261. It may be provided. The heater 261 generates heat when power is applied and may be configured as a surface heater.

By such a configuration, the end of the element portion 240 mounted on the PC 331 is inserted into the alignment unit 250, and each end of the coupling protrusion 257 of the alignment unit 250 is connected to the PC ratio. The insertion hole 333 of 331 is inserted. The coupling protrusions 257 are elastically deformed inward as the insertion hole 333 and the guide inclined surface 259 are in contact with each other, and return to the initial position by their elastic force after passing through the insertion hole 333. ) Is prevented from being accidentally separated from the PCB 331.

On the other hand, the heater 261 generates heat when the power is applied so that the temperature of the light emitting window 323 and the device unit 240 is raised, the signal caused by the freezing of the device unit 240 and the light emitting window 323 This reduces the sensitivity of the sensor (damage, deflection, distortion, etc.) to improve the detection reliability.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the ice maker and ice sensor of FIG. 1;

3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ice maker region of FIG. 1;

4 is an enlarged partial view of FIG.

5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice sensor of FIG. 2;

6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the ice detection operation of the ice detection device of FIG. 2; FIG.

8 is a control block diagram of an ice maker of the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

9 is an exploded perspective view of the ice-covering device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

110: refrigerator body 120: freezer

125: freezer door 130: cold storage room

135: refrigerating chamber door 150: ice maker

151: ice tray 155: water supply

161: ejector 170: control box

175: support portion 180: ice bank

210: dispenser 212: ice path

220: ice-covering device 221: case

225 cover 228 support

231: PC 233: insertion hole

240: element portion 240a: transmitter

240b: receiver 241: element body

243: lead wire 250: alignment portion

251: receiving portion 253: through hole

255: coupling portion 257: coupling protrusion

Claims (16)

A refrigerator body and a door; An ice maker provided in the refrigerator main body or door and forming ice; An ice bank for storing ice formed in the ice maker; An ice cream sensing device configured to include an element unit for transmitting or receiving a signal, and an alignment unit for aligning and maintaining the element unit in a set direction and detecting an ice cube in the ice bank; Refrigerator comprising a. The method of claim 1, The device unit, the refrigerator comprising a transmitting unit for emitting a signal and a receiving unit for receiving a signal. The method of claim 1, The ice-covering device is provided in the ice maker. The method of claim 2, The transmitter and the receiver are mounted in different PCBs, respectively, and the alignment unit is coupled to the PCs, respectively. The method of claim 4, wherein The alignment unit, the refrigerator comprising a receiving unit for receiving the transmitting unit and the receiving unit, and a coupling unit formed on one side of the receiving unit and coupled to the PC. The method of claim 5, The coupling unit has a refrigerator having a plurality of coupling protrusions. The method of claim 6, Each of the coupling protrusions is provided with a locking step to prevent the departure from the PC. The method of claim 6, The hanger is a refrigerator that is formed to be elastically deformable. The method of claim 2, The transmitter is formed in a single number, the refrigerator is formed in a plurality of. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The ice-covering device further comprises a temperature riser to increase the temperature of the element portion. The method of claim 10, And a case and a cover accommodating the element portion and the alignment portion, respectively, wherein the cover is formed with a light transmitting window. The method of claim 11, The temperature riser is provided in the cover. A case forming an accommodation space therein; PCB accommodated in the case; An element unit which transmits or receives a signal and is mounted on the PC; An alignment unit which allows the device unit to be aligned and maintained in a set direction; Is provided, the ice-making detection device of the refrigerator for detecting whether the ice bank is stored ice formed in the ice maker. The method of claim 13, An opening is formed in the case to accommodate the PCB, and further comprising a sealing cap for sealing the opening of the case. The method according to claim 13 or 14, Refrigerator sensing device of the refrigerator further comprises a heater to increase the temperature of the element portion. The method of claim 15, The case is provided with a light transmission window, the heater is a sensing device of the refrigerator provided on one side of the light transmission window.

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